Friday 15 April 2011

NEW ENGINES EXPAND AUDI A8 RANGE




Audi SA has bolstered its flagship A8 sedan model with a string of new engines for this market. Launched late last year in 4.2-litre petrol V8 form, the A8 is now open for business in the 6-cylinder segment with a good variety of petrol and diesel entrants now available. Also on offer is a unique model - the 4.2-litre TDI - which is not contested anywhere in the segment by either BMW or Mercedes.

AT LAST, TOYOTA AYGO COMES





The Toyota Aygo is already 6 years old. Yet in Mzansi it’s about to go on sale as a brand new model! In 2005 Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen began manufacturing a joint project which Toyota called Aygo, Peugeot named 107 and Citroen badged it C1. Seeing a turn towards ultra-compact cars, the French introduced it to the local market. Toyota did not. Now, today, in 2011, Toyota has decided that yes, small cars are the future.

TOYOTA JAPAN CUTS PRODUCTION IN HALF AS TSUNAMI EFFECTS TAKE HOLD

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) offer their most-sincere sympathies to those affected by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

As TMC continues to address its production situation in Japan following the disaster, it has decided that vehicle production from May 10 to June 3 will proceed at approximately 50% of normal. TMC will decide on production after this period after assessing the situation of its suppliers and other related companies.

EBUCKS MEMBERS CAN STILL GET FREE FUEL

In December 2009, members of eBucks, First National Bank’s rewards programme, were given the ability to pay for fuel with eBucks, FNB’s virtual currency, at participating Engen service stations around South Africa. Since then, FNB has enabled eBucks’ members to fill up on fuel to the value of over R13m at participating Engen service stations - which is enough fuel to drive almost 20 million kilometres or – more accurately – to make 25 trips to the moon driving an average family sedan.

Thursday 14 April 2011

R6.4 BILLION ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE REVIVAL CONFIRMED

Transport Minister S’busiso Ndebele launches S’hamba Sonke or We Are Going Together, an initiative worth R6.4 billion between 2011 and 2012. What exactly is it for? Basically to upgrade and in many cases, create new roads in the secondary sector. That means back-roads in everyday speak. Several freeways and highways have experienced upgrades over the past two years and now it’s time for the secondary roads.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

REAL AUDI Q3: PICTURES AND DETAILS







The cat is finally out the bag as far as the all-new Audi Q3 sub-compact SUV. Tiny Q3 – check the sketches – has made his appearance ahead of Shanghai Auto 2011. The vehicle is only 4.3 metres long, 1.6m tall and stands 17cm off the ground, which means it will battle quite nicely with its fiercest foe, the MINI Countryman.

PEUGEOT 5008 COMING SOON



Peugeot is gearing up for the launch of its premium people-carrier, the 5008. The French MPV (multi-purpose-vehicle) can sit up to 7 passengers while carrying a decent amount of luggage at the back. Its presence should stimulate a market that’s dominated by such names as Caddy, Scenic and Verso.

CITROEN WRC TEAM LOOKING AT RIDING MOMENTUM


The Citroën Total World Rally Team has won the last two rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship thanks to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena in Mexico, and Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in Portugal. The two crews will both be gunning for another victory on gravel in the fourth event held in Jordan. Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena already know the ropes as they won this rally held beside the Dead Sea last season!
 

Tuesday 12 April 2011

MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS BULLDOZES ITS WAY INTO SA




Mercedes-Benz has reintroduced the G-Class to the South African market, at a launch held in Namibia. The G-wagen is probably to Merc what HUMMER was to GM; an exceptionally capable 4x4 with a second face which is an urban pimp mobile. Not that Daimler SA will be selling it as the latter, but hey, we’ve all seen the music videos and this car was the real star.

JAGUAR TO BUILD SUVS LIKE SISTER LAND ROVER?

Jaguar could end up at loggerheads with its Land Rover sister, if the latest rumours are true. Word upon the boulevard is that Indian-owned Jaguar is preparing an SUV for launch in the next two years. While the velvety pussy may have pondered upon high-heeled luxury before its days at Ford, the marriage with Landy should have put such thoughts to final rest. Apparently not.


Monday 11 April 2011

WILLIAM AND KATE ROYAL WEDDING: AUDI INVITED

Some are calling it the wedding of the year. Arrangements for the impending marriage celebration between Prince William Windsor of Britain and Ms Kate Middleton are well under way. The venue is final, date is set and guest lists are being drawn up. And Audi seems to be the only motor manufacturer to be invited.

AUDI Q3 SKETCHES OUT AHEAD OF SHANGHAI AUTO



Looks like Audi simply can’t sit back and watch BMW run away with the fruits of the sub-compact SUV market (the X1 that is), without chasing as hard as it can. Therefore development of the Q3 is now at such a super advanced stage that Ingolstadt is confident enough to release these initial sketches of its smallest SUV yet.

NEW VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI TO ROCK SEGMENT








Blessed are we who come to Volkswagen’s table with low expectation, for our just reward is a gem worth a priceless drive. The new VW Polo GTI ladies and gents, is a gem. Straight off the block it makes no apologies for its underwhelming predecessor, but presents its own case in a fashionably strong manner. If you thought the Golf 5 GTI was a revolution then you have plant your behind inside the new Polo GTI.

RUNDLE AND MOHR TAKE PODIUM AT TOYOTA 400

Thomas Rundle and Juan Mohr’s great start to the 2011 Absa Off Road Car Championship continued in the Toyota Dealer 400 in Mpumalanga on Saturday when the pair claimed their second successive runner-up result in the Barden Tyre Services Racing Nissan Navara.  They now lead the championship by a healthy 13 points from former multiple champion Hannes Grobler and Hennie ter Stege.