The Cars of 2000
Each year, the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists scrutinizes the years new models, selects eight finalists to put through their paces and finally announces a winner based on a host of criteria.
Designed around the philosophy of being a “Smart Compact”, the seventh generation Civic (Ballade was a name unique to SA) is a car conceived around the needs of the human being
When a 320 is actually a 322 and the 325 that was the 323 is now a 325 again because a 323 would be too close to a 322 but is now far enough away from the 330 that used to be the 328.....
Mazda have officially launched a new addition to the Etude range. The new model which falls somewhere between a hatch and an estate offers “lifestyle-enhancement benefits inherent in the five-door SportsWagon concept” says the company.
Lexus launch LS430 and revise existing range
Toyota Motor Corporation introduced its Lexus
luxury car division to the public at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January
1988. That introduction of the Lexus symbol and nameplate served notice that
Toyota was deadly serious about capturing a significant slice of the luxury
car market.
Land Rover’s Freelander, the vehicle that truly defines the term “soft-roader”, gets more muscle for 2001 along with a new automatic Steptronic transmission, and extensive improvements throughout the range.
If you were wondering, Y the Z, then the answer lies in the Xtra power. Adrian Burford drives the latest version of BMW’s roadster.
Volkswagen has taken advantage of a gap in the market for a compact estate car by introducing a Golf 4 station wagon powered by the 74 kW 1,6 litre engine as used in the entry level hatch.
The Toyota Tazz, a clear leader in the
entry-level hatch market in this country, has been given a new face for 2001
and three new siblings under the Tazz brand.
DaimlerChrysler South Africa revealed the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz C-class in Stellenbosch on October 9, and for the first time the Stuttgart star looks set to go head to head with BMW’s blue and white roundel.
Small increase in CCs, giant leap in stature
The 3 Series once again moves the goalposts with the introduction of a powerful new engine in its top-of-the-range model, now the 330i.
To commemorate this 25th anniversary Toyota has announced a limited production run of 500 'examples' a Silver Jubilee Edition Corolla
The two latest additions to the Ford stable, the 1600 Fiesta Sport and 1600 Fiesta RSi, boast a whole range of new desirable attributes, with the 1,6 litre RoCam engine topping the list.
Polo Interiors extensively revised
VW's Polo and Classic ranges have received a facelift that features an all-new dashboard. "With its combination of quality materials, fine assembly tolerances and precision crafted switchgear, the Polo interiors simply ooze style from every pore." says VW SA
New V12s for top end Mercedes-Benz cars
Mercedes-Benz is expanding its successful S-class and CL range by adding a brand new twelve-cylinder engine - the V12
Formula 1 style gearshifts for Alfa 156
Italian sporting car manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, has brought Grand Prix style gear changing to the realms of on-road sports saloons with a new version of its award-winning 156, called Selespeed.
Mercedes A-Class available soon
After much speculation and numerous denials, DaimlerChrysler SA have announced the impending arrival of the baby A-class. Not much longer than a Matiz, yet as wide as a C-class and almost 30cm taller, it boasts a staggering 890 litres of load space.
BMW Individual - Have it your way
There are a huge number of BMWs on the road and with good reason. But if you want to stand out from the crowd, BMW has the answer.
In the face of some pretty stiff competition from it's newer rivals, Isuzu have comprehensively revised their line-up in an effort to meet increased customer expectations.
New Condor set to shake up the RV market
Toyota’s new Condor range offers buyers in the MPV and RV markets a choice of six models with diesel or petrol engines, available in 4x4 and 4x2 configurations. Pricing at between R118000 and R178000 places this type of vehicle within reach of a great many more South African RV buyers.
There is a dynamic new addition to the successful Audi A6 product family: for the very first time, Audi is offering a V8 engine in the A6. The new range-topping model offers an exceptionally luxurious array of equipment features and has a distinctive appeal.
If you have between three and four hundred thousand lying around doing nothing, and fancy something exotic to play with, then the newly arrived Mercedes-Benz SLK320 roadster should happily part you and your money.
On the eve of Toyota's Condor launch, Kia Motors launched the Carens. Described by the company as a mid-size MPV, and bristling with goodies, the Carens seems set to challenge the 2-wheel drive Condors in this new market segment.
New contender in the hot hatch stakes
French flair, combined with an overall investment of 6.3 billion francs and 196 weeks of intense development, resulted in the new Peugeot 206, topped by the 206 GTi, one of the most competent hot hatch packages ever.
