Colin-on-Cars - Boost for auto industry in Senegal

Development of the automotive industry in Senegal will be getting a boost from the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) that will provide advisory services and expertise to the West African country.

This follows this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair Conference opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and is part of the Coega Africa Programme.

“Final negotiations between Senegalese Investment Agency, PAIMRAI, and the CDC have recently concluded with the CDC and Automotive Investment Holdings (AIH) being appointed to elaborate a strategy for the development of the automotive industry in Senegal,” says Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC Head of Marketing, Brand and Communications.

The Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 took place from 15-21 November 2021 under the theme African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - a single market for goods and services across 55 countries, aimed at boosting trade and investment.

Analysis

The Senegalese Automotive Industry Strategy developed by the CDC and AIH will provide a comprehensive analysis of the automotive industry in Senegal, its potential and the upstream and downstream linkages that can be developed with countries such as South Africa and Morocco, which are the leading vehicle manufacturers in the continent. 

The appointment of the CDC sees the organisation expanding its project footprint throughout the continent, with projects currently in Zimbabwe, Cameroon for the Central African Republic, and now Senegal. Drawing from 21 years of expertise in project managing mega and complex infrastructure projects in South Africa for public and private sector, the Coega SEZ has successfully developed its Automotive Zone and attracted investment exceeding USD 895-million.

Dr Vilakazi explains the Sub-Sahara Africa automotive sector currently accounts for less than 3% of global production, against 30% for China, 22% for Europe and 17% for North America.

“The motorisation rate in this region was very low in 2018, with 42 cars per 1 000 inhabitants, against 837 in the United States, 173 in China and 214 in South Africa, for a world average of 180 cars per 1 000 inhabitants.

“This rate hardly exceeds 3% in Senegal, which means only 30 people out of 1 000 own a private vehicle.”

Nascent

Apart from Nigeria and Ghana, the automotive industry remains nascent in the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States, whose process of industrialisation faces the threat of used car imports from Europe, Japan, United States, Canada, and other countries.

The sub-regional and regional integration, through the development of upstream and downstream links in the automotive industry value chain, will stimulate industrialisation and competitiveness throughout Africa. According to research conducted by Dakar’s Foreign Trade Office, about 100 000 vehicles are imported to the country every year, which require constant replacement of parts due to difficult climate and infrastructural conditions.

Senegal imports almost all spare parts. However, strong government focus on encouraging automotive industry in the country is an important driving force for Senegal. Stringent environmental regulations on pollution and carbon emissions are necessitating heavy investments.

As the leading Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Africa, the CDC is poised to foster collaboration with the rest of the continent to promote the coordinating, championing, and driving of the implementation of free trade across borders and take advantage of supply chain networks and technological advancement.

“We believe the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will provide investors with easy access to new, rapidly developing markets while it has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty but achieving its full potential will depend on significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures,” says Ms Nkuli Mxenge-Mayende, CDC’s Global Market Manager.

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Colin-on-Cars - Lategan wraps up offroad title

The race to finalise the 2021 South African Cross-Country Series (SACCS) Champion played out in a tightly fought encounter near Parys on the banks of Vaal River at the weekend with Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings sealing their third successive overall production championship when they won the event.

The 2021 SACCS was characterised by a year-long battle between Lategan/Cummings, and Lance Woolridge/Elvene Coetzee (Ford Ranger). The two crews traded blows throughout the year, but a strong finish saw Lategan/Cummings take the crown again. Co-driver Cummings had secured the navigators’ championship with one round to spare.

Third Place

At the same time, teammates Shameer Variawa and co-driver Danie Stassen, secured third place in the race, despite suffering three punctures during the main event; while both Giniel de Villiers and Nasser Al-Attiyah, fielded their all-new Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ race cars. While unable to score championship points, or to be classified in the field, the two drivers clearly showed the pace of the new cars, as they put the finishing touches on their Dakar preparations.

