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Turkish pop-singer Metin Senturk has become the world’s fastest unaccompanied blind driver.
At Urfa airport in eastern Turkey, Senturk piloted a Ferrari F430 to an average speed of 292.89km/h - besting the previous record of 284km/h, held by a British bank manager.
Senturk, who has been blind since the age of three, was told by Guinness World Records officials he had broken the record.
To ensure Senturk possessed the requite skills to speed up and slow down the F430 during his record attempt, driving coach (and former rally driver) Volkan Isik was employed to provide training. During his record breaking run, Senturk was guided via radio instructions relayed by Isik, following in a chase vehicle.
"We really worked hard and we believed in ourselves and achieved it at the end. No one can take this record from us. Whoever tries to take it, I am going to beat his one adding 20 more kilometres and this record will stay with us, forever," Senturk told reporters.
South Africans will take keen notice of this latest record attempt, as our own Hein Wagner hold the world’s outright blind driving speed record.
Wagner was accompanied by his driving coach when he broached the 322km/h barrier driving a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series on an Upington airport runway last year.
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Easter weekend claims 105 lives
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At least 105 people died on South African roads during the Easter weekend, the CEO of the Traffic Management Corporation said on Thursday.
The figure indicated a declined from last year's death toll of 197.
"It was evident that motorists generally heeded our call to obey the rules of the road," said Collin Letsoalo at a media briefing in Pretoria.
The 105 killed this year included 28 drivers, 48 passengers and 29 pedestrians.
Letsoalo warned these were preliminary figures and the final numbers would be released between April 14 and 15.
He attributed the decrease in the number of fatalities to police visibility throughout the country and motorists' change of behaviour.
He urged motorists to keep this up during the Fifa World Cup and beyond.
There had been an overall increase in traffic volumes at seven counting stations on national roads.
Letsoalo said volumes had increases from 611 554 vehicles in 2009 to 670 189 vehicles this year.
"The average increase was about 58 635 vehicles".
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Ford's big R3 billion local investment
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Ford has announced a massive local investment to both its Pretoria and Port Elizabeth plants.
The R3 billion investment will see the company’s local operations significantly ramped up in terms of production capacity and sophistication, positioning Ford South Africa as a major player within the brand’s global operations.
In quantitative terms the R3 billion figure is double the amount initially set out for local production investment in 2008.
This bold investment by Ford shows both a discernable level of confidence in the South African economy and the brand globally. Ford managed to see itself through a tumultuous last 20 months without US government assistance.
New bakkie, plenty of engines
Ford’s assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria, will benefit from the new investment to enable it to produce the company’s new compact bakkie by 2011, at a rate of 110 000 units per annum. Nearly 75% of these bakkies will be flagged for export.
The other half of Ford’s R3 billion investment rolls over to the engine production plant in Port Elizabeth.
Production capacity at Ford’s Stuandale engine plant with benefit massively from the cash injection in terms of retooling, ensuring the plant operates Ford's latest industrial engineering systems.
A target of 220 000 machined components are to be produced annually at Stuandale when the new line is fully up and running, of which 75 000 will be retained for local use with the balance exported.
Stuandale will start producing Ford’s next generation Puma diesel engines early in 2011, joining the current RoCam production on site.
Local content skyrockets
Perhaps the most significant consequence of Ford’s R3 billion local investment is in terms of local content supply stimulation.
Working with around 66 different South African suppliers, Ford is aiming to swell its local content sourcing from 35% to upwards of 60% when the new facilities roll over to their new production responsibilities.
In monetary terms Ford estimates its annual spending on local components will grow by R2 billion each year, levelling off at a figure of R6.5 billion.
"This announcement highlights our commitment to expanding the South African automotive industry, which will enhance the country as an export base for vehicles, engines and components” said Ford’s local boss, Jeff Nemeth. "It ensures that Ford maintains a viable and strategic presence in Southern Africa."
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Ferrari 599 GTO First Official Details Revealed
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Designed to be the ultimate road-going Ferrari, the GTO features a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 493 kW and 619 Nm of torque. It enables the 1495 kg supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.35 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 335 km/h. Thanks to the powerful engine, the 599 GTO can lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute 24 seconds - a full second faster than the Enzo.
To ensure the car remains stable at 320 km/h+, Ferrari added revised bumpers, a new front spoiler, an aggressive rear diffuser and F1-style 'wheel doughnuts' (a disc which channels hot air and drag away from the brake discs). Due to all these changes, the 599 GTO generates 144 kg of downforce at 193 km/h.
Besides the aerodynamic tweaks, the overlords in Modena decided to put the 599 on a diet. As such, the GTO features thinner aluminum, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a lightweight six-speed transmission (which can shift in 60 milliseconds).
Despite the weight saving, the interior is nicely equipped. Goodies include carbon fiber gearshift paddles, a Virtual Race Engineer (a system that monitors the car's status and gives feedback on vehicle performance), carbon fiber trim, and a leather/alcantara steering wheel.
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2011 Audi TT Facelift Revealed
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Audi formally unveiled the facelifted version of the Audi TT Coupe and TT Roadster with a prominent and clean new bumper. Customers of either car can get their hands on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI engine producing 155 kW.
