BMW SA PRICES IMMINENT 6 SERIES GRAN COUPE

It’s only a matter of weeks now before BMW South Africa launches the brand new 6 Series Gran Coupe, a four-door coupe version of the beautiful 6. However, we have already gotten a hold of which models are coming and at what prices. The 6 Gran Coupe will be launched in 640i and 640d guises, starting at R877 000.

TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA REFRESHES STRUGGLING AYGO

The Toyota Aygo has regrouped and been refreshed to keep it relevant and possible gather more sales than it has previously. As Toyota’s entry-level model, Aygo should really be setting sales records, but has so far failed to capture the country’s imagination. With the changes comes hope.

ELECTRIC TOYOTA RAV4 REVEALED

Toyota yesterday revealed the all-new Toyota RAV4 electric vehicle at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. The RAV4 EV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 160km and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV's driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the petrol-powered RAV4 V6.

SUNDOWNS' TEKO MODISE TO LOSE HIS CARS?

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Teko Modise could find himself immobile after apparently defaulting on maintenance payments for his wife Ntswaki. Modise is said to owe over R52 000 in back-payments, which are said to be R31 000 a month. Worse, she wants some of his cars as well! If he doesn’t deliver, an arrest warrant may be issued and see him spending time in jail.

BMW SALES INCREASE

The BMW Group continued on its successful course as the world’s leading premium car company once again in April with an increase of 6.1% in sales. A total of 145 505 (previous year 137195) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were sold worldwide last month. Over the past four months the number of deliveries climbed 9.8% to a new record of 571 040 vehicles (previous year 519 958). 

SUZUKI HITTING RIGHT INDIA SPOT

Maruti Suzuki, a leading contender in the increasingly competitive and rapidly growing Indian motor industry, has every reason to celebrate. The company exported its one-millionth vehicle in April.
 

SMALLEST OPEL ADAM CONFIRMED

Opel has confirmed a new entry-level model in its line-up. The smallest Opel will be called the Adam, presumably after the brand’s founding member Adam Opel. It will be a city car that falls below the Corsa, but is to be based on a shortened next-generation Corsa platform.

BABY VW GOLF AND JETTA GO DSG

The new Jetta and Golf 1.4 TSI 90kW Comfortline derivatives can now be ordered with an optional 7-speed DSG transmission.

SANRAL CEO NAZIR ALLI RESIGNS

The resignation last night of Nazir Alli, the CEO of the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) seems to have been written in the stars. Or at least it was as soon as Judge Prinsloo delivered the verdict that Gauteng’s so-called e-toll plan should be paused until certain legal processes were completed. He leaves his office on the 3^rd of June.

SCHUMACHER OVERTAKEN BY TIGER WOODS

Michael Schumacher, the man who has won 7 Formula One Championships - the last 5 in a row, is no longer the highest-paid sportsman of all time. That crown has gone to Tiger Woods. Schumacher, according to the UK Sunday Times’ list, Woods has made US$869 million (R6.8 billion) this far. The Schu on the other hand, has “only” amassed US$823 million (R6.4 billion) so far.

TOYOTA 86 WINS HANDLING AWARD

The Toyota 86 (as opposed to the GT 86 in Europe) is launching in Mzansi this July. Toyota’s two-door coupe has won its first international award, the first of probably a lot more. It has scooped the top spot at the 2012 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards and earned its chief engineer Tetsuya Tada the Dynamicist of the Year award.

PRETTY KIA OPTIMA LURES MZANSI CUSTOMERS

Kia South Africa launched what is sure to be one of the most beautiful cars on Mzansi roads, the all-new Optima sedan. Optima, which used to be called Magentis (K5 internally at Kia), was first unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in 2010, and subsequently shown locally at JIMS 2011. It will compete to win in a segment that’s recently been ignited by its company cousin, the Hyundai Sonata.