Weekly News Wrap 11/04/2014

We’ve had a fairly busy week in terms of motoring news and reviews. Check out what went down this week:

Renault Megane RS Facelift Hunts Nurburgring Record (Video)

Lets enjoy the sight and sound of the Renault Megane RS 265 facelift being thrashed around the Nurburgring as it goes after the front-wheel drive lap record.

Lexus NX (2015) Announced For Beijing

Theres a new entrant to the luxury compact crossover segment. The Lexus NX is set to take on the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, and will be offered with a variety of engine options.

Land Rover Reveals Invisible Car Technology

Land Rover has revealed the upcoming Discovery Vision Concept will debut at this years New York Auto Show with a new see-through hood feature.

SA Affected in Toyotas Global 6 Million Vehicle Recall

Toyota Motor Corp has announced a massive recall of 6.4-million vehicles related to a range of issues from faulty airbags and seat rails to defective windshield wipers.

Mercedes-Benz SL 400 Unleashed

Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the SL 400 which is now endowed with a six-cylinder biturbo drive system and serves as a replacement for the SL 350.

Honda Spirior Concept Previewed

Honda has announced plans to debut two brand new concepts later this month at Beijing Motor Show in China one of them being the Spirior (Accord) concept.

Peugeot Exalt Concept Revealed

The Peugeot Exalt Concept has been revealed ahead of its official debut at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show in China happening later this month.

Audi TT Crossover Concept Set For Beijing Debut

Audi has revealed a number of design sketches of a crossover concept which is scheduled to be unveiled later this month at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show.

2015 Ford Focus Sedan Officially Revealed

Ford is back with the refreshed Focus sedan which will be shown in public at the New York Auto Show.

BMW 9-Series Concept Headed To Beijing

A recent report has revealed that BMW is planning to preview its upcoming 9-series sedan with a concept car at the Beijing Auto Show later this month.

Jaguar F-Type Coupe (2014) Driven

Barcelona for the international launch of the Jaguar F-TYPE coupe. Richard Wiley was there for Cars.co.za.

McLaren MP4 12C Production Ends

British Automaker McLaren has announced it will be ending production of the MP4 12C supercar which has essentially been replaced by the 650S in the line-up.

Hyundai Accent Hatchback (2014) Launched in SA

Hyundai has launched its new Accent hatchback to the South African market. The all-new Hyundai Accent Hatchback slots between the i20 and the i30, making it an interesting offering for consumers who may not be able to afford the i30.

2014 Porsche 911 Targa Launched In Europe

Porsche is introducing two new models to the 911 range: the 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S. These models join the coupe and convertible in the product line-up and are the first to combine the classic Targa concept with cutting edge, innovative roof technology.

Subaru Forester VS Toyota Rav4: Practicality (Video)

The Ultimate Space Test: We Ask Some Schoolkids To Load Up The Two Cars

Ciro is lazy. He enlisted some school kids to pack all of their bags into the new Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forester, to see which offers more load space. The winner was surprising.

Check out the full comparative test between the Subaru Forester and Toyota Rav 4 here, and watch the full video review here:

Renault Megane RS Facelift Hunts Nurburgring Record (Video)

After its front-wheel drive record for the Nurburgring was smashed by the Seat Leon Cupra, you’d expect the boys from Renault’s RenaultSport division to mount another challenge. Spotted on the Nurburgring recently is a facelifted Renault Megane RS which was filmed being driven hard on the track. This can only mean one thing – a hot lap.

The outgoing Renault Megane RS 265 Trophy caused a shock in the petrolhead community when it went around the Green Hell in 8:07:97 back in 2011. It was a road-going car with special Toyo tyres and a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, yet it posted a time which only the likes of the BMW M3, Subaru WRX STI and Audi RS4 could match. A truly phenomenal achievement. However Seat’s Leon Cupra (a VW product) beat that time by nine seconds, which has sent the RenaultSport engineers back to the drawing board.

We should see the facelifted Renault Megane RS in South Africa later this year, but let’s keep tabs on this story. If Seat’s record is to be matched and beaten, you can be sure Renault will make a huge noise about it.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy the sight and sound of the Renault Megane RS 265 facelift being thrashed around the Nurburgring.

Renault Megane RS Nurburgring video

Lexus NX (2015) Announced For Beijing

There’s a new entrant to the luxury compact crossover segment. The Lexus NX is set to take on the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, and will be offered with a variety of engine options.

