This year’s Joburg Motor Show had the media frantically busy over two days as each manufacturer had something interesting to unveil – whether it was a facelifted range, an all-new model, forthcoming attractions or an out-of-this-world concept. Brent Ellis shares his thoughts.
Nissan
Nissan South Africa was first on my list and has quite a large stand at the show, and fittingly so. Not only is the brand’s entire range on display but two very interesting models were unveiled which had my tongue wagging. First up is the all-new Juke, a compact cross-over style SUV, which is aimed at the young and funky. The newcomer is due to hit the local market in the coming weeks and promises to shake things up a bit with its odd styling yet well-received appeal.
Then there was the Nissan Leaf – the first all-electric car that will ever be sold in South Africa. Due around 2013, the Leaf looks and feels like any other five-door hatchback, albeit a little more quirky and off the wall. While I don’t necessarily agree with the merits behind launching an all-electric car in a country like ours, where we travel great distances and electricity is ludicrously expensive, the Leaf will still be a great addition to the local market, and its somewhat “imminent” introduction shows how the South African automotive landscape is changing. Perhaps some degree of popularity will set the tone for other vehicle manufacturers to import their existing and forthcoming “e” models in the future.
Volkswagen
Reveals on the media days at the busy Volkswagen stand included the Giugiaro-styled Go! MPV concept, which marries future VW DNA with classic ItalDesign cues. The Go! features VW’s blue-e-motion all-electric drivetrain, a large glasshouse and technical highlights including cameras for door mirrors and electric rear doors.
The menacing Polo R WRC concept was also unveiled, which previews the brand’s future WRC contender and (with any luck) a Polo R road-going derivative, which should be insane if the Golf and Scirocco R models are anything to go by. The new Golf Cabriolet was also revealed, along with the all-new Beetle, which VW says is “less flower, more power”. Both models are due in SA soon, with the soft-top Golf arriving early in 2012 and the Beetle to follow shortly thereafter. Other attractions at the VW stand include an interesting Polo Vivo GT and the new Jetta as well as the Golf R and facelifted Tiguan.
Mazda
Mazda followed and while their stand didn’t feature any of the brand’s recent amazing concepts like the Shinari, nor the forthcoming CX-5 which was just unveiled in Frankfurt, the new BT-50 was on proud display as the company’s latest and greatest. Featuring striking styling (to say the least), at long last the BT-50 (better known in the past as the Drifter) no-longer looks anything like its big brother, the Ford Ranger (which Ford also unveiled at the show). The facelifted Mazda2 range was also on display and the brand revealed two new limited edition “Sharp-Sharp” models – Mischief and Retro. Each model features unique styling and colour changes, adding further attraction to the aging Mazda2 range. All of these new Mazda models are due in early 2012.
Honda
Honda had a particularly interesting stand this year and for the first time a modified model was on display in the form of the CR-Z Concept – a 150kW supercharged and accessorised example with add-on parts from some of the best names in the business. All the company’s hybrid models are on display too, along with an interesting scale model of the revolutionary HondaJet.
The new Civic hatch and sedan models are also on show and, while the South African market has been starving for the new sedan which was delayed due to the tsunami in Japan in March, both models are now due to hit the local market early next year. A new, more affordable version of the CR-V is also on the stand, in the form of the 2.0-litre Comfort.
But by far the biggest attraction of course was the brand’s humanoid robot, ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility). This time in evolved form since the last time we saw “him” in 2006, ASIMO is now able to run, kick a ball and even deliver a drinks order, examples of which were spectacularly shown to the media amongst laughter and dropped jaws. The ASIMO show runs at scheduled intervals throughout JMS and a photo studio is also available to have your photo taken with “him”, too.
Hyundai
Hyundai was next and the Koreans were sure to make a big noise at the show. The amazing Curb Concept was on show, a fascinating compact SUV rendition, previewing the next evolution of the marque’s striking design language and also acting as a test bed for the brand’s “Blue Link” vehicle connectivity technology.
In a more realistic vein however, the awesome new Veloster sports coupe was also on display and, with the car’s local introduction set for mid-2012, it sure had us talking. Not only a beautifully designed concept-turned-production model, the Veloster is in essence a four-door sports hatch, with the left hand side featuring two doors instead of one, allowing easy access for rear passengers. And as Hyundai proudly boasted, the rear door is able to open without having to open the front door first, unlike other coupes featuring a similar arrangement.
- Brent Ellis
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