IT IS HERE THE 2012 3 Series F30

Taking one look at it one would easily think this looks a bit longer, wider probably much more spacious with a bit more leg room in the back for the kids to play with their uncle who plays basket ball for the Maasai in Kenya, barefoot.

Well, you are totally right It is actually longer and wider with more leg room for your tall uncle who plays basket ball with a coconut shell filled with water in Kenya; however you need to have taken a long hard look at the F30, in the sun, with a magnifying glass to spot the difference as the overall design is still very much similar to the E90. That’s if you could shake off the feeling that you are looking at a cheap 5 series made in Hong Kong confiscated at port destined for the black market in China City or Marabastad, if you only took a glance at the front view. You need to have a total view of the car to appreciate the new 3 series. Every angle had been designed to complement the other, probably to discourage those that would want to sell the vehicle in parts to build shacks in Gugulethu, one would end up with a very ugly shack if that was the case from this model.

Nevertheless it is not the Z4 front end look that makes it the best innovative 3 series by far but the twin turbo technology that underlies all saloon models of the new 3 series that makes it what it is. There had been more capacities that had been added to the list of the 3 series drive train ranging from a 116 Bhp 2.0d four cylinder engine up to a 306 Bhp 3.0 twin turbo straight six engine that springs from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds with a governed top speed of 250km/h. In some markets we will see the reintroduction of the 316 and 318 in diesel. The 316d produces a 116 Bhp and the 318d about 143 Bhp respectively.

All models are fitted with 17” very light alloy wheels with run flat tires linked to a Tire Puncture Warning System, this is with the exception of the 320d Efficient Dynamics model which has 16 aerodynamic alloys on Non-Run Flat tires. The M Sport package includes lowered and stiffened sports suspension, unique aerodynamic body styling and 18-inch M light alloy wheels.

The interior is trimmed in Aluminium Hexagon with a Blue finisher. The sport seats are covered in Dakota leather, and the door trim, steering wheel and shortened gearshift reflects the car’s position as the sportiest 3 Series Saloon.

The popular ES and SE models are again in the launch list for pregnant mothers and priests while the Sport and M Sport will be reserved for the more enthusiastic and loyal drivers who knows how to hog the overtaking lane with no consideration to other road users.

I think BMW marketing can do better in creating the hipe around it though, it seems too quite for a 3 series, afterall this is their mass production model it is supposed to put the numebers on the balance sheet.

However, the other thing  besides the fancy looks and computerized gadgets and hair trimming and coffee making mechanisms of the new 3 series, the real question still remains whether BMW has addressed the previous challenges experienced with the past two models, whether they managed to bring back the original robustness of the 3 series as we know it.

The general mechanical feeling is that the E46 and E90 models have been marred by challenges as overheating and immature smoking especially on the E90 the latter model. When the F30 model was first introduced to me I was listening out for those solutions or at least hints that says we are trying to address those concerns from the predecessors, however all I keep hearing is a regurgitation of the E90’s features and an aggravation of the elephant with light aluminum engine components and twin turbo technology, which says to me that we’ll be going faster and lighter regardless of the cost of ownership. I guess the 3yrs 120 000 maintenance plan will go a long way in this case for the first owners of the model. Unless if you are one who likes cars with high maintenance you can wait until you get yourself one with 121 000km on the clock at a much discounted price.

The entry price of the new 3 series is around R 370 000 for the petrol models and around R 430 000 for the Diesel

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TMakhubedu- Editor- Autozeen

It is here, the 2012 3 Series

Now the Peugeot RCZ hits our shores

 Standing next to an Audi TT at the traffic light, one would have an illusion that the TT is about to lose its title to the realm of French engineering just by looking at the mean sporty design of the Peugeot RCZ, the best way to shake off such a feeling is to wait a few more seconds for the light to go green though. You will soon realize that when it comes to guts the Germans will always stand one step ahead of most European nations in terms of automotive engineering. It is like asking the question; who between Adolf Hitler and Nicholas Sarkozy is more likely to pull the lever at the gas chambers. However we need to give props and commend Peugeot for picking themselves up and climbing back into the proverbial ring. The last compact coupe I could remember from Peugeot which I was not impressed with I might add, was the hard top convertible 206cc which was too much of a scram for my liking and quite girly too (no pun intended). The RCZ on the other hand may be their best compact by far as far as I am concerned.

This French production concept was first launched at the Frankfurt motor show in May 2010 and sold over Europe in a limited edition version and now hits the shores of sunny South Africa.

Besides the fact that the RCZ looks very much like the Audi TT, it will be recommended not to mention the two in one sentence if we were to have an objective review on the Peugeot.

Honestly, the RCZ is a true beauty viewed from the rear, until you go around and realize that it is indeed a Peugeot with an unnecessary thick black patch below the badge almost covering the whole bumper, that’s almost like getting married to a Brazilian sex worker. And the badge, I don’t think it would ever be big enough. While I would irrevocably admit that the RCZ is a beauty, I in the same breath cannot help using the word ‘but’ in the same sentence. Somehow the best way to get noticed in the RCZ would seem to always drive it in reverse. I believe the designers focused more on developing the rear perhaps to dazzle old people and quadriplegics who may not turn very quickly. Well, they managed to do that very well as you may not easily tell whether this is a rear or front engine make at first glance. The twin tunnel roof and rear window reminds me somewhat of a Ferrari 458 Spider, though in the Ferrari this would be meant to accommodate the 2x 6-cylinder V12 engines and heat ventilations respectively.

Directional Xenon headlamps and parking distance control comes standard in the RCZ with an option to add more extras like heated leather seats and WIP COM 3D. The 19” sport alloy wheels, ventilated disks and ruggedized brake calipers gives the impression that the car is meant to leave a cloud of smoke on the track and dismay the competition plus given all these other resemblances to mid and high performance sports cars, I must admit it came as a shock to learn that the RCZ is only equipped with a blasphemous 1.6 liter (petrol) engine at an insulting 115kw breaking a lousy 156 horse power  regardless of boasting a 6 speed manual gearbox and racing functionalities. The RCZ has a cross over between an engine powered enough for a pedophilic school teacher interested in young boys and a look designed for a high class exotic club owner’s gold digging wife. This is a truly disappointing phenomena about the RCZ, somehow Peugeot wanted to play it safe by not really signing themselves up for high performance and eco-unfriendly engineering like the Italians and the Germans. Perhaps the Kioto protocol and the Cop Mop 17 were received very well in France.

I must say, I still have my neck raised in anticipation for a bigger version of the engine, perhaps in a GTi, hopefully with a metal honeycomb grille replacement and a smaller badge, no pressure though it’s not like we are really queuing for it anyway. The RCZ is already available in selected Peugeot dealerships across the country at an estimated R 380 000.

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TMakhubedu- Editor- Autozeen

Peugeot RCZ hits our shores

Meet the Gutsy & Daring Refined & Redesigned, the all new 2012 Beetle

When the OPRAH Show was in its last season, one of the episodes they did in December was called ‘Oprah’s Favorite Things’. She brought in everything that she cherishes that forms part of her daily life and she multiplied these into 426 to give to her audience on the day. After having given over $10 000 worth of Christmas gifts to each person, she announced that she has one more last surprise for them. The studio design was broken into two and opened like a helicopter hanger, then hooters and horns blowing and the crowd went uncontrollably wild as her Beetle Bug ascended the stage. She burst their bubble though as she got out of the car and announced that unfortunately she could not be able to give away this vehicle as VW refused that she do so, which I was very grateful for.

However in an Oprah style they wanted to compensate each and every person of the 426 that was in the studio with a brand new Gutsy & Daring 2012 VW Beetle making them the first people to own this model … at that time I switched off my TV.

It was disgusting; it made me sick to my stomach I did not watch TV for the rest of the day. I was not totally mad at Oprah for giving away cars for Christmas, I was mad at VW for giving away the new 2012 Beetle to 426 ugly people all at once when not even Oprah ever owned one.

You’d wish a painting would fall from the wall and kill the marketing manager’s mother or better even Bin Laden would fly a plane straight into his lips. Perhaps even Bush would find weapons of mass destruction stashed in his shoes. All I am saying is some people deserve to be shot.
This is royal five star engineering and thus deserves to be treated as such, or this could only be my opinion and only about the rest of the world that knows a good thing when they see one.

Since the new front-engined, front-wheel-drive Beetle was launched in 1998 its design never really had any noticable changes, until now 14 years later. The 2012 Beetle pushes the limits of performance and style, it redefines femininity against masculinity. I look at it, I see a chick that can bench press 200, one with Angelina’s face and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biceps, this Beetle will squash you.

If VW said they were targeting a new clientele and market share in this model I will say ‘gut gemacht’ to the design team you have really outdone yourselves, take leave on Sunday next week.

They have brought five packages with this model to accommodate everyone from the exotic dancer to a pimp. The packages include the Comfort line, Highline, Sport line, Primiere and the Priemiere+. The main attraction here being the Sportline that comes out with 18” alloy wheels with red brake calipers and Dual humming side to side exhausts.

The interior is lined with leather seating surfaces with heated seat mechanism. The Primiere+ takes over from there and tops out with an RNS 315 touch screen navigation system, Fender® branded sound system and an automatic transmission. All these models will be available in South Africa and these are sure to dazzle even the hardest of enthusiasts. We can expect the models to retail between R 250 000 to R 320 000 when it launches in South Africa around May 2012.

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TMakhubedu- Editor- Autozeen

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

In 2000 BMW broke a six year relationship with the Rover Group and sold it to the Ford Motor Company as Voet Stoots, when it happened BMW popped champagnes, lit cigars and made it rain to celebrate the break up. This was following endless mechanical complications and challenges which Land Rover’s products were marred with, these started to take a tall on BMW’s reputation.  Rover vowed from then to come back with a vengeance, right now I believe that BMW are kicking themselves calling all swear words since a huge market share they play in, Land Rover managed to occupy. We saw the X5 being kicked out hands down by the Range Rover Sport in terms of market appeal even though they won’t admit it. Now their X1 and X3 have a contender, the new Range Rover Evoque is meant to ‘evoque’ the greatest laws of the universe like Karma and revenge.

This model was launched in the fourth quarter of 2011 in South Africa and has already taken great strides in the market within a period of less than five months. It has already won 22 awards internationally including the best Car Design of the Year for 2010. Now Land Rover has another ace up their sleeve. This award winning engineering marvel is about to get a boost. Land Rover had just introduced the Range Rover Evoque Convertible. Top down, low down SUV oozing with style and class. The model had been exhibited in motor shows across Europe in February and March this year. This is a model meant for cougars and desperate housewives of football stars and golfers who totally have nothing to do than roam malls on weekdays shopping for shoes.

This is not a first for Land Rover to release an SUV convertible though, we would remember the Free Lander convertible, I would, I had one and I lost weight on my right hand side where I keep my wallet. I had seven sleepless months with the car in my yard. Some nights I’d hear the thing breaking in my garage, standing still. Land Rover themselves once send me back with its parts and screws in a pan because they could not fix it. I also popped champagnes when I parted ways with it, for close to nothing though.

But something tells me that this one is going to be a keeper. The other breed of convertible that I could remember in its class is the Hammer HX-H4 from 2010 which GM decided not to bring to South Africa after the not so successful performance of the H3. I must say I would have bought a hammer had they brought it through, however with the Range on its way I will do just fine.

It would make sense from the perspective of engineering strength to only bring these out in a 3 door version, otherwise on a 5 door; the back doors would have to be held by a rope across the back seat. We will probably expect this version to be launched in South Africa in the last quarter of 2012. We expect the retail to come in at about a minimum of R 779 990.00 depending on the engine derivatives.

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TMakhubedu- Editor- Autozeen

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

MalooR8 R8ed the fastest production Utility

MalooR8 R8ed the fastest production Utility

First it was the Chev Utility Base 134 that took over the marketing spoils from the Opel Corsa Utility, as if we would not notice they were the same car. I imagine GM thought "hold on, we can do this again and they won't notice a thing, bring the Chev Lumina SS manuscript over here and a few Opel Badges, we're going to re brand this the, wait for it... MalooR8..". The name makes me want to go drain the lizard for some reason, i don't know why?

Needless to say that this monster looks and performs way much better than the Lumina, obviously because the engineers only had to better the Lumina to arrive at this original creative invention 'whoopdidoo'. In June 2006, a regular production Z-series MalooR8 broke the record for the world's fastest production utility, at 271 km/h which says that the Maloo had been in existence for some time now, the question is who is the spoof?

Designed by the Australian Racing Team Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), this 6.2 liter V8 boasts about 456 Bhp with a whooping 3.2 sec to a 100 certainly the perfect car to get your mother-in-law around town with an intention to cut her stay short. The MalooR8 is a car that makes a statement while standing still and even more so when it gets on the move. With its 19" Sports Alloy wheels you’re more likely to imagine what performance it will ooze once the V8 engine comes alive.The HSV Liquid Propane Injection is the latest generation in LPG fuel systems that produces substantial fuel saving combined with unrivaled snap-on performance which makes the Maloo a better buy to its spoof or predecessor Lumina.

The South African market will only start seeing this work of art only on order towards the third quarter of 2012 at an estimated entry price of R650 000.00
For more featured details check out: http://www.hsv.com.au/e3/feel/keyfeatures.aspx 



TMakhubedu- Editor- Autozeen