New Subaru Forester top for safety

The new Subaru Forester has been awarded a five-star safety rating from renowned crash test institute Euro NCAP. The Forester features advanced safety systems, cutting-edge chassis design and high-tech safety systems making it the safest Forester ever built. The new Subaru Forester will be launched in South Africa in March 2013.

Safety first for new Subaru Forester

Apart from the five-star rating received from Euro NCAP, the new Subaru Forester was also awarded a five-star Australian ANCAP safety rating earlier in 2012. More than this, the Forester won the highest five-star overall rating for SUVs in the 2012 Euro NCAP crash tests.

Euro NCAP evaluates Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. The Forester SUV scored well in all areas and was awarded maximum score for the protection of all body areas in the side barrier test while its front bumper scored top marks for pedestrian leg protection. Subaru’s Ring-Shaped Reinforcement led to the outstanding results which optimises the chassis impact energy relay structure using high-tensile steel and reduces weight and increases safety performance in collisions from all directions while enhancing passenger safety.

Visibility has been improved with the A-pillars sitting 200mm further forward than before and all-round raised seating positions further improve visibility while also enhancing crash safety performance.

Safety Features

The new Subaru Forester is equipped with a wide range of active and passive safety systems. Standard safety systems include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). The new Subaru Forester is also equipped with seven airbags including a driver’s knee airbag as well as a collapsible brake pedal and steering column. Five three-point inertia reel seat belts are also included along with ISOFIX child seat mounting points with tether anchors. A reversing camera which links to the multi-function display provides a clear view behind the Forester. The Subaru Forester also features a Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system which provides better control and stability for the vehicle, making it safer all-round.

Marketing Manager at Subaru Southern Africa, Ashley Lazarus, says “the all-new Forester represents a crown jewel for Subaru in many respects, with safety being an important facet of its focus. With its top Euro NCAP safety rating and its advanced technology, the new Subaru Forester is sure to appeal to a wide variety of existing and new customers in South Africa.”

New Rolls Royce Wraith officially teased

Rolls-Royce has officially released a teaser image of its new Wraith which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. The Wraith is the coupe version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost and although Rolls-Royce has not provided much information, all will be revealed when the Wraith makes its first appearance in Geneva.

According to Rolls-Royce, the Wraith features a ‘graceful silhouette that gives expression to a bold and thoroughly contemporary luxury motor car’. Its flowing lines are a hint of its power and the Wraith will be the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history while exhibiting design cues that can be traced through the model generations. 



Rolls-Royce concludes, “When Wraith is present, for that fleeting moment, the world will stand still.”

New Aston Martin Rapide S unleashed

The new Aston Martin Rapide S has been officially revealed and boasts even more power and torque than the previous Rapide. The Rapide S is the most powerful four-door Aston Martin to date and has been re-designed and re-engineered to offer a refined and balanced sports car experience.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said, “The Rapide S is to me, without doubt, the most beautiful four-door sports car on the market today. This is, very clearly, the power of luxury in action.”

New ?Aston Martin Rapide S offers class and superb performance

??Engine Capability

The new Aston Martin Rapide S is fitted with a more powerful and efficient AM11 V12 engine. The new 6.0-litre AM11 V12 engine produces 410kW, some 60kW more than its predecessor, with a maximum torque figure of 620Nm. Performance has improved and the Rapide S accelerates to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds compared to the 5.1 seconds achieved in the outgoing model. The new Aston Martin Rapide S will reach a top speed of 306km/h. In terms of fuel consumption, the Rapide S consumes 14.2-litres/100km on the EU combined cycle with a CO2 emissions figure of 332g/km.

The AM11 V12 engine position has also been lowered by 19mm compared to its predecessor and the result is sharper agility with a reduction in the car’s centre of gravity. The Rapide S also features an Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which automatically alters the suspension settings to suit the driver’s needs and that of the driving environment. The ADS has three settings including Normal, Sport and Track.

??Exterior Styling Features

The new Aston Martin Rapide S features a new full grille complemented by single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights and indicators while the rear-end features clear LED lamps. The rear boot lid ‘flip’ has been re-designed to counteract lift at higher speeds. ?The Rapide S rides on 20-inch, 20-spoke silver painted alloy wheels. The Rapide S is also available with a new optional Carbon Exterior Pack which adds a front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills, all made from carbon fibre.

