By Charity Ukoha
According to an International Keynote speaker, Jeff Butler, “To stay ahead in innovation, look at horizontal industries and the ones leading your current industry, someone is always doing something new.”
In the world of innovation and Technology, newness; has always been the watchword
Another business Expert also stated that “Innovation is the unrelenting drive to break the status quo and develop anew where few have dared to go”
The South African Motoring Festival is one occasion that celebrates technology, Innovation, competition and profit.
These experiences are core to the Festival of Motoring’s success as they provide a unique way for the consumer to see, touch and feel various and favourite brands on one platform.”
This festival is not an average motoring event. It’s one great event that brings the entire industry together and allows visitors to not only view or compare the latest models but to jump in and experience the performance and handling of these vehicles on the track, providing world-class motoring and motorsport content to appeal to the many petrol heads with the show having a strong family appeal.
Michael Dehn, the managing director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, described it as the festival that serves as a powerhouse for consumer-motor passionate people.
In celebration of the car industry’s achievement, the festival highlights innovation, provides on-track activities, world-class entertainment and opportunities for manufacturers to engage with new and existing motoring enthusiasts.
The South African Motoring Festival takes place annually. The theme for 2022 is Celebration, Innovation and Aspiration and is based on the evolution of the industry and technology over the past few years and celebrating the resilience and contribution the automotive and related industries make to the country’s economy.
“In recent years and months, the automotive industry went through many challenges, but now the time is right for the passion to return. We honestly can’t wait to be back at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and judging by the very early ticket sales our patrons and followers are just as eager,” commented Michael Dehn, managing director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the event organiser.
With a number of leading brands on board, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chery, Citroen, Dunlop, Fiat, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, MOPAR, Opel, Peugeot, Suzuki and Toyota, the pit doors are filling up quickly. Brands are using this opportunity to take their vehicles to the public at a time when footfall to dealerships has dropped. The benefit to both exhibitors and visitors is the interactive and experiential nature of the show, unlike traditional motor shows of the past. It’s an opportunity for consumers to get into the vehicles and test drive the cars.
Judy Maharaj, the show director, commented, “We aim to bring the quality of the show that has made the Festival of Motoring such an iconic event on social and entertainment calendars. The support we have had from the industry already has been testimony to the resilience of the South African industry. The show will offer multiple facets for every type of auto enthusiast, ranging from motorsport, bikes, SUVs, bakkies and EVs to the newest models available from exhibitor brands.”
The Motoring festival highlights participating brands which include: Mercedes-Benz showcasing the Mercedes-Benz EQ Electric Intelligence range and other special surprises in store. Volvo Car South Africa exhibited its electrified Recharge range which includes Mild-hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids, and the all-electric XC40.
Visitors get to see and experience the latest Toyota Gazoo Racing models, in addition to the rest of the Toyota range. Suzuki also adds to the excitement with the evergreen Jimny on the 4×4 track, the Swift Sport on the main track, and the new generation Baleno available for display. A wide range of Suzuki lifestyle vehicles and motorcycles to view and experience.
In addition, over 150 exhibitors display automotive products and services, as well as lifestyle, outdoor, and customised vehicle offerings to service the need of the visitor.
Exclusive hospitality packages are also showcased in the Premium Club Suite, which includes a culinary experience with celebrity chef, Reuben Riffle, reserved parking, a luxury supercar hot lap session and other VIP experiences.
“The Festival of Motoring 2022 will provide three days of sensory delight for the automotive enthusiast. People have been waiting in anticipation for the return of the festival and we’re here to reignite their passion for all things automotive,” concluded Maharaj.
Here are the new cars that were debuted at this year’s Motoring Festival:
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki decided to unveil their most recent creation from their partnership with a fellow Japanese company; Toyota. The new Grand Vitara will boast the title of flagship model for Suzuki South Africa and takes a step towards electrification with a hybrid system employed in the SUV.
No pricing or specification was provided but the model will be available with two engine choices – either the naturally aspirated K15B petrol unit which has fared well in other Suzuki models or the K15C powertrain which employs hybrid assistance with a 12V battery pack and ALLGRIP all-wheel-drive.
Since this is another fruitful product of the Suzuki-Toyota partnership developed and designed by the former, we can expect the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder of the latter to boast the same technology and powertrain.
Volvo XC60 “Beast 2.0”
With electrification beckoning and inevitable even in our market, Volvo has created the XC60 “Beast 2.0” to prove that more responsible mobility can still be fun. Using the XC60 T8 as an underpinning, the locally perfected model wears a gloss black wrap with yellow details accentuating a new front and rear bumper. Along with the cosmetic exterior splashes of yellow, the interior also receives Polestar yellow seat belts. The “Beast 2.0” has also received some of their subdivision’s tuning along with a Heico Sportiv exhaust system.
This XC60 can be viewed at the House of Volvo or in the pit garages throughout the weekend.
Chery Omada 5
Another brand to benefit from a strong sales year is Chery, which has a sporty-looking SUV on its way that does away with the Tiggo nameplate. The Omada 5 may be confined to its glass chamber but the new model will signal a shift for the Chinese automaker into future propulsion technologies.
Mercedes EQ range pricing
Electrified propulsion took centre stage at the impressive Mercedes-Benz display at the Festival of Motoring. This year is less focused on the V8 growl synonymous with the race-ready creations of AMG and more on the lucrative lineup the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has planned for the near future.
Deeming this as exactly the right time to introduce these models into the market, Mercedes has managed to provide consumers with one of the most comprehensive electric ranges within our shores overnight.
EQA 250 – R1 169 500
EQB 350 4MATIC – R1 374 900
EQC 400 4MATIC – R1 679 000
EQS 450+ – R2 615 700
AMG EQS 53 4MATIC – R3 410 100
