New Mazda BT-50 headed for Joburg Motor Show

The new Mazda BT-50 bakkie is set to make its South African debut at the Johannesburg International Motor Show. The show will be running from the 6th to the 16th of October 2011 at the Nasrec Expo Centre. A number of other vehicles will also be making their South African debuts at the event, so it should definitely not be missed.

New Mazda BT-50 seeks to make a big impact

The new Mazda BT-50 bakkie has been redesigned which has resulted in increased interior space, a longer wheelbase as well as increased power and performance. Part of the goal with the redesign was to create the new Mazda BT-50 in a way that provided the comfort of a passenger car along with the utility and versatility of a bakkie. This utility is emphasized by its towing capacity which clocks in at 3350kg

The new Mazda BT-50 will go on sale in South Africa in 2012 and will initially be available with two new diesel engines. The new engines have resulted in increased power and torque for the vehicle as well as improved fuel efficiency. Look for the debut of the new Mazda BT-50 at the Johannesburg International Motor Show this October.

Win with Cars.co.za and the Castrol Extreme Auto Show

For the next 3 days we will be giving away a host of prizes in conjunction with the Castrol Edge Extreme Auto Show which is happening this weekend at Zwartkops raceway in Centurion.

Whats up for grabs?

We will be giving away 4 Sony digital cameras as well as a whole bunch of tickets to the Castrol Edge Extreme Auto Show.

How can I win these spot prizes?

Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook and look out for the questions regarding the Castrol Extreme Auto Show promotion. The best answers to these questions will win prizes.

The Cars.co.za Bokke-Car team!

The Cars.co.za Bokke-Car team has begun! Each week we will be asking you to tell us what you think best represents each position or player on the Bok rugby team, and from your choices we will create the team.

Here is the front row of the team, consisting of the Loosehead prop (Toyota Hilux), the Hooker and captain (Ford Bantam) and the Tighthead prop (Toyota Land Cruiser).

To get involved and to give your opinion on who you think should make up the team, Like our Facebook page below, and comment on the question when we ask it. We will be asking you for different positions in the team every Friday, which is Bok Friday! Good luck to the Bokke vs Namibia tomorrow, bring it home boys!

New Suzuki Swift Sport Revealed

The new Suzuki Swift Sport converts the standard Swift into a performance machine, with improved tuning, steering and braking. This sport model will be launched in a number of countries starting with the UK in early 2012. If the Swift Sport gets a release in South Africa we will let you know.

New Suzuki Swift Sport – Features

The styling of the exterior in the Sport version comes with a large front grille and large distinctive finned fog lamp bezels. The new Suzuki Swift Sport also comes with a number of aerodynamic parts which has resulted in lower visual centre of gravity. The discharge headlamps now have a metallic grey coating and the rear lamps have also been updated. The interior has also had some what of a revamp. There are sports seats that come in an exclusive fabric as well as a 5-dial meter cluster that has been enhanced for legibility. The rest of the interior has a high-quality look but not many more changes are listed.

Engine Performance

The main focus in the new Suzuki Swift Sport model is obviously its performance. It comes with a M16A engine which is based on the previous models engine but comes with the addition of a variable intake system. The engine has a maximum output of 100 kW and a maximum torque of 160 Nm, both improvements on the previous model. Fuel consumption clocks in at 6.4 litres per 100km in a combined cycle as well as a CO2 rating of 147g/kg.

The new Suzuki Swift Sport comes with a 6-speed manual transmission which was designed to take advantage of the M16A engine. The system uses a triple-cone synchromesh for the first two gears, which permits lower shift effort. The wheels are exclusive 17-inch aluminum-alloy and have been redesigned to be around 1kg lighter than the previous Swift Sports wheels.

New 2012 Ford Focus ST breaks cover

Making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new 2012 Ford Focus ST blasts onto the scene with its customary extreme-bright body colour. The new Ford Focus ST will be available in Tangerine Scream, as seen in the pictures, as well as Performance Blue, Race Red and White. The new 2012 Ford Focus ST is built on the previous model and comes with improved performance as well as improved efficiency. The 5-door model will be available at launch, in early 2012, as well as a wagon version.

EcoBoost Tech put to test in new 2012 Ford Focus ST

The new Focus ST is powered by a 2.0 litre all-aluminum EcoBoost engine, which is able to provide the power of a larger engine in a fuel-efficient smaller displacement using the following technologies: High pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and lastly Twin-independent variable Cam Timing. The engine is thus capable of producing a maximum output of 250PS along with strong torque levels. The previous Ford Focus ST came with a 2.5 litre 5-cylinder engine, where as the new ST comes with a 4-cylinder and offers increased performance.

The EcoBoost engine in the new Focus ST has reduced CO2 emissions and has improved fuel economy by more than 20% compared to the previous generation model. The transmission is a 6-speed manual, with revised gearing to produce the maximum response from each of the gear shifts.

Another important aspect in the new 2012 Ford Focus ST that has been maintained in the new version is the sound of the engine. The engine sound in the previous version was extremely popular and the engineers have worked hard to maintain an engine sound that is just as impressive albeit in a completely different engine.

Improved driving dynamics

The driving dynamics have also been improved; the newly developed Ford Sport Steering System has been designed to improve the agility of the vehicle. The system will reduce sensitivity when driving in a straight line but the sensitivity increases when the driver needs to corner. Parking has also been made easier by this system, allowing the driver maximum control over the vehicle during slow-speed situations.

Suspension in the new 2012 Ford Focus ST has also been worked on. The uprated shock absorbers and springs have lowered the chassis by 10mm which has resulted in a more aggressive stance as well as aiding in precise cornering. The rear suspension has also been revised; the uprated suspension knuckles as well as a new anti-roll bar design have resulted in impressive driver feedback and control.

Look for more information on a local release as it becomes available.

Renault Megane RS 250 Monaco Grand Prix edition revealed

The Renault Megane RS 250 Monaco Grand Prix edition has been created in honour of the legendary Monaco GP circuit. Which means it was built with a style of elegance, sport and glamour. It will however only be available in a very limited fashion, with its release in Australia as well as another dozen other countries, although no information has been released on a local release. And being such a limited edition model, it does seem rather unlikely that we will see any in South Africa.

Limited Edition Renault Megane gets special treatment

The Special Edition Renault Megane comes in pearlescent white along with piano black treatments on the side mirrors, rear diffuser and fog lamp surrounds. There are also Monaco GP badges on the flanks of the vehicle to further distinguish it.

Inside the vehicle we find electric-adjusting, leather-covered heated Monaco GP sport seats. The centre console, as well as the door handles and dash-strip feature white cabin details with the Monaco themed stitching following through on the seats and floor mats. The car comes with a fixed glass roof, with shade cover, as well as 19 inch alloy wheels and the customary red brake calipers and bi-xenon directional headlights.

The engine on the Renault Megane R.S. 250 Monaco Grand Prix edition is the standard engine found in Renault Sport models, a 184 kW (250 hp) 4-cylinder 2.0 litre engine.

Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty Revealed

This special edition Jeep Wrangler, dubbed the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare3 edition, is based on the popular console game and comes from a joint promotion between Activision and Jeep. The Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty is set to arrive in dealerships in November, but there is no word yet on a South African release.

Unique Features for Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty

The Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty will be available in both two-door and four-door options and is based on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model. The promotion works both ways though, as a Jeep Wrangler features in the game and plays a role in the single-player storyline as well as multiplayer levels.

What exactly makes up this special edition vehicle? The Rubicon wheels are finished in a semi-gloss black, the exterior features are available in either Black or Bright Silver and include special edition Call of Duty: MW3 graphics on the front fenders as well as the spare tyre cover. The hood of the vehicle is power-dome and there are a number of Mopar accessories that include the winch-ready front bumper, rear bumper, rock rails, tail lamp guards and fuel-filler door. Rounding off the exterior look are the tyres, which are 32-inch.

Inside the vehicle there are model-specific black seats with Call of Duty logos. There are also unique gauge cluster graphics, a dashboard serialized plaque, the dashboard grab handle also includes the logo as well as a number of other touches to the slush mats and arm rests etc.

