SA

FORBIDDEN FRUIT:

Cars we wish were sold in SA

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JASON WOOSEY

DESPITE being a relatively small market, South Africa still has a very decent selection of performance cars, but there are still a lot of exciting options available globally that don’t reach our shores, usually because they’re left-handdrive only. Without further ado, these are our favourite pieces of performance car forbidden fruit: the latest performance car news 1. DODGE CHALLENGER HELLCAT Want to make that Mustang up the road look like a sick mule? All it takes is some Hellcat fury, although that’s only if you live in the United States, that is. Dodge has taken the muscle car to a whole new level with its Challenger SRT Hellcat line-up, which Americans can order in a multitude of flavours, priced from $60 695 upwards, which equated to a shade over a million rand at the time of writing.

Buyers can choose between a standard SRT Hellcat with 535kW or a Hellcat Redeye with 594kW and both are available in standard or widebody formats. While the 626kW Demon has been banished, there is apparently a 602kW Super Stock Challenger on the way for 2021. Dodge also offers a four-door alternative to the Challenger, in the form of the Charger SRT Hellcat.

All are powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 powerhouse with a rear-wheel drive configuration, that has made the Challenger a tyre-smoking celebrity on YouTube. Customers can also choose between manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions. The Demon, incidentally, also became the world’s first production car to lift its front wheels under acceleration, as certified by Guinness World Records.

2. FORD FIESTA ST Back in the day, the original Ford Fiesta ST was one of our favourite pocket rockets, but sadly Ford South Africa no longer imports it.

Those who love the off-beat hum of a three-cylinder engine would be in for a treat if the latest Fiesta ST ever came to South Africa. It’s 1.5-litre turbocharged engine produces 147kW and 290Nm, making it one of the most powerful three-pot powertrains in the world. 0-100km/h? Expect that to come up in just 6.7 seconds.

Drivers can now choose between three drive modes that affect the engine, exhaust, steering as well as stability control, with Normal for everyday driving, Sport for fast roads and Track mode for, well, you know. Traction control is disabled completely in this mode, while the electronic stability control is set to wideslip mode, and can be switched off completely through a separate switch. A torque vectoring system is also in place to help you slice those tight bends with minimal understeer.

3. CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY Chevrolet’s Corvette recently underwent its most radical transformation ever, with the 2020 Stingray having shifted from a front to a mid-engined layout. This set-up is often considered to be the holy grail of sports car configurations, as it allows better responsiveness, balance and sense of control, as the driver sits closer to the front axle.

This all sounds very exotic, but it’s interesting to note that the Corvette is actually quite affordable in its home market, with prices starting at just under $60 000 (R1 million) in the US.

Power is provided by a new-generation normally aspirated 6.2-litre “Small Block” V8 LT2 engine that produces 369kW and 637Nm, when equipped with the performance exhaust. It powers the back wheels through Chevrolet’s first eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and 0-96km/h is said to come up in 2.9 seconds.

There is talk of a right-hand drive version for Australia but, with General Motors having abandoned our market, the new ‘Vette will remain forbidden fruit to South Africans. That is unless an independent importer strikes a deal of some kind…

4. CUPRA LEON If you’re a hot hatch fan then you’ll certainly remember the Seat Leon Cupra that was available briefly in South Africa, between 2006 and 2008, until the VW-owned Spanish brand’s bungled pricing strategy sent it home.

But Seat’s Cupra badge has continued to evolve in Europe. In fact it’s become a brand in its own right. One of the first products to emerge from this stable is the Cupra Leon, which is based on the latest generation of the VW Golf’s spanish cousin.

Customers can choose from three 2-litre TSI turbopetrol engine options, all paired with DSG dual-clutch gearboxes, and with outputs of 180kW, 221kW and 228kW. The latter, however, is only available with the wagon body style, paired with an allwheel drive system, which can launch from 0-100km/h in under five seconds.

Those wanting a greener option can also opt for a Cupra Leon plug-in hybrid model, which pairs VW’s 1.4 TSI unit to an electric motor, for system outputs of 180kW and 400Nm. 5. TESLA MODEL S P100D A decade or two ago, we would never have imagined that one of the world’s fastest accelerating cars would be a rather unassuming looking large electric sedan, from a start-up owned by Elon Musk.

But the Tesla Model S, like many modern electric performance cars, has been turning heads at drag strips with its instantaneous acceleration, that has sent many a muscle car home with a bruised ego.

With a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 2.3 seconds when in Ludicrous Mode. Incidentally, there is an electric saloon being launched in South Africa soon, that comes very close to matching the Tesla’s acceleration time, and that is none other than the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, although it is set to cost a cool R4 million.

The Tesla P100D’s driving range is not too shabby either, with the American carmaker claiming it’ll manage 560km between charges. However, go for the Long Range model and you could get up to 647km between charges.

The P100D costs $89 490 in the US, about R1.5 million.

6. HYUNDAI VELOSTER N South African performance hatch fans have just been treated to the most exciting Hyundai to ever hit local shores, with the recent launch of the i30 N. But there is something even more enticing available overseas in the form of the Veloster N.

While its engine is essentially the same, producing 205kW, the Veloster is set apart by its quirkier styling, with an asymmetrical design that places a single door on one side of the vehicle and two on the other. Unlike the current i30 N, the Veloster N is also available with Hyundai’s eight-speed dualclutch automated gearbox. To keep it honest in the bends, the Veloster N features upgraded brakes and suspension, with electronicallycontrolled suspension with a track-focused N mode, and an electronically-controlled N Corner-Carving Limited-slip Differential. At this stage, it’s not known whether the Veloster will make a comeback in South Africa, but there is a good chance that the updated version of its i30 N hatch cousin will find its way here.

READERS RIDE

Honda Civic VTEC

FOR MOST petrolheads and car enthusiasts, their love for a particular car can be traced to a specific poster on their bedroom wall, a die-cast model given as a gift (maybe), or that car’s role in a film or game.

For me, it’s the Lamborghini Diablo VT; the ultimate machine that I hope to one day own because it was my poster car on my bedroom wall, and it was my first “special” die-cast car, which I still have to this day.

For Jesse Moonsammy, however, it wasn’t a wall-poster or a child’s toy or a pop culture experience... it was the kick of VTEC that sparked his flame for Honda.

“In all honesty, I was never a fan of Honda, in fact, I hated the brand until I drove this car for the first time about a decade ago. That was the moment when I fell in love with Honda, VTEC and this Civic,” he says.

Moonsammy’s passion for cars started at a very young age, recounting his experiences growing up around his father’s workshop for the past 35 years. “His very first workshop was at home, so growing up I’d always find myself around cars. He built a lot of performance cars and always took me to the local drag stop, back then called Rainbow Raceway. Ever since I’ve had a strong passion for fast cars,” he says.

VTEC YO!

THE Honda Civic that Moonsammy is completely smitten with was launched in South Africa in the late 90s, giving us a slight taste of what JDM Type Rs might have felt like back then.

This 1997 model came from the factory with a 1.6-litre in-line four-cylinder that made 118kW at a heady 9 000rpm. At the time, reviewers praised the car for its thrill and engagement factor, but they didn’t like its lack of torque. Nevertheless, the Honda Civic (EK) VTEC gained infamy over the years, in its prime as the key thorn in the side of the Toyota Corolla RSi and the Nissan Sentra 200 STi.

“My car was originally owned by a close friend. It was silver in colour back when he owned it, but it had been parked for about four years. I decided to make him an offer on the car, and started the journey of restoring it six years ago,” he explains.

There’s a very long list of goodies that make Moonsammy’s 1997 Honda Civic VTEC coupe unique, including a custom paint job as well as a flushed boot lid with relocated number plate holder.

“We also cut unique ‘tiger stripes’ in the rear bumper that allows air to flow through cleanly, preventing unwanted air pressure build-up and turbulence at the rear of the car at higher speeds. The Civic also wears custom Lexus-style taillights and a boot-wing lift-kit,” he notes.

BESPOKE TOUCHES

You’ll also notice that this car is fitted with custom BMW M3 look-alike side mirrors and custom-cut fender vents. Other nifty additions to the Civic include chassis-strengthening, the addition of racing braces and a front-splitter that’s been appropriated from a 1997 Subaru Impreza STI. “To top things off, I’ve fitted 17-inch XXR concave alloy wheels, wrapped in 205/40/17 Falken high-performance tyres,” he says.

You’re probably wondering what’s under the hood, considering the attention to detail given to the body and interior and chassis, right?

Well, Moonsammy’s taken the 1.6-litre VTEC to new heights thanks to what’s known as a “Frankenstein” B20B VTEC conversion. Essentially, it’s now a 2.0-litre car, helped along the 1/4-mile by a slight bit of forced induction courtesy of a bolt-on T66 turbocharger kit.

