TOYOTA TOPS AT SUN CITY RALLY

Former national off road champion Duncan Vos and co-driver Rob Howie, driving a Super Production class Castrol Team Toyota Hilux, this afternoon won the Sun City 400 in North West Province.  Second, 4,48 minutes in arrears, was the BMW X3 of former champion Hannes Grobler and Hennie ter Stege, with Malcolm Kock and Johan Burger third in a privateer Toyota Hilux a further 4 min 48 sec behind.

It was Vos and Howie’s second victory in the first five rounds of the Absa South African Off Road Car Championship (they also won the Atlas Copco Battlefields 400 in KwaZulu-Natal in round three in May) and they now lead the championship with 67 points from Thomas Rundle/Juan Mohr (61,5) and Terence Marsh/George Smalberger (56).

Castrol Toyota team-mates Anthony Taylor and Chris Birkin in the second factory Toyota Hilux overcame considerable odds to be among the 17 finishers, completing the course in hot and dusty conditions in 12th place after losing over an hour on the second loop when they were forced to stop and replace a broken front drive shaft while lying sixth.

Toyota, with four Hilux bakkies and two Land Cruisers in the top 10, won the manufacturers’ challenge for the event and consolidated its lead in the prestigious overall manufacturers’ championship.

Saturday’s 340-km route, over two identical loops with a compulsory service stop at the halfway point, was a very tough combination of tight, rocky tracks and fast grassland sections dotted with trees that took its toll of the strong field of production vehicles, with two championship front-runners among the 12 that failed to finish.

Vos and Howie had started the day in second place, a single second behind the privateer Toyota Hilux of Friday’s Donaldson Prologue winners Gary Bertholdt and Andre Vermeulen.  Vos took an early lead after out-dragging Bertholdt off the start line, but dropped back to fifth place after 93 km when he had to stop to change a flat wheel.

By the time the field reached the compulsory service stop at the halfway stage, Vos had recovered to third behind the privateer Toyota Hilux bakkies of Pikkie Labuschagne/Rickus Erasmus and brothers Hugo and Jaap de Bruyn.  Soon after the start of the second 170-km loop they were second, 1 min 30 sec behind Labuschagne, and they regained a lead they were not to lose again at around the 85 km mark.

“We’re right back in the championship,” said the four-times previous champion and twice before a winner of this event.  “Apart from our puncture, we had a trouble-free run and the Hilux didn’t miss a beat.  It was a tough event and we had to push hard to make up for the lost time.  The dust was a big problem.”

Taylor’s weekend started off badly when he punctured both right-hand side tyres after hitting a rock in long grass at speed on Friday’s 55-km prologue that determines the start order for Saturday’s race.  He lost more than eight minutes and finished 17th.

He started Saturday’s race 8 min 21 sec behind leader Bertholdt and, after a storming drive that’s saw him record the fastest time for the opening loop, he arrived at the halfway service stop in sixth place and just 3 min 38 sec behind the leading Hilux of Labuschagne.  It was a typically tigerish performance by the former track racing star, who passed 11 bakkies in the heavy dust and remarkably made up nearly five minutes on the leaders.

He was challenging Grobler in the BMW at around the 20-km mark on the second and final loop when the drive shaft broke.  “We battled to get the new shaft in and lost a lot more time than we should have,” reported Taylor, whose oil-stained racing overalls bore testimony to his and co-driver Birkin’s roadside repair job.

“It was tough break.  I reckon we could have finished second today, but we’re happy to have scored some valuable championship points and are only 16 behind the leaders with three rounds remaining.  There are a total of 75 points still to be fought for and we’re still in with a good chance,” he added.

Team principal Glyn Hall commented, “Both drivers did a superb job today.  The two Castrol Toyota Hilux bakkies are now setting the pace and improving with every outing.  We need to maintain the pressure and push hard in the remaining three events for a championship victory.”

The next round of the Absa Off Road Car Championship is the Carnival City 400 in Gauteng on September 10.

