The Mahindra XUV300 launches in South Africa this week and we can confirm specifications and pricing for the stylish newcomer.
Indian carmaker Mahindra is quietly doing very well for itself. With the Scorpio Pikup and compact KUV tallying up credible sales, Mahindra is launching the new XUV300 which takes on the Hyundai Creta, Renault Captur and Ford EcoSport.
South Africa is the first market outside of India to receive the XUV300 and we'll be getting 2 engines and 2 trim levels. “The XUV300 is the newest product of that philosophy and combines fresh thinking and our best engineering and design talent. We are very excited to see how our new compact SUV will not only wow customers in our second home – South Africa – but allow them to Rise!” says Mr Arvind Mathew – Chief of International Operations Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
In terms of engines, Mahindra is offering a petrol and a diesel-powered XUV300 for SA. Kicking off the range is a 3-cylinder 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine with 81 kW and 200 Nm. The second engine is a 4-cylinder 1.5 diesel and offers up 86 kW and 300 Nm. Both engines are mated to 6-speed manual transmission. Mahindra claims both engines were tested thoroughly in South Africa at the Gerotek facility, the identical venue where we conduct our Cars Awards-powered by WesBank.
Mahindra is offering the new XUV300 in W6 and W8 levels of trim. While there are a few differences, both feature a 17.8cm infotainment system with an aux port and USB connectivity. The new XUV300 is just under 4 metres long and 1.82 metres wide, and the cabin is claimed to be spacious, with the rear seats being able to fold flat in a 60/40 configuration.
We'll be driving the new Mahindra XUV300 on local soil this week and will share a launch review soon.
The cabin of the new Mahindra XUV300
XUV300 W6 Features
16-inch steel wheels
LED tail lamps
Follow me home, Lead me to car headlamps
Air conditioning
17.8cm infotainment system with nav, bluesense app, smartwatch connectivity, Bluetooth, Aux, USB
Four speakers
Electric windows
One touch lane change indicators
Safety features such as 2 airbags, ABS, EBD, CBC, remote central locking, disk brakes all round, ISOFIX mounts, 5 seatbelts
XUV300 W8 Features
17-inch alloy wheels
Leather seats
Chrome upper and lower grille
Electrically folding mirrors
Dual zone climate control
Cruise control
Keyless entry with start/stop button
17.8cm infotainment system (same as above, but adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)
Six speakers
Safety features such as 7 airbags, ESP, front foglamps, rear foglamps, front and rear park distance control, reverse camera, hill hold assist, tyre pressure monitoring system
Renault welcomes a new range-topping Sandero Stepway Plus to the South African market with enhanced styling and a host of standard features. See specification and pricing below…
The Renault Sandero has proven quite popular in the entry-level passenger car segment and more than 58 000 units have been sold since its introduction in 2009. The range-topping Sandero Stepway arrived in 2011 and has since accumulated over 26 000 sales locally.
In an effort to continue its success, Renault has now introduced an updated Sandero Stepway Plus to market.
A 3-cylinder, 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 66 kW and 135 Nm is offered across the Sandero range and in the case of the Stepway Plus, fuel consumption is claimed at 5.4 L/100km.
The Sandero Stepway Plus features a neat and well-equipped cabin.
Stylistically, the Sandero Stepway Plus is distinguished by its gloss black side mirrors with a red line and is offered in 3 colours including Fusion Red, Highland Silver and Cafe Brown. Renault’s C-shaped LED Daytime Running Light signature with C-shaped rear tail lights give it further presence. The front and rear bumpers are redesigned and the range-topping derivative is fitted with an integrated roof spoiler, roof bars, front and rear skid plates, fog lights, wheel arch mouldings and a raised ride height. 16-inch two-tone dark metal flex wheels are standard on the Sandero Stepway Plus.
In terms of features, the Sandero Stepway Plus comes well-equipped with standard features including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated navigation, Bluetooth, smartphone mirroring, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other notable features include a rear parking camera (with rear PDC), front and rear power windows, electric side mirrors, leather steering wheel/gear knob and cruise control. Leather upholstery is available as an option for an additional R10 088.
Standard safety features for the Sandero Stepway Plus includes 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control and hill start assist.
Renault Sandero – Price in South Africa
Sandero Expression – R179 900
Sandero Stepway Expression – R193 900
Sandero Stepway Plus – R213 900
The Sandero and New Stepway Plus comes with Renault's 5-year / 150 000 km warranty and a standard 2-year/30 000 km service plan. Services are at 15 000 km intervals.
Toyota GR Supra (2019) International Launch Review
The new Toyota GR Supra is a welcome addition to a small but growing class of purpose-built sportscars. The newcomer, which will arrive in South Africa in July 2019, clearly has great potential, but not all of it has been realised yet, our UK correspondent Andrew Frankel reports.
What is it?
