Audi A4 allroad quattro coming to South Africa

Audi has announced that the Audi A4 allroad quattro is available for ordering and will be introduced in South Africa in February 2013. The allroad was previously introduced to South Africa in 2001 in the form of the A6 allroad. The Audi A4 allroad quattro is versatile and designed for lifestyle orientated individuals and recently won America’s prestigious Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Award in the Luxury On-Road category.

Audi A4 allroad quattro takes luxury motoring to new heights

Engine Capability

A choice of two engines will power the A4 allroad and these include a 2.0 TDI engine and a 2.0T FSI with permanent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring as standard. The 2.0 TDi quattro with S tronic transmission delivers a power output of 130kW and 300Nm of torque. Combined-cycle fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 6.0-litres/100km.

The 2.0T FSI engine with S tronic transmission pushes out 155kW and 350Nm of torque with a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.3-litres/100km. Automatic Start-Stop and Recuperation is standard on all models.

Styling Features??

The Audi A4 allroad quattro features a raised ride height with stainless steel under body guard protection making it a capable off-roader and with ESP off-road detection and quattro all-wheel drive as standard. The face of the A4 allroad features a single frame grille with vertical chrome bars which is accented with redesigned headlights and a distinctly shaped bumper. The Audi A4 allroad quattro has loading space of between 490 and 1 430-litres with optional features including a load-securing net and an electromechanical rear tailgate.

Further details regarding pricing will be communicated upon market introduction in February 2013.

The 2013 Detroit Auto Show summary

The first auto show of the year saw 59 new vehicles introduced by various brands such as Nissan, Lexus, Toyota and Volkswagen. Many of these brands showed exciting and impressive vehicles that will hopefully make their way to South Africa. If you missed out on any of our coverage, we have summarized the articles below:

Fiat showcased two new models in prolific design concepts namely the Fiat 500 Cattiva and the Fiat 500 Tenebra both featuring Nero Chrome exterior accents and an exclusive Beats Audio system.
Read more on the Fiat 500 Cattiva and Tenebra.

Infiniti unleashed the all new Q50 sports sedan which can be expected in South Africa in the second half of 2013
Read more on the Infiniti Q50 sports sedan.

Porsche which sold more sports cars globally than in 2012 featured a new member of their SUV family, the Cayenne Turbo S, expected in South Africa in the first half of 2013.
Read more on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

Toyota revealed a refreshing Corolla Furia Concept, a design concept that previews the future generation Toyota Corolla.
Read more on the Toyota Corolla Furia Concept.

Lexus showed off the all new IS sport sedan available in rear and all weather drive versions in the IS 250, IS 350, F SPORT and the IS 300h which is the first to feature Lexus Hybrid drive.
Read more on the Lexus IS sport sedan

Mercedes-Benz featured an all new 2014 CLA Class which the company has dubbed as a CLA ‘style rebel’ taking its design cues from the CLS and celebrated its official world premiere at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin held from 5-18 January 2013.
Read more on the Mercedes Benz all new 2014 CLA Class.

Nissan debut the futuristic Resonance Concept in a new dynamic and edgy design that aims to set the trend in the popular crossover segment.
Read more on the Nissan Resonance Concept.

Volkswagen featured the four-door Passat Performance Concept showing off the brands effort to explore the sportier side of the sedan and, they also debut the six-seater SUV CrossBlue concept with its new plug-in hybrid diesel powertrain.
Read more on the Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept and the CrossBlue SUV concept.

Jeep also displayed two models, the Patriot and Compass. Both models feature a new PowerTech 6-speed automatic transmission which has improved fuel economy and performance and can both be expected in South Africa later in 2013.
Read more on the new Jeep Patriot and Compass.

MINI debut the seventh unique member to the MINI family, the dynamic John Cooper Works Paceman which will sell alongside the Hatch, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Coupe and Roadster variants.
Read more on the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.

Bentley unveiled the world’s fastest four-seat convertible, the continental GT Speed convertible which Dr.Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley explained as a truly breath-taking Grand Tourer, promising supercar performance and high end luxury, with the added thrill of open top motoring.
Read more on the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible.

Chevrolet showcased the all-new sleek Corvette Stingray which shares only two parts with the previous generation Corvette. It incorporates an all-new frame structure and chassis, a new powertrain and supporting technologies, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs.
Read more on the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

BMW revealed its 2014 Z4 Roadster expected in South Africa later this year.
Read more on the 2014 BMW Z4 Roadster.

