Honda has given its Brio a stylistic makeover in an effort to improve its hatchback and sedan offerings' kerb appeal and offer more value to customers. Let’s see what’s changed…
The Honda Brio competes in a competitive arena where budget-conscious buyers are looking for "more car for less money" and with a host of strong competitors in this segment (Ford Figo, VW Polo Vivo, Hyundai i10, to name only a few), staying fresh and relevant is all important in the sales race.
To this end, Honda has updated its Brio model with minor exterior changes as well as a refreshed interior.
What’s changed?
Starting up front, the Brio hatchback and sedan now feature redesigned bumpers and grilles accompanied with new headlights. At the rear, the taillight clusters have been redesigned too, but that’s the extent of the cosmetic update…
The biggest change has occurred on the inside where the Brio has an all-new, sleeker-looking dashboard replete with integrated air vents and redesigned ventilation controls. All models now feature Bluetooth connectivity as standard, allowing for hands-free telephony and audio streaming.
The engine lineup remains unchanged and all Brio models are powered by a 1.2-litre engine with 65 kW and 109 Nm of torque. Buyers have the choice of a 5-speed manual transmission while a 5-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option on Comfort models.
In terms of safety, Brio models are equipped with ABS and EBD as well as dual front airbags.
Pricing includes a 5-year / 200 000 km warranty, a 2-year / 30 000 km service plan and 3-years AA Roadside Assistance.
Drag Race: Audi RS3 vs Mercedes A45 AMG [Video]
Fresh from a recent (and very closely-fought) victory over the BMW M2, the Mercedes-AMG A45 4MATIC lines up against Audi’s fiery five-pot RS3 Sportback in a no-holds-barred all-wheel drive straight-line shootout
Both are five-door hatchbacks. Both feature all-wheel drive. And while the Mercedes-AMG has more power, the Audi hits back with a lighter kerb weight. Can the A45 continue its winning streak or will the RS3 be the new champ? Let’s see how it plays out over a 380-metre drag race.
The 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb took place from May 6 to 8 and there were several awe-inspiring machines that bolted up the hill. We take a closer look at five of the coolest cars that featured at this year’s event…
When we attended the event in Knysna, we witnessed adrenaline-fuelled racing and among all the high-powered machinery on display, Cars.co.za's road test editor, Ashley Oldfield, was behind the wheel of his Jaguar XE 25t R-Sport, which he piloted to victory in the Media Challenge as well as achieving a third-in-class finish. Although Ashely’s performance was impressive, there were other extraordinary cars blasting up the fabled Simola Hill…
Here is our choice of the five coolest cars at the 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb.
1. 1972 Chevron B26
This 1972 Chevron B26, driven by Franco Scribante, was the star of the 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. Scribante set a new Simola Hillclimb record of 38.646 sec to win the King Of The Hill Shootout. The feat was made that much more momentous after the Chevron’s suspension failed during Scribante’s fourth qualifying run, but his team managed to repair the car in time for the record-breaking run. The Chevron B26 was one of the loudest cars in the pits and it wowed spectators with its blistering acceleration off the start line. Scribante also claimed his second Classic Conqueror title on Classic Car Friday in his 1970 Chevron B19, taking a double-scoop win at this year’s event.
2. 1989 Formula One Dallara 189
The Dallara, driven by André Bezuidenhout, made its debut this year as the first F1 car to navigate the 1.9-kilometre course. The Dallara posed a serious threat, qualifying for the Top 10 shootout with a time of 39.781 seconds. Things quickly turned sour for Bezuidenhout in his fifth qualifying round when his crankshaft failed, abruptly ending his campaign. Nonetheless, the Dallara was spectacular to watch and is expected to return to the event next year.
3. Jaguar Project 7
The Jaguar Project 7 made a brief appearance at the 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. It's a limited edition model developed by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) and the roadster pays tribute to the iconic D-Type and Jaguar’s seven historical wins at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Power comes courtesy of a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering 423 kW and 680 Nm of torque. With a global production of 250 units, only five Project 7s have been allocated to South Africa, making it a rare and highly sought-after vehicle.
