Ford has revealed three interesting concepts of the Ecosport compact SUV at the Sao Paulo motor show. The concepts have been built to show the customisation possibilities for the Ecosports future. The Storm concept is based off the F-150 Raptor bakkie whilst the Beauty and the Beast concepts highlight the contrast between luxury and sporty models.
Ecosport Storm
The special paint colour is called Blue Storm, is supplemented by special graphics on the sides. The tyres are 15-inch 215/75 high profile off roaders, while the tactile plastic wheel arches reinforce the rugged nature of the Ecosport Storm.
Beauty and the Beast
The Beauty turns the Ecosport into a sophisticated and urban special edition. The main highlight is the special paint in matte metallicCopper Stardust colour, with graphics and contrasting details, black roof, fog lights in LED and 18-inch wheels with low profile tyres. The interior features four individual seats arranged in an armchair style, upholstered in leather and DVD screens in the headrests. The interior is finished off with a multimedia system with GPS.
The Beast version emphasizes the sportiness of the EcoSport, with pearlescent white bodywork called Speed White, contrasting details in blue and orange, three bar grille, fog lamps with four LEDs and 18-inch rims. Theres additional lighting LEDs in the roof for effect. The interior has a clear multimedia system with GPS. The rear seats have been replaced with bike racks.
ESP Made Mandatory in Europe
The European Union will make it mandatory for all cars sold within Europe to be fitted with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme). The law is enforced to all vehicles with a gross weight of under 3.5tons. After a year the law will pass to all vehicles on the roads.
ESP Life Saving Stats
ESP saves lives, says Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division. An accident research study by Bosch confirms its effectiveness. In 2011, ESP prevented more than 33 000 accidents involving injury and saved more than 1 000 lives in the EU member states. Since being launched in 1995, ESP has prevented 190 000 accidents and saved more than 6 000 lives across Europe.
In fact they make mention that the only more important safety system in a car is a seat-belt. ESP is even more important than an Airbag. ESP is an unparalleled success story that we hope to replicate outside Europe as well, says Gerhard Steiger. According to independent studies, up to 80 percent of skidding accidents on the road could be prevented if all vehicles were equipped with the anti-skid system.
How ESP Works
Swerving on dry, wet, muddy, or slippery roads often results in severe traffic accidents. Using smart sensors, ESP measures 25 times per second as to whether the car is actually moving in the direction that the driver is steering it in. If the measured values do not match, the anti-skid system intervenes and first reduces engine torque. If that is not sufficient, it additionally brakes individual wheels, generating the counterforce needed to keep a vehicle on course.
The Department of Energy on Friday announced that the SA petrol price will be slashed on Wednesday 5 November 2014. This news is welcomed by South African motorists who have faced steep fuel price increases for the duration of 2014. Motorists dependent on diesel are better off with prices being slashed by as much as 61c / litre come Wednesday.
SA Petrol Price Drops in time for holidays
The AA commented on Wednesday that the rand/US dollar exchange rate strengthened gradually during October 2014 and that international petroleum prices had shown a substantial decline during the same period. The 5th of November decrease will see the petrol price decrease by 45 cents per litre. Diesel will go down by 61 cents per litres for 500ppm and 60 cents per litre for the cleaner 50 ppm.
With the South African holiday season around the corner, this fuel price reduction will help consumers cope during this notoriously expensive period. Even though this is good news, we encourage you to try save even more by considering these 5 Ways to Improve Fuel Efficiency.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS has made its South African debut and we were there at its launch.
The CLS is one of the best-looking products in the Mercedes-Benz arsenal. The car’s concept was an interesting one – what if you could combine the practicality of a four-door sedan with the graceful looks of a coupé? The car has sold well with around 120 000 units sold. In South Africa the vehicle was reasonably popular and the range included the Shooting Brake estate. The Shooting Brake however has now been discontinued in South Africa due to a lack of sales.
Engines
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS comes with a number of engines. There’s an entry-level 150 kW / 500 Nm diesel in the CLS 250, a 190 kW / 620 Nm diesel in the CLS 350, a biturbo V6 petrol with 245 kW and 480 Nm in the CLS400. Finally, there’s some V8 power in the CLS 500 (300 kW / 600 Nm) and the fearsome 430 kW / 800 Nm in the range-topping CLS 63 AMG S. On launch, I sampled the CLS 500, CLS 250 diesel and the mighty AMG model.
There’s a nice new nine-speed gearbox, the 9G-Tronic and it helps keep the fuel economy down. I found the shifts to be smooth, but there is a pleasant mechanical feel as the gears change when you pull the steering wheel mounted paddles in manual mode.
Technology
Being a Mercedes-Benz, the CLS comes brimming with technology, but one of the new things are the front headlights. These MultiBeam LED headlights are incredible and happily move around so everything is brightly lit up except the car in front of you. These lights work in conjunction with the GPS so as you get to a traffic circle, they spread their light wider so the entire circle is lit up. The only way to explain this is by watching this quick video:
Launch
The launch route from Arabella Golf Estate took us back to Cape Town along the picturesque Rooi Els road, which is a lovely stretch of tarmac for performance cars. I avoided the AMG S for this stretch, correctly assuming it would be over the top on this narrow stretch. The CLS 500 with its turbocharged V8 engine was plenty fun and there’s so much power on tap. With 300 kW and 600 Nm, in-gear acceleration is impressive and there’s a lovely soundtrack to boot.
After a quick stint in the CLS 250 with its frugal 2.1-litre diesel engine (used in the E250 CDI coupe) , it was time to jump into the mighty CLS 63 AMG S.
CLS 63 AMG S
With 430 kW and 800 Nm, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG S is the ultimate performer in the range. The 5.5-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine is a masterpiece and you know you’re in for some breathtaking performance when you push that start button. The car snarls to life and the sound from those exhausts is phenomenal.
On the open and winding roads around Hermanus, the matte white CLS 63 AMG S turned into a low-flying fighter jet. Performance is astonishing. How does 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds grab you? Remember this is a big executive car, and yet its offering a race car experience. In full AMG attack mode, the CLS 63 is astonishingly quick, but be warned, with the stability and traction assistance turned off, you’re going to be kept busy trying to catch that sliding rear. Still, for the mortal driver that I am, the CLS 63 AMG S offers plenty of thrills and the safety systems will keep you in check.
Summary
In closing, I’d like to think the pick of the range is probably the CLS 350 diesel and the CLS 500 for the petrol fans. Performance fanatics will be delighted with the AMG S, which is simply stupendous and brutally fast. If you have the money, go for broke and get the AMG. If you’re more conservative, go for the CLS 500 which offers 85% of the AMG’s performance.
The CLS is one mighty fine machine, with very little to fault. I look forward to an extended session with this car to see if there are any faults, as my initial impressions indicate this is a flawless product.
Mercedes-Benz CLS Price in South Africa
All the new Mercedes-Benz CLS models come with a Mercedes-Benz six-years or 100 000km PremiumDrive maintenance plan.
The idea of a flying car has caught or imagination in several of Hollywoods futuristic films. The Fifth Element and Judge Dredd come to mind first, but were sure there are loads more you can think of. The reality however is that its not a simple thing to do. Well until some chaps in Slovakia decided to give it a bash.
Flying Car to be Fully Licensed
The AeroMobil 3.0 is the Slovakian companys third prototype and most successful attempt at a flying car. As you can see from the video below, the wings are able to fold away to form part of the bodywork whilst in car mode and then in a matter of seconds, fold out to form an 8.3M wingspan.
There are a few extra bits about the flying car that arent shown in the video. There is a deployable parachute, an autopilot system as well as a bunch of avionics equipment. The idea is to have the AeroMobil licensed for both road use and as a light aircraft for sport use in the Euro Zone.
The flying car is powered by a four-cylinder Rotax 912 naturally aspirated, water-cooled engine and as a car can reach a top speed of 160kph probably needed to reach take-off speeds. Whilst airborne the AeroMobil will clock up over 200kph.
The flying car claims a fuel economy of around 8L/100km whilst being driven and nearer 15L/hour whilst being flown. The flying car is still in concept form so dont expect it to be in commercial production any time soon.
In order to help the flying car land easier the engineers have strengthened and stiffened the suspension up tremendously, which probably wont make it a pleasant ride on the tarmac but does mean that the flying car can take-off and land on quite rough terrain.
While we’ve seen some great car commercials this year, I think this is quite easily the best due to its interactivity. You get to see two sides of the story, just as there are two sides to the Honda Civic range.
This is the teaser video, you’ll have to head over to Honda’s Youtube channel here as it can’t be embedded. During the video, just push the letter R on your keyboard for some extra magic…
Honda advert teaser
Porsche Panamera Exclusive Series Announced
Porschehas just unveiled its limited run Panamera Exclusive Series edition ahead of its scheduled 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show debut.
Luxuriously equipped limited edition Panamera Exclusive Series
Based on the Panamera Turbo S,the limited-edition model features for the first time a unique two-colour paintwork combining deep black metallic with chestnut brown metallic manually painted by hand. The deep black metallic colour adorns the 20-inch Sport Class wheels in the Sport Classic design and the front air inlet grilles.
The interior features wall-to-wall Poltroon Frau Brown leather upholstery with chestnut contrast stitching, burl walnut wood trim up front and piano black trim out back. In order to enable seat ventilation, the seats’ centre panels are perforated exclusively for this limited edition in the form of the Porsche crest.
The car additionally comes with a new rear seat entertainment system that includes two high-resolution 10.1-inch touchscreen displays with built-in camera, an integrated DVD player, and a high-end Burmese surround system.
No modifications feature under the hood, since the Panamera Exclusive Series is powered by the same Turbo S-sourced V8 4.8-litre engine delivering 419 kW at 6000rpm and 750 Nm (800 Nm with overboost) between 2250 and 5000rpm. Working with a PDK transmission, the vehicle can travel from 0 to 100kph in 3.9 seconds reaching a top speed of 310kph.
As an optional extra, Porsche is offering a matching, five-piece luggage set, which is likewise made of high-quality Poltroon Frau Leather and features both perforations in the shape of the Porsche crest and Exclusive Series embossing.
Only 100 units of the Porsche Panamera Exclusive Series will be available worldwide. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.
All-Electric Range Rover on the Cards
It is believed that Range Rover is developing an all-electric version of its high end luxury SUV. The idea comes as Range Rover believes there is a gap in the market for high end luxurious electric cars that has not been garnered yet.
Electric Range Rover to have its own look
It is rumoured that the Electric Range Rover will have a slightly different look as pointed out by design Chief Gerry McGovern, who mentioned that a new range of incredibly luxurious, low-slung Range Rover models could make it to production.
Range anxiety is a major problem with electric cars and thats often why those seeking to improve their green image often opt for hybrid cars that still run on fuel but give off the right impression. Currently Teslas all-electric Model S is the best of the bunch with a claimed range of around 420km. The electric Range Rover would do well to aim for the same sort of range as a target.
The South Korean automaker has officially unveiled the Hyundai HB20 R-Spec concept during the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil, hinting at its future styling language.
HB20 R-Spec Concept hints at new styling language
Created especially for the motor show by South Korean designers, the HB20 R-Spec concept features a matte-blue exterior paint with an aero kit that includes redesigned bumpers with new air intakes at the front and R-Spec badge on the radiator grille.
The vehicle further benefits from new headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, a carbon fibre roof spoiler, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The cabin has been spiffed up with sports leather seats and dashboard with gloss black trimmings, a flat bottom steering wheel and gearshift knob with new design and finish.
The Hyundai HB20 R-Spec concept is apparently not intended for production, but will provide future models (such as the rumoured global compact sports car model said to be positioned below the Veloster) with its funky and sporty styling.
BMW X5 M and X6 M Pack 423 kW
The BMW X5 M and X6 M were teased in a video last week that poked fun at spy photographers but have now been officially revealed along with power details. The pair of beastly M models have also been caked with aggressive body parts and a lower, more purposeful stance. The pair are set to be launched at the LA motor show next month (November 2014).
X5 M and X6 M Details
Exterior design modifications to the X models include large air intakes at the front end, side gills with a model badge and air breathers, signature M exterior mirrors in twin-stalk style, a typically M four-tailpipe exhaust system and a rear spoiler (for the BMW X6 M) give them a standalone look M fans will immediately recognize. Those wheels are 21-inches of lightweight M specific design as well.
Performance meets Luxury inside
The M instrument cluster, M leather steering wheel with aluminium gearshift paddles, an M drivers footrest and the optional head-up display are all unique touches to the beasties. In addition to the standard information on the head-up display, it also includes an M-specific display with gear indicator, rev counter and gear shift lights.
Big Numbers
We were expecting power to be around 412 kW but BMW exceeded our expectations by delivering the X5 M and X6 M with 423 kW and a whopping 750 Nm of torque from the 4.4-Litre twin-turbo V8. That shunts the pair of X fighters to 100kph in a miraculous 4.2 seconds before they top out at a limited 250kph. The gearbox has also been changed from the previous models and now features BMWs eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. The gear shifts are more rapid and the extra two gears in the box improve fuel economy.
Handling remains a key focus of the crew at BMW M and the X5 M and X6 M have a special version of the X Drive all-wheel drive system. The system can send 100 percent of the drive to either the front wheels or rear wheels depending on the situation. This ensures the best possible traction at all times and on all surfaces. In regular driving situation the X5 M and X6 M have a rear drive bias however.
Coming to SA soon
We got word this morning from BMW SAs communication manager Edward Makwana that the X5 M and X6 M are to be available in SA from April 2015.