STORY BY TOYOTA

UNVEILED: BMW I8 CONCEPT AMAZES, HEADS TO JOZI

The BMW i8 Concept car was officially launched last Friday at a glitzy ceremony where the company and its bosses unveiled the upcoming hybrid sports car to the world. The 2+2 seater (2 front , 2 at the back) will be the second of BMW’s new i cars, following the smaller i3.

i8’s measurements are as follows: length is 4.6 metres, height 1.3m, width 1.95m and wheelbase is 2.8m. That makes it overall more or less the same size as the current 3 Series Coupe (E90). Of course it will be notably lighter than that, coming in at about 1500kg, thanks to advanced construction and weight-saving methods. Full LED lights will be standard, complimented by taut surfaces, precise edges and sweeping lines.

Sharing power provision duties will be a petrol engine and an electric motor, unlike the first Vision EfficientDynamics Concept car which used a turbo diesel engine instead. Total system output is expected to be 260kW and 550Nm, of which the petrol engine will provide 164kW and 300Nm respectively.

BMW sees the i8 running from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, with top whack limited to 250km/h. For a car of this nature, average fuel consumption of 2.7 litres per 100km is nothing short of incredible, if it can be replicated in real life. Even if it can’t, real life driving could possibly return 4 to 5 litres per 100km at worst, still bloody amazing given what the car’s performance.

Advanced navigation will be one of the car’s big attractions. The two navigation modes "Last Mile Navigation" and "Intermodal Route Planning" are designed particularly with urban environments in mind. Last Mile Navigation continues to navigate the driver even after he gets out of the vehicle, by sending instructions to his smartphone which will direct him quickly and reliably on the "last lap", for example from the car park to the museum entrance. And when the driver is ready to head back, he can quickly locate his parked vehicle using the CarFinder function.

An example of the BMW i8 is expected to appear at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show in October, alongside its smaller i3 sibling and the new M5, among others.

MASERATI GRANCABRIO SPORT BREAKS COVER

Maserati has introduced the new GranCabrio Sport to customers in Europe. The drop-top Maser was first unveiled at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show and features, among others, a new black colour, red accents on the Maserati Trident and new headlights with white reflectors.

The new wheels are 20-inch types shod with 245/35 ZR20 front and 285/35 ZR20 rear tyres. It’s those tyres that have the unenviable task of handle the car’s 331kW and 510Nm of torque, all pumped out by the naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 that’s mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The ‘box itself has something called MC Auto Shift mode which provides fast gearshift times, an automatic blip on downshifts and launch control.

As such Maserati claims a 0 – 100km/h time of 5.2 seconds and top speed of 285km/h for the car. Average fuel consumption is said to be 9.8 litres per 100km, matched by C02 emissions of 337 g/km. expect to see the sexy but undoubtedly overpriced GC Sport at the 2011 JIMS in Nasrec this October.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Reviews

2012 Hyundai Veloster Reviews--With an exterior design inspired by a high-performance sport bike, the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a sporty coupe that delivers an impressive 40 mpg and the same functionality as any hatchback coupe out there.

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is powered by an all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). Delivering an impressive 138 HP, the engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an all-new, six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Inspired by a high-performance sport bike, the Hyundai Veloster features distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance, an aggressive signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. The rear gets dual centered chrome exhaust tips and a black lower fascia that complements the assertive front fascia. Hyundai also offers a sport-tuned electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system.

The Mini Cooper is powered by a 1.6 liter engine that delivers 121 HP. Priced from $18,275, the Scion tC is powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i that generates 180 HP.
The Hyundai Veloster is pitched at the same people who buy the Fiat 500, Mini, Honda CR-Z and perhaps even VW Golf.

Drive goes to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or the optional six auto slots of Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission (with steering wheel shift paddles) which the company says is as fuel-efficient as the manual, claiming 5.9L/100km.

With stability control, six airbags and ABS with brake assist and brakeforce distribution, Hyundai hopes to get a five-star result when the Hyundai Veloster undergoes crash tests.

The engine is happy to hit high revs, but there’s no hot snarl from the squared off twin-exhaust tips, and it responds smoothly rather than snappily.

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is an all-new hatchback model.If you've been pining for a sporty-looking hatchback that is still passenger-friendly, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster may be just what you've been waiting for. Unlike the small access-style door found on the Mini Cooper Clubman, the Hyundai Veloster third door is a normal, front-hinged door; the exterior door release has been disguised to help keep the coupe look intact.

The front-wheel-drive Hyundai Veloster will be powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected inline-4 that's good for 138 horsepower. Hyundai is projecting a 40 mpg highway rating.

