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March 10, 2016

Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za

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L A T I CAP ays Saturd 9­10 am

WHEELS

2015 BMW M4 M-DCT A/T 10 000 km, Driver’s Package, Adaptive M Suspension; Adaptive Led Headlights; High Beam Assist; Head-Up Display; Rear View Camera; Screen; Electric And Memory Seats; Navigation; Hi-Fi; Connected Drive Services; Anthracite Roof Lining; Double Locking Function

R999 995

Contact Ash on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

550 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201 PO Box 8390, Cumberwood 3235

EDITOR: ALWYN VILJOEN 082 4589 332 ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

Technology as art

BRIAN BASSETT gets most comfortable with a lot of grunt the new Audi A4 2LiterT FSI S line THE Audi A4 has been around since 1994 and has a huge repu­ tation for reliability and durabili­ ty. Perhaps that is why the vehi­ cle at first attracted the atten­ tion of older South Africans.

I have two friends who both bought A4’s some 15 years ago and have now done over 250 000 kms.

Still in daily use, one vehicle travels to Dundee each month to visit the owner’s grandchildren.

To date neither car has given any trouble except for the usual renewal of tyres and batteries nor has either owner considered replacing the car.

In the past decade, with the introduction of the RS (Renn Sport) and the retention of Audi’s Quattro system, together with a wide range of futuristic technology and high quality in­ dustrial design, the A4 now at­ tracts many young buyers, who are impressed by the car’s awe­ some reputation and Iconic sta­ tus. Our thanks to Prunella Nai­ doo, New Car Sales Manager at the Audi Center in Pietermaritz­ burg for allowing us afew days with the vehicle.

Styling The new A4 is distinctively Audi in design, but has grown to 4,73 meters in length, and is 120 kg lighter than the previous model, depending on the engine.

The greater length provides the design with an elegant and graceful appearance.

In fact, with the rear door open the car appears to be a small limousine.

The design lines are fluid and aerodynamic, yet crisp and ath­

letic. The front end, with its standard Xenon headlights, tra­ ditional Audi grille and optional Matrix LED technology an­ nounces the A4’s premium se­ dan status.

The vehicle I drove had five­ spoke, 18­inch alloys, which pro­ claimed that this A4 had grunt as well as good looks.

The A4 has a drag co­efficient of only 0, 23. This low figure is the result of complex fine tuning and new solutions.

The outer lines of the air inlets integrate additional air open­ ings­they guide some of the air stream over the wheel well, where it flows past the wheels, which have also been aerody­ namically optimised.

The exterior mirrors, posi­ tioned on the door sills with their small, integrated stripes, also aid airflow.

Interior The A4’s interior is light, spa­ cious, and extremely comforta­ ble. It also exudes quality.

The sports seats in the car I drove are infinitely adjustable, as is the leather­covered steering wheel. All interior finishes are in soft leather and high quality soft­touch plastics. The A4 sur­ passes its predecessors in pro­ viding increased shoulder and head room for the driver and front passenger. In fact it is one of the most comfortable cars I have driven to date.

The rear seat space is also more than adequate and road noise is minimal so passengers can hold conversations with each other at any speed.

The driver and passengers are

faced with an abundance of in­ telligent technologies, perhaps the most enjoyable of which is the optional virtual cockpit with its 12,3­inch screen which dis­ plays high­resolution graphics and is a must have with this car.

The MMI concept is new and the controller features promi­ nently in the central console, from which most devices are controlled.

The dash is dominated by an 8,3­inch monitor for, amongst, others the superb optional Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Safety and Handling The A4 has a Euro NCAP five­ star rating and every safety de­ vice known. There is also a wide range of assistance systems.

The ones I found most useful were the rear camera and park assist. Our car had the 2.0T FSI engine with 140 kW and 370 Nm and a claimed fuel index of 5,4l /100 km.

The car is powerful and stable on both tar and gravel. The steer­ ing is direct and responsive and the damper control leads to high comfort levels on bad roads.

The auto gearbox is butter smooth and most of the time the driver is unaware of gear changes, unless of course you use the kick in gear or flappy paddles to pass a long truck.

Pricing and Guarantees The 2.0T FSI S tronic comes in three trim levels namely Stan­ dard, Sport and Design.

Pricing is R496 000, R517 000 and R513 000, all cars come with Audi’s five­ year/100 000 Freeway plan.

Subaru starts airbag recall TO check potentially fatal Takata airbags, Subaru has announced a recall of 2004 to 2007 Impreza and WRX models for safety in­

spections and potential replace­ ment of the front passenger air­ bag modules. Owners will be called and can also visit

www.subaru.co.za/recall to read more on the process and to check if their vehicles are affected.

• More on page 2

The all-new Audi A4: Progress is intense.

Powerful, efficient and state of the art the engines in the new Audi A4. For the first time S tronic transmission can be combined with front wheel drive in the A4 sedan.

Audi A4 2.0 T FSI ultra Power: 140kW Torque: 320 Revolutionary combustion process Electric turbocharger wastegate Audi A4 2.0T FSI and 2.0TDI 140 kW S tronic Standard equipment: •17 inch alloy wheels •Audi Drive Select(with efficiency for 2.0T FSI) •Xenon plus headlights with separate daytime running lights •Keyless go •Xenon plus headlights •S tronic gear selector with Multifunction three spoke steering wheel •MMI Radio plus with Bluetooth

now from

•DIS monochrome •Front centre armrest •Tyre pressure monitoring •Partial leather upholstery •Cruise control system •Rain sensor •Automatic air conditioning •Front centre armrest •Space saving spare wheel •Electrical interface for external use AUX IN and USB Technology

R6 899*

A4 2.0T FSI 140kW S tronic Base. Price (VAT incl.) R496 000, Interest Rate to customer * 10.50%, Deposit 10.55%, Period 48 months, GFV % 55%, Total cost R603 952.00 *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.25% Note: Offer calculated on model in standard specification. Information subject to change without prior notification.

All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Audi Financial Services.

Instalment includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57.

Audi Financial Services - a division of Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd. An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. *Terms and Conditions apply.

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Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg

Sales Executives: Darryl Chetty, Nathi Mncube, Sharon Mpulo Sales Manager: Prunella Naidoo prunellan@bwmr.co.za

033 397 8800

WitnessWheels MOTORING INDUSTRY

2

Onus on the owners Drivers must make a plan as licence delays continue AS we continue through March, there is still no clear ex­ planation of the ongoing delays regarding the issuing of vehicle licence discs. This is a problem associated with the non­issu­ ance of vehicle licence renewal letters to motorists.

The Automobile Associa­ tion (AA) continues to receive numerous queries daily regard­ ing this problem, and the steps motorists must take to resolve the issue.

It is our understanding that the issuing of the vehicle li­ cence renewal letters relates to the control of the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNatis). The system is currently managed by a compa­ ny called Tasima. In December 2015, the Supreme Court of Ap­ peal (SCA) overturned an earli­ er high court ruling that Tasima hand over the system to the De­ partment of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

While the authorities are si­ lent on the numbers, our expe­ rience is that the bulk of motor­ ists who should be receiving li­ cence renewal letters, are not.

This complicates the issuing of new licence discs, and is result­ ing in unnecessary delays at li­ cencing authorities, as motor­ ists must now complete a re­ newal document before having their applications dealt with; a process that was previously streamlined by issuing the re­ newal form with all the relevant detail attached.

Despite these issues, the AA has been assured by the South African Post Office (Sapo) that it is processing applications. In a written reply to our queries, the Sapo said: “We have experienced occa­ sional isolated incidences where the eNatis network has been temporarily offline, and on each occasion Tasima is no­ tified to address the technical glitch as the vehicle renewal processes operate on a separate IT platform to the SA Post Of­ fice. Motorists who are not in possession of renewal notices are furnished with a renewal form to complete onsite at the SA Post Office branches, and this form can be fully complet­ ed within a short period of time.

“As the SA Post Office did not anticipate the volumes of motorists seeking to renew their vehicle licences while not in possession of renewal noti­ ces, we have experienced some incidents in other SA Post Of­ fice branches where the de­ mand for the renewal forms surpassed our supply.

“This situation is currently being addressed to speed up the

vehicle renewal processes in each outlet.”

While the AA is pleased that the Sapo is attempting to assist motorists as far as it can, we be­ lieve the root cause of the issues needs to be proactively ad­ dressed to avoid the potential risks associated with non­re­ newals.

“All efforts by the Depart­ ment of Transport, both na­ tionally and locally, need to be intensified to unblock this problem. Motorists who expe­ rience excessive delays in re­ newing their vehicle licence discs may, at some point, pro­ crastinate in renewing their li­ cences and inadvertently create a situation that may result in many unlicensed cars on our roads,” the AA said.

The AA has also advised mo­ torists to check their licence discs themselves to ascertain when they expire. This will also avoid you having to be remind­ ed of your disc expiring by traf­ fic police who clearly seem to be focusing their efforts on checking for expired licence discs. “A good idea is to put a reminder on your cellphone to warn you when the licence disc is up for renewal. Whether you get a reminder in the mail or not, renewing your licence is still your responsibility, one you should take very seriously,” the AA said.

To ensure a smoother expe­ rience when renewing your li­ cence disc, remember to take identification with you, along with a proof of residence.

According to the Sapo, this proof of residence can include a utility, clothing or telephone (landline or cellphone) ac­ count. If the account is not in your name, the person in whose name it is, must provide an affi­ davit or affirmation that you live there. The forms to be com­ pleted can be collected from Sa­ po branches beforehand to complete before going in. Re­ newal forms can also be down­ loaded from http://www.enatis .com — Supplied.

‘Put a reminder on your cellphone to warn you when the licence disc is up for renewal

March 10, 2016

Propellant ‘fix’ may not stop airbags exploding ALWYN VILJOEN WHILE the U.S. Senate reviews its most recent report on why old Takata airbags explode, the team of rocket scientists tasked to in­ vestigate the issue will begin testing the fix introduced to air­ bags’ propellant to see if they are safe.

To date, the U.S. Centre for Auto Safety lists five deaths, nine serious injuries, with at least two victims having metal pieces lodged in their eyes, permanent­ ly damaging their eyesight.

One of these victims was Air­ force Lieutenant Stephanie Erd­ man. She had a minor bumper bashing in Florida in 2013 in a 2002 Honda, which set off her airbag. Only, instead of explosive inflating a cushion, the metallic inflator exploded, sending metal shards into the cabin.

“My passenger only had mild scrapes and bruises,” she told lawmakers. “I should not have been injured in the shocking and terrifying way that I was,” Erd­ man told the senators.

A jagged piece of metal shot through Erdman’s airbag and im­ bedded itself in her right eye, while also fracturing her right na­ sal bone. At the hearing last Thursday she displayed a graphic photograph of herself with a chunk of metal protruding from her right eye. “I was instantly blinded on my right side,” she said. “I felt blood gushing down my neck. I was terrified. My vi­ sion will never be the same. I will never be the same.”

Police who find the victims in their cars liken the shrapnel wounds to being shot or stabbed.

Takata executive Hiroshi Shimizu, who also testified at the hearing, apologised to the vic­ tims. “We are deeply sorry and anguished,” he said.

New instead of old grenades Meanwhile, installation of the airbags continues. The 10 auto­ makers who installed the airbags

Florida senator Bill Nelson points to a wound made by schrapnel from an exploding airbag, which he likened to grenades in cars.

PHOTO: JAPANESE TIMES

called in a team of rocket scien­ tists to perform an independent investigation. These rocket scien­ tists are due to announce their findings soon.

Led by Bob Wardle, a PhD chemist with 30 years at Orbital ATK, the aerospace company hired to investigate the reason why Takata’s airbags exploded, told the Quartz web paper it’s not just manufacturing problems, as Takata has alleged, but a funda­ mental flaw in the design that has turned the airbag’s inflator into a bomb.

“A rocket motor is big and it flies through the air, but as far as what happens inside of it, there is a signal that comes in, an igni­ tion train that starts a process, a main propellant that burns,” he told reporters.

