In celebration of their 50th Anniversary, BMW M Performance has launched a rather special-edition car that highlights their success in high-performance models in the premium midsize segment. "The new BMW M4 CSL blends old-school racing passion with innovative technology to create an inimitable performance experience." The first generation M4 Coupe missed out on this iconic badge but had other "hardcore" derivatives such as the M4 Competition, M4 CS and M4 GTS but when it comes to the CSL badge, you know this car is developed with the purist in mind. CSL stands for "Competition, Sport, Lightweight" and that is exactly what this car encapsulates just like the CSL's of before. With this in mind, BMW have an intelligent lightweight design that restricts this special edition cars DIN Kerb weight to just 1,625kg's, with a standout power-to-weight ratio of 2.95kg's per hp. This provides the ideal platform for dynamically sublime driving experience according to BMW.
Powering this beast is a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder in-line engine with a power boost thanks to the two mono-scroll turbochargers that tweaks the engine management to produce 405kW and 650Nm of torque! The drive torque produced by the engine is relayed to the rear wheels of the new BMW M4 CSL via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. Model-specific mountings for the engine and transmission ensure the engines power is translated into dynamic performance in exceptionally rapid and direct fashion. The firmer connection of the engine and transmission to the car's structure is clearly perceptible, especially under hard driving.
Technology highlights include the BMW laserlights headlamps which are in yellow, bringing another head-turning accent to the front end, other than the massive grilles. It gives the car more of a GT racer look to it, especially with all that added carbon and lowered stance. The LED rear lights of the new BMW CSL are equipped as standard with technology making its debut in a series-produced car. Their glass covers have intricate light threads woven into them which are illuminated using laser technology, bringing a vibrant structure to the surface of the lights. This creates a highly distinctive light signature that is recognizable from a long distance during the hours of darkness. Launch colour for the M4 CSL is in an exclusive Frozen Brooklyn Grey metallic, this exterior shade teams up with exposed carbon-fibre surfaces and red accents to create a visually expressive appearance of sporting purity.
As mentioned, this is a limited production car with only 1000 examples being produces worldwide, only 15 of these will be coming to South Africa, with quite a hefty price tag and certain requirements I'm sure. So if you're wanting to add this model to your collection, best get your cheque book out because they will be gone before you know it.
I think it goes without saying that the VW Golf GTI is a pretty iconic car worldwide but in South Africa it has it's own legacy. Ever since the MK1, the GTI offered the driver a car with performance figures that could match most sports sedans on the road at the time, not only with it being a fraction of the cost but also offered better driving dynamics. Being a small hatchback, the car was more agile, more nimble and gave you a rush that no sports sedans could replicate. Till this day, the MK1 is still revered by many and has become a collectors item for enthusiasts, if you have one in fairly good condition, people are willing to pay a pretty penny for it. Fast forward to modern day, with the Golf MK7.5 currently in the market, if you had to look at sales, the GTI and R models are one of their best sellers and in Durban, almost every Golf you see is either a GTI or the R, the locals love it and while it may not be as affordable as it was, it still gives you that thrill as the original did when driving it. I myself up and until this week had never driven a GTI before, so when VW said I was getting the limited edition GTI TCR for a few days, you bet I was busy clearing my calendars to make sure I get to drive it as much as I could during those two and half days, after all what better way to break your GTI virginity that with a model like this?
DESIGN
While the normal GTI is pretty menacing in looks, they've certainly stepped up a few notches with the TCR, by adding additional items such as front and rear diffusers along with skirts to match in matte black. Large 19" split-five-spoke rims which expose the large break discs and red calipers with the front ones having the GTI emblem on them. The TCR also receives some interesting decals on the side of the car, which I presume has to do with the name, TCR (Touring Car Racing), this however isn't everyone's cup of tea but for me personally, I didn't mind them. It is quite noticeable and big differentiator when it comes to distinguishing this from the normal GTI. The rear spoiler also gets a nice matte black wing tip, not sure how much that helps with aerodynamics but it does look nice and completes the package. On the interior its your standard GTI look with some additional touches like the sports style seats with scotch finish and red accents. The car is definitely a looker and when driving it around in this eye catching red colour, it had heads turning everywhere I went.
