The low-slung 4-door BMW 850i xDrive Gran Coupe has been caught undergoing testing at the Nurburgring in Germany ahead of its expected reveal in 2019.
Image credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
The new 4-door BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe was previewed by the striking M8 Gran Coupe Concept at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show and now an 850i xDrive Gran Coupe prototype has been spied undergoing testing at the famous Nurburgring proving ground.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe is a longer, stretched out version of the 8 Series Coupe to accommodate an extra set of rear doors while still retaining its low-slung profile.
The BMW 850i xDrive seen here will top the 8 Series range until the highly-anticipated M8 Gran Coupe breaks cover. The 850i xDrive is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that offers 390 kW and 750 Nm, capable of sprinting from standstill to 100 kph in a claimed 3.7 seconds using a new 8-speed Steptronic transmission.
The 850i Gran Coupe's longer dimensions should give rear passengers ample legroom and will feature the latest technology on BMW's arsenal.
As you would expect, the 8 Series Gran Coupe will be packed with the latest technology including a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system as well as a comprehensive list of driver assistance systems such as Personal Co-Pilot, active cruise control with braking functionality, collision and pedestrian warning with city braking.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe will go up against rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Porsche Panamera. A convertible BMW 8 Series has also been confirmed.
The forthcoming Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is currently under development and our German spy photographers have captured images of a GLB prototype lapping the Nurburgring. Here’s what we know…
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
The upcoming GLB shares its underpinnings with the new A-Class and when it goes on sale in 2019, it will slot in between the GLA and GLC in Merc’s crossover lineup. The new GLB is expected to be fully revealed before the end of 2018.
These spy shots show a camouflaged GLB test mule lapping the Nurburgring in Germany. The GLB features an upright grille accompanied by large air intakes. The model’s boxy dimensions will ensure that interior space is maximised and may even offer optional seating for 7 when it hits the market.
Interior styling and appointments will follow from the A-Class which means that the new MBUX infotainment system and a range of driver assistance technology should find its way into the GLB.
The GLB will offer more practicality than the GLA and is expected to feature all-wheel drive.
Although exact engine specification have yet to be confirmed, you can expect a range of petrol (turbocharged 1.4 and 2.0-litre engines) and diesel (1.5 turbodiesel) engines to be offered in the GLB with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission being likely. An electric version is likely to follow later and you can also expect to see an AMG version as well. The GLB, although based on a front-wheel drive platform, will also likely be offered with all-wheel drive.
The GLB will be built at a new Mercedes-Benz plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Volvo South Africa has expanded its XC40 portfolio with a new T3 engine. Here's how much this entry-level XC40 costs.
The Volvo XC40 has proven popular both locally and internationally, and the 2018 European Car of the Year winner has just been expanded to include entry-level T3 derivatives. The T3 motor is the brand's first-ever 3-cylinder engine in the 91-year history of Volvo. It features direct injection and turbocharging, and from 1.5-litres of capacity, it pushes out 115 kW and 265 Nm.
Using the current modular assembly as the current four-cylinder Drive-E motors, this engine was developed by Volvo. You can have either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic transmission with your T3. Here's where things become interesting. Volvo SA says this 1.5-litre T3 3-cylinder engine has been engineered for "integration into Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars" and that there will be a "hybridised as well as a pure electric powertrain option for the XC40" coming soon.
The Volvo XC40 T3 is available right now with the manual gearbox, while the T3 automatic derivatives will follow on in 2019. With this engine, the Volvo XC40 can accelerate to 100 kph in a claimed 9.4 seconds and go onto a top speed of 200 kph. It should be reasonably frugal too, with a claimed economy of between 5.4 L/100 km and 7.6 L/100 km.
The 1.5-litre 3-cylinder motor makes 115 kW and 265 Nm
Rand weakness threatens to undo recent fuel price stability according to the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) which has provided comment on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF).
Fuel price predictions for September 2018 are on edge as Turkey’s recent economic woes have had a negative impact on the Rand’s strength. Initially, mid-month data suggested that declines in local fuel prices were on the cards for next month, but the predictions have now taken a turn for the worse.
"Almost two months of modestly improving Rand strength ended in a dramatic reversal as the local currency was caught up in the emerging market chaos triggered by Turkey's economic difficulties. Until the crisis hit, the fuel price picture for August had been flat, with data predicting modest declines in all fuel types at month-end, thanks to reasonable stability in the Rand and international oil prices", says the AA.
A fall of 2 and 4 cents per litre for petrol and diesel respectively was a possibility but the daily exchange rate for the Rand fell nearly 9% against the US dollar in 2 days after the news of Turkey's troubles broke, and remains well above its recent trend.
This means that fuel prices are now more likely to rise come month-end and the determining factors are beyond South Africa’s control. "Turkey is resisting tighter fiscal policy and an end to the standoff with the United States over the detention of one of the latter country's citizens," the Association says.
"The tendency of investors to regard emerging markets as a single basket means that further negative news out of Istanbul is likely to be bad for the Rand and South Africa's fuel users too."
The AA says motorists should not count on the moderate trend of the past 6 weeks continuing, and advises them to economise where at all possible.
"The extent and duration of the recent currency weakness will be pivotal in South Africa's short-term fuel price outlook," it concludes.
Petrol vs Diesel – Which is more expensive to own?
Can the fuel economy gains of a diesel ever overcome the more expensive (usually) price tag associated with it?
Fuel economy has never been as crucial a factor in the decision-making process of buying a new car as it is now. Manufacturers spend much of their development and research money on reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Here in South Africa, buyers have generally favoured cheaper petrol cars over their pricier diesel siblings, but in the SUV and bakkie segments, diesel reigns supreme, mostly because these vehicles tend to be sold to buyers for whom the greater torque and power delivery characteristics are important. Either way, diesel engines are more expensive to manufacture and therefore they are generally priced significantly higher than their petrol equivalents. But with their greater economy, are diesel engines actually the more cost-effective purchase?
In order to calculate which is cheaper, we’ve taken the cost of two models within a vehicle’s range and compared their cost and fuel consumption for the life of the vehicle’s service/maintenance plan. This should (hopefully) remove any unforeseen costs of replacement parts, as they should be covered by the manufacturer. Basically, can the extra cost of a diesel car be overcome by the better fuel consumption over the length of the car’s service plan? For this exercise we used the coastal price of fuel – currently 95 Octane petrol is R15.44 per litre and diesel is around R14.04 if you happen to buy it wholesale. From a regular garage, you are looking more at around R15 per litre.
The result here is generally in favour of petrol-powered cars. The higher cost of the diesel models is hardly ever recouped by the fuel savings made over the duration of the vehicle's service plan. That being said, the longer the service plan offered the more the results swing in favour of the diesels. If you do a lot of mileage, something like a Mazda diesel that has an unlimited mileage service plan for 3 years could well be worth considering.
* Note that this exercise excluded resale values.
Concours South Africa: Mega Gallery
With a change of venue, greater diversity and a groundbreaking classic car auction, Concours South Africa shifted up several gears this year.
Photos by Roarke Bouffe and Lance Humphrey
Hosted this past weekend at Steyn City in Gauteng, the Concours South Africa (sponsored by Nedbank Private Wealth) once again recognised the rarest and most well-kept classic cars in South Africa. But with competing cars including anything from a 1902 Oldsmobile to modern-day Ferraris, via an Escort and even an Opel Kadett Superboss, diversity was impressive.
Where else will you see a '90s Superboss next to an all-time icon such as the Jaguar E-Type?
“A feature of this year’s event was the gratifying diversity of entries which embraced Concours South Africa 2018,” said organiser and co-founder Paul Kennard. “And adding the final touch to an unsurpassed motoring experience was the standard of entries, which has risen exponentially since we launched Concours South Africa, a brand new concept in the classic car arena in this country, a mere two years ago.”
Tough judging
The judging panel, lead once more by Wayne Harley from the Franschhoek Motor Museum, had a difficult job in picking a winner in 2018. In the final analysis, a few hundredths of percentage points separated the top three cars in this year’s event.
Zia Wort and her winning, extremely low mileage 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS.
In the end, the winning car was a hugely popular choice. Ferrari enthusiast Zia Wort's pristine, red 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS was announced as the overall winner of Concours South Africa 2018. The Ferrari has only 13 000 km on the clock, and it was presented in absolutely factory-fresh form at Steyn City.
Second overall was another Ferrari, a 1969 light metallic blue Daytona 365 GTB/4, owned by Cape Town enthusiast Stuart Mackay-Davidson. In third place was the Irish Green 1970 Porsche 911 S jointly owned by Tim Abbot and Michelle Hambly.
Michelle Hambly scooped third place in this 1970 Porsche 911 S co-owned with Tim Abbott.
A very popular category winner was the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, owned by Johannesburg neuro-surgeon Dr Frank Snyckers, a huge aristocratic machine that has been all around the world before taking up permanent residence in South Africa some years ago.
Other very popular category winners were Chad Wentzel’s 1958 Chevrolet Corvette “hybrid” with modern Chevy Corvette mechanicals and a pristine 1959 Chevrolet Corvette presented in original trim specification and restored by Wynand Strydom for an anonymous owner.
Ferraris and Porsches were well-represented at Concours South Africa 2018. A notable early Porsche winner was the blue Porsche 356A, owned by Kirsten Venter.
Not only for the exotics
This rare E28-generation BMW M5 certainly impressed the crowd.
The range of cars entered for this year’s event extended to many examples from the 1960s and 1970s, but also ran through to the 1980s and 1990s. A notable category winner was Marek Letowt with his 1991 BMW M5. Marek also entered another BMW M5, and there were two striking E36 BMW M3s in attendance.
Other interesting cars that had visitors excited and taking snaps included a 1963 Chevrolet Impala convertible in pale metallic green and a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle with some very unusual 1958 detailing. Then there were some very pretty Alfa Romeos (the brand celebrates its 108th anniversary this year) and for fans of hot hatches, an immaculate Opel Kadett GSi 16V S (Superboss) that took second place in its category.
A rare Lamborghini Miura is scrutinised by the judges.
Successful auction
On Saturday evening, The Concours South Africa Classic Car Auction was conducted by international auction house, Coys of Kensington . This was the first time that international bidding was received for a South African classic car auction. Top bid received for a 1992 Porsche 964 N/GT factory-built racer for the road was R3,9-million, while a bid of R2,5-million was received for a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT 500 in absolutely original condition.
A video showing the Lexus LC 500 drifting in a multi-storey car park in Bristol, UK, serves as a reminder of how visceral and entertaining Lexus' sports coupe can be. Watch the video…
Throw yourself back to 2016 when Lexus’ LC 500 made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show. This was the hottest Lexus many had seen, barring maybe the LFA and a year later the sports coupe launched on local soil.
Packing a punch with its naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine with peak outputs of 351 kW and 540 Nm of torque, the engine red-lines at 7 300 rpm and the full brunt of power is unleashed at 7 100 rpm while maximum torque is available from 4 800 rpm. Using a new, fast-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, the LC 500 is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds and can attain a top speed of 270 kph.
We drove the LC 500 on road and track in Franschhoek, but due to heavy rain and poor road conditions we were not able to unleash the full might of the V8 under the bonnet. Despite this, one thing was certain, the LC 500 sounds good, so very good.
The V8-powered LC 500 delivers luxury, class and performance in a striking package.
With that in mind, cast your eyes to the video below where 3-time British Rally Champion and stunt driver Mark Higgins wields the LC 500 through a deserted multi-storey car park in the dead of night in Bristol UK. The sound of the LC 500’s V8 howling in the night is just phenomenal.
Higgins had the following to say about the LC 500, “It gives you everything you want in terms of luxury, but it’s fun to drive as well. And the sound it made through the car park at two in the morning was amazing – it echoed out all over Bristol. It’s a car that I would be very, very happy to drive every day.”
New Car Deals of the Week: Audi, Mercedes-Benz & Mitsubishi
The Cars.co.za New Car Specials page is one of the busiest on the entire site and for good reason – it's the place to go to find the best new car deals and save thousands. Here are 4 of the hottest deals available at the moment.
Note that this article highlights just 4 of several New Car Specials currently listed (August 2018) – there are many more, including from brands such as Volkswagen, Ford, Opel and Renault. Check out the full list here. In fact, bookmark the page and come back weekly.
Note specials are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Remember to read the fine print.
While the facelifted A4 is due later this year, the current version still has much to offer.
The latest generation Audi A4 is a stylish business class sedan that is lighter, more spacious and packed with technology. You can get into an Audi A4 today from R6 699 with 0% deposit, while stocks last.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class from R6 499 p/m* on Agility Finance
The new X-Class brings increased badge appeal to the local bakkie market.
The highly-anticipated Mercedes-Benz X-Class has arrived in SA and buyers can drive off in a new X220d Progressive M/T from just R6 499 p/m* on Agility Finance. Note that this offer is valid until 30 September 2018.
Recently refreshed, the ASX still looks good and offers a lot of features for the money.
As one of the first compact crossovers on the local market, the ASX is not exactly a new car, but with constant updates, Mitsubishi has ensured that it still carries appeal. That appeal is significantly boosted when you add a saving of up to R100 000 to the deal.
On offer right now are limited mileage ASX 2.0 GL CVT dealer demos for R299 995, while a brand new car will cost R100 000 more! Of course, the remainder of the 5-year/90 000 km service plan and 3-year/100 000 km warranty are provided.
A facelifted C-Class is on the way, but the current one is still excellent…
The C-Class remains a strong seller in South Africa and has aged remarkably well. Right now you can drive away from a participating dealer in a pre-facelift C-Class with a host of added extras-including an AMG Line package, Panoramic Sunroof and Parking Assist from R7 999 p/m* on Agility finance with no deposit, while stocks last.
Note that this offer is based on pre-facelift models only.
BMW has replaced the M2 with this, the new BMW M2 Competition. Certain changes have been made, some good, some not so good. Here's our first drive of the newcomer.
BMW has beefed up its M2 with a few more go-faster bits – and a whole new engine, borrowed from the M3 and M4. Does it make what's already the best M car (in our opinion) even better? We drove it on the track at Ascari and on the roads in the south of Spain to find out.
You Know You Grew Up in the 90s when these Hatchbacks were on your Wall
Remember when hot hatchbacks were attainable cars and didn't cost R500 000 a pop? Well, if you do, then might remember lusting after a few of these legends of yesteryear…
Back in the Nineties when turbo monikers still meant something, and engines weren’t governed by emission laws and clever catchphrases like downsizing or rightsizing, affordable performance cars were raw and unsullied – their characters as clearly defined as the lines of their bodywork and the plethora of pinstripes and badges that adorned their perfectly pressed sheet metal. As a teenager growing up in South Africa in mid-Nineties, there weren't many cars burlier than a Volkswagen Golf VR6 or as evocative as a screaming Honda Civic VTEC – they were by no means exotics, but they became aspirational for their attainability and relative performance.
Honda Civic VTEC
Trying to find one of these in mint condition nowadays is a lot like searching for the Holy Grail, but back in 1996 the Honda Civic VTEC (EK series) was beginning to build a reputation as a rev-happy hooligan. Despite its relatively diminutive 1.6-litre 16-valve engine, it packed a pretty punchy party trick called VTEC, a variable valve timing system that massaged its engine to the tune of 118 kW/150 Nm through a combination of witchcraft and Japanese ingenuity. That does not sound like a lot of power by any stretch (or torque for that matter), but paired with racy gear ratios and a rather favourable kerb weight, the Civic VTEC boasted a 0-100 kph sprint time of 7.6 seconds, which left many unsuspecting souls rubbernecking as "the VTEC kicked in".
What to look for when buying second-hand: Rust, cracked radiator end tanks. Also check the condition of the oil and the clutch.
Despite its massive success as a runabout in South Africa, the Fiat Uno was blatantly dismissed by most performance junkies as a harmless and uninspiring econobox owing to its bland exterior and a dearth of fireworks under the bonnet. Those stupid enough to make such assumptions about the 3-door Uno Turbo were soon rudely sucker punched by the raucous and outrageously obnoxious the little Italian nipper. Armed with a turbocharged 86 kW/160 Nm Abarth-fettled 1.4-litre petrol mill, it had enough guts to propel the flagship Uno from standstill to 100 kph in under 8 seconds, before topping out at hard-to-fathom 200 kph. Visual amendments such as 13-inch Abarth-branded wheels and unique red pin-striping in the bumpers were hardly conspicuous enough to warn road users of its straight-line talent. Needless to say, many sports sedan owners who dared to dice an Uno Turbo were sent home with bruised egos to earnestly question the spec sheets and credentials of their cars.
What to look for when buying second-hand: Rust, noisy engine and turbo, any signs of aftermarket modifications.
The Audi A3 utilised the VW Group’s esteemed 1.8-litre 20-valve turbocharged engine, which was broadly employed during the late Nineties and the Noughties. During it’s time it was available in numerous states of tune but the most popular – read: affordable – format was the 110 kW/210 Nm AGU drive-by-cable version that did duty in the 1999-2000 Audi A3s and Golf GTIs. Its powerful and torquey engine meant it could go from 0-100kph in just over 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 kph. Those who wanted a touch more performance could go one bigger with the S3 – the sportiest derivative in the range. Much like the first-generation Audi TT, the S3's 1.8-litre turbocharged engine featured a bigger K04 turbo, a brace of intercoolers, a higher compression ratio and revised software that culminated in an extra 55 kW and 70 Nm.
What to look for when buying second-hand: Roll-bar bushes, top mounts, front suspension bushes, faulty pixels on the dash LCD and boost leaks.
Ah yes, the much-respected Nissan Sabre 200 GXi and Sentra 200 STi had one thing in common: the SR200DE engine. The Sabre may have lived in the shadow of the Sentra, but it possessed the same levels of performance and outright tuning potential as its sibling. In stock trim, the 2.0-litre 16-valve DOHC unit produced a rather respectable 105kW/178Nm and was capable of a sub-9 second 0-100 kph sprint time. It terrorised more expensive metal at traffic lights and forged a reputation on the street and drag strips for punishing turbocharged hatchbacks in quarter-mile duels. A few breathing modifications and greater fuel pressure would often see at-the-flywheel outputs swell to over 130 kW/220 Nm – and that’s before opening up the engine and fettling the camshaft timing etc.
What to look for when buying second-hand: These cars were prone to overheating. Check the coolant system and look for any signs of head gasket failures.
Few will forget the Volkswagen Mk3 Golf VR6 and its roaring soundtrack, a direct result of its unique vee-in-line power-plant configuration. It gained popularity in the wake of the rather disappointingly tepid 2.0-litre 8-valve GTI of the same era and is still a very sought-after collector’s piece to this day, primarily because of its guttural 2.8-litre 12-valve mill. Good for 128 kW and 235 Nm of rotational thrust it guzzled more than Paul Gascoigne on a binge, but its neck-snapping acceleration and granular soundtrack made up for the pricey fuel bills. It boasted a top speed of 235 kph and a 7.8-second 0-100 kph time, which is pretty swift – even by today’s standards. Finding a near-showroom-condition example is almost unheard of these days.
What to look for when buying second-hand: Faulty electric window motor, coil packs, noisy lifters, smoking, rust.
