Snippets:
- Nissan Global to cut 10% of their products after shaky start to 2019
- Nissan are finally teasing a new Juke concept
What the hell do you mean Nissan-Dongfeng EV bakkie?
Firstly, yes – there exists a Chinese firm by the name of Dongfeng and indeed, they’ve partnered with Nissan in a joint venture to bring the first EV bakkie to market.
Sorry Tesla, sorry Ford. It’s called the Dongfeng Rich 6 EV, looks more than a bit like a Navara, and is a 119kW electric version of the existing Dongfeng Rich 6. Rich, indeed. It’s allegedly good for a 400km range and can be charged to 80% in just 45 minutes. Shocking.
And of course, there’s a Lotus EV Hypercar
But this one has me suspicious.
The company certainly has the might and will to produce a fine car, but do they have the bank account to render this feat? Many journalists will remember their last round of ambition, where with little more than a rampant design department and some one-off clay bodies, tried to impress us with a whole new line-up of sports cars.
Of the five concepts, zero were produced. Fast forward to here and now and it’s this, the Evija – a R30mil, all-electric dart capable of 1472kW and I mean, are we not all just doing a massive eye-roll at this point?
This Lexus Overlander looks like it was born in South Africa
It's called the GXOR concept, but what can't help noticing it looks a helluva lot like the Land Cruisers we see on our rounds in certain suburbs. Which makes sense since it shares a platform with the (similar looking) Prado.
There's a lot more than a sprayjob meant to strike fear into the hearts of zombies, with items such as solar panels, protection for the drivetrain, massive near indestructible tyres, and a ride height that has been raised by 63mm. Actually, this thing sounds like it was defined explicitly for the undead apocalypse even coming standard with an Icom 500 radio set for communicating with other survivors.
From its burly V8 the GXOR produces 225kW and 446Nm, more than enough to roll and crush its way to salvation. Cool.
BMW X3 M/X4 M Competition (2019) Price
BMW's compact gravel traveling siblings have not only spawned hot versions but we’re pleased to announce the duo is Mzansi bound.
They're both powered by the same new 3.0 twin-turbocharged inline sixer, bulging with 375kW and 600Nm. Zero to hundred is rapid at 4.1 seconds and should you opt for the Driver's Package will max out at 280kph.
We're not sure who asked for these, but we're glad that they exist.
Pricing:
| BMW X3 M Competition | R1,510,686.00 |
| BMW X4 M Competition | R1,605,686.00 |
Another compact SUV from VW
It's based on the Polo yet looks nothing like it - which is refreshing in a world where design language permeates so heavily across vehicle ranges that you're eventually buying cars by the metre.
This one resembles the Taigun concept from 2014 and if I compared its visuals to anything currently on the road, I'd have to say I'm getting subtle hints of Suzuki Ignis, also original Touareg at 50% scale. No bad thing.
