AMERICA PLANS TO BAN BLUETOOTH, HANDS-FREE DRIVING

Using your cell phone while driving attracts a fine of some R500 in Mzansi. Actually, holding a cell phone in hand while driving attracts that amount. Whether you were actually using the thing or not is irrelevant. Now U.S. authorities want a total ban on cell phone use by drivers, which is already happening here, as stated above. Except for one twist.

BRAND NEW TURBO ENGINE FOR CADILLAC ATS

What looks like a really sweet engine has been unveiled by the good folks at General Motors USA. The new 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor will debut in the Cadillac ATS that’s to be shown at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next month. Its figures show very good promise.

LEXUS ON A PRODUCT OFFENSIVE

Lexus, spurred on by parent Toyota’s renewed enthusiasm for cars, is off on its own charge for 2012. The Japanese premium brand has been shadowing its German counterparts for years now, due to several reasons, including apparent lack of product. Those days are suitably numbered.

FORD HONOURS TOP TECHNICIANS

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA) Technical Training Department hosted their 2011 Master Technicians Award Ceremony on Friday 09 December 2011. Over 40 technicians in the Gauteng Region were honoured at the event. 

ALL-NEW 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL OFFICIAL DETAILS AND PICS

After a couple of leaks, first showing a scanned brochure, and then small pictures, it was inevitable that Mercedes-Benz would soon follow with official pics and info. Whether on schedule or in reaction to these leaks, we aren’t sure. Nevertheless we are quite happy to now show you the full spectrum of the all-new Mercedes-Benz SL range.

TOYOTA DEVELOPING A 300KW HYBRID SPORTS CAR?

Toyota South Africa confirmed a new Yaris Hybrid for the year 2012, and this will be the “performance” model apparently. Hybrids are Toyota’s stomping ground because the company leads the world in that area, thanks mostly to the Prius. Now it seems they are moving into high performance hybrids, if new rumours are true.

VOLVO PUTS CARS ON POLESTAR PERFORMANCE

Volvo Car South Africa announced a new performance package for pretty much its entire range of cars, in conjunction with Polestar. Polestar is a competition racing brand that’s been collaborating with Volvo for over a decade on the track. This time they are pairing up to improve road car power and ultimate go.

VOLVO V60 HYBRID IS SIMPLY AMAZING!

Volvo South Africa is considering selling the new V60 Hybrid, a plug-in type that runs on both batteries and diesel fuel. But by the look of things, it may not happen at all. See, prices have been announced for the UK and Europe, and indications are this car will be priced out of the Mzansi market even before it lands here.

LEAKED! 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL PICTURES

The interweb is abuzz with official pictures of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SL roadster, which were leaked from what appears to be a sales and marketing brochure. Someone scanned them of course, and then proceeded to send them out to all and sundry.

MINI CONNECTED APPS FOR YA

What degree of lateral acceleration are you experiencing mid-way around a quickly-taken corner? How much output is the engine currently producing? The latest version of the MINI Connected app answers these questions and more.

SMART BAKKIE CONCEPT HEADED TO DETROIT

What’s that? A smart bakkie? Indeed, Mercedes-Benz is unveiling a concept smart with pickup ambitions, even though those ambitions could end up meaning picking up only shoe boxes. In any case, take a look yourself and decide if you would buy a smart pickup, and if you did buy it, would you use it.

LEXUS TEASES NEW CONCEPT SPORTS CAR FOR DETROIT

So what’s Lexus up to now? The Japanese premium brand released this teaser photo of some new concept car which it says will make its world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

HONDA CONFIRMS NEW NSX SUPERCAR

Honda USA has confirmed it will unveil a new NSX supercar concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January. The NSX will form part of a 4-car offensive to be shown by the company during the show. This follows rife speculation that Honda was bringing the iconic brand back.

MERCEDES-BENZ ATEGO BLUETEC HYBRID DELIVERED

Daimler AG handed over ten Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid vehicles to DP Fleet GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL, at the manufacturer's Wörth plant today. The vehicles will be deployed throughout Germany in the mail and freight segments. The trucks assigned to DHL's freight operations will operate in Wustermark and Hamburg, while the five Atego Hybrids to be used by the company's mail division will go into service in Hennigsdorf, Dortmund, Cologne-Gremberghoven, Gersthofen and Kolbermoor.

BENTLEY REVEALS NEW GT V8

Bentley finally showed the world its smaller V8 engine, months after speculation and rumours began circulating. The new motor is a 4.0-litre V8 unit with two turbos and apparently delivers a 40% improvement in fuel efficiency and corresponding C02 emissions. And if you thought you recognised the figures you’d be spot on…

BMW 6 SERIES GRAN COUPE BREAKS OUT!

Finally BMW has entered the 4-door coupe segment with this brand new 6 Series Gran Coupe, which adds to the existing 2-door Coupe and Convertible models. The car is aimed at fellow Germans Mercedes-Benz’s CLS and Audi’s A7 Sportback. It is decked out in the most opulent of items as these pictures attest and features powerful engines befitting a car of its nature.