The Parys 400 sported a tough route over varied terrain types. This took a toll on many of the competitors and their cars, but the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA crews prevailed despite the tricky conditions. With that said, Al-Attiyah/Baumel elected to retire from the race to preserve their car, after encountering a stray piece of barbed wire that tangled around the right front wheel of their Hilux.

Challenging

Henk Lategan: “This year was a really challenging one for us, especially after missing the opening round. However, the arrival of the new turbo-charged engine from the Land Cruiser 300 breathed new life into our challenge, and we managed to emerge victorious. The Toyota Hilux showed its mettle throughout the year, and we never had any serious mechanical problems.”

In the first season competing with the all-new 3,5-litre EcoBoost V6-powered Ford Ranger, designed and built by Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM), Woolridge and Vonk rounded off the year with a second-place finish at the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Parys 400 in the Free State, cementing their runner-up positions in the title chase for drivers and navigators.

“We knew coming into this race it was going to be a tough task to beat Henk and Brett, and unfortunately on the first loop I just didn’t feel confident in the car’s handling, so this cost us a lot of time,” Lance said. “It’s disappointing to lose out on the title when we’ve been so close, including winning first time out in Dullstroom, followed up by the victory at the 4x4 Mega World race, and then losing out in Vryburg by just four seconds.

“However our non-finish due to a minor technical issue at the Sugarbelt 400 is what cost us the championship,” Lance added. “But I think we’ve had a great season, and the fact that we’ve been able to make it so competitive this year is testament to the great team we have. So let’s see what next year brings with the new T1+ regulations.”

Frustrating

The second FIA-class Ford Ranger pairing of Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (377) saw their frustrating season end in disappointment. They posted fastest stage times on several occasions this year, but luck certainly hasn’t been on their side – and this played out in the season finale too. The talented young crew were within 28 seconds of the leaders at the mid-way point at the Parys race, but they were unfortunately caught out braking from high speed in a tricky sand section that pitched the car sideways, leading to a fairly minor roll.

They were able to continue for a short distance put a damaged oil cooler led to their retirement.

The Neil Woolridge Motorsport-supported privateer teams proved the class of their field this year, competing with the V8-powered Rangers in Class T.

Malcolm and Frans Kock (T4) took the title at the previous round in Vryburg, and weren’t able to make the final race. This left Wors Prinsloo/Andre Vermeulen (T41) and Christo Rose/Arno Olivier (T58) to wrestle over the final podium positions, along with the ever-present threat from the Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn.

The race win ultimately went to Prinsloo/Vermeulen as they secured their second victory of the season, which promoted them to second in the final Class T standings for 2021. Rose and Olivier concluded their first season in Class T as runners-up in Parys and third in the championship, with their Toyota rivals retiring with a blown engine.

Development

The Ford NWM Development Team of Bapi Rubuluza and Fanifani Meyiwa (T49) brought their Ford Ranger V8 home fourth in Class T, emulating their results from the previous race.

“The whole team is extremely proud of what Bapi and Fanifani have achieved this year,” Neil said. “We as experienced competitors often don’t realise how difficult it is for a new team to come into the sport and learn how to drive a specially developed, high-performance V8-powered race car in this type of terrain. Yes, the Development Team had its difficulties this year, and they were down in the dumps after crashing out at the Desert Race.

“But they never gave up and were rewarded with a second-place finish at the 4x4 Mega World 400. That podium was a very special moment for all of us,” Neil added. “The crew has learned a lot, they gained a lot of confidence and their pace has improved consistently, giving them two fourth places in a row. The sport desperately needs to be more inclusive and diverse, and to attract wider interest and participation amongst competitors and fans alike. Bapi and Fanifani are great ambassadors for cross country racing.”

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Colin-on-Cars - Value deal on entry-level Hyundai Venue

Coming in at R58 000 less than the next model in the range, Hyundai’s entry-level Venue gives nothing away in terms of fit and finish.

The Venue 1.2 Motion (manual) has a launch price of R259 900 and, according to Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa:  “We have sold 9 500 Venues since its launch in South Africa ­– that is an excellent average of more than 400 per month, and proof of the popularity of this model, especially if you consider the negative effect of the Covid 19 pandemic on the car market last year.

