A tuner once put a previous-generation BMW M5 (294kW) engine into the previous-generation BMW X5. It lapped the Nurburgring at a very fast pace and impressed some top brass BMW executives. G-POWER has not installed the 5.0-litre V10 in its X5 G-POWER TYPHOON, but instead used the 4.8-litre V8 currently found in the 4.8i. In standard form the engine produces a respectable 270kW (367hp).
But this would not be G-POWER if the power remained the same. The tuner decided to opt for a supercharger to extract more thrust. How about 460kW (625hp) for starters? Then 700Nm of torque? How about the claimed 0 – 100km/h time of 4.5 seconds? Does that grab your apples? That is more powerful than a standard X5 M.
G-POWER says its car will achieve a top end of 285km/h which is stuff of absolute legends for an SUV. The standard 6-speed automatic gearbox is used to access the power and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
G-POWER says the interior can be customised to suit the individual so buyers can very much go wild as far as that goes.
The HUMMER H2 is regarded by many as the king of bling, the type of car that sidelines everything else without even trying. Lately though these huge road hoggers have been sidelined themselves by the “green” brigade as well as high fuel prices, prompting a downward spiral in sales.
GeigerCars, never one to shy away from contributing its own bullet to the ozone armour, has released this H2. One of the first noticeable things about this massive SUV are the four chrome-clad wheels which measure a bombastic 30-inches. Behind them are big Brembo brakes meant to stop this T-Rex as it lays down rubber on the tarmac.
And plenty of rubber it should lay after getting a supercharger to beef up its arsenal. Power is 402kW at 5900rpm while maximum torque is 763Nm found at 4500rpm. Such figures put it in the league of cars like the BMW X5/ X6 M and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Few will stand in its way after it hits the 100km/h point after 6.9 seconds as it goes on to a top speed of 228km/h. Whether anyone will have the required brass balls to actually go through with that is another story. What it sounds like in full glory we can only imagine.
With bling the theme, GeigerCars saw it fit to install two-tone leather seating in a brown and beige contrast (called Latte Macciatto), a DVD player, satellite navigation system and a rear-view camera for reversing.
BMW SAYS: BMW’s efficient 520d walked away with a trio of awards, including overall victory in the 2009 Total Economy run. This year’s iteration the annual event organised by the Pretoria Motor Club, took place in Mpumalanga last weekend.
The automatic derivative of the BMW 520d entered by Leo Haese Pretoria and piloted by Willie le Roux and Hein van der Walt, scored an index of fuel efficiency figure of 2,781/100km per ton, to take the overall honours.
In addition, the BMW 520d was a class winner in the 2,0-litre diesel class, with a consumption of 5,209l/100km, as well as achieving overall honours for the diesel division with an Index of Fuel Efficiency of 2,781l/100km per ton.
The model is powered by a 2,0-litre four cylinder turbo diesel with a power peak of 130kW and maximum torque output of 350Nm and combines the perfect mix of performance and efficiency. Other models in the BMW stable powered by the same engine include the 120d, 320d and X3 xDrive20d.
The 520d epitomises BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme, which aims to bring a range of cars to market that are class leaders in performance and fuel efficiency, whilst also having the lowest carbon emissions.
South African vehicle sales for the month of July saw yet another dip. This time the total market was some 25.9% down year-on-year. But at the same time July represented the second-best sales month of 2009 after March. Just 34 503 new vehicles were sold in July 2009 with passenger cars accounting for 22 058 of those. That is 3.5% higher than June 2009. Light commercial vehicles such as bakkies (pickup) and others declined 23% on July 2008 figures, with volumes reaching 10 711 units.
“Based on these latest trends it appears as if the downward trend in new vehicle sales has been arrested,” said Brand Pretorius, CE of McCarthy Limited. “Unfortunately demand from private individuals remains subdued, as potential customers remain cautious with regard to taking on new debt.”
“Given the additional selling days in July, its too early to make the call that the industry has stopped the roller coaster ride downwards, but we are encouraged by the performance of the commercial segments. August month will be an indicator,” said Malcolm Gauld, GMSA Vice President for Sales and Marketing.
Gauld should be encouraged; his Corsa Utility bakkie has been the country’s best-selling half-tonner for 52 consecutive months. In July 2009 it moved 1 375 units.
Ford Motor Company is equally optimistic that the market is soon to turn.
“The market is beginning to show tangible signs of stability at or near the bottom of this difficult cycle,” says Vice President Sales and Marketing, FMCSA, Jacques Brent. “While we cannot expect a turn-around in the near term, it is reassuring for retailers that volumes are less volatile, and indeed on a marginally positive trend currently, which will assist them greatly in their business planning.”
Here are the top 10 sellers for July 2009 in the passenger and LCV categories. Units in brackets:
Passenger
1. Volkswagen CitiGolf (1 630)
2. Toyota Corolla (1 315)
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class (1 030)
4. Volkswagen Polo (979)
5. BMW 3 Series (871)
6. Volkswagen Polo Classic (754)
7. Toyota Fortuner (700)
8. Chevrolet Aveo (668)
9. Toyota Yaris (489)
10. Ford Fiesta (488)
LCV
1. Toyota Hilux (2 653)
2. Opel Corsa Utility (1 375)
3. Toyota Quantum (963)
4. Isuzu KB (886)
5. Nissan NP300 Hardbody (862)
6. Nissan NP200 (708)
7. Ford Ranger (666)
8. Ford Bantam(577)
9. Mazda BT-50 (271)
10. Mitsubishi Triton (201)
SOURCE: the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa
