Colin-on-Cars - World rally opportunity for young drivers

If ‘doing it in the dirt’ is your dream and passion, the Slalom Challenges could become your stepping stone to an international rally career.

A series of Slalom Challenges will be held around the country from December 2021 to March 2022 with the national final selection event in April 2022. 

Finalist

The Slalom Challenges will each see the best male and female competitor in each challenge becoming one of the 32 finalists to participate in the national final selection event, at which competitors will be selected to represent South Africa at the Continental Final.

South Africa’s participation in this programme, the organisation of the various challenges and the national final has been generously funded by a grant from the FIA Sport Grant programme managed by the FIA.

The programme is open to all interested individuals who will be at least 17 years old, but not older than 26, on 01 January 2022. The programme also has a specific focus on gender and racial diversity.

Biggest

The programme offers possibly one of the biggest prizes ever in motor sport, so quite apart from the pleasure of participating in the initial challenges, the potential to take part in the national finals, and for the selected drivers the chance to participate in the Continental Final, the winner of the Continental Final will enjoy participation in an ongoing programme which could kickstart an international rally career.

This would include a training season in 2023 that includes participation in six European rallies, and could extend to participation in the Junior WRC in 2024 and 2025 and ultimately for the winner of the 2025 Junior WRC a fully funded WRC2 drive in the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.

Individuals that wish to participate in this programme should head to  www.fiarallystar.com to find out how you can participate in this exciting event and #BeTheNextOne.

Motorsport South Africa (MSA) is delighted to welcome MasterDrive as a training partner in the programme and will assist MSA in the safe conduct of events.

Prospect

Adrian Scholtz the CEO of Motorsport South Africa says “I am excited by the prospect of working with MasterDrive on this and other possible future projects. We share a common passion not only for cars and motorcycles, but also for road safety and this partnership is an ideal way to improve the skills and habits of young drivers.” 

MasterDrive has also agreed to reward the 17-year-old winner of MSA’s first digital motorsport championship, the ATK ProSeries, Koketso Pilane, by affording him training towards gaining his driver’s license and preparing him for participation in the national selection event for FIA Rally Star where he was awarded a wild card. 

The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says MasterDrive looks forward to working with MSA in this endeavour. “We support initiatives that promote responsible use of motor vehicles in a dynamic environment. Additionally, we appreciate the opportunity to foster an interest amongst younger drivers in a ‘time-honoured’ tradition of coming of age with the acquiring of a licence. It is an opportunity not to be missed.

“We would also like to recognise MSA for the role they play in keeping all aspects of motor sport safe. Their decision to choose MasterDrive to fulfil this role in the Slalom Challenges is but one indication of that. Working together we hope to keep the passion alive and build motor sport’s reputation by prioritising safety,” says Herbert. 

https://bit.ly/3IaIao7

Colin-on-Cars - On track for a title

It was launched only recently but the Kia EV6 has earned itself a nomination for the final round of the 2022 European Car of the Year (ECOTY) awards.

The electric crossover was provisionally listed among 60 new models launched this year and has now been selected by the 61 ECOTY jurors from 23 countries for the seven-strong shortlist. The overall ECOTY winner will be announced in February.

Impact

In just one month since going on sale in Europe, the Kia EV6 has made a big impact, with pre-order books closing early after unprecedented demand for the new model. Thanks to ultra-fast charging and a 528 km range, the EV6 is a mainstream electric vehicle drawing worthy comparison to many premium models.

The Kia brand reinvented itself at the beginning of 2021 with a new name, new logo and revived design ethos named ‘Opposites United’.

Dedicated

The EV6 is the first vehicle launched under this new direction and is Kia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle based on its all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

Jason Jeong, President of Kia Europe, commented: “Kia is proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest examples of modern mobility. After the two nominations of Ceed in its first and third-generation and the one for Stinger, the nomination of the brand new EV6 is recognition of our progress and highlights our commitment to providing sustainable mobility solutions.

https://bit.ly/3EceDIx

Colin-on-Cars - Audi e-tron can be pre-ordered

Colin-on-Cars - Audi e-tron can be pre-ordered

The ‘e’ in Audi is on its way and South Africa buyers looking to go electric can pre-order the e-tron on their choice from any of the 10 e-tron dealerships nationwide.

The official range, consisting of the Audi e-tron SUV, e-tron Sportback and S Sportback , e-tron GT and high performance RS e-tron GT, starts at R1,99-million, although a special launch edition is planned but Audi is keeping the wraps on the specs and pricing for now.

Outlets

There are three outlets in Johannesburg, another three in Pretoria and two dealerships in both Cape Town and Durban. The 10 Audi e-tron Dealerships will also be equipped to allow for fast electric vehicle charging and will be accessible to the public. This charging infrastructure ranges from DC 50 to 75 kW.

As part of an e-tron purchase, Audi customers will get a complimentary home check by an approved service provider to assess the customer’s individual home charging requirements, to determine the necessary upgrades or installations needed.

Accordingly, Audi will also cover the installation of a 32 Amp industrial socket up to the value of R5 000 to allow for convenient integration of single phase power (the most widely available power available in South African households) and the Audi e-tron charger, to deliver around 7,2 kW of power towards a 100% charge in an estimated 13 hour charging time.

Access

Audi South Africa has partnered with Gridcars to allow e-tron customers access to the growing public charging network in South Africa, which currently consists of more than 280 universal charge point connectors.

In addition, Audi will provide :

- A complimentary Audi branded RFID charge card for use with the Gridcars charging network.

- Complimentary first-year membership to Gridcars charging network and charging portal.

- A once-off charging voucher to allow for a convenient first-time charge at a public charging point.

e-tron SUV and Sportback get four zone climate control, adaptive air suspension, contour ambient interior lighting, power front seats with heating, comfort key with sensor controlled luggage compartment release, lane change and rear traffic assist, rear view camera, parking aid plus, Matrix LED lights with dynamic light design and turn signals, Audi connect emergency call, navigation and infotainment, Audi virtual cockpit plus, Audi smartphone interface, Bang and Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound, and MMI navigation plus with touch response as standard.

e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT come with all of the above plus a panoramic glass sunroof, power exterior mirrors with heated, memory and dimming function, windshield with heat insulating and acoustic glass and 400 volt boost converter.

The Audi e-tron range will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2022 and will be priced as follows at launch, inclusive of the Audi Freeway Plan (5 years, 100 000 km) and a battery warranty of 8 years, 160 000 km.

Pricing:

e-tron 55 advanced R1 990 000

e-tron 55 S line R2 045 000

e-tron 55 Sportback S line R2 115 000

e-tron S Sportback R2 425 000

e-tron GT R2 715 000

RS e-tron GT R3 300 000

https://bit.ly/32BRaCN

Colin-on-Cars - New Ford Ranger revealed

The new Ford Ranger to be built at the company’s factory in Silverton, Pretoria from next year has finally had the wraps removed.

“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO. “This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver.

"Not just a product our customers will love, but an always-on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the midsize truck people will want to own and experience.”

Next-gen

The next-gen Ranger project was led by Ford’s Product Development Center in Australia. Its international team of dedicated designers and engineers worked with teams around the globe to not only incorporate the very latest in Ford technology, capability and safety, but to also engineer and test the Ranger to Ford’s toughest standards.

Visually, the next-generation Ranger gets an exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel-arches. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights.

At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the graphics on the front.

Inside

Inside, the cabin steps up, using premium soft-touch materials, and a prominent portrait-style centre touchscreen with Ford’s SYNCi 4 connectivity and entertainment system.

The reveal models – the XLT, Sport and Wildtrak – sit on an upgraded chassis riding on a wheelbase 50mm longer and a track 50 mm wider than the prior Ranger.

Customers wanted a choice of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off-roading, so the team added Ford’s 3,0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and developed it for the Ranger. It is one of three turbo-diesel engine options available at launch, depending on the market.

In addition, it will be available with a 2,3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder.

Transmission

New transmission choices include an updated 10-speed auto or six-speed manual, complementing the current six-speed automatic.

Engineers moved the front wheels forward by 50 mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off-road articulation, both of which improve the off-roading experience. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride both on- and off-road, no matter if they’re carrying heavy cargo for work, or just taking the family out for dinner.

The heart of the Ranger’s connective experience is the large 10,1-inch or 12-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s latest SYNC4 system, which comes customer-ready with its voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems.

Many of the traditional driving mode controls have been moved from the dash and centre console to their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen. With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.

The screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring.

Specific details on the local variants will be confirmed closer to launch next year.

https://bit.ly/3oVCwh7

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.

https://bit.ly/3cBnEyx

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.”

https://bit.ly/3CRrKNX

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.

https://bit.ly/3kQljEA

Colin-on-Cars

https://highwaymail.co.za/452376/africa-as-a-large-eco-system/
https://bit.ly/3qPFkP9

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

https://bit.ly/3wXugk8

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

https://bit.ly/3kHG1qc