New cars headed to SA before the end of the year

The year has already produced a flurry of new-vehicle launches and model updates in SA. Some of the highlights include the new Volkswagen Polo, Isuzu D-Max and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Volvo’s first fully electric car, the XC40 P8 Recharge, was launched during 2022 while the rest of the Swedish brand’s product portfolio now features some kind of electrification.

The year is approaching its end but the automotive industry is not done with consumers yet. Below are new vehicles still to be launched here in November and December.

Toyota

Toyota will add a new contender to its Gazoo Racing (GR) range when it unwraps the new Toyota GR86 sports coupe on November 10.

The second-generation GR 86 remains naturally aspirated but with  displacement increased from 2.0l to 2.4l, it offers more power.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Italian brand and Stellantis child Alfa Romeo will launch the new Tonale. As a sporty premium compact crossover it takes the fight to the Audi Q3 Sportback, BMW X2, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40. The model expands the local range which consists of the Guilia executive sedan and Stelvio SUV and will make its South African debut on November 23.

Ford Ranger

The bakkie wars are not over until the Silverton lady sings. Ford will launch the all-new Ranger on December 7. The new model comes with a lot of new updates, including larger screen displays and increased accommodation inside.

The brutish Ford Ranger Raptor, now with a petrol V6 motor, was also meant to debut this year but the plans have been shifted to 2023.

Mahindra XUV700

Indian brand Mahindra will begin marketing the new XUV700, the replacement for the smaller XUV500 SUV. Highlights of the new range include interiors modernised with digital displays and better materials for a more luxurious execution than before. The launch date is the middle of November.  

Volkswagen Amarok

German brand Volkswagen introduced its new Amarok to the world this year after a long teaser campaign. This model is rather significant. Along with its Ford Ranger twin, it is being built exclusively at Ford’s Silverton vehicle assembly near Pretoria for the local and global markets.

There will be four and six-cylinder turbo diesel engines and one turbocharged petrol with outputs between 110kW and 199kW, six and 10-speed automatics, five-and six-speed manuals in rear-wheel drive, selectable all-wheel drive and permanent AWD options. The new Volkswagen Amarok debuts on November 29.