Host of new vehicles and updates lined-up for 2018
A host of new vehicles are destined for the South African car market this year. Probably one of the greatest expectations is the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class bakkie.
POLOKWANE – Here is some of the new cars coming to South-Africa’s shores soon. Some already have price indications and vehicle specifications, whilst other vehicle’s prices and spec’s will be made available closer to the launch dates set by the manufacturer.
Mini slightly refreshes its hatch and convertible models:
Mini has revealed minor styling and equipment updates for its three- and five-door hatchbacks as well as its convertible.
The refreshed models are expected to arrive in South Africa in the second quarter of 2018, with local pricing and specifications to be revealed closer to the launch date.
The BMW-backed automaker says the update includes “a stylishly refined visual appearance and extensive technological advancements”, along with additional customisation options.
New BMW X2 on the way to South Africa:
Back in October, BMW pulled the wraps off its new X2, which is due to launch in South Africa in the first quarter of 2018.
The local X2 range will comprise of two powertrains, namely the sDrive20i and xDrive20d, each with the choice of M Sport and M Sport X trim.
The former starts at R644 252 in the M Sport trim and R673 952 for the M Sport X trim version. BMW’s two-litre turbo petrol produces 141kW and 280Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed Steptronic transmission. The X2 sDrive20i sprints from standstill to 100km/h in a claimed 7,7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 227 km/h.
The X2 xDrive20d will sell for around R694 154 for the M Sport derivative and R723 854 for the M Sport X model. This 2,0-litre turbodiesel delivers 140kW and 400Nm of torque, which is directed to all four wheels.
Pricing:
• BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport – R644 252
• BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport X – R673 952
• BMW X2 xDrive20d M Sport – R694 154
• BMW X2 xDrive20d M Sport X – R723 854.
How much the new Lamborghini Urus will cost to South Africans:
Early in December 2017, Lamborghini officially unveiled its new Urus, billing the newcomer as “the world’s first super SUV”. And it is coming to South Africa for sure.
Due to hit the market in South Africa in the third quarter of 2018, the new Urus will be priced from R3 305 000.
The options list, however, will be extensive, running from metallic paint (with the choice of ten colours, in addition to the three solid hues on offer) for R49 905 to an array of uprated alloy wheels (the most expensive being 22-inch items for an extra R105 354).
Running on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform (and therefore sharing its underpinnings with the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne, as well as with the new upcoming VW Touareg), the Urus is powered by a version of the VW Group’s twin-turbo four-litre V8 petrol engine.
The eight-cylinder engine sends 478kW at 6 000rpm and 850Nm from between 2 250 to 4 500rpm to all four wheels using a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Lamborghini states this SUV can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 3,6 seconds and complete the 0-200 km/h sprint in 12,8 seconds with a top end speed of 305km/h.
Six driving modes will be available, from a dedicated off-road setting to a full-on track set-up.
New Nissan Patrol at long last heading for South African shores:
The sixth-generation Nissan Patrol is finally on its way to South Africa, nearly eight years after it was first revealed.
While much of the rest of the world moved over to this model from around 2010, South Africa along with a couple of other markets has continued to receive the fifth-generation model for the past nearly eight years, with Nissan South Africa pitting it against Toyota’s Land Cruiser 70 Series.
But now the latest version of this off-road-capable, seven-seater SUV, which in fact shares much with the Infiniti QX80, is surely destined for South Africa. And at R1 299 000, it’s considerably pricier than the version it replaces, with the outgoing 3,0 TD GL derivative having started at R714 900 and the petrol-powered 4,8 GRX variant at R826 900.
The new Patrol will be offered in the 5,6 litre V8 LE 4WD 7AT guise only, with Nissan’s so-called “Intelligent Around View Monitor” and various other driver assistance systems, such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control offered as standard. Further there are hydraulic body motion control suspension, an eight-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation and a pair of second-row entertainment screens complete with headphones and remote control.
The 5,6-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol produces 298kW and 560Nm and is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Patrol will be covered by a six-year or 150 000km warranty, while a three-year or 90 000km service plan with intervals of 15 000 km is also offered as standard.
Three-row, seven-seater Lexus RXL revealed:
The new three-row RXL from Lexus is destined to arrive in South Africa in 2018.
The Japanese firm bills the new RXL as a luxury crossover with the choice of either a six- or seven-seat configuration.
Based on the existing two-row RX, Lexus has extended the body length by 110mm in order to make extra room for the third row. A steeper tailgate window angle has also been incorporated, and is said to offer improved headroom for the third-row passengers.
The power-folding third-row bench and electric tailgate are both standard features on RXL derivatives. Other items of standard equipment include a tri-zone climate control system, an eight-inch infotainment screen and a nine-speaker audio system. An optional navigation package includes a stereo upgrade to 12 speakers with a larger 12,3-inch high-resolution split-screen display. An 835-watt, 15-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround System can also be fitted as an upgrade.
