CAR NEWS

WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR XC60

Excellence is celebrated with numerous prestigious awards bestowed on the new Volvo XC60 midsize SUV that has also just been named World Car of The Year 2018 at the New York Auto Show, which is a first for Volvo. Earlier this year it received the highly esteemed North American Utility of the Year Award, while the slightly smaller XC40 won the European Car of the Year award at the Geneva Motor Show. One of the safest cars ever made, it is fully-loaded with new technology and is the fourth model based on Volvo’s SPA platform. Steer Assist has been added to the groundbreaking City Safety System. A new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses Steer Assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions. An optional Pilot Assist semiautonomous driver assistance system controls acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130km/h. The flagship T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid delivers 300kW and reaches 0-100km/h in just 5,3 seconds. Locally, Volvo has launched with the D4, T5 and T6. The T8 will follow, but at this stage there’s no fixed introduction date. A CleanZone four-zone climate system removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside. Infotainment and connected services offer Sensus Connect, and the Volvo On Call app, both having received a graphical update with improved usability. Care by Volvo and the Volvo on Call App go hand-in-hand. The App, which provides access to the full Volvo on Call service, will be introduced next year. In the meantime, rest assured you’ll still get award winning cars, guaranteed buy-back, tailor-made finance and rental. Volvo Versatility Finance is the new guaranteed future value finance product available through Volvo Car Financial Services, on any new Volvo car and also offers a new Volvopersonalised insurance scheme with highly-competitive insurance premiums. It presents best-in-class guaranteed future values which enhances the Volvo ownership experience by guaranteeing buyback at a predetermined value and within limited mileage after three years of ownership. Volvo Versatility Finance also makes it easier for Volvo owners to ‘always drive new’, allowing you to buy their existing Volvo outright, or simply to return it. “We want to be able to present existing and potential new Volvo buyers with a simplified, more modern and more cost-effective financial option, over and above traditional finance agreements,” says Greg Maruszewski, Volvo Car South Africa Managing Director. A new ‘Care by Volvo’ subscription service will make having a car as transparent, easy and hassle-free as having a mobile phone with a national, ready-negotiated monthly fee, combined with getting a new car every 24 months. The Care by Volvo business model and related services are under scrutiny for local introduction and the aim is to have it available within the next year. This premium subscription differs from existing lease offers in a number of important ways. Care by Volvo offers a convenient package of services allowing customers to enjoy their car whilst Volvo Cars handles everything else. Private leasing is an entry-level offer without any additional services included in the price, while even full service leasing covers only parts of the services available in Care by Volvo. For example, none of the digital services to be offered via Care by Volvo are currently part of existing leasing packages. Care by Volvo encompasses flexibility and customers can switch cars temporarily depending on their needs, while removing the practice of price negotiations. Customer research shows that this is one of the elements of the carbuying process that customers dislike the most. Care by Volvo has no customer geographical or age-related price differences.

“ONE OF THE SAFEST CARS EVER MADE”

The Volvo brand is synonymous with the best in Swedish design and was established in 1927. Volvo’s superb safety features are an added plus, while the combination of beautiful, luxurious design with class-leading technology and value for money makes the compact crossover XC60 the intelligent choice. Environmentally conscious buyers will be pleased with its fuel efficiency, but the plug-in hybrid powertrain is not availeble locally yet. The incomparable XC60 offers incredible value and engagement and the same kind of quality that has made the XC90 so successful.

Rent a Volvo V40 or V40 Cross Country starting from only R8 500 p.m.* for 24 months. Offers for 6 and 12 months also available.* Rental offer includes: - 20 000 km p.a. pro rata (excludes fuel). - Tracker and 24/7 roadside assistance. - Comprehensive insurance. - All maintenance costs inline with the Volvo 5 years maintenance plan. - Tyres subject to reasonable wear and tear. www.volvocars.com/za/cars/offers/v40-rental-scheme

‘BUILT BY US. DRIVEN BY THE WORLD’ A new chapter in South Africa’s automotive story has begun The Rosslyn plant was the first plant built by the BMW Group as BMW Group South Africa started production of the new outside of Germany. The plant built the BMW 3 Series for 35 BMW X3 at its Rosslyn plant. With customer vehicles now years, manufacturing a total of 1 191 604 units during the rolling off the line, BMW Group once again demonstrates its period, and increasing production with every model. With a commitment to its operations in South Africa. planned maximum capacity of 71 000 units of the BMW X3, In 2015, BMW Group announced a R6-billion investment which was later increased (with an additional R160-million into South Africa in order to prepare BMW Group Plant investment) to 76 000, BMW Group Plant Rosslyn has the Rosslyn for the BMW X3 production. This is the culmination opportunity to flexibly match volumes to demand, and to of three years of hard work and planning resulting in build more cars than ever before. production starting on time in Rosslyn. www.bmw.co.za

MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD

Toyota is the latest automaker to adopt Amazon’s Alexa in its vehicles, announcing a partnership that enables the assistant to work with its newest infotainment platforms. Vehicles with the Entune 3,0 infotainment system, and Lexus models with the Enform 2,0 system, will start to get Alexa capabilities this year. The automaker did not announce in its release which specific models would get it, but Entune 3,0 debuted last year on the 2018 Toyota Camry. The automaker said more models would be compatible with Alexa in 2019. With the Toyota and Lexus systems, Alexa’s skills for smart homes – as well as directions and media controls – will be enabled through the infotainment system. That’s a departure from some automakers using voice assistants that perform limited vehicle functions to control lights, locks, and engine starting. Panasonic has announced Alexa and Google Assistant capabilities for future infotainment systems it makes for automakers, while Kia said a handful of its 2018 models would get some Google Assistant capabilities. And Google itself said its assistant is coming to Android Auto. www.toyota.co.za | www.lexus.co.za The Range Rover Velar has been judged the most beautifully designed vehicle on the planet, winning the World Car Design of the Year title at the 2018 World Car Awards. The distinctive design of the Range Rover Velar features perfectly optimised proportions and a stunning silhouette. Its super-slim Matrix Laser-LED headlights, flush deployable door handles, and sleek Touch Pro Duo infotainment are all hallmarks of Range Rover’s reductionist design philosophy.

TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES WILL ADD AMAZON ALEXA THIS YEAR

www.landrover.co.za

LAND ROVER ANNOUNCES 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

After 70 years of all-terrain adventures and global expeditions, Land Rover has once again taken the Defender to new heights. Stretching over 250 metres, the most remote Defender outline was imprinted on the side of a mountain in the French Alps. The unique snow art was created to announce World Land Rover Day on 30 April, exactly 70 years since the original Land Rover was first shown to the world at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show. The unique image is a tribute to the moment when the engineering director of Rover, Maurice Wilks, first sketched the shape for the original Land Rover in the sand of Red Wharf Bay and proposed the idea to his brother Spencer, Rover’s managing director. The forward-thinking design was christened the “Land Rover”, the outline of which we now recognise as the Defender. Snow artist Simon Beck, who specialises in creating geometric outlines on foot, braved sub-zero temperatures to start the celebrations by creating the Defender outline 2 700 meters up at La Plagne in the French Alps. To produce the high-altitude Defender outline, Beck walked 20 894 steps and 16,5km through the French Alps. www.landrover.com

GRAND CHEROKEE SRT WINS AUTO BILD SPORTS CARS READERS’ CHOICE AWARD

The high performance Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has been honoured by readers of the influential German magazine Auto Bild Sports Cars. The powerful Jeep model scooped the readers’ choice award for best import in the Vans and SUV category. This is the first time the famously knowledgeable readers of the magazine have chosen a Jeep model as a winner, underlining the huge appeal of the sports inspired premium SUV. The 2017 edition of the awards saw a total of 110 models compete across 15 categories. Among the standout features that saw the Grand Cherokee SRT win its category, was its 6,4-litre HEMI V8 naturally-aspirated engine. Generating 344kW of power and an impressive torque of 624Nm at just 4100rpm without turbocharging from its hemispherical combustion chambers, it’s considered one of the last high-performance naturally-aspirated engines. Available locally with a full line-up of 5 trim levels and the new Trackhawk, the Grand Cherokee has sold more than 6 million units worldwide since its introduction twenty-five years ago, which is an exceptional lifespan. www.jeep.co.za

PORSCHE WINS 2018 SOUTH AFRICAN CAR OF THE YEAR TITLE The Porsche Panamera won the 2018 WesBank South African Car Of The Year competition. Fantastic cars took part and every single one of them were great and probably the best cars in their segments, but the Panamera is the most exceptional car in its class and overall, in the opinion of 26 of South Africa’s most experienced jurors. A little-known fact is that the Panamera has also sold the most cars in its class by a substantial margin from September 2017 to January 2018. Standard deviation amongst jurors have never been lower than now at only 1,29 and the top ten jurors operated in a range of less than 1,10. This simply means that this jury is very objective as measured by a highly refined mathematical and statistical process. Annual jury turnover has remained at about 17% or about 4 new jurors per annum for many years. The top ten finalists scored within a small 12% score range which indicated that the standard amongst finalists was very high and that South Africa’s Car Of The Year competition rewards excellence and remains one of the best in the world. PHASING OUT OF PETROL AND DIESEL VEHICLES ON THE CARDS

Britain has announced plans to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by the year 2040. The plan follows a similar move in France, and it will invest £1 billion towards promoting low-emissions cars, with £100 million devoted to boosting charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. More money could go to a green bus fund, cycling and walking infrastructure, and low-emission taxis. Scotland will be phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2032. China has also announced a plan to ban the sales of fossil fuelburning vehicles. They don’t have a date set yet, but regulators and the government are working on a timetable. A ban would be a boon for China’s electric car industry, and could have a huge impact on the country’s notoriously awful air quality. France‘s president Emmanuel Macron wants to make his country carbon neutral by 2050. To work towards that goal, environment minister Nicolas Hulot unveiled plans to ban the sale of new vehicles that run on diesel and petrol by the year 2040. Hulot said the country will ban the polluting vehicles then, but does have a few plans to make the transition a little easier. Leading the charge, Volvo will only sell electric cars starting in 2019.

