The seventh episode of TechCentral's Watts & Wheels began with a humorous outcry over the results of the 'South African Car of the Year' competition, as Alfa Romeo Junior did not win the overall title. Hosts William Kelly and Duncan Macleod demanded a recount, although they acknowledged that Junior's win in the best design category softened the disappointment, given that Chinese brands occupied half the categories, and Jetour T2 was the overall winner.
In this episode, William and Duncan delve into several current topics. They examine the first Ferrari electric vehicle and the associated viral buzz, questioning whether moving away from Maranello's DNA is a bold step or a convoluted experiment. With input from Jony Ive on the design, the possibility of a car resembling an unreleased Apple product is raised.
Furthermore, they continue the discussion on car assembly, analyzing how the concept of 'local content' functions. William explains why local factories no longer produce cars priced below 400,000 South African Rand, which account for 64% of sales in South Africa, and why the issue of tariffs becomes inevitable against the backdrop of India's trade agreement with Europe and the construction of EV plants in Morocco.
The program featured an interview with Mike Whitfield, CEO of Stellantis in South Africa, where the group's plans for the local market, including potential involvement in micro-mobility, were discussed. The collapse of the subscription model was also addressed, as the monthly fee for seat heating proved unsustainable, partly due to the comprehensive offerings of Chinese vehicles.
The hosts discussed the implementation of robotaxis: Hyundai's Motional is targeting Las Vegas by the end of 2026, while Tesla's full autonomous driving feature will be launched on European roads. In solid-state batteries, the Finnish lab Donut Lab announced achieving 400 Wh/kg, providing donutbelieve.com for skeptics to verify.
Unusual Chinese vehicles were also showcased, including a massive luxury SUV with zero-gravity massage seats (including foot massage) and BYD's two-seater sports car, Fang Cheng Bao, which the hosts believe is what Ferrari should build.
The episode concluded with the 'Hot or Not' segment, where both the Ferrari EV and the Toyota bZ4X model, priced at 1.18 million Rands—the company's first battery electric vehicle for South Africa—were evaluated.
A dispute has arisen regarding the breakdown of a Toyota Innova Hycross, which one social media user claimed occurred after refueling with E20 gasoline. Following a viral video that sparked widespread discussion, Toyota Kirloskar Motor issued an official statement asserting that the cause of the malfunctions was not the E20 gasoline itself, but contaminated and low-quality fuel.
The focus was on a video from Mandira in Bihar, uploaded by a YouTuber named Manish Kashyap. He claimed that after using E20 gasoline in his hybrid MPV Innova Hycross, which had covered about 12,000 kilometers, the vehicle began exhibiting serious problems, including vibration, knocking, and engine stalling. The YouTuber also stated that fuel samples taken from the car contained more ethanol and impurities than usual.
In another video, Manish Kashyap showed the inspection process at a Toyota service center. The procedure for removing the fuel tank, as well as the fuel pump and filter, was demonstrated. He presented fuel samples collected from different locations, noting differences in color and the presence of visible contaminants.
Following the circulation of these videos, several questions arose regarding the E20 gasoline policy itself, manufacturer claims, and the responsibility of various parties. Toyota officially clarified the situation, insisting that the breakdown was due to contaminated fuel, not E20. The company emphasized that this specific Innova Hycross is fully designed, tested, and certified to run on E20 gasoline.
Toyota reported that the technical examination found no damage to the vehicle itself, its fuel system, or any other parts. As part of the servicing, the fuel tank and fuel line were completely cleaned. After this, standard E20 gasoline was put into the car, and the vehicle began functioning normally before being returned to the customer.
The company stressed that the entire incident is unrelated to the use of E20 gasoline but is solely attributable to dirty and non-standard fuel. Toyota urged vehicle owners to always refuel only at authorized and reliable gas stations to avoid issues caused by low quality or impurities in the fuel. The company also noted that low-quality fuel can negatively affect the operation of any vehicle.
A hypercar equipped with 1,030 hp received paint that simulates tuner modifications, but all elements were developed directly by Ferrari itself.
Ferrari, known for its traditional elegance and preference for sober tones, allowed the extremely rare SF90 XX Stradale to be customized boldly through the Tailor Made program in Maranello. This result represents one of the most extravagant commissions registered by the service, trading discretion for a celebration of Italian landscapes.
The focal point is the Volterra Green paint, a multi-layer finish that has a color-changing effect and was introduced in early 2022. This shade was conceived for the Ferrari Cavalcade collection, an exclusive brand tour celebrating ten years, and is inspired by the earthy and deep green tones of Tuscany. To accentuate the look, Ferrari added burnt orange contrasts to the hood air intakes, side and front trim, as well as the end plates of the rear spoiler.
The visible presence of carbon fiber, noticeable on the central section of the hood and the wing, contributes to the hypercar's aggressive appearance. Due to its extravagance, the vehicle was even mistaken for a tuner product, although every detail was supplied by Ferrari itself.
The interior finish maintains the same standard of sophistication. The interior is lined with high-quality Alcantara, complemented by JX Ultrasuede synthetic suede details and contrasting stitching, maintaining the characteristic sporty atmosphere of the XX series. Carbon fiber is also present on the door panels and the center tunnel of the console.
The engineering under the hood remained unchanged: the hybrid system, composed of a 4.0 V8 biturbo engine and three electric motors, generates 1,030 hp. Compared to the standard SF90, the XX version received revised aerodynamics and achieved a weight reduction of 10 kg, mainly due to the use of lightweight carbon fiber wheels and seats.
The production of the SF90 XX Stradale was limited to only 799 units globally. This extreme customization further increases the value of a car that cost approximately R$ 4.35 million (US$ 840 thousand) before any options. In the Brazilian market, specialized resellers and independent importers trade these units between R$ 9 million and R$ 12 million, depending on the degree of customization and the dollar exchange rate. Due to the complexity of the choices made in Tailor Made, the cost of this specific commission can add a six-figure amount in dollars to the base price.
