http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1076
Opel is ramming through development of a new city car meant to compete with the Ford Ka and the Volkswagen Up!. The company has also begun research work on a fully electric vehicle to be sold alongside the Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid.
But it is the city car that is the company's "top priority," according to company CEO Nick Reilly. "In my view, Opel needs a mini in today's market. That will be our top priority," Reilly said. He qualified his comments by pointing out that more customers are choosing smaller cars than in the past.
It is unclear if Reilly wants the small car to also be released as an EV, or if a completely new electric model will be developed.
These comments about Opel have been made before. Near-miss Opel purchaser Magna International was planning on releasing a new Opel city car in 2012. Magna had also considered distributing this as an all-electric.
Reilly is a relative newcomer to Opel, having been placed temporarily in the Opel hot seat on November 10, when GM decided not to sell the brand to Magna. He has worked for GM for almost 35 years, and is considered to be a possible successor to General Motors' interim CEO Ed Whitacre.
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Cadillac CTS-V Brute Force by Geiger Cars
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1077
Despite its German location, Geiger Cars shows a great passion for tuning American cars. Instead of getting even more power and torque out of neighbouring brands like the Audi RS 6, the BMW M5, or the Mercedes-Benz E 63, Geiger chose to cross the Atlantic and create a monster out of a beast.
The Cadillac CTS-V already comes packed to the hilt with a supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 based on the LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1. In its raw form it makes 415kW at 5900rpm and 747Nm of torque. Not content, Geiger engineers upped the charge pressure releasing 455kW and 850Nm of torque, and called it Brute Force. Drive is still thrusted upon the 6-speed gearbox and the rear wheels, although fifth and sixth gears are shortened. Top speed is rated at over 330km/h.
Geiger gives assurances that the car is a good compromise between a long-distance cruiser and a sharp, agile cornering machine.
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Drunk drivers may lose licences
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1078
KwaZulu-Natal's transport MEC is investigating whether it is possible to revoke drivers' licences of people caught driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding, his office said on Tuesday.
"Statistics show that we have an extraordinary crisis on our roads," MEC Willies Mchunu said.
"The major contributors to this crisis are speeding and drunk driving.
"To deal firmly with these twin evils, I have formed a technical committee to look into various pieces of legislation with a view to allowing the MEC for transport to revoke the drivers' licences of the serial law breakers who are responsible for wantonly maiming and murdering our people."
On December 1 and 2, the province's traffic police stopped 7 144 vehicles and charged 1 238 drivers with various offences, excluding speeding.
The total number of speed enforcements, including camera enforcements, netted 155 vehicles.
At least 30 vehicles were found to be unroadworthy and removed from the road.
"Sadly, 18 drivers were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol."
Eighty-nine people were driving without a valid driver's licence and 72 vehicles were on the road without valid licences.
50% of road accident victims above limit
The department said that according to Automobile Association research, an estimated 50% of people who die on South African roads have a blood alcohol concentration level above 0.05g per 100 millilitres, which is the maximum legal blood alcohol limit.
"This is rather a staggering figure, if you consider that some 900 000 road accidents were reported to the South African Police Service in 2008 alone.
"Of this, at least 150 000 people were injured - and about 60 000 required hospitalisation. Sadly, 14 500 of these accident victims died."
Mchunu said the revocation process would run parallel to the judicial one of prosecuting the driver for breaking the traffic rules.
"This revocation process will help to temporarily, if not permanently, remove the erratic drivers from our roads quickly while the wheel of justice grinds towards a conviction.
"We do not want to wait for the judicial process while the offender continues with his wayward behaviour on the road".
Depending on the committee's findings, they would begin revoking licences within days, or begin legislative processes to allow this.
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Vorsteiner VGT Aerodynamic Package for Carrera
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1079
Tuner outfit Vorsteiner plan to release their V-GT aero kit for the Porsche Carrera MkII beginning next January. The package will be sold through the firm's dealer network, and will fit the C2, C2S, C4, C4S, Targa 4, Targa 4S, and the Cabriolet lineup, according to a press release.
In addition to the kit, the company is also offering a carbon fiber roof as a replacement to the stock sunroof. This change alone shaves 47 lbs. off the weight. 19- and 20-inch forged wheels will also be optionally available.
The kit itself comes with a new, add-on front spoiler meant to work in tandem with the stock bumper. This piece adds dual brake duct vents and a blacked-out grille, while helping to increase downforce at speed. In the rear, the V-GT three-fin diffuser is tacked on to the stock bumper cover. Both parts are built from carbon fiber.
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Novitec Rosso Refines the Ferrari California
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1080
Novitec Rosso has unveiled a new styling and performance package for the Ferrari California.
