The Chinese Shanghai Auto Show once again put the emphasis on the country’s strong position regarding electric vehicles as well as the fierce competition between different Chinese manufacturers.
Not only is China the world leader when it comes to the sale and manufacturing of electric vehicles but the country accounted for almost half of all EV sales during 2022 according to internet sources.
In the meantime, different Chinese manufactures are capturing the imagination of buyers from all over the world with new models, including EVs, different kinds of hybrids and vehicles with traditional power trains.
Chery showed off its third-generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicle platform (PHEV). At the heart of the PHEV system is the fifth-generation ACTECO engine.
This engine was designed specifically for use in a hybrid petrol-electric application and has a deep Miller-cycle combustion system that recycles exhaust gasses for a second pass through the combustion chamber. This not only cleans the emissions, but also ensures that remnants of the injected fuels are burned for greater efficiency.
The ACTECO engine also uses intelligent, immediately adaptable i-HEC combustion management and a high-efficiency turbo charger to offer a thermal efficiency in excess of 44.5%. This is the highest thermal efficiency for any engine on the Chinese market.
Chery has global ambitions with its Omoda and Jaecoo brands, one of which has already been launched in South Africa, namely the Omoda.
Chery Group unveiled its Omodoa 5 EV and Jaecoo 7 and 9 at the Shanghai Show. Of the two Jaecoo models on display, one - the Jaecoo 7 - is production ready and will soon be shipped to international markets.
The expansion of the Tiggo range, with added and upgraded models, is also on the cards.
Another Chinese manufacturer, JAC, launched of its T9 double-cab range at the show. The T9 line-up comprises a range of efficient ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powerplants, as well as BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) derivatives.
JAC Motors South Africa earlier announced plans to introduce the T9 line-up as the top-of-the-range offering in the T-Series, featuring the full range of powerplants in 4×4 and 4×2 options, as well as various specification levels.
Designed for both left- and right-hand drive markets, the T9 is manufactured in China. The T9 diesel and petrol turbocharged derivatives will be introduced in South Africa and Australia in the second semester of 2023. The BEV and PHEV 4×4 derivatives will follow in 2024, and the first quarter of 2025 will see the addition of a 2.5L turbo-diesel derivative.
The T9 derivatives to be introduced in South Arica will feature diesel and petrol turbocharged engines. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 125 kW and 410 Nm, and the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine produces 168 kW and 380 Nm. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission sends the power to the rear wheels.
The T9 BEV 4×4 is powered by an 88 kWh LFP battery pack, allowing for a reach of over 400 kilometres per charge. The PHEV 4×4 derivative features the T9's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a 26.8 kWh LFP battery pack, resulting in a 30 km/litre fuel consumption.
The retail prices of the new T9 derivatives will be announced closer to their planned introduction date in the second semester of this year.
If you think Golf in South Africa, you think GTI or even the quicker Golf R. Volkswagen, however, has just introduced a new entry-level Golf consisting of four models slotting in below its twin performance siblings.
DFSK’s current vehicle line-up in the country will expand with the addition of new petrol versions of the DFSK K01S Bakkie and the DFSK C35 Panel Van while on the electric vehicle side, the DFSK EC35 and EC31 are already familiar ‘faces’ locally.
Kia South Africa this weekend rewarded its top-performing dealerships across the country with prizes for outstanding achievements in sales, after-sales and service operations.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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