Ferrari has revealed plans about their future product line-up, and launching a new model each year with the hope of increasing value in sales.
As part of their five year plan, Ferrari will launch a “full line” of high-performance models with V8 and V12 engines, with each new model each having a four-year lifecycle.
Each model will then be followed by updated and refined “M versions,” which will carry on for another four years. Besides the standard models, Ferrari will occasionally offer a “special series” that targets “high-end individuals.” The transition from the California to the Califonia T is the latest example of this mid-cycle refresh the company calls modificato.
The company further announced that it plans to keep production limited at 7000 units annually, to “preserve the brand’s uniqueness,” however, that number might increase to 10 000 units as the number of high net-worth individuals grows, especially in developing markets.
2014 Honda Civic Tourer Arrives In SA Specs and Prices
Honda has officially released South African pricing details for the 2014 Civic Tourer, following its preview at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show.
Performance details
Under the hood, the models boasts a 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine rated at 104 kW at 6500rpm and 174Nm at 4300rpm. The engine can work with both six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearboxes, enabling the Civic to return a claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.6-litres/100 km (6.7 on auto). The manual model completes the 0-100km/h run in 9.5 seconds (auto 11.3), reaching a top speed of 210km/h.
The Tourer is 235 mm longer than the regular Civic hatch, and Honda says the Civic Tourer has the largest trunk in its category, managing to provide a massive 573 litres of luggage space up to tonneau cover level with the rear bench seat in position.
Folding the rear seat down extends the cargo area to 1 065 litres. These rear seats are additionally fitted with Hondas Magic Seat system which enables an easy one-motion folding manoeuvre. The rear bench seat is split 60:40, so that seating and cargo space can be combined in different configurations when required.
Rear adaptive suspension
The Tourer also features a rear adaptive damping system, which automatically adjusts the rear suspension damping depending on the load and the driving conditions. The result, is a suspension that is claimed to offer smooth ride refinement during open-road cruising, yet can tackle twisty roads with taut, controlled confidence.
The system additionally offers three settings comfort, normal and dynamic all of which have been developed to enhance stability and comfort under varying load and driving conditions.
Comprehensive list of features
The 2014 Honda Civic Tourer features leather upholstery, reversing camera, a multifunction steering wheel, six-speaker sound system (CD/MP3/USB/auxiliary), Bluetooth, full colour display, cruise control, electric windows, electric side-mirrors, remote central locking, automatic headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and rides on 17-inch alloys shod with 225/45 R17 low-profile tyres.
The pricing includes a three-year or 100 000 km warranty, a five-year or 90 000 km service plan, and a one-year roadside assistance package, as well as service intervals of 15 000 km.
2014 Honda Civic Tourer gallery
BMW M5 30th Anniversary Edition Leaked
A dealer presentation brochure of the BMW M5 30th anniversary edition has leaked on the web ahead of the cars official debut.
Special edition features
Visually, the 30th anniversary edition BMW M5 will be distinguished by a Frozen Dark Silver Metallic paint job with dark chrome accents on the radiator grille, door handles, the fender-mounted air vents and the exhaust pipes. It will also be fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels with a jet black finish.
Inside, the M5 will feature Merino leather and Alcantara seats, with 30 Years M5 stitched into the front seatbacks, an Alcantara-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and dark aluminium trim, as well as an upgraded sound system and a number of electronic driving systems.
Powertrain
The car will be equipped with a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine that will generate 441 kW and 700 Nm of torque – an increase of 29 kW and 20 Nm. It will reportedly be connected to a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission that will enable the sedan to sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than 4.4 seconds.
Additional performance will come from the Competition package that includes a sportier suspension, a revised M Dynamic mode and black chrome tailpipes.
The BMW M5 30th anniversary edition will most likely be shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and could debut at the M Festival next month. More details will follow then.
Renault Captur Helly Hansen Special Edition Revealed
The Renault Captur has been expanded by the introduction of a new limited-edition Helly Hansen version available in a new shade of Flamme red paint and extended grip system.
Exclusive standard features
The limited edition Helly Hansen Captur can be ordered in an exclusive Flamme Red paint with a black or ivory roof, along with three other combinations: Etoile Black with ivory roof, Cassiopee Grey with black roof and Ivory with black roof.
The crossover is also the first Renault Captur to feature the Extended Grip system designed to optimise traction performance on difficult terrains covered in sand, mud, snow, etc.
Special leather upholstery comes standard on the Captur Helly Hansen, as are 17-inch diamond-effect black alloys as well as Platine Grey front & rear skid plates. Theres also an R-Link multimedia system, automatic climate control, electric folding mirrors, fog lights with cornering function and heated front seats.
The limited-edition Helly Hansen version can be specified with any of the engines available for the regular Captur: Energy TCe90, TCe120 with EDC automatic transmission, or Energy dCi90 with manual gearbox or automatic EDC transmission.
Renault will start selling the Captur Helly Hansen in Europe this June, followed by other markets in September 2014.
Renault SA is yet to confirm whether the Captur will make its way to SA.
Renault Captur Helly Hansen special edition gallery
DeLorean DMC-12 Walk Around (Video)
Ciro De Siena recently was fortunate enough to spend time to the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 sportscar. If you’re a movie buff, you’ll instantly recognise the car from the Back To the Future movie franchise.
While he wasn’t able to get behind the wheel, let’s check out this fantastic piece of automotive history as Ciro walks us around the DeLorean DMC-12C.
DeLorean DMC-12C Video
BMW M2 Confirmed For Production (Video)
The BMW Blog has confirmed rumours about a BMW M2 going into production. Citing company insiders, the website says the highly-anticipated model will go into production in November 2015 with sales beginning in March 2016.
