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New car sales might have received a kick in the teeth in 2015, but that won’t prevent car companies from bringing plenty of metal to Mzansi in 2016. Some will be unaffordable to most, but we can still lust after them. Here they are in alphabetical order:
Ford Mustang
Although this tasty slice of Americana only came into our country in small numbers, it’s worshipped by thousands of petrolheads from Aalwynsfontein in the Northern Cape to Zwelitsha in the Eastern Cape.
It’s the original muscle car: two doors, big engine, simple. Unfortunately, once it’s been through the rand/dollar exchange grinder, it’s no longer affordable for most of us. This latest version has European (not American) rear suspension, which improves its roadholding.
It’s also equipped with an interesting bunch of gadgets. One of them allows you to brake the front wheels and floor the pedal to spin the rear wheels and create a cloud of tyre smoke.
Ford says this is to raise the temperature of the rear wheels for better grip. We’ll leave it at that. But the Mustang will face merciless competition from BMW’s gorgeous 435i Coupé (under R800 000).
The Mustang will be available from January in hard or soft top. The engine choices are a 5-litre V8 or a turbo-charged 2.3-litre 4-cylinder.
How much? From R700 000 for the 2.3 Fastback manual to R900 000 for the 5.0 Convertible Auto.
Honda NSX
After a very long wait, the new Honda NSX will arrive early next year. It’s incredibly sophisticated.
Besides its 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, the NSX has three electric motors – one for each front wheel and the third to supplement power to the rear wheels, which are already driven by the V6 petrol engine.
All these power sources make the NSX a quattro, but with instant precision control and input to the front wheels for the ultimate in wheel grip and safety.
For true motoring aficionados, this is the most anticipated car of 2016. In January, the new Civic Type-R performance hatchback gets here and we could also get the next-generation Civic range towards year-end.
How much? An estimated R2.3 million.
Hyundai Creta
The hottest car trend in town is the small crossover, a compact pretend 4x4 similar in size to the Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3, Suzuki Vitara and Nissan Juke.
The handsome Creta has an angular design with sharp creases in the right places. It will be powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine with the possibility of a 1.4 or 1.6 turbo diesel.
The Creta’s bigger brother, the Hyundai iX35, will also report for duty – but with its old name, Tucson. This one has more interior space and the option of a built-in TomTom sat-nav, turbo engines, a smooth 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox and autonomous braking with pedestrian detection.
The Hyundai Elantra is also due out next year. How much for the Creta? An estimated R220 000 to R280 000.
Opel Astra
Each time a new generation of Astra, Focus or Mégane arrives, the motoring media say: Will it be good enough to beat the Golf? Well, usually they’re not.
The luxury versions in South Africa should come with technology like IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights that adjust automatically to mostly shine on either side of other vehicles, so you can drive with headlights set to high; front seats with massage and ventilation functions; an IntelliLink infotainment system that mimics your Apple or Android phone’s screen; and rear seats with two USB sockets each for charging devices.
Apart from the gimmicks, it should be a great drive, with its power coming from a 1.0-litre or 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and the possibility of a refined and quiet 1.6-litre turbo diesel.
How much? An estimated R250 000 to R370 000.
Toyota Hilux
Hilux is more than an institution in South Africa; it’s a religion. Its reputation for durability is well deserved. It struggled in the sales charts, where the Ford Ranger often outsold the largely outdated Toyota. But now the boss
is back.
The proven but ancient 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is dead. In its place is a 2.8-litre and a 2.4-litre (turbo-diesels) with more shove and less thirst than the old warhorse.
Inside, the cabin goes from economy class on SAA to business class on Etihad. The steering wheel now adjusts for height and reach, the rear passengers have more room, and noise insulation has been improved.
A new Hilux means a new Fortuner and that will also reach us next year. How much? An estimated R220 000 to R570 000.
