Bugatti has revealed a sportier Chiron. Meet the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport.
With a claim that it's new offering 'yearns for corners and challenging country roads,' the new Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport focuses on agility. The key changes are its trick aerodynamics as well as weight reduction. It also boasts a close-ratio gearbox as well as grippier special tyres. They're called Bugatti Sport Cup 2 R and were developed in conjunction with Michelin.
"We spoke to customers and realised they wanted a vehicle that is geared even more towards agility and dynamic cornering. A hypersports car that yearns for country roads with as many bends as possible. An unadulterated, uncompromising driving machine. Consequently, the vehicle is called Chiron Pur Sport", explains Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. "By cutting the weight by 50 kilogrammes while simultaneously boosting the downforce and configuring an uncompromising, sporty chassis as well as suspension setup, the Chiron Pur Sport boasts incredible grip, sensational acceleration and extraordinarily accurate handling. It's the most uncompromising yet agile Bugatti of recent times."
The hypercar manufacturer is claiming 2020 will be a big year as it will be delivering the first Divo units to customers, while 60 people will be fortunate enough to land one of these high-performance Chiron Pur Sports. Being a Bugatti, they're not going to be cheap, with suggestions of 3 million Euros before VAT.
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Video
Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Filmed in Cape Town
The new Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI promotional video was filmed in Cape Town South Africa. Check it out!
As we've already confirmed, Wolfsburg-based firm said the newcomer is powered by an EA888 (evo4) 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injection 4-cylinder engine with peak outputs of 180 kW and 370 Nm of torque; don't be worried, fanboys, there will definitely be hotter versions to come, like the R and TCR! A 6-speed manual gearbox (MQ350) is standard in the Europen market, but we believe the local GTI will be exclusively equipped with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission gearbox (DQ381 DSG).
Despite Volkswagen's crossover and SUV strategy radically changing its volume dependency on Golf, the GTI remains one of the most important legacy car in VW’s product portfolio for the SA market. The Golf 8 will become available locally in the last quarter of 2020 and should usher in a new era of digitisation for VW. Intuitive Smartphone pairing, superior App integration and driver assistance technologies will be hallmarks of the Golf 8.
For its reveal at the now-cancelled 2020 Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen paired its original Golf mk1 GTI with the newcomer and created a really slick film. The best part? It was filmed right here in Cape Town, South Africa.
Are you're keen on buying a modern classic car? The BMW E46 M3 – widely regarded as one of the finest M cars ever made – offers visceral performance thrills at a (currently) enticing price and could be just what you're looking for. Here's what you need to know when searching for one on the used market.
There’s no arguing that BMW M has enviable brand cache. The aspirational value of an M car is difficult to explain to those who don’t quite get it and, in South Africa, both BMW and its M sub-brand have a remarkable following. The success of BMW’s M Festival at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is a testament to this with the event garnering some 60 000 attendees over its 3-day run in 2019.
The E46 coupe has a seemingly timeless shape with no fussy lines or swoopy arches. The 3-box formula at its best.
Of course, countless people aspire to own a BMW M car, but only a fortunate few will ever get to realise that dream. Having said that, the entry point to that rarefied owner's circle isn't that difficult to attain as one might assume. Certain M models are starting to become more affordable as they age with grace, they cost no more than a new, moderately-specced family hatchback (to buy, anyway).
Unlike its E36-based predecessor, the E46 M3 was available only as a coupe and cabriolet, there was no sedan version. It is an iconic sportscar in almost anyone's book and when it debuted in 2000 it was deified by the world's motoring press. In fact, a certain British publication placed it 2nd in the list of cars vying for the 2001 Car of the Year title (the winner was the Pagani Zonda C12 S).
The M3’s 3.2-litre straight-6 (referred to as the S54 by anoraks) screamed all the way to its 8 000 rpm redline and offered one of the highest specific outputs of any production powerplant at the time with 252 kW and 365 Nm. This, coupled with the everyday usability and practicality of the E46 platform, made it an almost unbeatable package, now even more so given their depreciation with age.
The M3 feels surprisingly modern to drive, even by today’s standards. One is reminded of just how communicative hydraulically assisted steering racks were before the "more efficient, but alas, lifeless" electrically-assisted setups became the norm. There is a Sport button, which sharpens up the throttle response and reduces steering assistance, but the most surprising aspect of the driving experience is just how balanced the entire package is. At no point does the Bimmer's power reserve seem intimidating – I think we have the all-the-torque-and-all-the-torque-now turbocharged engines to blame for that – but there really is something so engaging and rewarding about having to extract the best from an engine by building up and to and exploring its redline. And, then there's the profound sound it emits when it gets there!
Back in those days, drivers had lots of revs to work with, but only the powerplants that revved over 5 000 did anything meaningful.
Compared with the E46 M3's 3.2-litre motor, which develops its peak torque at 4 900 rpm, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre unit in the contemporary M3/M4 produces its maximum "pound-foot force" at only 1 850 rpm. This inevitably makes the latter car feel appreciably faster, as the low-down grunt creates an urgency to the torque delivery that is somewhat lacking in naturally-aspirated vehicles. That’s not to say the S54 doesn’t feel fast – it's fast enough for a 20-year-old car – but from a sheer numbers perspective, it's outdone by the newer S55 motor with its sledgehammer torque delivery.
The E46 M3 also feels a lot smaller than its newer counterparts, but that would make sense, considering this bizarre trend of each new 3 Series model being bigger than its predecessor – it's daft, really.
The E46 M3 feels much smaller than its modern contemporaries because it is. And bigger isn't always better.
There’s something to be said about NVH levels too – the E46’s cabin would likely be considered as unacceptably noisy by today’s standards of refinement (some might call it noise insulation, but to others, it's nothing but sensory deprivation), but that too adds to the whole experience of being involved in the process of going fast, or slowly, whichever way it is that you intend to drive your M3. At low speeds, the S54 motor ticks away with a bassy burble that you can feel in the seat of your pants, and when you make the engine perform like it was designed to do, it has a raspy, raucous and tinny howl that I’ve only ever heard from one other vehicle – a McLaren F1. It's by no means raucous inside, but you definitely notice more road and wind noise than you would in a new 1 Series, for example.
Sounds great, I’d like to buy one
The brakes are something that you could look at upgrading down the line.
As far as performance bargains go, you’ll struggle to find more performance car for your Rand than an E46 M3. Some might say this statement is subjective, but that's the appeal of a modern classic: it's an object of sheer indulgence, but you don't have to spend R1 million to get your hands on one? A mere R130k will get you a tired SMG Coupé with many hard kilometres on the clock, whereas R350k to R450k will buy you a manual-shift "minter". If you’re an enthusiast, a manual Coupé is the car for you, and if you aren’t, then perhaps consider an SMG convertible? The infamous SMG gearbox featured essentially the same 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox as in the "stick shift" E46 M3. However, its clutch was electro-hydraulically controlled; you effectively drove the vehicle like a conventional automatic, except with a lot more rolling back and forth and pained expressions from your passengers as they wondered why their necks were sore and your clutch control so horrid.
What do I need to look out for?
Well, in petrolhead circles, the term "M-Tax" is often bandied about. In short, it implies that because a vehicle is an M-car, it’s highly likely that prior to being bought by you, it spent most of its life being thrashed by its previous custodians. What this means is that components such as the brakes, suspension and certain engine parts will have experienced more wear than if the car was used to potter to the shops and back once a week. This shouldn’t surprise you, though, as the E46 M3 is a serious performance car, so it should make sense that it’s been driven with intent – and often. Luckily for new owners, a great deal is known about the shortcomings of the M3’s mechanicals and, as such, failures are rather well documented, making maintenance and diagnosis significantly easier.
Serious things
It's not going to be plain sailing the minute you buy an E46 M3, it had a few problems.
