NEW SA-BOUND LEXUS IS PROMISES FUN DRIVE

Before the all-new Lexus IS lands in South Africa in July, it has already accumulated over 1.6 million kilometres of testing and development - enough for two return trips to the moon. At the heart of the IS development process was the desire to ensure that all IS models maintained their outstanding dynamic capabilities while increasing overall space and comfort.

FORD RANGER ODYSSEY AFRICA SEMI-FINALISTS REVEALED

Today, Ford is revealing the 20 semi-finalists in phase 2 of the Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa 2013 competition: a Pan African 4x4 challenge that’ll seek to conquer some of Africa’s toughest terrain. Whittled down from hundreds of entries, the top 20 have been selected based on their technical experience and their communications skills.

ON THE ROAD: MERCEDES-BENZ SL 65 AMG

Will this car kill the planet?

Not on its own.

Will the planet kill it then?

Possibly. With emissions laws in the European Union becoming ever tougher on cars that drink like blue whales, it’s likely we’ll see the SL 65 AMG either change drastically in terms of its firepower, or fade away completely. You may have noticed that the power figure has been quite constant for three generations now. That’s no coincidence.

The fun police are out in full force then?

Sadly yes. But for now, we do have it and it’s crazy fun. Admittedly we’ve never quite liked the hum it gives off, compared to the V8 noise by the SL 63 AMG. Nevertheless at full flight one tends to forget all about that and focuses on all the flying trees…

Does it not frighten?

It can be a bit eery, given that it will do 0 – 100km/h in nearly 4 seconds, if good traction is found. Power sliding the car is not a difficult thing, as it is constantly begging to have its loose rear end hang out. Be really careful here because 630 horses ain’t at all like riding the Durban July. That’s child’s play. On the other hand, the SL 65 AMG can be driven quite sedately on normal roads on a daily basis. If fact, we found this aspect of the car to be the most surprising. And welcome too. It goes over normal speed humps easily without too much side stepping, parks wonderfully thanks to some of the parking aids available (we had the optional reversing camera fitted), and has no issues with traffic.

It is the everyday supercar we often hear about.

Indeed it is. Comfortable AMG seats hug and kiss you as soon as you enter, and the familiar Mercedes-Benz switchgear is easily operated. There is the same kit level as found in the S-Class, so one doesn’t have to sacrifice comfort for speed. Here I include things like the COMAND centre with USB port for music, climate control, lane keep assist, massage function, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Don’t forget the sunroof.

Luckily we had Magic Sky fitted in our test unit. Magic Sky is that revolutionary electronic tinting system that dims the sunroof at the touch of a button, and “clears” it again with the driver’s permission.

But the car is still a Convertible right?

Oh yeah. Pull back a button and the whole hard top pulls backwards into the boot where it lays still until you will it up again. The whole thing takes about 20 seconds. A cool feature is the ability to open/ close it using the key fob while standing outside the vehicle. This one gets onlookers looking ever harder.

Vote?

Definitely Yay. Stonking performance from one of the industry’s best-known names. Plus it’s not so exclusive as to shut out the ordinary man who, if he cannot afford it, can at least spot one on the road once in a while. Pity it doesn’t sound like it looks.

QUICK STATS

MERCEDES-BENZ SL 65 AMG

ENGINE: 6.0-litre V12 Biturbo

POWER: 463kW between 4800rpm and 5400rpm

TORQUE: 1 000Nm between 2300rpm and 4300rpm

0 – 100KM/H: 4.3 seconds

GEARBOX: 7-speed G-Tronic

TOP SPEED: 250km/h

FUEL AVERAGE:  18.2 l/100km

PRICE STANDARD: R2 668 175

NATURAL RIVALS: Ferrari 458 Italia, Audi R8 V10 Plus

BABE-MAGNETIC FACTOR: Extremely High

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4 XS RELEASED IN SA

The Land Rover Discovery 4, world-renowned as the ultimate all-purpose vehicle, is now available with coil spring suspension in the Discovery 4 XS, which has been specifically designed to cater to the adventure market.

ONE MILLIONTH JEEP WRANGLER ROLLS OFF FACTORY

The Jeep Wrangler, one of the most iconic and capable off-road vehicles in the world today, has reached a production milestone with the one-millionth JK model rolling off the assembly line at Chrysler Group’s Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Complex on 17th May. Chrysler executives, plant employees, union representatives and supplier partners gathered at the end of the line to mark the occasion.

MORE POWERFUL BMW M5 AND M6 COMPETITION SHOWN

The BMW Competition Package has become available for the new facelifted M5 and current M6 range. This is based on the facelifted 5 Series, which we will discuss in a later story. Competition Package adds a few sweeter touches to an already sweet pack of wolves, including a slight power hike for those of us who like our power “more”.

HONDA SA UPDATES CR-Z HYBRID COUPE

Honda South Africa has begun selling the revised CR-Z sports hybrid coupe. Revised means a number of changes have been made to what existed already, including some of the looks and the powertrain. Revised is not “new” per se, but revised. Originally it launched the CR-Z in Mzansi in 2010.

PORSCHE 918 SPYDER: MORE DETAILS

The upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder is said to have lapped Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 14 seconds. That’s mighty quick! Quicker than the old Carrera GT. Thus Porsche is quite confident that the car will be faster than its direct rivals, Ferrari’s LaFerrari and the McLaren P1. Here are some more details on the 918 Spyder.