http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1385
A grandmother, Jude Ward, who laid a charge of aggravated assault against a "blue light" traffic officer, is to stand trial, the Magistrate's Court in Camperdown heard on Tuesday.
Ward faces charges of inconsiderate driving and failing to obey a traffic officer's instructions on June 15, magistrate Thys Taljaard has ordered.
The charges are considerably less serious than the reckless and negligent driving charge originally levelled against her.
The charges against her and the counter allegations she made arose when she fled from a traffic officer on the N3 highway, suspecting a hijacking attempt.
She drove to the Camperdown police station to seek safety.
She said that the traffic officer who followed her to the police station drove an unmarked vehicle.
Assaulted
At the station she was allegedly assaulted by the traffic officer, including being thrown to the floor of the charge office and throttled in full view of eight police officers, including two women.
Ward alleged they did nothing to protect her from the assault which only ended when her husband and other farmers arrived in response to a panic call she made.
It is understood that her alleged assailant would also be charged but he has not appeared in court.
Her attorney, Karen Hattingh, is to launch a civil claim and has referred the matter to the Independent Complaints Directorate.
Ward started a fund named "Ward Off Blue Light Bullies" to be administered by attorneys Wessels and Hattingh.
She said the fund was to help blue light bullying victims who could not afford to take action against the perpetrators' department.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stiffer raps for reckless drivers
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1386
The transport department and National Prosecuting Authority are in talks over prosecuting more road offences, following a spate of fatal crashes this week.
"Public transport operators carry the lives of our nation, and therefore those who compromise the safety of their passengers must be dealt with harshly," Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The driver of any motor vehicle who is found guilty in a road crash should be sent to jail."
Ndebele said the department would use education to get its message across, but would emphasise enforcement.
"As government, we are going to be using education, enforcement, enforcement and enforcement."
Ndebele's statement follows the deaths of 24 people in road accidents since Sunday.
Eight people were killed and five injured when a minibus taxi overturned on the Mabopane Highway, near Rosslyn in Pretoria, on Monday. Later on Monday a man was killed and 16 people were injured when a minibus taxi collided with a bakkie on the N14 outside Pretoria.
On Sunday night, 15 people were killed and 21 seriously injured when two minibus taxis and a bakkie collided in Bothaville, in the northern Free State.
On Tuesday, Ndebele, Tshwane councillors, representatives of the transport department, Road Accident Fund and Road Traffic Management Corporation visited the families of the Mabopane highway crash. According to the statement, Ndebele announced during the visit that the RAF would cover the cost of all eight funerals.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peugeot launches premium brand
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1387
Plans are afoot at Peugeot to launch the carmaker’s own premium range of vehicles in the hors-série line.
Following the example of sister brand Citroen and its DS range, hors-série builds on the growing trend of creating niche models with higher sticker prices using volume platforms. The title hors-série relates to cars built out of (hors) mass production (série).
Peugeot’s RCZ coupe is the carmaker’s first hors-série model. It is based on the 308 hatchback.
The second hors-série model will be launched next year. It is likely to be a station wagon variant of the model that will replace both the 407 and 607.
A third hors-série model is expected in 2012, Automotive News reported.
Citroen launched the first model in its DS range recently. The DS3, which is based on the C3 hatchback, arrives in South Africa in April.
The DS range will be expanded early next year with the DS4; a model based on the new C4 and previewed at the recent Geneva Motor Show as the DS High Rider concept. A DS5 model based on the new C5 sedan is expected in 2012.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry Level BMWs to be Front-Wheel Drive
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1388
At the annual accounts press conference in Germany today, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer confirmed that his company has plans to build a small, front-wheel drive car likely to compete with the Audi A1. The car could be assembled on a new joint architecture currently in the research phase.
This platform would be suitable for both front- and four-wheel drive systems, and would likely be shared by both MINI and BMW. Any architecture for this purpose would be "modular," and be applicable "to various models and brands," according to the executive.
"In the future, we will generate growth both in the large model segments and in the compact and sub-compact model segments," Reithofer said. Noting the growth potential of the city car market, he continued to say, "We will launch more MINI and BMW models and variants - also in the small car segment."
Although all BMWs currently produced are rear-wheel drive, Reithofer clearly states that will not be true for very long. "There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future," he said.
The MINI range of vehicles are all front-wheel drive, and platform sharing between the two related brands could save money in the long-run.
Look for the new platform to debut on the 2013 MINI Cooper, set to replace the second generation hatchback. The architecture could then be used on up to 20 different models.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TopCar Porsche Panamera Stingray
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1389
Russian tuners TopCar are showing off their package of modifications for the Porsche Panamera called the "Stingray."
The interior uses a carbon trim with a checkerboard look. Combined with the perforated, quilted nappa leather the interior features many different patterns.
