JIMS 2011: FORD FOCUS ST WILL BE REVEALED

Ford will unveil its new Focus ST hatch at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS), even before media get to drive it. The ST is based on the new Focus hatch, but is of course stuffed with red hot chilli peppers for all the unsuspecting drivers out there. Not that it’s subtle in any way though.

FRANKFURT 2011: LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP-570-4 SUPER TROFEO STRADALE

Lamborghini’s new Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale has wowed the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show with its sharp, shocking design, carbon fibre bits, and its stated performance credentials.

1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO VOTED AS BEST OF ALL

Nearly 125 000 Chevrolet fans have spoken, naming the 1969 Camaro the “Best Chevy of All Time.”

OPEL SENDING ASTRA GTC AND MERIVA TO JIMS 2011

Opel is bringing out some of its toughest guns to the battlefield known as the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) to be held at NASREC next month. The one, a sure fire spitter, is the Astra GTC which was first detailed in June this year. The other is a guaranteed family pleaser by the name of Meriva.

FRANKFURT 2011: NEXT HUFFING FORD FIESTA ST PREVIEWED

After what feels like a decade without it, Ford has finally shown us what the next Fiesta ST will look like. The ST Concept is essentially the real deal, you can bet your last pair of clean undies on that. While the previous car had a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine with 110kW, this one brings updated weaponry to the field.

FRANKFURT 2011: RENAULT GOES ON A FRENDZY

The Renault Frendzy is the latest concept car from the French manufacturer to show what is possibly a future electric car to be coming. At 4 metres long, it’s about the same length as a MINI Countryman, so not too tiny. Running gear is based on a 44kW, 226Nm electric motor with a direct transmission system. Lithium –ion batteries are the main source of power. An interesting titbit for Blackberry fans is that BB maker Research In Motion (RIM) designed the mobile user interface with a PlayBook plug-in.

FRANKFURT 2011: VOLVO CONCEPT YOU UNVEILED

Volvo unveiled the You Concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The You follows the unveiling of the Concept Universe which happened at the Auto Shanghai earlier and both cars signal Volvo’s intention of playing with the big German boys in the large premium segment of A8s, 7 Series and S-Classes.

PEUGEOT TEAMS UP WITH ORLANDO PIRATES

Hot on the heels of a successful defence of the MTN8 title, Orlando Pirates and Peugeot announced a comprehensive across the range partnership that will result in the display and usage by Orlando Pirates of Peugeot's array of vehicles - from the Peugeot Boxer Panel Van, the Peugeot Boxer 19-Seater, the Peugeot Expert Tepee Leisure people carrier, the Peugeot 3008 crossover MPV to the Peugeot 308 Access.
 

DAVE MCGREGOR JOINS CAPE TOWN F1 GRAND PRIX BID

On Monday, 6 September 2011 Cape Town Grand Prix SA (CTGPSA) signed a strategic partnership agreement with a consortium of business and motorsport professionals headed by Dave McGregor, the former event organiser of the 1992 and 1993 Formula One Grand Prix (F1GP) in South Africa.

NEW RENAULT KOLEOS WILL BE AT JIMS 2011

This year sees Renault Koleos return in style with a new version of the range's high-end crossover, which was originally launched in 2008. The newcomer will be introduced at this year's Frankfurt Show and will take over the model's conquest of some 40 markets from October 2011.

MAZDA DONATES TO WILD LIFE PRESERVATION

Once again, Mazda Motor Corporation has generously donated R100 000 to the Honorary Rangers during a week of activities at the Letaba Rest Camp, in the Kruger National Park. 

THOUSANDS OF DRUNK DRIVING CASES DROPPED

Thousands of motorists and drivers who have been arrested for drunken driving could find their cases thrown out of court, thanks to a ruling that the breathalyser device from the Dräger company is not reliable enough. The Western Cape High Court said the device needs to be modified heavily in order to comply with accepted standards of alcohol breath testing.

BRAND NEW HYUNDAI I30 WAITS FOR FRANKFURT REVEAL

Tomorrow (13 September) at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), Hyundai will reveal the next-generation i30 hatchback. In South Africa the current i30 was launched in March 2010, and looks set for an early replacement campaign.

VW THREATENS PARTNER SUZUKI OVER FIAT ENGINES

Volkswagen and Suzuki’s recent engagement has hit its first rock. The two companies went into partnership in 2009 when VW took a 20% stake in Suzuki Auto, along with an announcement the two would cooperate in several areas, including engines. But now one of them says the other has reneged on the agreement by sleeping with a third party.

TOYOTA DOMINATES 4X4 MEGA WORLD 400

Toyota dominated the 4x4 Mega World 400, sixth round of the Absa Off Road Car Championship, which ended at Carnival City near Brakpan on Saturday afternoon.  In a tough two-day event run in hot and dusty conditions, Toyota crews took the overall honours, won each of the three classes and walked off with the manufacturers’ team prize.  Only 13 of the original 25 Production Vehicles that started the race reached the finish and seven of these were Toyotas.