To give the car an aggressive appearance, Novitec Rosso adds an aerodynamic carbon fiber body kit which includes a front spoiler, attractive side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a trunk-mounted spoiler. The finishing touch is three-piece NF3 wheels, which measure 9Jx21 front and 11.5Jx22 rear, outfitted with Pirelli tires.
In terms of performance, the company installed a new engine management system (with custom mapping for injection and ignition) and a stainless-steel exhaust system "with metal catalysts and a flap actuator operated from the Manettino switch on the steering wheel." These updates allow the 4.3-liter V8 engine to produce 368 kW and 518 Nm of torque (an increase of 29 kW and 33 Nm). Other tweaks include sport springs (which lowers the ride height by 35 millimeters) and a hydraulic lift system that raises the front end 40 millimeters.
Inside, Novitec Rosso offers an extensive customization program which allows customers to create a bespoke interior that reflects their unique tastes.
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Volkswagen Completes 49.9% Porsche Stake
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1081
Volkswagen has announced they have bought a 49.9 percent stake in Porsche.
Valued at €3.9 billion ($5.8 billion USD), VW says the move is an important step towards fully integrating Porsche into Volkswagen AG. According to Volkswagen, "Porsche ideally complements the brand portfolio. The Stuttgart-based car maker will allow Volkswagen to further expand its position in the premium business, which offers particularly strong earnings. In turn, as an independent brand under the roof of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche will have the potential for significant additional growth."
As we have previously reported, Volkswagen wants Porsche to sell 150,000 vehicles a year by 2013. In order to do this, Porsche will likely add several new models including an entry-level roadster (to sit below the Boxster), a small crossover (possibly based on the Audi Q5), and a Panamera-based coupe.
If everything goes according to plan, the complete takeover of the Porsche will occur in 2011. When that happens, Volkswagen will create an "integrated automotive group" to house both companies (possibly under the Auto Union name).
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Stoning on Joburg highway
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1082
Motorists were being stoned by protesters near the Lenasia offramp on the N12 on Tuesday evening, Johannesburg metro police said.
"It's not safe for motorists to travel on the N12 right now," said Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Protesters had been throwing stones and blocking the road with burning tyres for at least an hour. Motorists were advised to use the Golden Highway or the R554.
The cause of the protests was not yet known.
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Volkswagen Acquires 19.9% of Suzuki in Partnership
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1084
It has been revealed that Volkswagen and Suzuki Motor Corp. are in talks about a long-term co-operation agreement. Rumours of such a tie-up have been going around for some months. According to an official statement, VW will purchase 19.9 percent of Suzuki's issued shares. In turn Suzuki will use up to half of the amount received from VW to buy a stake in the Wolfsburg company.
Although the two automakers compete in some segments, they reckon they also compliment each other. VW has expertise in diesel technology and hybrid systems while Suzuki is quite strong in the fast-emerging India market. In addition to cars and motorcycles, Suzuki builds marine transportation solutions and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
If the authorities approve the transaction, the world's largest car manufacturing alliance would be created. It would surpass Toyota in terms of sales.
Consolidation seems to be the key industry word again. Recently French company PSA Peugeot Citroën announced it was entering into a cooperative agreement with Japan's Mitsubishi Motors. Italy's Fiat already calls the shots at Chrysler LLC while Nissan and Renault have been mates for about a decade now.
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Premium Lotus 7 Replica from South Africa
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1085
An updated replica of the classic Lotus 7 has hit the South African market, and may become available for export to Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Inspired by Lotus founder Colin Chapman's original design, twenty units of the Millennium 7 have already been completed, or are in assembly.
The car is the brainchild of aeronautical engineer Chris Carstens, who created the car to fulfill a friend's request for an uncommon sports car. The friend, Kobus van der Walt, has worked with Carstens on the project for the last six years. The duo have been advised by former Honda F1 chief mechanic Alastair Gibson.
Although the standard offering will be a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine with Ford Type 9 gearbox, Millennium 7 designers claim that a variety of engines fit without hassle. They claim that Ford and Toyota machines are the most common choices, but they have even kitted the car out with a turbocharged version of the 1.3-liter Renesis rotary engine seen on the Mazda RX-8. They also say that, although the car uses the BMW E30 3-Series rear differential and drive shafts, that many different gearboxes can be used.
With a four-cylinder Toyota engine, the vehicle's weight is estimated at 700kg. Weight is kept low thanks to the space frame, aluminum skin panels, and fiberglass body. Despite the low weight, the engineers were able to design a car with a bigger cockpit than the Lotus 7.
