BMW presents concept 4-door coupé.

Munich. With an exclusive Design Night on the evening of the first press day at Auto China in Beijing (April 23^rd to May 2^nd 2010), BMW provided an in-depth insight into its design philosophy and development strategy. The program of the BMW Design Night is modular in structure and presents extensive background information on the premium automobile manufacturer’s innovative design culture. In addition to highlighting the long versions of the BMW 5 Series developed specially for the Chinese market, the main focus was on an elegant 4-door vehicle with striking dynamic proportions: the BMW Concept Gran Coupé.

The concept study on display symbolised the outstanding design expertise of BMW. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé concentrates the fundamental values of the brand. Its body design authentically captures a sense of superior dynamic performance and high-quality elegance. The shaping style, which follows a coherent pattern down to the last detail, convincingly visualises BMW’s philosophy as an automobile manufacturer. As with the Concept CS 2007, BMW once again sets new benchmarks in the design of 4-door coupes with a distinctive sporty character.

Read more

Driven: Audi A5 Sportback 3.0TDI

The Audi group has been a subsidiary of the VW group since 1965 and over that time the German pairing have ensured many millions of motorists many many pleasant miles. However don’t be mistaken as VW has now changed their image from being the manufacturers of ‘people’s cars’ to being the manufacturer of ‘the car’. Audi has always been seen as a more upmarket car and although VW makes good cars, today Audi’s are made brilliantly.

Their gorgeous looking, well made car range suits all types and is a very desirable car all over the world. From the R8 to the A2 convertible, all Audi’s possess a certain aura of luxury, performance, class and style and the new A5 Sportback is no different.

Read more

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg makes successful Nordschleife debut

Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid has passed its most unusual task by now with flying colours in preparation for the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 15/16 May: AT&T Williams Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg tested the orange and white liveried racing 911 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the lead up to the third round of the VLN Long Distance Championship and was enthusiastic with many aspects: “Great car, fascinating technology and an incomparable track,” concluded Hülkenberg.

Read more

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

Even more dynamic, lighter, more powerful and stunning – the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is the new top model in the Gallardo line-up. Its evocative “superlight” badge refers to a driving machine of true sporting character and describes a high-performance and lean automotive athlete. The Superleggera makes its entrance to continue the success of its predecessor, launched in 2007, of which Lamborghini produced and sold no less than 618 in just one year.

 

  Read more

Toyota conquers volcano that emptied the skies

A new chapter has been written in the world-conquering history of Toyota’s mighty Hilux as it took on the ice and fire of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano, just hours before its eruption brought chaos to the skies of Europe.

The legendary pick-up that Top Gear simply could not destroy and which was the first car to be driven across the Arctic to the Magnetic North Pole proved the perfect transport for scientists racing to set up monitoring equipment before the long-dormant mountain blew its top and sent a vast cloud of ash 9,000 m into the sky.

The vehicles used for the expedition were prepared by specialist firm Arctic Trucks to the same extreme environment specification as the Hilux used by Jeremy Clarkson and James May, of Top Gear fame, for their historic polar expedition.

Read more

Monster Fiesta Rally America car specifications

2.0-liter I-4 engine, mounted longitudinally, with Garrett turbocharger

Horsepower: Capable of 493 hp @ 8,000 rpm but Rally America required turbo-inlet restrictor will limit the engine to 330 hp @ 7,000 rpm

Torque: 553 lb.-ft. @ 6,000 rpm

 Maktrak/Olsbergs MSE 6-speed sequential transmission

Driveline: 4wd with front, center and rear mechanical differentials

Read more

Ridden: Suzuki GSX-R 750

When I collected the GSX-R 750 from Suzuki I promised I wouldn’t rack up too much mileage on this brand new model, however I must admit it has been extremely hard for me to keep my grubby hands off of this superb bike.

I climbed aboard the 750, engaged the clutch, kicked up the stand, flicked on the ignition switch and the excellent instrument display fired up in an array of colours. I hit the start button and the 4 cylinder 16 valve 750cc motor hummed into life.

As I let the motor warm, I engaged mode C from the thumb operated mode switch on my right and proceeded into the streets of the city, where I soon decided that mode C had to be replaced with mode B. This changes the fuel mapping and gives you more power.

Read more

BMW X1

BMW has just launched the new X1. Here are some of the specifications from BMW, whether you will like it or not is up for debate however. We will wait to see what the worlds motoring press says, but if it is like any one of its bigger brothers, it will sure be a pleasure to drive but may show a lack of versatility off road.         

 

With its agile, versatile and modern character, the BMW X1 guarantees a new driving experience in the premium compact segment. It expands and enhances the range of BMW X models with yet another innovative vehicle concept.

Read more

Porsche 918 Spyder

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

The highly appealing and emotionally charged Cabriolet is the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling.

“In keeping with the motto “four seasons, four passengers”, all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the developers’ list of priorities. With the new E-Class Cabriolet, the cabriolet season lasts the whole year. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet provides pleasurable driving and comfort whether the roof is open or closed,” says Eckart Mayer, Divisional Manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Read more

Nissan Qashqai updated for 2010

Nissan’s mid-size crossover, the Qashqai, will undergo an extensive update in April of 2010 to cement its position as the class-leading, pioneering alternative to the traditional hatchback. In addition to the introduction of the 2010 model and automatic CVT (continuous variable transmission) in April, the 7-Seater Qashqai+2 will make its debut in the South African market in May.  Purposefully designed to cater for those who need more space and flexibility, yet without any compromise on styling, the Qashqai+2 is set to build on the success of Qashqai locally and abroad.  

  Read more

The most powerful Official F1™ Safety Car of all time

 

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG takes its
place at the head of the Formula-1 field

 

• Gullwing model for motor racing’s top flight
• Unique super sports car concept
• Two monitors for keeping a close eye on the race
• C 63 AMG Estate once again Official F1™ Medical Car

  Read more

BMW Z4 GT3 takes on the ring

Yes the fantastic Z4 GT3 has just gone around Nurburgring and we thought we’d show you the video complete with a thunderous roar of a race prepared V8 and the wine of a racing gearbox.

Read more

Lexus LX570

Lexus welcomes its most capable off-road vehicle to South Africa, the Lexus LX570. With exceptional off-road credentials, the urban prowess only a Lexus could offer, ample power and presence, the LX570 will provide the status and image of the ultimate luxury SUV.

Engineers set out to build the most capable off-road vehicle ever produced without sacrificing the level of luxury expected of a Lexus. The LX570 offers the very best of off-road capability, yet benefits its occupants with every conceivable feature and typical Lexus refinement. It’s everything you’d expect of a Lexus and so much more thanks to its versatility of performance.

Read more

Class-leading heavy truck range from Isuzu Truck SA

Already enjoying a strong reputation as a favourite South African heavy-truck brand, the new Isuzu F-Series is set to establish itself as the heavy truck segment class leader in every respect for safety, economy and environmental care.

 

The all-new Isuzu F-Series heavy truck range now completes Isuzu Truck SA’s model line-up with the most modern Japanese trucks available in Southern Africa, all engineered with electronically-managed, fuel-efficient, common rail diesel engines. With the sole exception of the F-Series 4 x 4 model, ABS braking systems are standard.

  Read more

Next Page »