2012 corvette z06 CE( Centennial Edition)

A brand graphic wіth a picture emblematic οf Louis Chevrolet posted thе B-pillars, center caps fοr wheels аnԁ аƖѕο thе center οf thе wheel. thе outside color palette hаѕ bееn enhanced within thе automotive, wіth thе ebony skin wrapped dash аnԁ doors additionally complimented bу red stitching οn thе steering wheel, seats, console аnԁ shifter. Chevrolet hаѕ launched performance heritage wіth 2012 corvette z06 CE( Centennial Edition).

Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage wîth the wіth 2012 corvette z06 CE, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette's trademark sports car technology.

wіth 2012 corvette z06 CE expresses racing heritage, but does so wîth a sleek, modern, even sinister-lòòking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, wîth satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet's racing history. The Chevrolet Centennial Edition will be available on all Corvette models via order code ZLC.

Corvette is celebrating 100 years in the parent company Chevrolet, founded in 1911 by the eponymous Louis, with a special edition of the Z06 called Centennial Edition wіth 2012 corvette z06 CE will point out the Carbon Flash Metallic body, opaque graphics, Centennial Satin Black rims (available from 18″ to 20″) and the calipers brake painted red.

2012 GMC Acadia Previews

General Motors uses the Acadia to fill a niche as a midsized SUV crossover along with its cousin the Chevy Traverse. The Acadia crossover seats 8 people, a good thing for large families. GM offers side/curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, four wheel anti-locking brake system, tire pressure monitoring, and Onstar service.

The 2011 GMC Acadia comes in five trim levels, SL, SLE, SLT-1, SLT-2, and then the Denali, with it being the pinnacle of all the trim levels. The crossover comes with 18 inch wheels, a truck sized wheel base of 118.9 inches and a ground clearance of 7.4 inches. In addition, 19 inch wheels and 20 inch wheel are optional. All trim levels get 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. This mid range gas mileage has seen and increase sales in the crossover SUVs over the full size SUVs.

Other than receiving some minor feature changes, the GMC Acadia carries over unchanged for 2012.

The Acadia is roomier than other competing large crossovers as well.
The 2012 GMC Acadia is a large crossover SUV offered in five trims: base SL, SLE, SLT-1, SLT-2 and Denali. The Acadia SLE gets the Preferred package standard, plus a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, an eight-way power driver seat, a two-way power passenger seat (manual recline), an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a rearview camera.

The SLT-1 adds 19-inch wheels, upgraded steering, heated mirrors with turn signal repeaters and integrated blind-spot mirrors, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery in the first and second rows (third row vinyl), heated front seats, an enhanced trip computer, rear seat audio controls and a 10-speaker Bose sound system with an iPod/USB audio interface. Every 2012 GMC Acadia is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 288 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard, but all-wheel drive is optional.

According to EPA estimates, a front-drive Acadia will return 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Opting for all-wheel drive drops this to 16/23/19.
Antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows are all standard on the 2012 GMC Acadia. In Edmunds brake testing, an Acadia with 18-inch wheels and tires came to a stop in 135 feet. Depending on the configuration chosen, the Acadia seats either seven passengers (with second-row captain's chairs) or eight passengers (with a split-folding second-row bench seat) in three rows.
Like the other large crossovers from General Motors, the 2012 GMC Acadia delivers a nice balance between secure handling and a comfortable ride.

Before local GMC dealer, used car sales lot with a 2012 GMC Acadia or a visit to see all the new offerings from GMC, be sure to read the recommendations of the automobile and car reviews GMC Acadia in 2012, which is considering. This could mean the difference between the purchase of a large GMC Acadia or throw your money in a problematic GMC Acadia.

2012 Kia Sorento Fresh design

In Kia's lineup, the KIA Sorento sits above the compact Sportage crossover. All-wheel drive is optional. A more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine joins the Sorento lineup. Standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine makes 175 horsepower and 169 pounds-feet of torque

Fresh from last year's redesign, the Kia Sorento gains a few more upgrades for 2012. Also new are a ventilated driver seat, stain-resistant seat fabric and Kia's Uvo voice-activated control interface.

With the 2012 Sorento, Kia continues its determined effort with an impressive starting price that pits the Sorento squarely against crossover all-stars like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Like a lot of its competition, the 2012 Kia Sorento comes with a choice of four- or six-cylinder power. Overall, the 2012 Kia Sorento is an impressive effort. The 2012 Kia Sorento is a crossover SUV offered in four trim levels: base, LX, EX and the sporty SX. A third-row 50/50-split-folding seat with room for two is optional on the LX and four-cylinder EX, and standard on the EX V6 and SX.

