RECORD SALES AT AUDI SA

August 2010 has seen the Audi brand post its highest ever sales performance on the South African market. With continued strong demand across the model portfolio, the Audi brand is on track for another year of record achievements.
 
With 1 260 sales recorded in August, Audi managed a premium market share of 21.8%. Year to date, Audi’s performance in the premium segment has risen from 15.6% in 2009 to 16.9% in 2010.
 

2010 KIA SPORTAGE LAUNCHED, DRIVEN

Can one say enough about Peter Schreyer without sounding like a groupie? I guess not. Audi’s loss is Kia’s gain. How they let the guy who designed the original funky TT go still amazes me. My only consolation is they knew/know what they were doing. A massive institution like Volkswagen has many capable and talented designers in its team, not least of all the chief, Walter da Silva himself. Still, I can’t help but wonder if Kia hadn’t tossed the proverbial bone Schreyer’s way, what kind of Audis we’d have today. Indeed, what kind of Kias.

VW SALES ROCKET IN AUGUST

During August 2010 a total of 33 541 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa. Total new passenger car sales in August, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, increased by 14.8% when compared to July 2010, and by 49.6% when compared to August 2009, bringing the year-to-date August market in 2010 to a level 31.4% above the same period for 2009.

TURBO POWERED PETROL CITROEN C5 ANNOUNCED

South Africans are now benefiting from Citroën, the innovative French motor manufacturer, successfully using of the latest turbocharging technology in a smaller capacity engine to provide a combination of outstanding performance and fuel economy.

This strategy is used instead of installing larger capacity and heavier normally aspirated power units to achieve the required performance. The smaller engine achieves substantial benefits in terms of fuel usage and emissions.

NEW C02 TAX LAW AFFECTING PEUGEOT PRICES

Peugeot Motors South Africa has revised its new vehicle retail prices as of 1 September to coincide with the SA government’s implementation of a CO2 emissions tax on new passenger cars.

The emissions tax is calculated based on a threshold of 120 g of CO2 per kilometre. Vehicles with a CO2 emissions rating exceeding the threshold will attract a tax of R75 for every gram of CO2 above the 120 g/km limit.
 

CITROEN DS LINE GROWS WITH NEW DS4

Citroen’s DS4 has been shown off in official pictures. Information is also available to those looking for someone chic and different in the medium-segment hatchback market. The DS4 falls into Citroen’s new DS Line of cars defined by a mix of premium and sportiness. Case in point? The smaller DS3. And like the DS3 is based on the C3, the DS4 is based on, you guessed it, the C4. Follow the dotted line and you’ll realise that at the end of the rainbow is a DS5 in waiting. Yes, that will be based on the excellent C5.

NEW ISUZU KB72 CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING 72 HOURS

General Motors South Africa has announced the release of the Isuzu KB72, an added value version of the popular KB 250 LE Double Cab, to commemorate Isuzu’s successful completion of its 72 hour challenge.

At the heart of that challenge was a drive to better established time and distance records, set in 2003, for diesel powered pick-ups. During the challenge Isuzu demonstrated the reliability, durability and economy of its proven diesel technology. Fundamental to the success

2010 FORD FOCUS RS SHAKEN, AND STIRRED

Jeff Nemeth is just two kart lengths ahead of me as we bullet under the bridge at Zwartkops go-kart track. He is firmly protecting his lines but two aspects are against his plans: my determination and the massive width of this track. The immediate turn is a sharp right-hander. Thankfully it’s wide enough to pull a classic Hamilton move. Late braking…actually make that NO BRAKING at all and we hit the preceding incline side by side as a treacherous left hander with roughage and camber changes beckons. Kodak moment fast approaching now; He goes wide and I go tighter. Bumps; opposite lock; (flash); Phuti Mpyane is in front and Ford SA CEO beaten.

RUNDLE AND MOHR PUNCTURED OUT OF CARNIVAL CITY

Off road racing is a cruel mistress and when the dice doesn’t roll in your favour, you have to take it like a man.  So it was for Thomas Rundle and Juan Mohr (Barden Tyre Services Racing Nissan Navara) in the 4x4 Mega World 400, round five of the Absa Off Road Car Championship, which took place over the weekend near Carnival City.
 

MCLAREN MP4-12C SHOWCASED IN THE US

McLaren Automotive took the opportunity to showcase its first supercar at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the USA. Interested parties and other invited guests were given the chance to have an up-close and personal look at the new 441kW MP4-12C and some even got to sit inside the cockpit and touch it. Guests included the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger and world-famous car collector/ TV star Jay Leno.