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New bakkies, performance cars: Here's what 10 carmakers are bringing to SA in 2017

Cape Town - Come 2017, South Africa will be flooded by a wave of new models; all ranging from bakkies, to hatchbacks, to performance cars.

Needless to say, the variety of cars scheduled to arrive is by no means limited, with each model from the respective brands offering something unique in the segment it competes in.

Here's a breakdown of what consumers can expect from just some of SA's automakers in 2017:

1. Alfa Romeo

Expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2017 is the Giulia: Alfa's answer to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This model will be powered by a 2.0litre petrol engine that churns out 150kW/330Nm.

To challenge its competitors' halo models the Giulia will also have a sports model on offer, called the Quadrifoglio (pictured below). This model will be available in Race and Launch editions, and will be powered by a 2.9-litre V6 turbo engine (375kW/600Nm).

Both models will be equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

READ: Sneak peek! Alfa Romeo show racy Giulia editions in SA

Also coming:

Alfa Romeo Stelvio (Quarter 4)

2. Audi

The Q5 is long overdue for replacement, but in 2017 the SUV will finally get the renewal it was begging for. The new Q5 (pictured) will be bigger than the outgoing model, but is expected to be around 90kg lighter. As always, the SUV will also have a raft of optional extras.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine will have a power output of 110-140kW and the 3.0-litre V6 petrol kicks out 210kW/620Nm. A 2.0-litre petrol engine is good for 185kW.

This SUV's entry-level models will have a six-speed manual gearbox that sends drive to the front wheels, while higher spec models will have auto' boxes, as well as Audi's all-wheel drive system.

The Q5 is expected to arrive in Q3.

READ: New SA-bound Q5 - Details on Audi's next-gen SUV

Also coming:

Audi A5/S5: Q1

Audi Q2: Q1

Audi R8 Spyder: Q1

Audi A5 Sportback: Q2

Audi RS3 sedan: Q2

Audi TT RS: Q2

Audi A5 Cabriolet: Q3

Audi RS5 Coupé: Q4

3. BMW

The new BMW 5-Series' (pictured) biggest trump card is that is houses a truck load of technologies. Part of that technological arsenal are driver assistance systems and remote parking. Thanks to the use of aluminium and high-strength steel the car is lighter than its predecessor.

Petrol engines comprises a 2.0-litre unit (185kW/350Nm), and a 3.0-litre straight six (250kW/450Nm).

Diesel units include a 2.0-litre engine (140kW/400Nm) and a 3.0-litre six-cylinder (195kW/620Nm).

The 5-Series is expected to arrive in Q1.

READ: New SA-bound BMW 5 Series - We have all the details

Also coming:

BMW 330e iPerformance PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle): Q2

BMW M760Li: Q2

The new BMW 5 Series. Available in South Africa from February 2017. #BMW #5Series #New5 #CarsofInstagram

A photo posted by Wheels24 (@wheels24_sa) on

4. Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Cruze is no stranger to South Africans, but the new car will have its work cut out taking on the Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla. The new Cruze is said to be 113kg lighter than the outgoing car and includes loads of standard safety features.

The new model will be available with a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine (110kW/245Nm), coupled to either a manual or automatic gearbox. Both 'boxes have six speeds. A 1.6-litre diesel engine is also rumoured to be available.

The Cruze is expected to arrive in Q3.

READ: Bigger 'n bolder - The new SA-bound Cruze

A photo posted by @motorfilia on

5. Honda

The next Honda CR-V (pictured) will have an extended version of the Civic's platform. And Honda says it will give its SUV best-in-class rear space. Very little is known about the fifth-generation CR-V, but it will have a 140kW 1.5-litre petrol engine.

It's believed Honda will continue to offer its 2.4-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, but no confirmation yet as to which of these three engines will be coming to SA.

The CR-V is expected to arrive in Q3.

Also coming:

Honda Ballade (facelift): Q2

6. Hyundai

One of Hyundai's biggest product offensives in 2017 will be the arrival of its new Creta (pictured). The Creta will do battle against the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. When launched in SA, the crossover could be available with two 1.6-litre engines, in both petrol and diesel guises.

The Creta is expected to arrive in Q1.

READ: Rise of the urban crossovers: Six new models to look out for

Also coming:

Hyundai Grand i10 (facelift): Q3

Hyundai i30 - Q3

7. Kia

The Rio is Kia's best-selling vehicle. Not just in SA, but globally as well. To continue its popularity as Kia's #1 vehicle, the new Rio (pictured) will look much fresher than the current model, while inside it will adopt a touchscreen.

On the engine front, Kia SA still needs to confirm which engines we'll receive, but it is safe to assume that the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engines will continue to do duty. Both engines will be available with manual and automatic transmissions.

Other possible engines could include a 1.4-litre diesel and a 1.0-litre petrol engine.

The new Rio is expected to reach SA in Q3.

READ: Next-gen Rio, updated Soul: New Kia models at Paris motor show

Also coming:

Kia Picanto: Q3

A photo posted by Wheels24 (@wheels24_sa) on

8. Land Rover

The single biggest model to come out of the Land Rover stable will be the arrival of the Discovery 5 (pictured). Land Rover says the new SUV has more interior space than before, as well as being 480kg lighter. A neat feature is being able to configure the seat via your smartphone.

The new Disco will continue with the existing 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel engines. The petrol unit develops 250kW/450Nm and the diesel 190kW/900Nm. Both engines are mated with the eight-speed ZF gearbox.

Expected: Q3

READ: Headed for South Africa - New Land Rover Discovery revealed

A photo posted by Land Rover (@landroversa) on

9. Mercedes-Benz

The biggest vehicle to come out of the Mercedes-Benz stable in 2017 has to be the AMG GT R (pictured). Based on the already impressive AMG GT, the GT R takes things just that much further. Motoring journalists who got to drive the car before its official launch in SA rated it very highly and thought it to be perhaps the best sports car Mercedes has ever made.

The GT R's 4.0-litre V8 engine gains bigger turbos to churn out 430kW; good enough for a 0-100km/h sprint of 3.6 seconds.

The AMG GT R is expected to arrive in the second quarter.

READ: Mercedes-Benz expands AMG GT range in SA: Pics, prices & details

Also coming:

AMG GT Roadster: Q2

E-Class Coupé: Q2

E-Class Cabriolet: Q3


A photo posted by Wheels24 (@wheels24_sa) on

10. Renault

Though the new bakkie market is headlined by news of the forthcoming Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton, Renault is silently readying to launch its Oroch double cab (pictured). Based on the Renault Duster, the Oroch is 160mm longer than the Duster and has a load bay measuring 1.35m x 1.17m.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the front-wheel drive Oroch could be powered by the Duster's 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. The petrol unit will be mated with a five-speed manual gearbox and the diesel to a six-speed manual.

The bakkie's SA launch date needs to be confirmed.

READ: Renault Duster bakkie is 'go' for SA


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