2010 MAZDA BT-50: REAL PICTURES REVEALED

At this year’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Mazda is unveiling the All-New BT-50 that signifies a new direction in the utility segment. It was developed as an “Active lifestyle vehicle,” and is intended to further extend the appeal of a utility from traditional business users to a wide range of customers, including families and pleasure-seekers.

20TH ANNIVERSARY RENAULT CLIO RS PRICED

The Clio Renault Sport (RS) has been revered as one of the most exhilarating and dynamic compact hatchbacks since the first version was launched internationally in 1999, followed by its debut in South Africa in 2001.

In honour of the Clio's landmark 20th anniversary, Renault is bolstering the top-flight RS range with a Special Edition model that boasts a unique colour combination, revised trim and badging, as well as a higher level of specification.

LAUNCHED AND WHIPPED: NEW AUDI RS 5

What is probably the most anticipated sports car of 2010 has just shown me what a gentleman it can be as we got to known each other around the legendary Khayalami race track in Johannesburg. A gentle fellow with the body of hard-edged steel. Not even when all the driving aids have been switched off does it so much as twitch. The Audi RS 5 Coupe is possibly the most composed car I’ve ever driven.

BMW 1 SERIES M COUPE: POWER DETAILS HINTED

Small, black, strong – this is the figure presented by most of the prototypes for the BMW 1 Series M Coupé while they are lapping up their test kilometres. As early as July, the Managing Director of BMW M GmbH, Dr Kay Segler, revealed some initial details on the latest addition to the M family.

In early October the international press has now been given its first driving impression of the present level of development. On this occasion, Albert Biermann, Head of Development at BMW M GmbH, provides further details on the BMW 1 Series M Coupé.

M-Power.com:  Mr Biermann, what makes the 1 Series M Coupé so special?

SANDERO CHIRPY AT BEING CHEAP

The Renault Sandero 1.4 Authentique has been independently named South Africa’s most affordable car in the 2010 Kinsey Report. Now in its 20th year, the annual survey carries considerable clout in the South African automotive sector and is regarded as the country’s definitive parts pricing survey.

BYE CHRYSLER SEBRING, HELLO 200

Chrysler released pictures and a bit of info on the all-new Chrysler 200, a smaller sedan wanting to capture the same market as cars like the Hyundai Sonata and Mazda6. Having made its debut several years ago as the Sebring, the 200 is essentially a heavily facelifted Sebring aiming to redress most of the complaints levelled against its predecessor. It will start selling at US dealerships this November, with international launches scheduled for 2011.

TOYOTA PRIUS HITS 2 MILLION MARK

Toyota is celebrating another milestone for Prius with worldwide sales passing two million since the original hybrid was launched in 1997. Across three generations, approximately 2,012,000 units have been sold in more than 70 countries and regions, up to the end of September this year. In South Africa 669 Prius vehicles have been sold up to end September 2010. 

PIGSPOTTER CASE BACK WITH THE P.I.G.S

Motorist hero PigSpotter has had his court case delayed because the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has given his case docket back the police for further investigation. What this basically means is that the police, despite having said the opposite, are not quite prepared for this case.

DRIVEN: VOLKSWAGEN'S ALL-NEW 2010 TOUAREG

Volkswagen’s Touareg, launched here in 2005, ended up selling an average of 60 units per month in the five years VW sold it to South Africans. That’s not bad going for a car that was seen to be largely pointless and too expensive for the brand. Fortunately, unlike its Phaeton sedan sibling, the Touareg never really had serious sales issues. Judging from our drive in the new cars the status quo should remain.

NEW HYUNDAI SONATA TAKES 5 AT US SAFETY TEST

Just days after the recent launch of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata in South Africa, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata – currently in the manufacturing stage - was awarded a 5 star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US.  The NHTSA recently introduced its new safety rating system which is aimed at improving the overall safety of vehicle through tougher testing. Out of 34 vehicles tested, only two received a top rating of 5 stars, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata being one of them.