Honda debut the Urban SUV Concept which includes the latest version of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology – an overall eco-driving system. The concept showcases the styling direction Honda may use for an all-new SUV that will be launched in Japan.
Read more on the Honda Urban SUV Concept.

Audi unveiled its expansion of the RS line up with the RS 7 Sportback that features aesthetic design with innovative technology and impressive sportiness.
Read more on the Audi RS 7 Sportback.

Race2Recovery completes 2013 Dakar Rally

Race2Recovery, a group of predominantly injured soldiers who formed a rally team to raise funds for Forces charities, participated and finished in the gruelling 2013 Dakar Rally.

World first for Race2Recovery

With 18 months of preparation, hard work and dedication, the group came out victorious today, as they celebrated their sensational achievement of becoming the first ever disability team to complete the race.

Race2Recovery originally began their campaign with one Land Rover Freelander and a handful of members. They now make a team of 28 members with four Wildcat race vehicles and fleet of support vehicles including a 4×4 truck.

The team was sponsored by Land Rover which provided off-road training, parts, Discovery support vehicles and financial support. Major O’Hare who piloted the finishing car with Corporal Gillespie said, “To complete the Dakar Rally is an incredible achievement in itself, but to become the first ever disability team to cross that finish line lifts the achievement to a whole other level.”

Although the team endured some hiccups during the race, including suffering from some over-heating problems during the first half of the rally and were regularly forced to do more of their driving at night, that didn’t stop them from persevering to finish the race. The scale of their achievement was highlighted by the statistics of this year’s rally which saw over a third of race vehicles retire from the Dakar Rally, with the Race2Recovery team outlasting a huge number of vastly more experienced competitors.

The Race2Recovery team operates to the motto ‘Beyond Injury – Achieving The Extraordinary’, and set up its Dakar Rally challenge in order to inspire people who may be injured, ill or facing adversity and, they aim to continue their charitable fundraising way past the end of this years Dakar Rally.

New Audi Q5 now available in South Africa

The new Audi Q5 SUV range is now available in South Africa. The new Q5 SUV features a host of updates to the design, infotainment, chassis, and engines, all culminating in a sporty and flexible SUV offering from Audi.

??New Audi Q5 SUV offers loads of choice

Engine Capability??

Five engine options are available for the new Audi Q5 and these include two TDI engines and three TFSI engines. All the engines combine direct fuel injection with charging and a start-stop system as standard on all versions. The 2.0-litre TDI engine develops 130kW and 380Nm of torque with a fuel consumption figure of 6.0-litres/100km. This unit can be paired with either a manual or S tronic transmission. The top-of-the-range 3.0-litre V6 TDI produces 180kW and 580Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.4-litres/100km. This engine is mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission.

The TFSI engine line-up includes a 132kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine and a 165kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine. The 132kW variant is available with a manual transmission whereas the 165kW unit is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic configuration. Combined fuel consumption for the 132kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine is 7.1-litres/100km while the 165kW TFSI engine consumes 7.9-litres/100km.

A supercharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI is also available and produces 200kW and 400Nm of torque and displays a fuel consumption figure of 8.5-litres/100km. Overall, fuel consumption has improved by up to 15% compared to previous powertrains.

Exterior Styling Features

The new Audi Q5 features a high-gloss black single-frame grille with bevelled upper edges and vertical chrome struts. The bumpers integrate air inlets with high-gloss black inserts and fog lights with chrome rings. The LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) of the optional xenon plus headlamps are shaped as curved bands that surround the headlights. The diffuser insert and tapering tailpipes have been redesigned while roof rails and crossbars are standard equipment across the range. An S line exterior package is available which gives the new Audi Q5 a unique look with added design details and colours of add-on parts.

Interior Styling Features

The new Audi Q5 features a refined and modified interior featuring user controls with narrow chrome trim while the centre console is finished in high-gloss black. The central media component MMI Navigation Plus now has four buttons and the volume dial has an additional skip function. Other refinements to controls have been made for the seat heating, air conditioning system, Audi Drive Select system and the multifunction steering wheel. The Q5 offers lots of passenger and luggage space with its 2.81m wheelbase and with the rear seats folded, cargo capacity increases from 540-litres to 1 560-litres. The Q5 will be offered in two trim lines namely S and SE.

Technology Features

The new Audi Q5 is offered with a broad selection of infotainment systems and these include the Bang & Olufsen sound system, MMI Navigation Plus with a large hard drive, 7-inch monitor, 3D graphics and a DVD player. The Bluetooth car phone online complements the MMI Navigation Plus and connects to an integrated WLAN hotspot allowing passengers to surf the internet on their mobile phones. For the driver, it brings Audi connect online services into the car and these include Google Point of Interest search by voice control, navigation with Google Earth images and Google Street View.

New Audi Q5 SUV – Price

Model Price
Audi Q5 2.0T FSI S R464 000
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI S manual R469 000
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI S S tronic R488 000
Audi Q5 2.0T FSI SE Tiptronic R528 000
Audi Q5 3.0T FSI SE Tiptronic R599 000
Audi Q5 3.0 TDI SE S tronic R616 000

Barret Jackson auction puts fancy models on the block

The recent Barret-Jackson car collector auction which took place in Scottsdale, Arizona saw a plethora of both classic and modern vehicles cross the block to be sold to the highest bidder. The Barret-Jackson car collector auction in Scottsdale included 21 unique charity vehicles that would benefit various charities for children, military personnel, medical research and community support.

Barret-Jackson Car Collector Auction – Highlights



Some of the highlights at the Barret-Jackson car collector auction included the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray which made its debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The Corvette Stingray was one of the unique charity vehicles on auction and eventually sold for $1.1 million with all the proceeds benefitting the College of Creative Studies. A 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept also made an appearance and sold for $1 375 000. This classic was designed by famed Virgil Exner Sr. in collaboration with Italian styling house Ghia.



A 2009 Ford F-150 pickup which was owned by ex US president George Bush was also up for auction with help from Jay Leno who managed to rack up a total of $300 000. The proceeds for the F-150 benefitted the Fisher House Foundation.



The Barret-Jackson auction also saw the original 1966 Batmobile take to the stage and sell for an incredible $4 620 000. The 1966 Batmobile by George Barris is one of the most recognisable and popular pieces of entertainment history and has become an icon worldwide.



Another highlight at the auction was the one-off 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra, which was produced as a tribute to the late Carroll Shelby. The Shelby GT500 Cobra sold for $200 000 and all proceeds went to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Giniel de Villiers and Von Zitzewitz place second at 2013 Dakar Rally

Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz have finished the 2013 Dakar Rally in a well deserved second place in their Imperial Toyota Hilux. The Dakar Rally ended in Santiago, Chile on Saturday afternoon. It was the duo’s second successive podium finish with defending Champions Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret (Mini) claiming the title as the Dakar champions for 2013.

Long road to the finish for Giniel de Villiers

The 2013 Dakar Rally consisted of 14 gruelling stages through Peru, Argentina and Chile, covering more than 8 500km with two crossings of the Andes Mountains at an altitude above 4 000 metres. Giniel de Villiers and Dirk Von Zitzewitz finished 42 minutes behind Peterhansel and Cottret with Russians Leonid Novitskiy and Konstantin Zhiltsov (Mini) in third place, 46 minutes behind De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz.

The 128km final stage on Saturday between La Serena and Santiago was won by Nani Roma and co-driver Michel Perin (Mini). De Villers and Von Zitzewitz finished the stage in fourth place.

Team principal Glyn Hall had the following to say, “This is a great result for Toyota Motorsport and the all-South African Toyota Imperial Team. It was achieved without any significant mechanical problems and it is testimony to the legendary toughness and reliability of South Africa’s best-selling bakkie. This was a mighty performance by Giniel and our honorary South African, Dirk, and also by every single member of our technical and support crew, whose dedication and commitment contributed massively to this proud achievement. I am privileged to be manager of this fine team.”

Giniel de Villiers commented, “It was a difficult race, as usual. The Dakar is never easy. Second place – that counts as a victory for us. Last year we exceeded our expectations by far and this year, who would have believed we would better our third place then. We were a bit unlucky at times, which prevented us from finishing a bit closer to Stéphane. You need a bit of luck in the Dakar, you need the wind to blow in your favour. It wasn’t always the case for us, but that’s racing.”

???2013 Dakar Rally Overall Classification:?

  1. Stéphane Peterhansel/Jean-Paul Cottret (RAF/FRA), Mini, 38:32.39
  2. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZAF/DEU), Toyota, 39:15.01
  3. Leonid Novitzkiy/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS/RUS), Mini, 40:01.01
  4. Nani Roma/Michel Périn (ESP/FRA), Mini, 40:09:22
  5. Orlando Terranova/Paulo Fiuza (ARG/PRT), BMW, 40:21.49
  6. Carlos Sousa/Miguel Ramalho (PRT/PRT), Great Wall Motors, 41:10.55
  7. Ronan Chabot/Gilles Pilot (FRA/FRA), SMG Buggy, 41:50.44
  8. Guerlain Chicherit/Jean-Pierre Garcin (FFA/FRA), SMG Buggy, 42:00.23.
  9. Pascal Thomasse/Pascal Larroque (FRA/FRA), Buggy MD Rallye, 43:08.11.
  10. Lucio Alvarez/ Rolando Graue (ARG/ARG), Toyota, 43:18.27

New Ford Fiesta to rock South Africa?

The specifications and pricing for the new Ford Fiesta have been revealed and is set for launch in February 2013. The new Ford Fiesta range will feature the highly acclaimed 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine and an array of new features and technology that will make it an attractive option for new car buyers in South Africa. Three engine derivatives and three specification grades will be offered when the new Fiesta is launched in South Africa.

“Customers want cars that are expressive and fun to drive without breaking the bank,” says Ford Marketing Manager, Gavin Golightly. “Fiesta delivers all the excitement and performance drivers are looking for with the added bonus of exceptional fuel efficiency.”

New ??Ford Fiesta introduces EcoBoost Engine

Engine Capability

The three engine options on offer for the new Ford Fiesta will include the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a 1.4-litre petrol engine and a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine. The 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine will offer 92kW and 170Nm of torque while returning an impressive combined fuel consumption of only 4.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of only 99g/km.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine will offer 71kW and 125Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption of 5.7-litres/100km. The 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine will provide 70kW and 200Nm of torque with a combined fuel consumption figure of 3.6-litres/100km and a CO2 emissions figure of 95g/100km.

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine boasts up to 20% improvement in fuel economy and up to 15% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to higher displacement engines. The 1.0 EcoBoost engine will be coupled with Auto-Stop-Start and Smart Regenerative Charging. All new Fiesta variants will feature a 5-speed manual transmission.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features??

The face of the new Ford Fiesta features a large trapezoidal front grille complemented with laser-cut LED headlamps with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) available on certain derivatives. The Fiesta will be offered with 12 exterior colours including Copper Pulse, Hot Magenta and Candy Blue.

On the inside, the Fiesta features a high-gloss finish for the upper instrument panel that flows to the lower centre console and is replicated in the door panels. Satin-chrome detailing finish is offered along with Ford’s signature Ice Blue lighting to illuminate the dials, switches and displays. The power window switches and interior door handles have been relocated and higher quality contact point finishes have been introduced. A new-central armrest provides additional storage while the door pockets are larger and more practical.

Technology Features

The new Ford Fiesta is equipped with SYNC, Ford’s in-car connectivity system, which allows the driver to incorporate digital devices and Bluetooth enabled mobile phones which are operated using voice commands and steering-wheel mounted controls. Also included is Ford’s MyKey which is a new feature for the Fiesta and allows parents to encourage safer driving by limiting their children’s exposure to risk at the wheel. Owners are able to configure maximum speed and audio volume limits. The MyKey system also mutes audio until seat belts are fastened and ensures that driving aids, safety systems and alerts cannot be de-activated when used.

??Safety Features

The new Ford Fiesta is equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) as standard across the range. Hill Start Assist is offered as an option on the Trend derivatives while being standard for the Titanium derivatives. Seven airbags are also included and the new Ford Fiesta has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

New Ford Fiesta – Price

Model Price
Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ambiente R164 400
Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Ambiente R178 400
Ford Fiesta 1.4 Trend R187 600
Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Trend R201 400
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Trend R211 200
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium R231 500

The Fiesta is available with a fully comprehensive 4-year / 120 000km warranty and a 4-year / 60 000km service plan. Service intervals are at 20 000km intervals for the petrol derivative and 15 000km for the diesel models. Customers will also benefit from 3-years of Roadside Assistance and a 5-year corrosion warranty.

Volkswagen Amarok goes automatic

The Volkswagen Amarok range is now available with the option of an  innovative 8-speed automatic transmission. The VW Amarok is the first bakkie in its class to have a transmission of this kind and was specially developed for the Amarok. According to Volkswagen, the new transmission system ‘combines a high degree of ride comfort and good off-road abilities with an excellent level of fuel consumption.’

