Subaru BRZ could be canned

Reports coming from Toyota’s chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada suggest that the future of the 86’s twin – the Subaru BRZ is under inspection. This coming out of an interview Drive magazine Australia conducted with the 86’s chief engineer.

Questions were raised as to the Subaru BRZ and its future as Toyota intends to expand its involvement with BMW as the pair look to build a sportscar together. The cooperative car would vie for market share in a higher segment than the 86 currently does.

Subaru Boxer to be dropped?

Then there’s the news that Tada may be looking to drop the boxer style engine for an in-line, more powerful motor in the current 86. “This is also something we are studying. The trend of powertrains is of course downsizing and turbo charging, but my opinion is to retain natural aspiration in the future” said Tada.

Toyota currently owns 20% of Subaru’s parent company – Fuji Heavy Industries so whether the drop would be in its best interest is another matter to take into consideration.

Le Mans Tech for 86 facelift

Tada also hinted that the upcoming facelifted 86 due in 2015 could use hybrid tech sourced from its Le Mans car the TS040Hybrid. “Maybe next generation 86 must have some kind of eco technology like racing hybrid,” he said. “We raced at Le Mans with this and that is the reason why we challenge ourselves with this technology.”

Ferrari F12 TRS is a Once-Off Masterpiece

Another special edition Ferrari has poked its head out of the Special Projects factory at Ferrari. Special Projects is a division of Ferrari which offers its loyal customers an extreme amount of customisation options. These creations border on radical and are unique.

This is the Ferrari F12 TRS which sadly is just a once-off model. Setting it apart from a standard F12 is the Targa-style roof, an edgier design and a 6.2-litre V12 to punch out 544 kW. Performance is estimated to be 3.1 seconds for the 0-100kph sprint and the F12 TRS will go onto a top speed of over 335kph.

This one-off apparently cost the owner a whopping $4.2-million. Since the Ferrari LaFerrari has been sold out, buyers who missed out have been looking for something to fill the void, so Special Projects creations like this F12 TRS may tick all the boxes.

Ferrari F12 TRS Video

BMW ConnectedDrive – The future of in-car technology

BMW has always been associated with pure driving pleasure, to quote a pay-off line in its global ad campaign that has been used in one form or another for decades. Now, says Guy Kilfoil, Group Communications Manager for BMW SA, the incredible advances in vehicle connectivity will make it possible for the driver to enjoy his or her BMW to an even more pleasurable  degree.

“A good example of this is Real-Time traffic information, you can now avoid a jam-up and continue enjoying your car to its full.” Kilfoil notes that BMW was the first manufacturer to launch an in-car navigation system in the late 1990s, followed by iPhone interfacing in 2007, with the customer-assistance-orientated BMW On-Line launching a few years later in 2001, introducing various motoring-related apps.

The question may well be posed: Why is there a need for BMW ConnectedDrive, which effectively will turn your car into the ultimate mobile device, with full-time connectivity to your Smartphone, your laptop, your iPad?

“The car is used as dead-time: Especially when stuck in traffic,” says Kilfoil. “It’s a good place to check your messages, structure your diary, and stay in touch with everything and everybody that is important in your life.”

How BMW ConnectedDrive will work

Kilfoil explains that in every BMW built from July 2014, there will be a SIM card in the car that can be activated with various apps, available through BMW. The way the programme has been structured, on the one side will be apps that can be downloaded from BMW, and on the other branch of the ConnectedDrive tree there will be the driver-assistance functions.

The basic idea is to use the iDrive system and on-board screen to replace the owner’s smartphone while the driver is in the car.  However, although the hardware will be in all BMWs produced from 2014, in South Africa the apps will only be available here from July 2015, a year from now.

The services available will include Real Time traffic information, a concierge service for booking restaurant tables and theatre seats, scheduling services from the car and road-side assistance services as well.

The Standard Intelligent Emergency Call system will include precise vehicle location in the case of an accident and detect accident severity. The BMW TeleServices will monitor the entire vehicle’s service data from fluid levels to brake pads. If the need for a service is detected, the car’s relevant data will be transferred to BMW, to prepare for the service.

There will be a host of infotainment apps available with iOS and Android compatibility.

Real Time Traffic Information will give constant updates on traffic as well as the best alternative routes to avoid those traffic jams.
As far as the internet is concerned, the integrated SIM card (which remains with the vehicle and is not transferrable on sale of the vehicle), enables unlimited data transfer, with the exception of video streaming. This is ideal for cars equipped with rear seat monitors, where the internet can be accessed.

ConnectedDrive – integrated into i3 and i8

When the launch of the new electric BMW i3 and the BMW i8 takes place in 2015 here, South Africa will also be geared up to offer the full range of apps from the BMW on-line store.

On the other side of the coin, the owner’s phone can be used to stay in touch with his or her BMW. Using BMW’s Remote Services system they can lock or un-lock the car, activate the climate control and switch on the lights, all useful things to be able to do in various specific circumstances.

Accident Assistance

The accident assistance function is particularly vital especially in the case of a serious accident when the driver and other occupants are rendered incommunicative.

Should the accident be severe enough to cause an airbag be deployed, the system will transmit an automatic emergency call to the BMW call centre including the precise location of the accident site and direction of travel.

This information can give clues to the nature and severity of the collision, while the deployment of the car’s restraint systems gives an idea of the number of people injured and allows frontal, rear, side or even multiple collisions to be identified and differentiated.
On the basis of all this accident-related data, the call centre decides which  emergency services are required at the site. The data also enables the alerted rescue crews to prepare the appropriate medical care for those involved in the accident before they have even arrived at the scene.

The system also allows the driver or front passenger to trigger the emergency call manually in order to help other road users in distress by alerting the call centre. This will be a standard feature in all BMW vehicles ordered from July & August 2014 production.

Thoughts on BMW ConnectedDrive

From the writer’s personal point of view, it is with some conflict that I report on all this connectivity. I remember not so long ago when Audi was touting how the car was the one “chill” refuge still available to us 21st century. That was then they were promoting their premium quality sound systems in the A4. Now that was much more appealing to me than scheduling services and then taking all the fun out of wondering if there will be a jam up at the William Nichol off-ramp.

Check out some of the features of the BMW ConnectedDrive system in the below video.

BMW ConnectedDrive Video

Volkswagen Beetle GRC RallyCross Revealed

Volkswagen revealed its Beetle GRC RallyCross car which made its official debut at the Red Bull Global Rallycross race this past weekend.

Based on the third-generation Volkswagen Beetle, the Beetle GRC RallyCross car is equipped with a turbocharged and intercooled 1.6-litre TSI four-cylinder engine producing 405 kW and is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission, with a fixed-ratio all-wheel-drive system that features multiplate limited-slip differentials at the front and rear.

This setup enables the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in an impressive 2.1 seconds. In addition, the car uses strut-type suspension with ZF dampers and about 9.1 inches of travel to cope with the rigors of the off-road portion of a Rallycross course.

Aside from the huge rear wing and widebody fenders, other notable features of the model include an aggressive front bumper a ventilated hood, and 17-inch wheels shod with Yokohama competition tyres and performance brakes with four-piston aluminium callipers.

“After Volkswagen of America’s impressive start on the rallycross scene with the Polo, the launch of the new Beetle GRC rallycross car represents the next major milestone,” said Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport director.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Polo and FF Dressage Editions Unveiled

Ferrari has unveiled the F12 Berlinetta Polo and FF Dressage Editions in celebration of its first Tailor-Made Centre in the Asia Pacific region.

The company says that these two tailor-made models are inspired by horses, which perfectly integrates with the art of Ferrari Tailor-Made service, and represents the unique heritage of the prancing horse in terms of elegance and passion in speed.

The flagship F12 Berlinetta Polo Edition is customised to showcase power and speed. It has a Bianco Italia Opaco exterior with specially designed navy blue racing stripes on the bonnet. Carrying through the exterior theme, the cabin is fitted with blue and white leather seats, white contrasting stitching and blue carbon fibre accents.

The FF Dressage Edition is painted in Black Piano Nero while the cabin is trimmed with reddish saddle brown leather upholstery and “Year of the Horse” logos on the steering wheel and centre console. The front seats are enhanced with a grid-pattern sewing style which promises to make them more comfortable and composing for the ride.

Best Value for Money Hot Hatchbacks

Hot hatchbacks have to be some of the most fun cars to drive on the planet. Whilst a supercar like a McLaren Mp4-12c can give you more thrills per minute, you’re constantly under threat of scraping the front bumper on a speed bump and impracticality. Hot hatchbacks on the other hand have much more attainable thrills, the speeds are lower and it’ll thump over most speed bumps and potholes unabated.

Whilst our Rand plummets the cost of these hatchbacks has soared and the likes of the BMW M135i and Audi S3 can set you back over R500k. That doesn’t sound like good punch for pound if you ask me, so we set out to find the best value for money hot hatchbacks and gave ourselves a budget of R400 000.

If you think that’s well over the top for a hot hatch, then take a look at our list of smaller sport hatches we did a while back.

Best value for money hot hatchbacks

Ford Focus ST

1.Ford Focus ST

Ford South Africa has really hit the nail on the head when it comes to value for money on its hot hatches. You can step into a Focus ST at R349 900 and if you want to break the bank on the cool racer boy interior kit you can walk away with the ‘upsize’ model for R393 900. Whilst maybe not outright as fast as some of its rivals, it’s way up there on fun factor level.

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2. Volkswagen Golf VII GTI

The perennial favourite amongst South Africans, VW can probably afford to inflate its prices for the GTI as it’ll still sell crazy numbers. Only the manual gearbox version creeps under the R400k ceiling though at R392 700. What the GTI does so well is combine an inoffensive exterior with a solid, high quality interior. Then Volkswagen goes ahead and makes the ride smooth for everyday driving, but keep the fun factor dialled up for that exact moment when the inner tarmac torturer exposes itself.

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3. Renault Megane RS

The Megane RS is the driver’s hot hatch, it handles like an attack mosquito and has the aggressive looks to match. Both variants of the RS make it under our R400k barrier – the standard Sport model at R359 900 and the Cup 265 at R399 900. The Cup 265 has an upgraded chassis that’s tuned more for track use. The Megane is starting to age a bit despite the numerous new versions Renault keeps releasing like the Red Bull RB8 and the Trophy R.

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4. Volvo V40 T5 Excel

Whilst not an outright boy-racer hot hatch, the V40 does have some good credentials. Its 2.5-litre five-cylinder motor puts out 187 kW and 400 Nm. That definitely puts it right up there as a contender, as its 0-100 kph sprint time is a claimed 6.1 seconds. However dynamically it’s not the best handler, the V40 is set up to be a family mover. That said, it’s quite a looker especially in Polestar Blue. Yours for R394 300.

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5. Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio

Our left-field choice comes from the crew over at Alfa Romeo. The Giulietta is getting on in years as it’s probably due a facelift in the next year or so but that doesn’t mean the Giulietta isn’t cool or fun. The Quadrifoglio makes do with the smallest engine here – a 1.75-litre turbo and it still manages to work up 173kW and 340Nm. It’s no slouch but maybe a little compromised as it’s not a super handler and not the best comfortable cruiser. It does have a very plush interior that looks more upmarket and suave then any of the others on the list.

2015 Subaru WRX STI Sets New Isle of Man TT Record (Video)

Subaru has announced the 2015 WRX STI has set a new lap record at the Isle of Man TT Road Course.

Driving a US spec 2015 Subaru WRX STI, British rally champion Mark Higgins managed to complete the 59.5 km TT Mountain course in a record-setting 19 minutes and 16 seconds while holding an average speed of 188kph.

He drove the car with the exception of the springs and dampers, which were adjusted to minimise any potential damage when the car encountered the course’s many bumps and jumps at high speed.

Moreover, the Subaru was fitted with the basic safety equipment, including a roll-cage, race harness and fire suppression system, and also featured also featured Dunlop Derezza tyres and a high decibel straight exhaust for crowd safety. The speed limiter was also removed from the car.

Mark explains that his new record can be taken down: “I think there is definitely time that we left on the course. I lost time on the second part of the track, overshooting my braking point at Sign Post corner. I actually hand-braked the turn in the end, so I feel we can definitely do better.”

He also holds the previous fastest-lap record, which he set in a 2011 Subaru WRX STI at 19 minutes and 36 seconds.

“It was quite a lap we did today and I am really happy to have another record in the bank. The chassis on this new car is so much better it really allowed me to pick up time in each sector in the more technical parts of the course,” he added. What makes this achievement remarkable is that the TT Mountain course is designed for motorbikes and has a reputation for being a bit of a suicide run as there’s no margin for error.