4. 1993 Dezzi Nissan GT-R R32
The 1993 Dezzi Nissan GT-R R32 driven by 2015 King of the Hill champion, Desmond Gutzeit, was a major highlight at this year’s event. The powerful Nissan GT-R, with at least 1 118 kW on tap, put on a mighty performance in the Top 10 shootout with an impressive time of 40.324 seconds. Despite this, Gutzeit’s efforts were not enough to beat the Chevron B26 driven by Franco Scribante. Gutziet claimed an honourable second place and the 1993 Nissan GT-R R32 remains as one of crowd favourites at the event. Better luck next time, Dezzi!
5. Lamborghini Aventador V12
The Lamborghini Aventador, driven by Colin Cary, delivered a fine show of power and speed. With its 6.5-litre V12 engine producing lofty outputs of 515 kW and 690 Nm of torque, the Aventador was lightning-fast off the line. Although the Aventador put on a good performance for spectators in the King of the Hill Supercar Shootout, it was no match for the factory-backed Nissan GT-R driven by Jaki Scheckter, posting a winning time of 43.591 seconds.
Resident Cars.co.za Road Test Editor, Ashley Oldfield took part in 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb in Knysna over the weekend and walked away with two trophies for his efforts…
The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb is fast becoming the most popular motorsport event on the South African calendar and this year’s event was an absolute cracker! Having raced for Nissan in the UK, Ashley Oldfield is well versed in extracting the most performance from a car and his experience was put to the test at the 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb that took place in Knysna over the weekend.
Ashley won the Media Challenge in 2015 and returned to Simola Hill this year to defend his title. The Media Challenge gives motoring media the opportunity to compete against each other and all media competitors were driving their own specially branded Jaguar XE 25t R-Sport in a bid to set the fastest time on the 1.9 km Simola Hillclimb course. Earlier this year, Cars.co.za ran the #AshJag design challenge, where we gave our followers the opportunity to design our winning Jag. Sean Plint of Johannesburg produced the winning design, which featured on Ashley's winning Jaguar XE R-Sport.
The media contingent included Ashley Oldfield (Cars.co.za), Thomas Falkiner (Sunday Times), Nikesh Kooverjee (CAR Magazine), Andrew Leopold (SA Car Fan) and Ernest Page (Top Gear Magazine).
Wet conditions at the start of racing made life difficult for competitors on day one with times well over a minute being posted in the first practice run. Ashley Oldfield and Tom Falkiner showed their intent early on, posting times of 57.5 and 59.2 seconds respectively, being the only two media competitors to break the minute barrier in the first practice session.
As the course dried up throughout the day, the competitors pushed that much harder and times improved steadily. At the end of the second qualifying round, Ashley Oldfield came out on top with a time of 53.045 seconds, while Thomas Falkiner was close behind with a time of 53.167 seconds. Ashley then went on to post an even better time on Sunday, claiming 52.158 seconds to take the Media Challenge win for Cars.co.za by over half a second.
Ashley’s performance also put him in the Class Final against the powerful Mercedes-AMG A 45 and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. With only 177 kW and 370 Nm on tap from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, Ashley Oldfield’s Jaguar XE R-Sport was clearly outgunned against its more powerful competitors.
Nonetheless, Ashley scooped 3rd in Class and walked away with a back-to-back Media Challenge win. The Cars.co.za team would like to congratulate Ashley on his excellent performance at the 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb and we look forward to seeing him defend his Media Challenge title at next year’s event.
We headed to Turin, Italy to get a taste for the brand's entry into the double-cab market. It's essentially a Fiat-branded (new) Mitsubishi Triton, but there's so much more to it. Does it have enough to shake up the already competitive bakkie segment?
