RUMOUR HAS IT...
because Chrysler vehicles are no longer in SA.
There will be big changes for Maserati though, with Ferrari instrumental in all its powertrains and the announcement that the new Alfieri will be an all-electric sports car, although we revealed that exclusively earlier this year. Electrification will be a key part of the new strategy with all Jeeps set to have electrified options in the range and half of all Maseratis as FCA plays catch up with other car makers in a bid to meet strict emissions rules, something that will be harder after the group said it will drop diesel engines.
HYBRIDS FAIL TO DELIVER
Research in the UK by motoring website Honest John has revealed that 88% of hybrid vehicles cannot deliver on their fuel consumption claims.
The site analysed 148,000 fuel economy reports submitted by drivers to come to some alarming conclusions.
The worst offender is the Mercedes-Benz C350e, which is built in SA and which managed to achieve only 36.9% of its claimed consumption figure.
Second worst is the BMW 330e at 37.2% of the claimed figure with the Volkswagen Golf GTE (not sold in SA) third worst at 38.1%. The Lexus GS 450h was the best performer achieving 84.2% of the claimed consumption number, followed by the Toyota Rav4 hybrid (not sold in SA) at 79.3% and the Toyota Yaris hybrid at 77.9%. Toyota and Lexus claimed four of the top five positions.
HAVAL’S FLAGSHIP SUV
China’s largest SUV maker, Haval, sold more than 1-million units in its domestic market in 2016 and officially started trading in SA in June 2017.
This year the company commemorated its first year in SA and currently sells the H1, H2 and H6 range.
A model expansion is on the cards with the introduction of the seven-seater H9, which will be launched locally in August. It will take the fight to the likes of Toyota’s Prado and will be the company’s most expensive car here, although pricing is yet to upgrades to materials and trim.
Hyundai is making the most noise though about the introduction of 48V mild-hybrid technology for the Tucson, which the company says will cut emissions and consumption by 7%. The system will be
MOVE OVER RAPTOR
Finally, as if Ford SA has not been taking enough flak for the lack of power in the 2019 Ranger Raptor, Shelby this week announced that it will be bringing F-150 models to SA and converting them to righthand drive before adding the Shelby performance upgrade.
Granted, at between R2.5m and R3m it will be a great deal more expensive than the Raptor, but with 565kW and upgraded suspension in two different versions, no Raptor is going to be able to get close.
You will need a code 10 licence to go with that bucket load of cash though, but if you get your order in then you will be one of only 500 Shelby F150 owners in the world.