Cars we’re expecting to see in 2021

The year 2021 has begun and while we are still battling the pandemic, we are also expecting some interesting cars to launch in Mzansi. 

Most manufacturers will have a busy year so it seems and I have put together some of the cars that I am looking forward to.

Volkswagen 

Possibly the most anticipated vehicle this year because South Africans love the Volkswagen Golf. Volkswagen will launch the 8th instalment of its Golf in the first quarter of 2021.  The GTI variant with its 180kW/370Nm 2.0-litre TSI engine is slated to join the range in the 2nd quarter of the year. 

The R version is slated to launch in the last quarter of the year. 

BMW 

Forget about the oversized kidney grille, BMW will launch BMW its brutal M3 and M4 models in the first half of 2021.  Having had the chance to sample the new BMW M440i xDrive, I am sure these high-end products will sure put a smile on my face.

They will be powered by 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engines in 2 states of tune, 353 kW and 375 kW in Competition trim. 

Also, I am looking forward to the 128ti model that will be the Golf GTI rival.  

Toyota

 I have had the opportunity to sample the Toyota Yaris GRMN a few years back and I was impressed with a lot of things. Sadly, it never went on sale in South Africa.  However, Toyota South Africa will be bringing the full-blown GR Yaris to our shores in the middle of 2021. 

The GR Yaris spawns a 1.6-litre 3–cylinder turbocharged engine with up to 192 kW of power and 360 Nm. According to Toyota, the 200kW/370Nm version will be the one that will be making its way to Mzansi in limited numbers, though.

It will be good to see how it flares up with other hot hatches. 

Mazda 

The bakkie segment is one competitive one and the folks at Mazda are scheduled to introduce their new BT-50 bakkie in the second half of 2020. 

This will be interesting to witness how it performs against key competitors such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok and Isuzu D-Max. 

Audi 

The Ingolstadt-based carmaker seems to have a busy year ahead and I am looking forward to the RS Q8 model in the first quarter of 2021.  In the third quarter, I am looking forward to the all-new A3/S3 to shake up the hatch segment.