WeeklySA_AdminDEFINING MOMENT: SA welcomes first-ever Plug – in Hybrid electric MPV
By Ali Mphaki
It is so unashamedly futuristic that even the oukies in the kasie have been left scratching their heads and scrambling to their lexicons, trying to fathom what name to give this masterpiece of design.
Various names have been thrown into the hat, word reaching me from Sebokeng and surroundings suggesting the jimbos there think of it as Koyoko, a Sesotho name describing a monster of yore with cannibalistic tendencies and a knack of devouring anything in its wake.
Not to be outdone, the kau’s (as guys in Zola, Emdeni in Soweto, refers to themselves), think of it as Inkalakatha, an IsiZulu word for champion, made famous by late crooner Mandoza in his favourite ditty of the same name.
Whatever the name the kasie motoring jury may finally decide upon in their deliberations, the overwhelming evidence before them is that with the launch of the new and much-awaited CAC M8 Master, an era of electrified elegance has dawned in South Africa.
Brought to Mzansi by Salvador Caetano South Africa, the official importers and distributors of CAG Motor, the CAG M8 Master was first unveiled to an unsuspecting local motoring public at the recent Festival of Motoring where it captivated all with its striking design prowess and electric innovation.
If there is credence in the maxim that in an age of excess true sophistication lies in restraint, the CAG Master 8 easily achieves this balance through its minimalistic yet purposeful design.
At 5.212mm in length, with its star diamond prism grille and LED signature lighting, the CAG M8 Master easily commands attention.
More telling, its elevated body lines evoke strength and an aura of authority and refinement.
CAG will want us to internalize that the debut of the M8 Master marks a defining moment, introducing a vehicle that doesn’t transport its occupants but transforms every journey into a statement of progress and prestige.
To prove their claim, inside, you are welcomed to a cabin dressed in handcrafted top leather, sculptured door panels, and tactile switches etc.
Entry for passengers is via dual- power sliding doors, which leads to the second row of seats with 10-point air-pump massage, heating and ventilation. The rear seats also come with a four-way power adjustment in an interior offered with soundproof laminated glass to ensure serene travel.
Above the driver and second row seats, the sectional panoramic sunroof offers an experience bathed in natural light and openness.
The cockpit integrates a 10-inch central infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with sound delivered through an 8-speaker Yamaha audio system and ADAGO virtual arena acoustics, creating an immersive concert hall ambience within the cabin.
Together, these elements form an interior that feels more like a private sanctuary where every element seems to serve both purpose and beauty.
The seven-seater M8 Master joins the fledgling Chinese CAG stable, which already has two products in the SA market, namely the G23 Emzoom and the Eukoro SUV.
Beyond the bold exterior lies a 2.0T plug-in hybrid powertrain producing a combined 27/4 kW of system output paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Its official importers and distributors say it accelerates from 0- 100km/h in just 8.8 seconds and delivers a combined range of 1, 000km, including up to 106km of pure electric driving.
Switching to fuel mode, the M8 Master is further said to achieve a consumption of just 8.8-L/100 km, what one may term blending performance with real world economy.
Safety has not been compromised either, with the M8 Master offered with seven airbags, an airbag matrix featuring rear windscreen airbags, and a 360-degree all-round camera.
As if to rub it in, the M8 Master has a unique windless air-conditioning system, said to be a first in its class, to ensure evenly diffused cooling for every occupant.
Added safety features include adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind spot detection, and rear cross traffic braking.
From whichever way you look at it, the M8 Master brings to the road a new standard of intelligent luxury while also shaping how locals will experience mobility in the decade ahead.
In case you are wondering how much it costs, the M8 Master is available from R1 499.900 and is offered with a five-year/150 000 km warranty, an eight-year/150 000 km warranty on EV battery components and a five-year/100 00 km.maintenance plan.
