Driven: Suzuki SX4

Today’s roads are becoming more and more congested as we speak, the influx of traffic is straining our road network and the surfaces, in South Africa at least, have enough pot holes to worry those even on foot. And don’t for one second say this is not true, because I have blown three Michelin’s in my Alfa GT and when I go on the breakfast run on my bike, I have memorized all the pot holes from Randburg to Hartees. If I don’t, I run the risk of riding into a pot hole and loosing a lot more than just a Michelin.

Perhaps because I m a biker and I posses 18 inch rims with the same structural integrity of a large block of cheddar, I have noticed the deteriorating condition of the roads more than the average driver. So what can we do to fix this problem? Spend an eternity on the phone to the local municipality? Well I know I don’t have enough air time for that, so might I recommend looking at what we drive?

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Car and Driver vote Porsche Boxster best handling car in US

Stuttgart. Renowned US specialist journal “Car and Driver” has awarded the Porsche Boxster Spyder the title “best-handling car in America”.

Thanks to its outstanding handling characteristics, the open-top mid-engine sports car from  Porsche AG, Stuttgart, asserted itself against six high-class competitors during the test drives at the Waterford Hills race circuit in Michigan. The top model in the Boxster series particularly impressed the experienced testers with its well-balanced chassis, its precise steering and its predictability, especially at the handling limits.

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KTM 690 Duke most fuel efficient bike in South Africa

Reg Gurnell, riding a KTM 690 Duke, finished first overall and first in class A (up to 700 cc) in the RFS Bike Econorun 2010. The KTM 690 Duke used a convincing 1.3 litres of fuel less than its closest rival. It was Gurnell’s fifth victory in the annual national motorcycle economy run in 10 years and his second win for KTM since 2008. In 2009 Gurnell finished second overall on a KTM 690 SMC.

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MotoGP: San Marino GP comments from Yamaha

Jorge Lorenzo:

“I don’t have many words for the race on such a sad say. I made a good start but I couldn’t keep close to Pedrosa. Second is good, we weren’t fast enough but for the championship it’s another very important result and that is our target. The podium is our goal in all races, although we hope we can still improve our M1 a bit more. As for Shoya, it’s a huge pity because he was a good guy and a strong rider. I am so sad and I just want to say how sorry I am for his family and his friends. When this happens nothing else matters.”

Valentino Rossi:

“This was a great result for us, more than just for the podium but for the way that the result arrived. I was very fast at the end of the race and this shows how much we’re improving because I was able to keep pushing right to the end. I think we did a good job this weekend. But when something so sad like this happens everything else goes to zero and the result doesn’t matter. I’m so sorry for Shoya because he was a strong rider but above all he was very ‘sympatico.’ He was very funny, always smiling and he always had nice things to say to everyone. He was also very young with a great career ahead of him so we are all very sad.”

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Shoya Tomizawa passes away after tragic Moto2 accident

Tomizawa, the successful Moto2 rider has tragically passed away at 14:20 at the San Marino grand Prix in Italy today.

As he excited the corner at full speed his bike ran wide and he went onto the Astroturf . As he lost control and came off,  he was struck by two other riders, Alex De Angelis and Scott Redding. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but unfortunately passed away not too long after.

This is tragic news that has the racing fraternity in mourning, and reminds everyone of the extreme dangers of motorsport.

RIP Tomizawa.

Mazda’s New Design Theme: ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’

Since launching its first passenger car, the Mazda R360 Coupe, exactly 50 years ago, Mazda has spent many years exploring the concept of ‘motion. In particular, since the launch of the Zoom-Zoom brand message, Mazda has pursued the concept of more athletic and sporty motion, and has adopted dynamic designs for all Mazda models starting with the Mazda6 and followed by the RX-8 and the Mazda2. In recent years, this motion-based design has been further extended to incorporate the theme of ‘motion inspired by nature’, embodied in the Mazda NAGARE concept car series and the all-new Mazda5.

As a result of these initiatives, since the launch of the first Mazda6 in 2002, Mazda design has been the subject of great acclaim, receiving 30 global awards for car design alone.

Ikuo Maeda, the head of Mazda’s Design Division, explains the new design theme in this way: “In our work to further evolve the expression of motion, Mazda Design has focused on the strength, beauty and tension found in the instantaneous movement seen in animals. This motion that is so full of vitality that it stirs the emotions of those who see it. We have named it ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’, and our aim is to express movement with forceful vitality and speed as the design theme for Mazda’s upcoming models.”

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Isle of Man TT

If you enjoy biking chances are that you are familiar with the Isle of Man TT held every year at the end of May.

During this time, the Isle of Man transforms its’ public roads into a race track, the oldest motorcycle race track in the world at that.

Riders and tourists from all over the globe flock to see the time trial styled event take place. Riders reach insane speeds on the street course, requiring intense focus and skill. The track is about 60 kilometers long and features over 200 bends with an elevation from sea level to 396 Meters. As riders accelerate through the course, the change in elevation throughout some areas cause’s the bike to wheelie, after which it comes crashing down.

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Alfa Romeo Celebrates 100 years of motoring excellence with the new GT Limited Edition

In celebration of Alfa Romeo’s rich 100-year history during which more than 70 models have been created, the Italian company is pleased to welcome a very special version of the Alfa Romeo GT 3.2, aptly named the GT Limited Edition.

A fitting swan song for this iconic model, only 30 of these Bertone-designed masterpieces are destined for South Africa, each one branded with a number to mark its individuality.

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BMW 1 series M Coupé revealed

The BMW 1 series M Coupé has finally been revealed well a portion of it has. This stylish monster is said to posses over 340 HP provided by a twin turbocharged inline 6 that is connected to a manual 6 speed gearbox. The 1 series M is also said to have to have a fancy differential at the rear wheels similar to the M3 that will provide excellent handling and grip.

We also love the multi spoke mags that are light, reducing unsprung weight and the 4 exhaust pipes let everyone behind you know that thats where they will be staying. thought the 135i was impressive?? haha.

Check out the video:

Indianapolis MotoGP qualifying

Jorge Lorenzo took his eleventh straight front row of the season in Indianapolis today to extend his spotless 2010 qualifying record, but it was a difficult day for his Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi as the World Champion slid out in the closing minutes of the session and will start from seventh.

Another hot day in Indiana brought about tricky conditions on the bumpy asphalt this afternoon, with surface temperatures in excess of 50 degrees during the session. Despite the hindrance Lorenzo looked in fine fettle and as the minutes ticked down he abandoned race set-up to concentrate on qualifying times, being rewarded soon after with provisional pole. However Tech 3 Yamaha rider Ben Spies had other ideas today and the Texan edged Lorenzo into second by two tenths. The Championship Leader will be sandwiched between two Americans when the lights go out tomorrow after Nicky Hayden qualified third.

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Ben Spies joining factory Yamaha team for 2011

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is delighted to announce that current Yamaha Tech 3 rider Ben Spies will move to the Factory Team for the 2011 MotoGP season.

The 26-year-old American, who won the World Superbike Championship with Yamaha in 2009, is enjoying an impressive first season in MotoGP. He is currently the leading rookie and the top satellite rider, lying seventh in the championship.

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Yamaha’s Gutzeit and Moore are 2010 S.A. champs

Overall victory at the Grass Factory Eco Organics Brits National Off Road race has secured Full Throttle Yamaha rider Jade Gutzeit the National Off Road OR1 class Championship for 2010, with a race to spare. Gutzeit also has an unassailable points lead in the overall standings (non championship status but points are awarded to riders in the order they cross the finish line for each race, irrespective of class raced. This is then used for the race number allocation for next year.), meaning that Jade and his Yamaha will proudly carry the number 1 plate in 2011.

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Bentley motors to launch 2 unique continental models for South Africa

Bentley Motors is ready to unveil two unique Continental models which have been engineered and designed exclusively for the South Africa market. These special edition cars will be created at Bentley’s Crewe headquarters with both models offering a range of striking features specially commissioned for African customers.

Bentley Motors has been established in South Africa since 2003 with partner Pearl Automotive and now has showrooms in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Now two new models are to be launched specifically for this unique market.

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Ken Block Gymkhana 3 video: part 1

Yes Ken Block is finally back in his latest Gymkhana video part 1. Check out his amazing ford Fiesta displaying incredible car control, as we would expect.  Although part 1 features much DC marketing, we are told that part 3, which will be released in September, will be similar to his two previous gymkhana videos which attracted millions of viewers all over the world.

The new CLS – the new design icon from Mercedes-Benz

Yes it is official, this is the new 2012 Mercedes Benz CLS, characterized by a striking design, fabulous interior and an aura of luxury. But don’t forget the mad power, able to take you from your office to the board meeting across town in 7 seconds flat. We expect to be the base 3.5 V6 model as well as a 4.6 litre V8 twin turbo, similar to BMW’s which should be followed by the AMG version. Oh goody. One problem though, it’s going to be expensive, but that doesn’t matter, who needs a house after all?

Here is the press release for more details, (just ignore the marketing nonsense):

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