The RXL is offered as a petrol-powered RX350L with a 221kW naturally aspirated 3,5-litre V6 unit, as well as a hybrid RX450hL with a V6 and an electric motor with a 37kW Ni-MH battery power. The result of this engine and battery powered combination is 230kW and an improved claimed fuel consumption figure.
BMW I8 Roadster revealed alongside updated Coupé:
BMW’s new i8 Roadster as well as the updated i8 Coupé are expected to arrive in South Africa in the second half of 2018.
The plug-in hybrid models features further developed eDrive technology, which BMW says has enabled a longer range and more time in pure-electric mode.
The new BMW i8 Roadster features model-specific body strengthening elements, with the windscreen frame fashioned from carbon-fibre reinforced-plastic. BMW says the soft-top model is approximately 60kg heavier than the Coupé. The Roadster benefits from model-specific tuning for the springs, damping and dynamic stability control system.
The automaker says the electric roof is capable of opening in 15 seconds while travelling at up to 50km/h.
Interestingly, the cell capacity of the lithium-ion battery used in both models has been increased from 20 to 34 Ah, while gross energy capacity is up from 7,1 to 11,6 kWh. The electric motor’s maximum output, meanwhile, has hiked by nine units to 105kW, taking the engine’s peak output from 266kW to 275kW. The 1,5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine has an unchanged output of 170kW.
Driving with the electric motor alone is possible at up to 105 km/h, previously limited to 70km/h, while pressing the eDrive button pushes the pure-electric driving threshold up to 120km/h.
The i8 Roadster’s electric range is a claimed 53km and its overall consumption 2,1l per 100km while the coupé comes in at 55km and a usage of 1,9l per 100km.
Volvo SA confirms new XC40 for local shores:
The new Volvo XC40 is expected to be launched in South Africa in April, and the local arm of the Swedish automaker has just revealed indicative pricing for its fresh-faced baby crossover.
Volvo Car South Africa says the XC40 will launch locally in D4 diesel or T5 petrol guises, with the choice of R-Design and Momentum trim levels. All the models will come standard with all-wheel drive.
More derivatives are scheduled to arrive during the course of the year along with a broader engine line-up including the D3 diesel as well as the T3 and T4 petrol units, along with the option of front-wheel drive on some models.
Volvo Car SA says the new XC40 will retail from about R500 000 to around the mid-R600 000 price range.
New Nissan Micra confirmed for South Africa:
Ever since the fifth-generation Nissan Micra was officially revealed at the Paris Motor Show way back in September 2016, South Africans have been wondering when the new B-segment hatch would hit local shores.
Nissan South Africa has confirmed that the new Micra is scheduled to launch locally in the early part of 2018 or rather the first or second quarter of this year.
The latest Micra can be specified with one of three engines, a 52kW 1,0-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 66kW 0,9-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a 66kW 1,5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant. All models are paired to a five-speed manual transmission as standard. The local specifications and engine options have yet to be confirmed.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class double-cab bakkie coming for certain:
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class double-cab bakkie has been officially revealed at a special global event in Cape Town, South Africa.
Billed as the first pickup from a premium manufacturer, the Stuttgart automaker says the new X-Class, which will be built on the Navara platform thanks to the Renault-Nissan Alliance, unites the typical characteristics of a bakkie with the classical strengths of a real Mercedes.
Sales will start in South Africa at the beginning of 2018, most likely the second quarter for South Africa. Argentina and Brazil, meanwhile, will have to wait until the start of 2019 for their first examples to arrive. South Africa, for the record, will source its units from the Nissan plant in Barcelona.
Three design and equipment variants will make up the range, namely the basic Pure model will be positioned for robust use; the Progressive derivative for higher requirements in terms of quality feel and comfort and the Power model will be billed as the high-end variant for urban lifestyles.
The X-Class will be offered in nine exterior colours with a variety of 17-, 18- and 19-inch rims across the three design and equipment lines.
Two common-rail turbodiesel engines will be available locally, both offered with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Shared with the Navara, the single-turbo 2,3-litre in the X220d connected to a six-speed manual delivers 120kW and 403Nm, while the bi-turbo version under the bonnet of the X250d produce 140kW and 450Nm which can be specified with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The flagship V6 diesel, however, will be released in mid-2018, and will come standard with permanent 4Matic all-wheel drive and the seven-speed gearbox with shift paddles and a start and stop function. The six-cylinder engine in the X350d will kick out 190kW and 550Nm.
Available safety features will include seven airbags, active brake assist, lane keeping assist, trailer stability assist, tyre-pressure monitoring and a 360-degree camera.
South Africans have to wait a while yet for the official answer, with Mercedes-Benz South Africa expected to release pricing closer to the local launch next year.
