Katie Melua and Opel team up

Opel have named singer/song writer Katie Melua as their new brand ambassador. The collaboration will come together with Katies 2011 tour of her latest album; The house. The tour will cover 50 European cities starting in Germany on the 9th of March.

Katie Melua and Opel share environmental concerns

Its not the most obvious collaboration, that of a vehicle manufacturer and a singer and it will be interesting to see just how much positive association the two parties can gain from this partnership. Opel note that: The key brand values in our strategy are innovation, dynamics and emotional design as well as consistent environmental awareness and social responsibility. We are committed to these values and Katie Melua stands for them in a very credible and authentic fashion

Both Katie Melua and Opel have environmental awareness as pretty much their only common ground, so hearing the other comparisons is a bit of a stretch. That said though, everyone seems to like Katie Melua so it can only bring good things to the Opel Brand. One would however have thought that a far more obvious partnership would have been that of Katie Melua and a Chinese bicycle manufacturer

2011 Kia Sedona Revealed

Kia have released details on their updated Sedona minivan. The 2011 Kia Sedona has a number of small changes under the hood and a few upgrades to the styling but nothing too ground-breaking. The popularity of minivans has been on the decline of late as SUVs have become the preferred vehicle for big families and the like but the Sedona still has a place on our roads.

Minor upgrades for new 2011 Kia Sedona

The 2011 Kia Sedona comes with a 3.5 litre V6 engine which produces up to 271hp and while that is only 27hp more than the previous version, any improvements are welcome. Even with this increased performance, the fuel economy of the 2011 Kia Sedona has also been improved compared to the previous year. The Sedona now also comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

One of the biggest draw points of the Sedona, and modern minivans alike, is its safety. The 2011 Kia Sedona comes with a number of impressive safety features as standard, including: 6 airbags (including full-length side curtain air bags for all 3 seating rows), 4-channel 4-sensor Antilock Brake System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution which takes into account the weight distribution of the vehicle and ensures the correct amount of stopping force is used.

Look out for more information about a local release and pricing of the 2011 Kia Sedona in South Africa.

Honda CR-Z named Car of the Year in Japan

The impressive Honda CR-Z has been named as the Car of the Year in Japan. The rather strange decision to combine a sports car with hybrid technology seems to have paid off for Honda, as the CR-Z keeps racking up awards and nominations around the world, including a recent nomination in the top 10 vehicles selected for the South African Car of the Year, which will be announced early in 2011.

Honda CR-Z takes top honors

The Honda CR-Z was commended for having impressive fuel economy combined with driving pleasure. The fuel economy comes in at an impressive 25km per litre and falls under the CO2 emission tax at 117g/km.

Honda has driven away with the Japan Car of the Year award a record 11 times in the awards 31 year history.

After the jury of over 60 Japanese journalists finished voting, the points table for the top 3 vehicles looked like this:

1. Honda CR-Z (406 Points)
2. Volkswagen Polo (397 votes)
3. Suzuki Swift (228 votes)

Another impressive showing for the current World Car of the Year, the VW Polo which continues to impress around the world and must surely be one of the favorites for the South African Car of the year.

Lamborghini Murcielago production ends

The last ever Lamborghini Murcielago has left the production line at the companys headquarters in SantAgata Bolognese, bearing the production number 4,099. The Murcielago is thus the most produced Lamborghini 12-cylinder ever as well as one of the most successful super sports cars.

End of the road for Lamborghini Murcielago

The date was celebrated by a special exhibition of the most famous V12 cars in the companys history, as well as a parade in the streets. The fleet of cars included: The 350 GT, the Countach, the Miura, the Diablo and obviously a Murcielago SV.

The Lamborghini Murcielago first went into production in 2001, with the initial model sporting a 6-litre V12 which produced 540hp, with the second generation LP 640 producing 640hp from 6.5 litres. The latest model, the Murcielago LP 670-4 Superveloce, improved even further, producing 670hp and with a reduction of 100kg in weight was able to complete 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds with a max speed of 342km/h.

