Missed this week’s motoring news? Not to worry, here’s the breakdown of the eight things you need to know about this week in motoring …
Land Rover SA reveals SA pricing and spec for new Range Rover Sport
This week, Land Rover South Africa made the motoring news headlines, with the firm announcing pricing for the soon-to-arrive new Range Rover Sport. Priced from R2 001 200, the local line-up comprises nine variants. Five trim grades and three engine options are available. The former includes Dynamic S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography and First Edition. See full spec here.
The sole diesel engine in the line-up, the D350 model, is equipped with a 258 kW/700 Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel incorporating mild-hybrid tech. The two petrol options feature similar displacement and cylinders to the oil-burner. The P400’s unit produces 294 kW and 550 Nm. The range-topping P510e incorporates a 105 kW electric motor for a total power output of 375 kW.
New Range Rover Sport pricing:
- D350 AWD MHEV Dynamic S AT: R2 001 200
- P400 AWD MHEV Dynamic S AT: R2 001 200
- D350 AWD MHEV Dynamic SE AT: R2 062 100
- P400 AWD MHEV Dynamic SE AT: R2 062 100
- D350 AWD MHEV Dynamic HSE AT: R2 189 200
- D350 AWD MHEV Autobiography AT: R2 252 300
- D350 AWD MHEV First Edition AT: R2 281 700
- P510 AWD PHEV Autobiography AT: R2 777 000
- P510 AWD PHEV First Edition AT: R2 806 500
BMW reveals SA pricing for updated X7, new 7 Series & i7
BMW made the motoring news headlines when the local arm of the German marque released pricing for the refreshed X7, new 7 Series and first-ever i7. The firm’s flagship SUV is priced from R1 945 000 for the xDrive40d Design Pure Excellence model to R2 307 700 for the range-topping M60i xDrive with the M Sport Package Pro. (See full pricing for the revised X7 here.)
The new 7 Series is priced from R2 160 000 for the 740i Design Pure Excellence variant to R2 395 000 for the 740d xDrive M Sport Package Pro derivative. Available in only xDrive60 guise, the i7 is priced from R2 825 000 for the Design Pure Excellence model. The range-topping M Sport Package Pro variant is priced at R2 940 000. (Full pricing for the 7 Series and i7 here)
VW SA announces local spec and options for new Golf R & Tiguan R
Volkswagen South Africa made the motoring news headlines when revealing local specifications (and optional extras) for the new Golf R and the Tiguan R. As standard, the Golf R is equipped with VW’s ‘Light and Vision Package’, adaptive chassis control, and 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels. A panoramic sunroof is also included. The Golf R’s interior features Nappa leather seats, touchscreen infotainment replete with wireless app-connect and voice control, and VW’s ‘Discover Pro’ system with satellite navigation. Wireless smartphone charging is also present. (Optional extras for the Golf R here.)
The Tiguan R ships with R design bumpers and aerodynamic elements finished in high-gloss black. The side mirrors are finished in matte chrome. The wheel arches house 20-inch Misano alloy wheels.
The Tiguan R also features VW’s Lights and Vision package, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and rain sensor. A panoramic sunroof is included, as is fore and aft park distance control. The seats are upholstered in “premium” Nappa leather featuring the “R” logo. The touchscreen infotainment system features VW’s ‘Discover Pro’ software with sat-nav. Wireless app-connect is also included. (See optional extras for the Tiguan R here.)
Suzuki SA hits new all-time sales record in July 2022
Suzuki Auto South Africa made the motoring news headlines this week with the announcement that it has again bested its monthly sales record, with the local arm of the firm recording a sales figure of 4 734 vehicles in July 2022. The carmaker’s local dealer network, comprising 84 dealers, also set a new record with 3 460 vehicle sales.
Leading the way in sales, the Swift was again the automaker’s best-selling vehicle. Suzuki SA sold 1 521 units of the Swift in the seventh month of 2022. The Vitara Brezza and new Baleno registered 636 and 466 sales, respectively. A total number of 326 units of the Jimny were sold. The recently updated Ertiga found 257 homes.