More than anything, this Supra is remarkable for the fact it exists. The imperative that it "must make money" meant Toyota couldn't do the car by itself, but the joint venture with BMW that created it (and the Z4) has been so fraught that Tetsuya Tada, its refreshingly honest chief engineer, told me "there were many times when I believed it simply would not happen."
So you might fear some unsatisfactory compromise between Toyota’s craving for a balls-to-the-wall Porsche Cayman rival and BMW’s no less strong (but more commercially-motivated) desire to build a broadly defined sporty roadster. If so, you’re not alone: Toyota did too. Which is why, once the hard points had been agreed – platform, powertrain, wheelbase and so on – the 2 projects became separate entities, to the extent that Tada-san has driven a Z4 just once and has no idea how his car differs from theirs in terms of settings for suspension, steering and electronically controlled differential. "If you’re going to compare the Supra to another car, compare it to the Cayman," he said. Some might call that fighting talk!
From the outside, it doesn't look anything like the Z4 it shares parts with.
It’s an intriguing car even before you’ve fired up its BMW-sourced 250 kW twin-scroll, single-turbo 3.0-litre straight 6. Remember it’s the first car developed from scratch by Toyota’s in-house Gazoo Racing high-performance division, hence its full title of Toyota GR Supra. I think it looks great, save for some fussiness around the tail, but the BMW/Toyota interior takes acclimatisation. I don’t suppose too many Toyota customers will be outraged by the clear and effective iDrive interface and the bespoke instrument pack is informative and attractive. But the BMW switchgear looks odd in here…
Of the 2 transmissions you might expect to find in a Cayman rival – a manual or dual-clutch gearbox – there is no sign. Instead, ZF’s ubiquitous auto 'box directs the power to the rear wheels via a multi-link rear axle. There are struts upfront. The driving position is excellent and while the glasshouse is small, visibility all round is good enough by coupé standards.
The Supra takes a fair bit of provoking to unstick.
The most obvious benefit brought by such a combination of assets is that the Supra is extremely easy to drive, be it at a fast or slow pace. And while that might not be the most exciting of attributes to attach to a once achingly cool nameplate returning after a 17-year lay-off, out there in the real world, it matters. But, for the derisory amount of onboard storage space, this would be an exceptionally easy car to live with. The engine is smooth at part throttle and the transmission smoother – even the steering lock is incredibly generous. You’ll like the big boot too.
Forgiving ride quality
But you just want to know what it’s like to drive, don't you? From the outset the signs are good, perhaps even a little too good. The first thing you notice is the ride quality: we’re used to cars like the Cayman riding well, but to achieve such plush comfort with a sizeable motor sitting at the opposite end to the driven wheels is a different challenge and one to which the Supra rises with ease. It positively glides down the road in a way you’d be happy to find in a soft-bottomed GT car, let alone one billed to be as sporting as the Supra.
That 6-cylinder engine is terrific, too. It's not an M Power marvel, yes, but certainly far more charming in both voice and power delivery than anything you’ll find under the engine cover of a 718 Cayman. There’s essentially zero lag and the power band is so wide that you can deal with almost any decent road in 3rd and 4th alone. You’ll like the way it handles, too: its steering is quite quick, while avoiding the off-centre aggression engineered into some rapid racks to make cars feel more sporting than they really are. Lateral grip from the fat Michelins is impressive, longitudinal grip in the form of traction more impressive still. It’s a very easy car to get into a corner and an even easier one in which to power away.
It rides as comfortably as a GT cruiser.
So all good, then? Yes, and if this car has an issue, that’s it, right there. There’s goodness here, lots of it, but not so much that you’d more readily identify as being truly great. Which in this small, but highly-select class, is problematic.
Torque-converter auto doesn't do it justice
Whatever Toyota’s engineers say, the 8-speed auto is not the right gearbox for this car. It’s quite quick, but it doesn’t rip through its ratios as would the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) it needs. It can seem a little slow to take up downshifts too. Toyota says a DCT was ruled out because of weight, but the Cayman, which is a lighter car, is so equipped.
But the real reason the Supra falls slightly (yet significantly) short in the all-out sportscar role chosen for it by its creators, is the way its chassis is configured, and in 3 key areas. First, there is that suspension softness: standard adaptive damping means the body’s never going to flop about, but there is still too much movement when you start to drive the Toyota hard.
The car is always stable, but it needs guiding down a great road, where either one of its mid-engined rivals can simply be lobbed. Its body movements need a degree of anticipation and management that theirs do not. It resists understeer commendably well and will only oversteer on a dry road if provoked, and that’s impressive, but its angle of attack is less throttle sensitive than those of mid-engined cars’, lacking as it does their near-balletic, on-the-limit grace.
Getting used to BMW buttons in your Toyota may take a while.
Secondly, the steering is fine at guiding the car, but less good at filling your fingertips with information about how the wheels are interacting with the road surface. Finally, the brake pedal has a slightly dead feel and should you ever take your Supra near a track, the discs will likely need some management if full performance is to be maintained lap after lap.
