Nissan’s popular Qashqai crossover is due for a facelift this year! Our German spy photographers have snapped images of a prototype undergoing testing, take a look…
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien?
The second-generation Nissan Qashqai crossover was introduced locally in 2014 and it has sold consistently well to establish itself as a popular choice in the C-segment compact crossover market.
The Qashqai is now due for a mid-lifecycle facelift and our spy photographers managed to capture a prototype undergoing testing, showing a heavily camouflaged body and wheels, meaning that the exterior changes will be quite substantial.
Reports suggest that the facelifted Qashqai will share styling cues from the Qashqai Premium Concept shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, which may include a new and larger wheel design, redesigned fog lights and upgraded interior materials.
The facelifted Nissan Qashqai is expected to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017 and we will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available, so stay tuned!?
Live, as it happens: Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by Wesbank
The 2016/17 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank – will be presented by comedian John Vlismas and the Cars.co.za team at the Vodadome in Midrand on the evening of Thursday 19 January 2017. If you weren't lucky enough to be invited to attend the event, don't fret… There are several ways in which you can watch, follow and interact with #CarsAwards during, and after, the event.
The gala event recognises the best vehicles in 13 respective categories – as chosen by a panel of expert judges and based on the findings of the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey – and includes the announcement of the prestigious Brand of the Year title. Apart from the bestowment of the awards, It promises to be an evening of spectacular entertainment, including presentations by the inimitable Khaya Dlanga and Ines Jesus (from Google Africa), the unveiling of two new Cars.co.za video content products and music by Flash Republic.
For a quick view of which finalists are in contention to win each of the categories, click here.
To watch the event in its entirety, visit Cars.co.za's YouTube channel at 7:30 pm CAT (GMT +2:00) to watch the live video stream. If you subscribe to the channel, you'll receive an alert when the broadcast begins.
Want to go behind the scenes of the #CarsAwards… see which celebrities and motor industry high-rollers are at the event? Follow us on Instagram, where we will also announce the winners live from the event and you can interact with fellow members of our vibrant "Insta" community.
On our Facebook page, we will load the new videos that will make their debut at the #CarsAwards event, as well as post-event galleries and other updates.
And finally, don't forget to join the Twitter conversation about the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by Wesbank using the #CarsAwards hashtag. We will live tweet and retweet reactions to the events as they unfold at the Vodadome. If you haven't done so already, please follow our Cars.co.za Twitter account by clicking here.
Don't forget that we'll have the full story on Cars.co.za shortly after the event, for more information about #CarsAwards and our judges, visit our dedicated microsite.
Audi has a busy year ahead with a host of new products set for introduction in South Africa. Take a look at what you can expect from Audi in 2017…
Audi is preparing to unleash no fewer than 10 new exciting products during the course of 2017. Fasten your seatbelts as we unpack all the new cars coming your way courtesy of the Ingolstadt-based marque this year… Note that local pricing and specification for the following models will be confirmed closer to launch.
First Quarter 2017
Audi Q2
Audi will start the year with the introduction of the new Q2 crossover. The Q2 is a good-looking small crossover with a modern interior that should sell well on local soil. At launch, the Q2 will be powered by a 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine with 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque on offer. An 85 kW/200 Nm 1.0-litre turbopetrol will be introduced shortly after launch and there is the possibility of a 1.6-litre turbodiesel or 2.0-litre turbodiesel joining the range too. Customers will have the choice between a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. According to a source, pricing for the range will begin at approximately R430 000…
The new Audi A5 and S5 coupe are expected soon and the new models will introduce updated styling and a range of more powerful engines. The engine offering for our market is yet to be confirmed, but power will range between 140 kW and 210 kW courtesy of both turbopetrol and turbodiesel engines. The S5 coupe, however, will be powered by a newly developed 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol engine with 260 kW, representing an increase of 15 kW over its predecessor. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual, 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch and an 8-speed tiptronic.