The Convenience package for LX V6 models includes the third-row seat.The EX starts with the LX's equipment and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition/entry, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control (with rear air-conditioning on V6 models), a power driver seat (with power lumber support), a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and Kia's Uvo voice-activated electronics interface.

For the EX, opting for the Premium Plus package gets you power-folding outside mirrors, leather seating, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, a hard-drive-based navigation system, a rearview camera and a 10-speaker Infinity surround-sound audio system with digital music storage. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 175 hp and 169 pound-feet of torque comes standard on base and LX trim levels. Front-wheel drive is standard across the board, while LX and EX models can be had with all-wheel drive. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with the front-wheel-drive automatic. All-wheel-drive models drop fuel economy to 21/27/23. Fuel economy for the direct-injected four-cylinder is rated at 22/32/25 with front-wheel drive, and 21/28/23 with all-wheel drive.

Fuel economy with front-wheel drive is 20/26/22, while all-wheel drive gets 18/24/20.The 2012 Kia Sorento comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints.

The 2012 Kia Sorento's base 2.4-liter engine feels punchy enough around town and with light loads, but struggles a bit with extra passengers and cargo. At highway speed, the Sorento's cabin remains impressively isolated from both road and wind noise.
Front-wheel-drive is standard on all 2012 Kia Sorento models. The base level "Kia Sorento" four-cylinder trim level features a standard six-speed manual transmission, while the six-speed shiftable automatic transmission is standard on most other engine configurations and trims.

Full power accessories including locks, windows and mirrors belie the Kia Sorento’s low sticker price.
The Kia Sorento provides a smooth, quiet ride and handles well thanks to stability and traction controls that maintain solid contact with the road. Generally, however, the "Kia Sorento" is a solid midsize SUV with reliable performance in both the four-cylinder and six-cylinder engine configurations.

2012 jaguar xf Overview

The exterior of the 2012 Jaguar XF features a revised grille, hood, and front fenders, which incorporates new triangular side vents. The supercharged version gets louvers featuring the supercharged script, while the headlamps now incorporate bi-function HID xenon technology. For 2012, Jaguar will offer the XF in three new exterior colors with a new set of alloy wheels size 18" to 20

The Jaguar XF has rightly been recognized as a quintessential Jaguar sedan. - Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars.
The "Jaguar XF" is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine offered in both natural and supercharged versions. In the natural version, the engine delivers a total of 385 HP, while the supercharged version gets either 470 or 510 HP (for the XF-R version).
The Jaguar XF can easily do battle with models like the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6.
The 2012 Jaguar XF is a thrilling luxury saloon if class, sophistication, elegance and uniqueness is what you’re after.

The entry price into the "Jaguar XF" range has now dropped to just $78,990 for the new 2.2-litre diesel, which means it can effectively compete with (and beat) the Germans on price.

Easily ahead of its German riavls. Despite being owned by India’s Tata Motors, Jaguar still designs, engineers and builds its cars in the UK. To begin the drive, I jumped behind the wheel of an entry-model Jaguar XF 2.2-litre diesel. Apart from the gorgeous exterior, the XF’s interior is also where it outdoes its rivals.

Answering that question, Jaguar’s chief program engineer, Andy Whyman, said the car is inherently designed to have the drivability, performance and agility of Jaguar, which is at its heart, a sportscar company.

The 2.2-litre "Jaguar XF" is the most fuel efficient model in the company’s history. The 2.2-litre variants are equipped with intelligent start-stop technology that shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stationary. The system works by quickly turning the engine off when the Jaguar XF has stopped. To restart the engine, you simply release the brake pedal or move the steering wheel. There is never a wait for the engine to restart.

In Jaguar’s case, its start-stop technology takes the idea further. One of the unique features of the Jaguar XF is the ‘easy-off’ system. Dynamically, the 2.2-litre diesel XF is a well-balanced and engineered vehicle.

