Latest news with #CharlBosch


The Citizen
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Hyundai Alcazar takes ‘new name' and product offering a step up
Described as a premium step-up from the Grand Creta, the Alcazar improves significantly in a number areas, while keeping the favoured turbodiesel engine. Alcazar's redesign has been so extensive so that it will be seen as a brand-new model compared to the pre-facelift model known locally as the Grand Creta. Images: Charl Bosch Although an unfamiliar name to South Africa with seemingly no connotations bar, somewhat humorously, the character of the same name in the Tintin comics, the Hyundai Alcazar is anything but new as it has been sold locally since 2022, albeit under a different name. What's in a name? Unveiled four years ago in India as a three-row version of the Creta, Hyundai South Africa's decision to align it with its sibling, produced at the same plant in Chennai, resulted in it being badged Grand Creta rather than sticking with a name local buyers might have taken a giggle to. With souring of the Creta having moved to the Cikarang facility in Indonesia three years ago though, the aligning strategy no longer applied as the pending first lifecycle update made it seem fit to drop the Grand Creta moniker and revert to Alcazar for the local market. NOW READ: Hyundai Alcazar officially priced as 'facelift' Grand Creta A move defined further by Hyundai as representing a step-up on the Grand Creta, despite it being a facelift, the arrival of what is still Hyundai's most affordable seven-seater in South Africa for the weeklong test promised much on the back of its predecessor's popularity, and main selling point, it's turbodiesel engine. Decked-out in the same Titan Grey Matte hue as the now discontinued limited run Creta Matte Edition, the test unit not only sported the 1.5-litre oil-burner underneath its bonnet, but also happened to be the flagship Elite priced at R669 900. Will be seen as new Sitting atop a range reduced to three models from the Grand Creta's five, the Elite's main exterior difference from the step-down Executive – which also continues to the offered with the normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine as the base model – involves the new 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels compared to the former pair's 17-inches. Besides this, and viewed on first glance, the facelift touches can, in fact, be disputed as being representative of a completely new generational model as, beside the side profile, the Alcazar shares very little else with the Grand Creta. Central to this is a new bonnet, a new sealed upper grille, the same H-shaped LED headlight clusters from the Exter connected by a central light bar, wider wheel arches and a new front bumper that houses a now lower-mounted rectangular main grille plus a satin silver imitation skidplate. Not stopping there, the Alcazar's restyled rear facia involves a new bumper and integrated skidplate, H-shaped light clusters also connected by a horizontal LED light bar complete with a block letter name logo, a new tailgate and stacked light reflectors on the flanks of the bumper. Rounded off with satin silver roof rails, the Alcazar, arguably, appears better looking, more distinctive and stylish, and more premium compared to the somewhat bulbous and even divisive Grand Creta. Just as extensive, Hyundai has completely renewed the Alcazar's interior, albeit with the omittance of the new pair of 10.25-inch displays for the infotainment system as well as the digital instrument cluster. Instead, all models receive a reworked version of the Grand Creta's instrument cluster and the older eight-inch infotainment display, now equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time. Housed within the same 'one-piece' binnacle though, the overall design feels and looks decidedly more modern than in the Grand Creta, bolstered by the latter's ease of use and physical shortcut buttons on either side. Besides the new air vents and a storage shelf above glovebox, the centre console has been reworked to include an Audi-style LCD panel for the dual-zone climate control replete with physical toggle switches and touch-sensitive icons in place of the traditional dials. Although finished in anything but practical piano-key black, the initial concern of the setup being more form than function proved unfounded as it works easy while also being intuitive not to frustrate as the case often is. Largely neat looking and ergonomically sound, interior quality felt on the cheap side in some places and exactly the step-up from the Grand Creta Hyundai claims. What's more, the driver's seat doesn't drop low enough to accommodate taller folk, while the quality of the sound system undelivered when taking the Elite's price into consideration. More accomplished are soft and supportive imitation leather seats, the functionality of the multi-function steering wheel and straight-forward chunky buttons for the electronic handbrake, Hill Descent Control, Auto Hold and ventilated front seats. Practically-wise, the Alcazar also impresses as, apart from head-and-legroom leaving little to be desired – the former even with the standard panoramic glass roof – the second row sports a pair of nifty fold-out tables integrated into the backs of the front