NISSAN PATHFINDER FINDS NEW FACE

The new Nissan Pathfinder facelift is now available to South African consumers. First unveiled at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show just a few months ago, the Pathfinder hopes to do better than its predecessor.


Exterior changes include a new bonnet, a new front grille, different front bumper as well as a new rear bumper. Nissan says the look is cleaner, sportier and more modern.


The interior is now much more luxurious and comfortable, featuring
a number of enhancements for driver and passengers. Included among them are a Premium Infotainment System with SATNAV operated via a high-resolution touch-screen interface and a 40GB hard drive, a BOSE sound system, Bluetooth phone connection and a multi controller. 


Nissan was at pains to explain how soft and cushy the materials used inside are. Newly-designed switchgear, revised door trims, new seat fabric and the addition of chrome highlights add to that.


A new 2.5-litre dCi motor has been installed to not only increase performance but to cut down on fuel consumption and C02 emissions as well. Previous sojourns in the Pathfinder, about four years ago, proved a little too costly at the pumps for this journalist. Nissan says the engine produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque, very handy for any situation indeed.


An average fuel consumption of 8.2 litres per 100km is claimed while C02 emissions are said to be 224g/km.


“With its generous new equipment levels and perfectly-judged cabin enhancements,” said Terry Mashoko, Nissan SA product manager for Pathfinder, “the Pathfinder is no longer just a tough SUV, but extremely intelligent. A perfect combination of 4X4 strengths with modern automotive comfort and technology, the new Pathfinder will please even the most demanding SUV buyer.”




2010 Nissan Pathfinder Pricing


2.5DCi 4x4 LE manual (R493 600)
2.5DCi 4x4 LE automatic (R508 300)
4.0 V6 4x4 LE automatic (R528 800)
2.5DCi 4x4 LE manual Navigation (R518 600)
2.5DCi 4x4 LE automatic (R533 300)
4.0 V6 4x4 LE automatic Navigation (R553 800)

Smart Car Monster Trucks

Smart Car Monster Trucks | Custom Car. Monster truck schedule

FOURTH PLACE FOR FORD WRC TEAM IN PORTUGAL

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished fourth in Rally de Portugal today after a thrilling three-car battle for the final podium place.  After three days of flat-out driving in the hills above the Algarve coastline, the fight for third in this sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship was only decided on the final 2km speed test inside Faro's soccer stadium this afternoon.

The Finns had settled for fifth in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car heading into the test, which featured two cars at-a-time racing around a purpose-built track and was broadcast live on Portuguese television.  However, when fourth-placed Petter Solberg went off the road in the previous heat and lost 15 seconds, 29-year-old Hirvonen measured his pace in the following duel and climbed to fourth after 18 stages covering 355.32km. 

F
This rally was played out in high temperatures over demanding gravel roads near the holiday resort of Faro.  The heat and the abrasive bedrock, which forms the base of the roads in this area, made it a tough challenge for tyres.  Drivers had to skilfully manage tyre wear on their Pirelli Scorpion rubber to ensure they retained as much grip as possible towards the end of the long loops of special stages.

Hirvonen ended Friday's opening leg in fourth but ceded a position on the leaderboard during yesterday's longest day of the rally.  The 29-year-old began the final leg this morning as one of three cars chasing the final step on the podium, with less than 22sec covering the trio.

He slashed that gap to less than eight seconds on the opening speed test and the trio began the final country stage covered by just 7.4sec.  However, Hirvonen's attacking driving took its toll on his tyres and he realised halfway through that he could not close the gap further.  He eased his pace and settled for fifth before the excitement inside the stadium.

"What an amazing end to the rally," he said.  "After all the drama on the final stage during the last round in New Zealand, I can't believe that it has happened again here.  I couldn't have driven any faster this morning.  I gave everything to try to catch the two guys ahead but my rear tyres lost their grip and midway through the stage I called off the attack.  I knew I couldn't reach them.  It was a difficult rally.  I didn't have the pace this weekend to challenge for the win and the rally was tough on tyres.

"I tried a different approach this weekend.  I was less aggressive, letting my driving flow rather than pushing too much.  I thought my driving was good and the car handled well, but the times weren't fast enough.  The result wasn't good from a championship point of view but we've done six rallies and there are seven more to come so there's still everything to fight for," added Hirvonen.     

