5 Weird and Wonderful China-Only Cars from 2018 Beijing Motor Show
We spent two days at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show and it was an eye-opening experience. Here are five weird and wonderful China-only vehicles that were on display.
Byton Concept
This start-up company is building a car which it claims will "turn the car into the next-generation smart device". It's a high-tech electric SUV with a range of over 500 km. Despite the Chinese backing and market targetting, the company is headed by Carsten Breitfeld who previously worked at BMW's i division.
Qiantu K50
This striking thing is automatically cool because of its logo. Who else would be brave enough to have a dragonfly as a logo? Not only does it look incredible, but it promises serious performance from its electric motor. How does 294 kW and 650 Nm grab you? Qiantu claims a 0-100 kph sprint of 4.6 seconds.
Qoros Mile 1
While Qoros itself is battling to gain a foothold in its domestic market, it's not giving up and showcased the Mile 1 concept. It features an electric powertrain and is made from lightweight materials. It also boasts 5G connectivity and an in-car Artificial Intelligence (AI).
KDC Regalo
Despite the perception that the Chinese copy many Western designs, there were surprisingly few to be seen. This KDC Regalo however, is a blatant copy of a McLaren and is claimed to be an electric-powered sportscar.
BAIC Lite
With traffic and lack of parking being a serious problem in urban areas, carmakers are turning to smaller cars and ride-sharing services for people mobility. This BAIC Lite is an electric city car with a range of 170 km and a top speed of 110 kph. BAIC claims that charging takes just half an hour to reach 80%.
Jaguar has updated its F-Pace SUV and a new high-performance F-Pace SVR will join the range! Details below…
The F-Pace, Jaguar’s first-ever SUV, is its most popular model globally. It arrived in South Africa back in 2016 and it has now been updated with a number of technological upgrades as well as the addition of a high-performance F-Pace SVR derivative.
The F-Pace SVR will be powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with 405 kW and 680 Nm which will result in a zero to 100 kph sprint time in a claimed 4.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 283 kph.
The F-Pace SVR will headline the range with its 405 kW / 680Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine.
In terms of visual appeal, there are bigger air intakes at the front and numerous vents to draw hot air out of the engine bay. The rear features a unique spoiler as well as 4 fat exhausts. They're of the Active Exhaust variety, meaning you can switch from quiet and subtle to wake-the-neighbours levels of noise. There are new lightweight 21- and 22-inch forged alloy wheels too. In the cabin, there are performance seats with embossed SVR logos and an SVR-branded steering wheel.
As for the rest of the F-Pace range, Jaguar has installed a new adaptive cruise control system with steering assist and lane centering. Furthermore, a Stop & Go feature will also be offered to make driving in heavy traffic less stressful. A new emergency braking system will apply the brakes automatically at speeds up to 160 kph.
All F-Pace’s will feature a 10-inch infotainment system and new 14-way adjustable slimline sports seats will be offered as an option. Other interior changes include a frameless rearview mirror, illuminated tread plates, steel pedals, a suede headliner, carbon fibre door trim and chrome seat switches. Other standard features will include a rear camera, front and rear park distance control, driver attention monitor and lane keep assist. An optional Driver Pack and Park Pack will also be offered.
Fuel tank capacity is also expected to increase (petrol derivatives) to 82 litres (previously 63 litres). All engines will also be equipped with a new particulate filter to help reduce emissions.
The facelifted F-Pace and high-performance F-Pace SVR can be expected in Q3/Q4 of 2018. We will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.
Catch all the action from 2018's Jaguar Simola Hillclimb on this live stream.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class (2018) Specs & Price
The highly-anticipated Mercedes-Benz X-Class double-cab bakkie is officially launching in South Africa next week! Take a look at what the X-Class will cost below…
The new Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which is based upon the Nissan Navara will officially come to market in May 2018. The first deliveries start in the middle of May 2018 but pre-orders for the 'luxury' bakkie are open.
From its market launch, the X-Class will be powered by a 2.3-litre turbodiesel motor available with a choice of two power outputs. In the X220d with a single turbocharger it generates 120 kW and, in the biturbo X250d, 140 kW. Both diesel models will be offered with purely rear-wheel drive or with a selective all-wheel drive. All engines are characterised by quiet, low-vibration running and excellent power delivery coupled with low consumption figures, Benz says. Power is transferred via a 6-speed manual transmission. A 7-speed automatic transmission is also available for the 140 kW X250d and X250d 4Matic derivatives.