Due in the second quarter of 2017, the new Audi A5 and S5 Sportback will feature higher levels of interior comfort as well revised suspension and engine offerings. Much like the A5 Coupe, the A5 and S5 Sportback will also offer a range of turopetrol and turbodiesel engines with outputs ranging between 140 kW and 210 kW. Transmissions will include a 6-speed manual, 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch and an 8-speed tiptronic. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit will also make its way into the new A5 Sportback models.
Audi’s first RS-badged compact sedan in South Africa will arrive in second quarter of 2017 with an all-new 5-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbopetrol engine offering 294 kW and 480 Nm of torque. An S tronic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission will direct power to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, resulting in a claimed zero to 100 kph time of 4.1 seconds. The RS3 Sedan is definitely worth waiting for!
The same potent 5-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbopetrol engine that powers the RS3 Sedan will be found under the bonnet of the TT RS when it arrives locally in Q2 2017. With 294 kW and 480 Nm of torque, the TT RS will muscle its way from zero to 100 kph in just 3.7 seconds (claimed) using a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission to power its quattro all-wheel drive system. The interior is delightful and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit will be fitted as standard on the TT RS.
The topless version of the R8 will bolster Audi’s supercar offering, standing alongside the R8 V10 and R8 V10 Plus. The R8 Spyder will feature the same 5.2-litre V10 engine with 397 kW and 540 Nm of torque. Using a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the R8 Spyder will accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 3.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 318 kph. A newly-developed, electro-hydraulic fabric roof will open and close in approximately 20 seconds at speeds up to 50 kph while a wind deflector will dramatically reduce air turbulence in the cabin.
The new A5 and S5 Cabriolet will offer more space for front and rear passengers thanks to an extended wheelbase and a one-touch automatic roof will open in about 15 seconds while closing the roof will take 18 seconds. The local engine offering is yet to be confirmed, but buyers can expect an 185 kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine, a 140 kW 2.0-litre TDI and a 160 kW 3.0-litre TDI power unit. The all-wheel drive S5 Cabriolet will be powered by a 260 kW 3.0-litre TFSI V6 that will propel the drop-top from zero to 100 kph in a claimed time of 5.1 seconds. Depending on which A5 cabriolet model you choose, there will be a choice of 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The new Q5 is an important model for Audi as it seeks to increase its share in the booming SUV segment. The new Q5 will be lighter and more efficient and customers can expect a luxurious and quality interior when it arrives. The local engine and transmission offering for the new Q5 is yet to be confirmed, but at the very least you can expect a 2.0-litre turbopetrol and a turbodiesel engine offering more power than the current Q5. A 6-speed manual or 7-speed S tronic transmission may also be offered.
The new flagship SQ5 will stand alongside the new Q5 later this year with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine offering 260 kW and 500 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic gearbox will drive all-four wheels, ensuring brisk acceleration. Audi claims the new SQ5 will sprint from zero to 100 kph in 5.4 seconds. The SQ5 will be identified by its sporty bumpers, large 20 –inch alloy wheels and tantalising exhaust tips.
Audi will wrap-up the year with the launch of the new RS5 Coupe. At this point, official details have yet to be released from Audi, but reports suggest that the new RS5 Coupe will use the same biturbo 2.9-litre V6 engine from the Porsche Panamera 4S, but will offer more power with 335 kW and 600 Nm of torque on tap. The result will be an expected zero to 100 kph sprint time of under 4 seconds. Naturally, we will keep you updated as official information becomes available.
The inevitable introduction of a John Cooper Works version of the Mini Countryman has been revealed. Its claim to fame is that it’s the most powerful all-wheel drive Mini ever!
Mini has added the final puzzle piece to its Countryman range by revealing the most powerful offering yet. The JCW (John Cooper Works) is equipped with 170 kW and 350 Nm of torque sent to all 4 wheels. There’s a choice of a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox with both being able to shift to Countryman JCW from standstill to 100 kph in 6.5 seconds.
Additions for the JCW model include a sportier suspension setup, a speed-related electric steering setup (to improve steering response) and a Brembo sports braking system.
Aesthetic improvements to the JCW include 18-inch lightweight wheels or optional 19-inches. The front and rear bumpers get a redesign and there’s an aero kit added, which has standard roof rails and tail wing.
