FIAT 500 WINS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN AWARD

The Fiat 500 won the “Compasso d’Oro ADI” (ADI Golden Compass), Europe's oldest and most prestigious design award. An international panel chaired by design guru, Arturo Dell'Acqua Bellavitis, and made up of industry experts selected the Fiat 500 and presented the trophy to Roberto Giolito, Fiat Design director, who attended the awards ceremony this week held in Rome at the Pelanda Museo Macro del Testaccio.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE PRICES FOR SOUTH AFRICA

We aren’t too sure when exactly the Range Rover Evoque is being launched in South Africa, but we already have pricing and other information, thanks to Land Rover’s official website. Evoque will be available in two forms, one called the Coupe and the other, the 5-door, is just plain Evoque. Both almost touch R600 000 in standard garb.

SUZUKI TO TACKLE ECONOMY RUN

South Africa’s only legitimate fuel economy contest will be joined by a brand new team in 2011. Suzuki Auto South Africa has announced that it will support two factory-entered cars in the annual Total Economy Run.
 

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK LOSES TWO DOORS

When Volkswagen introduced the Amarok double-cab bakkie (pickup) to Mzansi it followed the adage “set the cat amongst the pigeons”, and thanks to a combination of pretty design, a flexible body and some marketing push, the Amarok is selling very well in the market. In fact last month it sold 169 more units than the Nissan Navara, which is also the only double-cab only bakkie in the market. Now there’s a new single cab version being sent to finally challenge Toyota’s dominance.

AUDI A5 AND S5 FACELIFT ANNOUNCED FOR EUROPE

Audi has revealed the first pictures and details of a facelifted A5 and S5 range, including a new engine for the S5. The facelift currently applies only to Europe, but will spread out quickly enough to other regions such as South Africa. Several areas have been refreshed and redesigned to keep buyers interested in the models, especially in the face of the imminent Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

FERRARI FAITHFUL TO GATHER AT KHAYALAMI

On Saturday 16 July 2011 South Africa will witness the largest annual gathering of Ferraris when approximately 150 of the sleek sports cars scream onto the Kyalami Race Track in Midrand.

LESOTHO ROOF OF AFRICA RACE TO GO AHEAD

The Roof of Africa race, reckoned as one of the toughest motorcycle enduro race in the world, will go ahead from 24 – 26 November 2011 in Lesotho and will mark the 44th running of this prestigious event.

JAY LENO DRIVES NEW BEETLE IN GERMANY

Jay Leno, US TV star and one of the world’s greatest car collectors, became one of the first people outside Volkswagen to drive the new Beetle during a visit to the Company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, last week.

PEUGEOT, CITROËN INCREASE SALES IN FIRST HALF

France’s PSA group, which runs the Peugeot and Citroën brands, saw a boost in sales of up to 1.86 million cars during the first half of 2011. That is a percentage increase of some 0.2% to maintain a 13.9% market share in Europe. Leading markets include home turf France, Germany and Eastern Europe, which all saw an upswing in sales.

COPS STOP 10 MILLION CARS, ISSUE 4.5 MILLION FINES!

More than 10 million vehicles and drivers have been checked and over 4.5 million fines issued for various traffic offences over the past eight months across the country. As part of South Africa’s new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) announced by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele on 10 September 2010, from 1 October 2010 to 30 June 2011, 10 877 203 vehicles and drivers have been checked, 4 537 272 fines issued for various traffic offences, 16 828 drunk drivers arrested and 42 960 un-roadworthy vehicles discontinued from use. 

NEXT-GENERATION 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS TEASED, DETAILED

The next chapter of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class story is soon to be written, as confirmed by these teaser pictures from Stuttgart. More than that we have technical details as well, just to whet that mama appetite. The B-Class is said to have the most new developments in one car in the history of Mercedes-Benz. It will be unveiled first at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, and then at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October.

PEUGEOT 508 RXH HYBRID HEADED FOR FRANKFURT

Peugeot is one of the first automakers to confirm a world debut for the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with the 508 RXH. The 508 RXH is a crossover vehicle that runs on hybrid power, combining AWD with a diesel hybrid powertrain system. It reminds us of the Subaru Outback and Audi allroad.

AUDI SA SALES SHOOT UP 52%

Audi South Africa has experienced record sales results in 2011 by selling 8 392 vehicles year to date. Audi sales volume has increased by 52% year on year. A 21.6% premium market share has been achieved for the first six months of the year.