LAND ROVER DC100 CONCEPT TO DEBUT AT FRANKFURT

The Land Rover DC100, a modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Land Rover also confirms today, that production of a new Defender is globally intended for 2015, with no current decision on whether or not the next generation Defender will come to the North American markets.

Commenting on the Land Rover DC100 concept car, Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover said, "Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide.  This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added, "Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market. 

"We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalize the details of the new vehicle.  One thing's for sure, it's going to be an exciting journey, and we can't wait to get going," added Edwards.

The Land Rover DC100 concept builds upon the essential elements of the car’s character and allows Land Rover to open the debate and inspire people to dream about the Defenders of the future.

STORY BY LAND ROVER

NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR AT PEUGEOT SA

Peugeot South Africa has announced the appointment of a new managing director. Francis Harnie (46) takes over from Jean Francois Bacos, who returns to the PSA head office in Paris, France.
 

Harnie has been with the Peugeot organisation for 25 years. He started off in the commercial vehicles division of Peugeot Benelux in 1986, and subsequently held a succession of increasingly senior positions within that company, with a specific emphasis on sales.

He became general manager for sales at Peugeot Italy in 2005, and has been general manager for the Business-To-Business division of Peugeot France since 2008 – a division responsible for sales of 190 000 units this year.

“Of course, I am delighted to be in South Africa, and to take over the reins of the Peugeot brand here,” Harnie says. “This is a market that has significant potential for growth, and also features strongly in Peugeot’s declared objective to globalise the brand.

“While Peugeot enjoys a strong reputation in SA, I am convinced that there is great potential for the brand to increase its sales and market share here. Our challenge is to convince the existing Peugeot dealer network to invest in the future brand, while also increasing the size of and reach of our network, “ he added.

Harnie is married with two daughters, aged 15 and 18. He takes over as managing director of Peugeot South Africa as of 1 September this year.

STORY BY PEUGEOT

BMW i Series

BMW Car manufacturer is looking for a more sustainable future, presenting two prototypes of BMW i Series: the i3 and i8. The BMW i Series 3 is one hundred percent electric, while the BMW i Series 8 is a super-sporty equipped with an advanced hybrid system.







The electric range of the BMW i Series 3 is currently rated at 80-100 miles while the BMW i Series 8 can go for 20 miles before the gas engine kicks in.



BMW says the i8 accelerates from zero to 62 mph in less than five seconds, which puts it the same league as the BMW M3 coupe. The BMW i8 is expected to have fuel economy of about 78 miles per gallon.



The company says it will launch the first car, the all-electric BMW i3, in 2013 and the BMW i8 high-performance plug-in hybrid in 2014.







The price of the BMW i Series is yet to be announced.

VOLKSWAGEN OPENS R60 MILLION TRAINING FACILITY

Volkswagen Group South Africa opened a new R60-million Training Academy at its Centurion site in Gauteng today. The 4 000m2 facility has been custom-designed to provide high-quality training courses to continuously improve the performance of VWSA’s Dealers.  The Company’s investment in this infrastructure is an extension of Volkswagen’s focus on its people skills as it strives to become the skills development benchmark in the local automotive industry.  

“One of Volkswagen Group South Africa’s strategic goals is to become the most fascinating automotive brand in South Africa. We are striving for market leadership, to be the top employer, providing outstanding customer satisfaction and generating profits,” said Sales and Marketing Director, Mike Glendinning.

“This vision is evident when you take into consideration that the Uitenhage-produced Polo was a joint winner of the 2011 Wesbank/SAGMJ Car of the Year award and was also named the Japan Import Car of the Year for 2010.  At Volkswagen, there is precision in design and engineering, high build quality and tremendous craftsmanship,” he continued.

“As we grow globally and locally, it has become necessary to transform and reposition our Brand to achieve our goal - maximum value for our customers, dealers and suppliers. With this transformation and the alignment of our operational structure came a need to re-align our focus on training and development within the Dealer network. Consequently, the Board of Volkswagen Group South Africa and Volkswagen AG approved the building of a new Training Academy, as well as an annual spend of R18 million on Dealer training,” said Glendinning.

VWSA’s product offensive and the increasing technical complexity of its vehicles, particularly in the field of electronics, demands a high level of knowledge and expertise of the service employees.  Professional diagnosis and high level of repair quality are decisive factors for achieving its strategic objectives and customer satisfaction.

“In order to deliver top performance in these areas, high quality training courses are required which serve to continuously improve the performance of our Dealers.  Our training comprises of an integrated qualification concept in which technical, non-technical and IT training modules are combined.  This qualification concept forms the foundation of the holistic employee qualification programme,” said Glendinning.

The new Training Academy is the hub for technical, non-technical and IT training for our Brands.  It comprises of eight fully equipped technical training modules with capacity for practical, theory and systems related training, three non-technical training rooms and a dedicated IT training room.  The facility has the capacity to host 180 delegates on any given day.

On the technical side, training on technology evolution in the fields of convenience electronics (i.e. sensors), driver assistance systems, software (such as diagnostics) and control electronics (fibre optic technology, for example) will be key.  The aim is to strengthen dealer electronic diagnostic and repair competence through specific focus on diagnostic and master technician training.

“Non-technical training within the Training Academy is responsible for training the entire Dealer staff, excluding workshop staff – from the Dealer Principal and Managers to Sales and Service Staff – covering Business Process, Behaviour, Systems as well as Product Launch Training. This is all aligned to German Standards and is based on International Curriculum.  The Academy also provides HR Consulting and Assessment services,” concluded Glendinning. 

STORY BY VOLKSWAGEN

NISSAN MICRA ENGINES OUT IN RECORD TIME

The year 2011 is a year of celebration for employees at the Renault Nissan Alliance India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL) as the Company has crossed yet another milestone by producing the 100 000 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre HR12DE petrol engines in a record period of 15 months. Earlier, the alliance plant had achieved a milestone by producing 100 000 Micra cars in a record period of 13 months. 

The plant started manufacturing the petrol engine in May 2010 and has crossed the 100 000 mark by last month. Besides the 1.2 litre petrol engine, the plant has also started manufacturing the 1.5 litre petrol engine for the new mid-size Sedan SUNNY. 

Commenting on the new milestone achievement Mr. Kou Kimura, CEO and MD, RNAIPL said, “the plant has set milestones that are creditable on a global level.  It makes me feel proud of the local skill-set that are driving it to such high levels. I dedicate this achievement to the people of Tamil Nadu for their endearing spirit and zeal to achieve such high levels of commitment in their work and passion for the company”. 

The petrol engine range is part of the project called ‘Nissan Green Project 2010,’ which is an initiative taken by the Company to reduce the carbon footprint of its cars. The company has been working relentlessly to make its engines more efficient and is committed to global leadership in zero emission mobility.  

The Nissan Micra is the first car to have a HR12DE engine that was developed in pursuit of lighter weight and a smaller size than previous engines in the compact car class. It requires fewer moving parts compared to the more commonly used 4-cylinder engines. By applying bore circularity machining to the cylinder block, friction is reduced by 20% compared to the conventional 4-cylinder engines. Moreover, improved noise vibration performance at a level equivalent to that of a 4-cylinder engine has been achieved by adjusting the weight balance of the engine’s rotary shaft. This helps to increase the power output, higher fuel efficiency and the life of the engine. 

The RNAIPL plant currently manufactures the Nissan Micra and Renault Fluence. Production of Nissan Sunny and Renault Koleos will commence shortly. 

STORY BY NISSAN

BMW M3 2014

The first BMW M3 2014 with turbo power is ready to charge in. Our spies have got the best glimpse yet at the next-generation supersaloon, which looks set to be one of the firm’s best all-rounders yet.



The standard BMW 3 Series hasn’t even been unveiled to the public yet, but these images reveal the BMW M3 version is not far off. Clearly visible are muscular wheelarches, an aggressive front bumper and a larger rear apron, including the trademark quad exhaust pipes. The wheels are taken from the current car, but expect the finished version to come with unique lightweight designs.



The BMW M3 2014 is rumoured to be getting an engine that lives up to its name, in the form of a 3.3-litre straight-six unit fitted with three turbochargers – two driven by exhaust gases and one driven by electricity. This unique set-up is rumoured to offer around 450bhp – that’s compared to the 414bhp produced by the current 4.0-litre V8.







The BMW M3 2014 pictured here is based on the four-door BMW M3. But it’s likely that the two-door BMW M3 will arrive in the UK first – as was the case with the existing version – some time in 2014, with a price tag in the region of $90,000.

MERCEDES-BENZ UNVEILS ALL-NEW 2012 B-CLASS

The all-new Mercedes-Benz B-Class for the year 2012 has now seen the light of day. Set to replace the current mommy premium MPV, the B-Class is said to be one of the most innovative Mercs ever introduced, as well as the one with the most new stuff fitted from the onset. Perhaps we’ll see it at JIMS 2011? Let’s hope so!

In terms of details, the car will sport several new engines, turbo-charged in both petrol and diesel. We suspect some of these are already on the scene in other cars, including the 1.8-litre turbo with 115kW, 135kW and 150kW. But because for the first time there’s going to be a B-Class AMG, we could see figures of over 230kW for that particular model.

B-Class is 4.3 metres long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m high. That’s about 5cm lower than the current B-Class, although the seating position is said to be more upright. Merc says it’s a sports tourer, which emphasises a large front grille, wide rear window and a large tailgate. The B-Class is optionally available with the so-called EASY-VARIO-PLUS system which enables simple reorganisation of the interior so as to enable the transportation of bulky items.

The interior now looks more upmarket than before, featuring comfortable seating, strong leather pieces, piano black finishing on the display and either a 14.7cm or 17.8cm TFT screen. There’s also a 3-spoke steering wheel with a chrome insert in the middle spoke.

An all-new double clutch 7G-DCT transmission makes its Mercedes-Benz debut in the B-Class, as well as the new 6-speed manual. Remember that up until now, Merc has not followed Audi and BMW in developing a twin clutch system.

For safety, the engineers called upon some of the existing features from the marque, including Blind Spot Assist, the Hill Hold function and a reversing camera.

Watch out for the new B-Class at your nearest Mzansi dealership sometime in early 2012.

BENTLEY ANNOUNCES GTC CONVERTIBLE IN TIME FOR SPRING

Bentley has released pictures and lots of details regarding the brand new 2012 model year Continental GTC (Convertible). The car gets unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show next month. It is of course based on the new GT that launched a couple of months ago in South Africa.

Some changes on the exterior include LED daytime running lights with jewelled headlights, a sort of more upright matrix front grille and a new rear profile, similar to that of the Mulsanne. Speaking of Mulsanne, the GTC is no small drop-top. Here we are referring to a 2.5 tonne two-door measuring 4.8 metres long, 1.9m across, 1.4 high and has a wheelbase of 2.7m. The fuel tank is 90 litres strong, but we aren’t too sure that will give you enough cushion on a long trip. For the pimps and hustlers, if the 20-inch 5-spoke wheel alloy is not enough, then an optional 21-inch version can be had in 3 different design styles.

True to Bentley tradition, the 2012 GTC is has an extensive list of wood veneers, deep-pile carpets, 17 leather colours to choose from and 7 veneers. Touch-screen infotainment is courtesy of a new 30GB system with Google Map compatibility for certain markets.

Doing all the work under the bonnet is a 6.0-litre W12 engine with two turbos, spitting out a pretty decent 423kW and 700Nm of torque, going to all four wheels via a 6-speed ZF gearbox. In turn Bentley claims it will go from 0 – 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and run out of speed at 314km/h. 

MERCEDES-BENZ JAW-DROPPING SLS AMG ROADSTER FOR JIMS 2011

Those of us who will be lucky enough to attend the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show this October, will witness the sweet Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. The car is based on the SLS AMG Coupe, but obviously features a soft roof with an electronic button function to open and close.

Power is courtesy of the same 6.2-litre V8 engine that’s been serving other AMG cars over the past few years, except it is more powerful in this application. That means 420kW and a claimed 0 – 100km/h time of 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 317km/h.

While it won’t be the most powerful Mercedes-Benz car ever presented at JIMS (that was the SL 65 AMG Black Series back in 2008), it certainly will turn heads, draw in traffic to the Mercedes-Benz stand and drop drool on everyone’s faces.

RENAULT DEALERSHIP NETWORK BOOMS

Renault South Africa’s dealer network has been central to the car-maker’s distribution strategy since its return to local shores 15 years ago.

With 48 dealerships now covering 88% of the market, the company’s flagship dealer, a real contender and 2010 winner in its Dealer of the Year Awards, is the recently relocated Renault Fountains, Pretoria owned by Associated Motor Holdings (AMH).

Renault Fountains has an extensive and quite extraordinary history with Renault dating back to 1972 and its unwavering loyalty and commitment to the French brand over almost 40 years, together with its flagship status, was underlined by the attendance of Mr Katsumi Nakamura, Executive Vice President of the Asia Africa Region for the Renault Group at its official re-launch.

“Since commencing the restructure of our network in late 2008, we have reduced the number of Renault-owned dealerships and these have been enthusiastically taken up by blue chip motor conglomerates including AMH, Unitrans, the Imperial and McCarthy Groups, as well as smaller groups like DTM, Seamans, Automall and several highly professional independent operators,” says Leslie Ramsoomar, Vice President of Sales and Operations at Renault SA.

With 48 hand-picked outlets located in each of the nine provinces as well as in Namibia and Botswana he says that “the increase in the number of dealers is in response to widespread customer demand for our products and their ongoing service and support.” It is Renault’s intention to have 55 dealerships in place by 2014.

Renault sales escalated by 45.5% during 2010, well ahead of the market, and midway through the third quarter of 2011, the trend continues. “Year-to-date we have grown by 23.1% compared to a market that has expanded by 19.7% so we are still well ahead,” he adds.

“Dealer quality has also been a core focus over the past three years and the recommendation rate across sales and service has shown significant improvement over the last 12 months.” The recommendation rate is an internal measure of how a Renault dealership is performance whereby customers are asked whether they would recommend a particular dealer.

“During 2010, we also re-launched and re-named the used car division of our operation and all Renault Pre-owned vehicles now come with specific customer promise points which afford buyers considerable peace of mind,” concludes Ramsoomar.

“These include 2-year roadside assistance, full service history, 101-point vehicle check, vehicle integrity check as well as a 30-day exchange agreement.”

STORY BY RENAULT

MG COMING BACK TO SOUTH AFRICA. YET AGAIN

MG, the famous British brand of sporting cars, is returning to South Africa and will use the Johannesburg International Motor Show on October 8 - 16 as the launch pad. 

It has already previewed the models to dealers and potential dealers as the brand, which is now in the Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) stable, seeks to set up an initial network of about 15 outlets. The first of the new era of MGs is the MG6 which is coming to South Africa in the third quarter of 2011. 

The preview of the MG6 took place at CMH’s prestigious Investment Cars premises in Sandton, Johannesburg, on August 11 and the enthusiasm for the return of this famous brand was very evident.  

Initially MG will kick off with four-door fastback and sedan variants of the MG6 with a 1,8-litre turbocharged engine. There are three trim and equipment levels – Standard, Comfort and Deluxe. Even the Standard model has a good level of equipment, with the Deluxe being very well equipped.

At this stage there is no information on price or detailed specifications. “All will be revealed at the Johannesburg Motor Show,” said Sales and Marketing General Manager, Sergio Lopez.
In the course of the next few years the MG range is expected to be extended significantly..
MG (Morris Garages) was a popular brand in the post World War II era in South Africa as a two-seater sports car and four-seater sedan but then the factory at Abington in the UK was closed in 1980 as the British motor industry virtually imploded. 

The brand was resurrected under BMW ownership but subsequently sold to a British consortium and MG South Africa was established in 2001, with the arrival of the MGF sports car. MG went off the market in 2005 as the company collapsed again.

Now MG belongs to the state-owned Chinese Nanjing Auto, which in turn is part of the huge Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The Chinese company obtained the brand in 2005 and is building cars in Longbridge (UK) and Nanjing.

STORY BY CMH

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

BMW is showing off what it calls the BMW 328 Hommage Concept, a two-seat sports car. The BMW 328 Hommage Concept car is intended to recognize the 75th anniversary of the original BMW 328, a radical and coveted BMW of its time.



More exciting than the BMW 328, at least to auto geeks trying to divine the future, is that BMW has installed two iPhones in the BMW 328 Hommage Concept dashboard. And not for calls, but to use as stopwatches, needed for rallying and some racing, and to show other key information.



Auto-futurists foresee a time when the driver plugs his or her iPhone, iPad or similar device into a dashboard dock. The device would contain all the driver's settings and preferences, instantly customizing the car.



BMW is mum about the likelihood of producing the BMW 328 Hommage, although if the company is playing by the usual rules, designating it a "concept" means there is at least a shadow of a chance it could reach showrooms.



The BMW 328 Hommage concept was created in honor of the 75th anniversary of the venerable BMW 328, considered by many to be not only the best looking sports car of the 1930s but also one of the most successful on the track. The BMW 328 was the embodiment of what the BMW brand still stands for today – dynamics, aesthetics and a high level of innovation.



In its day, the BMW 328 was noted for its lightweight design, powerful inline six-cylinder engine and responsive handling. The expressive exterior design of the BMW 328 Hommage depicts the modern interpretation of a highly emotional and dynamic two-seater Roadster – just like the BMW 328 75 years ago.







The BMW 328 Hommage is the modern embodiment of those attributes. Translating the idea of lightweight construction into this day and age, most of the exterior and interior of the BMW 328 Hommage are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The CFRP used on the BMW 328 Hommage is visible to the eye. The entire interior structure is also made of CFRP.



As did its predecessor, the 328 Hommage uses BMW's most powerful inline six-cylinder engine, continuing another longstanding BMW tradition.

TOYOTA TO DEBUT NEW PLUG-IN PRIUS AT FRANKFURT

Toyota will debut the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 15th September.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid features a new, more compact lithium-ion battery which has been developed to meet Toyota’s rigorous standards for reliability. The new battery offers extended EV (electric power only) range, enabling the Prius PHEV to achieve the remarkable fuel efficiency of 2.2 litre/100km and to lower CO2 emissions to 49 g/km, almost half the standard Prius.

While some debate the relative merits of electric cars, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers drivers the best of both worlds; extended EV driving range for shorter journeys in towns and cities, while the efficient hybrid petrol engine gives the car uncompromised long range capability and the very low fuel consumption of the standard Prius.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid represents the latest development of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system. This trusted and reliable full hybrid technology has a track record earned through worldwide sales of over two million cars and billions of miles of driving.

The new Prius Plug-in becomes the flagship of the Prius range, a showcase for new technologies and further advances in hybrid technology. In 2012 it will join an expanded Toyota hybrid range consisting of the Prius, the British-built Auris hybrid, the new, seven-seat Prius+ and the new Yaris hybrid, demonstrating Toyota’s commitment to introduce Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to the wider market.

STORY BY TOYOTA

NEW 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK NOW IN MZANSI

South Africa welcomes the all-new Mercedes-Benz SLK range, a car filled with innovative stuff, not just in a Mercedes-Benz sense but also industry wise. Only two models will initially be available from launch, with the super performance SLK 55 AMG making its debut later.

The SLK comes with either a 1.8-litre turbo engine or a 3.5-litre V6 naturally aspirated motor. The 1.8-litre is a 4-cylinder with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. At its best it makes 135kW at 5250rpm, while torque of 270Nm is maximised at between 1800rpm and 4600rpm, quite a wide band which makes it very usable in overtaking and smooth cruising. Merc says it will consume an average of 6.5 litres per 100km from the 68 litre fuel tank, returning C02s of 151 g/km. At the same time it is capable of running from 0 – 100km/h in 7.3 seconds for the manual, and 7 seconds flat for the auto.

For the 3.5-litre V6 (SLK 350), owners can expect to tap 225kW at 6500rpm and 370Nm of torque at 3500rpm. That figure of course because less at Gauteng altitude, and can be as little as 190kW when all is said and done. Nevertheless that’s still a lot and performance should be brisk, with its maker claiming a 0 – 100km/h time of 5.6 seconds, matched by a 250km/h top speed. Fuel consumption is 7.1 litres per 100km, reflected by a 167 g/km C02 emissions rating. In terms of price it finds itself slap bang on target with its chief nemesis, the BMW Z4 sDrive35i, but could be left behind when it comes to performance at altitude.

With innovation a major Mercedes-Benz draw card, the new SLK is not short at all in this department. The major development has been something called Magic Sky Control, which essentially lightens or darkens the glass roof of the car at the push of a button. What that does it to give it cover when the sun is shining, and capture light when it’s not. It is the third option on the SLK, with a normal hard top and panoramic tinted glass being the other two.

Chassis setup is made up of a multi-link independent suspension system with coil springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers for the front end, while the rear axle works on a multi-link independent suspension as well, but with anti-squat and anti-lift systems. The front wheels are 7.5 Jx17s, rears are 8.5 Jx17s and they are wrapped around standard 225/45 R 17 front and 245/40 R 17 wheels at the back. One of eleven exterior paint colours can be ordered to suit the buyer’s tastes.

SLK as you can imagine, isn’t the biggest car out there. Meant to only accommodate two people, driver and front passenger, the little roadster is only 4.1 metres long, or the similar to a MINI Countryman. It is 1.8m wide, 1.3m high and has a wheelbase of 2.4m. The kerb weight is 1.4 tonnes for the SLK 200 and 1.5 tonnes for the SLK 350.

A host of standard features are included in the SLK range, which could give it the necessary edge against its rivals. These are, among others, adaptive brake lights, Attention Assist, Bluetooth connectivity for the smart phone, a 14.7cm display and LED taillights. But as per usual German premium luxury requirement, the options list is much longer than that. Highlights include Keyless Go, Park Distance Control and Comand with Internet access.

“Firmly embedded in the genes of the SLK is exhilarating driving pleasure in any weather conditions,” says Eckart Mayer, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz South Africa. “Open or closed, for recreation or day-to-day motoring. It combines its decidedly sporty character with outstanding comfort and high-grade appointments. The new SLK also sets new standards among the compact roadsters where fuel economy and environmental compatibility are concerned. A wealth of outstanding attributes and technical innovations will once again make it the benchmark in its class – and undoubtedly also a success for our brand. The SLK is definitely a roadster with a character.”

We may have to expect an SLK 250 with 150kW sometime in the near future, just like we can definitely expect an SLK 55 AMG soon. Said AMG will carry the 5.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with 310kW and 540Nm of torque. At those figures it will be the most powerful car in its class, fending off the BMW Z4 sDrive35is (250kW) and Audi TT RS (250kW).

The SLK set the standard for hard open top luxury motoring way back in 1996 and Mercedes-Benz seems confident it will do the same with this new one.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Pricing

SLK 200 (R555 700)

SLK 350 (R734 100)