Heels & Horsepower Magazine

TOYOTA REVEALS THE NEW PASSENGER MODEL TO BE BUILT IN DURBAN

This car, the all-new Corolla Cross, is tangible proof of our commitment to the local motor industry, as well as the South African economy.

– Andrew Kirby, TSAM President and CEO. 

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has announced that it will be manufacturing and selling the brand-new Corolla Cross in South Africa in the fourth quarter of the year. The model reveal, made by TSAM President and CEO Andrew Kirby, follows the company’s announcement in 2019 that it was investing R2.43 billion in the production of a new passenger vehicle in South Africa.

 

“We will be manufacturing this very model [Corolla Cross] in both right- and left-hand drive for South Africa and the rest of Africa right here at Prospecton. The Corolla Cross is based on the acclaimed Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and will be built on our passenger car production line alongside the Corolla Quest,” says Andrew Kirby, TSAM President and CEO. 

It is the very first time that we will be manufacturing a Hybrid model which I believe will fast become a very popular choice.

– Nigel Ward, TSAM’s Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Manufacturing Support Group

The local production of the Corolla Cross also ushers in a couple of “firsts” for TSAM’s manufacturing team at the Prospecton Plant.

“This is a significant milestone for Toyota South Africa. It’s not often that we get to produce a brand-new body shape in our factory; plus, it is the very first time that we will be manufacturing a Hybrid model which I believe will fast become a very popular choice. And it’s the first time for us to manufacture using the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) – which allows us to keep up with global technology and trends,” says Nigel Ward, TSAM’s Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Manufacturing Support Group. 

WATCH: Andrew Kirby introduces the proudly and locally manufactured Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross will be exported to 43 countries in Africa and is expected to push Toyota export volumes to about 15-20% per annum. Toyota is projecting growth of 7% per annum in the SUV market in Africa – offering significant growth opportunities to expand production of this new model. 

This is an ideal vehicle for our market as it provides an exceptional balance between drivability, roominess, comfort and high-tech features

– ANDREW KIRBY, TSAM PRESIDENT AND CEO

While the Corolla Cross shares the same TNGA C platform with its namesake Corolla, it boasts a higher ground clearance and other attributes normally associated with an SUV.  

 

According to Kirby: “This is an ideal vehicle for our market. It provides an exceptional balance between drivability, roominess, comfort and high-tech features – truly a game-changing SUV. It combines everything you love about Corolla with the utilitarian and rugged aesthetics of a segment-leading SUV. Overall, expectation is that the Corolla Cross will not only contribute significant sales towards the Toyota brand, but also accelerate growth mini-SUV segment, increase overall size of the passenger market in South Africa and give momentum to electrification technologies.”

“This car, the all-new Corolla Cross, is tangible proof of our commitment to the local motor industry, as well as the South African economy,” says Kirby.

A comprehensive specification, including pricing, of the local models will shared upon product launch in the fourth quarter of 2021. 

New on the Tarmac: Meet the updated Jaguar I-PACE

Since its debut the I-PACE has won more than 80 global awards, including 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year, World Green Car and AutoTrader 2020 South African Car of the Year.

An updated Jaguar I-PACE offering a new infotainment system, improved driver assistance technologies and quicker charging capabilities is now available in South Africa.

Highlights of the updated I-PACE include:

New Pivi Pro infotainment system, which features a 12.3-inch high-definition virtual instrument cluster, together with 10-inch and 5-inch upper and lower touchscreens. Inspired by smartphone technology, Pivi Pro is easy to use and features a powerful processor, to ensure navigation initialisation is almost instantaneous. The redesigned navigation system reduces the number of steps required to set a destination by half.  It also allows users to pan and zoom in and out of the map with a pinch of the fingers, just as one would with a smartphone. 

Wireless Device Charging Pad.  The I-PACE is now also available with an optional wireless device charging pad beneath the ‘floating’ centre console. Wireless charging also includes signal boosting, ensuring the phone’s signal remains stronger for longer. A Smartphone Pack with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on all derivatives, as is a dual modem embedded SIM and Bluetooth technology which can pair two phones simultaneously.

Cabin Air Ionisation. Designed to remove allergens, cabin air ionisation features a filtration system which captures ultrafine particles to improve occupant health and wellbeing. One important benefit to the new filtration system is that, when charging, customers can use the I-PACE’s pre-conditioning system (which optimises battery temperature) to also purge the cabin of allergens and ultrafine particles before beginning a journey.

New 3D Surround Camera. Visibility had been significantly enhanced in the updated I-PACE thanks to a new 3D Surround Camera that provides a 360-degree digital plan view of the surrounding area and potential hazards. 

Meridian 3D Surround Sound System.  Customers can now benefit from the option of an enhanced Meridian 3D Surround Sound System with TrifieldTM technology. The system features two additional speakers in the cabin headliner, meaning the 16 speaker and one subwoofer arrangement delivers an exceptional experience for all occupants. 

ClearSight. The ClearSight rear view mirror further improves vision and convenience by ensuring the driver always has an unobstructed view of the road behind, even with three people in the rear seat. ClearSight uses a wide-angle, rear-facing camera linked to a high-resolution screen within the frameless glass mirror. 

Vehicle charging: The updated JaguarI-PACE now comes with an 11kW on-board charger as standard, enabling customers with access to three-phase electricity supplies to enjoy significantly faster charging. When connected to an 11kW wall box 53km* of range (WLTP) per hour can be achieved, while a full charge from empty now takes only 8.6 hours – ideal for overnight charging at home. 

South African customers with access to single-phase supply can continue using 7kW wall boxes which charge up to 35km per hour, with a full charge taking 12.75 hours.  When charging ‘on the go’, a 60kW charger will add up to 76km in 15 minutes, while a 100kW charger will add up to 127km over the same period. 

All new or Approved Pre-Owned Jaguar customers in South Africa also receive complimentary driver training at the state-of-the-art Experience Johannesburg facility in Lonehill, Johannesburg. 

With a range of up to 470km (WLTP) from its 90kWh battery, customers with an average daily commute would only need to charge their I-PACE once a week**. 

Prices:

I-PACE EV400 S:       R1,942,600

I-PACE EV400 SE:     R2,005,100

I-PACE EV400 HSE:  R2,112,300

*  Range added per one-hour/15-minute period is WLTP range

** Based on data captured by Jaguar’s Go I-PACE app in the UK. 

 

 

New on the Tarmac: Meet the Ferocious new Audi R8

No other Audi is closer to motor racing: The Audi R8 is the dynamic spearhead and the fastest volume-production model of the Audi Sport brand. The revised version of the high-performance sports car as a Coupé and Spyder hosts an even sharper design. VIP customer deliveries of the dynamic Audi R8 V10 performance quattro have officially begun in South Africa.

This is part of a pre-launch strategy ahead of the performance sports car’s official retail launch from 1 April 2021.

POWER AND TORQUE

The V10 is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2 FSI engine paired to a 7-speed S tronic gearbox, offering 449 kW and 560 Nm of torque. The Audi R8 V10 Coupé sprints to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and the Spyder takes 3.3 seconds. Top speed is a blistering 329 km/h.  

Audi R8 customers can enjoy the standard high-gloss black styling package as a sporty exterior look to their sports car. The front splitter, the sill trims and diffuser are all finished off in black accents, with an option to upgrade the exterior look to the gloss carbon RS exterior parts which creates an aggressively sportier look. 

LED headlamps and rear lights with dynamic turn signals and high-beam control are standard with an option to upgrade to the Audi laser light at an extra cost.

INTERIOR

The new look extends to the interior of the Audi R8 with its driver focus orientation. New options here include the R8 sports seat with fine Nappa leather and diamond stitching as standard. Customers are able to select between the upholstery colours of red, white or black.

The operating concept, the Audi virtual cockpit and the MMI

The driver sits in the new Audi R8 like in a race car. The entire operating concept focuses on the driver alone, who can operate all key functions without having to take their hands off the steering wheel or look away from the road. 

The R8 performance multifunction steering wheel plus integrates three satellite buttons in addition to its push-buttons for the MMI. One is used to start and stop the engine, the second is used to select the basic modes of Audi drive select and the third for the performance programs.

Other key standard equipment includes: rear view camera, electric and folding exterior mirrors, comfort key, parking aid plus, R8 sport seats, seat heaters, tyre mobility kit with a tyre pressure monitoring system (to name a few).

 

Local pricing and availability

The updated Audi R8 range is priced as follows (inclusive of all taxes) and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan:

Audi R8 Coupé V10 performance quattro        R3,336,000

Audi R8 Spyder V10 performance quattro       R3,592,500