AUTO AFRICA
A to Z of what's hot
Cars in Action
Posted Fri, 06 Oct 2006

Auto Africa will see the launch of car upon car. The Cars in Action team tell you what the manufacturers have lined up.

Alfa Romeo
Having just launched its seductive new Brera coupe, Alfa Romeo is using the show to flaunt the even sexier Spider version. Local buyers will have the choice of the 2.2-litre JTS four-cylinder engine driven through the front wheels and the 194kW 3.2-litre V6 linked to Alfa's Q4 all-wheel drive system.

Audi
Audi will show five brand new stars, but the highlight for many will be the all-new TT coupe. For fans of hot hatchbacks, Audi’s also showing its potent S3, powered by a more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine, good for 198kW and 350Nm that should obliterate the competition with a 5.7 second 0-100km/h sprint. For luxo saloon lovers, Audi’s also launching the S6, charged by a de-tuned version of the Lamborghini Gallardo's 5.0-litre V10, and if that’s still not big enough, behold the new S8 V10. Audi will also show the cabriolet version of the RS 4.

Bentley
Yet another addition to the Continental family, the 2+2 Continental GTC panders to that wind-in-hair desire for customers seeking to experience the modern performance and style of the Continental GT. As with its coupe sibling, the GTC boasts a spacious interior clad in snob-grade wood and leather and rapid performance through its twin-turbo W12 motor that's good for 411kW.

BMW and MINI
A sure highlight on the BMW stand will be the sleek new 335i coupe, with its 225kW twin-turbo petrol powered engine with piezo crystal injectors. BMW is also launching the convertible version of its magical V10-powered M6 sports car. The recently launched Z4 M coupe is another one for the wish list, using the current M3's award-winning 252kW straight-six M power engine. MINI fans will also be able to check out the all new MINI Cooper range, due in our showrooms by March next year.

Chana
The imminent motorised invasion from China has caused many waves at recent international motor shows and South Africa will join the party soon with the Auto Africa debut of Chana’s passenger car range. Chana, of the Changan Motor Company, will show its interesting-looking concept codenamed CJ8 mini-MPV as well as the new Chana Star bakkie and a raft of imminent bargain-basement derivatives.

Chevrolet
New from down under is the latest Chev Lumina. The large rear-wheel drive sedan is new from the ground up and is said to have been brought right up to the most stringent international standards when it comes to comfort, refinement and safety. The local line-up will include V6 versions, and the 6.0-litre Corvette-sourced 270kW V8. The next Chevy salvo is fired from South Korea and will be the brand’s first local SUV derivative. The new Captiva was designed for the European market and even includes a 2.0-litre turbodiesel version.

Chrysler
Chrysler's 300C is declaring war on the sports sedan market, complements of some useful tinkering by Chrysler's SRT division.
It's built around an enlarged SRT 6.1-litre HEMI V-8 engine, which generates 317kW.
Expect it here by year's end.

Citroen
Citroen’s star will be the new C1 mini-car, developed in conjunction with Toyota. The engine will hopefully include both petrol and diesel versions, those being a 1.0-litre petrol Toyota unit and the HDI55 diesel from the PSA stable, while potential body styles include three- and five-door versions.

Daihatsu
Daihatsu will use Auto Africa to preview its boxy new compact crossover vehicle, called the Materia, fresh from its unveiling at the recent Paris Motor Show. Blurring the lines between a compact car and MPV, it should provide an economical and versatile transportation for budding families. For those seeking a spunky but affordable hatchback, the Japanese company will also be showing its new Sirion DRD, with a bold body kit and loads of specification goodies.

Dodge
Dodge's first mid-sized SUV vehicle, the Nitro, is headed our way and will be the American marque’s prime attraction at the show. Initially, local versions will be powered by the 3.7-litre SOHC V6 engine that's good for 157kW and 319Nm of torque, driven through either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Fiat
The Italian carmaker will be introducing local folk to its new 'soft roader' SUV called the Sedici, due here by the middle of next year. Local versions will be powered by Fiat's 1.9-litre JTD Multijet diesel engine. This Fiat is built in partnership with Suzuki, and is based on the Japanese company's little SX4 crossover.

Ferrari
A sure showstopper will be the Italian super car outfit’s new F599 GTB, the new mid-sized Ferrari that replaces the 575M.

Ford
From what we hear through the grapevine, Ford will bring the show to a standstill by showing its GT supercar, a modern reinterpretation of the classic GT40. That’s just the start, however, as showgoers will also get a glimse of the Iosis concept car, displaying Ford’s new ‘kinetic’ design language, and the 4-Trac double-cab bakkie, which gives away many clues about the next Ranger. Closer to reality, Ford is launching the turbocharged Territory ST SUV, while the Focus Coupe Cabriolet will be previewed ahead of its 2007 local launch.

Honda
Honda will be displaying the all-new third-generation CR-V compact SUV, which is due for local launch in the near future. The Japanese marque will also be showing its full range of products within themed zones — with bikes, quads, marine engines in addition to two must-see highlights: Jenson Button's F1 car and Honda's famous humanoid robot, Asimo. This walking, running, stair-climbing robot recognises faces, places and will even serve you a drink — it could well be a star of the show.

Hummer
Production of the 2006 Hummer H3 has commenced at GM's Struandale plant in Port Elizabeth, although the first right-hand drive versions are only due to reach our showrooms by the middle of next year. However, you’ll still get to see the smallest version of GM’s iconic SUV range in the flesh at Auto Africa. The H3 is powered be GM's Vortec 3500, which is a 3.5-litre straight five, DOHC 20 valve.

Hyundai
Hyundai’s stand will also be buzzing with activity, and there’s a concept car too. The Accent SR is a design study for a GTI-rivalling hot hatchback based on the three-door Accent and should be a serious performer with its 150kW turbocharged 2.0-litre. For SUV fans, Hyundai will be showing its recently launched Santa Fe, which is a bigger and more elegant proposition offering third row seating and a more car-like chassis. Hyundai's new Tiburon sports coupe will also make an appearance.

Jaguar
Jaguar will be wowing crowds with its all-new XKR, which is available in both coupe and convertible body styles and powered by an uprated version of Jag's supercharged 4.2-litre V8 — now good for 313kW and 560Nm. Watch out M6 and 911…

Kia
Kia will be showing its all-new Magentis large sedan. Though still somewhat bland, the large Kia should make a sensible value package with more interior room and improved safety, when it arrives here early next year. Kia will also display its recently revised Sorento SUV.

Land Rover
Landy’s all-new Freelander will be the prime attraction. The new beast is far more sophisticated with fully independent suspension and the patented Terrain Response system aiming for the ideal on/off-road compromise. Land Rover is also showing its revised Range Rover SUV, with an all-new V8 diesel engine, and, for real bundu bashers, a revised version of the Defender.

Lexus
Lexus has just taken a huge upward swing on our market with the launch of its IS and GS model lines, but it’s been saving the big daddy for Auto Africa. The show will mark the local unveiling of the large LS 460 luxury sedan, with a new V8 engine and some spell-binding technology — some overseas versions can even park automatically. While the LS is set for local sale, the RX 400h that’ll also be displayed is not a cert for our market, but it will be an interesting view with its Hybrid Synergy Drive system that mates a 3.3 V6 petrol engine to an electric motor at each end of the vehicle.

Mazda
Mazda will makes some great strides in flaunting its prowess as a performance vehicle maker with the local unveiling of the MPS versions of the Mazda3 and Mazda6. The latter is due for local introduction and will make quite a splash with its 194kW/380Nm turbocharged engine mated to an all-wheel drive system. The Mazda stand will also flaunt the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe, which claims to have the world's fastest retractable hard-top, and the far more practical Mazda5. The latter is a seven-seater pitched against the Toyota Verso and has sliding rear doors among many other versatile tricks.

Mercedes-Benz
The all-new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will be making an appearance at the show. Described as the luxury cruise liner of SUVs, it comes with appointments like Comand navigation and adjustable Airmatic suspension. For serious off-roaders, it offers the Off-Road Pro kit with locking front and rear diffs and low ratio gear control.

Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi plans to create a stir with its new Outlander, due here next year. Like its predecessor, new Outlander is built on a car chassis and makes use of the Evo's all-wheel drive system.
Mitsubishi is also showing us the latest version of its Pajero, which gets some significant styling and mechanical revisions.