seats. Despite its seven seats, the third row is exclusive to children, however, entry is made easy by the second row 'tumbling forward' than simply sliding. In terms of space, the boot accommodates 180-litres with all seven seats in use, which increases to 579-litres in five-seat guise. With the middle row also down, total utility space measures 1 670-litres. Besides the features already mentioned, along with the peculiarity of only ventilated seats, the Alcazar Elite comes standard with rear window blinds, keyless entry plus push-button start, USB ports in each row, a wireless smartphone charger, folding electric mirrors and ambient lighting. Safety and driver assistance come in the form of a tyre pressure monitor, rear parking sensors, a somewhat underwhelming reverse camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Lane Follow Assist. As much as it had been the selling point of the Grand Creta in a largely petrol-powered and ever growing hybrid end of the market, the much vaunted 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine isn't most refined nor quietest available. Tasked with moving 1 445 kg unladen, the engine's 84kW/250Nm makes for a slightly underpowered feel similar to the still Indian made Creta tested four years ago. Slightly overcoming its initial breathlessness as the revs climb, a fair amount of engine noise still creeps into the cabin at speed, while the six-speed automatic gearbox goes about its business in a relatively slick manner. As with the Grand Creta, the Alcazar's amount of twist goes to the front wheels only, though it does offer a Terrain mode selector with three settings; Snow, Mud and Sand. On top of this, the conventional drive mode system comes with three modes of its own; Eco, Normal, Sport, the former never being engaged, and the latter seldom as the admittedly sharper throttle response sees the revs climbing too with the result of a terribly sounding strained diesel soundtrack. Equally prone to simply spinning all of the power away without going faster, Normal was selected throughout the Alcazar's seven days and eventual 409 km covered. On the move, and despite the intrusive engine noise, the slightly firm ride still feels acceptable as the suspension dampens imperfections well without sending shudders or other aftereffects throughout the cabin. Unsurprisingly, the Alcazar's main selling point delivered with an indicated best consumption figure of 5.9 L/100 km at the completion of its stay. Conclusion While not without its detractions, some disappointing considering its supposed step-up from the Grand Creta, the Hyundai Alcazar still warrants being a worthwhile improvement both aesthetically and to some extent, internally. Practical and an overall solid product that does what it says on the tin without doing anything spectacularly good or bad, it still comes across as a bit pricey against not only its immediate legacy brand rivals, but also the ever growing number of comparative Chinese products. That being said, it is still worth a second look and given South Africa's still burning love for diesel and top-spec model variants, yet another likely success story in pending for the Korean brand. NOW READ: Hyundai Alcazar has an ace up its sleeve against Chinese SUVs


The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nissan Navara Stealth returns more aggressive than ever before
Still based on the double cab LE, the Stealth makeover has been executed with more polish than the original. The Nissan Navara, in its current internally named D23 guise, has been around for 11 years, which, apart from the Mahindra Pik Up, makes it the oldest bakkie currently on-sale in South Africa. Contrived future outlook A late arrival in 2017 followed by a facelift four years later, which saw it adopt its current look in addition to production moving from Thailand to the Rosslyn Plant outside Pretoria aside, the Navara has been a consistent top five segment seller despite often struggling to breach 500 units ALSO READ: Nissan hits six with Stealth This, combined with the ongoing speculation of Nissan possibly vacating Rosslyn as part of its radical cost cutting measures announced earlier this year, has seemingly made little impact on Navara sales completely faltering to less than 100 units similar to its alliance sibling, the new Mitsubishi Triton. Known to be replaced later this year by a completely new generation based on the Triton, the future of the D23, in South Africa at least, appears unlikely to head the same route. Sports bar comes with an integrated Stealth badge. Image: Charl Bosch Seemingly set to follow the same approach as South America, where the Frontier name is used, the Navara will benefit from a second facelift and remain in production as part of an apparent dual-model roll-out similar to what was used with the NP300 Hardbody. A decision probably made as a means of keeping costs down while assuring the future of Rosslyn, the introduction of the Australian-developed Pro-4X Warrior earlier this year has seen a further bolstering of the range with the arrival of the revived special edition Stealth. No longer flying underneath the radar A nameplate first used on the NP200 a decade ago and then on the pre-facelift Navara in 2019, the Stealth's return sees it slot-in below the standard Pro-4X and above the derivative it is based on, the LE, with the sole option being either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. Stealth comes into its own off-road. Image: Nissan While similar to the previous Stealth by being an appearance package, the local launch last week was anything but ordinary as the majority of the selected route was off-road ranging from a conventional gravel road, to a proper rock-laden trek around the ADA Off-Road Training and Outdoor Centre on the outskirts of Hartebeestpoort. Stealth additions Externally, the Stealth's additions over the LE include a restyled black grille and bumper, the latter complete with an integrated nudge bar, standard side-steps, a Stealth-badged sports bar and 17-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop Grandtrek all-terrain tyres. Stealth can be had in three colours. All-terrain tyres are standard. Image: Charl Bosch Continuing the darkened theme as per the Stealth name are black mirror caps and roof rails, black door handles and black Stealth badges at the base of the front doors and on the tailgate. A choice of three colours round the exterior off; white, Infinite Black and the same Techno Grey as on the Pro-4X. Bar extended leather trim on the doors and armrests, the Stealth's interior has not changed from the LE – a departure from the original that received orange seats inserts as well as stitch work on the doors, steering wheel, gear lever and the seats themselves. Unlike the previous Stealth, no big changes have taken place inside. Image: Charl Bosch Similar in execution to Ford's first and second attempts with the previous generation Ranger FX4, the Stealth is more discreetly styled than before, and arguably, more rugged looking than its predecessor. Underneath Introduced as part of the facelift four years, the five-link coil rear suspension and dampers from the rest of the Navara range has been carried over unchanged. Devised specifically for South Africa's road conditions, and described as pothole-proof by company executives, the setup comprises a quicker rebound recovery without compromising on-road or off-road comfort. Launch route involved extensive off-road driving. Image: Nissan A design the Triton-based model won't employ, as it will revert to a traditional leaf-spring setup, the suspension and the lower-profile all-terrain tyres, made for a surprising combination, especially off-road. Composed and comfortable, the Stealth displayed none of the usual rear-end liveliness that comes with an empty loadbid. Moreover, the suspension didn't 'hit through' on the truly rocky sections of the route that involved a slow descent down a cliffside into the valley below. Still not ideal What's more, the Stealth still felt pliant on-road and again, comparable to the Ranger's ride of not being jarring or brittle with a sudden surface change. In fact, the main gripes are familiar ones involving the interior. The area the Navara's age is most prominent, the lack of height adjustment allowing the driver's seat to drop all the way down results in a too high driving position While the steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach, the way the seating position is setup still makes for a feel comparable to a forward control truck as one sits 'above' the wheel rather than behind it. Likely to be rectified with the incoming facelift, the dashboard looks dated and is riddled with a less-than-impressive and fussy eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display, as well as a fuzzy and low-quality reverse camera. Spec As for specifications, the Stealth remains unchanged from the LE as it comes standard with push-button start and keyless entry, folding electric mirrors, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a multi-function steering wheel and type-A USB ports. Leather seats have replaced the fabric ones that come standard on the LE. Image: Charl Bosch Safety and driver assistance features include cruise control, rear parking sensors, six airbags, Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control, Automatic Emergency Braking and Hill Descent Control on the four-wheel-drive models. Tried-and-tested diesel Residing up front, the stalwart YD25DDTI 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine prevails as one of the biggest highlights. Brought in to replace the newer twin-turbo 2.3-litre YS23DDT when production started at Rosslyn, the unit develops an unchanged 140kW/450Nm delivered to the mentioned drive wheels through a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Stealth took the easy and difficult sections of the route in its stride without struggling. Image: Nissan As with the rest of the Navara range, the four-wheel-drive Stealth is equipped as standard with a locking rear differential and a low-range transfer case. Despite the 'box still being lethargic and prone to taking its time when shifting down, the engine has more than sufficient pull, and although not the most refined or quiet, gives off a satisfying wastegate chirp when lifting off of the accelerator. Livelier and more responsive than the admittedly hardcore off-road-focused Pro-4X Warrior, the Stealth also didn't feel as nervous on-road, again due to its not having the same lift-kit, in addition to being quieter around the firewall. Conclusion A sub-segment of the local bakkie market that has become hugely popular in recent years, the return of the Nissan Navara Stealth again shows the significance of buyers being prepared to fork out extra for being different and standing out, in spite of there being no power or torque gains. Stealth can be had either with two-wheel-drive or part-time four-wheel-drive. Image: Charl Bosch Priced at a premium of R35 000 over the LE, the Stealth represents relatively good value, especially as the two-wheel-drive comes in under R700 000 and the 4×4 well below R800 000. That being said, it is still the oldest legacy brand bakkie available today, and while sales are likely to be pushed up a bit, its displacing of the Mahindra Pik Up as the country's fourth best-seller, will still leave it as a left-field option Price As with the rest of the Navara range, the Stealth's price tag includes a six-year/150 000 km warranty and a six-year/90 000 km service plan. Navara Stealth 2.5 DDTI AT – R695 200 Navara Stealth 2.5 DDTI 4×4 AT – R779 200 NOW READ: Nissan Navara has lost ground on Ford Ranger, Amarok and Hilux


The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Chery-owned iCar coming to South Africa as renamed iCaur
Off-road devised EV brand will be a standalone marque similar Omoda & Jaecoo and Jetour, and launch officially in August before sales start in the first quarter of 2026. Retro-styled V23 is likely to be one of the models iCaur will bring to South Africa. Image: iCaur South Africa After a series of rumours stemming from the Shanghai International Auto Show in April this year, Chery has confirmed that its electric off-road-focused iCar brand will be debuting in 2026, but under a different name. How do you say it? Founded two years ago, with its first model, the 03, being shown at Chery's inaugural tech festival event in its hometown of Wuhu later that same year, the marque will function in a standalone capacity similar to its Omoda & Jaecoo and Jetour siblings. ALSO READ: All-electric Jaecoo J6's low running costs won't justify lofty price tag In a turnaround though, and because of copyright ownership, the brand will be known as iCaur. Still pronounced 'i-car', sales will commence in the first quarter of 2026, making it the 15th Chinese vehicle manufacturer in South Africa after its parent company and divisional trio, BAIC, BYD, Dayun, Dongfeng, Foton, GAC, Great Wall Motors (GWM) Haval, JAC, LDV and MG. Its operations taking place from a projected 15 dealers by the time of its market arrival, the initial iCaur line-up will seemingly consist of three models, the same number currently sold in China. What to expect? Jaecoo J6 no more. Prepare for iCaur 03 Of these, the 03 will formally debut as an iCaur after initial plans had been for it to debut as the Jaecoo J6. While shown as an iCar at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring last year, rebadging it as the J6 was eventually decided on for the starting of sales this year. Indeed, while a number of pre-production units were provided to the media badged as Jaecoos, plans on selling it came to an abrupt halt in a move now known to have been taken in response to the launching of iCar as iCaur. The iCar 03 made its world debut at Chery's Tech Day in Wuhu two years ago. Image: Charl Bosch As such, the 03 will take leave of the Jaecoo specific front-end and revert to its iCar frontal appearance, still with the inverted L-shaped headlights, and a lower case 'i' on the faux spare wheel cover that houses a storage area instead of the charging equipment. Dimensionally, the 03 measures 4 406 mm long, 1 910 mm wide and 1 715 mm tall with its wheelbase stretching 2 715 mm. The claimed ground clearance is 195 mm. The move to iCaur from Jaecoo will, speculatively, have a further impact on the 03's choice of powerplants as the J6 had been expected to offer only all-wheel-drive. iCar 03 made its debut, before becoming the Jaecoo J6, at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring last year. Image: Charl Bosch In this instance, the dual electric motor setup produces 205kW/385Nm from a 69.7-kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack. At the time, Jaecoo claimed a range of 364 km, 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and DC charging up to 80 kW that requires a waiting time of 30 minutes from 30-80%. In the case of the rear-wheel-drive, the battery pack produces 65.6-kWh and drives a single electric motor that makes 135kW/220Nm. The claimed range is 371 km and the 0-100 km/h dash 10.5 seconds. The iCar 03 was originally supposed to be sold as the Jaecoo J6. Image: Jaecoo Similar to the all-wheel-drive, the two-wheel-drive 03 supports DC charging up to 80 kW, and will necessitate the same 30 minute wait from 30-80%. Specification, while still to be divulged, will more than likely be carried over from the now defunct J6 and include the 15.6-inch infotainment display, heated and electric front seats, panoramic sunroof, a 540-degree surround-view camera system and a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster. iCar 03T likely? Showcased at the end of last year, the improved 03T, which sports sharper styling, wider wheel arches and subtle rear facia changes, could also be earmarked for South Africa as it is reportedly under consideration for Malaysia, according to As per the 03T, also sold as the rebadged Chery X3 Plus in China, measures 4 327 mm in overall length, with the rest of its dimensions being similar to the 03 that also goes by the name Chery X3. Updated iCar 03T could also be in-line for South Africa. Image: iCar Power, reportedly, comes from a 68.3-kWh battery pack that produces 185 kW. Suggestively, this amounts to the all-wheel-drive as official iCar pricing claims a range of between 501 km and 520 km based on China's CLTC measurements. Pricing reportedly ranges from 119 800 yuan (R298 505) to 129 800 yuan (R323 422). Retro V23 Depicted in the brand's official confirmation statement, the third model it currently produces, the retro-styled V23, will serve as the alternative to the 03 and possibly, as the entry-level iCaur product. An aesthetic combination of the Toyota Land Cruiser 40-series when viewed from the front, the Defender 110 from the side and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at the rear, the V23 made its world debut last year as a joint venture between Chery and the Zhimi Technology division of smartphone marker, Xiaomi A supposed tribute to the Soviet-era Beijing Jeep BJ212 that has been used by the Chinese military since 1965, the V23 has measurement of 4 220 mm in overall length, a height of 1 845 mm, width of 1 915 mm and wheelbase of 2 735 mm. Sporting a claimed 200 mm of ground clearance, the V23's departure angle is set at 41-degrees and its approach at 43-deegers. No details surrounding its breakover angle was divulged. V23's rear bears more than a close resemble to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Image: On the power front, the V23 offers a choice of two battery packs; the entry-level being a 59.9-kWh module powering a single rear-axle mounted electric motor developing 100kW/180Nm. Based on CLTC measurements, which differ from the WLTP used in Europe and by in-large, South Africa, the two-wheel-drive V23 will do 401 km on a single charge and require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 30-80%. Producing the same power, the extended range two-wheel-drive receives a bigger 81.7-kWh battery that translates to a claimed CLTC range of 550 km. V23's interior sports a central display similar in appearance to the Ineos Grenadier. Image: iCar Finally, the all-wheel-drive retains the bigger battery pack, but adds a 55kW/112Nm motor to the front axle for a combined output of 155kW/292Nm. In this guise, the range falls to 501 km, while the claimed waiting time remains at 30 minutes from 30-80%. Sporting an interior similar to that of the Ineos Grenadier, notable specification items consist of a 15.4-inch infotainment system, the 540-degree surround-view camera, a series of physical climate control dials and Adaptive Cruise Control. Priced from 109 900 yuan to 149 800 yuan in China, which equates to R273 746 and R373 132 respectively when converted directly and without the various taxes included, the V23 is likely to be priced significantly higher once sales in South Africa commence next year. Almost here The brand will its official debut at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring in August where more details will be revealed. ALSO READ: Preview for South Africa? All-electric Jaecoo J6 debuts in Thailand


The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Fiat Commercial preparing for arrival of Ulysee and EV e-Scudo
An official market date of reveal of both models, so far, hasn't been confirmed. After more than three decades away, the Fiat Ulysee is soon to return to South Africa as people carrier rather than an MPV. Images: Charl Bosch Stellantis used its annual Media Connect event in Johannesburg last week to unveil a surprise imminent addition to the Fiat range in the form of the eight-seat Ulysee people mover and its all-electric van sibling, the e-Scudo. Welcome back Nameplates previously both sold locally, with the former denoting an MPV marketed nearly three decades ago, the pair are expected to go on-sale later this year, though an official date wasn't revealed. Bar the Fiat badges, the Ulysee's rear facia is identical to that of the Opel Zafira Life. Effectively the twin of the Opel Zafira Life, the Ulysee made its comeback three years ago as the replacement for the Talento that used the underpinnings of the Renault Trafic. ALSO READ: Opel Zafira Life a budget leisure van with a plan Reviving a name that had been dormant since 2010 when the last MPV-styled model ended production after two generations, the Ulysee is anticipated to have the same level of specification as the Zafira Life, however, no details were provided. Previously a diesel-powered people mover, the Scudo returns to South Africa as an electric panel van called the e-Scudo. The same goes for the choice of powertrain, which it is expected to be similar to the Opel, namely the 2.0-litre turbodiesel outputting 110kW/370Nm. An eight-speed automatic is poised to be the sole transmission option as well. For its part, the e-Scudo will utilise the equally familiar 54-kWh battery pack used in the majority of Stellantis' EV passenger vehicles across the Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot, Lancia and Alfa Romeo brands. Interior received an update two years ago that saw the inclusion of a new steering wheel and the current 10-inch infotainment display. Outputting 100kW/260Nm, the e-Scudo has a range of 330 km and supports DC charging up 100 kW, which will require a waiting time of 45 minutes up to 80%. In Europe, notable features on the Ulysee include a 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, LED headlights, a wireless smartphone charger, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a 180-degree reverse camera system. UK figures claim a maximum loading volume of 5.8 m3 and a payload of 1.3 tonnes. For the e-Scudo, the same infotainment display comes standard, as does a digital rear-view mirror, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition and Automatic Emergency Braking. More soon As mentioned, no exact details about either model's arrival or price tag is known at present, however, expect more details to become apparent soon. NOW READ: Ford puts Sport and smart Titanium X touches on Tourneo Custom


The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Alfa Romeo Junior previewed as part of imminent range reshuffling
An official launch date for both the Junior and revised Tonale wasn't announced. The Alfa Romeo Junior will become available locally before year-end. Picture: Charl Bosch Showcased at an Alfa Romeo enthusiasts event in March, Stellantis South Africa used its Media Connect event in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 9 July, to not only formally unveil the all-new Alfa Romeo Junior, but also a pending restructured product range. Range overhaul The Junior will commence Alfa Romeo's line-up currently fronted by Tonale. ALSO READ: Junior on its way as teasers start for Alfa Romeo's smallest SUV While the Giulia and Stelvio and will retain their respective Veloce and Quadrifoglio variants until the arrival of the next generations in 2026 and 2027, the Junior's introduction will come with an overlapping of the Tonale as a result of the latter undergoing a powertrain revision. Goodbye mild-hybrid Tonale According to Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Leapmotor divisional boss, Janus Janse van Rensburg, the update will involve the current mild-hybrid Tonale being replaced by the all-wheel drive Q4 variant once stock runs out. The result is that the much lamented electrified 1.5 litre turbo-petrol engine will make way for the Brazilian-made 1.3 litre turbocharged Firefly unit combined with an 15.5kWh battery pack powering a single 70kW electric motor. Facelift Alfa Romeo will eschew the extensively panned mild-hybrid powertrain. Picture: Alfa Romeo A configuration that will result in the Tonale becoming a plug-in hybrid, the combination develops 206 kW, allowing for a claimed all-electric range of up to 80 km, and 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds versus the mild-hybrid's 8.8 seconds. Shown in facelift guise last year, the Tonale Q4 also sees the departure of the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in favour of a hybrid specific six-speed torque converter automatic. Still listed in mild-hybrid form priced at R811 899 for the entry-level Ti and at R895 129 for the top-spec Veloce, exact details regarding the Q4's availability wasn't revealed, though an official announcement is anticipated before year-end. Junior arriving soon In revealing the Junior, whose name had to be changed from Milano less than 24 hours after its global unveiling due to backlash from the Italian government, Stellantis also confirmed that the local line-up will comprise the same mild-hybrid and electric powerunits as in Europe. For the former, this involves the familiar 1.2 litre three-cylinder PureTech turbocharged petrol engine being combined with a 48 volt electrical system, plus a 21kW electric motor housed within the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Junior will go on-sale as either a mild-hybrid or full EV. Picture: Charl Bosch For South Africa, though, combined power outputs will be increased from 100kW to 115kW, but without the Q4 system as drive will go to the front wheels only. Shown in Veloce spec at the event, the all-electric Junior will be a first for Alfa Romeo in South Africa. Flagship Veloce will make exclusive use of an electric powerplant. Picture: Charl Bosch As on the Old Continent, the electric Junior remains front-wheel-drive, but in Veloce spec, with outputs of 207kW/345Nm from the 54kWh battery pack. Accordingly, the Junior Veloce will get from 0-100km/h in six seconds and require a 30 minute wait from 20-80% using a DC fast charger up to 100 kW. The claimed range is 346km. Alfa Romeo specific changes have taken place inside where the overall design is otherwise similar to the Opel Mokka. Picture: Charl Bosch Riding on the same electrified e-CMP platform as the Opel Mokka Electric, Fiat 600e, Abarth 600e and Jeep Avenger, the Junior measures 4 170mm long, 1 500mm tall and 1 780mm wide with its wheelbase stretching 2 550mm. While local specification is still to be determined, the Junior was spotted with Alfa Romeo's new 10.25-inch infotainment system incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and, being the Veloce, Sabelt sport seats trimmed in Alcantara. Stay tuned Besides specification, no details regarding pricing of the Junior is known, however, expect a possible announcement, as with the Tonale, to be made before year-end. NOW READ: Alfa Romeo Milano makes dramatic return as hybrid or electric SUV