Driven hard around the German countryside, the 2.2-litre engine provides more than enough power to keep the vehicle moving at speed. If you’re an audiophile, you can option your Jaguar XF with a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 1200W audio system, which is simply insane. The entry model XF comes with Alcantara / Bond Grain Leather facings, electric driver’s/passenger’s adjustment, dual zone climate control, 17″ alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, bi-xenon headlamps, LED DRLs, bluetooth connectivity, 7″ full colour touch screen, 10 speaker 400wW Jaguar sound system, 3-spoke leather steering wheel with paddles, keyless start, TFT display in the instrument cluster and rear parking sensors standard.

Depending on how good of a job Jaguar Australia does in getting the pricing message out, not many will think of the base model XF as a sub-$100,000 car. In summary, the new 2012 Jaguar XF has been blessed with a significant range of updates to the exterior, interior and under the bonnet. There is no doubt the 2012 Jaguar XF is going to keep the Germans awake at night.
A high-performance XFR version is offered.
Exterior
The XF has front fender vents similar to the XK's. Exterior features include:
Standard steel/alloy body material
Standard trunk lid spoiler and side sill extensions (XFR)
Standard four tailpipes, special 20-inch wheels and a more aggressive front end with large chrome-ringed lower-bumper vents (XFR)
Standard cooling vents in the hood (XFR)

Interior
Interior features include:
Standard sunroof
Standard heated seats
Standard aluminum and real wood trim
Ivory or charcoal soft-grain leather standard in XFR
XFR models get dark oak and darker, mesh-pattern aluminum trim
Standard 385-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine
Optional 470-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 (Supercharged models)
Optional 510-hp, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 (XFR)
Rear-wheel drive
Faster steering ratio and larger brakes on XFR models

Safety
Standard dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags and curtain airbags for front and rear side-impact protection
Standard active front head restraints
Standard electronic stability system

MERCEDES-BENZ BUILDING X6 KILLER CALLED MLC IN THE US?

A story published by Automotive News Europe says that Mercedes-Benz really is developing a BMW X6 competitor. If true this piece of news would confirm an earlier rumour concerning the same issue. The vehicle would be built at Daimler’s US plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and feature a coupe-like rear profile.

The platform would of course be the same as the new ML-Class. Speculation is that the vehicle will be badged MLC-Class. Engines would be exactly the same as the ML, including a 4.7-litre twin turbo petrol with 320kW and the 5.5-litre twin turbo V8 making 400kW for a supposed MLC 63 AMG.

* Picture used is a sketch of the all-new 2012 ML-Class.

Fastest Cars In The World: Top 10 List 2011-2012

World's Fastest Cars

While most of us can only dream of owning the fastest car in the world, some will do whatever it takes to possess the most powerful speed. So, how fast are the fastest cars in the world? Here are the 10 fastest cars available on the market (production models, as opposed to concept cars) measured by tested top speed (theoretical speeds do not count).

1. Bugatti Veyron: 267 mph, 0-60 in 2.5 secs. Aluminum, Narrow Angle 8 Liter W16 Engine with 1200 hp, base price is $1,700,000. The Super Sport version is $2,400,000. The speed was tested again on July 10, 2010 with the new 2010 Super Sport Version: the Bugatti Veyron once again claims the title of the fastest car in the world at 267 mph.

2. Koenigsegg Agera R: 260 mph, 0-60 in 2.8 secs. 5.0-liter V8 Engine with twin turbo’s, housing 1099 hp. Base price is $1,600,000. If you're into snow sports, the Agera R can be fitted with a Ski Box as well as winter tires, not that I would take one on a ski trip or anything like that. While the Agera R has a massive theoretical top speed, the current tested top speed is 260 mph. Expect this snow car to be the Bugatti's arch enemy for the next 5 years.
3. SSC Ultimate Aero: 257 mph, 0-60 in 2.7 secs. Twin-Turbo V8 Engine with 1183 hp, base price is $654,400. Tested in March 2007 by Guinness World Records, The SSC Ultimate Aero was the fastest car in the world from March 2007 to July 2010. On March 2011, the Koenigsegg Agera R also surpassed it, forcing this American made car to the #3 spot.

4. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo: 248 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. Twin Turbo All Aluminum V8 Engine with 750 hp, base price is $555,000. Smooth and bad-ass. It will make you want to show it off non-stop.

5. Koenigsegg CCX: 245 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. 90 Degree V8 Engine 806 hp, base price is $545,568. Made in Sweden, it is the older brother of the Agera R, only losing to 4 other supercars in the world.

