Porsche has recently revealed their Targa version of the 911. Its techno upgrades as the rest of the 911′s include direct injection engines and PDK double clutch gearbox. It will be made available with a 3.6litre flat-six engine (Targa 4) with a max output of 345bhp and a top speed of 176mph and a 3.8litre (Targa 4S) with a max output of 385bhp reaching a top speed of 184mph.

The exterior of this glass roofed 911 includes LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and smaller fog lights. The focal point of this Porsche’s interior is the new Porsche Communication Management  3.0 (PCM 3.0) touch-screen which provides easy operation of the audio system as well as the HDD navigation system (optional). Other functions of PCM 3.0 include Blue-tooth connectivity, IPOD port, USB port, satellite radio and XM NavTraffic capability.

The 911 Targa goes on sale in the UK and USA this October.

The Alfa Romeo Brera S (‘S’ for speciale) made in collaboration with Prodrive will only be sold in the UK and production will be limited to 500 hundred individually numbered models. The Brera S will be available with the two existing petrol engines, namely the 185Hp 2.2 litre and the 260Hp 3.2 V6 engines.

Prodrive has made changes to the suspension, interior, exterior as well as including a new exhaust system. Their main aim was to refine the Brera’s handling and this was achieved with new stiffer springs and dampers and the car was also slightly lowered (-10mm).

According to Peter Cambridge (Prodrive Project leader), the result is “a car that ‘shrinks’ around the driver and delivers all the fun and engagement of a sports car driving experience on A and B-roads. Yet, on motorways, offers a compliant and composed ride.”

The exterior of the Brera S boasts lightweight 19″ alloy wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero Tyres ispired by the Alfa 8C Competizione, the new supercar flagship for the Alfa Romeo range. The interior of the Brera S is dressed in black leather completed with red stitiching and the centre console is accentuated with a dark finish. The headrests include a limited edition Brera S aluminium plate featuring the British and Italian flags.

Hopefully for the lucky 500 the one year development at Prodrive will pay off and this car will be more go than show due to the weight reduction.

It might not look like the Accord has changed much but it is wider as well as lower and significantly stiffer for optimum chassis dynamics due to its use of ultra high-tensile steel in its body construction. It possesses a bold front facade with its prominent ‘H’ logo on the grille,a longer, taller bonnet, and aggressively flared fenders.

The new Accord has been made available in South Africa with a 2litre i-vtec petrol engine producing 154bhp and the 2.4litre i-vtec delivering 197bhp at 7000rpm. According to Honda SA, “The six-speed manual version accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9,3 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 215 km/h.” Transmission choices include quick-shifting five-speed automatic and a six speed manual gearbox with F1-style shift paddles.

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The Kia Soul concept car was launched at the Geneva Motor Show and latest reports show that a production model is in the pipeline just in time to be displayed at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

Above: Kia Soul concept car

The concept came in three models namely the Soul Diva, Soul Searcher and Soul Burner. The Soul Diva is for the young at heart who is fashion conscious hence the black, white and gold leather and…wait for it….glitter interior, not to mention “pony-hide” carpets. As for the Soul Searcher, it is the more tranquil of the three aiming at an inner peace with its leather finished bonnet and a tinge of leather in every other part of the car. And oh yes, lets not forget about the “bad-boy” the Soul Burn with its dragon tattoos on the bonnet and sports seats. The production car is said to retain some of the features that made it popular at the Geneva motor show. Lets hope no “pony-hide” will be included in the production model. (more…)

The official pics of the California GT have been released and soon enough it will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in October. This mid-sized roadster will only be built as a convertible with Ferrari‘s first folding hardtop.

Ferrari always being renowned for its power and performance does not disappoint with the California GT with its 4,3 litre direct injection V8 engine producing 460bhp, mounted in the mid-front. This prancing horse can reach 0-100km/h in less than 4 seconds.

Its gearshifts are via a seven speed dual clutch transmission with F1-Trac traction control. It also houses Brembo carbon ceramic brakes which should help to bring this speedy horse to a sudden stop. Also in keeping with the rest of the new generation Ferrari’s, it will be built on an aluminium chassis as well as aluminium body panels.

More details about this car is expected to be releases prior to the Paris Motor Show. In the meantime join in on the Ferrari California GT countdown at www.ferraricalifornia.com

Introducing a new writer joining Alex Ion’s team – Roncher Coetzee 

The much anticipated new Seat Ibiza makes its debut in Madrid on the 22 May 2008 after which it will be launched on the European market. Designed by the much acclaimed former Lamborghini designer Luc Donckerwolke, great things were expected. The design like its predecessor is typically aggressive in appearance and defined by its crisp lines and curves distinctive to the Seat family.

Three types of petrol engines will be made available to the public – 51kw three cylinder 1.2 litre, 63kw four cylinder 1.4 litre and a sporty 75kw 1.6 litre. All three fitted with 5 speed manual transmissions, turbo diesel motors will be made available at a later stage.

The Seat Ibiza once again shares its underpinnings with the upcoming Volkswagen Polo which is expected to be launched after the Ibiza. The Ibiza being built on its ‘Agile chassis’ boasts supposed better handling for improved cornering with solid road holding capabilities. The car is also slightly longer at 4,05m compared to the current Ibiza’s 3,97m therefore providing the much needed legroom in the rear of the cabin as well as a more practical amount of boot space.The Ibiza is also rumoured to possess twin clutch DSG gearboxes, active headlamps, USB connectivity, hill-hold assist, side airbags, ESP amongst other driver aids which are normally equipped on bigger cars.

South Africa’s launch date is yet to be announced but can be expected as soon as the end of this year.

The Cadillac STS symbolises everything the Cadillac brand stands for. Big brother to the already available BLS and SRX, Cadillac’s luxury performance sedan without a doubt spells the new measure of success. It’s bolder in appearance, bigger in its stance and better in everything it has to offer.

Released for the first time in South Africa, the Cadillac STS will be available to the public in a 4.6L Northstar V8 model and comes fitted with a host of advanced luxury features to support its status symbol appeal. This includes a keyless access system with push button start, cruise control, heated leather steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control, a memory package including 8-way power seat adjustments and a 15-speaker Bose surround sound system with 6-disc CD/DVD changer, to name but a few.

Priced at R494 600 the STS is available to test drive at Reeds N1 City.

In early December Porsche will launch a special edition Boxster that has been inspired by the 1960s Porsche Type 718 RS 60 Spyder. Limited to only 1,960 models worldwide the biggest change is the modified exhaust system that consists of a sports exhaust combined with a dual tailpipe that increased engine output to 303 bhp.

Offered in a GT silver metallic grey, the car comes accentuated with a red roof and natural leather interior in Carrera red, though the pictures make it look like a magenta leaning more towards hot pink than red. Thankfully, the car is also offered in dark grey leather with a black roof. The car sits on 19-inch wheel, which spacer plates have moved outwards, and its front end is a standard feature from Porsche’s SportDesign Package. Completing the sporty orientation is the Porsche Active Suspension Management system.

Further features include a windscreen in a black finish, with the center console, headrests and rollbars are all finished in the same GT Silver Metallic finish as the car body. Also finished in GT Silver are the instrument dials that don’t have the usual hood over the cluster but the large central rmp and 2 side gauges continue the sporty, racing style. Each model comes with door trim strips made of stainless steel and embossed with the “RS 60 Spyder” model designation.

Worldwide market launch will be March 2008 with a base price of 53,500 Euro (561,371 ZAR) in Germany and a retail price of 63,873 Euro (671,215 ZAR) (which includes 19% VAT and country specific requirements.)

[Source: WorldCarFans]