2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra pays tribute

This one-of-a-kind 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra was built as a tribute to celebrate and commemorate the late Carroll Shelby who spent the most part of 60 years working on Ford performance cars including Cobra’s, the GT40 and Mustangs since the mid 1960’s.

Big Power for 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra, the new GT500 produces 850 horsepower from its Ford Racing supercharged V8 and was unveiled at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion recently. Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president for sales and marketing said “Even at 89 years of age, Carroll was an inspiration to us all. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra. The one-off car we have created represents the very idea he had about making the 2013 Shelby GT500 into a true Cobra.”

Ford Motor Company teamed up with Shelby American who provided key components for the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra such as the specially designed bonnet, new rear wide-body kit, Shelby Wilwood brakes and new 20 x 13-inch rear and 20 x10-inch front wheels. The Carroll Shelby tribute car is finished in Cobra historical Gaurdsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes that graced many Cobra roadsters in the 1960’s.

As part of the commemoration, The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra will go on tour around the USA and will be on display this weekend at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this weekend.

BMW Zagato Roadster comes to life

The collaboration between BMW and Zagato has produced impressive results as seen in the BMW Zagato Coupé which was on show earlier in the year at the Concorso d’Eleganza show in Italy. The latest creation to come from this relationship is the BMW Zagato Roadster which was on display at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California over the weekend.

BMW Zagato Roadster is a mix of sporty flair and elegance

The BMW Zagato Roadster was built over a period of six weeks and represents an elegant, sporty and masculine perspective of its coupé sibling. “This car is not designed only as an elegant convertible, but also as a masculine and extremely dynamic sports car which evokes a powerful driving experience” says Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada, describing the design philosophy behind the BMW Zagato Roadster.

Design highlights include a low-set kidney grille with z-design grating coupled with twin circular headlights and a three-dimensional front apron which defines the front-end of the BMW Zagato Roadster. The headlights also feature ‘razorlight’ LED headlight strips which add a touch of class. The long, sweeping hood is complemented with air outlets on the flanks of the roadster which share the same form. The double-bubble soft-top roof cover helps extend the lines of the hood towards the rear where emphasis is placed on the rear-wheel power of the BMW Zagato Roadster. The BMW Zegato Roadster features 19-inch light alloy wheels in a sporty five-spoke design.

The driver sits low and close to the real wheels for an enhanced, sporty driving experience. The interior is predominantly black with brown leather accents offering an exclusive feel. The brown leather is used to visually differentiate the interior from the exterior while still working in harmony to exude an overall elegant and sporty image. No information regarding the powertrain has been made available.

The Unique McLaren X-1

The McLaren X-1 supercar, built by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), was on show at The Quail on 17 August 2012 at the Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey USA. The X-1 is a one-off supercar built especially for an anonymous client who wanted a car that was timeless with classical elegance.

The entire project lasted for about three years and inspiration was drawn from cars such as the 1961 Facel Vega, 1953 Chrysler D’Elegance Ghia, 1959 Buick Electra, 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K and a 1971 Citroën SM. The client requested a design competition be held with external designers and McLaren designers to determine the most appropriate design. A Korean-born McLaren RCA graduate named Hong Yeo was chosen to fulfil the task. The only styling feature prescribed by the client was metal brightwork rails running from the nose to the rear of the car. The design took 18 months to sign off.

The X-1 features McLarens groundbreaking Carbon MonoCell, the same technology used for the McLaren MP4-12C and all the parts on the X-1 were made specifically for the car, including the lights and wheels. All the body panels are made from carbon and finished in rich piano black. The brightwork was machined from solid aluminium and finished in nickel, along with the McLaren logo and the McLaren Airbrake rear wing.

The interior is adorned in Harissa Red McLaren Nappa Leather for the seats, doors, roof trim and switchgear with machined nickel-coated, aluminium bezels. The carbon interior trim has titanium weave with a 3-D effect and special Andesite tufted carpets line the floor.

The X-1 shares the same major mechanical components as the McLaren MP4-12C, including the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 engine that produces 441kW and 600Nm of torque. The X-1 is fully usable and road legal.

Moto Guzzi Returns to South Africa

The iconic Italian motorcycle brand, Moto Guzzi, is making a come back in South Africa after an absence of over five years. The two new models to arrive in South Africa will be on display at the AMiD Motorcycle Lifestyle Show at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 24 August to 26 August 2012.

Moto Guzzi makes a come back

With a focus on road and adventure machines, Moto Guzzi will be showcasing the 750cc V7 Café Racer and the 1 200cc V-Twin Stelvio NTX Adventure bike at the show.

Moto Guzzi was established in 1921 and is now one of seven brands in the Piaggio stable. In its history, Moto Guzzi was the first motorcycle manufacturer to use a wind tunnel in its research and development and was the inventor of the convenient motorcycle centre-stand.

Moto Guzzi also has its roots in racing and has claimed six world titles and won more than 3 000 official races. One of Moto Guzzi’s major achievements was the development of the 500cc V8 racing engine in 1955.

2014 Range Rover coming to South Africa

The all-new, fourth generation, 2014 Range Rover will go sale in South Africa from January 2013. The new luxury SUV Range Rover features a wide range of improvements over previous models and captures the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which was launched more than 40 years ago.

New 2014 Range Rover is lighter with improved performance

The new 2014 Range Rover is the world’s first SUV to feature a lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure that makes it 39% lighter than previous models with a weight saving of up to 420kg which contributes to improved fuel efficiency, CO2 emissions and overall driving and handling performance.

John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, said: “The new Range Rover preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle – that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability. However, its clean sheet design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling.”

The 2014 Range Rover also features industry leading innovations such as the Land Rover’s Terrain Response system which analyses current driving conditions and automatically selects the most suitable settings for the terrain.

Interior Features

The 2014 Range Rover is considered the ultimate in luxury and offers spacious interior exhibiting clean, elegant surfaces using the finest leather and veneers. The new two-seat optional Executive Seating package offers extended rear seat luxury. Engineered with the latest developments in vehicle technology, the new Range Rover will include features such as the exclusive Meridian surround sound music system, power upper and lower tailgates, advanced chassis and driver assistance systems.

The 2014 Range Rover will be offered with the choice of refined V8 petrol engines and TDV6 and TDV8 diesel engines. The new Range Rover will be produced in a new state-of-the art manufacturing facility at Solihull in the UK.

More details will be released closer to its South African launch.

2012 Lexus LX 570 in South Africa

The 2012 Lexus LX 570 SUV has been updated and now features both cosmetic and technical improvements that give it a distinct look along with added luxury features.

2012 Lexus LX 570 with added luxury

Engine Capability

The 2012 Lexus LX 570 is fitted with a powerful 32-valve, 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine with Variable Valve Timing – intelligent (VVT-i) and Double OverHead Camshafts (DOHC) that produces 270kW and 530Nm of torque. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a 6-speed sequential-shift, electronically-controlled automatic gearbox (ECT) with paddle shift. The top speed for the LX 570 is electronically limited to 210km/h with an urban fuel consumption figure of 14.8-litres/100km. CO2 emissions are rated at 350g/km.

The full-time four wheel drive (4WD) system incorporates a Torsen limited slip centre differential and power transfer between high and low range is achieved by pushing a button on the centre console. The 2012 Lexus LX 570 also features a Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system that provides flexibility in different driving conditions and the driver can choose between five road conditions including rock, rock and dirt, mogul, loose rock and mud and sand.

Exterior Styling

Lexus’ Spindle Grille design is a defining feature of the 2012 Lexus LX 570, as it is on the CT, GS and RX models. The large Spindle Grille is complemented with two square bi-xenon headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and a new bumper design. The headlight, with auto function, and the rear LED tail lights have been re-designed.

The luggage bay, which can accommodate 1276-litres, features an electric liftgate with a built-in reverse camera. Pre-wiring for a towbar and trailer has been installed in the rear bumper and the LX 570 has a braked towing capacity of 3 225kg. The LX 570 also features a new split 5-twin spoke 20-inch alloy wheel design with a liquid graphite finish. The outside mirrors fold electronically and feature reverse auto-tilt with integrated puddle lights to welcome the driver when the key is detected. An electric tilt/slide moonroof lets more light into the cabin.

Interior Styling

The 2012 Lexus LX 570 features keyless entry and the cabin is spacious and luxurious with three rows of seats with a capacity for eight passengers. The front seats are electronically adjustable with a built-in heating function. The second row of seats feature reclining functionality with power slide.

The centre console features a full-colour, multi-information touch sensitive TFT display screen which provides access to navigation, Multi-Terrain Select, ventilation system and the 19-speaker, 450W, Mark Levinson sound system. The rear entertainment system features a DVD player with dual 7-inch LCD screens mounted behind the front headrests.

Safety Features

The 2012 Lexus LX 570 is equipped with 10 airbags as standard which include driver and front passenger knee airbags, front and second-row seat mounted airbags and side curtain airbags. All eight seating positions feature three-point seat belts. Active safety features include a Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), off road ready active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Hill-Start Assist (HAC) and Crawl Control.

2012 Lexus LX 570 – Price

Lexus LX 570 (2012) 5.7 V8 – R1 178 600

Volkswagen Touareg gets optional R-Line Package

The Volkswagen Touareg is now offered with an optional R-Line package to enhance its sporty design. The Touareg is the first model in the Volkswagen line-up to benefit from the optional R-Line package.

Volkswagen Touareg enhanced with sporty features

Volkswagen’s flagship SUV with the R-Line package will benefit from exclusive R-Design features and sport suspension. The R-Line package includes a textured matt-black diffuser at the rear-end while oval tailpipes are integrated into the re-designed bumper section. A roof edge spoiler completes the rear-end styling. Striking side sills in body colour can be seen from the side with chrome strips on the doors and R-Line badges on the front wings. The front-end benefits from a new spoiler lip in R-Design. The exterior look is completed with 20-inch Mallory alloy wheels.

On the inside, the Touareg benefits from front sport leather seats, a heated leather-trimmed tip-shift paddle multi-function steering wheel with gloss black inserts, stainless steel pedals and door entry sills in stainless steel.

The R-Line package is available for R35 000 with all Volkswagen Touareg variants except the Terrain Tech.

Volkswagen Touareg Price

Volkswagen Touareg 3.6 FSI V6 R595 400
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI BlueMotion V6 R661 000
Volkswagen Touareg 4.2 TDI V8 R822 300

New Hyundai i20 price and specs in South Africa

The new Hyundai i20 is now available in South Africa and displays refreshed styling both inside and out, while benefitting from an improved standard equipment level when compared to the outgoing model. The new Hyundai i20 is available in three variants namely the i20 Fluid, the i20 Glide and the i20 Fluid Automatic. Hyundai have also released the new Hyundai i20 price for the South African market.

New Hyundai i20 Price and Specs

All three Hyundai i20 variants are fitted with a 1.4-litre petrol engine that is capable of producing 73kW at 5 500rpm with a maximum torque figure of 136Nm available from 4 200rpm. Along with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and optimal gear ratios, the 1.4-litre petrol unit delivers an impressive combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.2-litres/100km for the manual variant and 4.8-litres/100km for the automatic. CO2 emissions are rated at 132g/km for the manual and 140g/km for the automatic.

The new Hyundai i20 manual will accelerate to 100km/h in 11.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 181km/h while the automatic i20 will take 12.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 170km/h. The i20 Fluid and the i20 Glide make use of a new 6-speed manual gearbox, while the i20 Automatic uses a 4-speed automatic transmission.

i20 Exterior Styling

The new i20 incorporates Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language which is evident in the hexagonal-shaped grille. New halogen headlamps further complement the i20’s front-end which also features redesigned fog lights as well as a revised hood, fender and front bumper.

The rear-end benefits from a revised bumper which now integrates a rear parking assist system as standard equipment. The rear headlamps have been re-styled to create stylistic harmony.

i20 Interior Styling

The revised Hyundai i20 interior offers both comfort and roominess. The centre fascia has been re-worked to provide more sophisticated switchgear while the dashboard now benefits from stylish black high-gloss inserts and quality soft-touch finishes. Apart from the roomy interior, the boot allows for 295-litres of space. The i20 features a Radio/CD/MP3 player with USB, Auxiliary, iPod and Bluetooth capability with sound controls on the steering wheel. An on-board computer also displays average fuel consumption, distance to empty, driving time, instant consumption and trip meter.

New Hyundai i20 Price in South Africa

Variant Price
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid M/T R164 900
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid A/T R174 900
Hyundai i20 1.4 Glide M/T R176 900

All models are backed with a 5-year/150 000km warranty with 5-years roadside assistance, 3-year/ 60 000km service plan and a 5-year/160 000km perforation warranty. Service intervals are set at 15 000km.

Chevrolet Trax to debut at Paris Motor Show

Chevrolet is set to enter the fast growing small SUV segment with its latest creation, the Trax, which will make its international debut at the Paris Motor Show on 27 September 2012. The Trax will complement Chevrolet’s current SUV offering and will stand alongside the Captiva.

Chevrolet Trax – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The Trax will be offered with three engine options including 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine. The 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit produces 103kW with 200Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The 1.7-litre turbo diesel engine offers 96kW with 300Nm of torque. The All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system will be available for the 1.4-litre and 1.7-litre variants and all powertrains with manual transmission will have Start/Stop functionality. The 1.4 and 1.7 variants will also come with the option of a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Interior Styling

The interior features an instrument cluster that combines digital readouts with analogue displays. The Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system is fitted as standard and offers integration with smartphones displayed on a 7-inch, high resolution, full colour touch-screen display. The MyLink system will also feature a downloadable navigation app that will project the route calculated by the smartphone onto the system’s touch screen.

The Trax will be spacious and offers a 358-litre boot with various storage compartments throughout the cabin as well as an under pass seat tray. Further storage space is available under the cargo floor. In addition to a 60/40 splitting rear seat, the front passenger seat can also fold down for additional flexibility. A total of eight seating combinations can be selected in the Trax.

Safety Features

The Trax will be equipped with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Hill Start Assist (HSA), Traction Control (TC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) are standard on LT trim vehicles.

It’s not yet known whether the Chevrolet Trax will be available in South Africa.

Audi R8 e-tron gets Digital Rear-View Mirror

Audi has announced that it will use a digital rear-view mirror in the Audi R8 e-tron come end of the year. It’s also the first time this technology is to be used on a production model. The digital rear-view mirror was successfully used in the Audi R18 at the 2012 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. The Audi R8 e-tron, like the R18 doesn’t have a rear window and therefore requires a digital rear-view monitor for safety purposes.

Impressive tech for Audi R8 e-tron

A small, ultra-lightweight camera is located in an aerodynamically optimised housing which is heated in cold temperatures and covers a wider field of vision compared to a conventional rear-view mirror. Digital image data is displayed on a 7.7-inch AMOLED colour monitor giving the driver a crystal clear image. The driver is also able to dim or de-activate the display at any time.

Audi is also working on incorporating additional information on the monitor in the future.