The Fullback is the result of cooperation between Fiat and Mitsubishi, which has offered its Triton double cab model in South Africa since 2007. However, the newcomer has an Italian-styled exterior and a functional, modern cabin, but shares its underpinnings and mechanical parts with the new Triton, which is still to be launched in South Africa. It is quite conceivable that the Fullback will arrive in South Africa (June 2016) before the Japanese bakkie on which it is based makes its long-awaited appearance!
Take a walk around the new Fiat Fullback by pushing the Play button below.
The Fullback line-up will comprise single- and double cab derivatives, powered by petrol and turbodiesel engines mated with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The bakkies will be available in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations.
The numbers
The newcomer has a 3.0-metre wheelbase (for a total length of 5.3 metres), a payload of 1 tonne and a towing capacity of 3 tonnes. Ground clearance is between 200 mm and 205 mm, depending on the derivative.
In terms of engines, there’s a 2.4-litre petrol engine as well as a 2.5-litre turbodiesel. The 2.4-petrol produces 97 kW and 202 Nm, while the 2.5 turbodiesel will be available in 3 states of tune: 94 kW, 100 kW and 131 kW respectively, with torque figures that vary between 200 Nm and 400 Nm.
How does it drive?
The model we drove was the 2.4-litre petrol manual 4×4. While its engine's outputs seem conservative compared with those of its rivals' powerplants we found the bakkie's performance was quite willing and capable, especially considering that there were 3 occupants on board and (to demonstrate the bakkie's carrying capacity), Fiat had loaded a combination of logs and cement bags onto the back.
Our test route took us out of the confines of Turin and out onto the Autostrada (highway) first. Despite having to haul 500 kg in cargo, a driver and a pair of passengers, the Fullback showed no shortage of in-gear urge… in fact, we did not miss a sixth ratio!
The notoriously narrow Italian side streets can be a nightmare for a double cab, but we were pleasantly surprised by how nimble and agile the Fiat felt in urban confines. The current market leaders (Hilux and Ranger) have both grown in size considerably and, as a result, can be quite unwieldy. The Fullback, on the other hand, effortlessly completed three-point turns as we were sent in completely in the wrong directions by an erratic aftermarket satnav unit mounted on the dashboard.
Top-spec cabin boasts quality features and generous specification.
Despite the fact that the engine worked hard, we were impressed by the levels of quietness in the cabin. The ride quality was a revelation too – none of that stereotypical "choppy double cab ride" was present. A quick sit behind yourself test revealed substantial rear legroom.
We’ll get confirmation on final specification levels once the local models arrive, but based on our vehicle and these press images of the top-spec model, we’ll get power steering, electric windows, climate control, steering wheel mounted controls and, potentially, the Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system.
Offroad ability
Decent on-road manners and low noise levels in the cabin were pleasant surprises
Fiat Professional was keen to highlight the Fullback’s off-road ability. We had the opportunity to put the vehicle through its paces in a forest, however the aftermarket satnav did a fine job of getting us lost, so we were restricted to an on-tar evaluation only. On paper, the manual Fullbacks have a traditional transfer case gear lever that allows the vehicle to shift between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high and low-range mode.
The automatic-equipped Fullbacks make use of an electronic selector and this allows drivetrain mode shifts at speeds of up to 100 kph. With a ground clearance of 205 mm, and the aforementioned drive options, the Fiat Fullback looks like it has the basics covered in terms of off-road operation.
Will it sell?
The key to the Fullback’s success will be its "competitive" pricing. Even if FCA can only hold its introductory pricing for two/three months, the early adopters may give the product the marketing battle won. The MOPAR range of accessories, including such items as blingy wheels, tonneau covers and roll bars will be made available, and given South Africans' love for customising bakkies, these make a big difference in terms of visual appeal.