Disc brakes also come from the BMW 3er, but four-piston calipers may also be available. Also available is the unique windscreen, which is installed at a 55-degree rake.
The vehicle itself will be more readily available as a DIY kit, than a complete car. This kit would include "the frame, alloy double skin panelling, bodywork, front and rear suspension, fuel tank, brakes, brake tubing, pedal box and master cylinders, steering system and a basic wiring harness," according to a press release.
Without the differential, drive shafts, engine, gearbox, instruments, radiator, steering wheel, tires, or wheels, the Millennium 7 will cost R150,000.
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VW Golf VI Now Available with LED Rear Lights
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1086
Volkswagen Golf fans will probably be cheering over the latest offering from VW. Rear LED lights for the Golf VI are now optionally available, but come standard on the Golf GTD, Golf GTI and Golf R.
The company uses 48 light emitting diodes to make the four curve-and-dot shapes seen in the photos. These lights are covered in a smoked lens, giving a very recognizable look that should not blind tailing drivers.
Aside from looking good, they also light up 0.2 seconds faster than normal incandescent lights. VW believes this technology has a safety impact, claiming that "at a speed of 100 km/h it is equivalent to 5.6 meters braking distance." Of course, this depends on how hard you hit the brakes.
Volkswagen is also making available Bi-Xenon headlights. Optional for all Golf VI models, except Golf R which has them standard, the high intensity discharge lighting system comes equipped with dynamic cornering light, which adjusts the light beam angle in conjunction with the steering angle. They also adapt the light beam's peripheral range relative to the car's speed depending if it's city or highway driving. For example, in city traffic - up to 35 km/h - the lane boundary on the driver's side is illuminated much brighter.
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Aston Martin V8 Vantage MY10 Updates
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1087
Aston Martin is preparing to launch an updated V8 Vantage range for 2010. The beady-eyed spies at CAR UK caught a suspicious-looking blue model badged as a V8 but dressed in part like the V12 running around near the company's Gaydon, Warwickshire headquarters.
It turns out it was a 2010 MY test unit. Changes made include a magnum silver bonnet, new optional 10-spoke forged 19-inch alloy wheels with diamond turned and silver finish, and clear rear lights. The interior can be specified with new optional lightweight seats with kevlar and carbon fibre construction. Weight savings from these amount to 17kg. There is also an optional 1,000W B&O hi-fi system to suit every musical taste.
Through transmission ratio alterations and software remapping the 2010 V8 Vantage is said to emit an average of 315g/km in C02 gases, down from 328g/km. With the Sportshift gearbox that figure drops even further to 300g/km.
Orders are being accepted right now, with first deliveries only expected early next year.
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Road projects hit by scandal
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1088
The North West government said on Wednesday it has been hit by a multi-million rand scandal related to road projects that may have been improperly and fraudulently awarded.
"I can confirm that a number of contracts issued by the department for several road projects in the province may have been improperly and fraudulently awarded," transport MEC Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said.
It is estimated that more than R1.5bn allocated for road capital projects over the next three years - the medium term expenditure framework - had already been committed.
Within three months, of the current financial year - 2009/10 - the roads directorate had already spent 100% of its capital project budget.
Their budget allocation for the current financial year was R525m.
Audit
This followed an audit by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and a commitment by the government to get the money back.
Further details would be released once the government had cleared the legal implications of doing so.
He said that millions of rands worth of contracts were issued by the department "without following procedure as stipulated by Public Finance Management Act (PMFA)".
The government would give the report to the police's Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit to investigate.
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More toll roads planned
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1089
There is not enough money available to fix roads, so more toll gates will probably have to be built on national roads, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele said in a report on Thursday.
More than 4 100 km of roads - or 32% of the national road network - are in such a bad state that they only have a "structural life span" of five years left.
It would cost more than R35 billion to fix these roads before 2014, Ndebele said in Parliament, according to Beeld newspaper.
But his department has only R16.8 billion available to do this.
"The shortfall could be made up by building toll gates on the national road network," said Ndebele.
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Aston Rapide's SA price
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1090
Aston Martin's breathtaking take on the super sedan - Rapide - is being primed for an early-2010 launch in SA. We have prices.
Pricing for Rapide will start from R2 809 000 and the price includes registration and dealer delivery costs.
Gaydon's first production four-door sports car will feature a spectacular standard specification list including a bespoke Bang & Olufsen Beosound audio system, adaptive braking system and heated memory seats.
In another break from tradition, this is also the first Aston that will not be built at the company's traditional home. Rather, Rapide will be hand-built by specialist carmaker Magna Steyr at its Graz plant in Austria.
It is expected that around 2 000 Rapide units (each requiring about 220 hours to build) will roll off the Graz line its first year of production.
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