It’s a time of cheer, so we’re celebrating our South African-only motoring icons these holidays. We’re speaking concerning the limited-edition specials that fanatics go weak on the knees for nonetheless. Interestingly, whereas South Africa is house to no less than five world-class assembly lines producing fashionable vehicles and bakkies for export all around the world in 2024, it’s these South African-only motoring icons that put us on the automotive map.

SOUTH AFRICAN-ONLY MOTORING ICONS

Each has an enormous native (and typically worldwide) fanbase and instructions high greenback on the used market. Most had been produced in the ’80s and ’90s for the purposes of racing homologation. Rules of the time dictated {that a} certain amount of road-going cars needed to be produced and sold to the public earlier than producers may go racing. What a time to have been an fanatic, eh!?

OPEL KADETT GSI 16V SUPERBOSS

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Opel was determined to take the fight to BMW on local racetracks, and so the ‘Superboss’ was born. Built in restricted numbers as a way to meet Group N homologation necessities, the Kadett GSI 16V Superboss represented a major improve over the garden-variety GSI. One of essentially the most sought-after South African-only motoring icons, it was pushed into the racing file books by the likes of Mike Briggs.

It didn’t appear to be a lot, however the mighty sizzling hatch launched a number of engine and suspension upgrades, together with a limited-slip differential. Likewise, the Superboss loved a strict weight-saving routine, bringing the burden all the way down to roughly 975 kg. Air-conditioning, electrical home windows and loads of sound-deadening materials was chucked within the bin to maximise 125 kW 2.0-litre 16V motor.

FORD SIERRA XR8

One of the rarest of the uncommon South African-only motoring icons, the XR8 was constructed between 1984 and 1988 for, you guessed, racing homologation functions. Just 250 vehicles had been produced with a strong 5.0-litre V8 engine from the Mustang shoehorned into the awkward hatchback physique shell. Upgrades to the XR6 donor automobile included stronger brakes, reworked suspension and an enormous double-decker rear wing.

Ford South Africa reportedly needed to design and manufacture some 96 bespoke parts from scratch to make the XR8 work. Proudly dubbed South Africa’s muscle automobile, 160 kW ensured the XR8 may dash from zero to 100 km/h in lower than 7 seconds, earlier than topping out at 225 km/h – spectacular numbers within the mid ‘80s.

NISSAN SENTRA 200 STI

Rarely acknowledged as one of many South African-only motoring icons, the Nissan Sentra 200 STI was manufactured at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria through the early Nineteen Nineties. Produced, as soon as once more, for homologation functions, the compact sports activities sedan (and Sabre hatchback) shared a worldwide nameplate. But it featured loads of native improvement and shortly emerged as a formidable competitor in Group N and SATCAR racing. Less fancied than many vehicles of its period, what set the Sentra 200 STI aside was its potent, high-revving SR20 VVL engine, producing 145 kW.

This naturally aspirated 2.0-litre masterpiece featured variable valve timing and two units of cams. So, when different motors had been operating out of energy at 6 500 rpm, the Nissan was solely switching over to VVL and nonetheless had one other 1 500 rpm to go to redline. The suspension, brakes and steering had been particularly calibrated for South African highway situations and the STI’s limited-slip differential improved grip and dealing with traits immensely. They’re nonetheless coveted right now by racers and fanatics and might deal with loads of aftermarket modification.  

VOLKSWAGEN CITIGOLF 1.8I R-LINE

No point out of South African-only motoring icons could be with out the legendary Volkswagen CitiGolf. Built in Uitenhage within the Eastern Cape, it was first launched in 1984 in three distinct colors: purple, yellow and blue. Production of the re-engineered Mk I Golf endured in South Africa until 2009, and loved quite a few upgrades (sadly, not at all times with security gear in thoughts) and particular editions. Our favorite is the late-model Citi 1.8i R-Line, fettled by Volkswagen South Africa’s motorsport division.

Under the bonnet spun the long-lived 1.8-litre 8-valve engine, albeit with radically tweaked internals. These included a smoothed-out cylinder head and re-profiled camshaft. Even at most tolerances, a modest 90 kW and 162 Nm was the consequence. However, the Citi R-Line weighed simply 900 kg, so it was no slouch with a zero to 100 kph dash time of 8.5 seconds. Moreover, it nonetheless regarded the half and received numerous followers with its aggressive physique equipment, pin-striped grille and beefed-up alloy wheels. A recipe that was to be a lot copied by CitiGolf house owners throughout Mzansi.

BMW 325IS

Arguably the last word South African-only motoring icon needs to be the Gusheshe, because it’s fondly referred to in Mzansi. It was produced regionally in 1989 for the needs of Stannic Group N homologation. In the absence of the left-hand-drive-only E30-generation M3, BMW South Africa designed and built the 325iS. It had a bespoke physique equipment in comparison with the box-shape 325i of the time.

Likewise, it featured a close-ratio gearbox and uprated 130 kW from its 2.5-litre straight-six engine. By 1990, a so-called EVO mannequin was launched with 140 kW. It featured the identical aluminium physique panels, brakes and suspension upgrades because the European E30 M3. Later, a bored-out 325iS Evo II produced 155 kW, and have become an prompt (and really costly) collectable.

DID WE LEAVE ANY SOUTH AFRICAN MOTORING ICONS OUT?

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