Nelson Mandela and his Mercedes-Benz S500

It is 1990, and word of the imminent release of Nelson Mandela is spreading through the factory at the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London, South Africa. One can only imagine that the excitement is overwhelming, and the idea of a gift for Madiba is decided. The gift is perhaps less of a surprise when the company’s culture is better understood.

In the late 80s, Mercedes-Benz South Africa was the first of the local automotive companies to formally recognise a black labour organisation. The union later became the now formidable NUMSA – National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa. When Nelson Mandela’s release was announced, the story goes that the NUMSA heads sat down and tried to find a way to honour him. They decided to build a top of the range Mercedes-Benz, built in their spare time for no pay. The union bosses approached the company who donated the parts, and the workers put in extra hours to put the car together quickly, over just four days.

The Nelson Mandela Mercedes-Benz comes to life

The chassis was inscribed with the South African flag (I assume it would have been the old flag) and Nelson Mandela’s name. According to those there at the time, the attention given to this particular car was unparalleled. The car left the factory “blemish free” – many agree that this was the best Mercedes-Benz S Class ever built by the plant. The car is a Mercedes Benz S500, the W126 model of the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. I’m almost stunned to say I can’t be sure whether it was a V8 or straight-six, but I’m pretty sure that for Nelson Mandela they would have fitted the V8, either the 5.0 litre or bigger 5.6 litre. The W126 was a groundbreaking car, as so many generations of S Classes have become. The model introduced the modern airbag, patented by Mercedes Benz in 1971. This particular model had passenger side airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and traction control and heated seats. A car fit for a future icon.

The Handover and the friendship

The Madiba car was presented to then Dr Nelson Mandela on 22 July 1990 at the Sisa Dukasha Stadium in Mdantsane, near East London. Mercedes Benz employee to this day, Philip Groom, recalls how he was asked to hand over the key to Mr Mandela. He says he was so nervous, he asked his father to help with the speech. He was of course to meet the newly free struggle leader, and handover the car in front of 30 000 people. The car sparked a friendship between Nelson Mandela and Mercedes Benz South Africa. In 1998, when then DaimlerChrysler AG chairman Prof Jurgen Shrempp announced a billion-rand investment in the plant, Nelson Mandela was standing next to him. At that ceremony, a brand new S Class was given to Mandela, and the red S500 was retired to take up a proud spot in the Mercedes-Benz collection in East London.

On display today

Excitingly, the car is publically viewable today. The red Mercedes-Benz S500 is on display at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, as part of a larger exhibition on the life of Nelson Mandela. The car has been registered with a brilliant personalised number plate: 999 NRM GP – standing for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Jaguar F-Type V6S Driving Impression

We’re in an art gallery. A large white space, filled with large televisions and a Jaguar F-Type concealed beneath a luxurious red blanket. A quintessentially British CEO, Mr. Kevin Flynn of Jaguar/LandRover SA remarks that the F-Type, the successor to the C, D & E-Type “are critical for Jaguar”, and that it is in fact “a very exciting time to be in the organization”. I must agree, especially if you get to drive the Jaguar F-Type home every night … then it’s an exhilarating time to be in the organization.

It’s especially exciting considering the fact that Jaguar F-type has, after much deliberation, really occupied a “white space” in the market, with no direct competitors, but rather many that attack from above and below. Something Jag is actually quite used to, as seen in past product positioning.

The launch of the Jaguar F-Type V6S by John Beale

The Second New Jaguar, from Jaguar

The F-Type is Jag’s next big engineering masterpiece and one of two models produced under Jaguar/Land Rover’s own steam and significant investment backing from Tata. (The other being the 2013 Range Rover). It all seems to be paying off, with two recent top JD Power rankings, and a 31% increase in local sales to just over 1400 units. Things are looking up for the four-paw brand here in SA.

The Jaguar F-Type slots in “under” the XK as a front engine, rear-wheel drive convertible sports car. It boasts three engine derivatives, but one body style. The launch route took us through some of the most beautiful roads our country has to offer in the lowveld of Mpumalanga. Long straights, sweeping bends and roads that carved through the hills and forests made for a perfect setting of one of the most beautiful modern Jaguars’ on offer.