Suzuki says, for the year ahead, it will further expand its dealer network to meet customer demands. The company will also introduce new variants to existing model ranges and new models.
SA’s 10 best-selling car brands in July 2022
naamsa has released the new-vehicle sales statistics for July 2022. In the seventh month of this year, the aggregate domestic new-vehicle sales amounted to 43 593 units, an increase of 10 281 new vehicles compared to July last year. Compared to June 2022, there were some changes to the list. The top four remained the same, with Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) again topping the list.
However, Nissan and Renault moved up into fifth and sixth place, respectively, with Ford falling from fifth to seventh on the list. Kia remained at eighth. Isuzu moved one position up (to ninth) and the BMW Group to 10th. Owing to the latter, Haval dropped to 11th, with the local arm of the Chinese automaker selling 1 502 units in July 2022, a mere 10 units less than the German marque.
Here’s the list of South Africa’s best-selling car manufacturers in July 2022 …
- Toyota: 7 110
- Volkswagen Group SA: 6 204
- Suzuki Auto SA: 4 734
- Hyundai Automotive SA: 2 964
- Nissan: 2 625
- Renault: 2 552
- Ford Motor Company: 2 473
- Kia SA: 2 084
- Isuzu Motors SA: 1 951
- BMW Group: 1 512
Toyota SA anticipates full production will resume at its KZN plant in September
This week, Toyota SA made the motoring news headlines, announcing that the company envisages full production – matching pre-flood levels – to be achieved at its KZN plant by September 2022.
As a reminder, plant operations were suspended on 12 April 2022 owing to the excessive damage caused by the floods at the KZN factory. However, TSAM says operations have ramped up at its manufacturing plant in Durban, with the Catalytic Converter Exhaust Export facility resuming operations on 9 May, the Hino plant on 24 May, and the Hilux and Fortuner lines on 21 July.
Corolla Cross production started last week. The firm has further announced that Corolla Quest production will resume operations during the month.
New Honda Civic launches in SA
Available in only range-topping RS trim, the Civic sedan is priced at R669 000. As standard, the new-generation model ships with Honda’s 9.0-inch infotainment system. The set-up incorporates (wireless) Apple CarPlay. Android Auto is also present. The digital instrument cluster measures 10.2 inches. A Bose sound system relays tunes over 12 speakers. In addition, the cabin features dual-zone climate control. Red ambient lighting and “sport” pedals add to its “sporty” feel.
The Civic RS is equipped with Honda’s “enhanced” 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged engine and CVT. Honda says the powertrain “rings in a major change”. The petrol unit produces 131 kW and 240 Nm, available from 6 000 r/min and 1 700 r/min, respectively. Honda claims an average fuel consumption figure of 6.2 L/100 km.
Paul Stephens reveals Porsche 993-inspired Autoart 993R
Billed as a statement to the joy of driving a 911, meet the Autoart 993R, a 993-generation Porsche Carrera 2-based recreation combining a narrow-bodied, air-cooled 993-series 911 with race-validated 993RS and modern Porsche GT-derived components, along with Paul Stephens’ proven parts.
Compared to the weight of the car it is based on (1 370 kg), the Autoart 993R weighs 1 190 kg. The engine has been enlarged from 3.6 litres to 3.8-litre capacity. It produces 246 kW (an increase of 43 kW over the standard car) and 360 Nm, available from 7 400 r/min and 5 675 r/min, respectively. Power can optionally be lifted to 268 kW.
The power increase has been achieved by not only enlarging the engine but by fitting it with a 997 GT3 crankshaft, RSR pistons, and camshafts machined to Paul Stephens’ design featuring Porsche Motorsport solid lifters. Power and torque are directed to the rear axle via a six-speed manual gearbox with a lightweight flywheel and clutch.