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were unable to restart under SupeRally rules this morning following yesterday's accident, in which they hit a tree at 110kph.  The rear of their Ford Focus RS WRC was too badly damaged to repair.

Abu Dhabi's Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr finished ninth in the team's third car.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson reflected on a 'disappointing' weekend for the team.  "What happened on the final stage proved once again how this sport delivers incredible drama.  It also shows that the small, spectator-friendly tests can be just as important as the longer stages out in the country.  After a great win in New Zealand earlier this month, this didn't go the way we planned but we have to accept that."

Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe's motorsport chief, said: "We can't escape the fact that we didn't enjoy as good a weekend as we had hoped.  We now have six weeks before the season restarts and we'll use that time to work as hard as we can to try to regain the form that has already brought the team two victories this season," he said.

News from other Ford teams

Stobart M-Sport Ford drivers Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin finished sixth in a Focus RS World Rally Car, climbing a place after team-mates Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor retired with alternator failure on the second stage this morning.  Munchi's Ford drivers Federico Villagra and Jorge Perez Companc won their battle for eighth place with Al Qassimi after starting the day tied on time.  In the S-WRC support series the Ford Fiesta S2000 claimed first and second places.  Jari Ketomaa and Mika Stenberg beat Spain's Xevi Pons and Alex Haro by more than 3min 30sec.  Pons retains the series lead.

Next round

After a summer break, the championship restarts with Rally Bulgaria's debut appearance in the WRC.  The all-asphalt rally is based in the ski resort of Borovets on 8 -11 July.

Final positions
1.  S Ogier/J Ingrassia                 FRA             Citroen C4              3hr 51min 16.1sec
2.  S Loeb/D Elena                      FRA             Citroen C4              3hr 51min 24.0sec
3.  D Sordo/M Marti                     ESP             Citroen C4              3hr 52min 33.7sec
4.  M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen               FIN             Ford Focus RS   3hr 52min 48.1sec
5.  P Solberg/P Mills                   NOR             Citroen C4              3hr 52min 51.8sec
6.  M Wilson/S Martin           GBR             Ford Focus RS   3hr 58min 26.2sec
7.  M Østberg/J Andersson               NOR             Subaru Impreza  3hr 58min 44.4sec
8.  F Villagra/J Perez Companc  ARG             Ford Focus RS   4hr 01min 52.2sec
9.  K Al Qassimi/M Orr          UAE             Ford Focus RS   4hr 02min 11.9sec
10 K Räikkönen/K Lindström              FIN             Citroen C4              4hr 02min 50.4sec

Drivers                                               
1.  S Loeb                      126pts                
2.  S Ogier                       88pts               
3.  M Hirvonen            76pts               
4.  J-M Latvala           72pts               
5.  P Solberg                     63pts               
6.  D Sordo                       49pts

Manufacturers
1.  Citroen Total               189pts
2.  BP Ford Abu Dhabi           163pts
3.  Citroen Junior              106pts
4.  Stobart M-Sport Ford          84pts
5.  Munchi's Ford                 40pts


STORY BY FORD

TOP 6 FINISH FOR TEAM TOTAL AT RALLY SOUTH AFRICA

Team TOTAL completed a successful weekend in the fourth round of the Sasol Rally Championship in Mpumalanga on Saturday.  At the end of the two-day 187-km special stage Rally of South Africa, all four Team TOTAL crews completed the punishing event with three in the top six.

Highest-placed of the Team TOTAL cars was the class S2000 Toyota RunX of Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Carolyn Swan in third place, behind winners Johnny Gemmell and Drew Sturrock in a factory class S2000 Toyota Auris and second-placed Volkswagen factory pairing of Jan Habig and Ralph Pitchford in a class S2000 VW Polo.


Fourth were Fernando Rueda and Dave Lewkowicz in a class S2000 Team TOTAL Toyota RunX, with the class S2000 Team TOTAL Toyota RunX of Mohammed Moosa and Grant Martin sixth.


Veteran Team TOTAL member Craig Trott and co-driver Robbie Coetzee were 11^th overall and third in class A6 in a Toyota RunX.


The event started with three special stages in the Warburton area west of Ermelo on Friday, and finished with the longest special stage in South African rallying, the 53-km Jessievale monster that always has a significant outcome on the final rally result.  It was no different this year and several of the front runners dropped out, but all four Team TOTAL cars came through unscathed.


Damseaux and Swan were fifth at the end of the day despite being slowed by a puncture on special stage 3, Rueda and Lewkowicz were sixth after experiencing an engine misfire in the middle of stage 3, Trott and Coetzee were 13^th and Moosa and Martin were 14^th after power steering problems on stage 2.


Saturday saw the rally move to the Panbult area for eight special stages, run in overcast and cold conditions, before returning to Ermelo for the two final super special stages over a spectator-friendly 3,98-km course run by two cars at a time.


For the three Team TOTAL crews in class S2000 it was their best result of the year to date.  Moosa and Martin, in their second event back since their horrendous accident in round two in the Western Cape in March, were clearly back to their pre-accident pace and might well have finished one or two places higher had it not been for the time lost on stage 2 and a 1 min 40 sec penalty for lateness taken after fixing the power steering in the service area.


Damseaux was pleased to be on the podium again after a lean period on the country’s gravel roads.  A past winner of the Swartland Rally in the Western Cape and a multiple former Western Province rally champion, he has teamed up for the first time with another long-standing member of Team TOTAL, Carolyn Swan, a multiple national class champion.


Rueda and Lewkowicz had clutch problems on Saturday, but otherwise had a relatively clean and uneventful second day.


Moosa, the reigning class A6 champion who has moved up to the top S2000 class this year, was happy with his and Martin’s performance.  “We were unlucky to have all the fluid drain out of the power steering at the start of the second stage on Friday after we encountered steering problems on the first stage,” he said.  “Jean-Pierre kindly lent us a spare steering rack, but we incurred a lateness penalty after fixing the car in the service park.  As a result, we started behind a number of slower cars in the crucial stage 3.  Although we caught them up, we were severely hampered by their dust and lost a lot of time on what was the longest stage of the rally by far.”


The ever-consistent Trott, like Damseaux and Swan, a member of Team TOTAL since 1998 and a multiple national class champion, made the most of his experience to survive what was the toughest rally of the year in terms of prominent retirements.  “I’m not as quick as I used to be, but you first have to finish to score points and that was our objective this weekend.”


STORY BY: Peter Burroughes Communications
PICTURES BY: Motorpics

Bugatti Veyron Gallery | Wallpaper

Bugatti Veyron Gallery
Bugatti Veyron Wallpaper

VIDEO: BRABUS STEALTH 65 BOASTS 600KW

This white lightening bolt you see here is called the BRABUS Stealth 65, a hyper machine based on the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 Black Series. But more serious. Much more serious. How serious? Try 603kW serious. Or 1420Nm serious. Gee, this thing is chasing the Bugatti Veyron practically!


I cannot imagine how BRABUS has placed all that force on the road, given how stubborn the normal SL 65 AMG is to get off its backside and do a proper 0 – 100km/h time. What they did though, was to install four intercoolers, remapped the engine control unit (ECU), redesigned the turbos and fitted a new high-performance exhaust system. The bonnet features a special see-through glass that allows you to see the engine.


Only one of these nuclear powerplants exists. It’s in Dubai and was done for a very special customer. I don’t even want to know how much he paid. Check it out on this YouTube video.

BMW SWEEPS AUTO BILD DESIGN AWARDS

With victories in three out of five assessment categories, BMW has assumed a dominating role at the 2010 “Auto Bild Design Awards”. In the Europe-wide voting, the new BMW 5 Series Saloon, the BMW X1 and the concept car BMW Vision EfficientDynamics were able to assert themselves in each of their vehicle categories. This once again confirms the fascination and quality of BMW design, which authentically expresses the brand-typical driving pleasure, contributing decisively towards the success of current models in all vehicle segments.


The magazine “Auto Bild” and its 20 European sister magazines had called on a total of around 40 million readers to nominate the best designed cars of the year. There was a choice of 103 new models being offered on European automobile markets as well as current concept vehicles and studies. The international readers’ voting resulted in success for BMW in three out of five vehicle categories. The BMW 5 Series Saloon, which was launched only just a few weeks ago, was successful in its segment in both the national assessment in Germany as well as the Europe-wide voting. The sixth generation of the successful business saloon is characterised by charismatic presence, stylish elegance and a dynamic silhouette. Its design symbolises the comfort features, the uncompromising premium quality as well as the superior sportiness of the new BMW 5 Series Saloon.


The BMW X1 was European winner in the assessment class “SUV”, vans and four-wheel drive vehicles. The appearance of the compact BMW X model immediately conveys spontaneous driving pleasure, self-assured elegance and independent characteristics. Its design significantly reflects the enthusing agility, versatile sportiness and state-of-the-art functionality of the BMW X1. With its third 2010 “Auto Bild Design Award“,


BMW has gained yet another accolade for exceptionally innovative design language. In the category “Studies and Concept Cars” the readers’ vote resulted in clear victory for the concept vehicle BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. The concept car, which was first presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 2009, embodies the future of driving pleasure – both with regard to driving technology as well as the fascination of its design. The four-seater sports car with plug-in hybrid drive and wing doors establishes groundbreaking benchmarks though the innovative realisation of typical BMW design vocabulary, both with regard to its exterior and interior.


Public enthusiasm for the current design of BMW automobiles fired within the framework of the “Auto Bild Design Award” corresponds to a high degree with the judgement made by international experts. At the beginning of July, both the new BMW 5 Series Saloon and the BMW X1 will be presented with the internationally renowned 2010 red dot award for outstanding product design. Moreover, the concept car BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is not a first-time award winner either. Its vanguard design authentically visualising trend-setting drive technology was winner of the Louis Vuitton Classic Award at the beginning of 2010.


STORY BY BMW

Lemcoln

Flourescent Yellow!
The paint must have been on sale.
Bumble Bee Lincoln.

Rolls Royce Guilded Pickup

I think they're going for a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit/Spur thing here, given the period in which it was made. But I somehow think that crooked F150 headlights really exude that genuine Rolls Royce quality. They inspired me so much to write TWO haiku's, not just one.


Rolls Royce stretch limo?
Crooked truck headlights tell all.
Lincoln Town Car fail.



Nothing says classy
Like F150 headlights
On your stretch limo.

Homemade Hummer Haiku

A home-made Hummer
Makes an H1 look pretty
Scrap metal blunder

MG Cobra

So I've decided to write in Haiku, for as long as I can sustain it. Just to mix things up a little. (Haikus will be found under the pics).





MG Cobra
Original it is not
And it looks like it

VIDEO: PORSCHE 911 GT2 RS BLAZES THROUGH

Porsche’s most powerful ever road car, the new 911 GT2 RS, looks like quite the phenomenon. Obviously based on the already-manic GT2, the GT2 RS adds even more power and performance to that, but sheds 70kg to up its power-to-weight ratio.


Thrust comes from the trusted 3.6-litre V6 sporting two turbos. At its peak it does a sensational 456kW at 6500rpm. The 0 – 100km/h sprint is achieved in 3.5 seconds, 0 – 200km/h in 9.8 seconds, 0 – 300km/h in 28.9 seconds and top speed is 330km/h. Its 6-speed manual gearbox was made especially for this car. While I’m glad it’s a manual, the likelihood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joch55MGKKE is it’s probably the last of Porsche’s manual ‘boxes. PDK (7-speed double clutch) is now the norm and actually produces quicker cars than its manual counterpart. And when electric cars are more acceptable, manuals will completely disappear, even from supercars like the GT2 RS.



Nineteen inch wheels wearing 325/30 ZR 19 tyres are the standard measure. Dynamics are assisted by the PASM (Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management), anti-roll bars, sporty springs and dynamic engine mounts. As such the car should stay pretty much where it’s planted, when it’s planted.


Only 500 examples will be available at a price of €199 500 (R1.9 million) in Europe and €237 578 (R2.2 million) in Germany. South Africa has the biggest Porsche dealership in the world up in Paulshof, Johannesburg. Hopefully this will translate into at least 30 of these very special cars landing in the country, at about R3.3 million a pop.


Click on the top picture or here to watch the video.

Porsche 911 GT2 Switzer R911S Reviews

Switzer Performance has released a new upgrade program for the Porsche 911 GT2 called R911S. It said tuner, Switzer new Porsche 911 GT2 R911S developing 900 hp which is more than 280 hp the new GT2 RS inaugurated. It's also only 100 HP less than the Veyron! The Porsche 911 GT2 Switzer R911S packaging based on P800 tuner program that has been modified to provide just under 50% more power than the new hospital.

Porsche 911 GT2 R911S Switzer was not developed to the straight line speed only. This program includes a variety of custom parts that are designated to handle better in corners. The Porsche 911 GT2 Switzer R911S equipped with JRZ titanium inverted-strut-front, the remote-reservoir suspension that was developed at the Patron GT3 Cup and Grand-Am Rolex GT series.

any suspension setup will manufacturer Porsche 911 GT2 R911S Switzer accordance with the owners driving style.

The Porsche 911 GT2 Switzer R911S prices starting at $ 199,900 and R911S Carbon price of $ 239,900.

Switzer Press Release:
RS 2011 Porsche GT2 was the fastest road going car in the company's history, but it was not enough fast enough to meet client demands Tym Switzer. company Tym's, tuning company based in Ohio Switzer Performance, announced GT2 their new Switzer R911S this morning - a GT2 super-997 by more than nine hundred hp and revised racetrack-oriented to make sure that even RS GT2 will most missing in the mirror mirror such.

GT2 R911S P800 Switzer took a proven company GT2 package and push further. Using race fuel, the R911 delivers more than eight hundred horsepower at the rear wheels, equating approximately 50% more power than a Porsche GT2 RS, with Switzer's Monster intercoolers ensure consistent performance engine rotation after rotation.

With the (conservative) 911 hp on tap, almost none in the world can pass to Switzer's GT2 R911S in a straight line. To maintain excellence in the corner, Switzer Switzer's R911S feature-specific titanium inverted-strut-front, remote-reservoir suspension engineered by experts in JRZ song. This is not a "racing-style" suspension; hardware setup is correct JRZ racing that has been torture-tested in Patron GT3 Cup and Grand-Am Rolex GT series - almost tamed for the road easy with a few key twists. Each one of Switzer's R911S car will feature hand selected spring and damping rates, specifically for tracking each client's experience and level of aggression.

Switzer's R911S already offering the ratio of power-to-weight is only eviscerates the ship factory newest Porsche - but for customers who have to cut every ounce last added mass of the car, Switzer offer Carbon R911S - a suite of exclusive lightweight carbon-fiber body of the barn panel weight from R911S and lower center of gravity of the car for maximum performance in advanced level session trackday and time attack.

LUPINIPOWER SHOWS OFF 400KW BAKKIE

Cars In Action magazine publisher Michele Lupini is a lot of things, depending on who you are asking. But anyone who knows him will agree he’s nothing if not highly ambitious. His LupiniPower tuning outfit, unknown to most of us, apparently existed way before this Chevrolet Ute appeared on the scene. Good thing too, because all the experience the Lupinis have in racing, tuning and testing cars has been added to this so-called LupiniPower SuperUte.


Why they chose the Chevrolet bakkie in the first place, I don’t know. I do know that ever since the tailhappy beast was launched in Mzansi, Cars In Action has been totally smitten. This part I understand, having been bitten from the first moment of sight myself and during the subsequent IN4RIDE road test. But still, it’s a bakkie (pickup) for Sarel’s sake!


I guess it’s tempting, given the standard powertrain available, to tune a car like this. Personally I would have chosen
the sedan Lumina instead, just for the passenger and everyday practicality factor.


“Primarily the Ute sells considerably better than the sedan,” explains LupiniPower CEO Michele Lupini, “probably for the same reasons I like it - the Ute is a very unique beast versus just another sedan in a crowded market, so that in itself stands it apart. Then of course I have a personal affinity with the Ute - suppose that shone through in our CIA Performance Car of the Year and Best Bakkie '09 - the normal sedan would have maybe made top 3 in Pcoty, but the bakkie carried it off.”


Ex factory the Ute is already packed with something akin to a mini war chest. Its 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 pushes out 270kW at 5700rpm and maximum torque of 530Nm at 4400rpm. Clearly no Ventersdorp van then. Remember we got 6.6 seconds on our 0 – 100km/h rush when we tested it back in October 2009. And that was at 1600m altitude.


Imagine then, strapping a Magna Charger blower to the thing. What do you think would happen? Magic of course!


The system now kicks out 400kW at 5600rpm and a massive 785Nm at 3400rpm. From a bakkie. The 0 – 100km/h dash is said to go by in only 5 seconds, putting it firmly in lower-end supercar territory. Basically it will outrun (and possibly embarrass) very well-established names from the land of the Huns. In-gear overtaking acceleration is just as impressive; 80 - 120km/h in 3.5 seconds and 120 -160km/h 3.9 seconds. It will not stop for anyone, until those new 320mm ventilated and slotted discs are applied through the brake pedal. Or until the entire weight (pun intended) of JMPD has been dispatched after you.


LupiniPower has included a nice list of options for your money, including a full Bilstein suspension system, a limited slip differential, and 20-inch wheels. I’ve blitzed the standard Ute through a short gymkana before and was gobsmacked with its cozy interaction with the tarmac. These improvements should make it even more fun to handle.


I’ll be taking the SuperUte on a joyride quite soon and will let you know how that goes. The package will apparently be available towards the third quarter of the year at a price currently undisclosed. Warranties and maintenance will be included.


Hopefully LupiniPower will not stop with this Ute. I’ve always been quite partial to the idea of a 400kW-plus Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 myself…

NEW MCLAREN DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED FOR SOUTH AFRICA

 


McLaren Automotive has confirmed that a South African operation will handle the sales of its first supercar, the upcoming MP4-12C. According to a press release from McLaren, the supercar goes on sale in 2011. The first confirmed dealers are 8 in North America (US and Canada), 12 in Europe (UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland), two in the Middle-East, and one in South Africa.


Presumably the Mzansi outfit will be based in Sandton where most of the country’s money resides. Up to 200 units will be shipped to SA, and with a price tag expected to exceed R2 million a piece, the 447kW powerhouse might just turn out to be the “value” choice in its segment.




“This is a landmark day for McLaren Automotive as we confirm the locations of the first of our partners that will represent us around the world,” said Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director. “It has been incredibly encouraging to experience the demand to sell McLarens from the world's best car retailers - in every country in which we planned to launch and at the heart of all performance car markets.”


“We have proposed sensible, but high quality, expectations from our preferred retail partners and have been amazed at some of the proposals presented by potential retailers: nearly half are building brand new flagship showrooms.”


The MP4-12C is the first of at least three new McLarens slated for public introduction over the next five years. It sits in the middle, with a smaller model aimed at the likes of Audi RS 5/ BMW M3/ Porsche 911, while a bigger daddy will take on such cars as the next Ferrari Enzo II, Pagani Zonda and the Lamborghini Murcielago. Such a car might even go after the Bugatti Veyron, probably not on power (it should be about 550kW) but certainly on performance.

RENAULT SANDERO COMES OUT TO PLAY

Renault South Africa launched the Authentique 1.4 alongside its Expression and Dynamique Sandero siblings in February 2009. Within just 15 months, the locally manufactured Sandero family has made an indelible imprint on the South African market and is currently ranked amongst the country’s top 10 best-selling cars. To extend the excitement surrounding Sandero’s first birthday and share some fun, music and games with consumers, Renault South Africa has introduced the 1.4 Play Ltd.


With just 100 units produced at Alliance partner Nissan South Africa’s Rosslyn plant, the 1.4 Play Ltd is a Special Edition indeed. The first such Sandero exclusive to be released, while it may be limited in terms of quantity, there is no compromise on quality and the 1.4 Play Ltd boasts Renault’s 5-year/150 000 km warranty.


Using specially developed decals, the 1.4 Authentique has been transformed says Warren Olsen, General Manager - Marketing at Renault South Africa. “With the incorporation of value-added features including 14-inch alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tailpipe extension, front and rear mud flaps and up-to-the-minute connectivity comprising radio/CD/MP3/USB/IPOD connection, getting behind the wheel of the Sandero 1.4 Play Ltd is sure to be loads of fun. With just 100 units available, I say: if you want to play, don’t delay!”


Priced at R109 900, the Sandero 1.4 8V Play Ltd 5-door is available now at selected Renault dealers.


PRESS RELEASE FROM RENAULT

2010 Nissan Murano

2010 Nissan Murano

TOYOTA / TESLA PARTNERSHIP FOR FUTURE ELECTRIC CARS

Tesla Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles and parts and the underlying production system and engineering support necessary for the manufacture of electric vehicles (EV). The two companies intend to form a team of specialists to further those efforts.

TMC has further agreed to purchase US$50 million (R392 million) of Tesla’s common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla’s currently planned initial public offering.

“I sensed the great potential of Tesla’s technology and was impressed by its dedication to monozukuri (Toyota’s approach to manufacturing),” said TMC President Akio Toyoda.

“Through this partnership, by working together with a venture business such as Tesla, Toyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has. Decades ago, Toyota was also born as a venture business.

“By partnering with Tesla, my hope is that all Toyota employees will recall that ‘venture business spirit,’ and take on the challenges of the future,” says Toyoda.

“Toyota is a company founded on innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainable mobility. It is an honour and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Toyota would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla,” said Tesla CEO and cofounder Elon Musk.

“We look forward to learning and benefiting from Toyota’s legendary engineering,
manufacturing, and production expertise.”

TMC has, since its foundation in 1937, operated under the philosophy of “contributing to the society through the manufacture of automobiles,” and made cars that satisfy its many customers around the world. TMC introduced the first-generation Prius hybrid vehicle in 1997, and produced approximately 2.5 million hybrids in the twelve years since. Late last year, TMC started lease of Prius Plug-in Hybrids, which can be charged using an external power source such as a household electric outlet. The company also plans to introduce EVs into the market by 2012.

Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. Palo Alto, CA-based Tesla has delivered more than 1000 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. It is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.

The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions. Tesla service rangers make house calls to service Roadsters.

PODIUM FILLED BY TOYOTA AT SUGARBELT 400

Toyota Hilux SP (Special Production) vehicles filled the first three places in the Atlas Copco Sugarbelt 400, the third event in the eight-race ABSA South African Off Road championship. Together with this top-three finish came Toyota’s third win in the manufacturers’ category in as many races this year for a show of excellent Hilux reliability and durability in the toughest of conditions.

The Sugarbelt 400 is traditionally one of the harder fought events of the season and always presents competitors with a tough challenge. The mixed terrain that takes competitors through cane fields and forest sections rarely provides an easy passage. This year extreme dust caused by near drought conditions in the area impeded any competitor forced to run close behind another vehicle and was ultimately a deciding factor in the results.

Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst brought their Hilux in just a minute an six seconds ahead of the Castrol Team Toyota Hilux of Duncan Vos and Rob Howie with the second Castrol Team Toyota Hilux of Anthony Taylor and Robin Houghton following them across the line.

The die was cast when Visser brought his Hilux in just one second ahead of the Castrol Team Toyota Hilux of Taylor with Duncan Vos just another nine seconds behind at the end of Friday’s prologue. With the vehicles this close after 100 kilometres of running there was little chance of escaping the dust behind the leader.

“With just a second between us we started right on Chis’ bumper. We had to try and take the lead within the first kilometre or so on Saturday but Chris was really committed and we had no chance to get through,” says Anthony Taylor. “We lost brake pressure and had to top the fluid up on the first time though the DSP (Designated Service Park) and that cost us a bit of time, but we rejoined just behind Duncan. At times the sunlight reflecting through the dust hanging in the forest section made it very difficult to see the route ahead so we had to slow right down and really rely on the guys ahead of us having a problem, to move ahead.”

Taking up the chase for the lead, Duncan Vos was impeded just as much by the dust. “We could get up really close to Chris Visser but not close enough to pass. During the first pass through the west loop on Saturday I realised that there was really only one place to try and pass Chris but I didn’t quite get that right. On the second pass through that loop Chris wised to my plan so the opportunity was lost. It was simply too dangerous to force a way past in the conditions so we opted for a safe second and points on the board rather than a crash into the bushes and a non-finish.”

“Once again the guys at the shop used the break between the Toyota Dealer event in Lydenburg and the Sugarbelt to continue improving our vehicles,” says team principal Glyn Hall. “We moved up another notch in the results with a close fought second and third place and brought both vehicles home without any major issues. We have made big strides with the handling and the niggling problems that we have had and the Castrol Team Toyota Hilux is now fast and reliable. There is still work to be done but we are really competitive now. It was really frustrating to watch the guys try and get ahead of Chris Visser in the dust knowing they had the performance to do this. To his credit Chris Visser drove with real commitment and kept it all together at the head of the field.

“Rest assured we will use the break through until the Sun City event in mid-July to hone the performance of the Hilux a bit more. This event is close to home for our partners Imperial and the Innovation Group, and we look forward to them joining us for an exciting event.”



STORY FROM TOYOTA