Author: Car and Bike SA

2017 Maserati Levante S Q4

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With the Levante SUV, Maserati looks the Porsche Cayenne in the eye. And blinks. By JOSH JACQUOT Photography By MARC URBANO Maserati has been here before. Preserving soul-stirring brand values while managing the balance-sheet realities of being a tiny carmaker has never been easy. The last time this Mo­­dena-based brand pulled it off, however, was long before Lamborghinis went from sharing farm fields with bulls to being named after bulls. In 1957, Maserati was a builder of low-volume sports cars and even lower-volume race cars. Back then, it was also…

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New Volvo S90 saloon 2017 review

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We put the new Volvo S90 executive saloon through its paces, but should BMW, Audi and Mercedes be worried? Volvo is right to deny SA buyers the T6, because a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol executive saloon of this size would sell in tiny numbers. However, there’s plenty of promise in the S90 package as a whole, and we’re not about to revise the view, gleaned from that winter drive a few months back, that you should give Volvo’s new flagship saloon serious consideration if you’re in the market for a 5…

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Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept First Look: Gratefully Undead

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Might the MEB Platform Finally Bring us a Modern Microbus? by Frank Markus Words We’ve been teased with the Microbus Concept 2001, Bulli (2011), and at last year’s CES, the BUDD-e—all were takes on Volkswagen’s iconic original air-cooled, rear-engine Type 2 bus. Each troweled on plenty of design cues to evoke the hippy original, but the first two were attempting to drape that monospace design over a conventional front-drive combustion powertrain, and even the BUDD-e, which was said to be electric, failed to eliminate the traditional hood and grille—two absolute…

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Audi Q8 Concept First Look: Getting in on the Fastback SUV Game

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Concept Closely Previews Production Model Erick Ayapana Words Audi had a lot of metal to show at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, but the Q8 e-tron concept was the debut that stole the spotlight. The coupe-inspired crossover closely previews a production model slated to arrive sometime next year, built on the same modular platform that underpins the Audi Q7. The automaker says the Audi Q8 concept is a mix of coupe-like styling with a few elements harkening back to the vintage Ur-quattro as well. For starters, the wide C-pillar is…

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Yamaha YZF-R15 V 3.0 launch still months away

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The Indonesian arm of Yamaha recently unveiled the YZF-R15 V3.0 and that got a lot of us excited. But it looks like this motorcycle won’t be launched in South Africa immediately. Car and bike spoke with a few Yamaha SA officials at the launch of the FZ25 regarding the YZF-R15 V2.0. The officials said that they were happy with the sales performance of the YZF-R15 V2.0, especially of the YZF-R15 S version. There’s enough demand for this entry-level fully-faired motorcycle from across the country. Due to this, the company isn’t really focusing on getting the YZF-R15 V3.0…

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2017 Benelli TNT15 unveiled

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Benelli has unveiled the 2017 TNT15. Sold in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, the TNT15 has been positioned between the TNT135 mini bike and the quarter-litre streetfighter – the TNT25. The TNT 15 is built around a new trestle frame like its siblings. Benelli has penned the TNT 15’s design along the lines of its bigger streetfighter siblings. The headlamp sports a familiar design with a pilot lamp at the bottom and a small visor on top. While the old instrument cluster was similar to the one on…

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2017 Volkswagen Amarok range revealed

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German brand details facelifted four-cylinder workhorse ute line-up. by Dom Tripolone Volkswagen rolls tweaked styling and fresh tech into its Amarok range. Following on from the arrival of the new range-topping V6-powered Amarok Ultimate late last year, the German car makers has extended the styling cues and in-car features to the rest of the range. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel remains unchanged, with two different tunes of the four-cylinder available. The TDI400 produces 132kW of power and 400Nm of torque while the more potent TDI420 version boasts 132kW and 420Nm. The former is…

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BMW i3 vs Nissan Leaf Battle of the EV’s in SA

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Battery-powered BMW i3 goes head-to-head with the Nissan Leaf in hi-tech electric car shoot-out The buzz surrounding electric cars is increasing all the time. More new models than ever are being launched, while lots of brave buyers are taking the plunge. So it’s no surprise that BMW has jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon with its bold i3 hatchback. We’ve already been impressed by the petrol-electric range-extending version, so expectations are high for the all-electric model. Boasting the same advanced carbon fibre-reinforced plastic structure, jaw-dropping looks and cleverly packaged interior as…

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Porsche’s Panamera will get a brother, and it will be a production version of the Sport Turismo Concept.

