WeeklySA_AdminSIGNS OF THE TIME: Ford, VW and Mercedes-Benz reveal latest camper vans
By Ali Mphaki
For some of us who grew up in Soweto it would be easy to remember one Mjavela, reputed for his magic fingers when it came to gambling in the game of dice.
Legend has it he would hit a string of 7’s, called “Pop” in township slang, earning himself massive wins in return which helped him raise a family and buy himself a house. Some even thought he had some powerful muthi which helped him to win – well, most of the time.
Out of the radar lately probably due to old age, one enduring trait about Mjavela was his maroon Ford Transit, which we were told use to double up as his bedroom.
Memories of the famed Mjavela came flooding when watching this year’s Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany, where one of the highlights is Ford’s Transit Custom Nugget. The Soweto Dice Man will no doubt be enamoured by the 2024 Transit’s interior which has been divvied up into zones, with separate areas for cooking, living and sleeping.
There’s space for two double beds once the roof (now made from self-folding fabric) has been raised, and the front seats are of the rotating captain variety as you’d expect from a camper. Ford claims the new Nugget is more ergonomic than before, with an L-shaped kitchen allowing for 20 per cent more worktop space and a new drawer fridge for easier access. Hot water is standard too, so no more scrubbing pans with ice cold washing up liquid.
In the back, there’s a three-seat bench with optional heating, USB-C ports, and audio speakers. That 13-inch infotainment runs on SYNC4 and comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s also a separate seven-inch touchscreen in the “living area” to manage the heating, water levels, battery level, and lighting. You can also do this remotely by using an app on your smartphone connected via Bluetooth to the vehicle. Ford also throws in wireless charging and a standard 5G modem.
Other goodies include roller blackout blinds as well as built-in stowage locations for the tables and chairs used outside. Also debuting at the 2023 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf is the latest California camper van from Volkswagen. Though technically a concept, VW isn’t shy about showcasing some significant changes versus the current model. And while some details aren’t fully explained, the big news is the addition of a second sliding door on the left side of the van.
Previous versions featured a kitchen along the fixed side, and you’ll still find it there in the T7 California Concept. However, Volkswagen engineers pushed it rearward just enough to create a walkway behind the front seats. As a neat side-effect, the induction stove, sink, refrigerator, and drawers are now accessible both outside and in. A gas cooker is also included, and a 230-volt plug is available outside.
With the addition of the second sliding door, VW bills the new California as a three-zone concept vehicle. Zone one exists on the right side, where passengers can enter and exit for daily duties throughout the week as you do with a van. On the weekends, this zone becomes an open-sided tent with a single-post awning extending outward to shade the doorway. Zone three is the other side of the van, now accessible through the new sliding door and shaded with a two-post awning for cooking and dining.
Not to be outdone,
Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo now debuts during the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Germany, bringing visual and hardware enhancements both inside and out. The camper van has undergone a transformative upgrade, combining a refreshed exterior design, enhanced comfort features, and improved digital connectivity.
The cockpit welcomes occupants with a redesigned instrument panel featuring dual 12.3-inch widescreen displays. Redesigned air vents, a new center console with optional wireless smartphone charging, and a new-generation steering wheel create a more modern atmosphere compared to the model’s predecessor.
Enhanced comfort features can be found in the living area, too. The Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control (MBAC) interface module is new, providing intuitive control over numerous camping functions via the cockpit screen or smartphone app. A notable addition is the ability to disable non-essential functions with a single touch, making it ideal for moments spent at a campsite or amidst nature for extended off-grid stay. The Airmatic air suspension can be adjusted to level the camper on uneven terrain, all at the touch of a button.
The soul of the camper remains consistent with its proven living space concept. Accommodating up to four occupants, the camper is equipped with a pop-up roof with a roof bed, a versatile seat/bunk combination, a folding table, a fully equipped kitchen, and a wardrobe.
MOTORING:
Briefs
HOLLY MERC GLC
On Saturday South African fans of the highly popular reality singing show The Masked Singer witnessed the exceptional Holly Rey being crowned the winner of the first Season. In a round of eliminations Holly came out tops against an array of A-Listers such as Lion, award-winning actor Abdul Khoza, celebrated TV Presenter Maps Maponyane aka Tree as well as Rhino who turned out to be none other than Afrikaans iconic music superstar Kurt Darren.
Celebrating Holly Rey’s exceptional win, Mercedes-Benz South Africa, the official driver of The Masked Singer South Africa handed over the keys to a brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 d on Monday.
Finished in Spectral Blue Metallic and sporting the dynamic AMG Sports package with 20-inch sports rims the new GLC epitomises the same visual extravagance that Lollipop exuded on stage. “Holly Rey is a talented artist and we as Mercedes-Benz South Africa are excited for her to get behind the wheel of the new GLC.” Alex Boavida VP Sales and Marketing MBSA.
GERMAN SHOW-OFF IN MUNICH
This year’s Munich Motor Show gets underway on September 5 and once again it’s poised to be one of the most important events on the automotive calendar. As ever, there will be plenty of world debuts of new cars and technology.
BMW will also be there, showcasing its future with the Neue Klasse platform – something that will underpin a new concept car ahead of production models from 2025. There will also be new metal from BYD, Vauxhall, Renault and many more. Audi has confirmed that it’s attending Munich this year but it is yet to announce what will be unveiled. The most likely candidate, though, is the new Q6 e-tron.
SUZUKI JIMNY 5-DOOR
Suzuki is gearing up for the arrival of the highly anticipated Suzuki Jimny 5-door in South Africa. Compared to the three-door version, the extended Jimny offers minimal exterior alterations. It is powered by a K15B 1,5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, generating 75 kW of power and 130 N.m of torque. Buyers can choose between a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of dimensions, the 5-door Jimny is 360 mm longer and features a 340 mm longer wheelbase, measuring 2 590 mm. Its width and height remain unchanged and the ground clearance still sits at 210 mm. The official pricing for the expected Jimny will be unveiled in November.
NEW VEHICLE SALES STUMBLE
New vehicle sales stumbled in August, showing the first potential signs of strain amidst economic headwinds. The market has performed resiliently despite tightening household budgets, low business and consumer confidence, and impact of the energy crisis among other factors. According to figures released by naamsa | the Automotive Business Council, SA’s new vehicle sales fell 3.1% in August to 45,679, the biggest year-on-year decline in sales since December 2021.
“August’s negative growth shouldn’t dismay completely, however,” says Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank. “Although August sales experienced their biggest decline in 21 months, this volume is still 5.2% ahead of July sales. In addition, August 2022 sales were amongst the best-performing sales months last year.” Gaoaketse says the broader context of July sales does provide some cause for concern; but being a single month’s performance, it is not indicative yet of a trend.
ONE MORE THING…
MORE than 150 car models are now too BIG for UK parking spaces, experts say. The sizes of standard UK parking spaces have stayed more or less the same for decades.
However cars have been growing longer and wider, meaning some are now too big for spaces. Most car models are small enough in width to fit in UK car spaces – though their drivers may have a hard time opening the doors.
Published on the 114th Edition
