Does Fortuner TRD Preview a GR Model?

Toyota has released details about its Fortuner TRD Sportivo at the 2019 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) and this got us thinking, should Toyota GR make a sportier Fortuner?

 

GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS

 

'TRD' in the name 'TRD Sportivo' stands for Toyota's in-house tuning team – Toyota Racing Development. The new Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo sports a number of external updates such redesigned front grille, new muscular front bumper, fresh TRD Sportivo Stickering, new alloy wheels, new fog lamp housing, new spoiler and a new rear-bumper. It is available in six colour options such as Super White, Silver Metallic, Dark Gray Mica Metallic, Attitude Black, Avant-garde Bronze Metallic, and Phantom Brown Metallic. The styling of and the equipment offered in the TRD Sportivo variant varies as per the market.

The Indonesian-spec Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo measures 4,795 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width and 1,835 mm in height. It has a ground clearance of 193 mm and a 2,745 mm wheelbase. It is available with a 2.7-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine and 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV diesel engine. The petrol engine delivers 163 PS of maximum power at 3,400 rpm and 24.7 kg.m (242.22 Nm) of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The diesel engine produces 149.6 PS of maximum power at 3,400 rpm and 40.8 kg.m (400 Nm) at 1,600-2,000 rpm. 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic are the transmission choices. A 4WD system is optional, and it can be specified only if selecting the diesel engine. Inside, the engine start-stop button carries TRD branding.

 

 

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 (2019) Price in South Africa

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is coming to SA. Here's how much this lithe performer will cost.

The previous generation Porsche Cayman GT4 was an instant classic. Thanks to some thrilling dynamics, glorious engine note and rarity, the Cayman GT4 enjoyed a cult following and is highly sought after amongst the classic Porsche fraternity. Now for 2019, there's an all-new Cayman GT4.

Under the bonnet is a new 4.0-litre 6-cylinder motor which Porsche claims is based on the current 911 Carrera engine. Producing 309 kW and 420 Nm, it's not a slouch and Porsche claims 0-100 kph in 4.4 seconds. With a redline of 8 000 revolutions, the new Cayman GT4 boasts a top speed of over 300 kph, while consuming just 10.9 L/100 km. Porsche claims its new Cayman GT4 is more than 10 seconds faster than the outgoing car.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Price in South Africa (July 2019)

R1 467 000 (5 year Driveplan)

R1 417 000 (3 year Driveplan)

Porsche Cayman GT4

 

Ford Confirms Electric F-150 Bakkie

Electric F-150 appears to be massively powerful and a huge departure from the status quo. 

America's most popular vehicle is going electric and it appears that the switch to battery power will bring enhanced driving capability to Ford’s F-150.

For decades the F-150 has relied on V8 engines to haul loads and large multi-axle trailers, but of late the American brand’s most important product has embraced turbocharging in a strategy to find greater fuel efficiency.

As pressure grows to provide electric vehicle options in America, the world’s most important bakkie market, Ford has been given no choice but to respond to a changing automotive landscape.

Earlier this year Ford announced a R7bn investment in electric bakkie start-up, Rivian, and now it has revealed a prototype battery-powered F-150.

Although Ford won’t confirm any specifications pertaining to its electric F-150 prototype, it did showcase the bakkie’s hugely impressive towing capabilities.


The electric F150 towed 453 tons as a demonstration of capability.

Ford’s chief engineer for F-150, Linda Zhang, towed 42 other F-150 bakkies, loaded onto rail cars, with the new battery prototype. That’s 453 tons of hauling capability, which is more than one hundred times greater than the average double-cab turbodiesel bakkie’s tow rating of 3.5 tons.

The best guess of what is powering this F-150 battery prototype would be a Rivian powertrain. The most potent Rivian battery pack and electric motor configuration is worth 562 kW and 1120 Nm, numbers which would make Ford’s F-150 towing stunt possible.

Read about the Rivian/Ford tie up here.

Although an exact introduction date has not been confirmed, Ford is committed to launching this electric version of the F-150, following the release of a hybrid variant, which is due next year.

Rivian has also built a 562 kW kitchen

 

New Audi Q3 Sportback For SA

If the standard Q3 is too demure for you, then perhaps the Q3 Sportback will capture your heart. Details below…

The new Q3 is due to arrive in South Africa in August 2019 but Audi has now revealed the sportier, coupe-inspired Q3 Sportback. It's set apart with a black octagonal singleframe grille and flanked with trapezoidal air intakes. A sculpted bonnet, Matrix LED headlights and coupe-like sloping roof which is some 3 cm lower than the standard Q3 further defines this sporty SUV.