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by Sebastian Toma Those of you who are Porsche fans will remember that the German automaker unveiled a concept named Panamera Sport Turismo back in 2012. Since then, the project was slightly postponed, but we have seen spyshots of the future shooting break from Porsche last year. With that in mind, people were beginning to wonder when Porsche will reveal the second body style of the Panamera range. The Brits at Car Magazine have spoken to Dr. Stefan Utsch, the director of sales and marketing for the Panamera, who has…

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Diesel & Ducati team up for new Diavel motorbike

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It’s a devil of a machine. Diesel and Ducati have collaborated for a very limited edition Diavel motorcycle. Andrea Rosso and the Ducati Design Center worked on a ‘post-apocolyptic, retro-futuristic’ design and we’re definitely getting Mad Max vibes from this collaboration, with a clear merging of past and future. It comes in a sumptuous leather palette, hand-brushed stainless steel on the tank and touches of red found on the diesel logo and the LCD dashboard. The devil is clearly in the detail, as the two brands have produced only 666…

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New 911 GT3 to get 4.0-litre flat-six and manual gearbox

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500bhp model will offer six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK by Dan Prosser  The new Porsche 911 GT3, set to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March, will feature a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine and will offer the option of a seven-speed PDK transmission or a six-speed manual. Yes, you read that right: the manual GT3 is making a return. Details of Porsche’s 2017 GT car strategy emerged at the launch of the 911 Carrera GTS in South Africa. A well-placed insider revealed Porsche’s plans for its Motorsport…

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Hennessey ends production of Venom GT

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Final Edition commemorates Hennessey’s record breaking supercar by Will Beaumont  Hennessey has announced it has ended production of its 435Km/h supercar, the Venom GT. The Texas company has celebrated its record breaking car and created a special version of the very last Venom GT. Called the Final Edition, the last car is based on the hard-top Venom and is finished in bright blue with two white stripes that stretch down the centre. The car is powered by Hennessey’s most powerful engine, a twin turbocharged 7-litre V8 that produces 1451bhp. The…

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Nissan Qashqai Review

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by Keith WR Jones The original Nissan Qashqai was a sales success in the way the iPhone was for Apple. It was one of the first cars to popularise the so-called crossover genre, blending the low-running costs of family hatchbacks with SUV looks, and becoming a commercial success in the process. Over two million have rolled off the production line since its launch in 2007. So the second-generation Nissan Qashqai had big shoes to fill, and bigger it is: wider and longer this time around, but it’s also lighter and more efficient, too. It’s a…

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain Review

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by Anthony ffrench-Constant Verdict Given that Mercedes’ ambition to fill every off-road niche is still a motor show reveal or two short of completion, you’d be forgiven for thinking it a mite odd that the company should suddenly peel off down the potential sales cul de sac of the off-road estate and introduce this E-Class All-Terrain. Established competition from Audi and Volvo Then again, with the E-Class already widely celebrated as a Jolly Good Thing, allied to the somewhat tardy recognition that the likes of the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo’s V90 Cross Country have…

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Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback 2012 up Review

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 Verdict Following on from the successful Scirocco is another retro-inspired Volkswagen, the Beetle. Almost 22 million original Beetles were built, making it one of the most successful cars of all time. The next 1999 re-imagination wasn’t quite as popular, with just over one million sold, as issues like poor interior space and questionable styling cut its appeal. This latest model, which shares many parts with the Golf, aims to improve on the previous generation by offering more equipment and improved levels of practicality; including a boot that’s 44% bigger than…

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MINI Cooper S Review 2007 up R56

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 Verdict The MINI Cooper S has an historic name stretching all the way back to the early days of the small car’s history. However, there is nothing old fashioned about the latest Cooper S, offering both petrol and diesel engines with strong performance. This is allied to economy and emissions that are bang up to date, while the interior of the MINI continues to offer a unique style that has helped make it a sales hit from the moment BMW first relaunched the MINI brand in 2001. Style and substance While some may mumble…

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Audi A1 Hatchback Review 2010 up

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 Verdict A small Audi is big news in the car world. Signalling the brand’s first ever head-to-head battle with MINI – a car made by Audi’s arch enemy, BMW – the new A1 takes a very different, grown-up approach. Instead of focusing on fun, the A1 smacks of classy sophistication. There’s the usual soft-touch materials and leather dotted around the cabin along with some excellent technology on offer too. Quite frankly, nothing in its small premium class looks and feels so expensive behind the wheel even though underneath the smart-suited A1 is…

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles accused of emissions cheating in USA

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The Department for Transport has asked for details of an American investigation into diesel emissions software; As another car maker is investigated for possible use of an emissions cheat device, we look at the potential implications for British car owners. What is the issue? The American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accused Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) of not telling the authorities about diesel emission software “that could allow excess diesel emissions”, according to the Financial Times. A report by Reuters states that the EPA believes the software is similar to…

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BREAKING: Another Ford Kuga is ablaze in Johannesburg

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Graeme Hosken | 17 January, 2017 11:45 The company maintains that the Kuga fires were caused by a coolant system fault exacerbated by South Africa’s hot climate.  The fire comes a day after Ford SA CEO Jeffery Nemeth announced a safety recall on over 4,500 1.6l EcoBoost Ford Kugas built between 2012-2014. The company maintains that the Kuga fires were caused by a coolant system fault exacerbated by South Africa’s hot climate. Investigations have revealed that the fires were caused by overheating, which led to cylinder heads cracking and oil…

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2017 Audi Q2 Review

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There’s nothing new about pint-sized SUVs. The Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Mini Countryman all offer cute looks, compact dimensions and a slightly raised driving position. But if you want a proper premium badge, the Audi Q2 is your smallest and cheapest option. It’s roughly the same size as a Captur, at just under 4.2 metres long, and it significantly undercuts larger premium-badged models such as the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, and Audi’s own Q3, although for the same money you could also be looking at something much larger, like…

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