Its exterior features a new front bumper, carbon fiber hood, skirts, and rear 2-part spoiler, bumper, and diffuser. Finishing trim includes tailamp covers and carbon fiber look window reveal mouldings. The company claims the aerodynamics are significantly improved over the stock vehicle with these changes.
The engine has been retuned to produce 405 kW, though these changes were not detailed. A new exhaust was also fitted.
The TopCar Porsche Panamera Stingray will debut at Dream Car 2010 in Moscow on April 2, before getting a wider introduction at Top Marques Monaco on April 15.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM Developing Next-Gen Head-Up Display Technology
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1390
General Motors first went to market with Head Up Display technology in 1988. Since then a number of other automakers sell cars with HUD. Now the General is working to up the game by collaborating with a number of universities on a next-generation system.
"We're looking to create enhanced vision systems," says Thomas Seder, group lab manager-GM R&D. "Let's say you're driving in fog, we could use the vehicle's infrared cameras to identify where the edge of the road is and the lasers could ‘paint' the edge of the road onto the windshield so the driver knows where the edge of the road is."
Current systems rely on a small portion of the windshield being HUD-active, and in most cases only the driver can see the information on display. GM wants to make the entire windshield an HUD hub by coating it with a series of transparent phosphors which emit visible light when excited by a light beam. For these purposes that light beam comes from a compact laser.
Combined with an advanced night-vision system the new HUD would pick up pedestrians and animals within close proximity in extremely dark or foggy conditions, and display the information very clearly. It can even be mated with the Insignia's sign-reading technology to alert the driver about relevant road signs.
"We have done testing on a number of drivers and their performance is better relative to head-down systems that are commonly used in vehicles today," Seder said. "It's a compelling design."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honda recalls 412000 vehicles for soft brakes
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1391
In the latest blow to a Japanese automaker, Honda will recall 412,000 vehicles to fix a faulty braking system.
Consisting of 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements, from 2007 and 2008, the recall aims to fix "soft" brake pedals. When the 'vehicle stability assist modulator' tests itself on startup, a small amount of air is allowed into the hydraulic brake lines. Over time, the air can build up and cause the brake pedal to require more force to get the vehicle to stop.
According to Honda spokesman Chris Martin, "It's definitely not operating the way it should, and it's safety systems, so it brings it to the recall status."
Owners will receive a letter in the mail, by the end of April, with additional information about the recall. If your vehicle already has a "soft" pedal, Honda dealers can bleed the braking system which should temporary fix the problem until recall parts (plastic caps and sealant) are available.
So far, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported three crashes related to the recall. No one has been killed, but minor injuries have been reported.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VW Marks 60th Anniversary of Most Iconic Van
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1392
The Volkswagen Transporter was first produced in March 1950, making this month its 60th anniversary. The popular van has subsequently sold over 10 million units worldwide and gone through five generations of evolution. The latest T5 facelift was launched in the fourth quarter of 2009 and comes in styles such as the people-carrying Caravelle as well as the campervan California.
That first model, the T1, featured a four-cylinder, air-cooled, 1.1-litre petrol engine typically fitted at the rear end. It made 18 kW and could muster a top speed of 97 km/h when really pushed.
In comparison the latest T5 model is powered by a 2.0-litre common rail turbo diesel unit pushing out between 62 kW and 132 kW, and can run up to 192 km/h.
Over the years the Transporter became an icon for both business and leisure use. From rock bands to fleet managers, to families of seven, people bought it for its generous interior space and comfort.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Porsche Celebrates 60 Years of Production
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1393
Porsche is celebrating the 60th anniversary of car production in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
It all started back in 1938, when Porsche moved the Design and Construction office from downtown Stuttgart to several new buildings in the District of Zuffenhausen. Once the move was completed, Volkswagen Beetle production began. Despite the optimism surrounding the Beetle's launch, World War II changed everything.
After the war, the company started to build the 356 in Gmünd, Austria - but this was never a permanent solution. So in 1950, with the US Military still occupying the plant in Zuffenhausen, Porsche rented a production hall from Reutter & Co. GmbH Coachbuilding. On April 6th, the first Stuttgart-built 356 rolled off the assembly line. Only 369 cars were made in 1950, but the model's success would allow Porsche to open 'Plant 2' in 1952. Eight years later, the company opened 'Plant 3'.
While the 356 brought growth and prosperity, the 911 enabled Porsche to buy Reutter Coachbuilding in 1964. As of today, more than one million Porsches have been built in Stuttgart.
To celebrate this milestone, the Porsche museum will host a special exhibit with a series of early production photographs and the first 356 Coupe built in Zuffenhausen. The event runs from March 20th to May 9th.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment