DC Magazine (Bumper)

3

Eye candy Introducing The Saleen S7

THE launch ISSUE

Jody Scheckter Formula One's Wild Man

Global flavour The Astonishing Trollstigen National Tourist Route

Also A Women's Drive / Know-How / Gadgets To Get 01

WELCOME

02

CONTENTS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adrienne Westman adrienne@thedealerclub.co.za EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Burke andrew@purepublishing.co.za

04 Jody Scheckter

06 A women's drive

South Africa's greatest racing export

The heroines of the driving world

DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR David Strauss dave@purepublishing.co.za SENIOR DESIGNER Tess Green tess@purepublishing.co.za PRODUCTION MANAGER Marianne Burke marianne@purepublishing.co.za

08 Morgan

PRINTING BY SHUMANI PRINT WORLD Commercial Director Shabeer Parker shabeer@shumaniprinters.com General Manager, Digital Division Tertius van Eeden tertius@shumaniprinters.co.za

10 Technology

what’s inside A hand built race car ready for the street

also

05 Global 13 Know-how

Accessories for a highly evolved drive

12 Lifestyle 14 Scenic drive

DC magazine is designed

and published by

PURE PUBLISHING & DESIGN,

a full-service creative agency that offers publishing, design, branding, web design and advertising. Contact Pure at hello@purepublishing.co.za or 021 424 6918. www.purepublishing.co.za

The Dealer Club's digital

platforms are powered by

Vehicle Traders Online.

Contact Richard Barry at richard@vehicletraders.co.za or 021 853 0135. www.vehicletraders.co.za Vehicle Traders Online is proudly part of

10

In association with

pg

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

All information was correct at the time of going to press, but is subject to change.

03

FEATURE

Coffee to go Is there anything the beans can’t do?

In addition to providing an energy boost for millions, the hot stuff can be used to fuel a Guinness World Record-breaking car!

Fourty-two-year-old Brit, Martin Bacon, converted a pickup truck into the world’s fastest coffee-powered vehicle. Bacon installed a charcoal stove, which breaks down coffee-bean chaff into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The gas is cooled and filtered, and the hydrogen is used to power a modified gasoline engine.

Called Coffee Car Mark 2, the vehicle hit a top speed of 105 km/h in the presence of a Guinness adjudicator at Woodford Airfield in Manchester, England.

Bacon’s coffee car is not the first vehicle to be powered by food. In 2009, scientists from Warwick University built a Formula 3 racing car boasting a biodiesel engine that can run on chocolate extract. Unfortunately, the car was banned from the championship because its rather unusual fuel failed to meet regulations.

MOTOR EVENTS JANUARY › European Motor Show › North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)

JULY › Dutch Grand Prix

FEBRUARY › Canadian International Auto Show

SEPTEMBER › Frankfurt Motor Show › Paris Motor Show › Italian Grand Prix › Singapore Grand Prix

MARCH › International Geneva Motor Show

APRIL › Beijing International Automotive Exhibition › Chinese Grand Prix › Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix MAY › Spanish Grand Prix › Monaco Grand Prix JUNE › Canadian Grand Prix › British Grand Prix

04

AUGUST › Belgian Grand Prix

Magnificent Monaco A RACE TRACK LIKE NO OTHER The Monaco Grand Prix is unlike any other race. Not only is it one of the most glamorous, it is also one of the oldest races. Run on the tight and twisting streets of Monte Carlo, the event was first held in 1929 and has intrigued fans ever since.

OCTOBER › Johannesburg International Motor Show › Korean Grand Prix › Japanese Grand Prix › Indian Grand Prix NOVEMBER › Tokyo Motor Show › LA Auto Show › Abu Dhabi Grand Prix › US Grand Prix › Brazilian Grand Prix DECEMBER › Saudi International

- Drivers must change gears a staggering 54 times per lap, meaning more than 4 200 changes over the course of the race.

- At 3.34 kilometres, the Monaco circuit is the shortest Grand Prix track on the calendar.

- McLaren has scored the most victories at the Monaco race with 15 wins. Ferrari is the second most successful with nine.

- It takes six weeks to set up the circuit and three weeks to remove it.

GLOBAL

News from beyond our shores:

EUROPE Words: David Donde

ROAD TRIP

Stelvio Pass

Want a road to aspire to? The Stelvio Pass is worth the trip to Italy in itself.

Situated 220m from the Swiss border, with 60 hairpin switchbacks − 48 on the eastern side − and a 3 000-metre climb, it is a complete rite of passage for any petrolhead. Even legendary former racing driver, Stirling Moss, had trouble conquering the pass in a ‘90s TV event that’s available to view on YouTube.

EUROPEAN AUTO TRENDS 2013

David Donde consults his crystal ball

1

Diary Motoring events happening near you

The trend for 2013 is towards more niche models, rather than the car for everyone. Expect models tailored to economy.

2

Oddball colour schemes will continue to trend in the hopes of getting customers through showroom doors.

2 MARCH

8 MARCH & 24 MAY

Western Cape Challenge

Illegal street racing gone legal

Club 4x4 trials

Killarney, CT

Zone7, CT

www.wpmc.co.za

Zone7Challenge

3 4

Street2Strip

www.wccc4x4.co.za

In the stratosphere of ultimate luxury, the focus will continue to be on personalisation and more power output, while economy will climb to satisfy troubled consciences.

Expect car tech to revolve more directly around the smartphone already on your person. Mobile connectivity is the buzzword. Think Google on the highway.

21 MARCH

SA National Drag Racing Championships 1st round of this year’s championships Tarlton International Raceway, JHB www.wpmc.co.za

23 MARCH

06 APRIL & 18 MARCH

10-19 MAY

Test of the Deutschlanders

Regional Main Circuit Racing

Motor shows, 4X4 events and the

Killarney, CT

Killarney, CT

Renault Simola hill-climb

www.wpmc.co.za

www.wpmc.co.za

Knysna, WC

BMW Day and German Fest

Regional Main Circuit Racing

Knysna Speed Festival www.speedfestival.co.za

05

WOMEN

A woman’s drive The utterly unique Galloway was built by women, for women, by a strong-minded Scotswoman keen on women’s rights at the beginning of the 20th century WORDS Jessica Gliddon

and her cars were advertised as “A car made by ladies for others of their sex.”

Before starting Galloway, she managed a 7 000-member workforce of women at the Vickers munitions factor at Barrow-inFurness during World War I. She was also the first female member of the Institution of Automobile Engineers.

Image credit: futuremuseum.co.uk

Scotland, to create her own unique car: the first and only car entirely built by and for women.

The Galloway, 1920 During an era when the car was still a novelty, the Galloway stood out – and would still if it were in production today.

The Galloway, produced during the 1920s, was the baby of Dorothee Pullinger, an independent Scotswoman who became involved in her father’s work as manager of Arrol-Johnson cars. An avid auto enthusiast who liked to race in her spare time, Pullinger used the Arrol-Johnston factory in Tongland,

06

The Galloway factory itself was extremely unusual – it featured a tennis court on the roof, a swimming pool and a piano room.

Pullinger also set up Tongland as an engineering college for women.

It provided: "Educated women, to whom a life of independence from relations is necessary, a new career of brilliant prospects.”

The Galloway was a lighter car that maximised ease of use, featuring the first rear-view mirror, improved sight-lines for the driver, better storage and an engine that would be easy to maintain. Two models were produced: the Galloway 10/20, a 1 460 cc vehicle, from 1925–1929,

Dorothee Pullinger, 1920 and the Galloway 12, a 1669 cc car, which was produced from 1925 until the plant’s closure.

Pullinger was a suffragette and a firm believer in women’s rights,

“A car made by ladies for others of their sex.”

After the war, manufacturers like Galloway who hand crafted their cars couldn’t compete with the encroachment of highspeed mechanical production. Sadly, the factory shut down in 1928, after producing 4 000 Galloway models in its existence.

Dorothee Pullinger was awarded an MBE for her achievements. Her accomplishments remain unique; while there are women involved in car manufacture today, Pullinger’s single-minded conviction remains beyond compare.

Image credit: muldowney.com

WOMEN

Fast ladies

When it comes to going fast, women can keep up with the boys any day. Here are a few heroines of the driving world.

Maria Teresa de Filippis [Italian]

Janet Guthrie [American]

Shirley Muldowney [American]

Appropriately, the first woman to race in the Formula 1, Maria Teresa de Filippis is Italian and drove for one of the country’s finest car brands. She raced for Maserati, finishing second in the 1956 Naples Grand Prix and then going on to race in the Formula 1 in 1958, when she finished tenth. She went on to become president of the Maserati Club.

