The Durban Motor Show

The city of Durban will light up this weekend when the Durban Motor Show rolls into town from 2-4 November 2012 at the Durban Exhibition Centre. The Durban Motor Show will have entertainment for the whole family with a wide range of exciting activities and exhibits. Exhibitors at the 2012 Durban Motor Show will include car brands such as Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, BMW, Chevrolet, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mazda, Ford and GWM.

2012 Durban Motor Show

Activities

Activities for the 2012 Durban Motor Show will include:

  • Chevrolet Trailblazer – Chevrolet will be giving visitors a sneak preview of the all-new Trailblazer before its official public reveal next week.
  • Totoya Urban Trax – Toyota will be hosting their Urban Trax demonstration which will showcase the capabilities of Toyota vehicles.
  • Aucor Live Supercar Auction – Aucor, Africa’s auction authority will be hosting a live supercar auction on Saturday.
  • Lightstone – Lightstone will be launching a smart phone scanner which allows users to access the history of a vehicle by scanning the license disc barcode.
  • Through the Ages – The Durban Early Car Club and the Veteran Car Club, the founders of the Durban Motor Show, will display cars of the past including a 1901 Clement Panhard which was brought in from Johannesburg especially for the show.
  • KZN Car Clubs Display – KZN’s top car clubs such as the Ferrari Club, IBV, Cobra GT40 and East Coast Cruisers will be displaying unique vehicles.
  • SupaDrift Series – The new Outdoor Arena will host the first national SupaDrift Series endorsed by Motorsport SA and is the first time a race of this nature has taken place in a city CBD in South Africa. The SupaDrift Series will see 16 of South Africa’s top drivers drifting to win.
  • Suicide Ride – The Outdoor Arena will also host the Suicide Ride where visitors can experience the thrill of drifting.
  • Skate My Ride – A modified VW Beetle will host a skateboarding competition.
  • Spur Outdoor Experience – Spur will host a free outdoor experience for children. Activities will include a jumping castle and Playstation islands.
  • Epic Go-Karting – Visitors can test their driving skills on a go-kart track with fast sweeping corners and technical tight turns.

Show Details



Durban Exhibition Centre

Friday 2nd November 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday 3rd November 10:00 – 21:00
Sunday 4th November 10:00 – 18:00



Price: R80 for adults, R50 for pensioners and children under the age of 12 enter for free.

Ticket can be purchased online at www.webtickets.co.za

New MINI Countryman gets Summer Refresh

The new MINI Countryman has received upgrades that will be rolled out across all Countryman models from November 2012. The upgrades include new interior elements, new interior and exterior colours as well as the ALL4 all-wheel drive system which is now optionally available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman.

New MINI Countryman – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability??

Customers have the choice of four Countryman models in South Africa and these include the MINI Cooper Countryman, the MINI Cooper S Countryman, the MINI Cooper S ALL4 Countryman and the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

The new MINI Cooper Countryman produces 90kW and 160Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.5-litres/100km. The MINI Cooper S Countryman and the Cooper S ALL4 Countryman deliver 135kW and 240Nm of torque with combined fuel consumption figures of 6.6 and 8.1-litres/100km respectively. The Cooper S Countryman is now also available with ALL4 all-wheel drive. The top of the range John Cooper Works Countryman produces 160kW and 280Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.0-litres/100km.

All models can be ordered with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is standard on the Cooper S ALL4 Countrymen, as an alternative to the standard 6-speed manual transmission. The manual version of the MINI Cooper Countryman will also meet the stipulations of the EU6 exhaust emissions standard which comes into effect in 2014.

Styling Upgrades

Styling upgrades for the new MINI Countryman includes newly designed rings for the ‘Centre Speedo’ and four air vents which are now finished in Carbon Black with an inner ring in high-gloss black or chrome as part of the Chrome Line interior option. The new MINI Countryman also benefits from newly designed door inserts with re-modelled door armrests for maximum comfort. A control panel is now integrated into the driver’s armrest and has switches to control the windows, rear window deactivation and adjustment of the exterior mirrors.

In addition to changes of the interior colours, trim elements and Colour Lines, the new MINI Countryman will also come with a choice of two new exterior finishes and these include Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic.

New Cars that were released in October 2012

The month of October 2012 has seen a number of exciting new car releases in South Africa, particularly in the hatchback and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segments. The new car releases for the month of October are as follows.

The Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

 from R212 400

In addition to its revised five-model Cruze sedan range, Chevrolet has included a Cruze hatchback offering for 2013. The Cruze hatchback is offered with a choice of two engines including a 1.6-litre engine that produces 91kW and 155Nm of torque and a 1.8-litre engine that delivers 104kW and 176Nm of torque.