Read more about the 2014 Subaru WRX recently launched in SA here.

Subaru WRX STI Laps the Isle of Man

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe shown to SA media

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe achieves an elegance that belies its size. Stuart Johnston got a sneak peek at the monster.

Select members of the motoring media were given a preview this week past of the most exciting Mercedes-Benz we are likely to see launched this year. It’s the Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe , all 430 kW of its great 5.5-litre V8 heart clothed in aluminium, and with various weight-saving devices on board that sees it weigh in at some 65 kg less than its predecessor.

Apart from that palm-sweating power peak, there is 900 Nm of torque, more than enough to induce whiplash as you plant it off the line, but for the well-formed AMG-specific bucket seats that logically include orthopedically-designed head restraints.

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe price speculation

Before all you Cars.co.za readers  rush out and order one in matte silver with the optional multi-crystal headlight sets, keep in mind that the car is only due here for launch in November 2014. And although Mercedes-Benz SA wouldn’t be drawn on a firm selling price as yet, Florian Seidler, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa, estimated that this top S-Class Coupe model would indeed weigh in at over the R2-million mark. And yet, if you are in that sort of financial league, best get your order in, because AMG cars in South Africa sell out very quickly.

SA is a popular market for AMG cars

It is a fact that in terms of market penetration, South Africa has one of the highest numbers anywhere in the world where Mercs are sold.  This was confirmed at the elegant garden-poolside launch in trendy Umhlanga  Rocks, north of Durban last week. Mr Seidler believes that the reason for this is that there are a substantial number of people in this country who are able to afford this type of money for a motorcar, and that the AMG nameplate is as prestigious as the most exclusive supercars here.

The new Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe is set to increase that halo quality of the brand that evolved from a modest tuning shop in Alfalterbach in the early 1970s, modifying Benz sedans, before Mercedes-Benz bought the tuning firm in the late 1990s and established it as its prestige performance arm. Incredibly, 32 000 AMG models were sold world-wide last year in a difficult global economy, and South Africa continues to grow its market share year on year.

Design and style

The Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe’s great strength is the incredible harmony of its overall shape. It manages to achieve near perfect symmetry between the “weight” of the long nose and rear, and there is none of the heaviness about the rear end that is often associated with large coupes of this style. Part of the secret to this harmony is the contrasting swage lines down the flanks of the car.

The nose remains very much current-think corporate-Benz, being of the aggressive shovel-style that has been carried through from the SLS gullwing supercar through to the A-Class and now the all-new C-Class. I particularly enjoyed the scalloped edges of the front wheel-arches which were shown off to great effect in that elegant Umhlanga  garden under floodlights placed to highlight every little styling nuance of this car, which arrived in South Africa straight from a maiden US showing in New York.

The interior of the S-Class sedan  is a tour de force. In the Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe it is even more harmonious, particularly on the passenger side where the lines flow curvaceously and sensuously, covered in top quality leather.

There are numerous styles of AMG wheel that can be specified for this car, the standard issue being 19-inch forged alloys, while 20-inch wheels from the Performance Studio are available, to accommodate 255/40 R20 and 285/35 R20 tyres ( front and rear). The bolt covers for these wheels feature an integrated bolt cover made of forged aluminium, and resemble those of a centre-lock racing wheel.

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupe technology

In a car costing over R2-million one would expect the ultimate in hi-tech in terms of driver aids and dynamic tweakery, and the S 63 AMG Coupe owner  will not be disappointed in this respect. Notable is MAGIC BODY CONTROL. This system on the coupe, uniquely at this stage in the Merc line-up, commands the big body to actually lean in to a corner much as a superbike would. This reduces the amount of lateral Gs to the occupants in a high-speed corner. Merc  reckons the object of this system is not to generate quicker cornering ability but to promote cabin comfort.

The system also includes ROAD SURFACE SCAN as fitted to the S-Class sedan, this system using  stereo cameras to scan the road surface ahead and adjust each damper in anticipation of the road surface.

We expect the ride of this car to thus be as good as,  or even better than the superb S-Class’s swoosh-mobile experience. But there are obviously sports setting on the COMMAND toggle located on the console, and these will enable the full exploitation of that massive output of torque and power.