A high-torque V6 diesel engine, with peak outputs of 190 kW and 550 Nm, will be released in 2018. The X350d model will come as standard with permanent 4Matic all-wheel drive and the 7-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel shift paddles and Eco start/stop function. The Dynamic Select drive programme switch enables the driving experience to be tailored to individual preferences – from relaxed comfort to engaged sportiness, will be standard.
Excellent off-road characteristics
Fording depth
600 mm
Ground clearance
Front axle 202 mm
Rear axle 221 mm for suspension with raised ground clearance
Angle of approach/departure front/rear
28.8°/23.8°
30.1°/25.9° for suspension with raised ground clearance
Maximum tilt
49.8°
49° for suspension with raised ground clearance
Ramp breakover angle
20.4°
22° for suspension with raised ground clearance
Maximum gradeability
100%
From launch, there will be two levels of trim; Progressive and Power. Progressive is more rugged and aimed at the workhorse market, while Power is geared towards the lifestyle end. We'll have full details and specifications when the vehicle launches locally.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class Price in South Africa
Prices effective from 1 April 2018 and include the impending VAT rate of 15% as well as new CO2 tax values. The new Mercedes-Benz X-Class comes standard with the manufacturer’s PremiumDrive, which is a 100 000 km/6 year plan, whichever occurs first. For an additional cost, customers have the option of extending the maintenance plan up to a maximum of 180 000km/8 years, whichever occurs first.
X-Class X220d 4X2 PROGRESSIVE M/T – R642 103
X-Class X250d 4X2 PROGRESSIVE A/T – R694 025
X-Class X250d 4X4 PROGRESSIVE M/T (available in A/T as an optional extra) – R696 785
X-Class X250d 4X4 POWER M/T (available in A/T as an optional extra) – R791 315
Track Battle | Audi RS5 vs BMW M4 CP vs Mercedes-AMG C63 S – Part 2
In Part 2 of our track battle, we take to Killarney International Raceway to see which German performance coupe sets the fastest lap time.
Going head to head in battle are the Audi RS5, BMW M4 Competition Pack, and the Mercedes-AMG C63 S.
The three Germans are closely matched, with the Mercedes offering the most power and torque from its bi-turbo V8, the BMW being the lightest and the RS5 being the only car here with all-wheel-drive.
After news broke that Kia South Africa would be introducing its Stinger GT in limited numbers, we can now confirm pricing and specification for this model.
The Kia Stinger was developed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife under the guidance of Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President and Head of Vehicle Test & High-Performance Development. That name will sound familiar if you know your BMW M products, as that's where he was stationed before moving to Kia. The Kia Stinger is powered by a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine which packs a 272 kW and 510 Nm punch. Power goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Kia claims a 0-100 kph time of 4.9 seconds and it'll run onto a top speed of 270 kph.
“There has been notable interest and excitement in Stinger since we announced its imminent arrival two weeks ago,” comments Gary Scott, CEO, KIA Motors South Africa. “The confidence is well placed. KIA has retained top position in the authoritative J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, and Stinger’s continued global awards certainly reinforce this sentiment. Adding to the well-known attributes of design, quality and value for money, Stinger in the comprehensively specified GT trim, is a showcase of KIA’s engineering prowess. With its competitive pricing, we believe that it will be highly sought-after as well.”
Kia Stinger Specifications
The cabin appears slick and modern, and it comes with all the latest convenience features as standard
SA customers will have a choice of nine metallic exterior colours. The new Kia Stinger rides on 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 225/40 19-inch rubber at the front, and 255/35 19s at the rear. Vented Brembo disc brakes are standard and feature quad-piston front callipers and dual-piston rear callipers for stopping power.
In the cabin, the Stinger features contoured seats covered in Nappa leather, and there's a choice between black or deep burgundy leather upholstery. The driver and front passenger’s seats are electrically adjustable, are heated and ventilated, while the driver’s seat also features adjustable bolsters, lumbar support, seat cushion extension and a memory function. The steering column is electronically adjustable for rake and reach.
The infotainment system comprises an 8-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth, Voice Recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, a 720 watt Harman/Kardon sound system with 15 speakers and subwoofer. The Stinger's cabin also features a wireless smartphone charging pad and dual automatic air conditioning as standard. Kia's Stinger features a Head-Up Display display with speed, turn-by-turn navigation, audio and cruise control settings displayed. A sunroof is also fitted as standard.
