McLaren GT confirms MP4-12C Can-Am Edition for limited production

McLaren first showed the one-off design study of the MP4-12C Can-Am Edition at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance earlier in the year. Now, McLaren GT, the race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, has confirmed that the track-focused 12C Can-Am Edition will go into a limited production run of only 30 cars with production starting in March 2013.


The ‘ultimate track car’



Based on the 12C GT3 race car, the 12C Can-Am Edition will be fitted with an unrestricted version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that features unique calibration and an optimised cooling system that boosts power output to 470kW. The 12C GT Can-Am Edition will be the most powerful 12C to date.



The 12C Can-Am Edition pays tribute to Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme who raced a series of McLaren models in the Can-Am series and won numerous championships between them for Bruce McLaren Racing.

Unique Styling



The 12C Can-Am Edition features a large carbon fibre rear wing which increases downforce by up to 30%, forming part of the aerodynamic package. Various carbon fibre components differentiate the Can-Am Edition from the GT3 race car and these include door mirror mounts and covers, engine cover vents, side radiator intake vanes and sill cover and badges.



The 12C Can-Am Edition shares the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the 12C and 12C Spider and is fitted with a FIA-approved race specification rollcage. The interior features two black race seats with six-point harnesses and a unique McLaren GT steering wheel carried over from the 12C GT3 race car. The grip and shape of the steering wheel is derived from the McLaren MP4-24 Formula 1 car. The 12C Can-Am Edition is also fitted with an integrated motorsport air conditioning system in the carbon fibre dashboard. 



Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director of McLaren GT said, “The 12C Can-Am Edition concept shown at Pebble Beach earlier this year was purely that, a one-off design study. However, the reaction and response following the unveil was remarkable. It is a real testament to the performance and results of the McLaren GT customer teams this year, still only in the debut competitive season, that there is such a strong demand for this type of track-day special.”

Ipsos Quality Awards produces record scores in 2012

The 2012 Ipsos Quality Awards, previously known as the Synovate Quality Awards, has revealed the lowest scores and the best results in the history of the survey. The Ipsos Quality Awards is considered to be the benchmark in measuring customer perspective on experiences and vehicle quality in the South African automotive industry.

Ipsos Quality Awards reveal ??less problems for South African cars

The Ipsos Quality Awards is the largest survey of its kind in South Africa and forms part of Ipsos’ Competitive Customer Experience which is a study that examines vehicle product quality and sales and service experience. The study gathers information from 22 000 South African vehicle owners annually. Respondents are interviewed three months after purchasing a vehicle to ascertain if any problems have been experienced in the first three months of ownership. The score is calculated as ‘Problems Per 100 (PP100) vehicles’ which is a globally recognised approach.

“The problems per 100 vehicles index (PP100) in South Africa has shown a sharp decrease with an overall improvement in quality of 52% in the last four years” states Patrick Busschau, Ipsos Automotive Business Unit Director. The overall score for the passenger vehicle market is 41 Problems Per 100 vehicles.

??Top Quality Cars

The winner in the passenger vehicle segment was the Toyota Yaris 1.0 with a score of 24 PP100. In the small hatchback segment the Toyota Auris and Toyota Yaris 1.3 came out on top with a score of 13 PP100. The Mercedes-Benz took first place in the top hatchback segment with a score of 21 PP100. In the small sedan segment the Toyota Corolla reigned supreme with a score of 32 PP100 while the Audi A4 came out tops in the medium sedan segment with a score of 26 PP100. The top sedan went to the Toyota Corolla 1.6 and 2.0 with a score of 19 PP100.

The top executive was awarded to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with a score of 13 PP100. The Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz SLK tied in the sports coupe segment with scores of 28 PP100 and 29 PP100 respectively. The small recreational vehicle segment was headed by the Nissan X-Trail with a score of 13 PP100 while the large recreational vehicle segment was won by the Mercedes-Benz M-Class with a score of 12 PP100. The top performing Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) was the Mercedes-Benz B-Class with a score of 10 PP100.

The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment was awarded to the Isuzu KB Petrol Single Cab and the Diesel Single Cab with scores of 21 PP100 and 38PP100 respectively. The Nissan NP200, with a score of 34 PP100 came out on top in the three-quarter ton segment.