“In the case of a rocket motor you have a single nozzle on the end of it; in the case of an airbag inflator, gases are used to open an airbag instead.”

Wardle’s team developed a de­ tailed analysis that considered 63 different ways the airbag system

could go wrong, using computer models and reams of data to test each possibility.

Ultimately, they found the problem in the solid propellant used to inflate the airbag.

Based on ammonium nitrate, that propellant is a cheaper but more volatile fuel than Takata had previously used.

When the fuel is installed in the inflator, it is typically “in the shape of a wafer or bat wing”, Wardle said, but it changes shape when exposed to humidity over time. When the airbag is trig­ gered, the change in the fuel’s shape leads to to an unexpected increase in pressure that deto­ nates the inflator instead of filling the airbag.

The force of the explosion hurls pieces of the inflator into the cabin like shrapnel, injuring those in the vehicle.

The report concluded that the inflator’s design is not sufficient to protect it from heat and water.

Takata had previously sur­ mised that humidity was behind the flaw, but blamed the issue on

aging parts, unusual conditions and a manufacturing plant that hadn’t followed instructions while assembling the inflators.

Later, it added a drying agent to the propellant in new airbag inflators that would temporarily keep them from changing shape in humid conditions.

Temporary solution The revelation that the inflator assembly itself is flawed led to criticism of the safety agency for allowing Takata to install airbags with the drying agent as a tempo­ rary solution.

Florida senator Bill Nelson said after a hearing on the Takata airbags in February that the 10 car builders who had installed the Takata fix were selling cars with “new live grenades as replace­ ments for the old live grenades”.

But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reluctant to expand its recall to include the 70 to 90 million cars with ammonium nitrate inflators on the market without evidence that the fix is insufficient.

Fuel station of the future, in your garage STU ROBARTS LAST year, Nissan and Foster + Partners announced a joint brain trust to consider the fuel station of the future. A vision has now been unveiled in which the fuel station of the future is conceived as the home, the street, the city and indeed the car itself, but not, ironically, as a fuel station.

Nissan and Foster + Partners’ “fully connected vision of the fu­ ture of mobility” is based on the belief that the future of vehicles is electric.

It sees vehicle­to­grid, battery storage, wireless charging, au­ tonomous drive and over­the­air connectivity technologies com­ bining to change not only how cars are refuelled, but how energy is used and distributed across major cities.

The move towards electric ve­ hicles (EVs) is already creating a need for a new refuelling net­ work. Such a network, said co­ head of design at Foster + Part­ ners, David Nelson, can be sus­ tainable, innovative and can do more than simply refuel cars.

“Integrating zero emission technologies into the built envi­ ronment is vital in creating smarter, more sustainable cities,” said Nelson. “That commitment must extend far beyond the car — it must sit at the heart of ev­ erything we do.”

A new study envisages smart streets on which the cars, houses and grid are all connected.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED The results of the 12­month collaboration envisage smart streets on which the cars, houses, road and grid are all connected.

Cars are charged using renewable energy from people’s homes or using technologies that are being developed now where cars auton­ omously navigate to wireless on­ street charging bays, charge themselves and then re­park while their owners sleep.

The vehicle is itself seen as a power hub, able to feed energy back into houses, the grid, other vehicles or devices. This use of

cars for energy storage, coupled with energy storage capabilities installed in homes, would help to minimise the amount of renewa­ ble energy that goes to waste.

Nissan and Foster + Partners also posit that the move towards zero­emissions technology in cars could change what is possi­ ble in how we use them. The firms suggest, outlandishly but by way of example, that cars could be driven into offices and used as power sources, or simply that such newly feasible proximi­ ty would allow for automated

parking systems within offices to whisk cars away to be stored and charged upstairs or elsewhere in a building until the end of the day.

Taking their vision further, the firms see a world in which dis­ tributed clean energy production is so abundant that it becomes a free commodity shared across cities, with fuel stations and many car parks able to be re­ placed with green spaces.