At the reveal we didn’t get to hear the engine, but we know it will sound like a wounded grizzly bear on amphetamine. It is quite amazing how different the AMG philosophy is regards engine note, and yes, handling dynamics, as opposed to the svelte audial and ride notes struck by the “comfort” models in the Merc line-up.

Performance

Those power figures are huge, and yet AMG is proud of the fact that its rated EU furl consumption of 10,1 litres/100 km in the combined cycle makes it the most fuel-efficient in  this heady performance segment. The CO2 emissions are 237 g/km, not bad for such a potent monster weighing in at over 2 000 kg!

The weight mitigates against a supercar acceleration figure, but, surely a 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds will be sufficient for most owners. Top speed rated at 250 kph in the specs looks strange, and of course refers to the fact that German manufacturers all agree to a limit of 250 kph for cars in this class. However, AMG will dial in a lap top and change that to 300 kph plus, once the owner has completed the AMG Merc high-performance driving course.

So, roll on summer then. Nice place to spend it in this, yet another styling and performance high-level mark from the marriage of AMG and Mercedes-Benz.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco Revealed

Hyundai has added a new Eco variant to the recently refreshed 2015 Sonata line-up.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco

The new Sonata Eco is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder engine producing around 132 kW and 264 Nm of torque, and is paired to a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Hyundai says this setup helps the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco deliver an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, which makes it 10 percent more economical than the 2015 Sonata SE powered by the 2.4-liter Theta II engine.

The model comes standard with all the features of Sonata SE plus a chrome grille, side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, automatic headlights, a 10-way power driver seat with lumbar support, and stitching on the instrument cluster hood. There’s also chrome interior door handles, 5-inch colour touchscreen audio, a rearview backup camera and Blue Link telematics system.

The list of optional features include the Technology Package adding an eight-inch navigation touchscreen display, dual automatic temperature control, leather upholstery, and chrome exterior door handles with welcome light. As well as a blind spot detection system with rear-cross traffic alert, lane change assist and additional items.

Production of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco is set to begin later this year at the company’s plant in Alabama. Let’s hope this engine makes its way to South African Hyundai products.

JD Power Reliability Results for 2014

JD Power has unveiled its results for 2014 in America. JD Power measures how many problems owners report with their new vehicle. It’s measured in problems per 100 cars sold and does not necessarily refer to breakdowns, but also things that owners aren’t happy with or didn’t live up to expectation.

Strong showing from Korea

Whilst the list contains mostly American cars it’s interesting to note that there are quite a few locally sold cars on the list. Korean manufacturers seem to be doing particularly well, with 2011 SA Car of the Year the Hyundai Elantra scooping most ‘reliable’ compact car. The Hyundai Accent also took the small car victory.

The only German in JD Power

Porsche also does well in the sporty car segments, scoring awards for compact premium sporty car with the Boxster, large premium car with the Panamera and midsize sporty car went to the 911.

Strangely, no other German manufacturer makes it onto the list as American local manufacturers like Lincoln, GMC and Buick scored better in reliability stats.

While not all of these cars listed here are available in South Africa, the ones that are have been proven to be reliable and make their owners happy.

JD Power 2014 results:

  • Hyundai Elantra – Compact Car
  • Mazda MAZDA5 – Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle
  • Lexus ES – Compact Premium Car
  • Porsche Boxster – Compact Premium Sporty Car
  • Infiniti QX50 – Compact Premium SUV
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata – Compact Sporty Car
  • GMC Terrain – Compact SUV
  • Kia Cadenza – Large Car
  • Chevrolet Silverado HD – Large Heavy Duty Pickup
  • Ford F-150 LD – Large Light Duty Pickup
  • Porsche Panamera – Large Premium Car
  • Infiniti QX80 – Large Premium SUV
  • Chevrolet Suburban – Large SUV
  • GMC Yukon – Large SUV
  • Chevrolet Malibu – Midsize Car
  • Honda Ridgeline – Midsize Pickup
  • Hyundai Genesis – Midsize Premium Car
  • Porsche 911 – Midsize Premium Sporty Car
  • Lincoln MKX – Midsize Premium SUV
  • Dodge Challenger – Midsize Sporty Car
  • Ford Edge – Midsize SUV
  • Chrysler Town & Country – Minivan
  • Hyundai Accent – Small Car
  • Buick Encore – Small SUV
  • Kia Sportage – Small SUV
  • Nissan JUKE – Small SUV