Best Brands

The Brand Category awards were dominated by Toyota who won The Best Volume Passenger Car Brand (tied with Mazda), Best One Ton Double Cab LCV Brand Overall, Best Local Plant Manufacturing Passenger Vehicles and Best Overall Light Commercial Brand. Mercedes-Benz won Best Premium Passenger Car Brand. Nissan and Toyota tied to win Best Local Plant Manufacturing Light Commercial Vehicles and Isuzu won the Best Single Cab Light Commercial Brand.

MINI breaks two Guinness World Records?

MINI has broken two Guinness World Records by cramming the most number of people into both a classic MINI and a 2012 MINI Cooper. The record breaking attempt took place at Potters Fields Park in London as part of the 8th annual Guinness World Records Day.

MINI breaks records

A team of 28 female gym members from East Sussex crammed themselves into a 2012 MINI Cooper, breaking their previous record of 27 set last year in Eastbourne. The ladies made full use of the entire vehicle including the dashboard and footwells while four people managed to squeeze into the boot.

After celebrating the first record breaking attempt, the team proceeded to the ITV studios where they successfully managed to squeeze 23 people into a classic MINI live on television for the This Morning show. They beat the previous record by two additional people.

More than 400 000 people worldwide took part in record-breaking attempts for the 8th annual Guinness World Records Day which commemorates the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records became the world’s best-selling copyright book.

VW Beetle Exclusive models launched

The VW Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet range has been expanded to include the Exclusive model line that is characterised by ‘elegance and stylish design’. The VW Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet Exclusive are optionally available as the ‘Exclusive’ Design or ‘Exclusive’ Sport and are based on the ‘Design’ and ‘Sport’ equipment lines.

Exclusive VW Beetle models get special treatment

The two new ‘Exclusive’ models were designed by Volkswagen R GmbH and according to Volkswagen, focus on ‘perfection and uniqueness’. The exterior styling includes four black polished 18-inch ‘Twister’ model alloy wheels, wheel lock with extended anti-theft protection and a tyre pressure monitoring display fitted as standard. 19-inch ‘Tornado’ model alloy wheels are available as an option in either white or black.

The interior features three different coloured leather seating systems available in Pepper Beige, Amber Brown and Black and features ‘diamond stitching’. The dash panel is finished in ‘Black Uni’ and the stainless steel door sills feature ‘Volkswagen Exclusive’ lettering. The centre panel and lateral supports of the front sports seats are covered in ‘Nappa’ Cool Leather. The front and rear textile mats feature coloured edging while door and side trim features a leather look. The three-spoke steering wheel, gear lever, handbrake lever and armrest are covered in leather with the stitching matching the seats.

The ‘Exclusive’ Design models are powered by a 1.2-litre TSI engine that produces 77kW while the ‘Exclusive’ Sport models are fitted with a 1.4-litre TSI engine that develops 118kW.

The Exclusive  Beetle and Exclusive Beetle Cabriolet are currently available in Europe and it has not been confirmed whether these models will become available in South Africa.

BP survey reveals South African love affair with cars

A survey released by fuel brand BP Ultimate has revealed that majority of motorists in South Africa ‘shower their vehicles with just as much affection as they do a close friend or family member, maybe even a touch more’. The national survey aimed to explore how passionate South African motorists are about their cars and almost 1 000 responses from male and female drivers were received from around the country.

South African motorists love their cars



More than two thirds of motorists who participated in the survey admitted that they openly express love and affection for their cars. A total of 59% of motorists said that they feel a true connection with their cars, which equates to 4.8 million South African motorists who feel the same way.

Interestingly, 57% of respondents said that they often give their cars verbal encouragements, compliments and rub the dashboard or steering wheel to help their cars perform, start or to prevent stalling.

Giving cars pet names is also common in South Africa, with 47% of respondents admitting to the act. A further 23% of respondents were named after a car while 21% admitted to celebrating their cars’ birthdays.

Other interesting South African car habits include:

  • 85% of South African motorists love to sing in their car.
  • 74% have made important life decisions in their car.
  • 61% have regular conversations with their car.
  • 53% had a car play an important role in either their or someone else’s wedding ceremony and/or special occasion.
  • 30% percent decorate their car’s interior or exterior with trinkets such as fuzzy dice, stickers, steering wheel or seat covers.
  • 11% have got engaged in a car or know someone who has.

Glenda Zvenyika, BP’s Corporate and External Communications Manager says despite challenging factors such as high fuel prices, pollution, traffic congestion and the like seemingly nothing can interfere with South Africans’ love for their cars. “We converse with them, name them, adorn them with trinkets and even involve them in some of life’s most significant and personal moments.”



Nine out of ten South African motorists who participated in the BP Ultimate survey also agreed that the quality of fuel is an important factor in the overall performance and efficiency of a car.

Tips for safe holiday driving

The festive season is around the corner and many South Africans will take to the roads to reach holiday destinations around the country. Thousands of motorists will however travel without adequately preparing their vehicles for the journey and drive under fatigue. Goodyear has offered some valuable advice for motorists to ensure that destinations are reached safely during the festive season.


Vehicle maintenance and fatigue

Keeping your vehicle well maintained and ensuring that the driver is well rested is critically important before departing on holiday. Estimates suggest that fatigue accounts for 30% of fatal crashes and 15% of non-fatal crashes.



Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Brand Communications Manager said “A safe, relaxed journey begins by having your vehicle, car, caravan or trailer checked and well maintained before you depart. No one wants to have their trip interrupted by a break-down. Many of the problems, however, can be prevented by regular maintenance and care. An extra check-up of your vehicle before departure can save you a lot of hassle and help you get to your destination smoothly and safely.

”

Drivers who choose to drive at night to avoid traffic and daytime heat are at high risk as night driving severely decreases the driver’s abilities. It is estimated that approximately 40% of accidents occur at night.



“If you do decide to drive at night, make sure your car is prepared: clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows are elementary necessities for safe night-time driving. Make sure your headlights are aimed properly so they illuminate the road properly and don’t blind other drivers. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance when driving at night. Remember that it is more difficult to judge other vehicles’ speed and distance at night,” advises Hayward.



Plan your journey

Planning regular stops and stay-overs on longer journeys will ensure that the driver is well rested and divides the drive into manageable sections which will help you reach your destination safely and relaxed. 

“Planning where to take rest stops along the way before setting off helps drivers keep to realistic, manageable distances. It’s a fact that drivers who don’t plan rest stops often push themselves just that little bit extra to drive another few kilometres, and that’s when the risks start to increase. Fatigue limits one’s co-ordination and ability to multitask effectively; these are key to your job as a driver,” says Hayward.



Goodyear suggests the following:

  • Begin your journey well rested.
  • Have a good night’s sleep before you set off.
  • Respect your bio-rhythm. Depart at a time when your body is used to being awake and active.
  • Don’t drink any alcohol before departure.
  • Avoid any medication that may make you drowsy.
  • Avoid peak departure times.
  • Take regular breaks. Rest immediately when you feel signs of fatigue. Go for a short walk.
  • Avoid heat build-up in the car. Research has shown that high temperatures have the same effect as a blood alcohol level of 0.5.

For more holiday driving tips click here.

Cars.co.za launches powerful new mobile site

If you log onto the Cars.co.za mobile site right now you will notice a very different website. We have been hard at work over the last few months and have finally launched our new and improved mobile site! With more and more South Africans using their mobile phones to search for cars, we felt it was important to make a mobile website that was everything our users wanted.

Teaming up with mobile specialists GrenadeCo , our goal was to create a lightning fast mobile website, which looked good and enabled users to find their next car easily. The site underwent a complete redesign as we identified key features that the new mobile site needed to include.

Enhanced mobile site features

  • Improved design and layout
  • Improved navigation
  • Improved used car browsing interface
  • Powerful refine search feature
  • Multiple car images supported
  • Simplified enquiry process

To go with the site redesign, a number of new features have been added to enhance the user’s mobile experience. Many features that were previously only found on the main Cars.co.za website are now fully viewable on our mobile site.

New mobile site features

  • Complete database of new cars available in South Africa
  • Browse for new cars on your mobile phone
  • Book a test drive / Enquire on new cars
  • Browse monthly new car specials
  • View the latest motoring news

Our new mobile site was designed based on the feedback from you, our users, and we really hope you like it. Please let us know in the comments what you think of it, we love your feedback. To view our new mobile site simply go to www.cars.co.za on your mobile phone.

Volkswagen renting and leasing is tops

Volkswagen renting and leasing is considered to be the best in the industry after the company was named Manufacturer of the Year at the 18th annual South African Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association (Savrala) at the Motor Manufacturer of the Year Awards held at a banquet in Sandton, Johannesburg.