In the low boost setting, it’s punching out 260kW on the front wheels.

It’s not all sunshine and roses, however, as we might picture the scene of buying or building our dream car (and driving it off into the sunset happily ever after).

“One of the biggest challenges for me would be sourcing parts for the Civic. A lot of people would think that because it’s an old vehicle, parts would be easily available or cheap. Also, dealing with scratches and stone chips, especially when having a metallic colour like this, becomes very difficult to maintain” he says.

Moonsammy built the engine himself and takes care of all the car’s servicing and mechanical maintenance on his own. He says he’s had so many special moments with this car, but even a simple Sunday morning carwash is such a pleasure for him.

WORTH THE BUILD EFFORT

“The best moments I have with my car are the days that I feel down or upset. I get in and drive to nowhere, windows wide open, the radio on mute, just listening to the engine purr. While cruising with the wind blowing, there’s nothing else that could feel better for me,” he adds.

When it comes to plans for the future, he’d like to build another motor for the car, a race-spec engine, with at least 600kW on the wheels similar to what Bisimoto is doing in the US. “I also want to do more work on the interior, maybe add a full roll-cage and custom racing seats. I might also consider a new set of wheels to give the car a whole different look. Who knows!” he exclaims with enthusiasm.

If you would like to know what it’s like to live with a highly-modified Honda Civic VTEC, you can follow @ jessemoonsammy on Facebook and @Jesse_t_jdm on Instagram or for more insights.

PERFORMANCE: It’s in our blood

PRITESH RUTHUN & JASON WOOSEY

WHEN it comes to performance cars, South Africans just can’t get enough of them. In fact, even if the car makers themselves don’t offer sporty models of a particular derivative for local consumption, we’ll figure out a way to build our own. Over the past few decades there have been so many special editions of performance cars (built in South Africa for South Africa) that we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to unique performance car experiences. We really had one of the toughest times whittling this list down to our favourite six SA-only performance cars, but in the end we decided to go with the six cars that really stood out in terms of their uniqueness in the world and their rarity. Without further ado, here’s Drive360’s top six performance cars built in South Africa for South African petrolheads. • Follow @jasonwoosey and @ pritzthecarguy on Instagram for more weekly performance car insights.

BMW 333I They say necessity is the mother of invention, and the BMW 333i is certainly an iconic invention on the part of BMW South Africa.

South Africa missed out on the first-generation E30 M3 due to it being available in left-hand drive format only, but that didn’t stop the local division from concocting its own alternative. They teamed up with Alpina in Germany to create the 333i, of which only 200 were produced.

Although the car was based on the 325i of the time, BMW SA didn’t just tinker under the bonnet, instead it squeezed in a much larger 3.2-litre straight six motor from the BMW 733i. It was a tight fit, and the engineers had to do a lot of mechanical McGyvering but, in the end, it all came together. One downside, though, was that customers would have to choose between air conditioning and power steering – there wasn’t room for both!

With 146kW on tap, the 333i was more powerful than the initial versions of the M3 – and yes, that really was a lot of power back in the day. But BMW did more than just throw an engine at the problem. The 333i also received sports suspension, a bespoke close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, upgraded brakes, Alpina 16-inch rims and new cabin decor. (JW) OPEL KADETT SUPERBOSS Following on from the “Boss” and “Big Boss” versions of the Kadette, as the 2.0 GSI eight-valve and 16V models were nicknamed, Opel created one of the most legendary hatchbacks, and called it the Superboss.

Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, South Africa’s Opels were built by Delta Motor Corporation, following GM’s divestment in 1986, and the company wanted a homologation special for Group N racing.

The Superboss packed an impressive punch for the time, with Opel’s 2-litre 16V engine upgraded to produce 125kW and 228Nm. This was made possible by a Cosworth cylinder head, Bosch Motronic fuel injection, Schrick cams and a higher compression ratio, among other mods. The iconic hatch was also treated to lower suspension and a limited slip differential.

The Superboss was a true South African special that also dominated on the race track, with Mike Briggs at the wheel. But being conceived for the circuit, it certainly wasn’t known for its luxury or refinement, but to owners that was a small price to pay for owning one of the coolest hatchbacks.

Only 500 examples of the Superboss were made. The one you see here was found by SentiMETAL in a rather neglected state, but the enthusiastic team then set out to restore it to its original condition. (JW)

ALFA ROMEO GTV6 Like Opel’s Superboss, the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 was a homologation special built by the local division to win at the race track on Sunday, but to do that they also had to build some to sell on Monday.

As a result, just over 200 of the iconic Alfas were built at the Brits facility from 1983 onwards. Producing 128kW and 222Nm, the GTV6 3.0 was the most powerful Alfa Romeo production car at the time.

A bigger engine had been deemed necessary for Alfa to beat BMW’s 535i on the Group One circuit, and the Italian did so in its first race.

The 3.0 was created in collaboration with Autodelta of Italy, with the latter having supplied all the components needed to increase the engine capacity by half a litre. The bits and pieces had been intended for a 3.0 model in Italy, which never saw light of day due to taxation drawbacks. However, legendary motoring man Roger McCleery, who was Alfa’s PR manager, convinced the MD to get the project under way. Interestingly, the 3.0 also traded the 2.5 model’s fuel injection system for six Dellorto carburetors.

The example in the picture was meticulously restored by Cars.co.za’s SentiMETAL, an online publication which celebrates iconic classics such as this. (JW)

DAIHATSU MATERIA TURBO What’s that? A Daihatsu? Heck yes. We love fast, compact Japanese cars and while the Materia Turbo wasn’t the most iconic performance car to be sold in South Africa, it certainly stands out as a unique proposition for anyone seeking hothatch thrills in a rare package.

Just over a decade ago, Daihatsu SA set up a bit of a skunkworks at its head office on the East Rand where its technical team started tinkering with a couple of bog standard Materias. They’d gone shopping for parts from the YRV Turbo catalogue, using the IHI turbo from that car together with its top-mount intercooler and a few other choice components. As standard, the 1.5-litre Materia made around 74kW, but once boosted it made 110kW in a mild state of tune.

We tested the car on several occasions and were impressed every time. It wasn’t the fastest from 0-100km/h, taking around 7.5 secs to complete the sprint and top speed was about 200km/h, but when you stood on the loud pedal it came alive, and there was an old school “when the boost comes home” feeling to the engine that gave it genuine character. It had a Momo steering wheel and you could option a Quaife limited-slip differential for the front axle if you took your rip really seriously. (PR)

VOLKSWAGEN CITI R-LINE No performance car list can be complete without the inclusion of a Volkswagen Citi. We had a tough time with this car because there were genuinely so many cool Citi Golfs made in South Africa from the Blues to the Deco to the Sonic. However, we went with the legendary CTi, but then decided that the Citi that deserved the honour of being on this list is the very special, very rare, Citi R-Line.

Launched in South Africa towards the end of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/9, it couldn’t have come at a better time; as a tru-performance car for the financially savvy.

Like the rest of the Citi range, there weren’t any fancy technologies, nor did you get a hi-tech interior with digital gauges. What you got was reincarnation of that original GTI that sparked our love affair with hot hatches.

The Citi R-Line came with a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre four-pot that had around 90kW of power and 175Nm of torque making it more powerful than the original Golf GTI. It was a manic thing that loved to rev and it had all the quirks that the Citi was infamous for such as steering feel, lift-off oversteer and spongy brakes. The R-Line was one of the most thrilling hot hatches to drive and even today it remains a must-have for car collectors that know their local performance cars. If you find one, expect to pay double of what it sold for more than 10 years ago. (PR)

SUBARU WRX STI DIAMOND EDITION A couple of years ago, Subaru SA invited us to their head office to view their new on-site R&D facility and new workshop. In that workshop sat a couple of WRX STI models with a few additional body pieces. A closer look revealed that the engines were being fettled with too. Subaru’s spokesperson at the time didn’t want to share too much but did reveal that something special was coming. A year later, I received a call to view this very special car, something that Subaru SA had cooked up just for us in Mzansi, the new WRX STI Diamond Edition. Sporting a new, unique body kit with solar yellow bright work, the Diamond Edition sold in limited numbers, as only 30 were supposed to be made for South Africa. We still don’t see them on the road. Subaru in Japan took issue with the local branch’s fettling. Our test car was recalled by the manufacturer within a couple of days of its arrival and even the press information about the vehicle has been removed from the company’s local archives.

In any event, if you come across a Diamond Edition, buy it for its 2.5-litre flat-four engine that produces 260kW at 4 500rpm and 464Nm at 4 000rpm. Tested in Gauteng at an altitude of 1 410m above sea level, the Diamond Edition achieved a 5.03 secondz 0-100km/h time, 0.7 seconds quicker than its standard WRX STi. (PR)