At the rear, the model wears wraparound taillights, a tailgate-mounted spoiler and an integrated diffuser with a hidden exhaust system. Black cladding further adds to the appeal. 

As for the interior, its Q3 fair with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (Virtual Cockpit optional) and 10.1-inch infotainment system taking pride of place. The flat-bottom steering wheel adds a sporty touch while metallic trim elements offer a refined interior ambience.

In terms of practicality, the rear bench can slide forwards or backwards by as much as 130 mm to either improve legroom or luggage space, the latter of which is claimed at 530 litres, expanding to 1 400 litres with the seats folded down. 

Engine Power


Engines for SA have yet to be confirmed but the Q3 Sportback will make landfall early in 2020. 

The Q3 Sportback will be launched with a choice of either the range-topping 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine with 169 kW and 350 Nm or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 110 kW and 340 Nm. Both are mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The turbopetrol derivative features quattro all-wheel drive while the diesel engine drives the front wheels. 

Audi says a more powerful diesel engine will be offered later as well as an entry-level turbopetrol engine with a 48V mild hybrid system. A manual transmission is also expected. 

A local Audi spokesperson has confirmed that the Q3 Sportback can be expected to arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2020. However, it’s not yet confirmed what engine/s our market will receive and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch. 

Buy a new or used Audi Q3 on Cars.co.za

Related Content 

Audi Q3 (2019) Specs & Price

Spy Shots: Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Spy Shots: Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Spy shots of the all-new Audi RS Q3 Sportback have emerged of the newcomer testing. Here's what we know so far.

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

What you're looking at here is the all-new Audi Q3 Sportback – a rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and BMW X4 – but in the hottest RS spec. With the official reveal of the standard Audi Q3 Sportback scheduled for July 2019, attention turns to the rest of the range. We already know that Audi is preparing an RS Q3, but this will make for an interesting alternative.

The good news is the mighty 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine is going to be retained. In the current TT RS application, for example, the motor develops 294 kW and 480 Nm so we know what it's capable of. We suspect that like the previous RS Q3, power will sadly be detuned. When we last drove an Audi RS Q3, it had 228 kW with 420 Nm. Power will go to a quattro all-4 wheels setup through an S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. The Audi RS Q3 Sportback will be even more sporty than its standard sibling, in the same way the GLC Coupe and X4 are sportier derivatives of their SUV relations. 

Further Reading

Audi Q3 (2019) Specs & Price

All-new Audi Q3 Revealed

Spy Shots: Audi Q4

Audi Q3 (2018) International Launch Review

Toyota Prius Black Pack

Black on the outside, bright on the inside. 

Toyota has announced a cabin configuration change for its facelifted fourth-generation Prius hybrid.

The current car has been in production since late 2015 and is powered by a combination powertrain, consisting of a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and dual electric motors, good for a total system output of 100 kW.

Providing the car’s electric drive power is an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can recharge in two hours and 20 minutes from a 200V wall socket. Prius also features a roof structure solar panel, which can boost electric-only range by 6 km, if you park it out in direct sunlight for most of the day to charge.

What is new in terms of design? Well, Toyota has upgraded the car's appearance a touch and you now have an option of dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, of a five-spoke design. Black and bright red also become exterior colour choices.

The most pronounced change for this new facelifted Prius is found inside, where the car’s rear seating has been changed from a two- to proper three-seater layout. Interior architects took the decision to delete the car’s massive centre armrest in the rear, thereby freeing up space for a middle passenger. 

Prius is now a true five-seater occupant vehicle, as opposed to the slightly compromised configuration it was previously. Customers will also have option on a lighter cabin ambience, with contrasting light grey now available as a door panel, seat and dash trim colour.

Another design evolution includes additional sound insulation material, to make the Prius cabin even quieter on the move.

Volkswagen Continues SUV Offensive

Volkswagen is planning yet another Polo-based SUV. Here's what we know so far.

The original story was reported by Wards Auto, where Volkswagen announced it will be building a third model in the Polo family at the Group's facility in northern Spain. As it stands, this facility currently assembles Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen T-Cross models. Since the plant came online back in 1984, over 272 000 vehicles have been assembled and it'll churn out around 1 410 cars every day.

