{"id":712188,"date":"2023-08-19T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=712188"},"modified":"2023-08-18T17:24:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T15:24:15","slug":"two-all-new-suvs-coming-to-south-africa-with-one-launching-soon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/712188\/two-all-new-suvs-coming-to-south-africa-with-one-launching-soon\/","title":{"rendered":"Two all-new SUVs coming to South Africa – with one launching soon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SUVs have long been a very popular vehicle segment in South Africa, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed as car brands continue to launch new models every year \u2013 which includes two all-new SUV entries, the electric Mahindra Thar.e<\/strong> and GWM Tank 300<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahindra unveiled its electric concept version of its popular Thar 4\u00d74 at the company\u2019s Futurescape event in Cape Town, alongside the next-generation bakkie concept<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Engineering News<\/a>, the Mahindra Thar.e will head for South Africa when it reaches production form, but it does not yet have a timeline mapped out for when this will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, The new GWM Tank 300 is much closer to reality for South African motorists, as it is set to make its South African debut before the end of 2023<\/strong>, the manufacturer confirmed<\/a> all the way back in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GWM\u2019s newest SUV is already on sale in global markets such as the Middle East, China, and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tank 300<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese automaker’s GWM Tank 300 is expected to retail in South Africa from a starting price of R685,900. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to TopAuto<\/a>, this was confirmed by the COO of Haval Motors South Africa, Conrad Groenewald, who added the top-spec variation would retail for around R 851,900.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 300 is described as a rugged \u201cORV\u201d (off-road vehicle) that will be taking on the likes of the BAIC B40 Plus and Jeep Wrangler, sporting burly styling, decent off-roading credentials, and high-tech features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the specifications and line-up for South Africa are still undisclosed, looking at Australia\u2019s spec sheet gives a good idea of what\u2019s on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 4\u00d74 SUV will come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, a nine-speaker sound system, an electric driver seat, ambient lighting, automatic LED lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new SUV is entering the market with two engine options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine generating 162kW and 387Nm, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission option. This includes a part-time four-wheel-drive setup with 2H, 4H, and 4L settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second is a hybrid configuration (HEV) that generates up to 258kW and 615Nm and connects to a nine-speed auto-box with full-time 4WD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groenwald from GWM said that the Tank sits on a ladder-frame chassis, similar to the P-Series giving it \u201cserious offroad credentials\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high-rider Tank 300 also boasts a 224mm ground clearance as well as an approach angle of 33 degrees, and a departure angle of 34 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mahindra Thar.e<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The electric Thar comes from Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL), a subsidiary of the automaker based in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Thar.e is still in the concept phase, but it features a unique modular construction using the INGLO EV platform and a body made of up to 50% recycled fabrics and plastics, promoting sustainability, reported TopAuto<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCreating Vision Thar.e was about embracing a future that\u2019s bold and innovative. Our design forges a new path, standing as a testament to Mahindra\u2019s commitment to cutting-edge creativity and breakaway thinking,\u201d said Pratap Bose, the Chief Design Officer at Mahindra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have maintained the adventurous spirit and off-roading capability that is quintessentially Thar, but we have crafted a unique identity in the world of electric SUVs,\u201d said Mahindra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to TopAuto, the interior is intended to feel minimalist while still functional, thanks to an uncluttered environment that is kitted out with items like a central media screen that is able to pivot to face different users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because it is still in concept form, little is known about the Mahindra Thar.e aside from its appearance, with potential design changes possible before the full unveiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read: 5 new bakkies coming to South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two new SUV editions will be joining the highly popular segment in South Africa, with one expected to launch locally later this year. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":688303,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11119],"tags":[16686,15796,853],"class_list":["post-712188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motoring","tag-gwm","tag-mahindra","tag-south-africa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=712188"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":712304,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712188\/revisions\/712304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/688303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=712188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=712188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=712188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}