New models to rev up the market in 2017
NEW CAR GUIDE 2017/ Far from having its foot on the production brake, the auto industry is accelerating its number of new models. Here’s our annual guide to what’s coming
As we take a look at the Motor News crystal ball, the year will yet again see a number of models being launched here. These will be a cross-section of vehicles, from city runabouts to family sedans, luxury SUVs and exotic sports cars.
Last year’s dire figures for new vehicle sales have not stopped manufacturers from bringing their latest wares to our shores — and 2017 is set to be as busy as ever.
ALFA ROMEO
The sporty Italian brand is once again trying its hand at the medium executive sedan market with the Giulia. It will first be offered here with the highperformance variant, the Quadrifoglio, next month, although other petrol derivatives — including a turbodiesel — should be in the country in the third quarter. The Stelvio SUV, the first of the genre for the brand, is earmarked for a fourthquarter introduction.
AUDI
Audi’s product onslaught will begin with the introduction of the A5/S5 coupe in the first quarter, followed by the diminutive Q2 crossover. The Sportback will join the fray in the second quarter and the A5 cabriolet in the third quarter. The Q5 will make its way here in the third quarter. For high-performance fans, you can expect the RS3 sedan to arrive in the country in the second quarter and the drop-top R8 by the end of the first quarter. The company’s BMW M4 rival, the RS5, is set to hit SA in the fourth quarter and the TT RS will arrive in the second quarter.
BENTLEY
Bentley’s superb Bentayga Diesel will arrive here in the second quarter, while the GTC range will receive an additional model in the GTC Supersports.
BMW
The new 5 Series will spearhead the German company’s product introduction this year when it arrives in March. In the same month, the flagship 7 Series, the 760Li, also make inroads. A 3 Series plug-in hybrid, dubbed 330e, will arrive in the second quarter. Then another limitededition M4, the DTM, will also find its way here in the second/third quarter. BMW is also rumoured to be preparing updates for the mighty M2, which will get the twin-turbo engine from its big brother, M3. It could arrive here before the year is out ahead of the even mightier M2 Club Sport (CS), set to launch in 2018.
CHERY
Chery has been quiet for a while, but things are set to change with the launch of the next-generation Tiggo in the third quarter.
CHEVROLET
General Motors will finally make its Cruze sedan available in SA, which has been rather a long time coming following the unveiling of the vehicle in Detroit in 2015. Expect this one in the third quarter and let’s hope it has an ace up its sleeve to take on the establishment of the