ROBIN MEYERS
From a new Ford people-mover and fresh bakkie options to an SUV tackling Sani Pass, there has been plenty landing in the 041Online motoring inbox. Here’s what caught our attention.
October is underway, and instead of focusing on just one launch this week, we’re taking a quick look at some of the motoring news that has crossed our desk recently.
LDV expands its working range
LDV is continuing to build its presence in South Africa, with its commercial offering now including the G10+, Deliver 9 and T60 range.
The T60 Utility Single Cab starts at R299 900, while the T60 Max Plus Double Cab brings a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine producing 160kW and 500Nm for R699 000.
For businesses, the G10+ offers a 1 040kg payload and 5.2m³ cargo area, while the larger Deliver 9 ups that to as much as 1 580kg and 12.33m³.
It’s another sign that the increasingly crowded South African vehicle market isn’t only fighting for the family-SUV buyer, the workhorse segment is getting interesting too.
Jetour takes the T2 up Sani Pass (pictured)
Jetour put three T2 Odysseys through a rather dramatic real-world test recently, taking them up Sani Pass as part of its Beyond Borders showcase.
Snow, rain and slippery mountain roads joined the itinerary, with heavy snowfall eventually closing the pass and leaving the expedition team at the top for three days.
The trip put features including crawl control, hill descent control, the rear differential lock and the T2’s Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock driving modes to work.
The top-spec T2 Odyssey is priced at R679 900, producing 180kW through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
We’ll admit it: three black SUVs sitting in the snow at the top of Sani Pass certainly make a stronger case than another perfectly polished showroom photo.
Ford adds a new Tourneo Custom Kombi
Ford has introduced a new Tourneo Custom Kombi, replacing the outgoing Tourneo Trend LWB.
The eight-seater is aimed at families, businesses, shuttle operators and fleets, and uses a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 100kW and 360Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Inside there’s a 13-inch central touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-inch digital instrument display and FordPass connectivity.
The Tourneo Custom Kombi is priced at R996 000.
It’s not the flashiest vehicle to arrive in our inbox, but for anyone regularly moving a small army of people around, practicality sometimes wins.
JAC gives its T9 the blacked-out treatment
South Africa’s bakkie wars have another contender to look at, with JAC Motors expanding its T9 range with two new Black Edition 4×4 derivatives.
The new versions bring black exterior detailing, 18-inch matt-black alloys and a black leather-enhanced cabin. The more powerful Hunter produces 144kW and 487Nm, while the Super Lux delivers 125kW and 444Nm.
The T9 4×4 Black Edition costs R629 900, while the Hunter Black Edition comes in at R689 900.
More interestingly, JAC has also confirmed that its T9 plug-in hybrid bakkie is due in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company says the PHEV will produce a combined 360kW and 674Nm, with an electric driving range of up to 100km.
That one could be worth watching.
And a reminder: your dashboard is trying to tell you something
Not everything in the motoring inbox is about buying something new.
A release from The Unlimited highlighted six dashboard warnings drivers should know: oil pressure, engine temperature, brake, ABS, battery or charging-system and check-engine warnings.
The important distinction is that a warning light isn’t necessarily a diagnosis. Some require the car to be checked soon, while others (particularly oil-pressure or overheating warnings) can mean it’s safer to stop driving.
And yes, the owner’s manual sitting untouched in the cubbyhole is actually useful here. Warning symbols and the appropriate response can differ between vehicles.
From the 041Online motoring desk
That’s our quick catch-up from the motoring inbox.
There’s an interesting mix developing in South Africa at the moment: more brands, more bakkies, more technology and increasingly serious competition at very different price points.
We’ll keep sorting through the launches, announcements and motoring news that land in our inbox and bring you the bits we think are actually worth knowing.
Have something motoring-related happening in Nelson Mandela Bay? Get in touch with 041Online.
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