On arrival at Hoedspruit airport, Ciro De Siena (my driving partner) chose us the V8 S, the most powerful unit in the lineup (good man!) Of the two other derivatives, only the middle of the range, F-Type S, was on offer to drive, and I’ll be focusing on that model as Ciro has pretty much covered the V8 S.

The Engine, The Applause

The V6 S is powered by 3.0 litre supercharged V6 delivering 280kW and 410NM at 7000RPM, ensuring the rear-wheel drive beast leaps to 100km/h in 4.9 econds (0.6 seconds off the V8 S time). What that does not come close to explaining is the machine-gun-fire-fighter-jet-engine-pop-bursting-bubbling cacophony of sound from the active sports exhausts. A button, just under the pistol grip gear lever (thank goodness the silky rotary knob was retired here) switches an already explosive exhaust to “run for cover” levels of noise.

It is the most charismatic part of the vehicle, and gives it character and drama no other Jag, or competitor really has. The V6 is lighter up front, so there’s less tramlining as in the V8, but also just under 100kW less power. It does an excellent job of hauling the 1770kg Jaguar F-Type around, but the V6 needs to work harder, and makes the 8-speed quickshift gearbox work to hunt for power at the top. Where the V8 has instantaneous shove-in-the-gut, the V6 drops down a few cogs for a whoosh-howl of exhaust note and power that then ensues. It is however a spectacle, and leaves kids on the side of the road smiling, cheering and, as we also saw; slow-clap applauding.

Stiffer, Quicker Chassis

What bystanders won’t know, is that you don’t just have a noise making machine, but one that handles like it could be all wheel drive. 50:50 weight distribution and an all aluminum construction using rivets instead of welded joints, means it’s lighter, and much much stiffer. Jag hasn’t effed around here, and all this engineering effort is felt on the road.

Not only does the F-Type get Jaguar’s fastest (not electric, rejoice!) steering, but also biggest brakes ever fitted to a Jag, and the fastest 8speed transmission. Bronzed flappy paddles on the steering wheel were perfect for keeping the engine up high, howling and sputtering on the overrun like an errant automatic rifle firing away. It’s not as fast as the German units, but quick enough with exceptional ability to double or triple downshift, and hold gears in corners.

The Difference in Differentials

The Jaguar F-Type S has a limited slip differential, unlike the electronic differential in the V8 S, which is activated by sensors just before slippage would occur, the limited slip differential needs some slip before it activates. It’s a bit more intrusive and mechanical in the way it goes about sorting power between the wheels, and you could definitely feel it and the stability control reigning things in heavily when the car carried too much speed into corners. The occasional logging truck, had me jumping on the brakes which were confidence inducing and had excellent feel. They showed no sign of fade.

Sweeping through bends and long winding roads and the S never felt unsettled, or even uncomfortable. The adjustable suspension did an incredible job of balancing ride comfort and keeping the 20-inchers glued to the road. The nose tracked exactly where you pointed it no matter how much throttle was thrown down at the same time. Over bad pieces of corrugated tarmac, of which there was quite a bit, the Jag wasn’t unsettled, but rather seemed to hunker down and the more power that was fed to the wheels, the better it coped.

A truly impressive chassis and drivetrain. It’s actually so unlike Jaguar, it’s surprising. I say this because it’s so much more focused and less brute than the XKR-S, with a sense of occasion and drama fit for a mid-century ball.

The Interior of the new Jaguar F-Type

The occasion and drama continues when you step close to the Jaguar F-Type, the door handles pop out to great you, the entire top of the dash raises with the vents (Jag has a thing with mechanized vents) and greetings abound on screens in the car. The optional Performance seats are a must, (same ones fitted in the XKR). You sit lower than you do in any other Jag, and you can feel it, but you never feel like there’s too much car around you. It’s a drive-able every day car from that perspective.

Where it isn’t, is the ridiculous excuse for a boot. Literally only a laptop bag and maybe a pair of shoes will fit in where the space saver spare takes up most of the… ‘space’. This severely hampers those weekends away, or even roadtrips with a partner, but I guess the R500K saving from buying the V6 S instead of the V8 means you now have the money to buy whatever you intend to wear at your destination.

The interior has touches of jet fighter in its switchgear, combined with the luxury class only Jaguar can bring. With the roof off you can hear all the spluttering and induction noises channeled into the cabin, but talking is a bit of a shouting affair at speed. We found that you can actually hear more of what you really want to hear with the roof up, which is class-leading closing time of 12seconds at speeds up to 50km/h.

New Jaguar F-Type in South Africa – Summary

For a little over R975 000 you get one of the most beautiful, unique sports cars on the road today. With just over 110 confirmed orders on launch day, it’s certainly looking good for Jag. I can honestly say that the S is all you need. If money is no object, the V8 is your car, but the S will do everything you want it to do and more.

Why the Jag above an R8 / Cayman / Carrera 4S? Well, they don’t really compete. Not in performance or handling, sure the competitors may be better or lighter or quicker, but the Jaguar F-Type is truly different. It’s a spectacle in sound, sight and feel. It’s something else with genuine occasion, drama and Jaguar soul, which when the top end competitors become more and more refined and sterile, is a refreshing and alluring proposition indeed. I would quite like to have MY turn again.

Jaguar F-Type Driving Impression

It’s 6am somewhere in Mpumalanga and I’m trying to make a decent cup of coffee in my hotel room. A Jaguar F-Type V8S has just been started outside my door, and the resulting bark scares the willies out of me. I knew the launch fleet had been sleeping not too far away, but my goodness that car is loud. Wonderfully loud. Of the three models on offer in South Africa, if you enjoy waking up your neighbours, that would be the one for you then.

Driving impression of the Jaguar F-Type by Ciro De Siena

The Jaguar F-Type has been highly anticipated. For Jaguar to lend that nomenclature to a new model is a big deal; the E-Type was such a beautiful, game-changing car, that this newcomer had to be good. It had to earn its name. As car journalists, we knew that, but we all secretly hoped that the stunning new British sports car, arguably the first proper one in decades, would fall in line somewhere amongst the high-end BMW Z4’s and Porsche Boxsters of this world.

What you get for the price

And then we heard the news. The most affordable F-Type, the V6, would go on sale locally for R838,000. And the only V8 available would require over 1.3million of your hard earned Rands. What had they done, we wondered, as we circled the stunning cars outside an airport I’d never heard of, to justify that kind of price tag.

Well the answer is quite a lot. In fact, after a few hundred kilometres in the V8S yesterday, it’s very easy to understand what Jaguar was thinking. This car has been built to chase two things. The hearts and minds of everyone it drives past, and the Italians.

The drama

No one does drama like the Italians. But give the British some money and they’re pretty damn good at it themselves. Firing up the V8 Jaguar F-Type is an event. It howls into life and then every blip of the throttle produces cracks and bellows that would make a World War 2 pilot run for cover. It’s bloody marvellous. And you haven’t even put the thing into drive yet.

Get moving and the noise only gets better, and more intense. This could quite possibly be the most exciting sounding car I’ve driven, besides the Ferrari 458 Spider. And that is high praise indeed. You’re going to think I’m just another car journo, waxing lyrical about a fruity exhaust note. Fine, I don’t mind, I read the reviews as well. But when you take this thing for a drive, I guarantee that you’ll think I didn’t say enough.

Power under the hood

We know it’s a beautiful machine. We know it sounds spectacular. But by now I suppose you’d like to know how it drives. The V8 is harnessed brutality. 364kW are available at 6500rpm, with 625Nm available from 2500rpm. That is vast power in a relatively light car, which weighs in at around 1700kgs. Obviously all of the power goes to the back, where it should.

Putting your foot flat in the Jaguar F-Type V8 is an activity not to be taken lightly. You will need a lot of clear road in front of you. When the power arrives at the rear wheels, you can sense a committee of electronic aids, getting together 1000 times a second no doubt to try keep the whole show in a straight line. The car squirms under the power, the exhaust goes ballistic and very quickly you are at risk of spending time with people called Constable. Get off the accelerator, and breathe.

The drive and driver assistance

The Jaguar F-Type has perfect 50/50 weight distribution and is also the shortest, widest and lowest Jaguar ever. It feels very poised in corners and inspires confidence. There is a great deal of grip at the rear, especially over imperfect roads. However, you can feel the car’s brains working very hard sometimes, and there were a few corners where I felt it wasn’t telling me what the car was doing, it was telling the computers who were making decisions for me.

