13 June 2010 - Gerotek Balls to the Wall

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The BMW and Opel Owners Car clubs decided to hold this yearly great event again and invite all to see how brave they are.

Gideon went along to see the talent.

Here's picture he took while he was there.

Max Auto Updates - 15/06/2010

Merc targets small car segment



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German auto maker Daimler wants to gain market leadership among premium vehicles in the small car segment as a way to overtake rivals Volkswagen-owned Audi and BMW.

"We are market leaders with our S, E and C-class limousines. So it is obvious which market position we are due in the small premium car segment," Zetsche told the Financial Times in an interview published on Monday.

"When it comes to revenues and profits, we are clearly leading BMW and Audi. This is the position that we want to maintain and expand," he said.

The German executive said Daimler was approached by General Motors and was in talks with Volkswagen as well as Fiat about possible alliances before it decided to conclude a tie-up with Renault last month.

Zetsche said Daimler had spoken to Fiat, VW and BMW, and had also been approached by Japanese rivals and GM, amongst others.

"There has hardly been any car maker that has not approached us. But we have come to the clear judgment that this [Renault] is definitely the best option."

Partners Nissan Motor Co and Renault and Daimler announced in April a broad strategic cooperation in the field of engine and vehicle development.

Daimler wants to achieve its operating profit margin of 10% by the second half of 2012, the Financial Times reported.

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Hennessey delivers first 2011 Venom GT



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Hennessey has delivered the first Venom GT to a customer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While the company declined to identify the owner, John Hennessey stated "This is the fulfillment of a dream that I have had since I was a kid, but it is also just the beginning as we begin to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the Venom GT in the near future."

Based on the Lotus Elise / Exige, the Venom GT features a twin-turbo V8 with 895 kW and 1537 Nm of torque. It enables the 1,220 kg supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 440 km/h.

The mid-range model also uses the twin-turbo V8, but develops 768 kW and 1216 Nm of torque. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 7 seconds, and 0-300 km/h in 14.9 seconds. Unfortunately, the company didn't divulge the top speed.

The entry-level Venom GT features a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8, from the Corvette ZR1, which churns out 541 kW. While no additional specifications were released, it will likely outgun the Vette.

Other goodies include carbon fiber bodywork (with a drag coefficient of 0.36 and 0.43, the latter with the rear wing raised), a six-speed Ricardo manual transmission, Brembo brakes (with 15.0 x 1.34 carbon ceramic rotors), and an adjustable KW coilover suspension.

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New Astra OPC to receive 224kW



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According to a recent report, the Opel Astra OPC will finally become a legitimate competitor to the Ford Focus RS.

While details are limited, Autocar is reporting the high performance Astra will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 224 kW. If they are correct, the new engine will boast 47 kW more than its predecessor.

Unlike the Insignia OPC, the Astra will continue to be front-wheel driven. This means GM will likely equip the car with an electronic differential to help alleviate torque steer.

Expected to go on sale in late 2011, the hot hatch will likely wear an aggressive body kit with revised bumpers, flared wheel arches, and a roof-mounted spoiler.

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Saab 92 could share BMW / MINI platform



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Word is that BMW and Saab are in talks regarding possible cooperation when it comes to the upcoming Saab 92 mini car. Note the absence of a hyphen between the 9 and 2. That is part of the brand's new naming strategy for future models like the 93 and 94X.

According to sources close to the matter, the two companies are discussing ways of sharing parts and technologies for such a car. It is said BMW would supply Saab with the MINI platform, engines and gearboxes for what will clearly be a competitive car. The inspiration for the baby 92 would be the teardrop-shaped car made between 1949 and 1956. It is expected to be about 10 percent bigger than the MINI.

New Saab owner Spyker aims to sell at least 30,000 units per annum when it comes to market between 2012 and 2014, with optimistic forecasts even predicting yearly volumes of 60,000 or half of Saab's total volume.

Spyker CEO Victor Muller believes the recession has offered the best opportunity for smaller companies like his to collaborate with the bigger boys who are actively looking at slashing production costs by sharing more of their closely-guarded proprietary technologies than ever before.

Both Saab and BMW executives did not comment on the possible tie-up. However, Muller did reveal that an announcement would be made within the next three months.

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Porsche Product plan up to 2012 leaked



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Details of Porsche's product plans for the next couple of years have been leaked from a sales meeting. And it looks like Porsche is indeed pushing boldly ahead with its plans to grow its sales to over 150,000 units by 2014.

Although the leaked details do not say, it seems the dates involved refer to a timetable for U.S. releases.

The list begins with the recently announced V6 Panamera model for June 2010, along with the Cayenne V8 and Turbo, and goes on to cover future products headed down the pike for Porsche aimed at expanding its sales.

Coming in September and October will be the Cayenne V6 and the Cayenne Hybrid, respectively. Later in the year will come a special, limited series (100 units) of the 911 Speedster (wide-body) with 300 kW.

In late 2010 or early 2011 the GT2 RS will go on sale. A Carrera GTS wide-body with 300 kW is due in the spring. At the same time will also come the Spyder-like Cayman with 243 kW.

The big enchilada, though, will be the much anticipated 918 Spyder, which is not yet production-ready but will be given a clandestine introduction to invited guests only at the Pebble Beach Concours d-Elegance in August. A non-refundable deposit is required to order the car once it gets the green light for production.

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StopTech BMW M3



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APP Automotive has unveiled a modified BMW M3 called the StopTech Trackday Edition.

As the name implies, the car is outfitted with high performance brakes from StopTech. For this particular application, the company chose the STR braking system which is made of forged aluminum and features anodized 6-piston calipers (with two-piece 380x35mm discs) up front and four-piston calipers with 355x32mm discs in the rear. Thanks to this setup, the M3 has an amazing deceleration rate of -13.4 meters per second.

Of course a tuner car can't be all about brakes, so APP wrapped it in matt titanium silver foil and installed a KW Club Sport suspension, a titanium exhaust (which weighs 23 kg less than the standard unit), and 19-inch ATS 'Race Light' wheels (each one weighs 1.5 kg less than a stock wheel) with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.

Under the hood, the engine is modified to produce 331 kW and 440 Nm - an increase of 22 kW and 40 Nm of torque.

No word on availability or pricing, but kudos to APP for a job well done.

Max Auto Updates - 14/06/2010

Doctors must warn SMSing drivers

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Physicians should tell patients not to send text messages or use cellphones while driving, just as they advise them against smoking or to use seat belts, a doctor said in the influential New England Journal of Medicine last Wednesday.

"It's time for us to ask patients about driving and distraction," Dr. Amy Ship of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston wrote in a featured commentary in the journal.

Hours before the journal was published, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the Distracted Driving Prevention Act, which would provide incentives to states with distracted driving regulations.

"It's a proven fact that distracted driving causes thousands of deaths and injuries every year," said New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, who co-sponsored the legislation.

The bill would offer federal grants to states that have restrictions on cellphone use and texting, and would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations on the use of wireless devices by commercial vehicle drivers.

Ship said keeping people off cellphones while they are behind the wheel was an important public safety health measure. "Not to ask - and not to educate our patients and reduce their risk - is to place in harm's way those we hope to heal," Ship wrote.

Ship cited growing evidence of the dangers that cellphones posed to people on the road. The National Safety Council has estimated that 28% of U.S. traffic accidents - 1.6 million - involve use of cellphones.

State bans

The most obvious problem is texting, where people use the cellphone keypad to send email or similar messages. A 2009 study concluded that texting while driving raised the risk of an accident by 23 times.

At least 28 U.S. states now ban texting while driving.

But Ship also urged doctors to tell their patients not to talk on cellphones while driving, and to lock them in the trunk during their trip if that is what it took to avoid the impulse to use them.

She said a 2006 study found that talking on a cellphone posed the same risk as driving while intoxicated, even if the driver was not holding the phone. "Driving while distracted is roughly equivalent to driving drunk," she wrote.

"In 98% of people, reaction time suffers dramatically," Ship said in a telephone interview after making sure the reporter was not driving during the call.

Ship said talking with a hands-free unit was more dangerous than to talking to someone in the car. "You're more engaged with your environment than when someone is not present," she said.

Listening to the radio or music is not the same kind of distraction. "One cannot tune out someone on the phone the way you can the radio," Ship said. "You don't have to reply to the radio."

Ship said doctors could play a key role in reducing cellphone-related accidents, just as a patient was more likely to quit smoking if a doctor spent three minutes discussing the risks of tobacco use.

"Although there are many possible distractions for drivers, more than 275 million Americans own cell phones, and 81 percent of them talk on those phones while driving," Ship wrote.

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New Scooby takes 'Ring record



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The most outrageous Subaru Impreza you can currently buy is the limited edition Cosworth fettled CS400. Problem is, it’s a hatchback – something which grates Impreza WRX STi traditionalists no end.

Ever since Subaru’s obsession with reserving its hallowed WRX STi moniker for the hatchback Impreza configuration became a marketing axiom for the enthusiast brand in 2008, things just have not been the same for legions of STi loyalists.

Scooby fans believe, with some justification, that all WRX STis should have their elite badging affixed to a boot, not a fifth door.

Putting the sedan back into STi

At this year's New York auto show Subaru showed off a four-door WRX STi again, which thrilled fans of the brand no end. Due for international release in the third quarter, we can only hope it will reach South Africa in the fullness of time.

Subaru’s just released footage of its latest four-door WRX STi undergoing final dynamic validation tests at the fabled Nurburgring. In the process of testing various trick bits for the forthcoming WRX STi, Subaru’s happened to break the Nurburgring lap record for sedan vehicles - which is quite a big deal.

The WRX STi in question admittedly featured a large capacity turbocharger and six-pot callipers sourced from the Japanese domestic market R205 Edition model, whilst a lightweight aluminium bonnet from a Spec C Impreza trimmed weight (slightly). They are all production roadcar parts though.

Better car, best driver

Thanks to these modifications the WRX STi’s engine output statistics were raised to 235kW and 431Nm for the ‘Ring record attempt.

As its stand the slightly modified WRX STi in question lapped the Nurburgring’s North Loop in 7:55 dead, which bests the previous record holder – Cadillac’s Corvette powered CTS-V.

In fact, the WRX STi can lay claim to having sullied the performance credentials of essentially each and every German performance sedan on the market, which should fans of AMG, the M-division and Audi’s RS badge a trifle upset.

You probably wonder who was at the helm during the WRX STi’s magic 7:55 run. Subaru’s says it was some Finnish chap by the name of Tommi Mäkinen, which just proves of how little consequence most ‘Ring lap-time comparisons are when you bring world-class driving talent into the equation.

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Media loves to hype recalls - missing big picture

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With Toyota's massive unintended acceleration recall, you'd think 2009 would be the "Year of the Recall." Think again. Only 15,388,697 vehicles were recalled last year - a far cry from the 37,922,808 vehicles that were recalled in 2000.

So why the sudden surge of recall coverage? Short term memory, poorly designed vehicles or media hype? You could argue that when a car is recalled, it shows some bad engineering by an automaker. However, the reality is most recalled vehicles will never experience a problem. Cars are recalled for your safety - the 1 in a 1,000,000 chance that a seat belt could come undone during an evasive maneuver. Take Chrysler's latest recall, the wiring in the door of the Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country could become stripped, short out, and cause a fire. It's unlikely to happen, but Chrysler's playing it safe and recalling every model that could be affected.

There's always been hype around recalls, but 'PedalGate' just amplified things. No one's really sure what caused the issue to happen, but the U.S. Government has already slapped Toyota with fines. Now every automaker is trying to play it safe and acknowledge any potential problem before an incident occurs. In the old days, there'd be a simple TSB (technical service bulletin) which consumers would rarely notice. Now with the threat of class action lawsuits, automakers don't want to been seen "hiding" defects. They simply recall the vehicle, take a PR hit, and hope for the best. Is it fair? Probably not, but what's the alternative?

Compiled by InsideLine.com, below is a chart of the number of recalls in the past 20 years. InsideLine heartily points out that despite some years clearly more active than others, there's no obvious trend of recalls on the rise. But perhaps the media taking the liberty to report more recalls is "the only real trend."

Year	# of Recalls	Potential # of Affected Vehicles
1990	81	5,483,937
1991	92	5,006,827
1992	73	6,261,951
1993	80	7,473,235
1994	111	5,271,119
1995	101	16,151,571
1996	137	21,826,395
1997	122	13,744,386
1998	144	15,954,501
1999	149	22,657,262
2000	228	37,922,808
2001	159	28,630,709
2002	136	19,470,825
2003	167	18,575,862
2004	220	29,835,327
2005	152	17,948,511
2006	157	10,974,000
2007	144	13,499,501
2008	168	9,039,333
2009	175	15,388,697

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Diesels planned for next generation EVO & STI

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Both Mitsubishi and Subaru are planning diesel variants of their respective EVO and STi models.

For Mitsubishi, the story seems a little peculiar, and perhaps one that warrants some skepticism. According to an Autocar report, the brand has considered scrapping the Lancer Evolution model altogether, while also ditching plans for a petrol-hybrid version, and has instead settled on producing the model as diesel-electric hybrid only.

Turning the EVO into a diesel-only offering would keep it out of most motor-sport competition and also make it a difficult sell in diesel-averse markets such as Japan and the United States. The apparent motivation is to keep its CO2 emissions to below the 200 g/km mark.

The new diesel-electric set up would allow the future EVO to do the 0-100 km/h sprint in under five seconds. The model would continue to use the S-AWC all-wheel drive system that makes the EVO such a performer.

As for the Impreza STi, Subaru is planning on a diesel version for the next-generation of the model due out in 2012. The engine would be a power-boosted version of the 2.0 liter diesel currently in the Impreza lineup.

Sources also tell Autocar that Subaru may downsize the STi's current four-cylinder, turbocharged power plant to a 1.5 liter unit - which would also leave the storied model out of most rally competitions.

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GM backtracks on dropping the 'Chevy' nickname



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GM is now backtracking on a memo it sent out to employees at its global headquarters in Detroit last week.

In the original memo, employees were discouraged from using the "Chevy" nickname for the Chevrolet brand. GM later issued a statement to clarify the intention of the memo, saying that it was only meant to help establish Chevrolet as a global brand and that employees needed to be more focused in their communications in referencing the brand.

GM said in a statement that it likes the Chevy nickname, which it has used in advertisements for decades.

In a video also issued by GM to correct itself, Alan S. Batey, vice president for Chevrolet sales and service, said, "Chevy is our nickname. It comes from selling vehicles here in the U.S. for 100 years. We love it when people call us Chevy." Batey was one of the two GM officials who signed the original memo.

GM has, in fact, been quite successful over the last few years at building Chevrolet into a global brand.

"Chevrolet is one of the fastest growing brands in the world today. We sell in over 130 countries around the world. For every vehicle we sell in the U.S. we sell two overseas," said Batey in the video.

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Land Rover Defender by Aznom



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Aznom and Romeo Ferraris have teamed up to create a modified Land Rover Defender.

Despite looking rather conservative, Aznom equipped the SUV with carbon fiber bumpers, a two-tone matte paint job, red accents, and black wheels with Kumho Road Venture tires. Inside, the cabin boasts alcantara upholstery, a carbon fiber steering wheel, Sparco sport seats, and carbon fiber trim.

Under the hood, Romeo Ferraris tweaked the 2.4-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine to produce 113 kW - an increase of 22 kW. While no performance data was released, the upgrade should help to move the Defender with a little extra oomph.

Max Auto Updates - 10/06/2010

'Fire risk' sparks GMSA recall

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Fewer than 100 cars in South Africa form part of the latest global recall issued by General Motors.

General Motors on Tuesday announced a recall of about 1.5 million vehicles for windshield washer fluid heaters that could catch fire.

From the extensive list of cars from model years 2007 to 2009, only the Cadillac CTS has been affected in South Africa.

“We confirm that the GM's global recall of various 2007-2009 model vehicles will impact upon 95 Cadillac CTS vehicles which were sold in South Africa over this period,” GMSA communications manager Denise van Huyssteen said.

“GM South Africa is in the process of contacting our customers to advise them to bring their vehicles in to disable a heated washer fluid system module that could pose a fire risk. There have been no reported incidents of this in South Africa.”

Jeff Boyer, GM director for safety told Reuters that the unit will be removed because the supplier who made the module has stopped manufacturing it, leaving no chance to design an improved unit.

The removal of the module will reportedly take a mechanic about 20 minutes.

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2011 Mercedes ML 63 AMG gets minor exterior lift



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Mercedes-Benz reveals the newly updated ML 63 AMG.

New on the model is an updated bonnet with power domes and darker bi-xenon headlamps for the front. At the back the taillamps have a clear-lens design, LED lights and are also darkened for greater contrast - especially with the ML 63 dressed in white, such as in the photos published here.

Unfortunately, the new ML 63 AMG will not be featuring the performance division's latest 5.5 liter twin-turbo V8. That new engine features two power output iterations of 400 kW / 800 Nm of torque and 420 kW / 900 Nm, respectively. The ML 63 still comes with the massive 6.3 liter V8 delivering "only" 375 kW and 630 Nm.

The updated ML 63 AMG is available as of July with prices in Germany.

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German government set to reject aid for Opel



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After more than a year of dithering, the German government is set to refuse a more than €1 billion state aid package for Opel.

According to Bloomberg sources, the government of chancellor Angela Merkel opposes granting Opel the loan guarantees it has requested. A steering committee that decides on aid packages, led by deputy economy minister Bernhard Heitzer, is set to meet in Berlin today and officially reject Opel's bid for state assistance. But, according to the report, the German government will look for alternative sources of funding for Opel, such as from the European Investment Bank.

The money was to come from a German fund set up during the credit crisis of 2008-2009 to help companies affected by the credit crunch. The German government is arguing that GM does not qualify for aid because its problems were due to product failures and not the financial crisis. It also believes that GM now has the cash it needs to restructure Opel.

But the rejection of aid may also be due to the current debt crisis that has hit European governments. The German government is looking to tighten the country's fiscal belt and last week announced an austerity package of €10 billion ($12.2 million) in spending cuts.

GM had been asking for €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) in loans from both federal and regional governments.

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Ferrari 599 Roadster to launch in Pebble Beach



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Ferrari will be unveiling an open-top 599 model this summer.

In an interview with AutoCar magazine, Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo described the model as a roadster and said that it will be sold as a limited series. According to di Montezemolo, the open-top 599 will come with its own name - something "emotional, romantic" like "Italia or Fiorano". He also said the model would not be put on display at a traditional motor show but will instead be made available for prospective buyers in private viewings at the automaker's headquarters in Maranello, Italy.

Ferrari likely is looking to keep a V12-powered open-top model in its range, to follow the previous 575 Superamerica. The current 599 GTB Fiorano comes with a 6.0 liter V12 with 456 kW and 607 Nm of torque. The 0 to 100km/h sprint clocks in at 3.7 seconds.

An open-top version will likely be substantially heavier and Ferrari may feel the need to bump up the horsepower as well as reduce weight to compensate for the gain. A convenient donor could come from the recently revealed 599 GTO with its 493 kW and 619 Nm of torque. The 0 to 100km/h sprint clocks in at 3.35 seconds and the model weighs 1495 kg compared to the GTB's 1690 kg.

The new open-top 599 will debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August.

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Ferrari V6 engine still under consideration



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Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo is certainly talkative these days. Now, he's admitted to Autocar that Ferrari may develop a V6 powerplant to improve the automaker's emissions ratings.

"An engine smaller than a V8? Why not?" di Montezemolo told Autocar. Ferrari has built six-cylinder engines in the past but the Italian automaker's CEO vowed that a V6 would not compromise the brand's performance values. "Our cars are there to enjoy and we have to maintain this," he said. He didn't offer more details than that on any V6 development plans.

The Ferrari boss also said that the company may use turbocharging on its V8s to help improve emissions and fuel economy.

Ferrari engineers are also working on developing a V12 hybrid, as first previewed in the green Ferrari HY-KERS concept earlier this year, which is scheduled to be ready for market by 2014. The company's F1 team will likely also be contributing substantially to that V12 hybrid, through improvements to the F1-developed KERS (Kinetic Engery Recovery System) which generates electrical power from the brakes.

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BMW working on 3-Series long wheelbase



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Are long wheelbase variants turning into a big trend in China?

Well, at least for the segment in which the 3-Series competes there, BMW feels the need to offer a long-wheelbase variant to go up against the successful Audi A4L - the extended wheelbase version of the A4 model.

BMW will be building the stretched variant of the 3-Series at a new plant in the Shengyang economic zone with its Chinese partner Brilliance Auto. The plant, scheduled to be built in 2012, will have a capacity of 100,000 units and will also be used to manufacture the X1, according to Brilliance chairman Qi Yu Min.

The new plant will give BMW/Brilliance a capacity of 300,000 units per year with most of the parts sourced locally (60 percent). BMW/Brilliance hope to increase sales in China to 120,000 units annually by 2012, meaning that the additional capacity may well be used to export vehicles to markets outside of the country.

Brilliance is also said to want a production plant to build MINI models in China too.

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Mercedes SL65 AMG gets Black Series conversion



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If you've always wanted a Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series with a folding roof, TC-Concepts has your car.

The company took a standard SL65 and added a Black Series body kit with a new grille, modified bumpers, and massive fender flares. For good measure, they also threw in 20-inch ADV1 'Deep Concave Series' wheels and a heavily revised interior.

Under the hood, TC-Concepts modified the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine to produce 515 kW which is 22 kW more than the Black Series. While no performance specifications were released, the Black Series accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 320 km/h.

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BMW M3 widebody by GTHaus



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GTHaus may be looking to steal a little of G-Power's thunder.

This isn't a G-Power M3 GT2 S but GTHaus's own M3 creation. The German tuner hasn't released any specs on the model so details are scarce.

Presented at BimmerFest 2010, the model features 20-inch rims (11x20/13x20), a Brembo big brake kit, a KW coilover suspension, a massive rear wing and a widebody kit. The widebody panels include a front bumper with splitter, flared fenders, side skirts with triple winglets and, of course, those rear wheel arches that require their own postal code. Given GTHaus's sport exhaust credentials, one can safely assume a custom exhaust system is also part of the package.

A supercharger kit will be the thing responsible for the upgrade in wattage. How much? We will have to wait to find out.

Max Auto Updates - 09/06/2010

Roads officials hearings underway

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The disciplinary hearings of the North West head of public works, roads and transport Nic van Staden and chief financial officer Kwekwu Odame-Takyi started on Monday, the department said.

Departmental spokesman Matshube Mfoloe said the hearings would continue until Friday.

Van Staden and Odame-Takyi had been charged with gross misconduct.

Irregular road tenders

The two were suspended four months ago and subsequently charged after a forensic investigation into alleged irregular multi-million rand road tenders.

Within three months of the 2009/10 financial year, the roads directorate, headed by chief director Eddie Thebe, spent its entire R525 million road projects annual budget.

In addition, more than R1.5 billion allocated to road-related projects over the next three years was found to have already been committed.

Thebe was suspended and disciplinary proceedings against him had been held.

He pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of gross misconduct and was found guilty on eight of the ten charges.

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Drivers happiest alone

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A survey commissioned by a European carmaker has revealed that more than 60% of drivers are happiest when driving alone.

Commissioned by European carmaker Škoda, the survey conducted in the UK found that respondents would much rather spend some “me time” than share their precious cabin space with friends, family or celebs.

Those travelling alone listed listening to music or the radio as their greatest source of happiness in the car (40%), followed by beautiful scenery (12%) and time to think (10%).

On travelling with colleagues, half said the time was well spent getting to know their colleagues better and about 20% used the time to indulge in office gossip. Only 1% considered their boss to be a favourite passenger.

The top car sharing annoyances include driving styles (32%), smelly or untidy interiors (29%) and backseat drivers (28%).

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Tyre fitment comes to you

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Johannesburg motorists now have one new service to add to their little black books – a mobile tyre fitment “centre” called Tyres in Transit.

Tyres in Transit allows customers to order new tyres online or over the phone for fitment and balancing at home, at the office or anywhere that’s convenient.

Tyres in Transit operates from a fully-equipped state-of-the-art fitment van including a tyre-changing machine, digital wheel balancing equipment and rubberised jacks to protect the underside of the vehicle.

An onboard generator and compressor mean fitment and balancing can be conducted anywhere and at (virtually) any time.

All makes of tyres to fit popular cars can be ordered and the company claims its service could save motorists up to 30% on the entire job. Go to the website for more details.

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VW expansion plan targets China



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German automaker Volkswagen AG said it hopes to sell more than 2 million cars in 2010 in China and open four new plants there in the near future.

VW head of operations in China, Winfried Vahland, told German news agency DAPD late Monday that he expects sales revenue to increase by 20% this year. The Chinese operations sent €700 million ($837 million) in profit to its parent company, Europe's biggest automaker by sales, in 2009, he said.

VW in China sold 1.4 million cars at a total amount of €20 billion in 2009.

Volkswagen has said recently it wants to sell more than 10 million vehicles annually by 2018 as it pursues current world number one carmaker Toyota.

Volkswagen's brands include Audi, Seat, Bentley and Skoda.

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Google Street View has eye on SA

http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1611

Google Maps launched its first Street View feature in Africa, giving soccer fans a pitch-level view of SA's new stadiums.

Google Maps’ first Street View feature in Africa shows detailed images of South Africa's new football stadiums. Three-hundred-and-sixty-degree views of the interior at pitch-level and exterior of the selected stadiumsare available.

Stadiums available for viewing include Soccer City in Johannesburg, Peter Mokaba in Polokwane and Moses Mabhida in Durban. Street view images are available in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Images from 27 towns and cities around the country were collected over the last few months using Google Street View Trikes.

Julie Taylor, communications manager for Google South Africa, said: "This is a first for Africa, and a really exciting development for South Africans, who can now explore their country in new ways, whether a local neighbourhood in the city or a scenic coastal route they've never seen.

“Tourists will be able to take a look at sights and stadiums before they get here, while the rest of the world can enjoy the view from their mobile phone or PC."

For motorists, the Street View application will aid in planning routes, too. Motorists can plot their routes or get directions via Google maps before switching to the Street View application to identify their destination.

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Opel to receive 300 million euros in aid - Spain



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GM wants to hold onto its Opel division but it still needs funding for the German brand's European operations.

Now, the Spanish central government, along with the regional government of Aragon, have stepped in to offer €300 million ($358.2 million) in aid to keep Opel afloat in the country. The money will like be earmarked mainly for Opel's Figuruelas plant there.

Meanwhile, the Spanish public conducts protests to the government's austerity package which includes a 5 percent pay cut for public sector workers.

Opel is asking for funding from several European governments in the places where it has manufacturing plants. The automaker's plans are to cut costs by reducing its capacity in Europe by 20 percent. It is still waiting on a final decision by the German government for aid in its home market. Opel has asked for a loan guarantee of €1 billion ($1.2 billion) from the German federal government.

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2011 Renault Latitude revealed



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Official information is now being released on the new Renault Latitude sedan. Set for introduction at August's Moscow Motor Show, the car is based on the Renault-Samsung SM5 released on the Korean market at the end of 2009.

At 4.89m by 1.83m by 1.49m, the Latitude is 5mm longer than the SM5, but otherwise shares the same dimensions. The SM5 is actually based off the Laguna, and uses the Nissan D Platform.

The somewhat-bland car has been styled in such a way as to be appealing to a mass market. After Moscow, it will go on sale in Africa, Asia, Australia, Mexico, the Middle East, Russia and Turkey. A Euro-spec version will be introduced at the Paris Motor Show, with sales expected to begin by early 2011.

Renault says the car will come with adaptive bi-Xenon headlights, air ionizer with fragrance diffuser, Bose audio system, massaging driver's seat, rear LED lighting, sunroof, start button and triple-zone climate change.

We expect the car to be a bit pricy for what it is. Renault is pitching it as a vehicle for drivers "who are looking for status, quality and comfort," with no mention of "affordability." Look for more information about the new Renault Latitude to be released later this week when the website dedicated to the model is launched.

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Mercedes G-Class to get more updates for 2011



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Inarguably not the most stylish Benz around these days, news is that the G-Class is due for more updates next year.

According to Autoevolution sources, the G-Wagen, as it is referred to in German, will be getting its third update in four years following a minor facelift in 2007. The new 2011 model is due for an introduction this September, most likely at the Paris auto show.

Exterior re-touches will be subtle while the interior gets the appropriate upgrade to keep up with Mercedes-Benz cabin features and technologies. All European models will now meet Euro 5 emission standards.

New engines expected include Benz's latest 5.5 liter twin-turbo V8 which will replace the normally-aspirated 5.5 liter V8 of the G500 in order to offer more power and better fuel economy. An AMG G 63 is in play for 2012, likely with a saucier version of that twin-turbo V8.

In fairness to the G-Class's styling, though, the whole point of its design is to stay true to its original iteration back in 1979 as a true off-road vehicle - one definitely not for the suburbanized SUV driver.

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Ford adds Google Maps 'Send to SYNC' feature

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Ford has unveiled a new feature for the Send to SYNC infotainment system.

Designed to maximize convenience, the feature allows people to send Google Maps directions to their SYNC-equipped vehicle via their smartphone or computer. To do this, users visit Google Maps and find a desired destination. Once they have selected an address, they click on it, click more, and select send. After this, they select car, click Ford, and enter their SYNC TDI (Traffic, Directions & Information) account number. Once completed, the user enters their vehicle, uses the Services command, and confirms the request to download the Google Maps destination. This information is then turned into audible turn-by-turn directions for easy navigation.

According to Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization, "Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age. With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work - wherever you have connectivity - and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go. It's convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road."

Send to SYNC with Google Maps compatibility also joins the MapQuest service which was announced earlier this year. Set to be launched later this month, the 'Send to SYNC' feature will be free of charge.

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Renault, Nissan, Samsung joint bid for SsangYong

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French automaker Renault has confirmed rumors that it made an offer for South Korean manufacturer SsangYong Motor Co. Renault made the offer in conjunction with their Korean subsidiary Renault Samsung Motors and Japanese firm Nissan.

Details of the bid were not made public.

SsangYong has been in the process of court-ordered restructuring since January, when it was placed into receivership. China-based SAIC Motor has a 6.2 percent stake in SsangYong, South Korea's smallest automaker. The largest shareholder is Barclays Bank and Barclays Capital Securities which holds a combined 8.02 percent.

Laid-off factory workers at SsangYong blocked several plants for nearly 80 days this year, accusing management of corruption and unfair labor practices. The shutdown reportedly cost the company over $183 million.

Five of the six other companies bidding for SsangYong include Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra, along with Pawan Kumar Ruia, Seoul Investments, SM Aluminum and Young An Hat Co. One undisclosed company has already been disqualified from the proceedings.

The bid from Mahindra & Mahindra was said to be worth $500 million.

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MEC Design S65 AMG replica kit for W221 S-Class



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MEC Design has unveiled a new styling package for the pre-facelift Mercedes S-Class (W221).

Created for a customer in Germany, the 2007 S550 is a dead ringer for the current S65 AMG. Only the lack of LED turn signals in the headlamps and LED daytime running lights in the front bumper give it away. As part of the conversion, the company installed their version of S65 AMG bumpers, 20-inch three-piece MEC Xtreme III wheels, an ELS lowering module (which reduces ride height by up to 65mm), and a high performance exhaust system.

Inside, the cabin is outfitted with an MEC Design steering wheel and floor mats with leather edging.

No word on pricing, but we're sure someone is very happy in Dortmund.

Max Auto Updates - 08/06/2010

Gonow back in SA

http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1603

After a hiatus of roughly seven months, Gonow returns to South Africa under new distributors who have a new game in mind.

The manufacturer, which started production in 2003 with a range of light commercial vehicles, now exports fully-built up vehicles from four manufacturing sites within China to 80 countries around the world. It has an annual production capacity of 385 000 units.

Through its new distributor, Vermillion Holdings, the carmaker aims to import and distribute a range of automotive products to South Africa and the rest of the SADC region.

Six new dealers are lined-up – four in the major centres in South Africa, and one apiece in Botswana and Zambia. Vermillion envisions that 16 dealers will eventually represent its four brands in a multi-franchise arrangement.

LCVs first to market

For now, the Gonow range gets top billing. Its facelifted single- and double-cab LCVs will be re-introduced to the market. The LCV range benefits from a new common-rail turbodiesel engine (the 2.2 petrol and 2.8 turbodiesel engines are Isuzu-based), completely new interior trim, a new tail light cluster and “overall body panel and build quality improvement”.

Two specification levels are offered, with Standard being more workhorse-oriented, while the Luxury spec is meant to appeal to the leisure buyer.

New product comes with a three-year/100 000 km warranty provided by the factory. Vermillion will provide technical support for the vehicles, with assistance from the manufacturers and it will provide warranty support for the existing Gonow car park in South Africa.

The range available from July 2010 will include the LCV mentioned above along with an SUV and a minivan. In 2011, the range will be expanded to include new generation pick-up, SUV and minivan models.

Vermillion promises new owners will see the benefit of improved communications between the local company and the Chinese parent company, manifesting in continuous technical support and dealer-level training.

Gonow was first launched in South Africa in July 2007 and the previous importer failed in October 2009, ostensibly due to its inability to buck the economic downturn. Vermillion, which will later include Meiya (formerly imported by McCarthy), Hafei and another as-yet unnamed manufacturer in its profile, believes it has a better chance of surviving where others have failed.

It will need to overcome buyer cynicism based on the previous Gonow (and the collective Chinese) experience, but what the re-introduction of these brands signal is just how important the South African market is considered to Chinese expansionists.

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Ferrari 458 Italia by Oakley Design



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British tuning firm Oakley Design has just released a new package of upgrades for the Ferrari 458 Italia. Limited to a small series of five individually-numbered units, the tuned vehicle sees aerodynamic changes, a few cosmetic changes, and a remapped engine computer.

The ECU may be the most minor of otherwise significant alterations. Power is boosted by ten percent from 419 kW to 461 kW, while torque is bumped up five percent from 540 Nm to 567 Nm.

When combined with the other modifications, the engine computer's upgrade is a robust revision. A larger carbon-fibre air intake box, larger ram air feeds and larger diameter white silicon pipes with Oakley Design logos connecting the air boxes to the intake all contribute to improved throttle response and increased output as described by the ECU upgrade.

Aerodynamics are improved with a front spoiler that "adds 45kg of downforce" to the front end at speeds of 241 km/h. 25kg of downforce is added at the back, and at the same speed, thanks to the added rear spoiler with a Gurney flap. At the same time, airflow is improved with the central radiator vent, radiator exhausts next to the headlights, stylized side sills, and new rear and underbody diffuser.

New 9.0Jx20-inch front, 11.0Jx20-inch rear OZ Racing wheels with Pirelli Trofeo tires have also been installed. Combined with a 65kg weight reduction thanks to the carbon fiber mods, which includes a new roof panel, the car is capable of faster sprints and better top speed.

The Oakley Design Ferrari 458 Italia reaches 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, a 0.4-second improvement. The car tops out higher than 330 km/h. Those wanting the Oakley Design tuning kit, but not able to get one of the five limited edition models, can purchase parts individually from the firm.

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Mansory Panamera Turbo with 507 kW power pack



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Swiss tuning firm Mansory has released a new upgrade kit for the Porsche Panamera Turbo. The tuned version gets a big 36-percent increase in power and torque.

Now with 507 kW and up to 700 Nm of torque, up from the standard 368 kW, the car sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, a 0.2 second decrease. In turn, the car's top speed jolts up to 328 km/h from 303 km/h.

The power improvements begin with a remapped engine control unit, but Mansory did not stop there. They also added bigger turbos to the all-wheel drive car, as well as a new sports exhaust.

Other features on the car include LED daytime runners built into the new front fascia, a carbon fiber hood, wider flares, and redesigned side skirts. A new carbon fiber diffuser matches a new lightweight rear spoiler. Also included are 9x22-inch front, 10x22-inch rear forged wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP SportMaxx tires.

Full leather interior, wood or carbon trim, and aluminum pedals are also added, along with a new sports steering wheel. The Mansory Porsche Panamera Turbo is now available for order.

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VW and Proton partnership talks collapse

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Talks between Volkswagen and Malaysian automaker Proton have broken down without the two sides coming to an agreement on a partnership, according to multiple published reports. The decision by Volkswagen to pull out of talks in favor of "other priorities" led to a drop in Proton's stock by over five percent.

This is actually the second time the German automotive conglomerate and Proton held meetings. The two sides first discussed the development of a strategic partnership in October 2004, with talks fizzling-out in January 2006 before totally collapsing by November 2007.

The dive in Proton's shares during Asian stock trading appears to demonstrate investor uncertainty in the company's ability to grow and develop. "Proton's need for a strategic partner to leverage on to enter the global export market is crucial at this juncture before Proton gets further left behind by the competition," firm OSK Research told Forbes.

Proton is still in collaboration with Mitsubishi on certain projects.

Max Auto Updates - 07/06/2010

Lexus overtakes Mercedes-Benz as top premium make



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Lexus has outsold Mercedes-Benz to become the U.S. market's number one premium marque for both the month of May and year-to-date sales.

In a booming U.S. car market, Lexus sales rose 31 percent in May, spurred on by incentives the brand provided to customers. Lexus sales for the month were 22,216 with a year-to-date tally of 90,098 units. For Mercedes-Benz, the second-place premium brand with a 27 percent rise in sales for the month, those numbers were 19,184 and 88,010 , respectively.

Sales numbers meant positive news for Audi too. VW Group's Audi brand sold 9,205 cars in May, up 23 percent for its best May showing ever in the United States.

But it wasn't all good news for the premium automakers - BMW brand's May sales for the U.S. actually fell 3 percent to 17,859 units for the month. The decline was mostly due to the brand phasing out its current 5-Series model.

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Drunk driver launches over booth to avoid payment

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Want to avoid paying at a toll booth? Try doing it the Dukes of Hazard way.

The driver of a Chevy Impala, apparently seeking to avoid going through the booth, drove the car up a 30-ft barrier and jumped over the toll station. The car burst into flames upon landing.

The female driver, Yasmine Villasana (22) broke her wrist in the crash and claimed her car had been rear-ended. Although, neither the videotape nor the inspection of her car by police show any evidence of a rear-end collision. Luckily, no one else was injured in the incident. Villasana was charged with drunk driving.

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Top Gear presents 'The Alternative Highway Code'

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To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the driving test in Britain, the BBC's Top Gear program has a series of tips to offer in its Alternative Highway Code, which it refers to as a bible for the modern motorist.

The "rules" make fun of slow Peugeots (yes, they do tend to be underpowered) and hit upon other cliches of the road - poking fun at left-hand drive cars, of course. To wit: "You'd be amazed how many people in foreign countries insist on sitting on the PASSENGER side of the car - the bloody idiots. They drive on the WRONG side of the road, too."

And of course, there couldn't be decent set of driving jokes without a shot at elderly drivers. Their advice for drivers of a certain age: "Indicate at least 500 metres before turning. Change your mind at the last minute."

The rules were put together by the Top Gear team - which one should take to mean not by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond themselves. Whatever one may think of them, their jokes are usually better than that.

Basic rules of the road

• Using the road in a car. Before moving off:

• Get into the car. Do this BEFORE moving off. Trust us, we've tried the other way and it ruins your shoes, trousers and face.

• Check your wing mirrors. Chances are your side mirrors are scratched, out of position, held on with gaffer tape and connected to the car by a spider's web.

• Switch on the car. Again, it seems quite basic but many people forget. It's worth bearing in mind that forgetting to switch on the engine at the start of a journey can add up to FIVE hours to a journey that would otherwise take 20 minutes, so think on.

• Before pulling away, take time to adjust your radio, air conditioning and (where applicable) testes. Go, go go!

Overtaking

• Oh God, there's a Peugeot in the way.

• This is a national-speed-limit road. Why is it doing 47mph? WHY?

• Ah, there's a straight coming up!

• POWEEEEER!

• Ha! This car is BIBLICALLY FAST.

• Do not try this in a car with ANYTHING less than 500 HORSEPOWERS.

On overtaking in a car with anything less than 500 horsepowers:

• Floor the accelerator.

• Feel entire car start to vibrate and rattle like the Space Shuttle on re-entry.

• Feel gentle beads of perspiration gather on whitening knuckles.

• Shout "Come on, you can do it!"

• Notice huge lorry coming the other way.

• Watch entire life flash before eyes.

• Get past dithering Peugeot and pull back to correct side of road.

• Stop to remove mess from underpants.

• Watch Peugeot go past.

Rules for car drivers

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you see? Do you have at least some arms and legs?

• Do you have a driving licence/Are you seriously thinking about getting a licence at some point in the future?*

• Okay, you're fit to drive. Away you go!

* Minicab drivers only.

Before setting off always remember the following tips:

• Make sure you are sitting in the driving seat and facing the front. You'd be amazed how many people in foreign countries insist on sitting on the PASSENGER side of the car - the bloody idiots. They drive on the WRONG side of the road, too.

• If you are a wittering simpleton, allow extra journey time for following your sat-nav instructions in an overly literal manner that causes you to drive into a canal/shopping centre/live firing-range/any other place that will generate a news story.

Rules for elderly drivers:

• Maintain a speed of at least 20mph below the maximum speed limit.

• Indicate at least 500 metres before turning. Change your mind at the last minute.

• Try not to change gear more than once every 15 minutes, because it "wastes petrol" and "damages the engine".

• Repeatedly say to your spouse: "I don't know why he's flashing me. I'm doing 23 as it is. This chap's a maniac!"

• When a car approaches on the opposite side of the road, slow to a virtual halt.

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Daihatsu Materia Icecube by Inden Design




http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1602

German tuners Inden-Design is better known for their work on high-priced models from Ferrari and Mercedes. The company is now branching out a bit, and turning their sites on the Daihatsu Materia.

Dubbed the "Icecube," the bright white box has been outfitted with a host of new items. On the exterior, the new body kit contains four different extensions that can be attached over the current panels, as well as a daytime lights, and a new rear bumper with diffuser. Triangle-shaped side mirrors and carbon fiber door handles and boot cover are also installed.

Light three-piece alloy wheels have been custom designed for the project, and measure 8.5x18" in the front, and 9.5x18" in the rear. A new exhaust and catalytic converter were also fitted, as is a new differential.

Inside, designers added silver-look carbon fiber pieces throughout the cabin, along with Alcantara trim. A new audio system and Phillips sat-nav were also added.

Although each part mentioned may be purchased individually, the total price of the options costs more than double the price of the car itself.