New Citroen C3 shows off in Geneva

The new Citroen C3 has made its global debut at the Geneva Show. The C3 features a range of exterior and interior styling updates as well as new PureTech petrol engines which offer a power increase of up to 15% while reducing fuel consumption by as much as 25%.

New Citroen C3 offers more power but consumes less fuel

Engine Capability

The new Citroen C3 can be powered with new generation PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engines with capacities of 1.0-litre and 1.2-litres. These engines produce CO2 emissions between 99 and 104g/km and offer 15% more power than the outgoing 4-cylinder engines they replace. The 1.0-litre unit produces 51kW with a fuel consumption figure of 4.5-litres/100km. The 1.2-litre unit offers 61kW with a fuel consumption figure of 4.3-litres/100km. A 90kW, 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine is also on offer with either a manual or automatic transmission.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features

The front-end has been updated with chevrons and bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights. The tail light styling has been revised and includes new reflectors underneath the rear bumper. Nine exterior colours are available including the new ‘Ink Blue’.

The interior makes use of quality materials which includes chrome detailing and a thermo-coated soft-touch dashboard. Dashboard strips in either matt black, warm brown or Moondust grey cordinate with the new upholstery. The instrument cluster is backlit in white for a contemporary look. The new Citroen C3 offers 300-litres of boot space along with other storage compartments including a glove box, centre console and central armrest.

The large Zenith windscreen offers best-in-segment visibility and increases the field of vision to 80 degrees. The new Citroen C3 will also be available with a reversing camera, parking sensors, RD4 MP3 audio system, Connecting box, eMyway navigation and a powerful HiFi System.

Volkswagen Golf 7 GTD shown in Geneva

The Volkswagen Golf  7 GTD has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and combines ‘sports car performance with supermini consumption’. The new Volkswagen Golf 7 GTD has become the most powerful production diesel Golf of all time.

Volkswagen Golf 7 GTD oozes diesel power

The new Volkswagen Golf 7 GTD is fitted with the familiar 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that’s been tweeked to produce 135kW and 350Nm of torque, which is 10kW and 30Nm more than the standard output. This unit is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and coupled to a Start-Stop system which maximises efficiency. A 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) is optionally available. The new Golf 7 GTD consumes fuel at a rate of 4.2-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 109g/km with the standard 6-speed manual transmission. With the DSG transmission, fuel consumption increases marginally to 4.5-litres/100km as does the CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

The new Golf GTD will sprint to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds and will reach a top-speed 230km/h.

New Suzuki SX4 makes Geneva debut

The new Suzuki SX4 Crossover has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and is based on the S-Cross which was showcased at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The new Suzuki SX4 is now larger than the outgoing model and combines distinct crossover styling with enhanced performance and fuel economy.

New Suzuki SX4 – Features

Engine Options

The new Suzuki SX4 will be offered with a choice of either a 1.6-litre petrol engine or a 1.6-litre diesel engine. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is based on the current M16A and exhibits lower friction and weight which improves fuel efficiency without compromising on power or torque delivery. The 1.6-litre diesel engine has the same efficient qualities as the petrol engine but comes with a variable geometry turbocharger and a sound-insulating engine cover to suppress the noise and vibration of the diesel engine.

The 1.6-litre petrol version comes with a 5-speed manual transmission while the diesel variant gets a 6-speed manual transmission. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is also available.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features

The design of the new Suzuki SX4, according to Suzuki, is based on emotion, quality and aerodynamics. The SX4 features a bold and distinct crossover shape with dynamic body lines. The sharp body line, wheel arch mouldings, skid plates and integrated roof rails emphasise its crossover styling. The rounded bonnet is complemented with chrome trimming and LED daytime running lights are seen in the headlights.

The interior is predominantly black with silver trim that offers a sporty contrast. The instrument panel is designed to give a sense of width and dynamism while the stitching in the seats convey a sense of sophistication. The interior is spacious and offers 430-litres of luggage space. The rear seat and luggage board can be repositioned to accommodate different kinds of luggage. The new Suzuki SX4 also features a large panoramic sunroof with double sliding glass panels.

