Why Mazda MX-5 Was Crowned 2016 WCOTY

We were a trifle surprised when the Mazda MX-5 was named the 2016 World Car of the Year. The elemental sportscar pipped the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC to the title and although we applaud the Mazda’s achievement, the result suggests most jurors voted with their hearts!   

The MX-5 was chosen from an initial entry list of 23 cars (eligible vehicles had to be launched and available for sale on at least two continents between 1 January 2015 and 31 May 2016), then a short list of ten, then three finalists, of which the other two were the highly-regarded A4 Sedan/A4 Avant and the stylish GLC premium leisure vehicle.

This year, vehicles were selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 73 top-level automotive journalists from 23 countries around the world, including Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager Hannes Oosthuizen and Cars.co.za Content Manager Mike Fourie, who were the two South African representatives.

International accounting firm KPMG audited the jurors’ ballots. 

"The Mazda's win is quite a surprise given the history of the competition. My money was on the Audi A4. I personally think the MX-5 should have been in the Performance Car category," said Oosthuizen.

To illustrate his point, previous World Car of the Year winners were the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2015), Audi A3 (2014), VW Golf (2013), VW Up! (2012), Nissan Leaf (2011), VW Polo (2010), VW Golf (2009), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3-Series (2006) and Audi A6 (2005). 

That list contains one winner that won the title because of its significance, and that’s the Leaf – the first compact hatchback electric vehicle (EV) to be offered for sale worldwide. The rest of the WCOTY winners, with the exception of the Lexus, were accomplished volume-selling models, most of which remain relevant to a significant percentage of the new vehicle market.

The World Car Awards press release stated the following: “With the launch of its all-new MX-5, Mazda has thrown out the blueprint and gone back to basics. Shorter, lower, wider and – most importantly – lighter, the new MX-5 comes with a choice of either 1.5 or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines and the promise of unparalleled ‘Jinba ittai’ – a term meaning oneness between car and driver. And yes, it’s still one of the best driver’s cars around.” 

World Car of the Year voting results:

VEHICLE Occupant
(Comfort)		 Perform. Value Safety Environment Market
Significance		 Emotional
Appeal		 Weighted Score
Audi A4 Sedan / Audi A4 Avant 8.1 7.7 6.9 8.3 7.2 7.4 6.9 750
BMW X1 7.1 6.9 6.5 7.8 7.1 7.0 6.6 692
Hyundai Tucson 6.7 6.1 7.8 7.1 6.4 6.8 6.1 680
Jaguar XE 7.2 7.9 6.7 7.5 6.7 7.0 7.9 721
Land Rover Discovery Sport 7.4 7.0 6.7 7.6 6.2 7.0 7.5 707
Mazda CX-3 6.4 6.5 7.3 7.0 7.3 7.0 7.0 685
Mazda MX-5 6.9 8.3 8.1 6.6 7.3 7.3 9.0 764
Mercedes-Benz GLC 8.1 7.6 7.0 8.5 7.0 7.4 7.8 758
Skoda Superb 7.8 7.1 8.1 7.7 7.1 6.8 6.5 738
Toyota Prius 6.8 6.0 7.2 7.3 9.2 7.9 5.6 701

"The results show that our fellow jurors scored the Mazda the highest in terms of Performance and Environment (economy), but the MX-5's advantages in those categories are not really of significance," said Fourie. "Achieving an average score of 9/10 for emotional appeal and 8.1/10 for value for money ultimately sealed the victory for the Hiroshima-made roadster."

"The win for the MX-5 sends a clear message from the world's motoring media: 'We appreciate vehicles that are fit for purpose, capture the imagination of motoring enthusiasts and deliver driving enjoyment at affordable prices.' 

"But, regrettably, the Mazda's win is not of much consequence to the buying public. Although the manufacturer has produced almost a million MX-5s, stock availability of the current model is an issue in some markets (including ours) and the roadster has very a narrow target market. Its compromised packaging rules out a number of buyers, not least the taller ones among us.

"Nevertheless, the MX-5's win is momentous in that a Japanese carmaker has snapped the European marques' 5-year stranglehold on the WCOTY title. Mazda's a small company that's on the up and thriving in South Africa," Fourie concluded.

Meanwhile, the roadster reaped another World Car Awards trophy in New York: it beat its sibling, the CX-3 small crossover and the Jaguar XE compact executive sedan to the World Car Design of the Year title.   

"We included the MX-5 as a finalist in the design category for the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, too. It's refreshing to see such a focused design devoid of frills," said Oosthuizen.

