NEW NOKIA CK-200 CAR KIT MULTI-COMPATIBLE

Nokia has announced the availability of the CK-200 car kit, which is universally compatible with any make of Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The CK-200 retails for approximately R1 500 uninstalled and will be available at installers from June 2010.

“The Nokia CK-200 is easy to install and is designed to make communicating whilst driving easy,” says Stuart Bruce, Head of Global Sales, Nokia Car Business Area. “One of the main benefits of the CK-200 car kit is that consumers are able to connect simultaneously to both their personal and business phones in the car. The switch between the two phones is easy and safe with the click of a single button, and the detachable 2.5-inch display is clear and easy to read.”

HYUNDAI IX35: COMPACT URBAN CROSSOVER TAKES ON ICONS

In 2010 if you don’t have a product with an “i” prefix you are probably so very last season. I suppose Hyundai’s recent renaissance has something to do with the fact that the Tucson’s replacement is called an ix35, which follows on the tyre tracks of cars like the i10, i20 and i30. The x is of course for “crossover”, which the ix35 is.

What it isn’t is an off-roader. That’s because ride height is some 10mm down on the Tucson. Even the 4x4 versions are not much of a dust buster. But what’s cool is that Hyundai already know all this. In fact that was the plan in the first place; to created an urban creature that can climb pavements with relative ease, be comfortable on the tarmac and leave a little dust on gravel. While there is all-wheel-drive (AWD) available in two models (2.4 GLS and 2.0 R diesel), it cannot be taken too seriously, no thanks to the lower suspension. That’s about it. Sorry adventurers, this is not the car for you.

GARMAP RELEASES SPECIAL 2010 MAPS

Garmap, Garmin’s official mapping partner for Africa, has announced the latest version of its Garmap Africa Series map.

According to Garmap’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Chris Crozier, the latest version of Garmap’s mapping data takes Garmin users’ experiences a step higher, moving from a pure A-to-B navigation service, to location-based services and value-adds.

Garmap’s latest release map data includes basic street-level changes following ongoing construction and modifications to South Africa’s roadways, including new interchanges on the major highways and new roads.

ON THE ROAD: LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4, 5.0 V8

Awesome Looks This Time Around.

The facelift has certainly done wonders for the Discovery 4 which was launched in 2005. Those LED lights, the Range Rover-style front grille with a mash pattern, the new front bumper, new rear lights cluster and bumper have all gelled to make it a much more attractive car than ever.

Inside Also Right?

Yes of course. That’s probably where most of the best work has been done. Apparently existing Disco 4 customers and potential ones liked what they saw initially, until they pulled those plastic door handles for an inside peek and feel. What they saw I’ve seen a few times before myself. It wasn’t impressive. Enter this facelift and the label “premium vehicle” can finally be stamped on Disco. The dashboard is extremely welcoming, such

GOOD TIMES ROLL AS NISSAN POSTS HEALTHY PROFITS

Nissan has announced that it made very good money over the past fiscal year, despite the bad times. The Japanese company reported net revenues of 7.5173 trillion yen (R615.86 billion), down 10.9% from the prior year, with the stronger yen offsetting the increase in sales volume. Net income was 42.4 billion yen (R3.47 billion), compared to negative 233.7 billion yen (R19.15 billion) in fiscal year 2008.

The full-year results were better than the forecast given when third-quarter financial results were filed on February 9, 2010. Significant contributors to Nissan’s performance compared to last year were sales volume growth in emerging markets, especially in China, and the effective execution of recovery plan actions to counter the effects of the global financial and economic crisis.

AUTOMATIC RENAULT CLIO COMES TO SA

Traffic haters, there is a new budget solution for you. Renault has announced it is now selling Clio 1.6 Dynamique with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. It really is high time that Renault caters for this market and that buyers, especially in busy, oft-congested metros like Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal realise how much they need these cars.

“Our research indicated that there is a definite niche for a contemporary, well-equipped subcompact hatchback with an automatic gearbox,” says Xavier Gobille, managing director of Renault SA.  “Our target audiences for this car include older users who are downsizing from larger cars, but don’t want the inconvenience of using a clutch, as well as urban commuters who have to cope with stop-start traffic and congested roads, where manual gearboxes can be a nuisance.”

FORD MOST SUCCESSFUL WRC BRAND EVER

Ford Motor Company has become the most successful manufacturer in the history of the FIA World Rally Championship after Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila secured the company's 75th WRC victory.  The duo won Rally New Zealand in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car and moved the company to the top of the all-time win list, smashing a record that has stood since 1992.

The Finns won the demanding three-day mixed surface event by just 2.4sec, also extending Ford's record-breaking run of consecutive points finishes to 124.  Ford lies just five points from the lead of the manufacturers' championship, while Latvala lies second in the drivers' standings after five rounds of the 13-rally series.