Guthrie was the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1977, but finished 29th when the timing gear in the Offenhauser engine for her No. 27 Lightning failed. She would go on to become the first woman to race in the NASCAR Winston Cup World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1978 where she finished 15th. Guthrie's helmet and race suit are on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

Called the First Lady of Drag Racing, Muldowney was the first woman to get a licence to drive a top fuel dragster from the National Hot Rod Association. Muldowney went on to win 18 NHRA national titles. Despite resistance from a male-dominated sport and being a high school dropout, she has been amazingly successful.

Her life was immortalised in the 1983 movie Heart Like A Wheel.

Image credit: muldowney.com

Danica Patrick [American]

Vanina Ickx [Belgian]

Katherine Legge [British]

Patrick is one of today’s most famous female race car drivers. She is considered the most successful female driver in the history of American openwheel racing, which she secured by winning the 2008 Japan Indy 300 race. This was also the first win in history by a woman at an IndyCar Series race. She holds the record for the highest finish in the Indianapolis 500 for a woman, and this year became the first female driver to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole.

She is also a model.

Vanina Ickx is a Belgian race driver, the daughter of legendary driver Jacky Ickx. Vanina raced for Renault and participated in several rally raid events before racing the Dakar Rally with her father. She has also competed at Le Mans, raced the Spa 24 Hours and has driven for Audi in the German Touring Car Championship. She was the first driver to get behind the wheel of the Citroën Survolt electric race car at Le Mans on 12 July 2010.

UK racer Katherine Legge has raced in many open-wheel series in Britain, and has won a whole range of awards. She was the first woman to receive the BRDC Rising Star accolade, is one of the few women to have tested a Formula 1 car and an A1 Grand Prix car, and she became the first woman to lead a lap in the Champ Car series.

She currently races in the IndyCar series with Dragon Racing.

07

EYE CANDY

Ariel Atom 500 V8

INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION Words by Michelle Marais

What do a bespoke V8 engine and an exoskeletal design have in common?

They both contribute to the superpowerful, ultra-lightweight vehicle that is the Ariel Atom 500 V8.

0-60mph

2.5

seconds

Based in Crewkerne, Somerset, the Ariel Motor Company has birthed four very unique Ariel Atom models of which the Ariel Atom V8 500 surely is the most impressive.

With 500 brake horsepower to move around just 550 kilograms, the Atom 500 V8 is perhaps one of the most remarkable vehicles ever to reach limited production.

The impressive track car has an unique design in that its tubular

08

chassis not only supports the car, but also replaces nearly the entire body.

The exoskeletal design exposes a number of components - everything from the front brakes to the engine to the elements, and drops the car's curb weight to just over half a ton, making it far quicker and more nimble than most supercars.

The machine’s production was limited to just 25 units, all spoken for long before they went into manufacture.

Looking at the specifications, it’s pretty obvious why.

With 500 brake horsepower to move around just 550 kilograms, the Atom 500 V8 is perhaps one of the most remarkable vehicles ever to reach limited production.

EYE CANDY

HISTORY OF THE ARIEL ATOM

1990s 2004 Conceived by Simon Saunders, the Atom was to be an all-new lightweight sports car, completely suitable for use on the road but also aimed at the then growing interest in track days.

1997 With help from various companies including British Steel, Stewart Grand Prix, MIRA and friends in the industry, a working prototype was made which brought the car to life and testing began.

1999 The Atom was announced in Autocar - the reaction was overwhelming and working from the studio in North Perrott it quickly became apparent that Ariel and the Atom had found its niche.

SPECIFICATIONS Engine 3.0L Ariel V8 Power 500bhp @ 9 200rpm Torque 296ft-lbf @ 6 100rpm 0-60mph 2.5sec Top speed 175mph, 281km/h Basic price $225 000.00

2000

The first supercharged version of the Atom was launched to an astonished Autocar at its yearly 0-100-0 shootout.

2007 The Atom 3 was introduced with the new KZ 2.0 Type R engine, slightly wider chassis and a host of updates to the rest of the car.

2010

–

The much talked about V8 was released, in a limited edition of 25 cars, with a 3.0 Hartley engine and Sadev sequential gearbox.

2013

–

The official launch of the Atom 3.5.

Based on the Atom 3, it offered a number of revisions, including custom-designed twin projector headlamps, LED turn signals at the front and brake/indicator LEDs at the rear.

The first production cars simply called the Atom, but now referred to as Atom 1, were made in North Perrott and delivered.

2002 After a year of development, the Atom 2 was released featuring the 2.0 Type-R and Type-S engines.

09

EYE CANDY

BACK TO THE FUTURE

The Morgan, then and now

MODERN vs CLASSIC

A MORGAN CLASSIC: THE MORGAN 4/4 This iconic British sports car, hand-manufactured by independent car manufacturers, the Morgan Motor Company, was first released in 1936.

It was the company’s first four-wheeled car and it’s still produced today, making it the longest-running vehicle in production in the world.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Ford Sigma 1 595cc i4 Gearbox Mazda 5-speed Max power 82kw (110bhp) @ 6 000rpm Max torque 131Nm (97lb/ft) Performance 0−62 8.0 seconds Top speed 115mph (185kph)

110 years of Morgan

Power to weight 138bhp/tonne Urban mpg 33.6mpg (8.4l/100km) Extra urban 54.3mpg (5.2l/100km) Combined 44.1mpg (6.4l/100km) Co2 143g/km Length 4 010mm

1904 Morgan Motor Company founder Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan constructs the three-wheel prototype for the first Morgan.

010

Width 1 630mm Height 1 220mm Dry weight 795kg Homologation eu Fuel-tank size 55 litres Chassis Galvanised steel

1909

1936

The Morgan Motor Company is founded.

The company launches its first four-wheeler, the Morgan 4-4.

EYE CANDY

1894

The world’s first car race took place in France on 22 July 1894 between Paris and Rouen.

DID YOU KNOW?

A MODERN MORGAN: THE MORGAN AERO SUPERSPORTS A more contemporary look for the Morgan, designed for folks who prefer the top down: the sexy Aero SuperSports features twin solid-alloy roofs that can be removed completely and stored in the boot.

SPECIFICATIONS (manual)

Engine BMW 4799CC V8 Gearbox BMW man 6-speed Max power 270kw (367bhp) Max torque 490Nm (370lb/ft) Performance 0−62 4.5 seconds Top speed 170mph (273kph)

Power to weight 315bhp/tonne Urban mpg 16mpg (18.2l/100km) Extra urban 32mpg (8.7l/100km) Combined 44.1mpg (6.4 l/100km) Co2 282g/km Length 4 147mm

Width 1 751mm Height 1 248mm Dry weight 1 180kg Homologation eu Fuel-tank size 55 litres Chassis Aluminium bonded & riveted

2009

2010

2014

Morgan celebrates its 100th birthday.

The Morgan Aero SuperSports sees the light of day.

Morgan’s newest venture, the EVA GT, to be launched.

011

TECH

Accessories For A Highly Evolved Drive 1| GIBBS' QUADSKI

2| COBRA IRADAR

A one-person all-terrain vehicle that doubles as a personal watercraft? Why not. Gibbs' jet ski-ATV hybrid is the first of its kind in its class.

Drivers have used radar detectors to detect traffic enforcement officers for years. With Cobra iRadar, drivers can rely on a community of detectors to accurately alert them of safety and enforcement threats on the road.

At the press of a button, the Quadski's amphibious operation switches, retracting its all-terrain tyres within five seconds of entering water, and deploying them as it approaches land.

A four-cylinder, BMW-supplied engine powers the Quadski's ATV face, while a Gibbs Jet Drive controls marine propulsion. Gibbs' high speed amphibian (HSA) technology allows you to travel at 70 km/h on both land and sea.

2

The device combines industry-leading radar detection technology with the power of your smartphone. Your smartphone’s screen will act as the display, while allowing access to the iRadar Community. When the device detects a radar or laser alert, it automatically shares the data with the community ensuring you stay informed at all times.

www.cobrairadar.com

1

www.lamborghinistore.com

3 3| LAMBORGHINI CARBON FIBRE TRAVEL BAG Lamborghini recently released a new line of carbon fibre bags as part of its new collection. Made entirely by hand by craftsmen who carry out each phase of the process, the carbon fiber is utilised in its unstiffened cloth form to produce the range of fashion accessories.

www.gibbssports.com

012

The bags come in various styles – Travel, Messenger and Envelope – with each completed in hand-stitched leather with palladium-finish galvanised brass accessories, hand-mounted studs and cotton lining.

TECH

4

4| NOKIA HERE CONNECTED DRIVING APP www.here.com

Nokia's suite of Here Connected Driving apps – Here Auto, Here Auto Cloud and Here Auto Companion – connect your car to the cross-platform Nokia Here maps so you always have up-todate data when you hit the road.

Here Connected Driving gives you turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation in 95 countries, with 2D, 3D and satellite map views and street view imagery.

Here powers various apps for Windows phone as well as appearing as an app for iPhone and iPad, offering voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps for when you don't have any Internet service.

5| GARMIN VIRB ELITE If you are the outdoorsy type then investing in Garmin’s VIRB Elite should be a top priority. The device allows you to capture any type of outdoor action with its new high performance, true-HD 1080p action camera.

It features an outdoor-optimised, low power display for easy set-up, video replay and viewfinder, which makes the VIRB Elite the ideal outdoor adventure HD camera.

5

Its rugged housing and long-lasting power supply ensure reliable performance even during extended action adventures. The VIRB Elite can mount virtually anywhere making it perfect for capturing your off-road racing and 4x4 driving.

www.garmin.com | Editor's Pick!

013

GADGETS

006 Shaken, not stirred

DID YOU KNOW?

ROLLS ROYCE

Hong Kong is the city with the biggest concentration of Rolls Royces per capita in the world.

You don’t need to be in Her Majesty’s Secret Service to live life like a super spy. An impressive gadget or two will do the trick. Here are six: #1 Wi-Fi on the road

2

Autonet Mobile CarFi car router Battling to keep your brood in check on long road trips? Just turn your car into a mobile hotspot. Not only will the kids be busy − you’ll be entertained, too. Autonet’s mobile car router lets you stream music, surf the Net, play online games, check your email, or whatever takes your fancy − with 5GB per month of Wi-Fi connectivity and no dropped connections, no matter how fast you’re driving.

www.autonetmobile.com

#2 May the force be with you

Haynes Millennium Falcon Owner’s Manual Not quite a car, but who needs a flashy convertible if you could be at the helm of the fastest space ship in the galaxy? Car manual experts, Haynes, have expanded on their auto manual empire with this technical guide to every geek’s best-loved mode of transport, the Millennium Falcon. With everything in hand to service your very own space ship, you just need to find somewhere to park it.

www.starwars.com/shop

www.gopro.com

#3 Say cheese

GoPro HD Hero3

3 014

Say hello to the ultimate road trip accessory: just attach this tiny video camera to your dashboard (or anywhere else); press record and start compiling a streaming visual diary of the open road. You can also clip it to your surfboard, bike helmet or whatnot.

www.gopro.com

4

GADGETS

#4 Look Ma, no hands!

Google’s autonomous car technology If Google has its way, more than 75 per cent of cars will be driverless by 2040. The internet giant is testing its unmanned vehicles on US highways as we write. As of September 2012, it’s now legal to operate an unmanned vehicle in three US states: California, Nevada and Florida. So the day of your car driving you to work − while you’re sipping on a latte and catching up on episodes of your favourite TV series − isn’t too far off.

googleblog.blogspot.com

#5 Java on the go

Handpress Auto For folks on the run who desperately crave their morning fix, this nifty handheld espresso machine is just the ticket. Plug it into your car’s 12V cigarette lighter, add E.S.E coffee pods (they’re filled with ground coffee) and water, and presto − a cuppa joe on the go. Made with 16 bars of pressure.

Our top pick www.handpresso.com

#6 Driver’s little helper

Mavia Autobot

In an age where cell phones can do everything, the Mavia Autobot is another cellular super tool to add to the list. Using your smartphone, it will help you find your car in a packed parking lot, send an SMS to your loved ones if your airbags deploy in an accident, unlock your doors and start your car remotely, and even diagnose car trouble.

5

www.mavizon.com 015

WOMEN

CALLING THE SHOTS

Once dubbed as backseat drivers, women have become the driving force behind the decision making, but how does this impact the automotive industry?

Michelle Marais investigates.

safety first It is common knowledge amongst automotive marketers that women exert a powerful influence over what cars will be purchased for personal as well as family use. In addition, a new study reveals that today’s female consumers have greatly expanded their role.

016

54% of women now feel a responsibility towards friends and family in helping them to make smart buying decisions.

A research study conducted by Ipsos Mendelsohn, published by Fleishman-Hillard International Communications and Hearst Magazines, as part of the fourth wave of Women, Power & Money sheds some light on the topic.

"During the past few years, we have watched the evolution of women and their sphere of influence," said Nancy Bauer, Fleishman-Hillard senior vice president and senior partner.

"Simply put, when it comes to the dynamics of today’s marketplace, women have changed the marketing communications game. The female consumer is a valuable broadcaster and amplifier of ideas in the marketplace."

1923 In 1923, 173 new inventions by women for cars had been reported.

Among these inventions were a carburetor and an electric engine starter.

WOMEN

NAVIGATION SYSTEMS WOMEN ON THE MOVE

One of the major categories of the survey, Automotive, resulted in some rather enlightening findings All women surveyed said they were looking for vehicles offering functional and practical solutions.

GARMIN ZÚMO® 350LM

Among higher-income women the same was noted, but they were looking for great over good, plus long lasting value.

The most important elements are price, warranties and guarantees.

More than half the women surveyed see it as their responsibility to pass on good automotive information.

With a total weight of 150 grams and slim measurements of 98 x 74 x 22 mm, the nüvi 350 is just right for your pocket or purse. Wherever you go, in your car or on foot, the device offers extremely accurate position data thanks to a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver by SiRF and WAAS-enabled, 12-satellite reception. www.garmin.com

Women are also the fastest growing segment of car buyers.

Female millennials, ages 22 to 30, are outpacing their male counterparts by 20 percent in vehicle purchases.

Not only are women gaining more power as automotive consumers, they are becoming more influential in developing what consumers will be buying. Such changes are evident in the marketplace. A new category of vehicle - the crossover - has evolved mainly from women's desire for a vehicle that is sportier than a minivan but handles better than a truck.

TOMTOM GO LIVE 1005 Use your device to find, check and compare places

Women today wield more influence and energy within the automotive world than ever.

It’s become clear that there’s been a shift in consumer demographic and the previous sensibilities that appealed to the big-ticket holder of days gone by are being shed.

and hotel prices while you’re out and about, using your favourite independent travel brands. Find local shops and businesses with Google™. Get reviews of anything from hotels and restaurants to shops and attractions from Trip Advisor. And once you’ve decided, let your device take you there.

CAR SHAPES WOMEN PREFER

www.tomtom.com

All women surveyed said they were looking for vehicles offering functional and practical solutions.

30 28 22 15

SATMAP ACTIVE 10 The Ultimate sports GPS with complete navigation

5

for the great outdoors. This rugged GPS has a large colour screen that shows your exact position on a

percentage

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

real map, in any weather, day or night. Perfect for all outdoor sport enthusiasts. www.satmap.co.uk

Sedan

Hatchback

Cross-over

Station Wagon

Minivan

017

LIFESTYLE

Electric Avenue Electric cars are by no means a new trend.

However, it seems like South Africa is lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to embracing the sustainable answer to transport.

The Joule, South Africa’s first electric car produced by Optimal Energy, never came in to production due to lack of funds. Estimated to have sold for between R235 000 and R285 000, the Joule was a five-seater electric car with a range of 300 km and a maximum speed of 135 kph. Using the electric drive train and battery system that

What happened to the Joule?

Optimal Energy had designed inhouse to ensure a longer lasting battery, the Joule’s lithium-ion battery pack would have required seven hours for charging.

With a team that included South African designer Keith Helfet and input from Italian design house Zagato, the Joule was well received at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and won a ‘best on display’ award at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010.

Seven years of work and R300 million in funding later, money for commercialisation of the vehicle

was not forthcoming. The question we should ask ourselves is whether making a South African electric car was ever really viable when typical small-car profit margins are in the region of R 3 500, compared to R 20 000 or R 30 000 for a big SUV. At that rate, it would’ve taken quite some time to repay the millions in loan funding. In addition, there is a lot of tough competition in the market. Most big manufacturers either already have plug-in electric cars on sale, or plan to launch models for retail production in the near future.

The truth is, even the betterperforming, more hybrid-electrics have been struggling. Moreover, a recent study published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science ranked electric vehicles on par with an efficient petrol or diesel engine in terms of “well-towheel” impact.

The Joule was an ambitious project and would’ve been a great notch in the South African automotive design belt but it’s evident that we still have a long way to go before producing a hybrid of our own.

Sustainable aviation fuel South Africa is serious about biofuels.

Starting 1 October 2015, it will be mandatory for petrol and diesel fuels to be blended with biofuel, part of a government plan to achieve a two per cent penetration of the fuel nationwide.