The Fiat will have its fair share of detractors (obviously) as this segment’s buying decisions are largely based on brand loyalty and dealer back-up. We feel that the Fiat Fullback has what it takes to gain a notable share of this market. While it's going to be hard to sway current Hilux and Ranger owners, smaller bakkie brands are in Fiat’s crosshairs and if the Fullback's pricing and dealership backup are good, as the firm promises, the opposition should take note of this new arrival. Should you? Let's see the pricing first! But it does look promising…
Mercedes-Benz GLS (2016) Specs & Price
The ultimate Mercedes-Benz SUV is about to be launched in South Africa and we have specifications plus pricing for this seven-seat juggernaut.
The GLS is claimed to be the "S-Class of SUVs". In other words, it is supposed to offer more comfort and luxury features than the overwhelming majority of SUVs. And, in the case of this seven-seater, Benz is in a class of its own. But, when you’re paying in excess of R2-million for a vehicle, it ought to be!
The outgoing GL was an impressive vehicle and despite its awkward size, pleasant and refined to drive. For the renamed and updated GLS, there are a number of improvements. There’s a focus on improved efficiency, remapped dynamic select driving modes, updated air suspension, which should result in a smoother ride, and the firm's new 9-speed transmission, as well as the latest Mercedes-Benz's safety and connectivity systems, have been included.
At this level of the market, vehicles' specification lists are comprehensive and for the GLS, there are surprisingly few optional extras listed on Mercedes-Benz SA's online configurator. Options worth mentioning are the Bang & Olufsen audio system, rear climate control system and the heated steering wheel.
There’s also a high level of safety equipment for the seven passengers. Apart from 9 airbags, collision prevention assist plus, crosswind- and attention assist, pre-safe, brake assist, traction- and cruise control are fitted. The Driver Assistance Package, which includes Distronic Plus radar-guided cruise control, automatic pedestrian braking, cross-traffic assist, active blind spot- and lane-keeping assist and a speed limiter, can be specified additionally.
Seven seats and ultimate SUV luxury is what the Mercedes-Benz GLS is all about
There are three engines to choose from: two turbopetrols and one turbodiesel. Starting from the bottom of the price spectrum, the GLS350d is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel motor that develops 190 kW and 620 Nm and Mercedes-Benz claims an average fuel consumption figure of between 7.1 and 7.6 L/100 km for this model. Power is directed to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Moving into the sportier turbopetrol options, you have the choice of two V8 engines. First up is the GLS500 – it is equipped with a 4.7-litre V8 that produces 335 kW and 700 Nm, will accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 5.3 seconds and go onto a limited top speed of 250 kph. It’s claimed to consume between 10.9 and 11.3 L/100 km and is, like the GLS350d, equipped with a 9-speed auto 'box.
Meanwhile, the flagship GLS63 AMG offers lofty outputs of 430 kW and 760 Nm of torque, which are enough to propel it from 0 to 100 kph in 4.6 seconds, the firm says. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a 7-speed automatic 'box. A combined cycle consumption figure of 12.3 L/100 km is claimed.
2016 Hyundai Tucson In-Depth Review, pricing and specs [Video]
The Tucson name will be remembered fondly by South Africans. In fact, the first version of Hyundai’s compact SUV remains a popular buy on the used market to this day, just like its successor, the ix35.
But with the latest version the brand has taken another significant step up the prestige ladder. Borrowing heavily from its bigger sibling, the Santa Fe, in the design stakes, the new Tucson is a very attractive competitor in what has become a fiercely contested segment.
In this video we review the two-wheel-driven 1.6-litre turbocharged model (with a six-speed manual gearbox), detail its specification, test its spaciousness and ponder its likely market success.
Following a mild facelift and a few technical upgrades, the Mercedes-AMG A45 4MATIC remains the most potent performance hatchback available in South Africa. But, given the introduction of the Audi RS3 and a coupe-based competitor in the shape of BMW's M2, is the A45 4MATIC still the ultimate compact performance machine?
