VOLKSWAGEN CC FACELIFTED

In July 2009, Volkswagen launched the CC, a Passat with coupe ambitions that only had enough seat space for four occupants. Later a normal 5-seat version was announced. Now the CC has gained VW’s current face, new, fresh, and in line with the rest of the family.

OPEL ASTRA OPC BREAKS COVER!

Opel Astra OPC. Three words that put fear into the hearts and souls of drivers of competitive hot hatches. And it’s the volcano of Opel hatches. Based on the current Astra, we expect to see it in South Africa some time in 2012, with its 4-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo engine. Previous OPC was used to 177kW, but this one has gained quite a few more kiloWatts to surpass it.

ONE MILLIONTH CHEVROLET CRUZE SOLD

Chevrolet is celebrating its Centennial today by saying thanks a million – literally – to buyers of its top-selling Chevrolet Cruze. The compact car, which launched globally in 2009 and in North America in 2010, reached 1 million sales this week.

BRAND NEW PEUGEOT 208 HATCHES OUT

Ladies and gents, here’s the brand new Peugeot 208, a car that replaces the 207. Competitors in the segment will include the likes of Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris among others. South Africa will receive its first 208 hatches in late 2012.

SUBARU BRZ CONCEPT SPORTS CAR FOR LA AUTO SHOW

Toyota and Subaru, a brand in which Toyota has equity, have jointly developed a sports coupe they hope will play in the field of cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco. The Subaru version is currently being called the BRZ and its concept form will appear at the 2011 LA Auto Show which starts in two weeks’ time.

BIG AMAROK NOW COMES IN SMALL PETROL DOSES

Volkswagen is continuing with its strategy of building powerful yet small-engined Amarok vehicles. First were the diesel double cabs, and now the petrol has joined them. Displacing only 2.0-litre, the turbo TSI delivers only one power output, unlike the diesel which has a choice of two.

MINI ROADSTER UNVEILED, SLATED FOR 2012

The year 2012 sees a hive of activity for BMW in South Africa. One of these activities will involve the launch of the all-new MINI Roadster, which is of course related to the Coupe, except for the hard roof. Roadster will share identical mechanicals, engines, colours, interior features and so on with its Coupe brother. Everything except the roof.

TOYOTA INTRODUCES SPECIAL EDITION HERITAGE MODELS

In the maelstrom of new models and concept cars at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show, one could be forgiven for not noticing the Heritage Editions of three of South Africa’s most loved vehicles – the Corolla, Hilux and Fortuner.

GEELY SA TO SELL CHINESE BAKKIES

China’s love affair with Mzansi grows by the month. Just last month, the Chongqing Sokon Motor Group Import and Export Company (sorry, there’s no shorter nickname) announced it was entering the local light commercial vehicles (LCV) market. The local arm of Geely Motors will be the full importer and distributor through its dealership network.

JEEP WRANGLER GOES FRUGAL ON DIESEL

The Jeep name has introduced a new 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine into its lineup. This should alleviate the pain felt by regular petrol Jeep Wrangler owners and drivers each time they have to fill up, which is quite often. It’s a powerful and torquey motor as well. There’s also some visual differences as well for the Sahara from other Wranglers.

FAMILY HIJACKED, SAVED BY THE GLASS

Bullets flew in the leafy suburb of Bedfordview on Sunday night as a hijacking went horribly wrong, horribly wrong for the hijackers that is!

CHERY RAISES THE BAR

Chery, the leading independent motor manufacturer in China, has underlined its No. 1 position as a vehicle exporter by exceeding its target for 2011 in less than nine months. A total of 122 441 units were shipped from China in the first nine months of the year, which was an increase of 80.4% over the performance a year previously and exceeded the company’s annual target of 120 000 units.