MASERATI GRANCABRIO SPORT BREAKS COVER

Maserati has introduced the new GranCabrio Sport to customers in Europe. The drop-top Maser was first unveiled at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show and features, among others, a new black colour, red accents on the Maserati Trident and new headlights with white reflectors.

UNVEILED: BMW I8 CONCEPT AMAZES, HEADS TO JOZI

The BMW i8 Concept car was officially launched last Friday at a glitzy ceremony where the company and its bosses unveiled the upcoming hybrid sports car to the world. The 2+2 seater (2 front , 2 at the back) will be the second of BMW’s new i cars, following the smaller i3.

TOYOTA TOPS AT SUN CITY RALLY

Former national off road champion Duncan Vos and co-driver Rob Howie, driving a Super Production class Castrol Team Toyota Hilux, this afternoon won the Sun City 400 in North West Province.  Second, 4,48 minutes in arrears, was the BMW X3 of former champion Hannes Grobler and Hennie ter Stege, with Malcolm Kock and Johan Burger third in a privateer Toyota Hilux a further 4 min 48 sec behind.

MERCEDES-BENZ BUILDING X6 KILLER CALLED MLC IN THE US?

A story published by Automotive News Europe says that Mercedes-Benz really is developing a BMW X6 competitor. If true this piece of news would confirm an earlier rumour concerning the same issue. The vehicle would be built at Daimler’s US plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and feature a coupe-like rear profile.

FORD FIESTA POPS BUBBLY CORK ON 35TH ANNIVERSARY

The Ford Fiesta reached two important milestones in July, celebrating its 35th birthday with a total of 15 million cars produced worldwide.

The Ford Fiesta reached the 15 million production landmark this month, a figure boosted by the popularity of the latest generation model. Ford has built a million of the current model since it debuted 28 months ago.

NEW 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS INTERIOR SHOWN

Mercedes-Benz is quickly learning the tease game from rival BMW. First they teased us with outlines of the new upcoming B-Class unit, and now they are showing us full colour pictures of the interior. All this before we even see what the exterior looks like. It appears the B has moved upmarket quite significantly in terms of quality and build.

SA-BOUND BMW I3 CONCEPT DETAILED

BMW unveiled the i3 Concept car today, a small city transporter that runs entirely on electricity or electric power. The i3 is one of two futuristic cars being introduced by the Bavarians in the next couple of years. Good news is that South Africans will be able to buy the i3 at local dealerships within the next 3 years.

CHEVROLET SUCKS SOLAR POWER AT US DEALERSHIPS

Chevrolet is harnessing the power of the sun to install solar-powered electric charging stations for its Volts at dealerships in North America. The Green Zone initiative will generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day and excess electricity created will help supplement the dealership’s power needs.

LAND ROVER COULD DUMP DEFENDER

Land Rover could ditch the hard-core, long-serving Defender model, 64 years after it came to market. Company bosses who spoke to the UK’s AutoExpress hinted to the publication about several challenges facing the icon, including one relating to fading sales and market share.

BMW INVADES COCKPITS WITH HEADPHONE DESIGN

A pilot’s headset needs to combine high functionality with a well-thought-out design, as it is a key contributor to the safety of the pilot and passengers. Audio specialist Sennheiser therefore collaborated with DesignworksUSA, a design consultancy and subsidiary of the BMW Group to develop their new S1 Digital general aviation headset which will launch at AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh on July 25th.