PERFORMANCE
This is where the main talking points come in, as much as this is a limited edition model, with only 300 in the country, people are not going to pay extra for a car just for some cosmetic changes to the exterior but rather what is under the hood. VW have kept the 2.0L turbo-charged engine but upped the anti with it but increasing its performance from 169kW in the standard GTI and cranked it all the way up to churn out 213kW! This along with the 380Nm of torque combine to give you a rapid start off the line, so much so that the tyres get giddy and start to spin as well. The DSG gearbox that its coupled with is just sublime as it manages to hold out for longer revs to get the maximum out of each gear. While there were other limited Golf models like the Clubsport and so on, this one truly is special, and when you get behind the wheel of it you understand that from the get go, any review can give you stats and you can compare it with other models but feeling what the car delivers as an overall package is truly spectacular, also with the GTI TCR being so light weight, it helps a lot with delivering the optimal power to those front wheels, so much so that the only disadvantage to the less mass is that the torque comes in to confuse the equation, hence you get that wheel spin on both first and second gears but it all adds to the experience which is thoroughly enjoyable.
COMFORT
While this is a performance hatchback, it still in essence a Golf which is aimed as a family car and there is sufficient space in the cabin for a small family, it still has a boot that can fit quite a bit of luggage. The seats as mentioned earlier are suede/ material finished, GTI embossed on the top but are molded into a sports seat configuration, bucket style for the front passenger and driver and semi bucket seats for the rear. The car comes with all the creature comforts such as dual climate control, seat heating for driver and front passenger, electrical adjustable seat for driver with lumbar support. The steering wheel is finished in leather with red stitching, the dash has an additional plaque on the passenger side which displays the model number out of 300, which is a nice touch. The ambient lighting as well as infotainment colour theme is red, not sure one can change this but I don't know why you would want to. The ride of the car is solid and even with the stiffer suspension, the comfort isn't has hard as you would expect it to be. Even when sports mode is engaged, which does stiffen things up and makes the exhaust noticeably louder it does make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and being the driver, you don't really notice much about the ride quality as you are more focused at attacking the next corner with the biggest grin on your face.
VERDICT
I have to be honest, I was never the biggest Golf GTI fan, not because it was a bad car but because it was so popular with many. I never understood why until I got into one, while I agree it isn't fair to base my assumption on a limited edition variant of the GTI but you have to appreciate what the people at VW have done. Also, what this car means to the petrol heads in the city I live in, which is Durban, I felt that I missed out over the years, to experience what others already knew about but I was just too stubborn to realise. Seeing that this was a limited model and I had number 300 of 300, I did my duty as a Durbanite to visit the popular spots that this car would have caused quite a stir, if we were not being restricted due to Covid. It was almost a homage tour, me getting showing the GTI TCR around town, and so I visited Blue Lagoon, a popular weekend hangout where people brought their GTI's not to show off but to chill out, have a braai and listen to music with friends, then went to Umgeni Rd which on certain nights turns into Durban's famous illegal drag strip where many Golf's have embarrassed the bigger German models and even some supercars and to end things off, I took it to the relocated takeway spots in Umhlanga to have a bunny chow on the bonnet. While I only had 2 days and some change with the model, I think the time spent together has done it justice to give out this review. I will never forget my first GTI experience and it has humbled my overall feel to the legend. Another great talking point is the price, coming in under 700K, and giving performance figures like that, it really is a bargain of note, which is why it sold-out like hot cakes! This is one for the collectors so if you're lucky enough to get one brand new, don't go looking to make a quick buck, rather enjoy the car.
It's been exactly two years since I was behind the wheel of Renault's hot hatch, the Megane RS and while that car was everything I expected and more, there was also a hotter version in the pipeline and this year I got to sample that beauty, it's the Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy. Only seven units of this French stunner has been brought into the country so to say I am fortunate to drive one is putting it mildly. Renault's status in the local market is a tough one to judge, while they offer a wide variety of cars, its their budget vehicles which are the popular ones. Not that it is a bad thing, I just feel that it's not fair that the more upmarket luxury models don't get the fair share of recognition. Yes, there is still this stigma about French cars and reliability but if this was such a major issue, why are the budget ones doing so well with so little issues? Surely it can't be limited to just certain models? Oh well, I guess this is my job to try and convince you otherwise and hence I got to drive this stupidly fast ultra-hot hatch for a week.
DESIGN
Let me start off by saying that this is the best looking hot hatch on the market, I don't care who you are, what fan boy of a certain German brand, there's nothing that looks as striking, as appealing as this RS 300 Trophy. I mean the normal RS itself was a looker but with subtle differences this one just pips that top spot. Renault's new design language flows so well with the Megane, I think they actually started off with this and then translated it into the other models, the flow and symmetry of the lines and details can have you looking at it all day and you won't get bored. From the checkered flag styled LED fog lamps to the L shaped day-time running lights, it just makes the front so attractive, but that is not all. The front splitter is greyed out with the word "Trophy" prominent, signifying their presence in Formula One. The tri-tone 19" rims are a stand out, with bright red inners and the Brembo caliper visible through the spokes also in red. The car has a molded wide body kit with lots of folds and ducts to give it that aggressive look. The rear diffuser is also quite a focal point in the design with ribs designed to let airflow up to keep the car grounded. The massive single exhaust sits dead center, in line with the Renault symbol above which serves as the start point for the large rear lights. The car is adorned with Trophy 300 stickers, just so no one can mistaken it for a normal RS. Overall, stunning car, I can't stop looking at the pictures of it.
PERFORMANCE
Unsurprisingly Renault opted to use the same engine as the RS but obviously with a bit more oomph, the car features the 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. The car was available in both a 6-speed manual and a dual clutch EDC automatic with me having the latter on test. While I did want to see how the manual faired, the auto was lots of fun as well. The motor produces 221kW and 420Nm of torque, a bit more torque on the the auto gear box with the manual getting 20 less. The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy also comes with 4Control 4-wheel steering, with rear wheel steering that assists at lower speeds and accelerating out of corners with more speed. It works like a charm and if you download the RS Link app, you can view exactly how it works. The launch control on the auto takes some time to figure out, but once you do, you won't stop launching it! It has a claimed 0-100kph time of 5.7 seconds and I got quite close to that on a few occasions, granted there were small mistakes in my launches but that is pretty rad. On the road performance, the car can be a demon when you want it to but also a chilled hatch as well. The various driving modes let you dictate the level of noise the coming from the dual sound exhaust valve system. This is not only for sound but the valve system maximizers engine performance as well. Lets just say in Sport mode with the feedback you get from those dual-pipes, its very entertaining and ranks very high on the "Vrrpha" list.
COMFORT
Now being a hot-hatch, comfort is not the first thing that comes to mind. The front seats are proper Recaro sport-bucket seats in alcantara, they are even fitting 20 mm lower in the cabin to improve the centre of gravity. It is adjustable to get you in the perfect driving position, now while being racing seats, its pretty comfortable and keeps you in your position while thrashing the car around. The cabin comes kitted out with pretty much all your creature comforts, the stand out feature on the dash is the 8.7"-inch infotainment screen which practically controls everything. It has onboard navigation as well as Buetooth connectivity. I don't think there is Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity but there is an apps section in the home menu, so not sure if you can download them at a later stage. There is dual climate control air-conditioning for the front and a single zoned controlled by the passenger temp for the back passengers. There's lots of sports detailing in the cabin as well as ambient lighting which changes colour dependent on the driving mode you're in. Practicality wise, the boot is still a good size which can fit a set of clubs so that says enough about the space there. While the ride quality might be a bit stiff and bumpy, its expected in a car that is meant to be thrown around on a track.
VERDICT
I love this car, I loved the normal RS but I love this even more, I mean the presence it has and the power to back it up is something else. From the bright colours its available in, its hard not to notice this car and with only 7 being brought into the country, there will be a lot of hardcore Renault fans vying for their allocation. While the car won't garner much respect from the GTI boys, they should be wary that this thing holds it own on the road and on the track. Renault have spent a lot of time fine tuning this product and while they do introduce F1 technology in this car, it does a lot of things right for me. It's still hands down my favourite hot hatch on the market, lots of fun to drive, effortless power when you put the foot down, the digital speedometer just jumps on the speeds it reaches. It's crazy how much power this 4-cylinder motor produces. The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy really is one for the collectors, a bit pricey but when compared to some others on the market it is not bad in the greater scheme of things.
