Auto CEOs more confident about industry prospects
The confidence of chief executives of automotive companies about the outlook for the new-vehicle market over the next six months has improved significantly.
- Industry News
- 11 September 2024
Hot on the heels of the Ford Transit Custom, the Blue Oval released its Ford Tourneo locally.
What’s new?
It is brand-new and shares its mechanicals with the Transit Custom Panel Van. Ford described the Tourneo as a multi-activity vehicle. It is designed to enhance the ownership experience for both personal use and business customers, offering spacious room for up to eight occupants.
Initially available in Trend specification and a long wheelbase configuration, it is powered by a 2-litre single turbodiesel engine (100 kW & 360 Nm) and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Additional models will join the Tourneo line-up later this year.
An optimised vehicle platform ensures generous cabin space, with three rows of seating for up to eight occupants. The enhanced interior specification starts with a flexible, new track-mounted seating system in the second and third rows, which allows maximum adaptability when arranging the cabin for people and luggage.
The tracked seating enables customers to slide seats forward or back along notched tracks set into the rear cabin floor, or to lift seats out completely. The three second-row seats can each be moved independently, while the third row has a two seat/one seat split.
The new seats are lighter than those in the outgoing model and the second row features integrated seatbelts, so reconfiguring the cabin – including into a useful six-person conference layout – can be done more quickly and easily. With the second- and third-row seats removed, a massive 6.8m3 of loading volume is unleashed, along with the ability to carry three standard Euro pallets.
Price:
Tourneo Trend LWB Bus 2.0L 8AT (R999 200).
The third-generation VW Tiguan made its debut in South Africa where more than 41 000 of its previous generations have been sold since its local introduction here in 2009. Worldwide, the Tiguan has also racked up the sales with a total 7.4 million units finding new owners.
BAIC South Africa introduced an upgraded version of the BEIJING X55 PLUS locally. This vehicle brings a new level of sophistication and advanced technology to the South African market, says the manufacturer.
The most powerful, normally aspirated Ford Musting V8 yet, the GT, will be on display at the Festival of Motoring this weekend at Kyalami.