Part of me wishes the experience was more pure. More stripped down. Less nannying from a car built in a nanny state. But then I think that my name is not Lewis Hamilton and I quite like being alive. If you want that brutal power at your disposal, it really is best to have the driving aids watching over your shoulder.

Inside the Jaguar F-Type

The interior is superb. Leather-lined luxury is the order of the day. The designers spent some time in the Eurofighter, which is a jet, to nail down some of the F-Type’s detailing. So the switch that controls the dynamic modes is finished in a very unique copper alloy, as is the starter button, and looks and feels like it’s been borrowed from the jet.

The centre airvents are totally hidden until you ask the aircon to wake up. Then they rise slowly out of the dash. I don’t think you’d tire of that. The seats are firm but comfortable, and offer enough support for the cornering you’ll be doing. The grab handle that “closes off” the cockpit to the passenger is actually very useful indeed for when you are a passenger. I appreciated the anchor point.

About the boot

And now we come to the car’s Achilles Heel. It has no boot. There is no other way of saying this, it really has no boot. You can fit 1 x coat, 1 x laptop bag, and 2 x peak caps in the boot. That’s it. Between the driver and passenger, there is a storage bin. It looks promising, until you open it and realise that it could only swallow a small to medium size hamster.

As an Italian, I like to think the people who built this car spent quite a bit of time in Italy. Because in many ways, this is a stupid car. But like so many things that are born from that shoe-shaped country, it is absolutely dripping with passion, and it most certainly has soul. Yes, it doesn’t have a boot, yes it’s expensive and yes it’s thirsty when you’re in a hurry.

But we were literally screamed at everywhere we went. We caused chaos by revving outside a school. The Jaguar F-Type is a rolling theatre. And it’s very difficult to put a price on that.

 Jaguar F-Type Price in South Africa

Jaguar F-Type V6 R845 000
Jaguar F-Type V6 S R975 000
Jaguar F-Type V8S R1 385 000

Most expensive car ever sold

A rare racing 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 which was driven by Formula One Legend Juan Manuel Fangio has just smashed the record for the most expensive car ever auctioned. The car was bought by an anonymous bidder for $29.6 million (about R295 million) at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. I mean that is equivalent to buying 1456 Toyota Yaris's on Cars.co.za and you can throw in a closet full of Louboutin’s and Jimmy Choo’s for your lady, assuming she’s a shoe fanatic of course. The previous world record was set by a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype which went for $16.4 million in 2011.

Most expensive car has big history to boot

The steep price tag for the almost 60 year old race car might seem ludicrous to others but if you’re a very well dressed, cigar smoking older man with a very large bank balance and not much use for it, your purchase might be justified. I would also like to assume that this racing car did not go for so much because of it ‘beautiful looks’ but because the W196 was the Mercedes-Benz Formula One entry in the 1954 and 1955 Formula One seasons, winning 9 of 12 races entered in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss.

The German single-seater race car is powered by a 2.5-litre straight-eight fuel-injected engine and features an all-independent suspension and a tubular space-frame chassis design, all of which were considered innovative back in the 1950s. The 2.5-litre vehicle – chassis number 00006/54 – was also driven by Fangio's team mate Karl Kling in the 1955 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, but suffered defeat at its second race at Silverstone because the streamlined Monza body was not suitable for twister tracks. Either way, it's still amazing to think that what you are looking at here is the most expensive car ever sold, ever!

Toyota Sales Summary for June 2013

Toyota sales accounted for 10 087 of this month’s new car sales, even though it was outsold by Volkswagen in June, Toyota continues to lead the way with vehicle exports.

In June the company exported 6 462 units to 58 countries across the globe, which represents more than 25% of all vehicle exports from South Africa.

The Hilux is still popular among South African buyers, with sales of 3070 units, while the Corolla is the brands best selling used car vehicle. Here is a breakdown of Toyota sales including Top 5 model sales and the most popular Toyota used cars for June 2013.

