JIMS 2011: AUDI UNVEILS ELECTRIC E-TRON, MIGHTY R8 GT

Audi always presents an internationally-acclaimed concept at JIMS, and this year is no different. The latest e-tron concept was unveiled amid lots of celebrity fanfare, including well-known brand ambassadors Lira, Michael Mol and Siyabonga “Scoop” Ngwekazi. The car, while it may resemble an R8, is actually all-electric powered and generates a thunderous 4500Nm of torque. Audi really will build this battery-powered car in the near future.

BMW TO DITCH RWD M5 FOR AWD?

BMW is currently launching the all-new M5 in Spain for the international media. At the event, M5 Project Leader Mr Max Ahme dropped a bombshell that very few M5 fans are prepared to hear: the car could possibly ditch rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and instead feature all-wheel-drive (AWD). Gasp!

DTI PLEDGES TO BUY LOCALLY-BUILT VEHICLES

The government, through the Department of Trade and Industry, has pledged to support automakers that manufacture locally. DTI Minister Rob Davies said his department is “looking to looking to designate specific vehicles, starting with buses, for procurement by state agencies to raise domestic production and employment.”

CHEVROLET DRIFTERS RUN AMOK AT JIMS 2011

The team at XS Promotions had the crowds at the Johannesburg International Motor Show enthralled over the weekend with plenty of sideways action with the fleet of Chevrolet Lumina CR8 and Lumina SSV vehicles. There’s nothing quite like the roar of a V8 engine, the squealing of tyres and the smell of burned rubber on a beautiful summer’s afternoon.

JIMS 2011: MINI UNCOVERS PACEMAN, COUPE

MINI unveiled two of its arsenal pieces at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS). One is the all-new MINI Coupe, while the other was a concept called the Paceman. Both are headed to Mzansi at different points in time. We expect the Coupe here before year end, while the Paceman could still be a year away.

TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA, GINIEL DE VILLIERS ATTACK DAKAR

A notable South African export achievement happened last week with the airfreighting of an off road racing Toyota Hilux Double Cab from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to Europe for its new owner, the Belgian team Overdrive.  

JIMS 2011: VOLKSWAGEN DEBUTS BEETLE, GOLF CABRIOLET AND GO!

The Volkswagen stand at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) is one of the largest and several model debuts took place over there. The main ones were the all-new Beetle, the Go! Concept and the Golf Cabriolet. Again, it seems the Africans just don’t receive all the good stuff the Europeans are shown.

JIMS 2011: MERCEDES-BENZ STAND REVEALS NEXT A-CLASS, TOPLESS SLS AMG

Three years ago Mercedes-Benz debuted the SL 65 AMG Black Series at JIMS, which was then known as Auto Africa. This time the company’s centre piece is a family car. It’s the upcoming A-Class in concept form. Quite the hottie is this thing, as it features a new, sleek and coupe-like design that will square up much more closely with the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

JIMS 2011: NISSAN BLOWS IN LEAF, SIR JUKE

The Nissan LEAF made its first African appearance at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show. The LEAF, which has no petrol or diesel at all anywhere in its veins, runs purely on electricity, thanks to rechargeable batteries. There’s currently no indication is to whether Nissan SA will bring the car over or not, given our sometimes erratic power supply.

GENERAL MOTORS DISHES OUT MIRAY, HOT GTC, SUPER SONIC AT JIMS 2011

General Motors showed off the Chevrolet Miray Concept car at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show. Some reckon it’s the next Corvette, but with a hybrid engine, one would be sceptical of this thought. Miray (pronounced My-Ray) is powered by two electric motors and a double-clutch transmission. It’s shaped like a speedster, with a low windscreen and no roof. The car is GM’s showstopper this year.