13 minute read
9 COOLEST CARS
BY JASON WOOSEY, WILLEM VD PUTTE AND PRITESH RUTHUN
Independent’s motoring team picks nine of the best (and coolest) cars you can buy in Mzansi...
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Porsche Taycan Turbo S
A FEW years back I could never have imagined that I’d ever get excited by an electric car, but the Porsche Taycan Turbo S managed to change my mind in just 2.8 seconds.
Instant thrust is a term that comes to mind here. Pulling 1.2g from a standing start, the Turbo S actually accelerates faster over the first few metres than the force of gravity, which means you’re picking up speed more rapidly than a skydiver in free fall. Porsche claims it’ll surge from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds, and I’m not arguing with that. Acceleration from standstill, using Launch Control, is simply exhilarating.
The car’s two permanently excited synchronous electric motors, one mounted on each axle, collectively produce 460kW - although 560kW is briefly available on overboost. Of course, it’s the torque figure of 1050Nm that excites us the most here. The engineers have also done all the things you’d expect to make this car corner like a Porsche should. You still feel connected to the road and the low centre of gravity enabled by positioning the batteries in the chassis ensures that it hugs tarmac the way you’d expect from a sports car built in Stuttgart. The Taycan also excels as a comfortable, mile-gobbling grand tourer and the ride comfort is quite cushy, thanks to the standard three-chamber air suspension system, which can also raise the car to tackle large speed bumps. As for the driving range, Porsche claims it’ll get around 400km between charges in regular driving and 340km on the open road. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is expensive, though, retailing at a shade under R4 million.
Toyota GR Yaris
Set to hit Mzansi around midyear, the Toyota GR Yaris is no ordinary ‘hot hatch’. This little firecracker was essentially created as a homologation model for Toyota’s next-generation WRC car, which means you’re literally getting a rally car for the road, complete all-wheel drive and the world’s most powerful production three cylinder engine. The vehicle’s purpose-built 1.6-litre, three-cylinder powerplant produces 200kW at 6500rpm and 370Nm from 3000 revs. And despite the fitment of all-wheel drive, the car weighs a mere 1280kg, thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials such as aluminium for the bonnet, doors and tailgate and a new type of carbon fibre polymer for the roof.
With a power-to-weight ratio of 156kW per tonne, the Yaris GR is said to be capable of a 5.2-second 0-100km/h sprint, while the top speed is electronically limited to 230km/h. But only purists need apply here as the only gearbox option is a six-speed manual with rev matching on the up and down shifts.
You also get to decide exactly how much torque goes to the rear wheels, that being up to 70 percent when Sport Mode is dialled in. Switch over to Track Mode and you have a 50:50 split for the ultimate in balance, while normal mode sees 60 percent going to the front. The chassis has been given a complete overhaul too, with the standard Yaris’s boring torsion beam being replaced by a multilink set-up. This is certainly no ordinary hatchback, and nothing like a GTI either. We love that about the GR Yaris. Just don’t expect it to come cheap.
Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe
The next-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 will have all wheel drive and just four cylinders. The good news is that thanks to a hybrid system and some battery boost, it will actually be more potent than today’s car. But we’ll sure miss that rumbly V8 engine, which for us is an important part of the entertainment factor.
Which means that the current C63 S is possibly your last chance to buy a compact AMG with a V8 engine and rearwheel drive. Its 4-litre twin-turbo V8 is paired with a ninespeed MCT multi-clutch gearbox and the engine produces a wholesome 375kW and 700Nm, which is still at the sharp end of its class even towards the end of its production cycle. In fact until the recently launched BMW M4 came along and matched it, it was the perkiest.
Expect to blast from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. But with all that power going to the back wheels, this car can bite you in the corners if you don’t know what you’re doing. Sure, it handles better than some of its tail-happy predecessors, but you will still need to stay on the right side of caution in this one. A really cool feature in the C63 S is the dynamic engine mounts, which aim to address the ‘conflict of interest’ between comfort and handling by reducing vibration from the engine and transmission unit.
It certainly does the trick because despite how brutal the engine is, you never feel shaken and stirred in the cockpit.
At R1 922 000, the C63 S Coupe represents the end of an indulgent era, and an exciting one at that.
Ford Mustang
It’s undoubtedly the world’s most recognisable name in motoring, something akin to CokeCola and it’s also one of a handful of cars that attracts likes and purchases across all ages, race groups and sex.
Say Mustang and everyone knows.
It’s been an icon since the 60s and has appeared in all manner of media simply because, well, it’s a Mustang. It’s certainly one of the top three coolest cars ever built and while there is now a more “civilised” 2.3-litre EcoBoost version available locally and the electric Mach-E overseas, it’s the 5.0-litre normally aspirated V8 that you want. The raw power and noise emanating from the exhausts is a petrolhead’s dream, because you get the impression that the whole design of the vehicle was built around the engine. It’s quad exhaust system has active valve technology that allows you to manage how much noise you want, so you can be neighbour friendly on start-up and go full tilt on the highway. It pushes out 331kW and 529Nm and is coupled to Ford’s 10 speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately Ford no longer has a manual option, that’s reserved for the Mustang Bullitt, but you do get paddles but because there’s so many gears you sometimes struggle to connect to the correct ratio. And while the general impression is that the Mustang is something to go tearing around the track with, it’s a lot happier on long stretches of tar touring the country. In Sport Mode suspension and throttle response is tightened up somewhat which makes it ideal for tackling long bends such as the Long Tom Pass but you’ll have to be wary when corners are tight because despite it being a sports car it’s a bit hairy when things become tight.
It’s fitted with a host of electronic safety features should things go awry but ultimately it’s a Grand Tourer rather than a nimble racer. Initial impressions of the interior are that it’s quite luxurious but on closer inspection the plastic dashboard trim and door finishes detract from the exterior design while the buttons and switchgear could feel more solid.
Even so the badge counts for much and in terms of kerb appeal there’s not much to beat it neither the exhaust growl which makes the ‘Stang a hugely enjoyable car to drive.
Land Rover Defender
Years ago when Top Gear still had the original three protagonists they had a Cool Wall and there was much deliberation on which car should go where.
There was one though that all agreed on and that was the Land Rover Defender.
Even though it hadn’t changed much in 70 years with the same niggles, panel gaps and uncomfortable seating there was always something that people found both enduring and frustrating about this icon. It took Land Rover a long time to reintroduce the Defender after it had been taken off the market and it’s understandable why. They had to get this much-loved 4x4 just right without making it too similar to the fluid designs of their other products. The Defender had to stand out. And it does. The team of designers managed to get it to look modern while still incorporating design elements of the original both from the outside and one or two throwbacks in the interior.
Land Rover says it’s their most capable 4x4 yet and they’re not wrong. It has every conceivable modern off road aid that will lift the suspension, engage diff lock as and when needed, all terrain mode settings across the spectrum and you can even “see through” the bonnet to see where you’re going in difficult terrain. technology and comfort and that’s better than anything that was conceived and built in the 1940s and only occasionally face lifted over its lifetime.
Does it still belong on the Cool Wall? Absolutely.
BMW M8
Here’s not much on the road that beats the look of BMW’s M8 Competition.
Apart from its gorgeous looks, it’s also pretty much the pinnacle of BMW’s performance packaging. In the M8 Competition BMW have managed to get everything just right from the exterior design, the interior finishing and fittings to the engine crammed under the sleek bonnet. A 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 lurks under that bonnet that’s good for 460kW and 750Nm and powers all four wheels in default mode via an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission. The subtle curves and indents on the body belie the blistering pace that will get you to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and even out at 305km/h should you dare.
Larger rear tyres and four wheel steering make this a superb car to spend time on the track but you’ll need to have your wits fully about you especially if you decide to select rear wheel drive and switch off traction control. It’s just as happy too as a Grand Tourer in normal driving mode with the adaptive suspension taking road imperfections in its stride while it cruises along effortlessly. All this while ensconced in top-end BMW comfort and luxury with exclusive M Sport seats, dual tone leather and Alcantra trim, fibre elements and an M-specific instrument cluster. Being able to switch between grand luxury and crazy performance comes at a price though and at well over R3-million it’s not aimed at your average motorist, but those that can should. There are only a handful of cars on the road today that will get people to stop in their tracks and take a second look but the M8 does it every time.