Interior Styling Features

The interior of the new Aston Martin Rapide S features pure glass transmission selector switches in the centre console while optional Duotone perforated red and black leather have been used for the first time in the Rapide S. The Rapide S seats up to four passengers while the automatic folding individual rear seats create additional space for luggage. A new piano black interior pack is available and adds a deep, mirror-like shine to the facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles while the instrument binnacle gets a darker surround and the steering wheel is finished with black horn-push surround.

Additional options include a reversing camera and a twin-screen rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, remote control and a 6-disc DVD changer. Also on offer is the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ service which offers uniquely-tailored options for individualisation. The Q service focuses on fashioning colour and materials to customer choice and specification, allowing owners to get creative with the vehicle.

The new Aston Martin Rapide S will be available from its 146 dealers worldwide in February 2013 and prices will be announced closer to launch. It has not been confirmed whether the new Aston Martin Rapide S will be available in South Africa.

Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS Review

After winning the 2011 South African Car of the Year title, the Hyundai Elantra is expected to be a rather impressive and complete package. How good is it really?

Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS review by David Taylor

Hyundai Elantra is an attractive sedan

As far as passenger sedans go, they’re not the most attractive cars and if you know someone who has just purchased one, they’ll probably be at great pains to tell you that it’s an all-new vehicle. Let’s face it, these aren’t exciting but they’re the bread-and-butter models designed for the everyday drive to work and back. For a Korean five-door box, the Hyundai Elantra is one of the better designs and it’s a vehicle that I’d consider purchasing based just on looks alone. It’s rather easy on the eye and has gentle flowing curves to the design.

The Elantra’s smart engine tech means power meets efficiency

Underneath that attractive body is a strong 1.8-litre engine which has 110kW and 178Nm on tap. If you think about it, most 2.0-litre engines push out these figures. Even though it has the power of a 2.0, it still retains the economy prowess of a smaller 1.8-litre. The result is a vehicle that has plenty of power to overtake on the national highways at 120km/h, yet it is still able to return figures of 7L/100km or less. The engine was noticeably refined while cruising, but once driving hard, became a little on the noisy side.

Effortless and comfortable to drive

The Hyundai Elantra GLS is one of the simplest and enjoyable to drive. It’s effortless in operation thanks to a light clutch that won’t strain your calf muscles and an impressively smooth six-speed gearbox. One of its strengths is the ride quality. It is comfortable when driven on all types of road – a trait that many other manufacturers would do well to learn from. Another great strength is that the cabin is very well put together and it feels like you’re in a vehicle costing substantially more.

Hyundai goes all-out with kit

Speaking of cabin, I was so caught up in the upmarket feel of the Hyundai Elantra that I felt disappointed when I checked the specification levels. Then again, when the vehicle costs under R250,000 I quickly realised that this is one of the biggest bargains and I shouldn’t be too fussy! Here’s why. Dual zone climate control is present, as are comfortable seats, rain sensing wipers, park distance control, radio controls on the steering wheel as well as a radio with CD/MP3/Aux. This radio isn’t quite as modern as its counterparts as it doesn’t have RDS. So instead of saying ‘Five FM’, it’ll have the frequency instead. It’s annoying but not the end of the world.

Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS – Conclusion

Does it wear the South African Car of the Year award crown deservedly? Yes it does. It’s a seriously impressive package for the money, and coupled with the comprehensive warranty that Hyundai offers, you’d be mad not to consider the Elantra GLS as a family vehicle. The current mindset of the South African buying public confuses me as there are still car buyers out there who claim Korean cars are of inferior quality. If the latest Hyundai products are anything to go by, the Koreans are able to match their European counterparts in terms of specification, build quality and value for money. There’s a reason why Korean products are winning awards and being nominated for countless more. The Hyundai Elantra may not be the most exciting car to own or drive, but then again not many people are petrolheads so as a sensible car purchase, this a good choice.

  • Why you should: Looks fantastic, good warranty, great to drive, great specification and huge boot.
  • Why you shouldn’t: Can’t think of anything.
  • It would be better if: Put RDS radio in – Hyundai/Kia STILL hasn’t sorted this out.
  • View the Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS: New / Used
  • Competitors worth checking out: Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Kia Cerato

Hennessey Venom GT sets Guinness World Record

The street-legal Hennessey Venom GT supercar achieved an official Guinness World Record by accelerating from 0-300km/h in a blistering 13.63 seconds at the Ellington Airport in Houston,Texas on 10 January 2013. The recorded acceleration time was an average of two runs made in opposite directions within one hour and validated by a VBox 3i GPS-based data logging system.

