Volvo Celebrates 20 Years of Polestar

Volvo has celebrated 20 years of its performance Polestar brand by reuniting its current Volvo V60 Polestar model with its Granddad the Volvo 855 T5-R. Both cars are on display side-by-side at Huntington Beach in California.

“Fast Volvo estates as the 855 T5-R is something special for many performance car enthusiasts around the world and we are proud to continue that heritage to a new level with the V60 Polestar,” said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar.

Volvo performance heritage

The original Volvo 855 T5-R was built back in 1994 and featured a 2.3-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine that was capable of 179 kW and 330 Nm of torque. That meant the boxy estate would shunt to 100kph in just seven-seconds and hit a crazy top speed (at the time) of 245kph. “I still remember the overwhelming reception we got when we showed the T5-R for the first time, especially combined with the current BTCC program we had with the 850 estate. I am very glad to see Polestar together with Volvo continuing this unique heritage today in the form of the V60 Polestar,” said Thomas Lindskog, Vice President 800 series at Volvo Cars in 1994.

Technology though has moved on and in comparison the current Polestar V60 uses a 3-Litre V6 turbo that pumps out 257 kW and 500 Nm. 0-100kph takes just 4.9 seconds and tops out at a limited 250kph. The current car loses out in one department as it weighs 234kg more than the original 1834kg vs 1600kg.

Most Expensive Range Rover Unveiled

Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has revealed its most expensive Range Rover which it worked on with British gun-maker Holland & Holland.

Features specifically designed for Holland & Holland customers

Based on the Range Rover Autobiography Black the Holland & Holland Range Rover is available with either the 4.4 litre SDV8 or 5.0 litre Supercharged Petrol, and comes in a unique Holland & Holland Green hue complete with H&H badges. The grille is painted in the same deep green and has chrome highlights.

Most changes appear on the inside where the most expensive Range Rover benefits from an Executive Class seating package with two individually adjustable rear seats and an extended redesigned centre console, and electric walnut tables, USB sockets, extra stowage and bespoke lights.

The seats are further trimmed in premium soft tan and espresso leather upholstery, embroidered with Holland & Holland detailing. Additional special Holland & Holland touches include wood veneers that match Hollands oil-finished gunstocks, and door handle detailing with exquisite engraving.

The most notable feature can be found in the trunk, where a specially designed removable leather-trimmed aluminium loadspace features an Alcantara interior and enough room for a pair of Holland & Holland guns. The loadspace floor has been engineered from aluminium and carbon fibre with a leather & wood veneer finish.

Land Rover plans to build just 120 examples of these expensive Range Rover Holland & Holland models over the next three years with an estimated sale price of R3.1 Million per car.

2015 Audi Q3 Facelift Revealed

The 2015 Audi Q3 and RS Q3 facelift has been revealed ahead of a scheduled February 2015 public debut.

Updated design

Visual changes to the 2015 Q3 consist of a new grille, revised bumpers and new alloy wheel designs. The revised headlights are equipped with xenon bulbs as standard, as well as LED daytime running lights and reworked LED taillights.

The interior remains unchanged but benefits from additional features such as a luggage compartment package, a pass-through and the power tailgate, and an extensible luggage compartment cover.

S-Line spec adds a powered tailgate as standard, while SE-spec Q3s feature new sports seats and a new steering wheel. In addition, S-Line plus models now get tinted windows and metallic paint, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, a new sat-nav system, perforated leather, cruise control, and a parking guidance system.

The equipment list includes the MMI Plus, Audi Drive Select, blind spot alert, power adjustable front seats, LED ambient lighting, secondary collision brake assist, lane departure warning, etc.

Engine upgrades

The 2015 Audi Q3 will be available with three TFSI and three TDI four-cylinder engines. All of these engines are said to be turbocharged and will emit up to 17 percent less CO2 than before. These Euro 6-compliant units will range from 1.4 to 2.0 litres producing between 88 kW and 162 kW.

The Audi RS Q3 will also receive a range of updates to make it even more performance oriented. The models 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit now produces 250 kW which is 30 PS more and 450 Nm of torque guided to a quattro AWD system through a seven-speed S tronic transmission.

This setup enables the high-performance crossover to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds (0.7s quicker) before hitting a top speed of 250 kph.

Aside from the power increase, the crossover will also be equipped with an RS exhaust system featuring switchable flaps to provide even more volume to the unmistakable sound of the five-cylinder engine.

Deliveries of the 2015 Audi Q3 facelift are said to start in February 2015. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.

2014 BMW 2-Series Video Review

As any driving instructor will be at pains to tell you, looking in the rearview mirror is important. Car companies like to do this too; although perhaps its to inspire a sense of nostalgia more than anything in the engineering department.

This becomes immediately evident when driving the new BMW 2-Series and the BMW 2002, a classic that the blue and white propeller brand is keen to entrench as the newcomers progenitor. There is certainly a shared spirit: a small, compact sports coupe with decent power and tidy rear wheel drive handling. But my goodness, how things have moved on.

