CAYENNE’S NEW DAWN
Updated Porsche Cayenne
Porsche has fundamentally overhauled the third generation of the Cayenne with sweeping changes to the powertrain (spearheaded by the flagship Turbo GT), chassis, design, and equipment – further extended not only on-road and off-road performance, but also luxurious everyday comfort.
The new Cayenne debuts with high-definition HD Matrix LED headlights, an air quality system and a 10.9” infotainment system for front passengers – a first in the Cayenne. The new Porsche Driver Experience, first introduced in the Taycan, focuses on the driver’s axis and optimises operation.
Frequently used driver functions are now located on or immediately next to the steering wheel, and the auto transmission selector lever is now on the dash. The redesigned cockpit now includes a fully digital curved 12.6” instrument cluster with variable display options. In addition, a comprehensive range of new and optimised assistance systems are available, including an active speed limiter, swerve assist, cornering assist, and the improved Porsche InnoDrive as part of the adaptive cruise control.
The Cayenne’s expressive appearance combines a new front and bonnet with appealing headlights and more strongly arched wings. Three-dimensionally designed taillights, and a new rear apron with integrated number plate holder, characterise the rear end. There are also three new colours, lightweight sports packages saving up to 33 kg for the Coupé, and a new extensive range of 20, 21, and 22” wheels.
In Europe, the Cayenne debuts with three different engines – a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo now delivering 349 kW (25 kW more than the previous V6) and 600 Nm of torque (50 Nm more than its predecessor), giving the SUV and the SUV Coupé a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 273 km/h.
The entry-level model comes with an optimised 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine generating 260 kW and 500 Nm – 10 kW and 50 Nm more than before. This engine is also used in the Cayenne E-Hybrid, in combination with a new 130 kW electric motor. Combined output is 346 kW, and with a new 25.9 kWh battery, an electric range of up to 90 km is now possible.
The flagship Turbo GT (unavailable in the EU) will be available locally, exclusively as a Coupé. Its 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine now delivers 485 kW (14 kW more than the standard model), giving it a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 305 km/h.
AN ICON LIVES ON
Shelby Centennial Edition
Shelby is honouring the 100th anniversary of its founder, Carroll Shelby, with a limited run of 100 Centennial Edition Mustangs in the United States and another 21 in other markets. Shelby South Africa has managed to secure three of these unique models, which are available on order through Shelby South Africa’s regional mod shops.
Carroll Shelby was born on 11 January 1923 and led a diverse and fascinating life that culminated in becoming an icon of motorsport and muscle car culture. He grew up in Texas and, in 1959, became the second American driver to win Le Mans overall, capturing America’s first FIA sports car world championship title. His pioneering ideas around performance changed the course of the US automotive industry.
The Centennial edition is based on the current Ford Mustang GT and is available as either a fastback or convertible, with a manual or automatic transmission. Regardless of the body style, the muscular 5.0-litre V8 has a supercharger to increase standard output from 330kW to a stonking 560 kW.
Additional engine upgrades include a Shelby performance radiator, Shelby fluid caps and a free-flowing Borla exhaust system to maximise the V8’s signature sound. Handling improvements are equally comprehensive with performance springs and sway bars, adjustable caster and camber plates and a set of Brembo brakes.
To visually differentiate the Centennial Edition from the Super Snake, this latest model comes with widened front fenders to fit 20” alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber, a Shelby upper grille, a rear spoiler, a Shelby tail panel, side rocker wings, and satin black vinyl striping.
Inside, the sense of performance is immediately evident thanks to Shelby floor mats, a new gauge cluster, door sill plates and a Shelby-spec leather upgrade. Each Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang includes membership in Team Shelby – the worldwide club Carroll Shelby established in 2008. These models are also eligible for documentation in the official Shelby Registry.
Also, each of the Centennial Edition cars will include a donation to the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Pricing of the Centennial Edition starts from R2,8 million, and pricing can vary depending on the exchange rate.
