The New BMW 3-Door 1 Series

People seeking to get their hands on the new BMW 1 Series are now in luck as the new 3-door range goes on sale in South Africa. Customers will have the initial choice of three models namely the 116i, 125i and the M135i. A fourth model, the 118i will be available in November 2012.

If its performance you are after you may want to take a closer look at the top of the range M Performance model as seen in the M135i. This model, as with all the other models, features BMW TwinPower technology and is fitted with a six cylinder, 3.0 litre petrol unit that whops out 235kW and 450Nm. On the road, this will translate into a sprint time of 5.1 seconds to 100km/h in manual guise and 4.9 seconds for the automatic. It’s top speed is 250km/h. Fuel consumption for this model is 8-litres/100km for the manual and 7.5-litres/100km for the automatic. All models are fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard while the 8-speed auto transmission and the 8-speed auto sports transmission can be had as an option.

If customers are looking for individualisation, the new 1 Series is also offered as the BMW Sport Line version or the BMW Urban Line which add a range of special options and equipment. You won’t run out of space in the new 1 Series either because it has a big boot, like 360-litres big and if that’s not enough you can always fold down the rear bench which will increase the space to 1 200 litres.

To read about the other models, additional features and pricing for the new 1 Series I suggest you read New BMW 1 Series in SouthAfrica.

If you really like it, it may be time to visit your nearest BMW dealer to see this baby up close and personal.

News Source: Cars.co.za

New Audi A3 Sportback in South Africa

The new Audi A3 Sportback is available in South Africa and comes with a variety of engine options. Compared to the previous model, the A3 Sportback consumes 10% less fuel on average and is up to 90kg lighter.

Engine options include the 1.6-litre TDI which is the most efficient engine in the line-up with a fuel consumption figure 3.8-litres/100km and a CO2 emission rating of 99g/km. The 2.0-litre TDI is available in two versions with power ratings of 110kW/320Nm and 135kW/380Nm. The 1.2-litre TFSI engine develops 77kW and 175Nm of torque but will only be available later. A 1.4-litre TFSI engine offers 90kW and 200Nm of torque while the 1.8-litre TFSI option produces 132kW and 250Nm of torque.

Being longer, taller and wider, the A3 Sportback offers a more spacious interior with 380-litres of boot space. Additional space can be created by folding the rear seat down which will see storage capacity increase to 1200-litres. The new A3 Sportback is available in 13 colours including three solid finishes, eight metallic finishes and two pearl-effect finishes. For more information on the new Audi A3 Sportback follow the following link – The New Audi A3 Sportback  

What do you think of the new Audi A3 Sportback?

 News Source: Cars.co.za

Merc Concept B-Class Electric Drive to be shown in Paris

 Mercedes-Benz will be showing its latest electric vehicle, the Concept B-Class Electric Drive at the 2012 Paris Motor Show next week. The new battery powered vehicle will be one of the first models to carry the ‘Electric Drive’ name on its boot lid along with all other future battery-powered electric passenger cars from Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Smart.

Using a 100kW electric motor that produces 310Nm of torque, the Concept B-Class Electric Drive offers attractive driving dynamics over a range of 200km and is suitable for everyday use. To charge the battery, you can use any standard household 230V power outlet, or alternatively, with rapid charging function, you can use a 400V high voltage terminal.

The so-called Energy Space in the floor still offers the same space as with current series production models and is the safe home of the powerful lithium-ion battery.

The family-friendly electric car from Mercedes-Benz is almost ready for series production, with the market launch already planned for 2014.

News Source: Mercedes-Benz

Volvo V40 Cross Country for South Africa

Volvo Car South Africa is pulling out all the stops ahead of the official launch of the Volvo V40 in South Africa in November 2012. Volvo recently announced that the high performance V40 R-Design will be included in the South African line-up which will be available in February 2013. Now, Volvo has blown its lid and announced that that the V40 Cross Country will also be available in February 2013.

In terms of engine options, a range of petrol and diesel engines will power the new V40 Cross Country. Possible engine options include the T5 187kW/400Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V40 T4 is powered by a 1.6-litre GTDi engine that develops 132kW and 270Nm of torque and is mated with either a 6-speed Powershift automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual.

Diesel options include the 2.0-litre D4 turbodiesel that produces 130kW and 400Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre D3 produces 110kW and 350Nm of torque. Both diesel variants come with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all the models are equipped with a start/stop function and braking regeneration as standard.

The V40 Cross Country differs to the standard V40 with a higher ride height of 40mm for the driver, wheel rim sizes up to 19-inches, dark contrasting front bumper, honeycomb mesh grille, upright DRLs, sculpted contrasting sills and a contrasting rear bumper with an integrated skid plate. The exterior launch colour is 'Raw Copper'.

On the inside, customers will have the choice of five leather upholstery options. The interior features seven mood lighting options to change the ambiance as required. Probably the most notable interior feature for the V40 Cross Country is its storage versatility. The rear seat folds down in a 60/40 ratio to create more space, as well as the front passenger seat. In addition a range of storage accessories are available to optimise storage space and the interior has numerous storage compartments that offer room for all kinds of smaller items.

For more reading on the Volvo V40 Cross Country, I suggest you visit Volvo V40 Cross Country coming to South Africa. Pricing and final line-up details will be announced closer to launch.

News Source:  Cars.co.za

Nelson Mandela BMW 7-Series Donated to Charity

BMW South Africa has donated former president Nelson Mandela’s BMW 7-Series Security Vehicle to the 46664 Mandela Day School Library Project. The office of the Nelson Mandela returned the car to BMW at the end of its service life and it has been restored and is currently on display at the Franschoek Motor Museum.

The customised BMW 7-Series, fitted with a blue light grill, will be auctioned in the coming months and will undoubtedly generate interest from avid car collectors and museums worldwide.

Robert Coutts, CEO of 46664 BANGLE Initiative, said that “It is important that we balance the preservation of history surrounding the car with the commercial reality of funding the next phase of the 46664 Mandela Day School Library project. We hope that the car will find a home in a museum in South Africa so the history is preserved appropriately in our own country. Once the car has been sold for the price we anticipate, it means we would be in a position to deliver one library every 6 weeks for a year”.

“With 90% of South African schools without libraries, there is a glaringly huge gap in the resources necessary to educate young children. As BMW we are happy to make a contribution to this excellent initiative as the country seeks sustainable solutions to its education challenges,” says Bodo Donauer, BMW South Africa’s Managing Director.

The first two libraries, as agreed, will be placed at schools in the communities surrounding BMW’s Plant Rosslyn, north of Pretoria as this is where the majority of BMW’s workers come from.

News Source: BMW South Africa

Jaguar F-Type Image Leaked

The image you are looking at is presumably a leaked image of the new Jaguar F-Type which is due to make its international debut at the Paris Motor Show next week. Spy photographer Chris Doane posted the image to Facebook with the caption “something interesting just popped up in my inbox…”

My oh my, it certainly looks interesting, very beautiful in fact. Take all the time you need to let this soak in.

News Source: Autoblog.com

Mercedes-Benz launches new SL range in South Africa

Merc fans will be pleased to know that the new SL range is now available in South Africa with enticing options in the lineup in the form of the new SL 500, SL 63 AMG and the SL 65 AMG. All models feature an all-aluminium body which has resulted in notable weight loss compared to the outgoing models, adding to the performance and handling capability of the new SL range.

Let’s take a closer look at the big daddy in range, the SL 65 AMG. The new SL 65 is 170kg lighter than the previous model thanks to its all-aluminium construction and is fitted with a powerful AMG 6-litre V12 bi-turbo engine that bashes out 463kW and a staggering 1000Nm of torque on command. Certainly not for the faint hearted. Transmission comes in the form of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC and in combination with the ECO start/stop function helps improve fuel consumption which is rated at 11.6-litres/100km, some 17% more economical than the outgoing model. In terms of CO2 emissions, the SL 65 AMG expels 270g/km.

All this culminates into an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h while the 0-100km/h sprint will take only 4.0 seconds. On the outside the SL 65 AMG wears a new ‘twin blade’ radiator grille finished in high-sheen chrome. A lower cross strut across the front apron is also finished in high-sheen chrome and together with the ‘twin blade’ grille, they underline the new AMG brand face. The SL 65 AMG rides on 5-spoke, 19-inch alloys finished in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish. If that’s not down your alley, you want to opt for the AMG multi-spoke forged light-alloys in matte black with high-sheen rim flange which are available as an option.

Another highlight is the vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL that changes from light to dark, or vice versa, depending on how much light you want in the cabin, all you have to do is push a button. On the inside, the SL 65 AMG comes with two electronically adjustable AMG sports seats with the option of either single or two-tone upholstery in Nappa leather with AMG diamond pattern. Designo headlining in leather with AMG V12 diamond-design is also available as an option. Other interior features include AMG carbon-fibre trim elements, the IWC-design analogue clock, chromed door sill panels and an AMG Performance steering wheel.

If you can afford R2 621 000, the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG is yours, to have and to hold. If you are interested, make a stop at you nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership to find out more about this amazing car, happy shopping.

 News Source: Cars.co.za