Although BMW is yet to comment on this report, its suggested that the M2 will be equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that delivers approximately 272-279 kW of power. This means that the 1M Coupe successor will be much more powerful with 32-39 kW extra power, while not attacking BMW M3 and M4 sales.
Not much is known about the upcoming M2, however, BMW is rumoured to have codenamed the new car ‘Pyrat2’ after the M1 Coupes ‘pyrat’ codename. The post also suggests that BMW might not limit production with the new car as it did previously.
*Pictured is a BMW 2-Series with M Performance parts, which gives you some idea regarding the looks of the BMW M2.
2016 BMW M2 (F87) Spied Track Testing – Nurburgring
Weekly News Wrap 02/05/2014
Despite the public holidays, motoring news from around the world continues to pour in. Catch up now!
Check out this video from RenaultSport who is determined to take the Nurburgring front-wheel drive record back from Seat. This video details a new car, which hopefully will become a production version.
A bit of a new look and some Mopar accessories give this Jeep Wrangler a new look. There’s also a nice charity angle as Jeep SA will donate R10 000 to a nature organisation for each vehicle sold.
Volvo has confirmed its autonomous Drive Me project is underway in Gothenburg, Sweden, with 100 autonomous prototypes already in use under real driving conditions on public roads.
Volkswagen has announced the range for the Golf Variant and the new facelifted Scirocco will be expanded with new R-Line packages which are claimed to underline the dynamism and sporty appearance of the models.
Honda has officially released South African pricing details for the 2014 Civic Tourer, following its preview at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show.
British sports car brand Trident, has announced its flagship Iceni sports car as the world’s fastest and most fuel efficient diesel sports car. That’s quite a claim!
McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has released images of a unique MSO 650S Coupe Concept which combines optimised aerodynamic performance with a more dramatic appearance, as well as a range of new styling options.
The MINI Paceman Adventure concept was a creative collaboration involving young apprentices and their instructors at the BMWs plant in Munich and Dingolfing, to create a completely unique vision for the MINI brand.
2015 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG European Pricing Announced
Last year Mercedes-Benz unveiled the monstrous 6×6 G63 AMG which was originally meant to have a single year of a limited run 20-30 unit production. However due to high demand, Mercedes-Benz has announced the model will be produced for the 2015 model year.
It has been priced at 456 900 Euros (R 6 624 090.51) which is 5900 Euros (R 85 613.38) more than the outgoing model.
The additional 5900 Euros gets customers an extended list of standard equipment which now includes a heated windscreen as well as folded & heated exterior mirrors together with an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
The 2015MY G63 AMG 6×6 will continue to be powered by the same twin turbo V8 5.5-litre engine delivering 400 kW and 758 Nm with power going to all six wheels through the 7G tronic automatic gearbox.
Production of the 2015MY G63 AMG 6×6 will also be limited at around 20-30 units. It may be ridiculously expensive and is unlikely to ever come to South Africa, but you can’t help but like this monstrosity.
Clearly Renault’s nose was put out of joint by the Seat Leon Cupra which beat the old Megane RS’ time by a considerable amount. The old Renault Nurburgring time was 8:07:97 and was accomplished in a road-going Megane Rs265 Trophy – a vehicle you can readily buy in South Africa off the showroom floor.
The article from a few weeks back mentioned that Renault will make a fuss if the brand is going after the Seat Cupra’s time, and that’s exactly what’s happening. The racing division RenaultSport has posted a Renault Nurburgring video, showing the preparation for the time attack.
Renault Nurburgring vehicle details
This red Renault Nurburgring has gained a performance exhaust from specialists Akrapovic, who also supply pipes for BMW’s M products. This specialist exhaust will provide more power and torque, while the system is considerably lighter than the factory-supplied system. Rumours are doing the rounds that the car will be called the Renault Megane RS270R and could have as much as 200 kW and 400 Nm on tap. Pirelli will also be supplying specialist tyres for the vehicle. The French guys at RenaultSport are so excited for the project there’s even a social media hashtag called #under8.
Let’s hope for two things. Firstly that Renault’s Nurburgring Hunter can beat the Seat Leon Cupra’s time and secondly, a production model of this car makes its way to South Africa.
Renault Nuburgring Hunter Teaser Video
Mercedes Benz Announces 2017 Upgrades for the G Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class off-roader will receive significant upgrades in 2017 with new exterior details, a newly appointed interior, powerful engines, and the latest safety features.
Improved range of luxurious appointments
The iconic off-roader will maintain its W463 codename and will come with an array of changes including a 200 kg reduction as a result of using additional aluminium, as well as a 100 mm increase in width taking the car to 1860 mm.
The G Classs new front suspension will use a three or four-link set-up, while a more modern electro-mechanical steering system is also being fitted. Additional styling cues such as the angular design are said to be taken from the Ener G Force concept that debuted at the 2012 Los Angeles Motor Show.
Power comes from a variety of different engines including all-new inline six 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines currently in development for the next-gen E-Class scheduled to debut in 2016.
In the facelifted 2017 G Class, the petrol engine will deliver more than 268 kW whereas the diesel variant will produce over 224 kW. Both engines will be paired with Mercedes new nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox as standard.
Interior changes for the model will include additional space in the cabin, a new multifunction steering wheel and some additional safety and driver assistance systems as well as LED lights.
Mercedes-Benz plans to release range-topping AMG variants shortly after the launch of the standard models.
The last G Class update in South Africa was introduced in 2012, more details and prices can be found here.
