Colin-on-Cars - Alternative diesel approved by Volkswagen

Even as the world slowly turns to electric power for cars, the search for other methods of reducing the carbon footprint continues and Volkswagen is now approving paraffinic fuels for use in the latest-generation 4-cylinder diesel engines.

These newly developed diesel fuels containing bio-components permit significant CO2 savings of 70%-95%  compared with conventional diesel.

All Volkswagen models with 4-cylinder diesel engines (TDI) delivered since the end of June this year are approved for operation with paraffinic diesel fuels in accordance with European standard EN 15940.

Possible

Professor Thomas Garbe, Head of Petrol and Diesel Fuels at Volkswagen, explains: "Through the use of environmentally friendly fuels in the approved Volkswagen models, we are making it possible for customers throughout Europe to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions as soon as the fuel is locally available. For example, the use of paraffinic fuels is a sensible additional option particularly for companies with a mixed fleet made up of models with electric and conventional drives."

There is a wide range of different paraffinic fuels.

There are fuels that are produced from biological residual and waste materials such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), for example. These vegetable oils are converted into hydrocarbons by a reaction with hydrogen and can be added to the diesel fuel in any quantities. They can also be used 100% as fuels, however.

Benefit

Vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil can also be used for production of HVO, but the maximum environmental benefit is obtained only through use of biological residual and waste materials such as used cooking oil, sawdust, etc.

Biofuels such as HVO are already available on the market, and it is likely their share could increase to 20% to 30% in the energy market for road transport in Europe within the next 10 years.

In addition, there will also be so-called e-fuels such as PtL (Power-to-Liquid) in future. These are produced from regenerative sources using CO2 and electricity.

XtL or X-to- Liquid, GtL, and PtL make use of the possibility of initially producing a synthesis gas from different raw materials and then converting this to standard-compliant diesel fuel by means of the Fischer-Tropsch process. Excess green energy can be used here in the production process.

Planned

Volkswagen's electric mobility offensive is being significantly speeded up once more as part of its ACCELERATE strategy. By 2030, it is planned to increase the share of all-electric cars sold in Europe to more than 70%.

Parallel to this, the combustion engine fleet will be systematically further developed in order to reduce CO2 emissions and increase efficiency. The company wants to be completely climate-neutral by 2050.

On the ‘Way to Zero’, Volkswagen's goal for 2030 is to reduce emissions per vehicle in Europe by 40% compared with 2018 – which means each Volkswagen vehicle will then emit 17 tonnes less CO2 on average throughout its life-cycle.

https://bit.ly/3dUtCLK

Colin-on-Cars - Special tribute to Stirling Moss

“Who do you think you are? Stirling Moss?” This, so the story goes, is what a policeman asked the legendary British racing driver following a particularly ‘daring’ overtaking manoeuvre on the streets of London. “Yes sir, I am” was the honest reply.

There’s a nod to this legendary tale – and a number of other aspects of Moss’s life and career – in ‘The Last Blast., a new short film by Mercedes-Benz Classic.

A police motorcycle outrider admonishes the over-enthusiastic driver of the very Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR made famous by Moss’s win in the 1955 Mille Miglia race. As the camera zooms in on the front wing of the bike, we see a sticker bearing the famous question.

With this, part of a police-escorted drive across central London, ‘The Last Blast’ celebrates the life of Moss, who died on April 12, 2020 at the age of 90. Filming took place at the end of September 2021 in London – where he lived for more than 60 years – yet somewhere the famous Mercedes-Benz racing car, with its legendary Mille Miglia starting number of 722, has never been driven before.

But, while the Silver Arrow is the visible star of the show, there’s an invisible one, too: the late racing driver himself. In this very car, together with navigator Denis Jenkinson, he achieved a famous victory for Mercedes-Benz in the 1955 road race from Brescia to Rome and back.

And it is in Moss’s honour that the company had the straight-eight engine howl for one last blast on a drive across central London before the car is retired, returning to its permanent home in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

The result is a moving three-and-a-half minutes of film. The starting point of the drive, very early one Sunday morning, is The Temple. It then takes in the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, the Royal Automobile Club and The Ritz hotel. On the way, ‘722’ passes what was Sir Stirling’s very own 300 SL Gullwing – the car in which he travelled from London to the Mille Miglia in 1955.

