BMW has announced it will showcase the 7 Series Individual Final Edition during the Paris Motor Show next month.
BMW 7 Series Individual Final Edition detailed
The 7 Series Individual Final Edition was developed by the BMW individual performance personalisation department and includes a number of unique features inside and out.
Designed exclusively for the French market, the 7 Series comes with a unique Citrine Black metallic or Mineral White exterior finish and special 19-inch wheels matched with black chrome surrounds. Inside theres a choice of Platinum and Cohiba Brown Merino full leather upholstery with contrasting Black or Opal White piping and matching Platinum or Anthracite headliner and glossy piano black trim elements.
The BMW 7 Series Individual Final Edition will make its official debut in October at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.
SsangYong XIV Air and XIV Adventure Concepts Teased Ahead of Paris Debut
SsangYong has announced it will be bringing two new XIV Air and XIV Adventure concepts to this years Paris Motor Show happening next month.
XIV Air and XIV Adventure Concepts the final development concepts of X100
Both the XIV Air and XIV Adventure will be powered by either a 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel engines that meet Euro 6 emission standards. The concepts measure 4195 mm in length and have a 2600 mm wheelbase.
In addition, both models are near-production concepts previewing SsangYong’s upcoming X100 compact crossover. SsangYong explains that XIV stands for “eXciting user-Interface Vehicle,” and further, these two B-segment SUVs are based on the brands development philosophy of Robust, Specialty and Premium and design theme of Nature born – 3 Motion.
They also follow other similar concepts released in recent years by the company, with the most recent one being the XLV shown in Geneva back in March.
SsangYong stated that the X100 crossover will hit dealerships worldwide sometime next year.
Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition Unleashed
The Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition has officially been unveiled following a teaser video from the company a couple of days ago.
Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition
Just like the DB9 Carbon Black and White Editions, the Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition still maintains the mechanical identity of the standard car. The model comes in either black or white exterior and is available in both coupe and Volante specification.
Styling features on the Vanquish include black window surrounds, special brake callipers and 10-spoke alloy wheels with a gloss black finish. Other notable highlights of the Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition include red brake callipers, dark leather interior with contrast stitching, exclusive carbon fibre trim pieces with unique pattern, and silken black anodized speaker grilles. Additional interior changes include black accents and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Both Carbon Edition models are equipped with a 6.0-litre V12 engine that delivers 423 kW and 630 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission which allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
Best Convertibles in South Africa under R300k
Summer in South Africa is the perfect time to set yourself free and let your hair blow in the wind, and there’s no better way to do this than from behind the wheel of a cheeky-looking convertible. Driving a convertible is about making a statement while having fun and we’ve compiled a list of the best convertibles available in South Africa for less than 300k, which should keep your wallet happy too.
Let’s look at the best convertibles in South Africa which are fun, eye catching and cost less than R300 000.
The MINI Cooper convertible is the perfect summer ride and don’t be surprised if you see onlookers gawking at you when you pull up at the robots. Apart from its drop-top looks, the MINI Cooper convertible offers some go, too. Fitted with a 1.6-litre engine that pushes out 90 kW and 160 Nm of torque, you will have loads of fun driving this convertible. The MINI Cooper convertible is all yours for only R291 000. For the price and fun factor you’d be hard pressed to beat the MINI making it our best convertible.
With its pleasing all-round styling, you can be sure the Citroen DS3 Cabrio will turn heads this summer. The DS3 Cabrio features a soft-top roof that opens in three positions for your convenience and can be operated at speeds of up to 120km/k. Driving thrill comes with a choice of three variants powered by either a 1.2-litre engine or a 1.6-litre engine. There’s also a lovely turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that offers 115 kW / 240Nm. The choice is yours. Pricing for the Citroen DS3 Cabrio starts at R245 900.
In the case of the Abarth 500C, dynamite does come in small packages. Don’t be fooled by the Abarth’s small dimensions because there’s a 1.4-litre T-jet turbo engine under the bonnet that kicks out 103 kW and 206 Nm to keep you smiling till the cows come home. When things heat up, the soft top roof will fold down electronically to cool you down while you get on with it. The Abarth 500C is nicely priced at R281 990 and for something similar, and cheaper, you may want to look at the Fiat 500C with a starting price of R206 990.
Opel Karl Breaks Cover (Video)
The new generation Opel Corsa and three-door Opel Adam are about to welcome a new addition to their circle. From mid-2015, another small car will join them, the five-door Opel Karl.
Opel is on the attack at the moment, building up a head of steam as it launches three new cars all within 30 months of each other. Opel Adam being the first, followed by Corsa and then Karl will hit the streets.
Opel Karl Positioning
In a compact package of 3.68 metres, Karl will feature five doors, up to five seats and offer a flexible loading area. Karl intends to take up the space below the Adam in the growing hatchback market that includes cars such as the new Renault Sandero, Suzuki Swift and Mitsubishi Mirage.
Karls name pays homage to one of Adam Opels sons who had founded the company in 1862. While Adam had turned Opel into the largest bicycle manufacturers of the world, his sons Carl, Wilhelm and Friedrich started the automobile adventure in 1898, building their first car the following year.
Opel Karl is welcomed into the Opel Family Video
Fiat 500L Production Stopped Due To Weak Demand
Automotive News is reporting that Fiat 500L production has been stopped at the companys Kragujevac factory in Serbia due to weak demand.
Fiat 500L production suspended
According to the report, the company says the causes of this temporary setback are external and related to situation in the European and global automotive markets.
Fiat did not say how long the plant would be halted, however Serbian media reported that the plant, which has been producing the 500L since 2012 was halting production from September 5 until September 9.
With a total of six local sales last month, the 500L is currently available with a choice of two engines and has ample seating for five people with dimensions measuring 4.15 m long, 1.78 m wide and 1.66 m high. The MPV/SUV also has a 2.61 m wheelbase which results in a large interior space, including the luggage compartment, which boasts a capacity of almost 400 litres.
Pricing for the model starts at R232 990 for the Easy 1.4l 16V model, but you can read more about it here.
Kia Sportage 2.0CRDi AWD (2014) Review
This body style of Kia Sportage first hit our shores in 2010 and there was absolutely no doubt that Kia had designed an awesome-looking compact SUV. Would it be able to sell huge numbers and win over the South African public was the major question.
I found the answer during a Cape Town to Joburg road trip over the Christmas period of 2010. Yes. As I headed for the Highveld it was incredible the amount of new generation Sportages I witnessed going the opposite direction, very conspicuous with its Tiger grille and distinctive headlights. Now Kia has updated the Sportage to improve its pedigree as a few of the other competitors have caught up on the design front.
Physical Changes
On the outside Kia opted to stick with the winning design and only a minor change to the front grille is evident. The fog lamps and lower bumper have also been modified but are less easy to spot the difference. The usual addition of different styled wheels has been arranged and depending on how far up the range you choose to go you can have 17 or 18-inch wheels.
Climb Aboard
The bulk of the refresh to the Sportage has happened inside, specifically an attempt to reduce the in-car noise. The Sportage is much quieter at speeds now and the wind noise only really becomes evident at unnecessary speeds. Now in a cocoon like environment of quiet, the Sportage has a few other new features.
In this top-of-the-range all-wheel-drive model theres now a 4.3-inch touchscreen entertainment unit in place. Its a very simple system to use, however 4.3-inches is probably a bit small when it comes to touchscreens, especially for those with larger digits. The touchscreen doubles as a reverse camera when the gearbox is tapped into reverse but again, cramming such a wide angle camera into a small screen can make everything disproportionately far away.