6. McLaren F1: 240 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. BMW S70/2 60 Degree V12 Engine with 627 hp, base price is $970,000. The fastest car in the 20th century with doors that looks like bat wings. Maybe Batman needs to order one and paint it black
7. Gumpert Apollo: 224 mph, 0-60 in 3.0 secs, 4.2 liter V8 Engine that houses 650 hp. Base price: $450,000. Gumpert claims that the Apollo was designed such that it could drive upside-down in a tunnel with speeds at 190 mph or above. Of course, no one has tested this yet.
8. Noble M600: 223 mph, 0-60 in 3.7 secs. Twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 Engine with 650 hp. Base price is $330,000. The Noble M600 also happens to be a very cool car. Its inconspicuous design sports a slender and contoured body which does not scream out for attention at every second of the day.
We have a tie for 9th and 10th places:
9. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.4 secs. Twin turbocharged AMG V12 engine that produces 678 hp. Base price is $1,850,000. The Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is a limited-edition, with five ever produced. It is the quintessential exotic and exclusive supercar.
9. Ferrari Enzo: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.4 secs. F140 Aluminum V12 Engine with 660 hp, base price is $670,000. Only 399 were ever produced; the price goes up every time someone crashes.
9. Jaguar XJ220: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.8 secs. Twin Turbo V6 Engine with 542 hp, base price was $650,000. Made in 1992, this car still has what it takes to make the list.

10. Ascari A10: 215 mph, 0-60 in 2.8 secs. 5.0 litre BMW V8 S62 Engine with 625 hp. Base price: $650,000. The company planned to produce 50 of these supercars at its factory in Banbury, England.
10. Pagani Zonda F: 215 mph, 0-60 in 3.5 secs. Mercedes Benz M180 V12 Engine with 650 hp, base price is $667,321. With a V12 motor, this baby can do much better.


Source : thesupercars.org

FORD FIESTA POPS BUBBLY CORK ON 35TH ANNIVERSARY

The Ford Fiesta reached two important milestones in July, celebrating its 35th birthday with a total of 15 million cars produced worldwide.

The Ford Fiesta reached the 15 million production landmark this month, a figure boosted by the popularity of the latest generation model. Ford has built a million of the current model since it debuted 28 months ago.

The Fiesta is one of Ford’s greatest success stories – appealing to several generations of drivers with its attractive styling, practicality, efficiency and performance. South Africa got its first taste of the popular Fiesta in 2007, with an incredible 83 323 models sold since introduction. The Fiesta brand has an illustrious history having walked away with the 1998 South African Car of the Year title.

“The Fiesta is an important model in the Ford line-up,” said FMCSA’s Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service, Dean Stoneley. “The new generation Fiesta was the first product to be introduced under the ‘One Ford’ vision of a single, global company building and designing cars for a single global audience and has been described as Ford's most significant project since the Model T.”

 The very first Fiesta was produced in Valencia, Spain, in 1976 as Ford’s practical and economical response to a fuel crisis that was gripping the world, and it immediately tapped into a small car demand in Europe and around the world.

Valencia continues to build the current Fiesta along with Nanjing, China, Rayong, Thailand, and Cuautitlàn, Mexico but Ford’s manufacturing plant in Cologne, Germany, now produces the majority of new Fiestas.

Thirty-five years, six generations and 15 million cars after its debut, the Fiesta continues to offer practicality, style and efficiency to car buyers of all ages.

“With 15 million sales worldwide, the Fiesta has proven to be a phenomenal sales success to date and will continue to be an integral player in Ford’s future plans,” concludes Stoneley.

STORY BY FORD

NEW 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS INTERIOR SHOWN

Mercedes-Benz is quickly learning the tease game from rival BMW. First they teased us with outlines of the new upcoming B-Class unit, and now they are showing us full colour pictures of the interior. All this before we even see what the exterior looks like. It appears the B has moved upmarket quite significantly in terms of quality and build.

The dashboard for one, is characterised by circular vents, just like those found in the sportier Mercedes-Benz models like the SLS AMG. A new 3-spoke steering wheel, similar to that of the CLS-Class, features. Stitched, man-made Artico leather covers the strong-looking dashboard.

The all-new B-Class will have its public introduction at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Hopefully Daimler SA will then follow up with its own unveiling at JIMS 2011.

