Jaguar Reveals F-Type Coupe for Tour de France (Video)
Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations has unveiled a bespoke F-Type Coupe high performance vehicle developed as a support vehicle which will be used during stage 20 of the 2014 Tour de France.
Bespoke one-off F-Type Coupe detailed
Based on the F-Type R Coupe, powered by a 404 kW/680 Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine, the Team Sky F-Type Coupe will be a one-off model featuring a bespoke racking solution carrying two of the team’s Pinarello Bolide TT bikes. It will also come with Team Sky’s livery while other graphic design features specific to the team have been implemented throughout the cabin.
Further specifications include a separate electric supply in the boot which provides power to the radios, amplifiers, microphones, horns and televisions which support communications between Team Sky’s Sports Director and the rider.
Jaguar is an iconic British brand that has been an integral partner for Team Sky for over four years, said Team Sky Team Principal, Sir Dave Brailsford. We have already benefited from their high performance credentials and expertise in technological capabilities and engineering innovations, particularly with the recent development of the Pinarello Dogma F8.”
The Team Sky bespoke Jaguar F-Type Coupe
BMW M235i Manual Review (2014)
Whilst bearing definitive M badging, the BMW M235i is not a pure M car but an M Performance model. Other names like the X5 M50D and M135i have similar upgrades, but dont get the official nod from the famous M division. Nevertheless the BMW M235i does not lack for M-like performance with a serious turbocharged engine, rear-wheel drive and track-worthy handling.
Looking the Part
I would go as far as saying this is the best-looking BMW you can buy. I said the same about the previous generation 1-Series Coupe though which is now the 2-Series. The dimensions look right, short, muscular and just enough mean in those headlamps to initiate a fight.
That said, the two-door nature means rear occupants have to climb in behind the front seats. There has to be a better mechanism for sliding electric seats forward than waiting for a minute whilst it slowly crawls forward so theres enough space to clamber in behind. Pre-electric seats used to slide forward when you tilted them, so why the step back?
Kick of the M
The BMW M235i carries a whole 5 kW more than the M135i taking it up to 240 kW, but sticks with the 450 Nm of torque. In our manual version that means a 0-100kph time of five seconds with a top speed limited to 250kph. In spite of the turbocharged engine the BMW M235i delivers its power so smoothly and continuously right the way until the red numbers start appearing.
Shift up to the next gear and the familiar BMW short lever, hard notch action calls more power and torque to attention. Around the city the manual shift can be a bit cumbersome, but the BMW purists will hark back to ages gone by and familiarity to cement its place in modern BMWs. Out on the open road when youre driving for pure enjoyment and thrills, thats when you want the hard shift action its fun and involving like no other.
Its a Biter
Whilst BMWs German competitors have gone the four-wheel drive route with their performance models, BMW has stuck with rear-wheel drive. It makes the BMW M235i stand out from the likes of the S3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG. The steering in particular feels fast, small movements of the steering wheel set the BMW into a g-force fed turn of direction.
It takes some getting used to but it makes the Beemer feel super direct and pointy very involving. Dont think its a tame beast though, try and manhandle it or show it whos boss and it will snap at you, the rear end breaks away under power with the traction control settings set to off. The wet Cape winter taught me that the M235i likes to be treated with finesse and rewards a smooth driver with a great feeling of achievement at the other end of an awe inspiring set of bends.
Simple Interior
BMW has simplified much of its interior over the years, the number of pressable buttons decreasing dramatically but the overall functionality of the vehicle sky rocketing. Almost everything is controlled through the iDrive system, allowing you to scroll though navigation, multimedia and lighting settings.
The M performance touch comes in with a digital power and torque display screen that lets you know just how much of that 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque youve just used neat. Youre not left wanting for gadgets or tech, but I cant help feeling that modern BMWs could do with a major spruce up of the rpm and speedo dials. Whilst they do their job adequately its the same font and colour theyve been using since as far back as I can remember. It would be nice to see a fresh take on these.
