GET REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION INSTANTLY

A new traffic information system is to be introduced by the SABC. It will carry live, real-time traffic reports that can be accessed 24/7 via cell phone. Incident reports will be gathered from local traffic authorities, motorists, road-building contractors and emergency services among others. Drivers will be able to access the information through a voice system that gives them a picture of what traffic is currently like on any of the major roads in the Jozi, Pretoria, Greater Cape Town and Durban areas.

The service will be brought to you by the SABC’s traffic team led by Rob Byrne, Marketel, NGN Telecoms and Vodacom as the SABC New Media Unit. To register one has to call 082 152.

NELSON MANDELA BAY GETS ITS LANCERS

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan (includes Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch) police department has scooped a fleet of brand spanking new Mitsubishi Lancers for its hardworking officers. A total of 32 cars were supplied, 27 of which are to be used as patrol cars while the rest have been set aside for the VIP Protection unit.

“We consider this opportunity as one step towards becoming a preferred supplier to fleet managers who are looking for affordable, comfortable and powerful vehicles to fulfill their needs” says Mitsubishi SA boss Suraiya Naidoo.

The new Lancer is equipped with a 2.0-litre engine producing 114kW, making it one of the most powerful naturally aspirated 2.0-litre cars in the country. It comes with either a manual gearbox or a CVT and is capable of achieving a top speed of 200km/h. We can certainly testify to the superior handling abilities of the Lancer having tested one in 2008.

Mitsubishi will finally launch the insane 217kW Evo X some time this year.

NO R32 V6 FOR GOLF 6?

The guys at AutoExpress say they have inside information that claims the Golf R32 will not be a part of the new Golf VI lineup. Instead VW will introduce the name R20T which will be the new top of the range Golf. The R20T will do away with the current 3.2 V6 found in the R32 and instead use a 2.0-litre turbo engine that should produce about 200kW (272hp). Golf cousin Audi S3 already has this very mill under its bonnet but it’s detuned for SA conditions to only deliver 188kW (256hp). A Scirocco R20T will also take the same hard-working engine. The new Golf GTI Mk 6 makes a disappointing 155kW (211hp) which is an improvement of only 8kW (11hp).

South Africa was only allowed five-door versions of the Golf GTI and the R32. Although the R32 only came with a DSG gearbox, those who were lucky enough to do a VW Advanced Driving Course at Kayalami were able to experience the V6 with a 6-speed manual.

A 2.0-litre turbo engine would certainly be most welcome because it’s light, cleaner and would perform much better at a high altitude country like Mzansi. The R32 got plenty of deserved criticism because it only marginally beats the GTI in performance up at the Reef. It sounds quite nice though. We should see the new Golf VI on SA roads by August this year.

*We deliberately used a picture of the once-off never-produced Golf V W12 for dramatic efffect*

SOURCE: AutoExpress via WCF

MOTOR INDUSTRY LEGEND BOB LUTZ RETIRES

The legendary Robert “Bob” Lutz will be leaving General Motors at the end of 2009. Bob is Product Vice Chairman at GM and has been responsible for the development of such vehicles as the Chevrolet Camaro and VOLT as well as the fire-breathing Corvette ZR1. He will take up the role of an advisor at GM from April until his retirement.

Lutz is a perennial motor industry go-to guy. Before coming back to GM he was at Chrysler. At some point he was also at Ford, making him one of, or perhaps the only high-ranking executive in the industry to work for all “Big Three” American automakers.

“Bob Lutz was already a legendary automotive product guy when he rejoined GM in 2001,” says GM CEO Rick Wagoner, “and he's added to that by leading the creation of a string of award-winning vehicles for GM during his time here. His 46 years of experience in the global automotive business have been invaluable to us. I've personally learned a great deal from Bob and have very much enjoyed the time we've worked together.”

GM executive Tom Stephens will take over Bob’s role. Stephens has worked for GM for 40 years.

RENAULT AND FORD BACK IN TALKS ABOUT VOLVO SALE?

A report doing the rounds claims that Renault is again talking to Ford about possibly buying the blue oval’s Euro-based premium brand Volvo Cars. Last year the two companies began discussions on this issue but nothing came of them. It was said Ford was asking too much for Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn’s liking. Now the negotiations are back on track. Mr Ghosn is known for his uncompromising approach to business. Four years ago he was talking to General Motors about a possible merger. The guys at GM thought it would be a merger of equals between Renault, Nissan and them but Ghosn is said to have wanted total control of the entire business. GM backed off.

Volvo Cars on the other hand was sold to Ford way back in 1999. It became part of the Premier Automotive Group which consisted of Land Rover, Volvo, Lincoln, Aston Martin and Jaguar. Aston Martin has since been sold to a consortium in Britain while Tata Motors bought both Jaguar and Land Rover for US$2.3 billion (R22.7 billion in today’s money).

Renault could use a premium brand like Volvo in its stable. Nissan’s Infiniti is still very small compared to Toyota’s Lexus and some markets like South Africa don’t even plan to introduce the Infiniti brand, therefore limiting its future growth potential.