The New Peugeot 208 Range from R154 900


Peugeot launched its new 208 hatchback range in South Africa with three attractive models on offer. Engines range from a 60kW/118Nm 1.2-litre engine to the 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre engine.

The New Volkswagen Beetle

 from R235 400

The new Beetle, based on the iconic Beetle that sold over 21.5 million units worldwide since 1938, is now available in South Africa. A choice of two TSI engines is on offer including a 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre TSI engine and an 118kW/240Nm 1.4-litre TSI engine.

The New BMW 7-Series from R975 500

The updated BMW 7-Series is now available in South Africa with a choice of both petrol and diesel variants as well as the second-generation ActiveHybrid 7.



The New Tata MANZA from R119 995


The new Tata MANZA sedan is available in South Africa and is fitted with a 66kW 1.4-litre Safire petrol engine. The Indigo MANZA is available in two trim options namely INI and IGNIS.


Chevrolet Trailblazer from R364 000


The new Trailblazer was launched in South Africa this month and expands on Chevrolet’s SUV offering alongside the Captiva. The Trailblazer is offered with the choice of two diesel engines and a petrol engine.

The New BMW X1 from R342 400


BMW has launched the revised X1 in South Africa with a choice of seven variants, three petrol engines and two diesel engines ranging from 110kW to 180kW.

Mitsubishi Outlander GLX from R349 900


Mitsubishi has added the competitively priced GLX version of the Outlander GLS SUV into its local offering in South Africa. The GLX Outlander is powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine that produces 125kW and 226Nm of torque.



Infiniti EX from R595 000

The EX compact SUV is Infiniti’s latest model to be launched in South Africa and is offered with a choice of two engines including a 175kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 and a 235kW/360Nm 3.7-litre V6.

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab from R179 000

Mitsubishi has launched its single cab Triton in South Africa with a choice of three new models. A 2.4-litre petrol engine is available for two models and produces 87kW and 205Nm of torque. The diesel model is fitted with a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 100kW and 314Nm of torque. All models feature a 5-speed manual transmission. The petrol derivatives are available in two trim levels namely the GL and GLX while the diesel option is only available in GLX trim.

New Honda Brio coming to South Africa

The new Honda Brio hatchback will be launching in South Africa in December 2013. The Brio is Honda’s first entry into the highly competitive entry-level car market in South Africa and will offer budget-conscious buyers affordability, style and value for money.

New Honda Brio to offer value for money

The new Honda Brio will be fitted with a 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine that produces 65kW and 109Nm of torque and comes with electronically controilled Variable Valve Timing (VVT). A choice of manual and automatic gearboxes will be available. According to Honda, the Brio employs the latest generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering which delivers a robust structure to enhance safety.

Yoshiaki Nakamura, managing director of Honda Motor Southern Africa said, “We are extremely excited to be able to offer the new Honda Brio to our South African and Southern African customers. The Brio is poised to become a trend-setter in the entry-level segment, and will allow Honda to introduce the Honda motoring experience to a wider audience for the first time. The Brio’s combination of styling, affordability, quality – and, above all, motoring fun – will offer young first-time buyers an attractive budget motoring option.”

Further details regarding pricing and specifications for the new Honda Brio will be made available closer to its launch in December 2012.

New Audi A4 Allroad Quattro to launch in South Africa

Audi South Africa has announced that the new Audi A4 allroad quattro will join the A4 family in February 2013. The allroad was first introduced in South Africa in 2001 as the A6 allroad and the A4 allroad Quattro recently won America’s Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Award in the Luxury On-Road category.

New Audi A4 Allroad Quattro perfect for any adventure

?Engine Capability

The South African engine line-up will include two engine options including a 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre TDI engine and a 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre T FSI engine. Both options are offered with an S tronic transmission, permanent all-wheel drive and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The 2.0-litre TDI has a fuel consumption figure of 6.0-litres/100km while the 2.0litre T FSI variant consumes 7.3-litres/100km. Automatic Stop-Start and recuperation is standard on both models.

Styling Features

The new Audi A4 allroad quattro features a raised ride height with a ground clearance of 180mm and additional stainless steel under-body protection making it suitable for off-road driving conditions. The front-end features a single-frame grille with vertical chrome bars and redesigned headlights. Luggage space ranges from 490-litres to 1 430-litres and a load-securing set and electromechanical rear tailgate is available as an option. The new Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is also equipped with Off-Road Detection (ORD) which detects the condition of the road and adjusts the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to suit the road conditions.

Standard Features

Standard features for thenew Audi A4 Allroad Quattro will include 17-inch seven-arm design alloy wheels, quattro all-wheel drive system, raised rough road suspension, headlight washers, driver information system in colour, cruise control, auto dimming interior mirror, rain and light sensor and Bluetooth. The aluminium package is also standard and includes roof rails, window trim surround, and additional stone covers.