Other category winners in the 2016 World Car Awards are: BMW 7 Series won the World Luxury Car of the Year award ahead of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, the Audi R8 was named the World Sportscar of the Year (at the cost of the Honda Civic Type R and Mercedes-AMG C63 S) and the World Green Car of the Year is the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai. 

Click here to read our review of the award-winning Mazda MX-5

Interested in buying an MX-5? Search for one on Cars.co.za

Watch Cars.co.za's David Taylor demonstrate how the MX-5's soft-top works:
 

 

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BMW succeeds Benz as World Luxury Car of the Year

Mercedes-Benz has locked out the World Luxury Car title since it became a standalone category in the World Car Awards in 2014. However, on the 2016 honours list, the BMW 7 Series takes pride of place.

At a World Cars Awards press conference hosted by the New York Show for the 10th consecutive year, the Mazda MX-5 was declared the 2016 World Car of the Year, but significantly, the BMW 7 Series succeeded last year’s winner in the World Luxury Car of the Year category: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and its predecessor, the S-Class (in 2014).

The BMW flagship, which was recently introduced in the South African market, was selected ahead of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 (click here to read a comparative review) in this category by an international jury panel comprised of 73 top-level automotive journalists from 23 countries around the world, including Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager Hannes Oosthuizen and Cars.co.za Content Manager Mike Fourie, who were the two South African representatives.

The World Car Awards press release stated the following: “It (the 7 Series) has sporty driving dynamics that its rivals in the segment cannot claim as their USP and as well as 25 new features, of which 13 are segment firsts! Inside the cabin, BMW has taken things up a notch on luxury, pampering the owner with very comfortable seating and loads of entertainment. The 7 Series brings in new features like the ambient ‘sky lounge’ sunroof, ambient air package and the all-new gesture control.”

BMW has a more-than-respectable record in the World Car Awards programme, but it can be argued that the 7 Series’ 2016 accolade is the most prestigious since the 3 Series won the overall World Car of the Year title in 2006. The i8 and i3 were named the World Green Car of the Year in 2015 and 2014 respectively (when the latter also won the World Car Design of the Year title). More recently, the i3 EV/EV with range extender received the Design of the Year and Game changer of the Year awards in the inaugural Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, which were announced in January 2016.

2016 World Luxury Car voting results:

VEHICLE Occupant
(Comfort)		 Perform. Value Safety Environment
(Efficiency)		 Market
Significance		 Emotional
Appeal		 Weighted
Score
Audi Q7 8.5 8.0 7.2 8.3 6.8 7.6 7.0 785
BMW 7 Series 8.8 8.5 7.1 8.8 7.3 7.6 7.6 815
Jaguar XF 7.4 8.0 7.1 7.7 6.8 6.8 7.6 743
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe 7.6 7.7 6.5 8.2 6.7 6.6 7.3 735
Volvo XC90 8.6 7.3 7.7 9.1 7.8 7.7 7.9 804

"The segment we refer to as "First Class" cars in the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards is increasingly defined by how many onboard conveniences and always-connected technology features manufacturers can squeeze into their flagships saloons, so much so that it parallels the intense battle for supremacy between smartphone manufacturers," said Fourie. "For now, the 7 Series takes the lead in that regard, but the relentless progress of technology means it won't rule the roost for long."

"What's most impressive about the BMW is that it strikes a near-perfect balance between cosseting luxury and an involving driving experience, more so than any of its predecessors and, arguably, its current rivals," he concluded. 

Read a Cars.co.za review of the BMW 740i (2016)

Interested in buying a new/used BMW 7 Series? Search for one on Cars.co.za

Watch a video that demonstrates the functions of the 7 Series' Smart Key:

 

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on

 

Watch a video that demonstrates the integrated touchpad in the 7 Series' rear console:

 

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Brace Yourself For Massive Petrol Price Increase in April 2016

It's not looking good for the South African motorist in the next few weeks: an increase in the government's fuel levy and the rising cost of oil will push up the fuel price

We've become accustomed to the monthly announcement of petrol price increases, but April 2016 looks to be one of the worst yet. The Automobile Association (AA) was one source quoted as saying that motorists must prepare themselves for an increase of between 31 and 35 cents per litre for petrol and 60 cents per litre for diesel in April 2016.

The AA said that the increase was due to the international price of oil gaining strength after months of all-time lows. At one stage, a barrel of crude was cheaper than the value of the barrel itself. The plummeting price put many oil-exporting countries on the verge of a financial crisis, but that seems to have abated. 

