Bakkies hold a special place in the hearts of South African motorists, being among the best-selling cars every month, and five new ones are coming to South Africa that aims to take advantage of the bakkie love in the country.

The bakkie’s robustness and durability perfectly align with the nation’s diverse landscapes and challenging terrains. From urban to rugged rural areas, bakkies effortlessly handle South Africa’s demanding conditions.

Additionally, bakkies offer versatility like no other vehicle. Whether transporting goods, accommodating passengers, or embarking on adventurous off-road escapades, bakkies cater to various needs.

The bakkie’s high ground clearance and formidable towing power make it an essential asset in the agriculture, construction, and mining industries. The ability to haul heavy loads, traverse uneven terrain, and withstand harsh conditions ensures that bakkies remain indispensable tools for many businesses.

Evidence of the fondness for bakkies in South Africa is that the next-generation Ford Ranger Double Cab is the official winner of the 2023 South African Car of the Year Award, securing the win over 21 finalists.

The SAGMJ noted that this was the first time in the 37-year history of the COTY competition a leisure double cab 4×4 bakkie was crowned South Africa’s Car of the Year. 

“Over the past decade, the popularity of SUVs and Double Cabs has skyrocketed at the expense of sedans,” said the chairperson of the 2023 COTY competition, Mabuyane Mabuza.

New bakkies

At least five manufacturers plan to introduce a new bakkie model into the South African market, including Ineos, Mahindra, JAC, Mitsubishi, and Renault.

These new bakkies and what to expect are listed below.

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Ineos Quartermaster

Ineos announced its new Quartermaster bakkie for South Africa last month.

The Quartermaster has many of the same building blocks as the Grenadier and uses the same SUV engines. Buyers can opt for a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engine sourced from BMW.

Depending on the specification, the bakkie is equipped with:

• Nappa or Saddle leather upholstery;
• Recaro seats;
• A multifunction steering wheel;
• A touchscreen infotainment system;
• Climate control;
• A rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors.

The vehicle comes with a centre differential lock as a standard feature. Front and rear differential locks are optional.

The 4×4 is available to order in South Africa from SMH Group in Gauteng and SMG in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape, with prices starting at R1,717,100.

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Mahindra Pik Up Karoo Dew

Mahindra announced its latest bakkie is on its way to South Africa in June 2023 – the Pik Up Karoo Dew.

The special-edition Karoo line-up has rugged accessories to enhance the double cab’s off-roading capabilities.

Each one gets:

• Side steps
• Karoo decals
• Rear sports bar
• All-terrain tyres
• Rear over fenders
• Off-road suspension
• Rubberised load bin
• Rugged 16-inch alloy wheels
• Roller shutter/tonneau cover
• High-strength steel “Bundu Gear” front and rear bumpers

The Karoo bakkies sport a 9-inch infotainment system with onboard navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather seats, automatic air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, and automatic air conditioning.

It is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel motor connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 103kW and 320Nm with a fuel consumption of 7.9l/100km. The bakkie can carry up to 995kg in the load box and tow a maximum of 2,500kg.

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JAC T9 Hunter

The JAC T9 Hunter is expected to be the first hybrid bakkie in South Africa.

Announced at the tail-end of 2022, the T9 will make its local introduction with a choice of two engines: a turbocharged diesel unit or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

This release will be staggered, as the diesel model is expected to land in the country in the second quarter of 2023, while the PHEV will be released toward the end of the year.

The diesel unit produces 125kW and 410Nm, while the petrol plant makes 168kW and 380Nm. The T9 4×4 derivatives feature a part-time 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and a rear diff-lock. It offers a towing mass of 3 500 kg (braked).

The T9 would come with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, electronically-adjustable heated front seats, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.4-inch infotainment screen.

It will also feature adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and seven airbags.

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Next-generation Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi officially revealed the next-generation Triton in July 2023, with notable upgrades over its predecessor.

The new Triton is larger than the one that came before it, featuring newly-developed suspension and four-wheel-drive systems, safety has been significantly improved, and it sports an imposing design that lends it more road presence.

The engine’s output varies based on the model, ranging from 110kW and 330Nm to 135kW and 430Nm, and up to a maximum of 150kW and 470Nm. All three options come with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and are available in two- and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations.

Depending on the chosen Triton, the bakkie has a touchscreen infotainment system that supports Mitsubishi Connect, offering smartphone mirroring and a car finder function.

The bakkie is further available with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision mitigation, blind-spot warning with lane-change assist, and rear-cross traffic alert.

Mitsubishi South Africa has confirmed that it expects the sixth-generation Triton to arrive in South Africa in the first half of 2024.

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Renault Oroch

At the end of last year, it was announced that Renault had plans to introduce the all-new Oroch bakkie.

Nissan South Africa recently announced that it would cease production of its popular NP200 bakkie. While they have no immediate plans to replace the model, the Renault Oroch is a similar fit to the NP200.

The Oroch, derived from the Renault Duster, is anticipated to provide a broader range of choices than the NP200. This includes manual and CVT transmissions as well as 2WD and 4WD layouts.

It is expected to come with a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine that generates 115kW and 270Nm, and its load bay is certified for up to 650kg of cargo.

The vehicle is also expected to have a broader range of equipment than the Nissan, such as electric windows, a leather multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, and an 8-inch infotainment screen.

The Renault Oroch is scheduled to go on sale in 2024.

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