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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

BURCHMORES MEGASALE STARTING ON JUNE 4

“Football” may be the word topmost on the minds of soccer fans the world over. But the word on the lips of savvy car buyers in South Africa is bound to be “Burchmore’s” as the company starts a massive year-end financial clearance sale.

The enormous sale is taking place as the used car market is set to turn; supply constraints are easing and financing is becoming more accessible.

According to Darryl Jacobson, managing director of Burchmore’s, the sale will take place countrywide and the public will be privy to substantial discounts on used cars. “Our year-end financial clearance sale will kick off on Friday, June 4. We will have 1 200 vehicles on display – from cars for students and mom’s taxis through to 4x4s and bakkies,” he reports.