SA-BOUND BMW I3 CONCEPT DETAILED

BMW unveiled the i3 Concept car today, a small city transporter that runs entirely on electricity or electric power. The i3 is one of two futuristic cars being introduced by the Bavarians in the next couple of years. Good news is that South Africans will be able to buy the i3 at local dealerships within the next 3 years.

i3 comes fitted with a large battery located under the car’s floor, and powers the electric motor to the tune of 125kW and 250Nm of torque made at idle speeds. A 1-speed (yes, the car only has one forward gear) gearbox facilitates for power to go to the rear wheels. It is said the i3 will go from 0 – 100km/h in less than 8 seconds. Top speed is 150km/h and an everyday range of between 130km and 160km is claimed.

BMW’s so-called LifeDrive concept of construction means the i3 is designed as an electric car from the ground up, meaning every component is optimised to this right from conception. Kinetic energy is converted into electricity as soon as the driver eases up on the accelerator.

Inside there is a 16.5cm instrument cluster that emerges out of the steering column directly in front of the driver, while a bigger, 22.4cm information display curves out of the black technical layer of the instrument panel’s upper section towards the passengers.

The i3 measures 3.8 metres long, 1.5m high, 2 metres wide and has a wheelbase of 2.6m. In essence the i3 is a little bigger than the current MINI hatch, although both cars sit four passengers.

CHEVROLET SUCKS SOLAR POWER AT US DEALERSHIPS

Chevrolet is harnessing the power of the sun to install solar-powered electric charging stations for its Volts at dealerships in North America. The Green Zone initiative will generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day and excess electricity created will help supplement the dealership’s power needs.

“The Chevrolet Green Zone will provide our U.S. dealers with added flexibility when it comes to charging their vehicles, while also reinforcing GM’s commitment to renewable energy projects,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy.

American Chevrolet in Modesto, Calif., and Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc, Michigan, are the first U.S. dealerships to complete their solar charging capability by installing Green Zones on their property.

“The question isn’t whether to install a solar canopy, it’s where and how many,” said Joe Serra, president of Serra Automotive. “It’s a win for us because the electricity generated will help reduce operating costs, and it’s a win for the environment since solar power helps reduce our carbon footprint.”

Each canopy generates enough electricity for up to 4 500 charges per vehicle annually. The proof of concept for the Green Zone project is housed at the Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant, manufacturing home of the Volt.

“The beauty of this program is that there is no capital cost required from the dealership,” said Dave Halvorson, president of American Chevrolet in Modesto. “Not only do we generate the solar energy to increase our reliance on renewable electricity, but the Green Zone is a billboard of our commitment to the environment.”

The Chevy Green Zone Initiative is part of GM Ventures’ recent announcement to invest US$7.5 million in Sunlogics, a solar panel manufacturing and development company that will supply the panels and install the dealer charging stations. Both American Chevrolet and Al Serra Chevrolet partnered with Sunlogics for installation of their Green Zones.

“Just one of these canopies provides enough renewable energy to power two to three homes per year, or more than 25 percent of a dealership’s energy consumption,” said Perry. “Collectively, that will be a lot of power we are putting back into the grid.”

As part of the GM Ventures investment announcement in Sunlogics, General Motors committed to double its solar output globally – from 30 megawatts to 60 megawatts by 2015. The company derives 1.4% of its U.S. energy consumption from renewable resources.

GM is the leading user of renewable energy in automotive manufacturing. It has three of the largest automotive rooftop solar power installations in the United States, and the world’s largest rooftop solar installation at its car assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Additionally, GM has started construction on a new solar field at its Detroit-Hamtramck facility and completed construction on a solar array on top of its Baltimore Operations facility.

STORY BY CHEVROLET

BMW i8 Concept - New Car 2011

It’s been nearly two years since BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics concept debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt show, and the car has now officially re-emerged one step closer to production as the BMW i8 concept. As you can see, little has changed in the styling department.