The Diesel Choice
Im all for diesel compact SUVs as they make sense to me. You get ample torque from a turbodiesel, they’re particularly fuel efficient and because youre in an SUV, you probably dont want to race everywhere so the low revving, unsporty nature of the engine doesnt really matter.
Our Sportage AWD comes with a 2-litre turbodiesel capable of 130 kW and 382 Nm. Connected to a six-speed auto its a good combination and the throttle response is immediate. Theres none of the Euro emissions cheat pedal stuff where the first half push of the throttle pedal only succeeds in a crawl. Its excellent to drive in traffic, with the fast throttle response you can dive in and out of gaps and across intersections happily. There isn’t an ill effect on fuel consumption due to the immediate response from the throttle, Kia claims 7.4l/100km and over our week-long test period we averaged 8.2l/100km – more than decent.
The six-speed gearbox is a step behind its European counterparts and feels slow through the upshifts but its quite eager to gear down when slowing. The early downshifts means youre in the right gear if you need to accelerate away again. The ratios are spot on so the only thing missing is that smooth auto-shift feel you get from the modern Euro spec boxes.
Ride and Drive
The Sportage has a particularly high driving position and is set quite far forward so you get good visibility over the front bonnet and at imminent obstacles. The ride however can be quite harsh, it feels stiffly sprung and can overemphasise bumps and undulations in the road through the cabin.
The steering has been changed from a hydraulic system to a motor-assisted electronic system and hasnt affected it much. The Sportage probably isnt going to be used as a sportscar so the lighter steering feel works adequately in town and for parking lots, just dont expect a confidence inspiring blast over a mountain pass. The permanent AWD version here makes a decent go at off-roading, but the stiff setup means it can be tiresome over a long dirt road slog.
Final Word
The Kia Sportage remains a good looking compact SUV that will draw attention from onlookers. It hasnt changed its appearance vastly but updated the interior and improved the sound insulation around the cabin. The engine and gearbox combine well together providing great response if only the shifts were a bit more seamless.
The ride remains quite stiff and can be tiresome over long bumpy roads but fine on your regular freeway and main road. The new Sportage hasnt really moved the game on much from its initial offering but still provides a stylish well equipped compact SUV, probably best to stick to the two-wheel drive offerings though as theyre cheaper and lean towards the Sportages skill set.
Second Opinion
The Kia Sportage of 2014 carries on where its 2011 Car of the Year finalist brother left off. With a fairly smooth automatic gearbox, responsive engine and the reassurance of all-wheel drive, I’m hard pressed to find fault with the Sportage. It’s comfortable and specification is generous. I would like a bigger infotainment screen though. There’s a very comprehensive warranty thrown in too and it’s no surprise that the Sportage (and it’s Hyundai IX35 sister) have sold tremendously well. – David Taylor
Kia Sportage 2.0CRDi AWD Auto quick specs
Price
R425 995
Engine
2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Power
130 kW
Torque
382 Nm
Transmission
Six-speed Automatic
Wheels
18-inch alloys
0-100km/h
9.8 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
7.4 l/100 km (claimed)
We like:
. Great styling for a compact SUV
. Good throttle response
. Reduction in wind noise
We dislike:
. Tiring ride on dirt roads
. Doesn’t move the game on enough
Toyota has revealed the first images and details of the Urban Utility (U2) concept, scheduled to make its official public appearance during the World Maker Faire event in New York City later this month.
Toyota U2 concept detailed
The Toyota U2 concept was developed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research, the same crew responsible for the FT-1 concept. The concept is further billed by the automaker as a compact car with the functionality of a compact truck and the spaciousness of a cargo van. It satisfies other key urban driver priorities including good fuel economy, manoeuvrability in city environments and easy loading and unloading.
The styling comes across as very unique, with a rear end that has a sliding retractable roof and a rather large tailgate that can also double as a charging ramp. The distinctive styling continues inside with a highly minimalist approach focussing on ergonomics and functionality. Interior highlights included a unique instrument cluster and an iPad that doubles as an infotainment system, a centre console with a ‘floating’ arm rest and a unique gear selector, as well as a removable front passenger seat and a rail system that can to hold everything from baskets to bike stands.