CELEBRATING WINNING WAYS
Bentley Le Mans Collection
To mark twenty years since Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 100 years since the first running of the legendary race, Bentley has created a limited edition of Continental GT Coupés and Continental GTCs. Each is powered by Bentley’s W12 engine and includes unique exterior and interior details that echo the design of the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 #7.
All Le Mans Collection models are specified with the three-way Bentley Rotating Display, offering a choice of touchscreen, dual veneer, or analogue dials, but in place of the standard central dial is a Vitrine displaying an engine valve from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Speed 8. Additionally, the traditional 12-hour analogue clock is replaced by a digital clock with a bespoke 24-hour dial design.
Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, has taken inspiration from the dark green Speed 8 racing cars that swept all before them at Le Mans in 2003. From the Verdant green exterior to the sliver of Speed 8 engine displayed in the fascia, the Le Mans Collection is a tribute to a glorious, shared history between Bentley and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The Le Mans Collection vehicles are all finished in Verdant green with a Moonbeam racing stripe across the bonnet (and Coupé roof). Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the Speed 8, and the carbon-fibre body components are finished in black with a pinstripe in Moonbeam.
The lower front bumper, wing mirror caps and rear area beneath the boot spoiler are in Beluga black, while black 22” wheels shroud powerful carbon ceramic brakes and red brake callipers. The distinctive matrix grille features a painted #7 in white, combining the race-winning number of 2003 with the radiators of the Bentleys that won Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930.
The interiors of the Le Mans Collection Continental GT and Continental GTC feature a bespoke 2003 wreath welcome lamp, Beluga hide trim with Hotspur contrast stitching and Dynamica fabric covers. Bespoke details include Speed 8 sill plates and six-wreath treadplates. The fascia displays the six-wreath emblem, marking the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans.
Equipped with the renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine delivering 485 kW and 900 Nm of torque, the specials models can reach a top speed of 335 km/h and zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and a combination of four chassis technologies give the new limited edition a level of agility, performance and ride quality as expected of a car with this heritage.
NEW LUXURY ON THE HORIZON
The J7 from Jaecoo
At the recent 20th Shanghai Auto Show, Chery International revealed Omoda as an independent brand and Jaecoo as a sub-brand with its own identity, target market, and unique new models. Jeacoo (the name, somewhat contrived, is derived from the German word “Jaeger”, which means hunter, and “cool”), as a completely new brand, showcased its first two models, the Jaecoo 7 and the Jaecoo 9.
With Omoda and Jaecoo (O&J), the strategy from Chery is to tackle two new perceived emerging market segments – consisting of more affluent customers who are non-traditional, extroverted, and willing to try new things that suit their lifestyles. According to Chery, this growing sub-segment will represent 21% of the total industry volume of 66 million customers by 2030. If O&J can capture only 10% of that share, they are confident they can sell 1.4 million cars annually by 2030.
Within this strategy, the role of Jaecoo will be to capture this young-minded and future-focused customer target market but aim for the adventurous by offering a more outdoor-orientated product with an urban off-road flavour. Following this, the new J7 has simple, yet more forceful angular design lines.
It is an attractive SUV with its prominent square cascading grille, and matrix LED daytime running lights that give it an imposing stance. Seen from the side, it has traces of Land Rover Evoque, with coupe-like lines leading to the angular and edgy rear. Inside, the Jaecoo 7 designers again used simple and elegant lines. The imposing centre console with a big, vertical screen has simple straight lines trimmed with metal that feature ingrained polygonal patterns.
The seats and door panels are inspired by the paper-cut window grilles in traditional Chinese architecture and are embellished in the yellow colour of winter jasmine. The interior design is also EV-ready, as Jaecoo (like Omoda) will soon adopt hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), and range extender electric vehicle (REEV) setups.
For now, the J7 will adopt the same 1.6-litre TGDi petrol engine, delivering up to 145 kW and 290 Nm of torque, as used in the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and soon expected in the Omoda C5. However, the J7, expected to be launched locally around September this year, will also come with all-wheel drive.
Report by FERDI DE VOS
