Toyota 86 named Best Coupe for 2012

Toyotas rear-wheel drive 86, known as the GT86 in Europe, has been named as the best coupe in the 2012 Scottish Car of the Year Awards. The Toyota 86 was voted for by members of Asscociation of Scottish Motoring Writers and experienced debut success at the recent Britcar 24 Hours race.

John Murdoch, association president, said: The new coupe category produced some cracking contenders and, for most of the year, it looked as though the voting would go one way. Then Toyota returned to the segment with a vengeance and amazed everyone. Not only is the GT86 incredible to drive, but for a sporting coupe its surprisingly frugal on fuel.

??The Toyota 86 is inspired by the 2000GT and the AE86 and is powered by a free-revving 2.0-litre boxer that powers the rear wheels and produces 147kW and 205Nm of torque. The 2+2 coupe 86 is available with a manual or automatic transmission and has a fuel consumption figure of 7.8-litres/100km for the manual and 7.1-litres/100km for the automatic. Since its arrival in South Africa, the Toyota 86 has received much attention from the media and public alike and is a well-priced option for sport car enthusiasts.

??Toyota 86 Price

Toyota 86 Standard 6-speed Manual	R298 500
Toyota 86 High 6-speed Manual	R329 400
Toyota 86 High 6-speed Automatic	R346 500

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition Revealed

Porsche has announced that it will introduce an exclusive and elegant version of the Panamera starting in Europe at the end of November 2012. The Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition will be available as the Panamera 4 and Panamera Diesel and features a platinum silver metallic exterior combined with additional standard features and exclusive details.

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition Special Features

??Exterior Styling??

The lower half of the side mirrors, air inlet lamellas, air vent grille, boot lid trim and rear diffuser are all finished in platinum metallic. Five colours are available for the Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition and these include solid black and white as well as metallic basalt black, metallic carbon grey and mahogany lacquer. Bi-Xenon headlights and front parking assist are standard features. The Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition is also fitted with automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors as well as 19-inch Panamera Turbo alloy wheels.

?Interior Styling

The interior exhibits a new black and luxor beige bi-colour combination. A part-leather interior is standard while a full leather package is available as an option. The new bi-colour combination has been revised with new patterns and the upper dashboard trim, footwell, back of the front seats and load cover are in black while the rest of the interior is finished in luxor beige. A sport design steering wheel, Power Steering Plus and front seat heating is also included.

The standard Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation, features a high resolution 7-inch TFT touchscreen and eleven speakers which offers dynamic route guidance and enhanced audio quality.

The Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition will be released in South Africa in 2013.

Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept Revealed

The striking Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept has been revealed at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept features a unique Opal Blue exterior and is the second version of the LF-LC to be shown since it made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show earlier in the year.

Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept Design Features

Exterior Styling

The Opal Blue exterior used for the Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept is inspired by the base colour of the naturally occurring semi-precious opal stone found in outback Australia.

The Lexus LF-LC uses advanced materials for its body design including lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium alloy to achieve a light body mass. The LF-LC features sculpted L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and vertical fog lamps with a fading dot matrix pattern which intends to convey a sense of movement.

Sculpted air intakes are seen behind the doors and a wrap-around glass roof offers panoramic views for the driver and passengers. The glass roof features a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass junction inspired by modern architecture. The tail lights are inspired by a jet aeroplane afterburner and make use of inner lighting for added effect. The rear-end also features fog lights with a dot matrix pattern, integrated L-shaped tail lights and a bold quad exhaust.

??Interior Styling

The interior incorporates both brown and white colour and features a driver focused cockpit with deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console. The Lexus LC-LC Blue Concept incorporates a remote touchscreen device that allows the driver to operate controls comfortably. Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide vehicle and navigation information. A touchscreen control board, with a pop-up touchscreen keyboard, is used for inputs and controls the audio system, climate controls and navigation.

The Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept features a combination of leather and suede with brushed metal trim and wood accents, lightweight race inspired front seats and a racing-style steering wheel in carbon fibre with integrated controls and start button.

Powertrain

The Lexus LF-LC Blue Concept features an Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive system that combines a powerful and efficient Atkinson cycle combustion engine thats mated to a high-power battery pack. Compared to batteries used in current Lexus hybrid vehicles, the high-power battery pack delivers greater power from a smaller battery. The Advanced Hybrid Drive system generates a total power output of 372kW, the most of any Lexus hybrid.

Tony Cramb from Lexus Australia said, For decades, Lexus has been synonymous with hybrid drivetrains, superior build quality, comfort and reliability. With the LF-LC we now reinforce our design and technology credentials. The LF-LC is absolutely stunning. Its good looks mask some very exciting design and engineering innovations that will influence Lexus vehicles in the future. The Lexus LF-LC is part concept, part reality: the concept hints at what’s to come from Lexus, while the reality has us actively studying how we can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future.”

New BMW X1 in South Africa

The new BMW X1 has been launched in South Africa and comes with revised interior and exterior styling as well a revised engine portfolio and a new range of BMW Lines and equipment features. Engine options include three petrol and two diesel engines available locally in seven variants namely the sDrive18i, sDrive20i, xDrive20i, sDrive20d, xDrive20d, xDrive28i and the xDrive25d.

New BMW X1 offers wide range of engine options

The entry-level sDrive18i is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 110kW and 200Nm of torque. Average fuel consumption is rated at 7.7-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 180g/km.

Both the sDrive20i and the xDrive20i are powered by a 2.0-litre, four cylinder petrol engine with TwinPower Turbo Technology. Power for both variants are rated at 135kW with a maximum torque figure of 270Nm. Average fuel consumption for the sDrive20i is between 6.9 and 7.1-litres/100km (CO2:162-165g/km) and between 7.5 and 7.7-litres/100km (CO2:176-179g/km) for the xDrive20i.

All engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard. As an alternative, with the exception of the sDrive18i, all engines can be ordered with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The sDrive18i model can be equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. ECO PRO mode and Brake Energy Regeneration are standard while an Auto Start-Stop function features on models with manual or 8-speed automatic transmissions.

New BMW X1 styling improved for better look and increased comfort

Exterior styling upgrades come in the form of a revised front apron with extended painted surfaces as well as a new headlight design with LED accent lights and LED light rings for the LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). Xenon headlights are available as an option. The new BMW X1 also features exterior mirrors with integrated indicators. The rear-end features re-positioned reflectors surrounded by surfaces in body colour while the taillights with LEDs flow into the line of the tailgate handle.

The drivers cockpit of the new X1 is more centred towards the driver with a newly designed centre console. The panels for the sound and climate system are finished in high-gloss black, matching the air vent surround. A storage compartment in the centre of the instrument panel comes standard. Three seats in the rear offer dynamic storage options when folded down. The 40:20:40 split rear seats can be folded individually depending on the storage requirement and storage space ranges from 420-litres to 1 350-litres.

Standard and Optional Features for new BMW X1

Standard equipment for the new X1 includes climate control, electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors, fog lamps, LED taillights, chrome tailpipe finishers, elasticated straps for the front door pockets, a leather-lined steering wheel, an onboard computer, a sound system with CD player, AUX-IN connection, five loudspeakers and two-line display showing computer data, telephone numbers and music track titles.

Optional equipment includes the navigation system Professional with a hard disk and a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, as well as the options of Comfort Access, Automatic Climate Control, panorama glass roof, automatically dimming exterior and rear-view mirrors, electrically operated seat adjustment, a rain sensor and steering wheel heating.

BMW X1 Price

BMW X1 sDrive18i	R342 400
BMW X1 sDrive20i	R365 700
BMW X1 xDrive20i	R411 600
BMW X1 sDrive20d	R381 300
BMW X1 xDrive28i	R458 600
BMW X1 xDrive20d	R427 200
BMW X1 xDrive25d	R468 600

Land Rover Discovery 4 gets Upgrades for 2013

The Land Rover Discovery 4 will benefit from a wide range of updates in 2013 including an Extended Leather Pack inspired by the HSE Luxury Limited Edition, a choice of new interior and exterior colours, an upgraded infotainment system, as well as an upgraded engine offering.

Land Rover Discovery 4 Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The engine used in the Land Rover Discovery 4, a 180kW, 3.0-litre LR-SDV6 has been upgraded to produce 183kW and is now mated to a ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission. A maximum torque figure of 600Nm is available from 2 000rpm. The new 8-speed transmission contributes to a lower CO2 emissions figure of 230g/km and fuel consumption figure of 8.8-litres/100km.

The 5.0-litre LR-V8 engine produces 276kW with a maximum torque figure of 510Nm. Combined fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 14.1-litres/100km with an CO2 emissions figure of 328g/km. This engine is mated to a ZF 6HP28 6-speed automatic transmission.

New Upgrades

The new optional Extended Leather Pack is being introduced as an interior option for HSE derivatives in the 2013 model year when Windsor leather seats are fitted. The Extended Leather pack includes premium soft Windsor leather with twin stitch detailing to the top of the fascia and doors as well as on the instrument binnacle.

In addition, five new body colours will be available for the Land Rover Discovery 4 including Havana, Barolo Black, Barossa, Mariana Black and Causeway Grey. The HSE derivative is also available with 19-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels finished in Bright Silver. For the interior, customers will have the choice of two new interior colours and two new trim finishes. Arabica seats with Nutmeg stitching and Ivory seats with Ivory stitching are available in Windsor premium leather. The new Grand Ivory Lacquer veneer contrasts with the Ebony fascia and door casings. Gloss Black switch finishers on the steering wheel are added to the Grand Black Lacquer veneer while Cosmic Grey interior finishes are also available as an option.

From 2013, only the Premium Navigation will be available and offers features such as 4x4i, Voice and Off-Road guidance and Points Of Interest (POI). The audio system has been upgraded to the latest MOST Gen 2.1. The standard audio system is an 8-speaker system with colour display, Bluetooth and USB/iPod connectivity for the S derivative. The High-line Harmon Kardon System with 11-speakers is standard on the SE derivatives. The Premium Harmon Kardon LOGIC 7 system with 17-speakers and an output of 825kW is standard on the HSE derivatives. An additional touch screen is also available for the navigation system.

New Opel Corsa Revealed

Opel Europe has revealed details of its most frugal Corsa to date, the diesel powered Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, which is considered to be the most economical and fuel efficient diesel model Opel has ever built.

Low Fuel Consumption for new Opel Corsa

The 70kW three-door Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX with Start/Stop technology consumes only 3.3-litres/100km with a low corresponding CO2 emissions figure of only 88g/km. The five door version is equally impressive with a fuel consumption figure of 3.4-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of only 89g/km.

The Opel Corsa ecoFLEX has undergone a number of enhancements to improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions. One of these enhancements is the use of a variable displacement oil pump that delivers only the necessary oil pressure and varies the oil volume depending on the load, thereby reducing the energy needed for oil circulation. The use of low-viscosity transmission oil has also contributed to reduced fuel consumption. In addition to this, adjustments to the engine mappings in the engine control module have further aided lower fuel consumption.

The Opel Corsa ecoFLEX will also be available with a new generation of manual transmissions that offer smooth and precise gear shifting as well as new 185/65 R15 low-rolling resistance tyres. The chassis has also been optimised for all Corsa variants and the suspension and damper system now compensates for uneven road surfaces and provides enhanced ride quality.

The Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX will not be available in South Africa.

Mitsubishi Outlander GLX launched in South Africa

Mitsubishi South Africa has launched a competitively priced GLX version of its Outlander SUV in South Africa. The Mitsubishi Outlander GLX now stands alongside the high-spec Outlander GLS.

The Outlander is an important member of our product line-up in terms of its size and pricing, hence the decision to extend the range with the launch of a GLX derivative in addition to the current GLS, explained Mitsubishi SA marketing manager, Braam Faul. The Outlander is aimed at a growth market in South Africa so we see the GLX as contributing to our volume growth plans for the future.

Mitsubishi Outlander GLX – Features

Standard Features

The Mitsubishi Outlander GLX offers a Multi Select 4WD system with electronically controlled 2WD with 4WD and 4WD Lock on demand as well as a ground clearance of 215mm. Other specification features include a rear park distance warning system, keyless operating system and electric exterior rear-view mirrors. Safety features include Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution and six airbags.

Both Outlander variants are powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine that produces 125kW with a maximum torque figure of 226Nm. This engine is mated to a 6-speed continuously variable transmission with Sports Mode. The existing Outlander GLS adds additional equipment such as a sunroof, hill start assist, leather seats, Rockford Fosgate audio system with 9-speakers, CD/MP3 player and a 6-CD automatic changer.

A new Mitsubishi Outlander range is expected to be launched in South Africa at the end of 2013.

Mitsubishi Outlander GLX Price

Mitsubishi Outlander GLX	R349 900
Mitsubishi Outlander GLS	R399 900

Both Outlander models are covered by a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 3-year/60 000km maintenance plan, with servicing intervals set at 15 000km.

New Tata Indigo MANZA in South Africa

Tata Motors has launched the new Tata Indigo MANZA sedan in South Africa. The new Tata Indigo MANZA, built on a new platform, offers a completely new exterior design as well as an all-new interior and will initially be offered only in petrol form while a diesel derivative will be made available at a later stage. The Indigo MANZA is available as the base model INI, or the top-end IGNIS.

New Tata Indigo MANZA Specifications and Features

??Engine Capability

The new Tata Indigo MANZA is fitted with a 1.4-litre Fiat sourced Safire petrol engine that produces 66kW. The engine features a Continuous Variable Cam Phaser which adjusts valve timings and intervals while the electronically controlled Intelligent Port Resizer (IPR) delivers balance between power and economy. Fuel consumption for the new Tata Indigo MANZA is rated at 6.9-litres/100km.

