Barret Jackson auction puts fancy models on the block

The recent Barret-Jackson car collector auction which took place in Scottsdale, Arizona saw a plethora of both classic and modern vehicles cross the block to be sold to the highest bidder. The Barret-Jackson car collector auction in Scottsdale included 21 unique charity vehicles that would benefit various charities for children, military personnel, medical research and community support.

Barret-Jackson Car Collector Auction – Highlights



Some of the highlights at the Barret-Jackson car collector auction included the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray which made its debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The Corvette Stingray was one of the unique charity vehicles on auction and eventually sold for $1.1 million with all the proceeds benefitting the College of Creative Studies. A 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept also made an appearance and sold for $1 375 000. This classic was designed by famed Virgil Exner Sr. in collaboration with Italian styling house Ghia.



A 2009 Ford F-150 pickup which was owned by ex US president George Bush was also up for auction with help from Jay Leno who managed to rack up a total of $300 000. The proceeds for the F-150 benefitted the Fisher House Foundation.



The Barret-Jackson auction also saw the original 1966 Batmobile take to the stage and sell for an incredible $4 620 000. The 1966 Batmobile by George Barris is one of the most recognisable and popular pieces of entertainment history and has become an icon worldwide.



Another highlight at the auction was the one-off 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra, which was produced as a tribute to the late Carroll Shelby. The Shelby GT500 Cobra sold for $200 000 and all proceeds went to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Giniel de Villiers and Von Zitzewitz place second at 2013 Dakar Rally

Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz have finished the 2013 Dakar Rally in a well deserved second place in their Imperial Toyota Hilux. The Dakar Rally ended in Santiago, Chile on Saturday afternoon. It was the duo’s second successive podium finish with defending Champions Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret (Mini) claiming the title as the Dakar champions for 2013.

Long road to the finish for Giniel de Villiers

The 2013 Dakar Rally consisted of 14 gruelling stages through Peru, Argentina and Chile, covering more than 8 500km with two crossings of the Andes Mountains at an altitude above 4 000 metres. Giniel de Villiers and Dirk Von Zitzewitz finished 42 minutes behind Peterhansel and Cottret with Russians Leonid Novitskiy and Konstantin Zhiltsov (Mini) in third place, 46 minutes behind De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz.

The 128km final stage on Saturday between La Serena and Santiago was won by Nani Roma and co-driver Michel Perin (Mini). De Villers and Von Zitzewitz finished the stage in fourth place.

Team principal Glyn Hall had the following to say, “This is a great result for Toyota Motorsport and the all-South African Toyota Imperial Team. It was achieved without any significant mechanical problems and it is testimony to the legendary toughness and reliability of South Africa’s best-selling bakkie. This was a mighty performance by Giniel and our honorary South African, Dirk, and also by every single member of our technical and support crew, whose dedication and commitment contributed massively to this proud achievement. I am privileged to be manager of this fine team.”

Giniel de Villiers commented, “It was a difficult race, as usual. The Dakar is never easy. Second place – that counts as a victory for us. Last year we exceeded our expectations by far and this year, who would have believed we would better our third place then. We were a bit unlucky at times, which prevented us from finishing a bit closer to Stéphane. You need a bit of luck in the Dakar, you need the wind to blow in your favour. It wasn’t always the case for us, but that’s racing.”

???2013 Dakar Rally Overall Classification:?

  1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (RAF/FRA), Mini, 38:32.39
  2. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZAF/DEU), Toyota, 39:15.01
  3. Leonid Novitzkiy/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS/RUS), Mini, 40:01.01
  4. Nani Roma/Michel Périn (ESP/FRA), Mini, 40:09:22
  5. Orlando Terranova/Paulo Fiuza (ARG/PRT), BMW, 40:21.49
  6. Carlos Sousa/Miguel Ramalho (PRT/PRT), Great Wall Motors, 41:10.55
  7. Ronan Chabot/Gilles Pilot (FRA/FRA), SMG Buggy, 41:50.44
  8. Guerlain Chicherit/Jean-Pierre Garcin (FFA/FRA), SMG Buggy, 42:00.23.
  9. Pascal Thomasse/Pascal Larroque (FRA/FRA), Buggy MD Rallye, 43:08.11.
  10. Lucio Alvarez/ Rolando Graue (ARG/ARG), Toyota, 43:18.27

New Ford Fiesta to rock South Africa?