Connecting-rod bearings
These tend to wear sooner than they would in a conventional motor. The main reason for that is the high-revving nature of the S54 motor. As such, it is suggested that these be replaced preventatively when nearing the 100 000 km mark. It isn’t quite as simple as that, however – factors vary per vehicle and some might soldier on well past 150 000 km with original bearings whereas others have spun bearings well below 100 000 km. Key to the longevity of these bearings, however, is ensuring that the 10W-60 oil used in the S54 is up to running temperature before engaging in spirited driving.
Subframe cracks
This is somewhat of a contentious topic when discussing E46 M3s is the infamous "cracked subframe". What actually happens here is that the rear-axle carrier isn’t able to withstand the high-torque outputs of the M3 and inevitably, cracks begin to develop in the panel. These cracks can be found on almost all M3s and once they develop past a certain point, they tend to spread at an exponential rate, so it’s best to get this checked and remedied as soon as possible.
There’s no exact science as to how this should be remedied. BMW's solution was to fill lower sections of the rear axle carrier panel with structural foam or replace the entire rear-axle carrier panel (RACP) – neither of which were ideal solutions. The best route to go would be to either repair existing cracks and weld in a Vince Bar, which helps distribute the drivetrain load to stronger parts of the vehicle; or to have a look at the solution that Redish Motorsport has developed – essentially reinforcement plates that are welded to the underside of the RACP.
SMG hydraulic pumps
BMW’s SMG gearbox could be described as an acquired taste, one which the overwhelming majority of enthusiasts have yet to acquire. It’s jerky at low speeds and not nearly as engaging as a conventional 6-on-the-floor shifter. One could perhaps overlook these faults, however, if the SMG-II box found in certain E46 M3s was a fine example of gearbox reliability. You won’t be surprised to learn, then, that it isn’t. The SMG pump may as well be fashioned from leaves and is yet another "when, not if" failure item on the M3. The best way around this is to just get a good ol’ manual.
VANOS
VANOS is the name that BMW gave to its variable valve timing system of the era and failure of various aspects of the system can either lead to lessened engine performance or bank account-altering catastrophic failure. Failure of the exhaust-cam hub tab results in the tab falling into the engine and wreaking all manner of havoc. The VANOS solenoids are a common fault area and can be cleaned, but will eventually have to be replaced. VANOS seals also tend to perish and have to be replaced timeously.
Try getting hold of an E46 M3 with a manual gearbox, you'll be glad you did in terms of reliability and driveability.
Less serious things
Cooling system
It is widely acknowledged that E46 cooling systems were basically made from chocolate and as such, fail on a regular basis. This is mainly due to the extensive use of plastic components, which really do not weather well (they become brittle with age). There are many aftermarket fixes for this; most of them entail replacing OEM hardware with harder-wearing equivalents.
VANOS- and power-steering hoses
The VANOS external accumulator may burst on earlier vehicles and should be checked. Also, inspect the power steering hoses, which are highly pressurized and, after time, often begin to sweat and eventually burst, which is not ideal as this can spray oil all over the engine bay. These pipes are rather shapely and quite difficult to repair so best to just buy a new one, as expensive as they may be.
Fluids
It would be advisable to check the quality of the fluids before purchasing a vehicle. Once you've bought an E46 M3, consider replacing all of the fluids systematically. This isn’t a hugely expensive process and goes a long way to ensuring that components are running as they should. As with any high-performance vehicle, it is imperative that the correct fluids are used throughout the vehicle.
Engine: 10W-60 Differential: OEM differential oil with friction modifier booster Gearbox: Gearbox fluid BMW MTF-LT2
How to spot a lemon
It cannot be overstated enough that you do your own research on a vehicle you may be interested in.
As with any used vehicle, there are bound to be many lemons out there. As a buyer, you need to ensure that you are not only well informed but well aware of what you’re looking for when you inspect a vehicle. It almost goes without saying that a vehicle should never be purchased sight-unseen – this is tantamount to financial suicide when you’re looking at purchasing something like an E46 M3.
Popular modifications
There are aftermarket audio head-units available if you like modern features such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
As long as motor vehicles have been an extension of people’s, um, personality, there seems to have been a desire, if not compulsion, to better the supreme and all-knowing engineering skills of those specialists who designed and made those vehicles. As is to be expected then, there is an array of popular modifications that can be done to E46 M3s. Some are great, and some aren’t.
Decat
Removing the catalytic converter from your car is not only reckless and unkind to the environment – it also makes your car sound a little racier and leads to a nominal improvement in performance. This mod is, therefore, a matter of preference as it certainly increases the raspy sound that the S54 motor emits, but if the modification is done badly it can also make the car sound broken.
Uprated brakes
This is one of the nicer (and popular) modifications to the E46 M3. You can upgrade the standard brakes to those of either the Z4 M (E85) or E46 M3 CSL, which has compatible braking systems. They offer improved braking performance thanks to larger-diameter discs and a different caliper-carrier at the front, as well as larger pistons at the rear.
Z4 M steering rack
This is a great update to consider should you ever decide to drive your M3 on track days. It just sharpens up the rack and makes the car respond slightly quicker to steering inputs.
Nice-to-haves
Where possible, keep it stock, it will only help the resale value if you ever decide to sell.
Another popular modification is to fit the manual shifter from the E46 330d as it has a slightly shorter throw than the stock M3 unit.
The M3’s stock head unit is also quite ancient by today’s standards and if you’re the sort of person who likes to stream tunes from your smartphone, you may want to consider a DynaVin unit or similar – there are many options out there that look similar to the stock nav unit, but offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Intakes
The most widely discussed modification for the E46 M3 is undoubtedly the air intake. Following the aural pornography that was the induction noise of the M3 CSL, every M3 owner wanted to replicate this with a cone filter here and some bolt-on piping there. Again, there are many options out there that all change the characteristics of your car, ranging from noisy and slow to less noisy and almost as fast as stock. My recommendation here is to not fiddle with the car's intake system if you cannot afford to upgrade it properly – there really isn’t anything wrong with how a stock M3 sounds, anyway.
SMG to manual conversions
Is this perhaps the pinnacle of the driver's M car?
There are a surprising number of these out there, some have been done rather well and others look like they were done via cross-continent correspondence. Unless you know exactly what you’re looking at (one would hope that the conversion has been properly documented), it is advisable to steer clear of these. Rather look a little harder and find the car you want – don’t settle for a sub-standard vehicle, because that sort of compromise will almost certainly come back to bite you in years to come.
And there you have it, sports fans! Shopping in the used car market is always an adventure and while there is no way to guarantee that you won’t buy a dud, there are definitely ways to upskill and inform yourself before making a purchase. The E46 M3 is an absolute legend and should you be in a position to consider adding one to your garage, just make sure you get yourself the right one!
Mercedes-AMG has announced a limited-edition C63 S Coupe. Meet the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Aero Edition 63.
There'll be just 63 of these vehicles built and the options look great. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe Aero Edition 63 features an AMG Performance rear spoiler, lip on the front, an aerodynamic rear diffuser, air vents in the rear apron, side sill inserts as well as exterior mirror housings. All these parts are made from carbon fibre, which not only looks great, but also doesn't weigh much.
The engine is the same as the standard car, which for the record is the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 which produces 375 kW and 700 Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels via a 9-speed transmission. The brakes have been painted gold and there's AMG Carbon Ceramic written and rounding off the package are the lightweight matte-black AMG forged alloy wheels.
The cabin of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe Aero Edition 63 features carbon fibre in the central console as well as AMG-branded steering wheel. The vehicle also comes standard with AMG Performance seats. While the vehicle is not earmarked for SA introduction, C63 customers can replicate this model buy ticking select options on the configurator.
Times are tough, the economy is struggling and every penny you earn needs to be accounted for. Buying and owning a car isn't cheap and as a car owner, there is much you can do to reduce the costs of motoring which will ultimately put money back into your pocket. Here are 4 ways to cut your motoring costs today!
1. Be a better driver
Your driving habits have a direct impact on your vehicle's fuel economy.
