The new-model madness of the Johannesburg International Motor Show continues. In this third installment, Christo Valentyn shares his thoughts.
Audi
While not the biggest stand at this year’s JIMS, Audi’s stand drew plent of attention on the media days thanks to just about every Audi brand ambassador in the country making an appearance, including 5FM DJ Anele Mdoda, Olympic-swimmer Cameron van den Burgh, surfer Roxy Louw and FHM Sexiest Woman Shashi Naidoo, to name but a few. Thankfully the famous faces didn’t get all the attention, as there were more than enough exciting product to entice motoring fans.
With Audi’s entire model offering represented in some form, it was the stunningly futuristic e-tron concept that took pride of place on the Audi stand. The e-tron packs four electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack with a fairly tame-sounding 233 kW but an insane 4 500 Nm of torque. The run to 100km/h takes 4.8 seconds, but rolling acceleration from 60 to 120 km/h takes just 4.1 seconds thanks to the e-tron’s massive amount of twist.
While acknowledging that electric vehicles are still far from economically viable volume production vehicles, Audi is nonetheless working on electric technology, both for hybrids and pure EVs. The pack sports a 53kWh capacity of which 42.4 kWh is usable. The pack weighs in at 470kg out of a total vehicle weight of 1.6 tons and is mounted ahead of the rear axle and liquid cooled. Each of the axles sports two electric motors allowing the e-tron to retain Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive. The e-tron has an estimated range of 250 km on the EU combined driving cycle.
Also on display was the forthcoming R8 GT, a leaner and meaner iteration of the car with which Audi gave the world’s supercars the proverbial middle finger. The R8 GT is basically a street-legal racecar, available only with a tuned-up version of the optional V10 engine and single-clutch automated manual transmission. The R8 GT comes race-ready with a standard roll cage, four-point harnesses, fibre-reinforced plastic racing seats, fixed rear wing, race compound tires, lightweight aluminum and carbon-fiber bodywork, adjustable coilover suspension, and a sport exhaust. Only 333 will be built.
Lexus
Visually stunning and oozing with sophistication, the main attraction at the Lexus stand was without a doubt the R5.2m LFA supercar. While two of the three models destined for South African shores have been delivered, this beast of a car remains a sight to behold, albeit utterly unattainable. The LFA’s figures are simply mind-blowing – 412kW and 480Nm from a 4.8-litre front-mounted V10 engine, which can rev from 0-9000 r/min in just 0.6 seconds.
The engine, which is as compact as a V8 and as light as a V6, gets the 1.4-ton car to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds and top speed is 325km/h. With dry sump lubrication, it’s one of the most high-revving and powerful engines ever fitted to a production car and comes with a soundtrack that is quite literally paralytic. Tuned to sound like a Formula One car at peak revs, the LFA produces a true “symphony of sound” as the ten cylinders play in harmony.
Slightly more attainable to the general public perhaps is the new Lexus GS, a brand new model also on display at JIMS. Featuring revised styling that moves the GS from soft and rounded to sharp and sporty, the new GS is set for local introduction sooner than you think. Richly endowed with world-class features and premium details, the new GS is supported by advanced, performance-enhancing technology that makes it more than just a luxury car. The new GS is powered by an advanced quad cam 3.5-litre V6, featuring four valves per cylinder with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). Producing 233kW, it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
Jaguar
Jaguar’s stand at JIMS was slightly overshadowed by the much-larger Land Rover stand adjascent to it, but it still featured eye candy galore for the petrolheads. Besides the new XF 2.2D that was launched a few weeks ago and the still-gorgeous XJ, Jaguar showed the new-look XFR. The highlight of the stand was without a doubt the magnificent XKR-S. The XKR-S is the fastest production Jaguar ever built, its mighty supercharged engine is capable of propelling it from rest to 100 km/h in a little over four seconds, although at that stage it’s really only just getting into its stride. It doesn’t let up until it reaches its astonishing top speed of a nice, round 300km/h. Only fifteen will make their way to South Africa…
Suzuki
In an attempt to fuly showcase the Suzuki “Way of Life”, Suzuki’s stand at JIMS is fabulously expansive and – unlike the others – outdoors, complete with a tree house and almost Scandinavian-looking structure. Besides their motorcycles, dirt bikes, quads and outboard motors – which bring the lifestyle-angle full circle – Suzuki’s awesome cars is what’s stealing the show. On display is the new Suzuki Splash and the SX4 sedan, both likely to arrive in SA soon, as well as the Kizashi Sport.
The Kizashi Sport is distinguished by a more muscular front fascia with chrome accents, a lower grille, body side sill extensions, lower body side molding with chrome accents, a boot-mounted spoiler, custom light weight 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10mm lower ride height for a combination of better aerodynamics and a lower centre of gravity for enhanced grip and sharper handling. The interior gets a distinctively designed sport steering wheel with perforated leather grip and contrasting stitching on the leather seats, shifter boot, and emergency brake boot.
The Splash comes with a choice of 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol engines and both are capable of worthy performance. All versions have plenty of standard kit, including electric front windows, remote central locking, air-conditioning, a CD stereo and a leather-covered steering wheel with audio controls. Higher-trim cars add alloy wheels, front foglamps and rear privacy glass.
Stealing the show however is the Swift Sport in retina-searing yellow – a sight to behold! The engine is a development of the previous generation’s 1.6-litre unit and now develops 100 kW at 6 900 r/min and 160 Nm at 4 400 r/min, representing 8 kW and 12 Nm rises respectively. These increases are achieved thanks to the addition of a variable intake system, optimisation of the intake VVT and increased valve lift. The engine is mated to a new six-speed manual gearbox, replacing the old five-speed, which Suzuki claims has a lighter and more positive shift action. The engine development and new gearbox result in carbon emissions that is down around 11%, falling from 165g/km to 147g/km. There is also a revised exhaust system.
- Christo Valentyn
