Meet the Bugatti La Voiture Noire. It's a tribute to the iconic Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and the most expensive new car in the world.
As for the price, Bugatti claims its new La Voiture Noire costs €11 million, which translates into around R176 143 139 million.
Based on the already ultra-luxurious Bugatti Chiron, the La Voiture Noire features a handcrafted carbon fibre body. It is powered by the same quad-turbo 8.0-litre W16 engine with 1 500 hp (1 118 kW) and 1 600 Nm.
According to Bugatti boss, Stephan Winkelmann, the car is a one-off and has already been sold to a collector.
Famed Italian design consultancy, Pininfarina, has finally revealed its electric hypercar at the Geneva Motor Show.
It’s called the Battista and for Pininfarina, this is the future of the global hypercar market.
A strikingly styled vehicle, Battista retains the silhouette of a typical mid-engined hypercar, despite being driven by a T-shaped 120kWh battery pack, which is the work of Croatian electric vehicle specialist, Rimac.
Pininfarina has styled some of the most celebrated Italian supercars in history and with Battista, the company has been keen to trade on that heritage. That's why this battery-powered hypercar looks more "conventional" in its side-profile than one would expect from a vehicle without a conventional internal-combustion engine dictating its packaging and proportions.
The numbers are startling. Each wheel is individually powered by its own electric motor and total system output is 1 415 kW. Pininfarina can, therefore, claim, with some degree of confidence, that Battista will be the most powerful Italian car yet when it goes on sale next year.
Production will be limited to only 150 units and those few privileged customers will own a vehicle capable of 0-100 kph in under 2 seconds and a top speed of 350 kph. Pininfarina also promises that Battista will be a thrillingly accomplished car to drive.
To guarantee Battista delivers in all aspects of performance and driver feedback a team of all-star (mostly German) engineers were assembled to execute this battery-powered hypercar. Pininfarina managed to poach engineers from AMG, Bugatti and Porsche for its Battista project.
Depending on build specification, confirming a Battista order will cost you between R30 million and R35 million. Ouch!
Few things in the automotive realm are more traditionally English than a Bentley finished in British racing green.
In an attempt to profit from this heritage, Bentley has released a new version of its latest Continental GT, called the Number 9 Edition. With a production run limited to only 100 units, these Continental GTs are built by the company’s on-site tailoring division, Mulliner.
The Number 9 Edition Continental GTs pay homage to those classic racing Bentleys of the interwar era. Rolling on 10-spoke alloy wheels, 21-inches in size, the Number 9 Edition is distinguished from other Continentals by its bold No.9 grille graphics and carbon-fibre body kit.
Most of the Mulliner craftsmanship has been applied to the Number 9 Edition cabin architecture and finishing. Seats are either green or black and handsewn from the very best hides available.
Gorgeous turned aluminium makes up most of the centre console's surfacing, while a classic British Jaeger analogue clock sits between the ventilation dials. Controlling those ventilation ducts are 18K gold plated organ stops.
Adding to the Number 9 Edition’s custom status is an encased wood insert, which has been mounted within the instrument binnacle. For each of the 100 Number 9 Edition cars, this wood insert has been removed from the seat of an original 1930 No.9 Bentley Le Mans race car. Very nice indeed…
Cape Town-based start-up RentMyRide is South Africa's first peer-to-peer car rental company, which allows car owners to monetise their private vehicles by safely renting them out to registered users of the platform. We chat to 3 owners about their experiences of using the platform to generate additional income for themselves.
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Modelled on successful international companies such as Turo (in America) and SnappCar (Europe), you could consider RentMyRide "the Airbnb of cars" in South Africa. For car owners (who have listed their vehicles with the Mother City-based company), it creates the potential to generate extra income, while users of the service will gain mobility (when visiting either Cape Town or Johannesburg for business or while on holiday, for example) with the benefit of greater choice and savings, particularly for longer rentals.
To find out more about RentMyRide or to list your vehicle, click here.
We chatted to three owners, who have been using the RentMyRide platform, about their experiences thus far, and what advice they can give those who are looking to get involved.