 Volkswagen Amarok improved with new transmission

The new 8-speed automatic transmission is offered with the top-of-the range Highline derivative and is combined with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo TDI engine that produces 132kW and 420Nm of torque. A top speed of 179km/h is reached in 7th gear and it takes 10.9 seconds to accelerate to 100km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions rating of 219g/km.

The 8-speed automatic transmission was developed with an emphasis on efficiency, smooth gear shifting, weight reduction and reliability. The Volkswagen Amarok with automatic transmission features permanent all-wheel drive, making it a capable all-terrain vehicle and towing capacity has been increased to 3.0 metric tonnes.

Standard Features

Standard features for the Amarok Double Cab Highline includes ESP with brake assist and Hill Start/Hill Descent Assist, ABS including off-road ABS, driver and front passenger airbag, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), 17-inch alloy wheels, Radio/CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers, Climatronic 2-zone air conditioning, storage drawers, cruise control and a 12V socket in the centre console, dashboard and load box.

Optional features include the Communication package which includes a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth cellphone preparation Front and Rear Park distance Control and Vienna leather seats.

As of April 2013, all Amarok models will be available with BlueMotion Technology which incorporates a stop-start system and regenerative braking while improving fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Volkswagen Amarok Automatic – Price

??Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab 2.0 Auto Highline – R461 100

The Amarok Double Cab with automatic transmission comes standard with a 3 year/100 000 km manufacturer warranty, a 5 year/90 000 km Automotion Service Plan and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are at 15 000 km.

Subaru WRX Review in South Africa

When you think of Subaru, you think of the gold-wheel rally monster that is the Impreza WRX STI. Despite it being the flagship of the range and being very desirable, I think that the sibling Subaru WRX is actually the one to own.

Subaru WRX Review by David Taylor

Subtle, yet sporty looks

In comparison to the fire-breathing STI, the WRX is quite tame. The big wing is gone and in its place is a simple big boot spoiler. The big wheels have been replaced by black alloys and on the inside, the sporty branded Recaro bucket seats have been replaced by standard leather sport seats. The Subaru WRX is rather subtle-looking which has its benefits. Firstly, only hardcore petrolheads will recognise what you’re driving and secondly, the Subaru WRX becomes something of a stealth car.

The Subaru WRX, high performance from rally-bred engine?

Thankfully, the important part of the STI has been retained in the Subaru WRX. The 2.5-litre turbocharged flat four engine has been detuned slightly, but with 195kW and 343Nm it’s still capable of impressive speeds. It features the brilliant symmetrical all-wheel drive system which ensures that it is very fast right from the get go. Put it this way, while most cars experience some performance-killing wheel spin when driven hard off the line, the Subaru WRX grips and goes. Even in heavy rain, the WRX just sticks to the road. The result is a sports sedan that can hit 100km/h in under 6 seconds. This sort of performance is more than enough to bludgeon most of the boy racers in their hot hatches.

Almost infinite levels of grip

The Subaru WRX gets even better when you throw some corners into the mix. The levels of grip are out of this world and it’s a real confidence booster if you’ve never driven a high-performance vehicle before. It’s satisfying to carve up mountain passes without any real effort and along the incredible coastal roads, the Subaru WRX felt completely at home. To be really honest, I would run out of driving talent long run before the vehicle reached its limits of performance.

The Subaru WRX is one of the finest sounding vehicles on the road

If you think the WRX’s performance is addictive, just wait until you hear what it sounds like. Under gentle acceleration, there’s a very pleasant burble and as the revs rise, you can hear the turbocharger furiously spinning away. Take your foot off the accelerator around the 3500rpm mark and you’ll hear a blast of air escaping from the turbo, followed by deep thumps as unburnt fuel is detonated in the exhausts. It’s not subtle and if you’re a fan of great engines, you’ll see no need to ever turn the radio on. Don’t ever expect to drive anywhere without being noticed either. The loud exhaust makes this car quite a head-turner.

There’s no sixth gear?

It does have one big drawback. The gearbox, while smooth and bolt-action precise, lacks that final sixth ratio which is a little annoying on the open road where you want the car to settle down and use less fuel. On the bright side, overtaking is effortless. Put your foot down, wait a half a second for the turbo to spool up and the Subaru WRX powers you past slow traffic. Without much effort you can hit illegal speeds within a few seconds.

