With the lockdown restrictions easing, Ciro De Siena headed up to Johannesburg to drive the SentiMETAL Opel Superboss at a place where he could really put it to the test – the racetrack.
The Cars.co.za Superboss is known internally as “Project 1”. When we embarked on the SentiMetal heritage project, the aim was to purchase, restore and maintain a fleet of South African specials – cars that were developed and only ever sold in South Africa. The vision was to help preserve South Africa’s rich motoring heritage.
This Kadett Superboss is the first car we ever took on. We purchased it in 2017 and over the years I have watched with much delight as the restoration progressed.
When we found our Superboss, it was in terrible shape. But it had all the right credentials, and matching numbers, to make restoring it worthwhile. And so, over the next few years, the car was stripped down to the metal.
Our Superboss specialist painstakingly brought the car back to life, down to recreating the warning stickers printed in Afrikaans in the engine bay. If it sounds good just reading this, it looks and feels even better in the metal.
And so when the lockdown eased and I could travel again, I put a plan in motion to film our Superboss in its natural habitat: a racetrack. Off I went to JHB, met up with the crew and braved the dark cold winter mornings in JHB to make use of the best light at the track.
The result is this film. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but in summary, I can’t think of any other car I’ve driven, before or since, that brought me this much joy. My colleagues have driven it, and driven it hard, and regaled me with tales of how it comes alive on a track. But nothing could have prepared me for how fun this car would be to drive.
A new generation Range Rover is expected within the next 2 years but a leaked video has surfaced online showing what could potentially be it. Is it the real deal?
Australian online car publication, CarAdvice, has reported on a supposed leaked promotional video of the next Range Rover. However, there is speculation as to whether the video is indeed from an official source or if it’s a spoof. Either way, it’s interesting…
The video shows what looks like a Range Rover concept boasting futuristic styling with a bold face with unique lighting signatures front and rear. Suicide doors then swing open and the viewer is invited to peek inside the interior where all the key interior features are highlighted. Based on what we see here, if this is indeed the next Range Rover, it’s set to be a mightily impressive vehicle.
Range Rover has a rich history of making luxury SUVs and whether the above video is real or not, it’s worth acknowledging Range Rover's past in order to understand its future.
To do that, watch SentiMETAL Episode 15 featuring a beautifully restored Range Rover Series 1 below.
Skoda has announced that its CEO, Bernhard Maier, will be leaving the company by the end of July.
The German has been in charge at Skoda since 2015 and guided the Czech brand through its most successful period in history.
Using the ability to leverage VW Group technology and engineering, while producing vehicles at cheaper Czech labour rates, Maier has turned Skoda into a strong profit anchor for VW. The German executive is now 60 and there has been no guidance about where he will be redeployed.
Maier is not a classically trained engineer, like many other German automotive industry executives. His background is as a motor mechanic, before studying sales and marketing. This gives Maier a unique blend of skills in the automotive realm: an understanding of both fundamental mechanics and theoretical marketing.
From 1988 to 2001 he was a strategic analyst and project leader at BMW, before moving to Porsche, where he remained until 2015.
With a deep understanding of Porsche’s strengths and weaknesses, industry speculation is that Maier could be groomed for a new position at the sportscar brand, probably as its boss.
During his previous tenure at Porsche, Maier was an executive board member for sales and marketing – which is a very powerful position at the low-volume brand.
Porsche is renowned for its limited-edition derivatives and ability to offer owners excellent residual values over time, both functions which Maier would have perfected as head of marketing. At a time of great disruption, the VW Group board could need him back at Porsche, to guide the brand into its electrified future.
Torsus is not a well-known name in SA, but the company is working on a heavy-duty offroad bus based on a Volkswagen Crafter. Check this thing out!
Own a Volkswagen Crafter/Caravelle and not happy with the 4Motion offroad system? Introducing heavy-duty offroad bus maker who is working on a vehicle that is claims will 'cause a stir in the commercial vehicle sector.' These teaser images show its latest project called the Terrastorm and it will be revealed in its entirety in July 2020.
The Torsus Terrastorm is built on a Volkswagen Crafter 4Motion platform, but has been given some hardcore offroad suspension and tyres to go where no bus has ever gone before. It will feature Euro-6 engines and given these teaser images splashing through mud, it's going to be one very capable people mover. Torsus says the Terrastorm is offered in a variety of configurations for companies that need a rugged and capable vehicle. The vehicle is targeting the mining and emergency aid sectors, and when you think about how remote some locations can be, this should tick the box. We could also see safari companies jumping on board as the high clearance means better viewing opportunities.
Vakhtang Dzhukashvili, founder and CEO of Torsus said: “At Torsus, we are breaking new ground by designing, developing and manufacturing the world’s toughest off-road buses. In the all-new Terrastorm we signal our ambition to set new standards in the heavy-duty 4×4 minibus market across some of the toughest industries known to man. We built Torsus to be a trailblazer and redefine the way people think about commercial vehicles, and the Torsus Terrastorm is the next step on our journey to make this reality.” The Torsus Terrastorm will be revealed later in July 2020, and sales will begin before the end of the year.
