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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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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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:

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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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.8L Auto “Mountain Edition”

Chrysler South Africa has extended the best selling Jeep range by adding one special addition, namely, the Jeep Wrangler Mountain.  This derivative adds to the comprehensive range of Jeep product already available in South Africa.

Chrysler has now relaised that there is an untapped market for a more ‘accesorized’ wrangler.

The Jeep Wrangler Mountain Edition will be available in Mango Tango and Rescue Green exterior paint colours.

Pricing for this model is:  R339 900.

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Mercedes-Benz SL Night Edition and SLK Grand Edition

Two new derivatives from Mercedes Benz aim at the customer looking for a bit more exclusivity with their SLK or SL. Although only the design detailing differs from the standard model, I am sure this will be enough to turn heads. Or is it just a marketing scheme to steal your money? You decide. Here is the blurb from Mercedes:

“These exciting new additions to the model range will be offered in limited numbers.  These roadsters will give sporty drivers, who have a preference for individuality, the opportunity of exclusivity,” says Eckart Mayer, Divisional Manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Masterpieces to dream of: the theme for the two new special editions of the Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK sports car series. The special designo magno night black paint finish specially developed exclusively for the SL Night Edition is particularly effective with the dramatic design of the SL. 19-inch AMG five-spoke light-alloy wheels in a two-tone, high-gloss finish, silver-painted front brake callipers with the Mercedes-Benz logo and darkened headlamps/tail lights accentuate the exclusive status of these special models. A badge on the front wings identifies the Night Edition.

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Driven: Honda CR-Z

With ever more attention being paid to CO2 emissions and how the car affects the environment, it is fairly easy to predict that soon we will all be driving around electric cars. However not the traditional electric car, as this uses conventional electricity to charge up, is not very fast, or efficient and struggles to cover any useful mileage. And let us not forget where electricity comes from anyway.

However Honda has already created the vehicle of the future. It’s called the Clarity and it is technically also an electric car, however it creates this electricity by combining hydrogen and Oxygen. You fill it up with compressed hydrogen and out the exhaust comes H2O. Hydrogen, unlike oil, will never run out and when it is available throughout the world, will be cheap. This will undoubtedly be the future of automobiles, but for now let me introduce to you another green car from Honda, the CR-Z.

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Sales launch for the SLS AMG GT3

Sales launch for the SLS AMG GT3

Interested teams can now order the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The gullwing model for the racetrack is being delivered on time for the coming motorsport season, starting in February 2011. The sales price is €334,000 (net)/€397,460 (incl. 19% VAT). Developed in accordance with the GT3 regulations of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 is designed as a customer sports car for sprint and endurance races. These races for GT cars which are similar to their roadgoing counter-parts have diversified starting fields and are always filled with excitement. They are becoming increasingly important on the world stage, not least thanks to their relatively inexpensive cost structure. The development and testing programme for the SLS AMG GT3 is proceeding as planned. Bernd Schneider, who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and has won more DTM championship titles than any other driver, is at the wheel for the bulk of the test drives, which started in June. The first competitive action for the car, as part of the testing programme, will be in the VLN race at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) at the end of September.

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Vettel is Castrol’s worlds best driver

In a month when motorsport saw more than it’s fair share of controversy, one thing that remains unquestioned is F1 driver Sebastian Vettel’s dominance of the Castrol Driver Rankings. The Red Bull man started pole in both Grand Prix in the month and recorded two points finishes, maintaining his place at the top of the Castrol Driver Rankings for the fourth consecutive month.

Castrol has applied the same expertise and passion it uses in the development of its oils to create the Castrol Driver Rankings – using expert analysis and highly advanced technology to measure and rank the performance in every single race of over 2000 drivers, across 47 major motorsport series every year.

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Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe on its way

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The BMW M3 Coupé Frozen Edition

Twenty five years ago BMW created an icon when it debuted the very first BMW M3 at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show. At the time, the sportiest BMW 3 Series ever produced boasted 200 hp, top speed in excess of 230 km/h, and a sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h inside 6.7 seconds. More significantly, the BMW M3 created a  legacy of driver involvement, sublime handling and giant-killing performance that has passed to each of the car’s four generations.

South African buyers never experienced that first BMW M3. It was only built in left-hand drive and the first BMW M3 to reach these shores was the 6-cylinder E36 M3 Coupe of the early 1990s. So, to meet demand for a sport BMW 3 Series in the late Eighties, BMW South Africa’s engineers at Plant Rosslyn produced two very special BMW 3 Series for South Africa only.

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