NEW Renault GT - Line .. La Linia full stop!

The only other car I’ve ever wanted this badly before I drove it was the Audi A7. And that’s even in addition to having tested the RS Megane version that came out earlier this year.

Those with longer memories will recall the ‘hatch’. In response to rising insurance and petrol costs in the early ’90s, a raft of sub-hot hatches came along offering sporty styling and superior performance.

In an economic climate not dissimilar to the early ’90s, it’s of little surprise that the warm hatch is back – say hello to the Renault GT Line. The fact that Renault sport has had a hand in its development – we’re huge fans of the RS Mégane – means there’s reason to be optimistic about this car, too. It even looks good, individual and stylish, riding on its 17in, alloy wrapped wheels.

Inside, Renault sport-spec seats are fitted with specific GT cloth and there are aluminium pedals, a Renault sport wheel and polished carbon trim. Climate, cruise, TomTom satnav, and a hands-free keycard are standard.

It seems odd that a funky-looking three-door hatch with 96kw should be considered just another hatch, but thanks to the phenomenon of upsizing that’s what we’ve got here. With 0-100km/h taking 7.8sec and a top speed nudging 220km/h it’s on the hotter side of warm, and as such the GT makes a fine cruising and overtaking companion.


It steers with precision and it grips and contains body roll in a perfectly acceptable manner. No unruliness comes from torque-steer, which is usually present under hard acceleration in the first three gears. The GT doesn’t try too hard to impress, which makes you wonder if this is one of those cars that reveals its talents slowly during the ownership experience rather than on a short test drive at a dealer.


A quick mention, the dashboard. It’s completely mad and at a glance you can’t work out what anything does or what the dials are saying — you could very easily run out of fuel, for instance. But compared with the dreary, plasticky, home-brand, low-rent rubbish you find in most hatchbacks these days, it comes as a welcome and joyous change.

To understand what I’m on about, you should visit Renaults website and spend some time playing looking around at the different options.

Ah, yes, cost. It’s tricky, of course, because of those options. Prices start at R 236 000 and that’s fair enough because this is the best of the small cars by a very, very long way.

POLO GTI - Viva La Rush!!

Apart from the aesthetic debate, I wonder, really, if it was a good idea to bring back a car as nasty as the Beetle. That it sold in such vast numbers — 21m were made — is not testament to its design brilliance so much as to the average customer’s stupidity. The engine was in the wrong place, the rear suspension was a recipe for disaster, air is not as good a cooling agent as water and the shape is all wrong. Pretty much what you’d expect, really, from a car designed in part by Hitler.

Ushering in a new feeling image for VW, meet the new Polo GTI. It’s almost exactly the same size as a Golf GTI, reflecting today's downsizing trend, the engine is smaller than in those early GTIs, its pistons displacing a mere 1.4 litres. But with the help of a supercharger and a turbocharger, there's 132kw on tap. R273 000 will see you cruising the streets in the 2010 car of the year.

The TSI Twincharger engine, which, combing the benefits of super- and turbo-charging, offers exceptional punch from low down right through to 7000rpm. The engine note sets the scene, its snorty, gruff induction noise pitching you straight into your own private trackday fantasy.

As with the engine, the chassis is friskier than the Golf's and less the civilised tourer. It steers firmly and positively with a good bite from the front tyres, the nose tucks in keenly but the ESP light is easily triggered as you power out of corners.

There's a touch of torque steer, too, the good sort that adds to the feistiness. The tail edges out just enough not to feel inert if you throttle-off, but – as usual in a VW Group car – the warning light flashes annoyingly if the ESP is switched on. Over bumps the ride is firm, but it's very well damped with no after-bounce or choppiness.

Here is the best attempt yet at a convincing GTI-badged Polo, a car with its own personality freed from the shadow of the Golf. It looks right for the role, too, with its deep valances, honeycomb grille, red stripes and twin tailpipes, plus a mini-GTI interior treatment.


The polo GTI has a relaxed character, sharp styling and an appealing price tag. If this ticks your boxes, the POLO GTI is a compelling proposition worth serious consideration.

NEW JETTA

The new Jetta is 90 mm longer than it's predeccesor. This allows the rear legroom to extend by 67 mm.  But the changes to the Jetta extend beyond the stretched wheelbase.  With an elegant new look both inside and out, the Jetta’s panels are not shared with any other Volkswagen.

CHEV Bowtie - History behind the mystery

Globally recognized today, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.


“It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveller in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car.”

JHB Motor Show 2011

Beauty is not just skin deep and this is definitely true when it comes to the glamorous world of motoring. While many will head to the Johannesburg International Motor Show from October 6-16 to see the latest designs, there will be plenty to entice those who have an eye for technology.


It is not simply about engine technology, although there will be plenty of insight into the drivetrains of the future, there will also be the latest in carbon fibre design in vehicles that can almost be described as automotive sculptures, such as the mighty new McLaren MP4-12C. Visitors will be able to marvel at the creations that some of the world’s greatest designers have penned, whether it be the latest supercar or a superbly efficient family runabout.


Regardless of whether you are a techno fan or a technophobe, Johannesburg International Motor Show at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, will be the place to be if you want to know not just about the cars you could drive today, but also the cars and the lifestyle you could be enjoying tomorrow