Jaguar's F-Type sportscar has been a success story for the brand since its launch a few years back, but the time has come for it to receive a mild facelift. Here's what the 2018 Model Year Jaguar F-Type has to offer.
The Jaguar F-Type has been facelifted for the 2018 model year and now offers a bit more for the enthusiasts. The range now comprises 28 versions with the option of rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, coupe or convertible body style. The Jaguar F-Type receives the updated Touch Pro infotainment system, pinched straight from the Jaguar Land Rover parts bin. Featuring tablet-like operation, this system is a big leap forward. The design of the Jaguar F-Type has not changed dramatically, but there are slight updates to the front bumpers, while full LED headlights have been fitted.
For the GoPro action camera junkies, the car now features the ReRun app, which according to Jaguar, "combines real-time video from the driver's GoPro with key vehicle performance data including speed, throttle position, gear selection, braking force and g-force. The high-quality video – including unique 'highlights' sections – can be downloaded to the driver's smartphone and shared on social media." That sounds like a lot of fun, actually!
There's also a new special edition, called the 400 Sport. It'll be on sale for just one year and features uprated output of 295 kW from its 3.0-litre supercharged V6 motor. More powerful brakes, configurable dynamics, unique alloy wheels, plus 400 Sport badges round off this limited production model. An R-Dynamic model joins the range and features expanded trim levels for the two V6 versions.
The new Jaguar F-Type range goes on sale from the second quarter of 2017.
Chinese brand GWM looks set to make a number of changes to its local line-up during the course of 2017, including upgraded versions of its Steed 5 and 5E pick-ups.
Last year Great Wall Motors China announced its take-over of the local importer and the establishment of a new company, Haval Motors South Africa. It also unveiled plans to introduce its luxury SUV division, Haval, in South Africa. The latest information suggests that Haval's local availability will commence in May, but also of big importance in bakkie-obsessed South Africa is the news that both the Steed 5 and Steed 5E models will undergo facelifts this year.
Mostly cosmetic
Steed 5 will gain quite a bold new front-end. Image from car.autohome.com.cn
The most obvious exterior change to the Steed 5 and 5E has occurred at the front, where both models gain a bold new chrome grille and more modern bumper design. It would appear the only "major" difference between the 5 and 5E will be that the latter has LEDs incorporated above the foglamps. The design of the rear does not appear to have changed. Consider the fact that the Steed 5/5E has its roots in the design of the previous-generation Isuzu KB!
Big changes inside
Steed 5E cabin borrows heavily from big brother, Steed 6. Image from autohome.com.cn
The current Steed 6 model (itself a development of the Steed 5/5E) has a pleasingly neat and modern interior of good quality, and the good news is that much of that design has been carried over into the Steed 5/5E. Expect local 5E models to have a touch-screen infotainment system, with the 5 being more basic.
In China several new or upgraded engines are available for the Steed 5/5E but as of yet none of these have been confirmed for South Africa. We do, however, expect the latest 2.0-litre turbodiesel powerplant to be offered. We also expect the new Steeds to arrive in South Africa around mid-year.
Choosing the best off-road vehicle for your needs is not easy. However, if you are realistic about the regularity and severity of the off-road activities you are likely to pursue, it's a much simpler task to choose the right recreational vehicle — one that will suit your budget.
There are many different kinds of off-road terrain — and only the exorbitantly expensive single-purpose 4x4s can cope with every kind of obstacle. The rest of the vehicles on the market are compromises and often based on family sedans or hatchbacks or light commercial vehicles to make them more affordable. Many of them are still very capable, provided you stick to dirt roads (even badly maintained ones) and frequently-used tracks. It follows that your choice of vehicle will depend on how you intend to use it.
What kind of off-roading do you intend to do?
The following classification starts off with vehicles that are only really suitable for good dirt roads and progresses up the scale to more expensive and more capable off-roaders. The technical terms used are explained towards the end of the article.
2WD crossovers/compact family cars
These 2WD versions of off-road vehicles (usually based on front wheel drive family car platforms) are surprisingly popular. They offer the good ground clearance and visual appeal of an off-road vehicle without the extra expense and complication of 4WD.
The 2WD Suzuki Vitara is a good example of a compact family car that's dressed up to look trail-ready.
