According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), new car sales, light and medium commercial vehicle sales and exports continued to reflect weakness in the month of February 2016.
February was another tough month for the South African automotive industry with declines experienced across the board. New car sales declined by 6.1% while light commercial sales declined by 13.1%. Although exports registered a small decline, improvements in exports are expected to materialise in 2016, with the new Toyota Hilux due to make a significant export contribution to African and European markets.
Toyota once again came out on top in the sales race as South Africa's best-selling brand while the Ford Ranger claims top position as the best-selling vehicle in all the land.
New car sales summary – February 2016
48 149 aggregate new vehicle sales down by 8.1% (4 236 units) compared with February 2015.
32 826 passenger car sales down by 6.1% (2 121 units) compared with February 2015.
13 161 light commercial vehicles down by 13.1% (1 982 units) compared with February 2015.
Top-selling car brands in South Africa – February 2016
Brand
Total Sales
Market Penetration %
1. Toyota
8 743 (-2 145)
18.2%
3. Volkswagen
7 595 (-1 119)
15.8%
3. Ford Motor Company
6 710 (+186)
13.9%
4. GMSA
3 938 (+465)
8.2%
5. Nissan
3 778 (-1 453)
7.8%
Top-selling new cars in South Africa – February 2016
Tough economic conditions and low GDP growth prospects for 2016 will continue to impact negatively on the local automotive industry. Consumers will be affected by rising new car prices in 2016 as well as expected interest rate hikes. The new car sales outlook remains constrained and the new car market is expected to decline by about 9% in terms of volume with a projected figure of 375 000 units for the year. Commercial sales are also expected to decline by about 5%.
Mustang Is Back: Review, Test Drive & Beauty Shots (Video)
For the first time ever, Ford is building the Mustang in right-hand drive for world markets. South Africa was the first to receive an allotment of Mustangs, and we managed to get our hands on one for this video.
Here we try to understand what the new Ford Mustang is really about and how it drives. We take a look at the interior and experience how South Africans respond to this new hero car. And of course, there are many gratuitous beauty shots. Because why not.
Rumours of a Volkswagen Polo-sized crossover have been circulating for years and such a car now seems confirmed following the unveiling of the T-Cross Breeze concept at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show.
The relatively new compact crossover segment is booming, but as Range Rover has already shown with its Evoque Convertible, a new niche set to expand shortly is one for topless variants. Indeed, Volkswagen has confirmed that once the production version of its new compact crossover eventually goes on sale, one of the models in the lineup will feature a a retractable fabric roof.
The styling of the Volkswagen T-Cross Breeze is not too dissimilar to that of the new Volkswagen Tiguan, but there are some distinct changes. It has a wide grille and large LED rings around the fog lights. There are 19-inch alloy wheels and the Summer Green Metallic paint adds to the drama.
In terms of size, the Volkswagen T-Cross Breeze is a little bit longer than the current CrossPolo, but the wheelbase provides adequate space for a four-seat layout. It tips the scales at 1 250kg, which should make it quite nimble. When you're in the cabin, you'll find plenty of touchscreen displays and there's a completely digital instrument cluster, similar to what the VW Group has already rolled out in various production models. This concept also boasts a banging 300-watt Beat Audio sound system with a subwoofer in the centre console.
Power comes from the VW Group's trusty turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit with 81 kW and 175 Nm of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission is fitted and the claimed fuel consumption sits at 5L/100km.
Honda has showcased its bigger, but sportier Civic hatchback prototype at the Geneva Motor Show.
A sporty-looking Honda Civic hatchback prototype is being shown at the Geneva Motor Show this week. In terms of dimensions, the Civic prototype is some 130 mm longer, 30 mm wider and 20 mm lower than the current Civic hatchback. A production version will likely be shown later in 2016 with the new Civic going on sale sometime in 2017. It has yet to be confirmed when the new Civic will become available in South Africa…
Honda Civic prototype: the details
The Civic prototype is fitted with LED headlights and daytime running lights as well as a bold bumper design and sculpted bonnet. Larger and wider wheels are also fitted, which add to its sporty appearance. The rear-end features two centrally mounted tailpipes and there are two rear spoilers – one on the roof and the other connecting the C-shaped LED taillights and housing the third brake light. Although images of the interior have not been shown yet, the interior will be more spacious than the current Civic considering the increase in dimensions.
In terms of engines, the new Civic will likely be powered by a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine. The diesel offering feature a 1.6-litre i- DTEC unit and the engines will be mated with either a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission.
Production of the Euro-spec Civic will take place at Honda’s Swindon factory in the UK. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
World Car Awards Finalists Announced
The top three finalists for the 2016 World Car Awards (WCA) have been announced at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show.