Lamborghini Huracan
My friends, we’ve come to the end of the road as far as naturally-aspirated supercars go. If you take a quick look at what’s available in the supercar segment these days, most vehicles are turbocharged or electrified or both. This is where Lamborghini’s venerable Huracan steps in to satisfy purists with its naturally-aspirated V10 that revs beyond 8000rpm.
We’ve had the opportunity to assess the Huracan on a couple of occasions in Cape Town and each time we’ve come away impressed at how brutally quick these vehicles are, but also how well engineered they are. Gone are the days of misfires, poorly made interiors, wonky air-conditioners and shoddy mechanicals. In fact, the latest Huracans feel as solid and as wellengineered as the latest Audi R8, which it shares its DNA with.
Whether you opt for an EVO or a used Performante, as the Perfomantes are all sold out, you’ll be driving one of the best raging bulls ever made. All models come double clutch transmissions that shift on-point each and every time and you can opt for rear-wheel drive only models if you feel particularly brave.
The latest version of the Huracan, the STO, looks as though it’s been driven straight from the World Endurance racing scene and onto a dealership floor thanks to its outrageous raceinspired styling. The STO sports one of the largest single-piece body parts on any car ever made, as Lamborghini wanted the entire front end of the car to offer a clam-shell type design that pivots to open on two lightweight 3D-printed hinges.
A range-topping STO is ideal for any dream garage thanks to its manic 470kW/565Nm engine that can catapult it from a standstill to 100km/h in just 3 seconds. More impressive, the STO can accelerate from 0 to 200km/h in just 9 seconds before topping out at 310km/h.
Honda Civic Type R
Honda’s Civic Type R is arguably part supercar, part hot hatch, part muscle car. It’s blisteringly quick, sure, but to get the best performance from it, you really need to nurse the accelerator to avoid spinning up its drive wheels on a hoon.
Recently face lifted for the 2021 model year, with subtle changes to its exterior styling, the Civic Type R is one of the last remaining front-wheeler extreme hatchbacks that pull no punches when it comes to performance. The car’s 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder engine can be criticised for not sounding as exotic as Honda’s four-pots of the past, but with 228kW and 400Nm on taps all can be forgiven when you jump on the loud pedal.
The Type R also sports a six-speed manual gearbox, something that’s extremely rare these days, particularly in the performance car scene as manufacturers look to chase faster 0-100 times rather than create cars that offer tactile engagement. Even with its clutch and manual cog setup, the Civic Type R can scamper from 0 to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed 272km/h. If you’re considering something practical for a daily drive, but with blistering pace and presence for those weekend escapades, the Civic Type R offers eveything you could possibly need. You might argue that it’s heavily compromised with the manual gearbox and the front-wheel drive setup compared to newer generation cars such as the Golf R and A45S, but as far as unique motoring experiences go, you won’t get more unique than a Type R at its price point.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace has won so many awards that the company has probably had to build a new wing at its headquarters to store all its trophies. Lots has been written about it, as it truly put electric cars on the map in the premium car segment on a global scale when it was launched three years ago.
Teslas might be faster and they might offer longer ranges, but we can tell you that the Jaguar offers more than enough speed and more than enough range to satisfy the most demanding drivers out there. And of course, Teslas aren’t sold in South Africa, and aside from the ultra expensive Porsche Taycan that we simply adore, the I-Pace is the best electric car you can buy in South Africa right now. In fact, I would argue that it’s the best SUV you can buy in South Africa right now too, if you can afford it.
If you’re in the market for a premium vehicle for you dream garage, step into the future now with the I-Pace. It offers a unique blend of performance, practicality and luxury that you won’t find in any vehicle with a petrol or diesel engine.