018

Airlines are also serious about biofuel options, with a few international airlines already using it on their planes. South African Airways and Boeing are working together to develop the first-ever sustainable aviation fuel supply chains in Africa, called the Sustainable Alternative Fuel Programme.

Aviation biofuel comprises of hydrocarbons, normally extracted from plant sources like algae or tallows.

These technologies are still being perfected, but new developments in technology are enabling conversion of biomass into fuel in a sustainable manner, avoiding competition with food and water resources.

KNOW-HOW

PROACTIVE PROTECTION Follow our practical solutions to keep your vehicle safe at all times

DON’T STOP FOR STRANGERS Close your windows and lock your doors to prevent carjacking.

LOCK UP Shut the doors, windows and sunroof. Even if you leave your car for a second.

HIDE PERSONAL BELONGINGS Remove any trace of personal belongings. Portable satellite navigation systems are popular targets. Lock your belongings in the boot.

PARKING STRATEGY

Always leave the car in gear, or in park if it is an automatic. Put the emergency handbrake on and turn the steering wheel to point the front wheels to the kerb.

Park in a well-lit secure car park, preferably one with monitored or barrier entry and exits. When parking on the street, choose a well-lit public area.

TURN OFF THE ENGINE

SECURE THE KEYS

Never leave your car running and always remove the keys from the ignition.

Make sure your keys are in a hidden location and not visible through a window or door.

EXTRA SECURITY + If your car does not have an electronic engine immobiliser, have a recognised professional fit an approved system.

TOWING THEFT

THE MORE LAYERS OF PROTECTION YOU CAN ADD, THE LESS APPEALING YOUR CAR WILL BE TO CRIMINALS

+ A visual and physical deterrent can put off potential thieves. Use a mechanical immobiliser.

+ An audio alarm can be a third layer of protection as it attracts the unwanted attention of bystanders.

+ Tracking systems that monitor the car and report its location can be an excellent investment and often results in lower insurance premiums.

019

SCENIC ROUTES

Helshoogte Pass IT IS HIGH TIME

A

long the R45 from Franschhoek to Paarl, the Helshoogte Pass is the link between the Drakenstein Valley, Simonsberg and the beautiful Stellenbosch mountains.

harbour. In 1688, after the French Huguenots arrived, it became known as Botmans Kop. It is said that the shape of imposing Simonsberg resembles the figure of Simon van der Stel lying on his back.

the opportunity to soak up some of the best of Cape winelands scenery.

Translated, the name means ‘hell’s heights’. The pass was built in 1854 through the Jonkershoek and Simonsberg mountains. Elephants are noted as being the first to make the journey over these majestic mountains and into the Banhoek valley. Later, the peak of the pass was the lookout point for ships entering Cape Town

At a junction on the R45, almost bidding farewell to Franschhoek, is the turn off onto Helshoogte. Starting at this point allows for a descent from the crest of the remarkable winding pass into the valley. Points of interest include fruit farms, stunning wineries and restaurants.

GPS start: S33.925797 E18.880188

GPS finish: S33.910188 E18.947552

CRUISE JAMS

Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama

020

Helshoogte pass offers a picturesque drive, inspirational viewing points and

FACT FILE

Distance: 7,5 km

Direction of travel: East

Time required: 15 minutes

Speed limit: 60 – 80 kph

"Helshoogte Pass offers a picturesque drive, inspirational viewing points and the opportunity to soak up some of the best of Cape winelands scenery"

MUSIC FOR THE OPEN ROAD

Tracy Chapman Fast Car

Fleetwood Mac Black Magic Women

Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisted

Tom Petty Free Falling

Fleetwood Mac Isn’t It Midnight

on the move?

visit our mobile site for the latest deals Whether you’re in the market or looking to sell, we have a wide range of new and used vehicles to suit your needs. www.vehicletraders.co.za/mobile

FIND YOUR NEXT CAR HERE Mobisite | www.vehicletraders.co.za/mobile Website | www.vehicletraders.co.za Facebook | www.facebook.com/vehicletraders.co.za

1. Locate

2. Compare

3. Search

4. Contact

a new model you like

makes, models and prices

for pre-owned models too

a selected dealer

www.thedealerclub.co.za 26 Broadway Blvd, Strand, 7140 Western Cape, South Africa Tel: 021 853 0135 | Fax: 021 853 0310

022