We Like: Performance, handling, interior quality
We Don’t Like: upright driving position, price premium for a hatchback-based sportscar
Alternatives
For more power: The BMW M2 might hold the edge in terms of torque output, but the A45 remains the most powerful weapon of choice, especially in the all-wheel drive super hatchback stakes. There is still no 4-cylinder petrol engine in series production that produces higher outputs than the Benz's motor.
For better practicality: Even though the A45 won't be bought with luggage space requirements foremost in mind, the Audi RS3 is more tastefully packaged (for more conservative, less image-conscious buyers) and the A3 model's practical advantages over the A-Class remain.
For kerb appeal: Given the Benz's lofty price tag, many buyers may consider more conventional sportscars, such as the two-door BMW M2or Porsche 718 Cayman, both of which offer excellent pedigrees and appeal to performance driving connoisseurs.
When the A45 arrived in 2013, it instantly became one of the most desirable super hatchbacks on the market, for two good reasons. It catapulted the already fashionable A-Class into a rarefied performance realm, and its all-wheel drivetrain harnessed the 265 kW and 450 Nm of torque with zeal.
The A-Class recently received a facelift (read a review of the A220d), and the 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) A45 sits at its pinnacle. AMG had a good product to build on and this latest incarnation comes with a host of improvements, including improved power and torque outputs, plus updated transmission mapping.
Understated looks
Optional dark-tined glass and 19-inch alloys make the otherwise mild A45 look sinister and mean.
Our test unit was finished in a Cirrus White body colour and featured a host of optional extras to make it stand out visually. This Mercedes-AMG was kitted out with, inter alia, 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels (R13 500), red-painted brake callipers (R7 000), automatic panoramic sliding sunroof (R13 000), dark tinted class (R11 000), AMG performance exhaust (R8 500) and carbon fibre side mirrors (R16 600).
The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine now offers a significant bump in power and torque over its predecessor with a total of 280 kW (+25 kW) and 475 Nm of torque (+25 Nm). Those numbers are delivered to all four wheels using a revised 7-speed dual clutch transmission that can be operated manually by utilising the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. By adopting revised ratios, AMG has measurably improved the way the A45 responds to throttle inputs and, in conjunction with more flexible performance, the super hatchback's zero to 100 kph acceleration time has improved to 4.2 seconds.
Four driving modes are available to the driver and these include Individual (customisable engine, transmission and ESP settings), Comfort (for general driving conditions), Sport (engine and transmission enhanced) and Sport+ (engine and transmission optimised for sporty driving). In Sport and Sport+ mode, the engine note becomes distinctly louder and the A45 emits a series of percussive pops and growls under hard acceleration. There’s also an exhaust button on the centre console that will amplify the engine's barks. It’s awesome, but unlikely to score you brownie points with the neighbours (to say the least).
Over and above the rate of acceleration, the Benz remains "poised and planted" while it lays its power down on the asphalt. Suffice to say that with such sizeable power and torque reserves on tap, driving slowly requires a lot of forethought and application. Performance is definitely this car’s strongest attribute.
Handling
Although quad tips are standard, the optional AMG exhaust system emits a provocative soundtrack.
When we tested the Mercedes-AMG on track (at Cape Town's Killarney circuit), the test unit could show its true colours. On the road, the A45 feels muzzled and caged because opportunities to access all of its power and dynamic ability are virtually non-existent, but on a track it's a different story altogether. The 4MATIC system is able to dynamically distribute power to the ends of the vehicle where it's most needed. It's extremely effective on corner exit where you can feel the system quelling understeer and pulling the front wheels to the inside. In most systems, the traction control system limits the power in order to keep the car from understeering wide but, in the A45, you don't feel it as much; it feels ballistic when you mash the throttle on the way out of a corner.
It is quite an easy car to get to grips with and steadily, evenly, increase your driving speed. The 4MATIC system is forgiving and it's never twitchy nor snappy – even if you panic brake or lift off the throttle mid-turn. To match its sporty demeanour, the suspension setup of the A45 is firm. On even road surfaces, ride quality is fair, but the suspension gets quite crashy on bumpy roads. The adaptive suspension option is a must for ride comfort's sake.
Fuel economy
With a claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.3 L/100 km, one would expect the A45 to be quite economical. That’s not the case in reality, though. During our tenure with the A45, we achieved over 12.0 L/100 km with a mix of normal and spirited driving. With its 56-litre fuel tank you should be able to squeeze 500 km from a full tank.
In Comfort mode, the ECO start/stop function is activated, which aids fuel economy when you are stationary by switching off the engine. In Sport and Sport+ modes, the ECO start/stop function is deactivated and as is to be expected, you will burn more fuel driving in these modes, but that is something that most buyers are likely to embrace because, for them, the A45's performance capabilities are likely to be far more important than its thirst.
Interior comfort
The strategic application of Alcantara on the steering wheel makes its rim extra grippy.
The interior of this A45 is sporty and well-appointed. The flat-bottomed multifunction steering features perforated leather and the column is adjustable for rake and reach. The sports seats offer maximum comfort with sufficient bolstering and seat cushion adjustment is standard to accommodate different body sizes. Optional seat heating (R4 200), as well as seat memory function (R8 000) was also fitted.
In terms of infotainment, the optional COMAND Online system (R24 000) takes care of navigation, audio and telephonic requirements via an 8-inch display. We found the system easy to use and navigate. The optional Harmon Kardon surround-sound system (R8 900) was additionally specified.
Although practicality may not be the A45’s forte, it does offer 341 litres of boot space. With the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat, space increases to a sizable 1 157 litres. Rear passengers should be reasonably comfortable in the back too, with enough leg, head and shoulder room.
Safety features
The A45 is equipped with ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control and stability control, plus seven airbags as standard. Optional safety features fitted to this particular test unit includes lane keeping assist and blind spot assist (R10 500), reversing camera (R4 600), parking pilot (R8 900) and distance pilot DISTRONIC (R12 900).
Mercedes-AMG A45 4MATIC price in South Africa
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC is priced from R737 314 and is sold with a 2-year unlimited km warranty and a 6-year / 100 000 km maintenance plan.
Verdict
It may be a hatchback, but its firm, sporty ride setup and ferocious thirst make the A45 less than not the most practical car on the road . Yes, its performance and handling capabilities have improved compared with those of its predecessor and its cabin is attractive and well-built, providing high levels of comfort and refinement. Overall, the A 45 is well-accomplished and is worth consideration if sheer performance and head-turning looks are what you are looking for.
But there's a caveat. Although the A45 is about R40 000 cheaper than the Audi RS3, ticking options can translate into a massively inflated price tag. This test unit was fitted with nearly R200 000 worth of optional extras, which pushed the price up to over R920 000, which is rather excessive for a hatchback, albeit a stupendously fast one. We feel that, on balance, the A45 is a trifle overblown. Granted, it's not an everyman's car and will suit some buyers to a tee, but as the A45 ventures into sportscar territory, there are rivals that offer a better balance between racy packaging, performance, comfort and price.
Volkswagen South Africa has bolstered its popular Up! range with the addition of new 5-door derivatives.
The Volkswagen Up! has only been available in South Africa in 3-door guise, but that has all changed with the introduction of new 5-door derivatives to bolster the Wolfsburg-based firm's local lineup. The new Up! range still incorporates 3-door variants, but now includes 5-door Take Up!, Move Up!, Cross Up! and Colour Up! versions. The Club Up! is now the only derivative in the range that’s offered exclusively in 3-door configuration.
New models to the Up! range include the Cross Up! crossover that’s fitted with the familiar 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine that powers the entire range. This engine offers 55 kW and 95 Nm of torque and is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption for the Cross Up! is rated at 4.7 L/100 km.
In addition to the specification offered on the Move Up!, the Cross Up! has 16-inch Cross alloy wheels, light silver housings for the heated side mirrors, a leather-covered steering wheel, black protective side mouldings for the wheel arches, sills and doors, silver anodized roof rails and a colour-coded dashboard insert.
Meanwhile, the Colour Up! offers added kerb appeal with two contrasting colour combinations: Sandstorm Yellow and Fortana Red. In addition to colour-coded (19-inch) rims and mirror housings (in either Sandstorm or Fortana), height-adjustable driver and passenger seat, special edition Colour Up! stickers on its sides, as well as fabric seat upholstery with "Dots" pattern are standard.
Apart from these new additions to the local Up! range, the facelifted Up! is due to arrive in South Africa early next year with a host of exterior and interior improvements. The big news for the facelifted Up!, however, is that it will feature a new 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine that will produce more power (at 66 kW) and more torque (at 160 Nm). Not bad for a small capacity engine! Fuel consumption for the facelifted Up! is said to be a respectable 4.6 L/100 km.
The Greatest BMWs Ever (from a South African point of view)
BMW (Bayerishe Motoren Werke) recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and although it didn’t start out as a car manufacturer – it focused on aircraft engines first – the firm has blossomed into one of the most iconic automotive brands on the planet. Incidentally, BMW only started making cars in 1928, having started motorcycle manufacturing earlier (in 1923).
Since the anniversary, many “Best BMWs Ever” lists have been compiled, but many of the brand’s truly iconic vehicles, such as the 328, 507 and E30 M3 played comparatively small roles in defining the brand in the South African context. Which got me thinking… which BMWs were most significant from a South African perspective? Here follows my entirely subjective list, in no particular order.
Photographs were hard to find, so if I have inadvertently used a copyrighted image, let me know.
BMW E30 325iS
Cosmetically similar, European specification 325i Sport shown.
In the absence of a compact BMW (since the relatively low volume 2002), it is easy to understand the impact the E30 finally made when it entered local manufacture in the early ‘80s. The E21 3 Series was never imported. And… the mid-80s was also a particularly vibrant era for motorsport in South Africa. “Win on Saturday, sell on Monday” was a very real thing and the 325iS on-track success at the hands of, most memorably, the late Tony Viana cemented its place as a South African automotive icon. Facing fierce rivalry from Opel (Kadett Superboss), the 325iS was continuously updated to remain competitive, with the final version of the “Shadowline”, as it was affectionately known, sporting an Alpina-sourced 155 kW 2,7-litre straight-six that to this day delights petrolheads with its sound.
BMW E23 M745i
The BMW 745i racing car, finished in iconic Winfield livery.
Another uniquely South African development was this high-power version of the E23-generation 7 Series. It used an upgraded version of the brand’s dual-camshaft M88 engine (as fitted to the iconic BMW M1) that delivered around 220 kW. Very few were built – just over 200 units left the Rosslyn factory. An interesting note is that it was officially raced in the South African Modified Saloon Car Championship, the only time a 7 Series has ever raced anywhere with BMW sanction.
BMW E36 M3
The E36 M3 coupe cemented the M-car cult in South Africa.
The South African public missed out on the original M3, which is partly the reason why cars such as the E30 333i and 325iS were important substitutes, so we had to wait until the early ‘90s and the introduction of the E36 M3 for our first “official” taste of BMW’s “junior” M-car. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was an instantaneous hit, bringing scorching performance within reach of an audience who would previously have had to settle (and pay) for something far more exotic. And it was a real handful, too, with its near-200kW three-litre straight six often delivering more grunt than the driver could manage. Many pilots ran out of talent, so the M3 quickly built a name for being a “a real driver’s car”, which boosted its mystique among die-hard petrolheads even further.
The 333i has become a very collectable modern classic.
Another South African special born with racing in mind was the E30 333i, which occupies a very special place in the hearts of the brand's South African fans. The idea was pretty simple – take the compact E30 body and stuff one of the biggest BMW production engines into it. The engine was donated by the E23 7 Series, a lovely 3.2-litre straight six that delivered 145 kW. It was no “track special” though, and was officially co-developed by BMW South Africa, BMW Motorsport and Alpina. Just over 200 units of this increasingly collectable car were sold.
