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Cape Town - #Januaworry is mercifully over and while thankfully February is a shorter month there's no let up in new model launches in Mzansi.
Honda has just launched its new Civic Type R and Jazz Sport in early February.
Hyundai's Grand i10 receives a facelift, Volkswagen releases its new Polo Vivo and Toyota brings out a fresh Yaris.
At the end of February, we're set to drive BMW's new X2 on South African soil for the first time.
One of the most anticipate hot hatches this year is the new Type R, its powered by a 2.0-litre VTEC turbo engine of the previous generation Type R has been carried over and tuned to produce 235kW while torque remains unchanged at 400Nm.
The short-throw six-speed manual has also been retained. The Type R's promises to be agile thanks to its front Macpherson strut suspension, while at the rear, the new independent multi-link system of the standard car has been tinkered with.
The new Jazz Sport now sits on top of the range benefiting from more power and some really cool styling features inspired by the Type R Honda says.
Priced at R310 000, the same as the outgoing Dynamic derivative, the 1.5-litre engine produces a sprightly 97kW/155Nm, it's mated to a CVT 'gearbox'. Paddles are available when the time arises to drive it in manual mode.
It certainly looks edgier, with a front splitter, 16" wheels in black and side skirts chunkier than Kim Kardashian's derriere. Performance figures are quoted at 9.8 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash.
BMW X2
Wheels24's Sean Parker headed to Lisbon, Portugal to drive BMW's latest X-car. The X2 heads to SA with two engine/transmission variants offered from launch: the X2 sDrive20i petrol model with 141kW. There's also a xDrive20d diesel variant with 140kW. The diesel car comes as standard with xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and the eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
The options list includes the latest generation of BMW ConnectedDrive and the most recent update of the BMW Connected App. Optional functions such as Apple CarPlay and an array of driver assistance systems serve up a connected driving experience. Among the optional equipment features offered exclusively in this segment is the full-colour Head-Up Display.
Due: Late February
VW Polo Vivo
The cheapest Polo you can buy in South Africa from next month will be the Polo Vivo, we saw it unveiled at the new Polo's launch this month.
We're not sure about which engine or specification the new Vivo will be launched with but its obviously based on the fifth generartion Polo.
Due: Mid February
