Car News & Cars for Sale Republiek van Suid-Afrika

New (SA-bound) BMW M5 CS revealed as most powerful M car yet! - Carmag South Africa

The new BMW M5 CS has been officially revealed, positioned as the most powerful M car yet. And a limited number of units are heading to South Africa.

The new BMW M5 CS has been officially revealed, positioned as the most powerful M car yet. Billed as an “exclusive special-edition model”, BMW says a “limited number of units” will make their way to South Africa in the third quarter of 2021 [update: the head of BMW M in SA says just five examples have been set aside for the local market]. Interestingly, BMW SA also points out “data specific to the South African cars will be communicated closer to the time of local introduction”. So, what do we know about the Euro-spec model? Well, with its twin-turbo 4,4-litre V8 petrol engine upgraded to direct a whopping 467 kW (up 7 kW on the M5 Competition) to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, the M5 CS is officially the brawniest vehicle to come out of the M stable. Peak torque, meanwhile, is unchanged at 750 N.m. The Munich-based firm claims the M5 CS will sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 3,0 seconds and from standstill to 200 km/h in 10,4 seconds (improvements over the M5 Competition of three-tenths and four-tenths, respectively). Top speed remains an electronically governed 305 km/h. So, what else sets the M5 CS apart from the Competition-badged model model? Well, BMW says it has “rigorously applied” various weight savings measures, cutting some 70 kg of lard. In addition, retuned bearing springs at the front and rear (and “further refined” damper control) see the chassis "adapted" to the lower vehicle weight. Mixed-size Pirelli P Zero Corsa track tyres (275/35 R20 fore and 285/35 R20 aft), meanwhile, offer “increased performance potential”. Items such as the grille surround, “M5 CS” badges and M gills are finished in Gold Bronze, a hue echoed on the 20inch M forged wheels in Y-spoke design. The L-shaped light tubes of the laser headlamps, meanwhile, illuminate yellow rather than white when low beam, high beam or the welcome light is activated. The bonnet, front splitter, side-mirror caps, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, engine cover and intake silencer are all made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, with some elements featuring exposed carbon-fibre. Standard features include a stainless-steel sports exhaust system with four “unadorned” tailpipes and M Carbon ceramic brakes, with callipers painted in red as standard or gold as an option. The M5 CS is a four- rather than full five-seater vehicle, featuring M Carbon pews up front and two individual items at the rear. The black Merino leather upholstery boasts contrasting panels and decorative stitching in Mugello Red, while the integral head restraints (which boast illuminated M5 logos up front) display an outline of the Nürburgring circuit. The German automaker has also added a centre marker perforation with red background to the M Alcantara steering wheel, while the gearshift paddles are fashioned from carbon-fibre and the steering wheel spokes gain black chrome trim. A fixed lightweight cover on the centre console replaces the standard armrest with opening lid.

SA pricing for BMW X5/X6 M Competition 'First Edition' models - Carmag South Africa

We have unearthed local pricing for “First Edition” versions of the BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition ahead of the launch in South Africa.

We have unearthed local pricing for limited-run “First Edition” versions of the BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition ahead of the launch in South Africa. Set to arrive on local shores at some point in the first half of 2021 (bizarrely late, considering the "standard" models are already available here), we suspect South Africa will receive a very small handful of units, what with global production limited to just 250 examples in each case. So, how much are you looking at here? Well, ticking the "First Edition" box adds some R198 000 to each base price. As you’ll see after performing a spot of quick maths, that means the BMW X5 M Competition First Edition will be priced at R2 973 658 and the BMW X6 M Competition First Edition at R3 080 320. What do you score for the extra cash? Model-specific M light-alloy wheels (measuring 21 inches fore and 22 inches aft) in a star-spoke design and featuring a Jet Black high-gloss finish are included, along with various elements fashioned from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, such as the side-mirror caps, rear spoiler and engine compartment cover. Inside, you’ll find Merino full leather trim in Silverstone/Midnight Blue, while the Alcantara headliner is joined by interior trim elements in carbon-fibre and M seat belts. Under the bonnet, no changes have been made, with the twin-turbo 4,4-litre V8 petrol engine delivering 460 kW and 750 N.m to all four corners via a rear-wheel-biased M xDrive setup. BMW SA, however, has included its M Sport exhaust system.

ABT updates tuning package for the Audi RS5 Coupé and Sportback - Carmag South Africa

The Audi RS5 Coupé and Sportback have been handed an updated tuning package from ABT Sportsline for 2021.

The Audi RS5 Coupé and Sportback have been handed an updated tuning package from ABT Sportsline for 2021. The kit adds power and includes revisions to the suspension as well as a mild visual enhancement. The twin-turbo 2,9-litre V6 mill gains the German tuning firm's engine control unit, which pushes peak outputs from 331 kW and 600 N.m of torque to 370 kW and 679 N.m. An additional radiator kit and air inlet cover are included, too, in a bid to improve thermal stability. Both the RS5 Coupé and Sportback have also been handed aerodynamic enhancements. This includes a pair of wheelhouse vents with carbon fins, a glossy carbon-fibre badge for the fenders and a carbon-fibre rear spoiler. Further enhancing the appearance is a set of 10-spoke 20-inch ABT GR alloy wheels with a gloss-black finish. This is complemented by a set of height-adjustable suspension springs, lowering the ride by 23 mm. For those who want to go lower still, a set of coillovers can be fitted (cutting the ride height a further 10 mm). Anti-roll bars have been added for improved rigidity, too. Changes to the cabin include a set of seat covers, dashboard side covers, a carbon-fibre-and-leather shift knob cover and carbon-fibre seat shells.

New (Ford-built) Amarok 'won't be an X-Class mistake', says Volkswagen - Carmag South Africa

Volkswagen has promised the new Amarok will be clearly differentiated from the next-generation Ford Ranger on which it will be based.

