By Otsile Kadiege

Omoda South Africa has launched an exciting new entry-level version of the popular C5 crossover. Priced at R359,900, the newly added derivative of the C5 serves to lower the model’s starting price by a considerable R88,000. Despite slotting in at the foot of the range, the new C5 Style – which looks exactly like the C5 Tech from the exterior, while also welcoming a fresh ‘Bloodstone’ Red hue to the colour palette – is anything but sparsely equipped.

C5 Style exterior and interior features

Despite its enticing price tag, the C5 Style’s list of standard features is lengthy and includes a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front sports seats, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen system (complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a six-speaker sound system, a reversing camera, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, automatic LED headlights and stylish 17-inch alloy wheels.

C5 Style safety features

Meanwhile, safety is comprehensively covered by items such as ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, an electric parking brake, outer-rear ISOfix child-seat anchors, four airbags and seat belt reminders for both the driver and front passenger.

C5 Style engine

It’s still powered by the same turbocharged 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine as the rest of the line-up (except for the C5 GT, which offers more performance), delivering generous peak outputs of 115 kW and 230 Nm to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with manual-shifting capabilities.

Warranty

Just like the rest of the popular Omoda C5 range, the new C5 Style ships standard with a 2-year/30 000 km service plan as well as a lengthy 5-year/150 000 km factory warranty, plus Roadside Assist for 5 years. The engine, meanwhile, is covered by an industry-leading 10-year/1-million km warranty, which is linked to the vehicle’s first owner.