The new engine for the TT model range uses 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, while producing up to 350 Nm of torque. In the TFSI-equipped Coupe with a six-speed manual, the driver can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 second en route to a 245 km/h top speed. With the six-speed S tronic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive, the sprint time is cut by a full half-second.
Two other engines will also be offered, including the more efficient, but less powerful 2.0-liter TDI. The company also produces a 1.8-liter TFSI with reduced performance, but nearly identical fuel consumption to the 2.0.
Aside from the bumper with larger air inlets and inset fog lights, the car also has a redesigned grille. The cars are both 4,187mm in length, two centimeters longer than the previous model, but maintain the same width and height. New colors are available on the exterior, as well as the interior and its glossier look and faux aluminum elements.
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MTM R8 GT3-2: Street-Legal Supercharged Audi R8
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Like the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, the GT3-2 ditches all-wheel drive for rear-wheel drive. Elsewhere, the company installed a differential lock, an adjustable sports suspension, an improved braking system, aerodynamic carbon fiber body parts (front spoiler, side skirts and rear wing), and 20-inch forged wheels with Dunlop Sport Maxx GT (or Michelin Cup Sport) tires.
Power comes from a supercharged 4.2-liter FSI engine, which produces 412 kW and 580 Nm of torque. It enables the GT3-2 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, before topping out at 317 km/h.
No word on pricing or availability, but MTM says "people who already own a R8 have the possibility to convert it into a R8 GT3-2."
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2011 Audi A3 Receives Minor Changes
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Audi has freshened up the A3 for the 2011 model year. The car, which was fully facelifted in 2008, will see changes to the entire line, including the Sportback and Cabrio.
New features on the car include the use of glossy black surfaces on B-pillars and grille, chrome touches at the air intakes, door handles, and side mirrors, and a redesigned rear diffuser. Taillights are also covered by a tinted lens on the three-door model.
Also featured are new exterior colors, like Amethyst Gray, Dakota Gray, Scuba Blue, and Volcano Red. New customers may also choose from two new 17-inch wheels, and a new 18-inch design. Inside, the driver will find a redesigned leather wheel and gear lever, black gloss trim elements, aluminum trim inserts, and instruments with a gray background.
Audi has not yet disclosed when they will take orders on the 2011 Audi A3 and S3.
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Audi outsells Mercedes globally for first time
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Audi managed to sell 15,600 more cars than Mercedes-Benz for the first three months of 2010, according to Automotive News Europe. The periodical states that this is the first time Audi has bested Daimler's main brand in quarterly new vehicle sales in history.
BMW has not yet reported their first quarter sales. Audi sold 264,100 vehicles, while Mercedes recorded 248,500 sales from January to March 2010.
For Audi, the claim comes with a jump in sales of 25.9% over the first quarter in 2009, and allows Audi to continue pushing forward with an ambitious plan. The Volkswagen-owned brand is spending €7.3 billion to bring eight new models to the public by 2015.
Audi executives have previously stated that their target is 1.5 million annual new vehicle sales by the end of 2016.
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2011 Audi Q7 Receives New Engines and 8-Speed
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Audi has announced several mechanical changes for the 2011 Q7.
First and foremost, the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 have been replaced by a supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6. Available in two versions, the base 3.0-liter unit produces 200 kW and 400 Nm of torque. It enables the Q7 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 222 km/h or 225 km/h with the optional adaptive air suspension.
The more powerful 3.0-liter V6 is lifted from the S4 sedan, it produces 245 kW and 440 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h comes in 6.9 seconds and the top speed is 243 km/h or 245 km/h with the adaptive air suspension.
Both engines are rated at 10.7 l/100km in the EU test cycle - an improvement of 12% and 16% (over the previous engines).
If petrol isn't your thing, you'll be glad to know Audi will offer a new 3.0-liter TDI. Having "effectively nothing in common with its predecessor", the engine cranks out 176 kW and 550 Nm of torque. It enables the Q7 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 215 km/h or 218 km/h with the adaptive air suspension. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4 l/100 km, an improvement of 19%.
All three engines are connected to a new eight-speed automatic. Based on the previous six-speed unit, the eight-speed gearbox features an additional friction-clutch shift element for improved fuel efficiency.
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Switzer Builds 597 kW Track-Focused Nissan GTR
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It started when a Nissan R35 GTR owner in New England wanted to make the 1725 kg car more track-friendly. So the car was sent to Ohio tuner Switzer Performance who had decided to take on the challenge.
Tym Switzer and his team took the Super Silver 2010 GTR and added their own components, which included new intercoolers, intakes and turbochargers and boosted the car's power rating to 597 kW and 948 Nm of torque.
Also added for improved performance were an adjustable JRZ suspension system, tighter adjustable sway-bars, a diffuser for the undercarriage and an active wing provided by Aeromotions.
To reduce weight Switzer fitted the R35 GTR with AP carbon rotors, a lighter ceramic-coated titanium exhaust system, a dry-carbon deck-lid, and lightweight Bride sports seats - lightening the car by 90 kg.
Switzer said the client wanted a car that both he and his wife could drive on public roads and go out to dinner with while still making excellent times on the track. Switzer's P800 upgrading package is now available for everyone via its network of dealers.
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