In fact, other than a new wheel design, the only other notable change we’ve spotted concerns the doors, which seem to have claimed some territory along their bottoms and thereby reduced the size of the blue body-side accent. Interestingly, the car didn’t show that change when BMW paraded it around for spy photographers this past March, but we like it.
Passenger Compartment + Powertrain = LifeDrive
As with the i3 city car concept that debuted at the same time (you can read about it in full here), the story of the i8 begins with its LifeDrive architecture. BMW says that its experiences in creating the Mini E and 1-series-based BMW ActiveE showed that adapting cars engineered for internal-combustion power to electric propulsion results in a lot of excess weight and compromises in packaging. As a result, both the i8 and i3 are built using two purpose-built modules: one to house passengers, dubbed “Life,” and one for propulsion and suspension components, called “Drive.” Combine them, and you have a car—and marketing-friendly “LifeDrive” branding.
While the i3 and i8 share the LifeDrive architectural philosophy, the cars differ in execution. That’s because the i3 is fully electric, while this i8 is a plug-in hybrid, so its Drive component is actually split in two, with an electric motor at the front axle and a gas engine at the rear. Unlike the i3, which situates its batteries below the passenger compartment, the i8’s lithium-ion cells are actually part of the Life module, stacked through a central tunnel that might house a transmission and driveshaft in a conventional car. Arranging them this way allowed BMW’s engineers to achieve yet another claim of perfect 50/50 weight distribution, thereby preserving peace in the city of Munich. As in the i3, the i8’s Drive components are largely crafted of aluminum, while the life module uses a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque. Using so much lightweight material essentially cancels out the added weight of the heavy electric drive components, thereby allowing the car to weigh less than 3300 pounds, according to BMW. The rigidity imparted by the carbon fiber also allows for long, dramatic doors that ease access to the two small rear seats, and is a boon to crashworthiness, too.


While most other so-called “through-the-road” hybrids (meaning the propulsion systems each drive their own axle) are based on existing front-drive vehicles—meaning they add electric power to the rear wheels—BMW had the luxury of starting from scratch. Because most braking energy gathers at the front of the vehicle, the i8 has its electric motor up front for the sake of recapturing energy. The motor is shared with the i3, and its peak output is 170 hp and 184 lb-ft or torque. It’s fed juice, of course, by those lithium-ions, which take about two hours to charge and return 20 miles of all-electric driving.
Three’s Company: 220-Horse Three-Cylinder
The original Vision EfficientDynamics concept used a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, but the i8 makes use of BMW’s new gas-fired 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder, which we first reported on in April. It makes 220 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, helping the i8 to its governed top speed of 155 mph. The run to 60 mph will come in under five seconds, says BMW, who also claims the i8 will return 78 mpg on the European cycle. But that test is notoriously optimistic, and the company says normal driving will realistically result in economy of just half that figure. The engine and electric motor can power the car on their own or in tandem for better traction, with the stability-control system’s whims playing a large part in deciding when to team them up. Each axle also contributes regenerative electricity; the front houses the regenerative braking system, while the engine at the rear has a high-voltage alternator that can recapture energy. No mention was made regarding what type of transmission is installed in the i8.
A button-activated “Eco Pro” mode dulls throttle response, caps speed between 56 and 74 mph, and reduces the load of the climate-control system. (Because the climate-control system also is responsible for keeping the batteries at an operating temperature of 68 degrees, it always runs to some extent, however.) The i8 also features an intelligent navigation system that can decide the most energy-efficient route to a destination.


What i Looks Like
While not much has changed about the i8’s styling, a few themes have emerged now that it has a sibling in the i3. The laying of white panels over a black and clear sub-layer is meant to reference the car’s Life and Drive components. Besides just looking flat-out futuristic, BMW i models will be marked by a BMW roundel with a blue ring around the outside, blue accents on the grilles and side sills, and the “stream flow” C-pillar treatment.
Inside, the i8 concept foregoes traditional gauges in exchange for a more future-tech 8.8-inch display screen for reporting road and engine speed, as well as battery and fuel levels. In Eco Pro mode, the digital gauges glow blue; in Sport mode—details of which were in short supply—they glow orange. A second screen tops the dash above the center stack to display navigation and infotainment functions, and the rest of the interior is clean and simple.

Yes, the i8 is technically a concept, although in typical BMW fashion, it’s pretty well fleshed out and likely very close to what you’ll see when the production car launches in 2014. While the diminutive i3 is certainly intended to capture the attention of the general public, the i8 appears to be an effort to keep enthusiasts under the BMW umbrella as sustainability and efficiency become increasingly important. While it remains to be seen if the i8 will be satisfying to pilot, we applaud the idea, since there’s not much that we want to see more than a long future for driver’s cars.Source : Caranddriver.com