Kia has introduced an updated version of its Sorento Adventure SUV (now available exclusively in 7-seater guise). Herewith the range's specifications and prices
Kia says its facelifted Sorento has been "enhanced", which is quite apt – the new car features a refreshed exterior design, as well as an upgraded interior with more standard features, all of which makes the Korean better value for money.
“The Sorento SUV has been a proud flagbearer for Kia’s design and quality credentials since the 1st-generation model debuted in 2002,” says Gary Scott, CEO of Kia Motors South Africa. “It has not only won red dot and iF Design Awards, but is also a consistent segment leader in the annual JD Power Initial Quality Study.”
For the 2018 model, the Sorento has received a new-look front end, replete with a more detailed grille and new headlamps. (higher-spec derivatives gain projection headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights). At the rear, there are sleeker taillamp housings, as well as a revised bumper design. New-look 18-inch alloy wheels complete the aesthetic revision. Inside, there are changes to the steering wheel, gearshift lever and a new-look instrument cluster with better graphics.
Previously, the Sorento was available in 5- and 7-seater guises, but the revised line-up sees Kia discontinue the former. The 2nd row of seats can fold in a 40/20/40 configuration, while the 3rd row can be folded flat into the luggage bay floor.
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto has made it into the new-look Kia Sorento
The base LS derivative, high-spec SX and SXL have been dropped, with the range now comprising a mid-spec LX and mid-to-high spec EX – both are available in either front- or all-wheel-drive guises.
The enhanced LX derivatives feature a raft of standard specification features that includes, but is not limited to, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, automatic headlamp control, auto-folding and heated side mirrors with integrated side indicators, electric windows all round and rear USB ports.
The higher-spec EX derivatives feature an auto-defog system, illuminated door scuff plates, rear sunshade blinds, electrically adjustable front seats (with 2-way adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat), integrated roof rails and a wireless smartphone charger.
A new 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, with integrated satellite navigation, USB and auxiliary inputs and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility is now standard too.
Kia has called upon its trusty 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine to power the Sorento and it produces a healthy 147 kW and 440 Nm, which is capable of propelling the vehicle from 0 to 100 kph in a claimed 9.4 seconds. The big change is the introduction of a new 8-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the outgoing 6-speed unit.
Kia Sorento Price in South Africa (October 2018)
The new Kia Sorento comes with a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as a 5-year/100 000 km service plan and 3 years' roadside assistance. View its full specs and prices here.
The much-loved manual Mazda MX-5 is no longer on sale in South Africa and customers can now only buy the heavier hard-top MX-5 version. In this review, Ernest Page takes the MX-5 RF for a whirl to find out if it can still deliver the thrills…
This new, heavier MX-5 is now the only MX-5 you can buy in South Africa. So, the brief was pretty simple: take the new automatic, hard-top Mazda MX-5 RF to the track and put it through a series of scientific(ish) tests. With the roof adding an extra 40 kg to the top of the car, and the automatic 'box reducing the driver's transmission control, we wanted to find out – has Mazda ruined one of the world's most iconic drivers cars?
Our contributor Ernest Page got the nod for this job thanks to his remarkable ability to get a car sideways. And so he set about putting the RF through a slalom, handbrake turn and good old-fashioned drift test. Watch the video to see what he discovered…
Given the diversity of manufacturers in the Volkswagen Group (and their various fields of expertise), what strategy is Audi following to stand out from its sibling brands? We button down Audi’s big plans for an electrified and (by and large) autonomous-driving future.
Each brand within the VW Group has a plan to introduce production electric vehicles by 2020, at least that is if reports are to be believed. So, when you’re in a group that consists of Volkswagen, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini as well as brands we don’t get in South Africa (Skoda and Seat), what can Audi do to make itself stand out from its peers? A recent venture to a motor show in Singapore shed a bit of light on how Audi wants to be seen within the group.
By looking at Audi’s concepts, such as Elaine and Aicon, it seems Audi is determined to be the primary innovator. Positioning itself as the VW Group brand that brings ideas to market first certainly suits a premium brand that competes directly with trendsetting marques like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar. Has the Ingolstadt-based firm got the jump on any of those brands in terms of bringing new tech to market? Well, let’s take a look at a few of these "upcoming" models and see what in store.
Audi e-tron
The Audi e-tron will arrive in South Africa during the 3rd quarter of 2019.
The e-tron is Audi’s first series-production electric car and we expect it to be introduced in South Africa during the 3rd quarter of 2019. It’s not innovative in the sense of being the VW Group's first electric car to market (the European market already has the Volkswagen e-Golf and e-up!). The e-tron does do something different, however. It's an electric model built to be a purpose-made electric car, as opposed to a combustion-engined car with electric bits. It also enters the segment that’s showing positive growth globally. People are stepping out of their 3-box sedans and buying SUVs, so Audi has made an electric SUV that offers enough range for long-distance trips.
400 km of range and fast charged to 80% in 30 minutes.
It's also a rebuff to "range anxiety" and "charges too slowly" detractors. Audi claims the e-tron has an effective range of 400 km per full charge and if you find a fast 150 kW charger, you can get 80% charge within 30 minutes. It’s not quite a 10-minute fuel station stop, but it will cost you about half as much to "fill your tank". Audi arch-rival BMW has electric cars on sale in South Africa, but the i3's 180-km range and compact size limit the hatchback's appeal for commuting. Audi’s major competitor will be the Jaguar iPace, which will beat it to market in SA by a good 6 months. The electric Jaguar will also be cheaper to recharge at charging stations beyond city limits.
Audi Elaine
The Audi Elaine introduces the next level of electric powertrain technology.
Gaze a little further into Audi’s future and you will come across the Elaine. Elaine might sound like the name of your favourite aunt, but that’s sort of the idea Audi has in mind this concept… That's because when you start integrating artificial intelligence into a vehicle, you still need it to come across as "human-like" (something that almost anyone can interact with), which goes a long way to explain why the Ingolstadt-based brand has given this concept a human name.
Audi may have been playing a little bit of catch up with the e-tron, but futuristics ideas start to align with the Elaine. For starters, it uses the next generation of electric propulsion with a projected range of in excess of 500 km. Three electric motors operate the all-wheel-drive system (2 at the rear and 1 at the front); they produce up to 370 kW collectively and are said to accelerate Elaine from 0 to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds. All this in a car that’s effectively an SUV version of the Audi A7.
The real innovation comes in the form of artificial intelligence systems that allow for autonomous freeway driving. Audi says that when travelling on a freeway, the Elaine will be able to drive itself and overtake traffic on its own at speeds of 60 to 130 kph. The driver is free to take over driving duties at any time as well.
An interior not too far-fetched from Audi's current A7 Sportback and A8.
Audi is also almost ready to roll out what it calls AI Zones. Let’s say you’re driving in the city and looking for a parking space. In that scenario, instead of searching endlessly on your own, you can get out of the car (and, basically hand over driving duties) in an AI Zone, from where the car will find a parking space in a parking lot or street all by itself. How it gets past security booms and paid parking services isn’t yet disclosed, but an "e-tag type of thing" could be an interim solution.
Audi Aicon
The Audi Aicon focuses on the future of mobility and beyond driver involvement.
The Audi Aicon concept anticipates a time when cars are there for the sole purpose of mobility. It’s a form of personal public transport, if you will. It has no steering wheel, so it’s fully autonomous and comes with an electric motor located at each corner of the car. With no real need for driver involvement, the Aicon is set up for maximum comfort and efficiency. It is claimed to have a range of 800 km(!) per charge and by virtue of wireless charging capability, it doesn’t even need to be plugged in.
The future of mobility may seem boring for car enthusiasts right now, but for most of the public who sit in hours upon hours of traffic to and from work every day, this sort of thing could take the hassle out of commuting. The Aicon also has some gimmicky bits, such as the ability to adjust the car's interior lighting to suit the types of music being played through the audio system (in other words, "adjust the cabin mood"). And speaking of the cabin, you may have noticed that you get a stool and bar table with some screens to play with… Those screens extend to the door linings as well, which suggests you could interact with whichever feature you want from where you want.
The seats fully recline, allowing occupants to nap on the way to their destination.
The seats recline to lie flat, so, if you want, you could nap on your way to and from work. It won’t be cramped either; the Aicon is about the same length as a LWB A8.
In our lifetime?
Audi’s status as an innovator within the Volkswagen Group is underlined when you consider how much further the Ingoldstadt-based brand has developed electric vehicle and autonomous driving technology than its sibling brands. The Aicon, with all of its "blue sky" ideas, will have level 5 autonomy (steering wheel optional) ready to roll out as soon as 2021. At that point, most other manufacturers will still be bridging the gap between level 3 (hands-off periods) and level 4 (autonomous zones).
The all-out electric push is coming too, and that can be seen in its most basic form – motorsport. Manufacturers such as Audi, Jaguar, Nissan, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all entered into Formula E for 2018/19. If the series proves popular and lucrative, it could be the injection of development that electric and battery power needs to really become mainstream.
Photos of the new McLaren hypercar have leaked online ahead of the vehicle's official reveal later today. Let's check out the McLaren Speedtail.
The McLaren Speedtail is the Woking-based brand's entry into the hypercar segment. McLaren is claiming a top speed of just over 390 kph from a highly modified version and hybrid version of the twin-turbocharged V8 engine that is used in other products in its portfolio.
One interesting aspect of the McLaren Speedtail is its cabin layout. Much like the iconic McLaren F1 from the 1990s, the Speedtail uses a 3-seat setup with the driver in the middle and a passenger either side. There are an array of touchscreens and the cabin can truly be called driver-focused. It appears that conventional wing mirrors have been replaced by cameras too.
McLaren will be building 106 Speedtail models and all have been snapped up despite the $2.1 million price tag. That's almost R31 million. We'll have more details after the official reveal later today.
The McLaren Speedtail adopts the same three-seat setup as the iconic McLaren F1 supercar of the 90s
The Hilux is 50 years old and to celebrate the occasion, Toyota and Arctic Trucks came together to develop the special edition Hilux Invincible 50. It will only be sold in the UK and will not come to South Africa.
The Hilux Invincible 50 has enhanced off-road capability with a performance suspension by Arctic Trucks and Bilstein while the new ET05 alloy wheels are specific to this special edition model and come wrapped in all-terrain Goodrich tyres.
With this setup, the Hilux Invincible 50 has a more ground clearance and stands 40 mm higher at the front and 20 mm higher at the rear with more articulation and increased approach and departure angles.
In terms of styling, the model features wider front and rear wings while a double-hoop sports bar is fitted that includes 4 high-power Vision X LED lights, perhaps for hunting rabbits in the English countryside…
Other details include rear Arctic Trucks mud flaps, a Line-X bed liner, a Toyota tailgate graphic and rear parking sensors. There’s a numbered Invincible 50 plaque in the cabin and Invincible 50 chrome badging and detailing are seen on the wings, wheels, doors, tailgate, sports bar, lighting and interior. All Hilux Invincible 50 models are finished in black paintwork. The familiar 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine does service under the bonnet and it comes mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Toyota Hilux is currently the most-popular vehicle sold in South Africa.
Watch our video review of the Toyota Hilux Dakar below!
BMW South Africa has confirmed that it will be bringing in some tasty M Performance Parts for its soon-to-be-launched BMW X5. How cool does this look?
The fourth generation of the BMW X5 is due to land in South Africa by the end of 2019 and BMW South Africa recently confirmed that it will be bringing in an extensive range of M Performance Parts for the newcomer. BMW SA claims these parts are for, "customers who wish to selectively refine the vehicle's sporty character and give this aspect further emphasise the character."
Not only doe these M Performance Parts look good, but they're actually functional. There are extensive options for some carbon fibre goodness, such as air intake trim elements for the bumper, winglets, a diffuser and even exterior mirror caps.
Development of the full range of M Performance Parts has always drawn on the extensive motor racing expertise of BMW M GmbH. All components are perfectly matched – both with each other and with the specific properties of each model. In this way, they not only give the vehicle concerned a more striking, dynamic appearance but also serve a functional purpose. The features have a positive impact on the vehicle’s aerodynamic properties, for instance, or contribute additionally to the intelligent lightweight concept.
The latest M Performance catalogue has been expanded to include the X5. Note offroad tyres and carbon fibre detailing.
Interestingly, given the BMW X5's offroad abilities, we're happy to see all-terrain wheels make their debut in the catalogue. You can also opt for vented and perforated M Performance brake discs which are larger than the standard units and these callipers are finished in red, giving the car a sportier look. These M Performance upgrades are not just exterior and there's substantial goodness for the cabin too. You can opt for a gorgeous M Performance steering wheel which is finished in Alcantara with cross stitching or go for the carbon fibre option with the shift paddles finished in carbon fabric. There's also M Performance floor mats available.
The BMW X5 launches in South Africa before the end of 2018 and these M Performance accessories will be available in the first quarter of 2019.
German carmaker BMW has revealed the X2 M35i – a performance version of the stylish X2 crossover. Herewith, some details as well as how much it costs.
The new BMW X2 M35i is powered by the most powerful 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine offered by the brand. It offers up 225 kW and 450 Nm, which is sufficient to fling the stylish SUV to 100 kph in a claimed 4.9 seconds. Power goes to all four wheels via BMW's 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, which also features launch control. BMW claims a fuel economy figure of 7.4 L/100 km.
It's not just a powerful engine and some sporty kit fitted to the BMW X2 M35i. Speaking of sporty kit, you'll be able to spot the X2 M35i with its sporty front bumper with large intakes, unique mirrors, large exhausts and unique 19-inch alloy wheels. The real detail is in the performance upgrades, however. There is a remap on the gearbox, with a focus on performance as well as an M Sport suspension. You can also option adaptive suspension, which will likely be well worth forking out for. There's also an M Sport differential fitted to the front axle and bigger M Sport brakes have been fitted.
The BMW X2 M35i goes into global production in November 2018 and we'll see the first units arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2019. We have discovered that the vehicle is available to order on the BMW SA website.
BMW X2 M35i Price in South Africa
BMW X2 M35i SAV R815 172
The BMW X2 M35i boasts the most powerful 2.0-litre turbo in the BMW arsenal. With 225 kW and 450 Nm, it's going to be one quick customer
Haval has a new flagship model in South Africa and it comes to market at a competitive price, certainly for a lavishly-appointed 7-seater Adventure SUV… However, will the lack of a turbodiesel engine option and Haval's newness in this utterly Toyota Fortuner-dominated segment hamper the H9's chances of success? We tested the solitary 2.0T 4WD Luxury derivative to find out.
We like: Spaciousness, 7-seat practicality, refined drivetrain, impressive off-road ability, good spec
We don't like: No diesel engine in the range, basic infotainment system
Some Haval dealers regularly offer specials: Have look here.
The H9 is the biggest model offered in South Africa by Chinese brand Haval.
Where does it fit in?
China's biggest SUV brand, Haval, hopes to replicate the tremendous sales success it's achieved in its domestic market here in South Africa. And, early signs have been more than promising – the H2 compact family car and H6/H6C family car have sold briskly in Mzansi. Recently, the range was expanded to include a flagship 7-seater model. The Haval H9 sits atop the Chinese brand's hierarchy and is intended to be a rival to the popular Toyota Fortuner, at least in terms of price, while incorporating convenience and luxury features as seen in the much more expensive Toyota Prado. It's not an easy task, but Haval reckons it has a few tricks up its sleeve with the H9.
Brand cachet is a powerful asset to have and while many will continue to belittle or dismiss products produced by Chinese automotive brands, Haval (in particular) has improved its models faster than many naysayers would have expected. With several designers and engineers (recruited from established automotive brands) now among its ranks, Haval has the capacity to produce vehicles that can justifiably vie for class honours. For example, the H9 was a semi-finalist for the Adventure SUV category of the 2018/19 #CarsAwards and its H2 compact family car sibling achieved a similar feat in the 2017/18 iteration of our awards programme. By combining massive R&D budgets with global expertise, Haval has swiftly incubated numerous advanced products, some of which will be coming to South Africa in the next few years.
What's good about it?
Practicality
The Haval H9's cabin feels solid and well assembled, with lots of European- and American SUV design inspirations.
Most Adventure SUVs have 7-seater configurations, but the H9 falls into an elite category: its rearmost seats, when electrically(!) deployed, are suitable for adults (we've evaluated several 7-seaters, only to find their 3rd rows are usually suitable for small children only). The secret to the Haval's carrying capacity is its physical dimensions. It's simply humungous! At almost 5 metres long, almost 2 metres wide and with a height of 1.9 metres, the 2.0T 4WD Luxury is one of the biggest vehicles in its class.
Granted, with all 3 rows of seats in use, the luggage capacity is nominal, but with the rearmost row of seats folded down, which was our preferred setup during the test period, you have access to 747 litres of load space. What's more, if you fold the 2nd and 3d rows down, you gain a massive area to accommodate large and/or bulky items. There's a clear focus on passenger comfort too, as passengers in the 2nd row get their own climate control panel, USB charging ports and the bench slides on rails, to tailor how much legroom is available. Also of interest is the front passenger seat's adjustment buttons, which are located on the right side of the seatback. Larger Chinese models typically prioritise rear passenger comfort, so if an aft occupant wants more space, they can move the seat in front of them to free up extra legroom.
The half-digital, half-analogue instrument cluster is clear and crisp. The vehicle also features tyre-pressure sensors for peace of mind.
Strong off-road ability
Thanks to the fitment of an Eaton locking rear differential and a Borg Warner low-range transfer case, the Haval H9 2.0T 4WD Luxury is as competent off-road as it looks. Ground clearance is rated at 206 mm, with a generous approach angle of 28 degrees, plus it's an accomplished water crosser (with a wading depth of 700 mm).
Furthermore, the H9 features a number of off-road modes that can be activated using a rotary selector on the Haval's centre console. There are the obvious ones, like Snow and Mud, but we chose to leave it mostly in Auto, and let the car's ECU control the traction settings and power split between axles. When the going gets really tough, there's low-range and selectable hill-descent control too. We drove this H9 unit on a tricky off-road course, where it impressed us with its fuss-free capabilities.
The Haval H9 climbing a challenging uphill on a 4×4 test track. Thanks to its offroad tech, it effortlessly climbs up tricky terrain.
Engine refinement
The H9's 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, which produces peak outputs of 180 kW and 350 Nm, is mated with a German-sourced ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Petrol powerplants are now quite rare in the Adventure SUV market (the 2.7-litre and 4.0-litre V6 Toyota Fortuners come to mind, but not much else), but the Haval's 2.0-litre motor is willing and fairly responsive. Although there is a bit of hesitation from a standstill, the transmission does a sterling job of changing gears smoothly and making the best of the available torque. There's decent mid-range shove too, even when the Haval's fully loaded with passengers. The engine only sounds strained and harsh when pushed to its redline. And, as far as noise, vibration and harshness suppression is concerned, the H9's on-road refinement is generally good.
The 8-speed gear selector feels nicely finished. Note the rotary offroad mode controller, as well as push-button start
In terms of performance, Haval claims a sprint time of 10 seconds from 0 to 100 kph. A minor criticism of this powertrain is that when fully loaded, we anticipate the turbopetrol will have to work hard, resulting in quite a high fuel consumption. Visits to the petrol station won't be that frequent, however, as the tank capacity is 80 litres.
Ride quality
Unlike most of its bakkie-based rivals, the H9 has a multi-link rear suspension, which is said to improve ride comfort (especially for rearmost passengers) by offering better absorption of road imperfections. The downside of this is that there may not be enough articulation available when the going gets really tough, but given our off-road experience with the vehicle, we think it's adequate. The Haval is a superb cruiser; it effortlessly covers long distances with its occupants ensconced in comfort.
Because the 2.0T 4WD Luxury's suspension is (best described as) pillowy, it dulls the sensation of being connected to the road surface; when at the 'wheel of the H9, it feels like you're floating along with the minimum of driving effort. Similarly, the steering feels quite vague and indirect, but then we expect it of a vehicle of this nature…
The Haval H9 on a gravel road. Few cars are this spacious and comfortable, not to mention capable, at this price point.