It's not Torsus' first rodeo making capable people-movers as its Praetorian bus features a 900 Nm MAN engine and chassis and capacity for 35 passengers and gear. Check it in action!
Cupra, the performance arm of the Spanish brand Seat, famous for having sold cars in SA for a particularly short time, has revealed the first hot hatch based on its EV architecture. The Cupra el-Born, which after a quick Google appears to be a historical place in Spain famous for jousting, is built on the MEB platform, the same platform used by the VW ID 3 that was revealed last year.
Cupra has been making some fantastically styled cars of late (just look at the Formentor in this article) and the el-Born appears to be another jaw-dropping design. If electric cars are going to look like this in the future, sign us up!
Performance figures aren’t available yet, but the el-Born is powered by 77 kWh battery, similar to the top-spec ID 3 Pro S (the one with 550 km of theoretical range) which produces 150 kW and 310 Nm from its electric motor. Obviously, the battery would be tuned to deliver more power for the el-Born hot hatch at the expense of some range. For it to be deemed a hot hatch, we would expect a 0-100 kph time of around the 7.0-second mark or under. Remember electric cars are a lot heavier than combustion engines so struggle to push through the midrange like a petrol engine does.
The Cupra el-Born will also offer convenience features such as an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display and full connectivity. The interior comes with sports bucket seats, the new Cupra steering wheel with mode buttons and sustainably-sourced material choices throughout.
This does ask the question as to what VW will do with the ID 3? There are reports of an ID 3 R on the cards, but will there also be a GTI or will that nameplate be reserved for petrol-powered cars?
Uncluttered interior with what looks like suede seats, although certainly something more sustainable.
Up until that point, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ was not for sale to the public but shortly after the record run, Bugatti announced that it would build 30 production examples of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ and the spy shots you see here show the road-going production version undergoing some testing.
The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is powered by a thunderous W16 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged engine, dubbed Thor, that produces a mighty 1 176 kW and no less than 1 600 Nm and makes use of a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Unlike the record-breaking car, the production version has a higher ride height for normal road driving and its interior has a passenger seat and the roll cage has been removed.
All 30 units are expected to be finished in black with orange stripes just like the record-setting car.
How much will it cost you ask? How does R90 million grab you?
More photos and details of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series have emerged. This is going to be one of AMG's most hardcore models!
Update: Leaked images showing the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series have hit the internet. The looks are very racecar-like!
This is not the first time we've spotted the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. We first saw a prototype cruising on the Nurburgring back in August 2019 and it was essentially a standard GT R with a big wing. Now as we move further along the development process, the refining is underway and we're much closer to a production model. What's changed? Now we can see in detail the aerodynamics and a bit more of the body shape. There's a new bonnet, with massive intakes over the front wheels, a huge 2-stage wing at the back, as well as four exhausts built into a rear diffuser.
As we've mentioned before, the engine choice for the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is likely to be the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 motor. However, to be worthy of the Black Series name, the outputs need to be substantial. We do know this motor is available in various states of tune, ranging from the non-S C63 with 350 kW to the GT63 S, which punches out 470 kW and 900 Nm. For the record, the standard AMG GT R produces 430 kW and 700 Nm, with power going to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
We should see the production reveal of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series before the end of 2020 and given how much testing has taken place at the Nurburgring, it would not surprise us if there was an attempt at a record.
Lamborghini has whipped the roof off its 602-kW Sian hybrid hypercar, which is powered by a free-breathing – but supercapacitor-assisted – 6.5-litre V12 engine. Only 19 units of the Roadster, the St’Agata-based firm’s most powerful open-topped machine to date, will be built.
In local Bolognese dialect, Sian means “flash” or “lightning” and the newcomer is being billed as a harbinger of “Lamborghini’s route to future hybridisation”. By itself, the V12 motor, which incorporates titanium intake valves, produces 577 kW at 8 500 rpm, but the firm has combined it with a 48V e-motor and a supercapacitor located in the bulkhead.
The Sian Roadster looks resplendent in Uranus Blue with liberal applications of Electrum Orange accents.
The supercapacitor is said to store 10 times the power of a lithium-ion battery and is 3 times lighter than a battery producing the same output. It allows the e-motor, which is incorporated into the Sian Roadster’s transmission, to deliver an instantaneous extra 25 kW (for a total output of 602 kW) and supports low-speed parking manoeuvers.
The electric system weighs only 34 kg and its symmetric power flow ensures the same efficiency in both charging and discharging cycles. As a result, the regenerative braking system fully charges the energy storage system every time the vehicle brakes. Not only does the system facilitate instant acceleration in low gears – traction force is improved by up to 10% in 3rd gear, for example – it allows the Sian Roadster to travel at up to 130 kph for 10 km on pure-electric power alone.
Hexagonal shapes abound in the Lamborghini's sheet metal; note the swathes of carbon-fibre in the vaned rear section.
For the record, Lamborghini’s newcomer is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than 2.9 seconds, while its top speed is said to be in excess of 350 kph.
