The limited-run Mercedes-AMG C63 S F1 Edition will be sold in SA for just one year. Here’s a look at what you get and pricing.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance touched down in South Africa in June 2024 and has been joined by a special limited-run version. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S F1 Edition looks quite radical in comparison its standard sibling.
Featuring the exclusive Manufaktur Alpine Grey uni paint finish, 20-inch AMG forged wheels painted in matte black with red striping, and AMG decals in an ombre gradient style, the F1 Edition is said to look near identical to the official F1 Medical Car, which is a C63 station wagon.
Aside from the paint and wheels, there are some high-gloss black elements like the quad exhausts, radiator grille, model badging, mirror housing and the AMG fuel filler cap is finished in silver chrome.
Climb inside and the AMG Performance seats are finished in exclusive back nappa leather red stitching and embossed AMG logos in the headrests. The AMG Performance steering wheel is finished in nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre with further red stitching. For added exclusivity, there are specific AMG floor mats and special Edition badge. Customers will also receive an AMG indoor car cover which will help protect the vehicle from scratches and dust.
It’s not just a cosmetic kit as the vehicle comes with the AMG Aerodynamics Package which is claimed to enhance the handling at higher speeds. There’s a diffuser board, larger front splitter and a boot lid lip.
As a reminder, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S F1 Edition is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol hybrid engine. The petrol engine works in tandem with an electric motor to deliver 500 kW and 1020 Nm, making it the most powerful C63 ever built.
How much does the Mercedes-AMG C63 S F1 Edition cost in South Africa?
The C63 S F1 Edition is sold with a standard 2-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
The electric four-door coupe gets a new battery, enhancements and a flagship Audi e-tron GT Performance rockets in with 680 kW.
The all-electric Audi e-tron GT range has been enhanced for 2025 and the big news is there’s a brand-new RS Performance flagship.
We all know that sporty electric vehicles are lightning quick and the new RS Performance model is no different. With 680 kW, the flagship is claimed to hit 100 kph in just 2.5 seconds. Both the mid-spec (630 kW) and entry-level models (500 kW) offer impressive performance from two-motor setups.
The base model is good for 0-100 kph in 3.4 seconds (which is almost as fast as the outgoing flagship) and the mid-spec derivative can complete the same dash in 2.8 seconds. Interestingly, there’s no supplied torque figure for any of the vehicles.
Under the skin, all members of the Audi e-tron GT family get a new 97 kW battery pack which is more efficient and physically lighter than the 84 kWh unit that was used in the predecessor. There are enhancements to the regenerative braking system, allowing the car to harvest up to 400 kW under braking.
Charging speeds have been increased too, from 270 kW to 320 kW and this means you can go from 10-80% in around 18 minutes. In the right mode and conditions, Audi reckons a range of just over 600 km is possible.
There’s also been extensive work done to the air suspension and active suspension plus all-wheel steering are available as optional extras. In terms of cabin features, there are new seats, an updated steering wheel and updates to the Audi virtual cockpit.
When will the updated Audi e-tron GT come to South Africa?
A representative from Audi South Africa confirmed the updated e-tron GT is under consideration for our market in early 2025.
A large petrol price cut is predicted for July 2024 based on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). See the fuel price forecast below!
The recent trend of petrol price cuts are expected to continue into July 2024 as mid-month fuel price indicators are pointing to further cuts which is good news for local motorists.
The latest data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicates that the price of 95 grade petrol could be slashed by around R1.10 per litre while 93 grade petrol might see cuts of around R1.15 per litre.
The diesel price forecast is also positive with the price of 0.05% diesel projected to be slashed by about 46 cents per litre while 0.005% diesel could see cuts of around 40 cents per litre. The price of illuminating paraffin could be reduced by about 38 cents per litre.
Lower international oil product prices have been the main contributing factor while the local South African elections have created general uncertainty during the period which has impacted on the Rand / US Dollar exchange rate. With the remainder of June still to come, the adjustments are likely to change with the final fuel price adjustment expected early in July 2024.
South Africa Petrol Price Forecast for July 2024
Fuel Type
June’ 24 Inland
June’ 24 Coast
July 24 Inland*
July 24 Coast*
Petrol Unleaded 93
R23.91
R23.12
R22.76
R21.97
Petrol Unleaded 95
R24.25
R23.46
R23.15
R22.36
Diesel 0.05%
R20.96
R20.17
R20.50
R19.71
Diesel 0.005%
R21.15
R20.39
R20.77
R20.01
*July 2024 figures are forecast figures and not official.
We got behind the ‘wheel of the updated Kia Sonet at its local launch event in KwaZulu-Natal. Has the Korean brand markedly improved its oh-so-charming small crossover?
What’s new about the updated Kia Sonet?
The Kia Sonet, which was launched in Mzansi in 2021 and of which the range was expanded in 2023, has very few shortcomings. We’ve reviewed various derivatives of the Sonet (and recently conducted an extended review of the 1.5 LX Auto). Our testers agree – it is a near-flawless package. This update enhances what’s already a highly competent product, but its price ceiling is slightly higher – more on that below.
The 2024 Kia Sonet sports a new front-end treatment and an addition to the exterior colour palette.
Of course, the biggest talking point of the updated-for-2024 Kia Sonet is the radically restyled front-end treatment. It borrows cues from other contemporary Kia models and aligns the Sonet’s front visage with the brand’s design language. A new wheel design debuts and a new paint finish is now available.
What does the updated Kia Sonet offer?
In the current economic climate, cash-strapped new-vehicle buyers are looking for excellent value for money from smartly packaged models. If you glance at the monthly sales figures, you’ll notice that, bakkies aside, pocket-friendly crossovers priced around the R450 000 mark are in high demand.
To that end, Kia South Africa has kept the Sonet range’s price structure quite enticing. The entry point to the range (the 1.5 LX manual) retails for R366 995 – which is the same price as the outgoing version – while, on the top end of the line-up, a new flagship SX-grade 1.5 automatic (CVT) debuts at R484 995.
Climate control, drive modes, mobile phone connectivity etc. Kia’s crammed a lot into the Sonet.
There are 4 trim levels available: LX, EX, EX Plus and SX and all have been equipped to provide fair value. The only true “budget-spec” Sonet is the LX; most derivatives are well-specified with creature comforts.
The 2024 Kia Sonet is a great-looking urban crossover!
The two engines have been carried over from the pre-facelift model. Most derivatives are powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces a tidy 85 kW/144 Nm, but for those who crave punchy performance, there’s a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol EX automatic with 88 kW/172 Nm.
Only the entry-level derivative has a manual gearbox – the rest of the range is strictly a two-pedal affair with a continuously variable transmission for the 1.5 and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for the 1.0T.
The Sonet continues to offer a satisfying driving experience. It’s wieldy but also rides pliantly.
We drove the 1.5 LX CVT and found its performance quite sprightly. Admittedly, the Sonet tips the scales at just under 1 200 kg, so the naturally aspirated engine doesn’t have to work too hard to enable the Kia to keep up with traffic. Our route included the urban roads and national highway in and around Ballito.
Motorists have a love/hate affair with continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs) because they tend to dull driver engagement, especially when they’re mated to engines with meagre torque outputs.
However, you cannot fault the smoothness and refinement afforded by the gearless auto transmission when you adopt a measured and unhurried approach to driving. Look, if you flatten the accelerator pedal, the powertrain will drone, but the 1.5 LX CVT offers enough punch to make that largely unnecessary.
The new-look sporty wheel design.
As before, the engine is free-revving and spirited, despite the relative newness of the test units that we drove during the launch – they were barely run-in! Sure, if you crave a bit more responsiveness and urge, then consider that 1.0-litre turbopetrol powertrain, but the 1.5-litre engine is more than up to the task.
In India (where the Sonet is made), the model is also available in turbodiesel guise. Kia SA is considering that motor for our market, but given the merits of both petrol engines, a diesel variant may be overkill…
Despite being required to perform a few spirited overtaking manoeuvres, our test unit indicated a fuel consumption figure of 7.7 L/100 km by the end of our evaluation drive. It was a fair return; if owners employ a prudent, commuter-like driving style, figures of under 7 L/100 km should be easy to attain.