Locally, the Rand's exchange rate, which took a battering since late last year, has thankfully stabilised. Unfortunately, the effect of the consistent currency has now been undone by the rising international oil price.

What's more, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced a 30 cents a litre hike in the fuel levy back in February. This levy comes into effect in April 2016, putting the motorist under serious pressure. The Institute of Race Relations chief economist Ian Cruickshanks predicted "motorists (will pay) between 70c/l and 80c/l more for fuel." 

How does this affect you?

We compared three popular vehicles on sale in South Africa in terms of how much it will cost to fill up their tanks before the fuel increase. Remember that the diesel price here is wholesale, and you'd be better off shopping around for the best price when it comes to diesel. Early estimates suggest that you'll be paying well over R500 to fill up the Polo, R800 for the BMW and the R1 000 barrier will be breached when you fill up a Toyota Hilux.

  Volkswagen Polo Vivo BMW 320i Toyota Hilux 
Tank Capacity 40 litres 60 litres 80 litres
Claimed L/100km 6.2 (petrol) 5.3 (petrol) 8.5 (diesel)
Unleaded 93 Current cost to fill
Coastal vs Inland		 R473.60 R483.20 R710.40 R724.80 R846.40
Diesel 50ppm		 R872.00
Diesel 50ppm
Unleaded 95 Current cost to fill
Coastal vs Inland		 R478.40 R495.60 R717.60 R743.40 R841.60
Diesel
500ppm		 R868.00
Diesel
500ppm

You can save fuel by driving more efficiently. See how to be more economical here.

Or, you can purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle. See which vehicles are the most economical to run here.

Fuel price breakdown – what you need to know

 

The Weird and Wonderful of the New York auto show

There seems to be no better place to introduce crazy, wacky and beautiful automotive designs than at a motor show. This year’s New York Auto Show seems to be no exception…

We take a look at some of the best (and worst) to bow in at the 2016 show.

Mazda MX-5 RF

RF stands for retractable fastback. It’s a Mazda MX-5 with a folding hardtop, except the hardtop folds in a similar way to a Ferrari, McLaren or Porsche. That means the roof doesn’t intrude on luggage space and its profile is no different to that of any classic long-bonnet sportscar. Read more

Look for new/used MX-5s on our site

Lincoln Navigator Concept

If it’s in-your-face appeal you’re looking for, then this SUV hits the spot. It’s not bound for SA, but with huge gullwing doors, it makes one hell of an entrance.

Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet

The range expansion of the C-Class continues. The Cabriolet is the latest spinoff of the C-Class sedan and tuning division AMG wasted no time whatsoever to wedge a 4.0-litre V8 inside the newcomer. Now you get to hear its awe-inspiring exhaust note in all its glory.

Mercedes-AMG C63s are in stock, check out local stock here

Koenigsegg Regara

This hybrid Regara produces 1120 kW/2000 Nm and its main objective is to tame Bugattis and set world speed records. There are three powerful batteries that help propel the Regara from zero to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds and 0-300 kph takes just 10.9 seconds. Read more

Cenntro Metro EV

Fancy a short, battery-powered delivery van or flatbed? The US-designed (and built) the Metro has a payload similar to a small bakkie (635 kg). It claims a range of 120 km per charge and a less-than-mesmerising top speed of 40 kph.

Audi R8 Spyder

The Audi 5.2-litre V10 engine has one of the sweetest exhaust notes you’re ever likely to hear. Now, a lack of a roof will give your ears unadulterated pleasure as you howl along the coastline in this topless supercar.

Looking for a new/used Audi R8? Search for one on Cars.co,za

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

The Trailhawk badge symbolises off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk comes with longer suspension travel, better approach and departure angles and proper off-road tyres.

View Jeep Cherokee new/used models in stock

Genesis Hybrid Sports Concept

Genesis is the new premium arm of Hyundai and the production version of the petrol-electric Sports Concept will ostensibly take on the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class, Audi’s A4 and BMW’s 3 Series when it comes to fruition. It looks unique and quite sexy – if you ask us.

2016 Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series – In-Depth Review & Comparison (Video)

It’s exciting to review niche cars like the Ford Mustang, but in-depth reviews of cars that are of major interest to consumers are vitally important. The (new) Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series sell in great numbers and are arch-rivals.   

Both of the cars featured here (Audi A4 2.0TFSI Sport line and BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport auto) are hugely popular derivatives of each model. They feature 2.0-litre engines, are fitted with their respective manufacturers' sport line kits fitted and both are white. So, which one should you buy?

