There have been many downs but a great number of ups, specifically in the automotive sector. As we draw to an end, we have decided to look back at this crazy year and some of the cars that we want Santa to deliver under our tree.
1. Audi RS3
The latest
Audi RS3 is not only available in a raft of bright colours, it is also pretty fast, loud and thanks to new developments under the skin, able to thrill and entertain in the corners. The 2.5 TFSI power plant has won the “International Engine of the Year” award nine times in a row. In the latest generation of the compact sports car, the engine is now more powerful than ever before. This is mainly due to the increased torque of 500 Newton metres – 20 Newton metres more than in the predecessor. Boasting 294 kW of power, the
RS3 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds thanks to Launch Control – three tenths of a second faster than before.
Another new addition is the
RS Torque Rear mode, which makes drifting possible. It is designed for use on closed roads. In this mode, the torque splitter induces considerable oversteer by transferring all of the rearward drive torque to the wheel on the outside of the curve.
2. New Ford Ranger
The previous-generation
Ford Ranger was one of South Africa’s most popular and trusted vehicles for small and medium business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more. This
Next-Gen Ranger builds on this success with a vehicle that delivers so much more, from performance to capability, technology, safety and the entire driving and ownership experience.
At the pinnacle of the range is the exciting new 184kW 3.0L V6 Diesel, which is exclusively equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive system and 10-speed automatic transmission. We want this one please.
3. Updated Mazda CX-5
The
Mazda CX-5 has become a very popular offering as it blends
Mazda’s reliable build quality with modern styling and the latest tech, for a fraction of the price compared to its German rivals.
Mazda designers focused on refining the front and rear ends, opting to minimise character lines in favour of reflective body surfaces that create a distinguished and elegant appearance. The front adopts a new bumper and new signature wing that extends outward from the front grille, which is also updated with a three-dimensional texture.
Under the bonnet of our test unit is the tried and tested 2.5-litre naturally aspirated motor. It develops 143kW and a healthy 258Nm of torque. It’s got a fair bit of mid-range punch, despite the lack of forced induction, and combined with the efficacy of the automatic transmission it makes short work of overtaking and acceleration from a standstill.
4. Mercedes-Benz EQS
We recently sampled the all-electric luxo-barge
EQS 450+ (RWD) which is powered by a single electric motor with a 108.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It develops 245 kW and 568 Nm.
Mercedes-Benz claims it will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 210 km/h. The electric driving range of the EQS range tops out at 770 km (WLTP).
5. Volkswagen Golf R
This
R badged
Golf will develop 235 kW and 400Nm from its EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder motor. While a 6-speed manual transmission is offered in other markets, locally the 2.0-litre motor will be paired to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, with power delivered to the wheels via an updated 4Motion torque vectoring all-wheel drive system. Customers can expect performance numbers like 100km/h in 4,7 seconds, and a top speed of 250km/h.
6. Toyota Urban Cruiser
The
Toyota Urban Cruiser, introduced in March last year, has found great favour with the
South African public. Racking up top sales each month, its blend of space, SUV-like styling, affordability and
Toyota brand-footprint, has made a notable impact on the passenger car segment.
While the range-topping Xr grade was the focal point at launch timing, it is the mid-grade Xs model that offers a stellar value proposition to customers in this segment - and means that
Toyota has a broader model offering than its natural rivals.
The
Urban Cruiser is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine delivering 77 kW and 138 Nm – providing fuss-free motoring. Fuel consumption is registered at a frugal 6.2 litres per 100km. A class-leading towing capacity of 400 kg unbraked and 1100kg braked, gives buyers the option of towing a small trailer or mounting bicycle racks.
7. Mitsubishi Xpander
Since its launch just over a year ago, the
Mitsubishi Xpander has quickly become one of the top selling models in the
Mitsubishi Motors South Africa offering.
Combining the traditional versatility and practicality of a multipurpose vehicle
(MPV) with the rugged and sporty looks of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV), Mitsubishi’s family orientated seven-seater,
Xpander continues to find favour with local motorists.
The all-new
Xpander’s smooth performance, low fuel consumption and reduced noise are the result of its highly durable 1.5-litre DOHC 16-valve aluminium block engine that delivers 77kW and 141Nm.
These have been some of our top drives of this year. Sure, there are many other amazing vehicles that we have tested but these seem to tick all the boxes for us. Here’s to more amazing vehicles in 2023!
Credit: Justin Jacobs