70 YEARS OF PORSCHE SPORTS CARS

BMW M5 VOTED WORLD PERFORMANCE CAR 2018 This will be the seventh time BMW has received a World Car Award from the World Car of the Year organisation. There was a total of eleven vehicles in this category – all performance-oriented cars of which at least 2000 units are produced per year and which are available for purchase on at least two continents from 1 January 2017 until 31 May 2018. Selection and voting in all categories was carried out by an international jury made up of 82 leading automobile journalists from 24 countries. The BMW M5 is fitted with the latest version of the 4,4-litre V8 engine with M Twin Power Turbo Technology delivering an output of 441kW and 750Nm of torque which propels it from 0-100 km/h in just 3,4 seconds. An M specific all-wheel drive system, M xDrive, along with the new 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic ensures ultimate handling. Having spent the day of the launch comparing the various M models, like the X5 M, the BMW M2, 3 and 4, the DTM Champion Edition and the M240, I was left in no doubt that the M5 is the ultimate performance car. It drives in supreme comfort and glided effortlessly around Kyalami at scary speeds, justifying its performance crown. www.bmwgroup.com

The first vehicle to bear the Porsche name was registered in 1948, it was the 356 “No. 1” Roadster. The Type 356 turned Ferry Porsche’s dream of a sports car into a reality. “His vision at that time embodied all of the values that still define the brand to this day”, said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. He continued to explain that 70 years along the line it is a commitment to tradition and core values that has brought the brand so far. Here’s to 70 more, Porsche!

MINI AND SA FASHION WEEK JOIN FORCES TO FIND NEW TALENT By KEVIN DU PLESSIS Earlier this year, MINI joined forces with SAFW to showcase MINI Scouting Menswear, in association with GQ Magazine. The competition, previously known as SAFW Scouting Menswear, is in line with the global MINI FASHION strategy that has seen the brand open itself to new ideas and areas of business. The night was filled with inspiring menswear on the catwalk and all-round beautiful people in the audience. The competition closed for entries in February, but was open to fashion designers intent on establishing their brands within the South African fashion industry. Congratulations to Sandile Mlambo, designer of Kumkani Bespoke, who is the 2018 winner of MINI Scouting Menswear. Kumkani Bespoke brought the African Warrior to life on the SAFW runway and will be given the opportunity to showcase its collection at 2019 SAFW Autumn/Winter collection (scheduled for October 2018), as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence, Italy. www.mini.co.za

ALFA ROMEO SEDUCES THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN The Kyoto 2018 Concours d’Elegance, brought together emblematic classic car models from three continents. The Best of Show title went to a 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Villa d’Este, one of just thirty-six of this model built by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan between 1949 and 1952. Two other historic Alfa Romeo models emerged victorious: the 1939 6C 2500 Sport Berlinetta Touring, (Touring Early Italian class) and the 1900 Super Sprint Touring dating from 1955 (Touring Classic Italian 1952- 1961 class). Alfa Romeo was the best represented brand in the winners’ enclosure with its classic cars winning three of the twelve awards on offer. www.alfaromeo.co.za

THE NEW BMW X2

This BMW is totally lovable and I adored its willingness to be as hot as any hot hatch, but this extroverted individualist aims at a younger market that cannot afford it. A solid chassis ensures driving fun, while cutting-edge engines ensure sporting dynamics and exceptional efficiency. Alongside its bigger brothers, the X4 and X6, the BMW X2 makes a lovely addition that would appeal to many. Its smaller than the X1, yet has the same wheelbase with short overhangs and a stretched, coupé-style roofline. Another striking detail more typical of a BMW coupé is the placement of the brand logo on the C-pillars. An elevated position provides an excellent all-round view when changing lanes. The petrol variant has the sporty 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission, which sprints from 0-100 km/h in 7,7 seconds and the diesel has xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard and generates 140 kW. BMW Connected+ provides a digital bridge between smartphones and the car, which delivers the next level of incar personalisation and smartphone content integration on the Control Display. Connected+ service has Share Live Trip Status, that shares your current location and time of arrival. Pricing ranges between R 572 000 and R 694 000 and includes a 5 year/100 000 km Maintenance Plan. www.bmw.co.za

THE VW BUS IS COMING BACK, AND IT’S ELECTRIC The I.D. Buzz concept will go into production, sparking a new slated to enter production around 2019 as a 2020 model, generation of microbus fans. Driven by popular demand, while the I.D. Crozz concept has shown how an electric SUV Volkswagen announced it is planning on selling a production could look. All three use VW’s Modular Electric Drive kit (or version of the award-winning I.D. Buzz concept of the electric MEB, for its German acronym). vehicle in 2022 for the United States, Europe and China. Designed to recall the original Type 2 Microbus without It is the second concept electric vehicle concept that VW has mimicking it, the I.D. Buzz concept has won several awards. revealed for production, along with the original I.D. concept www.vw.com