Volkswagen will enter the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2013, according to a statement issued by the company. The challenger? It will be a new Polo R model with enough grunt to take on successful competitors from Citroen and Ford.
4 THE RIDE
Friday, 6 May 2011
Thursday, 5 May 2011
AUTOMAKERS BID RECESSION FAREWELL WITH AMAZING PROFITS
It’s crazy season as motor manufacturers show the strongest signs yet of a global economic recovery. BMW, General Motors, Renault, Volkswagen, Chrysler and Ford are among those who’ve reported very healthy profits over the first quarter (Q1) of 2011.
VOLKSWAGEN POLO VIVO GETS AUTOMATIC
Small cars are the future, apparently. And automatic transmissions are also the future, so it seems. To combine these two futures Volkswagen South Africa have installed a 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox into the Vivo range, for both hatchback and sedan. The automatic transmission is paired only with a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine making 63kW and 132Nm of torque.
MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER BREAKS COVER
Mercedes-Benz has released the first official pictures and details of the upcoming SLS AMG Roadster, a car cut out to be the fastest convertible in the company’s lineup. Of course unlike its coupe brethren, the Roadster will not feature those iconic gullwing doors which swing up to the sky when being opened. The roof type is canvass, so none of that hard-top latest-fashion trend going on here.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
RAIKONNEN EARNED MORE THAN ALONSO AND HAMILTON IN 2010
The latest ESPN Magazine has listed the highest-paid Formula One drivers of the moment. And the list includes two who aren’t even in that sport anymore. According to the list, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso is the highest-paid sportsman in Spain, with takings of almost US$23 million (R152 million) in 2010. Lewis Hamilton isn’t far off as the UK’s highest-paid, with R122 million.
FORD RECORDS PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN MZANSI
Ford in South Africa saw a phenomenal jump in sales during the first quarter of the year. Sales shot up 87% to a total of 16 860 Ford-branded cars between 1 January and 30 April 2011. April alone saw sales of 2 727 units. Leading the charge has been the Figo entry-level car which costs at least R116 000 at listed retail.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN: A ONE IN A MILLION BRAZIL / ARGENTINA COMBO
While PSA Peugeot Citroën was announcing that the one-millionth vehicle has rolled off the assembly line at its Palomar plant in Argentina, the one owned by the very same Group in Porto Real, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was producing its one-millionth engine.
NISSAN BEATS FORD FOR NEW YORK CITY YELLOW CAB CONTRACT
Japanese automaker Nissan has beat out American icon Ford Motor Company and a relatively small unknown from Turkey called Karsan Otomotiv Sanayii Ve Ticaret AS for the 10-year contract to supply New York City yellow cabs. Instead of the old Ford Crown Victorias most of us see screaming about on the jammed streets of NYC in movies. The deal represents a total of 13 000 vehicles to be presented from late 2013.
SPECIAL EDITION MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS GRAND EDITION RELEASED
You know when a car manufacturer starts shelling out special edition products of a specific model, that that model will soon be out of production. That’s the case with the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class Grand Edition, a car to see out the ML. Of course the next-generation ML hits the dealerships in 2012.
CHRYSLER POSTS FIRST PROFIT SINCE 2009
The Chrysler Group has posted its first net profit since coming out of bankruptcy in June 2009. The company realised US$116 million (R767 million) in the first quarter of 2011 from revenues of US$13.1 billion (R86.6 billion). Sales were up 18% on the back of cars like the new Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Monday, 2 May 2011
PORSCHE CLAIMS 1200KM RANGE FROM PANAMERA DIESEL
Porsche has announced a Panamera turbo diesel as an added model to its range. The car features a 3.0-litre V6 TDI said to achieve a tank range of up to 1200km from the 80 litre fuel tank. The new engine is shared with Volkswagen Group luminaries such as the VW Touareg and Audi A8.
KIA GOING UPMARKET, TARGETING AUDI TT?
Kia Chief of Design Peter Schreyer says he won’t rest on his laurels. Schreyer told Automotive News that working at Kia since 2005 has been an educational experience in terms of cultures. He said he was happy with his role in elevating the Kia brand to its current point. Kia is now regarded as one of the more stylish brands in its class. Moreover, Schreyer says he’s pushing for a roadster or convertible car.
VIDEO TRAILER: TRANSFORMERS 3 - DARK OF THE MOON
Fans of the Transformers franchise will be pleased to learn that Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon is due for release on the 1st of July 2011. To whet those appetites the studio has released this epic trailer featuring some of the action spots which will characterise this third (and last?) instalment.
BLACK AMERICANS FAVOUR TOYOTA, SNUB BMW, MERC, LEXUS
African Americans, or black people in the US, are buying more Toyotas than any other car brand. This is according to automotive data and marketing solutions company R.L. Polk & Co. Just under 13% of all Americans are black, meaning there are around 39 million Afro Americans living in the US today. And most of the 641 000 who bought a new motor vehicle in 2011 chose a Toyota.
WEDNESDAY PETROL HIKE TO HIT R10 A LITRE
Come Wednesday 4 April and South African motorists will have to fork out extra loot for their petrol and diesel. The price of 95 unleaded goes up by 29 cents a litre to R10.25 a litre, the highest it’s been since August 2008. Broke-back consumers are already complaining about the high cost of fuel which filters down to the most basic goods like bread, tea and milk. This latest increase, the 8th consecutive, is in line with Brent crude oil prices which currently sit at US$125 a barrel.