VIDEO: Joburg International Motor Show

Yesterday Africa’s largest show, the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS), last held in 2011, opened its doors to the public at Nasrec expo centre, many of the cars filling its four massive halls having come straight from the Frankfurt Motor Show last month.

 

On Wednesday and Thursday the country’s motoring media were offered an exclusive first peek at the gleaming metal on display.

 

Twenty-five manufacturers pulled out all the stops to showcase their existing production models and concept cars and unveil the models they’ll be introducing to the SA market in the coming months.

 

One by one the covers were whipped off, some by fancy hoists and others the traditional way, by the hands of the resident eye candy.

 

There was everything from dramatic smoke to dazzling lighting, pounding rock music, opera singers, dancers and even an airborne violinist.

 

Armed with notebook and iPhone, I captured the highlights.

 

Here’s a taste...

 

As with the Frankfurt show, there was a strong green theme running through the stands.

 

Many petrol-electric hybrids already on the market were on display along with several all electric cars, or EVs, which have yet to be launched, most notably BMW’s showstopper - the little i3, and its high performance stablemate, the i8.  The i3 will go on sale in SA in mid 2014 with a price tag of around R450 000.

 

No, they don’t come cheap.

 

VW unveiled its gorgeous little four-seater EV called e-up! which can cover 160km on a single charge, and the showstopper of its stand is the plug-in hybrid Concept SUV, the CROSS COUPE.

 

It’s powered by two electric motors and a turbocharged petrol engine and has a staggeringly low fuel consumption - just 1,8 litre/100km.

 

Of course, Nissan’s claim to fame is that it was the first manufacturer to mass produce an EV. The LEAF was officially launched to the SA market at the show. A couple of the completely silent cars are now shuttling show visitors about from hall to hall from designated pick-up points...using the hooter a lot to warn pedestrians! 

 

It comes with a price tag of R446 000, but its running cost is around 80% less than a car that runs on fuel.

 

Moving on from the greenies, for me the biggest wow of the show was the launch of the much anticipated new Range Rover Sport - 420kg lighter than the old model, stronger, safer and more fuel efficient, and gorgeous too, of course.  Someone called it a more manly version of the Evoque.

 

The media pretty much mobbed the stand. 

 

It goes on sale in SA next month.

 

Another car making a big impact is the 11th generation Toyota Corolla, South Africa’s favourite car. It will be made right here in Prospecton and it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2014...It’s a dramatic departure from its predecessor.

 

The car which caused quite a buzz at the General Motors stand was the little Opel Adam, named after Opel’s founder, Adam Opel.

 

It’s Opel’s first trendy, small urban car, packed with high tech features, loads of personalisation options and smart connections. For those who love the Mini Cooper vibe but can’t afford it, this one could be for you.

 

It’s due here some time next year.

 

 

(Above: The Opel Adam) 

 

Over at the stand of Chinese car maker FAW another smallish hatch was attracting a lot of attention, for different reasons...

 

The 1.3 litre FAW V2 has aircon, power steering, dual airbags, mag wheels, a full sized spare, side impact bars and a two-year service plan on top of a three-year warranty, all for a shade under R100 000, making it the cheapest car on the show. It goes on sale next month.

 

 

(Above: The FAW V2) 

 

The most expensive car on the road? The R8-million armoured Audi A8 Security.

 

Getting back to B-segment hatches, Mitsubishi will be launching its 1.2 litre Mirage, which has been a success in Australia, to our market next year.

 

And MG will be launching what it calls a trendy, ultra safe supermini - the MG3, which will range in price from R160 000 to R180 000. Full stock arrives on these shores in March.

 

Also coming here in early 2014 will be the new Mazda 3.

 

There was no shortage of hype over at the Audi stand, which is home to several RS models are due here in 2014, including the RS7 Sportback.

 

And, of course, its most highly anticipated new car is the new A3 sedan, to go on sale here in January.

 

Making waves at the GWM stand was an 1,5 litre compact urban crossover vehicle called the M4, which has great looks, good ground clearance, and a lot of spec. It goes on sale within the next three months for “well under R200 000”.

 

 

(Above: The GWM H6) 

 

The big surprise at the Ford stand was the stylish and technologically advanced mid-sized sedan, the Ford Fusion, which is headed for these shores some time next year.

 

Two pimped up posh rides in particular - the Jaguar XFR-S, and the Merc SLS AMG - provided the wow factor in spades...both have hot paint jobs, monstrous wheels and outrageous spoilers.

 

 

(Above: The Jaguar SFR-S) 

 

And then there’s Mercedes’ answer to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 - the GLA, and a most appealing compact SUV it is, too... it’s come to JIMS direct from the Frankfurt Motor Show. 

 

Over at the BMW stand, there’s the baby version of the love-it-or-loathe it X6 - the X4. It’s still in concept guise - it only goes into production next year.

Also worth a look is a GWM SUV called H6 which will also go on sale next year.

 

The show runs until next Sunday, the 27th.

 

- Wendy Knowler