http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1094
Contrary to an Arrive Alive announcement, Engen has said its service stations will not stock disposable breathalyser tests in December.
At the launch of the latest Arrive Alive campaign earlier this week, it was announced by Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele that disposable breathalysers would be on sale to the public from Engen service stations during December.
However, the fuel company now says this announcement was based on misinformation.
“We were approached by the suppliers’ agents just weeks ago, and made it very clear then that it was very late in the day to arrange outlets, as we needed to consult our dealer network,” said Pierr Roodt, Engen's retail marketing manager.
The ministerial announcement was made before the supplier deal had been struck and suppliers have said no units will be available before January 12, the company said.
“As regards the unavailability of units at our dealer sites, that cannot be said to be Engen’s fault,” Roodt said. “In truth, Engen is only one of several retailers that have been earmarked to distribute the devices."
Engen was unable to say when the disposable drug units would be available at its service centres.
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Holiday driving tips
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1095
If you are not a racing or transport driver, the end of year vacation trek is probably the most challenging drive you’ll be tasked with all year.
South African road accident statistics read like the script of a bad B-grade horror movie, and if you factor in the vast distances between vacation spots there is plenty that can go wrong. Best you be prepared, then.
It stands to reason that your vehicle should be in working in good nick before tackling the long road, but here are five fundamental checklist items we'd suggest you tick off before carting the family down to the coast.
1) Can you spanner it?
Make sure you know how your car’s spare wheel arrangement works. Many modern vehicles do not sport full size spare wheels and instead do with skinny space saver instead.
Sometimes these space savers require inflation with a special pump. It would save a lot of roadside family tension if you have read the instructions a couple of times and familiarised yourself with your car’s spare wheel changing regime.
2) All diesel is not created equal
If you drive a contemporary turbodiesel vehicle, you’ll no doubt be pleased as punch with its outstanding fuel economy and range.
The downside, of course, is South Africa’s rather putrid diesel fuel quality.
Locally, fuel can vary from outstanding coal-to-oil refined stuff to horrendous rural diesel. Ensure you know which service stations along your route stock 50ppm fuel and plan refuelling stops well within your car’s range capability.
3) You are not Giniel de Villiers
Although excessive speeding is a primary cause of road accident, fatigue is (excuse the pun) an even bigger silent killer.
Around the time you’re returning from vacation in early January, South African racing superstar Giniel de Villiers will be defending his Dakar title. Giniel doesn’t race 1 000-km legs per day (and he is the world’s best at traversing gruelling road conditions at speed, day after day, you know), neither should you.
Stop every 250km and don’t try to be a hero by covering 1 500-a-day legs. It’s just not safe and your kids will drive you insane when they're cooped up in the car for 12 hours straight…
4) Keep your illumination true
South Africa contains thousands of kilometres of dirt roads, much of it accessed en masse during the peak vacation season.
The net result of driving badly maintained dust roads is a film of dirt collecting over your headlights.
By the time it’s necessary to switch to those headlights on as night times approaches, is that an appreciable level of illumination would be lost to clinging dirt. This has potentially dire consequences if other road users cannot see you.
So, remember to clean off your headlights after a particularly punishing dirt or off-road driving session.
5) Be load sensitive
Be sensible when loading your vehicle or hitching a trailer or caravan.
Don’t exceed your vehicle’s tow rating.
If you are hauling with a raised body vehicle (4X4 or double-cab bakkie) ensure you’ve fixed a drop-plate to keep the trailer/caravan attachment angle at a slight decline. A raised rig can have disastrous swaying and bucking consequences.
Also, despite being able to power up to the legal limit, tow at a speed that would leave you with a generous safety margin if there is an emergency.
But above all, take the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery this country has to offer. And relax - it is a holiday, after all.
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AC Schnitzer 335d Coupe Breaks Diesel World Record
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1096
AC Schnitzer's ACS3 3.5d Coupe has broken the world diesel speed record, at the Nardò test track in southern Italy.
The achievement occurred earlier this year, when an ACS3 3.5d posted a top speed of 288.7 km/h. This is a full 8.7 km/h faster than the previous record, which was set back in 2006.
While the company declined to release technical specifications, AC Schnitzer's website says the 335d can be tuned to produce 228 kW.
As you may recall, AC Schnitzer is no stranger to setting world records. In 2006, they built the world's fastest road-legal BMW (dubbed the TENSION). A year later, the GP3.10 was crowned the world's fastest LPG-powered vehicle (it hit a top speed of 318.1 km/h).
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RDSport RS46 - Latest BMW M3 E92 program
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1097
RDSport has a history of tuning BMW cars going back over 25 years. What they have done to this M3, dubbed the RS46, is a culmination of those years' experience.
"The RS46 is truly the motor that BMW should have installed in the M3 in the first place" says the official statement. Bold claims indeed but it seems there is some real backup for it. So confident is RDSport that they say the car's engine internals could withstand the rigours of Formula One.
Delving a little bit into the figures we see that the standard 4.0-litre V8 has been reworked to include larger aluminium pistons, forged, billet connecting rods and a new billet crankshaft with a longer stroke. Put together these changes result in a new 4.6-litre, 391kW tyre shredder with 556Nm of torque. Performance figures were not supplied.
The chassis is enhanced by using specially-valved Bilstein shocks and RDSport Springs. The front is lowered by some 30mm while the rear goes down by 25mm.
Differentiating kit includes a carbon/Kevlar RDSport front bumper, a carbon fibre meshed rear diffuser, and factory-PDC-compatible aero bits. The interior is highly customisable to suit any customer's needs.
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Edo Competition Lamborghini Gallardo LP600/4
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1098
Edo Competition has unveiled the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP600/4.
Boasting 441 kW and 572 Nm of torque, the LP600/4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 340 km/h. Compared to the standard Gallardo LP560-4, the LP600/4 has an additional 29 kW and 32 Nm of torque. It is 0.2 seconds faster to 100 km/h and has 15 km/h higher top speed.
Besides the extra power, Edo installed a sport suspension "to improve drivability, driving dynamics and precision." While details are limited, the company says the suspension features low friction shock absorbers, revised spring rates, and adjustable dampers.
In terms of styling, the LP600/4 has a new front spoiler lip, a stainless steel exhaust system (with butterfly valves that are activated via a remote), and 19-inch three-piece racing wheels (with artificially-aged cast center-sections, hand-polished outer rims, and stainless steel screws) outfitted with high-performance Dunlop Sport Maxx tires.
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Hofele R8-Look Body Kit for Audi A5
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1099
German tuner firm Hofele Design have come up with the perfect gift for the poseur in your family. The Hofele R8-Look aerokit is capable of ruining your Audi A5, be it the convertible, coupe, or Sportback.
For an undisclosed sum, customers receive a new front bumper, side skirts with air intakes, side blades, and rear spoiler. Customers also get the R8 V10-Look rear bumper with lamella inserts and rear diffuser. Conveniently, this setup only fits the sold-separate Hofele quad-pipe sports muffler. Authentic-looking air vents are also available at the front.
Coupe owners can also get a custom boot-lid spoiler, not available on the other models. Sportback owners: only the front bumper with vents is available for you.
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G-POWER X5 M and X6 M TYPHOON with 441kW Announced
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1100
G-POWER's reputation as a hard hitter in the world of BMW tuning is further affirmed by this dazzling performance and equipment package for the new BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M. The aerodynamic kit is largely derived from the G-POWER Widebody-Kit TYPHOON.
Both SUVs feature a full carbon fibre front skirt with striking air inlets, a bonnet made of Kevlar hybrid or carbon fibre, and wide carbon fibre side skirts. A rear diffuser compliments the bragging four tailpipes. G-POWER says they emit a powerful deeptone sound. The X5 M is fitted with one-piece aluminium wheels measuring 11x23 and 12x23 inches while the X6 M's three-piece versions also have the same dimensions. Additionally the X6 M can be had with 22-inch wheels. Tyres are 315/25 ZR 23 high performance Michelins. The suspension systems can be lowered by 30mm.
The twin turbo engines were boosted from 408kW to 441kW at 6,000rpm and peak torque is 700Nm at 2,000rpm. Acceleration from 0 - 100km/h happens in 4.5 seconds, 0 - 200km/h in 16.2 seconds and top speed is beyond 300km/h.
Interior enhancements include a sports steering wheel, a G-POWER design speedometer, carbon fibre inserts and more.
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BRABUS GLK V12 to Debut at Dubai Motor Show
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1101
Tuning icon BRABUS has laid claim to yet another fastest-in-the-world record with this GLK V12. Said to accelerate from 0 - 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and 0 - 200km/h in 12.8 seconds, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-based athlete was also tested for top speed at an Italian high-speed track two months ago. There it posted a scintillating 322.3 km/h, making it the fastest street-legal SUV in the world, as per the press release.
The work involved in such a feat is enormous. It includes fitting a massive 6.3-litre V12 bi-turbo engine with two large turbochargers, more efficient intercoolers, free-flow metal catalysts and a stainless steel exhaust system.
Maximum power is rated at 552kW at 5,500rpm and peak torque is 1,350Nm at 2,100rpm. BRABUS have however limited the latter to 1,100Nm. All of that goes to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic gearbox assisted by a limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent.
The exterior kit includes a carbon fibre spoiler lip, a front apron with large air dams, BRABUS WIDESTAR fender flares that add 5cm to the width, underside LED lights, a BRABUS roof spoiler to reduce aerodynamic lift and a BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system.
Customers can choose from five different wheel designs sized 10Jx22 with Pirelli or Yokohama tyres of up to size 285/25 ZR 22.
A customised interior featuring things like wood trim or carbon fibre panels, full leather upholstery with optional Alcantara elements and a 7-inch LCD screen can be ordered.
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9ff GT9-R Details Finally Released
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1102
After over a year of waiting, German tuner firm 9ff has finally released new details and updated photos of their impressive 9ff GT9-R. The 824 kW car will be limited to twenty units, each available worldwide.
Using a 4.0-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine, the car is capable of a 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds. 300 km/h is reached in 15.8 seconds, en route to a 414 km/h top speed. If accurate, the 9ff GT9-R would become the fastest production car built, beating out the 412.28 km/h posted by the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, despite a pending second world record run by Keating TKR, which has already hit 418.6km/h.
Those who do not need quite that much power can take a 726-kW model built for the track, and just a hair slower than the fully tuned car. Still, there is a 552-kW version on offer that clears 300 km/h in 20 seconds.
The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or sequential gearbox. The five-speed Tiptronic is an option for those purchasing the 552-kW variant.
9ff claims no two vehicles will be identical, with a full slate of customization available on the street legal car. Multiple aerokits are being made available to guarantee this.
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