Snippets:
- The new Peugeot 208 set to be built in Morocco.
- Toyota launches Legend 50 and GR-Sport models in Mzansi.
- Daimler feeling the pinch after diesel fallout.
- Lewis Hamilton wins French GP. F1 fans bored.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
Six cylinders in a Cayman? What is this, 2014?
Of course, it’s not just any Porsche, rather the GT4 – which is ‘Porsche’ as the 718 cars dare get before Stuttgart will consider slapping a 911 badge on them – the absolute pinnacle of the littler sportscar. And in this case that means 309kW and 420Nm – from a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six. Heavenly.
In Boxster format it will do 301kph, in the tin roof-sporting Cayman the GT4 does 304kph. Zero to hundred comes up in 4.4 seconds and you’ll have to row your own cogs in the six-speed manual it comes with. It is grippier than ever thanks to more downforce and stickier tyres than what has come before. Honestly, we’re just smitten.
Here it is now, filmed in Cape Town
Honda updates the Civic Range in SA
You can still get a Civic in four flavours - 1.8 Comfort, 1.8 Elegance, 1.5T Sport and 1.5T Executive.
Updates are for the most part subtle, save for some bumper and grille changes, garnishings and new alloys throughout. The cabin too gets a modest raft of upgrades including both tactile and technology. The result is an understated but successful mid-life face-lift on one of our favourite saloons. All Civics are sold with a five-year/200 000 km warranty and a five-year/90 000 km service plan.
The Gazoo Hilux is a R707,400 bakkie
So this is the GR-Sport Hilux. It comes in the familiar 2.8 litre diesel doublecab 4x4 format.
It arrives in a world where the Ford Ranger Raptor already exists – but where that car is a ground-up dirt jumper, the Hilux is Gazoo tweaked with a bodykit and suspension upgrade. So now you get GR sticker kits, GR running boards and 17-inch two-tone wheels. So that’s nice.
Who asked for an Audi SQ8 TDI?
Because here it is, all 320kW and 900 bloody Nm of it.
If we’re honest we are still reeling from our time with the regular Q8 55 TFSI – which you can read more about here (https://www.carshop.co.za/reviews/audi-q8-review).
This however gets a V8, and nestled between its banks lives a pair of turbochargers providing all that power and twist – enabling a 0-100kph sprint of 4.8 seconds. Yikes!
We need to talk about the 2020 Renault Zoe
And thanks to the new R135 drivetrain this does 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds. In a fully electric hatch back, that is!
It is of course Renault’s third iteration of the Zoe and with this one in GT Line spec you have access to 100kW. These are very liveable cars as well, with plenty of multimedia options, connectivity and safety in a comfortable and exciting cocoon that matches a futuristic exterior.
We’re so ready for this.
New Kia Seltos is SA bound
Kia recently unveiled their new compact SUV, the Seltos in New Delhi, India.
Kia Motors Corporation President and CEO Han-Woo Park had this to say about it;
"The Seltos is an important car for Kia as it will play a central role in the expansion of our global footprint, and especially in a priority market like India.”
And ours it seems – as the brand has confirmed we too will get the Seltos in what is one of the most competitive segments in the market. It is, like the Hyundai Kona, being aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers and so comes packed full cutting-edge technology and safety equipment. He further added;
“The world premiere is a significant milestone for Kia as it shows our commitment to the Indian market - and this is just the beginning. We have big plans for Kia in this wonderful country."
Unveiled in SA, the Ferrari F8 Tributo
Members of the local press were invited to poke and prod the exotic metal of one of Ferrari’s most exciting cars in years.
In case you needed reminding, it churns out 530kW and 780Nm and looks like sex poured over metal. Just look at it! Zero to hundred comes up in just 2.9 seconds (and 200kph in 7.8 seconds) and it will keep going all the way to 340kph.
Which is what you want in a turbocharged V8 Ferrari.
The return of the JCW Mini GP
Image: Motor1
So, there is a new John Cooper Works Mini Cooper GP Prototype currently testing at the Nürburgring. We just thought you should know.
And yes, it’s already dipped sub 8 minutes where the old car did it in 8min23sec. You can, in part, thank a blown 4-cyl with 220kW for that. Only 3,000 will be made.
We predict only 3,000 will be sold almost immediately!
The Mercedes-AMG GT GT3 is a customer-car we can all celebrate
But almost certainly not afford – but oh man, what a thrill knowing it exists.
Built for the race circuit exclusively, it has a 6.3 litre V8 and features an exciting feature called Drop Start which starts the GT the moment it hits the ground via its integrated air jacks. A feature we’d call ‘exceptionally groovy’. Yours for $450,000 before taxes!
How much power and torque does it make? All of it. It makes all of the power and all of the torque.
Video of the Day
Well – it just has to be this. The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, previously thought to be a concept car or render, is now here for your viewing pleasure ripping up some gravel.
