BOSS PEUGEOT RCZ R HEADED FOR MZANSI

Peugeot has revealed the RCZ R, a more powerful version of the RCZ. And luckily, you will be able to get and close and personal with the car at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) this October. Mzansi sales begin in mid-2014 sometime.

For its sins, the RCZ R gets a revised version of the 1.6-litre turbo engine already found in the normal car. But instead of the 147kWdelivered, it boosts itself to 199kWat 6000rpm, with maximum pulling torque of 330Nmfrom 1900rpm. The 0 – 100km/h time is slashed to just 5.9 seconds, while top end is limited to 250km/h. It is still being pulled by the two front wheels using the same 6-speed manual gearbox, so expect gigabytes of fun and frolic. The only major difference now is that a Torsen limited slip differential (LSD) makes things even more engaging by increasing road grip.

“Our specification was ambitious, to develop a more intense version of the RCZ, that is ultra-high-performance for sporting use on a circuit, retaining the qualities of comfort and pleasure for everyday use, and all with benchmark consumption and CO2  emissions,” says Xavier Nicolas, RCZ Product Manager. As such the car is said to drink only 6.3 litres per 100km, breathing out 145gof C02 emissions per km.

The suspension system has been lowered by 10mm, while it runs on 19-inch alloy wheels. Other standout features include R badging, carbon fibre roof, red brake calipers, a large fixed rear spoiler, a rear diffuser and two chromed tailpipes with a new sound. Inside there are sports bucket seats with leather and alcantara, vast red stitching, a short stubby gear lever finished in aluminium, a short flat-bottom steering wheel and piano black touches.

RCZ R, being a tight 2+2 seat coupe of that kind of power, probably competes with no other car directly, with the Volkswagen Scirocco Rand the susbtantially more powerful Audi TT RS perhaps being the closest rivals.

Post Title → BOSS PEUGEOT RCZ R HEADED FOR MZANSI

NEW 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S 63 AMG BREAKS COVER

Mercedes-Benz has showed its first AMG gun as far as the new 2014 S-Class is concerned. Here’s the brand new S 63 AMG, a car that shouldn’t really exist but it will soon. First public showing will be at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Showin September. So, what are the details that make the new S 63 AMG special?

First off, the car is wearing an AMG bade, which means there is something special that has been done to the engine/ powertrain. Using the now-common 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 enginethat is found in the ML 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG, E 63 AMG and others, Mercedes-Benz has upped power and torque. In this application it puts out 436kW at 5 500rpm and 900Nm of torque between 2 250rpm and 3 750rpm. The rear wheels (in such a case) are driven by a 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox to achieve a 0 – 100km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250km/h.

Mercedes-Benz is offering the S 63 AMG in three variants; short-wheel-base, long-wheel-base and 4Maticall-wheel-drive (AWD). The wheels sizes are 8.5x19 at the front and 9.5x19 at the rear with 255/45 R 19 and 285/40 R 19 tyres respectively. While it is 100kg lighter than its predecessor, it does still tip the scales at an understandable 1 970kg. An AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system is available as an option for the first time. 

The newly developed AMG sports seats with electrical adjustment, memory function and seat heating offer the driver and front passenger more lateral support. Fine Nappa leather in AMG V8 design with lavish perforations and AMG badges in the front and rear seat backrests create an exquisite and luxurious atmosphere on board. Special touches include the embossedemblem on the armrest of the front centre console and the high-quality analogue clock in IWC design, which for the first time features three-dimensional, milled metal hands and metal appliquéson the dial.

Other really nice standard bits include AMG door sill panels, AMG floor mats, Attention Assist, Comand Online, a 10-speaker sound system. Others, which could be optional, include a carbon-fibre cover on the engine, a Burmestersound system, First-Class rear suite, folding tables in the rear and so on.

Post Title → NEW 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S 63 AMG BREAKS COVER

R10 MILLION PORSCHE 918 SPYDER POUNCES GOODWOOD

Porsche went to the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed with its biggest arms deal of all time; the upcoming 918 Spyder. The car has mind-bogglingfigures, both power and fuel consumption, as well as in terms of what buyers will be expected to pay for this new hypercar.

To revise the figures briefly, the 918 Spyder runs a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine which gives us 447kW and 530Nm of torque. In addition, two electric motors worth 115kW and 95kW respectively for both axles, are mated with the hybrid powertrain. So in total the car bonks out 661kW and about 800Nm of torque, and can scream up to 9 150rpm! Goodness! There are of course, more stunning figures. Porsche says it will blast off from 0 – 100km/h in 2.8 seconds, 0 – 200km/h in 7.9 seconds and hit top whack of over 340km/h. Nürburgring-Nordschleife test times indicated 7:14 minutes back in September 2012. New attempts will be made to even better this before sales begin.

Lastly, and perhaps the most impressive figure of all considering the above, is that it will average 3.3 litres per 100km in fuel consumption and 79 g/km in C02 emissions. My oh my!

And here’s the catch. Pricesreleased confirm that the 918 Spyder will cost a throat-choking R10 million in Europe. Speechless.

Post Title → R10 MILLION PORSCHE 918 SPYDER POUNCES GOODWOOD

NEW DATSUN GO UNVEILED IN INDIA. HEADING FOR MZANSI

Nissan in India has unveiled the very first 21^st Century Datsun car, something called the GO. This follows the announcement earlier this year that Datsun would soon return to Mzansi, and other markets. Well it has, at least in India. Other countries to follow are Indonesia, Russia and South Africa in 2014.

“This is an historic day for Nissan Motor Company and for our customers and partners in some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.  It’s also an exciting moment for many women and men here in India who – today – come one step closer to realising the dream of purchasing a car,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor President and CEO, when unveiling the car.

It will be built at Nissan’s Chennai factory that it shares with partner Renault, and be exported to other markets. So far there is no word on assembling in Rosslyn. Guess that would depend on the local uptake. Power comes from the same 1.2-litre engine used by its current Micra sibling. In that application it produces 56kW and 104Nm of torque, driven through the front wheels by a 5-speed manual gearbox.

If you thought the GOlooks like the Micra then you wouldn’t be exaggerating. It does. Similarities don’t end in looks alone, they also extend to dimensions. The GO is 3.785 metres long, 1.6m wide, 1.485m high and has a wheelbase of 2.45m. Micra on the other hand, measures 3.78m long, 1.65m wide, 1.515m high and has a wheelbase of 2.45 metres. For all intents and purposes then, this is a Nissan Micra, dressed down as a Datsun GO.

But then one could say the same about VW Group products that are based on the exact same platform but just differ in exterior design, specs and price. So it seems Datsun will be the entry-level brand for Nissan. And if that is the case, where will that place Nissan itself, will it go more premium?

In India the GO is priced from just below below INR 400 000 (around R66 000 today). But if you think Nissan SA will also follow suit when launching the GO, perhaps you should think again, because in Indiaan entry-level Micra 1.2 costs about R79 000. In Mzansi the same car will set you back R134 300. However, we do expect it to be cost in the same region as the likes of Toyota Etios and VW Polo Vivo.

Post Title → NEW DATSUN GO UNVEILED IN INDIA. HEADING FOR MZANSI