Firstly, I wouldnt want to crash into a beach ball in the 2002. Theres barely a seatbelt to speak of and the entire frame looks and feels paper thin. In terms of passenger protection, Im quite happy to be a car journalist in the modern era.

However, theres a directness, a sense of immediacy in the vintage car that most modern cars lack. Weve become very detached from the driving experience. This is bittersweet; for a long journey, detachment is a good thing. Modern cars are almost relaxing. But for a blast up a windy road, the charm of the old school is undeniable and missed.

The BMW 2-Series reviewed

However, progress we must, and its the new 2 that you will be buying, so lets have that chat. BMWs smallest coupe replaces the 1-Series coupe which was a real hoot to drive, but was perhaps less practical, especially the rear seating.

While the new series shares engines with the entire range, it is based on a cut down version of the 3-Series chassis, making this noticeably bigger than the car it replaces. In fact, a quick glance and you could be forgiven for thinking its a 4-Series.

There are 3 engines available, two petrol in various states of tune, a diesel and the mildly insane M235i. See the table below for a full overview of the range and power outputs.

BMW 2 Series Summary

Its not that I dont like the 2-Series, but I struggle to see the point. You could spend less money and have a 1-Series, which in 5-door guise is more practical. You could spend a little bit more money and have a 3 Series, which is infinitely more practical but understandably less exciting.

Or you could spend about R80 000 more and pick up a 4-Series, which I think might just be the best BMW available right now, besides the X5.

Or you could spend about R380 000 and pick up a 220i. Its a well-sorted little package; comfortable, powerful enough, not terribly thirsty and in M Sport trim, quite good looking. It will probably make you smile every time you drive it, especially when you flick it into Sport mode.

And maybe that is the point.

BMW 2-Series prices and specs for South Africa

	220i	220d	228i	M235i
Price	R406 757	R436 500	R445 988	R558 079
Engine	2.0 i-4 turbo	2.0 i-4 turbo	2.0 i-4 turbo	3.0 i-6 turbo
Power	135kW	135kW	180kW	240kW
Torque	270Nm	380Nm	350Nm	450Nm
Acceleration	7.0s	7.2s	5.8s	5.0s
Fuel economy	6.1l/100km	4.5l/100km	6.6l/100km	8.1l/100km

Bentley SUV Closer to Production (Video)

Bentley has released a short teaser video of its long anticipated SUV. The initial concept, called the EXP 9 F SUV was originally shown at the Geneva motor show in 2012.

This latest clip show the Bentley SUV doing some desert testing and clearly incorporates the familiar front grille and Continental’s headlight cluster. The video also shows the painstaking work that Bentley puts into its hand-stitched leather interiors, seemingly some of the textures and colours have been picked up from their time in spent in the desert.

There are still very few features confirmed on the Bentley SUV but it’s likely to be powered by both the 4-litre twin-turbo V8 and the 6-Litre W12 that Bentley keeps in the stable.

*Bentley EXP 9 F Pictured

Bentley SUV Teaser Video

2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Introduced With More Power and New Tech (Video)

The 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have been updated with a number of upgrades including changes to the six-cylinder diesel engine.

Range Rover and Range Rover Sport offer an unrivalled combination of performance, efficiency, design leadership and off-road capability, says Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director for Jaguar Land Rover.

Our latest updates capitalise on these strengths, with our ground-breaking new All Terrain Progress Control, along with extra-efficient six-cylinder engines, which underline Land Rover’s commitment to sustainability.

Increased performance

Although output remains the same at 190 kW and 600 Nm, Land Rovers 3.0-litre six-cylinder TDV6 engine has been enhanced with a ball-bearing single turbocharger that replaces the twin-turbocharging technology.

Along with Low Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (LPEGR), a two-stage oil pump that reduces parasitic engine losses and a revised design of fuel-injector nozzle, the TDV6 has improved fuel efficiency to 8.5 percent in the Range Rover and 5.7 percent in the Range Rover Sport.

The Range Rover Sport SDV6 gets the same enhancements but maintains its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel. Power rises 10kW to 225kW and torque 100Nm to 700Nm, yet fuel consumption falls 7.0 per cent to seven-litres/100km.

The supercharged 3.0-litre V6 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SCV6 make no more power than before, but fuel efficiency has improved by 1.9 percent. This is made possible by a new thermostat, laser-drilled injectors, revised camshaft chain guides, a two-stage oil pump, diamond-like coating for the piston and gudgeon pin, and the use of lower viscosity oil.

New and improved technology

Land Rover is also introducing a head-up display system which will offer information like speed, gear position & shift indicator, sat-nav instructions, cruise control info and traffic sign recognition.

Furthermore, both the 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport can be fitted with an All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) system which allows the driver to select a desired speed and it will continuously monitor and adjust the vehicle settings in order to provide the best traction regardless of conditions.

The models are additionally available with an updated colour palette featuring the striking Yulong White, while the Range Rover Sport is also offered in eye-catching Kaikoura Stone.

2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport with All-Terrain Progress Control system

Datsun GO Zero Star Crash Rating (Video)

As part of the Global NCAP initiative, the new Datsun Go and Maruti Suzuki Swift were subjected to frontal crash tests under the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) which they failed dismally.

A disappointing zero result for the Datsun GO

The Bharat NCAP represents the tenth New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to be formed around the world, and was established for the Indian market the fifth biggest passenger car market in the world.

Nissan’s recently launched sub-brand budget car, the Datsun GO, failed the test because its structure collapsed during the frontal crash test done at 64 kph and because it lacked a front airbag, resulting the driver’s head hitting the steering wheel. The dummy readings further indicated a high probability of life-threatening injuries.

This of course raises alarms, as Global NCAP Secretary-General, David Ward explained the body structure of the vehicle is so fragile that even fitting airbags would do absolutely nothing for occupants safety.

The Go was commended locally for its astonishing price tag that sits below R100 000. Despite its failure to get even one star in the crash test, the little car has some quirks that buyers would be interested in such as its tiny 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, rated at 50 kW.

For more details on the Datsun GO here.

Coming to the Maruti Suzuki Swift, this models structure showed signs of collapsing in the frontal crash test and just like the GO, its lack of standard-fit airbags meant that the driver’s head made direct contact with the steering wheel. In the same manner, the dummy readings indicated a high probability of life-threatening injuries. However, unlike the GO, the organisation maintains the Swift would improve occupant protection when fitted with airbags. South Africans are lucky though, as Swift models are fitted with standard airbags across the range.

Datsun GO fails crash test – zero star safety rating

Maruti Suzuki Swift crash test – zero star safety rating

New Ford Everest Teased Ahead of Beijing Reveal (Video)

The new Ford Everest has been teased in a video ahead of debut in Beijing next week.

New Ford Everest minor details revealed

The Everest is scheduled to be unveiled at a special media event in Beijing on November 13. While the images and video provided dont reveal much about the car, they do show parts of the grille and headlight design.

The new Ford Everest was first unveiled in concept form in August last year, with Ford is keen to underline the high level of involvement from its local design and engineering teams.

We cant wait to show the world the latest example of our One Ford global product strategy in action, said Trevor Worthington, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific. After five years and 4500 man-years of design and development work, were going to redefine what customers can expect from an SUV.

Although Ford is being secretive on all the specifications of the model, they did confirm that it will be “rugged, refined and amazingly capable.”

Echoing the words of Worthington, the director of the Ford Design Centre in Melbourne, Todd Willing, said the Everest was the culmination of several years work aligning Fords global design language with customer insight from each of the key markets where Everest will be sold.

This is our vision of a large, seven-seat off-road vehicle that exemplifies how Fords One Ford vehicle philosophy can apply for a vehicle created for Asia Pacific, Willing said.

The Everest is also further proof of the world-class design expertise here in Melbourne. Many of the talented team who worked on Everest and continue to work on other Ford vehicles have been educated right here in Victoria.

New Ford Everest Teaser video

Car Prices Around The World Compared To South Africa

After we toured the globe last month looking at the price of fuel around the world, we thought wed take a look at car prices around the world.

Its a topic of discussion at every braai actually, every gathering of South African motorists: why are cars in South Africa so expensive? There does seem to be a general feeling that were being ripped off. But do the facts back up the perception?

Weve chosen five of the most popular cars in South Africa, and one supercar, sold in five key markets around the world to compare with South Africas car pricing.

Its worth noting that affordability in each country is another matter entirely. South Africans earn less on average than each of the other countries, which roughly means that purchasing a car costs a higher percentage of the average income in South Africa. It’s also worth remembering that South Africa is a relatively small market (around 50 000 cars per month) so import costs of vehicles tends to be higher per unit. For comparison basis the USA can reach a million cars a month, Australia is our closest competitor but still sells around 90 000 units a month.

We have some top tips for you, if you want a supercar go to America, if you want a small Ford or Toyota go to Australia, if you want a German sedan stay right where you are in SA and whatever you do dont go to Britain. Its always raining there anyway.

Car Prices Around The World

Jaguar F-Type All-Wheel Drive Confirmed (Video)

If rear-wheel drive is a little too intimidating and you’re wanting something a little tamer, then Jaguar has come up with a solution. There’s now an all-wheel drive option available for the Jaguar F-Type.

The all-wheel drive Jaguar F-Type is claimed to complete the 0-100kph sprint in just 3.9 seconds, which makes it fractionally faster than the rear-wheel drive Jaguar F-Type. The top-speed of the Jaguar F-Type all-wheel drive remains at an electronically-shackled 300kph. The Jaguar F-Type all-wheel drive will be showcased on the 19th November 2014 at the Los Angeles Motor Show. 2015 will see the sportscar range increase to 14 models which will also include a four-cylinder engine from the Jaguar XE.

To coincide with the launch of the all-wheel drive Jaguar F-Type, the British car company announced plans to work with the World Land Speed Record Team. The WLSRT aims to beat the current land speed record of 1 227kph with a rocket car.