The interior gets some improvements in terms of individual sports seats. A sports- steering wheel and gear lever are fitted and the roof lining is covered in anthracite.
Mini will officially debut the Countryman JCW at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2017. After that, it will make its way to the local market during the third quarter of 2017.
Mercedes-AMG is taking orders for the E63 S 4MATIC+ in South Africa!
If you have been considering whether or not to buy the Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+, now is the time to get your act together. The AMG E63 S is due to arrive in South Africa in July 2017 and order books for the potent new model are open.
With the most powerful engine ever to live under the bonnet of an E-Class, the E63 S 4MATIC+ offers a scintillating 450 kW and 850 Nm of torque from its 4.0-litre V8 engine. Using a 9-speed sports multi-clutch transmission, the AMG E63 S 4MATIC will thunder from zero to 100 kph in 3.4 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250 kph. The optional AMG Drivers Package will see that figure rise to 300 kph. The vehicle is also equipped with a Drift Mode that will loosen up the tail, on the track, of course.
The newly-developed AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system features fully variable torque distribution on the front and rear axles for the first time, providing optimum traction in all conditions.
If you want to be one of the first customers behind the wheel of the AMG E63 S 4MATIC+ when it arrives in South Africa in the next few months, get in touch with your nearest Mercedes-AMG dealership and make magic happen.
Hyundai South Africa has expanded its i20 hatchback offering with the introduction of a new 1.4-litre automatic derivative. Take a look at pricing and details…
A new, mid-spec Hyundai i20 1.4-litre Motion automatic derivative is now available in South Africa. The i20 range of hatchbacks are popular in our market, solidifying Hyundai as a major player locally. The new i20 derivative will afford buyers more choice when shopping for a hatchback and will inevitably strengthen sales in the competitive B-segment. The Hyundai i20 1.4 Motion Automatic is priced from R249 900.
“Customers are in for a surprise when they take the i20 for a test drive, because Hyundai’s engineers have created a fine car with solid, surefooted dynamics on the road. The addition of the new i20 derivative creates another appealing option for the discerning buyer in this very competitive market segment.” says Oscar Makola, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Hyundai i20 1.4 Motion Automatic – Key features
The new i20 1.4 Motion derivative employs a 1.4-litre engine with 74 kW and 133 Nm of torque mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.5 L/100km and the new derivative shares its specification with the i20 1.2 Motion manual.
Apart from its revised styling, first introduced in 2015, the i20 1.4 Motion Automatic is equipped with features such as mounted audio controls on the steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth functionality, radio/CD player and USB/Aux connectivity. A manual air conditioning system is also included and the steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach. For convenience, a sunglass holder is found in the centre roof console and a remote-locking key is included.
The i20 offers 294 litres of luggage space and the rear seats can also fold down in a 60:40 split configuration expanding loading space to 1 010 litres should you require more space to load larger items.
In terms of safety, the i20 1.4 Motion automatic is fitted with ABS and EBD as well as 2 airbags for the driver and front passenger.
Hyundai i20 – Price in South Africa
Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion (manual) – R224 900
Hyundai i20 1.2 Fluid (manual) – R236 900
Hyundai i20 1.4 Motion (automatic) – R249 900
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid (manual) – R256 900
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid (automatic) – R274 900
Hyundai i20 1.4 Sport (manual) – R292 900
The Hyundai i20 is sold with 7-year/200 000 km warranty, 2-year/60 0000 km service plan (2-year/30 000 km service plan for i20 1.2 Motion and Fluid) and 5-year/150 000 km Roadside Assistance.
Opel has announced an all-new product. It's called the Crossland X and it's a crossover with the styling of an SUV. Let's unpack this new offering.
At first glance, you'd think it's a variation of the Opel Mokka family, but this versatile urban crossover will slot in just under the Mokka and tackle the B-segment. A larger C-segment Crossland X will be launched later on in 2017 and it'll take on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai.
In terms of dimensions, it's 16 cm shorter than an Astra, but 10 cm higher. The elevated seating position will find favour with many and the option of a panoramic glass roof will enhance that feeling of space. The Opel Crossland X boasts numerous tech such as Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) with full LED headlights, head-up display and the 180-degree Panoramic Rear View Camera along with Advanced Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Drowsiness System, Lane Keep Assist, Speed Sign Recognition and Side Blind Spot Alert. You'll be able to connect your cellular devices to the car via Opel OnStar which is Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto compatible.
The trunk volume of 410 litres – without folding the rear seats down – is claimed to be class-leading. Passengers in the back have the possibility to adjust their seating position, which increases legroom or the capacity of the luggage compartment.
"Demand for small SUV and crossover models tailored for urban traffic is increasing significantly. The Crossland X with its combination of cool, SUV-inspired design, outstanding connectivity and high practicality represents a second strong competitor in this vehicle class next to our sporty Mokka X," said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. "Our agile Crossland X delivers on driving pleasure while oozing urban lifestyle, making it perfect for the city and escapes to the countryside."
The reason behind the Opel Crossland X's creation? Well, the CUV/SUV B-segment is booming with sales figures up five-fold since 2010. When it comes to market, the Opel Crossland X will be powered by a choice of diesel, petrol and LPG with either a manual or automatic transmission.
The Ford Mustang has been available in the South African market for a little over a year, but footage of the facelifted version of the Blue Oval's musclecar has already been leaked online. The clip gives us a first look at the forthcoming model… Is this revision really an improvement?
The Ford Mustang was one of South Africa's most anticipated vehicles and it was easy to understand why. For the first time in South Africa, a right-hand drive option was available and it was going on sale in our market. That was back in December 2015 and many Ford Mustangs have been sold.
But a revised Ford Mustang is on its way in the near future and thanks to some leaked footage, we can have a properly good look at it. What is this? It's got such a strange front, which is unmistakably Mustang, but it's just odd-looking. Something is not right. The rear is totally fine, but it's the front which is getting the most attention. Admittedly this footage is not the best quality and we'd have to see the vehicle in the metal to make the final call, but right now the jury is definitely still out.
Current Ford Mustang front three-quarter view
2018 Ford Mustang front three-quarter view
The more important news about the 2018 Ford Mustang is the addition of a new 10-speed automatic gearbox which was engineered and developed with General Motors. Another addition is the MagneRide damping system which will allow the suspension to be softened and hardened to suit the road conditions.
Current Ford Mustang rear three-quarter view
2018 Ford Mustang rear three-quarter view
There's also talk of a more sonorous sports exhaust setup, which while optional, will add some noise to the V8 powerplant, something critics have noted with the latest version of the Ford Mustang. Expect a similar system for the 2.3-litre Ecoboost model (chances are the 4-cylinder Mustang might sound close to a Ford Focus RS, as the two share the same engine).
Mercedes-AMG GT R Track Drive & Road Review [Video]
Mercedes-AMG recently unleashed its AMG GT R on track in Portugal and we got a chance to whip the bewinged, track-primed AMG around the Portimao circuit, followed by a stint on the road, to see what it delivers.
What happens when you strip down a Mercedes-AMG GTS, add more downforce and tweak just about every component in the search for extra performance? You get an AMG GT R, that's what!
It's fast, it's loud, but it's not as difficult to drive as you would expect. We sent seasoned motoring scribe Hannes Oosthuizen to Portugal to make a video of the machine affectionately know as "the monster from the Green Hell".
The VW Clubsport S is finally on sale in South Africa, but all 47 units were pre-sold. In fact, some of the S derivatives have already sprung up in the used market (replete with huge markups). Could this limited edition live up to its mythical status and should consumers shell out a premium just to get their hands on one? Our UK correspondent, Andrew Frankel, drove the Clubsport S last year and shares his thoughts on the car…
The GTI Clubsport S is the most powerful GTI ever – it produces a peak output of 228 kW, which is directed to the front wheels. It also holds the record for the fastest front-wheel-drive production car lap time around the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife (7m49.21). Special go faster bits include semi-slick tyres, a 17-inch braking system and specialised brake pads. The aerodynamics on the Clubsport S have been altered to improve downforce and cornering stability. The Clubsport S also has a special sports suspension as well as reconfigured front and rear axles that allow it to run more negative camber at the front, which improves turning ability and reduces understeer.
A total of just 47 units have made their way to our shores and all were pre-sold by Volkswagen. All 47 cars look identical in pure white body colour and a black roof. It’s also distinguishable by its 3-door configuration and lack of rear seats. While you can’t actually buy one of these Clubsport S models, the official retail price was R742 000. There are a few already available on the second-hand market, but the asking prices are around R900 000 already and we've seen some of them advertised at well over that figure!
By Andrew Frankel
You don’t really hear of Q-cars anymore. A few years ago, automotive enthusiasts referred to a high-performance car (usually a sedan) that looked like it couldn’t pull the skin off a cup of cold cocoa – but was blindingly fast – as a Q-car. The name reputedly came from the heavily armed merchantmen "Q-ships" deployed by the Royal Navy in the first World War to trap U-boats.
The kind of cornering speeds that the Clubsport S can achieve will give a Porsche Cayman GT4 headaches.
This Golf GTI Clubsport S is very Q-car-like. Were it not for its new front spoiler and subtle rear wing, you might think it the same as any other Golf GTI. But it’s not: by one measure at least it’s the fastest front-wheel drive car ever created.
That measure is its lap time around the old Nurburgring, a fact I’m not going to dwell upon because I know that for many, such talk bores them rigid.
So I’ll restrict my comments to saying only that a car’s speed around this particular track is an exceptional indicator of its all-around ability, The Green Hell tests power, grip, braking, aerodynamic stability and user-friendliness to the limit. Then consider this hatchback is only 7 seconds a lap slower around the Nurburgring than a brand new Porsche Cayman GT4.
Top speed limiter raised to 265 kph
It got that way by Volkswagen cranking up the Clubsport's turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motor's outputs to 228 kW and 380 Nm, fiddling with the suspension (adaptive chassis control now has a Race mode in addition to the standard Normal, Comfort and Individual modes), fitting (road-legal) semi-slick tyres and modifying the bodywork to turn the considerable lift that the Golf experiences at top speed (the limiter is raised to 265 kph in the S) into appreciable downforce.
Aerodynamic addenda might be subtle, but the bodywork creates appreciable downforce at top speed.
Equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox and sold exclusively as a 3-door (as opposed to the DSG-equipped 5-door Clubsport that was recently released on the local market), the S features unique 19-inch alloy wheels too. But the biggest difference is inside the Golf's cabin, however, were Volkswagen ripped out 30 kg worth of equipment
That includes the rear seat bench, which has been replaced by a rear strut brace (to aid the body's structural rigidity), the space-saving spare wheel has been replaced with a tyre mobility kit and the panoramic sunroof is not available.
Remarkably easy to drive
I drove the Clubsport S at the infamous track – as hard as I could – and was stunned not simply at how the speed of the thing defied entirely its modestly enhanced appearance, but just how easy it was to drive.
To extract maximum lap time from a car usually means making it stiff and edgy to minimise weight transfer and make it change direction quickly; but the Golf was endlessly forgiving, assiduous in its dedication to building your confidence and devastatingly fast. By any measure, it was profoundly impressive.
And yet it felt just a touch clinical. The way it interacted with me was enough to make me feel involved, but not quite entirely immersed in the experience. And Volkswagen would not let me drive it on the public road, which makes me suspicious about its real world ride and refinement.
The Clubsport S will be the first 3-door Golf to reach the South African market for many a year.
Summary
Just 400 Golf Clubsport S units will be built; that's 10 for every year that the Golf GTI has so far been in production. The track-focused Clubsport S feels as if it was conceived to set a benchmark, which it duly did at the Nurburgring, but that does not eliminate the fact that (in the UK) you can buy a Golf R that comes fully equipped with back seats, a brilliant four wheel drive system for less money.
It’s not quite as quick as the ClubSport, but it’s no less fun to drive and a sight easier to live with. Even in these days of the Ford Focus RS (R699 900) and Honda Civic Type R(R615 900), it remains my favourite hatchback.
And brilliant though the Clubsport S is in so many ways, it can do nothing to change that.
Watch the Clubsport S set a new (FWD) lap record at the Nurburgring:
