Cars.co.za supporting the Twitter Blanket Drive #TBD

The Twitter Blanket Drive or #TBD is a national charity drive that brings people together via Twitter to donate blankets for those in need during the cold winter months. The message is spread via Twitter, as more and more people are encouraged to support. Followers then meet up (or Tweet up) at venues across the country and donate a blanket for the cause.

We at Cars.co.za decided to get behind the event and show some support for what is a great cause. We offered to donate a blanket for every 20 followers to our Cars.co.za twitter page www.twitter.com/carsSouthafrica . A big thank-you goes out to everyone who showed their support and got behind this promotion.

The tweetup that Cars.co.za attended was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosebank on the 4th of June. The event was well supported with a large number of people attending and donating blankets. Cars.co.za donated 30 blankets and 30 beanies into the reception areas pit, which amassed a huge number of blankets over the course of the night. Big thanks goes out to Melanie Minnaar who is the primary organizer behind the drive. You can find her on Twitter @MelanieMinnaar if you would like to support or check out the website Twitter Blanket Drive.

New BMW 1-Series coming to South Africa

The second generation BMW 1-Series improves on the current 1-Series which has already sold over 1 000 000 units worldwide. It seems like all the tick-boxes have been checked for the new 1-Series, it has better fuel economy, space, performance and comfort. The styling of the car has also undergone some significant changes, whether they are an improvement or not is a matter of taste.

New BMW 1-Series gets new engine technology

What has remained the same is that the BMW 1-Series is still the only rear-wheel drive model in its class, what has changed is that for the first time, all petrol and diesel engines in the new BMW 1-Series will feature the new BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. This has improved the performance resulting in the following figures. The 116i produces 100kW and the 118i produces 125 kW. The 2-litre diesel engines have undergone a redesign and now produce the following figures: 116d produces 85 kW, the 118d produces 105 kW and the 120d produces 135 kW.

Ride-comfort and handling has also been addressed and improved, thanks to the rear-wheel drive, in-line engines, perfectly balanced weight distribution and advanced suspension technology.

New look for BMW 1-Series

As far as the dimensions go, the body of the new BMW 1-Series is 85mm longer, the wheelbase is 30mm longer, the front track is 51mm wider and the rear track is 72mm wider than the previous 1-Series model. The height of the new BMW 1-Series is still the same as the previous model but the increased width results in increased interior space. The legroom has also been increased as well as the luggage compartment, which has been expanded to 360-litres.

The new 1-Series also comes with the option of BMW Sport Line and BMW Urban Line, which offer interior and exterior equipment to further personalize the vehicle. The Sport Line includes sport seats, leather sports steering wheel, high-gloss black interior trim and more. It also comes with 16-inch star-spoke light-alloy wheels, black exhaust pipe end trim and BMW Sport lettering on the door sills.

The Urban Line comes with specific cloth/leather seats as well as a leather sports steering wheel, adjustable armrests and contemporary acrylic glass trim in the interior. The ambient and courtesy lights can be alternated between orange and blue, with an additional light source on the B-pillar.

Look out for more information regarding a local release later in 2011.

New VW Polo GTI on a Datedrive

Datedrive is a promotion that Volkswagen South Africa are currently running, rather cleverly I might add, to promote their new Polo GTI. The tagline notes that driving the new VW Polo GTI makes you more attractive and to prove this they are letting a number of people take the car out for the whole night and go on a date. The following morning the car is then returned and the date is questioned regarding how successful the date was while in the new VW Polo GTI.

New VW Polo GTI is a heart stopper

When picking up the Polo GTI, I was presented with a heart-rate monitor and a cell phone. The heart-rate monitor would transmit my BPM to the cell phone which would in-turn transmit the BPM to the Datedrive website where my heart rate could be tracked. This was to see just how thrilling the date would turn out to be. My average BPM was 96 but peaked at 122.

The peak at 122 BPM was most likely due to the incredible acceleration the new VW Polo GTI is capable of. The 0-100km/h stat given to me by the VW test driver was 6.9 seconds, which is quite nippy indeed. The drive is smooth, the handling is great and there is more than enough power when you need it. Driving around Johannesburg at night was pure pleasure, there was very little traffic on the roads and I was really able to open the car up and get a good feel for it. Everything felt very responsive, from the braking to the control at high speeds. The layout of the controls and dials were very intuitive and it was only later that I realized I didn’t need to adjust the seat at all to get comfortable, as everything already seemed right where it should be and in reach.

The Polo GTI definitely feels like a young car, its sexy, compact and nippy and will appeal to the young generation who are looking for some speed. I must admit, I did feel more attractive while driving the new VW Polo GTI, so I guess VWs claim is correct.

Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro revealed

The Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro is a one-off showcar that is packed to the brim with performance and will be presented at the Wortherseetour 2011 in Austria.

Big Power for Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro

Under the hood the Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro comes with a 2.5 litre, 5-cylinder turbo charged engine with direct fuel injection. The engine is capable of pushing out 370 kW (503 hp) and 660 Nm of torque. Adding to the list of tuned items, the turbocharger, intercooler, admission tract and exhaust have also been further enhanced for performance.

To further improve performance, the Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro has maintained a low weight, clocking in at just 1390 kg. According to Audi; the car completes 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds and 0-200km/h in 10.9 seconds, some truly impressive stats. The Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro takes its 6-speed manual transmission and permanent all-wheel drive from the TT RS and improves on them, which results in a governed top speed of 250km/h.

The exterior and interior has also undergone some work. The front fenders, doors and rear side panels have been widened by 60 millimetres total to form horizontal blister edges. The roof spoiler features a double wing to provide downforce and to further enhance the racing feel; the rear seat has been replaced by a large crossbar to enhance the structure of the body.

New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster full details revealed

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster has been the worst kept secret for a long time now but finally Mercedes-Benz have released the full official details. As we mentioned in a previous article, the gull-wing doors have been replaced by a soft-top, the body is an aluminum space frame and the whole package looks rather impressive.

New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster comes with host of changes

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster is powered by a 6.3 litre naturally aspirated 8-cylinder engine which produces 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle, together with a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones that results in some serious performance. The suspension setup can be configured by the driver using the AMG Drive Unit, the suspension options include: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.

The interior has been decked out to resemble the cockpit of an aircraft, the dashboard is in the shape of a wing, the air vents resemble jet engines and the E-Select lever is in the shape of an aircrafts thrust control. The centre console displays a wealth of information to the driver, including: displaying engine oil, engine output and torque, tyre pressure, acceleration from 0-100km/h as well as perhaps most impressive, recording individual lap times.

The biggest departure from the SLS AMG is obviously the inclusion of the soft-top. The fabric soft-top can be opened and closed and only takes 11 seconds to complete and can be done on the move, at speeds of up to 31mph. The soft-top, which is available in black, red and beige, stores itself behind the seats and is folded in a Z-configuration. The top has a continuous flexible water pocket that directs rainwater to the underbody via 2 apertures on each side.

Look for more information on the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster closer to the release date.

2012 VW Passat details released

Volkswagen have released the full details on the new Passat with its release in the United States. The 2012 VW Passat comes with a number of impressive features, including an estimated best-in-class fuel economy of 5.4 litres/100km and a range of close to 1 280km on a single tank. As well as the best-in-class rear seat legroom.

2012 VW Passat adds luxury and class

At launch the available models include a 2.5 litre manual that generates 170 hp and comes standard with automatic dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel audio controls. One up from this, the SE model comes with 17 inch alloy wheels, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats and a touchscreen radio.

There is also a 2.0 litre TDI clean diesel on offer, with a direct-shift gearbox and advanced 6 speed transmission with automatic dual-clutch system that engages and disengages gears without the need for a clutch pedal. There is also the option for automatic DSG transmission. At the top of the heap is the powerful 3.6 litre VR6 that pumps out 280 hp and includes 18 inch alloy wheels, comfort sports seats, sunroof and Fender audio system, all as standard.

Other additional premium options include leather seating surfaces, wood décor, ambiance lighting, VW navigation systems, front fog lights, keyless access and push button start. This is the lineup for the American release of the new 2012 VW Passat.

Look for updated information on a South African release some time in the near future.

2012 Opel Zafira Tourer details released

Details of the new 2012 Opel Zafira Tourer have been released ahead of its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor show in September. According to Opel, the new Zafira aims to combine functionality and wellness, its anyones guess what wellness even refers to but we will take their word for it.

2012 Opel Zafira Tourer is big on space

Flexible Interior

One of the biggest selling points in the 2012 Opel Zafira Tourer is obviously the interior space. When the first Zafira was launched in 1999 it was the only 7-seater in its class and it set standards for on-board flexibility. The new Zafira continues this tradition and builds onto it with an optional Lounge Seating system which provides limosine-like seating space for the passengers in the second row. Another interesting feature is that the back of the middle seat in the second row can be folded down and rotated to provide arm-rests for the passengers in the outer seats.

The increased cabin space and flexible seating system has resulted in 710 litres load volume which is 65 litres more than the previous Zafira, with all the seats folded down the figure comes to 1860 litres.

