MERCEDES-BENZ PRICES NEW 2011 CLS FOR EUROPE

Mercedes-Benz has revealed European prices for the brand new CLS four-door coupe. The CLS will be launched with three engines initially. The models concerned are the CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency, the CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency and the CLS 350 BlueEfficiency.

Prices start at €59 857 (R557 022) for the CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency whose twin turbo diesel engine produces 150kW, €63 427 (R590 245) for the

SHELBY MUSTANG SUPER SNAKE BEARS 800 HORSES

Carroll Shelby doesn’t give a hoot what Ford thinks. That the Blue Oval figures what it pulls out of the factory is enough for the power-hungry American is not on Shelby’s agenda at all. Hence the new Super Snake, a 2011 GT500-based brute that acts more like a stallion than a pony.

The engine has been tuned to produce a whopping 597kW (800bhp) at its peak.

MOTOR INDUSTRY STRIKE ENDS

Workers affiliated with the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) will return to their posts and workplaces next Monday following two weeks of strike action. The guys who include workers in the motor manufacturing industry and petrol attendants, will stop striking and go back to earning money.

KEN BLOCK AMAZES WITH LATEST GYMKHANA

Ford's hot-selling Fiesta is the star in the next chapter of rally driver Ken Block's Gymkhana video series, which debuted yesterday on You Tube.
 
Ken Block's Gymkhana THREE Part 2; Ultimate Playground: L'Autodrome, is the latest instalment in the series of Block's popular online videos.  It was filmed at the Autodrome de Montlhéry facility in France and shows the modified Fiesta doing stunts that only Block can deliver.  
 

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK BREAKS INTO SA

Amarok at work

Problem with the Volkswagen Amarok I still say, is how pretty it is. Bakkies (pickups) can be anything but pretty. Sure it can be good-looking, up to a point. But following its crossing the line into the realm of super models then things start going off the rails. Why you may ask. Simple. Bakkies are workhorses. They are the vehicles everyone turns to when they move house, when they carry rubbish, manure, people…Why would such a vehicle need good looks?

ALL-NEW MAZDA BT-50 FOR AUSTRALIAN UNVEILING

Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the global unveiling of the all-new Mazda BT-50 compact pickup truck at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show during a press conference on Friday, 15 October 2010. The all-new BT-50 will be centre stage on the Mazda stand throughout the show. 

2011 FORD FOCUS ST: POWER DETAILS REVEALED

Command centre looks inviting

Tailpipes point to imminent drama

Details of the all-new upcoming Ford Focus ST are coming in thick and fast. Ford is unveiling the new Focus range at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show, and alongside it will be the hot ST version. Far from producing 190kW, the ST will instead use the new turbocharged 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine worth 184kW.

TWO MAJOR DEBUTS FOR AUDI AT PARIS 2010

Audi will reveal two major debuts at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show. The A7 Sportback will be the bigger one, so to speak, followed by the new S1 hatch. Following the A3 Sportback and A5 Sportback, Audi is increasing its footprint in this growing four-door coupe niche market. From our understanding there is still one more Sportback type that we can expect in the next couple of years. Nothing confirmed yet but our hunch has us thinking it will be the A1 Sportback.

GOOD SHOWING FOR FORD AT FUEL ECONOMY EVENT

The 34th annual Total Economy Run attracted a strong field of entries with 18 different vehicle manufacturers participating in the event. Ford and Mazda once again faired well in the results taking home a class victory each.
 

SUZUKI STANDS HIGH ON RETENTION, RESALE SCALE

Suzuki’s range of passenger cars and SUVs are scoring top marks when it comes to value retention at resale.
 
An analysis of data published in the authoritative TransUnion Auto Dealers’ Guide shows that Suzuki passenger cars and SUVs achieve among the highest resale values, relative to their original retail prices, in their segments.
 
The data reflects actual trade values as a percentage of new vehicle list prices over the past 12 months. The values are also determined by dealer returns sent to TransUnion on a monthly basis.
 

ALONSO, MASSA TAKE KEYS TO FIAT 500 TRIBUTO FERRARIS

Two Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the fastest ever road-going 500s, were handed over to Ferrari team drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa last week in the splendid setting of Villa Reale in Monza.
The new Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari confirms the consolidated links between Abarth and Ferrari – links based on shared values that include a passion for performance, a racing soul, attention to detail and Italian style. 

CHEVROLET UPGRADES CAPTIVA

The new Captiva SUV will be seen for the first time at the Paris Motor Show, featuring a new front end design, a range of enhancements to the interior and new engines and transmissions. Captiva will be one of four Chevrolet world premieres.

G-POWER X5 M GOES BANANAS

G-POWER’s X5 M Typhoon has received a power boost. Where the normal car puts out a gutsy 408kW and 680Nm of torque, the previous Typhoon went for the kill at 441kW and 700Nm respectively. This time G-POWER has grown enough of tiny increases and has attacked the situation head-on.

PODIUM FINISH FOR FERODO DRIVERS

Both Ferodo young drivers Gennaro Bonafede and Devin Robertson scored podium finishes in their respective categories at the sixth round of the WesBank Super Series at Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria on Saturday.
 
Bonafede (Ferodo VW Golf GTi) was the class T winner in the second of the two eight-lap Bridgestone Production Car sprint races after finishing

DAIHATSU SHOWS OFF FUEL EFFICIENCY

Daihatsu comprehensively stamped its authority on the 34th Total Economy Run, winning the three classes in which it competed and taking home the trophy for the least amount of petrol consumed by any competitor during the 1 100km event.