This Sian Roadster has a Uranus Blue paint finish contrasted with eye-catching Electrum Orange wheels, while its interior is trimmed in white leather with Glauco Blue detailing and Electrum Orange aluminium elements. The newly-designed air vents are notable because they’re produced via 3D printing and can be customised with a buyer’s initials.
The new Lamborghini’s front end is distinguished by an integrated carbon-fibre splitter and the brand’s characteristic Y-shape headlights, while the aerial view evokes the iconic periscopio line inspired by the first Countach, which runs diagonally from the cockpit to the rear and culminates in the air-streamers behind driver and passenger. The rear aspect is dominated by a sextet of protruding hexagonal taillights (also inspired by the Countach) as well as a V-shaped retractable spoiler.
The V-shaped rear spoiler extends elegantly from the rear deck and bears the stylised Sian detailing as shown in the interior.
From an aerodynamic point of view, airflow is directed through the front splitters, bonnet and side air intakes/outlets and over the rear spoiler, “with no loss of aerodynamic efficiency from the roadster’s roofless design”, Lamborghini says. The operation of the active cooling vanes on the rear is triggered by the reaction of smart-material elements to the temperature generated by the exhaust system, causing them to rotate and providing an elegant, lightweight cooling solution.
Furthermore, the St’Agata-based firm says the Sián Roadster also offers a heightened level of driving comfort (compared with other hypercars) by virtue of its hybrid system: “The momentary sensation of deceleration “and missing torque” felt during gear changes powered by a traditional combustion engine is eliminated by the torque-upshift fill provided by the hybrid’s e-motor,” the company says.
The only downside (apart from the fact that all Sian Roadsters have already been pre-sold) is that the newcomer is a hardcore roadster; it has no retractable roof section!
Ford has expanded on its local Tourneo Custom range in South Africa with the addition of a new engine, transmission and SYNC 3 infotainment technology. See details and pricing below…
Ford’s people-moving Tourneo Custom range now benefits from the addition of a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine that offers either 96 kW/385 Nm in Trend guise or 136 kW/415 Nm in the range-topping Limited trim. That’s not all though as this new engine choice is now also paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission for the first time.
It’s also the first time that Ford’s AdBlue technology features locally which converts nitrogen oxide emissions from the exhaust gas into nitrogen and water using a non-toxic urea/water solution. A particulate filter further reduces emitted solid particulates from the exhaust system resulting in less harmful emissions being emitted into the environment.
Ford's SYNC3 infotainment system is now offered on the Tourneo Custom for the first time.
While the exterior styling of the new Tourneo Custom automatic derivatives remains unchanged, Ford has installed a new dashboard and instrument panel, as well as a 3-spoke steering wheel with multifunction controls.
The range-topping Tourneo Custom Limited automatic now benefits from an integrated 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Ford’s SYNC 3 system which provides full smartphone integration as well as offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The Trend derivative is fitted with a 4.0-inch screen with a simpler version of SYNC 3. Both derivatives, however, are equipped with no less than 8 USB ports.
The Tourneo Custom is equipped with 6 airbags as standard as well as Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Roll-Over Mitigation (ROM), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
A number of optional features are also on offer including front and rear parking sensors, a rear parking camera, Lane Keeping Aid and Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Assist. Adaptive Cruise Control is also offered as an option.
Ford Tourneo Custom – Price in South Africa
2.2 TDCi Ambiente 6MT – R621 500
2.2 TDCi Trend 6MT – R646 000
2.2 TDCi Limited 6MT – R695 600
2.0 SiT Trend 6AT – R700 200
2.0 SiT Limited 6AT – R740 900
The Tourneo Custom is sold with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 6-year/90 000 km service plan, 3-year/unlimited km Roadside Assistance and a 5-year/unlimited corrosion warranty.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is regarded as the benchmark in the luxury sedan segment and it usually debuts the next generation of technology which will trickle down to the rest of the range. While the full reveal of the S-Class is yet to happen, Mercedes-Benz showcased the all-new infotainment system.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the next-generation of MBUX which will make an appearance in the all-new S-Class.
The features are impressive, with the German brand claiming things like being able to view presentations, host telephone conferences, watch online films and more. Before you worry about drivers being distracted, it's important to note the majority of S-Class customers make extensive use of the rear passenger entertainment and this is where they'll be found.
There will be up to 3 touchscreens and the 2nd-gen MBUX introduces an array of connectivity and digital options like a 3D driver display, more Hey Mercedes features as well new authentication methods. It's clear that Mercedes-Benz is determined to remove buttons and move the vast majority of functionality onto the touchscreen interface.
Mercedes-Benz is claiming you can now verify digital payments from inside the new vehicle. “Our overarching goal is to offer the utmost in comfort, personalization and convenience for our customers. A system that is more detailed, thoughtful and individual than ever before. So I would even call it My MBUX. Through even more ease-of-use, our customers gain extra time and added value. This goes beyond just displays and voice control. My MBUX now becomes the spinal cord, or even the central brain of the vehicle.” Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG.
