Toyota has revealed a host of important models at the Johannesburg International Motor Show this year.
We have seen it several times before in pictures, but the FT-86 G Sport Concept has now touched down in South Africa. It is the latest incarnation of what Dr Johan van Zyl, president and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), describes as a car in the spirit of performance cars such as the legendary Supra, Celica and MR2. And yes, it will be coming to South Africa… quite possibly next year.
TSAM also showed the three-door Aygo. Available in Fresh and Wild trim levels, the three-door utilises the same 1,0-litre three-cylinder engine as the five-door, but the three-door will be priced below the five-door… the Aygo Fresh costs R106 100, while the 1,0 Aygo Wild retails for R116 500. All models feature ABS with EBD (emergency brake force distribution) and BA (brake assist).
Another exciting car on Toyota’s stand is the Auris TRD. With this car Toyota will bring the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) performance brand back to local showrooms. In this specific car, the engine is a 1,6-litre 16-valve unit, but with the addition of a supercharger. This means that performance has increased to 133 kW at 6 400 r/min while 202 N.m of torque is delivered at 5 200 r/min. The engine isn’t the only upgrade though, the TRD features a Sportivo suspension kit too. According to Toyota the Auris TRD will be available in limited numbers from next month.
Later this month Toyota will launch the Yaris in South Africa. It will be available with both 1,0- and 1,33-litre petrol engines. Customers will also be able to choose between a manual and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Equipment levels, depending on price of course, should be generous in the case of the new Yaris. Apart from vehicle stability control (VSC), eight airbags, a panoramic sun roof, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights and Toyota’s new display audio system, comfort and entertainment features such as Bluetooth, iPod and USB connections for mobile phones and external media will be available.
Mazda
Mazda has unveiled the new BT-50 bakkie to the South African media. Potential buyers should get their wallets ready, as it will be available from early next year.
According to Mazda, occupants will benefit from 16 mm more headroom and 30 mm more shoulder room at the front while passengers in the rear benefit from 55 mm more leg room. The cabin is also wider which means the passengers should be able to sit more comfortably than they did in the previous bakkie.
To test this out, I actually got into the BT-50 and it indeed offers a generous amount of space. I could easy sit behind myself in the rear seat. The cockpit is also relatively luxuriously equipped and to select four-wheel drive or low-range in the BT-50 (which is also the case with the Ford Ranger, with which it shares its platform and several other components) you simply have to turn a dial.
Mazda designed the loading bay to have higher sidewalls than on most double-cabs and that means that the cargo volume has increased by 178 litres to 1 214 litres, compared to the outgoing model.
Those buyers interested in towing their boat, caravan or jet ski, should comfortably do so since the maximum towing capacity is now 3 350 kg. Competition in the the double-cab segment is getting tighter by the day…