Volkswagen has promised the new Amarok will be clearly differentiated from the next-generation Ford Ranger on which it will be based. The second-generation Amarok will be produced alongside the next Ranger at Ford’s assembly plant in Silverton, South Africa, from 2022. Signed agreements between the two firms include the production of “a medium pickup truck engineered and built by Ford, for sale by Volkswagen as the Amarok starting in 2022”. VW in Australia, however, is confident the new Amarok won’t suffer the same fate as the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which was based on the Nissan Navara but went out of production earlier in 2020 after flagging sales. Michael Bartsch, Volkswagen Group Australia managing director, suggested to media outlets such as motoring.com.au the next-gen Amarok would be more than just a rebadged Ranger. “The short story is that it will not be the same mistake that Mercedes-Benz and Nissan made," he said. “When the initial project was launched in this co-operation between Ford and Volkswagen, there were some discussions in the infant stage of the project,” Bartsch explained, adding VW had “made it very clear what the consumer expectations” were and that there would have to be “clear and genuine differentiation between the two beyond the bad old days of ‘badge engineering’.” “We move forward with full confidence that there will be a Ford product and there will be a Volkswagen product,” he said. Ryan Davies, Volkswagen Australia commercial vehicles director, described the German firm as an “integrated partner” in the process. “Ford [is] the lead partner so in terms of what we can steer comes down to the elements within our control. We’re not going to be able to give a full summary of the specs of the car at this point in time. It’s more than just design involvement. We’re an integrated partner in this process,” Davies said, according to motoring.com.au. Volkswagen wouldn’t, however, be drawn on whether or not the next-gen Amarok would employ Ford powertrains.

It's official: Nissan SA to fight Fortuner with Terra in 2021 - Carmag South Africa

Nissan South Africa has confirmed it plans to launch the refreshed Terra locally in the “latter part of 2021”.

Nissan South Africa has confirmed it plans to launch the refreshed Terra locally in the “latter part of 2021”. While the Japanese firm’s local arm said “detailed specification and equipment levels” would be “communicated closer to the launch”, we know the fresh-faced body-on-frame SUV will take on Toyota’s popular Fortuner, as well as the Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X. As such, we expect the SA-spec version of the seven-seater SUV to use the same 140 kW/450 N.m twin-turbo 2,3-litre, four-cylinder diesel unit as the facelifted Navara bakkie on which it is based. Although the updated SUV revealed for Middle Eastern markets switches to the “X-Terra” badge (reviving a name the company last used – albeit without a hyphen – in 2015), the version destined for South Africa will simply be called “Terra”. The recently updated Fortuner dominates the bakkie-based SUV segment in South Africa, with 1 349 units registered in October 2020. The likewise locally built Everest was next that month with 168 units, ahead of the Pajero Sport (67) and MU-X (27).

New Volkswagen Golf 8 R revealed as 235 kW hot hatch with drift mode! - Carmag South Africa

The new Volkswagen Golf 8 R has finally been unwrapped, positioned as the most powerful Golf model yet and gaining a fresh “drift” mode.

[UPDATE: Volkswagen SA says we can expect the new Golf 8 R to hit the local market in either the final quarter of 2021 or the first quarter of 2022...] The new Volkswagen Golf 8 R has finally been unwrapped, positioned as the most powerful Golf model yet and gaining a fresh “drift” mode. The halo Golf offers 235 kW and 420 N.m (the latter from 2 100 to 5 350 r/min) from its familiar EA888 turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, delivered to all four wheels via either a six-speed manual (highly unlikely for South Africa, of course) or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the Wolfsburg-based firm, that’s enough for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h. Interestingly, the peak power output matches that of the engine in the Tiguan R and Arteon R, and is a seven-unit improvement over the SA-spec version of the outgoing Golf 7 R (with an extra 20 N.m, too). However, VW's figures suggest the new model is a tenth slower to the three-figure mark. VW says the latest Golf R has gained a “newly developed” torque-vectoring 4Motion all-wheel-drive system featuring selective wheel torque control on the rear axle. Thus, the new rear differential distributes power between the front and rear axles, and also between the two rear wheels. The all-paw system is furthermore “networked” via a vehicle dynamics manager with other running gear systems such the electronic differential locks and the adaptive damping system. The result, according to Volkswagen, is “optimal traction, neutral handling with the utmost level of precision, and maximum agility and driving pleasure”. In terms of exterior styling, the new Golf R features a model-specific front bumper with a “motorsport-style” splitter and air intake grilles, as well as gloss-black elements. There are also 19-inch alloy wheels, chunky side skirts, matte-chrome side-mirror caps and blue brake callipers. Round back, the rear bumper incorporates a gloss-black diffuser framed by the chrome-plated twin tailpipes of the sport exhaust system. A roof spoiler ensuring the “necessary level of downforce” is also included. Inside, we can expect the new Golf R to ship with the 10-inch Discover Pro infotainment system and VW's digital cockpit. The front sport seats are trimmed in Nappa leather and feature “carbon-look” elements with blue accents in the side sections, as well as a blue R logo in the backrest. The multifunction leather-wrapped sports steering wheel likewise gains a model-specific design, along with blue contrast stitching and an “R” button for direct selection of the driving profiles. Speaking of driving propfiles, the new Golf R gains fresh “Special” and “Drift” modes in addition to the usual Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual settings. In Special mode, VW says all of the main drive system parameters are “configured” for the Nürburgring Nordschleife, resulting in a 17-second quicker time for the DSG model in “internal tests”. In Drift mode, which the German firm points out is “meant for track use only”, the parameters for the electronic stability control and the distribution of power via the all-wheel-drive system enable the Golf R to, well, drift.