2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 55 AMG TO SPORT NEW 5.5 V8

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will stick to natural aspiration when it unveils the all-new SLK 55 AMG at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show this September. The engine is the 5.5-litre V8 but with no turbo or superchargers in sight, quite a surprise to those who expected either the new 4.7-litre twin turbo or a smaller 3.5-litre turbo to emerge.

COURT DECLARES GREG GILDENHUYS 2010 SUPERBIKE CHAMP

Greg Gildenhuys and BMW are finally able to add the 2010 South African Superbike Championship to their names following yesterday’s completion of protracted court of appeal procedures and an announcement to this effect today by Motorsport South Africa.
 

ALL-NEW 2011 KIA PICANTO LAUNCHED

Kia Motors South Africa has launched the all-new Picanto sub-compact hatch. The car comes updated with the now signature “tiger nose” front grille that was introduced by the company’s Chief of Design Mr Peter Schreyer. Coming into a segment this busy would daunt any prospective entrant, yet there’s general consensus that Kia is pretty confident its car will do well. Very well actually.

FORD PROMISES BLACK SUPPLIER SUPPORT

The Gauteng Provincial Government, together with Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) today officially opened an incubation centre to establish and nurture black-owned component manufacturing for the South African automotive industry. 

BMW PLANS TO DESIGN...TRAINS!

DesignworksUSA, the design consultancy and subsidiary of BMW Group, announces the start of an ambitious urban transit project in collaboration with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the Bay Area´s regional transit provider. Together with BART, DesignworksUSA will create the “Fleet of the Future,” a new generation of train cars that will enter service by 2017 and deliver a premium ridership experience for its passengers. BART, which began picking up passengers in September 1972, presently operates the oldest fleet of train cars in the USA.

VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS RECORD FIRST HALF

The Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles in the first six months of 2011 than ever. A total of 4.09 million vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide from January to June of this year. This translates to an increase of 14.1 percent on last year’s figure of 3.58 million over the same period. Europe’s largest automaker therefore once again performed noticeably better than the world market – 6.1%.
 

ALL-NEW 2011 FORD FOCUS IS AT YOUR DEALERSHIP

Ford launched the all-new Focus range down in sunny George. We drove it through different types of roads and situations, and decided it’s the best Focus ever produced. It best to be too, after all, it’s brand spanking new and packed with new technologies as well as features. Mind you this comes from a team that has driven all three Focus generations so we would know.

NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS FACELIFT NOW IN MZANSI

Mercedes-Benz South Africa launched the newly refreshed C-Class in the country last week, promising a raft of new technologies, features and efficiencies for the range. East London-built C-Class is a segment leader, which means it sells more than the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60/ V60 every month, and has been for over two years now. Its makers hope this refresh will continue where the predecessor has left off.

KELVIN VAN DER LINDE (15) IMPRESSES IN EAST LONDON

Kelvin van der Linde, the 15-year-old rising star of national championship circuit racing, reached a new milestone last weekend when he totally dominated his class in the Pro Tour’s regional championship Goldwagen Challenge for Volkswagen Golfs at East London’s famous former grand prix circuit.
 

SUZUKI SUPPORTS THE HELP-NET CHILD WELFARE FUND

Suzuki Auto South Africa has put its weight behind child welfare by supporting The Help-Net Fund, a Gauteng-based non-profit organisation focussing on the care and rehabilitation of abused, neglected and abandoned children.

BMW 6 SERIES COUPE PRICED FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Another price list from BMW has landed on our table. The 6 Series Coupe will be in South Africa within the next few weeks but already IN4RIDE is privy to its prices. Launched first was the Convertible, which we rated quite nicely, and is now being followed by the hard top Coupe model. Same luxury equipment yes, but same engines? Not quite.

FERRARI KHAYALAMI TRACK DAY A SUCCESS

On Saturday 16 July 2011 South Africa witnessed the largest annual gathering of Ferraris when approximately 80 of the sleek sports cars screamed onto the Kyalami Race Track in Midrand.

PIRTEK PEUGEOT TEAM IMPROVES PERFORMANCE

The VW Rally delivered on its promise of a closely contested competition across the four makes of car in the S2000 class. The technical nature of the special stages in Longmore forest tested both the endurance of the vehicles and the skill of the teams for a close fought event through most of the two days.

BMW 1 M COUPE SA PRICES REVEALED

BMW will be launching the 1 Series M Coupe this week, and we have prices. M Division’s smallest car will break you off at least R546 392 at the dealer’s, excluding a few prized options. The rear-wheel-drive 1 M Coupe is based on the 2-door 1 Series Coupe that’s due for a facelift this week as well. It has the same 3.0-litre twin turbo N54 engine found in the 135i. But with extra kick.

9TH PLACE FOR TEAM TOTAL

The South African Rally Championship’s largest privateer team once again proved to its loyal fans and its rivals that it is a force to be reckoned with.