Toyota sales summary – June 2013

  • Total new car sales: 10 087 units
  • Total market share: 18.8%
  • Total passenger vehicle sales: 5514 units
  • Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 4208 units

Top 5 Toyota new passenger car sales – June 2013 (compared to May 2013)

  1. Toyota Hilux – 3070 units (3076)
  2. Toyota Corolla/Auris – 1655 units (1458)
  3. Toyota Etios – 1644 units (1507)
  4. Toyota Fortuner – 915 units (940)
  5. Toyota Quantum – 903 units (1210)

Most popular used Toyota cars in South Africa – June 2013

  1. Toyota Corolla
  2. Toyota Hilux
  3. Toyota Yaris
  4. Toyota Fortuner
  5. Toyota RunX

Toyota in the news

The Stunning Next-Generation Toyota Corolla Sedan revealed

The refined Toyota Etios celebrates one year milestone

GMSA Sales Summary for June 2013

GMSA continued to show growth in June sales, even though the level of competition in the new car market is fierce. Within the GMSA product range the Chevrolet Utility continues to be a favourite amongst buyers in the sub-1 tonne market with 1 672 of the popular small pick-ups delivered during June.

According to the brand, the locally manufactured new Spark Pronto continues to build itself up as a unique urban delivery solution with 74 units accounting for the brand’s 5111 June sales.

Here a breakdown of GMSA sales including key sales figures, Top 5 model sales and the most popular GMSA used cars for June 2013.

GMSA sales summary – June 2013

  • Total new car sales: 5111
  • Total market share: 9.5%
  • Total passenger vehicle sales: 1931
  • Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 2778

Top 5 GMSA new passenger car sales – June 2013 (compared to May 2013)

  1. Chevrolet Utility – 1672 units (&#9660 1853)
  2. Isuzu KB – 1012 units (&#9660 1364)
  3. Chevrolet Cruze – 511 units (&#9660 546)
  4. Chevrolet Spark – 484 units (&#9650 464)
  5. Chevrolet Aveo – 232 units (&#9660 357)

Most popular used GMSA cars in South Africa – June 2013

  1. Opel Corsa
  2. Isuzu KB Series
  3. Opel Astra
  4. Chevrolet Cruze
  5. Opel Corsa Utility

GMSA in the news

The Chevrolet Captiva revised for 2013

Isuzu expands new KB range

The Isuzu 3.0 D TEQ 4×4 reviewed

New Mercedes-Benz SLK better than ever before

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK range comes with a raft of cosmetic changes, as well as new and revised engines.

New Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG Sport-line

The model receives an all-around upgrade, including a muscular front apron, prominent side skirts and a new rear apron along with a high-class interior and new generation 4 and 6-cylinder engines with direct injection.

Engine Capability

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK is available with three petrol engines with a considerably lower fuel consumption combined with a comparable or higher output than those in the preceding series.

The SLK 250 BlueEfficiency has the same 1796cc displacement as the entry-level SLK 200 BlueEfficiency, and is tuned for 150kW, compared to the 135kW of its lower-numbered sibling. It comes with the enhanced, optional seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-Tronic Plus which consumes a claimed 7.0-litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 164 g/km. The model accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds (7.0 on auto) and achieves a top speed of 237 km/h (240 km/h with six-speed manual transmission).

The SLK 250 BlueEfficiency is equipped with an automatic transmission as standard and from standstill it reaches 100km/h in 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 243km/h, at an average of 7.3-litres/100km and 169g/km of CO2.

The 3498cc V6 engine in the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency has been completely newly developed and takes just 5.6 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h and onwards to reach an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h with an overall consumption of 8.3-litres/100km and 195 g/km of CO2 emissions.

Exterior and Interior Design Features

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK gets a more aggressive look with a deeper front apron, lowered suspension with a stiffer, sportier spring and damper setup, and 18-inch 5-twin spoke high-sheen light alloy wheels. The roadster’s braking system with perforated larger brake discs and callipers bearing ‘Mercedes-Benz’ lettering ensures outstanding deceleration. Headlamps with dark surrounds and dark-tinted tail lights provide further visual distinctions.

