Inhaltsverzeichnis für May 2024 in CAR

There’s a healthy dose of heritage in the 807th issue of CAR. From the original Toyota FJ40 that features in the road test of the updated Land Cruiser 76 on page 70, to the gathering of legendary Audi Quattro models reunited for the feature on page 50, I hope you will share our enthusiasm for showcasing wonderfully preserved examples of cars this publication has tested over the years. A good place to start is always the annual George Old Car Show, the 2024 edition of which we cover on page 40. Models from the Lotus stable have always resonated with the CAR team. Honed for the racetrack, it would be fascinating to know whether the plaque from Sir Colin Chapman’s office that read: “adding power makes you faster on the…

MASERATI GRANCABRIO The open-topped version of Maserati’s GranTurismo features an electrically folding canvas roof that takes 14 seconds to stow, driving at up to 50 km/h. Power is provided by the coupé’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 ‘Nettuno’ engine mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission sending drive to the rear axle. Although structural changes and additional bracing sees the GranCabrio gain 100 kg over the hardtop, with 404 kW and 650 N.m on tap, this unit can propel the GranCabrio from standstill to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds on the way to a 316 km/h top speed. Available solely in range-topping Trofeo guise, the GranCabrio is available in a choice of five colours: black, greige, garnet, Titan Grey and Blue Marine. Stylistically, the new GranCabrio incorporates traditional touches such as the…

Better known for its special projects with the likes of Bentley, Aston Martin and Ferrari, Italian coachbuilder Zagato has now turned its hand to something altogether more ambitious. The AGTZ Twin Tail is an homage to Alpine’s A220 Le Mans racer and is based on the firm’s current A110 model. It features a removable long-tail section that improves aerodynamics for track driving. Zagato has not disclosed mechanical details but given its A110 donor, it’s fair to expect a version of that car’s 215 kW/320 N.m 1.8-litre turbo-petrol ‘four, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to feature. It will be interesting to see if the Twin Tail will inspire any other ‘modular’ performance cars……

The most obvious place to begin our conversation with Tarryn Knight, head of marketing, product and PR for Audi South Africa, is the feature that is presented on page 50 of this issue. A collection of Quattro models spanning more than four decades and, significantly, three of them sport station wagon profiles, the Avant designation, which is now synonymous with fast Audis. “South Africans love their Audi RS models,” says Knight. “They regularly feature on the global top 10 list for the percentage of RS models sold compared with the standard offering and it is the reason, for example, that our market has received an allocation of the recently announced limitededition RS 6 Avant GT. We may be receiving only one car out of the 660 that will be built,…

BMW i5 M60 xDrive ETA: NOW Price: R2 190 000 Powertrain: front and rear permanent electric motors + 81.2 kWh battery Transmission: single-speed automatic Combined power: 442 kW Combined torque: 820 N.m Driven wheels: all 0–100 km/h: 3.8 seconds Top speed: 230 km/h Claimed range: 516 km + Looks and feels like a 5 Series; very fast - Hard to ignore the broad appeal of the 520d in this segment Currently occupying no fewer than 24 dedicated sections within the pricing guide towards the back of this magazine, BMW’s modern product portfolio is as comprehensive as it is diverse. Excluding its Mini division, the brand offers everything from the entry-level 1 Series hatchback, through several niche ICE and EV offerings, and myriad SUV packages, culminating with its mightiest M-badged wares. The…

LOCATION COURTESY OF KLIPBOKKOP MOUNTAIN RESERVE AND BREWERY Price: R1 862 100 0–100 km/h: 10.00 seconds Top speed: 160 km/h Power: 183 kW Torque: 550 N.m CAR Fuel index: 11.16 L/100km CO2 : 247 g/km Loads of character and all-conquering off-road ability. Small changes for an updated future model would realise significant all-round improvements Ian McLaren Lots to like and very capable off-road, but local pricing does place it perilously close to proven products like the Land Cruiser 300 Gareth Dean It’s an enviable position to be in: the ability to decide to start a car company while enjoying a few beers with your friends. Yet, seven years after this well-documented gathering at The Grenadier pub outside London, British billionaire and chairman of multinational chemicals company Ineos Sir Jim Ratcliffe now…

Price: R1 733 250 0–100 km/h: 6.85 seconds Top speed: 213 km/h Power: 227 kW Torque: 540 N.m CAR fuel index: 2.5 L/100km CO2 : 43 g/km A step in the right direction, but not a massive one Gareth Dean Impressively refined and capable. Price is hefty, though Ian McLaren When the Evoque first emerged in 2011, Land Rover knew it had hit the nail on the head in terms of customer requirements. Taking the tenets of its larger models – sharp styling, lavish cabin, refined on-road manners and genuine off-road ability – and condensing it into a compact and (relatively) affordable offering, it was little wonder the first-gen model chalked up sales of 90 000 units in its first year on the market. It wasn’t without its wrinkles, though. Despite…

REASONS FOR VEHICLE MASS REDUCTION Political events in the Middle East led to the 1973 fuel crisis, followed by the energy crisis of 1979, both of which saw limitations on fuel supplies and record-high fuel prices. These events precipitated several developments by motor manufacturers, all aimed at reducing fuel consumption: engine downsizing, aerodynamic drag reductions and, most importantly, mass reduction. Lighter vehicles require less energy to propel, consequently reducing fuel consumption and associated operating costs. Given the rising costs of fossil fuels, fuel efficiency soon became a major selling point for automakers. At the same time, the US Clean Air Act and similar vehicle-emissions standards in other key markets compelled automakers to seek innovative ways to reduce vehicle weight. In addition to consuming less fuel, lighter vehicles emit fewer pollutants,…

Now in its third season, the 2024 edition of the coveted GR Cup will feature a CAR Magazine-liveried GR Corolla tackling several circuits across the country. Starring the most potent Gazoo-fettled hatch to tackle the spec series, we preview the upcoming season. Demonstrating Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division in South Africa, the GR Cup has evolved into the quintessential opportunity for motor-sporthungry journalists to share the enthralling experience with like-minded viewers and readers. From inside the paddock and into the cockpit, it’s an opportunity that is difficult to resist. The prospect of piloting a works race car is a dream many of us who were raised on copious amounts of Formula 1, WRC and endurance racing had as children. These are all competitions in which Toyota has enjoyed varying levels…

Email: car@habarimedia.com Mail: CAR, PO Box 180, Howard Place, 7450 OVER TO YOU… Please include your physical address and telephone number. Diverse ideas and opinions are welcome, but publication of your letter doesn’t necessarily mean we agree. Please stick to a maximum of 300 words. CAR reserves the right to edit and shorten letters owing to space constraints. WINNING LETTER LOSING THE ESSENCE OF MOTORING I’d like to welcome Gareth Dean back to CAR and congratulate him on an excellent article, ‘Driving to Distraction’. Modern tech-heavy vehicles, as you aptly describe them, are unnecessarily expensive (as we must pay for the tech that we do not require or want) and the resulting distraction for the driver borders on downright dangerous. Cognitive saturation is a modern-day curse. Whether it is the…

Audi’s Q6 e-tron is the second model to be spun off the Group’s Premium Platform Electric architecture which debuted with the new Porsche Macan. The modular platform accommodates a choice of two AWD powertrains: the standard Q6’s developing 285 kW, which is good for 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and a 210 km/h top speed, and the sportier SQ6 with 380 kW, which cracks 0-100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds before topping out at 230 km/h. Both units are fed by a newly developed 100 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides up to 625 km of operating range and features 800V charging technology that allows 255 km of range from 10 minutes plugged into a super charging station. This model also ushers in the latest styling language for Audi’s e-tron models,…

Zagato isn’t the only coachbuilder to be showcasing a radical performance model of late. Pininfarina’s Enigma GT concept is something of a flight of fancy, but it does point to some interesting future developments. While the swoopy bodywork featuring a fully opening canopy in lieu of doors is a talking point in and of itself, the GT’s most intriguing feature must be its AWD powertrain. Comprising an electric motor on the front axle and a mid-rearmounted 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 hydrogen combustion engine powering the rear wheels, they produce 200 kW and 325 kW, respectively – good for 0–100 km/h in under four seconds. According to the firm’s chief creative officer, Felix Kilbertus, the concept “is a beginning of sorts… a first step in solving a tricky problem”, possibly alluding to…

GEORGE OLD CAR SHOW 2024 The sight of a genuine Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupé driving past takes your breath away. This car is the stuff of legends, built at a time when Mercedes ruled the roost in Grand Prix and sports-car racing. It was snapped up by international icons of the time, within hours of its international debut in 1954. That the Gullwing was one of eight 300SLs at this year’s George Old Car Show simply added to the legend. The show dates for this year’s event coincided almost to the day with the 70th anniversary of the 300SL, launched at the New York International Motor Sports Show on 6 February 1954. There are known to be nine of the original SLs in the country, eight Roadsters and one Gullwing, so…

They’re arguably some of the most exciting scenes ever seen in the world of motorsports: legendary racers such as Walter Röhrl, Stig Blomqvist and Hannu Mikkola driving the Audi Quattro flat out at World Rally Championship events in the early ’80s. Huge drift angles and wheels spinning at all four corners, while the aerodynamics – from formidable ventwork cooling the powerplant to a large front spoiler and massive bi-plane rear wing – fight physics to keep the car on the gravel. As is often the case in motorsport, the highlights in terms of the car’s performance and subsequent achievements are often the product of a change in the regulations, or a team finding a loophole therein. At the time, the engineers at Audi decided to make use of a rule…

Price: R999 900 0–100 km/h: 10.50 seconds Top speed: 150 km/h Power: 150 kW Torque: 500 N.m CAR fuel index: 11.52 L/100 km CO2 : 258 g/km The ‘King of Africa’ has no competition, but its packaging has limitations Ian McLaren A much-needed transplant. Some extra features would go a long way, though Kyle Kock When CAR originally tested a Land Cruiser, NASA had just launched its first space shuttle Enterprise, the first instalment of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky film franchise had hit the silver screen, Nadia Comaneci scored the first perfect 10 score in gymnastics on the way to three gold medals at the Montreal Summer Olympics, and Messrs Wozniak and Steve Jobs had formed a small company that would become Apple Computers. The year was 1976 and the Land CruiserTroopy tested…

UPDATE Driver: Kyle Kock 1 129 km 7.87 L/100 km 02/06 + Versatile tracking vehicle; individual rear seats keep the peace - The 45-litre fuel tank limits range Despite its fledgling status in CAR’s long-term test fleet, the XL6 has quickly become sought after among our staffers; the photography and videography departments favour such features as its four foldable rear seats, large windows and massive tailgate, for everything from carting equipment to tracking photography. These attributes aren’t lost on my family, either, as we’ve valued the separate rear seats for their ability to keep the peace among the young ones on outings to the shops or the beach. The faux-leather seats that form part of this car’s GLX specification have proved handy to wipe clean, ideal for when the kids…

Making a return after a hiatus of nearly 30 years, the 5-inspired Renault 5 E-Tech hatchback brings with it a raft of new tech, wrapped in a deliciously retro design that adheres to the original’s more angular form. PLATFORM POTENTIAL The 5 is Renault’s first model to be spun off the firm’s AmpR Small platform, bracketing it between the Twingo and Clio size-wise at 3 920 mm long, 1 770 mm wide and 1 500 mm high. Sharing components with the firm’s CMF-B platform will keep costs in check. It accommodates a short-geared steering system that focuses on agility and manoeuvrability, as well as forming the anchor point for an unusual-in-its-class multilink rear suspension setup. It will underpin new models such as the next-gen Twingo and another retro-flavoured EV in…