The eyes of the motoring world will now be fixed on Lambo to see what they bring out as the Murcielagos successor. The official debut is expected to be early next year some time, with development on the LP700-4 nearing completion. Either way, it is no doubt the successor to the Lamborghini Murcielago will become another legendary super sports car.

BMW Concept C Scooter revealed

The BMW Concept C Scooter is the latest offering from the individual motoring department and as the name suggests, this scooter is still in the concept phase with the C part of the name standing for Commuter. BMW are focusing on the big scooter segment with the Concept C which will come in 2 different combustion engine choices with BMW giving some thought to an electric motor version somewhere further down the line.

BMW Concept C Scooter to break the mould

The focus of the Concept C Scooter, according to BMW, is on agility, comfort and a maximum experience of dynamic riding. BMW note that the big scooter segment has grown rapidly around the world and are looking into targeting this potential market, however, with the Concept C Scooter, BMW are looking at changing things up a bit. Most big scooters have predominantly vertical lines and colour schemes, where as BMW are looking at a scooter with more of a sporty and dynamic styling.

The BMW Concept C Scooter is powered by a 2-cylinder inline engine in conjunction with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). BMW note that this should set the Concept C Scooter near the top of the segment as far as engine power, torque and performance are concerned.

While there are still many details of the scooter that have not been released, one of the most impressive features to look forward to is the noticeable absence of rear-view mirrors. The conventional rear-view mirrors have been replaced by 2 video cameras near the rear of the scooter. These cameras record the area behind the scooter and display the images in 2 LCD monitors found in the front display panel of the scooter. This front panel will also display the speed you are traveling, the engine speed and other important data.

Toyota Yaris Zen3 Sedan 1,3 Spirit (2010) Driving Impression

While it would be accurate to say that the compact sedan market or the sedan market in its entirety has been under pressure in the past few years, a number of recent new arrivals seem to suggest that car makers still think there may be a significant number of buyers out there looking for traditional four-door-and-a-boot motoring. Nevertheless, some of these newcomers attempt to fight off their funkier hatchback rivals by offering strong design character and suspension set-ups tuned as much for driving pleasure as comfort cars such as the new Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta sedans, are examples. But the dominant car in this segment is one that has largely stayed true to the traditional strengths of the four-door sedan, that of ride and cabin comfort, boot space and a balance between performance and economy. In its latest guise the Toyota Yaris sedan, ageing as it may be, appears to be as strong a rival as ever. Perhaps conservatism is not such a bad thing after all?

Classy conservatism for Toyota Yaris

Familiarity and time havent had much of a negative impact on the Yaris design appeal. In fact, the Toyota Yaris still looks modern, and to some eyes the classy conservatism is more attractive than the somewhat contrived wannabe cool designs of some newer rivals. The body is largely devoid of frills, and the long 2 550 mm wheelbase pushes the wheels out to the corners, contributing to the modern and elegant overall look. Unfortunately, Toyota has deemed it fit to add some rather ugly Zen stickers to the package, but these should be easy enough to remove.

If theres some originality to be found in the Toyota Yaris package, it resides in the cabin. The centrally mounted instrumentation remains contentious, and the argument that it boosts safety is seriously debatable. Nevertheless, the facia is not unattractive and there are some clever touches, including fold-out cup holders and a neat silver V-shaped centre section that contains the audio systems controls. There is also a convenient storage area at the base of the facia in front of the gear lever.

The Yariss cabin is airy, the generous wheelbase certainly resulting in lots of space for the occupants, front and rear, and the perception of space is further enhanced by the light trim colour. The cabin space has not come at the expense of packing volume, because the boot can accommodate 448-litres worth of luggage. So, although, the Toyota Yaris Sedan is a compact car, in terms of its packaging it is entirely practical for a (not-so-small) family. Safety is therefore also a non-negotiable, and parents will be happy to know that this affordable sedan boasts no fewer than seven airbags in addition to its ABS/EBD brakes and Isofix rear child seat mounting points.

Refined, comfortable drive

Due to its spaciousness, the Yaris sedan is off to a good start in terms of cabin comfort. The seats, while perhaps lacking some lateral support, also proved to be pleasant over long distances and the considered selection of standard features means that such trips never become boring or tiresome. Included in the package are air-conditioning, central locking, electric windows and mirrors and a front-loading radio/CD player.

But the Yariss trump card is its refinement, which is possibly unparalleled in this segment. Theres nothing special about the suspension design of MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam arrangement at the rear, but the underpinnings have obviously been tuned with comfort as the top priority. Consequently the Toyota Yaris glides over imperfections and the way in which it settles after major bumps reminds of a bigger, more luxurious car. Furthermore, the low levels of NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) enhance what is already a top-notch effort overall.

Willing little engine

At this price level the Yariss 1,3-litre engine is up against some bigger-capacity competitors, including a 1,6-litre Volkswagen with considerably more power. Nevertheless, the Toyota Yaris feels livelier than its 63 kW and 121 Nm appear to suggest, offering good low-down grunt around town and even some reserve power at higher speeds for overtaking. Again the refinement impresses, a trait that also extends to the smooth and light five-speed manual transmission.

Although the fuel consumption can rise steeply during prolonged high-speed cruising, the daily average of between 6,0 and 7,0 litres/100 km is very good indeed, especially at the Toyota Yaris sedan is not the smallest of cars.

Toyota Yaris – Verdict

As the current Toyota Yaris sedan nears the end of its life cycle in the face of fresh new competition, it still offers a remarkably appealing package that is very carefully tuned to the target markets needs. Sharp dynamics and edgy styling take a back seat to comfort, refinement and economy, but judging by the sales figures, this is exactly what the consumers want. Now add the Toyotas enviable after-sales reputation and resale value, and its clear that the Toyota Yaris sedan wont go down without a fight.

We like:

Classy, conservative looks
Cabin space
Refinement
Willing engine
Ride quality
Resale value

We dont like:

Centrally mounted instruments

Fast facts

Engine: 1,3-litre, four-cylinder, petrol

Power: 63 kW @ 6 000 rpm

Torque: 121 Nm @ 4 400 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Wheels: 15-inch steel

Top speed: 170 km/h

0-100 km/h: 12,7 seconds

Fuel economy: 6 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

Volkswagen Polo Vivo sedan 1,6 Trendline : This locally developed cheapie offers plenty of value, courtesy of its more powerful 1,6-litre engine, high levels of perceived quality and resale value. Rear legroom is not that good and it lacks some features, but the basics are all there.
Ford Fiesta Sedan 1,4 Ambiente: Also brand new on the market and shares its underpinnings with the Mazda, so is dynamically sharper than the Toyota Yaris. Courtesy of a 1,4-litre engine, the Ford also offers slightly more power. Cant match the Yariss airbags count.
Mazda2 Sedan 1,3 Active: A very strong new rival that offers plenty of appeal, due to zesty dynamics and exciting styling, inside and out. The engine delivers similar power to the Toyota Yaris and the specification is comparable too. Lacks the Yariss refinement and safety specification, though.

Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1,6 Trendline (2010) Driving Impression

Merely a year ago it looked as if Volkswagens iconic Citi would soldier on, so well had the Uitenhage-based car maker managed to keep the lid on the development of its successor, the Polo-based Vivo. But now its here, and seeing as it is highly unlikely that VWSA will be able to source a more affordable entry level car from overseas any time soon, it may be with us for a very, very long time. But the Volkswagen Polo Vivo is a significantly more modern product than the Citi, and consequently can depend neither on that models olde-worlde charm, nor its low price, to win over the hearts of South Africans. And then there is also some serious competition from Korea to contend with this time round. Can the Volkswagen Polo Vivo continue the Citi legend?

