How large an engine do you need in a mid-size car? Just a few years ago, the answer would have been a V-6 of 2.8 to 3.5 liters, perhaps with a base model offering a four of 2.4 to 2.8 liters. Then Hyundai announced in late 2009 that it would abandon V-6 engines altogether for its 2010 Sonata, fitting only fours. The base Sonata engine is a...
We won't soon forget our 2009 Smart ForTwo road test in California last year, in part because we found the little car serviceable even over the mountain passes between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. That memory came flooding back when we had the chance to drive the 2012 Fiat 500C at altitudes up to 14,000 feet. The question in the Rockies: Could...
As we've said before, we love infographics. Some of our favorites come from AutoMD, which did the one we ran two weeks on rising gas prices and simple ways to boost your gas mileage. Now they've tackled the perennial question: How does a hybrid car work? Specifically, they dissect the third generation of Toyota Prius, launched in 2010 as the...
Although its much-delayed first model, the 2011 Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan, hasn't quite reached dealers yet, Fisker Automotive is powering ahead. The company announced today that it would post job listings for what will be roughly 120 positions at its Wilmington, Delaware, assembly plant where it plans to build its second model...
Nissan may have killed off its Altima Hybrid model, but the company is moving forward with a range of new hybrid models. This time, however, they'll be home-grown, based on the company's internally developed hybrid system. Nissan's new single-motor hybrid technology is considerably simpler than the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system it licensed...
While Nissan killed the Altima Hybrid, its sole U.S. hybrid vehicle, for 2012, the company has made a number of important upgrades to its Leaf battery electric car. For 2012, the Nissan Leaf will include as standard heated front and rear seats, plus heated steering wheel and outside mirrors. Perhaps most importantly, a battery-pack heater will be...
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Citroën DS3 Racing now available It is possibly the hottest car to wear the Citroën badge in after waiting several months South Africans can now put down close to R400 000 for this limited edition hot hatch. With the influence from the Citroën Racing team it should be a hoot to drive. Follow the link to read all about the improvements, especially performance changes that have been made.
What a busy week it has been! One of the highlights was driving Volkswagen's Golf R and Scirocco R back-to-back. They are evenly matched in a number of aspects, but there are several notable differences. Read associate editor Ian McLaren's thoughts on these new German hot hatches.
In other hot-hatch news, Citroën and Renault have also made the headlines. Locally, the former has released its DS3 Racing. It is pricey, but it comes with a high level of exclusivity. And only days after showing the Mégane RS Trophy, Renault confirmed this hatch has broken the manufacturer's own Nürburgring Nordschleife record for a front-wheel drive car.
Good economic news came from Chinese vehicle distributor CMC, which is planning to build a factory locally that will produce taxis and single- and double cab bakkies. This venture could create up to 2 000 jobs. Let's hope this project comes to fruition.
If you haven't yet noticed, we've launched a brand-new blog site. Not only will you read more about the CAR team's thoughts, experiences and opinions, but also those of other motoring enthusiasts. If you think you've got what it takes, sign up to become a contributor. Click here to visit the site.
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Mini Coupé This is the first video Mini has released up its upcoming Coupé. Driving is a fun and enthusiastic way, the car is pictured in several different parts of the world. It land locally during the fourth quarter of the year.
Lexus SA is set to launch its luxury hatchback in South Africa in August. The manufacturer claims the CT200h will be the first full hybrid to be launched in the small luxury-car segment.
VW Scirocco R vs VW Golf R Two weeks ago you showed the video of the Golf R and Scirocco R battling on track. Now we have driven both cars on some of our favourite and twisty roads. Ian McLaren shares the differences between these two closely matched new hot hatches.
Gordon Murray – best known for his design of the McLaren F1 and numerous F1-winning cars – has released his vision of a new, modern day and eco-friendly Batmobile. We have a look at some of the previous Batmobiles.
We know that Bullitt, The Blues Brothers, The French Connection, Gone in 60 Seconds (1974) and The Italian Job (1969) set the standard for high speed car chase scenes on film, so I thought I'd put together 10 of my favourite (recent) car chase scenes.
How large an engine do you need in a mid-size car? Just a few years ago, the answer would have been a V-6 of 2.8 to 3.5 liters, perhaps with a base model offering a four of 2.4 to 2.8 liters. Then Hyundai announced in late 2009 that it would abandon V-6 engines altogether for its 2010 Sonata, fitting only fours. The base Sonata engine is a...
We won't soon forget our 2009 Smart ForTwo road test in California last year, in part because we found the little car serviceable even over the mountain passes between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. That memory came flooding back when we had the chance to drive the 2012 Fiat 500C at altitudes up to 14,000 feet. The question in the Rockies: Could...
As we've said before, we love infographics. Some of our favorites come from AutoMD, which did the one we ran two weeks on rising gas prices and simple ways to boost your gas mileage. Now they've tackled the perennial question: How does a hybrid car work? Specifically, they dissect the third generation of Toyota Prius, launched in 2010 as the...
Although its much-delayed first model, the 2011 Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan, hasn't quite reached dealers yet, Fisker Automotive is powering ahead. The company announced today that it would post job listings for what will be roughly 120 positions at its Wilmington, Delaware, assembly plant where it plans to build its second model...
Nissan may have killed off its Altima Hybrid model, but the company is moving forward with a range of new hybrid models. This time, however, they'll be home-grown, based on the company's internally developed hybrid system. Nissan's new single-motor hybrid technology is considerably simpler than the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system it licensed...
While Nissan killed the Altima Hybrid, its sole U.S. hybrid vehicle, for 2012, the company has made a number of important upgrades to its Leaf battery electric car. For 2012, the Nissan Leaf will include as standard heated front and rear seats, plus heated steering wheel and outside mirrors. Perhaps most importantly, a battery-pack heater will be...