??Exterior and Interior Styling??

The new Tata Indigo MANZA is 4.4m long, 1.7m wide and with a wheelbase of 2.52m and features wrap-around three-barrelled headlights, 15-inch alloy wheels and angular shaped tail lights. The interior is spacious and the right inclination rear seats with a centre armrest afford passengers a comfortable ride and the seats are covered in two-tone fabric. The Indigo MANZA features tilt adjustable power steering with a height adjustable drivers seat. The boot offers 460-litres of space.

The outer rear view mirrors are electronically adjustable and the driver information system on the centre console provides information on fuel consumption and ambient temperature while the soft-feel dashboard incorporates a sporty instrument cluster. The new Tata Indigo MANZA also features a 2 DIN Music System with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel for easy access. The Indigo MANZA is available in five colours.

Safety Features

Safety features for the new Tata Indigo MANZA includes a collapsible steering column, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and dual frontal airbags. A Critical Rev Indicator turns red when the engine crosses its critical RPM and an engine immobilizer and central locking offer additional security.

New Tata Indigo MANZA – Price

Tata Indigo MANZA INI	R119 995
Tata Indigo MANZA IGNIS	R134 995

The price includes a 3-year/100 000km factory warranty, standard 3-year/unlimited kilometre Roadside Assistance as well as a 4-year/100 000km service plan.

2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Revealed

Porsche has revealed details of its most powerful SUV offering, the new 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Combining advanced active chassis technologies, the Cayenne Turbo S delivers enhanced driving performance and ride comfort both on and off the road.

2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is powered by a 4.8-litre V8 that has been tweaked to produce more power and torque compared to the Cayenne Turbo. The Cayenne Turbo S now produces 405kW, 37kW more, and 750Nm of torque, an increase of 50Nm. Acceleration to 100km/h is 0.1 seconds faster at 4.3 seconds, while the top speed is 282km/h, 5km/h faster than the Cayenne Turbo.

Exterior and Interior Styling

The Cayenne Turbo S features front air intakes and rear view mirror trim painted in high-gloss black. 21-inch 911 Turbo II wheels are fitted as standard and feature coloured Porsche badges with the inside surfaces also painted in high-gloss black. The dual twin-tube sport tailpipes are finished in polished aluminium while the wheel arches extensions and rear spoiler separation is painted in the exterior colour.

A two-tone interior package is available in either Black/Carrera Red or Black/Luxor Beige combinations. The front and rear seats feature the Porsche crest which is embossed into the headrests. The roof is covered in Alcantara while the instrument panel, doors and centre console trim are finished in carbon fibre.

Standard Features?

The 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is equipped with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), power steering and air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard. The Sport Chrono package is also standard and includes an analogue and digital timer in the centre of the dashboard. Information such as total driving time, lap distance, lap times, latitudinal and longitudinal acceleration are displayed on a TFT display in the instrument cluster.

The 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S can be expected in South Africa in the first quarter of 2013.

Top Parts Performers in 2012 Kinsey Report

The cost of car parts is an often overlooked aspect when deciding what new car to buy. The annual Kinsey Report surveys car parts pricing for new vehicles in South Africa and this year, the Kinsey Report covered a total of 64 vehicles in 8 categories. The parts pricing assessment is carried out in three parts sections for each vehicle and these include service parts, repair parts and crash parts. Together, these parts form a parts basket which is represented as a percentage value in relation to the purchase price of the vehicle.

The eight categories in the 2012 Kinsey Report are City Cars, Entry Level, Super Mini, Family Favourites, Auto Executives, Compact Crossover, Crossover and Double Cabs. The top parts performers in each category are as follows,

Category	Model	Purchase Price	Parts Basket (%)	Total Parts Cost (R)
City Cars	Nissan Micra 1.2 Acenta	R132 900	24.15 %	R32 094.33
Entry Level	Ford Figo 1.4 Trend	R130 080	26.43 %	R34 383.91
Super Mini	Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ambiente 5dr	R171 040	26.94%	R46 086.05
Family Favourites	Nissan Tiida 1.6 Visia+	R200 900	22.31%	R44 823.19
Auto Executives	Hyundai Sonata Exec	R309 900	26.88%	R83 302.61
Compact Crossover	Toyota Avanza 1.5 SX	R177 300	30.17%	R53 488.47
Crossover	Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D4D Raised Body	R408 900	20.04%	R81 958.12
Double Cabs	Tata Xenon 2.2	R228 495	18.44%	R42 123.70