Fiat’s fortunes may have faded somewhat over recent years, but the Italian carmaker’s latest batch of EV concepts point to a quintet of models spun off a common platform and inspired by the firm’s iconic and much-loved Panda compact hatch. The City Car concept previews a replacement for the Panda whose mid-year reveal will coincide with the company’s 125th anniversary. It will be larger than the outgoing car and offered with EV and petrol power plants. It’s joined by the SUV concept, which sports a raised ride height and suitably chunky bodywork in a nod to the Panda 4x4 from the 1980s. The Fastback is Fiat’s take on the coupé-crossover trend and covers the sportier-looking base, while the Camper majors in the use of sustainable materials and the efficient use…

An unwelcome blight on South Africa’s reputation as the ‘land of potential’ continues to be our road-accident statistics, notably an annual death toll resulting from traffic collisions – including those involving pedestrians – that regularly surpasses the 12 000 mark. There is a litany of reasons our roads remain so treacherous, not least unroadworthy vehicles, a lack of visible policing, poor road maintenance and irresponsible motorists. Many young drivers are simply not equipped with the knowledge and training to ensure that they do not place themselves in potentially dangerous situations. Introduced in the ’80s and long overdue for an overhaul, the K53 driving exam may cover the basics of competently piloting a vehicle within an urban environment, but many experts encourage all drivers, new and experienced, to look into undertaking…

Announced by the former President and CEO and current Charmain of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, in late 2021, this proud Japanese brand’s aim of carbon neutrality throughout the life cycle of its vehicles by 2050 will be achieved via a “multi-pathway approach”, rather than a line-in-the-sand decision to focus on all-electric mobility. Having since honed these plans to include a forecast of selling 1.5 million EVs by 2026 (representing an estimated 14% of total sales), the remaining volume will be complemented by products featuring either electrified internal combustion engines (mild hybrids), plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) powertrains. Toyota believes it has a responsibility to ensure that every customer has the opportunity to choose the lowest-possible CO2 emissions product on the journey to carbon neutrality – irrespective of…

Price: R1 247 894 0–100 km/h: 7.31 seconds Top speed: 233 km/h Power: 145 kW Torque: 400 N.m CAR Fuel index: 6.72 L/100km CO2 : 147 g/km So refined, efficient and sophisticated, it’s almost a pity that the 520d is fitted as standard with an M Sport exterior kit Ian McLaren Side-lined in favour of EVs in many other markets, BMW’s newest 2.0-litre turbodiesel powertrain is a remarkable piece of engineering Gareth Dean As confirmed during the launch drive of the first all-electric 5 Series published on page 48, BMW’s decision to extend the 51-year production run of its award-winning executive sedan at its flagship Plant Dingolfing has allowed the brand to significantly broaden the appeal of this still globally significant package. Built around a sophisticated modular architecture, this includes…

UPDATE Driver: Gareth Dean 7 953 km 7.4 L/100 km 03/06 + Handy wet-gear storage, crisp audio system - Boot is rather modest Having highlighted the Puma’s smartphone-app connectivity features in the previous update, I was looking for an excuse to properly try out the MegaBox storage system. Although the Puma’s boot is a modular affair featuring an adjustable two-tier floor, it’s not the most capacious in its class; our ISO-block exercise saw it accommodate 200 litres with the floorboard on its highest peg and a shade under 300 on its lowest. It must be noted that on the lowest rung, a metal section of the rear seats’ folding mechanism intrudes slightly into the load bay, and could rub up against more delicate items in the boot. As a consequence, the…

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Tel: 010 594 0870 Website: audirivonia.hatfieldgroup.co.za Audi Centre Rivonia has been at the forefront of service excellence since moving to their ultra-impressive, multi-storied premises in December 2012. As a flagship Audi Dealer, along with their strategic possession in the heart of Rivonia, Sunninghill and Paulshof’s motoring hub, they have become a multi-award-winning dealer for the renowned Hatfield Motor Group. Conveniently situated off the N1 highway via the Rivonia Road off ramp is where they proudly offer all their Audi products and services. Audi Centre Rivonia gives you the opportunity to experience all your driving ambitions with their extensive selection of new, demo model and quality pre-owned Audis. As a Certified Sport Dealer, they also offer the most exquisite RS models from their showroom floor. Models like; a stylish Glacier White Audi…