Finishing Touch
The BMW M235i is a performance bargain as far as BMWs go, you get near enough M power, with dynamics that have been breathed upon by the chaps at M division in a car that is the best-looking BMW out there. The acceleration is supersonic, handling spot on for a drivers car and its got just enough bite and attitude to keep you on your toes. Yes it has a few things that you can nit-pick at like the old school manual gearbox and historic dials but that never detracts from the driving experience it involves you in. Simply brilliant. Yours from R537 579.
Another opinion
The BMW M235i could be called a race car for the road as few cars are this involving and hands on to drive. Once you learn how to drive it properly, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking performance coupled with a raw emotive soundtrack. In six-speed manual guise, the BMW M235i is one of the finest driving cars I’ve ever experienced. – David Taylor
2014 BMW M235i quick specs
Engine
3-litre 6-cylinder turbo
Power
240kW
Torque
450Nm
Transmission
Six-speed manual
Wheels
18-inch alloys
0-100km/h
5.0 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
8.1l/100 km (claimed)
We like:
. M Power without M price
. Superb driver’s car
. Well styled BMW
We dislike:
. Old school manual gearbox
. A few interior updates would be nice
BMW M235i Track Edition Introduced in the Netherlands
A special BMW M235i Track Edition model has been introduced in the Netherlands.
Strong appearance and high quality
The “exclusive” and “sporty” version of the M235i Coupe incorporates numerous BMW M Performance parts, including an aerodynamics package, a special exhaust system and a limited slip differential.
The M performance aerodynamic pack comes complete with a front splitter, carbon trunk spoiler and a diffuser at the rear. The model additionally features a black grille, a trunk-mounted spoiler, a stainless steel sports exhaust system and 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels.
Inside, youll find an Alcantara wrapped M steering wheel with a digital display, aluminium pedals, a carbon fibre / Alcantara handbrake lever and an Alcantara-wrapped sport steering wheel with integrated display at the top of the rim of the steering wheel.
The 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine in the BMW M235i Track Edition delivers an output of 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque. Combined with the eight-speed sports automatic transmission with launch control, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 4.8 seconds, before hitting an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Production of the BMW M235i Track Edition will be limited to 12 units.
Bentley To Retain W12 Engines
Bentley has announced its committed to continue to build its W12 engine for the foreseeable future, and that it hopes it will be the last manufacturer in the world to produce these 12-cylinder engines.
The future of Bentleys W12 engines
A W12 engine is said to be a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. Research shows that the original W12 configuration was used in some early aircraft engines, notably including the Napier Lion, while the more recent configuration is used in the Volkswagen Group W12.
According to a source within the company, Bentley plans on being the last manufacturer of 12-cylinder engines in the world. The company is also said to switch its current 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 engine to direct injection to ensure that it remains relevant and viable into the future.
The companys forthcoming SUV will also be offered with a W-12, and with this new model, production is expected to increase from 5000 units to roughly 9000 units annually.
2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.5D Review
The Chevrolet Trailblazer made its debut in South Africa around 18 months ago and it opened with a solid offering that could match up to the all-conquering Toyota Fortuner in nearly every aspect. Have a glimpse at the sales figures and they tell a different story, the Fortuner sells four to five times more units per month than the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Chevrolet has updated its offering for 2014 and we had a chance to test the updated 2.5-litre turbodiesel with a manual transmission.
Engine Upgrade
Chevrolet has seen fit to give the 2.5-litre engine a small increase in both power and torque, so it now sits at 120 kW with 380 Nm of torque. Thats plenty for any type of terrain and while it sounds rough on cold start-ups, it smooths out as it warms up. The manual gearbox is typically agricultural and bakkie-like, its a long throw, bulky action shifter that requires a fair bit of effort if you want to get moving quickly.
It does have a sixth gear though, which is a particularly long ratio, at 120kph the Trailblazer is chugging along at less than 2 000 rpm. Thats perfect for saving fuel on those long drives.
Beige is out
The first edition of the Trailblazer was a beige-fest, especially around the easy to scuff with the end of your shoe areas. Beige isnt great for the longevity look, but thankfully the 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer has more dark material in those areas and in our base model, the full cloth seats. The seats feel very durable, despite being a bit soft and lacking in support.
The major area to get the upgrade treatment is the infotainment system. The 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer has the MyLink system into the Trailblazer, which includes a seven-inch touch screen. The system is very simple to use and integrates well with current Smartphones. It even comes standard with built-in apps that allow you to stream radio through your phone’s data connection. That way you can listen to radio stations from anywhere around the world through your cars radio. The radio did seem to have a mind of its own on our model as it would randomly come to life whilst the car was off and we were loading stuff into the rear. Possibly some electric gremlins at work.
Load Away
Loading space in the 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer is at a premium and the rear seats fold down flat and with a simple one-click lever. The rear privacy cover springs out easily and can be stored in a compartment under the boot. That means we were able to toss two rather muddy (thanks to the Cape winter) mountain bikes straight into the Trailblazer without having to take the front wheels off. There was still loads of room for luggage too.
Road Holding
Overall I was very impressed with the road holding ability of the Trailblazer. Whilst its bakkie underpinnings dont make for the most agile machine, the 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer lets you know steadily that its relinquishing grip. Even when the tyres are squealing away it holds a pretty true line.
On the muddier and more corrugated surface the Trailblazer excels more, scoring well on ride comfort. Whilst I see going the full 4×4 route a better option in the bakkie-based SUV segment, I can see the reward of getting this much space at way less cost than an equivalently-sized large SUV. Even if you dont intend on climbing a mountain with it.
Conclusion
The 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer has all the improvements that the initial offering lacked in order to match the might of the class-leading Toyota Fortuner. The engine is more powerful and carries more torque, the interior has had a colour palette adjustment and the infotainment system is a step ahead of the competition. All that remains then is the price point and with this entry level 2.5 youre in for R398 100. Its a slight premium over the Fortuner but still remains competitive and is now a more premium offering than its main rival.
Another opinion
The 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer receives the brilliant MyLink system among other upgrades. While it may not have quite the pedigree of the Toyota Fortuner, the Chevrolet Trailblazer makes a good name for itself and if you’re needing a spacious and capable 4×2, then this’ll do nicely. However, do note you could get a pre-owned 4×4 version for about the same price… David Taylor
2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.5D LT quick specs
Engine
2.5-litre four cylinder turbodiesel
Power
120 kW
Torque
380 Nm
Transmission
Six-speed manual
Wheels
16-inch alloys
0-100km/h
11.7 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
7.4l/100 km (claimed)
We like:
. Upgraded interior
. Space – there’s loads
. Decent fuel economy
We dislike:
. Clunky manual transmission
. Opt for 4×4 if you want to go off road
A recent report by Auto Express claims Audis chief technical officer Ulrich Hackenberg announced the company plans to introduce an e-tron version of the facelifted A8.
Audi A8 e-tron – more powerful plug-in hybrid version of V6 diesel
Audi recently confirmed plans to add plug-in hybrid powertrains across its main line-up in the next five years. The report from the publication further claims the full-size A8 sedan will be among the first vehicles to be electrified, following closely on the footsteps of its younger sibling the A3 Sportback e-tron showcased at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
There were no details on the size of electric motor, but Audi did confirm that the upcoming A8 e-tron will get its power from a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine (most likely to be sourced from the RS5 TDI Concept), coupled with one or more electric motors delivering a combined output of about 271 kW and up to 700Nm of torque. The manufacturer also confirmed that the system will have an all-electric range of up to 48 km running only on electric power and in hybrid mode it will have CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km.
The new e-tron system is said to be available by early 2015, and production of A8 e-tron is most likely to commence after that, with the same setup of other prominent models A6 and Q7 will follow.
