BMW M BOSS UNLOADS M3, M1 AND M5 SECRETS

Dr. Kay Segler has been in charge at BMW M GmbH for just over a year. Under the motto "Automobile dreams. Making them come true", the BMW M3 GTS was created as an impressive example of how important it is to "Mister M" to fulfil customer wishes.

His philosophy is that making dreams come true has top priority. This is also reflected by numerous prototype photographs currently in circulation on the internet. As the BMW M3 celebrates its 25th anniversary, we were interested to find out more.

Dr. Segler, the BMW M3 was first produced in 1986 and delivered from 1987.  Hasn't the anniversary got underway a little early?

RENAULT KOLEOS UPDATED

A host of updated and improved specification levels on their Koleos crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) range have been announced by Renault South Africa.
Already a strong contender in this popular sector, the spec upgrades and additions to three key Koleos models will not only boost their performance prowess but also add significantly to the creature comforts enjoyed by drivers and passengers according to Xavier Gobille, Managing Director of Renault South Africa.

BMW TEASES WITH 1 SERIES M COUPE SNIPPETS

BMW has made no secret of the fact that a small 1 Series is finally getting M treatment. We’ve all been screaming and shouting about it, BMW responding by giving us a 135i which, as much as I love it, just doesn’t have the allure of that M badge. These teaser images and video are officially from BMW and their aim of course, is to whet that tongue to uncontrollable wagging.

NEXT SUZUKI SWIFT SAFE AS HOUSES

Suzuki’s all-new Swift subcompact hatchback has been awarded a full five stars by the Euro NCAP safety authority.

The new Swift, which is due for release in South Africa early next year, features electronic stability control as standard, which contributed to its five-star assessment. The hatchback also scored high marks in pedestrian, adult occupant and child occupant categories.
 

PEUGEOT UNVEILS 3008 HYBRID4, WORLD'S FIRST DIESEL HYBRID

The world’s first ever diesel hybrid car goes on sale in Europe sometime in 2011. Peogeot’s 3008 HYbrid4 is the deliverance of a promise made by Peugeot to its customers of a cleaner motoring future peppered with the company’s well-known engineering prowess and driving satisfaction.

NEW CITROEN C4 SCORES BIG ON SAFETY

The new CITROËN C4 has achieved an overall score of 5 stars in the latest Euro NCAP ratings. Indeed, it won 5 stars in all categories. With a score of 97% in assistance systems, it achieved the best result in the compact saloon class. This provides guaranteed peace of mind for increasingly demanding customers.

The new CITROËN C4 has balanced road-holding, strengthened by driving assistance technology as standard, such as electronic braking distribution, emergency braking assistance and smart traction control, combined with ESP. In addition to its road-holding performance, onboard safety is one of its many advantages, with 6 airbags as standard (driver, front passenger, side and curtain). 

FACELIFT 2010 AUDI TT RANGE HERE IN OCTOBER

Has it been that long for one of our favourite cars? It would seem so. The Audi TT range is due for a facelift this year. Actually Europe already has this new car on the market, but Mzansi will only receive first stocks in October. Which gives us plenty good time to budget.

Audi didn’t just go to the cosmetics shop to pick up a make-up kit. Virtually every meaningful area has been worked on, including the engines. First though, a look at

GEMBALLA BACK IN BUSINESS WITH NEW CEO, FOUNDER STILL MISSING

GEMBALLA, best known for converting Porsches into super Porsches (as if that was even possible), has been without a leader ever since its CEO Uwe Gemballa disappeared off the face of the earth in February. Last word was that he was spotted in Jozi somewhere, but nothing has been said since then.

MAZDA2, 3 AND 5 FACELIFTS FOR 2010 PARIS AUTO SHOW

Mazda will debut its facelifted Mazda2 hatch at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show which kicks off on the 30^th of September for the press and on Saturday for the general public. The car will feature a new front end with what Mazda calls its “unique family face”, a new upgraded interior and an upgraded chassis for better ride comfort.

MAHINDRA TO BUY SSANGYONG

India could emerge as the next sleeping giant in the automotive industry. This after Mahindra and Mahindra struck a deal to buy Ssangyong Motor of South Korea. Mahindra is the second Indian company to be attached to a relatively large foreign car brand following Tata Motor’s total acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover two years ago.

The terms of the deal