ON THE ROAD: LEXUS IS 350

Lexus is quite late on this one aren’t they?

Yes. It seems the local outfit have this habit of lagging international trends in a large way. A number of their models do tend to arrive in Mzansi a few years after launching in other markets. Examples include the outdated SC 430 and the fast IS-F. So the IS 350 is no different.

SPECIAL EDITION SL 65 AMG 45TH ANNIVERSARY

A special edition Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG 45^th Anniversary is to be produced to mark the 45^th birthday of AMG. Only 45 units will be produced for the June 2012 celebrations, ensuring they either become collectors’ items or are extremely expensive. Or both. A right-hand-drive version is probably not going to happen, so Mzansi can tick itself off the list.

IRON MAN'S AVENGERS HONDA (ACURA) NSX BLOWS COVER

The Avengers movie comes out on the 27^th of April at Ster-Kinekor cinemas near you. Some of the heroes portrayed in the Marvel Comics action flick include the Hulk and Thor. And of course, Iron Man. Played by Robert Downey jnr, Iron Man or Tony Stark, is a multi-billionaire with a penchant for expensive cars. Here’s one of them, the convertible version of the Acura (Honda) NSX.

JAGUAR CONFIRMS SMALL F-TYPE ROADSTER

Jaguar, at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, confirmed it will begin selling a brand new model range. Called the F-Type, the new car will add to existing XF sedan, XF Sportbrake, XJ and XK Coupe/Convertible range.

BMW BREAKS SALES RECORDS

The BMW Group has achieved its best ever first quarter in worldwide sales. “With over 400000 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles sold worldwide, we have had an outstanding first quarter and the best ever in the company’s history,” said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW, from the New York Auto Show.

GEELY PLANS TO DETHRONE CHERY IN CHINESE DOG FIGHT

Geely aims to become China’s largest auto exporter in two years, overtaking Chery by focusing on expansion in developing countries. The Chinese carmaker plans to open factories in Belarus and Uruguay this year, Gui Shengyue, chief executive officer of Geely, said in a television interview in Hong Kong on Monday.

2013 SRT VIPER SHOWN IN NEW YORK

It’s finally arrived! The all-new 2013 model SRT Viper has been officially launched at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. Ditching the Dodge moniker to be simply known as SRT Viper, the new American muscle supercar has adopted new technologies while staying true to its original brutal roots.

NEW MINI COOPER JCW GP EDITION CONFIRMED

2005 MINI Cooper JCW GP

Rumours of a new MINI John Cooper Works GP edition surfaced a couple of months ago. Now it seems these are actually true, judging from a statement issued by MINI. A brand new JCW GP will debut at the MINI United Festival this May in Le Castellet in France.

BMW X1 FACELIFT REVEALED

The 2012 New York International Auto Show will be scene upon which BMW is to reveal its X1 facelift. Launched in Mzansi in April 2010, the X1 had become Europe’s biggest-selling SUV by the time it came over here. Such success was not to be here, primarily because it’s not exactly cheap. Nevertheless we can expect the facelift either later in the year or in early 2013.

MZANSI'S TOP SELLING CARS OF MARCH 2012

The automotive market in Mzansi seems very healthy and buoyant indeed, according to the freshest sales figures released today. Over the month of March 2012, a total of 56 110 vehicles were sold, with 38 970 of them being passenger cars. The latter showed an increase of 8.4% compared to the first quarter of 2011. April however, is expected to be comparably quiet due to the many public holidays.

GARY FORMATO TAKES WIN IN CAPE TOWN

Team Ford Racing was victorious at the second round of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship in Cape Town. Changing weather conditions made it exceptionally difficult to judge the class T pace during Friday’s practice sessions.

LEAKED! 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-CLASS PICTURES

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) confirmed in February that the next-generation GL-Class will be sold here in 2013. Now we have pictures of the car in its full glory! It will be officially unveiled at the 2013 New York International Auto Show this week. Judging from these, Merc has kept a real close family design language with the new ML-Class which is due in Mzansi in a few months’ time.

MAHINDRA SA TO DISTRIBUTE SSANGYONG

Two years ago the Mahindra Group of India bought 75% of Ssangyong Motors from South Korea. The specialist SUV producer was just adding to its growing portfolio of SUV vehicles since Ssangyong is similarly a specialist. Now Mahindra South Africa has announced it will distribute all Ssangyong products from this moment forward.

BMW I8 CONCEPT SPYDER REVEALED

BMW officially unveiled the i8 Concept Spyder, a car obviously based on the i8 Coupe. The i8 is almost certain to arrive in South Africa in 2015 or 2016, so there’s also a chance the production version of the Spyder will make it too. Cross thumbs.

ON THE ROAD: NISSAN JUKE

Not sure what to say.

Say it like is it. Juke is ugly.

Ok, it is.

But having said that, its ugliness is one that’s comparable to the first BMW Z4 and recent HUMMER H3; ugly, but striking. Not beautiful at all, yet quite befitting of its purpose and reason for existence.