Monday, May 24, 2010

Max Auto Updates - 24/05/2010

Journalist's son crashes 911 Turbo

http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1543

No matter how bad you think the latest parking lot scratch on your car is, few automotive faux pas can surpass what befell Peter Cheney last week.

Cheney, a motoring journalist based in Toronto, Canada, was having an outstanding week testing the world’s best real-world supercar - Porsche’s 2010 specification 911 Turbo.

After having spent more than 25 years as a news reporter (covering everything from murders to Canada’s NATO contribution in Afghanistan) Cheney had settled into a world of testing the world’s most desirable cars for Canada's largest newspaper, the Globe & Mail.

Having survived the perils of Afghanistan, Cheney must have wondered what could ever go wrong in his new vocation. Last week, he found out – in emphatic fashion.

'It was a quiet afternoon'

Cheney was busy working Wednesday afternoon when his teenage son Will asked for the 911 Turbo’s keys to show off the infotainment functionality and cabin appointments to a friend. Will’s request was not unusual as he regularly showed off the swish digitised cabins of test cars to friends.

As Cheney shut down his computer and prepared to go to work – savouring the prospect of some road time behind the 911’s wheel – he heard a sickening thud.

Rushing outside he was confronted by a panic-stricken Will and a large motorised garage door run off its frame by a 911 Turbo. One can only assume the concept "calamity" suffixed by relevant profanity was a central theme in Peter Cheney’s cognitive processes at this stage.

The problem with three pedals, instead of two...

How did the 911 Turbo happen to launch itself into the Cheney home’s garage door?

Well, this specific test car was a six-speed manual version - which is an oddity to most North Americans. This meant when Will rotated the Turbo’s key through its range of operational motion to activate the car’s digital cabin functions he also fired it up, without checking if it was in gear. Without the clutch pedal not in the depressed position, said 911 Turbo travelled one and half glorious metres before impacting the door.

Cheney had to get specialists in to cut the remainder of the garage door free, which revealed the extent of the 911’s damage. The bonnet was severely scratched, left front fender flattened (the rear one looked even worse), and the driver’s door was damaged.

All in all the damage was $10 000, which Porsche generously optioned to pay, turning down Peter Cheney’s offer to foot the damage bill.

Will’s punishment is to pay off a $750 excess on the Cheney family’s garage repair by virtue of doing summer jobs.

Moral of the story? If you want a stress-free career as a motoring journalist don’t have kids – or at least teach them how to handle a tri-pedal car properly, from a young age.

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Soccer World Cup park-and-ride tickets on sale

http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1544

Tickets for the Park-and-Ride or walk facilities for games at Ellis Park and Soccer City during the World Cup are now available, the City of Johannesburg said on Thursday.

"As World Cup fever mounts, we are urging all ticket-holders to start planning their trips to the stadium, " said the city's member of the mayoral committee for transport Rehanna Moosajee.

She said road closures were going to be in place around the stadiums and no unauthorised parking would be allowed.

Spectators with tickets for games were encouraged to use public transport such as Rea Vaya, Metrorail or Park-and-Ride or walk services.

Those who wished to use Park-and-Ride or walk services were urged to buy their tickets in advance, as these would not be sold at the transport facilities, Moosajee said.

The tickets cost from R50 for a car, to R100 for minibuses with less than 24 seats, R500 for 35 to 40-seater buses, and R700 for buses with more than 64 seats.

Facilities clearly marked

Moosajee said only people with parking tickets would be allowed entry into the facilities. These would be clearly marked with signage.

Accredited buses and minibus taxis would shuttle spectators from the Park-and-Ride or walk facilities to stadiums at scheduled times.

Moosajee said security guards would be contracted to look after spectators' vehicles at the designated facilities.

"The Johannesburg metro police, as well as South African Police Service will be deployed to look after the safety of spectators walking or riding to the stadiums."

"We urge spectators to buy their tickets early so that they can get space at their preferred venue," she said.

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Toyota to invests $50 million in Tesla



http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1545

In a surprise move, Toyota has teamed up with Tesla to develop new electric vehicle technology.

While details are limited, the companies will create a specialized team to design parts and production systems for future EVs. As part of the agreement, Toyota will also purchase $50 million dollars worth of Tesla stock (as soon as the company goes public).

According to Toyota's President, Akio Toyoda, "I've felt an infinite possibility about Tesla's technology and its dedication to monozukuri (Toyota's approach to manufacturing). Through this partnership, by working together with a venture business such as Tesla, Toyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has."

The warm and fuzzy feeling was echoed by Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, who said, "Toyota is a company founded on innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainable mobility. It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Toyota would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla."

As you may recall, Daimler has also joined forces with Tesla "to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally."

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Audi S1 and VW Jetta R confirmed, Polo R debunked

http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1546

Dr. Ernst Linder, the technical chief of the Polo GTI, has confirmed Volkswagen will introduce a Jetta R and an Audi S1.

In an interview with Drive.com.au, Linder stated the S1 will feature a 136 kW 1.4-liter twin-charge engine and a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. More importantly, Linder confirmed the S1 will have front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive. The latter decision will likely anger Audi purists, but it should keep S1 prices reasonable.

Besides talking about the S1, Linder also confirmed Volkswagen was working on a Jetta R. While he didn't provide any details, the Jetta R will likely be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 198 kW and 349 Nm of torque.

Finally, Linder dismissed rumors of a possible Polo R. He stated "From the technical point-of-view, of course we can do something, but from the financial point-of-view it makes not so much sense. It (the Polo R) would be too expensive and we have the S1." Bummer.

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TechArt individualization program for Cayenne II



http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1547

German tuner TechArt has unveiled its program for the new Porsche Cayenne.

TechArt calls it an individualization program, with the aim being to outfit the Cayenne exactly as its owner wants it, and there are certainly many combinations to be had here.

First off are the 5-spoke, light alloy, Formula-line wheels that come in 20, 21, 22 or 23-inch iterations. A series of color options are available to match the wheels with other optical touches on the SUV. Those visual touches include TechArt's colored window frame and pillar trims as well as wiper covers.

Also on the outside, TechArt offers dual oval-tube stainless steel sport tailpipes emblazoned with the TechArt logo.

The majority of outfitting options, though, are found on the inside. The tuner offers a full leather finish with individualized stitching in a variety of custom colors, trims in carbon and precious wood, aluminum sport pedals and foot rest and instrument dials also done in custom colors. TechArt also has its own 3-spoke sport steering wheel with PDK-functioning paddle shifters available in various colors to match those other trim details.

TechArt logos adorn the illuminated door entry guards and floor mats.

No prices were announced in the TechArt press release.

It's only a matter of time until TechArt reveals their aerodynamic body/styling and performance upgrade package for the new Cayenne.

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Superchips optimizes BMW 135i for 268kW

http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1548

If you feel the need to make your own M1 out of a BMW 1-Series, Brit tuner Superchips has an offer to help you out.

BMW has ruled out an M1 version of the 1-Series, believing that packing its 3.0 liter twin-turbo straight-six (N54) pumping out more than 220 kW into the tiny hatch should suffice for most. Now the Buckingham-based tuner is dialing that number up to 268 kW, by means of an ECU remapping, that also provides additional torque up to 456 Nm that will considerably improve acceleration and drive.

Superchips hasn't track-tested the model yet, so there's no number on how much the 135i's 5.3 seconds 0-100 km/h time improves. But peak torque does come 1000 rpm earlier with the new set-up which should definitely make the small 135i less unwieldy. Top speed remains at 250 km/h for reasons of safety.

Superchips offers a very relieving 12-month/30,000 mile guarantee, lest you're worried about your BMW dealer getting upset at you messing with their work of art.

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Audi A8 wireless access for iPads & laptops



http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1549

Audi is taking the term ‘mobile internet' to its next logical level. The German premium carmaker is offering its new A8 luxury sedan customers the option of a factory-installed WLAN hotspot for wireless internet access. It enables up to eight devices such as laptops, iPads and netbooks to connect to the internet while the A8 is in motion.

To activate, the driver simply inserts a data-capable SIM card into the Bluetooth online car phone or by using a compatible cellular device with a SIM Access Profile.

Because it essentially works like any stationary hotspot, passengers can securely connect to their company network emails or download iPad apps and so on. The connection speeds can go up to 7.2 Mbit/s. Audi promises great connection stability through the car's rooftop antenna.

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2010 Range Rover Q-VR stretch proposal by Design Q



http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1550

Middle-East-based tuner Design Q has revealed an opulent concept based on the Range Rover. Called the Q-VR, this stretched luxury SUV has been designed to feel like a private jet for the road, according to its creators. The reason? To show the world that despite the recession and Dubai's financial woes, the Middle East "remains the hub of the economic world."

Features named as part of the concept include a cigar humidor, a drinks chiller and a mini-spa centre. No powertrain figures were released but it is a fact that the most powerful standard Range Rover has a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 worth 375 kW and 625 Nm of torque.

The Q-VR will be exhibited at the 10th biennial Dubai International Motor Show this week.

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