The Kia Sonet may be positioned as an affordable small crossover, but there is nothing unrefined about its driving experience. The steering setup offers sufficient feel and directness to make the Korean model easy to place – both while driving at the speed limit and trying to find parking. The ride quality is good too, with the plump 215/60 R16 tyres and well-damped suspension soaking up most road imperfections.
How much does the facelifted Kia Sonet cost in South Africa?
The updated Kia Sonet’s (June 2024) prices include a 5-year/unlimited km warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance as well as a 4-year / 60 000 km service plan.
Sonet 1.5 LX Manual
R366 995
Sonet 1.5 LX CVT
R391 995
Sonet 1.5 EX CVT
R411 995
Sonet 1.0T EX DCT
R436 995
Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT
R454 995
Sonet 1.5 SX CVT
R484 995
Summary
The Kia Sonet’s facelift has enhanced a genuinely competent small crossover/reasonably practical small family car that’s tailor-made for urbanites. Affordable cars don’t have to be dour and compromised. The 2024 model made a strong first impression; like its predecessor, it’s a simple, but well-resolved product.
That being said, while a speedy first date represents a bright start, we eagerly look forward to evaluating the 2024 Kia Sonet more thoroughly (on a variety of road surfaces) before passing our final judgment.
Scoop! Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Special Edition coming to SA
A Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Special Edition – with select styling updates – is coming to SA, though just 30 units will be offered. Here’s what we know, including pricing…
Cars.co.za can confirm that Toyota South Africa Motors will soon launch a new Land Cruiser 300 Special Edition model, though our information suggests that just 30 units have been set aside for the local market. As such, the limited-run derivative will be available on a customer order only basis.
Expected to be based on the ZX trim level and offered exclusively with the Japanese firm’s 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel powertrain (and thus not available in turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol guise), the special-edition variant will be badged as the Land Cruiser 300 3.3D ZX-SE in Mzansi. The 6-cylinder oil-burner’s peak outputs are unchanged at 225 kW and 700 Nm.
The SA model will ride on standard 20-inch ZX alloys (as above) rather than 21-inch Modellista items.
The limited-production ZX-SE derivative will be priced at R2 074 500, which represents a R70 400 premium over the standard 3.3D ZX. That said, it won’t quite be the priciest Toyota in South Africa, with that title instead going to the Land Cruiser 300 3.5T GR-Sport (R2 095 100).
So, what sets the Special Edition model apart from the standard ZX? Well, from what we understand, the ZX-SE sports a selection of styling upgrades courtesy of Modellista, a Toyota Motor Corporation subsidiary tasked with developing accessories for Toyota and Lexus models. Though Modellista has distributors in Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East, it has no official presence here in Africa.
Standard ZX front bumper on the left and the sportier ZX-SE version on the right.
While we don’t believe the Land Cruiser 300 ZX-SE will wear Modellista badging, it looks set to adopt the company’s aero-styled front and rear bumpers (relatively subtle versions specifically made for markets outside of Japan). Interestingly, the addition of these sportier bumpers sees the ladder-frame SUV grow in length from 5 005 mm to 5030 mm. In addition, its front overhang increases from 935 mm to 970 mm, with its rear overhang swelling from 1 190 mm to 1 210 mm.
The new Modellista-supplied front bumper features sharper contours than the standard item as well as unique foglamp bezels that each incorporate a pair of blades. The new rear bumper, meanwhile, includes a faux diffuser complete with a honeycomb-type finish. Furthermore, the rear bumper gains a step guard, while the luggage compartment benefits from extra lighting (courtesy of LEDs sited on the bottom-inside edge of the tailgate) and an opening guard.
Standard ZX rear bumper on the left and the ZX-SE version on the right.
The package also includes illuminated scuff plates and chrome-effect side mouldings. Finally, our information suggests the Land Cruiser 300 ZX-SE will be available only in Pearl White Metallic, Satin Silver Metallic, Attitude Black and Classic White.
The Special Edition model will ship standard with a black interior – rather than the beige or red-and-black colour schemes also available in other Land Cruiser 300 derivatives – and will interestingly stick with the ZX’s standard 20-inch alloy-wheel design (rather than riding on the 21-inch items seen in some of the accompanying Modellista images above).
Check back for more details once Toyota officially announces this special-edition model for South Africa…
How much will the Land Cruiser 300 3.3D ZX-SE cost in SA?
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.3D GX-R – R1 458 900
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.3D ZX – R2 004 100
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.5T ZX – R2 043 100
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.3D GR-Sport – R2 060 000
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.3D ZX-SE – R2 074 500
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.5T GR-Sport – R2 095 100
The prices above include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 9-service/90 000 km service plan.
GAC Motor South Africa, which significantly improved the value proposition of its Emzoom and Emkoo models recently, has implemented several initiatives to strengthen its position in the new-vehicle market, and has a brace of new models in the pipeline.
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GAC Motor South Africa (SA), which introduced the GS3 Emzoom small crossover and Emkoo medium SUV in Mzansi last year, is determined to become a major player in the local automotive market.
With its customer-first mindset (as demonstrated by recent strategic price reductions), a new, “industry-first” warranty and current dealer network expansion, “GAC Motor is rewriting the rules of engagement (by) offering exceptional value, innovation, and quality to the South African consumer,” the firm said.
This “significant pricing realignment” was “not a promotional gimmick” but a result of improved foreign exchange conditions and global cost-saving efficiencies that the firm is passing directly to consumers.
Emzoom interior shown
“Our customers deserve to benefit from favourable market conditions,” said Leslie Ramsoomar, the Managing Director of GAC Motor SA. “This price drop reflects our investment in the market and our belief in long-term, honest relationships with our consumers and partners.”
This move aligns with the fledgling Chinese automotive brand’s broader strategy to increase accessibility and value, while reinforcing its long-term commitment to the South African market.
‘A warranty that redefines industry standards’
To promote customer confidence to a new level, GAC Motor SA recently unveiled what the Bryanston-based company described as an industry-first Lifetime Engine Warranty across its entire model lineup.
This engine warranty covers an unlimited number of years and mileage for the original vehicle owner, provided the car is serviced at authorised GAC Motor service centres using approved parts.
The bold warranty initiative not only sets a new benchmark in customer service, but also reflects GAC Motor‘s confidence in the quality, durability, and craftsmanship of its vehicles.
In other words, it’s a move designed to inspire trust and long-term loyalty among South African drivers.
“This warranty is a promise – a declaration of the confidence we have in our products,” said Ramsoomar. “It’s about peace of mind, lifelong value, and building a brand that people can truly believe in.”
40 dealers by the end of 2025
Beyond its product lineup, GAC Motor is heavily investing in its national dealership network, growing from 28 to a projected 40 dealerships by the end of 2025.
Emkoo interior shown
This expansion ensures that more South Africans will have access not just to GAC vehicles, but also to the brand’s comprehensive aftersales service and support.
As part of the Salvador Caetano Group, GAC Motor SA benefits from global expertise, including access to 6 international R&D centres and 3 state-of-the-art production facilities.
This robust innovation infrastructure fuels the brand’s ability to deliver high-quality, reliable, and forward-thinking vehicles for the South African market.
Watch Jacob Moshokoa’s video review of the GS3 Emzoom:
“We’re entering a very exciting phase,” said Brian Smith, Marketing Director for GAC Motor SA. “Our developments for 2025 reflect a long-term strategy focused on offering South Africans more choice, better value, and unmatched peace of mind.”
GAC Motor is also expanding its model range to meet the evolving needs of South African drivers.
Among the most anticipated new arrivals are the Aion Y electric crossover SUV and the all-new M8 MPV (people-mover), both combining advanced technology with refined design.
Additionally, new derivatives of existing models will offer drivers more choices to match their lifestyles.
M8 interior shown
In alignment with global trends towards green mobility, the Chinese brand will also introduce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fully electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa in the near future.
As GAC Motor SA ramps up its market presence with competitive pricing, innovative products, and customer-focused warranties, the brand is determined to “transform the local automotive landscape.”
“It’s not just about selling cars – it’s about building a community of drivers who value innovation, trust, and quality at every turn,” a company spokesman said.
Are you looking to buy a used Kia Rio? In this video, guest presenter, Reba S, covers everything you need to know so that you have a smooth and seamless buying experience. Watch the video!
You have come to the right place if you are in the market for a used hatchback, and one with a particularly good reliability record. A used Kia Rio is a great choice for buyers looking for something with modern technology and high levels of specification at a decent price.
In this video, guest presenter Reba S takes us through some of her favourite features on the Kia Rio as well as what common problems you should look out for when shopping for one. Then there are the parts pricing differences. We compare OEM parts prices of the Kia Rio with a 3rd party supplier to see how much of a difference there is…
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance (2024) Launch Review
The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, which eschews its predecessor’s V8 in favour of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine mated with a plug-in hybrid power unit, has arrived in Mzansi. Is this creation the new benchmark business-class super sedan?
I am become (the electrified) C63 S. Destroyer of tyres.
Let’s get this out of the way at the outset. The Three-pointed Star’s Affalterbach-built V8 has departed the C-Class. Long live the noise, the commotion and everything else our Neanderthal brains revered in the bent 8-cylinder powerplant. Nixed is the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 (M177), which was so provocative in the previous C63 S and succeeded the W204-gen C63 AMG‘s 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 (M156).
And it sucks, but we are, at the precipice of new technology, much like Betamax and Kodak were before they got left behind. “Mercedes-AMG is determined to not make the same mistake as those firms did,” I said to myself, before dropping my posterior into the C63 S E Performance sumptuous driver’s seat; I was about to take the ‘wheel of easily the most controversial Affalterbach creation in recent memory.
What I encountered was unmistakenly a C-Class interior albeit with AMG tinsel, Sports Displays and a refined MBUX infotainment system. Exciting enough, but almost belying the true nature of the beast – a business-class sedan with a sticker price of about R2.5 million, more power than any other C-Class to date (as expected), but with an electrically assisted 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine at its heart.
To quote the general public: “Wait, what?”
How did we get here?
I hate to be that guy, but I saw this coming. It was with the advent of the original A45 AMG and its hyper-hatch credentials. The narrower-than-expected gap in ability between it and the C63 of its time had me scratching my chin – the writing was on the wall, all that was missing was the emotion of the larger car. Not the emotion derived from its dynamism, but its evocative soundtrack. You know, noise and stuff.
Mercedes-AMG had a long way to go if it was going to offer us a serious replacement for displacement in that important aspect. But first, allow me to lay some groundwork. To merely state the new C63 S has a 2.0-litre engine would be ignoring the raft of rotors, motors and technology working in combination with it to achieve frankly astronomical performance. The new C63 S is weird and wieldy, but still pretty wild.
The M139 at the heart of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance is the most powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the world – it’s able to summon 350 kW and 545 Nm of torque just by itself. It features an F1-derived combination electric/gas turbo with a variable intake compressor – cheers, lag.
Paired with AMG’s 4Matic+ transmission and aided by a belt-driven starter generator and a 150 kW/320 Nm electric motor at the rear axle, the C63 S delivers vast combined outputs of 500 kW and 1020 Nm.
Consequently, the model can obliterate the 0-100 kph sprint in just 3.4 sec before being electronically restrained at a top speed of 280 kph. Electric what now? Yes, the C63 S is also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
A plug-in hybrid that can deliver 1 020 Nm
But this isn’t your grandpa’s Prius, not with those peak outputs. They put the previous (W205-gen) C63 S’ 375 kW and 700 Nm (courtesy of the lauded 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8) into a fresh perspective, don’t they? That car was also half a second slower to 100 kph, so there’s no challenging the new car’s performance.
The newcomer’s directly cooled 400V hybrid battery, which powers that rear-mounted electric motor, can be charged relatively quickly at the “pumps”, but such is the might of the vehicle’s regeneration that simply driving like the clappers in Sport Plus will easily top up the battery for more merry boosted miles.
On that note, the system deploys a new trick called “Boost strategy”, which – if I may loosely explain it here – is akin to having your turbo performance adjusted based on which circuit you’re on, which corner you’re taking and, perhaps more importantly, which stretch of straight asphalt you’re about to tear down.
This has potential benefits for public roads as well, such as the several mountain passes on our test route including Helshoogte, as well as the Franschhoek and Dutoitskloof passes.
To make the experience even more palatable, the folks at Mercedes-AMG have equipped the new C63 S with an adaptive sports suspension (with Ride Control), 6-pot brake calipers at the rear and a 50:50 differential to help keep the Benz’s hefty kerb weight on the tarmac… and a grin on its driver’s face.
But wait, I almost skipped the best part. The startup. It may have lost 4 cylinders, but the C63 S still has Mercedes-AMG’s “Emotion Start” – a startup sequence that boots the beast up with its exhaust flaps wide open. Simply flatten the brake pedal, hold the left gear paddle and hit the start button. All 4 pots burst into life and your ears are pleasantly filled with light artillery. Yes, light, but still entertaining.
Here’s what the Mercedes-AMG C63 S sounds like when you start it conventionally:
— The Cars.co.za Team (@CarsSouthAfrica) June 13, 2024
Stick the transmission lever into Drive, select Sport (or higher) on the drive mode selector and you’ll feel the beast perk up, its attitude go taut and the throttle response adopt that “razor’s edge feel” that you’d normally associate with something naturally aspirated – or overpowered and undeterred by an auto ‘box.
It feels athletic, just very large. After exiting the parking lot, navigating a few turns and making my way onto the freeway I could already detect a longer wheelbase, which endows the C63 S with an almost E63-like demeanour. There’s 50 mm more front overhang and it’s 83 mm wider, but the measurements feel superficial, adding only to the presence of the car, which I’d argue is important on an AMG model.
What’s more, the C63 S’, um, E Performance is undeniable – what Mercedes-AMG has achieved with this newcomer is a testament to scientific advancement. There’s a sense of “making up for those cylinders we lost with sheer, unbridled speed”. The sound? Well, it’s impressive what the boffins at AMG have accomplished, and while I’ll miss the old noise, I’ll concede that I could get used to what’s on offer here.
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance price in South Africa
Prices include a standard 2-year/unlimited km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
So the Mercedes-AMG C63 S gets 2 and a half out of 3 right by my count, a great result overall but that “mark” doesn’t consider a couple of factors that I can’t quite ignore. The first is that this iteration of the C63 S, with a price tag of R2 476 800 (June 2024) must now compete with some serious sportscars.
There’s also the ethos that came along with being a business-class super sedan, which the newcomer no longer conforms to. The C63 AMG, Audi RS4 and BMW M3 (to name the main protagonists) are the most powerful and dynamic (best-handling) cars in their respective ranges, but they never used to cost more than twice as much as the derivatives below them. This C63 S does, plus it sits well above the RS4 and M3 on the price list, even without taking the rarified F1 edition (around R2.8 million) into consideration.
It seems the Teutonic Arms Race has not ended. The weapons (engine capacity) may be smaller, but the devastation remains about as total as it’s ever been. And then my 2nd and final point, I literally could not live with the car. Such is the Benz’s performance potential… that I would (eventually) perish at its ‘wheel.
My Neanderthal brain thinks that if you could somehow remove 200 kg from it, shave R600k off the sticker price and make it a bit less powerful (and hey, I wouldn’t even mind if it was a bit slower as a result) the C63 S would be the car for me. But then I realise I’ve just described the old car all over again.
Also, middle-aged me does not want to arrive at his destination shaken and on fire, with trembling forearms and sawdust for teeth. And maybe that’s okay. But for anyone else who desires what’s arguably the automotive world’s new benchmark business-class super sedan (provided their bank balance enables them to acquire one), feel free to have a go with the Mercedes-Benz C63 S E Performance.
Farewell, Jeep Renegade: small SUV quietly exits SA
The Jeep Renegade has been quietly discontinued in South Africa, though the company promises it has “some interesting new models” in the pipeline to fill the gap…
After 9 years on the local market, the Jeep Renegade has quietly coasted off into the sunset. Yes, Cars.co.za can confirm that this small SUV – which served as the entry point to the American brand’s local line-up – has been officially discontinued in South Africa.
We recently noticed that local sales of the Renegade had tapered off markedly, falling from 48 units in January 2024 to 31 units in February, then 30 units in March, a single unit in April and finally zero registrations in May. With the Renegade having also been removed from Jeep SA’s website, we asked parent company Stellantis SA to confirm the SUV’s fate.
The Renegade was revealed in 2014 and arrived in Mzansi the following year.
“Jeep Renegade is currently on run-out in South Africa,” the company told Cars.co.za, though added that it planned to bring in “some interesting new models” in the future. When asked for details on these upcoming newcomers, Stellantis SA told us it would share more information at its next Jeep media event.
We already know that both the facelifted Wrangler SUV and Gladiator bakkie are scheduled to arrive in Mzansi at some point in the 2nd half of 2024, but we suspect Stellantis SA is referring to new products here.
The end of the line for the Renegade badge in South Africa.
As recently reported by The Citizen, the Commander (which is known as the Meridian in India, where it’s built) remains on the cards for South Africa, with the Avenger having seemingly been ruled out for now (despite being closer in size to the Renegade). There’s also the fully electric Recon, which might end up being produced in petrol form, too.
Incidentally, the local demise of the original Renegade comes just as Jeep’s global parent company Stellantis confirms a 2nd-generation model is scheduled to go into production from 2027. For the record, the Renegade was axed in North America at the end of 2023, though remains on sale in several other markets around the world. The newly announced 2nd-gen Renegade, though, is set to return to the North American market. No word yet on plans for South Africa, of course.
Jeep has just confirmed that a new Renegade will be produced from 2027.
As a reminder, the Renegade range had comprised just a pair of front-driven derivatives before its local discontinuation, with the 1.4 Longitude 6AT having been priced from R510 900 and the 1.4 Limited 6AT from R560 900. Each was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor delivering 103 kW and 230 Nm via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, other powertrains were available earlier in the Renegade’s 9-year local lifecycle (with this nameplate having launched in South Africa in May 2015), including a 2.4-litre all-wheel-drive arrangement as well as 1.6-litre engines in both petrol- and diesel flavours.
The MY25 BMW M2 has been unveiled, bringing more power to the party and the good news is it will be touching down in SA before the end of the year.
The baby M has been given a lifecycle update and the MY25 BMW M2’s biggest change comes in the form of a bump in power. The 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder engine gains a performance boost with an additional 15 kW. Total outputs now stand at 353 kW and 600 Nm.
When it comes to performance, you’re now looking at a claimed 0-100 kph time of 4 seconds for the automatic BMW M2. If you take the 6-speed manual gearbox, that figure is at 4.2 seconds. In both cases, a tenth is shaved off the sprint times.
Impressively, the additional power makes itself known when you’re stretching the car’s legs with the BMW M2 delivering an improvement of 0.6 seconds if you do a 0-200 kph sprint. We get the feeling the tuning is all about the responsiveness.
We think this is a case of if its not broken, don’t fix it. Visually, there are few updates with subtle black badges with silver edging, a new wheel colours, new colour options, and black exhausts. The design of the LED headlights has been given a tweak, too.
The infotainment has been upgraded with the BMW Operating System 8.5 making its debut, across the 12.3-inch dashboard display and a 14.9-inch infotainment display. Inside, the steering wheel has been given a slight redesign.
When will the MY25 BMW M2 come to South Africa?
BMW Group South Africa has confirmed the baby M will available in local showrooms from the 4th quarter of 2024.
