LEXUS CT 200H LAUNCHED

Lexus South Africa has launched its latest all-new shape car in the form of the CT 200h, a hybrid hatch/ sportback model with ambitions of dethroning BMW’s 1 Series hatch and Audi’s A3 range. What makes it unique in the segment is that not only is it offered with a hybrid engine system, but that’s the only engine available.

WE DRIVE ALL-NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COUPE

For the first time in its 125-year history, Mercedes-Benz will face up to BMW head to head in a segment they have never played in. That is thanks to the all-new C-Class Coupe range, a vehicle based on the current C-Class platform but less two rear doors. Historically BMW, and recently Audi, were the only major occupants of the mid-executive Coupe club. No more.

GEELY SA EXPANDS DEALER NETWORK

Geely South Africa has expanded its dealer network from just 12 about a year ago, to what is now 41 dealerships across the country. Geely is a brand from China and it also owns Volvo Cars which it bought from Ford last year at a price of US$1.8 billion (R12.3 billion today). According to Geely SA, sales of its new cars are also quite robust.

JOHANNESBURG MOTOR SHOW IS ONLY 9 WEEKS AWAY!

The wait is almost over for South Africans to have the opportunity of visiting a world class motoring and lifestyle show. The Johannesburg International Motor Show, which promises to be the best show of its kind ever to have been staged not only in South Africa but on the African continent, will be staged at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, from October 8 - 16.

JAGUAR COULD BRING Z4 / BOXSTER RIVAL TO FRANKFURT

Jaguar is beginning to become the brand that it was always meant to be, thanks to all those Rupees from India. Word is, next month at Frankfurt, the British brand will unveil a new concept car called the XE which will compete against established players like the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster. Essentially it is one or two steps down from the 2-door XK.

MERCEDES-BENZ BABY CLS NOW IN PRODUCTION?

Mercedes-Benz is likely to launch a new smaller sedan Coupe in the mould of the CLS. Revealed as the F800 Concept (pictured here) at Geneva this year, the car, which some call the BLS or CLC, was spied on the production line at Daimler’s Hungary factory. That is where the new A and B-Class will be assembled as well.

MERCEDES-BENZ UPS C-CLASS PRODUCTION IN EAST LONDON

Owing to the good demand situation, the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London also is increasing its output: beginning in July, the plant will work additional shifts in its passenger cars production also on the four Saturdays of August. In July the largest number of right-hand-drive vehicles in the history of the East London plant rolled off the assembly line.

RENAULT CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF PART 2 IN MZANSI

The year 2011 is a landmark year for Renault South Africa and the Renault Mégane. Renault returned to the South African market in 1996 via a partnership with Imperial Holdings' Imperial Car Imports division.  

TRUCK MARKET SHOWS RESILIENCE IN JULY

Following a surprisingly strong showing during the first half of 2011, the South African Truck Market has kicked off the remainder of the year by carrying a substantial level of momentum into the month of July. 

FORD SA REPORTS SALES HIGHS IN JULY

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) sales during July were spurred on by the introduction during the month of the new Ford Focus, while Figo continued to perform well selling 1226 units.

MAN CRASHES AFTER 189KM/H HIGHWAY CHASE

A Chinese citizen crashed his BMW 335i onto a pavement near a high school in Lyttelton, Centurion yesterday following a high-speed chase with the cops after he was trapped driving at 189km/h on the R21 freeway. Traveling at 181km/h and over on Gauteng freeways is a lockable offence. A black plastic bag with full of R30 000 cash, was found inside the turbo Beemer.

NISSAN LEAF, JUKE, TO APPEAR AT JIMS 2011

The groundbreaking Nissan LEAF, Nissan’s mass market zero emissions electric vehicle which has already been rolled out in Europe, Japan and North America, will be showcased at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show to be held at the Nasrec MTN Expo Centre between 06 and 16 October 2011. The first in a series of EV vehicles to be produced by the Japanese auto manufacturer, the LEAF has already won accolades as 2011 World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year.

MASERATI GRANCABRIO SPORT BREAKS COVER

Maserati has introduced the new GranCabrio Sport to customers in Europe. The drop-top Maser was first unveiled at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show and features, among others, a new black colour, red accents on the Maserati Trident and new headlights with white reflectors.

UNVEILED: BMW I8 CONCEPT AMAZES, HEADS TO JOZI

The BMW i8 Concept car was officially launched last Friday at a glitzy ceremony where the company and its bosses unveiled the upcoming hybrid sports car to the world. The 2+2 seater (2 front , 2 at the back) will be the second of BMW’s new i cars, following the smaller i3.

TOYOTA TOPS AT SUN CITY RALLY

Former national off road champion Duncan Vos and co-driver Rob Howie, driving a Super Production class Castrol Team Toyota Hilux, this afternoon won the Sun City 400 in North West Province.  Second, 4,48 minutes in arrears, was the BMW X3 of former champion Hannes Grobler and Hennie ter Stege, with Malcolm Kock and Johan Burger third in a privateer Toyota Hilux a further 4 min 48 sec behind.