In terms of safety, the new Kia Stinger features park distance control at the front and rear of the vehicle, a reverse camera, electric parking brake with auto hold function, as well as hill-start assist. Blind spot detection system, stability control, ABS, seven airbags, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Kia Stinger Price in South Africa
The Kia Stinger comes standard with Kia's unlimited kilometre, 5-year warranty, as well as five years’ worth of roadside assistance and a 5-year/90 000km maintenance plan. Due to the limited number of Stinger available to the South African market from August 2018, the vehicle will not be available through the KIA dealership network. Instead, Stinger will feature a bespoke direct sales experience facilitated by KIA South Africa through the dedicated Stinger website, www.kiastinger.co.za. Customers who register on the Stinger website will receive full details regarding the sales and ordering process later this month and will be able to order their vehicles at the same time.
The next generation of Great Wall Motors bakkies will see a massive jump in quality and refinement, thanks to input from GWM's luxury SUV subsidiary, Haval.
During our visit to the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, we were afforded the opportunity to sit down with Great Wall Motors (GWM) group vice-president of product planning Samuel Chen, who gave us some insights into both Haval's and GWM's future portfolios. The big news is that the GWM Steed workhorse will be underpinned by a modified version of the Haval H9 7-seat adventure SUV (itself confirmed for SA market introduction before the end of 2018).
With commonality and parts sharing between Haval and GWM, we expect the new Steed to shake off some of its workhorse attire and gain a big step up in terms of refinement and luxury. Globally we're seeing a shift towards lifestyle and luxury bakkies, like the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, so having an upmarket Steed alongside a workhorse makes a good business case.
The cabin of the Haval H9 SUV. Elements from this luxury SUV will find their way into the new GWM bakkie, moving it into the luxury lifestyle space
In terms of size, the Haval H9's wheelbase of 2 800 mm is a tad shorter than that of the Toyota Hilux (3 085 mm) and Ford Ranger (3 220 mm). The H9 offers a smart 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and we expect this to be carried over to the new bakkie. One potential hiccup we anticipate is the lack of a diesel engine. Currently, the GWM/Haval powertrain portfolio comprises 1.5- and 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motors, and we're not sure the H9's 180 kW and 350 Nm motor will find favour among bakkie fans, at least not in South Africa, where turbodiesel double cabs dominate. The big players in the segment are all opting for V6 diesel engines, but Mr Chen confirmed more powertrains are in development.
“In terms of powertrains, yes, we will have a sort of competitiveness in the local market, in terms of updating its appearance and comfortability – it’s also something we’re also working on,” he said. “This new pick-up that we’re working on, it will have very much an SUV type of interior space, so it’s not so much the old-style typical truck feel anymore. You are driving a pick-up (with a decidedly) SUV interior, so that’s something we’re definitely moving towards,” Mr Chen added.
We reviewed the Steed 6 back in 2015 and had this to say: For your money, you are getting a capable and modern bakkie that comes packed to the hilt with features. The Steed 6 is by no means perfect, but it’s better than you think and does a good job of undercutting its competitors by a significant margin; it represents excellent value.
The new GWM 1-tonne bakkie will share a platform with an all-new Haval SUV, and both will be built on the same line at a new facility in China. Interestingly, Haval is expected to launch its own version of this bakkie too. We estimate that the new Great Wall Motors bakkie will be revealed internationally as soon as next year, with a potential market introduction for SA in 2020.
Haval's recent success as a fledgling automotive brand in South Africa has come as a surprise to many, but after what we saw at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show, this is only just the beginning for China's number one SUV marque.
Great Wall Motors has been in South Africa for some time now, with the Steed bakkie family making landfall back in 2010. However, despite the prevalence of bakkies in our market, the SUV market is booming; almost every brand offers an SUV of sorts. Back in May 2017, Haval arrived in South Africa, offering the compact H1 (a rebadged GWM M4) and the H2. Subsequently, the portfolio was expanded to include the H6 and H6 C.
Historically, many Chinese cars have been dismissed for being of lesser build quality (and, sometimes, deservedly so, especially a decade ago), but today, given Haval's rapid rate of development, we're happy to suggest that it is no longer the best of the Chinese brands, but rather a very real contender and rival to the established marques. The Haval H2 was a semi-finalist in the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – Powered by WesBank, which underlines just how far the brand has come. In China, Haval is the country's number one SUV brand, having sold a million (!) units last year.
