March 19, 2021 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

New on the Tarmac: Meet Toyota’s price sensitive & frugal Agya

vuyi on March 19, 2021

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is proud to introduce the all-new Agya into South Africa’s highly competitive and price-sensitive A-segment for compact city cars.

As a direct replacement for the Aygo, the Agya competes in a fiercely fought segment where value and Rands-per-feature matter most and as such,the Agya is aimed at discerning budget-conscious first-time buyers.

With a host of standard features such as anti-lock brakes (ABS) enhanced by electronic brake force distribution (EBD), 14-inch alloy wheels, driver and front passenger airbags and the option of an automatic transmission, the Agya offers more for less.

Styled to Stun

The Agya’s front bumper is aggressively sculpted with a 3-dimensional design for an assertive look; which is further enhanced by upwardly curving tear-drop shaped projector headlamps. The headlamps feature a lens acting as a magnifying glass to increase the brightness of the light beam for optimum visibility.

The Agya’s door handles and electrically retractable mirrors are colour coded, while at the back, the diminutive Agya sports a roof-mounted rear spoiler and LED-powered rear lights.

The new Agya is a no-nonsense value proposition-
Glenn Crompton, TSAM’s Vice-President of Marketing

Enjoy the space

To maximise interior and boot space, the all-new Agya has been specially designed with each wheel positioned at the outermost corner of the vehicle’s body.

The Agya’s cabin features a mixed use of silver and black plastics and hard wearing fabric for the seats with a touch of polyurethane for the gear lever and steering wheel.

Comfort is taken care of by power steering, cup holders, automatic air conditioning while key trip information is conveyed to the driver via a Multi-Information Display. Passengers enjoy the luxury of electrically operated windows; and an auxiliary 12-volt socket is on hand for charging mobile devices.

Set the pace

The Agya’s nippy but thrifty three-cylinder, fuel-injected petrol engine serves to make light work of urban commutes. Powering the front wheels and developing maximum power of 49kW and peak torque of 89Nm, the engine is mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.

TMSA states that the manual version of the Agya sips an average of just 4.8 l/100 km and emits a corresponding 112g CO2/km; and sprints from 0-100km/h in 14.6 seconds. Its top speed is 165km/h.

Its automatic sibling as reported to consume 4.9 l/100 km with an emissions figure of 115g CO2/km, accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in 16.3 seconds and has a top speed of 145km/h.

Driven at the recommended speeds, the Agya’s 33-litre fuel tank should yield a theoretical maximum range of around 687 km.

“The new Agya is a no-nonsense value proposition that’s laser-focused on delivering the best value to budget-conscious customers under the umbrella of Toyota’s legendary quality, durability and reliability,” says Glenn Crompton, TSAM’s Vice-President of Marketing.

Model line-up & Pricing

Agya MT R178 600

Agya AT R192 500

Agya MT (with audio) R182 400

Agya AT (with audio) R196 300

Warranty & Maintenance

All Agya models are sold with a 2-services/20 000 km service plan. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is also provided. Customers can purchase additional service plan and warranty options via the extensive dealer network of 220.

New on the Tarmac: Get ready for Audi’s blistering new RS 6 Avant & RS 7 Sportback

vuyi on March 19, 2021

Audi has refined the RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback to make it even more suitable for everyday use.

The Audi RS 6 Avant, in its fourth generation, continues to mark its iconic status while the Audi RS7 Sportback, its second generation, undergoes a striking design.

Innovative exterior design

The entire front-end of both models are differentiated to the maximum. In addition to the new hood together with power dome, the performance models adopt a flatter, sportier headlight structure which offer HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and darkened trims as a standard feature.

The dynamic rear-end consists of the roof edge spoiler and an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser and design elements in gloss black. In hallmark RS style, the RS exhaust system flows on both sides into oval chrome-coloured tailpipes – an RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipes is standard.

The performance models are fitted as standard with RS-specific wheels with a 22-inch 5-V-spoke design with 285/30 tyres in silver, matt titanium look, gloss turned finish, and gloss turned anthracite black finish. The calipers of the RS brake system are painted red as standard and blue on the optional RS ceramic brakes.

The range of colours for the new models encompasses eight exterior paint finishes, including the two RS-specific shades of Nardo grey and Sebring black.

V8 power

The 4.0 TFSI in the new Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback produces 441 kW and delivers 800 Nm of torque. The high-performance models sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.6 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h; this can be increased to 280 km/h with the RS Dynamic package.

The power produced by the 4.0 TFSI flows via the standard eight-speed tiptronic transmission

Local pricing and availability

The new Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback go on sale in South Africa from 1 April 2021. The RS models are priced as follows (inclusive of all taxes) and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan:

Audi RS 6 Avant TFSI quattro R 2,070,000

Audi RS 7 Sportback TFSI quattro R 2,173,500

New on the Tarmac: Meet the Maserati MC20

vuyi on March 19, 2021

The Maserati MC20, the brand’s new super sports car, has made its debut in South Africa.

The Maserati MC20, the brand’s new super sports car, has made its debut in South Africa

The striking Blu Infinito MC20 arrived at Maserati Johannesburg shortly after completing its rigorous hot-weather testing schedule in the Northern Cape and elsewhere in South Africa.

MC20 is the first step in a new era, paving the way for the future of Maserati with its innovation, uniqueness and audacity. The supercar’s strikingly elegant design is achieved by finely balancing a series of opposites: a blend of craftsmanship and engineering, elegance and performance, racing spirit and pleasure at the wheel.

“We are very proud for South Africa to have been chosen as one of the official testing locations for the MC20 super sports car. The car has been creating a lot of buzz in the market, and we are excited to show it to our clients and the media.”
-Nagesh Naidoo, Dealer Principal of Maserati Johannesburg

The MC20 is a car with incredible aerodynamic efficiency, which conceals a sporty soul, with the new Nettuno engine – 463 kW, V6 with torque of 730 Nm – that delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 2.9 seconds and a top speed over 325 km an hour.

Domenico La Marte, General Manager, Maserati Middle East and Africa, said: “With the MC20, we inaugurate a new era in the only way we know: with audacity, energy and always focusing on our goal to deliver one of the most exclusive experiences to our clients.”

The Maserati MC20 is expected to arrive in South Africa in Q4 2021.