Simple, uncluttered interior

The interior looks a bit dated – it has the essentials but it’s lacking some creativity. You get a good hands-free Bluetooth with steering wheel mounted controls as well as USB connectivity. There’s cruise control, hill start assistance as well as a full complement of airbags. You also get xenon headlights and a sunroof. There’s no satnav but in my opinion, it’s not the end of the world.

Slower but more refined

It may be fractionally slower than its more track-focused sibling but the Subaru WRX offers a far more civilised experience. Think of it this way – the STI is for the weekend track day but the WRX is perfect for driving to work on a daily basis. The suspension is softer and more suited to being on the road. It’s lighter on fuel too. Speaking of fuel consumption, the WRX didn’t fare too badly. For a performance vehicle, you’d expect to see the trip computer read out some big figures. Amazingly, despite some enthusiastic driving, the WRX returned a figure of 11L/100km.

The Subaru WRX – Conclusion

This is one of the best performance bargains on sale today at R429,000. Best part? It’s R160,000 cheaper than the STI, yet offers close on 80% of the STI experience. While you may be a little disappointed by the relative simplicity of the cabin, you cannot help but love the bulletproof engineering. It has a decent boot which can carry two sets of golf clubs, it seats five in comfort and it has enough performance to see off more expensive machinery.

  • Why you should: Loud, deceptively quick, practical, incredible handling, bang-for-buck performance.
  • ?Why you shouldn’t: Needs a six-speed gearbox, interior looks a bit dated, thirsty if you drive it really hard.
  • It would be better if: Put in the six-speed gearbox from the STI and give that interior a face-lift.
  • View the Subaru WRX: New / Used
  • ?Competitors worth checking out: Volkswagen Scirocco R, BMW 135i, Audi S3.

2013 Dakar Rally? competition heats up

With only two special stages remaining in the 2013 Dakar Rally, competition is heating up as the rally nears its end. Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz had a solid run on the 319km special stage 12 between Fiambala and Copiapo in Argentina, finishing third in their Imperial Toyota Hilux.

The battle for the 2013 Dakar Rally

De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz are currently placed second overall, some 50 minutes behind leaders and defending champions Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret (Mini). Nani Roma of Spain and French co-driver Michel Perin (Mini) won the stage ahead of Americans Robbie Gordon and Kellon Walch (Hummer) while De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz were only 7 seconds behind them to finish third. Roma and Perin are now placed third overall and are 40 minutes 45 seconds behind De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz.

Russians Leonid Novitskiy and Konstantin Zhiltsov (Mini), who were third overall at the start of the stage, finished in ninth place on special stage 12 and are now placed fourth overall behind Roma and Perin. Two special stages remain before the 2013 Dakar Rally winners cross the finishing line in Santiago, Chile.

Giniel de Villeirs had the following to say about the day’s proceedings, “We just wanted to have a clean stage, but for sure, today’s stage was a lot tougher than I expected it to be,” said De Villiers. “With a long liaison this morning at high altitude, that makes you really tired as well and then you have to do a tough stage like today. It needed a lot of concentration. There were quite long dune crossings and really tricky places in the dunes. Then, on the tracks there were lots of rocks, so you really had to be very precise so as not to hit any rocks. It was not an easy day, but we’re happy to be here. We lost about thirty seconds at one of the way points in the dunes. We couldn’t make it up to that one, so we had to turn around and sort of go around, because at that point I was quite close to Lucio (Alvarez) and I saw he put a gap between us again. I think tomorrow’s going to be tough as well, more tough than today. It’s not over yet.”

Dirk Von Zitzewitz commented, “We’ve studied the route very carefully each night and been well prepared for each stage. Our preparations certainly paid off today. On Friday we face another tough test, which could be even tougher than today’s. Celebrations would be premature today, too much hinges on the 13th stage. But we are ready.”

??Dakar Rally – Stage 13

Stage 13 will take place between Copiapo and Le Serena in Chile and will show respect to the meteorological phenomenon called Camanchaca. Camanchaca is a stubborn fog that will be dense in the morning and the race will commence once it has lifted. The competitors will tackle the last dunes of the 2013 Dakar Rally with the sandy part representing 441km of the special stage. The rest of the route leads south on wide tracks with lots of stones before the competitors reach the last bivouac of the rally. Stage 13 will start at 5:06 PM (SA Time) on Friday, 18 January 2013.