HYUNDAI SEES PROFITS ROCKETING

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, sold 1 764 254 units (Korean Market & exports: 855,140 units, overseas plants: 909,114 units) worldwide in the first half of 2010, a 27% increase from a year earlier, sustaining growth momentum through its focus on quality and global management.

SA-BUILT RENAULT SANDERO STEPWAY SHOWN

The Sandero Stepway is poised to take up the mantle of flagship model of Renault South Africa’s Sandero line-up and further enhance its robust range. 

As the only cross-over model in the AB entry level segment, Stepway’s offering to consumers is innovative and unique and Renault is confident that the newcomer will prove a serious contender in this highly contested passenger car segment. As with the rest of the Sandero range,

C-CLASS BREATHES NEW ENGINES

Without tempting anyone to deliver my home address to the boys in blue, I am hazarding a guess that many of the people who sauntered into a Mercedes-Benz dealer in search of a decent, money-sensitive entry-level such as the C180 BlueEfficiency returned from their drive-through-town butt test surprised. They probably parked the car, thanked the sales person and walked away quietly straight into BMW or Audi. The probable reason for this mooted response and disinterest in purchase forms would have been borne out of

NEW BMW X3: MZANSI PRICES, ENGINES ANNOUNCED

BMW has released prices for the all-new X3 well ahead of its public launch. In an unprecedented move, BMW South Africa sent out a press release detailing everything regarding the X3, including prices, engines, standard and optional equipment.

Only two models will be available at launch. They are the xDrive20d and the xDrive35i. Both feature the xDrive AWD system plus an 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard. The basic xDrive20d knocks in at R463 000 and its sibling with the Exclusive pack will cost

ADRIAN ZAUGG TO RACE LOTUS AT PHAKISA

Adrian Zaugg, South Africa’s sole representative in GP2, the ultimate stepping stone to Formula One, will make a surprise guest appearance at the wheel of a class A Lotus Exige in the fifth round of the Bridgestone South African Production Car Championship at Phakisa Freeway in the Free State this weekend.

IMPRESSIVE HONDA CR-Z HYBRID LAUNCHED

Honda South Africa is probably taking a bigger gamble than the guy who put all his life savings into betting on England winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Not unless the company has some marketing witchcraft with enough power to match the new CR-Z hybrid’s looks. Incidentally I sat next to Honda South Africa’s marketing head honcho over supper and he was pretty confident that enough of

ALL NEW AUDI A8: LUXURIOUS AND PACEY

Devouring curves and slicing through mountain passes is easy. Ask any racing driver where they would choose to drive given carte blanche on the matter: a limited racing track with plenty of corners but no real-world connection, or a twisty mountain pass where life-or-death danger lurks behind every turn. You probably know the answer already. Yes, said passes are pointless if the weaponry came out of a sausage factory.

CHEVROLET PUSHES UP VOLT PRODUCTION

General Motors said that thanks to strong public interest in the Chevrolet Volt, the 540km extended range electric vehicle, it will increase U.S. production capacity of the groundbreaking new car by 50 percent, from 30,000 units to 45,000 units, in 2012.

The announcement came as U.S. President Barack Obama toured the Detroit-Hamtramck facility, where the Volt is being produced now for sale later this year.

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 IMPROVED

Land Rover South Africa has made the announcement that it will sell a revised Freelander 2 starting in November this year. What this essentially means is that certain updates for the small SUV are in order, including engines of course.

Actually, engines are probably the biggest improvement. For example, the new 2.2-litre turbo diesel will put out either 110kW or 140kW, depending on whether it’s fitted to the TD4 or the SD4

RIPPING RENAULT RS SPIED IN SANDTON CITY

While you were fast asleep I went out to the Sandton City shopping centre for some sushi. While trying to find parking in the underground lot, my eyes caught this silver hatchback parked in one of the bays. The front badge looked familiar and upon closer inspection it revealed itself to be a Renault Megane.

Even closer inspection gave us our latest scoop. The car was the Renault Megane Renault Sport or RS. Renault South Africa has confirmed it will be launching it here but the

NEW CHEVROLET SPARK BREAKS OUT

Chevrolet South Africa hopes to add a spark of freshness with the launch of its smallest new car, the 2010 Spark. Riding on a resurgent General Motors’ recent good run, the Spark will be slightly above the entry-level Spark Lite in terms of positioning. As far as pricing goes, it falls below the Aveo.

I took it for a point to point drive down in Cape Town where I was able to assess whether buyers in the segment would be impressed or not. The styling is certainly arresting, if anything. Brave new