17 minute read
6 OF THE BEST
THE bakkie wars are heating up as OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) around the world prepare to launch new pick-up trucks across multiple segments, all set to debut in the coming years. PRITESH RUTHUN 6 OF THE best
In this edition, you will read about big and small bakkies we wish were sold here, and while we yearn for them to arrive, there are still some extremely formidable light commercial vehicles on sale in South Africa that you can buy.
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After much debate, and back and forth, our team settled on six that will hit your sweet spot in terms of quality, dynamics, engineering and aftersales support.
These bakkies represent the best of the best in the LCV segment and each brings a unique offering, some with thundering performance, others with rugged “goanywhere ability”. Here are Drive360’s top six bakkies (in no particular VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK order) on sale in South Africa in 2020: 6 VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK most SUV-like out there. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6 came close to trumping the Amarok in our testing and rear) with a rear view camera, Radio Composition Media and App-Connect with voice control. It can
It’s hard to believe that the Amarok is almost a but, in the end, the sublime nature and the sheer be personalised with optional features such as the decade old. The wolf made headlines when it debuted grunt of the Amarok won us over. Discover Media system which includes satellite its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, which most believed When you’re going tyre-kicking, ask the salesman navigation as well as a seat heating package. would not have the mettle to stand up to the 3.0-litre about the Canyon edition, which was launched A comprehensive list of safety equipment comes Toyotas and Fords of the time. Ten years on, the towards the end of last year, as it’s the most up-tostandard too – including six airbags, tyre pressure Amarok soldiers on, with very few readers reporting date version and it’s brimming with safety, comfort monitor, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), niggles with their vehicles. and driving technology. They might try to sell you a Electronic Trailer Stabilisation, Hill Descent Assist,
Our pick of the Amarok range, however, is not 2.0-litre BiTDI Dark Label version, but that’s not the Offroad ABS with Hill Hold Assist, and Volkswagen’s the 2.0-litre. Oh no, we recommend the big, bad, one, trust us. award-winning automatic post-collision braking imposing Amarok V6 TDI Double Cab. For what it’s worth, the Amarok Canyon rangesystem, which can reduce the chance of or severity of
You see, if you’re going to spend lots of money, topper comes with Bi-Xenon headlights with LED a second accident in the event of a collision. on a bakkie, you might as well spend it on one of the daytime running lights, parking distance control (front The Amarok Canyon 3.0-litre V6 TDI, with
permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive, boasts 165kW from 3 000rpm and 550Nm from 1 400rpm. With overboost, power jumps to 180kW and torque to 580Nm for about 10 seconds, which is helpful when overtaking.
The Amarok, with the V6 engine, completes the zero to 100 km/h sprint in 8.0 seconds and has a top speed of 193km/h. The average fuel consumption is 9l/100km.
Prices start at R852 800 for the Canyon and it comes with a 3-year/100 000km warranty, 5-year/90 000km Service Plan and a 6-year anticorrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.
5MITSUBISHI TRITON
Perhaps THE most-underrated bakkie on sale in South Africa, the latest generation Triton is built tough and it’s ready to take on the daily grind or a trip up Sani Pass at a moment’s notice. Our pick of the range is the recently introduced Triton Xtreme, which is only available in 4x4 Double Cab Auto guise. This adventure-honed double-cab bakkie is powered by a powerful, yet refined and responsive, 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo-diesel engine, coupled to Mitsubishi’s advanced Super Select II 4WD system with electronic off-road assistance.
On the inside, there is a Sport automatic shift knob and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with extra features to mirror your smart device. With this feature you can get directions, make and receive calls, send and receive messages, and listen to your favourite downloaded music. Most importantly, you can do all of this without fumbling around – with your full attention focused on the road.
Out of view, but equally practical, the Triton Xtreme also boasts new “Ezydown” hydraulic dampers, allowing the tailgate to open gently. The load box now has professionally applied rubberising, protecting the vehicle and the contents in the back, especially adventure owners’ expensive and sometimes delicate extreme sports gear. A load bay cover makes sure these are kept hidden from prying eyes and protected against rain and dust, while an additional tailgate locking feature helps to safeguard the contents.
The new Triton Xtreme certainly is extreme on the outside, with a host of additional features making it immediately recognisable – even from a distance. The Xtreme also boasts a seven-airbag system for increased safety for every seat, while Mitsubishi’s advanced RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) Body Construction utilises crumple zones that route and absorb energy during high-impact collisions.
Overall, the Triton Xtreme ticks so many boxes as an adventure vehicle, family vehicle, and workhorse, that it really is one of the best products Mitsubishi sells at the moment.
All new Tritons come with a 3-year/100 000km manufacturers’ warranty, a 5-year/90 000km Service Plan and a 5-year/unlimited mileage Roadside Assistance plan. Service intervals are every 10 000km or once a year. Prices start at R654 995.
4TOYOTA HILUX
Naturally, no bakkie list can be complete without the appearance of the venerable Hilux. It’s regularly one of the best-selling bakkies in South Africa, and that’s not only because it’s only a hit with fleet operators. Farmers, footballers, golfers, teachers, you name it … the Hilux is a hit with anyone and everyone.
We found it really challenging to decide on the best in the range but, ultimately, felt that the premium one, the high-end Legend 50 is the one to have.
Celebrating 50 years of Hilux success in SA, the Legend 50 was launched last year alongside the striking Hilux GR Sport. We wanted to tell you to buy the latter, but that one was a limited edition, with only 600 units built for our country, sporting KYB dampers and host of performance upgrades to make it one of the sportiest Hiluxes ever made.
Nevertheless, with the Legend 50 you get a whole host of gloss black garnishing and stylish silver accents. Legend 50 badging, offset to the left, rounds off the front façade, complemented by the LED headlamps incorporating daytime running lights (DRL).
From the side, you’ll note chrome exterior mirrors and door handles, as well as black side steps, while a customised rear styling bar with matching Legend 50 badging and a textured, heavy-duty tonneau cover add rugged appeal.
At the back, there’s smoked tail lamps
and bespoke tailgate badging, while the model’s wheel and tyre package consists of Legend 50-specific two-tone 18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels, shod with 265/60/R18 all-terrain tyres.
The Hilux is plush on the inside, featuring an enlarged 20.3cm display that is now flush mounted and integrated into the dashboard, with additional rotary dials for volume and tune functions.
The unit also features keyfunction shortcut buttons, a touchscreen interface, on-board satellite navigation, DVD, USB, Bluetooth and AUX interfaces. Steering wheel controls and a reverse camera add comfort and convenience and, in general, the Hilux spec will give the Land Cruiser something to think about.
There are a whole host of Legend 50 models to choose from, including single and dbouble-cabs, with two engine choices – a diesel and a petrol.
We say go for the V6 petrol if you want a smooth drive, but if it’s frugalness you’re after, the 2.8 GD-6 is what you want.
All Hilux models come with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 9-services/90 000km Service Plan. The V6 double-cab will set you back R755 700. 3 FORD
RANGER
In this edition, you can read about the capability of the Raptor, which we’ll be testing over six months and 10 000km. There are other Ford Rangers worth looking at, though, particularly in the mid-range where the company offers a variety of single turbodiesel models. Most recently, Ford expanded the Ranger line-up with the new
Thunder versions but, apart from cosmetics and interior upgrades, it’s still the tried and tested Ranger thousands of South Africans know and love.
Away from the Ranger Raptor and the range-topping Thunder version, the best of the Ranger line-up is at entry-level. Keenly priced workhorses and XLS models allow access to the Ranger at a variety of competitive price points, and while the cheaper versions do lack technology and safety kit, the build quality and the materials used inside the vehicle remain durable.
When you’re test-driving the Ranger, give the single-turbo version and BiTD (twinturbo) versions a go and see if you really need additional torque. We found the single turbo models to pull well enough and, if you really want the tech, then maybe stretch to a twin-turbo with the 10-speed autobox.
Overall, you won’t want for anything the higher up the range you go, as the Rangers can come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, radar-guided cruise control and other features that you’d normally find on premium executive sedans and SUVs.
All Ford Rangers come with a 4-year/120 000km warranty, a 3-year/ unlimited distance roadside assistance plan and a 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000km service plan is included, with 15 000km service intervals. Ranger prices start at R323 400, but expect to pay around R564 700 for a decent XLS double-cab auto.
2MAHINDRA PIK UP
What! A Mahindra among the Rangers and Hiluxes? Yes, they’ve come a long way and while they still aren’t the best in class, the Mahindra Scorpio has improved immensely. We picked the Scorpio to join this bunch of brutish bakkies because it does most of what the others do, usually for around half the price.
Okay, so the refinement isn’t as lush as it is in a latest-gen Japanese bakkie, but the localised versions – such as the Karoo we recently tested – is proof that Mahindra SA is listening to its customers and is at least trying to elevate the character and compelling elements of the vehicle.
So, which Pik Up should you buy?
Our pick of the range is the recently introduced six-speed automatic transmission Pik Up. It features a sequential self-shifting option and is mated, in 4x4 models, to a new Hill Descent Control (HDC) system that utilises engine and vehicle braking for slow descents on tough, off-road terrain and that can be controlled with the in-built cruise control system.
Mahindra says the transmission has been designed to offer near-imperceptible shifts and to best utilise the 320Nm of torque delivered by the mHawk turbodiesel engine, while the engine mapping itself has been fine tuned to work perfectly with the standard cruise control system, for effortless long-distance cruising.
The new automatic transmission is not the only change to the Pik Up flagship, as the S11 specification level boasts a new grille and bumper, upgraded headlamps and other subtle luxury changes to the design, to make sure that it immediately stands out as the top-of-the-range model.
In addition to the new front design, the Pik Up boasts colour-coded side mirrors with
integrated indicators and, at the rear of the new model, there are S11 and Automatic decals, as well as the addition of a new reverse camera that has, to date, not been available on any Pik Up model.
Mahindra first launched the Karoo Special Edition late in 2018, to celebrate the successful opening of its local assembly facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Since its launch, the Karoo has proven to be extremely popular – in both S6 and S10 specification levels – and it has prompted Mahindra to design a special S11 Karoo model with a refreshed design theme and even more equipment as standard.
The Pik Up S11 Automatic comes with a 4-year/120 000km warranty and free Roadside Assistance plan. It also has a comprehensive service plan for 5 years or 100 000 km. The range-topping S11 auto will set you back R429 900.
1TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
Okay, so we didn’t plan on including the Land Cruiser bakkies in this list, but we did – just to rub salt in the wounds of our motoring scribe counterparts in the US and UK. Everyone from CarWow’s Matt Watson to the Motor1’s Angel Sergeev want to get their hands the Land Cruiser, particularly the recently launched Namib and we can understand why… because they just don’t make them like this anymore. The Land Cruiser Namib edition was introduced to the South African market in
Q3 of 2019, featuring a bespoke overlanding accessory package and aesthetic enhancements.
The Namib was exceptionally well received – with all 60 units selling out by January 2020. With this positive market response, Toyota commissioned a re-run of the Land Cruiser Namib and added a singlecab derivative, based on customer requests. The single and double-cab Land Cruiser Namib editions share a common package, distinguishing them from their “standard” Land Cruiser 79 brethren.
The Namib Package includes a new front grille with a robust mesh design and prominent Toyota lettering, stylised Namib badging on the fenders and tailgate, a heavy-duty steel front bumper with integrated nudge-bar and headlight protectors, large, high-intensity LED spotlights with protective covers, a tubular rear step with integrated towbar, and protective load-bin skin. On the inside, although it’s still very utilitarian, you now get a cubby with integrated cooling duct, protective canvas seat covers with Namib insignia and anti-scuff panels, and a roofmounted console with LED lighting and storage binnacles. Adventurers will appreciate the vehicle’s upgraded off-road suspension and its standard-fit 265/75/R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx tyres. The “Namib” makes use of Toyota’s revered 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre turbodiesel engine, churning out 151kW and 430Nm from a low 1 200rpm (up to 3 200 rpm). Average fuel consumption is pegged at 11.3l/100km.
The Land Cruiser Namib comes with a 3-year/100 000km warranty, with no Service Plan as standard. If you can find one, you’ll have one of the coolest old-school (yet new) bakkies in the world.