Nissan
Nissan’s salvo will be headed by the Qashqai, a new compact crossover vehicle, similar in concept to the Dodge Caliber, but with a much funnier name. It should be here by mid 2007, and will cater for those seeking a mix between the attitude of a 4x4 and the car-like refinement and affordability of a passenger car. Nissan will also launch its new Primastar van, revised 350Z sports car and the recently-launched Tiida compact hatch and sedan range, as well as the racing versions of its 350Z and Navara.

Opel
Opel seems determined to turn the MPV market on its head with performance derivatives and as you’d guess, will be showing the OPC versions of its Zafira and Meriva ranges at the show. The Zafira will blow the socks off other Mom’s taxis with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, while Meriva should also be a staunch contender with its 1.6-litre engine having undergone similar treatment. Joining the glut of Coupe-Cabrios at the show will be Opel’s Astra TwinTop.

Peugeot
Peugeot is also showing its version of the PSA/Toyota small car project, the new 107, with a view to local introduction. It uses the same economical little 1.0-litre DOHC VVT-i petrol engine. With many features and the security of a four-star EuroNCAP rating, Peugeot will now have a very interesting foothold in the entry level market with this modern runabout.

Renault
The highlights of Renault’s stand will be a mock up model of the championship winning F1 car, the new RenaultSport Clio and the Egeus concept car. The hot little Clio will soon set the hot hatch market alight thanks to a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre, 16 valve engine that churns out 147kW at 7250rpm and a class leading 215Nm of twist at 5500rpm. Showgoers can also admire the Egeus concept vehicle, which is a radical interpretation of how Renault sees the high-end SUV segment.

SEAT
This VW-owned Spanish marque will be showing its new Leon Cupra, which is the most powerful SEAT ever conceived. Its 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine has been charged up to the tune of 179kW. Given this, it'll comfortably out-sprint its FR sibling with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds.

Subaru
Subaru will be showing off its first full-size SUV, the Tribeca, which comes in the choice of a five- or seven-passenger soft-road wagon. Hoping to take a slice of the BMW, Merc and Lexus action in this market, the new crossover is powered by Subaru's silky-smooth185kW 285Nm 3.0-litre quad-cam 24-valve H4 Boxer-6 driving that trademark viscous coupling Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Also new on Subaru's stand will be the freshened Legacy and Outback range and the Prodrive Impreza WRX.

Toyota
Toyota will be leading the way into the future with its Fine-N hydrogen concept vehicle, a fuel-cell hybrid vehicle with a motor installed at each wheel. Back to the present time, Toyota’s also showing two new vehicle ranges that will fit into the affordable end of the market — an all-new vehicle range from the East, which goes on sale imminently, and the funky looking Aygo mini-car from Europe, which gets launched here early next year. In addition to other attractions like a cut-out Prius, Toyota will also have a presence in a number of outdoor activities, including an off-road course and a special track for those wanting a ride in certain of Toyota's rally and off-road racing vehicles.

Volkswagen
One to certainly look out for at VW’s stand will be the new Eos coupe cabriolet, a four-seat open-top with a power-operated five-section sliding glass sunroof integrated with a metal roof. Pocket rocket fans will also be looking forward to the new Golf R32, which is the most powerful production Golf to date thanks to a 3.2-litre V6 engine. The new Polo GTI, powered by a 1.8-litre turbo engine, will also gain its share of attention, as should the Polo Dune, which looks like an off-road version of VW’s strong-selling small car.

Volvo
Volvo will be showing a number of new entrants, including the new C30, a three-door hatch that rivals the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3. Expect to see C30s in showrooms from early next year, just after the new S80 has made its appearance. Volvo's new flagship sedan should be a more desirable item in its marketplace with sharper styling and better dynamics — there's also a V8-powered AWD version in the pipeline. Another new-year star is the all-new C70 Coupe-Cabriolet, designed in conjunction with Pininfarina. Another attraction will be the revised XC90 SUV, with a new V8 engine.

» For a more detailed look at what new cars to expect from Auto Africa, get the latest edition of Cars in Action.