The manner in which you drive your car on a daily basis will have a direct impact on how much fuel your vehicle burns on the daily commute. Driving like a bat out of hell will achieve only 2 things – speeding tickets and higher fuel bills. If you drive considerately you can save hundreds of Rands every month just by easing up on the accelerator. By driving more sedately and making smoother gear changes you will save money and contribute to better road safety.
2. Maintain your car
A well-maintained car will save you money over time.
Car maintenance is a costly affair, but if you want to maximise the life and performance of your car, it’s money well spent. Looking after your car has many benefits. Not only will it perform more efficiently over time, but good maintenance will ensure that you get a good price for your car when you decide to sell your car in the used car market. Poor car maintenance will lead to a higher overall cost of ownership and a poorly maintained car will command a lower price when you decide to sell it. By neglecting your vehicle, you actively devalue your asset.
3. Look after your rubber
Correctly inflated tyres will improve fuel consumption.
Tyres are costly to replace, even on the most affordable cars, but there are ways to prolong the life of your vehicle's rubber. Filling your tyres with nitrogen as opposed to normal compressed air (which consists of 70% nitrogen and 30% oxygen) has several benefits. Nitrogen helps maintain consistent tyre pressure, which will prolong the life of your tyre by up to 20%. Correctly inflated tyres reduce rolling resistance while driving, which will improve fuel consumption too. It’s also advisable to rotate your tyres every 10 000 km to ensure even tyre wear. While you're at it, have your tyres balanced and your wheels aligned at the same time. This will ensure the longevity of your tyres and save you money in the long run.
4. Buy a fuel-efficient car
A newer, more fuel efficient car will save you money over time.
Modern cars are far more fuel-efficient thanks to improved engine technology and aerodynamics. If you are driving a car that's more than 10 years old, it may be a good time to replace your vehicle. If you are looking to replace your skedonk with a newer model, Cars.co.za is the best place to find your new ride, whether it be a new car or a used car. If you are unsure about what car to buy then engage with us on Facebook and Twitter and we will be more than happy to give you all the advice you need to make the best buying decision.
Top 3 World Car Awards Finalists Announced [w/video]
The 2020 World Car Awards is inching closer to completion as the Top 3 finalists across 5 categories were announced. See what cars are in the running below…
The winners of the 2020 World Car Awards will be announced at the upcoming New York International Auto Show on 8 April 2020. The finalists were selected via a secret ballot by a jury of 86 international motoring journalists based on their evaluations on each of the eligible vehicles.
Drag Race: BMW X4 M Competition vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
If anyone proposed the idea of drag racing SUVs 20 years ago, you might have suggested they slow down on the hallucinogenics.
Now we live in a world where SUVs share engines, chassis and gearboxes with their performance sedan siblings, making them ever-so-slightly slower, and with a worse centre of gravity, but nonetheless incredibly impressive to drive, and of course, packing all the perceived elevated status of owning an SUV.
In this quarter-mile drag race, we pit the brand new BMW X4 M Competition up against the beautiful Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
Car tuner Mansory has become famous for its exotic creations and for the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, it produced some extreme versions of the Lamborghini Urus, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Continental GT V8 convertible.
Motor shows are filled with the latest and greatest product from the manufacturers and despite the Geneva Motor Show being canceled due to the COVID19 virus, that didn't stop the car companies from staging online reveals. One aspect of motor shows is the aftermarket and customisation section and one brand stands out for making some weird and wonderful creations. Mansory is a German-based tuning house and for the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, it worked on the Lamborghini Urus, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Continental GT Convertible.
Mansory Coastline
This is Mansory's take on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. It features a sportier bodykit with plenty of carbon fibre, 24-inch alloy wheels and a power upgrade. Mansory has reflashed the ECU and fitted a sports silencer, giving it a total output of 454 kW and 950 Nm (the standard model produces 420 kW and 850 Nm). It'll sprint to 100 kph in a claimed 5 seconds and Mansory has moved the limiter to 280 kph. Inside, everything is painted in turqoise and there's extensive use of quilted leather on the seats. Mansory has made just 8 examples.
