SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

Jan

2021

Ford Ranger sales remain resilient

THE locally assembled Ford Ranger remains one of South Africa’s most popular new vehicles and the country’s leading light commercial vehicle (LCV) export throughout 2020, despite the constrained economic climate, exacerbated by the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 18 846 Ford Rangers were sold in South Africa last year, placing it amongst the overall top three models on the local sales charts – with the number of units retailed recovering rapidly from June 2020 once the nationwide hard-lockdown was eased. The Ranger recorded its peak sales for the 2020 year in September (2 188 units), October…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

South African-built Ford Ranger awarded CAR Top 12 Best Buys title for 10th consecutive year

MOTORING

THE Ford Ranger has firmly cemented its place as one of South Africa’s best pickups after being selected as the winner in CAR Magazine’s 2021 Top 12 Best Buys in the double-cab pickup category for an unprecedented 10th consecutive year. The annual CAR Top 12 Best Buys Awards is one of South Africa’s longest-running and most respected automotive industry awards – conducted by the country’s largest and oldest motoring publication. “A big factor in CAR’s Best Buy awards is the legacy vote. If a vehicle has won nine times before – as is the case with the Ford Ranger –…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Introducing the Audi SQ7 and SQ8

MOTORING

AUDI has unveiled the SQ7 and the SQ8 with a V8 diesel engine in the high-performance Special Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. In terms of their suspension, the Audi SQ7 and SQ8 offer many high-tech components, but it’s their aggressive and sporty design as well as their connectivity and technology features which rounds off the package really well. The large S models are now available for sale in South Africa as part of a limited, once-off TDI engine launch opportunity. With a total of 310 kW and 900 Nm of torque, the 4.0 TDI has an easy job with the Audi…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

New Roush Mustang with more power and style confirmed for SA

MOTORING

THE arrival of the new 2021 Roush Mustang commemorates the 25th anniversary of Roush Performance Products, with the first Roush Mustang making its debut in 1996. Roush has continued to build on that heritage with proven performance upgrade packages that all hark back to the eponymous Jack Roush. Jack Roush began his automotive career as an engine development engineer for Ford Motor Company in 1964 before going on to establish Performance Engineering in 1976. Relying on his passion for motorsport, and particularly drag and oval racing, Roush began selling designs and components that met higher engineering standards. The 2021 Roush…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Test Drive: Ford Everest, a smooth family ride

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO BUYING a car is a major decision. Accordingly, there are key questions that we ask ourselves before settling on the purchase of a vehicle. The first of these questions is, what attracts you to the car? The second question is the functionality of the car, from the way it drives to its interface with new technology. The third question to be answered is the important and monumental issue of safety. What are the safety features that will make you buy this car. The last, and perhaps the most important question, is how the vehicle fits into your lifestyle…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Volkswagen opens vehicle assembly facility in Ghana

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER ONE of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers - Volkswagen - has expanded its front in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the official opening of a vehicle assembly facility in Accra, Ghana. With this investment, Ghana has become the 5th Volkswagen vehicle assembly location in Sub-Saharan Africa; the other locations are in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presided over the official opening of a facility that has created jobs in Ghana. Akufo-Addo witnessed the unveiling of the first vehicle assembled in Ghana. The country’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen,…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Mazda unveils all-new BT-50

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE partnership between Mazda and Isuzu has produced a unique product, the Mazda BT-50 bakkie. Fully redesigned for the first time in nine years, the new Mazda BT-50 is supplied by Isuzu Motor Limited on an OEM basis, and the vehicle will go on sale under the Mazda brand name starting in the Australian market in the latter half of 2020. Since its debut in 2006, the Mazda BT-50 has been sold mainly in regions including Oceania, ASEAN, Central, South America, the Middle East and Africa. According to Mazda, the second fully-redesigned model aims to bring customers…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Ford’s Mr Muscles…”The Rock”

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WHOEVER coined the “Big and Bold” must have had a vehicle like Ford Ranger Raptor in mind. The Ford Ranger Raptor is big, rugged and muscular. It’s a big package that’s impossible not to notice. This is one vehicle that makes a statement. It is higher and bigger than average cars, bigger than most 4x4 in its category. It has a presence. We had many people gawking at us in this car than in other exotic vehicles. And the Ford Ranger Raptor talks. It delivers a specific narrative. One that shouts, in bold language and says: “I…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Tribute to doyen of SA Motoring Journalism

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER 06THE South African Motoring Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAMGJ) has paid a warm tribute to Jannie Herbst, a legend of media motoring in the country, who has passed on. Herbst, 72, died on his birthday, August 19, two weeks after he had suffered a stroke. The SAMGJ described Herbst as a masterful organiser who always made a plan to get things done. He would also be remembered for his enthusiasm, resourcefulness, determination and his total commitment to being good to those around him. “Jannie was very involved in the Guild In the early 'eighties up to the…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Audi connect transforms vehicle into digital hub

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER Audi is set to introduce technology that will bring real-time online connectivity to the driving experience with a host of features linking the car, driver and environment via the smartphone. The motor vehicle manufacturer has announced the imminent arrival of Audi Connect, software that provides full integrated in-car connectivity, transforming the vehicle into a digitally connected hub for the driver. Audi Connect will be introduced with the new A4 model. Audi South Africa says that the new software takes the comfort and enjoyment of driving to a whole new level, by providing a range of infotainment, entertainment,…