In this week’s news that you need to know, the new Mazda BT-50 looks set to steal a march on its Isuzu D-Max cousin – not that its head start will amount to much; Brabus’ ostentatious 900 Rocket Edition seems the ultimate coach-built G-Class Benz, as long as its brute of an engine will be allowed to keep roaring, the Honda Jazz has a “new old” name, but does it still have a sporty heart? Plus, Ferrari’s outdoing itself with a new V6 hybrid supercar, but at what cost, ultimately?
Mazda BT-50 vs Isuzu D-Max – ‘If you’re not first…’
got a strange feeling of déjà vu about the new-generation Mazda BT-50 double cab landing in South Africa (soon) ahead of the next Isuzu D-Max, with which it shares a platform and, for that matter, a multitude of mechanical components… Why, yes, I’ve watched a remarkably similar movie before… Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Starlet.
Here’s a refresher: Suzuki had a 3-plus-year jump on Toyota with its Baleno compact hatchback, but that fact didn’t disadvantage the Starlet upon its arrival. As soon as the rebadged Toyota (which probably rolled out of the same plant as the Baleno) entered our market, it immediately eclipsed its Suzuki counterpart’s sales. Motoring is a cruel game (at the best of times), but the market wants what it wants.
Mazda BT-50 SA Engine Specs Confirmed
The new Mazda BT-50 vs next-gen Isuzu D-Max match-up isn’t exactly the same as Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Starlet; after all, in this case, the clone will precede the original – not the other way round. Having said that, Mazda deserves every chance to succeed, because the previous-gen BT-50 certainly didn’t do as well as it could have following its launch under the auspices of Ford back in 2012.
The Isuzu-based new BT-50 can now emerge from the Ranger’s shadow. While the Hiroshima-based brand will have a head start, Isuzu, however, has a deeply loyal following in Mzansi, one upon which it will be leaning quite heavily once the brand’s Gqeberha assembly facility comes online in 2022.
I hope we won’t be amid the 6th wave by then.
Brabus Rocket Edition – the dying days of coachbuilding
If you have had a look at what Brabus does (on YouTube), you’ll know that the German tuning firm essentially strips a perfectly good car apart and rebuilds it in an old-fashioned coachbuilding style. In an increasingly automated world, it’s a trade that I hope will never disappear. The seats are recovered in carefully selected cowhide from cattle that attended private schools… such is the level of opulence!
Brabus 900 Rocket Edition is a 662 kW Super SUV
But deep down, engine tuning is the true heart of Brabus. The firm will rebuild Benz engines to make them better, bigger, stronger and work all manner of tricks in the process. I’m no “Debbie downer”, but I just don’t see how they’ll capture that same Brabus spirit in the EV age. Imagine a well-screwed-together Brabus creation whizzing along quietly without even a hint of a throaty V8 roar. Nah, I cannot even.
Jazz changing to Fit in SA – Hit the gym
It’s certainly a change-up in extramural endeavours as Honda flips from jamming free-form light music in smoky clubs late at night to getting up at the crack of dawn to dress in overpriced exercise gear and dabble in CrossFit, ha-ha. But one of the most endearing features of the old Jazz, ageist assumptions about the drivers that tended to buy the model notwithstanding, was that the 1.5 Sport derivative came equipped with shift paddles mounted on its steering wheel (at this point I will remind you that the 1.5 Sport had a continuously-variable automatic transmission, which is a buzz-kill at the best of times). The 1.5 Sport was painfully slow, but there was a subtle sense of occasion about the car, as if Honda wanted to instil just a smidge of um, brio, in its products. So many B-segment hatchbacks lack that.
Honda Fit (2021) Launch Review
Despite the fact that the more youthful-looking Fit’s front end appears to have collided with the back of some oke’s Venter trailer – and that’s before it’s even left the showroom floor, I am hopeful that Honda will regain its mojo. That old Jazz had an indescribable sense of occasion to it; I hope they will instil it in the Fit too. Plus, while they’re at it, introduce a new-generation S2000. I speak for the people here!
Ferrari 296 GTB – Prancing horses and battery packs
Il Commendatore” Enzo Ferrari must be doing backflips in his grave. Sorry, pops, but there’s yet another Prancing Horse with a battery strapped to its back and this one doesn’t have a V12 or even a V8… In case you haven’t heard it, come a little closer so that I can whisper it in your ear… the 296 GTB is faster than the sacred 488 Pista (sorry to break it to you), courtesy of an electrically assisted V6 engine!
Ferrari 296 GTB Revealed with V6 Hybrid Engine
With its fourth hybrid in the line-up (following the LaFerrari, LaFerrari Aperta and SF90 Stradale), Ferrari is confidently following a strategy that relies on the fact that current supercar owners want hybrids rather than full EVs (at least until electric supercars have become remotely viable). It’s refreshing to see and explains where the Maranello-based firm has invested the capital that it set aside for Research and Development – certainly not in its inconsistent F1 team. Again, I issue a warning… Ferraris are all about “feel”. Lose that visceral element and you’ll lose your customer base. Exciting times are ahead…