4WD crossovers/family cars
These are front-wheel-driven vehicles that engage the rear wheels automatically via a multi-plate clutch or a viscous coupling when the front wheels start to spin. This is a very convenient 4WD system, but has the undesirable feature that in sand or mud the vehicle has to just about come to stop before 4WD comes into action. The MPV- and car-like qualities of these types of vehicles make them very popular with families.
Vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4 operate in 2WD until conditions require all-wheel traction.
4WD Double-cab bakkies and lifestyle SUVs
These very capable vehicles usually have a solid driveshaft between the front and rear axles, but are equipped with manually selectable high-range 2WD and 4WD as well as low-range 4WD. The lack of a differential between the front and rear axles implies that low-range 4WD should only be engaged on soft ground to avoid drivetrain damage.
Double-cab bakkies might be cumbersome by passenger car standards, but they offer surfeit off-road ability.
Permanent four-wheel drives
These vehicles are characterised by having a 3rd differential between the front and rear axles to avoid driveline stress. This differential is often fitted with a locking mechanism and, in this mode, it requires the same caveat as when driving a part-time 4WD in low range.
The Range Rover's impressive on- and off-road prowess can be attributed to its dynamic permanent AWD system.
Ultimate off-road vehicles
These combine permanent 4WD and dual-range transmissions with manually selectable diff-locks inside each of three differentials (front, rear and central). There are not many such vehicles around, because electronic wheel spin control or automatically engaged limited slip differentials are taking over. The Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol and Mercedes-Benz G-Class are good examples.
A general explanation of a typical 4WD system:
Understanding respective driveline components
The differential unit, fitted between the left and right wheels in the same axle, or between the front and rear axles, contains gears that allow one side to rotate faster than the other during cornering. This is necessary to compensate for the fact that the outer wheels travel a greater distance than the inner wheels.
This prevents driveline stress but has one serious disadvantage: the torque each wheel gets depends not only on what the engine can deliver, but also on the grip between the tyre and the road at the wheel with the LEAST traction. The result is that a spinning wheel will cause the vehicle to come to a complete stop because neither wheel will get any torque.
This video explains the controls on a modern bakkie-based 4WD vehicle:
The foregoing description refers to what is known as an open differential, and there are three ways that its behaviour can be modified to suit off-road conditions.
A limited slip differential (LSD) introduces extra friction into the unit, usually in the form of small multi-plate clutches inside the differential unit. These plates are forced together in proportion to the torque being applied and reduces the tendency for one wheel to spin.
A differential lock forces the wheels to rotate at the same speed, but this does not mean that they get the same torque. The torque each wheel gets will be in proportion to the traction that exists at that wheel, because the delivered torque is proportional to the grip. To see this, do the pencil test: Grip a pencil between your fingers on one hand, and try to apply torque with your other hand. You’ll find that the amount of torque you are able to apply with one hand depends on how hard you can grip the pencil with your other hand.
This means that a diff-lock should only be used on soft ground, otherwise the situation may arise that one wheel has lost all traction but the other wheel may have enough traction to take all the torque the engine can deliver, resulting in a broken axle shaft.
Electronic wheel-spin control brakes any spinning wheel in an attempt to regain traction. For ordinary off-road driving, not much wrong with such a system, but it does mean that instead of avoiding wheel spin one should sometimes deliberately provoke wheelspin to get the system to respond, and that’s not the ideal in sand or mud.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is equipped with multiple differentials to facilitate its legendary "go-anywhere" ability.
Petrol or turbodiesel?
Diesel engines are generally more suitable for off-road use. The absence of an electric ignition system means that they’re less affected by water and in turbocharged form they develop more torque than an equivalent naturally aspirated (non turbo) petrol engine. They consume about 15 to 20% less fuel than petrol engines but will usually require more frequent servicing and most motors require 50 ppm (passenger car-grade) fuel.
Petrol engines are less affected by infrequent servicing and low quality fuel. This makes them a better choice for trips to parts of Africa where fuel quality is suspect. They’re also significantly cheaper to buy and repair.
Manual or automatic?
Many purists prefer the positive control of a manual gearbox, but for general use an automatic is very convenient. However, it’s worth remembering that any vehicle with an automatic transmission cannot be push-started and should only towed for a very short distance without removing the driveshaft.