As for the newcomer, Volkswagen is claiming the third model will be a "sporty urban CUV (crossover) and will have hybrid and electric versions." While that detail may not seem like much, we can speculate given the platform engineering that takes place. Also, if we consider Volkswagen's concepts from the past few years, we get a clearer picture. 

Remember the Volkswagen Taigun concept from 2013/2014? Well, we think this newcomer could draw inspiration from that in terms of design and thanks to the MQB platform, should be fairly straightforward to assemble. The platform has a stellar track record for packaging and ride quality, so we reckon testing and production to be fairly formulaic. Given Volkswagen's ambitions in the electric space with the ID range, it should come as no surprise that this tech will be distributed across the Volkswagen family. 

A really compact SUV / crossover would sit at the bottom of the family. It would be smaller than the Volkswagen T-Roc and the T-Cross. Could this be a rival to the Suzuki Jimny? Production is expected to kick off in the 2nd half of 2021.

Further Reading

Volkswagen T-Cross (2019) Local Specs & Price

VW's Got a New 6-Speed Manual

Official Volkswagen Golf 8 Sketches Released

Volkswagen ID.3 Range Confirmed (w/video)

BMW X3 M/X4 M Competition (2019) Price in SA

BMW has released pricing for the new BMW X3 M and X4 M Competition models which are due to launch in South Africa in October 2019.

Back in June 2019, our video guy, Ciro De Siena, visited Newark in the USA to test drive the first-ever M versions for the X3 and X4. He came away mostly impressed and if you haven’t read/watched his impressions, then best you do so. 

Now, however, BMW has released local pricing for both the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition which are due to arrive in October. Note that the South African market will not receive the standard X3 M and X4 M. 

Power comes courtesy of an all-new 3.0-litre, straight-6 twin-turbocharged engine developing 375 kW and 600 Nm. Power is directed to all four corners via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration from zero to 100 kph is claimed at 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 280 kph when you opt for the optional Drivers Package.  

Take a look at what you can expect to pay for the BMW X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition below. 

BMW X3 M / X4 M Competition – Price in South Africa

*Price includes CO2 Tax

BMW X3 M Competition – R1 510 686

BMW X4 M Competition – R1 605 686

Buy a new or used BMW X3 on Cars.co.za

Buy a new or used BME X4 on Cars.co.za

Related Content 

BMW X3 M/X4 M (2019) International Launch Review

BMW X3 M/X4 M Performance Parts Shown

5 Rivals the BMW X3 M Has To Beat

Mazda3 (2019) Video Review

The all-new Mazda3 looks very different from its predecessor, is the styling departure going to be too much for some? And what's it like to drive?

The new, 7th-generation Mazda3 has made landfall in South Africa and we attended the Japanese compact hatchback and sedan range's launch. for an in-depth read of our first drive, check out this article.

Own a Mazda? Tell us about your experience here. 

Mazda3 (2019) Specs & Price

Mazda CX-30 (2019) International Launch Review

All-New Nissan Juke Teased

We now know there's an all-new Nissan Juke coming, thanks to this teaser image. Here's what else we know so far.

Like it or loathe it, the Nissan Juke is one of those passenger cars that got people talking. David Taylor is especially fond of its quirky looks and surprisingly potent turbocharged petrol engines. First launched in South Africa in late 2011 and then facelifted in 2015, the Nissan Juke won many fans locally.

Now Nissan has dropped a teaser image showing a headlight and foglight detail of the all-new 2nd generation Juke. With a reveal scheduled for the 3rd of September, the new Nissan Juke will continue to make the most of what's left of the Renault-Nissan alliance. While unconfirmed, we expect the newcomer to be assembled on the CMF platform which is shared with the new Renault Clio and new Renault Captur – both of which are due in SA in 2020. 

The shared components with the French carmaker mean that engines are likely to be shared too. The previous model used both the 1.6-litre turbo and 1.2-litre turbo from the Renault Megane and it makes perfect sense to continue this practice. The new Renault engines look decent on paper too, with a 1.3-litre turbo 4-pot. Let's not forget the new turbocharged triple engines as well as the venerable 1.5-litre diesel engine that continues to power things like the Renault Duster.

We'll have all the information on the all-new Nissan Juke when it's unveiled in early September 2019.

Further Reading

Nissan Juke 1.2T Acenta+ (2015) Review

2015 Nissan Juke Facelift – Quick Review [Video]

Nissan Juke-R 2.0 Revealed

Nissan Kicks [2018] First Drive