ROCKET: ANOTHER NEW CONCEPT FROM MINI

A new concept MINI is making its debut at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show. That’s four concepts in two years for the little BMW brand, following the Coupe, Roadster and Countryman. This one, called the Rocketman, is a 3+1 seater with three doors and a total length of around 3 metres. Just as the Countryman boasts four fours (four doors, four seats, 4WD and 4 metres long), the Rocketman is all for 3-somes. It even claims an average fuel consumption of 3 litres per 100km!

HONDA BALLADE IS BACK IN SA!

Honda’s latest Ballade model is now available to buy from the nearest Honda dealership. The car, although not strictly new (it was launched in 24 other world markets, all outside of Europe), still looks fresh and untouched. Judging by our first impressions, the new Ballade will only have its makers and marketers to blame should it not crack monthly top 20 sales charts in this country.

SA EXPORTS 100 000TH NEW VOLKSWAGEN POLO

Volkswagen Group SA Managing Director, David Powels and Production Director, Tom du Plessis, together with senior management and production staff came together recently to celebrate the export of the Company’s 100 000th new generation Polo.
 

YEAR-LONG MARRIAGE OVER AS SPYKER SELLS SAAB

Spyker cars appears to be in a bit of spot after announcing it will sell its car business to a UK company called CPP Global Holdings. This comes only a year after Spyker bought SAAB from General Motors. Strange enough they will continue owning and redeveloping SAAB while the Spyker business goes to CPP. Virtually unknown CPP has produced chassis and body panels for Spyker since the brand's re-introduction in 2000.

XKR-S: FASTEST EVER JAGUAR LEAPS OUT!

Those who absolutely love the Jaguar XKR, just as I do, will spring for joyful madness after reading here. For the good news is that an upgraded XKR is on the loose. And it’s called the XKR-S. Already we know the XKR can do serious damage to unsuspecting supercars’ egos. What will this one achieve then?

ASTON MARTIN REVEALS VIRAGE BEFORE GENEVA

A brand new Aston Martin model is now available to those with more cents and sense. One cannot argue against the beauty of an Aston, however, as far as performance they do leave much to be desired. The new Virage should be no different then.

GM REPORTS GOOD PROFITS POST-BANKRUPTCY

The new General Motors has made a profit for the calendar year 2010. GM returned sterling results of US$4.7 billion (R33.2 billion) since it came back from bankruptcy and realigned itself under new majority shareholder the US government. Revenues for the same period were US$135.6 billion (R958.4 billion).

FIVE-STAR JUKE SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES

In just five short months, Nissan Juke has claimed a five star Euro NCAP safety rating, started winning several national awards and seized a significant share of small car market. 

From a standing start in September 2010, the innovative and distinctively styled Juke has accelerated to 32 000 sales across Europe, claiming almost 2% of the B-segment along the way. With almost one in four new cars in Europe coming from the B-segment, Juke’s achievement is all the more important for Nissan’s continued growth.

JAGUAR ENTERS NAMIBIA

Jaguar Land Rover South Africa has expanded its dealer network in Southern Africa with the official opening of its first Jaguar dealership in Windhoek, Namibia.

The high-profile dealership was officially launched early in February 2011 with a glittering event attended by the country’s Prime Minister, Nahas Angula, who provided the keynote address.

AUDI A1 PICKS ITS CELEBRITY DRIVERS

New ambassadors have now been attached to the Audi brand, following on the pedals of such luminaries like DJ Fresh, Lira, Kabelo of TKZee and DJ S’bu who (in)famously broke the speed limit and got caught doing just over 250km/h on the freeway in his sponsored TT. No danger of such speeds with the new kids on the block who are specifically Audi A1 reps.

EXPENSIVE GAUTENG TOLLS PUT ON ICE

Minister of Transport Sibusiso “S’bu” Ndebele has announced that the current toll fees proposed for the Gauteng e-toll system have been frozen. This after he met with “mama action” Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane. According to the Minister, a task team will be appointed as soon as possible to relook at the cost structure following a wide public outcry regarding the system.

HYBRID VOLVO V60 GOES 1200KM ON A TANK

Volvo is keen to show off its “green” credentials at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show by unveiling the V60 Hybrid. The car runs a 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine making 158kW and 440Nm of torque, as well as a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery with a 51kW and 200Nm electric motor.

NEW BMW I BRAND ANNOUNCED

BMW has, as promised, unveiled a new sub-brand that will apparently take the company to the future in terms of urban city mobility. Called the i brand, it will start a whole new range of cars powered by eco-friendly powertrains and systems. These cars start selling in 2013.

TOLD YOU SO! AUDI A3 SEDAN SET FOR GENEVA 2011

Audi will present an attractive technological concept car based on the coming generation of the Audi A3 at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March 2011. The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family.

UNIQUE ROLLS-ROYCE 102EX ELECTRIC CAR ANNOUNCED

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the development of 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom, to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data which will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

FACELIFT MAZDA3 FOR JIMS AND GENEVA 2011

Mazda is unveiling the facelift Mazda3 at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show just several weeks after it’s shown it at the Canadian Auto show. The new car, as expected, is carrying a different front end as well as a redesigned rear. Also new is the powertrain in one of the models which is said to improve fuel efficiency through some techno trickery.