Kia Superman Optima Hybrid debuts at Chicago Auto Show

The Kia Superman Optima Hybrid has been unveiled at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. The Kia Superman Optima Hybrid signals the continuation of a 10-month, eight vehicle partnership between Kia and DC Entertainment to raise awareness of DC Entertainment’s ‘We Can Be Heroes’ campaign which aims to bring relief to people affected by drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. The Kia Superman Optima Hybrid is the sixth out of eight vehicles representing characters from the Justice League.

Kia Superman Optima Hybrid – Features

Kia, together with DC Entertainment and Super Street Magazine designed and built the vehicle which has been widened with custom fenders and features adjustable suspension which raises and lowers the vehicle with the push of a button. The hood features the Superman emblem while a red paint design extends to the trunk, evoking the look of a crimson cape. The bevelled front grille resembles Superman’s belt with red headlights.

The interior of the Kia Superman Optima Hybrid is upholstered in custom materials and the seats and steering wheel feature Superman’s iconic ‘S’ shield to give the vehicle a heroic touch. Two video screens are found in the front headrests which are used to raise awareness by featuring a custom ‘We Can Be Heroes’ video that demonstrates how one small act can make anyone a hero.

“As the most recognized Super Hero in the world, Superman is a symbol of strength and integrity, making him the perfect character to join forces with Kia’s first-ever hybrid to create a customized ride powered by a robust and efficient powertrain,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing and communications, KMA. “Each of our Justice League-inspired vehicles are remarkable collaborations between the automotive and comic book worlds, and all for a worthy cause. To that, Kia is very proud to be partnering with DC Entertainment to raise awareness for the ‘We Can Be Heroes’ campaign.”

Cars.co.za launches billboard campaign in Gauteng

Cars.co.za has launched a billboard campaign in Gauteng that will attract the attention of thousands of South African motorists on a daily basis. The billboards are placed at eight strategic locations around Gauteng, including Pretoria, Midrand and Johannesburg.

Look out for the Cars.co.za billboards at the following locations:

Johannesburg East

  • Cnr Rietfontein Rd and North Rand Road
  • N12 near Bardene

Johannesburg North

  • Cnr William Nicol Drive and Main Rd
  • N3 South, after Malboro Drive

Midrand

  • M1 South, after Allandale

Pretoria

  • Zambezi Drive
  • Annlin Rd
  • R21 near Pomona

Have you seen a Cars.co.za billboard yet? Share your feedback in the comment section below or contact us via Facebook or Twitter.

Nissan Juke NISMO debuts at Chicago Auto Show

Nissan has officially introduced the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO at the Chicago Auto Show. The car is the fourth model in the popular Nissan JUKE line-up and features a race-inspired exterior, NISMO tuned suspension, steering and transmission which enhances driving dynamics. The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO comes in either front-wheel or rear-wheel drive formats.

Nissan Juke NISMO ups the stakes

Engine Capability

The Nissan Juke NISMO is available in the form of a reworked version of Nissan’s advanced 4-inline cylinder 1.6-litre DOHC aluminium-alloy Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) turbocharged engine. Power output is rated at 147kW with a maximum torque figure of 249Nm.

The front-wheel drive version is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission while the all-wheel drive version has a sport-tuned Nissan advanced Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with manual mode.

Exterior Styling Features

Compared to the standard Nissan Juke, the NISMO version features a new front fascia and grille which have been modified to optimise airflow. The fog lights have been replaced with thin-strip LED accent lights. The upper edge of the larger lower grille features a red pinstripe and the V-strut grille is finished in a darker shade. The wheel arches are more muscular and are finished in body colour while the door mirrors are painted in red.

The Nissan Juke NISMO rides on 18-inch lightweight aluminium-alloy wheels with a 10 twin-spoke design and finished in dark anthracite. The Juke NISMO comes in three exterior colours including Sapphire Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White.

Interior Styling Features

The seats are trimmed in suede with red stitching and have been redesigned to offer additional lateral support. The steering wheel is finished Alcantara and leather with red stitching and includes a red marker to indicate ‘top dead centre’ which is derived from racing.

The Nissan Juke NISMO is also offered with a Nissan Navigation System with a 5 inch colour touchscreen display and NavTraffic capability, a Rockford Fosgate ecoPUNCH audio system, USB interface and a Rear-View Monitor.

Safety Features

The Juke NISMO comes equipped with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage, dual-threshold front air bags and seat belt and occupant classification sensors, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection, seat-mounted driver and front passenger side impact supplemental airbags and front seat Active Head Restraints.

Other safety equipment includes Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system (LATCH), Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Vehicle Security System (VSS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

The Nissan Juke NISMO will not be available in South Africa.

Renault Scenic XMOD and Grand Scenic for Geneva debut

Details of the new Renault Scenic XMOD have been revealed ahead of its world premier at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Renault will also be showcasing the newly facelifted Grand Scenic for 2013 at the show which is scheduled for 5 March 2013.

Renault Scenic XMOD and Grand Scenic to take the stage

Engine Capability

Both the Renault Scenic XMOD and facelifted Grand Scenic will be available with three new Energy powertrains. The all-new TCe 130 Stop & Start engine boasts up to 15% improvement in fuel consumption compared to the previous TCe 130 unit with an equivalent combined–cycle fuel saving of 1.0-litre/100km’s. Further performance details will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

Exterior Design Features

The new Renault Scenic XMOD combines the outdoor cues of a crossover with the refined features of an MPV to give it a sporty and elegant look. Exterior features include special alloy wheels, special front and rear bumpers, sill guards and chrome finish roof bars across the range. The front-end incorporates Renault’s new design identity and signature LED Daytime Running Lights.

On the new Grand Scenic, the Renault logo at the front is now bigger and set against a gloss black background that emphasises the new grille.

Interior Design Features

The inside of the Renault Scenic XMOD features a fixed centre console with a multi- directional joystick control for the multimedia system. A customisable TFT (Thin Film Transistor) digital display and dashboard are dominated by the fully connected Renault R-Link 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system. The XMOD’s boot capacity is 555-litres with independent folding and removable seats to provide a host of seating and storage options.

Additional features include a flat bottomed steering wheel and aluminium capped pedals and gear lever knob. The XMOD comes with new stitched upholstery and a leather Alcantara pack. Both the new Renault Scenic XMOD and Grand Scenic models include a Bose sound system with class-leading acoustic performance.

The new Scenic XMOD is the first vehicle in the Renault range to feature the all-new Grip Xtend system which enables the vehicle to grip the road under difficult driving conditions. The driver can choose from three types of assistance including Expert mode, Road mode and Loose Ground mode.

Further information on specification and availability will be released when the new Renault Scenic XMOD and Grand Scenic make their debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

New Ford Fiesta ST rolls off production line

Production of the fastest-ever Ford Fiesta ST has started at Ford’s assembly plant in Cologne, Germany. The new Ford Fiesta ST, developed by Ford Team RS, is the first ever sub-seven second production Fiesta and will be launched in South Africa in the second quarter of 2013.

New Ford Fiesta ST ready to race

Engine Capability

The new Ford Fiesta ST will be fitted with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that produces 132kW and 240Nm of torque. This power translates into a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 220km/h. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.9-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 138g/km.

Design Features

The new Ford Fiesta ST features a new honeycomb mesh trapezoidal grille and a rear diffuser. The interior benefits from Recaro seats and SYNC, Ford’s in-car voice activated connectivity system. The Fiesta ST is also equipped with MyKey which allows parents to encourage safer driving and limit their teenager’s exposure to risk behind the wheel.

Ford has refined the Fiesta ST’s global B-car chassis with new steering, suspension, braking components, configuration and tuning. Ford’s enhanced Torque Vectoring Control system and a three-mode Electronic Stability Control system contributes to a refined and secure driving experience.

“The new Ford Fiesta ST is a very modern performance car built on more than 30 years of fast Fiestas and a global development process,” said Juergen Gagstatter, chief programme engineer, Performance Cars, Ford of Europe. “This vehicle is a significant step forward, both in terms of our proud heritage of blending a powerful engine with a dynamic chassis, and also in achieving reduced fuel consumption and emissions.”

Chevrolet Camaro Turbo Coupe concept at 2013 Chicago Motor Show

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo Coupe concept is currently on display at the Chicago Motor Show and is based on a character from the DreamWorks high-velocity 3D comedy, Turbo. The comedy features a speed obsessed snail who transforms into a racer with the help of the Camaro. The comedy is set to hit theatres in July 2013.

2013 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo Coupe comes to the rescue

The Chevrolet Camaro makes use of a supercharged V8 engine with automatic transmission that produces 522kW.

The wide body design of the Camaro features lower rockers and fender flares, with a front splitter, rear diffuser and a GT concept rear wing spoiler. LED lights are used in the front and rear with a multi-colour halo effect for the front headlamps. Painted in black, the body is wrapped in a vinyl chrome and tinted dark to look like black chrome…

The Chevrolet Camaro Turbo Coupe concept features a custom created intake assembly for the supercharger housing and the rear exhaust outlets are 5-inches in diameter with two on each side.

The rear suspension is fitted with custom adjustable rear spring and shock assemblies while the front suspension is fitted with custom adjustable coilover strut assemblies. Other additional features include a custom COPO hood assembly and a low profile hood pin system.

Volkswagen Limited Edition GTI models make Chicago debut

Two 2013 Volkswagen limited edition GTI models, the GTI Wolfsburg Edition and the GTI Driver’s Edition, are currently being showcased at the Chicago Auto Show.  Both models will be available in limited numbers for the final sixth-generation hot-hatch and is available in four-door guise only and are offered in three colors including Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, and Deep Black.

Volkswagen limited edition GTI models offer unique package

VW GTI Wolfsburg Edition

The VW GTI Wolfsburg Edition features 18-inch ‘Laguna’ wheels, a retro themed golf ball shifter knob, and red stitched carpeted floor mats. A total of 2000 Wolfsburg Edition models will be available.

VW GTI Driver Edition

The VW GTI Driver Edition sports the GTI sunroof and Navigation package. In addition, the model will be fitted with 18-inch aluminum alloy ‘Laguna’ wheels, a golf ball shifter knob, red stitched carpeted floor mats, and partial leather seat coverings.

The GTI Wolfsburg Edition and GTI Driver Edition will go on sale in the U.S and will not be available in South Africa.

Subaru lineup for 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the maker of Subaru vehicles, has announced that the Subaru VIZIV Concept will make its international debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. In addition, FHI will also introduce the Subaru Outback as well as the all-new Forester.

Subaru at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Subaru VIZIV Concept

The VIZIV Concept will showcase future direction of new designs and technologies. The future-generation crossover concept embodies the brand value of ‘Enjoyment and Peace of Mind’. The VIZIV model name is a coined word inspired by the phrase ‘Vision for Innovation’ and expresses a future vision for innovation and suggests the future direction of Subaru vehicles.

Subaru Outback Boxer Diesel Lineartronic

The Subaru Outback Boxer Diesel features the Lineartronic CVT transmission for the first time, offering a smooth and efficient ride and enhances the performance of the Subaru Boxer Diesel engine. Adaptive Control and manual shifting contribute to the fun-to-drive nature of the Subaru Outback Diesel Lineartronic. The vehicle is due for launch in South Africa in June 2013.

All-new Subaru Forester

The all-new Forester will be displayed along with technical exhibits and the model recently achieved a five-star safety rating in the 2012 Euro NCAP safety performance test. The new Subaru Forester will be launched in South Africa in March 2013.

2013 marks Subaru’s 55th anniversary and FHI will express the brand’s history and future vision with the exhibition of a Subaru 360 launched in 1958 and the latest Subaru VIZIV Concept.

Top selling new cars in South Africa for January 2013

January 2013 was yet another successful month for the South African automotive industry with vehicle sales totalling 55 007 units according to NAAMSA. The passenger vehicle market showed gains of 12.3% compared to January 2012 with sales totalling 39 738 units. The top five selling vehicles in South Africa for January 2013 are as follows. Please note that the results include vehicles in the passenger vehicle segment and the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment.

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 4 037 units

South Africa’s most popular selling passenger car for 2012 has had a phenomenal start to the year, proving its popularity in the South African market. Compared to December 2012, Polo Vivo sales increased by 46.8% or 1 890 units in January 2013. The Polo Vivo remains a popular entry-level choice for new car buyers and is offered either as a hatchback or sedan with a variety of engine options ranging from between 55kW and 77kW. Depending on the model, prices range from R110 500 for the 1.4-litre 2-door hatchback and R157 700 for the 1.6 Trendline sedan.

2. Volkswagen Polo – 2 790 units

The VW Polo was rated as South Africa’s third best selling model in 2012 and continues to be a popular option for new car buyers in South Africa. Compared to December 2012, Polo sales increased by 17.1% in January 2013, solidifying its position in the new passenger car market. The VW Polo is also offered as either a hatchback or sedan and prices start from R160 100 for the 1.4-litre Trendline to the top-of-the-range Polo GTI which is priced at R280 400.

3. Toyota Hilux – 2 634 units

Hot on the heels of the VW Polo is Toyota’s ever popular Hilux bakkie. The Hilux had a successful sales year in 2012 and is South Africa’s most popular bakkie and was rated as South Africa’s second best selling vehicle for 2012. The Toyota Hilux is available in three body styles namely Single Cab, Xtra Cab and Double Cab. A wide variety of engine options are available and prices range from R186 700 to R475 900, depending on the model.

4. Toyota Etios – 2 515 units

The Toyota Etios has been in the top selling list for a number of months and has had a successful sales run since its launch in South Africa in May last year. Compared to December 2012, Etios sales have climbed by 31.5% in January 2013 which is indicative of its popularity in the South African market. The Etios is available as a hatchback or sedan with prices starting at R115 800 for the 1.5 Xi hatchback and R121 900 for the 1.5 Xi sedan. The Etios remains a strong contender in the entry-level car market.

5. Nissan NP200 – 1 553 units

Nissan’s most popular workhorse, the NP200, has started the year on a positive note and was regarded as Nissan’s best selling vehicle in 2012. Compared to December 2012, NP200 sales have increased by 47.2% in January 2012. Prices for the Nissan NP200 start at R120 900 for the 1.6 Base model while the 1.6 High model is priced at R172 500.

Citroen DS3 Cabrio launched

The Citroen DS3 Cabrio has been introduced in South Africa. The Citroen DS3 Cabrio, a soft-top version of the successful DS3, is now available in three variants with seven body colours, three roof designs and nine wheel styles to choose from. The DS3 Cabrio combines the style of the DS3 hatchback with open-top fun of a convertible.

Citroen DS3 Cabrio for fun top-down motoring

Engine Capability

The Citroen DS3 Cabrio will be launched with the choice of three efficient Euro V petrol engines including the VTi 82, VTi 120 and the THP 155. The VTi engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission while the THP 155 is coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Citroen DS3 Cabrio exhibits a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.9-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 112g/km. A Gear Efficiency Indicator (GEI) is fitted as standard and signals the optimum moment to change gear which enhances fuel consumption and encourages fuel efficient driving.

Exterior Design Features

The Citroen DS3 Cabrio retains the styling and proportions of the DS3 hatchback which includes the ‘floating’ two-tone roof, the ‘shark fin’ B-pillar and the sculpted front-end with its distinctive LED light signature. The DS3 Cabrio offers an array of customisation options with a choice of seven body colours and three coordinated roof designs with a choice of fourteen combinations. In addition, nine different wheel styles are on offer including 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels available in a range of colours and designs.

The Citroen DS3 Cabrio features a fully retractable electric canvas roof which can be operated at speeds of up to 120km/h. Three roof positions can be chosen and these include intermediate, horizontal and total. The roof opens and closes in 16 seconds. The roof is available in three designs including Black, Infinite Blue and Moondust Grey DS Monogramme.

Interior Design Features

The Citroen DS3 Cabrio features white LED ambient lighting for the centre console with white lights set in the instrument cluster. An aerodynamic front deflector provides acoustic comfort by deflecting air currents and preventing air buffeting. New upholstery choices are available including Granite Blue leather. The décor on the dashboard strip, air vent surrounds and gear knob are colour-coded to the body paint and soft-top. There are six décor choices available and these include Aluminium effect, Gloss Black, White, Carbon Fibre effect, Infinite Blue and Moondust Grey.

The DS3 Cabrio seats up to five passengers and features a 60/40 split-folding rear bench with a class-leading boot capacity of 245-litres. The tailgate features a unique opening mechanism which uses a circular upwards motion to allow the boot to open fully when parked near obstructions.

Safety Features

Safety features for the DS3 Cabrio include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Cruise control with speed limiter and ISOFIX child seat mountings. Citroën’s award-winning eTouch Emergency & Assistance system is also included and automatically or manually makes geo-localised emergency or assistance calls using a built-in SIM card for rapid intervention in the event of an accident or if the car is immobilised. Airbag safety includes a driver’s airbag, front passenger airbag and front lateral and curtain airbags.