“We have identified an opportunity to add the Venue 1.2 Motion with its naturally aspirated engine and manual gearbox for young entry-level buyers, at a price that will make it a real value-for-money purchase.”

The power plant in the new Venue variant is a 1,2-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine, which is linked to a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the car through the front wheels.

The Venue 1.2 Motion (manual) is available with 15-inch steel wheels with styled covers as standard equipment.

Inside, the steering wheel has remote audio controls for the Bluetooth-enabled infotainment centre with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with smartphones. The 8-inch infotainment centre display screen offers functions for intuitive operation of the most used smartphone functions, including app-based navigation, streaming audio and voice-controlled search capabilities.

Convenience features such as a rear-view camera and Rear Park Assist sensors, electrical adjustment for the side mirrors, a manual air-conditioner and front and rear power windows are standard.

The Venue 1.2 Motion (manual) features 2 crash bags – one each for the driver and front passenger, seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters, ISOFIX child seat attachments for the rear seats, and an anti-lock braking system.

The Venue 1.2 Motion’s 4-cylinder engine, with a displacement of 1 197 cc, delivers 61 kW at its peak performance around 6 000 r/min., and maximum torque of 114 Nm at 4 200 r/min.

McPherson type struts with a stabilizer bar and coil springs are used for the front suspension, while a coupled torsion beam axle with coil springs ensure comfort and secure road handling at the rear.

Included in the Venue 1.2 Motion’s suggested retail price are Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s 7-year / 200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, a 3-year / 45 000 km service plan and roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000 km.

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Colin-on-Cars

https://highwaymail.co.za/452376/africa-as-a-large-eco-system/
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Colin-on-Cars - Audi Q5 Sportback added to the list

The third crossover utility vehicle in the Audi range, Q5 Sportback, is now locally available with three variants plus one SQ5 option available with two engine options.

A 2,0-litre TDI engine is responsible for propulsion in the Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro. It produces 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque, and accelerates the large CUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 220 km/h.

A seven-speed S tronic and the efficient quattro drive with ultra-technology provide the power transmission for the four-cylinder diesel engine. In normal driving conditions, it directs the torque exclusively to the front wheels. The moment all-wheel drive is required, two clutches instantly activate the rear axle, even predictively in many situations.

With the 2.0 TFSI, a four-cylinder petrol engine, the Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,3 seconds and takes it to a top speed of 237 km/h. The petrol engine produces 183 kW and 370 Nm of torque.

Like the two-litre TDI, it uses a seven-speed S tronic transmission and the quattro drive with ultra-technology, while a 12 V mild hybrid system (MHEV) increases the efficiency. Its belt-driven starter-alternator can recover energy when decelerating and store it in a compact lithium-ion battery.

Audi offers the new crossover utility vehicle in the ‘Advanced’ and ‘S line’ exterior trim lines. Differences lie in the Singleframe, the side air inlets and in particular the rear bumper as well as the wheel size and design.

The luggage compartment has a volume of 510 litres, which increases to 1 480 litres when loaded to the roof and with the rear seats folded down. Audi also offers the newest member of the family with the optional rear seat bench plus (standard on the SQ5), which can be shifted laterally and has adjustable seat back angles.

Thanks to its tight setup, the standard sport suspension offers direct contact with the road. Audi also offers an alternative suspension with controlled dampers or the versatile and comfortable adaptive air suspension. It adjusts the ride height over a wide range of 60 mm. The ground clearance can be increased by as much as 45 mm when driving on unpaved roads, while the body is lowered by 15 mm when driving fast.

For the controls, displays and infotainment, the Q5 Sportback takes over from the Q5 with the third-generation modular infotainment system or MIB 3. When fully equipped with the optional Technology Package, the digital Audi virtual cockpit plus (with 12,3-inch display), the MMI navigation plus infotainment system (paired with a 10,1-inch touch display) and Audi connect infotainment services, offer integrated convenience and connectivity to the driving experience.

