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.
The imposition of a unilateral 30% reciprocal tariff on South African goods exported to the United States of America (USA) places major pressure on local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
iCAUR, the new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under the Chery Group, has confirmed its official entry into the South African market.
The South African Motify Group (Pty) Ltd, an autotech company, announced that it has sold its dealer management system (DMS) business to Pinewood Technologies Group PLC (Pinewood.AI).
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
In a move to shake up the African bakkie market, Nissan is launching the return of its South African-manufactured Navara Stealth after a nearly six-year hiatus.
Opel has revealed the next-generation Grandland in South Africa, joining the current Opel range consisting of the Corsa, Mokka and Zafira.
Targeted at the Middle East market, Nissan launched a Nismo version of its large Patrol SUV.
