CAR November 2021

November 2021 | Vol 65.10 | Issue no 777 Greetings CAR readers. As all the best ideas do, it started with a casual conversation on a road trip to Gqeberha to shoot our Golf GTI exclusive. On the R62 between Joubertina and Kareedouw, I began brainstorming ideas for future issues with Carri-Anne and photographer Peet. Ever the bakkie aficionado, Peet began counting all the new bakkies on the market and we soon realised we might be on to something. The new Nissan Navara, GWM P-Series and Mazda BT-50 versus the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger, and why not throw a couple of outsiders into the mix as well with the Mahindra Pik Up and JAC T8. By the time we arrived in the windy city, Bakkie…

Sean_ParkerSA At this year’s International Mobility Show in Munich, Germany, it was the company from Stuttgart (Mercedes-Benz, not Porsche) that stole the digital show with a raft of new all-electric models. The fan favourite, the go-anywhere G-Class, emerged wearing an EQ badge and transformed into the EQG. Mercedes maintains the near-production study adopts the G-Class’ angular silhouette and iconic elements. Under the glitzy bodywork, it is still a genuine 4x4, according to Mercedes-Benz. Its body is based on the same robust ladder frame and the chassis design remains extremely off-road capable – as is typical of the G-Class – with independent suspension on the front axle and a rigid axle at the rear, newly developed for the integration of electric drive. With four individually controlled electric motors close to the wheels,…

While we love the flat-six howl of a Porsche GT3 Cup car, it’s hard not to be impressed by its electric successor of sorts: the Mission R Concept. Tipping the scales at 1 500 kg (that’s light for an EV) the Mission R sports a zero to 100 km/h sprint time of under 2,5 seconds and a top speed north of 300 km/h. In short, it is electrifyingly quick. In Qualifying mode, it develops more than twice the power of a current GT3 Cup car, with 800 kW. To save the tyres and make the charge last, 500 kW is on tap in Race mode, and Porsche reveals it will not overheat during long track sessions thanks to the use of an extensive cooling system. “The only time I’ve ever experienced…

While we may not see a self-driving Porsche MPV anytime soon, the Porsche Vision Renndienst (racing service) concept van was created to show off what Porsche drivers can expect in the future when they’re zipping around in their Mission Rs. “In the past, we used to type our destination into the navigation system before a journey. Today, we prepare the route on our smartphones while sitting on the sofa, and then send it to the car,” says Ivo van Hulten, director of user experience design (UX). The interior of the Vision Renndienst is dedicated to the digital lifestyle. The Porsche MPV features a driver’s seat that can be rotated 180 degrees to face the other occupants in a lounge-like layout. Those future passengers and drivers will be part of the smartphone…

“At its core, the next-generation Ranger will be the ideal pick-up partner for work, family and play,” maintains Ford of its soon-to-be-launched contender in the fiercely contested bakkie segment. A RANGER BUILT EVERY TWO MINUTES Set to be built at its Silverton plant, east of Pretoria, Ford is aiming to manufacture 200 000 units a year, a significant increase in volume over the current generation. As before, locally built Rangers will be produced for both local and international consumption. Ford South Africa will be able to manufacture 720 bakkies per day thanks to the addition of a third shift at the plant. In a recent video teaser by the carmaker, the new Ranger climbs dunes, splashes through mud and picks up speed over an arid desert to showcase its prowess in all conditions. The…

These days we rarely get to celebrate carmakers bringing out new sportscars, particularly ones that are attainable to the general public. With the seventh-generation Z, Nissan seems to have all the ingredients for a tasty rear-wheel-drive sportscar. Power is derived from the VR30DDTT twinturbopetrol 3,0-litre V6 with 298 kW and 475 N.m of torque. Power is sent to the rear via a six-speed manual or new nine-speed automatic gearbox. For those, purists who opt for the manual, Nissan has fitted the Z with launch control, a carbon-fibre composite driveshaft and clever rev-matching for smooth downshifts. Despite sharing the same platform as the previous 370 Z, the new model has undergone extensive changes, including new geometry on the front double-wishbone and increased caster angle, aiding in straight-line stability. For stopping power, ventilated discs…