The specifications and pricing for the new Ford Fiesta have been revealed and is set for launch in February 2013. The new Ford Fiesta range will feature the highly acclaimed 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine and an array of new features and technology that will make it an attractive option for new car buyers in South Africa. Three engine derivatives and three specification grades will be offered when the new Fiesta is launched in South Africa.

“Customers want cars that are expressive and fun to drive without breaking the bank,” says Ford Marketing Manager, Gavin Golightly. “Fiesta delivers all the excitement and performance drivers are looking for with the added bonus of exceptional fuel efficiency.”

New ??Ford Fiesta introduces EcoBoost Engine

Engine Capability

The three engine options on offer for the new Ford Fiesta will include the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a 1.4-litre petrol engine and a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine. The 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine will offer 92kW and 170Nm of torque while returning an impressive combined fuel consumption of only 4.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of only 99g/km.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine will offer 71kW and 125Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption of 5.7-litres/100km. The 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine will provide 70kW and 200Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption figure of 3.6-litres/100km and a CO2 emissions figure of 95g/100km.

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine boasts up to 20% improvement in fuel economy and up to 15% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to higher displacement engines. The 1.0 EcoBoost engine will be coupled with Auto-Stop-Start and Smart Regenerative Charging. All new Fiesta variants will feature a 5-speed manual transmission.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features??

The face of the new Ford Fiesta features a large trapezoidal front grille complemented with laser-cut LED headlamps with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) available on certain derivatives. The Fiesta will be offered with 12 exterior colours including Copper Pulse, Hot Magenta and Candy Blue.

On the inside, the Fiesta features a high-gloss finish for the upper instrument panel that flows to the lower centre console and is replicated in the door panels. Satin-chrome detailing finish is offered along with Ford’s signature Ice Blue lighting to illuminate the dials, switches and displays. The power window switches and interior door handles have been relocated and higher quality contact point finishes have been introduced. A new-central armrest provides additional storage while the door pockets are larger and more practical.

Technology Features

The new Ford Fiesta is equipped with SYNC, Ford’s in-car connectivity system, which allows the driver to incorporate digital devices and Bluetooth enabled mobile phones which are operated using voice commands and steering-wheel mounted controls. Also included is Ford’s MyKey which is a new feature for the Fiesta and allows parents to encourage safer driving by limiting their children’s exposure to risk at the wheel. Owners are able to configure maximum speed and audio volume limits. The MyKey system also mutes audio until seat belts are fastened and ensures that driving aids, safety systems and alerts cannot be de-activated when used.

??Safety Features

The new Ford Fiesta is equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) as standard across the range. Hill Start Assist is offered as an option on the Trend derivatives while being standard for the Titanium derivatives. Seven airbags are also included and the new Ford Fiesta has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

New Ford Fiesta – Price

Model Price
Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ambiente R164 400
Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Ambiente R178 400
Ford Fiesta 1.4 Trend R187 600
Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Trend R201 400
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Trend R211 200
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium R231 500

The Fiesta is available with a fully comprehensive 4-year / 120 000km warranty and a 4-year / 60 000km service plan. Service intervals are at 20 000km intervals for the petrol derivative and 15 000km for the diesel models. Customers will also benefit from 3-years of Roadside Assistance and a 5-year corrosion warranty.

Volkswagen Amarok goes automatic

The Volkswagen Amarok range is now available with the option of an  innovative 8-speed automatic transmission. The VW Amarok is the first bakkie in its class to have a transmission of this kind and was specially developed for the Amarok. According to Volkswagen, the new transmission system ‘combines a high degree of ride comfort and good off-road abilities with an excellent level of fuel consumption.’

 Volkswagen Amarok improved with new transmission

The new 8-speed automatic transmission is offered with the top-of-the range Highline derivative and is combined with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo TDI engine that produces 132kW and 420Nm of torque. A top speed of 179km/h is reached in 7th gear and it takes 10.9 seconds to accelerate to 100km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions rating of 219g/km.

The 8-speed automatic transmission was developed with an emphasis on efficiency, smooth gear shifting, weight reduction and reliability. The Volkswagen Amarok with automatic transmission features permanent all-wheel drive, making it a capable all-terrain vehicle and towing capacity has been increased to 3.0 metric tonnes.

Standard Features

Standard features for the Amarok Double Cab Highline includes ESP with brake assist and Hill Start/Hill Descent Assist, ABS including off-road ABS, driver and front passenger airbag, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), 17-inch alloy wheels, Radio/CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers, Climatronic 2-zone air conditioning, storage drawers, cruise control and a 12V socket in the centre console, dashboard and load box.

Optional features include the Communication package which includes a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth cellphone preparation Front and Rear Park distance Control and Vienna leather seats.

As of April 2013, all Amarok models will be available with BlueMotion Technology which incorporates a stop-start system and regenerative braking while improving fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Volkswagen Amarok Automatic – Price

??Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab 2.0 Auto Highline – R461 100

The Amarok Double Cab with automatic transmission comes standard with a 3 year/100 000 km manufacturer warranty, a 5 year/90 000 km Automotion Service Plan and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are at 15 000 km.

Subaru WRX Review in South Africa

When you think of Subaru, you think of the gold-wheel rally monster that is the Impreza WRX STI. Despite it being the flagship of the range and being very desirable, I think that the sibling Subaru WRX is actually the one to own.

Subaru WRX Review by David Taylor

Subtle, yet sporty looks

In comparison to the fire-breathing STI, the WRX is quite tame. The big wing is gone and in its place is a simple big boot spoiler. The big wheels have been replaced by black alloys and on the inside, the sporty branded Recaro bucket seats have been replaced by standard leather sport seats. The Subaru WRX is rather subtle-looking which has its benefits. Firstly, only hardcore petrolheads will recognise what you’re driving and secondly, the Subaru WRX becomes something of a stealth car.

The Subaru WRX, high performance from rally-bred engine?

Thankfully, the important part of the STI has been retained in the Subaru WRX. The 2.5-litre turbocharged flat four engine has been detuned slightly, but with 195kW and 343Nm it’s still capable of impressive speeds. It features the brilliant symmetrical all-wheel drive system which ensures that it is very fast right from the get go. Put it this way, while most cars experience some performance-killing wheel spin when driven hard off the line, the Subaru WRX grips and goes. Even in heavy rain, the WRX just sticks to the road. The result is a sports sedan that can hit 100km/h in under 6 seconds. This sort of performance is more than enough to bludgeon most of the boy racers in their hot hatches.

Almost infinite levels of grip

The Subaru WRX gets even better when you throw some corners into the mix. The levels of grip are out of this world and it’s a real confidence booster if you’ve never driven a high-performance vehicle before. It’s satisfying to carve up mountain passes without any real effort and along the incredible coastal roads, the Subaru WRX felt completely at home. To be really honest, I would run out of driving talent long run before the vehicle reached its limits of performance.

The Subaru WRX is one of the finest sounding vehicles on the road

If you think the WRX’s performance is addictive, just wait until you hear what it sounds like. Under gentle acceleration, there’s a very pleasant burble and as the revs rise, you can hear the turbocharger furiously spinning away. Take your foot off the accelerator around the 3500rpm mark and you’ll hear a blast of air escaping from the turbo, followed by deep thumps as unburnt fuel is detonated in the exhausts. It’s not subtle and if you’re a fan of great engines, you’ll see no need to ever turn the radio on. Don’t ever expect to drive anywhere without being noticed either. The loud exhaust makes this car quite a head-turner.

There’s no sixth gear?

It does have one big drawback. The gearbox, while smooth and bolt-action precise, lacks that final sixth ratio which is a little annoying on the open road where you want the car to settle down and use less fuel. On the bright side, overtaking is effortless. Put your foot down, wait a half a second for the turbo to spool up and the Subaru WRX powers you past slow traffic. Without much effort you can hit illegal speeds within a few seconds.

Simple, uncluttered interior

The interior looks a bit dated – it has the essentials but it’s lacking some creativity. You get a good hands-free Bluetooth with steering wheel mounted controls as well as USB connectivity. There’s cruise control, hill start assistance as well as a full complement of airbags. You also get xenon headlights and a sunroof. There’s no satnav but in my opinion, it’s not the end of the world.

Slower but more refined

It may be fractionally slower than its more track-focused sibling but the Subaru WRX offers a far more civilised experience. Think of it this way – the STI is for the weekend track day but the WRX is perfect for driving to work on a daily basis. The suspension is softer and more suited to being on the road. It’s lighter on fuel too. Speaking of fuel consumption, the WRX didn’t fare too badly. For a performance vehicle, you’d expect to see the trip computer read out some big figures. Amazingly, despite some enthusiastic driving, the WRX returned a figure of 11L/100km.