The Power of Venom


The Hennessey Venom GT completed the first run in 13.18 seconds with a 6km/h tailwind while the second run was finished in 14.08 seconds with a 10km/h headwind and resulting in a two-way average of 0-300km/h in 13.63 seconds overall.

The feat was made possible with the Venom GT’s 7.0-litre V8 engine with twin Precision turbochargers that produces an outstanding 928kW and 1 564Nm of torque.

This street-legal supercar uses Michelin Pilot Sport Cup DOT-approved radial tyres, 93 octane fuel and the interior comes complete with a high-end audio system, air-conditioning and bespoke Alcantara leather seats.

“I have never ridden in anything this fast, the acceleration is absolutely amazing” said Guinness World Record adjudicator Philip Robertson after personally experiencing the car’s performance.

During testing a few weeks before the world record attempt, the Hennessey Venom GT accelerated to 300km/h in 13.48 seconds before reaching 370km/h in a time of 19.96 seconds. 

Hennessey plans to build a total of 29 Venom GT’s and one third of the production run have already been sold. Each vehicle is custom built to order and requires six months for completion.

Geely grows after 2012 success

Chinese automaker Geely had an extremely successful year in 2012 and is now China’s second largest car exporter. Geely’s exports totalled 100 300 vehicles in 2012 marking an increase of 164% compared to 2011.

Dr. Zhang Lin, Vice President of the Geely Group and General Manager of Geely International, was quoted saying, “Geely’s strong export sales are due to Geely’s new range of highly competitive vehicles and increased investment in key areas such as quality and branding. Geely has now entered a strategic period for export sales, (and) later in 2013 we will add more models to our export line-up such as the GX7 SUV which will help us continue with our sales success.”

??Key Geely products delivered to key markets

One of Geely’s success stories for 2012 was the EC7 which will be launched in South Africa in May 2013. The Geely EC7 includes the EC7-RV hatchback and the EC7 compact sedan. The EC8 mid-size sedan was exported to several countries in Europe, Africa and South America and proved hugely popular in these markets. Both vehicles accounted for 40% of total exports by Geely. The EC7 series’ exports increased by as much as 500% year-on-year when compared to 2011 export figures.

Geely has several Complete Knock Down (CDK) facilities in key markets around the world which deliver faster product delivery and lower consumer costs. However, there are no current plans to manufacture or assemble vehicles in South Africa. CKD facilities have been established with local partners in Russia, Ukraine and Indonesia while a new CDK plant was opened in Egypt in 2012 and is where the EC7 is produced. In addition, plans for new production facilities in Ethiopia and Brazil are well underway.

Model expansion for Geely??

Geely will continually introduce new models into export markets and this will include the GX7 SUV followed by other new models. Geely plans to aggressively expand in each market with increased investment, new models and better training policies for sales staff to ensure customer satisfaction in all markets.

Geely was re-launched in South Africa in 2011 as one of the brands under the Dacar Motor Group. Henri Meistre, Managing Director of Geely South Africa said, “These plans include South Africa, where we have already expanded our dealer network to 40 dealers across the country, including Namibia and Botswana opening soon. The new quality direction of Geely is being noticed, and we are very optimistic for the local launch of the EC7 in May this year.”

Audi A4 allroad quattro coming to South Africa

Audi has announced that the Audi A4 allroad quattro is available for ordering and will be introduced in South Africa in February 2013. The allroad was previously introduced to South Africa in 2001 in the form of the A6 allroad. The Audi A4 allroad quattro is versatile and designed for lifestyle orientated individuals and recently won America’s prestigious Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Award in the Luxury On-Road category.

Audi A4 allroad quattro takes luxury motoring to new heights

Engine Capability

A choice of two engines will power the A4 allroad and these include a 2.0 TDI engine and a 2.0T FSI with permanent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring as standard. The 2.0 TDi quattro with S tronic transmission delivers a power output of 130kW and 300Nm of torque. Combined-cycle fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 6.0-litres/100km.

The 2.0T FSI engine with S tronic transmission pushes out 155kW and 350Nm of torque with a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.3-litres/100km. Automatic Start-Stop and Recuperation is standard on all models.

Styling Features??

The Audi A4 allroad quattro features a raised ride height with stainless steel under body guard protection making it a capable off-roader and with ESP off-road detection and quattro all-wheel drive as standard. The face of the A4 allroad features a single frame grille with vertical chrome bars which is accented with redesigned headlights and a distinctly shaped bumper. The Audi A4 allroad quattro has loading space of between 490 and 1 430-litres with optional features including a load-securing net and an electromechanical rear tailgate.

Further details regarding pricing will be communicated upon market introduction in February 2013.

The 2013 Detroit Auto Show summary

The first auto show of the year saw 59 new vehicles introduced by various brands such as Nissan, Lexus, Toyota and Volkswagen. Many of these brands showed exciting and impressive vehicles that will hopefully make their way to South Africa. If you missed out on any of our coverage, we have summarized the articles below:

Fiat showcased two new models in prolific design concepts namely the Fiat 500 Cattiva and the Fiat 500 Tenebra both featuring Nero Chrome exterior accents and an exclusive Beats Audio system.
Read more on the Fiat 500 Cattiva and Tenebra.

Infiniti unleashed the all new Q50 sports sedan which can be expected in South Africa in the second half of 2013
Read more on the Infiniti Q50 sports sedan.

Porsche which sold more sports cars globally than in 2012 featured a new member of their SUV family, the Cayenne Turbo S, expected in South Africa in the first half of 2013.
Read more on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

Toyota revealed a refreshing Corolla Furia Concept, a design concept that previews the future generation Toyota Corolla.
Read more on the Toyota Corolla Furia Concept.

Lexus showed off the all new IS sport sedan available in rear and all weather drive versions in the IS 250, IS 350, F SPORT and the IS 300h which is the first to feature Lexus Hybrid drive.
Read more on the Lexus IS sport sedan

Mercedes-Benz featured an all new 2014 CLA Class which the company has dubbed as a CLA ‘style rebel’ taking its design cues from the CLS and celebrated its official world premiere at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin held from 5-18 January 2013.
Read more on the Mercedes Benz all new 2014 CLA Class.

Nissan debut the futuristic Resonance Concept in a new dynamic and edgy design that aims to set the trend in the popular crossover segment.
Read more on the Nissan Resonance Concept.

Volkswagen featured the four-door Passat Performance Concept showing off the brands effort to explore the sportier side of the sedan and, they also debut the six-seater SUV CrossBlue concept with its new plug-in hybrid diesel powertrain.
Read more on the Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept and the CrossBlue SUV concept.

Jeep also displayed two models, the Patriot and Compass. Both models feature a new PowerTech 6-speed automatic transmission which has improved fuel economy and performance and can both be expected in South Africa later in 2013.
Read more on the new Jeep Patriot and Compass.

MINI debut the seventh unique member to the MINI family, the dynamic John Cooper Works Paceman which will sell alongside the Hatch, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Coupe and Roadster variants.
Read more on the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.

Bentley unveiled the world’s fastest four-seat convertible, the continental GT Speed convertible which Dr.Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley explained as a truly breath-taking Grand Tourer, promising supercar performance and high end luxury, with the added thrill of open top motoring.
Read more on the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible.

Chevrolet showcased the all-new sleek Corvette Stingray which shares only two parts with the previous generation Corvette. It incorporates an all-new frame structure and chassis, a new powertrain and supporting technologies, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs.
Read more on the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

BMW revealed its 2014 Z4 Roadster expected in South Africa later this year.
Read more on the 2014 BMW Z4 Roadster.

Honda debut the Urban SUV Concept which includes the latest version of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology – an overall eco-driving system. The concept showcases the styling direction Honda may use for an all-new SUV that will be launched in Japan.
Read more on the Honda Urban SUV Concept.

Audi unveiled its expansion of the RS line up with the RS 7 Sportback that features aesthetic design with innovative technology and impressive sportiness.
Read more on the Audi RS 7 Sportback.

Race2Recovery completes 2013 Dakar Rally

Race2Recovery, a group of predominantly injured soldiers who formed a rally team to raise funds for Forces charities, participated and finished in the gruelling 2013 Dakar Rally.

World first for Race2Recovery

With 18 months of preparation, hard work and dedication, the group came out victorious today, as they celebrated their sensational achievement of becoming the first ever disability team to complete the race.

Race2Recovery originally began their campaign with one Land Rover Freelander and a handful of members. They now make a team of 28 members with four Wildcat race vehicles and fleet of support vehicles including a 4×4 truck.

The team was sponsored by Land Rover which provided off-road training, parts, Discovery support vehicles and financial support. Major O’Hare who piloted the finishing car with Corporal Gillespie said, “To complete the Dakar Rally is an incredible achievement in itself, but to become the first ever disability team to cross that finish line lifts the achievement to a whole other level.”

Although the team endured some hiccups during the race, including suffering from some over-heating problems during the first half of the rally and were regularly forced to do more of their driving at night, that didn’t stop them from persevering to finish the race. The scale of their achievement was highlighted by the statistics of this year’s rally which saw over a third of race vehicles retire from the Dakar Rally, with the Race2Recovery team outlasting a huge number of vastly more experienced competitors.

The Race2Recovery team operates to the motto ‘Beyond Injury – Achieving The Extraordinary’, and set up its Dakar Rally challenge in order to inspire people who may be injured, ill or facing adversity and, they aim to continue their charitable fundraising way past the end of this years Dakar Rally.

New Audi Q5 now available in South Africa

The new Audi Q5 SUV range is now available in South Africa. The new Q5 SUV features a host of updates to the design, infotainment, chassis, and engines, all culminating in a sporty and flexible SUV offering from Audi.

??New Audi Q5 SUV offers loads of choice

Engine Capability??

Five engine options are available for the new Audi Q5 and these include two TDI engines and three TFSI engines. All the engines combine direct fuel injection with charging and a start-stop system as standard on all versions. The 2.0-litre TDI engine develops 130kW and 380Nm of torque with a fuel consumption figure of 6.0-litres/100km. This unit can be paired with either a manual or S tronic transmission. The top-of-the-range 3.0-litre V6 TDI produces 180kW and 580Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.4-litres/100km. This engine is mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission.

The TFSI engine line-up includes a 132kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine and a 165kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine. The 132kW variant is available with a manual transmission whereas the 165kW unit is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic configuration. Combined fuel consumption for the 132kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine is 7.1-litres/100km while the 165kW TFSI engine consumes 7.9-litres/100km.

A supercharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI is also available and produces 200kW and 400Nm of torque and displays a fuel consumption figure of 8.5-litres/100km. Overall, fuel consumption has improved by up to 15% compared to previous powertrains.

Exterior Styling Features

The new Audi Q5 features a high-gloss black single-frame grille with bevelled upper edges and vertical chrome struts. The bumpers integrate air inlets with high-gloss black inserts and fog lights with chrome rings. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) of the optional xenon plus headlamps are shaped as curved bands that surround the headlights. The diffuser insert and tapering tailpipes have been redesigned while roof rails and crossbars are standard equipment across the range. An S line exterior package is available which gives the new Audi Q5 a unique look with added design details and colours of add-on parts.

Interior Styling Features

The new Audi Q5 features a refined and modified interior featuring user controls with narrow chrome trim while the centre console is finished in high-gloss black. The central media component MMI Navigation Plus now has four buttons and the volume dial has an additional skip function. Other refinements to controls have been made for the seat heating, air conditioning system, Audi Drive Select system and the multifunction steering wheel. The Q5 offers lots of passenger and luggage space with its 2.81m wheelbase and with the rear seats folded, cargo capacity increases from 540-litres to 1 560-litres. The Q5 will be offered in two trim lines namely S and SE.

Technology Features

The new Audi Q5 is offered with a broad selection of infotainment systems and these include the Bang & Olufsen sound system, MMI Navigation Plus with a large hard drive, 7-inch monitor, 3D graphics and a DVD player. The Bluetooth car phone online complements the MMI Navigation Plus and connects to an integrated WLAN hotspot allowing passengers to surf the internet on their mobile phones. For the driver, it brings Audi connect online services into the car and these include Google Point of Interest search by voice control, navigation with Google Earth images and Google Street View.

New Audi Q5 SUV – Price

Model Price
Audi Q5 2.0T FSI S R464 000
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI S manual R469 000
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI S S tronic R488 000
Audi Q5 2.0T FSI SE Tiptronic R528 000
Audi Q5 3.0T FSI SE Tiptronic R599 000
Audi Q5 3.0 TDI SE S tronic R616 000