At the forefront of the range is the Audi SQ5 Sportback TFSI. Its cultivated 3,0-litre petrol engine produces an output of 260 kW and 500 Nm of torque. An actuator in the exhaust system lends the sound tone and richness. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is claimed at 4,9 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). An eight-speed tiptronic handles the power transmission in the S model, while the quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfers the torque variably as needed to the front and rear axles.

Pricing

Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro Advanced    R960,000

Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S line            R1,000,000

Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro S line          R1,050,000

Audi SQ5 Sportback TFSI quattro                       R,1,355,000

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Colin-on-Cars - Hilux ready for Dakar

It has been undergoing testing at all the local Cross Country events this year and it is now confirmed as official – the GR DKR Hilux T1+ will be taking on the Dakar in 2022.

Powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine of 3,5-litres which is sourced from the new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport, the new GR DKR Hilux T1+ features more low-down torque than its predecessor, as well as gains in terms of engine weight, though the overall weight of the car has been increased to 2 000 kg as per the regulations.

The new engine’s performance is governed by the rules as set out by the FIA, and as such it offers 298 kW of power and approximately 660 Nm of torque, which is well within the performance capability of the production engine.

The car also features a suspension system that has seen an increase in travel from 280 mm to 350 mm, which allows the driver to make the most of the new tyres that have been increased from 32 inches to 37 inches. The tyre width has also increased from 245 mm to 320 mm.

Aluminium wheels have been an integral part of the development of the T1+ and the team has chosen to leave the wheels in their natural aluminium finish, as this offers a benefit in terms of heat radiation.

Under the skin, the Hilux has retained the same mid-engine layout that has been in use since Dakar 2016, as well as the core cockpit layout. The car now carries only two spare tyres rather than the three that had been in use in the past, due to a change in the regulations for the T1+ category.

The new car features the latest livery design, which aligns with that used in both the WEC and WRC. As such, the new Toyota GR DKR Hilux, which will also compete in the 2022 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, clearly forms part of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s world championship race car line. The GR lettering has now been adopted by all three World Championship teams, even though the Dakar Hilux has been part of the GAZOO Racing family for many years. This lettering also serves to reinforce the link between Toyota’s race cars, and the road cars that bear the same letters.

For Dakar 2022, the team will field four of the all-new GR DKR T1+ versions of the Hilux, with Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah and French co-driver Mathieu Baumel spearheading the attack for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. The 2019 Dakar Rally winners will again have Giniel de Villiers (2009 Dakar winner) as teammate, and the South African will be partnered with co-driver Dennis Murphy for the 2022 edition of the race.

South Africans Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings will be returning to the Dakar Rally, with the aim of showing their pace over the full race distance after crashing out during stage 5 of the 2021 edition of the rally. The final car in the line-up will be driven by Shameer Variawa and co-driver Danie Stassen, both from South Africa.

Glyn Hall, Team Principal: “Our all-new Toyota GR DKR Hilux has progressed extremely well over the last few months of development, and we are confident it is now ready to take on the Dakar Rally. As such, we’ve officially taken it out of the prototype programme, and will now continue to refine the car in time for January’s race. The new engine from the Land Cruiser has proven reliable from the get-go, and working with it in stock form means that we don’t have to stress the engine to extract maximum performance.”

SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine -                       V35A Production Engine

Donor -                        Land Cruiser 300

Engine Type -              Twin Turbo, Petrol

Control Regulation -    Boost Limited by FIA Reference Power Curve

Power -                        298 kW

Torque -                       660 Nm

Engine Management -  Motec

Transmission -             Sadev 6-speed, Sequential Shift

Differentials -              All Limited Slip (front, centre, rear)

Clutch -                        Ceramic Twin Plate, 215 mm

Construction -              Tubular Frame

Wheel Base -                3,140 mm

Overall Length -          4,810 mm

Overall Width -            2,300 mm

Overall Height -           1,890 mm

Overall Mass -             2,000 kg, FIA Regulated Minimum (dry weight)

Body -                          Toyota Hilux Double Cab Pick-Up, Full Composite

Front Suspension -       Double Wishbone, 350 mm Travel

Rear Suspension -        Double Wishbone, 350 mm Travel

Wheels -                       Method Race Wheels, 17 inches

Tyres -                         BF Goodrich, 37 inches

Fuel Tank -                  FT3 Safety Cell, 540 litres

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Premier trade event in Africa

https://highwaymail.co.za/452262/iatf-is-the-premier-trade-event-in-africa/
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Colin-on-Cars - new look for VW Polo

January next year will see the start of sales of the new look Volkswagen Polo that will launch bearing the global nomenclature and offer IQ.Drive Travel Assist as an option.

The Volkswagen Polo was first launched in South Africa in 1996 and Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand, says: “The Volkswagen Polo is South Africa’s second best-selling passenger car after the Polo Vivo. In 2021, 16 454 Polos have been sold in the local market which translates to a share of 22,6% in the A0 Hatch segment.”

The Polo, built in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, is exported to all right-hand-drive markets worldwide supplements production for left-hand-drive markets. The Kariega plant is also the sole manufacturer of the Polo GTI.

On the new Polo the bumper and tailgate have been given a new look, as have the headlights and tail light clusters which come standard with LED technology. The Polo has a distinctive day time and night time light signature, which includes a new LED light strip along the radiator grille in conjunction with the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights.

The interior of the Polo now boasts a Digital Cockpit, a re-designed multi-function steering wheel, new-generation infotainment systems and wireless App-Connect (optional feature). All modules except the air conditioning are integrated into the dashboard’s upper crossbar with the infotainment system screen located in the centre.

In the R-Line (featured in the images) and Polo GTI derivatives, the two-zone climatronic air-conditioner now has touch panels and sliders which replace the knobs and buttons in the previous generation.

The Polo range is available with a choice of three infotainment systems; Composition Colour with a 6,5-inch display (standard in the 70 kW and 85 kW Polo and Life), Composition Media with an 8.,-inch display (standard in the 85 kW R-Line and Polo GTI) and an 8,0-inch Discover Media system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, Voice Control, inductive mobile charging and a multi-colour Digital Cockpit Pro (optional feature on the Life, R-Line and GTI models).

Travel Assist brings together the functions of the new predictive ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Lane Assist to create a new system that enables semi-automated driving. ACC ensures that the Polo automatically maintains the speed selected by the driver. Using radar sensor technology, it detects if a slower vehicle appears in front of it and then brakes the Polo, therefore always keeping a safe following distance. If there are no longer any cars in front, the Polo accelerates again to the desired speed. The lane keeping system Lane Assist scans the area in front of the Polo and detects lane markings and steers correctively as soon as any unintentional movement out of the lane is detected.

The Polo has moved to Volkswagen’s new naming convention. Previously, the Polo was available in the Trendline (base model), Comfortline (mid-level) and Highline (premium) versions. The new naming convention features the Polo version (base model), Polo Life (mid-level) and R-Line (premium). The new Polo will also be available in a GTI derivative.

The entry-level Polo boasts LED headlights, LED tail light clusters and a new multi-function steering wheel. In the entry-level Polo there is a range of features which come standard; App-Connect, Composition Colour system, 14-inch steel wheels, a Bluetooth mobile phone interface, electronically adjusted and heated exterior mirrors, power windows, door handles and exterior mirror caps in the vehicle colour.

The Polo Life includes additional standard features such as 15-inch Essex alloy wheels, a centre armrest with an additional USB-C port in the middle of the passenger compartment and leather trim on the steering wheel and gear knob.

The R-Line’s bumpers are distinguished from all other Polo versions by their g R design. In the front bumper, the gloss black cross and longitudinal bars of the air intakes convey a dynamic character. A diffuser with chrome integrated exhaust panels in the lower part of the rear also distinguishes this model from the Polo and Life equipment versions.

Standard features in the R-Line include 16-inch Valencia alloy wheels, two-zone climatronic air-conditioner and the Composition Media system with inductive mobile charging.

The new Polo GTI is equipped with sports suspension that is specially tuned for the vehicle. This lowers the body by 15 mm and combines solid driving dynamics, reliable neutrality and very good driving comfort typical for GTI models. Driving profile selection is standard in the new Polo GTI and offers four driving modes of Eco, Individual, Normal and Sport.

The dominating colours in the interior are black, red, grey and chrome. As typical for GTI models, the roof pillars and headliner are Titanium Black. The trim on the dash panel is now finished in a striking Kings Red glossy colour.

Standard features in the new Polo GTI are the two-zone climatronic air-conditioning, IQ. Light LED matrix headlights, 17-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels and the Composition Media system with inductive mobile charging.

In South Africa, the new Volkswagen Polo will be available with a 1,0-litre TSI 70 kW engine in the Polo and Polo Life specifications. The three-cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, delivers 70 kW of power and maximum torque of 17 5 Nm.

The 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG engine is only available in the Polo Life and Polo R-Line specifications. The three-cylinder engine, which is coupled with a 7-speed DSG transmission, delivers 85 kW of power and maximum torque of 200 Nm.

Like all its predecessors, the new Polo GTI is a front-wheel drive. The 2,0-litre TSI turbo-charged engine delivers a power output of 147 kW. The maximum torque is 320 Nm at 1 500 r/min to 4 500 r/min.

Pricing for the new Polo range in South Africa will be confirmed closer to the launch date and it will retail from Volkswagen dealers in January 2022.

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Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu upgrades new gen mu-X

The oft underrated Isuzu mu-X moves into its second generation and launches locally with a new 3,0-litre diesel engine offering more power and torque, while the car sports significantly uprated technology.

“The new mu-X is a massive step-up for Isuzu. It represents a shift in how customers will view vehicles in this segment in terms of ride quality, luxury, and technology. The new mu-X will not only attract more buyers in this segment but is likely to attract buyers from other segments as well,” says Craig Uren, Senior Vice President Isuzu Sales and Marketing.

The new mu-X is one of the safest vehicles on the road with a 5-star ANCAP rating. The safety rating is driven by Isuzu’s innovative safety systems such as the addition of a centre crash bag between the driver and the front passenger. The mu-X also benefits from the use of high tensile steel in key parts of the body structure, making it stronger for better occupant protection and driving performance while being lighter than the outgoing model.

The side profile of the mu-X is dominated by a signature line running from front to rear, linking the arrow motif headlamps with the rear light 3D winglets, while body coloured door handles and chrome window moulding complement the side character line. Exterior rear-view mirrors have power adjusting and folding with heated function on LSE and Onyx models.

The rear end sees new tailgate badging and the rear lights and indicators are combined in a winglet design with precise LED details.

The standard 20-inch wheels fitted to the top of the range Onyx model are based on an ice axe motif, while LSE models are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels based upon a jet engine’s turbine blades with nine spokes.

Inside, a new Multi Information Display (MID) provides detailed easy to use menus which control most of the vehicle’s systems. The speedometer and rev counter faces feature a three-dimensional design, while the circumference chrome ring has crystal-like scale divisions reminiscent of high-end watches.

A smaller, sporty leather wrapped steering wheel and the gear selector are shaped to fit comfortably in the driver’s hands. Chrome highlights on centre console controls and door function switches add a solid look and feel to the interior.

Onyx and LSE models have a new seat design with 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, including power lumber support adjustment in Onyx models. Top of the range models feature heated front seats and 4-way power adjustment for the passenger seat.

An improved driving position, increased range of seat height adjustment and a steering column with telescopic and tilt function makes finding a comfortable driving position easier for drivers of all sizes.

Access to the second and third row seats has been improved by moving the B-pillar forward by 25 mm allowing for a larger rear door opening.

The mu-X has legroom of 915 mm for second row occupants. The second-row seats are 30 mm wider than the seats in the outgoing model.

Roomier third row seats recline by an additional 10 degrees and all seven seating positions have seatbelt monitoring with a visual warning displayed in the driver’s instrument panel. ISOFIX points are available for up to three child seats depending on the model.

Onyx and LSE models have dual zone climate control with two separate HVAC units to provide individual temperature for each of the front seat occupants. Buttons for the air-conditioner are designed and positioned for simplified use.

The new mu-X has a new infotainment system has 9-inch or 7-inch touch screen display units depending on the model.  The system has intuitive screen functions along with steering wheel mounted controls for audio and telephone functions, including voice input. Onyx and LSE models have 8 speakers, while the LS has 6 speakers.

The mu-X offers a total 3 568 litres of luggage space available depending on the position of the seats. When all the seats are occupied, the mu-X has sizeable capacity of 311 litres which is shaped to accommodate a golf bag.

The front suspension has been redesigned with a high mounted upper control arm to minimise body roll when cornering by increasing the vehicle’s roll centre. Handling is further improved with the revision of the camber angle allowing more tyre grounding during cornering by minimising camber changes with suspension movement.

At the rear, the roll centre has been moved up closer to the vehicle’s centre of mass to reduce the vehicle’s roll angle. This minimises body roll and ensures driver confidence with stable, predictable vehicle behaviour when cornering.

The Onyx model has new 20-inch wheels with 265/50R20 tyres, 18-inch alloy wheels on the LSE model are paired with 265/60R18 tyres and LS models are equipped with a combination 17-inch alloy wheels and 255/65R17 tyres.

Ground clearance has been increased by 5 mm to 235 mm. Approach angle is 30 degrees, with a ramp angle of 24,0 degrees, and 26,0 degrees departure angle. Wading depth has increased to 800 mm.

All models are fitted with rear axle differential lock (Diff-Lock) for improved off-road performance and the new 4x4 transfer case has a new actuator which delivers one of the quickest engagement times of 0,61 seconds compared to the 1,94 seconds of the previous model.

A new feature for the 4x4 models is the “Rough Terrain Mode”, which can be engaged via a separate button on the centre console. Rough Terrain Mode increases effectiveness of the Traction Control System on loose surfaces with undulations where one or two wheels diagonally across from each other lose grip.

Power has increased to 140 kW at 3 600 r/min, while torque is now 450 Nm between 1 600 r/min and 2 600 r/min and claimed fuel consumption is 7,6 l/100 km with driving range is increased with the fitment of a larger 80 litre fuel tank, up from 65 litres.

New fuel injector design and increased fuel injection pressure are to thank for the improvement in fuel consumption and lower emissions. In addition, the fuel supply pump now uses 20% less engine power when operating.

In a first for the segment, the new Isuzu mu-X is fitted with a far side centre crash bag, which is deployed from the left-hand side of the driver’s seat. The bag is designed to prevent or reduce injuries caused by the driver and passenger smashing into each other during a collision or roll over.

The Onyx boasts a total of eight crash bags including a driver’s knee bag located below the steering column. LSE and LS models have seven crash bags with a cut-off switch for the front passenger bag.

Model Line-up and pricing

3.0 Ddi mu-X 4x2 LS A/T                       Price: R 693, 800.00 including VAT

3.0 Ddi mu-X 4x4 LS A/T                       Price: R771, 600.00 including VAT

3.0 Ddi mu-X 4x2 LSE A/T                     Price: R 763,300.00 including VAT

3.0 Ddi mu-X 4x4 Onyx A/T                   Price: R 860, 500.00 including VAT

All models are covered by the Isuzu Complete Care package with class leading warranty of 5 years or 120 000 km.

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Colin-on-Cars - Title chase a nail biter

The four second gap separating first and second place in the penultimate round of the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) was close – but not as close as the tile fight going into the final round this weekend in Parys.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Parys 400 will be a one-day race, with a short qualifying sprint in the morning to determine the starting order for the two race loops.

It will be a nail-biting affair, with the championship standings reflecting the finishing order at the thrilling penultimate round, the Vryburg 400, where the Ford Castrol team of Lance Woolridge and co-driver Elvéne Vonk (334) crossed the line a mere four seconds behind their championship rivals and current points leaders Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (Toyota), and ahead of Brian Baragwanath/Leonard Cremer (Century).

Lance Woolridge/Elvene Vonk

The Ford Castrol crew, in their Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) EcoBoost-powered Ranger, have claimed two wins from six races this season, and will be giving it everything to add a third victory to their 2021 campaign to give them the best shot at the FIA-class title.

In the drivers' championship, Lance is just nine points behind Lategan, with Baragwanath a further 11 points adrift. With 30 points up for grabs for the race win, there’s everything to play for when the action commences in Parys.

The navigators' title is unfortunately beyond reach for Elvéne, who trails Cummings by 37 points. But, with third-placed Cremer just 16 points adrift, she will be doing everything in her power to guide Woolridge to maximum points in Parys to give him the best chance for championship glory, and secure her runner-up status in the final rankings.

Team-mates Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (377) have scored two podiums and three fourth-place finishes in what has been a challenging and frustrating season for the second Ford Castrol Ranger crew. They have been the fastest competitors in the field on several occasions, but luck certainly hasn’t been on their side this year.

Neil Woolridge

Nevertheless, their sheer determination and tenacity has seen them progressively move up the rankings, with Gareth currently fourth overall in the FIA-class driver’s championship, 34 points behind Baragwanath, and six ahead of Chris Visser (Toyota) – so consolidating fourth place will be the younger Woolridge’s primary objective.

Co-driver Boyd still has a chance to claim the last step on the final FIA-class championship podium for navigators, as he trails Cremer by 27 points, with a 26-point margin to fifth-placed Henry Kohne (Century).

“It is fantastic that the fight for the championship goes all the way to the final race of the season,” says Neil Woolridge, NWM team principal. “It’s going to be hard work taking the fight to Toyota, but it was very encouraging to see how close we were in Vryburg, trading places throughout the race.

“As we’ve seen on many occasions in the past, anything can happen in cross country racing, and we will certainly be giving it everything for this race.”

Class T

The Class T championship has been dominated by the Neil Woolridge Motorsport-supported Ford Ranger privateers this year, who have been a model of consistency and performance. The father-and-son pairing of Malcolm and Frans Kock (T4) have romped away from the competition, with two wins and three podium finishes handing them an unassailable lead in the championship on 174 points. As a result, they will be crowned Class T champions for 2021, regardless of how the battles play out in Parys.

However, going into the season finale it’s impossible to predict which crews will join them on the championship podium. Christo Rose and Arno Olivier (T58) are currently second on 138 points in the driver’s and navigator’s championships – an impressive feat considering it’s their debut season in the V8-powered NWM Ford Ranger.

Wors Prinsloo/Andre Vermeulen

They are closely shadowed by Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen (T41) in the third NWM Ranger on 136 points a piece, while Johan and Werner Horn (Toyota) are hot on their heels, with 135 and 130 points respectively.

The Ford NWM Development Team of Bapi Rubuluza and co-driver Fanifani Meyiwa (T49) continue to make great strides in the series, having finished second at the 4x4 Mega World 400 at the beginning of October, and ending fourth in Vryburg four weeks later.

Bapi is currently seventh in the Class T drivers’ standings on 85 points, with the potential to move up a couple of places if the crew finishes well. Fanifani is placed fifth amongst the Class T navigators.

Race schedule

The race will be based at the Parys Airfield, which will serve as the start/finish and designated service park. Competitors will have a short 15km qualifying race in the morning, followed by two loops of the 175km race route, separated by a scheduled 30-minute service stop.

Although access to the designated service park (DSP) will remain restricted in compliance with the current COVID-19 regulations, there will be plenty of opportunities to watch the cars racing during the event.

Fans can follow all the action and track the position of the crews using the RallySafe app which can be downloaded free of charge for iOS and Android devices. Also, be sure to follow the Ford Performance SA social media channels, listed below, for regular race updates.

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