Performance-wise, the Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty has remained the same and still packs a 3.6 litre V6 with 5-speed automatic transmission, which delivers 285 hp (209 kW) and 353 Nm of torque.

Jaguar C-X16 prototype for Frankfurt Motor Show

Chalk another car up to the list of prototypes that are going to be debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the Jaguar C-X16. The Jaguar C-X16 is a 2-seater concept car that comes with a number of technological advancements and design improvements. The car will be a hybrid and aims to be the most compact and responsive Jaguar in a generation.

Hybrid Power for Jaguar C-X16

The Jaguar C-X16 will come with a next-generation supercharged V6 petrol engine that produces 280 kW and 450 Nm of torque, which is helped along by a F1 inspired hybrid boost system. This boost system is activated by a button located on the steering wheel, allowing the driver to choose when to receive the additional power.

The gearbox is an 8-speed transmission and comes with an integrated motor generator which draws its power from a 1.6 kWh battery pack which is mounted behind the seats. This battery pack is charged from the brake energy regeneration system and allows the motor to provide an additional 70 kW of power when required.

All this power comes together to allow the Jaguar C-X16 to complete 0-100 in a blitz 4.4 seconds before topping off at 300km/h. The car can travel on electric power alone at speeds up to 80km/h.

The Jaguar C-X16 is the smallest Jaguar that the company has made since 1954. The vehicle will be presented at the Jaguar Land Rover press conference during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Look for more information as it becomes available.

The Castrol Extreme Auto Show 2011!

The Castrol Extreme Auto Show is just around the corner and is shaping up to be the biggest event so far. The event will run from Friday 23rd until Sunday 25th of September. The event brings together motor enthusiasts from around the country to create the ultimate showcase of products and service providers in the performance motor industry.

A big highlight for this years event is that it will take place at the Zwartkops raceway in Centurion Gauteng, with a number of events scheduled for the track. Included is South Africas first ever SUPADRIFT as well as the ULTIMATE STREET CAR challenge. The street car challenge sees the fastest street cars racing each other with no rules. Visitors to the Castrol Extreme Auto Show will be able to experience the power of these cars first hand with laps around the track alongside experienced drivers.

Also scheduled for the event are a host of activities for the kids and wide variety of choices for refreshment, including: A Food Lovers Market, a coffee kiosk, wine tasting, a beer garden and oyster tasting. There will also a number of car displays which include; muscle cars, classic cars, hot rods and more.

For more information please visit the Castrol Extreme Auto Shows website below.

The Castrol Extreme Auto Show

Cars.co.za is currently running a giveaway in partnership with the Castrol Extreme Auto Show where we will be giving away a trip for 2 to the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix as well as some other great prizes!

New Fiat Punto shown in Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Motor Show brings us another new model, this time the new Fiat Punto has been revealed. While it is debuting this year, the new Fiat Punto will only hit South African Fiat dealerships in early 2012 and not all the models variants will be available at launch. The newFiat Punto comes with some aesthetic changes, new colour options as well as a number of improvements and updates to the technology used in the car.

Fresh styling for new Fiat Punto

The styling of the new Fiat Punto starts with a new bumper which is now the same colour as the body, with indicators now sitting alongside the air intake. The dashboard is new and comes with deep-dished instruments along with new upholstering on the seats. The rims are now 15 alloy with three new metallic bodywork colours that include: Turquoise, Ruby Red and Graphite Grey. The 500 model Punto will not only come with the TwinAir 2-clylinder engine but also a new trim style and unique look.

Engine Choice

Engine innovation was a big factor for Fiat when designing the new Fiat Punto and this is reflected by the impressive MultiJet and MultiAir engines. The LPG engine not only comes with Start&Stop with Gear Shift indicator to increase efficiency but the system will automatically cut the engine and prompt the best gear choice to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Three Trim Levels

The range of models of the new Fiat Punto has also been redesigned and now includes 3 trim levels; Pop, Easy and Lounge. The Pop trim is the entry level option and comes with the option of three different combinations of interior fabrics. The Lounge option is the top of the range and comes with a host of features and equipment for added comfort and sportiness.

Look for more information on a local release of the new Fiat Punto as it becomes available.