D360 presents:
THE SOUTH African national rugby team, the Springboks as we affectionately know them, have been playing the game for more than 100 years.
As three-time world champions, they are globally renowned for their resilience and strength on the field. Off the field, though, most of the Bokke are car fanatics.
We caught up with two cup-winning Springbok players, S’bu Nkosi and Elton Jantjies, to find out more about their passion for cars, what they drive now and what they hope to have in their respective garages very soon.
S’BU NKOSI
D360: What was your first car? SN: It was relatively bland but very reliable 2016 Volkswagen Polo TSI. D360: Which is your favourite car you have owned? SN: It has to be my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. It was my first true sports car. What a machine! D360: What car do you drive now? SN: I drive a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG. D360: What colour is it? SN: I went for a matte black finish. D360: Why did you buy a GLE AMG and not a sports car? SN: I bought the GLE because I enjoy the comfortable ride of a Mercedes and this particular model gives me maximum comfort and raw speed (and it looks nice). D360: So, the GLE suits your personality then? SN: (He chuckles) I don’t know if it fits my personality, but I think the exhaust sounds like I would if I were a car. D360: Does your car have a name? SN: No, (he chuckled) it does not. D360: If budget wasn’t an issue, what car would you buy
right this minute and why? SN: When budget is not an issue, I will upgrade to a RollsRoyce Cullinan. It’s simply majestic. D360: Tell us about a memorable drive or road trip. What made/makes it special? SN: Driving from Durban to my mom in Barberton is always special. I’ll never forget the excitement of knowing I will see her soon. The beautiful scenery of KZN and Mpumalanga and, of, course, the allimportant ‘Sport Plus’ mode in my car makes for a fun and safe trip. D360: Which is your favourite road to drive along in SA then? SN: Definitely, it has to be the N3 highway. It’s very well-maintained and the scenery is impeccable. D360: If you were a professional racing driver, what formula would you like to compete in and for which team? SN: It would have to be Formula One. And, of course, I would have to drive for Mercedes. I love the brand and I would do anything to engage with Lewis Hamilton. D360: Finally, can you name one motorsports personality who you respect or admire and why? SN: For me, it’s Lewis Hamilton. He has proven again and
D360 presents: sports stars & cars
again that he is a master of his sport. I would love to hear his story and about his journey to the top.
ELTON JANTJIES
D360: What was your first car? EJ: I can’t remember the year model, but it was a Volkswagen Golf GTI that was loads of fun. D360: Which is your favourite car that you have owned?
EJ: My Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG S. Although it looked like an SUV, it went like a sports car.
D360: What car do you drive now?
EJ: I am still driving the GLE. It’s so good that I really don’t know when I will change it for a new car. D360: What colour is it? EJ: It’s not the most exciting colour, but I like it in white. D360: What made you buy the GLE? EJ: I drove it and I just fell in love with the power. The rest, as they say, is history. D360: Do you think the car fits your personality? EJ: Yes, definitely (he laughs). It’s all about the speed, I love it, and the stability on the road. D360: Does your car have a name? EJ: No name (he chuckles). D360: If budget wasn’t an issue, what car would you buy right this minute and why? EJ: Well, my goal is to buy a Lamborghini Aventador, which I hope to achieve one day soon. D360: Tell us about a memorable drive or road trip. What made/makes it special? EJ: Driving down to Cape Town for the first time was quite special due to the fact that my dad always said he wanted me to do the ‘long one’ in my life – to drive from Pretoria to Cape Town. D360: So the N1 to Cape Town is your favourite road then? EJ: Actually, my favourite road is the highway between Pretoria and Joburg. It’s the road I’ve been driving the most for the last 10 years and it has its moments. D360: If you were a racing driver, what formula would you like to compete in and for which team? EJ: I’d like to race in F1 because of all legendary guys like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. D360: Can you name one motorsports personality that you respect or admire and why? EJ: It has to be Michael Schumacher. He is the only one I used to follow back in the day. Also, just the fact that he has been a consistent champion at what he does is inspirational to me.
◆ Don’t miss next month’s edition when we sit down with former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker to talk cars.
