COLOGNE, Germany – Ford of Europe will unveil new versions of its top-selling S-MAX and Galaxy at the 2010 Brussels Show on January 13.

With fresh designs and the latest evolution of Ford’s kinetic design cues, they feature new interior materials and features, a range of more efficient powertrains and a host of driver-focused technologies aimed at safety and comfort.

“We’ve given both models a fresh new look and more premium appeal, but it is beneath the skin that the major changes have been made,” said John Fleming, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.

“S-MAX and Galaxy are the first European Ford models to benefit from our global EcoBoost family of direct-injection, turbocharged, petrol engines delivering more power and performance from a lower displacement powerplant, yet with impressive fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.  And that is just the start of the 2010 S-MAX and Galaxy story.”

These are the first cars to be available with Ford’s all-new, high efficiency, 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. Producing 203 PS (149 kW) it joins a significantly improved 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, with 140 PS (103 kW), plus a new 163 PS (120 kW) variant. Additionally, the smooth and effortless Ford PowerShift double wet-clutch transmission system is available for the first time on Ford’s large car range; it will be standard equipment with the EcoBoost petrol engine and optional for both Duratorq diesels.

A range of innovative new safety and convenience features debut in the Ford range on versions of the new S-MAX and Galaxy, including a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®), and new Rear Door Power Child Lock facility.

The S-MAX has been updated with significant detail changes to the exterior including a strongly sculptured bonnet and all-new front fascia, emphasised by the bolder graphic of the gloss black lower front trapezoidal grille.

Source: Ford

Stuttgart/Leipzig. Today, just three months after the new Panamera went on sale the 10,000th car rolled off the production line at the Leipzig plant of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart. The 500 HP platinum silver metallic Panamera Turbo will be delivered to a customer in Singapore.

Michael Macht, Chairman of the Board of Porsche AG: “Sales of the Panamera have really taken off: we have already secured over 9,000 orders. Shortly after it was launched our Gran Turismo won the coveted “Goldenes Lenkrad” [“Golden steering wheel”] and “Auto Trophy” awards in Germany. It has also won many international prizes.” The Panamera 4S is proving particularly popular and has a share of 44 per cent – putting it ahead of the Turbo (36 per cent) and the Panamera S (20 per cent).

The company plans to build 20,000 Panamera per year across the whole product cycle. The fourth Porsche model series is being manufactured at the Leipzig plant in the so-called model mix, sharing a production line with the Cayenne SUV. The innovative, highly streamlined production is seen as a model of technological and economic excellence for the automobile industry worldwide.

Source: Porsche

Combining classic proportions with modern sportiness, the new BMW Z4 has reached the top of its market segment almost overnight. And now this charismatic roadster is entering a new dimension in driving dynamics, the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is offering an even higher standard of performance ensured both by the modified straight-six power unit with BMW Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection, on the one hand, and by BMW’s seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation and the M Sports Package including the adaptive M Suspension likewise featured as standard, on the other.

Appropriate optimisation in engine technology increases maximum output of the 3.0-litre power unit to 250 kW/340 hp. Peak torque is 450 Newton-metres/332 lb-ft, increasing briefly with the Overboost function to 500 Newton-metres/369 lb-ft. The outstanding power and performance of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is expressed in particular by the significant increase in pulling power and muscle to be clearly experienced in all situations. In conjunction with seven-speed Sport Automatic featuring double clutch operation, this new top-of-the-range

Roadster accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.8 seconds.

At 9.0 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.1 mpg US) and 210 grams in the EU test cycle, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are the same as on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i with Sport Automatic.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is is making its world debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. And parallel to the market launch of this high-performance roadster in spring 2010, the M Sports Package is being introduced for all further versions of the BMW Z4.

Source: BMW

Continuing from Part 3

In-car accessories

Cars these days are becoming fully-functional entertainment suites catering to your every need, or your every want. You can’t go wrong with one of these gifts, as it’s a guarantee it will be used and enjoyed because everyone drives their car all the time, so you know its not some gift that’s going to be thrown into a cupboard and never seen again.

BMW Ipod

The Apple Ipod’s popularity has grown tremendously in recent times to the point where just about every one has one. And everyone has all their music on them, which often becomes a problem when they go for a drive and have other passengers in the car who don’t want to be excluded while you listen to your Ipod with headphones on. You can obviously get an Ipod radio adapter and tune in your radio to the frequency of the Ipod but it never works great and is unreliable.

BMW have decided to offer a fully incorporated system designed specifically with the Apple Ipod in mind. It is currently compatible with most of the BMW models and requires a second generation Ipod. You will need to take your BMW to a registered dealership and they will do the installation for you. The problem with this gift is obviously the limitations that you will need a BMW for starters which already narrows down the field of potential gift recipients by quite a lot. But if the person in mind happens to have a BMW and an Ipod full of their favourite songs, then this gift is ideal.

Garmin GPS navigator

Getting lost is a thing of the past thanks to global positioning systems that make every decision for you. You no longer need a map-book, or a backseat driver trying to tell you where to turn, just rely on the mildly entertaining robotic voice that will steer you to your destination. Regardless of the informative value of having a GPS in your car, there are quite a lot of extras to sweeten the deal. From semi-useful things like a built in calculator and currency converter, to the extremely vital like changing the image of your car on the system to that of a tank!

Wantitall.co.za sells this particular version for R1833 which is not too bad considering it’s a once off payment and you will be sorted for the rest of your driving days. These items will suffer a bit with all the construction and road-works that are going on around the country but they are constantly updated so should adapt over time.

There are a truck-load of car related gifts for this holiday season but hopefully this post will give you some ideas and make shopping that much easier.

Guy Franken of Chrysler SA had the following to say “The Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR remains the supercar against which others are measured. Not only does this car hold the Laguna Seca lap record now but also claimed the prestigious lap record at Nuerburgring in 2008 with an impressive time of 7:22 beating all other supercars who have attempted this subsequently. Guy continued saying “This Viper is not scheduled to be sold in SA as it is manufactured in right-hand-drive only. However, it remains the global image leader for all Dodge vehicles”

Chris Winkler, an SRT vehicle dynamics engineer piloted a black and red 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) to a lap record of 1:33.915 as recorded by Motech in-vehicle data recorder (1:33.944 – as unofficially recorded by trackside clock) around the 3.6 km, 11-turn course, shattering the previous lap record by more than 1.1 seconds.

“It was definitely exciting but a somewhat uneventful lap overall from behind the steering wheel,” said Winkler, who is still learning the intricate details of Laguna Seca raceway, having spent only one other session on the course. “The Dodge Viper ACR has amazing power and handles like a dream, so following my first practice here last month, I came away pretty confident that we’d be able to set a new record.”

In 2008, professional road racer Randy Pobst, drove a 2008 Dodge Viper ACR to a one-lap, production car record of 1:35.117 at Laguna Seca raceway while working with Motor Trend. That record stood until August 6, 2009 when the most recent record of 1:35.075 was established by a one-off exotic prototype.

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand and Senior Vice President, Product Design Office, Chrysler Group LLC, was impressed with the Viper’s performance. “I’ve been closely tied to this car my entire career and even after owning one myself for some time, I’m still amazed with what the Dodge Viper can do on and off the race track,” Gilles said. “After our record-setting lap at the Nürburgring circuit, we’re excited to set a second performance benchmark record at another world-famous road course.”

The Dodge Viper is going into the final year of production for the current-generation model. Approximately 500 Vipers will be produced in 2010.

Source: Dodge

Continues from Part 2

Obscure gifts

There are some xmas gifts that are predictable and seem to show up every year, from a pair of sox to a slab of chocolate. However if you want to break this ridiculous trend, then a car related obscure gift is a must for this holiday season.

The lazer detector

This particular brand is the Cobra XRS9845 15band lazer/radar detector sold by Autostyle. A radar detector is placed in a car and picks up the frequency of a traffic camera and warns the driver accordingly to slow down if the car is speeding. These items are controversial as to their legality. It is legal to sell them and to own them but there seems to be some confusion as to whether you are allowed to have one in a moving vehicle.

Wikipedia seems to say the item is illegal in South Africa, but the citation is missing for that statement. Either way, this is a gift that keeps on giving and is incredibly useful. It retails for R1795 which may sound expensive but if you are always receiving speeding fines it should end up saving you money in the long run. Keep in mind though that automatic doors found at petrol stations and malls tend to set it off as well, so it can get confusing.

The Topgear board game

Topgear is an incredibly successful franchise these days and the show is at the height of its popularity. Broadcast on DSTV the show is watched by millions and everyone I speak to loves the show. With Jeremy Clarkson at the helm, the show combines humour, innovative programming and reviews of the latest top car brands to create a masterpiece of television.

The Topgear board game hopes to ride on the shows popularity and success and target fans of the show. With questions relating to the show and packed with jokes and humour this board game is a must for anyone who enjoys the show. It’s relatively cheap at only R399 and should go down a treat with the whole family.

Continues in Part 3

Further Milestone Reached on the Way Toward the Integrated Automotive Group With Porsche

Wolfsburg, Germany — December 7, 2009 — Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has today taken a 49.9 percent stake in Porsche AG. The next important step on the way towards the integrated automotive group with Porsche has therefore been completed, as announced, before the end of the year. The price for the stake is €3.9 billion and is based on the enterprise value for Porsche AG calculated under a careful due diligence and valuation procedure.

Following the Comprehensive Agreement concluded in August, the implementation agreements signed in November and the Volkswagen Extraordinary General Meeting held last week, the stake in Porsche AG represents the next milestone on the way towards the integrated automotive group with Porsche under the leadership of Volkswagen. The acquisition of the trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg is planned for 2011. The creation of the integrated automotive group is then to conclude with the merger of Volkswagen AG and Porsche SE during the course of the same year.

The combination of the two companies follows a compelling strategic, industrial and financial logic. For the Volkswagen Group, Porsche ideally complements the brand portfolio. The Stuttgart-based car maker will allow Volkswagen to further expand its position in the premium business, which offers particularly strong earnings. In turn, as an independent brand under the roof of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche will have the potential for significant additional growth.

The transaction will have a sustained positive effect on the earnings situation of the Volkswagen Group. With a return on sales of 10.3 percent, Porsche AG is the world’s most profitable automobile manufacturer. Volkswagen will in future participate in this business success through its stake. In addition, the planned integration of Porsche in the Volkswagen Group and the associated closer cooperation will realize significant synergies on both the income and the cost side. As a result, the annual operating profit of the Volkswagen Group is expected to increase by some €700 million in the long term.

Source: Volkswagen

Continues from Part 1

Gaming gifts

Gaming used to be just for kids but these days gaming has become a lot more mainstream and enjoyed by all ages. The most popular gaming genre for older gamers is definitely driving and car related games, so here are the two essential gaming gifts for the driving enthusiast.

The racing steering wheel

The Logitech Driving Force Pro Steering Wheel for PS3 is a must for any driving fanatic wanting to get the most of their driving games. This particular wheel is designed for the Playstation 3 which is important because of the next gift that I’m going to highlight. Racing games on consoles are always a blast but the analog controller just can’t do them justice, you need a steering wheel to experience the full effect.

This wheel has force-feedback built in, so as you make contact with a wall or another car, the wheel jolts in the opposite direction which adds to the realism of the game. It retails for R1292 which is not exactly cheap but on the plus side it should last you many years and if you have 2 or more racing games in your collection it really makes a huge difference to game play.

Gran Turismo 5

Gran Turismo has long been a staple for Playstation gamers since the early days of the first Playstation. Each new GT in the line improves on the previous version and the level of realism in GT5 is truly amazing. The GT series is by far the most well known and respected of all the console racing games and is truly worth the buy, for a car enthusiast or not.

This gift, as you may well have guessed, combines perfectly with the previous gift mentioned; the Logitech racing steering wheel. The two items go hand in hand and you need both to get the full experience when gaming. The game sells for R619 but you cant really call yourself a car enthusiast without owning this game and have all the tracks and cars unlocked.

Continues in Part 3