BMW X7 prices confirmed
GWM (Great Wall Motors) is upping its bakkie game as part of its longterm goal of placing itself among the top three light commercial vehicle brands in the world.
First out the starting blocks is the Steed 7, which was revealed in China recently.
According to Haval Motors South Africa national sales manager Tyrone Alberts, “There is a bigger Steed on the cards for the South African market although exact details have yet to be confirmed, the estimated date of release of the bigger Steed will be 2020”
The newcomer is not yet listed on GWM’s overseas websites so technical details remain under wraps but LAST WEEK, BMW’s biggest-ever SAV was revealed to the world, and now pricing has appeared on the brand’s South African website. Here’s how much you’ll have to budget for, ahead of its local launch (planned for March 2019): R1 562 849 R1 862 308 That puts the newcomer at a premium of around R360 000 over the new-generation X5, which is due to launch here in November this year. Standard features include BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional with gesture what is apparent from the pictures is that it has completely new sheet metal with no resemblance to the Isuzu-like bodies that came before it.
Meanwhile, GWM is known to be working on a bakkie that’s even bigger and more upmarket than the Steed 7, but whether this is the aforementioned “bigger” bakkie has control, five-zone automatic climate control, Head-Up Display, BMW Display Key, Parking Assistant Plus and Driving Assistant Professional.
The list of optional extras includes, among other things, a Panoramic Sky Lounge (R17 800), BMW Laserlights (R21 800), xOffroad Package (R27 600), massage function for front seats (R15 800), and individual middle row rear seating for two, replacing the three-passenger bench (R9600).
As previously reported, the X7 is 265mm longer than the new X5, and yet to be confirmed.
According to sources abroad, the new pick-up, which is said to be even bigger than a Ford Ranger, will be built on the recently-introduced Haval H9’s platform.
It will offer sophisticated technologies, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, and will feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
No word on the engine as yet, but it has been speculated that a 140kW 2-litre turbodiesel, which was initially offered in the H9 abroad, will power the newcomer, along with petrol and (in some markets) hybrid options. claims to offer comfortable seating for seven adults with 326 litres of boot space available even when all seats are in place.
South Africans will have two 3-litre turbodiesel engine options in the form of the 195kW/620Nm xDrive30d and 294kW/760Nm quadturbo M50d.
Air suspension on both axles allows the car to be raised or lowered by up to 80mm and buyers can order an offroad package that offers four selectable driving modes. PORSCHE’S LATEST Panamera is now available in GTS flavour, the new model essentially bridging the gap between the 4S and Turbo models and ultimately giving customers a more affordable V8 option.
To that end, the Panamera GTS, which is available with either the standard fastback-style body or as an estate-like Sport Turismo, is powered by a detuned version of the Turbo’s 4-litre twin-turbo V8. In this iteration it produces 338kW and 620Nm, which is 14kW/70Nm more than you get in the 2.9 V6 powered 4S and 66kW/150Nm less than the Turbo offers.
The engine is mated to an eightspeed PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Porsche Traction Management allwheel-drive system, and flat out the GTS should be good for a 4.1 second 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of up to 292km/h, according to Porsche.
Three-chamber adaptive air suspension is standard and the Porsche Active Suspension Management system gets a sportier calibration than on regular Panameras, while rearaxle steering is an optional extra.
Further marking out its unique identity is a Sport Design exterior package featuring numerous black and dark-coloured trim elements, and bespoke 20-inch wheels.
That theme continues inside with dark grey Alcantara trimmings and upholstery as well as anodised aluminium inlays, but customers looking for something more colourful can opt for an interior package featuring contrasting shades of Carmine Red or Crayon.
Furthermore, the GTS introduces a new head-up display system to the Panamera range, featuring numerous configuration options.
The Panamera GTS is available to order now through South African dealers, with first deliveries taking place early next year, although no pricing has been officially announced as yet.