On the other hand, an automatic transmission is an engine-saver, because it will not allow large throttle openings in a high gear, or excessive revs in a low gear. In addition, most modern units have lock-up clutches that make for a solid drive above 20 kph, so they do not waste as much fuel as the older units.
This explains how you can get stuck while in 4WD mode:
And lastly, new or used?
Off-roaders, when they're used to their full potential, operate under much tougher conditions than their road-biased passenger car counterparts, so it goes without saying that new vehicles — backed by complete manufacturer warranties and service/maintenance plans — offer buyers the peace-of-mind that there are no potentially questionable ownership histories to the vehicles that they're buying.
However, buying a well-maintained used vehicle often represents the best value for money option, if you're wary… In the case of crossovers/family cars, which are operated in ways similar to conventional road-biased passenger cars (most of the time), check that the vehicles' service histories are complete, that the body and paintwork have been well maintained and be on the lookout for signs of excessive wear and tear, which could point to neglect or hard use. If you suspect that the vehicle you're considering has been subjected to off-road routes that are tougher than the vehicle were designed to deal with (rough, unkempt gravel roads for example), excess stone chips in the paintwork, graunched rims and a pockmarked underbody will be dead giveaways. During a test drive, suspension or wheel issues should announce themselves through squeaks or knocks emanating from the vehicle's extremities.
Water splashes look spectacular but extended submersion can be damaging to a 4X4's differentials.
When pondering a more heavy-duty 4WD vehicle be mindful of the fact that knowledge of the off-roader's ownership history and, preferably, the balance of warranty and service/maintenance plans are paramount… out of all these vehicles' components, differentials take the most strain and some all-wheel drive systems' breathers, which vent air pressure that builds up in drivetrain assemblies such as the differentials, transmission and transfer case due to internal friction, can be overwhelmed during water crossings. When driving through water, a vacuum is caused by the drivetrain assembly being cooled rapidly. This vacuum shuts the breather valve, causing air to be drawn into the assembly through the seals. If the seals are still submerged when that happens, water could be drawn into the drivetrain, which can contaminate the oil. Also be wary of the fact that when vehicles' air filters absorb moisture due to being subjected to water, it could lead to "engine breathing problems"; a petrol motor will tend to run too rich and a turbodiesel is likely to overheat due to being starved of air.
When driving through water, a vacuum is caused by the drivetrain assembly being cooled rapidly. This vacuum shuts the breather valve, causing air to be drawn into the assembly through the seals. If the seals are still submerged when that happens, water could be drawn into the drivetrain, which can contaminate the oil. Also be wary of the fact that when vehicles' air filters absorb moisture due to being subjected to water, it could lead to "engine breathing problems"; a petrol motor will tend to run too rich and a turbodiesel is likely to overheat due to being starved of air.
There is stiff competition in the family car market; all-wheel-drive configuration tends to be reserved for more expensive derivatives.
And finally, on the topics of petrol versus turbodiesel and manual versus automatic, turbodiesels used to offer significant torque advantages over naturally-aspirated petrol engines, but now that turbocharging is more common in the case of the latter, the advantage is limited to (purportedly) better fuel consumption. Bear in mind, however, that service intervals with many diesel-engined vehicles are shorter and more expensive, which is not of concern when a vehicle is still under its service plan, but a consideration when it isn't/about to run out of it.
The question of manual and automatic comes down to personal preference. Advancements in the efficiency of automatic transmissions have realised smaller penalties in terms of fuel consumption (compared with manual 'boxes). Manual transmissions are more cost-effective to buy, but bear in mind that the lifetime of their clutches and driveline components will largely depend on how previous owners used/abused their leftmost pedals…
Audi has shown off its new Q8, albeit in concept guise, at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. This concept previews an all-new flagship luxury SUV as well as Audi's all-new design language.
The Audi Q8 will be the brand's flagship product and combines the space of an SUV, with the style associated with a coupe. Built on the Audi Q7 platform, the Q8 features a number of changes. The looks, for example, open a new chapter in Audi's design language and we'll start to see elements from the front-end making their way across the Audi Q SUV range. From behind, the Q8 looks futuristic, with the entire rear being dominated by a wrap around brake light. A similar rear design can be found on the Lamborghini Asterion and Porsche Mission E concept, favourable company for the Audi Q8 to be in.
