FUEL-SIPPING MAZDA SKYACTIV-G ENGINE SHOWCASED

For some reason the Japanese automakers seem to be shying away from the latest trend of producing smaller but more powerful turbo petrol engines. Look at Mazda for instance, with their new SKYACTIV-G 1.3-litre direct injection engine. True, the plant has a record 14.0:1 compression ratio and good power to boot. But will it be able to reduce C02 emissions?

NEXT BMW M3 TO SPORT A V6 ENGINE?

Could BMW really be mulling over a V6 for its next M3 sports car? The company has already started development of its first masterbrand-branded front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars, an act akin to asking a priest to pray to the devil. Yet as a mass-manufacturer, albeit one with a premium tag on it, BMW needs to save costs in order to stay competitive. FWD cars are larger, therefore more spacious, therefore more desirable for customers.

VOLKSWAGEN SA INTRODUCES NEW POLO SEDAN

Almost 18 months after launching the new-generation Polo hatch to the Mzansi market, Volkswagen SA has followed up with the new Polo sedan. Polo sedan is more about practicality, about the little Polo growing up from entry-level runabout to a more serious transport proposition for the motorist who now demands less flash for similar style and value.

MULTIPLE INJURIES REPORTED AT SOWETO TRAIN COLLISION

The safety of commuters is non-negotiable and paramount to government, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has stressed following yesterday's train accident in Soweto.

ONE-OFF FERRARI SUPERAMERICA 45 REVEALED

New York collector and Ferrari enthusiast Peter Kalikow visited the factory to take delivery of his Special Projects Ferrari Superamerica 45, a unique one-off model. Styled internally by Ferrari Design and engineered and built in-house, the car was specified by Mr Kalikow to celebrate 45 years since he first became a Ferrari client and will make its public debut on the 20th of May at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza.

FIAT, BMW, DOMINATE 2011 ENGINE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Fiat, for the first time in the history of the competition, dominated the 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards as it took home 6 of the 12 awards, including one by Ferrari. The 875cc (0.9-litre) TwinAir engine was named overall 2011 International Engine of the Year. It also won Best New Engine, helping Fiat become only the second manufacturer after BMW to win this category for two years in a row.

NEXT AUDI A6 AVANT DETAILED

Audi’s A6 sedan has spawned a wagon or Avant version, and this is what it’s all about. Although these body types don’t sell at all in Mzansi, in Europe they are quite big, so to speak. Audi traditionally makes really good-looking wagons and the A6 Avant is no different. Despite increases in dimensions, the new Avant weighs 70kg less than its predecessor.

ALL-NEW NISSAN MICRA GOES AFTER BIG FISH

We really liked the old Nissan Micra, quirky and unremarkable as it was. The market didn’t seem to like it much though and so it never quite set the sales charts on fire. Nissan South Africa is now banking on the new car to shift perceptions by welcoming it with open arms. No longer will it be a niche car but is being targeted firmly at other small cars in its price bracket.

NEXT-GENERATION 2012 OPEL ZAFIRA SHOWN

Opel is readying the all-new 2012 Zafira MPV (multipurpose vehicle), a car that competes with others like the Renault Scenic and new Peugeot 5008. The car will start selling in Europe in early 2012 and South Africa will soon follow. A number of engines are to be used to compete and set it apart from its rivals, including possibly a hot new OPC version.

TOP GEAR STAR CHEATING ON WIFE?

Top Gear god Jeremy Clarkson is said to be living the bachelor life following his alleged bust-up with wife of 18 years Frances “Francie”. Clarkson is accused of sliding his wheels into a different kind of garage while in South Africa. He’s of course denied everything but observers noted that he’s moved into a so-called bachelor pad in London, far from his estate.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 130 DONATED TO BORN FREE

Land Rover has reaffirmed its support for the outstanding work done by the Born Free Foundation (BFF) by sponsoring a new Defender 130 Double Cab for the local team, based at the Shamwari Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The new Defender 130 was handed over to Born Free by Land Rover South Africa earlier this month.

AMAROK SINGLE CAB DEBUTS AT NAMPO

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles today (17 May) unveiled the Amarok Single Cab at the 2011 Nampo Harvest Day Show in Bothaville, North West. The launch of the Single Cab completes the Amarok model range following the launch of the Double Cab in September 2010. The Double Cab has been an instant success with over 2500 units sold in South Africa by the end of April 2011.
 

FERRARI 458 ITALIA DUSTED, NOW MCLAREN ATTACKS BUGATTI VEYRON?

During the run-up to the launch of the McLaren MP4-12C, McLaren executives kept impressing on the fact that the 12C would not be their company’s last blast. In fact, it’s actually the first of a number of cars, three of which were officially confirmed. In terms of placement, the 12C sits in the middle of these initial three.

CHRYSLER CALIBER MOPAR EDITION ANNOUNCED

Chrysler South Africa might call it a ‘boy racer’ of sorts but the Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition is quite far from that. In fact, one couldn’t even call it a hot hatch at all. The label becomes even more suspect when one realises that more females buy Caliber than other sexes. One understands that Mopar is a reputable name as far as the Chrysler/ Dodge brands are concerned, specialising in OEM-approved performance parts.

GROBLER AND DU PLOOY GUNNING FOR BATTLEFIELDS WAR

The Pretoria-based Retirement Fund Solutions off road racing team of Hannes Grobler and Christiaan du Plooy are relishing the prospect of taking on their English-speaking rivals in what is being billed as a re-run of the Anglo-Boer War in the hills around the historic battlefields area of Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal on May 19 and 20.
 

NEW AUDI A1 BOSS IN DA HOUSE

The Audi A1 has quickly become an Audi South Africa Top 3 seller, pushing on average about 330 units per month over the past three months. Now a new, more powerful engine model has been added to the mix. The 1.4T FSI S line S tronic is a mouthful and hopefully will be a nice handful to drive as well.