Latest news with #Duoporta
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Kia Picanto now more affordable, but can it claw back sales ground lost to Grand i10, Swift?
The new Kia Picanto 1.0 LS brings the entry price of the range down by R24,000. Once a prime contender in the budget hatch space, the Kia Picanto has seen flagging sales in the past few years as prices gradually rose beyond the level of its key rivals. Consider that in the past three months Kia sold an average of 161 Picantos per month, while the Hyundai Grand i10 averaged 1,373 and the Suzuki Swift 1,834. Until now, the least expensive Picanto, the LX, cost R260,995, considerably more than the R224,900 starting price of both the Grand i10 and Swift. Now Kia South Africa has put its baby hatch back into contention with the launch of the 1.0 LS, which costs R236,995 in manual form and R256,995 as an auto, according to Duoporta and That makes the new, and quietly announced, base model a cool R24,000 less expensive than the LX. But it gets even better, with the Kia SA website now listing further discounts on some of its Picanto models, slashing the price of the new LS to R229,995 and the LX to R245,995.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
All-new Suzuki Dzire sedan arrives with ultra-keen pricing
The new Dzire is available as a GA and GL+ (shown). Image: Supplied There's an all-new Suzuki Dzire in town and this time it bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Swift, at least on the outside. What it does have in common with its hatch sibling is aggressive pricing, with the entry-level 1.2 GA starting at R224,900 and the 1.2 GL+ priced at R246,900 in manual guise and R266,900 as an auto. At that level it comfortably undercuts the soon-to-be-replaced Honda Amaze (R253,600 to R292,400) and Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan (R279,900 to R309,900). Measuring a shade under four metres in length, the Dzire is based on the latest evolution of Suzuki's 'Heartect' platform and boasts a unique exterior design with a wide grille and horizontal headlights. Boot space is listed at 378 litres. The base GA rolls on uncovered 14-inch steel wheels while the GL+ gains 15-inch alloys. As per the Swift, power comes from the new Z12E 1.2-litre, three-cylinder normally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 60kW and 112Nm. The new Suzuki Dzire boasts 378 litres of boot space. Image: Supplied Paired with a five-speed manual or CVT gearbox, Suzuki claims combined fuel consumption as low as 4.4 litres per 100km. The Dzire's interior carries through the basic architecture of the latest Swift, but comes with a beige colour scheme. This is popular in the vehicle's home country of India, but won't be well received by local buyers. Safety features on both models include six standard airbags, as well as ABS brakes and ESP stability control. The Dzire has also received a five-star Global NCAP rating for adult protection and four stars for child protection. The cabin has a beige and black colour scheme. Image: Supplied Standard comfort features on the base version include digitally-operated air conditioning, electric windows, central locking, height adjustable driver's seat, rear parking sensors, hill hold and USB ports, with a Type A and C combo in the rear. The GL+ gains a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and front type-A USB port. Customers can choose from the following seven exterior colours: Gallant Red Pearl Metallic, Alluring Blue Pearl Metallic, Bluish Black Pearl, Nutmeg Brown Pearl Metallic, Arctic White Pearl, Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic and Magma Gray Metallic. The new Dzire models come with a five-year or 200,000km warrant as well as a four-year/60,000km service plan, according to Duoporta. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL
