Snippets:
- The Festival of Motoring has officially kicked off at Kyalami!
- Citroen returns to South Africa, viva la France!
- Kia’s Mohave SUV donates its ladder-frame underpinnings to the firm’s first ever bakkie
- Mercedes-Benz have unveiled the EQV, an electric V-Class
- The VW Golf GTI TCR is a 213kW hot hatch officially due for Mzansi, circa R700,000
- AMG are testing a large-winged GT R Black Series at the Nurburgring
- Fresh rumours are in of a possible Toyota and Porsche collaboration on the next MR2. Sounds right
Still on VW, many new cars unveiled in SA
Such as the VW Polo Vivo Sound Edition shown to the public at the Festival of Motoring.
It can be had for around R200,000 and comes with a six-speaker audio system (including subwoofer), hence the name. It’s based on a 1.4-litre Comfortline model so is powered by that car's normally aspirated petrol engine with 63kW and 132Nm. Then there’s the new T-Cross, VW’s new diminutive SUV. Plus, the Dune (Cross) version of the Polo Vivo. Cool.
Let’s get serious – meet the Bugatti Centodieci
"With the Centodieci, we pay homage to the EB110 super sports car which was built in the 1990s and is very much a part of our tradition-steeped history," says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti.
Yes, we definitely see the EB110 in the shape, albeit feeling like a glorified bodykit from 2019. But what lies underneath? Well it's bye bye V12 because the Bugatti Centodieci features the mega 8.0-litre W16 engine with 1176kW (7,000 rpm).
An air inlet in the area of the oil cooler regulates temperature because well, it's essential at this state of tune. The Centodieci roars from 0 to 100kph in just 2.4 seconds, to 200 kph in 6.1 seconds and to 300 in 13.1 seconds and will eventually max out at an electronic cut off of 380 kph.
"It's not just the top speed that makes a hyper sports car. With the Centodieci, we once again demonstrate that design, quality and performance are just as important," says Stephan Winkelmann.
The Centodieci shaves 20 kg off the Chiron thanks in part to a lightweight windscreen wiper and stabilisers which are now made of carbon. So, we're looking at a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.13 kilograms per horsepower.
"The increased power and lower weight further improve performance - for even better acceleration at high speeds. The Centodieci offers our customers an improved power-to-weight ratio and even more dynamic handling."
Yes, we agree. Ol’ Steph adds further that "with the EB110, Bugatti catapulted itself to the top of the automotive world once again after 1956 with a new model." It was a crucial interim step for the production facility that was newly founded in Molsheim in 1998, taking Bugatti back to its roots in France, and the first hyper sports car of modern times - the Veyron.
So, we’re looking at the ultimate ultimate, in tribute to the original ultimate.
Volkswagen ID Buggy Concept
Now this is going to catch a lot of people’s attention – an EV that is equal part retro, futuristic and legitimately practical. It’s the next ID concept (obviously) and is clearly a modern interpetation of a California style beach buggy from the 1960s.
And while it’s a 2-seater, it can be converted into a 2+2 for more adventurous families and social groups. It's MEB chassis integrates with a floor-mounted 62kWh lithium-ion battery and a 150kW electric motor in the rear to give it a fair range of 250km on the WLTP cycle.
We absolutely love the minimalistic design - who needs doors and roofs anyway? Sign us up.
And in other news, the Jeep Wrangler now costs R900,000
Well, more or less. And that’s a lot of money for a fuel guzzling throwback, even one that’s fairly beloved.
Your move, Land Rover?
Pricing:
Jeep Wrangler 3,6 Sahara 4x4 (2-door)
| R860,000.00 |
Jeep Wrangler 3,6 Rubicon 4x4 (2-door)
| R900,000.00 |
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3,6 Sahara 4x4 (4-door)
| R890,000.00 |
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3,6 Rubicon 4x4 (4-door)
| R915,000.00 |
Watch the Ring record fall with Lynk & Co
Who? Lynk & Co, friends and collaborators of quick Volvos and Polestars, that’s who.
But you can also think of them as the racing division of Geely. This Chinese-Swedish outfit have been busy conquering the Nurbrugring with a lap of 7min20sec143. Blistering.
Driven by Thed Bjork in what is now the quickest road legal, four door, front wheel driven saloon in the world.
Check it out!