The top contenders for the 2016 World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car and World Green Car were selected by a jury of 73 international motoring journalists, including Cars.co.za consumer experience manager Hannes Oosthuizen and Cars.co.za content manager Mike Fourie, who are the only two South African representatives on the panel.
2016 marks the third consecutive year that the World Car Awards is the number one automotive awards programme in the world in terms of media reach. The top three finalists were announced by WCA chairman, Peter Lyon (pictured) at the Geneva International Motor Show, currently unfolding in Switzerland, and the overall winners will be revealed in New York on March 24.
The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the jurors’ ballots.
The 2016 World Car of the Year will be selected from these three finalists.
Audi A4 / A4 Avant
The all-new Audi A4 recently arrived in South Africa and immediately impressed with its refinement and exquisite interior design. You can read our first drive impressions here.
Both South African jury members and Cars.co.za staffers (Mike Fourie and Hannes Oosthuizen) believe the A4 will scoop the award.
Mazda MX-5
It may seem strange to find a vehicle such as the Mazda MX-5 in the running for the overall award, but the little roadster is so defining of the affordable sports car segment that limiting it to the Performance Car of the Year category doesn't seem fair either. We were very impressed with the little Mazda when we tested it (read the review here) and also nominated it for a Design of the Year award in the first Cars.co.za Consumer Awards.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Mercedes-Benz's first foray into the more compact end of the SUV spectrum appears to have hit the nail right on the head. The GLC has received widespread praise, including from our own test team (read the review of the GLC 300 here).
The 2016 World Luxury Car will be chosen from one of these top three finalists:
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 may not be universally admired for its exterior styling, but there's not much wrong with this product in any measurable way. We particularly like its ride refinement and cabin detailing. You can read our review of the 3.0 TDI here and also watch a video to see how it compares against a rival for this award, the Volvo XC90, here.
BMW 7 Series
Packed with groundbreaking technology, including gesture control and near-autonomous features, the new BMW 7 Series is undoubtedly an impressive piece of engineering. Catch up on some of its features in our first drive.
Our jury members are in agreement that the BMW 7 Series is most likely to take the win in this category.
Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 has raked in awards all over the world, including scooping the trophy for Best Premium SUV in the inaugural Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. View this video to find out how it compares with the all-new Audi Q7, a rival in this World Car Awards category.
The 2016 World Performance Car top three finalists are:
Audi R8 Coupe
Not yet available in South Africa, but due soon, Audi's new R8 looks like a very careful evolution of its successful predecessor. View it in action here.
Honda Civic Type R
Freshly arrived in South Africa, the new Honda Civic Type R could just be the ultimate hot hatch of the moment. To find out what makes it so special, read our in-depth review here.
Chevrolet Volt
Toyota Prius (hybrid)
Toyota Mirai (hydrogen fuel cell)
Meanwhile, a design panel comprising six respected world design experts produced a short-list of recommendations for the jurors in the World Car Design of the Year category. The three finalists are;Mazda CX-3, Mazda MX-5 and the Jaguar XE.
BMW M4 GTS Pricing in SA (with Video)
The first examples of the visceral BMW M4 GTS, of only 700 examples will be produced, are expected to arrive in South Africa in May 2016. Of the 700, only 25 have been earmarked for the local market, which means the car will only be available from certain M dealers…
Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the BMW M3, the M4 GTS is described as an “exclusive technological showpiece that elevates the potential of the BMW M4 Coupe to another impressive new level.” Cars.co.za recently reported that the Competition Pack had been made available for the M3/M4 duo on the local market, but for some aficionados "the 331 kW upgrade" (among other additions to the standard car) will just not be enough. The BMW M4 GTS is in quite another league, however, it was designed predominantly for track use and in a show of ability, the M4 GTS achieved a time of 7.28 minutes around the famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife, which makes its intentions clear. Let’s take a closer look at what the BMW M4 GTS has to offer…
Brutal engine power
Under the bonnet lurks a 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre turbocharged engine. The powerplant makes use of water injection technology to boost output significantly: the GTS generates peak power of 368 kW and 600 Nm of torque while keeping fuel consumption at a reasonable 8.3 L/100km. Using a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission (M-DCT), the M4 GTS is capable of blistering performance, achieving 0-100 kph in only 3.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 305 kph.
Styling
The M4 GTS weighs only 1 585 kg, because BMW M engineers have employed lightweight construction throughout to achieve the optimum power-weight ratio. Up front, the M4 GTS features two sets of twin circular headlights that combine LED technology with BMW Selective Beam and Adaptive Headlights. The rear OLED L-shaped lights make their debut in this M4 GTS and emphasise the width of the car. On the inside, the driver is met with carbon-fibre M bucket seats, which weigh about 50% less than the sports seats found in the M4 Coupe.
The seats are trimmed in exclusive Alcantara and Merino leather with M stripes found on the backrests while three-point seat belts and door pull loops hint at the performance ability of the car. Alcantara features on the M sports steering wheel too and you will notice that there are no rear seats either. Instead, a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) shelf and rear panel in carbon-fibre sandwich construction saves up to 40% in weight.
If customers opt for the Clubsport Package, a roll bar in Acid Orange is fitted behind the front seats and a race-specification six-point harness and fire extinguisher is included in case things get crazy hot while out on the track. The BMW M4 GTS is fitted with forged and polished Acid Orange weight-minimised M light-alloy wheels with star-spoke 666 M Styling, with 19-inch examples fitted at the front while 20-inch wheels are fitted at the rear. The exhaust system features a titanium muffler, giving the M4 GTS a rich soundtrack while the adjustable rear wing reduces lift when travelling at high speed.
Local Availability
A reputable source has confirmed that the M4 GTS costs R2 137 500 in the South African market. As the saying goes, the order books are open, but suffice to say the M4 GTS's availability will be severely limited.
The BMW M4 GTS has an official Nurburgring lap time! Watch the video below:
Hotter Ford Fiesta ST200 Revealed
Ford has announced a more powerful version of its compact hot hatchback champion, the Fiesta ST. Meet the Fiesta ST200.
The Ford Fiesta ST is one of our favourite pocket rockets and an archrival to the popular Volkswagen Polo GTI and Renault Clio RS. But, whereas the ST's 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost motor produces 134 kW and 240 Nm, the ST200 is claimed to push out 10% more power and 20% more torque, which would give it outputs of 147 kW and 290 Nm. The Ford Fiesta ST200 is said to achieve 100 kph from standstill in 6.7 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the standard model. It's not just about going fast in a straight line, though, as the ST200 has revised suspension to sharpen its handling.
Some of the handling upgrades include enhanced torque vectoring control, 3-mode electronic stability control, a specially modified front steering knuckle, an adapted rear twist-beam with increased roll stiffness, as well as unique front and rear spring and damper settings. Furthermore, the ST200's centre of gravity is 15 mm lower, it has a quicker steering ratio and shortened steering arm, plus an enhanced braking system with a larger tandem brake master cylinder and rear disc brakes
The ST200 features an exclusive Storm Grey exterior paint finish, matte black alloy wheels and red brake callipers. What's more, its custom interior has been enhanced with charcoal Recaro front seats trimmed in partial leather and accented by contrasting silver stitching, as well as illuminated scuff plates and seatbelts with silver detailing.
At the time of writing, Ford South Africa said it had no plans to introduce this model to our country. What a pity.
Watch the Ford Fiesta ST take on the Volkswagen Polo GTI
Toyota C-HR Crossover Revealed
Images of Toyota’s new C-segment crossover, the C-HR, have leaked ahead of it’s official debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show.
Last year Toyota showcased the CH-R concept at the Paris Motor Show and the production version is now ready to be revealed to the world. Although the production CH-R is admittedly a watered-down version of the concept, it still embodies the same design cues and it actually looks quite attractive in our opinion.
Toyota CH-R Details
The images show that the CH-R has a bold front-end with elongated headlights. The flared wheel arches and elaborate body cladding give the vehicle a sense of ruggedness, but the profile remains sleek courtesy of the raked windscreen and sloping roofline. Meanwhile, the angled beltline and three-quarter-light sized rear windows (replete with hidden door handles) create a coupe-like look. At the back, the CH-R is fitted with a ‘floating’ spoiler and boomerang-shaped taillights.
The CH-R Crossover was developed on the TNGA platform that underpins the Toyota Prius and will be built in Turkey. Although Toyota hasn’t revealed exact engine details yet, reports suggest that a number of engines will power the CH-R, including a hybrid powertrain sourced from the Prius. If that’s the case, then you can expect the CH-R to be fitted with a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle engine, a pair of electric motors, as well as a CVT transmission. A small capacity turbocharged engine with 85kW is also expected to be fitted.
However, details regarding the new Toyota CH-R won’t be a secret for long because all will be revealed this week when the car is shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Toyota South Africa has confirmed that the CH-R Crossover will arrive in SA in January 2017.
Bugatti unleashes 420 kph Chiron
After months of teasing Bugatti has finally unleashed the successor to its iconic Veyron supercar. The Chiron is claimed to set a new benchmark for hypercars, just as its predecessor did a decade ago.
More than 1 100 kW and a staggering 1 600 Nm of torque
Top speed of 420 kph
Only 500 to be made – priced at about R41 million each!
In recent times the ageing Bugatti Veyron's position as the world's ultimate hypercar has come under serious threat from the likes of Pagani, Ferrari, Porsche and Koenigsegg. But just as those brands appear to be catching up, the Molsheim-based French luxury brand appears to have shifted the goalposts again. Due for its official unveiling at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show is the successor to the Veyron, dubbed the Chiron.
Why "Chiron"?
The new Bugatti Chiron is named after famed Bugatti racer, Louis Chiron
The new super Bugatti is named after racing driver Louis Chiron, who campaigned Bugattis to great effect during his long and storied racing career. Interestingly, it follows in a tradition set by the Veyron, itself named after Pierre Veyron, another French racer from the Bugatti stable.
Staggering Power
The 8.0-litre W16 engine produces a staggering 1 600 Nm of torque
Using a "newly developed" version of the brand's now trademark quad-turbo, 8.0-litre W16 engine, the Chiron is the first road car to offer 1 500HP (just over 1 100 kW) in production trim. Perhaps even more impressively, the engine delivers a crunching 1 600 Nm of torque, all the way from 2 000 to 6 000 rpm. In Top Speed mode the Chiron can reach 420 kph! To compensate for the weight increase resulting from the higher power output, Bugatti employed more lightweight materials such as titanium and carbon fibre in its construction. For example, the intake tube, the charge air system and the chain housing are all made of carbon fibre.
Another key feature of the powertrain is its two-stage turbocharging system. To ensure maximum acceleration from standstill without turbo-lag, the Chiron blasts off using only two of its four turbochargers. The other two are only activated at around 3 800 rpm, for full "afterburner" acceleration.
As was the case with its predecessor, the Chiron employs a highly sophisticated all-wheel drive system. Sending so much power to the wheels is no easy task and, as a result, the Chiron has the world's largest and highest-performance clutch (for a passenger vehicle). A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission handles shifting duties.
Beauty and beast design
Central fin recalls the famous spine of the iconic Bugatti Atlanic
The Chiron is significantly more hardcore from a design point of view, with Bugatti saying there is more "beast" in the overall look. Nevertheless, there are plenty of historical references and some exquisite detailing, too. The dramatic and accentuated "C" on either side of the vehicle is inspired by the stunningly pretty Type 57SC Atlantic, while the central fin recalls the central spine of the iconic Atlantic model. The famous horseshoe grille, in particular, contains some beautiful artwork, with the emblem (also called the Bugatti "Macaron") measuring 26 cm in circumference and made from 140 g of silver…
And then there are the modern touches… Bugatti has fitted the Chiron with the flattest full-LED projector headlamps ever fitted to a car, with a height of only 90 mm. Each headlamp has its own controller to operate the LEDs installed behind the main lenses, which are mounted on delicate aluminium arms. The 8 outer lighting squares consist of light conductors providing sidelight and daytime running light functions.
Less weight, more rigidity
The monocoque structure of the Bugatti Chiron is made entirely from carbon fibre and is claimed to be the most sophisticated in its class, technically speaking. For the first time, the rear end of the car is also made from carbon fibre. Bugatti says that if all the fibres used in the monocoque were laid out end to end, they would stretch nine times the distance between the earth and the moon! The production of a single monocoque takes four weeks. The Chiron is only 8kg lighter than before, which doesn't sound like much until you understand the technical implications of an engine producing as much power as the one bolted in the back of this monster. The rigidity of the new structure is astounding – it's equal to that of an LMP1 racing car (the type you'll see at Le Mans).
Sharper handling
Active aero and Adaptive suspension boost Chiron's handling and grip levels.
For the Chiron, Bugatti has developed an advanced new adaptive chassis with five driving programmes that is said to provide an extremely dynamic driving experience, very direct responses, considerably improved agility, more precise steering, fast cornering and outstanding roadholding even at high cornering speeds. The fives modes are; Lift, EB "Auto", Autobahn, Handling and Top Speed. To reach the 420 kph maximum speed, the driver can activate the "Top Speed" mode, which is done by using a second, separate ignition key.
For maximum grip, the Chiron rides on entirely new high-performance tyres developed in partnership with Michelin. The tyres are sized 285/30 R20 at the front and 355/25 R21 at the rear, and have larger contact surfaces (by 14% at the front and 12% at the rear) than the rubber fitted to the Veyron. Bugatti claims that the new tyres will also be easier to fit and offer lower operating costs.
And then there are the brakes, which utilise special carbon ceramic discs made from carbon silicon carbide (CSiC). This material makes the disc lighter and offers greater corrosion resistance, performance and durability. The discs are 20 mm larger in diameter, 2 mm thicker and offer improved heat dissipation for improved performance. The brake callipers are forged from an aluminium part and then "milled using bionic principles", the manufacturer says.
For cooling and aerodynamic purposes, the Chiron features a very advanced active aerodynamics system that includes an adaptive rear spoiler that can be deployed at four positions: completely retracted, slightly extended (the position for the Top Speed mode), completely extended (for the Handling and Autobahn modes) and also tilted forwards in the air brake position. The level and angle of the wing are adjusted automatically as required.
Luxury cabin
Authentic materials and modern tech co-exist in a snug, ultra-luxurious cabin
A modern-day Bugatti must not only be a performance superstar, but also offer the type of luxury and first-class accoutrements the brand has always been famous for. For this reason, only authentic materials are used in the cabin – parts that look like carbon fibre, aluminium or leather are really made from the materials that they appear to be. And yet, the cabin is also bang up to date in terms of technical features.
In front of the driver is a new adaptive instrument cluster. Installed in an aluminium housing, it consists of three compact displays surrounding the analogue speedometer. High-resolution TFT displays are positioned to the left and right of the speedometer with a smaller flat IPS display located below. The idea behind the design is that the driver should be offered only the information that is necessary at that moment. The faster the Chiron is driven, the simpler the presentation becomes.
If the roar of the W16 engine does not provide enough aural delight, the Chiron is fitted with what is claimed to be the most luxurious sound system offered in a super sports car, developed exclusively for Bugatti by the "accuton" brand. Audio system connoisseurs will appreciate the use of a one-carat diamond membrane in each of the four tweeters, delivering a crystal-clear sound. In addition, the world's first mid-range speaker with two separate membrane zones is fitted to the Chiron.
Sales success
Austerity may be the word of the decade, but the world's rich and famous are already forming a lengthy queue for the Chiron. Bugatti says it will only build 500 and that each will cost roughly R40 million, but orders have already been placed for a third of the total production run… Once more, South Africans are unlikely to ever see a Chiron on South African roads as the vehicle will be produced in left-hand drive guise only.
Audi has moved into the small crossover segment with its new Q2. The good news is that it's coming to South Africa.
The Q2 – an all-new offering from the Ingolstadt-based brand – has just been revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. If the A3-based Q3 is either too grown up for young trendy urbanites' tastes or larger than what their lifestyles require, the Q2 may suit them down to a tee. Expect the latest technological features in terms of infotainment, connectivity and safety assistance systems from Audi's arsenal. The styling is unmistakably Audi and the trademark LED lights are present, both at the front and at the rear. As an option, Audi can also supply dynamic turn signals at the rear that pulse (as opposed to flash).
Despite its (presumably light hatchback) underpinnings, the Q2 is said to offer reasonable space. The luggage compartment can accommodate up to 405L in cargo and when you fold the rear bench down, there's 1 050 litres of utility space. Your options include an electrically-operated tailgate and a three-way split of the second row of seats.
Technology
In terms of driver assistance, you get Pre-sense that automatically applies the brakes when the Q2 detects there are pedestrians in its path. There's also adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go functionality and the Traffic Jam Assist is quite novel: it takes over steering duties in bumper-to-bumper traffic at speeds of up to 65 kph. There's also traffic sign recognition technology and the latest version of auto parking that will take the challenge out of parallel parking.
In terms of infotainment and driver assistance systems, you can opt for the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital interface as well as an all-new head-up display that provides info such as navigation, speed and warnings. MMI navigation Plus with the MMI touch function is the flagship infotainment setup, which includes a wi-fi hotspot that will allow passengers in the Audi Q2 to surf the web with their mobile devices. The online services of Audi Connect can also be accessed via the MMI touch – the functions range from traffic and parking-space information to navigation with Google Earth.
Powerplant and transmission options
In terms of engines, there will be six powerplants available from launch. There will be three TFSI turbopetrols and three TDI turbodiesel motors with outputs ranging from 81 kW to 140 kW. The petrol range starts with the three cylinder 1.0-litre turbo and goes up to a 2.0-litre, which has a 140-kW peak power output. The entry-level turbodiesel is a 85-kW 1.6-litre unit, followed by a 2.0-litre engine that comes in two states of tune: 110 kW and 140 kW. There are two gearboxes available: a six-speed manual and a seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission.
Availability in South Africa
The new Audi Q2 is assembled at the home of Audi in Ingolstadt, Germany and will come to South Africa in the first quarter of 2017.
