Missed this week’s motoring news? Not to worry, here’s what you need to know about this week in motoring …
Audi RS3 Sportback & RS3 Sedan twins land in SA
This week, Audi South Africa made the local motoring news headlines with the announcement that the RS3 Sportback and RS3 Sedan twins have finally made their way to our shores. And with this announcement, the local arm of the Ingolstadt-based automaker has released pricing and specifications for the apex A3 models.
Priced from R1 215 000 for the Sportback derivative and R1 245 000 for the sedan, the RS3 siblings are equipped with the German marque’s award-winning 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot. The sonorous five-cylinder produces 294 kW and, for the latest iterations, 500 Nm of torque (20 Nm more than their forebears). As a result, Audi says the new models are 0.3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h from a standstill than the previous-generation variants. The claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time is now 3.8 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h (290 km/h when specifying the optional RS Dynamic package Plus).
Among the various standard features are Audi’s Black styling package, an RS sports exhaust system and 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior features Audi’s RS virtual cockpit and smartphone interface. A Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound is also present.
Land Rover SA reveals pricing & spec for Defender 130
Comprising six derivatives, the local Land Rover Defender 130 line-up is priced from R1 731 600 for the D300 X-Dynamic HSE variant to R1 948 700 for the P400 X. Three trim grades are available. These are X-Dynamic HSE, First Edition, and X. (See full spec here.) Two 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine options are available: the 221 kW/650 Nm D300 diesel and 294 kW/550 Nm P400 petrol.
Land Rover Defender 130 pricing:
- D300 X-Dynamic HSE: R1 731 600
- D300 First Edition: R1 736 000
- P400 X-Dynamic HSE: R1 773 100
- P400 First Edition: R1 777 500
- D300 X: R1 902 100
- P400 X: R1 948 700
New Suzuki Grand Vitara confirmed for SA
Suzuki Auto South Africa has announced that the new Grand Vitara is heading to SA, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker confirming that its box-fresh flagship SUV will arrive here in the first quarter of 2023. According to the firm, the Grand Vitara “will introduce a host of new technologies and a new level of luxury” to its local line-up. These include Suzuki’s ‘Smart Hybrid Vehicle’ (SHVS) tech and AllGrip Select all-wheel-drive system.
Maserati MC20 blasts into SA
Priced from R6 714 000, the first Maserati MC20 unit has landed in South Africa. Designed and built exclusively to order, the first model is finished in multi-layer Bianco Audace exterior paintwork and features an array of “unique” carbon-fibre details.
As a reminder, the MC20 is equipped with the company’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6. The powertrain produces 463 kW and 730 Nm of torque, exclusively directed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automated dual-clutch transmission. Power and torque are available from 7 500 r/min and 3 000 r/min, respectively. Maserati claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 2.88 seconds and a top speed of “over” 326 km/h.
Honda reveals power figures for new Civic Type R
This week, Honda made the global motoring news headlines by finally revealing the power and torque outputs of the new-generation Civic Type R, with the firm announcing that the latest iteration’s K20C1 engine produces 7 kW and 20 Nm more than the same unit that powered the previous generation. The 2.0-litre four-pot produces 235 kW and 420 Nm. However, the Japanese automaker has yet to confirm performance figures.