The Subaru WRX – Conclusion

This is one of the best performance bargains on sale today at R429,000. Best part? It’s R160,000 cheaper than the STI, yet offers close on 80% of the STI experience. While you may be a little disappointed by the relative simplicity of the cabin, you cannot help but love the bulletproof engineering. It has a decent boot which can carry two sets of golf clubs, it seats five in comfort and it has enough performance to see off more expensive machinery.

  • Why you should: Loud, deceptively quick, practical, incredible handling, bang-for-buck performance.
  • ?Why you shouldn’t: Needs a six-speed gearbox, interior looks a bit dated, thirsty if you drive it really hard.
  • It would be better if: Put in the six-speed gearbox from the STI and give that interior a face-lift.
  • View the Subaru WRX: New / Used
  • ?Competitors worth checking out: Volkswagen Scirocco R, BMW 135i, Audi S3.

2013 Dakar Rally? competition heats up

With only two special stages remaining in the 2013 Dakar Rally, competition is heating up as the rally nears its end. Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz had a solid run on the 319km special stage 12 between Fiambala and Copiapo in Argentina, finishing third in their Imperial Toyota Hilux.

The battle for the 2013 Dakar Rally

De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz are currently placed second overall, some 50 minutes behind leaders and defending champions Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret (Mini). Nani Roma of Spain and French co-driver Michel Perin (Mini) won the stage ahead of Americans Robbie Gordon and Kellon Walch (Hummer) while De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz were only 7 seconds behind them to finish third. Roma and Perin are now placed third overall and are 40 minutes 45 seconds behind De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz.

Russians Leonid Novitskiy and Konstantin Zhiltsov (Mini), who were third overall at the start of the stage, finished in ninth place on special stage 12 and are now placed fourth overall behind Roma and Perin. Two special stages remain before the 2013 Dakar Rally winners cross the finishing line in Santiago, Chile.

Giniel de Villeirs had the following to say about the day’s proceedings, “We just wanted to have a clean stage, but for sure, today’s stage was a lot tougher than I expected it to be,” said De Villiers. “With a long liaison this morning at high altitude, that makes you really tired as well and then you have to do a tough stage like today. It needed a lot of concentration. There were quite long dune crossings and really tricky places in the dunes. Then, on the tracks there were lots of rocks, so you really had to be very precise so as not to hit any rocks. It was not an easy day, but we’re happy to be here. We lost about thirty seconds at one of the way points in the dunes. We couldn’t make it up to that one, so we had to turn around and sort of go around, because at that point I was quite close to Lucio (Alvarez) and I saw he put a gap between us again. I think tomorrow’s going to be tough as well, more tough than today. It’s not over yet.”

Dirk Von Zitzewitz commented, “We’ve studied the route very carefully each night and been well prepared for each stage. Our preparations certainly paid off today. On Friday we face another tough test, which could be even tougher than today’s. Celebrations would be premature today, too much hinges on the 13th stage. But we are ready.”

??Dakar Rally – Stage 13

Stage 13 will take place between Copiapo and Le Serena in Chile and will show respect to the meteorological phenomenon called Camanchaca. Camanchaca is a stubborn fog that will be dense in the morning and the race will commence once it has lifted. The competitors will tackle the last dunes of the 2013 Dakar Rally with the sandy part representing 441km of the special stage. The rest of the route leads south on wide tracks with lots of stones before the competitors reach the last bivouac of the rally. Stage 13 will start at 5:06 PM (SA Time) on Friday, 18 January 2013.

BMW 320i Steptronic review

BMW’s all-new 3-Series sets the bar in terms of attention to detail and build quality. Here’s why the new BMW 320i Steptronic is worth your attention if you’re looking for an executive sedan.

The BMW 320i Steptronic review by David Taylor

BMW 3 Series is the breadwinner?

There are around 1 000 units sold each month in South Africa and the 3-Series forms the bread-and-butter of BMW sales. There’s even a BMW factory in Pretoria that helps satisfy the demand for 3-Series models. Therefore, it can be said that the 3-Series is one car that BMW simply cannot afford to mess up.

??The BMW 320i Steptronic, one of the most attractive cars in its class

Thankfully, BMW has done a sterling job on the new F30 3-Series. I knew it was going to be good, but this good? Wow, it’s a rather impressive piece of kit. The Melbourne red test unit was certainly eye-catching on the road thanks to a combination of its daytime-running lights, red paint and great looks. Let’s be honest, five-door passenger sedans aren’t the beauty queens of the motoring world and thanks to some subtle design cues taken from its 5-Series big brother, you’re presented with a vehicle that looks pricey and classy.

Brisk, yet efficient performance?