Porsche Boxster is 2013 South African Car of the Year

The Porsche Boxster has been crowned the 2013 South African Car of the Year in the prestigious Wesbank / SAGMJ Car of the Year competition. The Porsche Boxster is the first Porsche in the history of the competition to make it as a finalist and to win the competition. The announcement came after a gala dinner hosted by Wesbank, the headline sponsor, and the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Porsche Boxster impressed the jury

The winning vehicle is required to score highly in its own class and not against the other finalists, across a range of categories including value for money, safety, dynamics, technology and aesthetics to name a few. The Porsche Boxster was highly revered and has redefined its market segment and excels in terms of performance, dynamics, quality, value and desirability, which is enough to beat the other 11 finalists for top honours.

The Competition

The Wesbank / SAGMJ Car of the Year competition is based on the European Car of the Year points-based system but is unique in the world as all the finalists are also put through a stringent testing procedure by the COTY jury at the world-renowned Gerotek Vehicle Testing Facility outside Pretoria before any votes are cast.

This year, the jury consisted of 30 SAGMJ members who each were allowed to allocate 50 votes to all 12 finalists, but to no less than seven and with no more than 10 points allocated to any one vehicle. The Jury members are also required to motivate their votes, with the points allocated and motivation thereof open to scrutiny once the winner has been announced.

The Jury was also forced to apply an equaliser after several manufacturers failed to adhere to the COTY rule of supplying vehicles in standard specification for evaluation purposes. Some of the vehicles featured unreasonable levels of optional equipment that in some cases enhanced the vehicle’s ride and handling. As such, the jury voted for the vehicles as delivered but applied a mathematical equation to the final votes to compensate for any advantage these excessively specified vehicles may have gained.

The SA Car of the Year competition has run since 1986, with Wesbank being the headline sponsor since inception. In 2012, Hyundai became the first Korean car brand to win the title with its Elantra 1.8 GLS and in 2011, both the BMW 530d and the VW Polo 1.6 TDI shared the crown.

Final results for the 2013 Wesbank/SAGMJ Car of the Year competition

  1. Porsche Boxster – 221 votes
  2. Range Rover Evoque Si4 Dynamic 5-door – 181 votes
  3. Toyota 86 High Spec 6MT – 177 votes
  4. Kia Rio 1.4 TEC Hatch Manual – 144 votes
  5. Lexus GS 350 EX – 143 votes
  6. Hyundai i30 1.8 Executive – 106 votes
  7. BMW 320i Automatic – 104 votes
  8. Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T Tekna – 79 votes
  9. Opel Meriva 1.4T Cosmo – 67 Votes
  10. Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT 4X4 Double-cab A/T – 56 votes
  11. Toyota Yaris 1.5 HSD Xs – 47 votes
  12. Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY – 35 votes

Audi RS6 Avant brings power to Geneva

The powerful Audi RS6 Avant is being showcased at the Geneva Motor Show and serves as an example of the brands downsizing strategy in the high performance category.

2014 Audi RS6 Avant takes power to new level

Engine Capability

The powerful Audi RS6 Avant is fitted with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine that develops 412kW with a maximum torque figure of 700Nm. The unit is mated to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox and proprietary Quattro AWD system with a torque vectoring differential.

This powerful sports wagon accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches an impressive top speed of 305km/h with the Dynamic Plus package. In standard guise, the top speed is limited to 250km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.8-litres/100km.

Exterior Styling Features

The new Audi RS6 Avant weighs less than its predecessor and comes with body accents in matt aluminium or carbon appearance packages. The packages include the high gloss black protective grille at the front of the car, the bumpers, the fender, sill flares and the large roof spoiler.

TheAudi RS6 Avant rides on 20-inch alloy wheels in a seven-spoke design and is the first model from Audi to come standard with a specifically tuned air suspension. Completing the look of the sporty yet elegant car is the diffuser, two large elliptical exhaust tailpipes and Quattro badges on the central front air inlet.

The new Audi RS6 Avant is available in nine exterior colours, including the exclusive shade ‘Daytona Gray matte’.

Interior Styling Features

Inside, the Audi RS6 Avant features a flat-bottom three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and black-faced instrument dials with white dials and red needles. The tachometer, MMI displays and the Driver Information System feature the RS logo, while the black Alcantara leather sport seats feature side bolsters, integrated head restraints and a diamond quilting feature in the centre of the seats.

