Worlds Fastest Pickup

Following the BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Convertible and BMW M3 Sedan, a fourth body variant of this globally successful high-performance sports car is about to cause a stir. Under the strictest secrecy, the world’s first high-performance pickup has been created at the BMW M GmbH development centre. The sportiest example by far in this vehicle category, the BMW M3 Pickup will fire the imaginations of all motorists with a deep appreciation of top performance matched by a keen practical bent. 309 kW/420 hp under the bonnet and a rear-axle load capacity of up to 450 kilos take the hallmark BMW M relationship between race-oriented driving pleasure and everyday utility to an entirely new level. This unique vehicle has already completed extensive test and set-up drives on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife in advance of its global unveiling on 1 April 2011.

New Polo GTI

The Polo GTI is back. A powerful 132 kW comeback!

The new Polo GTI lives up to its legendary name with superior handling properties combined with uncompromising engine dynamics and a maximum of safety. The list of high-tech features runs through the new Polo GTI. This Polo is powered by a new 1.4-litre TSI with petrol direct injection plus turbo and supercharging.


Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG. An electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces understeer and improves handling in fast driving through curves
 
Retail Price

1.4 TSI Polo GTI 132 kW DSG R259 000

The Brabus iBusiness - The S Class Limo.

Brabus has updated its iBusiness Mercedes S-class-based saloon to incorporate the second generation of Apple’s iPad.
Up to two of the slim-line tablet computers can be integrated into the rear compartment of the bespoke limo and they are wirelessly connected to a Mini Mac hidden in a specially built draw in the rear parcel shelf. A 64GB iPod Touch can also be specified to store over 14,000 songs.


Brabus has developed its own iPad app for the iBusiness. It allows rear seat passengers to control all functions of the Mercedes infotainment system, such as the radio, navigation and telephone. DVDs and digital television can be viewed from an electrically deployed 15in widescreen, which is integrated into the leather headliner, or from the two monitors built into the front seat headrests.

Of more interest to us at AutomobloG, however, is the engine, and in typical Brabus style it’s an absolute monster. The iBusiness is powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12. This massive output is enough to send the two-ton-plus Brabus from 0-100km in 3.9sec . What that feels like from the back seat, we daren’t imagine.

New C 63 AMG Coupe

The new car won’t get AMG’s latest blown 5.5-litre V8, instead using the wonderful 6.2-litre naturally aspirated unit from the existing C63 saloon. We know one thing for sure, it’s got more than enough firepower to worry rivals from BMW and Audi.
Mercedes is also offering the AMG Performance Package for the new coupe. As well as gaining new interior touches and carbon-ceramic brakes, the engine benefits from uprated pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft, as used in the 6.2-litre motor in the SLS AMG gullwing supercar.


The performance pack upgrades are enough to get the C63 Coupe from 0-100km in 4.4sec.
German rivals be afraid.

Mycityflow - Volvo S60 - Useful Fact ..

Innovative Safety - with city safety standard, the all new volvo s60 monitors traffic ahead to prevent low speed rear end collisions - it also keeps a watchful eye out for when people cross and applies auto brake if they do!

The Explosive New Renault Megane RS -

I’ll be completely honest. I found the Renault Megane RS simply ‘irresistible’. The RS’s attitude is undeniably more thuggish than any other in its class, with a lot more swagger and that will always attract healthy criticism, but lets face it, at 184kw you could never accuse it of being dull. I found the Megane RS hugely absorbing because it kicked up my heart rate, pure and simple - Real adrenalin inducing stuff!

So once again we have a sporty Renault that feels far too specialized to have come from a French corporation. The French are marveled for vehicles with warmth and soul for the most part and at a push excitable driving – For me the Megane RS is such a powerful leap to a whole new level of vehicle which is obviously a huge part of the appeal – it’s a more personal car, than a Golf GTI. It is the angry, whooshing, warbling engine note and the RS’s take-no-prisoners attitude to any given road that every warm blooded male loves about this machine.

When floored, the RS struggles to contain the rampant power and torque of the turbo’d 2.0-litre engine. Throw in some bumps and you’re in for an upper-body workout as the front end tussles with the tarmac, but then I’m one of those drivers that likes to remain in tune with the road beneath.

The Megane RS’s turning circle is great, seats were fit for a king, the pumping-iron physique tormented just about every male driver on the road but I wasn’t fond of all its features, though. The sound system left me wanting. I really feel Renault disappointed in that area.

The engine is truly dynamite, with a commanding view of the road ahead (the seats were mounted perfectly), there was little that I found could touch the RS’s pace along a challenging road. Driving it you had a sense of its barely contained energy, its urgency and explosive delivery. It’s utterly, utterly different to anything you would experience before.

 

At the moment it’s also a safe place for your money.

So take the RS for what it is: a car that’s left a gaping hole in my drive way and one you definitely want to fill the one in yours.

My Journey in a Renault Stepway ..

I had a last minute trip planned to Hermanus about two weekends ago and since the all new, nifty Renault Stepway was in my possession, I figured it’d be a great car to take on this little venture, especially since Renault bills this as a crossover. The Renault Stepway comes with a 1.6 liter engine that delivers 64kw. Disappointing, But more on that later. The test vehicle had a decent package, and more than adequate leg room and boot space ( for four adults & bags ). For an economy built cross over, I was impressed.

Surprisingly, the 1.6-litre engine felt really strong and was great at keeping the engine it its optimal power band. Unfortunately, getting up Sir lowry’s pass as you exit strand is already a challenging experience, having to constantly drop gears and floor the gas pedal just to maintain speed and not get stuck behind container trucks made the trip all the more exciting. Cornering and road grip felt above average in the Stepway. Ride quality was supple, like a sofa on wheels, but it’s exactly what you expect from the French.

The interior space on the Renault Stepway left me for the most part ‘ wanting’. It is however what you expect from looking at it from the outside. Where the Stepway has good exterior build quality, they have under delivered on the interior with plenty of hard plastics that left me expecting just a little more. Fuel consumption on the other hand was truly amazing, this car gave me the impression that it could run on the smell of an oil rag.
The rear leg room exceeded expectations, two thumbs up to Renault for thinking of comfort for the larger than life. The trunk space fits two small roller suitcases  and 2 back pack with additional room for 2 or 3 shopping bags without any issues.

Personally I would pass on the Renault Stepway, but that is purely based on my needs. For families with kids, that frequent weekend getaway or running around town, I’d recommend the Stepway as an economical and better styled alternative to some of the other options within it’s segment– but don’t take my word for it, book a test drive and see for yourself.

Morgan Eva GT - The Brits are back

This is the new Morgan Eva GT. It is a four-seat, luxury GT sportscar and as you can quite clearly see, it is cool.
It is also like no Morgan before it. Far from being made out of wood, iron or the bones of peasants, the Eva GT is instead a podium for advanced materials and motorsports know-how. The body panels are made from aluminium, the chassis (aluminium) was honed in the GT3 motorsport class, and the engine is of award-winning stock, courtesy of BMW.






A twin-turbo 3-litre straight six pumping through the rear wheels via a manual six-speeder or an auto, helps propel the Eva GT from 0-100km in an estimated 4.5 seconds.

Pedestrian Detection - Technology

The All new Volvo S60 boasts Pedestrian Detection Technology that will bring the car to a complete stop at speeds under 40km/per hour.

Finally, technology that has real ''meaning'' in South Africa.

Volvo S60 - 3.0 Turbo @ 225kw