There’s a turbo engine, as well as naturally aspirated and hybrid powertrains. The Lexus NX headline engine is an all-new 2.0-liter petrol turbo in the NX 200t and a naturally-aspirated engine in NX 200 with the choice of front and all-wheel drive. Hybrid options will come in the form of the NX 300h.

Lexus NX origins

The design is based on the Lexus LF-NX concept, which was originally seen at the both the 2013 Tokyo and Frankfurt Motor Shows. The NX will be officially shown off at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The sharp, eye-catching design follows the current trend of Lexus design, meaning there’s no mistaking this bold vehicle for anything other than a Lexus. With 17- or 18-inch wheels, the Lexus NX is rather bold and has a dominating presence.

Cabin

Inside, there’s extensive use of luxury materials which maximise functionality. There’s a blend of hard metallic surfaces as well as soft materials. There’s some clever seating arrangements as the low hip points makes the driver sit lower down, which increases head room. There’s also a large boot and a spacious rear passenger area.

Technology

The new Lexus NX comes loaded with exciting on-board tech. There’s a Lexus-first Wireless Charging Tray to enable a mobile phone to be charged, Lexus Remote Touch Interface with a touch pad, a comprehensive Multi-information Display including a Lexus-first G sensor and boost meter, Heads-Up Display, All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

I would be very surprised if the new Lexus NX doesn’t come to South Africa. I’ll update this post as soon as I have more details.

Lexus NX (2015) gallery

Land Rover Reveals Invisible Car Technology

Land Rover has revealed the upcoming Discovery Vision Concept will debut at this years New York Auto Show with a new ‘see-through’ hood feature.

The transparent hood technology provides the driver with a ‘see-through’ augmented reality technology to give the driver a view of what’s underneath and in front of the vehicle, making the front of the car ‘virtually’ invisible from inside the cabin.

Land Rover says the invisible car technology additionally enables a driver climbing a steep incline or manoeuvring in a confined space to see an augmented reality view capturing not only the terrain in front of the car but also the angle and position of the front wheels.

The technology uses cameras mounted on the vehicles front grille which record data and send it to a head-up display on the windscreen to generate a “see-through” view of the road ahead through the engine bay and hood. Dubbed Transparent Bonnet by its creators, Land Rover believes the technology will show how advanced technology will take its unrivalled capability to the next level.

The Discovery Vision Concept car will be unveiled in full at the New York International Auto Show on 16th April 2014, demonstrating Land Rovers design vision for a future family of premium SUVs.

View Land Rover’s invisible car technology in action

SA Affected in Toyotas Global 6 Million Vehicle Recall

Toyota Motor Corp has announced a massive recall of 6.4-million vehicles related to a range of issues from faulty airbags and seat rails to defective windshield wipers.

Toyota SA is yet to confirm how many local vehicles are affected by the recall, and will notify customers. As soon as we have any information from Toyota South Africa, we’ll update this page.

Local models affected by this recall include the facelifted Hilux, Innova MPV and Fortuner SUV and due to a cable in the steering column with electrical connections that may be damaged over time when the wheel is turned. If that damage is severe enough, it could interfere with the drivers airbag deploying properly.

Also affected in the recall are the previous-generation Yaris models, due to a seat-rail spring fault in which the front seats could potentially slide forward in a crash. Toyota said it is unaware of any crashes, injuries or deaths caused by the problems.

Customers are requested to contact Toyota for additional details on the recall.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV Revealed For Beijing

Mercedes-Benz will preview a Concept Coupe SUV at the Beijing Motor Show later this month. The concept will serve as a rival for the BMW X6 which has been on sale since 2008.

Mercedes-Benz has provided the image above, but has remained tight lipped on specification details of the concept.

However its rumoured the three-pointed star company will be previewing the long-awaited MLC SUV which is set to go into production sometime in 2015.

The sportily styled coupe study with the added value of an SUV provides a realistic glimpse of a series-production vehicle expected next year, which will boast very dynamic handling, said Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche.

With the Concept Coupe SUV we aim to secure new customers by opening up new segments for Mercedes-Benz. We see a great deal of potential for Mercedes-Benz in the combination of coupe and SUV. We will be officially unveiling the Concept Coupe SUV in just under two weeks at the Beijing Auto Show.

More photos and details will become available when the model debuts on April 20 at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show.

Ford S-MAX Vignale Concept Unveiled

Ford has unveiled its new S-MAX Vignale concept at the Milan Design Week in Italy.

Unique product execution

Following the introduction of the Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept, the company says the S MAX continues to expand its vision for a unique upscale product and ownership experience.

“Spacious and aspirational, the S-MAX Vignale Concept goes beyond traditional automotive design and speaks to customers who value aesthetics,” said Martin Smith, executive director, Design, Ford of Europe. “Our Vignale designers were inspired by trends from furniture to fashion to create this new expression of Ford.”

The stylish concept has received unique 21-inch Vignale alloy wheels with fine detailing and high quality finish, jewellery-like appliques and chrome mirror caps, a distinctive hexagonal Vignale grille design, and unique “Milano Grigio” paint colour. The attention to colour runs throughout the vehicle with Dark Rose Grey detailing in the exhausts, hexagonal air-vent surrounds, and the lower front fascia.

Tailored design

The light exterior is matched with a darker interior scheme. Inside you will find a leather-covered centre console and dashboard, while the seats feature hexagonal quilting bordered with square quilting that stretches across the centre-rear seat and front armrest.

Technology highlights include advanced car-to-car communications, tablet device-docking stations for second row seats and an intelligent flexible seating concept with thin seat technology.

“The tonal connections and the quality of craftsmanship and detailing inject a sense of tradition into the S MAX Vignale Concept,” said Sonja Vandenberk, chief designer, Colour and Material, Ford of Europe. “The design language itself is on the cusp of the latest fashion and furniture trends, reflecting inspirations in terms of fabrics, leathers, and colours as well as detailing.”

A production version of the Ford S-MAX Vignale is said to be available after the launch of the high-end Mondeo Vignale which is scheduled for a 2015 market launch.

Ford S-MAX Vignale Concept gallery

BMW 9-Series Concept Headed To Beijing

A recent report has revealed that BMW is planning to show off a concept car at the Beijing Auto Show later this month.

The BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept model will supposedly take on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S600 Maybach and will be positioned alongside the Rolls-Royce Ghost in BMWs global line-up.

The report continued to say that the BMW will have a ‘new cockpit philosophy’ that will eventually be used on next-generation 7-Series and will use a new lightweight modular platform codenamed G11, which will be shared with a number of upcoming BMW and Rolls-Royce models. The new platform is expected to offer considerable weight savings, reducing the heft of the next-generation 7-series down to the weight of the current 5-series.

The next-generation 7 series is expected to lose as much as 204 kg thanks to the new lightweight platform which mixes aluminium with carbon fibre and steel. Its rumoured that the engine line-up will consist of a four-cylinder engine delivering 194 kW and a V8 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit producing 354 kW and torque of 650 Nm.

The G11-based BMW 7-Series is expected to go on sale in 2016.

2015 Ford Focus Sedan Officially Revealed

Earlier this year, Ford showed up with the facelifted Focus hatchback and estate models at the Geneva Motor Show and now the company is back with the refreshed Focus sedan which will be shown in public at the New York Auto Show next week.

The bolder new Focus

Compared to the outgoing model, the 2015 Ford Focus Sedan offers a bolder exterior design, a more intuitive and upscale interior, a host of technologies and the additional powertrain option of Ford’s award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine with a new six-speed manual transmission.

Exterior features of the Sedan include a restyled hood and grille, signature LED lighting for headlamps and taillamps, new rear lamp clusters and a restyled trunk lid. The front bumper has also been redesigned, while rear upgrades include updated taillights, a slightly modified trunk lid and bumper.

Inside, Ford has added clean colours and materials and given the Sedan a modern look with satin chrome detailing, new seat trims and switches, and a new steering wheel, standard rearview camera, larger 8.0-inch MyFord Touch SYNC 2 display and a relocated handbrake lever. Theres also a new centre console incorporating adjustable cupholders and updated cup holders.

In addition, Ford is offering an SE Sport Package, which includes new body treatments, paddle shifters, a revised touring suspension, 17-inch black gloss aluminium wheels and P215/50 HR-17 tyres.

The 2015 Ford Focus Sedan facelift will be showcased alongside the updated Focus Electric next week at the New York Auto Show, while the Focus ST is scheduled to be introduced later this year.