Its drive through the city ends in front of Moss’s own home in a Mayfair mews. There, his son, Elliot Moss, stands in front of the door and looks at the watch on his wrist, which his father wore for many years. It’s exactly 7:22 am, the original start time of Moss and Jenkinson’s Mille Miglia entry and the reason for the car’s racing number. The 300 SLR rolls to a halt one final time, and its engine is switched off.

 

The unique drive through London ended in Mayfair at the Moss’ family home. At the door: Elliot Moss, Stirling’s son.

This is Mercedes-Benz Classic’s tribute and thanks to Sir Stirling Moss who dedicated decades of service to the brand. And also to his family, for the unwavering support they showed him, and for their personal involvement in this very special film project.

Factsheet for ‘The Last Blast’

- Feature-film cinematography and production- Drive with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S) through London

- Designed to honour Sir Stirling Moss and ‘his’ 300 SLR number 722 from the 1955 Mille Miglia road race

- Multiple references to the life and work of the British racing driver

- Also a farewell tour for this original 300 SLR racing sports car before it returns to the Mercedes-Benz Museum: it has also made guest appearances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the British Grand Prix and the Goodwood Revival in 2021

- Elaborate film work- Filmed on a Sunday morning with around 50 cast and crew

- Eight police motorcycle outriders on duty

- Renowned production advisers INP Media Limited and Samuelson Wylie Associates with considerable Hollywood action movie experience

- Helicopter shots by the team best known for their aerial work for the James Bond franchise, as well as for flying under Tower Bridge for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony film

- Preparation of the 300 SLR by Mercedes-Benz Classic

- Special permits for trucks entering London

 
https://bit.ly/31EdBXi

Colin-on-Cars - Building on tradition

As the world races towards electric vehicles, there is a small corner of England that remains unphased by all the hubbub and The Morgan Motor Company has just released sketches of the design direction planned for an all-new three-wheel model.

Design sketches for new Morgan released

To be powered by a three-cylinder Ford petrol engine, the new car – destined for launch next year – has a bold and eccentric design in keeping with the historic traditions of Morgan and takes inspiration from mid-century jet planes, motorcycles, historic Morgan models and modern industrial product design — images of which adorn the walls of Morgan’s design and engineering offices.

Demonstrate

No single sketch in isolation reveals the exact look of the new model, yet in culmination, they demonstrate some of the key design features that will be revealed in full when the new three-wheeled model is launched.

Sketches show a technical front end trailed by a fluid form, the vehicle ‘visually towed’ by its leading front wheels. The visual mass resides behind the centre line of the front wheels and never on top of them, a theme that has remained prevalent from the earliest sketches. Further design tenets include the celebration of mechanical honestly and the communication of function through design, hallmarks of previous Morgan three-wheelers.

Pillar

Steve Morris, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Motor Company, says: “Morgan was founded on the production of three-wheeled cars, and when the 3 Wheeler was re-introduced in 2011 it became a firm pillar of the company’s product range.

“We recognise the importance of evolving this bloodline and continuing to provide our growing community of enthusiasts with new, exciting, and unforgettable motoring experiences. Creating the all-new three-wheeled model has been a ground-up project, throughout which safety, durability, and character have been at the forefront of our focus.

“It has been an absolute joy seeing the new vehicle take shape, and we cannot wait to present it to the world next year, continuing the legacy of the model.”

https://bit.ly/3DuyBgp

Colin-on-Cars - World rally opportunity for young drivers

If ‘doing it in the dirt’ is your dream and passion, the Slalom Challenges could become your stepping stone to an international rally career.

A series of Slalom Challenges will be held around the country from December 2021 to March 2022 with the national final selection event in April 2022. 

Finalist

The Slalom Challenges will each see the best male and female competitor in each challenge becoming one of the 32 finalists to participate in the national final selection event, at which competitors will be selected to represent South Africa at the Continental Final.

South Africa’s participation in this programme, the organisation of the various challenges and the national final has been generously funded by a grant from the FIA Sport Grant programme managed by the FIA.

The programme is open to all interested individuals who will be at least 17 years old, but not older than 26, on 01 January 2022. The programme also has a specific focus on gender and racial diversity.

Biggest

The programme offers possibly one of the biggest prizes ever in motor sport, so quite apart from the pleasure of participating in the initial challenges, the potential to take part in the national finals, and for the selected drivers the chance to participate in the Continental Final, the winner of the Continental Final will enjoy participation in an ongoing programme which could kickstart an international rally career.

This would include a training season in 2023 that includes participation in six European rallies, and could extend to participation in the Junior WRC in 2024 and 2025 and ultimately for the winner of the 2025 Junior WRC a fully funded WRC2 drive in the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.

Individuals that wish to participate in this programme should head to  www.fiarallystar.com to find out how you can participate in this exciting event and #BeTheNextOne.

Motorsport South Africa (MSA) is delighted to welcome MasterDrive as a training partner in the programme and will assist MSA in the safe conduct of events.

Prospect

Adrian Scholtz the CEO of Motorsport South Africa says “I am excited by the prospect of working with MasterDrive on this and other possible future projects. We share a common passion not only for cars and motorcycles, but also for road safety and this partnership is an ideal way to improve the skills and habits of young drivers.” 

MasterDrive has also agreed to reward the 17-year-old winner of MSA’s first digital motorsport championship, the ATK ProSeries, Koketso Pilane, by affording him training towards gaining his driver’s license and preparing him for participation in the national selection event for FIA Rally Star where he was awarded a wild card. 

The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says MasterDrive looks forward to working with MSA in this endeavour. “We support initiatives that promote responsible use of motor vehicles in a dynamic environment. Additionally, we appreciate the opportunity to foster an interest amongst younger drivers in a ‘time-honoured’ tradition of coming of age with the acquiring of a licence. It is an opportunity not to be missed.

“We would also like to recognise MSA for the role they play in keeping all aspects of motor sport safe. Their decision to choose MasterDrive to fulfil this role in the Slalom Challenges is but one indication of that. Working together we hope to keep the passion alive and build motor sport’s reputation by prioritising safety,” says Herbert. 

https://bit.ly/3IaIao7

Colin-on-Cars - On track for a title

It was launched only recently but the Kia EV6 has earned itself a nomination for the final round of the 2022 European Car of the Year (ECOTY) awards.

The electric crossover was provisionally listed among 60 new models launched this year and has now been selected by the 61 ECOTY jurors from 23 countries for the seven-strong shortlist. The overall ECOTY winner will be announced in February.

Impact

In just one month since going on sale in Europe, the Kia EV6 has made a big impact, with pre-order books closing early after unprecedented demand for the new model. Thanks to ultra-fast charging and a 528 km range, the EV6 is a mainstream electric vehicle drawing worthy comparison to many premium models.

The Kia brand reinvented itself at the beginning of 2021 with a new name, new logo and revived design ethos named ‘Opposites United’.

Dedicated

The EV6 is the first vehicle launched under this new direction and is Kia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle based on its all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

Jason Jeong, President of Kia Europe, commented: “Kia is proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest examples of modern mobility. After the two nominations of Ceed in its first and third-generation and the one for Stinger, the nomination of the brand new EV6 is recognition of our progress and highlights our commitment to providing sustainable mobility solutions.

https://bit.ly/3EceDIx

Colin-on-Cars - Audi e-tron can be pre-ordered

Colin-on-Cars - Audi e-tron can be pre-ordered

The ‘e’ in Audi is on its way and South Africa buyers looking to go electric can pre-order the e-tron on their choice from any of the 10 e-tron dealerships nationwide.

The official range, consisting of the Audi e-tron SUV, e-tron Sportback and S Sportback , e-tron GT and high performance RS e-tron GT, starts at R1,99-million, although a special launch edition is planned but Audi is keeping the wraps on the specs and pricing for now.

Outlets

There are three outlets in Johannesburg, another three in Pretoria and two dealerships in both Cape Town and Durban. The 10 Audi e-tron Dealerships will also be equipped to allow for fast electric vehicle charging and will be accessible to the public. This charging infrastructure ranges from DC 50 to 75 kW.

As part of an e-tron purchase, Audi customers will get a complimentary home check by an approved service provider to assess the customer’s individual home charging requirements, to determine the necessary upgrades or installations needed.

Accordingly, Audi will also cover the installation of a 32 Amp industrial socket up to the value of R5 000 to allow for convenient integration of single phase power (the most widely available power available in South African households) and the Audi e-tron charger, to deliver around 7,2 kW of power towards a 100% charge in an estimated 13 hour charging time.

Access

Audi South Africa has partnered with Gridcars to allow e-tron customers access to the growing public charging network in South Africa, which currently consists of more than 280 universal charge point connectors.

In addition, Audi will provide :

- A complimentary Audi branded RFID charge card for use with the Gridcars charging network.

- Complimentary first-year membership to Gridcars charging network and charging portal.

- A once-off charging voucher to allow for a convenient first-time charge at a public charging point.

e-tron SUV and Sportback get four zone climate control, adaptive air suspension, contour ambient interior lighting, power front seats with heating, comfort key with sensor controlled luggage compartment release, lane change and rear traffic assist, rear view camera, parking aid plus, Matrix LED lights with dynamic light design and turn signals, Audi connect emergency call, navigation and infotainment, Audi virtual cockpit plus, Audi smartphone interface, Bang and Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound, and MMI navigation plus with touch response as standard.

e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT come with all of the above plus a panoramic glass sunroof, power exterior mirrors with heated, memory and dimming function, windshield with heat insulating and acoustic glass and 400 volt boost converter.

The Audi e-tron range will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2022 and will be priced as follows at launch, inclusive of the Audi Freeway Plan (5 years, 100 000 km) and a battery warranty of 8 years, 160 000 km.

Pricing:

e-tron 55 advanced R1 990 000

e-tron 55 S line R2 045 000

e-tron 55 Sportback S line R2 115 000

e-tron S Sportback R2 425 000

e-tron GT R2 715 000

RS e-tron GT R3 300 000

https://bit.ly/32BRaCN

Colin-on-Cars - New Ford Ranger revealed

The new Ford Ranger to be built at the company’s factory in Silverton, Pretoria from next year has finally had the wraps removed.

“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO. “This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets and so many more in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver.

"Not just a product our customers will love, but an always-on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the midsize truck people will want to own and experience.”

Next-gen

The next-gen Ranger project was led by Ford’s Product Development Center in Australia. Its international team of dedicated designers and engineers worked with teams around the globe to not only incorporate the very latest in Ford technology, capability and safety, but to also engineer and test the Ranger to Ford’s toughest standards.

Visually, the next-generation Ranger gets an exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel-arches. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights.

At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the graphics on the front.

Inside

Inside, the cabin steps up, using premium soft-touch materials, and a prominent portrait-style centre touchscreen with Ford’s SYNCi 4 connectivity and entertainment system.

The reveal models – the XLT, Sport and Wildtrak – sit on an upgraded chassis riding on a wheelbase 50mm longer and a track 50 mm wider than the prior Ranger.

Customers wanted a choice of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off-roading, so the team added Ford’s 3,0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and developed it for the Ranger. It is one of three turbo-diesel engine options available at launch, depending on the market.

In addition, it will be available with a 2,3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder.

Transmission

New transmission choices include an updated 10-speed auto or six-speed manual, complementing the current six-speed automatic.

Engineers moved the front wheels forward by 50 mm for a better approach angle and outboard for better off-road articulation, both of which improve the off-roading experience. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers and passengers a better ride both on- and off-road, no matter if they’re carrying heavy cargo for work, or just taking the family out for dinner.

The heart of the Ranger’s connective experience is the large 10,1-inch or 12-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s latest SYNC4 system, which comes customer-ready with its voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems.

Many of the traditional driving mode controls have been moved from the dash and centre console to their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen. With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.

The screen also is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring.

Specific details on the local variants will be confirmed closer to launch next year.

https://bit.ly/3oVCwh7

Colin-on-Cars - Boost for auto industry in Senegal

Development of the automotive industry in Senegal will be getting a boost from the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) that will provide advisory services and expertise to the West African country.

This follows this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair Conference opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and is part of the Coega Africa Programme.

“Final negotiations between Senegalese Investment Agency, PAIMRAI, and the CDC have recently concluded with the CDC and Automotive Investment Holdings (AIH) being appointed to elaborate a strategy for the development of the automotive industry in Senegal,” says Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC Head of Marketing, Brand and Communications.

The Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 took place from 15-21 November 2021 under the theme African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - a single market for goods and services across 55 countries, aimed at boosting trade and investment.

Analysis

The Senegalese Automotive Industry Strategy developed by the CDC and AIH will provide a comprehensive analysis of the automotive industry in Senegal, its potential and the upstream and downstream linkages that can be developed with countries such as South Africa and Morocco, which are the leading vehicle manufacturers in the continent. 

The appointment of the CDC sees the organisation expanding its project footprint throughout the continent, with projects currently in Zimbabwe, Cameroon for the Central African Republic, and now Senegal. Drawing from 21 years of expertise in project managing mega and complex infrastructure projects in South Africa for public and private sector, the Coega SEZ has successfully developed its Automotive Zone and attracted investment exceeding USD 895-million.

Dr Vilakazi explains the Sub-Sahara Africa automotive sector currently accounts for less than 3% of global production, against 30% for China, 22% for Europe and 17% for North America.

“The motorisation rate in this region was very low in 2018, with 42 cars per 1 000 inhabitants, against 837 in the United States, 173 in China and 214 in South Africa, for a world average of 180 cars per 1 000 inhabitants.

“This rate hardly exceeds 3% in Senegal, which means only 30 people out of 1 000 own a private vehicle.”

Nascent

Apart from Nigeria and Ghana, the automotive industry remains nascent in the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States, whose process of industrialisation faces the threat of used car imports from Europe, Japan, United States, Canada, and other countries.

The sub-regional and regional integration, through the development of upstream and downstream links in the automotive industry value chain, will stimulate industrialisation and competitiveness throughout Africa. According to research conducted by Dakar’s Foreign Trade Office, about 100 000 vehicles are imported to the country every year, which require constant replacement of parts due to difficult climate and infrastructural conditions.

Senegal imports almost all spare parts. However, strong government focus on encouraging automotive industry in the country is an important driving force for Senegal. Stringent environmental regulations on pollution and carbon emissions are necessitating heavy investments.

As the leading Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Africa, the CDC is poised to foster collaboration with the rest of the continent to promote the coordinating, championing, and driving of the implementation of free trade across borders and take advantage of supply chain networks and technological advancement.

“We believe the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will provide investors with easy access to new, rapidly developing markets while it has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty but achieving its full potential will depend on significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures,” says Ms Nkuli Mxenge-Mayende, CDC’s Global Market Manager.

https://bit.ly/3cBnEyx

Colin-on-Cars - Lategan wraps up offroad title

The race to finalise the 2021 South African Cross-Country Series (SACCS) Champion played out in a tightly fought encounter near Parys on the banks of Vaal River at the weekend with Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings sealing their third successive overall production championship when they won the event.

The 2021 SACCS was characterised by a year-long battle between Lategan/Cummings, and Lance Woolridge/Elvene Coetzee (Ford Ranger). The two crews traded blows throughout the year, but a strong finish saw Lategan/Cummings take the crown again. Co-driver Cummings had secured the navigators’ championship with one round to spare.

Third Place

At the same time, teammates Shameer Variawa and co-driver Danie Stassen, secured third place in the race, despite suffering three punctures during the main event; while both Giniel de Villiers and Nasser Al-Attiyah, fielded their all-new Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ race cars. While unable to score championship points, or to be classified in the field, the two drivers clearly showed the pace of the new cars, as they put the finishing touches on their Dakar preparations.

The Parys 400 sported a tough route over varied terrain types. This took a toll on many of the competitors and their cars, but the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA crews prevailed despite the tricky conditions. With that said, Al-Attiyah/Baumel elected to retire from the race to preserve their car, after encountering a stray piece of barbed wire that tangled around the right front wheel of their Hilux.

Challenging

Henk Lategan: “This year was a really challenging one for us, especially after missing the opening round. However, the arrival of the new turbo-charged engine from the Land Cruiser 300 breathed new life into our challenge, and we managed to emerge victorious. The Toyota Hilux showed its mettle throughout the year, and we never had any serious mechanical problems.”

In the first season competing with the all-new 3,5-litre EcoBoost V6-powered Ford Ranger, designed and built by Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM), Woolridge and Vonk rounded off the year with a second-place finish at the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Parys 400 in the Free State, cementing their runner-up positions in the title chase for drivers and navigators.

“We knew coming into this race it was going to be a tough task to beat Henk and Brett, and unfortunately on the first loop I just didn’t feel confident in the car’s handling, so this cost us a lot of time,” Lance said. “It’s disappointing to lose out on the title when we’ve been so close, including winning first time out in Dullstroom, followed up by the victory at the 4x4 Mega World race, and then losing out in Vryburg by just four seconds.

“However our non-finish due to a minor technical issue at the Sugarbelt 400 is what cost us the championship,” Lance added. “But I think we’ve had a great season, and the fact that we’ve been able to make it so competitive this year is testament to the great team we have. So let’s see what next year brings with the new T1+ regulations.”

Frustrating

The second FIA-class Ford Ranger pairing of Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (377) saw their frustrating season end in disappointment. They posted fastest stage times on several occasions this year, but luck certainly hasn’t been on their side – and this played out in the season finale too. The talented young crew were within 28 seconds of the leaders at the mid-way point at the Parys race, but they were unfortunately caught out braking from high speed in a tricky sand section that pitched the car sideways, leading to a fairly minor roll.

They were able to continue for a short distance put a damaged oil cooler led to their retirement.

The Neil Woolridge Motorsport-supported privateer teams proved the class of their field this year, competing with the V8-powered Rangers in Class T.

Malcolm and Frans Kock (T4) took the title at the previous round in Vryburg, and weren’t able to make the final race. This left Wors Prinsloo/Andre Vermeulen (T41) and Christo Rose/Arno Olivier (T58) to wrestle over the final podium positions, along with the ever-present threat from the Toyota crew of Johan and Werner Horn.

The race win ultimately went to Prinsloo/Vermeulen as they secured their second victory of the season, which promoted them to second in the final Class T standings for 2021. Rose and Olivier concluded their first season in Class T as runners-up in Parys and third in the championship, with their Toyota rivals retiring with a blown engine.

Development

The Ford NWM Development Team of Bapi Rubuluza and Fanifani Meyiwa (T49) brought their Ford Ranger V8 home fourth in Class T, emulating their results from the previous race.

“The whole team is extremely proud of what Bapi and Fanifani have achieved this year,” Neil said. “We as experienced competitors often don’t realise how difficult it is for a new team to come into the sport and learn how to drive a specially developed, high-performance V8-powered race car in this type of terrain. Yes, the Development Team had its difficulties this year, and they were down in the dumps after crashing out at the Desert Race.

“But they never gave up and were rewarded with a second-place finish at the 4x4 Mega World 400. That podium was a very special moment for all of us,” Neil added. “The crew has learned a lot, they gained a lot of confidence and their pace has improved consistently, giving them two fourth places in a row. The sport desperately needs to be more inclusive and diverse, and to attract wider interest and participation amongst competitors and fans alike. Bapi and Fanifani are great ambassadors for cross country racing.”

https://bit.ly/3CRrKNX

Colin-on-Cars - Value deal on entry-level Hyundai Venue

Coming in at R58 000 less than the next model in the range, Hyundai’s entry-level Venue gives nothing away in terms of fit and finish.

The Venue 1.2 Motion (manual) has a launch price of R259 900 and, according to Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa:  “We have sold 9 500 Venues since its launch in South Africa ­– that is an excellent average of more than 400 per month, and proof of the popularity of this model, especially if you consider the negative effect of the Covid 19 pandemic on the car market last year.

“We have identified an opportunity to add the Venue 1.2 Motion with its naturally aspirated engine and manual gearbox for young entry-level buyers, at a price that will make it a real value-for-money purchase.”

The power plant in the new Venue variant is a 1,2-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine, which is linked to a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the car through the front wheels.

The Venue 1.2 Motion (manual) is available with 15-inch steel wheels with styled covers as standard equipment.

Inside, the steering wheel has remote audio controls for the Bluetooth-enabled infotainment centre with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with smartphones. The 8-inch infotainment centre display screen offers functions for intuitive operation of the most used smartphone functions, including app-based navigation, streaming audio and voice-controlled search capabilities.

Convenience features such as a rear-view camera and Rear Park Assist sensors, electrical adjustment for the side mirrors, a manual air-conditioner and front and rear power windows are standard.

The Venue 1.2 Motion (manual) features 2 crash bags – one each for the driver and front passenger, seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters, ISOFIX child seat attachments for the rear seats, and an anti-lock braking system.

The Venue 1.2 Motion’s 4-cylinder engine, with a displacement of 1 197 cc, delivers 61 kW at its peak performance around 6 000 r/min., and maximum torque of 114 Nm at 4 200 r/min.

McPherson type struts with a stabilizer bar and coil springs are used for the front suspension, while a coupled torsion beam axle with coil springs ensure comfort and secure road handling at the rear.

Included in the Venue 1.2 Motion’s suggested retail price are Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s 7-year / 200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, a 3-year / 45 000 km service plan and roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000 km.

https://bit.ly/3kQljEA