The high-class interior is fitted with a sporty instrument cluster in ‘chequered flag’ design, black velour floor-mats with red piping and an AMG logo. The seats feature specific vertical fluting and colour-coded top stitching with optional all contrast stitching, red seat-belts and a perforated leather steering wheel.

Other optional modifications include ambient lighting with colour tone ‘Solar red’, illuminated door sill panels, 7-inch colour display and central controller, Dynamic Handling package with adaptive damping, Torque Vectoring Brake and Direct-Steer system on the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency only, Parktronic with Parking Guidance, tinted panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control (switchable transparency), Airguide draught-stop, AMG Carbon fibre trim, and a Harmon Kardon surround sound system.

New Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG Sport-line – Price

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 BlueEfficiency R579 238
Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 BlueEfficiency R635 811
Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 BlueEfficiency R763 673

The SLK AMG Sport Line comes standard with the class-leading PremiumDrive maintenance package 6-years/100 00 km with no customer contribution.

The Ford Fiesta ST review, specs and pricing in South Africa

Ford’s Sport Technologies has really turned the hot hatch market upside down with its fun and affordable Focus ST. It’ll continue this trend with the Fiesta ST – a back-to-basics junior hot hatch.

Hot hatches are my favourite class of car. Fast, entertaining and practical are words that come to mind when describing a hot hatch and car makers battle to find that perfect balance between hooligan weekend racer and weekday office commuter. The new Ford Fiesta is set to become a best-seller as I believe it balances these two traits perfectly.

Proper hot hatch looks

The Ford Fiesta ST looks like a hot hatch, which is half the battle won. You can’t slap on a badge, fit bigger wheels and expect it to become a street-racer. A gaping grille with an ST badge and daytime-running light strips give the Fiesta ST an impressive presence, while 17-inch alloy wheels, twin pipes and a huge wing round off the shape. It’s a two-door, which further contributes to the aggressive appearance.

134kWs of hooligan

The Fiesta ST has a 1.6-turbocharged engine with 134kW and 240Nm, with an extra 50Nm available on overboost. It doesn’t sound like much, but with a six-speed gearbox and a sporty chassis the little Fiesta ST darts about eagerly. You’ve got enough power to nip at the heels of more expensive machinery and given enough tarmac the car will reach a top speed of 220km/h.

While the above-mentioned power output doesn’t seem like much, the way it handles and drives quickly underlines the hot hatch credentials. Steering and gear-action are direct and you’ll find yourself becoming very involved with the car. If you consider driving a chore, or want a subdued drive home, the Ford Fiesta ST isn’t the car for you. If you’re after a quick and hands-on vehicle, you won’t be disappointed as it’s one of the most entertaining cars I’ve ever driven. Prod the accelerator pedal and you can hear the exhaust popping. Drive with the window open and you can hear the turbocharger whining with intent. The problem is you’ll want to drive in an aggressive manner the moment you reach for the start button.

It’s quick in a straight line, but the way the Fiesta ST attacks corners is quite special. It grips and goes like a go kart, and only when you push it right to the limit does it start to get twitchy. The stability program does have a sport mode, which allows some loss of traction, but I left it in full nanny to be on the safe side. Besides, I don’t think you’ll get that much more fun with it off.

Interior

The boy racer theme carries on once you take a seat inside. Speaking of seat, Ford called in specialists Recaro for the Fiesta’s seating arrangements. The result is seats which are snug and hold you in position. These are the real deal, but they can become a little too cramped for those who aren’t used to them. I was a little disappointed they weren’t leather though…

Much like the rest of the Fiesta range, the ST comes well kitted out. There’s a Sony high quality audio system with the smart SYNC system as well as USB/Aux connectivity. There’s keyless entry, rear park sensors, cruise control and climate control. If you become a little too wild, there’s a stability program as well as numerous airbags to keep you safe.

Ford Fiesta ST price in South Africa

The Ford Fiesta ST retails in South Africa for R254 995, which is about R85 000 more than the base Fiesta 1.4 model.

Ford Fiesta ST conclusion

If you haven’t been already, it’s time to start paying attention to Ford’s hot hatches. While I’m not ready to declare the Fiesta ST the best bang-for-buck hot hatch, it’s a product that speaks to a financially-sensitive market. Ford isn’t talking about competing with other brands with the ST range. It’s talking about winning the market segment. In summary, it’s hard to fault this terrific vehicle. In a cash-strapped market that craves fast, stylish and affordable vehicles, the Ford Fiesta ST easily gets full marks from me. It’s a delight to drive, looks the part and won’t hurt your wallet.

  • Why you should: a most entertaining way to get around, comprehensive standard features, value for money, looks like a boy racer and drives like one too.
  • Why you shouldn’t: rear legroom isn’t great, overall package may be a little over the top for some.
  • It would be better if: Leather Recaro seats would have been a nice option.
  • Competitors worth checking out: Volkswagen Polo GTI, Peugeot 208 GTI, Renault Clio RS

New BMW M4 details teased

BMW has had to make some big decisions regarding their volume seller of late. The BMW 3 Series is arguably the most successful selling luxury car of all time, so when the company decided to discontinue the 3 Series Coupe model line and create the 4 Series, you just know there were some sleepless nights in Bavaria.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, this is no big deal. It’s not like the BMW 4 Series is going to be rubbish. But enthusiasts and petrol heads around the globe quickly realised that this may spell the end of an era for the iconic BMW M3.

BMW M4 to break the mold

We’re going to have to get used to the idea of an M4, and while we now know almost exactly what it will look like (see: BMW M4 concept gallery), speculation is rife concerning its engine configuration. BMW have confirmed some details of the upcoming M4 to UK’s Top Gear magazine.

The car will not be naturally aspirated – the first time an M3 will be turbocharged. But it isn’t the M3 remember, so its legacy remains intact. Questions still remain around the actual number of cylinders we can expect. Will it be an inline-6 or V8?

However, there are some clues. BMW say they are pursuing an “add-lightness” approach, using advanced materials and production processes developed for cars for the forthcoming BMW i3 and i8 hybrid models. That implies carbon-fibre and reinforced plastics.

With that in mind, I think we can safely bet on an inline-6 with a single turbocharger, as is the latest configuration of cars like the M135i, which I’ve driven and which is just superb and quite unsettlingly fast.

However, with both the M5 and M6 running twin-charged V8s, there is still that option on the table, although my money is on a lighter set-up with less weight over the nose.

BMW has said they are in no rush to get the M4 to market, and while they have been keeping their eyes on the competition, in the form of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and the Audi RS4, they are not “targeting” their rivals, they insist they are just trying to build the best car they can, and it may take a little while longer.

But with some near-production units spied running around Germany recently, I would say we can expect the new BMW M4 in South Africa by the time 2015 rolls around.

Toyota Fortuner Limited Edition released in South Africa

The Toyota Fortuner Limited Edition has been released in South Africa. Since its launch in 2006 the Toyota Fortuner has continued to be South Africa’s best-selling SUV and the Limited Edition entices those who want their Fortuner to be finished with a few posh accessories.

Toyota Fortuner Limited Edition fitted with stylish accessories

New and existing Fortuner customers can look forward to an impressive list of standard equipment including full leather upholstery, stability control (VSC), touch screen audio with reverse monitor, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, auto headlights, and iPod connectivity.

In addition, customers will also be able to add several lifestyle enhancements which comprise of bespoke ‘Smokey grey’ 17-incy alloy wheels, a nudge bar and side steps finished in stainless steel, chrome side mirrors, tow bar with matt black finish, rear sill protector and an overlay carpet set with LTD Edition embroidery.

The new Toyota Fortuner Limited Edition is available exclusively across a number of models, including the Fortuner 3.0 and 4.0, as well as the 4×4 variants.

“The new LTD Edition focuses on style and functionality while at the same time offering a proposition that represents sheer value for money. For just a small premium over the standard model, customers get features that would cost a whole lot more if individually fitted to the vehicle as extra cost options,” said Kerry Roodt, General Manager of Marketing Communications.

Toyota Fortuner Limited Edition – Price

Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D RB LTD Edition R434 700
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D RB AT LTD Edition R446 700
Toyota Fortuner 4.0 V6 RB AT LTD Edition R463 900
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4×4 LTD Edition R482 700
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4×4 AT LTD Edition R494 900
Toyota Fortuner 4.0 V6 4×4 AT LTD Edition R511 700