Those Italians. They like to make a scene out of nothing at all. Take the successor to the Alfa Romeo 147. They could’ve called it the 147. Then Alfa wanted to call it the 148. They then changed it to the Milano – sounds good, but not if you are a worker for Alfa from the city of Milan – then you’d be outraged by the name.

You see Milan isn’t the home of Alfa anymore, but is now located in Turin. This means that the Milanese workers are up in arms over the name and Alfa is considering a change to Giulietta. Makes sense? No.

Anyway, naming issues aside it looks pretty good and the bigwigs at Alfa reckon we could be looking at the best selling Alfa to date! In it’s sights is the Golf and the fact that it will only be offered in five door form confirms that Luigi has Fritz in its sights.

Engines on offer will include turbo fours in diesel and petrol guise and there is rumored to be a 170ish kw “Cloverleaf” model on the cards for later next year.

The Volkswagen Amarok is scheduled to make it’s world debut on the 15th of December. We have however decided to not make you wait that long. All hail Carblog.

Good news is that you don’t have to ride around in one of those hideous looking Transporters if you want a double cab from VW. Isn’t this thing just the best looking double cab you’ve seen in a while. From every angle it looks the business and if the engine stats are anything to go by it will mean it too.

Initially there will be a 2 liter 4 cylinder common rail diesel producing about 120kw and 400nm which will be the strongest unit available. Fuel consumption will be awesome as the predicted range

on a 80 Liter tank will be almost 1000km! A second, less powerful diesel and a direct inject petrol engine will also be offered later.

Double cab versions as well as single cab versions will be offered, but no extended cab versions are on the cards. At least not for the launch. Three levels of specification will be offered – basic, trendline and highline.

Now we just have to wait and see whether VWSA will be able to price it competitively. If they do it’s game-on Toyota.

AutoUnleashed had me blinded with an article on a blinged out Mercedes Benz SL600. Unveiled at the SEMA Show this year by DUB Magazine, the Benz was decked out with over 200,000 Swarkovski crystals and Bavarian White Mammoth seat covers. The aftermarket modification was done by the custom car accessory company Garson/D.A.D to highlight the company’s Mercedes accessories. Not only did the crystals cover every inch of the car’s exterior, but were also prominent inside covering parts of the center console, door trim and even the rearview mirror.

Since the SEMA show was held in Las Vegas from November 4-7, 2007 I guess this much sparkle and shine fits in just perfect. The one must have accessory for anyone even just looking at this car: Sunglasses!

[Via: AutoUnleashed]

I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited by Subaru to test drive the new Subaru WRX STI tomorrow in Durban, KZN. Subaru motor group are flying me out from Cape Town to Durbs for the day. I will be joined by car journalists from other motor publications for the launch of the new car in South Africa. I should be back tomorrow evening (Wednesday) and will publish my review then! For now induldge in some of these photos of the scoobie at the Toyto auto show.

More Subaru news

Fans of the iconic VW Golf range will have to wait with bated breaths, as the appearance of the the Golf VI is likely to be postponed. An interview with VW’s head of development Ulrich Hackenburg at the Shanghai Show established that VW’s best seller will not be replaced next spring as per original plans. Apparently, the current Golf V is still selling well and there isn’t sufficient reason to effect a hasty replacement.

However, new VW head Martin Winterkorn was not pleased with the Golf VI’s design and rescheduled the 2008 Geneva Show premiere of the car. He is said to have ordered a complete redesign. The latest addition to Golf’s long lineage seems due for launch sometime in the later months of 2008. According to Hackenburg, the new Golf will utilize an updated version of Audi’s current 160Hp 1.8 Litre Turbocharged FSI mill, most likely with a GT badge, as word suggests that VW plans halting the production of the 170Hp 1.4TSI motor due to reliability problems.The Golf VI GTI is likely to use an upgraded version of the current 2.0 TFSI motor. An SUV variant of the Golf is rumoured to be planned for introduction in the new lineup.

More Golf 6 news here and here

For BMW buyers who wish to soak in as much sun as possible this summer without losing the marque’s hallmark performance and handling, the company has an offering to fit the bill to a tee. The German auto maker is no stranger to engineering convertible cars of the highest quality, and after such icons as the 330Ci Cabriolet and the Z4, one might have wondered how such winning packages could be improved upon. However, in BMW AG’s typical perfectionist tradition, they have once again raised the bar with an extremely well engineered and desirable addition; the 335Ci Cabriolet.

Featuring the much vaunted 3.0 litre straight-six motor with Valvetronic(TM) and variable geometry turbine technology, the 335Ci Cabriolet immediately guarantees driving thrills as well as a rewarding open-top experience. The fact that this mill has already scooped some coveted international awards, including the Engine of the Year accolade, serves to underscore BMW’s long-standing reputation for delivering quality and high performance motoring experiences at great value. For the South African market, the motor made its first appearance in the 335Ci Coupe, and has just been launched in the E90 335i (making that car “the most desirable BMW on the road”, according to a reputable local motoring publication). With a power output spec. of 225Kw, the 335Ci Cabriolet dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds, galloping on to a limited top speed of 250km/h. A notable point about the motor is the linear torque delivery. Thanks to the advanced variable geometry turbo charging, the engine pulls cleanly from low revs, piling on pulling power with no discernible turbo lag. The six speed gearbox is a marvel, swapping cogs smoothly via Formula One-style paddles, or in conventional automatic mode, and it features various settings to suit each driving style and mood. Fuel consumption is a miserly (in this category) 9,9 litres per 100km.

Another feature that stands out is the hard top, a first for BMW. It was designed to save weight, while adding to the rigidity of an already stiff body and chassis. Without a doubt, rivals will struggle to emulate the 335Ci’s handling characteristics, which benefit from this. The roof can be operated from within as well as remotely from outside the car, via a button on they key fob (a convenience that is also available for the sound system and windows), and it opens and closes in about 22 seconds. Rear leg and head room, a bugbear of many past cabriolets, is exemplary – as is boot space which, even with the roof down, is sizable, thanks mainly to clever packaging.

At a retail price of R577 000, the 335Ci is not a cheap car. However, given the sheer engineering excellence that goes into it, it seems a reasonable buy compared to many of its competitors. It offers the best of almost everything expected of a modern convertible, including the ability to transform from boulevard cruiser to agile road ripper, taking it all in its stride while returning plausible fuel economy. The 335Ci BMW is the thinking buyer’s cabriolet.

To schedule a test drive in Cape Town, contact Grant McDonough or Adrian Schroeder of Auric Auto:

Phone: +27 21 670-1100/ +27 21 670-1120, Fax: +27 21 670-1191

As many “petrolheads” would know, one of the most exciting realms of the motoring world is that of exotics. Thorough-bred sports cars are a good subject on which to spend a weekend afternoon – at least, for those amongst us devoted enough to the boundless thrills of touching, viewing and indeed, driving these beasts. With that in mind, our staffer, known to readers as SLD, spent last Saturday afternoon visiting Cape Town’s exotics dealerships.

The car shown above is the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, and the picture was taken at Bloomsbury.

The car shown above is a Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradalle. It uses the same 4,3 Litre V8 as the “standard” F430, but has also been given additional suspension/chassis and wheel tweaks to aid even higher performance and track handling. There are also some weight reductions, and the side windows are sliding units made of a perspex-like material, all again in the interests of weight-saving. The picture was taken at Viglietti Motors.

The Porsche shown above is the 997 911 Carrera 4S, which features a 3.8 Litre “boxer” motor, a term used to describe Porsche’s signature flat-six cylinder layout. Power is slightly up on the Carrera S, and additional features include Porsche’s tried and tested four-wheel-drive system as well as mods to the exhaiust system that lend it an even deeper note. A notable Porsche characteristic is the optimal driving position with pedals slightly offset to the left of the footwell. This allows for fast heel-and-toeing. Picture taken at Bloomsbury.

Astons have always excited true sportscar enthusiasts, and this V8 Vantage was no exception. It features a 283 Kilowatt front-mid-mounted 4,3 V8 (a layout giving a very ideal front to rear weight distribution ratio) that shares characteristics with that which does service in Jaguar’s XK – although in Aston’s application it is hand-built in Cologne, Germany to exacting standards. This car is known to emit some of the best sounds known to the motoring world. The cabin is an ergonomic delight, featuring hand-stitched hides and seemingly infinitely customizable options. An interesting feature of Astons is the tachometer, which dials anticlockwise. Picture taken at 021Auto/Carspot.

The Lamborghini Gallardo in this picture was spotted “basking” in the midday sun, shortly before a staff member fired up the glorious Audi-sourced V10 mill and drove it into the showroom, away from the looming rain showers. Needless to say, this little monster emits a deep baritone note that gives one goosebumps – power is rated at 378 Kilowatts, in addition to the four-wheel-drive system and Magnetti-Marreli E-Gear transmission that give the little fighting bull from Sant’Agata a serious turn of speed. Picture taken at Bloomsbury.

