2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK REVEALED!

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new SLK roadster. After almost seven years in production, the old car – which took its styling cues from the McLaren SLR – is being replaced. The SLK is probably best known for popularising the electronically folding hard top format that is now available in many CCs (coupe convertibles) and roadsters. This car predictably takes after the SLS AMG in terms of looks.

KIA SPORTAGE WINS MAJOR AUSTRALIAN ACCOLADE

Kia’s exciting Sportage SUV has kicked an early goal in the awards season with a win in the SUV under AU$40 000 (R272 300) category at the prestigious Drive awards.

The experienced panel of judges from the respected Drive and Drive.com media group put the all-new Sportage SLi diesel automatic at the top of one of the most crowded and competitive segments in the Australian motoring landscape.

GM'S EN-V ELECTRIC CONCEPT SHOWS THE FUTURE?

General Motors’ EN-V concepts made their North American public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, following a six-month run as main attractions at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

AMAZING NORMAL HILUX REACHES ANTARCTICA

A specially built Toyota Hilux has reinforced the bakkie’s rugged pioneering reputation by becoming the first conventional vehicle to drive the gruelling ice and snow route to South Africa’s scientific research base deep within Antarctica.

The 300km, 21-hour journey from the SANAE Summer Station (South African National Antarctica Expedition) near the edge of the ice shelf to SANAE IV was achieved with the Hilux running ahead of four monster Caterpillar Challenger vehicles that rely on tank-style tracks to achieve traction on the slippery surfaces.

DAKAR 2011: DE VILLIERS WINS STAGE 10

South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers won the 10th stage of the 2011 Dakar Rally in his diesel-powered Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 on Wednesday.  It was the 38-year-old Stellenbosch resident’s 13th stage win in his eighth Dakar and his first since he gave the diesel-powered Touareg its first Dakar victory in 2009.

FUMING BMW REFUTES MERCEDES-BENZ SALES CLAIMS

BMW South Africa is crying foul over bitter rival Mercedes-Benz’s claims that it lead the premium segment in 2010. According to figures released by Merc, the company sold “over 22 500 cars” in 2010. According to BMW SA's spokesperson Edward Makwana, this claim is false as his company sold more cars, at 22 622 units for the BMW brand alone, and 24 405 including MINI. BMW SA does not have license to sell Rolls Royce in this country.

HYUNDAI VELOSTER IS MINI'S LATEST PROBLEM

Hyundai really is going premium. That’s worrying, not only for the competition, but for the buying public who are currently purchasing their Hyundais based on a value proposition. Perhaps premium is a little ambitious for now. Perhaps upmarket would be a more appropriate word to use. Take this new Veloster hatchback which was presented in Detroit. Hyundai says its sole aim in life is to remove the MINI from its top position, while fending off fellow challengers like the Alfa Romeo Mito, Citroen DS3 and the new Audi A1.

AUDI A1 QUATTRO HINTS AT S1 AND RS 1?

Audi’s new A1, set for launch in Mzansi at the end of January, is probably going to get a quattro AWD package at some point in its life. Normally quattro is reserved for more powerful and performance-oriented Audis so there is hope such a model is on the cards.

GENERAL MOTORS UPPED SALES BY 26% IN 2010

General Motors South Africa boasts the highest increase in sales volumes for 2010 as revealed in the latest NAAMSA sales results.  December marked six months of sustained growth for GMSA with sales up 41% compared to the first six months of the year, a market leading performance.

A NEW TOYOTA PRIUS DERIVATIVE SHOWN AT DETROIT 2011

Toyota unveiled a new Prius derivative at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Monday. The vehicle, called the Prius v, is slightly bigger than the normal car and has a 50% larger cargo space. It is still powered by the same hybrid motor though, which gives it an average fuel consumption of 5.9 litres per 100km.

LAND ROVER HELPS ENDANGERED AFRICAN WILD DOGS

A pack of 14 Endangered African Wild Dogs was reintroduced into the Tembe Elephant Park today, following extensive community liaison and preparation work over the past year.

It was an emotional occasion, as many people present have been involved in this project from the very beginning and are deeply aware of the extreme importance of this release. “The release of this Wild Dog pack into the Tembe Elephant Park is vital

2012 AUDI A6 UNVEILED IN DETROIT

Audi’s all-new conservatively styled A6 is now on show at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). It will go on sale in South Africa some time later in the year, after launching in Germany at a baseline price of €38 500 (R341 000 at direct exchange rates).

MERCEDES-BENZ AND TOYOTA LEAD THEIR WAY

Mercedes-Benz South Africa holds bragging rights for being the most successful premium car maker of 2010 in the country, while Toyota enjoyed the same position as leader in the mass market arena. Mercedes-Benz sold just over 22 500 cars in 2010, a growth rate of 16% over 2009. Toyota’s sales for the month of December 2010 amounted to 9 711 units, which happens to be the leading share in the market.

CHRYSLER 300 RANGE PRICED FOR THE U.S.

Chrysler of North America will be unveiling the all-new 300 sedan at the 2011 North American International Auto Show this week. The car replaces the unique 300C which was quite well-received in the Mzansi market. Of course the new vehicle is different in a number of ways, mainly styling but according to its makers, in quality too.

VW EXPECTING SALES BOOM FOR 2011

During December 2010 a total of 26 615 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa. Total new passenger car sales in December, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, increased by a huge 38.9 percent when compared to December 2009, bringing the full year 2010 new passenger car market to a level 30.6 percent above the market for 2009.
 

NURBURGRING QUEEN SABINE MELTS MZANSI TARMAC FOR CAR MAG SPEED FEST

International woman racer a first for CAR Twelve of the hottest cars pitted against each other on the racetrack makes for thrilling viewing – and reading.

Add to the mix an internationally acclaimed racing driver – a woman – and CAR magazine’s January Performance Shootout issue is guaranteed to fly off the shelves. CAR managed to persuade Germany’s “Speedbee”, Sabine Schmitz (known as the Queen of Nűrburgring), to put 10 performance and two race cars through their paces on the twists and turns of Zwartkops raceway, making it the first time both time a world-renowned driver and a woman racer has undertaken the shootout for CAR.