NEXT MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COMING IN 2014

Mercedes-Benz South Africa last week held very important discussions with its components partners in order to continue planning for the production of the next C-Class sedan. MBSA produced 54 000 C-Class units from its plant in East London. About a quarter were for local consumption, while the rest went to countries like the United States.

MANIC AUDI TT RS PLUS BREAKS LOOSE!

Audi’s most successful sports car the TT, gets a completely new shape and body in 2013. But before then it must say goodbye in the same way it said hello; with a loud bang! Hence the introduction of the TT RS Plus, a more powerful TT RS model that’s guaranteed to scare away more serious supercars out there.

ASTON MARTIN V12 ZAGATO PRICED

Aston Martin has revealed production images of its V12 Zagato, a special model unveiled last May at the prestigious Villa d’Este concour. The car bears the name Zagato because of the history and relationship between the two brands. Only 150 examples will be built, so place your order now.

NO DIESELS FOR US: MERCEDES-BENZ AMG

AMG will not be producing high-performance diesel engines, according to a report from Autocar magazine. Despite both Audi and BMW producing very powerful turbo diesel engines, Merc says it’s not interested in entertaining such a notion for its AMG brand.

2012 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER COMING TO MZANSI

The all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer is now officially confirmed by General Motors South Africa. The burly SUV is scheduled for local launch before the end of 2012, but we aren’t sure exactly when that is. Its main sales target will be the ever-shining Toyota Fortuner.

MAHINDRA XUV500 BECOMES HALO MODEL

Mahindra’s new sports utility vehicle (SUV), the XUV₅₀₀, has made a big impression in South Africa already, with sales of 320 units since it was unveiled for the media on September 30 and subsequently for the public at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in early October.

2012 OPEL ASTRA TO DEBUT IN GENEVA

The 2012 Geneva International Motor Show is almost around the corner, and Opel is very keen to show off what it’s been working on for the past couple of years. Specifically their halo car, at least in a South African context, the Astra OPC is making its debut there.

WORLD DOCTORS ORCHESTRA, BROUGHT BY MERCEDES-BENZ SA

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has joined hands with the Hugo Tempelman Foundation to bring the World Doctors Orchestra (WDO) to South Africa for the first time, where they will raise funds for HIV/AIDS projects in two exciting classical music concerts. Programme beneficiaries, the Ndlovu Care Group from Elandsdoorn north-west of Johannesburg, have been supported by the WDO for four years.

TOYOTA GOES RACING IN A BIG WAY

Toyota Racing has expanded its plans for the 2012 season and entered the FIA World Endurance Championship.

NEW FACES, ENGINES FOR AUDI A5 RANGE

Audi South Africa announced the arrival of a new, updated A5 range. Sorry, it’s not all-new shape, just a facelift or update. The cars are the Coupe, Sportback and Cabriolet. Affected areas include new engines, front and rear changes, and infotainment.

RENAULT COULD CHALLENGE 5 SERIES, A7

It appears Renault could be getting back into the swing of premium things. According to a report emanating from France, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn has confirmed he is looking to build a large premium vehicle, possibly in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. The two already have a working relationship within the small car segment.

RUMOUR: MERCEDES-BENZ A25 AMG PACKING TURBO

More details are emerging regarding the performance variant of the upcoming 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Rumoured to be called the A25 AMG, it is said to use a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with four cylinders. The car’s main competitors are currently the Audi RS 3 Sportback and the BMW 1 M Coupe. But of course since it’s a Merc, expect more power than these two.

2012 BMW M5: THE DRIVE, THE FRIGHT, THE CALM

For a moment the thought did cross my mind. Will he make it? Will we hit the dust in spectacular fashion? Will the car survive? That moment seemed like a lifetime. Some people talk of seeing a bright light, others speak about hearing Darth Vader’s voice. The rest see flashes of their lives flicking past like a movie reel. In the end, none of this happened, for my right hand had held firmly on the cell phone camera, while the left was welded to the door handle.