Safety Features

Another big feature of the new 2012 Opel Zafira Tourer is its safety features. The safety features include; FDI (Following distance indication) that lets the driver know the distance to the vehicle in front. FCA (Forward collision alert) which alerts the drive via visual and audio regarding imminent collisions with the car ahead. ILR (Intelligent light ranging system) which constantly adapts the headlamp low beam based on the distance of the car in front, to maximize the light without blinding.

When the 2012 Opel Zafira Tourer launches it will be available in three versions of the 2.0 CDTI common-rail turbo diesel, with outputs ranging from 81 kW (110 hp) to 121 kW (165 hp). The petrol engine range is aimed at being more fuel efficient and will be available as a 1.4 ECOTEC turbo-charged engine, the range of engine options produce from 88 kW (120hp) to 103 kW (140 hp).

Look for more information on a South African release date closer to the time.

BMW 328 Hommage celebrates BMW history

With the 75th anniversary of the iconic BMW 328 sports car, comes the 328 Hommage. The classic BMW 328 still holds the fastest average speed on the Mille Miglia circuit, maintaining 165 km/h throughout the course all the way back in 1940. The BMW 328 Hommage shares many design elements with the original, focusing on light weight and innovation.

BMW 328 Hommage re-invented

Focusing on maintaining light weight, the designers of the BMW 328 Hommage used only the lightest and most robust materials in its construction. Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) was used in many parts of the interior and exterior, this material is lighter than aluminum and more stable. This effort to create a light-weight vehicle has resulted in the BMW 328 Hommage weighing in at just 780kg.

The kidney shape of many of the early BMW cars has been maintained in the Hommage, with a vertically mounted kidney grille. The grille is incorporated into the flat silhouette and slants back in the middle blending it into the bonnet. The rear-end of the 328 Hommage features large vents and is arched, further emphasizing the light-weight feel.

The engine is a 3.0 litre 6 cylinder but no other information has been provided regarding the vehicles performance. Hopefully more details will be provided regarding this great reinvention of a classic car.

New Audi A6 Avant unveiled

The new Audi A6 Avant, now in its 6th generation, has been revealed with a number of improvements and upgrades. The Audi A6 Avant is the most successful business-class station wagon in Europe and the 2012 model should easily continue this trend.

New Audi A6 Avant is lighter and consumes less fuel

The new Audi A6 Avant comes with 6 engine options to choose from, 2 petrol and 4 diesel units. The engine output ranges from 130 kW (177hp) and 230 kW (313hp). Efficiency and fuel consumption have also been looked at, with the 2.0 TDI consuming an average of 5 litres/100km, a rather impressive feat. All the engines utilize Audis modular efficiency platform which has reduced fuel consumption by as much as 18%.

One of the main features Audi is toting for the new A6 Avant is its weight. The weight reduction was achieved by fitting aluminum components to about 20% of the body of the car, which has resulted in a drop of 70kg compared to the previous model. The Avant 2.0 TDI clocks in at just 1 640kg.

The body of the new Audi A6 Avant has been constructed using modern materials and methods to reduce the interior noise levels, which is an important factor in the luxury class. The storage capacity has also been looked at, with the luggage compartment sitting at a capacity of 565 litres, with the option to increase the storage to 1680 litres by dropping the rear seat backs.

The new Audi A6 Avant will be available in the 2nd half of 2011 in Europe, with a local release date hopefully not too long after that.

Lamborghini Aventador LP760-2 by Oakley Design

Having previously created tuned versions of the Ferrari 458, Porsche GT2 and Porsche Panamera, Oakley Design have now set their sights on the Lamborghini Aventador LP760-2 and produced something quite special. The Aventador is an extreme vehicle to start with, so Oakley settled on minor adjustments and improvements that keep with the cars original feel.

Oakley Lamborghini Aventador LP760-2 is very rare

The tuned Lamborghini Aventador LP760-2 will unfortunately only be limited to 5 cars, with 3 of those already sold. Oakley do note that individual parts will still be made available for those looking to do their own modifying. As it always seems to be the case with these special edition cars, each will have a unique numbered plaque noting which number it is in the production.

As far as changes go on this design, the wheel width has been increased to 9.5 inch at the front and 13.0J at the rear, creating a wider footprint and increasing mechanical grip. Further changes, including the use of ultra-light forged alloy and suspension upgrade alternatives have resulted in the kerb weight been reduced by about 85kg. The 2 Plastic front and rear bumper trims, as well as the side air intakes have been extended to increase cooling.

Onto performance, it seems that Oakley were not satisfied with the Aventadors output of 690bhp and 690Nm of torque and look to increase those figures to 760bhp and 745Nm of torque. This is achieved by an ECU remap optimizing a larger airbox, intake feed pipe diameter and a titanium exhaust, which has also reduced weight by over 30kg.