Only a couple weeks after the official announcement of the new Opel Corsa, rumours are beginning to do the rounds about the performance minded OPC.
Corsa OPC potential output
The top of the range OPC is likely to make use of the 1.6-litre turbo the company is already employing in the current Corsa OPC and Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition. Its expected to be tuned a little different for the new generation Corsa, managing around 147 kW and 300 Nm of torque.
No doubt the new Corsa OPC will get an added aggressive body kit to go with the increased power output. Suspension will also get a tweak to make it a bit stiffer and sportier.
Its expected that we should see the Corsa OPC early next year, possibly as soon as the Geneva motor show.
Subaru Teases New WRX S4 Sedan
Subaru has announced it will unveil an all-new 2015 WRX sports sedan called the WRX S4 that will debut in Japan on August 25 2014.
WRX S4 details
The vehicle is said to be offered only in Japan, and although details remain a secret for now, the automaker released the teaser image above and said the vehicle is going to be more sophisticated than the new-generation 2015 WRX that was recently launched in South Africa.
The WRX was officially revealed during the Los Angeles Auto Show last year and is available in South Africa, with the WRX Premium coming in at R449 000, while the Lineartronic retails for R469 000. Both derivatives are powered by an all-new 2.0-litre flat four turbocharged engine with 197 kW and 350 Nm.
The new WRX S4 is expected to be powered by the same engine and feature Subarus Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system for optimum driving performance on the road, track and off-road driving situations. The sports sedan will also apparently achieve “unique overall safety performance” with features such as the next-generation EyeSight, “superior environmental friendliness” and “high-quality feel”.
More information on the Subaru WRX S4 will become available closer to the cars August 25 unveiling. Check back here for updates.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT to be Revealed in September (Video)
Mercedes-Benz has been painstakingly slow in revealing its forthcoming AMG GT model. We’ve seen bits and pieces of it for over a year now, with the latest being this video complete with engine sound.
Sources close to Mercedes-Benz claim that the AMG GT will be revealed online on 9th September 2014. It will then make its official motor show debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed details on its brand-new V8 engine for the AMG GT. The new V8 features twin turbochargers housed inside the V, a dry sump for a lower centre of gravity, Euro 6 emissions and has inner exhaust flaps to enhance the sound when driven spiritedly.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT V8 details:
Cylinder arrangement
V8
Cylinder angle
90°
Valves per cylinder
4
Displacement
3982cc
Bore x stroke
83.0 x 92.0mm
Cylinder spacing
90mm
Compression ratio
10.5 : 1
Output
375 kW at 6250 rpm
Output per litre
94kW/litre
Max. torque
650 Nm at 1750 4750 rpm
Torque per litre
163.2Nm/litre
Maximum engine speed
7 200 rpm
Maximum charge pressure
1.2 bar
Peak pressure
130 bar
Engine weight (dry)
209 kg
Emissions standard
Euro 6
Development without compromise
Weekly News Wrap – 25/07/2014
Catch up with the week’s reviews, news, concept cars and videos here.
The Citroen C4 Picasso is a bit of a marvel. From the outside, the car looks like a concept car that escaped the design studio while everyone was on lunch. This is a good thing. Watch this amazing car park itself!
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.
A recent report by CarAdvice has revealed that Renaults Australia managing director Justin Hocevar has confirmed the French brand will offer a second generation all-new Renault Koleos by 2016.
Jaguar Land Rovers 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.
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 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.
We attended the launch of the facelifted Hyundai Elantra. The redesigned car receives a few visual elements as well as some interior tweaks which will ensure it carries on the success story from the previous car, which went on to win the 2012 South African Car of the Year title.
R550 000 might sound like a strange number to define the top 10 fastest accelerating cars, but we think it hits the spot just right. It incorporates just the right amount of bang for buck without diluting it with a whole bunch of mainstream German machinery.
Despite the German brand being one of the first to use this type of automatic gearbox more than a decade ago,Audi has revealed its plans to axe its Multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).