Upmarket, but not funky

Based on the recently replaced previous-generation Polo, the Vivos shape will be familiar to everyone. Surprisingly, Volkswagen has managed to do its cost-cutting without hurting the upmarket style of that model too severely. In fact, some people may prefer the cleaner, less fussy detailing of the Volkswagen Polo Vivo. The grille is the major change, and brings the Vivo in line with more modern new-generation Volkswagens. Youll also notice that the side indictors are no longer located in the side mirror housings, but have moved to the cars flanks. The lights, front and rear, have darkened sections similar to what was used on the previous Polo GTI. Riding on 14-inch alloy wheels, the Volkswagen Vivo 1,6 Trendline looks neither old, nor cheap.

The same is true of the interior, where the design and execution of the facia remain competitive with newer rivals. In fact, even in terms of perceived quality, the Volkswagen Vivo is more impressive than most cars at this price level, or even slightly higher. This has much to do with the soft-touch moulding of the facia, and the cool blue backlighting that characterised previous-generation Volkswagens. You have to look carefully to spot where the money has been saved the pop-out cup holder of the Polo has disappeared, and the so has the digital trip computer between the dials.

One of the most admirable qualities of the previous-generation Polo was its driver comfort. While the Volkswagen Polo Vivo doesnt offer a height-adjustable drivers seat, the steering retains its generous rake/reach adjustment function, so the driving position remains excellent for most. And the seats, upholstered in a classy cloth material, are superbly comfortable too no surprise, as VW tends to do seating very well.

Unfortunately the occupants of the rear seats are less well catered for. The backrest is fairly upright and legroom is certainly no better than average for this class. But the boot is bigger than is the case with most competitors and can swallow 270-litres of luggage. The backrest can fold forward but it cant split.

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo Trendline specification is relatively meagre, but does include air-conditioning, electric (front) windows, a radio with USB/SD card support, two airbags, power steering and ABS/EBD. The side mirrors are however adjusted by hand, and there are no remote audio controls on the steering wheel.

Comfortable and refined

If youve ever driven a previous-generation Polo, youll feel right at home in the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, as the driving experience is very similar. It does, however, benefit from the newer 1,6-litre petrol engine, which delivers 77 kW and 155 Nm of torque. The performance is good, with the VW pulling eagerly from rest, and the engine seems well-matched to the ratios of the pleasant five-speed transmission. Consequently, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo is an easy, nice car to drive around town. The engine also delivers good fuel economy, but youll struggle to match the 6,6 L/100 km figure, especially around town. An average of 7,5 L/100 km is both achievable and very impressive.

The Polo has always been a refined, comfortable car, and these characteristics have not been lost in the translation into Vivo. The suspension is set up for comfort, and the Vivo indeed manages to iron out bumps like a bigger car. Seeing as the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been the subject of intensive cost cutting, this seemingly hasnt come at the expensive of NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) refinement, because the VW is a quiet, relaxing car with little noise intruding into the cabin. The downside is that if youre looking for an agile, fun car, the Vivo doesnt really fit the bill as understeer and body roll are pronounced. For most consumers, however, this will not be a problem.

Volkswagen Polo Vivo – Verdict

Volkswagen South Africa needs to be applauded for the achievement here. While the Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1,6 Trendline is possibly not as cheap as it should be given the competition and its lack of a standard service plan, it feels like a more grown-up product than most of the vehicles priced around it. This does mean that it lacks the youthful appeal of its forebear, but we dont think this will hurt its likely sales performance. In fact, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo appears to be very much a no-compromise product. Its nice to drive, economical, exceptionally refined and comfortable and of course comes with the backing of a large VW support network. It looks like another winner.