But none of this is what irks most about this new Supra. It’s the indelible impression it leaves that within that sensuous shape a truly great car lies imprisoned. I can almost hear it rattling the bars. My feeling when I drove it was not so much how good a car this is – and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise – but how much better even than this it could so easily be.
It doesn’t even need more power. But a 6-speed manual gearbox like the one BMW already ties to this engine would be a huge improvement and would shed some kilos, too. What's more, I hate oversprung cars, but I’d still sacrifice some of that peachy ride quality if it would result in a little more composure in extremis. A set of big brakes would not go amiss either.
Should I buy one?
There is a good car here, its just not this one, yet.
Toyota says that this Supra is just the start of the story. We know the 4-cylinder version of the car (already on sale in Japan) is heading towards Europe and Tada-san is absolutely not ruling out higher performance versions.
I hope he rules them in soon. To me "Supra" is a special name and it deserves only to be attached to very special cars. For all Toyota’s claims that the new one has not been compromised by its BMW DNA, compromised is how it feels. It’s as if Toyota knew exactly how to make this a landmark sportscar but pulled back, just a little, right at the last moment. Until the Japanese firm can find the courage of its convictions and deliver a visceral, engaging version of the car the Supra could so transparently be, impressive though the newcomer is in so many ways, it will remain a "work in progress" in my opinion.
We recently drove the new Ranger Raptor which is now on sale in South Africa. Here are 5 cool things that you need to know about this high-performance offroad machine…
The Ranger Raptor is finally available in South Africa and is priced at R786 400. It offers 157 kW and 500 Nm from its 2.0-litre bi-turbocharged diesel engine which is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. If you have not done so already, read our launch review of the Ranger Raptor for all the nitty-gritty details.
Here are 5 cool things about the Ranger Raptor that you should take note of.
1. It Looks Badass
With its flared fenders, F150-inspired grille, 150 mm wider tracks, a raised ride height (283 mm) and chunky, Raptor-specific BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, the Ranger Raptor looks properly badass and brings a commanding presence to the road. It can also be had in some exciting colours such as Ford Performance Blue, Colorado Red, Absolute Black, Frozen White and Conquer Grey. Also, you can mock all those drivers with their fake Raptor grilles on standard Rangers now.
2. Engineered to conquer offroad
Riding on a specially-developed chassis that’s significantly stiffer, the Raptor has been engineered to withstand brutal offroad beatings. It features a new rear coil-over suspension with an integrated Watt’s linkage which allows for vertical axle movement while minimising lateral movement and this contributes to high levels of control and comfort when engaging in offroad driving.
Ford also partnered with FOX to develop Position-Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers specifically for the Raptor. They allow for significantly higher damping forces when off-roading while also providing the necessary comfort on-road with lower damping forces. Both the front and rear suspension travel has increased by 32% and 22% respectively when compared with the standard Ranger.
Combined, these features make the Ranger Raptor virtually unstoppable offroad…
3. Baja Mode for fun offroad driving
The Ranger Raptor features a Terrain Management System (TMS) with various driving modes for different conditions including Normal and Sport (for on-road driving) and off-road modes including Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand, Rock and Baja.
Baja mode (named after the Baja Desert Rally in Mexico) is arguably the coolest feature on the new Ranger Raptor and it’s specifically calibrated for high-speed off-road driving by sharpening up the throttle, transmission and steering response. More than this, "Baja" dials back the stability- and traction control, which makes it ideal for enthusiastic off-road driving and performing controlled drifts at speed.
4. Cool Raptor Interior
While the Ranger Raptor shares much of its interior design with the standard Ranger, there are some cool features that set it apart. The Raptor is fitted with well-bolstered Raptor sports seats in Technical Suede with blue contrasting stitching which is also seen on the soft-touch leather dashboard.
The Raptor steering wheel features a sporty red centre mark and mounted magnesium shift paddles add further sporty appeal. The instrument cluster is also more aggressively styled and features red needles for the dials. Ford Performance sill plates are a reminder that this is a high-performance Ford model…
5. South African-built Ranger Raptor is well-priced compared with other markets
The Ranger Raptor is locally built at Ford’s Silverton facility in Pretoria and as a result, South African customers are getting a good deal when compared to other markets around the world where the Ranger Raptor is sold.
In South Africa, the Ranger Raptor costs R786 400, but in the UK, for instance, it costs roughly R892 516. In Australia, which is also a major market for the Ranger Raptor, it costs R817 512.
Ford Ranger 2.0Bi-T DC 4×4 Wildtrak auto (2019) Review
We recently put an updated Ford Ranger 2.0Bi-Turbo double cab 4×4 Wildtrak auto through its paces. Can a downsized engine and a new 10-speed 'box make that much of a difference to the flagship derivative in the line-up? You bet! There's a lot more than just a powertrain change – let's find out if the updated bakkie deserves a closer look.
We like: Refined powertrain, standard spec (most connected model in its segment), rugged and capable.
