LISTEN: Renault Oroch bakkie set to take South Africa by storm

The Renault bakkie, the Oroch, has the potential to take South Africa by storm.

In this week’s Pitstop podcast, The Citizen Motoring’s Jaco van der Merwe and Charl Bosch discuss the Oroch’s local arrival. Charl had a glimpse of the bakkie during its first public appearance at the Nampo Harvest Day last week.

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With a payload of between 650 kg and 680 kg, the Oroch is set to become the sole occupant of the once flourishing “half-tonner” segment. When the Oroch is rolled out at the end of the year, the Nissan NP200 will be bidding Mzansi farewell.

For years now, the soon-to-be-discontinued NP200 had the monopoly in a once hugely popular segment. A segment that featured the Ford Bantam, Mazda Rustler, Chevrolet/Corsa Utility, VW Caddy, Nissan 1400, Fiat Strada and Proton Arena.

Unlike any of these single cab-only half-tonners, the Renault bakkie will only be offered as a double cab.

Renault bakkie to get petrol power

The Renault Oroch rides on the same platform as the Duster SUV. But instead of getting the same 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine that serves as the sole powertrain choice on the Duster range, the Oroch will be offered a 1.3 litre turbo petrol mill. The engine produces 115 kW of power and a generous 270Nm of torque.

The Renault bakkie will offer a choice of two transmissions −a CVT that will send the twist to the front wheels and a six-speed manual on the four-wheel drive model.

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Right price

Pricing might still be the Renault Oroch’s biggest trump card in South Africa. The Renault bakkie is rumoured to be offered at a starting price of between R400 000 and R450 000. The closer it can be to R400 000, or even less, the bigger chance of success it will have.

Currently, the Mahindra Bolero, JAC T6, GWM Steed 5 and Mahindra Pik Up S6 are the double cabs priced under R400 000. All of these offerings, with the exception of the JAC, are very much work-orientated bakkies.