Hyundai i30 N revealed
This week at the Frankfurt Motor Show saw the unveiling of Hyundai’s much-anticipated i30 N hatchback, the first of Hyundai N performance cars. Built on the newest generation of the i30 hatchback, the i30 N is expected to reach South African shores at the beginning of next year, with the model aimed to compete with performance hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf GTi. The i30 N is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, developing 184 kW and 353 Nm of torque.
Nissan refreshes Micra
Nissan South Africa has announced that the Micra hatchback has undergone both internal and external upgrades, the most notable changes being the redesign of the central instrument cluster on the inside, and the redesign of the vehicle bumpers, bonnet and front grille. Customers can also now choose from optional accessories such as alloy wheels, mud guards and rear spoiler, while early Micra Active models will be equipped with a touchscreen and TomTom navigation system as standard. Prices for the Nissan Micra begin at R159 900.
New extended warranties for Toyota
Toyota South Africa recently announced that two new warranty products will now be available to existing Toyota drivers. The Toyota Genuine Unlimited Warranty will allow for models still under warranty to benefit from unlimited mileage coverage and replacement of certain parts, while the Toyota Genuine Pre-Owned Warranty+ allows for motorists of older models coverage for up to two years or 250 000 km. Costs for these warranty products vary according to different vehicle powertrains, with prices starting at R3 340 for certain petrol models.
2018 COYT finalists announced
The finalists for the 2018 SA Car Of The Year have been revealed, with the list including contenders such as the BMW 5-Series, Toyota CH-R, Suzuki Ignis, and Land Rover Discovery. The announcement was made at the Bryanston Country Club on Tuesday, with the competition being judged by members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists. The winner is expected to be announced soon. Previous winners of the award include the Opel Astra in 2017, and the Volvo XC90 in 2016.
Special Edition Cooper Mini
Mini South Africa has announced that 29 units of a limited run of 3-door Cooper hatchbacks will be available to South African customers. Highlights of the special edition include Caribbean Aqua metallic exterior paint, 17″ Cosmos Spoke black alloy wheels, and black bonnet stripes, interior, roof and mirror caps. The model will be available with two different equipment packages, and is powered by Mini’s 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mounted to a six-speed Steptronic gearbox. Pricing for the model is R399 000.