Key details
This Audi Q8 concept is powered by an efficient plug-in hybrid setup with 330 kW and 700 Nm of torque. With a displacement of 3.0-litres, the engine makes 245 kW and 500 Nm on its own. The electric motor provides 100 kW and 330 Nm. Power reaches the wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and Audi claims 5.4 seconds in the dash to 100 kph. The big news is the fuel consumption claim at 2.3 L/100 km, which if achievable, is terrific. The battery has a capacity of 17.9 kWh which provides a range of 60 km and a full charge will take around 2.5 hours.
Given how the market has reacted to Audi's SUVs (every third car sold by Audi is a Q), it makes perfect business sense to expand its product offering. The Q8 is going to be a sportier and more luxurious version of the Q7 and will feature a choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. It's built on the MLB platform, which underpins the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and its Q7 sibling.
Audi CEO Rupert Stadler announced that the SUV would be aimed at markets such as the US, China and the Middle East, where big coupe-styled SUVs have proven popular. At this stage, we reckon we'll see a production version of the Q8 on the road in 2018. Audi claims its Q8 concept is 'near production-ready', but we don't think the styling will be as outlandish as this showstopper.
The new car market showed a significant decline in 2016 amid tough economic conditions in South Africa and the outlook for 2017 is much the same, with slight improvements expected in the second half of the year. Take a look at this vehicle sales summary for all the details…
A year filled with struggle and strife is how many will remember 2016 and it was the third consecutive year that the local car industry experienced year-on-year declines. A number of factors including economic slowdown, new car inflation pressure, rates increases, consumer pressure and low consumer confidence all contributed to the bleak picture that was 2016.
The month of December 2016 reflected poor results and can be summarised as follows:
Aggregate new vehicle sales of 41 639 units down by 15.3% compared to December 2015.
New passenger cars sales down by 14.0% compared to December 2015.
New Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) sales down by 17.8% compared to December 2015.
Exports up by 7.0% compared to December 2015.
The best-selling car in South Africa for December 2016 was the Toyota Hilux with sales totalling 3 074 units. The Ford Ranger claims second place on the sales chart with 2 665 units sold last month. The Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Polo remain popular choices with sales of 1 835 and 1 504 units respectively.
Interestingly, the recently introduced Renault Kwid sold particularly well in December 2016 with 752 units sold, making it the best-selling vehicle in Renault's stable.
Summary for 2016
Aggregate sales of 547 442 (lowest level since 2010) for 2016 down by 11.4% (70 206 units) compared to 2015.
New passenger car sales at 361 273 down by 12.4% (51 205 units) compared to 2015.
New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales down by 8.9% (15 573 units) compared to 2015.
Total exports of 344 822 (highest annual export figure on record) up by 3.3% (10 975 units) compared to 2015.
Dealers, in particular, experienced difficulty in 2016 with dealer channel sales declining by as much as 11.4% over the course of the year. The rental market, however, bolstered new vehicle sales somewhat in 2016 with an increase of 15.9% in sales to rental companies.
According to WesBank, proud sponsor of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank, consumer demand for new cars has declined sharply as a result of increasing new car prices and increasing pressure on household budgets. New car prices, according to WesBank’s average transaction value, increased by 11.03% against used car price inflation of 6.83% and more people are therefore flocking to the used car market in search of value.
What does 2017 hold for the South African automotive industry?
Industry production levels and vehicle exports are expected to show upward momentum in 2017 and new vehicle sales are expected to improve marginally in the second half of the year. GDP growth of approximately 1.5% is predicted for the year (compared to 0.4% in 2016). A number of negative factors including domestic political tension and tax increases could depress the outlook going forward.
Furthermore, volatility and uncertainty in international markets could also have a negative impact. Geo-political tensions and political uncertainty in advanced economies may amplify risk aversion and prompt further confidence shocks.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) predicts year on year domestic sales growth of between 2.5% and 3.5%. Domestic vehicle production is expected to grow from 604 000 vehicles produced in 2016 to about 641 000 vehicles in 2017 representing an increase of approximately 6.0%. This figure may increase further if vehicle exports expand beyond expectation. Growth in vehicle exports is currently projected at 10.0% or 30 000 units for 2017 with 375 000 export units projected for the year.
