WeeklySA_AdminJUDGE FOR YOURSELF: Both SUV’s redefines aesthetics with their confident and modern designs
By Ali Mphaki
They may not be contemporaries in the strict sense of the word, but both the Beijing X55 and the VW Tiguan come out as a breath of fresh air on our clogged roads.
The Tiguan has been in the market for over a decade in South Africa and sold over 41 000 units since its local launch in 2009.
The Beijing X55 is a mere three-year-old in the SA market but no doubt a latest sensation judging by how many of these are being snapped from shopfloors.
Despite their varying dates of birth, what is of not in dispute is how both the Tiguan and the Beijing X55 have redefined SUV aesthetics with a confident and modern design.
Welcoming the Spring month of September which incidentally is the First month of the African calendar is the launch of the all-new VW Tiguan hot on the heels of the upgraded Beijing X55 Plus unleashed to the unsuspecting South African motoring public last week. The all-new Tiguan is now in its third generation while the Beijing X55 comes in an upgraded form which earns itself the Plus nomenclature.
We go under the hood to find out what both SUV’s have to offer:
THE LOOKS:
The BEIJING X55 PLUS showcases a fresh design with Sporty Blade Wheels and a Dual Quad Exhaust, which contribute to a more dynamic and powerful appearance. The BEIJING X55 PLUS is more than just a vehicle; it represents a bold step forward in automotive innovation and design.
THE ALL-NEW TIGUAN:
Expressive design and improved aerodynamics, the confident design is typically Tiguan and typically Volkswagen but still completely new.
THE INTERIOR:
The BEIJING X55 PLUS boasts a sophisticated Full Black Interior, exuding modernity and elegance. The cabin is also equipped with advanced connectivity features, including Easy Connection, which allows users to mirror their smartphone screens on the vehicle’s head unit, ensuring seamless access to apps and entertainment.
The ALL-NEW TIGUAN
With a cockpit and infotainment system generation Volkswagen has also completely redesigned the interior of the new Tiguan. With its high-quality materials and high finish standard, it breaks down conventional class boundaries.
SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS
The Tiguan features 17-inch Bari alloy wheels Eco LED Headlights, 10 colour Ambient Lighting Dashboard, 12.9-inches Composition Media Touchscreen Radio, Bluetooth and Wireless App-Connect with 2 USB-C ports in the front, Life Seat upholstery in fabric, Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with shifting paddles, 3-zone Climatronic automatic climate, Multi-colour Digital Cockpit, Park Assist Plus with Park distance control
The BEIJING X55 PLUS also includes a sophisticated voice control system capable of managing over 200 functions, offering an intuitive, hands-free interaction with the vehicle’s systems. It boasts
the 540° 4D Transparent Chassis which provides a panoramic view of the road beneath the vehicle, enhancing confidence when navigating challenging terrains.
The vehicle features cutting-edge safety technologies, including Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Intelligent Cruise Assist (ICA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW). These systems work together to ensure a safer and more secure driving experience.
The BEIJING X55 PLUS also includes a sophisticated voice control system capable of managing over 200 functions, offering an intuitive, hands-free interaction with the vehicle’s systems.
SUMMARY
Despite its extensive upgrades, the BEIJING X55 PLUS retains its attractive price point of R429,900 for the Dynamic variant. Other pricing points include:
X55 PLUS ELITE: R469,900
X55 PLUS PREMIUM: R509,900
X55 PLUS PREMIUM 2T: R514,900
With these competitive prices, the BEIJING X55 PLUS offers More value for the same price, making it an exceptional choice for drivers seeking luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology at an accessible price.
At launch, the new Tiguan will be offered with the 1.4 TSI 110kW engine mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. The engine develops maximum torque of 250 Nm available between 1500 and 3500 rpm. This engine sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 207 km/h.
The new Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110kW DSG and 2.0 TSI 140kW DSG engines will be available for sale in November 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, respectfully.
