Missed this week’s motoring news? Not to worry, here’s the recap of what you need to know about the past week in motoring …
Volkswagen Golf GTI Jacara Edition introduced to SA
This week, Volkswagen South Africa made the local motoring news headlines with not only the SA arrival of the new Golf R and the first-ever R-Badged Tiguan… This week, the local arm of the German marque introduced the Golf GTI Jacara Edition to its line-up. Priced at R16 700 less than the standard GTI (watch our video review here), the newcomer is priced at R716 500. So, what sets the Jacara Edition apart from its stablemate? Well, the only difference is that the Jacara Edition ditches its sibling’s ‘Vienna’ leather-trimmed seats (owing to supply shortages) for ‘Jacara’ fabric in a check motif. Apart from the change in upholstery, the specification remains the same.
As a reminder, the Golf GTI is equipped with VW’s 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 180 kW and 370 kW, available from 5 000 r/min and a lowly 1 600 r/min, respectively. The four-cylinder unit is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Wolfsburg-based brand claims the front-wheel-drive hot hatch sprints to the three-figure marker from a standstill in 6.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 250 km/h. The average fuel consumption is rated at 7.0 L/100 km.
Volkswagen Golf R & Tiguan R launches in SA
Now, onto the GTI’s R-badged Golf sibling … and the Tiguan R. This week, these models finally arrived in South Africa (be sure to keep an eye on APEX for our launch reviews). Retailing for R999 900, the performance-orientated Tiguan is now available. However, the flagship Golf will officially go on sale only from the first quarter of 2023, and pricing has yet to be announced. See specifications and options for the Golf R here.
The apex Golf and Tiguan’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines produce 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque. VW says these figures allow the Golf R and Tiguan R to sprint to the three-figure marker from a standstill in “just” 4.8 seconds and 5.1 seconds, respectively.
Audi says auf wiedersehen to its V10 with the R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD
A last V10 hurrah? Paying homage to the original, this week, Audi has revealed the limited-edition R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD, the most powerful rear-axle-driven production car in the Ingolstadt-based brand’s history. Only 333 examples will be made.
The R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD’s atmospheric 5.2-litre engine produces 456 kW (37 kW up from the standard rear-wheel-drive R8 performance) and 565 Nm of torque. The V10 is coupled with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with quicker shift times. Audi claims the special-edition R8 sprints to the three-figure marker from a standstill in 3.4 seconds and completes the 0-200 km/h sprint in 10.1 seconds. The top speed is rated at 320 km/h.
Lamborghini Urus S revealed
Billed as an SUV that defines lifestyle performance, luxury and versatility, Lamborghini has whipped the covers off the Urus S, the successor to the original model. For the Urus S, the Sant’Agata Bolognese-based brand has lifted the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8’s outputs to a Performante-matching 490 kW. The torque is rated at 850 Nm. Lamborghini says this has improved 0-100 km/h and 0-200 km/h acceleration times. The former comes in at 3.5 seconds (0.2 seconds slower than the pinnacle Performante), and the latter, 12.5 seconds. The top speed is rated at 305 km/h.
New Maserati GranTurismo breaks cover
Marking a new chapter in the Italian firm’s history, Maserati has unveiled the new GranTurismo, a grand-tourer coupé combining the high performance of a sports car with the comfort suitable for long distances.
The new GranTurismo is available with two powertrains, Maserati’s “revolutionary” V6 Nettuno engine, available in different states of tune in the Modena and high-performance Trofeo models, and a 100 per cent electric derivative, the Folgore. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 in the Modena produces 360 kW, while the Nettuno unit found under the elongated bonnet of the Trofeo has been uprated to churn out 405 kW.
The electrified GranTurismo’s 800 V Folgore system comprises a 92.5 kWh battery coupled with three 300 kW permanent magnet motors. The set-up was developed with “cutting-edge” solutions derived from Formula E. Although boasting a trio of 300 kW electric motors, the battery has a discharge capacity of 560 kW to continuously transmit “around” 567 kW to the wheels.
BMW hands the Z4 detailed upgrades for 2023
Underscoring the sporty character of the German marque’s two-seater drop-top, this week BMW announced it is handing the Z4 a raft of detailed updates for 2023. According to the Bavarian brand, the upgrades bring fresh design accents to the exterior. At the same time, the company has expanded the range of standard equipment and added new items to the options list.
The upgrades include a redesigned front grille and refreshed LED headlamps with vertically arranged light sources. The 2023-model-year Z4 comes with the firm’s M Sport package as standard. In addition, the list of standard items further includes 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in a double-spoke design. These bi-colour wheels are fitted with mixed-size tyres: 225/45 R18 at the front axle and 255/40 R18 at the rear.
Updated Mercedes-Benz A-Class unveiled
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the fresh-faced A-Class, with the German marque handing the hatchback and sedan siblings several “significant” updates, including introducing a new electrified powertrain to the line-up. Updates to the A-Class package include a refreshed front grille and subtly revised headlamps. Four additional wheel designs are available. As standard, the cabin is equipped with 7.0- and 10.25-inch displays. Two 10.25-inch screens can be had as an option. The steering wheel has also been revised. Ambient lighting is present inside.
The petrol line-up includes the 100 kW/230 Nm A180, 120 kW/270 Nm A200, 140 kW/300 Nm A220 and 165 kW/350 Nm A250. A plug-in-hybrid option has also been added to the range. The A250e’s 1.4-litre PHEV powertrain produces 160 kW and 450 Nm of torque. The Three-pointed Star brand claims this model sips an average fuel consumption of only 1.1 L/100 km in the hatch and 1.0 L/100 km in the sedan. The diesel engines include the (85 kW/280 Nm) A180d, 110 kW/320 Nm A200d and 140 kW/400 Nm A220d.
South Africa’s best-selling car brands in September 2022
This week, naamsa released the new-vehicle sales statistics for September 2022. So, which manufacturer reported the highest number of new-car sales in SA during September 2022? Here’s the list…
- Toyota – 12 059
- VW Group – 6 750
- Suzuki – 4 355
- Hyundai – 3 146
- Nissan – 2 649
- Renault – 2 601
- Isuzu – 2 287
- Ford – 2 212
- Kia – 2 086
- Chery – 1 352
Final special-edition Ford GT revealed
This week, it was not only Audi who said goodbye to an iconic motor vehicle (with the limited-edition R8 mentioned above); Ford has whipped the wraps off the final special-edition GT, the GT LM. “Honouring America’s only Le Mans-winning supercar”, only 20 examples of this version will be produced.
Audi unwraps the TT RS iconic edition
Following the release of the R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD, Audi revealed another special-edition model this week. “Celebrating innovative design and dynamics”, the TT RS iconic edition is limited to only 100 examples.
The most notable addition to the exterior is an aero kit, which, Audi says, enhances the two-seater sports car’s sporty character. Developed in a wind tunnel, the motorsport-inspired ‘Aerokit’’s front apron features side flics, a front splitter and blades in the side front air intakes.
At the rear, a fixed carbon-fibre wing, replete with side winglets, “ensures a sporty finish … and supports both performance and efficiency”. There are vertical design elements on both sides above the RS-specific diffuser. The two “striking” oval-shaped exhaust tailpipes remain the RS signature at the rear end.
As a reminder, the TT RS is equipped with the Ingolstadt-based automaker’s sonorous 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot, producing 294 kW and 480 Nm of torque. Power is directed to all four corners via a seven-speed S tronic transmission.