??Volkswagen renting and leasing tops all

Savrala represents 90% of vehicle rental and leasing companies in South Africa and is the largest vehicle buyer after government, purchasing approximately 120 000 new cars annually. After exhaustive bi-annual polling of Savrala members, Volkswagen was awarded the gold Manufacturer of the Year Award in both the rental and leasing categories, with Hyundai, General Motors South Africa and Nissan (GMSA) claiming silver and bronze respectively.

Volkswagen also claimed the Overall Manufacturer of the Year Award and Best Manufacturer’s Technical Representative Leasing Award while Audi won the Most Improved Leasing and Overall Most Improved categories.

David Powels, Managing Director: Volkswagen Group South Africa, “Congratulations must go to the VWSA Fleet Sales team and to the VWSA Rental Sales team for this clean sweep of awards two years in a row. Through them our customers have recognised Volkswagen Group South Africa for its on-going commitment to customer satisfaction.”

More than just looks?

Savrala chairman Wayne Duvenage said the awards went beyond the look and feel of cars, to the companies’ back-up support for the rental and leasing industry. “We get all our members to evaluate their vehicles in a survey twice a year. It’s an intensive process. In our industry it’s around value for money and safety – how attentive the manufacturers are to the needs of the industry. We require bulk purchasing and delivery on time to meet our needs” said Duvenage.

Fleets have a shelf-life of between a year for rentals and about four years for leasing and resale values and demand in the second hand car market are major factors. “Value is a big thing for us, how easily are we able to buy and then sell our cars. A big aspect of the value of those cars is how easy is it to move that product at the end of its fleet life. If you’re in the business of renting or leasing, you’re in the business of selling those cars at the end of the day. All of those things determine what a good supplier is,” says Duvenage.

Ford Figo gets mild makeover

The Ford Figo has received a number of exterior and interior updates across the range including Bluetooth connectivity for the Trend model. The Ford Figo is available with the choice of two engines, namely the 1.4-litre Duratec petrol engine and a 1.4-litre turbo diesel Duratorq engine. The Figo is available in two trim levels namely the entry-level Ambiente or the high-spec Trend.

Ford Figo adds more appeal

??Engine Capability??

The 1.4-litre Duratec petrol engine produces 62kW at 6 000rpm with a maximum torque figure of 127Nm available at 4 000rpm. Combined fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 6.6-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 156g/km.

The 1.4-litre turbo diesel Duratorq engine generates 51kW at 4 000rpm with a peak torque figure of 160Nm available at 2 000rpm. Fuel consumption for this unit is rated at 5.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 139g/km. Both variants are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Styling Updates??

Both the Ford Figo Ambiente and Trend variants have received styling updates. The exterior changes include a revised lower grille while the upper grille now features a chrome line. The headlamp and tail light design has also been revised and the fog light housings are now more aggressive and defined.

The Ambiente model benefits from a new eight-spoke wheel design while the Trend model receives a new alloy wheel design. On the inside, the Ambiente model features a Dynamic Blue centre stack and a revised seat fabric pattern. The Trend variant now has blue seat fabric and adds Bluetooth capability.

Safety features for the Ford Figo include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) and dual front airbags.

“The Figo’s contemporary design, solid performance credentials and desirable safety features are refreshing for a vehicle in its class,” says Gavin Golightly, Ford Marketing Manager. “It is well-positioned as a value-for-money prospect and with the addition of some new enhancements its overall appeal is further cemented.”

?Ford Figo – Price

Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente R118 670
Ford Figo 1.4 TDCi Ambiente R132 620
Ford Figo 1.4 Trend R 130 080

The Ford Figo comes with a 4-year/120 000km warranty and 5-year corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 20 000km for petrol derivatives and 15 000km for the diesel.

2013 Honda Civic gets styling updates

The facelifted 2013 Honda Civic sedan has been revealed ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show which takes place on 29 November 2012. The new 2013 Honda Civic sedan features a range of safety, feature, comfort, chassis and styling enhancements.

2013 Honda Civic shows new face

The 2013 Honda Civic sedan features a new ‘open-mouth’ lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent as well as a new black honeycomb mesh grille with new integrated fog lights. The grille is accented with new clear-lens corner lights and a more deeply faceted hood.

The rear-end gets a new bumper design and boot lid with horizontal chrome trim while the rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent.

Full details of the 2013 Honda Civic sedan will be revealed closer to its debut at the LA Auto show at the end of the month. It is not yet clear whether the updated Civic sedan will be available in South Africa.