Snippets:
- BMW to supply Jaguar with their engines. Well, beats Tata, we guess
- You can now buy an Isuzu D-Max AT35 Arctic Truck, built in SA. Yours for R785,000.00
- Confirmed: Next Mercedes-AMG A45 and CLA45 are Mzansi bound with 310kW
- De Tomaso have built a new super car, meet the P72
- Honda is building a lightweight EV sportscar
- Audi are giving its new SQ7 TDI 900Nm. Torquey...
Rumour mill says what?
- New Ford Focus? Not in SA, pal, according to current word from Ford SA. So that sucks!
- With a little help from Renault, Mitsubishi might do a new Lancer Evo. So that’s nice!
Behold the Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray
Yes, the Corvette is back and oh boy – they really threw out the rule book with this.
Gone is the traditional front engined, rear wheel drive GT layout as the new car goes mid-engined. You know, the territory usually reserved for supercars costing two or three times as much.
"Corvette has always represented the pinnacle of innovation and boundary-pushing at GM. The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance, necessitating the new layout." – GM President Mark Reuss
We can't help but think this is now the perfect foil to Ford's latest GT - except the Chevy will use a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 as its mill, good for 369kW and 637Nm and mated to an 8-speed DCT auto. Reuss adds, "In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history. Customers are going to be thrilled with our focus on details and performance across the board."
Porsche 911 RSR
Now that the Goodwood Festival of Speed has passed, I think it’s time to relook at the Porsche 911 RSR.
It sticks with the 991 platform and will compete in the GTE class for the 2019/2020 season of the World Endurance Championship set to kick off at Le Mans. The previous race car won, so this one has mighty shoes to fill.
We can confirm that it already has a bigger heart, 4.2 litres versus the old car’s 4.0. This is paired with a 6-speed sequential and sends all of its grunt and shunt to the rear wheels exclusively. Power to weight ratio is set to: Scary. Thanks to a completely carbon fibre-reinforced plastic shell.
Should be alright. Take a look
Meet the Bentley EXP 100 GT
For its 100th birthday, Bentley has given itself a present – very electric, somewhat hectic, meet the EXP 100 GT.
Its model year designation is 2035 so you might say they’re forward facing with this one, an ultra-posh concept some 5.8 metres long and 2.5 metres wide. It’s powered by an electric drivetrain boasting 1500Nm of torque and so will pounce to 100kph in just 2.6 seconds and top out at 300kph. So, ambitious then.
Kyalami 9 Hours returns to SA
Yes, the historic Kyalami 9 Hours makes a welcome return to motorsport after 37 years of absence, and joins the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, Suzuka 10 Hours, California 8 Hours and Total 24 Hours of Spa for the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) series.
IGTC boss Stephane Ratel believes that the addition of Kyalami to the other prestigious GT3 races on the calendar is a dream come true.
“I’ve spent years trying to get this African leg of the series off the ground. To finally have it all locked in is a massive achievement and one that I am absolutely delighted about. Having an African part of this championship means that we are now across five continents. We are truly a global event and we look forward to November when the thrilling sounds of the vehicles light up Kyalami for nine hours.” – Stephane Ratel
Much like the Laguna Seca event, the Kyalami race will incorporate machinery from local racing classes that will join the other nine international teams, with space for two South African drivers in the roster – meaning that local talent will have their time to shine.
As a result, we’ll have the pleasure of witnessing local favourites Kelvin van der Linde in for Audi and Jordan Pepper in a Bentley, take on challengers from BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes-AMG, Nissan and Porsche.
Of course, this event wouldn’t be possible without Toby Venter who is, among other things, the owner of the Kyalami raceway. “When Stephane came to me with this suggestion, I didn’t hesitate in letting him know that I was keen to get involved,” says Venter. “Kyalami has always been the staging ground for iconic motorsport events, and to have the Kyalami 9 Hours return here is rather special. It also adds a wonderful international event to the calendar that local families can come and enjoy,”.
Well there you have it, one of South Africa‘s most prestigious racing events has returned. Yes, we’re freaking out too.
For more info and tickets click here.