Additional features include cruise control, three-zone automatic air conditioning, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and a 10-speaker Audi sound system.

The retractable monitor sports a piano finish while the interior door openers feature a delicate double-bar design.

Standard and Optional Features

Standard features include two sportily moulded rear seats, xenon plus headlights, LED rear lights, a tyre pressure control system and standard carbon inlays with six additional materials available as options.

Optional features comprise of LED headlights in a unique design, ceramic brake discs with anthracite grey painted callipers, a three person bench seat and power-adjustable deluxe seats with memory function.

Also available as an option are 21-inch cast wheels in either high gloss silver, polished black or titanium look.

Toyota i-Road concept debuts in Geneva

The new Toyota i-Road Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV) concept has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show as a new form of transport designed to reduce suburban traffic, CO2 and NOX particulate emissions, all without compromising individual freedom of mobility.

Toyota i-Road concept is a vehicle for two

Seating two occupants in tandem position, the Toyota i-Road concept is a three wheel electric vehicle with a range of up to 50km. The model is fitted with a lithium-ion battery which powers a pair of 2kW electric motors mounted within the front wheels. The battery can be recharged from a conventional power supply in just three hours.

Furthermore, the vehicle forms part of Toyota’s future eco cars using Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology for use in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).

The Toyota i-Road features an ‘Active Lean’ technology system that uses a lean actuator and gearing mounted above the front suspension which is linked through a yoke to the front wheels. The system provides a safe and enjoyable way to drive as the driver and passenger don’t have to wear helmets, which makes it easier for the i-Road to travel through city traffic, more so as the vehicle is no wider than a conventional motorbike.

Since the ‘Active Lean’ system suppresses any need for the driver’s feet to be on the road surface at any time, the i-Road may be equipped with a safer, waterproof and closed body construction. This means that the Toyota i-Road can be driven without a helmet and allows for more car-like benefits such as lighting, heating, an audio system and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.

The Toyota i-Road concept therefore has the potential to play a significant role in reducing urban traffic congestion and air pollution.

Volvo Cyclist Detection System to be introduced

Volvo has announced the introduction of the world’s first Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection system with automatic brake at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The new Volvo Cyclist Detection system technology is an enhancement of the current pedestrian detection and automatic braking system. All Volvo cars equipped with pedestrian detection will also incorporate cyclist detection.

How does the Volvo Cyclist Detection System work?

New advanced software, including more rapid vision processing, has made it possible to extend the present detection and auto brake technology to cover certain cyclist situations. An advanced sensor system scans the area ahead of the vehicle. If a cyclist heading in the same direction as the car suddenly swerves out in front of the car as it approaches from behind and a collision is imminent, then there is an instant warning and full braking power is applied.

The Volvo Cyclist Detection System with full auto brake consists of a radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror and a central control unit. The radar detects objects whether they are pedestrians or cyclists. The high-resolution camera then makes it possible to spot the moving pattern of pedestrians and cyclists while the central control unit continuously monitors and evaluates the traffic situation. The automatic brake system requires both the radar and camera to confirm the object before braking power is applied. The technology also covers vehicles driving in the same lane.

The new Volvo Cyclist Detection System will become available in the Volvo V40, S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models later in 2013.

Aston Martin Rapide S shown in Geneva

The Aston Martin Rapide S is an enhanced version of the 2010 Rapide model and is currently being showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. The Aston Martin Rapide S features a revised exterior design as well as additions to its interior. The Rapide S is the most powerful Aston Martin to date and offers 17% more power than the outgoing model.

Commenting on the Rapide S, 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. The car’s stunning visual appeal is now matched by a much more powerful and yet more efficient engine – our exceptional new AM11 V12 – which increases massively both the excitement and performance potential of the Rapide S.

Aston Martin Rapide S is a special piece of machinery

Engine Capability

Powering the four-seat Rapide S is a 6.0-litre V12 engine that develops 410kW with a maximum torque figure of 620Nm. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is achieved in 4.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 305km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 14.1-litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 332g/km.

This powerful engine is mated to a ‘Touchtronic 2’ 6-speed transmission with electric shift.