Early adopter Abdul
Abdul Aziz Essack has been using the RmR platform since 2016.
Abdul Aziz Essack has been with RentMyRide for three years and says he finds "the team very friendly and accommodating." By virtue of signing up with the service back in 2016 – he's a very early adopter. He currently has 3 active cars on the system and would consider adding more vehicles.
"RentMyRide provides an additional income while I can still maintain a full-time job," he explains.
According to Abdul, the level of demand for his rental vehicles fluctuates depending on what part of the year it is (as to be expected, it peaks during the holiday season), but "by buying the right vehicle, once it has suffered the worst of its depreciation, you will minimise the risk of making a loss.
"I see it as a business opportunity, but choosing your vehicles wisely is very, very important," Abdul continues. "You should pay below retail for the car you put on the system, and your rental prices have to be competitive, too."
And what's the secret to RentMyRide's success? "You pay a lower deposit in most instances, the prices are reasonable, and there's a personal touch," Abdul concludes.
Heinrich weighs in
Heinrich Kapp currently has 2 vehicles available on RentMyRide.
Heinrich Kapp from Paarl has been using the RentMyRide system since March 2017 and currently has 2 cars listed. Like Abdul, however, he'd like to add more.
"As many as I can," Heinrich says. Heinrich is in agreement with Abdul on another topic, too – he was attracted to the platform because he wanted to generate a second income stream while working a full-time job.
"I like the sharing-economy principle, as well as running a second business that functions well without having to deal with the headache of employing people and maintaining systems on my account," he explains.
"If you save a good percentage of the rental income you will have a good buffer for wear and tear and other odd expenses. I just recently changed jobs so the extra income comes in handy. When I get to list 5 cars on the platform, my bond will be fully covered by the vehicles," he says.
What tips can Heinrich share? "Do not purchase a new vehicle under finance, but rather get a good quality second-hand vehicle. Do your pre-trip inspections properly and take pictures if you can. You do sometimes get clients that cause damage to your vehicles and then deny their actions.
"Have a mileage limit on your profile and check the car's odometer reading after each trip. State clearly on your profile if there are any extra costs involved with delivery, cleaning and filling the tank."
Heinrich believes the RentMyRide customer support team is one of its key assets. "Besides that personal touch, better cars, more affordable prices, and being able to negotiate with owners, I'd say RmR is way more responsive to customer requests than traditional rental companies," he adds.
Rose, the newbie
Rose Caldeira of Cape Town has been surprised by the number of bookings she has received for her vehicle.
Rose Caldeira joined RentMyRide in September 2018 and currently has one vehicle listed on the service, but she'd like to add more. Like the other owners we spoke to, she was keen making extra income and also had a second car "standing around not doing much", so it made sense for her.
"I must say I entered this with much trepidation," Rose says, "but I can honestly say that once I had completed my first rental all my concerns dissipated. I have only good things to say about RentMyRide and its support team. They really go the extra mile."
For Rose, the bookings thus far have exceeded her expectations, but she cautions that it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. "There are ordinary people out there (like me) who want to make extra money and not all of us have huge amounts of capital to start our own businesses.
"However, most of us are fortunate enough to have a second car and RentMyRide offers us the opportunity to offer a service via them and earn money. I think that's amazing, as we only have a small part to play admin-wise, which is great."
And in terms of the renters? "I think the system attracts renters mainly because they have the ability to book really good cars at a really good price, even if some vehicles are a bit older (than those in traditional rental companies' fleets). Price plays a huge role and people shop around for the best deal much more so than before."
Rose advises that good communication with renters is key, and that flexibility regarding delivery and collection is a major plus. "Also keep your rental price reasonable and always present a clean car," she concludes.
To find out more about RentMyRide or to list your car, go here.
Mercedes-AMG has revealed the next-generation A45 hot hatch at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show! Here’s what you need to know…
The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class was introduced locally last year and while the recently-revealed Mercedes-AMG A35 can be expected in South Africa soon, the missing piece is the range-topping AMG A45, which has now made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The good news is that the new AMG A45 has been confirmed for market introduction in South Africa in Q4 of 2019!
The new A45 is visually differentiated from its A35 sibling with a striking Panamericana grille, quad tailpipes and bespoke ? alloy wheels.
The next-generation AMG A45 is a potent piece of machinery that will be offered in either standard A45 guise or as the more powerful A45 S. The standard Mercedes-AMG A45 will offer 287 kW and ? of torque while the more powerful AMG A45 S will pack no less than 310 kW and ? of torque developed from its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine.
In standard form, the AMG A45 will accelerate from zero to 100 kph in ? while the AMG A45 S is slightly faster, achieving the obligatory sprint in ?. Top speed is limited to 250 kph?
The new A45 employs the latest AMG-Magna all-wheel drive system with electro-hydraulic actuation that’s able to direct all power to a single wheel if necessary. The A45 also now features a drift mode.
Interior details
As you would expect, the interior of the new A45 is decisively sporty with AMG sports seats and an AMG steering wheel providing the necessary comfort for the driver. The latest version of Merc’s highly-praised MBUX user interface makes its way into the A45 combining both the instrument cluster and infotainment system in one large display. The system can be operated using a trackpad or using voice control.
Other notable interior features include?
The new Mercedes-AMG is expected in South Africa in Q4 of 2019.
Chinese car manufacturer, GWM, is offering buyers added peace of mind with the extension of its warranty plan.
GWM does business in the lower end of the bakkie market and has been serving customers locally since 2007. However, like most other brands, it too has an SUV in its range seen in the GWM H5.
Offering a variety of single and double-cab bakkies from the Steed 5 right up to the Steed 6, GWM caters for customers looking for tough and affordable workhorses.
Now, in an effort to enhance its proposition, GWM has extended its warranty plan in South Africa to 5-years/100 000 km (previously 2-years) as of 1 March 2019. In addition, a 3-year/45 000 km service plan is also offered on all GWM double-cab bakkies.
Mercedes-Benz has shown the electric EQV concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Details below…
This is the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQV Concept and it offers full electric mobility for up to 8 passengers. The production version is expected to be revealed later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
With rapid charging, the EQV can charge a range of 100 km in just 15 minutes and features a compact electric drivetrain over the front axle that produces 150 kW. A 100kWh lithium-ion battery is fitted, enabling a range of up to 400 km. Charging is achieved using a Mercedes-Benz wallbox or a regular household plug socket.
In terms of practicality, the EQV can accommodate 6, 7 or 8 passengers with varying seating configurations including individual seats or seat benches. The interior also benefits from the latest MBUX infotainment system which combines with a plush Nappa leather-adorned interior to provide both luxury and comfort for the driver and passengers.
The new Renault Clio has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. Take a look at what the newcomer will offer!
Running on the new CMF-B platform alongside the new Captur and some Nissan products, the all-new fifth generation Clio has been shown 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
The Clio is one of those vehicles which sells in tremendous numbers, especially in continental Europe. It has found favour in South Africa too and many have found homes here too. Since its official launch in 1990, over 15 million units have been sold and it has become Renault's best-selling vehicle globally. Clio 4 was especially well received. Design has always played in a key role in Clio's success and senior vice president of corporate design Laurens van den Acker is hopeful that Clio 5 will replicate the same sales success.
“The fifth generation Clio is very important for us as it is the best-seller in its segment and the second best-selling car in Europe, all categories combined. The Clio is an icon, and the latest features the very best of the previous generations. The exterior design of Clio IV won over our customers and continues to do so today, so we chose to keep that DNA while bringing modernity and elegance to the new model. The interior has undergone a true revolution, with a considerable improvement in perceived quality, greater sophistication and technology. It is the best Clio yet.”
Engine outputs
A new hybrid Clio will join the range and buyers will have the choice of both petrol and diesel engines.
The all-new Clio forms a massive part of Renault's electrification strategy. By 2022 Renault will offer 12 electrified vehicles in its portfolio. The all-new Clio 5 will be first with its E-Tech hybrid engine. Also in 2022, Renault is aiming to have its entire portfolio 100% connected in key markets. There's also a massive focus on autonomous driving tech and Renault hopes to have 15 cars equipped.
Nonetheless, the new Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid makes use of a 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with 2 electric motors and a 1.2 kWh battery and is expected to join the range in 2020. The Clio E-Tech hybrid is said to offer up to 40% better fuel efficiency than its engined siblings and can drive at up to 80% of the time in pure electric mode.
A naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine with either 48 kW or 56 kW will be offered with a 5-speed manual transmission. There will also be a new turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine in the mix with 73 kW and 160 Nm of torque and will be offered with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT. A range-topping 1.3-litre turbopetrol engine with 95 kW and 240 Nm will also be offered with a 7-speed dual-clutch EDC transmission.
On the diesel front, a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine with either 63 kW and 220 Nm or a more powerful 84 kW version with 260 Nm will be offered.
Interior details
The Clio 5 represents a big leap forward in terms of perceived quality and ergonomics. Given how much the segment has moved in this regard (think Polo and Fiesta) it's critical that Renault keeps pace. Dominating the Clio 5 dashboard is a Tesla-style vertical-orientated display. It contains multimedia and the car will also feature GPS navigation and a wireless charging pad. From the photos, we can see there will be 2 USB ports too. We can also see an option for both a manual gearbox as well as a version of Renault's Electronic Dual Clutch transmission. Renault is doing away with the GT-Line badging and replacing it with RS-Line. RS-Line cars have sportier cabin trim, bigger alloy wheels and sporty body kits.
Renault is claiming that its new Clio 5 boats the biggest boot in the segment at 391 litres, which is 26 litres more than the Clio 4. Renault South Africa says they're looking at bringing the new Clio 5 in either late this year or early 2020.
The model you see here is the Renault RS-Line. Note the manual gearbox, sporty trim, metal pedals and RS logo at the base of the steering wheel.
Aston Martin Lagonda has shown a new Lagonda All-Terrain Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Details below…
Following on from the Lagonda Vision Concept shown in 2018, Aston Martin Lagonda, which aims to be the world's first zero emission luxury brand, has now shown the All-Terrain Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. This concept is said to preview an all-electric production crossover which expected to come to market in 2022 and will be built in a new facility in St Athan, Wales.
'The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept adds a hugely exciting sense of adventure to the unique brand of luxury, emission-free vehicles that Lagonda is planning to produce. This is a car that would be at home whisking someone straight from a glamorous red carpet event to a remote scientific research lab. It shows the bold possibilities for Lagonda and demonstrates how the company will push to expand horizons in every area, whether it be technology, design or scope of travel,' says Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, Andy Palmer.
The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept is decisively futuristic. Note the floating key…
Apart from its swept exterior design, perhaps the most beguiling feature of this All-Terrain Concept is the key for the vehicle which appears to float between the front seats thanks to electromagnets. The cabin design is lavishly futuristic with an integrated instrument cluster in the steering wheel and when full autonomous mode is activated, the front seats can swivel around to face rear passengers.
BMW recently launched its fourth-generation X5 in South Africa, a car that originally created a segment and which has sold in vast numbers ever since.
The third generation X5 saw the introduction of a special, high-performance diesel model known as the M50d.
Back in 2014 we actually drag raced it against the supercharged V8 Range Rover Sport and the result was…surprising. You can watch that video here!
And now there's a brand new M50d, and for some reason BMW decided to fit another turbo charger, making this a rare quad-turbo beast.
In this video, we get stuck in and take a detailed look at the new X5. Our video guy, Ciro De Siena, will take you through all the tech and specs you might care for and he even offers an opinion or two about its performance, acceleration and handling.
And lastly we try and answer the question, is the X5 M50d enough of a performance SUV for your money, or should you wait for the upcoming X5 M?
The BMW X5 M50d is priced from priced from R1 502 582.
