http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1103
A panel of female journalists have voted the Jaguar XF as the inaugural World Women's Car of the Year.
This Big Cat trounced the Volvo XC60 and thumped the Volkswagen Golf 6 to be chosen as the favourite amongst the ladies.
The judging panel comprised eight female motoring journalists from around the world - and included a juror from South Africa.
"We searched for quite a while to gather together women motoring writers who could qualify to vote for this award and it wasn’t easy because female motor journalists aren’t exactly thick on the ground," chief judge, New Zealander Sandy Myhre said.
Qualifying cars had to be sold in at least 10 countries and had to be available between September 2008 to September 2009.
Winners in the four categories were chosen from a shortlist of 21 cars decided earlier this year. Judging criteria included storage spaces, dashboard friendliness, child friendliness, aesthetic appeal and driveability. The car's "sex appeal" was also considered.
Luxury Car of the Year and overall winner - Jaguar XF
Runner up - Audi A6
Family Car of the Year - Volvo XC60
Runner up - Honda Accord
Sports Car of the Year - Audi TTS
Runner up - Mazda MX-5
Economy Car of the Year - Volkswagen Golf TDI
Runner up - Ford Fiesta
While the judges admitted that a luxury car as the overall winner was an unexpected result given what is generally considered to be a "woman's car", the Jag was considered to be "well-constructed, competent, comfortable, a combination of sport and luxury and ideal for women".
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GM Sells Saab Technology to Beijing Auto
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GM has announced they have closed a deal to sell outdated Saab technology to China's Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd (BAIC).
While details are scarce, GM will transfer tooling (for the current 9-3/9-5) and powertrain technology to BAIC. Furthermore, Saab will provide assistance to help integrate these technologies into upcoming BAIC vehicles.
According to Saab's Managing Director, Jan Åke Jonsson, "This arrangement is excellent for both parties, now and for the future. We have developed a good relationship with BAIC and look forward to working with them to integrate this Saab technology into their future vehicles."
The move will give Saab a much-needed cash infusion, which will likely be used to finance operations until the brand is sold or phased out. As you may recall, Koenigsegg backed out of plans to buy Saab, in late November, putting the company's future in jeopardy. Since then, several bidders (Spyker, the Renco Group, and Merbanco Inc) have expressed interest in the brand.
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2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
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BMW may not be planning an M version of the new Z4 but that has not stopped the Bavarians from providing fans with this smokey range-topping high-performance sDrive35is model. Spied testing a few times before, the car is a double treat for BMW fans who also longed for the return of the "is" badge. Improvements are not just in the engine bay but also in the exterior and interior appointments.
The standard M Sports Package includes a new front bumper with a very distinctive M look and outer air intakes finished in matt aluminium, standard 18-inch light alloy rims (19-inch optional), a new rear bumper with specially accentuated surrounds on the tailpipes and a two-piece diffuser. The exhaust note is supposed to be reflective of the car's status in the scheme of things.
The adjustable suspension is lowered by 10 millimetres and provides a good balance between sporty and comfortable.
Making the Z4 sDrive35is extra special is an upgraded engine system whose power was increased from a standard 225kW to 250kW available at 5,800rpm. However, US customers will have to make do with only 246kW. Torque has been boosted from 400Nm to 450Nm between 1,400rpm and 4,500rpm under normal driving. A special overboost function takes it to 500Nm.
Thanks to Launch Control it will sprint from 0 - 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and stop accelerating at 250km/h. The transmission is the 7-speed double-clutch used in the normal sDrive35i. Average fuel consumption is said to be 9.0 litres/100 kilometres while corresponding C02 emissions are 210g/km.
To make this all happen the incumbent's 3.0-litre twin turbo unit was tweaked through actions like optimising air supply and increasing boost pressure. The two small turbos made from special steel have very low inertia and can cope with temperatures of more than 1,000° C.
The interior features M entry strips, gearlever knob, aluminium carbon and a new leather colour. There are six exterior colours but regardless of what hue a buyer chooses the side mirrors are always in Oxide Silver.
BMW will debut the Z4 sDrive35is at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. US and European Market launch is in spring. All other Z4 models will also be offered with the M Sports Package as an option.
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Spyker still in contention for Saab
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1106
Spyker is still very much in the running to takeover Saab, despite a Chinese company's purchase of the 9-3 and 9-5 models. The Dutch sports car manufacturer continued talks with GM executives this past weekend in Zurich.
The Dutch company has partnered with RMC Convers Group Holdings in a bid for the ailing Swedish brand. Other companies said to be interested include Renco Group, owned by billionaire Ira Rennert, and Merbanco, an investment firm based in Wyoming. Koenigsegg had previously reached an agreement with Saab parent General Motors. The niche supercar manufacturer, also based in Sweden, pulled out of the deal just after GM scuttled plans to sell Opel to Magna.
Despite the multitude of interest, media outlets in Sweden, The Netherlands, and America have identified Spyker as the front-runner to win Saab. As a small manufacturer, Spyker may be more appealing to General Motors as a purchaser, because it may prove to be more difficult for the Dutch company to turn Saab into a brand capable of competing with GM's marketing and large-volume production abilities.
Still, Spyker and Saab could benefit from platform- and technology-sharing, in turn helping both cut costs. This is crucial for Spyker, a company that has not turned a profit since going public in 2004, and for Saab, a company preparing to launch its first new vehicle in seven years.
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Speeding biker gets R18 000 fine
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A motorcyclist was given a R18 000 fine by Scottburgh Magistrate's Court on Monday after being caught speeding at 232km/h, KwaZulu-Natal's transport MEC said.
The man was arrested on the N2 southbound near Scottburgh on Friday.
"We hope he has learned and will accordingly modify his behaviour," Willies Mchunu said in a statement.
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SA's car goal 'impossible'
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Nissan South Africa managing director Mike Whitfield doesn't foresee that South Africa will soon, if ever, manufacture more than a million vehicles.
To reach that number the seven large manufacturers would each have to produce 150 000 to 200 000 vehicles or more.
He reckons this is a practical impossibility.
At this stage most manufacturers are still striving to produce 50 000 units a year, in keeping with the requirements of the Automotive Production and Development Plan, so as to qualify for certain government incentives. The new plan becomes operational in 2013.
With the domestic market currently at only half its 2006 peak, and with exports having suffered a serious blow this year compared with their record year in 2008, many of the motor industry's former aims are beginning to look like pipe dreams.
Whitfield says South Africa competes with countries like India, Asia and Brazil - but not Europe.
Production here is considerably more expensive than in other countries.
Furthermore, the looming electricity price hikes are hanging over manufacturers' heads.
Whitfield says future growth will be slow and it is unlikely that 2006's domestic sales numbers will again be achieved before 2014 or 2015.
Whitfield says Nissan is determined to produce more than 50 000 units by 2013. Between 40% and 50% of these units will be exported, he adds.
There are positive indications for exporting the one-ton bakkie - to Europe, in particular.
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