Where does it fall short?
Basic infotainment system
The 2.0T 4WD Luxury derivative comes equipped with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen, which includes a navigation function, in combination with an Infinity high-end sound system. However, the screen's quality isn't the sharpest, there's no Apply CarPlay/Android Auto functionality and the menu layout can be a little counter-intuitive to use.
The touchscreen system is functional, but we feel that in a vehicle costing over R500k, it could be nicer. Note the 4×4-related info screen displaying altitude, barometer, compass and angle of ascent.
Lack of a diesel engine
While we don't have major gripes with the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor, the lack of a turbodiesel to choose from is a drawback. When you consider that the ranges of the Haval H9's rivals (such as the Fortuner, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X), comprise mostly of diesel engines, offering a petrol-only model seems unwise, given buyers' established appetites in this segment. Turbodiesel motors tend to be more frugal and offer a bit more torque than their petrol counterparts and the torque band starts slightly lower, making performance more accessible. The extra grunt is especially important to those who like to tow trailers.
Haval H9 price in South Africa
The H9 2.0T 4WD Luxury retails for R599 900, which includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, a 5-year/60 000 km service plan and 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance.
Verdict
Impressively spacious, superbly practical, well-made and lavishly equipped (the front seats are ventilated and include a massage function; the driver’s seat is 8-way electrically adjustable with extra lumbar support and memory function; there's LED mood lighting, blind spot detection, plus cross-traffic alert and lane-change alert functions… the list goes on and on), the H9 2.0T 4WD Luxury is a tremendous value proposition… given its asking price of R599 900.
It doesn't quite score perfect marks. The lack of a diesel motor is regrettable and the basic infotainment system doesn't feel appropriately smart for a vehicle with clear premium SUV ambitions. The good news, however, is that both of these gripes can be easily fixed in the next iteration of H9, or sooner. There's plenty that the H9 does right. The cabin space/practicality is up with the best, the powertrain is smooth and refined and the specification generous. The cabin is neatly finished and well thought out, and the materials used are of good quality. It's also capable, should you wish to tackle a 4×4 trail.
Up to now, we've had reservations about Haval's after-sales support infrastructure, but you'd be pleased to read that the brand is growing its dealership footprint and the warranty is decent, which adds some peace of mind. We've learnt that with Haval, issues are generally quickly addressed and the firm's ability to rapidly raise its game should raise a few alarm bells in the offices of more established brands. Whether buyers are quite ready to "take the plunge" with a R600k vehicle we can't say, but those who do opt for an H9 over its deeply entrenched rivals, won't be disappointed. Given its value-for-money proposition, more than a few will find homes in South Africa.
Alternatives (click on the car names for detailed spec info)
Toyota Fortuner: The effervescent Fortuner continues to be a massive sales success thanks to all-round capability, refinement and superb after-sales support. It's available with a host of petrol and diesel engines, but it's perhaps not such a "large family car bargain" as it once was.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200: It offers similar space and features to the H9, but costs substantially more. If only there was a vehicle between the top-spec Fortuner and top-spec Land Cruiser… oh wait, the Haval H9's gone for that gap…
Ford Everest: A product in the same vein as the Fortuner. It offers a more sensible folding seat option than its Japanese rival and there is a cracking array of diesel engines to choose from. Its spacious enough, with a recently improved user experience of its onboard systems.
The Conquest & Our Love Affair with Toyota Hatchbacks
Back in the Eighties, Toyota knocked it out of the park with the original Conquest, but somewhere down the line, the Japanese brand's hatchback strategy became muddled. Aaron Borrill retraces the Conquest's lineage and sees hope on the horizon…
Back in the early Eighties, the Volkswagen Golf dominated the hatchback segment in South Africa. It had no real competition and consumers naturally bought into the Volkswagen’s "People’s Car" image – a symbol that has become synonymous with refinement and value for money. It wasn’t long before Toyota SA saw a gap in the market and launched the Conquest. Known globally as the Toyota Corolla hatchback, Toyota SA rebadged it here to separate it from the Corolla sedan and market it to a different demographic altogether.
It went head-to-head with the Golf, where it claimed a significant share of the market before a host of continuity errors in terms of model naming strategies and lack of bona fide performance offerings dulled its popularity within the compact car market. Toyota recently launched its latest hatchback, which sports the fabled Corolla moniker. With rumours of a performance version, with dynamism and refinement to match, could we see a resurgence in a model that has fallen by the wayside?
Conquest
The Toyota Conquest was the one that started it all for Toyota – particularly here in South Africa, where it eschewed the Corolla moniker to differentiate itself from its sedan sibling. It was an instant hit with consumers combining the stately appearance of the Corolla sedan with the practicality and youthful aesthetics of a hatchback.
It provided a much-needed and worthy alternative to the Volkswagen Golf II, which was dominating the local sales charts at the time. Who can forget the 1st-generation Conquest – its chilled bonnet and angular facade bestowed it with a veritable wedge-look (also known as the "wet look" in enthusiast circles). The model duly captured the imagination of many consumers and the Conquest RSi (1986-1988), powered by a vocal, free-revving 1.6-litre 4A-GE engine and emblazoned with "Twin Cam 16" lettering, became legendary by virtue of its successes in production-car (Group N) racing and local and national rally championships.
The following generation of Conquest (often referred to as the bubble shape) was released in 1989, replete with more mature, rounder aesthetics and improved aerodynamics. It underwent a mid-life facelift in 1993, which saw the Toyota wordmark grille logo replaced by the brand’s current identity. There were a string of model variants available ranging from a carb-fed 1.3-litre and semi-warm 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre versions to the red-hot 96 kW 1.6-litre Conquest RSi.
In 1996, Toyota SA mothballed the Conquest nameplate and re-launched its compact hatchback as the Toyota Tazz – a strategy which targeted the segment ruled by the then (Golf 1-based) Volkswagen CitiGolf. The "refreshed" model got new head- and tail-lamps, as well as a new front bumper, while under the skin it remained much the same as its predecessor. A couple of tweaks to the interior – namely new seat upholstery and the addition of a chrome Toyota badge on the steering wheel kept things somewhat modern. Naturally, it continued to sell impressively well with a line-up of derivatives comprising a 1.3 (130) and 1.6 litre (160) and Carri panel van. Of all the versions, it was the 130 that sold in huge numbers featuring the same 55 kW 2E 1.3-litre that did duty in the previous generation Corolla and Conquest.
Those who wanted a little more zip opted for the 160 with its 4A-FE 16-valve engine. With safety becoming a large concern of many drivers and families the Tazz was eventually culled from the line-up in 2006. It was time for the RunX – the most highly anticipated Toyota hatchbacks (to hit South African soil in decades) to shine.
For Toyota, the RunX represented a bold step forward in terms of overall refinement, aesthetics safety and driving dynamics for its compact hatchback offering. Despite being a self-standing range, the RunX shared several design cues, most notably its powertrain and platform with the 9th-generation Corolla. The cabin was "textbook Corolla", save for sprinkles of silver trim on the dash and fascia and a short-throw 6-speed gearbox.
Six derivatives were available, but it was the RSi that got enthusiasts excited; a performance model was sorely lacking from Toyota’s portfolio at the time. Built exclusively for the SA market, it featured a naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre (2ZZ-GE) mill with variable valve timing. It produced 141 kW (7 800 rpm) and 180 Nm, which endowed it with enough poke to break the 0-100 kph barrier in just over 8 seconds (which compared quite favourably those of the 2.0-litre turbocharged Golf 5 GTI).
The RunX RSi, unfortunately, was bereft of traction control, which made hard acceleration from a standstill a tricky exercise – those that mastered it, however, claim to have scalped some impressive hot hatch machinery that Ford, Volkswagen and Audi produced at the time. A sportier, more exclusive TRD version was released in 2007 to keep local interest from waning. Limited to just 210 units the TRD model differentiated itself from the regular RSi by way of TRD components – 17-inch wheels, a collection of TRD badges, sportier suspension and a strut brace completed the package.
Another year, another Toyota hatchback – and another new name. The Auris replaced the fondly-remembered RunX in 2007 as the chosen combatant for the Volkswagen Golf, but would South Africa’s droves of Toyota faithful buy into the marque’s newly launched C-segment contender? And, what about that name? It was badged as the Corolla hatchback in certain markets and even called the Corolla Conquest in Australia. But, hey, let's move on… Its styling palette represented a departure from Toyota's cookie-cutter design; a combination of Eurocentric packaging helped differentiate it from its rivals, but at the same time, the Auris had a somewhat sterile, anonymous character. Despite a wide range of engines available – which included a hybrid – there was nothing very memorable about this model.
A 123 kW 1.6-litre supercharged Auris TRD was eventually introduced to add a little excitement, but it was no RSi. It was only when the next generation Auris was launched in 2013 that Toyota seemed to have a genuine C-segment hatchback contender again. Designed under the watchful eye of Akio Toyoda, the newcomer's angular, more purposeful styling gave it more street cred, lured new buyers to the marque and helped Toyota claw back vital market share in the segment.
When images emerged of the all-new Corolla Hatchback, which was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Show, fans anticipated the return of a provocative, truly desirable Toyota hatchback. First impressions reveal a completely different character to the sedan, which is a good thing. Sharp, expressive lines define its appearance, providing a far sportier and low-slung profile compared with long-time rivals, the VW Golf and Ford Focus. LED head- and tail-lamps complete the visuals and add a distinctly upmarket feel to the package. It utilises the firm’s new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, with a stiffer bodyshell and lower centre of gravity.
In terms of overall dimensions, the Corolla Hatchback is not only lower but longer and wider than its predecessor. That's all very impressive from a practicality point of view, but for the newcomer to gain an advantage over its rivals, it will have to take interior refinement to the next level, something we’ve already seen on the Corolla sedan. Its contemporary dashboard layout and cabin arrangement represent a new era for the brand – minimalist, upmarket and refined. In terms of engine layouts, expect a 1.2-litre turbocharged mill to kick off proceedings when it arrives in South Africa early next year, with a hybrid on the cards for a later introduction.
There’s no talk of a hot version just yet, but with a platform as well-balanced as the Corolla Hatchback's, there’s good reason to suspect a spicy performance offering is in the works, perhaps with a GRMN moniker. However, given that GTI derivatives make up the bulk of Golf's sales volumes in South Africa, it won't be too far of a reach to suggest the difference between a solid market take up and sales success of Toyota's new offering will lie in the expediency of a halo version's introduction.
Audi has revealed some details and images of its facelifted R8 and R8 Spyder supercars, which will be coming to SA in 2019. Some details!
The big change, other than the sharper looks, is that this facelifted Audi R8 is even more powerful. The naturally-aspirated screamer of a 5.2-litre V10 motor now produces 419 kW and 550 Nm, which is 22 kW and 10 Nm more than the outgoing car. Acceleration times are brisk, with the 0-100 kph dash dispatched in just 3.4 seconds. In the R8 V10 Performance model, it now pushes out 456 kW and 580 Nm, a 7 kW and 20 Nm increase. It's even more ballistic in an acceleration run as it takes just 3.1 seconds to hit 100 kph and will run onto a top speed of 324 kph. To meet the new stricter WLTP emissions standard, the new Audi R8 is fitted with a gasoline particulate filter.
Under the skin, there are also tweaks to the suspension which should improve stability and precision. The optional dynamic steering and electromechanical power steering has been retuned for assistance and feedback, with the aim of increasing precision, response and feedback. Audi Sport has loaded three additional stability programs into the mix: dry, wet and snow.
The Audi R8 comes with factory-fitted 19-inch alloy wheels, with ultralight 20-inch fully milled alloys being available as an option. There's the option of ceramic brake discs too. R8 customers can choose from up to three exterior packages, depending on the engine option and there are new metallic colors (Kemora Gray and Ascari Blue) too.
The new Audi R8 will reach German and other European dealerships in the first quarter of 2019 and while no official date has been set, it will be making its way to our shores in 2019 too. We'll be driving the new Audi R8 overseas in November, so stay tuned for more details.
The new alloy wheel design of the facelifted Audi R8
