BMW S1000RR

 

Something interesting just landed in South Africa, its BMW’s new hero bike: the fearsomely fast and controversially styled S1000 RR.
RR stands for race replica – this is the production version of the bike that Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus campaign in the World Superbike series and silences once and for all the criticism that Bavarians can’t make a “real” sports motorcycle.

The one-litre Beemer out-punches anything carrying a ZX-10, GSX, R1 or CBR badge with its 142kW output -and that’s the official factory figure that BMW is putting out. We’re told that the actual output is closer to 150kW.

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Electrifying Joule

South Africans visiting the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland next month can look forward to seeing their very own all-electric car – Joule – proudly showcased at one of Europe’s most important automotive industry events.

A plug-in, zero emission vehicle, Joule on show gives a very strong indication of the final design and layout of the car when it goes on sale early in 2013. However, South African motorists can also expect to spot Joule on our roads within months, as a fleet takes to our roads to gather technical feedback on the car and also to gauge public response. These cars, like the show car, will be hand-built in Port Elizabeth.

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2011 Jaguar XKR Special Edition

Jaguar unveils the ultimate XKR Special Edition

 Jaguar will unveil the latest dramatic evolution of its supercharged XKR coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. The stunning new XKR Special Edition delivers a significantly raised maximum speed 280km/h and bold exterior styling changes that create the ultimate supercharged Jaguar.

The XKR Special Edition combines a number of new features and option packs that are introduced to the XK range at 2011 Model Year. Jaguar customers have the option to personalise their vehicle by building on the existing XKR package to deliver a car that offers even greater performance without sacrificing the refinement and luxury for which every Jaguar is renowned.

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New Volvo S60 coming to SA

The all-new Volvo S60 - driving pleasure created with hundred percent passion

 Volvo Car South Africa can finally give local fans a pre-launch look at what to expect of the much-anticipated Volvo S60. The all-new Volvo S60 will make its first appearance at the Geneva Motor Show on 2 March and is due to be launched locally during the first quarter of 2011.

 Just one look at the initial design sketches was enough for the chassis experts to understand that the challenge was going to be exceptional – what they saw was the embryo of a sporting sedan unlike any previous Volvo. It was up to them to produce a chassis that did the daring design full justice. The result is the all-new Volvo S60 – without a doubt the most dynamic car model Volvo has ever presented.

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The New Polo

Design of compact Volkswagen orchestrated by Walter de Silva

 Visually speaking, the new Polo was developed 1:1 from the principles of the new Volkswagen “Design DNA”. The Scirocco was the first vehicle with this design and the second wave of the new DNA appeared in the new Golf. Both these cars were well received by the local customers with the new Golf being named as a finalist in the 2010 South African Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year competition.

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Honda CBX 250 Twister

 

The Honda CBX 250 Twister is branded as a commuter bike, but I think it can be much more than that if you let it take you in to it’s unique and special character.

 
However, you’ll find that somewhat hard to do if you’re used to more powerful bikes because at the end of the day, it is a 250cc. For a 250cc single cylinder, performance is actually quite good, this four valve, DOHC, air & oil cooled motor as it produces 17.5kW of power at 8000rpm and 24Nm of torque at 6000rpm, surprising considering that the compression ratio is fairly low at 9.3 : 1.

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