The new Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is available to order now but pricing will only be made available closer to launch in February 2013.

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab unleashed in South Africa

Mitsubishi South Africa has expanded its Triton range with the addition of three 4×2 single cab models. The new single cab Mitsubishi Triton now stands alongside the existing Triton offering of two Club Cabs and three premium Double Cabs. The new Mitsubishi Triton single cab is available with the choice two petrol engines and one diesel engine.

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

Two of the new Mitsubishi Triton single cab models are fitted with a 2.4-litre petrol engine that produces 97kW and 205Nm of torque. These two models are available in either GL trim or the more equipped GLX trim. The diesel derivative in GLX trim, is fitted with a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 100kW and 314Nm of torque. Power is transferred to the rear wheels using a 5-speed manual transmission for all models. The diesel model however features a rear differential lock for enhanced off-road performance.

Standard Features

The Mitsubishi Triton single cab is fitted with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) as standard as well as dual front airbags. The interior takes on a modern and luxurious appearance with an ergonomically designed dashboard. The 60:40 split front bench seats three people and is covered in hard-wearing vinyl. The seat is adjustable for backrest incline and the steering column is tilt adjustable. A glove box, two door pockets and a bottle holder offer storage capacity.

The load box measures 2.22m in length and is 1.47m wide and 405mm high with a load capacity of one ton and a maximum towing capacity of 1 200kg. Two speakers are fitted as standard and the GLX models come with power windows, air-conditioning and central locking.

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab – Price

Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 GL R179 000
Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 GLX R189 000
Mitsubishi Triton 2.5 GLX R239 000

The petrol models are covered by a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 5-year/75 000km service plan with service intervals at 15 000km. The diesel model is covered by a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 5-year/70 000km service plan with service intervals at 10 000km.

The 2013 SAGMJ Wesbank Car of the Year Finalists Announced

The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 12 finalists for the 2013 SAGMJ Wesbank Car of the Year Awards. The SAGMJ Wesbank Car of the Year Awards is the most coveted accolade in the motoring industry and finalists are rigorously judged on value for money, safety, dynamics, technology and aesthetics by respected professionals in the motoring industry. The 12 finalists for the 2013 SAGMJ Wesbank Car of the Year Awards are as follows, in no particular order.

  1. Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T Tekna (Leather)
  2. Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT 4×4 Automatic Double-Cab
  3. Toyota Yaris 1.5 HSD Xs
  4. BMW 320i Automatic
  5. Hyundai i30 1.8 Executive
  6. Porsche Boxster
  7. Kia Rio 1.4 TEC Hatch Manual
  8. Range Rover Evoque Si4 Dynamic 5-door
  9. Toyota 86 High Spec Manual
  10. Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
  11. Lexus GS 350 EX
  12. Opel Meriva 1.4T Cosmo

The SAGMJ has run the South African Car of the Year competition since 1986 and Wesbank has sponsored the competition since inception. The winner of the 2012 South African Car of the Year was the Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS. Further details regarding the 2013 SAGMJ Wesbank Car of the Year Awards will be released as soon as the information becomes available.

2013 Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced

Green Car Journal, the sponsor for the 2013 Green Car of the Year have announced the five finalists, with the winner to be announced at the Los Angeles Motor Show on 29 November 2012. The finalists include the Dodge Dart Aero, the Mazda CX-5 SkyACTIV, the Toyota Prius c, Ford C-Max and the Ford Fusion.



”This is a very exciting time for the Green Car of the Year program,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and president of the Green Car Institute. “For two decades now, Green Car Journal has documented the ‘greening’ of the auto industry, from a time of mere concepts and demonstration programs to today, when the sheer number of environmentally positive production vehicles available to consumers is just eye-opening.”



Green Car Journal has also named the finalists as the ‘Top 5 Green Cars for 2013’. The winner of the 2013 Green Car of the Year will be selected by an esteemed jury including Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune, Ocean Futures Society president Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Global Green USA president Matt Petersen as well as Tonight Show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno and Green Car Journal staff.



The LA Motor will take place from 28 November to 9 December 2012.

The 5 cheapest new cars in South Africa

If you are a new car buyer on a budget, you have a couple of options to save money. Firstly you may want to take a closer look at the cheapest new cars in South Africa today – this will save you money on your initial purchase. Alternatively, you could take a look at the most fuel efficient cars in South Africa, with the view to save money in the long run.

The five cheapest new cars in South Africa

All of the cheap cars on this list can be bought brand new in SA for under R100,000, which in this day and age, is rather impressive.

??1 – Chery QQ3 0.8 TE from R79 900

The Chery QQ3 0.8 TE  is currently the cheapest new car available in South Africa. This budget beater is powered by a three-cylinder, 0.8-litre petrol engine that develops 38kW with a maximum torque figure of 70Nm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and fuel consumption is rated at 6.8-litres/100km with a corresponding CO2 emissions figure of 156g/km. The QQ3 0.8 TE is fitted with 13-inch steel wheels and air-conditioning is available as an option. The QQ3 0.8 TE with air conditioning is priced at R84 900.

2 – Chevrolet Spark Lite from R86 200

The reasonably priced and locally built Chevrolet Spark Lite is fitted with a 1.0-litre SOHC four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 49kW and 91Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption for the Spark Lite is rated at 5.8-litres/100km with a corresponding CO2 emissions figure of 135g/km. The Spark Lite is available with power steering, front electric windows, air-conditioning, front bucket seats and cloth upholstery. Other features include a driver airbag, collapsible steering column, fog lamps and key operated central locking.

3 – Geely LC 1.3 GS from R88 990

The Geely LC GS is powered by a 1.3-litre DOHC petrol engine that develops 63kW and 110Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.9-litres/100km with a corresponding CO2 emissions figure of 164g/km. The LC 1.3 GS comes standard with front and rear electric windows, remote central locking, electric side mirrors, air conditioning and fabric upholstery. Safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), a third brake light and a collapsible steering column.

4 – Tata Indica B-Line 1.4 LE from R93 995

The Tata Indica LE is fitted with a four-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol engine that produces 55kW and 110Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4-litres/100km with a corresponding CO2 emissions figure of 168g/km. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Standard features include hydraulic power steering, collapsible steering column, tinted glass windows, fabric upholstery, front adjustable head restraints and 60/40 split rear seats.

5 – Hyundai Atos Prime 1.1 GLS from R94 900

The Hyundai Atos Prime GLS is fitted with a 1.1-litre SOHC petrol engine that develops 45kW and 87Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.2-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 147g/km. Standard features include manual air-conditioning, front electric windows, radio/CD/MP3 player, central locking, reclining rear seats, height adjustable front and rear headrests, a high-mounted brake light and front fog lights.

Suzuki Grand Vitara gets Updates

Suzuki Auto South Africa has implemented a series of updates for its Suzuki Grand Vitara compact SUV. The updates for the Grand Vitara include revised exterior and interior styling, two new specification levels offered as the Dune and Summit variants as well as a significant reduction in price.

Suzuki Grand Vitara – Features

Engine Capability

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is powered by a 2.4-litre, normally aspirated petrol engine with twin overhead camshafts and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that produces a power output of 122kW at 6 000rpm with a peak torque figure of 225Nm at 4 000rpm. This engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. In manual guise, the Suzuki Grand Vitara accelerates to 100km/h in 11.7 seconds with a top speed of 180km/h. For the automatic variant, 0-100km/h will take 12 seconds and will reach a top speed of 170km/h.

Combined fuel consumption for the manual variant is 8.9-litres/100km while the automatic consumes 9.9-litres/100km. CO2 emissions are 112g/km for the manual while the automatic expels 234g/km. The Suzuki Grand Vitara is equipped with an advanced all-wheel drive system which incorporates a low-range transfer case and electronic switching between 4×4 modes for varying driving conditions.

Styling Upgrades

The updated Suzuki Grand Vitara features a revised grille as well as a new front bumper that incorporates revised fog lamps and a more pronounced lower air intake. 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on the Dune variant while the higher spec Summit rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. A new exterior colour called Gaia Bronze pearl metallic is also now available. On the inside, the Grand Vitara gets new black fabric for the seats and door panel inserts.

Standard Features

The Dune specification level features a radio/CD player with a MP3 playback function and speed-sensing volume adjustment, electric windows for the front and rear, remote central locking, automatic air-conditioning and cloth seat upholstery. In terms of safety, the Dune is equipped with all-disc Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), front and side curtain airbags, front and rear head restraints, five inertia reel seatbelts, front belt pre-tensioners and load limiters. ISOFIX rear child seat mounts are fitted as standard.

The Summit specification level benefits from a sunroof and chrome side models which are standard features. The Summit gets auto-sensing HID headlights with headlight washers and automatic headlight levelling while fog lights come standard. On the inside, the Summit features Cruise Control with steering wheel-mounted switching, keyless start, a ‘six-dix’ in-dash CD receiver with MP3 playback function and speed-sensing volume control. Leather upholstery is standard for the Summit.

Suzuki Grand Vitara – Price

Suzuki Grand Vitara Dune M/T R298 900
Suzuki Grand Vitara Dune A/T R313 900
Suzuki Grand Vitara Summit M/T R358 900
Suzuki Grand Vitara Summit A/T R373 900

Prices include a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 6-year/90 000km service plan.