Some epic vehicles were released in 2022, along with some nice bakkies. News24 Motorsports Writer Janine VanderPost choose three of the sportiest he has driven this year.
We’ve seen it all in 2022, all-new bakkies, SUVs galore, cheap buys, and especially a plethora of Chinese vehicles making a significant impact in our local market.
Chery marked its comeback with a bang, selling more than 10,000 vehicles in its first year back on the market, an incredible success story we should all applaud. Her products are decked out with all the bells and whistles, well built and extremely competitively priced. BAIC also launched a new model in the form of its impressive new Beijing X55.
And then there were some cars for those who could afford the extra and didn’t have to worry too much about fuel bills. While my list may not define true sports cars, they are nevertheless sporty and somehow fall into this category, be it a compact car, coupe, or thoroughbred sports car.
Yes, electric vehicles are the direction we’re headed, but while there are still internal combustion engines to enjoy, these gas-powered options will have you licking your lips.
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1 – Audi RS 3 sedan
Audi is known for its minimalist, almost clinical design if you want to call it that. And while their cars are well built and designed for precision driving, I can’t help but feel like they’ve all become the same. You get in an Audi and it’s just like the next one, to the point that once you’re behind the wheel, you can hardly tell it apart from one of its sister models in the German stable’s lineup. Of course, you will know the difference between an R8 and one of the brand’s electric vehicles.
So when the RS 3 Sedan arrived in our test garage earlier this year, I was quite surprised by the emotions it aroused in my heart. And clearly, I hadn’t felt this way about an Audi since I last drove its V10 R8.
At the forefront of technology It might be the company slogan, but somehow the brand has brought the fun back in a big way with its new RS 3 models. Under the hood is the sensational 2.5-litre engine that delivers 294kW and 500Nm. It has a claimed top speed of 250 km/h and a sprint time from zero to 100 km/h of 3.8 seconds.
READ | 6 Secrets You Would Like To Know About Audi’s New RS 3 Sportback And Sedan
2022 Audi RS 3 Sedan
Audi media supplied
Inside the car is fine Nappa leather, plenty of contrast stitching in the same tone as the body colour: the one we had in the test was painted bright Kyalami green. There are plenty of accent accents in the interior, but too many for my taste. I also noticed that the vehicle only had 4,000 km on the clock, but still the green stuff on the sports steering wheel was already fading. With that being said, I also know that this car has done its fair share of being shared in the media pool.
But all of that is forgiven in any case because it’s a fantastic car, and the goodness is those incredibly comfortable and plush front sport seats. I’d shell out more for a 360-degree view camera if there’s such an option, just because the car is incredibly low and would work wonders for sidewalks when parking or going speed bumps. Priced at R1 245,000, I would say it is worth every rand spent so hard.
2 – California Special Ford Mustang
Who doesn’t love a V8? That irresistible growl that soothes your soul every time you put more love on the accelerator pedal. Ford has found a great way to keep its small model range relevant in SA, and that’s to introduce special edition models from time to time to keep its range up to date.
The California Special is exclusively available in the fastback coupe body style, and under its muscular hood is the renowned 5.0-litre V8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission delivering 330kW and 529Nm. It also has an active valve performance exhaust that makes you want to cruise listening to that glorious fizz all day long, especially when driving in rush traffic. Obviously, the harder you hit the throttle, the more the engine breathes even harder, instantly making you want to give this pony horns.
As a limited edition model for South Africa, the 100 models that had been allocated for the local market have long been gobbled up, but if you’re interested in getting your hands on one, you’ll have to wait until it hits used. car directories.
California Special Ford Mustang
Wheels24 Calvin Fisher
3-Hyundai I30N
I saved the best for last as this is probably my favorite car of the year. Released much earlier in 2022, the opportunity to drive this delightful vehicle only came my way a couple of weeks ago. And it was worth the long wait.
Volkswagen’s GTI and Golf R will always be the most popular in South Africa, and its “Vrr-Pha” title will never be dethroned if local fans have anything to do with it, but in my books, the I30 N tops it once and for all. again. again. It just has so much more pazazz and soul than its German rivals, and because it’s so unexpected, it just adds to its je ne sais quoi
2022 Hyundai i30N
quick pic
This Hyundai is probably the thirstiest model I’ve driven all year from the Korean stable, but when driving conservatively in Eco mode, I was able to manage a reading of 7.0 litres/100km. Put it in Sport mode and the loud exhaust system will speak to your heart, even while driving below 3,000 rpm.
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The I30N made waves for all the right reasons when it launched locally in 2020, and it’s given the glorified GTI a good run for its money. Hyundai then launched its updated model in April this year, and this time, the automaker paired its 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an eight-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and swapped out its excellent manual gearbox from 6 speeds. Power figures are up a bit at 206kW and 392Nm. It has a claimed top speed of 250 km/h and does 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
But it’s the driving dynamics that excite me here. The I30N was pretty good when it made its debut here in SA, but now it’s even better. Yes, the manual gearbox is sorely missed, but Hyundai needed to go with current trends for an automatic gearbox, and they couldn’t have made a better choice. Steering feedback has been dramatically improved and it handles even better than before. It has a delicious gritty exhaust that you will never tire of. Is it worth R764 900? Every time!
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