Last but certainly not least, is the Bentley Continental GT. The picture above was taken at Bentley Cape Town. the most powerful of all the cars shown here, it produces 411 Kilowatts from its W12 6Litre powerplant, which features two turbochargers. For such a heavy car, performance is typical Bentley; that is, astounding. Like the Aston Martin, the Bentley is hand-built and this shows in the impeccable quality and feel of fit and finishings. Definitely a gentleman’s grand tourer. Picture taken at Bentley Cape Town.

The Bugatti Veyron’s reign as fastest accelerating supercar seems to have met its fate. The soon-to-be world’s fastest accelerating car has broken cover during the final stages of test and development. The Caparo T1 is a high performance two-seater sports car with highly resolved aerodynamics, which has been designed with the looks and performance of a Formula One race car. The T1’s 500 kg weight and 550 bhp give it a power-to-weight ratio of 1100 bhp/tonne – better than any current supersport motorcycle and approaching that of a genuine F1 car.

With series production about to commence, the car will be built for discerning customers seeking the ultimate track day experience in a road driveable vehicle. In releasing full details of the car’s specification, the company has revealed that while customer cars are being readied for start of production, preparations are also well in hand for the T1’s first public appearance as a running car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 22-24 – which effectively becomes the vehicle’s launch date. According to the official Caparo site, the Caparo T1 is “a track day and road going 2 seater sports car using aerospace and high formula composite racing technologies whilst providing race bred safety. This extremely lightweight sports car is capable of true ‘aerodynamic’ high speed performance and delivers a new level of acceleration, cornering and braking to the driver at 3g+ via its 1000 bhp/tonne performance specifications.”, and it has “a power-to-weight ratio double the Bugatti Veyron’s, and so much downforce you will be able to drive it upside down in a tunnel at 150mph”.
The good news is that Caparo has identified a South African distributor, and…sit down…the price is likely to be under R2million! Talk of bang for your buck. “More news on the Caparo will be made available shortly…watch this space for details!

In a show of unwavering commitment to the emulation of its own performance and luxury coach building history, Bentley Motorcars has released the Brooklands, a new coupe that picks up where the Continental R left off. That means more prestige, more technology and more power. It delivers all of that in spades: Interior decor includes leather-ensconced foot wells, and the twin-turbo V-8 makes a thunderous 530 horsepower, the highest output of any Bentley to date.

Bentley plans to build just 550 examples, with deliveries set to begin in the first half of 2008, and says the Brooklands is a “powerful, muscular and rakish grand touring coupe.” Fans of the marque will immediately recognize the Brooklands’ characteristically long hood and short front overhang. The upright grille and quad headlamps look identical to those on the Arnage. Twenty-inch wheels are standard. The rooftop pillars have hand-welded sheet metal, and the “floating” rear window sits unconnected to any seams.

The Brooklands comes tailored with swanky trims. The four-passenger cabin treats occupants to leather-covered door panels, lush Burr Wilton carpeting (amongst several options) and a traditional dashboard featuring chrome gauges. A center console divides the outboard bucket seats at the rear, where the seats are power-adjustable and retract further back than the ones in the recently launched Azure convertible. In case there wasn’t enough cowhide elsewhere, the ceiling features a continuous leather headliner.

The following is a list of the Brooklands’ specs.

Max. Power: 530bhp / 537 PS / 395kW @ 4000rpmMax.Torque 1050Nm, 774 lb.ft @3250rpm
Acceleration0 – 100km/h : 5.3 seconds
Max. Speed: 184mph / 296km/h

As according to VWs plans, development of the next generation Golf is well underway. The Golf VI is being developed to be cheaper to build than the current Golf V, which has had VW management lamenting many ills: the electronics are too complicated and require highly qualified personnel, increasing training costs. The doors and the multilink rear suspension also require complex assembly techniques, leading to production times almost double those of rivals which leads to high production costs. The result is a car which in 2004 generated €900 million less than expected, one of a myriad reasons why VW has considered a replacement much earlier than originally planned.

The technical underpinnings of the Golf 6 will remain practically identical to the Golf V, but VW’s management is looking at a 10% yearly reduction in production costs. One wonders if the fact that VW is going to have the next generation Golf and Polo retain the same platform as their predecessors is an encouraging sign.

According to Auto Bild, the petrol engine range of the Golf 6 will include a new 1,4L engine, both naturally aspirated and turbocharged, a 1,6L engine (102 hp) and a 2,0L engine (in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged form) and the 1,4L dual-charger TSI engine (150 hp)

Diesel engines will include the old 1.9 TDI (105 hp) and two new common-rail engines: a 1,6L TDI and a 2.0L TDI.

More Golf 6 news