MITSUBISHI AND DAIMLER SA PART WAYS

Mercedes-Benz South Africa has severed its business ties with Mitsubishi Motors of South Africa, 16 years after the start of what was meant to be a mutually-beneficial relationship. The Japanese brand will, as of July 2011, be distributed by Imperial Holdings, a JSE-listed company.

HINO REVITALISES 700 SERIES TRUCK

Significant changes have been made to the Hino 700 Series extra-heavy duty truck tractor that was introduced to South Africa in 2004. The changes make it even more competitive in the highest growth sector of the SA truck market, while the revised model range will open up some important new markets to Hino.

GM DESIGN CHIEF ED WELBURN CHOOSES BEST-DESIGNED CHEVYS OF ALL TIME

Over the past 100 years, Chevrolet has been responsible for some of the most significant and groundbreaking designs in automotive history. From its utilitarian yet stylish pick-up trucks through to the cutting edge looks of each generation of Corvette, via cars like the BelAir which helped define the era they appeared in. The bowtie logo has adorned some of the most iconic shapes of motoring. Even some of Chevrolet's designers, such as Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell, have gone on to become as legendary as some of the cars they penned.

AUDI SALES STEAMING AHEAD

In keeping with the record global sales figures achieved by the Audi brand, Audi of South Africa has set yet another sales record for 2011.

The total vehicle market showed an improvement of 23.5% increase year on year, the premium vehicle market has grown by 7% year on year. Audi of South Africa posting an impressive 6% increase in vehicle sales, showing the determination of Audi to grow its premium share of the South African market.
 

PEUGEOT GETTING READY FOR SASOL RALLY

News from Pirtek Team Peugeot is that the team will be at full strength with both Peugeot 207 S2000s fully repaired after the misfortune experienced by the team in the Total Tour Natal Rally. This will add an element of excitement to the Sasol Rally with an opportunity for rally fans to see these two highly competitive cars in action for what will effectively be the first time in South Africa. A bonus is that the Sasol Rally is within easy reach of Gauteng and offers excellent opportunities for spectating.
 

BMW 5 SERIES HYBRID BRILLIANCE FOR CHINA

In the run-up to the international automobile trade show Auto Shanghai 2011, BMW Brilliance Automotive presents the concept of a premium-segment plug-in hybrid sedan. In collaboration with its joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. BMW Group has thus taken the next step of the way towards creating the new energy vehicle for China. The prototype is based on the long wheelbase version of the BMW 5 Series Sedan, developed exclusively for the Chinese automobile market and produced at the Shenyang site.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R: RETURN OF THE KING?

Unfortunately our intel from 2009 on the new Volkswagen Golf R was correct. The Mzansi car features an engine much less powerful than its European counterparts, but still promises sizzling performance. Does it at least deliver on the sizzle? And is it better than the R32 it replaces? We took it around the Khayalami GP race track in order to find some answers.

RACE FANS WELCOME AT PROTEA HOTELS

Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and Protea Hotels have concluded an agreement whereby Protea Hotels are offering great accommodation packages, tailor-made for race weekends at very competitive rates.

Phillipa Chesler, Protea Hotels Special Project Manager, says as Africa's largest and leading hotel group they want to be on the forefront of the motorsport "support-team". 

SA TO SPEND R97 BILLION ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Consolidated multi-billion rand improvements by government to transport infrastructure over the next two years are guaranteed to radically change the way South Africans travel. Amounting to R66-billion over the next year, and rising to R80 billion by 2013/14, the improvements are set to also create numerous job and tourism opportunities. The improvements will be spread across the country with both urban and rural parts set to benefit. This comes as current transport infrastructure developments have been recognised of being world-class standard.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE PRICED FOR THE UK

Land Rover UK has released comprehensive prices for the upcoming Range Rover Evoque range, despite the fact that the first UK deliveries are only expected sometime in September. Starting stickers are £27 955 for the baseline eD4 6-speed manual 2WD (). At today’s rate of exchange that translates to R302 000. You can stop dreaming now if you think you’ll be able to buy the new baby Range in Mzansi for that little.

ANOTHER ILLEGAL STREET DRAG ENDS IN DEATH

Once again reaction is pouring in thick and fast against illegal street racers following a horrific crash in Pretoria two nights ago. Three people are reportedly dead, including the driver of a red Fiat Uno (pictured here). Reports say the four cars involved were a BMW X3, a Nissan 350 Z, a Fiat Uno and a Volkswagen Jetta. Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele has issued a strong statement against illegal drag racing.

BARGAIN ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE SNAPPED UP AT AUCTION

A lucky bidder probably saved himself R150 000 or more after driving away with a low km Aston Martin Vantage during a Burchmore’s vehicle auction this past weekend. The unnamed buyer put up a winning bid of R800 000 for the 2006 model V8 sports car, about R150 000 less than what he would normally pay for a similar car on the open used car market. It has 40 000km on the clock.

2012 BMW M5 : MORE PICTURES AND ENGINE DETAILS RELEASED

Internet media is a funny space. Once something is out there, keeping it mum is just impossible. So it was with the new 2012 BMW M5 sedan whose pictures have now been officially revealed by its makers. Still labelled a concept, the term is just so BMW can keep a little of its lost dignity. For all intents and purposes you are looking at the complete article. Wait, there’s more. We also have some official engine details!

MARCH CAR SALES BOOSTED 23%

March 2011 was a good month for the Mzansi car market as it saw an upswing of 23.6% over the same month last year. Compared to February 2011, sales went up by 3.3% which is minute but still an increase nevertheless. Overall 35 167 passenger cars were sold last month. So far analysts and industry experts agree that 2011 total market sales will be between 15% and 20% higher than in 2010.

ALL-NEW VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI PRICED AT R250 000?

The new Volkswagen Polo GTI launches in Mzansi this week and we have been whispered its price. VW has apparently tagged it at about R250 000, which is the same amount charged for the old Golf 5 GTI when it was introduced here back in 2005.

RUMOUR: BUGATTI 16C GALIBIER APPROVED FOR PRODUCTION

Media reports from Bloomberg confirm that Bugatti’s 16C Galibier sedan will be built. Although no date was issued, word is the Volkswagen Group board has approved manufacture for the super-luxury four-door. We think it will start selling in 2012. The Galibier is based on the concept of the same name which was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

FRANCE SEES RISE IN CAR SALES

France experienced something of a renaissance in March as automotive sales rose 6.1%, according to industry authority CCFA. This was largely thanks to the scrappage system that was also used in other countries – but not in South Africa – which allowed car buyers to trade in their old vehicles for new ones at vastly reduced prices. It seems the SA auto industry is lagging in this area.

BMW 320D: NOW WITH EFFICIENTDYNAMICS

BMW South Africa is now running one of the most fuel-efficient ranges of cars on the market with the introduction of the EfficientDynamics package for the 3 Series. Beneficiary models are the 320d, 320i, 323i, 325i and 330i. Exceptions are the 330d, 335i and the M3. Unfortunately SA does not get the full package, but only 75% of it.

BMW M5 CONCEPT LEAKED!

BMW may not have meant for it to happen but it happened. The interweb is abuzz with pictures of the all-new M5 sedan. While it’s called the Concept M5, we all know that Bavaria hardly ever releases a concept car that doesn’t look 95% like the real thing. Therefore apart from the black wheels, take this as a true reflection of the new M5.