What's Next?
Haval F5
The Beijing Motor Show gave us an opportunity to inspect the entire Haval product portfolio, both existing models as well as impending arrivals. The headliner was the new Haval F5, which is an all-new compact family car/crossover dripping in style and tech. It's clear which audiences Haval is targetting with this product as the car, both inside and out, has youthful touches everywhere and boasts Internet connectivity. The only hiccup is that its only left-hand drive and we'll have to see if right-hand-drive production is confirmed before the local arm of Haval can make a call.
The Haval F5 cabin. Note the floating central console and digital displays.
Having sat in the car and prodded around, it's clear that there's a huge leap forward for cabin quality, fit and finish and ergonomics. The packaging is good too and interior space is impressive even for tall South African journalists. Power comes from a new 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor, which produces 124 kW and 285 Nm. In terms of transmission, it features the in-house-engineered 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
Facelifted H6
A facelifted Haval H6C in Baoding, China.
Outside of the show, we visited a Haval dealership and on its showroom floor we saw the significantly revised Haval H6 Coupe. In terms of its aesthetic appearance, the H6C looks much more contemporary than the current model and when we enquired from Haval SA when the newcomer would arrive in South Africa, the company said there were no plans (yet) to replace the current model as its mechanically similar as this new one.
Haval H9
The big Haval H9 will be in South Africa before the end of the year.
The big Haval H9 is confirmed for South Africa and will be landing on our shores before the end of the year. While this show-special matte green finish was certainly striking, we doubt that it'll be available in our market. Power comes from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol mill with peak outputs of 180 kW and 350 Nm. The H9 offers some substantial offroad capability too, with 4×4 modes and low-range functionality. Unlike some of the competition in that segment, such as the Toyota Fortuner, the H9 rides on a multi-link rear suspension, as opposed to leaf springs.
We had the opportunity to ride shotgun in the new 7-seat Haval H9 at the GWM/Haval production facility at Xushui, Baoding. Some high-speed runs around the oval track at 180 kph showed that the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine was more than capable of propelling the large bodied adventure SUV and its 8-speed 'box shifted smoothly. Most impressive, however, was the ride quality and refinement. If the pricing is right, we think the H9 may snatch a few sales from its more established rivals, although the lack of a turbodiesel powertrain may prove problematic.
Ora
How cute is this little thing? Meet the Ora R1, an electric city car capable of 100 kph.
GWM used the 2018 Beijing Auto Show to announce a new brand, named Ora. It's an electric vehicle brand aimed at consumers living in big cities. The R1 and R2 concepts are really cute and fashionable city cars. They are claimed to have top speeds of 100 kph and a range of about 300 km.
Wey
The Wey P8 plug-in hybrid is an exceptionally pretty luxury SUV, with the ability to hit 100 kph from standstill in 6.5 seconds.
Also at the 2018 Motor Show was Haval's luxury brand Wey and it is under consideration for South African market introduction. We first got a glimpse of an ultra-luxurious Chinese SUV back in 2014, when Haval unveiled its Coupe Concept. This concept has translated into a new brand called Wey and its portfolio comprises SUVs of varying sizes. There are the VV5 and VV7 models, as well as a plug-in hybrid vehicle called the P8. We got a chance to see some of the products up close and to sit in them, and the quality is staggering when you compare them to the likes of the Jaguar E-Pace, Volvo XC40 and BMW X2.
The Wey P8 is the brand's latest offering and it's a plug-in hybrid based on the VV7. A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine drives one axle, with an electric motor driving the other. The motor produces 172 kW/360 Nm and drives all four wheels. Wey claims a 0-100 kph time of 6.5 seconds and an average fuel consumption figure of just 2.3 L/100 km. It also has a 50-km range when operating on electric power only.
At the show, all eyes were on the Wey RS7 (we're pretty sure Audi won't be happy with that name), which is a concept previewing a hotter version of the VV7. The cabin is very impressive too.
The Wey-X concept was a very interesting offering. It previews an all-electric crossover tailor made for the urban market and it features modern gadgets such as touchscreens, wireless charging pads, full autonomy and over 500 km of range.
If you like the idea of driving a high-performance SUV then this article is for you! Here is a list of 6 potent SUVs expected to arrive in South Africa in 2018.
The performance SUV, loved by many, loathed by some, but undeniably intriguing and if not, just flat out ridiculous. The rise in popularity of the SUV is no secret, just look at dwindling sedan sales for evidence of this. SUVs are where it's at…
But there’s a new (ish) breed of SUV coming to the fore, the high-performance kind and the German manufacturers no longer rule the roost. These monumental SUVs deliver supercar-like performance while still offering the practicality and flexibility of its lesser-girthed brethren.
If you are looking to have your ego tickled in 2018, then we suggest you put these 6 performance SUVs on your hit list as they promise to deliver scintillating performance and head-turning appeal.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
If you think the recently-revealed Lamborghini Urus is bonkers, then best you cast your eyes on this brute, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The Trackhawk has its Italian rival licked in terms of output and to a degree, performance. It makes use of a powerful, supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine sourced from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, producing a not-to-be-taken-lightly 523 kW and 881 Nm of torque using an 8-speed automatic transmission to drive all 4 wheels.
As you can imagine, performance comes naturally for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with zero to 100 kph dispatched in a claimed time of 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 290 kph. That is just nuts! The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is coming to South Africa in 2018 but an exact date of arrival is yet to be confirmed. Local pricing remains a mystery but if we were to hazard a guess, expect the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk to be priced in the region of R1 600 000. Some customers have already placed orders…
The Lamborghini Urus is arguably the most aggressive-looking high-performance SUV to come to market and being a Lambo, it offers performance few cars can match. It’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine offering 478 kW and 845 Nm of torque using an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with a torque converter, a first for the brand, sending power to all 4 wheels.
The Urus will rocket from zero to 100 kph in 3.6 seconds, or to be exact 3.59 seconds, before reaching a claimed top speed of 305 kph.
The Lamborghini Urus is expected to arrive in South Africa in 2018, most likely in the second half of the year. Pricing for Urus will come in at around R3 305 000, according to Lambo CT, with a long list of (expensive) options to choose from.
The high-performance Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is perched at the top of the Italian marque’s new Stelvio SUV range and brings staggering clout to the road with its Ferrari-derived 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 375 kW and 600 Nm of torque. It makes use of an 8-speed automatic transmission in conjunction with a Q4 all-wheel-drive system. We recently drove the Stelvio Quadrifoglio at its world launch in the UAE and came away very impressed with its performance.
Acceleration is impressively quick and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio will sprint from zero to 100 kph in 3.8 seconds and go on to a top speed of 283 kph.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio will be introduced to the South African market late in 2018 and indicative pricing for the newcomer will be roughly R1.8 million, exchange rate permitting.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC63 SUV is expected to arrive in South Africa later this month in both standard and S guise. The Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S tops the range with its biturbo 4.0-litre V8 delivering 375 kW and 700 Nm of torque (350 kW / 650 Nm in standard guise).
Equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S will power from 0 to 100 kph in about 3.8 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph, or 280 kph with the optional AMG Driver’s Package.
The new 3rd-generation Porsche Cayenne will make its way to South Africa in June 2018 and although it will be offered in standard and S guise, it’s the Cayenne Turbo that will offer the most grunt with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 developing 404 kW and 770 Nm of torque.
With an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo will blitz from 0 to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds (or 3.9 seconds, with the optional Sport Chrono package). Top speed is claimed at 286 kph.
The formidable Range Rover Sport was recently facelifted and the updated model range will make landfall in SA in 2018. The range-topping Range Rover Sport SVR has benefitted from an 18 kW power bump, which sees its supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine now producing a whopping 423 kW and 700 Nm of torque.
Those numbers will propel the all-wheel-drive Range Rover Sport SVR from 0 to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 280 kph. The Range Rover Sport SVR will be priced at approximately R2 121 700 when it arrives in 2018.
Track Battle | Audi RS5 vs BMW M4 CP vs Mercedes-AMG C63 S – Part 1
In Part 1 of our two-part track battle, we take to Killarney International Raceway to see which German performance coupe is the most fun to drive.
Going head to head in battle are the Audi RS5, BMW M4 Competition Pack, and the Mercedes-AMG C63 S.
The three Germans are closely matched, with the Mercedes offering the most power and torque from its bi-turbo V8, the BMW being the lightest and the RS5 being the only car here with all-wheel-drive.