Weekly News Wrap – 18/07/2014
If you missed any of the week’s news, reviews and videos, now is your chance to catch up.
In a report coming out of Australia, the next Mitsubishi Triton slated for 2015 is to be built with a softer more car-like style than its current offering.
The S65 AMG Coupe is equipped with a twin-turbo V12 6.0-litre engine, similar to the one found in the S65 AMG Sedan, and produces 463 kW and a peak torque of 1 000 Nm.
Following its debut at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show, Mitsubishis all-new entry-level five-door Mirage hatchback is set to enter the South African market for the very first time in August 2014.
The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a great blend of practicality, sensibility and thanks to a generous helping of standard features, this seven-seater SUV may just be one of the finest offroad purchases of 2014.
The Audi S3 sedan is a get in and feel instantly comfortable kind of car. Its planted on the road and urges you on to go faster, its backed up by a fast acting S-Tronic gearbox and a banging exhaust note on shifts. Its also comfortable to drive over long distance and has a well-equipped and beautifully finished interior.
Porsche Exclusive has unveiled its 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition which celebrates the 40th anniversary of thePorsche 911 Turbo S and will be limited to 40 examples.
Next in line to make headway into the entry level crossover market is this Toyota Etios Cross. Its a pumped-up Etios, full of extra cladding to make it look a bit more butch. Toyota says the current Etios seems to be a bit girly and it wants to attract more masculine buyers, hence the muscle flexing bits around this Toyota Etios Cross.
The much anticipated Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster, billed as the companys fastest and most potent roadster to date has finally been revealed.
Jaguar has announced it will officially unveil its all-new Jaguar XE compact sport sedan on September 8, with sales scheduled to start in Europe in 2015.
As far as entry-level cars go, I find the Suzuki Swift 1.2 a near-perfect offering. Its fun to drive characteristics thrown in with fair specification and outstanding fuel economy.
Ford has announced engine details on its 2015 Ford Mustang. There will be three engine variants to go with an entirely new chassis that is heavily focused on power to weight ratio. Ford has also revealed its performance pack details for those wanting a more track focused machine.
Mazda has finally revealed its new Mazda 2 at its Hiroshima plant in Japan. The Mazda 2 is set to feature the brands SKYACTIV range of engines and KODO soul of motion design language.
Best SUV in SA Medium Size
Moving along from our Compact SUV list and onto the family seeking a little more comfort and space in their life. Perhaps even a little off-road prowess wouldnt go amiss on those family outings to the game reserve where you share a lodge with some other outdoor enthusiasts? With a budget capped at R500 000, we bring you our best medium-sized SUVs.
In a clash that just ten years ago would have seemed impossible or just downright silly, we lined up BMWs most powerful diesel SUV against the new Range Rover Sport, which uses an engine shared with the Jaguar F-Type to develop an incredible 375 kW (502hp).
Smart is making a comeback with a new range of Smart fortwo and Smart forfour models. The Smart cars traditionally combine small car platforms with impressive use of space for the perfect congested city car. The new Smart has new engines, improved safety and a rear-engined platform.
New Smart Car Arrives
Smart is making a comeback with a new range of Smart fortwo and Smart forfour models. The Smart cars traditionally combine small car platforms with impressive use of space for the perfect congested city car. The new Smart has new engines, improved safety and a rear-engined platform.
Tight Turning
The Smart fortwo retains its tiny size of the previous model, measuring just 2.69M. The turning circle has been improved however as it can rotate a full circle in 6.95M. The forfour manages the same turn in 8.65M still particularly good as most modern hatchbacks average around 10M turning circles.
Tiny Turbo
Theres a new engine range for the Smart cars as they use both naturally aspirated three-cylinder and turbocharged three cylinder variants. The entry level naturally aspirated unit generates 52 kW from its 999 cc displacement and makes do with 91 Nm of torque. The turbo variant clocks up 66 kW with 135Nm from 898 cc. Smart also says there will be an even more entry level petrol engine coming with 45 kW that will extend the range lineup.
Special Suspension
Chassis-wise the new Smart models use a rear engine design that has been co-developed with Renault and is being used in the Twingo. The Smart uses wider tyres at the rear to that of the front to produce gentle understeer. The engineers have designed a special McPherson suspension with increased travel that is said to increase ride comfort. The De-Dion rear axle has had much the same special treatment to improve ride comfort.
New Smart Car is Safe
The safety of the Smart fortwo and forfour has been a key focus of the new model. A high proportion of ultra-high strength hot-formed steels and maximum-strength multiphase steel is now used. Specifically the Smarts underwent severe crash testing undergoing the same development programme as the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The new smart fortwo was required to demonstrate its capabilities in frontal collisions with the S- and C-Class.
Lexus to Build Smaller NX Crossover
Lexus is apparently getting ready to launch a smaller NX Crossover to follow in the footsteps of its recently released 2015 NX model.
Smaller NX Crossover to come?
Speaking to Autocar, Lexus Europes vice-president Alain Uyttenhoven said that a small SUV makes sense for the brand and doesnt sound impossible at all.
Although the smaller NX Crossover is yet to be confirmed for production, rumours suggest a car the size of the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA is what the company needs to further diversify its range. We actually think Lexus might build the crossover on the same platform that underpins the Toyota RAV4, which itself was redesigned for the 2013 model year.
According to Uyttenhoven such a model would help boost Lexus sales in Europe, China and Japan where there is a strong desire for smaller premium cars. The company is currently looking to downsize and diversify its model range to reduce its reliance on the North American market where they sell about half of all 500 000+ cars each year.
Uyttenhoven additionally spoke about the flagship LS which he said will not get a four-cylinder engine but fuel cell technology could be implemented seeing as fuel-cell technology is more likely to represent economy gains in this segment, possibly by 2020.
Nissan Outlines its Autonomous Driving Systems Scheduled for Launch in 2020
Last year Nissan announced plans to launch multiple Autonomous Drive vehicles by 2020. However the company now says that the vehicles won’t be fully autonomous, but will instead be introducing the autonomous technology in a phased manner.
Autonomous Driving Systems aimed at accelerating consumer adoption
During a recent press conference, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said new technologies including automated lane controls and highway traffic management systems, to be introduced over the next four years, would demonstrate to consumers the viability and value of Autonomous Driving systems, which Nissan intends to make commercially viable by 2020.
The first system will be a “traffic-jam pilot” which will let vehicles drive themselves on gridlocked freeways. In the same timeframe, the company will also introduce a fully-automated parking system that will enable the car to park itself and will be available across a wide range of vehicles.
“This will be followed in 2018 by the introduction of multiple-lane controls, allowing cars to autonomously negotiate hazards and change lanes. And before the end of the decade, we will introduce intersection-autonomy, enabling vehicles to negotiate city cross-roads without driver intervention,” said Ghosn.
Ghosn went on to say that four major trends are fuelling demand for autonomous drive functions. These are: the need to ease congestion in increasingly crowded mega-cities; growing demand for in-car communications by younger tech-savvy drivers; the need to make car operation easier and safer for the growing ranks of senior drivers; and increased purchasing and decision-making power of female consumers.
Unlike pilot-projects for completely self-driving vehicles, currently undergoing preliminary tests elsewhere in the industry, drivers remain in control and ‘at the wheel’ in Nissan models equipped with Autonomous Drive functions.”
By next year, for example, the company says they will have “enhanced communications” functions loaded on 1.5 million vehicles, and the technologies include cloud-based systems to offer better access to social media, entertainment applications and voice recognition software.
“Nissan will be part of the transport solution in the growing number of megacities. We will continue to make our cars more connected. We plan to lead in delivering Autonomous Drive vehicles. And, in every part of the business, we are recognizing the unique needs of elderly drivers and the impact and influence of female customers.”