There’s an all-new 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 135kW and 320Nm on tap. It may not be impressive on paper but thanks to a clever 8-speed sporty auto gearbox, the power is available when you need it. It’s smooth, smart and overtaking is simple. It’s pretty quick too, yet light on fuel. During the time that I had the BMW 320i, the trip computer was reading 8L/100km thanks to the clever Eco Plus driving mode.

Well-built and plush interior?

The interior has a distinct modern feel to it and there’s a strong feeling that you’re in a premium product. The build quality is impressive and it feels well put together. It’s spacious too, with ample legroom for rear passengers and a boot that easily swallows plenty of luggage.

Incredible levels of gadgetry

In terms of technology, the only limit is your bank balance. This particular test unit was loaded with pretty much every option from the BMW arsenal which made it pricey, but it was a perfect opportunity to sample the latest gadgets. For starters, the car has five cameras to assist with parking manoeuvres. Then there’s the ability of being able to parallel park automatically. Your mirrors have warning lights in them to tell you if there’s a vehicle in your blind spot. If you drift out of your lane, the steering wheel vibrates to alert you. The tow bar can retract out of sight when you’re not towing. There’s also a head-up display which displays your current speed, the speed limit of the road you’re on and street names if the GPS is active. This car also came with the high-quality Harmon Kardon audio system which connects seamlessly to music players through USB.

The BMW 320i Steptronic verdict

This sounds like this is the perfect businessman’s car. Like all cars there are some shortcomings. My first gripe is personal. The standard run-flat tyres are a little noisy on the open road. It’s not catastrophic but when you consider how refined and classy the 320 is, it’s silly. The other problem is that the options list can be a costly exercise. Yes, there are absolute must-haves like the 8-speed auto gearbox and Harman/Kardon audio system, but you must spec your car extremely carefully. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

  • BMW 320i price as evaluated (Base model): R361, 000
  • Why you should: Feels and looks expensive, thrifty fuel consumption, looks good, incredible technology, astounding build quality.
  • Why you shouldn’t: Aside from my runflat noise issue, there’s no real reason why you shouldn’t consider a 3-Series.
  • It would be better if: Some of those options were standard features like a USB port and center armrest.
  • View the BMW 320i Steptronic: New / Used
  • Competitors worth checking out: Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Honda Accord, Volkswagen CC, Suzuki Kizashi, Alfa Romeo 159.

Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV Concept unveiled in Detroit

The six-seater Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV Concept with its new plug-in hybrid diesel powertrain was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this week. The CrossBlue SUV concept was specifically designed for the U.S. and Canada and if it makes it into production, it will slot in above the Tiguan and below the premium Touareg.

Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV Concept goes clean

The CrossBlue SUV concept is powered by a 141kW 2.2-litre TDI Clean Diesel engine along with a 40kW electric motor up front and a 85kW electric motor mounted in the rear with a 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined power output is at 228kW with a maximum torque figure of 700Nm and the system is mated to a six-speed DSG dual clutch automatic transmission that accelerates the CrossBlue to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds.

The diesel-electric plug-in-hybrid powertrain offers a manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating of 2.6-litres/100km in full electric mode and 6.7-litres/100km as a hybrid.

Exterior Features

The Volkswagen CrossBlue concept is equipped with 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels and flared wheelarches. The body colour is in ‘CrossBlue Glass Flake’ and contrasting stainless steel trim runs all around the lower body section. It also features a long hood that integrates the engine’s air intakes and a long roof line with a short frontal overhang. The radiator grille trim consists of two solid aluminum struts and a centrally positioned VW logo and is a three-dimensional element that extends into the headlights. The upper aluminum strut frames the dual headlights while the lower strut transitions into a line that extends across the entire grille.

The taillights are sculpted in the form of an ‘E’ and feature aluminum trim elements. The prominent tailpipes have a stainless steel look and are integrated in a trim panel that features underbody protection.

Interior Features

The CrossBlue concept with its six individual seats, combines SUV styling with the flexibility and spaciousness of a minivan. Leather and wood are used to finish the interior and designers opted to use dark stained banana tree accents that flow from the gear lever area and ascend the centre console and across the lower instrument panel to the door trims. ‘Marble Grey’ leather is used above the wood accents and on the centre armrest while ‘St Tropez’ leather, trim pieces and fabric are used below the wood accents and on the seats. Aluminum is used as one of the predominant materials in the interior and is used for the air vent surrounds and the array of switches as well as for features such as the steering wheel spokes.

