CARtoday.com’s Kyle Kock reports to us from the Durban Motor Show to give us the lowdown on all of the latest models and goings-on at this popular local motoring event.
By Kyle Kock
I must admit, the Durban Motor Show isn’t as big as I expected it to be (I know you can’t compare it to the likes of Geneva or Tokyo) but nevertheless some exciting models are on display at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
First up is the Chana Benni, a high-spec small creation from the Chongqing-based manufacturer equipped with a 1,3-litre engine that produces 63kW and 110 N.m of torque, that heads up the small car squad at Durban. GWM has also dabbled in the small car bowl and unveiled an exciting new prototype – the Peri – as well as its new corporate colours (red and silver from the previous blue and yellow) and an evolved from of its logo. The Chinese manufacturer also unveiled its well-designed Hover SUV as well as a limousine version of the Hover.
Speaking of small cars, one of the highly anticipated vehicles on exhibition is the Fiat 500. The nuova Cinquecento has its fair share of tongues wagging in KZN, as South Africans eagerly await the local launch on July 4 – exactly a year after the car was launched in Italy. Fiat is also displaying it new Scudo Combi MPV at Durban. This 9-seater slots in just under the Ducato as a vehicle that combines the comfort of an MPV with the reliability of a commercial van.
Mazda’s stand boasted its recent Car Of The Year award-winning the Mazda2, the Mazda5 CX-7 and new Freestyle Cab BT-50 (think traditional supercab or the extra door on a Mini Cooper Clubman). Nissan displayed its recently facelifted X-Trail and Kia unveiled its 1,6-litre variant of the popular Rio. This model’s 1,6-litre engine produces 82 kW and 146 N.m of torque. The Rio 1,6 is priced from R150 000 and features A/C CD, MP3 alloy wheels, and rear spoiler. SsangYong also released the new Actyon Sports SUT, featuring the only six-speed automatic transmission on a double-cab bakkie in SA, and its new Kyron 270 SUV – available with a 5-speed manual gearbox or 5-speed tiptronic transmission.
Lotus has added a supercharger to its evergreen Elise to produce the Elise SC, while the likes of Aston Martin and Rolls Royce backed up the empire with DB9s, Vantages and a Phantom. Rally aficionados will also be pleased to hear that Castrol Edge’s competition Subaru Impreza is also on display.
Other manufacturers at the show include:
- Alfa Romeo – displaying the GT Q2 and Brera
- Ford – with a Fiesta ST and Focus ST on display
- Honda – with a CR-V, FR-V, Jazz, S2000 and Civic Type R on its stand
- Toyota – showing off the Corolla, Avensis, Yaris, Verso and Auris indoors and Land Cruisers outdoors
- Peugeot – displaying the 308 XT and 308 XS
- Tata – with the Xenon, Telcoline, Safari and its range of smaller vehicles on display
- As well as GM, Citroën, Daihatsu, Land Rover
“Besides the vehicle displays, we have arranged a number of demonstrations, competitions and displays to be staged in the Coast of Dreams arena. These include a ‘Glow in the Dark’ contest on Friday 11 April, ‘Sound Off’ and dyno competitions on Saturday and a ‘Show and Shine’ event on Sunday, as well as a number of other exciting events,” says Durban Motor Show Manager, Bella Geldenhuis.
Of course, CAR Magazine has a stand as well, with a stunning Porsche Cayenne GTS on display – so feel free to drop in and subscribe.
