http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1188
Honda SA has announced today a safety recall of the previous generation Jazz to inspect and modify driver door power-window switches that may, in some cases, short circuit as a result of water intrusion into the housing.
Following the tragic fire in September 2009 resulting in the death of satirist Justin Nurse's two-year-old daughter Vanilla, Honda has launched an extensive investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
While the cause of the blaze remains indeterminable, the investigation has shown that water intrusion into the power window switch housing could cause a short circuit.
As a precautionary measure, Honda has decided to implement a safety recall of all 2002-2008 year model Jazz units in South Africa.
Owners of 2002-2008 year model Jazz will be notified directly of this recall. Honda dealers will inspect the driver door power window switch and if water intrusion is observed, the switch will be replaced. In all cases a counter measure to prevent any water intrusion will be fitted.
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Spyker Backers Being Questioned on Saab GM Deal
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1189
A securities and shareholders watchdog group is crying foul over the Spyker purchase of Saab. Dutch association VEB is insisting that Spyker CEO Victor Muller clear up questions about the mysterious financing that surfaced at the last minute of his negotiations with General Motors.
Saab-parent GM had insisted that Spyker chairman, and Russian banker, Vladimir Antonov divest his stake in the Dutch automaker as a condition to the Saab transfer. Antonov's stake of 4.6 million shares was bought by Tenaci Capital, owned by Muller. Tenaci contributed €50m in cash to GM as part of the sale, while providing €82m in loans to Spyker, according to a press release from the automaker.
However, an investigation by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf found that Tenaci was only recently set up, having been registered within the last week. The company's location is listed as Muller's home address.
Spyker's boss refuses to identify who is behind Tenaci, and where the €132m comes from, saying that the backers wish to remain anonymous. If either Antonov, or his father Alexander, are backers of Tenaci, the entire deal could be jeopardized.
VEB has sent a list, titled "seven pressing questions to Victor," to the CEO, simultaneously posting it on their website. Amongst the questions, VEB wants to know if either Antonov has any continuing involvement with Spyker, and the terms of the Tenaci loan.
Further, if Muller at any time controlled more than 30% of Spyker's publicly traded shares, he is required by law to offer a reasonable bid for the company's outstanding shares, according to VEB. Spyker shares are traded on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
Last on the VEB's list of questions: Why would a company currently unable to turn a profit (Spyker) want to purchase a company that has not been profitable in decades (Saab)?
A shareholders meeting will likely take place on February 12.
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VW Group to base new entry level Porsches on R4
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1190
The R8 started an exciting journey for the Audi brand when it launched into a segment its maker had not competed in before. Soon after rumours of a smaller R8, thought to be called the R4, surfaced. A concept e-tron car unveiled at the recent Detroit Auto Show confirmed that indeed an R4 is in the works.
Now Porsche is considering using the R4 platform as a basis for its newest and smallest model line. Speaking to Autocar, VW Group chairman Martin Winterkorn finally admitted to be looking at a car below the Boxster/ Cayman pair.
"The Porsche model range is firmly based on the 911, Boxster, Cayenne and Cayman, and it will stay that way," he was quoted as saying. "We are also investigating opportunities for a smaller sports car and a smaller SUV - but I cannot say more at the moment."
The car dubbed the new 356 would use a mid-engine layout and source power (said to be about 186kW) from a turbocharged boxer engine. It will share its transmission with the R4 but remain very much a Porsche in most other ways.
Although the R4 is expected to go on sale around June 2011, the Porsche model won't be available until at least 2012.
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All-New Lotus Evora Available In South Africa
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1191
The first all-new Lotus since the iconic Elise roadster made its debut in 1995, the Evora enters the sports car market as the world’s only production mid-engined 2+2. The Evora aims to provide a rewarding driving experience through its mid-engined layout, coupled with Lotus’ legendary suspension and chassis engineering, to provide agile handling with a comfortable and competent ride.
A Lotus may not be top of mind when conjuring up images of comfortable cars to travel extended distances in, but with the new Evora the Norfolk based manufacturer now offers “a more refined ownership experience” to that of the company’s existing smaller models. A stylish and well equipped interior, along with wider, taller door apertures, narrower sills and higher seating position mean the Evora will appeal to a wider audience – or taller for that matter, with enough headroom for passengers up to 1.96 meters.
Under the skin, the Evora is built on Lotus’ Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) platform that allows for the development of a range of vehicles up to a gross vehicle weight of 1 900 kg. Using the company’s ‘bonded and riveted’ technology, evolved from use in the Elise family of vehicles, the Evora benefits from new and unique extrusions and folded panels, whilst providing more efficient production as well as lower cost repairs through its modular underpinnings. The Lotus Evora employs a composite roof as a stressed structural member to give an exceptional vehicle stiffness of 26 600 Nm per degree. This impressive stiffness is also thanks in part to the seatbelt anchorage frame, and partly because the high-tech composite body panels are stressed items. However, despite this high stiffness, the complete chassis, or tub, and front and rear modules weigh just 206 kg, helping to keep the weight of the whole car to just 1382 kg.
The composite body panels also serve to give the Evora its sleek and sporting demeanour. Seeing the car on show at the Top Gear Live MPH event in Cape Town (book if you haven’t already, it’s a must see), gave us the opportunity to study the car from all angles. The Evora’s profile is characterised by what Lotus aptly describe as “a strong ‘Coke bottle’ form” that narrows between the two axles and widens again towards the rear, to highlight the muscular rear wheel arch and fender. Fluid surfaces with lines that blend and create contrast, make the Evora an engaging car to look at. Equally impressive are some usually unseen design and functional elements that include a completely flat and covered undertray ending in the rear diffuser, as well as chimney style vents for engine cooling and the beautifully crafted aluminium hinges for the rear boot lid.
And what, you may ask, is lurking under that boot lid and responsible for powering the newest Lotus? The answer is supplied by Toyota in the form of a 3,5-litre V6 engine that has been tuned by Lotus to produce 206 kW at 6 400 rpm. Thanks to its lightweight nature and low drag coefficient (0.33 Cd), the Evora sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 261 km/h. Fuel economy and emissions are becoming more important in our increasingly eco-sensitive world. Lotus recognise this and as a result the new Evora returns impressive figures of 8.7 l/100km on the combined cycles and CO2 emissions of just 205 g/km.
Hand crafted and built on a dedicated new assembly line within Lotus’ advanced manufacturing facility at Hethel in the East of England – production has been pegged at 2 000 cars per year. There are currently just two in SA and if you want to take a closer look you should get down to the Top Gear Live MPH Show in Cape Town or Johannesburg.
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