We don't like: Some iffy plastics here and there, lingering concerns about theft.
The changes on the exterior of the Wildtrak are minimal, with a subtle bi-turbo badge on the flank
The updated Ford Ranger range was launched in South Africa in April 2019 and, given how popular this double-cab bakkie is, a thorough revision was required to keep the Blue Oval's pick-up up to date in a cutthroat segment. The Ranger is available in 3 body styles: single cab, super cab and double-cab. Ford has carried over some of the engines of the previous version and product portfolio now comprises around 30 derivatives.
The pre-facelift Ranger was not without its faults. There were complaints about the reliability of the 3.2-litre's automatic transmission and how easy it seemed for the bakkie to get stolen. We enjoyed the soundtrack of the 5-cylinder engine, but it had an unhealthy appetite for diesel and felt more sluggish than its outputs suggested. There were also some interior quality issues, which we thought were unacceptable for a vehicle that cost as much as the previous Wildtrak did, but Ford claims to have addressed these issues. Has the comprehensive upgrade been successful?
At the heart of the Wildtrak is a bi-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine. Power and torque are up despite the loss of 1 cylinder and 1.2 litres of capacity.
One of the major changes to the Wildtrak can be found under its bonnet. The Ranger line-up features a couple of new-generation 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engines and this 157 kW/500 Nm bi-turbo motor is the flagship motor. Assembled at Ford's plant in Port Elizabeth, this new powerplant is not only more powerful than the older 3.2-litre 5-cylinder turbodiesel unit, which produced 147 kW and 470 Nm, but it has a vastly improved claimed consumption figure of 8.1 L/100 km, which is undoubtedly helped by the efficiency of its main cohort: the new 10-speed automatic transmission.
We put the workhorse capabilities of the Wildtrak to the test; it carried plenty of wooden pallets (Picture credit: Andrew Crawford).
What is the new engine like? Well, first impressions (at the updated range's media launch) were good and we can now confirm that this new 2.0-litre bi-turbo is much more responsive and eager than the 3.2, with the added bonus of the Ranger being exceptionally quiet and refined for a vehicle in this class. The power delivery is silky-smooth and the transmission shifts gears smartly and timeously; it never seems to hunt for the correct ratio.
Thanks to some clever tech, the transmission can shift down far more quickly than you might expect. Say you want to execute a quick overtaking manoeuvre while you're cruising in 10th gear, for example. Just indicate, floor the accelerator and the transmission will effortlessly drop down to 6th or 7th almost immediately. With the bi-turbo setup, lag is largely unnoticeable and the Wildtrak can summon all 500 Newton metres in an instant.
Comfort & standard features?
The cabin of the updated Ford Ranger Wildtrak doesn't look that much different to before, but features a number of quality upgrades.
In luxurious Wildtrak trim, the Ford Ranger unashamedly panders to the "leisure" or "lifestyle" end of the double-cab bakkie market. While there is definitely a market for hardcore and superbly capable bakkies, the reality is that not all that many people who buy Wildtrak-spec Rangers will fully utilise the 4×4 double cab's immense off-road abilities, at least not very often. To park an attention-grabbing big-rig like this in your driveway is a status statement and the knowledge that you can easily pack the family and drive to Mozambique is, well, a bonus. Double-cabs, however, aren't renowned for excellent occupant comfort and, to compensate, Ford has tried its utmost to flood the Ranger's cabin with convenience features.
The Ford SYNC3 setup is arguably best-in-class in terms of its intuitive and comprehensive infotainment interface.
It's hard to argue against the Ranger Wildtrak being the most connected and feature-packed product in its segment. From a semi-digital dashboard with crisp graphics to the advanced-yet-intuitive SYNC3 infotainment system and everything in between, the Ford offers more connectivity than any other bakkie in the market. There are 2 USB ports at the front (they're illuminated so you can find them in the dark), plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and satellite navigation are standard. As we're heading into the winter months, we made use of the (front) seat heaters and, for those who plan to load up the Ranger's capacious load bed, the bakkie's new tailgate benefits from a torsion rod, which makes it easier to operate.
The load bed now features an easy-to-lift tailgate.
If you compare this new Wildtrak with the previous iteration, you'll notice that some of the orange accents have been toned down. We liked them, but can completely understand that some people found them "a bit much". Oh, and 1 of our favourite features from the Ranger's Everest sibling has been carried over to the updated bakkie: noise-cancelling technology, which cleverly envelops the cabin with sound waves to dial out road noise. Some may say it's a gimmick, but you'll appreciate it on longer journeys! We also appreciate the keyless entry and the convenient start button. The Ranger Wildtrak further boasts commendable levels of safety spec (some of it autonomous), including forward-collision alert, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, the latter of which is exclusive in this segment. Rear passengers, meanwhile, will appreciate the 230V charging socket.
One of the best convenience features we've seen in a double-cab bakkie: a 230V plug for charging devices.
Ride & Handling
Double-cabs, which are body-on-frame vehicles, tend to ride uncomfortably when their load beds are unladen. When there's no weight on their leaf spring-suspended rear axles, bakkies can bounce, jiggle and shimmy at higher speeds. While it'd be impossible to eliminate this characteristic entirely, Ford has tweaked the Ranger's suspension to make the general ride quality more composed: the front anti-roll bar has been repositioned, which facilitates a decrease in the front spring rates. The firm has also tweaked the bakkie's damper rates and lowered its standard tyre pressures.
The Ford Ranger ride quality has improved slightly, but it's still no lithe and agile performer thanks to its body-on-frame assembly.
Does it all work? While the majority of our test period was spent on the road, we suspect that's also where you'd find nearly all the updated Rangers, especially Wildtraks! Given the addition of noise-cancelling tech, a quieter and more refined engine, as well as a slightly reworked suspension, we're happy to report that the Ranger's levels of on-road comfort are quite satisfactory. In typical bakkie fashion, the Wildtrak is hardly a dynamic vehicle and when you pitch it into corners, it can feel cumbersome. The steering's not the most direct, but it's light and easy to use, plus it hides the fact that you're driving something that's larger than the majority of passenger vehicles. We also had the chance to put the bakkie through some dirt and while the Ranger Wildtrak's 4×4 capabilities are unchanged, it's still a tremendously capable vehicle when the tar ends and the sand/rocks/mud begins.
Hill Descent Control, rear differential lock, traction control and auto parking can be found here. Note 2x USB ports in the distance.
Pricing and warranty
This Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 bi-turbo double-cab 4×4 Wildtrak auto retails for R678 200. All Ford Rangers come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000 km service plan is included, with 15 000 km service intervals.
Verdict
The Ford Ranger's upgrades may not be visible to the naked eye, but the newcomer represents a big step forward for the bakkie segment
Many Ford fans (and even casual observers) reacted negatively when the updated Ranger was unveiled. The most common criticism was that the "new" model resembled its predecessor too closely and, to be fair, the visual changes are minor. But the real changes can be found under the bakkie's sheet metal and this is where the 2.0Bi-T DC 4×4 Wildtrak auto truly shines. It might have a smaller capacity than the 3.2, but the new 2.0 biturbo powerplant supersedes the 5-cylinder unit (which is still offered in other derivatives) in terms of outputs, efficiency and refinement.
Initial reservations about the 10-speed transmission having "too many ratios" proved unfounded – the new 'box is well-calibrated to the engine's performance characteristics and shifts in a measured, predictable manner. Those who intend on making use of the Ranger's 3 500 kg tow rating (for braked trailers) are likely to find the additional ratios very useful. We have had extensive experience of the Ranger's off-road capabilities over the years and, by virtue of 237 mm of ground clearance, multiple off-road modes and a low-range transfer case, the Wildtrak thrives in the rough stuff.
It needs to be noted, however, that Ford has received a lot of negative press of late (April/May 2019) due to issues with theft. After a few viral videos that show how easy it is to nick a Ranger by deactivating its alarm by the front wheel came to light, we were quite shocked. While not a lot can be done to safeguard previous generation Rangers, Ford South Africa has told us that this new-spec Ranger comes with a Category 1 Thatcham-specification alarm, which is an upgrade of the previous setup. This means the vehicle has ignition detection, perimeter detection and the alarm will go off if a window is broken or the vehicle is tilted. The alarm also has its own battery supply, so if criminals manage to disconnect the car's battery, the alarm will continue to sound. Only time will tell if this new alarm system represents a marked improvement as a vehicle-theft deterrent.
Should you buy one? The updates to the 2.0Bi-T DC 4×4 Wildtrak auto do make it a stronger proposition than ever. The all-new powertrain is impressive, refined and frugal, and represents a big leap forward for the segment. Those who'd like to recycle disparaging remarks about the "puny 2.0-litre motor" in the Volkswagen Amarok and level them at the Ford must be prepared to eat their words (yet again). If you currently own a pre-facelift Wildtrak and you're considering an upgrade to the new iteration (with its downsized engine), you are highly unlikely to be disappointed.
The Ford Ranger comes with a nice sticker saying "Built in SA". The body is assembled in Silverton, Pretoria with the engine built in Port Elizabeth
The new Toyota Supra is due to land in South Africa in the next month or two, but globally there are already TRD upgrades available for the Japanese market, giving us some indication of what's possible.
TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development and shouldn't be confused with the recent GRMN sub-brand. TRD has shown off new a series of carbon fibre parts for the all-new 2020 Toyota Supra in Japan, which should satisfy those who think its looks are too understated. The new carbon goodies aren't just for show either and TRD claims there are aerodynamic and weight benefits.
There are parts for the front spoiler, side skirts, side door garnish, rear side spoiler and trunk spoiler, which all pair nicely with the new-look forged 19-inch aluminium wheels.
The Toyota Supra is expected to arrive in South Africa in the next 2 months, with our market getting the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine.
BMW has tweaked its portfolio for the European market and while some model additions are minor, there are some very interesting updates.
German luxury brand BMW has embarked on a product offensive and the European market is receiving many additions from the Munich-based outfit. We're sure that some of these updates could impact the SA market and we will update you accordingly. While some changes are interesting yet minor, there's news below which will make petrolheads and consumers alike happy.
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 330e plug-in hybrid
From July 2019, the BMW 3 Series will receive its first sporty derivative in the range, with the BMW M340i xDrive being introduced. Packing 275 kW and 500 Nm from a 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, this sports sedan is claimed to hit 100 kph in 4.4 seconds thanks to an xDrive all-wheel-drive setup. BMW will also be introducing 3 all-wheel drive versions (320i, 330i, 330d) as well as a plug-in hybrid 330e. There's also an expansion to the colour palette and interior trim options. Customers will also have a wider variety of choice when it comes to customisation with BMW Individual program.
Locally: BMW SA confirmed that the 3 Series range will be expanded around the 3rd quarter of 2019 with the addition of further engine options.We think this will comprise 320i, 330d and the M340i xDrive.
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series has been on sale in South Africa since early 2017 and some updates have been announced for the European market, some of these we think may make their way to ours. First up, the mighty BMW M550i xDrive will receive the latest iteration of the V8 TwinPower Tubo engine. There's an optimised crankcase and large turbos, and the result is 390 kW and 750 Nm which is an increase over the previous outputs of 340 kW and 650 Nm. It'll be the closest thing to an M5. The BMW 530e sedan gains an updated battery giving it a longer all-electric range and the vehicle is now available with intelligent all-wheel drive. Power is rated at 185 kW.
In terms of trim and tech options, BMW Laserlight with BMW Selective Beam will be added to the optional package of innovations exclusively for the BMW M550i xDrive Sedan and BMW M550d xDrive Sedan. There will also be changes to the paint, wheels, trim and spec levels, with BMW Individual options being made available.
Locally: Interestingly, at the time of writing (20 May 2019) the only BMW 5 Series available was the M5, which leads us to believe that some changes are imminent. The M550d engine is not available in SA, probably due to lack of demand and/or our diesel quality.
BMW 8 Series
A 6-cylinder turbopetrol engine and rear-wheel drive in the 8 Series?
The new BMW 8 Series coupe and convertible have only just landed in South Africa and the German brand has already planned an additional powertrain. From July 2019, customers will have the option of a new 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, pushing out 250 kW and 500 Nm. Critically, the xDrive has been lost and the new 840i finds itself driven by the rear wheels, with the option of xDrive.
Like the other models, the 8 Series also sees additions to it's trim and options range, with BMW Individual offerings on offer. For example, customers will be able to choose from 1 of 8 full leather cabins, with wood inlays and/or carbon fibre.
Locally: The BMW 8 Series is only available in coupe and convertible and seeing as it's so new, any changes are unlikely
BMW X2
The stylish SUV will be coming straight off showroom floors with LED headlights as standard as of July 2019. LED front foglamps will also be part of the standard spec. Optional fittings 5 new light-alloy wheels in 18- and 19-inch formats and two new upholstery variants. Interestingly, BMW is putting a performance edge on the X2 and has made the X2 M35i M Sport brakes available for all X2 models as an option.
Locally: The BMW X2 is also a fresh new entrant to our market, with the dust barely settling after the recent launch of the M35i.
BMW X3/X4
The popular SUVs will benefit from new optional extras. There will be M Sport bucket seats and some interior trim strip options. There's also the addition of what BMW terms 'M Sport Individual' which adds some high-quality touches in the cabin. Highlights of such range from BMW Individual paint finish, 21-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels, to BMW Individual extended leather upholstery Merino and BMW Individual interior trim strips in Piano Finish Black.
Locally: The BMW X3 is assembled in Pretoria, which means that some of these changes will be engineered and built right here in SA. The X3/X4 portfolio was recently increased with the addition of high-performance M40d and the X3 M/X4 M international launch is imminent, with an expected arrival of these high-performance SUVs before 2019 is out.
BMW X5
While the former has been here for some time, the latter is due for an imminent launch. BMW has announced a new 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. Dubbed xDrive25d, this oil-burner boasts 170 kW and 450 Nm. Efficiency is its game and BMW claims 6.2-5.7 L/100 km. This engine features an SCR catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, satisfying the requirements of the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions regulation. There will also be a plug-in hybrid model called the xDrive45e. This engine is a 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor. In total it produces 290 kW and is capable of 0-100 kph in 5.6 seconds. It can do up to 80km on pure electric power and is said to consume 2.0 L/100 km.
Locally: Given the popularity of the X5 30d, it's unclear whether BMW will bring the smaller diesel engine in. It has gone down this road before and we drove the X5 25d. Not a bad offering, but you'd always go for the 30d.