In a bakkie obsessed nation, it was only a matter of time before manufacturers decided to take advantage of this segment by introducing enhanced performance variants to the market. While it still may be relatively new to South Africa, across the globe, especially in the US markets, this has been a much loved segment for over a decade now. Step in Toyota, fresh off celebrating their victory at this years Dakar with South African built Hilux models, it made sense for them to introduce their sporty variant of the Hilux to the country. The Hilux Gazoo Racing Sport first broke cover a few months ago, with Toyota SA later confirming that a limited number of models will be heading to our shores. While the engine still remained the same, there were mechanical upgrades done to the GR-Sport in the form up suspension upgrades, revised dampers and a change in wheels to make this a proper off-road menacing machine.
DESIGN
While the overall design of the Hilux GR-Sport is pretty much the same as any other Hilux Double Cab, there are subtle changes to make you aware of this particular model. Those with a keen eye will notice that the Toyota sign on the front grille is spelled out and not just the emblem as on the other models, the bonnet on the GR-Sport is black, there are plenty of GR badges around the car as well as a bigger aluminium side step. The GR Sport also has graphic stickers on the side extending from the front door all way to the bin at the back. The wheels are different to other models as well, with it have blacked out 17" six spoke alloy wheels on all-terrain tyres which have a thicker profile, The car seems to be raised a bit more than normal, could be due to the revised front suspension, giving it that more sportier look. The wheel arches are blacked out and there are hints of carbon on the grille. Moving onto the inside, very much like a normal Hilux but colours and trims that make this one stand out a bit more. The dash made up of a combination of soft and hard touch leathers as well as high gloss finishes in black and red. There's red stitching to the seats and since this being a limited number production unit, a plate with the model number sits just below the gear selector.
PERFORMANCE
While nothing much has changed under the hood, doesn't mean its not worth mentioning, the GR Sport comes with Toyota's bulletproof 2.8 GD-6 turbo diesel engine which features on popular Hilux models as well the Fortuner range. This engine produces 130kW and 450Nm of torque. While this particular GR Sport model did come with an automatic transmission, the car does have paddle shifts for manual mode. The automatic gearbox does produce 30Nm or torque more than the manual version, this is purely down to the smooth and easy self shifting box. On the road, the GR Sport feels and drives like a normal Hilux, it does feel a bit racy on take off but that could be down to the torque and gearbox. On the dirt, its loads of fun, with it sliding around corners and making dust. This is where you get a real good feel of that revised front suspension setup which consists of a monotube design and revised dampers in action. The GR Sport is a fully fledged 4x4 with all the bells and whistles, it even has a power mode which you can use to up the anti when driving.
COMFORT
While this may be a bakkie and a performance one, it did feel a hell of a lot more luxurious than other bakkies I've been in. The quality of materials used in the interior are of a high standard, the same as what you'd find in the top of the range Fortuner. Leather dash, high gloss plastic finishes and soft touch leather coverings and steering make the cabin of the GR Sport a very comfortable place to be. The dials of the GR Sport are different to the other Hilux variants, more sportier and finished in white. The large screen infotainment system is easy to use and to sync with your device. The system is compatible with most mobile apps and recently Toyota SA launch an app of their own which is available in the app store of most devices.
VERDICT
While the price might be a major talking point with the Toyota Hilux GR Sport, it still remains the second most expensive bakkie in the line-up. Also in terms of pricing in its segment, and the exclusivity of the bakkie with only 600 being made, you can see why it is priced that much. The product you getting from Toyota in general is always unquestionably good so this is none the different. Also in terms of the Gazoo Racing models, this is the first model being sold in South Africa, as we were not lucky enough to get any of the GRNM Yaris, but a few months later did get the new Supra. It's a bakkie for the enthusiasts or the thrill seeker, or maybe you just want a collectors edition bakkie, whomever it is, they sure are going to get a great product.