Exterior Styling Features

The Aston Martin Rapide S features a new ‘face’ with a striking new full grille that is matched with a new rear deck profile which includes a more pronounced boot lid ‘flip’. Both the front and rear of the car are fitted with independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers for enhanced handling. The vehicle is also fitted with 20-inch silver-painted alloy wheels, aluminium door side-impact beams, single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights, direction indicators and clear LED rear lamps.

Like other Aston Martin models, the Rapide S offers a Carbon Exterior pack that includes a carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills.

Interior Styling Features

The inside of the Aston Martin Rapide S features a full grain leather interior and Walnut fascia trim finished in a graphite centre console and iridium silver surround, electrically adjustable front seats with side airbags and power-folding exterior heated mirrors.

Additional features include a heated rear screen, Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays, trip computer, cruise control, Bluetooth telephone preparation1, an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, LED map reading lights and a boot-mounted umbrella. Also included is a 1000W Bang and Olufsen audio system with ICE power technology.

Optional Features

Optional features comprise of 20-inch ten-spoke alloy black-painted wheels with diamond-turned finish, alternative brake calliper finish in black, red, or silver, magnum Silver rear lamp infills, facia trims in Piano Black, bamboo, tamo ash or mahogany finish and an embroidered Rapide S seat logo.

Other optional features include personalised sill plaques, colour-keyed steering wheel and a twin-screen rear-seat entertainment system with six-disc DVD player.

The arrival of the Aston Martin Rapide S in South Africa is yet to be confirmed.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron unveiled at Geneva Motor Show (Update)

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is being showcased at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and uses plug-in hybrid technology to achieve improved performance and fuel economy.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron delivers economical performance

Engine Capability The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is fitted with a modified 1.4-litre TFSI combustion engine that delivers 110kW and 250Nm of torque. This engine works in tandem with an electric motor that generates 75kW and 330Nm of torque. The result is a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 222km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at only 1.5-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 35g/km. In pure electric mode, the Sportback e-tron reaches a top speed of 130km/h with a range of 50km. A newly designed 6-speed e-S tronic transmission puts the power to the front wheels. Energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery that has a capacity of 8.8kWh and consists of eight modules with a total of 96 cells. A liquid cooling system with its own low-temperature circuit keeps the battery at its optimum temperature. The battery can be charged in about two and a half hours using a 3.6kW charger. Exterior Styling Features The design of the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron declares a sporty yet elegant character. The body is finished Misano Red paint and the 15-spoke wheels resemble turbine blades. The chrome horizontal struts in the single-frame grille and air intake grilles have three-dimensional undulating profiles while the rear apron has a new diffuser that is unique to the Sportback e-tron. Interior Styling Features The sporty and elegant theme is continued inside with the ergonomic interior finished in Cloudy Grey with contrasting stitching that highlights the S sport seats. The aluminium door sill trims display e-tron logos while the gear knob and steering wheel are masked in e-tron badges. The boot capacity is 280-litres and increases to 1000-litres when the rear seats are folded. Future plans for Audi include a whole portfolio of new online services for its electrified vehicles under its Audi connect umbrella policy, which will enable the driver to activate and monitor a raft of functions such as charging processes and pre-conditioning of the interior climate conveniently from their smart phone.

The model is under consideration for South Africa. We will keep you updated with any further developments regarding the model’s local launch.

Mitsubishi Concept GR-HEV shows diesel hybrid tech

The Mitsubishi Concept GR-HEV is on show at the Geneva Motor Show. The Concept GR-HEV is also referred to as a ‘Sport Utility Hybrid Truck’ and it’s the first time Mitsubishi has applied hybrid electric technology to a one-tonne pickup truck.

Mitsubishi Concept GR-HEV – Features

The Mitsubishi Concept HR-HEV features both a Clean Diesel engine and electric motors which are best suited to the heavy-duty requirements of everyday pick-up truck users. The Concept GR-HEV also features Mitsubishi’s permanent four-wheel drive with Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics system that delivers high levels of traction and driving performance under all road conditions.

The Mitsubishi Concept GR-HEV was developed to achieve CO2 emissions of only 149g/km, which is unheard of in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment.