LEXUS LFA LAPS NURBURGRING IN RECORD TIME

Ahead of its first public appearance in SA at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS), the Lexus LFA has blitzed the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time.

CHEVROLET SONIC SCHEDULED FOR JIMS 2011

As Chevrolet celebrates its 100th anniversary this iconic international automotive brand continues to increase its share of South African vehicle sales as one of the most dynamic brands in the market. The past 18 months have seen a product renaissance in the Chevrolet product line-up as a range of latest generation products has been introduced.

STYLISH CITROËN DS4 NOW ROAMS MZANSI ROADS

A second Citroën DS model in the form of the DS4 now struts its stuff on South Africa’s roads, following the local launch which took me around some of GP’s scenic routes. Part hatch back, part crossover SUV, all Citroën premium, the DS4 actually has no direct rivals to speak of. In a way it’s in a segment of its own really.

AUDI S6 TWIN TURBO BREAKS OUT!

One more step taken toward the next Audi RS 6 (and a possible RS 7) as Ingolstadt unveils the all-new S6 and its S7 sibling. S6 sits just below the RS 6 and will now ditch its old 5.2 V10 for an all-new 4.0-litre V8 twin turbo petrol.

JAGUAR C-X16 CONCEPT READY FOR FRANKFURT

Jaguar will unveil the C-X16 concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. C-X16 is going to be the smallest kitty cat in the range when it goes it production. We say when, because it will, that is for sure. Its main targets are the Audi TT, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Cayman/Boxster.

CHEVROLET SPARK VOTED BEST CAR

The Chevrolet Spark was the top performing passenger vehicle in the 2011 Synovate Product Quality Awards. With just 17 faults per 100 vehicles, the standard measure in vehicle quality surveys, the Spark featured ahead of even top end luxury vehicles available to South African buyers – a superb performance for this stylish small car from Chevrolet.

BMW CARBON FIBRE FACTORY FINDS FEET

BMW is steaming ahead with its plan of world domination using the carbon fibre material. Last year BMW, along with Germany’s SGL Group, formed SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers with the sole aim of producing mass-manufactured carbon fibre materials for use in BMW’s upcoming electric cars, the i3 and i8. Later other models will be added of course.

VIRTUALLY DRIVE NEW FORD RANGER AT JIMS 2011

Ford will feature an interactive display never seen before at a Motor Show in South Africa when the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) gets underway in October. With a host of exciting new models being unveiled by Ford and the all-new Ranger making its much anticipated South African debut, this year’s show is sure to get tongues wagging.

PEUGEOT 508 COMING TO JIMS 2011

Peugeot South Africa will display two of its new 508 large sedans at the Johannesburg Motor Show in October as a preview to the local launch of this already highly acclaimed model, which takes place in November.

NEW 2012 PERFORMANCE AUDI S8 DETAILED

Audi will showcase its next performance A8 at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The new Audi S8 features a relatively small 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine and it delivers a sweet, healthy 382kW of power, and 650Nm of torque.

TOPGEAR MAGAZINE FINALLY COMES TO MZANSI

TopGear magazine is coming to Mzansi! For a few months it was said to be firmly in the hands of Sunday Times and Sunday World publisher AVUSA. But now it has been confirmed to be NASPERS, the publisher of such magazines at TopCar, You and Drum. The deal comes after only a few weeks of negotiations between the two parties, following the disintegration of talks between BBC Magazines and AVUSA.

LEE THOMPSON RULES EAST LONDON

Ferodo Racing Team’s Lee Thompson remained in charge of the over-27 Masters’ category of the Engen Volkswagen Cup with back-to-back victories in round six at the East London grand prix circuit on Saturday.  The 31-year-old from Garsfontein near Pretoria has now won nine of the 12 races so far this season in his Ferodo-backed VW Polo.
 

TOM CRUISE DRIVES A RED BULL

Tom Cruise took a spin in one of Red Bull’s current super Formula One cars recently. The star of the Mission Impossible series, Days of Thunder and Eyes Wide Shut among others, has always been an action star. Some might think he faked it on the track out there, but apparently he rocked. Just ask the guys at BBC Top Gear who’s currently the fourth fastest star in a reasonably priced car on their board.

SA'S TOP SELLING CARS IN AUGUST

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) reported that the new car market grew 10.9% year on year in August, recording sales of 51 315 units. All the major players reported healthy sales for the month and are expecting a full year of around 570 000 sales.

VIDEO: VOLKSWAGEN SA IS 60 YEARS OLD!

Sixty years ago today, the first Volkswagen Beetle was produced in Uitenhage, South Africa.  The date 31 August 1951 is a significant date both for Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA)  and the many South Africans who have either owned one of its cars or been employed at the company.

2 MILLIONTH MINI COMES OFF PRODUCTION LINE

The 2 millionth MINI has rolled off the production line at MINI’s UK plant in Oxford. Mind you we are talking about the MINI here, not the Mini, which was the old 1960s car. Only 10 years ago did BMW start producing the new MINI hatch, and has since added several derivatives, including a Convertible and the recent Countryman.

POLICE DECLARE WAR ON MOTORISTS

Minister Sibusiso “S’bu” Ndebele has declared all-out war on motorists, especially those driving buses and trucks. Just this past weekend over 21 000 vehicles were stopped and checked by the police countrywide, according to the Transport Department.

ALL-NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA COULD TOPPLE COROLLA

In the new Elantra, Hyundai has found what’s possibly its most attractive proposition, not only in terms of value, but also because it looks so damn good. Yes there are glaring hints that it may somehow be related to the Sonata, those Chris Banglesque convex and concave lines stare at your face instantly. I reckon its competitors have some serious sleepless nights straight ahead.