We like:

Quality interior
Modern engine
Refinement
Comfort

We dont like:

Lacks some features
Rear space

Fast facts

Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder, petrol

Power: 77 kW @ 5 250 rpm

Torque: 155 Nm @ 3 500 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Wheels: 14-inch alloy

Top speed: 187 km/h

0-100 km/h: 10,6 seconds

Fuel economy: 6,6 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

Toyota Yaris Zen3 1,3 S 5-dr : The ageing Yaris line-up was recently shaken up and the Zen moniker added. This models specification is broadly similar to the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and it is both cheaper and offers a standard service plan. Cant match the Vivos refinement and more upmarket appeal, however.
Hyundai i20 1,4 GL: Not much more expensive than the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, and offers significantly more equipment as well as a standard service plan. The i20 is a good package all-round, but lags most vehicles in this class for NVH refinement road noise is quite high.
Kia Rio 1,4 5-dr HS: Often overlooked in the local market, the Kia Rio is a stronger competitor than you may think. In its latest guise it offers a comprehensive features package and a standard service plan. Neat cabin, too.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet for re-release next year

The first Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet was released in 1979 as a cabriolet alternative to the Golf Mk1 model. The next model in the lineup to receive this option was the Golf Mk3 and to date these have been the only two golf models to receive the cabriolet treatment. This is all going to change now however, as VW have announced that the Golf Mk6 will go into production in 2011 as a Cabriolet.

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet raises some questions

Its not clear as to why the other versions of the Golf were never released as a Cabriolet, and why suddenly the Golf6 will be, but we will just assume that VW know what they are doing. The other factor to consider now is how both the VW Golf 6 Cabriolet and the Eos will fit into the market, as they will be catering to a very similar audience. The VW Golf 6 Cabriolet will supposedly come in at a cheaper range than the Eos, and the Eos will be aimed as a more exclusive vehicle.

No pictures of the vehicle have been released yet, so for now you will have to just picture the above image without a roof.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

South African Car of the year finalists announced

10 impressive vehicles from a number of different classes have been selected as the finalists for the South African Car of the Year Award. These vehicles will now under go various tests before the panel of experts and journalists will vote on which vehicle will be named the South African Car of the Year. The vote will take place in March 2011.

The lineup of the nominated finalists is quite a mixed bag, with a few surprises thrown in to shake things up. The top 10 cars include:

Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI
Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 BiTDI 4×2
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai iX35
BMW 530d
Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente
Opel Astra 1.4T
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi GLS AWD
Citroen DS3 1.6 THP Sport
Honda CR-Z Hybrid

Its quite a surprise that the Volkswagen Golf hasnt made this list, with it being so popular in South Africa and the previous winner. Its good to see the Amarok made the cut, there has been so much hype around this vehicle, and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

One has to assume that the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI is the odds on favourite to win the whole thing. Not only is it a great vehicle all round but its the current World Car of the Year as well, which has got to mean something.

Check back in March 2011 when the South African Car of the Year is announced.

New Opel Astra Sport Tourer Revealed

The latest offering from Opel comes in the form of the new Opel Astra Sport Tourer. The new Opel Astra Sport Tourer has been designed to incorporate a stylish look, a wide range of practical uses and still remaining as eco friendly as possible. The compact wagon segment is not a particularly popular segment as the vehicles tend to favour practicality over all else, so its nice to see Opel making an effort to keep their vehicle looking stylish.

Practicality and style define new Opel Astra Sport Tourer

The new Opel Astra Sport Tourer still excels in the practical department though, even with its upgraded looks, and packs a substantial load volume of up to 1550 litres. The space can be further increased thanks to the new FlexFold rear seats, which can be lowered at the touch of a button.

Plenty Engine Choice

There a total of 9 fuel-efficient engines when choosing the powertrain for the Opel Astra Sport Tourer, which should cater for pretty much everyone. Ranging from 70 kW/95 hp all the way to 132 kW/180 hp. The 1.3 CDTI will be the first in the range to receive Start/Stop technology early next year, which will increase its fuel efficiency and brings the CO2 emission rating to 109g/km.

What is more interesting though is Opels efforts to minimize repair costs associated with damage to the vehicle. Their efforts have revolved around reducing the damage done to the vehicle from low-speed crashes, which are the most frequent. With the end result being a lower insurance premium, at least that is Opels aim.

The new Opel Astra Sport Tourer will be available in the UK in November this year, check back for details on the local release.