BMW M1
Yes, the beautiful Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed M1 has always been a very rare sight in South Africa, but as a halo vehicle I think it had considerable impact on the formative years of many a current BMW fanatic. Think of it as a South African BMW fan's unicorn… The result of a failed collaboration with Lamborghini, the M1 went on to become BMW’s first mid-engined production vehicle and used a twin-cam 3.5-litre straight six to very good effect. From a South African point of view, however, following the M1 Procar championship as opening events to Formula 1 races was probably more important – F1 was particularly popular in South Africa at that time. And an M1, co-driven by our own Eddie Keizan won the Wynn’s 1000 km at Kyalami in 1979.
Video footage from AutomobilSport magazine
BMW E28 M5
The original M5 was the fastest sedan in the world at the time of its launch.
The first M5 caused pandemonium when it was launched in South Africa in 1987. When it was introduced in Europe two years earlier, it was billed as the fastest four-door sedan in the world. It used the M88 3.5-litre straight six that developed a sizzling 210 kW at the time. With the E30 3 Series nearing the end of its model lifecycle and cars such as the 325iS and 333i having established BMW as a performance brand, the M5 arrived at a time when BMW was probably running the risk of lacking a “halo” vehicle. The M5, and in particular the exploits of Tony Viana on South African racing circuits, certainly remedied that!
BMW E36 316i
The E36 316i, arguably the origin of the compact executive segment in South Africa.
It may seem strange to have such an “entry level” vehicle in a list such as this, but the historical importance of the E36 316i (from a South African view) is perhaps still to be documented properly. In the early ‘90s it arrived with BMW brand cachet at previously unseen levels, and at the price offered technology and style that instantly found favour with upwardly mobile South Africans. It was a smash-hit success and a status symbol nationwide. It also, very possibly, single-handedly created the compact executive car segment in South Africa.
BMW E12 530 Motorsport Limited Edition
Origin of the M-car species, the South African 530 MLE.
Thus far, you’d have noticed a trend of BMW South Africa developing unique South African specials, mostly for the purpose of racing. Pre-dating the ones listed so far, but far less well-known, is the 1976 E12 530 Motorsport Limited Edition. This car is regarded widely as a predecessor even to the European M535i, which was introduced in 1979. In fact, you could argue that the 530 MLE was the very first M-car overall! The 530 MLE was jointly developed by BMW South Africa and BMW Motorsport in Germany to homologate the E12 5 Series for racing in the South African Modified Production class. It received the 3.0-litre M30 engine from the E3 sedan and E9 coupe and also a close-ratio Getrag manual transmission and Borg-Warner limited slip differential.
1991 BMW 5 Series Art Car
South African artist Ester Mahlangu's Ndebele 5 Series is one of only 15 BMW Art Cars.
The BMW Art Car series is perhaps best known for Andy Warhol’s M1, but South African Ndebele artist, Esther Mahlangu, joined an elite list of 15 artists when she was invited by BMW to paint an E34 5 Series. Esther’s car was the first to be decorated by a female artist and she took only a week to finish the project.
BMW E87 1M
A personal favourite, the fiery 1M.
Last, but not least, is the 1M. Its relevance in the greater scheme of things may be very debatable, but as I said at the start this is a very subjective list and after much rubbing of chin, I’ll put it this way; of all the BMWs I’ve driven through the years, this is the one I’ve loved most. I’m yet to form a final opinion on the new M2 which sits opposite me in the office as I type up this list, but for it to equal the memories that I hold of a few particularly entertaining blasts in the 1M, co-piloted by another name that will resonate strongly with BMW folk (Deon Joubert), the M2 will have to be achingly good.
Here’s to the next 100, BMW, and hopefully a good few more like the 1M!
Any views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Cars.co.za or its editorial content team.