Mansory Venatus
Mansory has given the Lamborghini Urus a full makeover and it looks mental. FInished in matte blue with green accents, topped with a widebody kit, there's nothing quite like it. There's even a spoiler on the rear, finished in carbon fibre, obviously. There are the obligatory big rims, but the real changes can be found under the bonnet. Mansory has given the Urus a big power boost. In standard form, it produces 478 kW and 850 Nm from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. This version thumps out 596 kW and 1000 Nm, giving it a claimed sprint time of 3.3 seconds to 100 kph.
Mansory Bentley Continental GT Convertible
Mansory has given the luxurious Bentley Continental GT Convertible a makeover. With a monster grille, bodykit, carbon fibre splitter, rear diffuser and wing, this Bentley looks outrageous. Most of these components are finished in carbon fibre and there's the obligatory rear wing too. Mansory has also fitted new-look LED daytime running lights as well as 22-inch alloy wheels. For extra effect, there's green detailing in the brakes and accent lines. The green continues inside, with seats, door panels and steering wheel. The engine has been given a mild workover, with a new exhaust and remapped ECU. In standard form it produces 404 kW from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, but that's been increased to 477 kW and it's claimed to hit 100 kph in under 4 seconds.
Hot Pininfarina Battista Anniversario Revealed [w/video]
Just over a year ago, Pininfarina unleashed its Battista electric GT supercar. Now a special Battista Anniversario edition has been revealed wearing a new rear wing and lighter alloy wheels.
We love the look of the Battista and the Italian design firm has refined the limited-run model with some aerodynamic enhancements and lighter 21-inch, centre-locking alloy wheels which shed 10 kg in weight.
The Battista Anniversario combines 3 exterior colours including Bianco Sestriere white, Grigio Antonelliano gray and Iconica Blu which forms part of the optional Furiosa package which also includes a front carbon fibre splitter, side blades and a rear diffuser. The large rear wing increases downforce at speed to improve stability.
The interior is finished in black leather and Alcantara with blue contrast stitching and a blue 12 o’clock mark seen on the steering wheel.
The Battista Anniversario adopts the same electric powertrain which comprises 4 electric motors (1 at each wheel) with a total system output of 1 397 kW and 2 300 Nm of torque. The sprint from zero to 100 kph is claimed at under 2 seconds, while zero to 300 kph takes less than 12 seconds with a top speed of 350 kph. A 120 kWh battery pack allows for an electric range of over 500 km.
Only 150 Pininfarina Battistas will be built but only 5 examples of the Battista Anniversario will see the light of day as part of the same production run. The Battista will be built in Cambiano, Turin, Italy.
Pricing for the Battista Anniversario is pegged at $2.87-million or over R44-million at current exchange rates.
Aston Martin has showcased its new V12 Speedster. Here's what you need to know about this extreme limited-edition performance model.
Aston Martin will be making just 88 examples of the new V12 Speedster. The British carmaker has pulled off an incredible feat, going from idea to production model in just over a year. It's a striking design and it looks like a proper racecar, with splashings of carbon fibre everywhere.
Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said: “It makes me enormously proud to reveal Aston Martin’s latest, most exciting special model today. The V12 Speedster is an incredible demonstration of the breadth of capability and determination from the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ team, who have worked tirelessly to create this stunning, two-seat sports car aimed at our most demanding and enthusiastic customers.”
Built on a unique bonded aluminium architecture with shared elements from the Vantage and DBS Superleggera, the V12 Speedster is a fascinating take on open-top performance. It features an independent double wishbone front, and multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and adaptive damping offering Sport, Sport+ and Track modes. There are 21-inch forged alloy wheels and carbon ceramic brakes.
The power comes from a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 motor mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. There's also a limited slip differential. It develops around 515 kW and 753 Nm, and it's capable of a claimed sprint time of 3.5 seconds to 100 kph and it'll run to a limited top speed of 300 kph.
Aston Martin says the order books are now open for its new V12 Speedster, with a price tag of £765,000 (R15 million). The first customers will be getting their cars in early 2021.
