Two of South Africa’s top-performing locally made vehicles launched to media in the past week.
VW Polo
The first is South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle, the Volkswagen Polo. This perennial favourite has been on sale since January as VW dealers ran out of stock of the previous model, but the media only received their first taste mid-February.
VW has launched four specification levels with two power output levels of the Polo 1.0 litre model. The base spec 1.0 TSI delivers 70 kW through a manual gearbox, while a higher-spec Life model is offered in a 70 kW and an 85 kW DSG models. Lastly, an 85 kW DSG R-Line model is available.
VW also showcased their GTI-model, which retains the 147 kW 2-litre petrol engine. This model is only available with the group’s DSG dual-clutch gearbox.
Pricing is as follows (February 2022):
The new Volkswagen Polo comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 3 year/ 45 000km EasyDrive Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km. Customers have the option to extend EasyDrive Maintenance and EasyDrive Service Plans up to 10 years/ 300 000km.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The new C-Class is built in East London. It is the result of a R13 billion investment in the facility and it will again be exported to countries across the world.
The new C borrows many of its design cues from the new S-Class flagship and it replaces its predecessor’s centre console with a large and sleek touch screen.
The new C-Class is considerably larger than its predecessor, with a length of 4751 mm and a width of 1820 mm. The wheelbase has increased by 25 mm to 2865 mm, with both the front and rear passengers benefiting from the increased exterior dimensions.
As with other new Mercedes-Benz models, the new C has an advanced new version of Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) that offers voice controls, a high level of customisation and of course mobile phone integration.
Two models are on offer from at the time of launch (February 2022), they are:
All C-Class models come standard with the 9G-TRONIC transmission.
Merc is launching the new C200 Launch Edition 6 on Agility Finance from R9 999 per month, subject to terms and conditions.
Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) is closing Transport Month with a historic milestone in electric mobility: the EX30 Cross Country has become the first fully electric vehicle (BEV) to successfully ascend Sani Pass, one of South Africa’s most iconic and demanding mountain routes.
The name tells the story – Basadi Automotive Group. Basadi, the Sesotho word for women, was chosen by a woman who, against all odds but with an unwavering belief in God, decided in 2018 or so to go it alone in the male-dominated automotive industry.
Stellantis has announced a new collaboration with NVIDIA, Uber Technologies Inc and Foxconn to explore the joint development and future deployment of *Level 4 (driverless) autonomous vehicles for robotaxi services worldwide.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz
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Changan South Africa has announced its full vehicle range and the prices of new entrants into the local market.
Chery, one of the major Chinese players in the South African automotive landscape, will build on its local success with the expansion of its range next year, with the inclusion of the new Himla bakkie.