A 10.2-inch touchscreen framed with an aluminum surround is positioned on the centre console. Onboard entertainment includes iPad mini devices integrated as monitors behind the front-row head restraints and a Fender Premium Audio System ensures concert hall quality sound throughout the vehicle.

New Audi RS 4 Avant available in South Africa

The new Audi RS 4 Avant, now in its third-generation, has been launched in South Africa. The RS 4 Avant combines potent performance with practicality and comes with an array of standard specification.

New Audi RS 4 Avant tops the wagon pile

Engine Capability

The new Audi RS 4 Avant is powered by a 4.2-litre V8 engine that produces 331kW of power and is mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission and features quattro permanent all-wheel drive. This is the same engine that powers the RS 5 Coupe. Acceleration to 100km/h is achieved in 4.7 seconds before reaching a governed top speed of 250km/h. The RS 4 Avant consumes less than 11-litres/100km on average.

Drivers can let the dual-clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears manually using the selector lever or shift paddles on the steering wheel. Launch Control can also be activated for fast starts. The RS 4 Avant features Audi Drive Select which allows the driver to switch between four driving modes namely Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. The Audi RS 4 Avant does not have towing capability and cannot be fitted aftermarket.

Exterior Styling Features

The new Audi RS 4 Avant features a hexagonal single-frame grille set in a frame finished with matte aluminium. The honeycomb insert is finished in high-gloss anthracite. LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) encircle the standard wedge-shaped Xenon Plus headlights. Air flows through large openings divided by crossbars which are embedded in a distinctive bumper featuring a splitter edge. The RS 4 Avant is 20mm longer and 24mm wider than the A4 Avant and sits 20mm lower.

??Interior Styling Features

The interior of the RS 4 Avant is completely black with carbon fibre inlays and an aluminium-look finish for the switches and control elements. The pedal and footrest are also finished with an aluminium-look while the door sills feature aluminium inserts with RS 4 badging. The driver information system comes with a colour display and includes an RS menu with a lap timer and oil thermometer. Audi Connect is available as an option and connects the vehicle to the internet.

Standard Features

Standard features for the new Audi RS 4 Avant include MMI Navigation Plus, S sports seats with Alcantara and leather trim, Bluetooth cell phone preparation, electrically operated tailgate, load through provision, flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles, Audi Parking System Plus, LED taillights, tyre repair kit, 19-inch wheels and aluminium matt finish on the window surrounds, mirrors and roof rails.

New Audi RS 4 Avant – Price

Audi RS 4 Avant – R875 000

The price includes a 5-year/100 000km Audi Freeway Plan. This model will only be available in an Avant version and there is no RS 4 Sedan planned for production.

Aston Martin Centenary Edition models revealed

Celebrating 100 years in the automotive industry, the Aston Martin Centenary Edition Vanquish marks the birthday celebrations of the British sports car brand. The Vanquish showcases a special Centenary Edition specification that will see only 100 units available worldwide for each of the car maker’s model lines which includes the V8 Vantage, the DB9, Rapide and the Vanquish.

??Aston Martin Centenary Edition models get special treatment

The Aston Martin Centenary Edition models feature a unique graduated paint finish, solid silver Aston Martin wing badges with tailored ‘trans flux’ enamel inlay and a special Aston Martin hallmark. On the inside, the Centenary Edition models feature Deep Soft black leather with contrasting silver stitching with special silver thread embroidery of the Aston Martin wings on the head restraints. Solid sterling silver sill plaques are individually numbered with an Aston Martin hallmark.

The unique paint finish forms part of a painstaking process that adds an additional 18 hours to a paint process that already takes 50 hours to complete. The graduated paint finish is achieved by adding special ‘tinters’ to create a darker inner colour. The custom-made mixture is applied to each panel by hand using a special mini-jet spray gun.

Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: “The team has looked closely at the individual contour lines of each of the cars to determine not only the right colours and shades, but also to create a template by which the paint changes from dark to light and where the graduated effect sits.

“??Each Centenary Edition model will also be supplied with a unique presentation box containing exclusive gifts from Aston Martin. The gifts include two glass keys, two exclusive key pouches made from leather matching the car’s interior trim, solid silver cufflinks with Aston Martin script, solid silver Rollerball pen and high-quality Bang & Olufsen headphones. A silver polishing cloth is also provided.

All Aston Martin Centenary Edition models will be handcrafted at Aston Martin’s global headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK. Orders can be placed at Aston Martin’s 146 dealers in 46 countries worldwide.