Retail Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG R651 500
Tiguan Life 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG R702 800
Tiguan R-Line 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG R766 300
Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110kW 4M DSG R755 700
Tiguan 2.0 TSI 140kW 4M DSG R834 800
The Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a 3 year / 120 000 km warranty, 5 year / 90 000 km EasyDrive Service Plan including a 12 year anti corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km.
Motoring: Briefs
GOING DOWN
The year 2024 might have seen some harsh fuel price increases, but that tide has turned in recent months and early indications show that motorists can look forward to further petrol and diesel price decreases in October. This would be the fifth consecutive month of fuel price decreases for the country, following September’s 92 cent cut. According to the latest daily snapshot released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on September 9, the current strong over-recovery on petrol is pointing towards price decreases of around R1.34 for 95 Unleaded petrol and R1.25 for 93 Unleaded. Diesel is looking set for smaller but still significant cuts of between R1.07 (500ppm) and R1.13 (50ppm). Should the above predictions materialise, petrol prices will reach their lowest levels since January 2022, with 95 Unleaded retailing at around R20.06 at the coast and R20.85 in Gauteng, where 93 Unleaded should recede to around R20.54.
ONLINE VEHICLE DISC
RENEWALS SOAR
A staggering two-and-a-half million vehicle owners have used the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) online vehicle licence disc renewal service since its launch in 2022, the entity recently revealed. The RTMC launched online vehicle licence disc renewals in February 2022 through the National Traffic Information System (Natis) in a bid to reduce queues at Driver’s Licence Testing Centres and expand government’s digital offerings.
Since then the service has boomed in popularity, the RTMC said in a recent media statement. In August 2022, the platform saw a total of 44,802 applicants, equating to an average of about 1,445 renewals per day. Fast forward to August 2024, and the Natis service saw a tremendous 222,606 applications for an average daily amount of 7,181 renewals. “Vehicle owners are abandoning long queues at vehicle licensing centres in ever-increasing numbers and opting to renew their vehicle licences online to save time,” said the RTMC. The RTMC also said it strives to deliver vehicle licences within three to five days, a target it has been able to achieve 97% of the time.
THE RETURN OF THE MG BRAND
Motor manufacturer MG Motor has confirmed that it is returning to South Africa, with the first dealerships set to come on-stream before the end of 2024. MG Motor South Africa will operate out of an office in Grayston Drive, Sandton, but further details remain thin on the ground ahead of the 100-year-old British brand’s highly anticipated return to our shores
MG Motor is currently owned by Chinese Automotive Giant SAIC International, following its acquisition of Nanjung Auto in 2007. Interestingly, the latter outbid SAIC for the rights to the MG brand after Britain’s MG Rover collapsed in 2005. After a long and interesting history, MG Motor currently produces a modern line-up of hatchbacks and crossovers. Most are manufactured in China, although the carmaker has also built cars in Thailand since 2017.
The South African MG vehicle line-up has yet to be confirmed, but is likely that the importer will offer a range of crossover products locally and perhaps also the MG3 hatchback.
NEW COMPACT VW SUV
Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) announced earlier this year that it was investing R4 billion to build a brand new compact SUV in South Africa from 2027. The vehicle has yet to be revealed, but VWSA has previously confirmed that the company’s Brazilian division was leading its development and that the newcomer would be priced below the T-Cross.
Now Volkswagen of Brazil has released a teaser of a new small SUV product that will be launched there in 2025, and with local media reporting that it will slot in beneath the T-Cross, it is highly likely that what you see here is South Africa’s new locally-built ‘third product’ as VWSA representatives have labelled it.. Don’t be too surprised if this new SUV overtakes the Polo Vivo as VWSA’s top-selling vehicle following its introduction in 2027, since the hints we’ve heard so far indicate that it will be very competitively priced. The Vivo is currently Mzansi’s top selling passenger car.
The Polo-rivalling hatch is completely new from the ground up, and is available in overseas markets with a normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine, good for 81kW, and as a hybrid version that pairs the aforementioned engine with a powerful electric motor for a system output of 155kW.