BMW Z4
Purists can rejoice as BMW Europe plans a 6-speed manual gearbox for the entry-level Z4.
BMW's little convertible is back, with sharp styling and a brace of engines. Both the 20i and M40i have plenty of shove, but purists would point out that both feature automatic transmissions. BMW has announced that the entry-level sDrive20i can be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox from July 2019. For the record, the 2.0-litre turbocharged motor produces 145 kW and 320 Nm.
Locally: The BMW Z4 is still very new, and given the small volumes, it's unclear whether the Munich-based brand would bring the 6-speed manual gearbox in.
BMW M4 Coupe/M4 Convertible
As we countdown the months to the reveal of the all-new BMW M3/M4, BMW is now offering the current generation M4/M4 Convertible with the M Competition Package as standard. What this means is there's a bit more power (331 kW) and the addition of Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, an extra-sporty configuration for the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and the Active M Differential, plus an M Sport exhaust system, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim with extended features, and specially designed M seats.
Locally: With the new M car on its way, dealers will start pushing to clear their floors of current-generation stock. We think the Competition Package is superb and you're likely to get a good deal before the end of 2019.
The new Range Rover Evoque is now on sale in SA. The baby Rangie has been a top-selling model in its segment, but now there are many more rivals than when the boutique premium compact SUV arrived. Is the slight exterior remodel enough to entice new buyers and what else has changed for this generation? We attended the local launch in Gauteng to find out.
What’s new?
Admittedly the exterior is only slightly different from the outgoing model, especially from the front. The LEDs are the easiest giveaway as they now feature a rounded rectangle design, similar to the new Velar and Range Rover Sport. The bonnet loses the plastic "nostrils" of the old model and the door handles now sink flush into the metalwork when the vehicle's locked.
The rear is tightened up with a new LED light design and the black blade that runs through the tailgate area is adorned with a Range Rover badge.
The new LEDs up front and flush door handles are the easiest way to distinguish the new model.
In terms of its architecture, there is a brand new platform underneath the Evoque that extends its wheelbase by 21 mm. Overall, its weight is almost identical to that of its predecessor, although more equipment has been installed in the new model.
The dual touchscreen system, first seen on the Velar and then Range Rover Sport, has now trickled down to the Evoque (on higher-spec versions), giving the newcomer more premium appeal. More on that stuff later though…
There are currently 2 engines available: a turbodiesel and a turbopetrol. Both are 2.0 litres in capacity and are mated with a 9-speed transmission.
One petrol and one diesel are available at launch and a plug-in hybrid could arrive in 2020.
The turbopetrol was the first unit we drove out of Sandton and through the Cradle of Humankind and beyond. There’s plenty of shove on tap with 183 kW and 365 Nm of torque. It’s a responsive powertrain, moving the 1.7-tonne Evoque quickly from a standstill. It’s certainly the more reactive engine of the 2 and feels more than adequate on the freeway and overtaking at speed.
With the extra performance comes, well, less than impressive fuel consumption… Our 110 km trip in mixed conditions returned an indicated return of 12 L/100 km, which was more than we expected. Long-term ownership will no doubt bring that down, but not if you plan on doing mostly city driving.
The turbodiesel engine is the more considered choice. With 132 kW and 430 Nm on tap, it offers more than adequate performance for an SUV of this calibre. In terms of throttle response, it's not as punchy as the petrol motor, but on the return trip, it used just 7.7 L/100 km. The diesel version’s tank has also been increased to 65 litres, so you should be able to achieve around 700 km on a full tank at this rate.
Does it feel expensive inside?
Dual touchscreens have trickled down from other Range Rover models into the Evoque.
We drove high-spec (R-Dynamic HSE) units equipped with the dual touchscreen infotainment system that really makes the cabin feel upmarket. The screens are intuitive to operate, but only Apple Carplay-compatible. Android Auto is apparently coming soon, as well as a wireless charging bay.
The dashboard area and door panels are covered in quilted leather, which you can spec in a wine stain maroon colour if you wish – it works really well with the black surfacing and aluminium inlays throughout the cabin. It feels very luxurious and while we can’t yet speak about the interior build quality (in terms of its durability, at least) it exudes a premium ambience that certain German models appear to lack.
It has a few neat tricks too. The rear-view mirror can be turned into a digital display with the flick of a lever. A camera on the shark-fin antenna can project what’s behind the vehicle onto the rear-view mirror giving a larger view of what’s behind. It takes a few moments to adjust to the display, but the image is high resolution and even works in the dark. Flick the switch again and it turns back into a normal mirror. Nifty!
I never go off-road, but I might want to…
Ground clearance on the new Evoque sits at 212 mm.
All Range Rovers are built with off-road talent in their genes and the Evoque is no different. It’s the model least likely to be seen in the bush, but it's fully capable of dealing with mild off-road conditions (should you find yourself in a difficult situation).
It has Terrain Response 2, which you select via the button on the bottom screen and then leave in Auto to adapt to whatever is underneath it. It tackled Land Rover’s in-house off-road course with ease, with the only notable problem being a few underbody scrapes due to the reduced ground clearance (212 mm) of the Evoque.
In the meantime, the Evoque's on-road manners are commendable. The new chassis reacts quickly to road undulations to provide an agile and responsive driving experience, which is matched by a quick steering setup. To deal with rapid changes of direction, the suspension setup is on the firmer side, but not crashy or clunky over potholes or speed bumps. It’s not a soft "soccer mom SUV" – it has a sportier feel to its road manners.
Is there lots of space for things?
Premium materials add to the air of luxury inside the new Evoque.
The Evoque is the smallest car in the Land Rover family and courtesy of the extra 21-mm of length to its wheelbase, it now offers more rear legroom than its predecessor. Having said that, it’s a bit tight in the back for adults, but on par for the segment.
The load bay's capacity has also grown slightly (to a claimed 591 litres) with a space saver spare wheel underneath.
There are plenty of Land Rover specific accessories that can be added to your shopping cart, such as roof rails, bike racks and an electric tow hitch.
Summary
Is the Evoque still the most eye-catching vehicle in the segment?
The new Evoque hasn’t changed much from the outside; Range Rover is steadfast in the belief that its premium compact SUV's original design was a winner. Whether it stands out and has as much visual clout as it did when the initial model was introduced, we’ll have to wait and see.
Under the skin, it has had a thorough makeover. The touch points inside are of a high standard and the quilted leather exudes luxury where its competitors are installing pretty plastics instead. Passenger space is better than before, but still not a strong point.
The Evoque has unmatched off-road credentials in its segment, but doesn’t offer them at the cost of on-road manners. It’s sporty to drive and responsive when you want to get a move on.
Indeed, it may all come down to cost. The starting price is over R700k and you don’t get an interior that does it justice at that price. No doubt you’ll be well into the R800k range before you’re happy with what you have and that’s a lot of money for a compact-sized SUV.
The M5 celebrates a stealthy 35th birthday with a special, limited edition model.
BMW’s M-Division is celebrating the anniversary of one of its most iconic products with a special edition version of the G30 generation M5.
This limited-edition large M-Division sedan will see a production cap of only 350 units for all global markets and is being marketed as the M5 35 Years, celebrating (quite obviously) three and a half decades of M5.
Distinguishing the 35 Years edition derivative from other M5s is its BMW Individual Frozen Dark Grey II exterior paint and 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels. Astute followers of all things M5 will also notice that the 35 Years edition cars have been de-badged, with no clues to this special edition’s naming convention.
Inside the individualisation continues with beige upholstery stitching and gold centre console and door trim. BMW has added 35 Years badging to the cabin, too, engraved on the centre console, ahead of the eight-speed transmission’s shifter.
Mechanically the G30 Series M5 35 Years edition is powered by a 460 kW version of BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and carbon-ceramic brakes remain optional.
Customer deliveries of the 35 Years M5 will commence in October, with only 350 cars to be built for all global markets. South African M5 fans will not count amongst the lucky few to have the option on one of these limited edition 35 Years cars, as this M-Division derivative is not planned for local introduction.
The new BMW 1 Series is almost due to be revealed and ahead of the official unveiling scheduled for 27 May 2019, BMW released some teaser images. Here's what we know so far.
Codenamed the F40, the next-generation BMW 1 Series has been teased across Facebook with this main image dominating. The other images show a camouflaged BMW 1 Series with some parts of the camouflage removed, showing us some details. We have learnt that BMW is planning to officially unveil the newcomer on the 27 May 2019.
We can see parts of the dashboard in the one image and this confirms our suspicions that the new BMW 1 Series will feature the all-new digital dashboard from the 3 Series. The other images show off the vehicle's new daytime running lights.
We're happy to confirm that we'll be driving the all-new BMW in Germany in July 2019 with the 118d and M135i xDrive being the two models we'll be assessing. The M135i xDrive is going to be a vehicle which is very unlike BMW. It's going to be all-wheel drive and the mighty 6-cylinder has been replaced by a new 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 225 kW and 450 Nm. It is the same engine as that found in the newly-launched-in-SA X2 M35i. The rest of the BMW 1 Series is to be front-wheel drive which is going to upset some of the traditionalists, but we'll wait until we've driven it before passing judgement.
Interestingly, this won't be the only front-wheel drive vehicle on this platform. At a recent BMW shareholder meeting, CEO Harald Kruger confirmed the new 1 Series as well as a new offering in the form of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. “We also have a model offensive in the compact class. Deliveries of the new BMW 1 Series will get underway by the end of the year. In spring 2020, we will launch the totally new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. I think young people will find its striking design especially appealing. Our model offensive 2.0 is designed to excite customers, as we target another all-time sales high for 2019,” said Kruger.
The BMW 1 Series interior teased ahead of its reveal on May 27.
