Here’s a rundown of new cars in showrooms at the moment and coming soon.
BAIC B40 Plus
After having been confirmed a good few years ago, the BAIC (pronounced ‘bike’) B40 Plus has finally arrived in South Africa as a rough off-roading SUV option. The new model from China is available in four trims with the choice of two engines. A pricing range has been provided by the manufacturer who clarifies that the BAIC B40 Plus will start at R549 500 and top off at R629 500. The two engines available are a turbo petrol and turbo diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder offering with a power output of 160 kW and 320 Nm of torque for the petrol and 110 kW and 350 Nm for the oil burner.The diesel is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission while the petrol benefits from a six-speed automatic.
Standard trim on the entry-level model is a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, removable hard-top roof, red tow hooks at the front and back, halogen headlights, front and rear fog lamps, LED DRLs, dual-zone climate control, electronic parking brake, multifunction steering wheel, two airbags and a tyre-pressure monitoring system. The BAIC B40 Plus Hunter adds dual-tone alloy wheels, emergency brake assist, traction control and hill ascent and descent control. The flagship BAIC B40 Plus Champion, available with the petrol engine only, gains a leather multifunction steering wheel and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
All models come standard with a five-year/120 000 km warranty but a four-year/60 000 km service plan is optional.The front suspension of the BAIC B40 is a double wishbone and coil spring independent set-up – the rear suspension uses a five-link coil spring layout. The overhangs are described to be minimal and combined with a ground clearance of 210 mm, it results in a generous approach angle of 37°, departure angle of 31° and breakover angle of 23°.The selectable 4WD system with mechanical central transfer case and rear differential lock allows driver control over how the engine is powered, dependent on the terrain, conditions and requirements.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been revealed for 2022 with an all-new architecture, plug-in hybrid powertrain and significant changes to the exterior and interior design. The fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee introduces the 4xe power-train, which uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine together with two electric motors supported by a 17 kWh battery pack to produce 290 kW and 637 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed torque converter. This model can be had in Trailhawk trim, which adds a Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system with two-speed transfer case, rear electronic limited-slip differential, Selec-Terrain traction-management system and speed control, a 278 mm ground clearance, 610 mm water-wading capability, blue tow hooks and blue-accented 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.
Those who want a more traditional power train can still opt for the naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar, which boasts a power output of 216 kW and 353 Nm of torque. The larger 5.7-litre V8 is also available with 266 kW and 529 Nm. Both engines use the same eight-speed torque converter as well. New to the 4×4 system on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a front-axle disconnect. If the vehicle senses that road conditions do not require all-wheel drive, the front-axle disconnect automatically places the system in two-wheel drive, reducing stress on the driveline and improving fuel economy. Four-wheel drive automatically re-engages when the vehicle senses it is needed. The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is built on an all-new architecture that was mission specific for the fifth-generation model.
Abarth 595
The Abarth Yamaha Monster edition pictured here is powered by the T-jet turbo petrol 1.4-litre four-cylinder mill with the 117 kW and 230 Nm state of tune (thus making it the least powerful model of the range). The six-speed manual is available as standard at a price of R469 900 for the hatch and R509 900 for the cabriolet. While the Abarth Yamaha Monster edition is a bit down on power, it does benefit from a Record Monza exhaust system with active valves, an uprated braking system with 284 mm front and 240 mm rear ventilated discs and a Koni rear suspension with Frequency Selective Damping. The entry-level model of the Abarth 595 range remains the Turismo with a price tag of R399 900 and R439 900 for the Cabriolet. New to this trim is a refreshed interior with diamond-embossed leather seats available in a number of colour options, including the new heritage brown.
This model is still powered by the same aforementioned four-cylinder mill with a power output of 121 kW and 230 Nm of torque.The Competizione is now presented as the mid-range offering despite it being the most powerful model with a 132 kW state of tune. This sells for R479 900 and R519 900 for the Cabriolet. As part of the upgrade, an all-new Rally Blue colour has been added to the exterior palette. This matt finish is inspired by the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally of the 1970s. New 17-inch alloy wheels are a nod to those of the 1990s Lancia Delta Rally Integrale, while a body colour body kit is specific to the Competizione in combination with the new Rally Blue or Scorpione Black exterior paint Inside, in addition to the ‘Scorpion’ mode selector with its new design, anew dashboard covered in Alcantara can be found, alongside new leather seats and gear lever in carbon fibre
Ford Ranger Raptor SE
The Ford Ranger Raptor Special Edition (SE) has been introduced to the South African market at R965 300 and you’ll be able to finish your Raptor SE in Sea Grey, Frozen White, Blue Lightning and Agate Black paint finishes. This will be contrasted by twin matt black racing stripes edged with red contrast lines on the bonnet, roof, lower body sides, rear wings and tailgate. As standard, a lockable Mountain Top black roller shutter is included to safely secure goods in the load compartment.Within the cabin, red stitching forthe steering wheel, instrument panel and door cards have been applied and standard high-grain leather seats and a special-edition-only Raceway Grey instrument panel are added.The aluminium front double wish-bones multi-link rear architecture also maintains the specially developed FOX shock absorbers with Position Sensitive Damping that moderates damping forces in response to changing driving scenarios. General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres offer maximum grip on loose surfaces.
Toyota Rumion
Kicking off the Toyota Rumion range is the S trim at R245 600. This model keeps things simple with a set of 15-inch steel wheels, black door handles and mirrors, halogen headlights, LED tail lights, air conditioning, a multi-information display, all-electric windows, rear ISOFIX and two airbags for the driver and passenger.Next in the range is the SX at R273 500. This adds a chrome front grille, a double DIN audio system with Bluetooth connected to four speakers and rear park distance control. This is also available as an automatic at R289 200.The flagship of the Toyota Rumion range is the TX trim at R301 600 for the manual and R317 200 for the automatic. This adds a set of mud guards, alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, This adds a set of mud guards, alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning,a touchscreen infotainment system with a rear-facing camera display connected to six speakers, wooden pattern interior panel trims, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and ventilated cup holders.
