AUDI, BMW, GOING FOR 2 MILLION SALES

A fresh punch-up between Audi and BMW is on the cards, according to reports from Europe. Both companies have pledged to rule the premium car sector with over 2 million annual sales each. Except they have different timelines. BMW, currently the global sales champion in this sector, says 2 million will come in by 2016. Audi on the other hand, is aiming at 2020 for its 2 million milestone.

LOTUS TALKS TOUGH AGAINST FERRARI AND MCLAREN

Lotus has started throwing stones towards English neighbour McLaren as well as all the way across the pond into Italy. The company’s CEO Dany Bahar has been quoted as saying his next supercar, the Esprit, will be something of a much more authentic driving experience than both the Ferrari 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C.

BUICK UPS POWER ANTE ON LACROSSE

Buick has announced a new engine for its LaCrosse range, featuring more technology and ultimately more power. The new direct injection 3.6-litre unit is now upgraded with a new head design and larger diameter intake valves among others. And there’s more power for the taking.

ASTON MARTIN ZAGATO CONCEPT WINS CONCORSO AWARD

At its world premiere this month, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato has won the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.
 

MCLAREN OPENS LONDON RETAILER

McLaren racing champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button both showed up at the opening of the first ever McLaren dealership in London. McLaren Automotive Chairman Ron Dennis was also seen on the floor mingling with guests and delivering a speech. The first and currently only car to be sold will be the MP4-12C which will be available across 19 countries, including South Africa.

VOLKSWAGEN JOINS FIGHT TO SAVE AFRICAN RHINO

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles today announced the sponsorship of six Volkswagen Amarok bakkies (pickup) to the Rhino Protection Initiative at a media conference held at the Johannesburg Zoo. The R2 million sponsorship is part of the partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Wilderness Foundation, the pioneers and administrators of the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.

CITROEN DS3 RACING BLASTS INTO SOUTH AFRICA

If it was Citroën South Africa’s intention to light up our fires and make our day, then they’ve succeeded. The little French outfit (little in SA anyway) has announced it will begin selling the very limited edition DS3 Racing in this country with immediate effect. The car is based on the DS3 but boasts extra fangs. And bite, apparently.

NISSAN'S BLANKET DRIVE SWEEPS COLD AWAY

As freezing cold weather bites the country, Nissan South Africa employees have embarked on a blanket-collecting drive to help keep under-privileged community members warm  this winter.

GAUTENG E-TOLL DECISION SLATED FOR JULY

The Minister of Transport has taken a step closer towards a decision on the Gauteng e-toll plan. The plan was unveiled earlier in the year and immediately garnered controversy because of the perceived excessive costs associated with passing through them. Some cost estimates came up to as high as R2000 a month for a motorist journeying between Pretoria and Johannesburg, just on these tolls alone.

MINI COUPE IN FULL STRENGTH AND DETAIL

MINI has broken out details of the all-new MIINI Coupé. It’s so called because it only has two seats! Yes, there are no rear seats at all in this MINI, which means only you and one other passenger are allowed to ride. And with three strong engines for the South African market, it will sure bring out plenty of reaction in the market.

NEW AUDI A6: WE HAVE PRICES AND MODELS!

The all-new Audi A6 launches in Mzansi this week, and we already have prices. The car will be initially launched in three versions: 3.0 TFSI S tronic, 3.0 TDI Multitronic and the 3.0 TDI Quattro S tronic. One could say these are mid-range models, with lower and higher ones still to come. Prices range from R520 500 right up to R655 000.

GINIEL DE VILLIERS SET TO RACE MAD SCIROCCO AT NURBURGRING

Giniel de Villiers, four-times South African touring car champion and winner of the 2009 Dakar Rally in South America in a Volkswagen Race Touareg, will drive a gas-powered Volkswagen Scirocco GT24-CNG in this weekend’s Nurburging 24 Hour in Germany.
 

MERCEDES-BENZ WORKING ON BMW X6 RIVAL?

UK online publication Autocar reports that Mercedes-Benz is going after the BMW X6. This after previous reports of Audi doing the same thing. Merc’s car is apparently going to be called the GLS and will be based on the all-new ML-Class which was revealed two weeks ago. It would feature a sloping rear roofline, just like the CLS.

TOYOTA UNVEILS SOLAR POWER AT UK PLANT

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK’s vehicle plant in Derbyshire, where Auris Hybrid, Auris and Avensis cars are built for the UK and export markets, is set to be the first British car manufacturer to install a large scale solar panel array after the scheme gained approval from its local planning authority. 

RENAULT MEGANE RS TROPHY SMASHES NURBURGRING RECORD

Renault Sport established its first lap record for a front-wheel drive production car at the Nordschleife on 23 June 2008. The time of 8 minutes 17 seconds posted that day by Mégane R26 R demonstrated that a showroom-specification front-wheel drive car could beat many models produced by some elite specialist brands and tuners.

VOLKSWAGEN GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER

The Volkswagen Group reported a further rise in global deliveries from January to May this year. For the first time, deliveries to customers during this period topped the three million mark, running at 3.37 million units. Over the corresponding period last year, the Company sold 2.94 million units, equating to a 14.6% increase.