Rudolf Mahoney, Head of Brands and Communication at WesBank stated: “We expect 2017 to be another challenging year for the industry, but slightly better than 2016. The Rand/Dollar exchange rate remains fairly stable at the moment, which should mean less aggressive car price increases. The South African Reserve Bank has a more positive GDP outlook for 2017; we also do not anticipate significant interest rate movements up or down, making affordability considerations easier for consumers.”
He adds: “One of the biggest risks will be rising fuel prices, which stand to impact individual’s monthly mobility costs. OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Companies) has, for the first time, agreed on production cuts which resulted in an immediate increase in the price of oil. Should the price of oil move anywhere near the historical benchmark level of between $80 and $100 per barrel, compounded by the prevailing weak rand, motorists will see the price of fuel increase to new record highs.”
Consumers will benefit from aggressive marketing initiatives from manufacturers and Mahoney advises that “When looking at buying a car this year, look for the deal, not the car.”
Audi has revealed the latest performance version of its Q5 SUV. Boasting an all-new powerplant, the SQ5 will be the flagship of the new range, which we expect to reach South Africa in the third quarter of 2017.
The headline act of this all-new Audi SQ5 is the engine. Gone is the old supercharged V6 and in its place is a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged unit. Boasting outputs of 260 kW and 500 Nm, the SQ5 should be able to hit 100 kph from standstill in a claimed 5.4 seconds and it'll achieve a top speed of 250 kph. It's claimed to consume just 8.3 L/100 km. Power goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
You'll be able to spot the new Audi SQ5 thanks its bold styling. There are much sportier bumpers, big 20-inch alloy wheels, and some purposeful exhaust tips. You can specify additional equipment such as larger wheels, but the one thing we'd recommend is the adaptive air suspension, which will allow changes to the damping as well as ride height.
Standard specification for the German model looks comprehensive. We'll have to wait for South African introduction to see what "our" cars will get, but we'd be surprised if LED headlights and sport seats don't make it here. This new Audi SQ5 is assembled in Mexico.
Kia Stinger Underlines Korea’s Performance Ambitions
Korean car manufacturer, Kia, is trying to break into the sportier side of the passenger sedan market with it's new Stinger. It's a rear-wheel drive sports sedan with a powerful engine, which if the marketing material is to be believed, will change how the brand is perceived and interpreted.
It was back in January 2014, almost exactly to this date, when Kia Motors launched its GT4 Stinger concept to the world at the Detroit Motor Show. Not only did it have a cool name, but its styling was striking and it gave us a preview of the direction Kia was headed. Now in 2017, Kia has again used the Detroit Motor Show as a platform to show off its new product. The best part? The Stinger name has been retained. However, in production guise, the Stinger has gained more doors and evolved from a show-stopping coupe into a five-passenger fastback sports sedan. Kia has drawn its sword and is making it abundantly clear that the Stinger opens a new chapter for the brand.
"Unlike any Kia that has come before it, the Stinger really is a dream car for us, and here today in Detroit, that dream is now a reality after years of commitment and hard work from a passionate group of designers, engineers and executives around the world," said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America. "From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nurburgring circuit, no detail was too small to be obsessed over, and the result is simply stunning."
The Kia Stinger has been teased online numerous times and the claims have tickled the fancy of performance aficionados. Of course, the allure of rear-wheel drive, a powerful engine and Nurburgring-tuned handling is strong. Designed in Germany at Kia's Frankfurt studio, the Stinger is claimed to be a "true gran turismo, a car for spirited long-distance driving, is not about outright power, hard-edged dynamics and brutal styling, all at the expense of luxury, comfort and grace," notes Gregory Guillaume, chief designer, Kia Motors Europe.
Performance
The vehicle will be going on sale in the United States late in 2017 and will come with a choice of two engines. Kia claims the engines are not complete and will still require some development, but the outputs indicate some serious intent. There'll be a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with around 190 kW, but the engine of interest is the new 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with approximately 272 kW. Kia says the more powerful of the two Stingers will hit 100 kph in 5.1 seconds. Power reaches the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. There'll be five different gearbox modes and owners also have the choice of using the steering-wheel mounted paddles.
Another interesting point is that the Kia Stinger will also be made available with an all-wheel drive system with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control. It'll make the Stinger quite the performer in the wet and it's rear-wheel drive biased in an effort to keep with the driving feel theme. Stopping power comes courtesy of vented Brembo disks with quad-piston front callipers.
A choice of two powerful engines, attractive styling and rear-wheel drive has the petrolheads excited, which is exactly what Kia wanted with its Stinger.
Fast, yet sensible
While the Stinger is a potent performer, Kia has made it clear that it'll still be practical and sensible. The wheelbase of the vehicle is longer than that of the Audi A4, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz CLS. It's overall length and width are also larger than its rivals, while the boot space is claimed to be one of the biggest in the segment.
There's been a focus on reducing the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and keeping the cabin quiet. Kia has debuted its adjustable suspension and damping system called Dynamic Stability Damping Control in the Stinger. This means the vehicle can be "tuned to respond with more agility through corners as the system softens the front shocks and firms up the rear. Conversely, improved high-speed stability is achieved when the system stiffens the front shocks and softens the rear".
The Kia Stinger boasts a fair amount of safety features. There's a new Driver Attention Alert system which attempts to combat fatigued drivers, Forward Collision Assistance with automatic braking will detect other cars and pedestrians and will help bring the vehicle to a stop. Radar-guided cruise control, Lane Keep Assist and Rear-Cross Traffic Alert are also fitted.
In terms of comfort and connectivity, the Kia Stinger comes with a head-up display, smartphone induction charging pad, Bluetooth hands-free operation and a choice of high-performance audio systems. More details on its specification will be announced as the vehicle is launched internationally.
Market availability
Kia says its Stinger will go on sale in the United States as a 2018 model year product. At this stage, the official word from Kia South Africa is "No information is available at the time of going to press on whether the KIA Stinger will be introduced in South Africa." Given the suffering endured by importers due to the exchange rate, it's going to be a challenge for Kia to build a business case for this flagship offering. Still, if marketing hype and prototype test drives are to be believed, the Kia Stinger is the real deal and definitely a new player in the performance segment.
After seeing plenty of pre-production units and prototypes, the seven-seat Volkswagen Tiguan has officially been announced. Meet the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace!
While the South African market received the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan in 2016, the US market had to do without it, until now. Volkswagen USA launched the new Tiguan and this version now comes with seven seats. For the European market, this vehicle will be called the Tiguan Allspace.
Built on the MQB platform (like the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3), the Tiguan Allspace features a sliding second row of seats, with the option of a third row. The second-row bench can slide forwards and backwards by 18 cm, with the seat split in a 40:20:40 configuration.
Like the Tiguan, which is already available in South Africa, the Allspace features an optional digital cockpit display, app connection using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. It also features numerous safety features such as a rearview camera, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) with Pedestrian Monitoring; Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; and Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist). Some of the comfort features on offer range from an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The third row of seats in the new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace provides additional passenger carrying capacity.
In the US, the Tiguan Allpsace is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre TSI engine with 137 kW and 300 Nm of torque. The Allspace will be produced for right-hand drive markets and although Volkswagen South Africa have yet to confirm if the newcomer will be made available for the local market, we are optimistic that it will. Given the added practicality of the Tiguan Allspace, it would add to the diversity of Volkswagen's local product offering, which doesn't include a 7-seater compact SUV or lifestyle SUV at this time. We will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.
Mercedes-Benz has used the Detroit Motor Show to show the facelifted GLA compact SUV that now features revised exterior styling and updated interior appointments.
The GLA compact SUV has received a number of updates to enhance its visual appeal as well as its overall product offering. The facelifted GLA is currently on display at the Detroit Motor Show and is expected to arrive in South Africa in the second quarter of 2017.
What’s Changed?
'Canyon Beige' as shown here, is the new colour offered on the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLA.
On the outside, the changes are subtle yet effective and include revised bumpers, new wheel designs and a new ‘Canyon Beige’ joining the colour palette. An off-road comfort suspension system is offered as an option, raising the body by 30 mm for improved performance in the dirt. LED high-performance headlights are available as an option and are fitted as standard on the range-topping AMG GLA45.
The changes are more pronounced on the inside where you will notice new seat covers and chrome control panels and details. Notable interior upgrades include a free-standing 8-inch media display, new instrument cluster and the inclusion of a 360-degree camera. An Interior Package with standard sports seats will be offered, as well as a Night Package which adds 19-inch AMG wheels, black window trim, roof rails and exhaust tips to give the GLA a more striking look.
Customers looking to go all-out in terms of beefing up the styling of the AMG GLA45 might want to consider the AMG Performance Studio Package, which includes a body painted in either Night Black or Cosmos Black with a combination of Matte Graphite Grey and Yellow sections. Light alloy wheels in matte black with yellow rim flanges are fitted and the AMG twin louvre on the radiator grille is painted in black. Yellow accents are seen on the front bumper, side mirrors, side skirt inserts, rear diffuser and on the rear wing. The aggressive look is further emphasised by AMG sport stripes in matte graphite grey on the bonnet, roof, boot lid and along the side of the car.
The interior gains yellow highlights seen on the AMG performance seats, steering wheel, rear bench, dashboard, armrests, floor mats and air outlets. Yellow AMG logos complete the sporty look.
Engine power
For an extra dose of sporty flair, the AMG Performance Studio Package on the AMG GLA45 gives the car more presence.
In South Africa, the current engine offering includes a 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine with 115 kW and 250 Nm of torque as well as a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine offering 155 kW and 349 Nm of torque with front-wheel drive and 4MATIC versions on offer. Diesel options include a 2.1-litre turbodiesel in two states of tune with either 100 kW/300 Nm or 130 kW/350 Nm. The local engine offering will likely remain unchanged when the facelifted GLA arrives in the next few months.
The GLA range is headlined by the potent AMG GLA45 fitted with a handcrafted AMG 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 279 kW and 474 Nm of torque. Using a 7-speed dual-clutch sports transmission with shorter ratios, power is sent to all four wheels and the AMG GLA45 will accelerate from zero to 100 kph in about 4.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 249 kph.
We will keep you updated as local specification and pricing becomes available, so stay tuned!
The Bentley Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful production car to come from the British marque and it will be shown at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show.
Bentley has combined ultimate power and luxury to create what the company claims to be the world’s fastest and most powerful 4-seat luxury car. This is the Continental Supersports, and on paper at least, it’s an absolute brute.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: "The Supersports name is legendary at Bentley. From the very first Supersports of the 1920s, to the Bentley Continental Supersports of 2009 – and now with the third iteration of this iconic model – it is a name which excites, impassions and thrills. Only Bentley could create a car which blends immense performance and unrivalled luxury in this way."
Performance facts
The Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful Bentley to date.
Fitted with a redeveloped biturbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine with high performance turbochargers and a revised charge-air cooling system, the Continental Supersports develops a staggering 522 kW and 1 017 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels using an 8-speed automatic transmission and as you may expect, acceleration is lighting fast. Bentley says the Continental Sports will sprint from zero to 100 kph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 336 kph. A convertible version will also be offered and is capable of zero to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 330 kph, making it the fastest convertible in the world, according to Bentley.
The Continental Supersports is also fitted with a specifically calibrated and updated torque vectoring system used on the Continental GT3-R to improve handling ability, while a lowered and stiffened suspension set-up provides comfort on long journeys. Stopping power is provided by large carbon ceramic brakes set behind lightweight 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
Design details
The interior features a unique tri-tone design with bespoke finishes and detailing.
Exterior design features include a newly designed front bumper with a carbon fibre splitter while the new rear bumper is fitted with a carbon fibre diffuser. Carbon fibre side sill extensions and bonnet vents add to the overall look. The exhaust tailpipe features a rifled gloss black design and dark-tint headlight and taillights, as well as black-finished detailing found on the front grille, lights rear bumper, door handles and window surrounds complete the exterior styling package.
Optional features include a rear spoiler, front splitter, Supersports badging, side decals and a new black and bright-machined finish for the 21-inch wheels. A gloss-finished, carbon fibre engine cover can also be had as an option. In addition to this, an optional titanium exhaust system is available, offering a delightful soundtrack with the benefit of reduced weight.
On the inside, a tri-tone interior is offered with a new diamond-quilted design for the seats and side door panels in Alcantara. Chequered carbon fibre fascia panels are fitted with 10 veneers and finishes on offer. The interior is completed with Supersports emblem stitching while a Supersports steering wheel and a unique gear lever are finished with Alcantara accents.
The Bentley Continental Supersports will be shown in the metal at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show next week.