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Interested in buying a new Audi A4? Find one here

Interested in buying a new BMW 3 Series? Find one here

Interested in buying a used Audi A4? Find one on Cars.co.za

Interested in buying a used BMW 3 Series? Find on Cars.co.za

View a detailed comparative spec sheet of the Audi A4 2.0TFSI Sport line vs BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport auto

Read our first test drive review of the 2016 Audi A4

Read our first test drive review of the 2015 BMW 3 Series

SA’s Five Fastest-Accelerating Compact Hatchbacks

It’s always nice to know that if you need to take a gap in the traffic or get somewhere in a hurry, your set of wheels can get a move on with as little as a flex of your right foot. Not many of us have the budget to splurge on a sportscar, but there are still some reasonably nippy hatches out there that will do the job with aplomb.

A compact car (as categorised in our Cars.co.za Consumer Awards) is a hatchback with a price tag that shouldn’t exceed R250k. We’ll stick to that number and see which manufacturers have put a slight bias on performance. Here’s what rose to the top in terms of 0-100 kph times:

1. Mazda2 1.5

The sporty small hatchback proves that Mazda is trying to make a name for itself as a dynamic, sporty carmaker. The Mazda2 is its entry-level model and apart from some odd local specification choices, makes an excellent driver’s hatchback. Mazda claims the tiny 2 will accelerate from 0-100 kph in 8.7 seconds. Read More

Watch our Mazda2 Buying Advice video here

Interested in buying a new/used Mazda2? Search for one on Cars.co.za

2. Renault Clio 88 kW Turbo Auto

Much to our delight, Renault finally added more power to the Clio. This derivative only comes with a dual-clutch auto box, which is handy when you're stuck in traffic, but won't entertain driving enthusiasts as much as a manual gearbox. Nonetheless, the 88 kW 1.2-litre turbo engine propels the Clio from zero to 100 kph in 9.4 seconds, which is exactly the same as the Fiesta 1.0T. Read More

Interested in buying a new/used Renault Clio? Find one on Cars.co.za

3. Ford Fiesta 1.0T

Ford’s Engine of the Year does does duty in many of its models: you'll find it in this Fiesta, the Ecosport SUV and the new Focus. It comes with either a manual or automatic gearbox and, with 92 kW on tap, it is the most powerful car on the list. It also takes 9.4 seconds to reach 100 kph.

Watch the Ford Fiesta ST take on the VW Polo GTI in a track battle here

Search for a Ford Fiesta offered for sale on Cars.co.za

4. Opel Adam 1.0T

Opel joined the gang of 1.0-litre turbo engines at the end of 2014 with this Adam. We think it’s the most refined of all the engines in that range. It propels the Adam from zero to 100 kph in 9.9 seconds with a manual six-speed gearbox and 85 kW of power.

Want to know more about the Opel Adam? Watch this

Interested in buying an Opel Adam? Search for one on Cars.co.za

5. Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI

Volkswagen’s newest addition to the Polo range squeaks in under the R250 000 barrier. The 1.0 TSI is a Bluemotion badged car, meaning its primary focus is on fuel economy gains. It’s still reasonably quick though with a 0-100 kph time of 10.5 seconds – it is, strangely, faster than the 1.2 TSI Polo. Read more

Interested in buying a new/used Volkswagen Polo? Search for one on Cars.co.za

BMW 740i (2016) Review

Previous incarnations of the BMW 7 Series offered a blend of power and luxury while delivering on the brand's marketing promise of "sheer driving pleasure". But times change and, with the new model, the emphasis appears to rest heavily on innovative technologies. Is the 7 Series still a "driver's limousine" or has it become a cocooned shuttle for the wealthy?

We like: New tech and gadgets, ride/handling balance, interior finishes

We don’t like: Unimaginative exterior design, tight rear legroom 

Also Consider: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Lexus LS

Key features: 

  • Its bodyshell consists of aluminium, steel and lightweight Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic, making the car 130 kg lighter than its predecessor.
  • The adaptive suspension offers a wider scope of operating parameters – with extra comfortable- and extra sporty driving modes.
  • The latest generation of laser lighting technology allows the BMW to project its high-beam up to 600 metres up the road.
  • You can control infotainment functions by hand gestures and adjust a multitude other functions via a removable tablet in the rear console.

Read about the tech in the new 7 Series here

How does it fare in terms of?

Luxury appointments

Only the best will do in this segment and BMW appears to have brought its A game. All the interior surfaces are beautiful to behold and feel substantial (dare we say, expensive?) to touch. The mixture of metallic and organic materials is harmonious and the (more) digitised instrument cluster and air-conditioning controls make the cabin look less cluttered. All seats can be heated or cooled and are electrically adjustable with a massage function. The rear legroom isn’t as capacious as you’d expect, but the Executive Lounge Seating option does afford rear passengers leg rests and the ability to recline their backrests. There’s a level of quality inside the cabin that's hard to fault. There are 12 colours to choose from for the cabin's mood lighting (as well as the strips of LEDs strategically placed in the dashboard) and that level of user individualisation adds an um, light touch, to what is otherwise a very buttoned-up interior.

The tech game

In terms of the state of the art of contemporary grand saloons, BMW has taken the lead in this department. The gesture control is more than just a fun gimmick and once you know it’s there you tend to use it for turning down the volume or moving the camera angle around (when parking) quite intuitively.

What's more, the voice recognition system is really effective. Say an address like “31 Marine Drive, Camps Bay”, for example, and the system will immediately begin the route navigation; it doesn't ask "Did you mean…" questions to clarify the command. We believe it to be the best system of its kind.  

 

The feature that gets the most attention, however, is the smart key fob. With its touchscreen and swipe functionality, it's like a tiny smartphone. You can set the interior fan to activate at a set time or start it remotely (just make sure you occasionally charge the key via the wireless charging dock in the centre console). In Europe, owners can even park the car by using the key fob, but that functionality hasn't been introduced in South Africa just yet.

Furthermore, the rear centre console houses an optional removable tablet. The tablet allows rear passengers to connect to the vehicle's systems and adjust lighting, air-conditioning and even the navigation settings. It also acts as a games device, video/audio player or a web browser. It uses the car's WiFi hotspot to connect to the 'net and you can choose to play media files on the larger rear entertainment screens if you so wish.

Eminently smooth performer

The 740i is powered by a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbopetrol that produces peak outputs of 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque. Thanks to its relatively low kerb weight (only around 1.8 tonnes), the 7 Series doesn't feel too weighty for its powerplant to handle. Power and torque are delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed transmission that shifts gears almost imperceptibly. While the saloon wafts along, the cabin is near silent apart from a slight flutter from the wing mirrors at around 120 kph; therefore, one could expect that the 740i will remain utterly composed even when (legally) travelling at 200 kph on an autobahn.

Ride comfort/handling balance

Most first class cars have adaptive suspensions, but the 7 Series' system is particularly versatile. It can deliver a multitude of ride qualities, to cater for everything from a supremely comfortable, blissfully insulated cruise to a hunkered down, road-gripping and white-knuckled blast up your favourite twisty road. Due to, inter alia, the weight-loss measures introduced in the 7 Series, the 740i feels like a much smaller car (in terms of dynamics) from behind its steering wheel. It’s remarkably agile and feels as wieldy as a 5 Series through the bends, but with far more sophisticated damping. Much of the smart handling comes from the new chassis control system that reduces body roll and makes small adjustments for bumps and fluctuations in the road surface.

Ministerial appeal

The 7 Series continues to be quite understated in its appearance, perhaps more so than ever before. By comparison, the S-Class looks statelier and is easier to spot in your rear-view mirror. That said, if you’re not trying to make a statement about your wealth, the 7 Series ticks the right box.

Verdict

The 7 Series fires strongest on two fronts: its sizeable cache of technological features and handling dynamics. In a market segment where optimal device integration and constant connectedness are paramount, the BMW outdoes its rivals. A purely gadget-minded buyer will revel in using features such as the Smart key and gesture control, while an owner who wants to be at the helm of their saloon as often as possible will enjoy exploring the multiple suspension modes to make every driving experience memorable. It’s very capable of doing those things, but the Seven is still essentially a limousine and a display of status and sophistication. In that department, the 7 Series is perhaps too understated for its own good; it doesn't exude an aura quite in the way the S-Class does.

BMW 740i price in South Africa

A standard 740i costs R1 339 000. As specified, this 740i M Sport model costs R1 754 738, which includes a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Compare the 7 Series with the Lexus LS and Merc S-Class here

Interested in buying a new/used BMW 7 Series? Search for one on Cars.co.za

Facelifted Chevrolet Trailblazer – in SA before 2017!

The low-key Bangkok Auto Show has shown a number of vehicles, including this facelifted Chevrolet Trailblazer. While Asian and Australian media are calling it the new Holden Colorado, there's no mistaking these lines for anything other than General Motors SA's biggest SUV.

What you see here is the 2016 Chevrolet Trailblazer Premier, a near-production concept. While its ultimate execution is meant to grab as much attention as it can, the photos do reveal that the Trailblazer's exterior design has been substantially reworked. The current model isn't exactly a bad-looking vehicle, but this new look incorporates a plethora of premium design cues that will bring the Chevrolet's look in line with the beefed up appearances of the new Ford Everest and soon-to-be-launched Toyota Fortuner. 

In terms of engines, you can expect the current engine line-up to be carried over. There's a 2.5-litre Duramax diesel, a 2.8-litre Duramax diesel and a brawny 3.6-litre V6 petrol motor. The petrol motor will not be offered in the South African market, however. 

The big changes are not just to the exterior though, as the cabin gets an all-new dashboard look. MyLink infotainment system is retained, but this is the new version which supports Apple CarPlay. There are more splashes of chrome and the instrument cluster has received a makeover. There's a two-tone colour scheme too… could that make it into production? 

New Chevrolet Trailblazer in South Africa

At the time of writing, a General Motors source said a facelifted version of the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be arriving on our shores before the end of 2016.

Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 4×4 LTZ Automatic Review

Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.5 4×2 Review

Mazda MX-5 RF Announced

Mazda has added another version of the MX-5 to its arsenal. This is the RF – essentially the same vehicle, but with a folding metal roof. 

The Mazda MX-5 is an award-winning vehicle, both here in South Africa as well as the rest of the world. It's refreshingly simple, enjoyable car to drive and offers the most affordable convertible experience in South Africa. The range currently consists of only one model: a 2.0-litre manual with a manually-operated fabric roof. Mazda has just announced the MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) – its roof operates electrically and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 10 kph. Rather pull over to be safe…

This new model comes with some new styling cues to accommodate the electronically-operated roof and features a new metallic paint finish known as Machine Grey. The vehicle will be available with either the 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre motor. At this stage, Mazda South Africa has not confirmed the availability of the Mazda MX-5 RF.

We think that, if it is at all possible, Mazda should bring in the 1.5-litre-equipped MX-5 to further broaden the appeal of a delightfully simple and fun sportscar as well as this new RF model. Also, purists may frown upon Mazda's decision to add more weight to the MX-5, even though this latest model is significantly lighter than its hard-top predecessor.

Read a review of the Mazda MX-5 here.

Watch this video to see how the Mazda MX-5 RF roof operates

 

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe debuts

After months of teasing, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has officially been revealed in New York. It will be available in South Africa before the end of 2016…

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe concept wowed the crowds at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show and after months of speculation, during which numerous spy photographs of partially-disguised versions popped up on the 'web, we've finally been presented with the real thing. 

"The GLC Coupé reflects our iconic Mercedes-Benz coupé design while symbolising the bipolarity of our brand – it is 'hot and cool'," says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG. "With its design idiom of sensual purity, it perfectly embodies our styling philosophy while at the same time representing contemporary luxury."

The new Mercedes GLC Coupe line-up will comprise a total of eight derivatives, with four turbodiesel and four turbopetrol engines to choose from. There'll also be a plug-in hybrid as well as a powerful Mercedes-AMG model. At this stage, we're not sure if the hybrid model will make it to South Africa, however Mercedes-Benz South Africa has confirmed that the GLC Coupe will become locally available in November 2016. 

Compared with its GLC sibling, the Coupe is aimed at the younger market and features sports suspension as well as more direct sports steering as standard. In terms of trim levels, customers can choose between AMG Line Interior and Exterior, Exclusive Interior and Night packages. 

The Coupe will feature an all-wheel drive configuration, a variety of driving modes (through the Drive Select system), as well as Mercedes-Benz's new nine-speed automatic transmission. If you peer down the GLC Coupe's options list, you'll find two continuously adjustable-damping suspension systems on offer, namely Dynamic Body Control (with steel springing) and the familiar Air Body Control multi-chamber air damping option. 

The new Mercedes GLC Coupe comes with many safety features such as Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Crosswind Assist, Headlamp Assist, Attention Assist and ESP with Dynamic Cornering Assist. Comfort and safety can be expanded by specifying additional driver assistance systems. 

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe video

Interested in buying a Mercedes-Benz GLC? Search for a new/used on Cars.co.za

Click here to search for a new/used Mercedes-Benz on Cars