BRABUS TUNES DIESELS TO BOMB STATUS

If you thought BRABUS only tuned up AMG models, you clearly don’t know BRABUS. Why recently they started work on the new CLS range and actually tweaked not the AMG big daddy, but the smaller, younger ones, including the CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency. That’s the diesel one if you didn’t know.




Exterior features are quite distinctive and include LED daytime running lights, BRABUS sill skirts, integrated entrance lights, front spoiler, a new rear apron and BRABUS wheels ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch. A special exhaust system should provide the perfect soundtrack to a Godzilla roar on wheels. BRABUS also lowered the suspension by about 35mm so the cars sit closer to the tar.


They have added 22.8kW to the CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency and it now has 560Nm of torque. The CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency has 690Nm vs 620Nm for the standard car, and 230kW, as opposed to 190kW.


BRABUS kit is exclusive, the likes of Mastik leather, alcantara finishes, scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logos, aluminium pedals and carbon fibre dashboard inlays.

XENATEC MAYBACH CRUISERIO SEEN BEFORE GENEVA

Xenatec is not exactly well-known for producing anything. Not unless you live in Saudi Arabia and have put down a sweet little deposit on the €675 000 (R6.5 million) asking price. Then you would be one of 100 who will have this Xenatec Coupe, or Cruiserio, which is based on the Maybach 57S. The car was apparently penned by a guy called Fredrik Burchhardt who seems to have much more imagination than the designers at Daimler.




Probably only by coincidence, the Cruiserio happens to be a two-door Maybach whose market seems to be the same as the Mercedes-Benz CL. But being a tuner special means it will invariably be more expensive, thus putting it into the zone of Bentley GTs.


Interior highlights include dark nappa leather in espresso brown, footwells lined in soft alcantara and finished in a blackberry tone and a custom-built panoramic sunroof.


The engine is a blasting 6.0-litre V12 with two turbos kicking out 450kW and 1000Nm of massive torque. It runs from 0 – 100km/h in just 5 seconds and hits a top end of 275km/h.


Look out for it at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show that starts off tomorrow.

ISUZU LAUNCHES OFF-ROAD ACADEMY

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has announced the launch of the Isuzu Off-Road driver training academy aimed at existing and potential Isuzu KB bakkie owners. The Isuzu Off-Road Academy will kick-off this month and is open to all existing Isuzu KB owners as well as potential customers who wish to improve their off-road driving skills.


“The aim of the Isuzu Off-Road Academy is to train Isuzu KB drivers and owners in the correct use their vehicles. We are confident that this course will empower our customers with off-road driving skills and confidence to match the class leading off-road capabilities of the legendary Isuzu KB. Customers who have been on the course will be in a position to make better use of the technology in their vehicles, be it for work or leisure,” says Isuzu Brand Manager, Ryan Visagie.

The Isuzu Off-Road Academy will give existing and potential Isuzu customers the opportunity to improve their off-road driving skills and experience the Isuzu KB in a controlled and safe environment. 

“There is a lot that one can learn from this academy. A good example is driving safely on gravel roads. A lot of drivers are reluctant to engage 4x4 when driving on ordinary gravel roads. Our instructors encourage the use of 4x4 high range whenever one ventures off tarred surfaces as this gives the driver better control of their vehicle,” says Visagie.

The Isuzu Off-Road Academy which is open to customers throughout the country will give customers who attend the course the opportunity to take advantage of the enhanced lifestyle opportunities that owning a 4x4 vehicle allows.

The Academy is based at the Gerotek vehicle testing facility outside Pretoria but  courses will also be conducted at various off-road tracks throughout the country whenever there is demand. Isuzu Off-Road Academy attendees will have the opportunity to hone their off-roading skills in the academy’s powerful Isuzu KB 3.0 and 2.5 litre D-Teq Double and Extended cab bakkies in the presence of qualified off-road instructors. The Isuzu KB D-Teq engines which are the current 72-Hour speed and endurance record holders, combined with the superb Isuzu chassis, prove a formidable off-road combination.

The one day driving course costs R 1,999.00; however, the first 500 customers will be offered a special launch rate of R 1000.00 incl VAT. Interested customers can book a spot on the course through the Isuzu website www.isuzu.co.za or contact the Academy on 011 431 2000.

Customers attending the course can expect to go through a variety of modules including but not limited to: off-road driving theory, inclines & declines, side slopes & water crossings, and tyre pressures.



STORY BY ISUZU

TechArt Cayenne

The widemouthed, surprised looking TechArt Porsche Cayenne bodykit looks to be inspired by Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Which is fitting, as this is the reaction that I had upon first setting eyes upon it. Why is it that every modified Cayenne has to be an orgy of gaping orifices?

AutoChops

Just posting my new blog, devoted photo manipulation. Thought I would keep it separate from AutoFug. Bear with me - it's still in the construction stages.


http://autochops.blogspot.com/

TO auto show - part 2

Just had a client ask me about the new Fiat 500. I'll be very interested to see how this car is received  -  cute as a button, but who remembers Fiats affectionally?

Maybe I was blind last Friday, but I didn't see any Saabs at the auto show. Maybe they felt that the 10 or 11 they are going to sell in Canada, will sell regardless of who else sees them. The owner of Saab has just sold his sport car business to concentrate on rebuilding Saab  -  I think he is going to have to concentrate hard, really hard. Nothing wrong with the car, but let's face it, nobody buys them.

There is a new bigger Jetta on the way, that would be the Passat, but boy it sure looks like Jetta's larger identical twin. Kidding aside, it is conservatively attractive.

I'm an Audi fan  -  feel they are good value and love their style. They nailed it with the new A7 Sportback  -  just compare it to that very strange BMW 5 series GT. Watch for the new RS models coming later this year.

Did you see the line ups at the Toyota display? Neither did I. Another Hybrid Prius model, which just might sell now that the gas prices are headed upwards. People talk about saving the planet, but you can't sell a hybrid when gas is reasonable  -  you sure can move big Ford pick ups though!

On another note......did you see the Daytona 500? Great race with an amazingly improbable ending. Great to see the "little guy" win one.

Until next time.

ROCKET: ANOTHER NEW CONCEPT FROM MINI

A new concept MINI is making its debut at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show. That’s four concepts in two years for the little BMW brand, following the Coupe, Roadster and Countryman. This one, called the Rocketman, is a 3+1 seater with three doors and a total length of around 3 metres. Just as the Countryman boasts four fours (four doors, four seats, 4WD and 4 metres long), the Rocketman is all for 3-somes. It even claims an average fuel consumption of 3 litres per 100km!




It is said to be extremely light in weight through several weight-minimising measures such as lightweight seats and some carbon fibre components.


Don’t be fooled though, this is no kit car by any means. Brimming over with the latest and greatest is Rocketman, boasting among others, a central control unit what can be removed from the car and plugged into any computer to update such things as navigation destinations, the music playlist or contact details for mobile communications. 

HONDA BALLADE IS BACK IN SA!

Honda’s latest Ballade model is now available to buy from the nearest Honda dealership. The car, although not strictly new (it was launched in 24 other world markets, all outside of Europe), still looks fresh and untouched. Judging by our first impressions, the new Ballade will only have its makers and marketers to blame should it not crack monthly top 20 sales charts in this country.




Anyone over the age of 30 will remember Ballades of the early 1980s, which later gained a half Knight Rider-style set of headlights. Distributed and supported by Daimler-Benz South Africa between 1982 and the late 1990s, Honda’s Ballade was known not only as a “baby Merc” by locals, but also as a tough cookie that could last a lifetime in the right hands. The cars were not just luxurious and innovative but also highly durable. And a little pricier than direct rivals from Nissan and Toyota it must be said.


Not the new Ballade though. Offered in a single 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC, four-cylinder petrol, the car promises to be drivable in mid-range where most users need the power. Speaking of which, 88kW of it rubs off at a maximum 6600rpm, with peak torque of 145Nm coming in at 4800rpm. Honda seems oblivious to the turbo revolution that’s currently taking automotive engineers by storm. Nevertheless the motor carries enough grunt to satisfy the everyday user whose needs are not at all tied to how quickly a car can get between nought and 100km/h. Incidentally the slowest model will do just that in 12.2, while the fastest achieves it in 9.8 seconds as claimed by Honda. Gearboxes are either 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic, the latter being something of a novelty in this segment.


Four models with two trims each are being sold with immediate effect. At entry is the 1.5 Comfort with a 5-speed manual gearbox and C02 emissions of 148g/km. Standard with that are things like electrically adjustable mirrors, air conditioning, a CD player with radio and MP3 compatibility, as well as a USB connection to play music from. Also fitted at factory level are safety bits such as ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).


Elegance trimmed cars add juicy furniture like Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, six airbags and leather trim for the steering wheel. Also 16-inch alloy rims with 185/55 R16 tyres feature prominently at this level.


My little launch trip was covered in the 5-speed manual. Seats are comfortable with good quality fabric. The gear changes proved to be smooth, if not very engaging. There is a familiarity to it of course, since both the Jazz and the Ballade share the same unit. At times I was hitting highs of 180km/h on the isolated open roads with very little trouble. True, the car only had myself and co-driver as loads, but still, that is commendable.


Suspension is cut between hard-soft and soft-soft, giving ground to enough feel for the steering wheel to come alive once in a while, while getting rid of annoyingly bumpy roads. A MacPherson strut front and H-shaped torsion beam layout is the norm for the Ballade, putting it cleanly into the modern family car regime.


My main question, probably similar to yours, was “where then, does the Civic fit in?”. Honda answered that in terms of pricing, specs and overall desirability, the Civic – due to be launched in Mzansi in the middle of the year – will be placed above the Ballade.


Although they expect to move about 190 units monthly, honestly there is no reason why Honda SA cannot at the very least double that. Unless there are supply constraints at the factory in Thailand.




Honda Ballade Pricing
1.5 Comfort manual (R184 900)
1.5 Comfort automatic (R196 900)
1.5 Elegance manual (R193 900)
1.5 Elegance automatic (R205 900)

SA EXPORTS 100 000TH NEW VOLKSWAGEN POLO

Volkswagen Group SA Managing Director, David Powels and Production Director, Tom du Plessis, together with senior management and production staff came together recently to celebrate the export of the Company’s 100 000th new generation Polo.
 

The Polo has scooped a litany of international awards since its introduction to the market in 2009. Its first accolades were the titles of European and World Car of the Year.

The New Polo, manufactured in South Africa, won the prestigious Japan Import Car of the Year 2010 - 2011 award. The vehicle also scooped the runner-up prize in the closely-fought Japan Car of the Year 2010-2011 competition.

Volkswagen Group South Africa commenced the export of the Polo to Right Hand Drive countries around the world towards the end of 2009. The vehicle’s key markets are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus and Malta.

YEAR-LONG MARRIAGE OVER AS SPYKER SELLS SAAB

Spyker cars appears to be in a bit of spot after announcing it will sell its car business to a UK company called CPP Global Holdings. This comes only a year after Spyker bought SAAB from General Motors. Strange enough they will continue owning and redeveloping SAAB while the Spyker business goes to CPP. Virtually unknown CPP has produced chassis and body panels for Spyker since the brand's re-introduction in 2000.




A price of €32 million (R312 million) has been tagged, with €15 million (R146 million) to be paid immediately after concluding the deal, and €17 million (R166 million) to be paid over 6 years.


“CPP is a world-class British coachbuilding company with a workforce of 250 highly skilled automotive specialist designers, technicians and craftsmen. It has vast experience working with global luxury car brands, by adapting standard vehicles, or undertaking full production of ultra-low volume standalone models,” says the press statement.


The all-new Spyker C8 Aileron supercar is still under development, but should be going on sale within the next few months. 

XKR-S: FASTEST EVER JAGUAR LEAPS OUT!

Those who absolutely love the Jaguar XKR, just as I do, will spring for joyful madness after reading here. For the good news is that an upgraded XKR is on the loose. And it’s called the XKR-S. Already we know the XKR can do serious damage to unsuspecting supercars’ egos. What will this one achieve then?




"The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar," said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's new Global Brand Director. "We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance."


What Hallmark means is that an uprated 5.0-litre supercharged engine, new suspension and some additions to aerodynamics have resulted in significant performance metamorphoses. Full thrust is 405kW (up from 375kW) and the torque figure is 680Nm (old one is 625Nm). These figures translate to a 0 – 100km/h sprint of 4.3 seconds.


XKR is an awesome handler with cornering abilities and agility that belie its size and the type of vehicle it is. Lightweight aluminium body architecture is said to maximise both handling and economy, still in a package that provides occupants with luxury, comfort, technology, a great sound system and plush materials.


Admiring audiences will be able to watch its unveiling at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show next week.

ASTON MARTIN REVEALS VIRAGE BEFORE GENEVA

A brand new Aston Martin model is now available to those with more cents and sense. One cannot argue against the beauty of an Aston, however, as far as performance they do leave much to be desired. The new Virage should be no different then.




Look for evidence in its 6.0-litre V12 engine which should, given its competitors’ current figures, be roaring at well over 400kW. Instead it languishes at 365kW and 570Nm; respectable figures but not exactly mind-blowing, considering price tags. To be fair no list prices have been announced yet. Perhaps after the Geneva International Motor Show. The Virage comes with a 6-speed Touchtronic II automatic gearbox and is said to run from 0 – 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. Top speed is 299 km/h.

GM REPORTS GOOD PROFITS POST-BANKRUPTCY

The new General Motors has made a profit for the calendar year 2010. GM returned sterling results of US$4.7 billion (R33.2 billion) since it came back from bankruptcy and realigned itself under new majority shareholder the US government. Revenues for the same period were US$135.6 billion (R958.4 billion).




“Last year was one of foundation building,” said Dan Akerson, chairman and chief executive officer. “Particularly pleasing was that we demonstrated GM’s ability to achieve sustainable profitability near the bottom of the U.S. industry cycle, with four consecutive profitable quarters.”


Products that helped the company lift itself off the dark side of profit include GMC trucks and the Chevrolet Cruze. New hit cars are expected to include the likes of Volt.

FIVE-STAR JUKE SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES

In just five short months, Nissan Juke has claimed a five star Euro NCAP safety rating, started winning several national awards and seized a significant share of small car market. 

From a standing start in September 2010, the innovative and distinctively styled Juke has accelerated to 32 000 sales across Europe, claiming almost 2% of the B-segment along the way. With almost one in four new cars in Europe coming from the B-segment, Juke’s achievement is all the more important for Nissan’s continued growth.


Its initial sales success will be further boosted by a strong performance in the latest Euro NCAP tests, where Juke was given a five star rating. 

A testament to Juke’s design and engineering integrity, overall quality and high levels of standard safety equipment, Juke scored an 87% adult protection rating and 81% for child occupant protection with maximum points for its protection of the dummy representing a three-year-old child.

The stability of the passenger compartment in the front impact also contributed to Juke’s rating as did its performance in child pedestrian protection. Standard safety equipment on all Juke models includes ESP stability control and six airbags.

In developing Juke, Nissan has created a new market segment: the small crossover. And like the hugely popular QASHQAI before it, Juke has shown that Nissan’s ability to combine innovation and excitement in its models has captured the car buying public’s imagination by bringing something new and exciting to market.

“Nissan dares to be different. When the QASHQAI crossover arrived four years ago, it shook the establishment by offering an exciting alternative to the conventional hatchback… and customers flocked to Nissan showrooms in their droves. Now its younger brother, Juke, is repeating that success,” said Simon Thomas, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan International SA.

From the 32 000 sales already achieved, the biggest markets so far are the UK, France and Italy. Like QASHQAI before it, Juke is bringing new customers to the Nissan brand with some 80% being conquest sales.

An unusually high proportion of these sales – some 35% – have been of the top Tekna grade model showing that Nissan can compete on equal terms with premium brands in the B segment. In the last four months of the year, Juke outsold cars like the Alfa Romeo Mito and Mini Countryman and was right behind the Audi A1 and Citroen DS3. 

JAGUAR ENTERS NAMIBIA

Jaguar Land Rover South Africa has expanded its dealer network in Southern Africa with the official opening of its first Jaguar dealership in Windhoek, Namibia.

The high-profile dealership was officially launched early in February 2011 with a glittering event attended by the country’s Prime Minister, Nahas Angula, who provided the keynote address.


Located in Independence Avenue, Windhoek, the sophisticated new showroom forms part of the existing and impressive Land Rover facility owned and operated by the Novel Motor Company group in Namibia.

“The Jaguar brand has enjoyed an exceptional resurgence with its latest product range, encompassing the award-winning XF, the evocative XK and the stunning new XJ range,” explains Tania Cleary, marketing manager of Jaguar South Africa.

“Accordingly, this has resulted in increasing demand within South Africa and in our neighbouring countries. Thus it is a natural step to expand our presence in Southern Africa with the opening of the Windhoek dealership to serve this important market.”

The move expands the total franchise network to a total of 10 dealers, comprising eight in all the major centres in South Africa, along with the existing Jaguar dealership in Gaborone, Botswana.

As is the case with several of the Jaguar Land Rover dealers, aside from a dedicated showroom, Jaguar Windhoek shares its service and workshop facilities with Land Rover, as the sister brands have a high level of commonality in terms of technology and engines. Similarly, they share the group’s commitment to unparalleled service excellence and quality.

Namibian Prime Minister Angula commended the opening of the new Jaguar dealership, and reinforced the role government has played in creating a favourable environment for investment so that private enterprise can thrive.

“The private sector must be instrumental in creating the opportunities for meaningful and sustainable employment for our people,” he stated, while stressing the importance of training and human resource development to ensure exceptional service delivery.

“Our objective shouldn’t just be the selling of motor vehicles, but to make a salient contribution towards nation building.”

Ricardo Raposo, Franchise Director of Novel Motor Company, confirmed that this was a milestone event for the group. “We are celebrating another highlight in the history of our country with the opening of the new Jaguar dealership.”

Novel Motor Company employs approximately 150 people, and has branches in Windhoek and Walvis Bay, with the Jaguar Land Rover franchise taking pride of place as its flagship operation.



STORY BY JAGUAR

Paging Elton John

Besides having a horrible that seems to have little to do with anything, Mini's new Rocketman concept for the 2011 Geneva Autoshow is an ugly little beast. What's more, the looks aren't even that original, resembling a shortened version of the equally ugly Citroen C-Cactus concept from 2007.

TO car show

If you are going to the Toronto Auto Show get a map, as I missed the 100 level  -  the convention centre is very confusing. I find it interesting that on one hand there are lots of new economy cars while at the same time the power ratings are increasing on the performance cars. Some thoughts....

Hyundai  -  boy talk about a transformation over the years  -  quality and good looks. The new Elantra blows the Civic and Corolla out of the water. The latter is so boring I'd have to visit Tim Horton's before each drive just to stay awake.

Chrysler  -  great new interiors and the Charger/Chrysler 300 are worth considering if in market for a full size car (or looking for a spacious daily rental)

GM  -  new small cars like the upcoming Sonic (loads of room) and Buick Verano - beautiful interior. Caddy CTS coupe is a stunner while the V has enough power to put someone in jail for a very long time.

Ford  -  new Focus is well done, Explorer is great. Still can't stomach the new Lincoln front ends  -  who designs these things??

Mercedes  -  got to figure out a way to get a new CLS, but what is with the matte finish on the display model? That thing would never look clean. Maybe a matte finish on a Lambo, but on a sedan it just looks weird. Funny how a really old hot rodder's trick makes it to the bigtime!

More thoughts on Wednesday.

BWT

AUDI A1 PICKS ITS CELEBRITY DRIVERS

New ambassadors have now been attached to the Audi brand, following on the pedals of such luminaries like DJ Fresh, Lira, Kabelo of TKZee and DJ S’bu who (in)famously broke the speed limit and got caught doing just over 250km/h on the freeway in his sponsored TT. No danger of such speeds with the new kids on the block who are specifically Audi A1 reps.




These famous youngsters are Anele Mdoda, Cameron van der Burgh, Jeannie D, Roxy Louw, Siyabonga Ngwekazi and Shashi Naidoo. Mdoda has made a name for herself as a 5fm DJ and as an SA's Got Talent and Top Billing presenter. Jeannie D, also a well-known face on Top Billing, is a DJ as well. Both women's fun-loving, adventurous and effervescent spirits fit perfectly with the Audi A1's chiseled good looks and sassy character.


Fellow TV personality Siya Ngwekazi is a style icon who currently presents V Entertainment on Vuzu TV and was recently named one of GQ's best-dressed men of 2010. He also co-hosts shows on Yfm. Shashi Naidoo turns heads as a model, actress and fashion industry pioneer. Van der Burgh is only 21, but is already Mzansi’s highest-ranked swimmer.


Audi launched its smallest car, the A1, to Mzansi media a few weeks back. In its market segment are cars like the MINI, Alfa Romeo Mito and Citroen DS3.

EXPENSIVE GAUTENG TOLLS PUT ON ICE

Minister of Transport Sibusiso “S’bu” Ndebele has announced that the current toll fees proposed for the Gauteng e-toll system have been frozen. This after he met with “mama action” Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane. According to the Minister, a task team will be appointed as soon as possible to relook at the cost structure following a wide public outcry regarding the system.




The current price Gauteng motorists would have expected to pay when the e-tolls come into play in June is about 66 cents per kilometre travelled. So a motorist living in Jozi and working in Pretoria, or vice versa, would end up paying about R1 200 extra per month in toll fees, just to travel from home to work and back. This amount excludes weekends.


Freeways affected include the N1, N12, N3, R21 and M1, effectively covering the triangle that puts Jozi at the centre of things. Ndebele was heavily criticised last week after the said motorists who do not want to pay have alternatives in buses, trains and taxis. We know for sure that taxis will pass on the taxes down to consumers by raising their fares, thus negating that idea. His comments reminded one of the famous “let them eat cake” pronouncements incorrectly attributed to Marie Antoinette who allegedly said them about starving peasants in 18^th century Paris.


Another criticism levelled against them is that the companies involved in constructing them are foreign, with up to 85% of profits to be sent overseas, according to a report by City Press newspaper.


PHOTO COURTESY OF SKYSCRAPERCITY.COM

HYBRID VOLVO V60 GOES 1200KM ON A TANK

Volvo is keen to show off its “green” credentials at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show by unveiling the V60 Hybrid. The car runs a 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine making 158kW and 440Nm of torque, as well as a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery with a 51kW and 200Nm electric motor.




The combination, according to Volvo figures, end up with a miraculous average fuel consumption of 1.9 litres per 100km. That basically means the V60 Hybrid could travel for about 1200km without having to refuel. When using only electricity (no diesel) it can go for about 50km. Power can be sent to all four wheels since the diesel engine powers the front wheels while the electric motor drives the rear. Hence a 0 – 100km/h time of 6.9 seconds. Recharging the batteries from empty to full takes about 7.5 hours with a standard charger, and 3 hours with a rapid charger.


While it’s still a prototype, should Volvo build it, it would set the benchmark for hybrids which seem to only work in city traffic situations.