REDEFINING LUXURY IN THE ELECTRIC REALM
Mercedes-Benz is carving a path into the future of automotive luxury with the arrival of the EQS SUV, the latest jewel in its electric crown. The EQS SUV is a true sanctuary, where opulence meets cutting-edge technology. The interior is a testament to the luxury lounge concept, blending seamlessly with a fully digitised experience.
“Hey Mercedes” now goes above and beyond. This voice assistant isn’t just a command-taker; it’s a dialogue partner that learns and evolves through online services in the Mercedes Me app. Plus, you can summon its assistance from the rear seats, making your journey even more effortless.
But luxury isn’t just about pampering; it’s also about practicality. The EQS SUV shines with its optimised luggage capacity, thanks to electrically adjustable second-row seats that expand the luggage compartment from 645 litres to a capacious 880 litres.
Beneath its elegant exterior lies a mighty heart. The EQS 450 4MATIC SUV is leading the charge, armed with a robust 108.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that pumps out a whopping 265 kW and 800 Nm of torque, and an estimated range of up to 616 km (WLTP).
Not just a luxury liner, the EQS SUV is also a master of energy efficiency. It offers various energy recovery options, including one-pedal driving.
If you’re ready to embrace the future of luxury and electrification, the EQS SUV is waiting for you, starting at R2,726,100.
VOLVO’S EX30: ELECTRIFYING OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH AFFORDABLE LUXURY
In a thrilling prelude to World EV Day 2023, Volvo Car South Africa revealed that the EX30 has sparked a surge of pre-orders, catapulting the nation into the top ten within the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
Unveiled in June this year, the EX30 set local order books ablaze with over 150 pre-orders and a growing list of eager enthusiasts on Volvo Car SA’s website. In context, South Africa saw 501 EV sales in the first half of 2023, with Volvo’s XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge leading the charge in the fully electric premium C-SUV segment. With the EX30’s arrival scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, Volvo is poised to dominate the burgeoning EV market even further.
Among the EX30 variants, the Twin Motor Performance Ultra has stolen South African hearts, accounting for nearly half of all pre-orders. Following closely is the Single Motor Plus Extended Range, with the entry-level Single Motor Core, flagship Twin Motor Performance Plus, and the Single Motor Ultra Extended Range also capturing attention.
As one of South Africa’s most affordable full-size electric vehicles, the EX30 lineup starts at just R775,900. The lineup also includes the 315 kW Twin Motor Performance variant, capable of an astonishing 0-100 km/h sprint in a mere 3.6 seconds. Meanwhile, the extended-range Single Motor version offers an impressive 480 km on the WLTP cycle.
EX30 orders can be placed on the MyVolvo website.
ZERO TO 100 KM/H BEFORE YOU CAN SAY ‘MYTHEN’
In a whirlwind of electric innovation and precision engineering, a group of students from ETH Zurich and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts have shattered the world record for acceleration of an electric vehicle with their hand-crafted electric racing marvel, aptly named ‘Mythen’.
In a jaw-dropping feat that seems straight out of a sci-fi movie, this sleek beast accelerated from a standstill to 100 km/h in an astonishing 0.956 seconds, in a mere 12.3 metres. Driver Kate Maggetti rocketed Mythen into the record books at Switzerland Innovation Park in Duebendorf, Switzerland, surpassing the previous world acceleration record for electric vehicles, which stood at 1.461 seconds, by over a third.
More than just raw power and torque, traction is the biggest challenge for quick acceleration from a standstill. What makes Mythen exceptional is its power and linear torque from the electric drivetrain and the brilliant engineering that ensures it sticks to the ground like glue. While conventional Formula One cars rely on inactive aerodynamics to gain traction, Mythen employs a cutting-edge vacuum-like mechanism that sucks the car to the ground, even at standstill, and keeps it firmly planted from the get-go.
These bright young students poured their heart, soul, and countless hours into refining Mythen, helping the AMZ team reclaim the throne they once held in 2014 and 2016. They are determined to keep the world acceleration record in Swiss hands for the foreseeable future.
MAXUS ELECTRIC: PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE URBAN LOGISTICS
In the fast-paced world of urban logistics, Maxus Electric Vehicles is racing ahead to reshape the urban landscape into a cleaner, greener, and quieter environment. That’s the vision of Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC) in partnership with South African dealer and distributor Maxus Electric Vehicles.
Maxus Electric Vehicles is a game-changer, with early adopters like Woolworths and DSV already tallying over 1,000,000 km while reducing operating costs from R2/km to a mere 45c/km.
Let’s take a peek under the hood of this electrifying lineup:
Maxus eDeliver 3 Panel Van: Perfect for urban logistics and priced at R799,995 (ex VAT), this all-electric panel van boasts a comfortable cab, a practical range of 243 km to 344 km, and a payload capacity of up to 945 kg.
Maxus eDeliver 3 Chassis Cab: For versatility and adaptability, this two-seat, single chassis variant, priced at R799,995 (ex VAT), allows for a range of commercial bodies onto its long-wheelbase chassis, from drop-side load bins to refrigeration units.
Maxus T90EV Double Cab Bakkie: With a range of 350 km, this groundbreaking double cab bakkie (priced at R1.1 million including VAT) is set to revolutionise industries like mining, private security, aviation, and farming when it arrives in late 2023.
All Maxus vehicles offer an optional three-year/90,000 km service plan, a 100,000 km/5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and an eight-year battery warranty up to 75%. Charging is a breeze, with options like overnight charging, solar panels, or existing public DC fast chargers.
