Here are the 50 best cars coming to S.A. in 2014. Let’s start with no. 50 – 41.
50. Porsche Panamera Turbo S: 2nd Quarter
The Zuffenhausen bomber may have a face only a mother could love but in 2014 it gets an even-more-powerful twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 that can now stake claim to 420 kW and torque of 750 Nm with an overboost touching 800 Nm when necessary. Schnell, schnell!
49. Renault Koleos: 2nd Quarter
With a new front end in keeping with Renault’s latest identity shift; as well as new wheel designs and chrome finishes to the body, the new Renault Koleos doesn’t alter its wholesome recipe in 2014. New cabin trim and leather upholstery joins a new in-dash Renault R-Link multimedia system. Promises to be as good value as ever in 2014.
48. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: 4th Quarter
Ostensibly a new version of the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, just as the name suggests, the S-Class Coupe will offer limo levels of luxury but SL-Class levels of grand touring speed. 8- and 12-cylinder AMG versions will range from 436kW to 456kW.
47. Peugeot 2008: 1st Quarter
We had the luck of spotting the compact crossover before it launched internationally; on an advertising shoot in Cape Town. Based on the humble 208 hatchback, the 2008 gets bigger wheels, more body work and will be driven by, amongst others, a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine making around 82 kW.
46. Lexus GS 350 F-Sport: 3rd Quarter
Comfortable and well-priced, the Lexus GS will gain an eight-speed gearbox in the latter half of 2014 and an even sportier GS F-Sport model with altered suspension and steering to bring the most out of its 3.5-litre V6 lump. Maybe even a V8 in the future. Please note the image is an F-Sport rendering of the GS sedan.
45. Range Rover Evoque 9-spd: 2nd Quarter
There’s been lots of talk about the nine-speed ZF automatic gearbox destined for the front-wheel drive Evoque. We doubt one extra ratio is going to completely transform the drive but it should be an interesting development nonetheless.
44. Infiniti Q50: 1st Quarter
This premium pretender may have changed its name from the now defunct G-Sedan, but the range of V6 petrol and diesel engines, taut suspension, and rear-wheel drive poise remains. Will the new grille gain it any more notoriety in 2014? For Infiniti’s sake, lets hope so.
43. Citroen DS5 Hybrid: 3rd Quarter
Undoubtedly the best part of this DS5 is going to be the unique drivetrain: a 122 kW turbodiesel matched with a 27 kW electric motor and batteries mounted at the rear means quirky is as quirky does for the fun-loving Frenchie.
42. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG / S600: 2nd Quarter
The ‘world’s best car,’ as the Germans so modestly claim, gains two V12-powered versions in 2014 and the AMG S65 version of those two will punt out a ridiculous, road-twisting, 456 kW and 1000 Nm of torque. Be prepared to put those tyres on expenses.
41. Range Rover Sport 4.4 SDV8: 2nd Quarter
In the same way the six-cylinder now makes sense in the bigger Range Rover, so does the larger eight-cylinder engine in the sportier, nimbler Sport. So now economy, power, torque and luxury are all yours in one high-riding SUV package.