This extremely rare prototype Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale is to be auctioned off on August 16 2014. It could well become the most expensive Ferrari ever to be sold at auction.
Ford took over the Sandton Convention Centre last week as 1 000 gathered dignitaries and industry stakeholders elbowed each other out the way with their iPads and smartphones, poised to record the first glimpse of the 2015 Ford Mustang.
Stuart Johnston got behind the wheel of the baby Porsche SUV – the Macan. Read his driving impressions here.
New Bugatti Coming in 2016
The head of Volkswagen Group design has confirmed an all-new Bugatti model is on the way, with an expected launch in early 2016.
New Bugatti model might be a hybrid
In an interview with TopGear, VW Group’s design chief Walter de Silva said were working hard at Bugatti, but dont worry, its coming. I cannot predict exactly, but at the end of 2015 or early 2016, well see the new Bugatti.
Although he didnt provide a lot of details, he mentioned that the car will be a piece of art and the company has put a lot of effort in the technology to create a product that will redefine the benchmarks.
He added that the company is putting a lot of attention in the technology for the new Bugatti. Were developing a few different concepts at the moment, working together with the engineers and designers at the same time.
Rumours further suggest that the model will be limited to 450 units and might feature a hybrid powertrain believed to deliver 1103 kW which will enable the model to hit a maximum top speed of 435 km/h.
Chrysler has announced its developing an all-new seven-passenger crossover scheduled to arrive in 2018.
Chrysler Crossover details
Set to compete against the Buick Enclave / Chevrolet Traverse / GMC Acadia, the all-new Chrysler crossover will also supposedly be larger than the Dodge Durango.
According to a recent report from MotorTrend, Chrysler president and CEO Al Gardner suggested that the new seven-passenger crossover would be built on a front-wheel drive platform with an all-wheel drive option, and will be powered by with a V6 unit.
It is also likely that the crossover will use the architecture from the 2016 Chrysler Town & Country models. Chrysler is also said to reveal a plug-in hybrid variant, however theres no word on specifications.
*picture is the Chrysler Voyager, one of the more interesting Chrysler products sold in South Africa.
Aston Martin Confirms Return of Bespoke Lagonda Sedan
Aston Martin has announced the return of the Lagonda sedan in a strictly limited series.
The Lagonda Sedan champions exclusivity
According to the company, the super saloon revives the Lagonda ethos of the finest of fast cars and will be offered exclusively in the Middle East as a result of specific market demand.
The extra-luxury sedan is built on the brands existing VH architecture which underpins current Aston Martin products, and features carbon fibre body panels. It will also be manufactured by the same team that created the One-77 hypercar.
The company is yet to reveal technical specifications however, previous reports have mentioned the Lagonda sedan would have a wheelbase that is four inches longer than the Rapide and feature a 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces about 447 kW.
The new model, like its exclusive siblings the One-77 and V12 Zagato, has been created as a piece of exceptional automotive art, said Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman. It has been designed and developed entirely in keeping with the spirit and ethos of previous Lagonda super saloons notably the William Towns Lagonda and as a tribute to this car it proudly bears the Lagonda nameplate.
The model will be offered for sale by “invitation only” and the asking price will be “commensurate with the cars exclusivity, quality and luxurious nature.”
The Lagonda Sedan is said to go into production in early 2015.
Audi SQ7 Announced for 2016 with Diesel Engine
Following in the wake of the Audi SQ5 Audis first diesel sports model, the next generation Q7s halo model the Audi SQ7 will feature a diesel motor to go with electric assisted turbocharging.
Audi SQ7 potential powerplants
The next generation Audi Q7 has been penned in for 2015 and we will likely see the Audi SQ7 a year later. Sources at Audi have not given specific details on the SQ7 other than to say it will be diesel powered and feature electrically assisted turbocharging.
Audi has been testing two types of electric turbochargers, one featuring an electrically powered small supercharger that will help reduce turbo lag before handing over completely to the turbocharger. The second system combines two different sized turbos where again the smaller is powered by an electric motor so that it reduces initial lag. Either way, both rely on the high powered 48-volt electrical system to drive the 7kW motor that powers the electric charger.
*Image of current generation Audi Q7
Porsche Macan launched in SA
Porsche has broadened its reach amazingly in the past decade or so. First there was the Cayenne, an SUV that we were all prepared not to love too much, possibly because the Volkswagen Touareg on which it was based, was, in many peoples opinion, better looking.
Porsche fixed that with the second-gen Cayenne, with its much more aggressive snout, and fortunately it is this styling cue that is the dominant feature of the new Macan, a junior SUV that Porsche claims is the first sports car in this segment.
Based on Audi Q5 and VW Tiguan
The Porsche shares a platform with its VW Group stablemates, the Tiguan and the Audi Q5. Yet Porsche has re-worked every single aspect of the Macan in terms of appearance, interior feel and ergonomics, and more critically, drive-train and engine behaviour.
It shares nothing with a Tiguan or a Q5 in this respect, and no short-cuts have been taken to pass it off as a merely badge-engineered VW. This is a Porsche through and through, even, one may say, in respect of its slightly eccentric overall styling.
Interior
This you realise as you climb aboard, settle in the snug driving area of the cabin, and glance back to see there is capacious leg room for three adults back there, as well as a boot with 500 litres of luggage capacity.
Unusual in this day and age of infotainment screens containing regularly-used functions such as climate adjustment, is the array of switchgear on the console, using good old fashioned buttons to control just about everything. Yes, I like that. It gives the Porsche a traditional feel, and may not look as Bauhaus as some of the architectural cabins from its rivals, but there is nothing quite like adjusting something without having to scroll through a computer-display menu.
Porsche Macan S first drive
We kicked off our launch drive in the Western Cape with the S model, which is the base petrol version. The S is more than punchy enough, and whats more it has a silken power delivery that is one of the smoothest Ive experienced from a V6. It revs up to 7 000 without so much as a tingle through the throttle pedal, and with vocals that are refined, yet audible enough to be considered sporty.
Yes, this is a sports car, albeit one with a degree of off-road capability thanks to its all-wheel-drive configuration, and of course space for five. But in virtually every other way it behaves like a sports car, not a hot hatch. The best part for me is that it reacts with such precision and yet palpable feedback to changes in road surfaces, movements on the throttle and steering wheel, and the brake pedal. In this respect it has none of the remoteness typical of a larger SUV.
Okay, that doesnt apply so much to the Cayenne, which also has amazing chassis feedback, but the benefit here is the much lower body mass, measured at an average of about 1 900 kg for the model range. That compares to about 2 140 kg for the Cayenne, and 300 kg is a lot of mass when travelling at 200 plus, which this Macan does so easily.
All models are equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission which operates brilliantly as a full automatic, and personally I never felt too much need to operate it as a manual, although the option is there via paddle shifting.
Porsche Macan Price in South Africa
Macan S Diesel R912 000
Macan S R923 000
Macan Turbo R1 289 000
Car of the Year Candidates Announced
The official 2015 Car of the Year candidates have been named for the global award. A total of 31 cars have been named on the provisional list which, again will be narrowed down by the end of the year. The final list will be issued on 1st December 2014.
All the candidates have to be new vehicles on sale now or before 2014s end in five or more European markets. Each candidate should have the prospect of selling at least 5000 units a year.
The voting process has two stages. The first one will produce a short list of seven nominees, which will be announced on 15th December 2014. The second round will determine the single winner that will be revealed on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show on the 2nd March 2015.
Last years Car of the Year winner was the Peugeot 308. The Peugeot received 307 points from the 58 Jury members, with top points from 22 jurors. Second and third, in a close race, were the two electric cars, BMW i3 (223 points) and Tesla S (216). In the group of seven Nominees, were also the Citroën C4 Picasso (182), Mazda3 (180), Skoda Octavia (172) and Mercedes S-class (170).
Whilst many of these candidates aren’t available in SA, it’s good to see what other vehicles are considered ‘highly recommended’ by our European counterparts.