Toyota saw an opportunity for a new approach to an urban vehicle based on increasing re-urbanization of our cities and urban drivers desire for flexibility, fun and manoeuvrability, said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty, Toyotas North American design studio.
Calty keeps a number of projects concealed while exploring ideas and products. Revealing a project like the U2 gives people a window into the constant innovation that happens inside Toyota and our Calty studios and one possible future for urban mobility.
BMW 2 Series Convertible Unveiled
The BMW 2 Series convertible has been unveiled online ahead of its scheduled public Paris Motor Show debut.
More open-top driving pleasure
The convertible comes as a successor to the BMW 1 series convertible which has sold more than 130 000 units worldwide. The new model is in addition longer (by 72 mm) and wider (by 26 mm) than the model it replaces, and has a wheelbase which has been elongated by 30 mm to 2 690 mm.
The front and rear tracks have been extended by 41 mm and 43 mm respectively. According to BMW, the increase in size makes for easier entry and exit from the car for rear passengers, and greater luggage space. The luggage compartment now has a total of 335 litres with the top up and 280 with the top down.
At the push of a button, the newly developed, electrically powered fabric top with additional insulation and optimised acoustic comfort opens and closes in 20 seconds even while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The fabric top comes in a choice of three colours: Black, Anthracite with silver effect and Brown.
ConnectedDrive now with free wireless navigation updates
High-quality standard equipment includes electrically powered and acoustically insulated roof, BMW Professional radio including iDrive operating system with Control Display in flatscreen design, automatic climate control with convertible mode as well as optional leather trim with SunReflective technology to reduce surface heating in direct sunshine.
A new addition to the convertible is the navigation system which updates navigation data wirelessly and for free through the built-in SIM card. The model will also feature Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming and USB interface.
The individual trims (Advantage, Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport) will all be distinguished by interior trim options, different alloy wheel sizes and design, as well as exterior design accents and colours.
Greater performance
Engine options will be similar to the choices on the Coupe. The engines include a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance power unit for the M235i. There are also two 2.0-litre petrol engines available, the 220i and 228i.
The entry-level 220i model comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit making 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is said to take 7.5 seconds for the manual and 7.6 seconds for the automatic.
The 220d makes use of the new generation of diesel engines and will be pushing 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque to the rear wheels, getting to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds (0.1 seconds faster with the automatic).
Then theres the 228i equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 180 kW and 350 Nm of torque. This will enable the car fitted with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox to get to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and 0.1 seconds less for an automatic.
The range-topping model is the M235i Convertible with 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque. It can sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 5.2sec just 0.2sec slower than the Coupe and hit a top speed of 250 km/h.
All engines can be paired with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission or a standard six-speed manual.
The new BMW 2 Series Convertible is confirmed to go on sale in South Africa in the first quarter of 2015. Pricing and other detailed specifications will be confirmed closer to the launch date.
Honda HR-V Shown Ahead of Paris Reveal
Honda has revealed the first images of the brands small SUV ahead of its world premiere at the Paris motor show next month. The HR-V is Hondas new entry into the fast-growing small SUV segment.
HR-V Big on Space
Honda is particularly good at creating interior space think Honda Jazz, so this new HR-V features a centre fuel tank location to create more space and an adaptable small SUV cabin. Honda has installed its patent Magic Seats, enabling a wide range of seating configurations, with the ability to fold the second row seats completely flat for added cargo space.
No specifics have been given on powertrain, or anything really. In all likelihood there will be a small diesel- possibly the 1.6 i-DTEC from the Civic. The petrol version is a little tougher to predict as Honda makes more of them, but the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder is a solid bet.
The HR-V will go on sale in the UK during mid-2015. Hopefully well get details on a South African model launch soon.