Nissan and Foster + Partners’ vision is being displayed at the Geneva Motor Show.

— Gizmag.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 10, 2016

3

Torquey Tucson DAVE FALL predicts a Kuga vs Tucson fight for market share

USED IX35 RETAINS VALUE

THINK about SUVs in our bur­ geoning South African market­ place and Hyundai’s iX35 and Ford’s celebrated Kuga come quickly to mind as top contend­ ers.

Yes, there are others but the battle for supremacy (i.e., market share) continues unabated with the launch this month of the lat­ est Hyundai Tucson (aka iX35) …

(If you are a little confused over the apparent name change, don’t worry, all will be revealed soon enough).

Longer, wider and taller, the latest Tucson boasts an all­new design, inside and out, as it proudly wears the Tucson moni­ ker once again.

Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive SA, told Witness Wheels readers that a total of 22 716 Tucsons have been sold in SA from 2005 to 2010, and the total sales for the ix35 from 2010 up to 2016 were 33 692.

“Surely proof of the populari­ ty of Hyundai’s SUV, and we are ready to fight for the top position in this very competitive market segment again with the new 2016 model,” continued Anderson.

“The Tucson model name has simply been revived — a market­

THE most surprising thing about the Hyundai Tuscon is how close this SUV stayed to its 2011 list prices, which were between R260k and R285k.

We thank Metro Cars in Piet­ ermaritzburg for allowing us to test a 2011 two­litre Tuscon with manual transmission and 90 000 km on the odo.

Sales manager Elvis Naidoo is selling the vehicle with a two­year, unlimited kilometre warranty from Regent as well as on­road costs with the Tuc­ son, all for R227 000. On­road costs, explained Naidoo, entail a licensing as well as a service that costs well over R5 000 at Hyundai dealerships. What still makes the old Tuscon an excel­ lent buy is its durability. The outgoing Tuscon last year won the highest quality award in the 2015 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS). Hyundai also ranked fourth among all brands in the survey of owners by J.D. Power. We drove the 2011 Tuc­ son when the city hit a record ambient temperature of 51°C and we the aircon cooled the car down without being turned on fully. This Korean brand cer­ tainly has come a long way from the econo­boxes they were in the 1990s. — WR.

Hyundai has raised the bar in the SUV stakes with a frugal, well­built and torquey Tucson.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC parts per million sulphur con­ tent) on their forecourts.

A morning’s drive in and around Cape Town in the petrol version suggest that the bar’s been raised by this Korean manu­ facturer.

Frugal, well­built and certainly torquey; with fresh design ele­ ments, let the battle continue for supremacy in the SUV stakes.

Healthy competition is always good!

Hyundai’s five­ year/150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, enhanced by the addi­ tional new groundbreaking sev­ en­year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty, comes standard with these Tucson packages, as well as roadside assistance for five years — or 150 000 km.

(All derivatives come with a

five­year/90 000 km service plan, and servicing is required only at 15 000 km intervals.)

Pricing: 2.0 Nu Premium (man) R359 900 2.0 Nu Premium (auto) R379 900 2.0 Nu Elite (auto) R439 900 1.6 TGDi Executive (man) R419 900 1.6 TGDi Elite DCT AWD R499 900

22289

ing ploy, if you will; and with it a new level of sophistication, quality and comfort in this com­ pact SUV that will again make it a favourite among local buyers.”

Whatever … the 2016 Tucson henceforth features five deriva­ tives, ranging from the entry­lev­ el 2.0 Nu Premium with a either a manual six­speed gearbox or automatic six­speed transmis­ sion, to the range­topping 1.6 TGDi Elite derivative with the seven­speed dual­clutch trans­ mission (7DCT) and AWD (all­ wheel drive.)

In between lies the Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Nu Elite, also with the two­litre petrol engine and automatic six­speed transmis­ sion, but with a high level of stan­ dard features.

One step down in terms of standard features is the 1.6 TGDi Executive, also with the new tur­ bocharged 1,6­litre petrol en­ gine, but with a manual six­speed gearbox.

The Executive offers a level of comfort and standard features that fits in between the Premium and Elite offerings.

Those who want the diesel version of Tucson can order one for delivery after July, when fuel stations across South Africa will be offering Diesel 10 PPM (10

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4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 10, 2016

For a little smart regulation Uber South Africa lost a battle to metered taxi industry, but may yet save cities for passengers ALWYN VILJOEN METERED taxi drivers who are fighting against low Uber fares achieved a first victory when Cabinet last week approved a bill that empowers traffic authorities to impound Uber taxis operating without a permit.

But based on the ride­sharing app company’s latest global de­ velopments, this victory may be short­lived.

For Uber has always been about getting fewer cars to trans­ port more people and even in South Africa, gridlock looms.

The only solution, said Uber co­ founder Travis Kalanick, is for ev­ eryone to look at sharing rides from suburbs to work and back.

Speaking in a TED­talk last week, Kalanick said such car­ pooling has, just in Los Angeles, removed 7,9 million miles off the roads and 1 400 metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the air.

But, warned Kalanick, Uber is not the first such ride­sharing scheme and regulation around the world poses a constant dan­ ger. He told his TED audience how the first cheap ride sharing services in the U.S. — the Jitney — was regulated out of existence despite fantastic popularity in 1915. He said this first ride shar­ ing started when a car salesman from LA, LP Draper, who had the idea to shorten the long queues of people trying to get onto trol­

AUDI DOES AWAY WITH TURBO LAG AUDI engineers say they have solved the problem of turbo lag with an electric compressor to boost the turbos.

The new SQ7 makes use of this solution, packing a elctric compressor in air flow downstream of the car’s intercooler. The com­ pressor wheel can spin at up to 70 000 rpm without needing exhaust gases to drive it, which means boost is available in under 250 milliseconds at low revs.

The system draws its power from a 48­volt elec­ trical subsystem, specifically designed to support the electric compressor and ac­ tive anti­rollbars.

The car’s two traditional turbochargers fit behind each, with exhaust gases flowing through one com­ pressor at low speeds, and the second turbocharger kicking in at higher engine loads. Audi says this pro­ vides lag free response across the rev range. — WR.

The first Uber­cheap ride­sharing service was the Jitney cars, which transported 150 000 people a day in Kansas a year after it launched in 1915, but the private Jitneys were quickly regulated out of existence by trolley operators, said Uber co­founder Travis Kalanick.

PHOTO: YOUTUBE­ TED TALKS leys. “He put a sign on his car to advertise a ride to his destination for a ‘jitney’, which was slang for a nickle.

“And so people jumped on, and within one year, by 1915, there were 50 000 rides per day in Se­ attle, 45 000 in Kansas, 150 000 in Los Angeles.

“To put this in some perspec­ tive, Uber today is doing 175 000 rides a day in Los Angeles, 100

years later,” Kalanick said.

The trolley companies then — as taxi companies today — fought back and lobbied local governments to enact regula­ tions to stop the Jitney jugger­ naut, which ranged from expen­ sive licences, to mandatory 16­ hour days, even to legislating a back seat light to stop spooning among young lovers.

By 1919, said Kalanick, the Jit­

ney had been regulated com­ pletely out of existence and in­ stead of ride sharing, everyone had to get a car, which spends 97% of its time parked.

And when they are not parked, they idle.

“We spend seven billion hours sitting in traffic in the U.S. a year,” said Kalanick.

He said UberPool has already shown how cities can save their

residents time wasted on con­ gested roads as well as the pollu­ tion by using the technology in our pockets and applying “a little smart regulation”.

“In San Francisco, we reduced cars on the road through Uber­ Pool, in Los Angeles, we took 7,9 million miles off the road, and 1,4 metric tons of CO2 out of the air. In China, everything is super size. We are doing 15 million

UberPool trips per month. That is five hundred thousand per day.”

He said the next question is how to get to a million passengers per week, and the answer is to take UberPool to the suburbs with UberCommute.

Kalanick said cities would have been very different today if the Jitney car was allowed to contin­ ue, with parks instead of car parks.

“Technology has given us an­ other opportunity, we have the tech in our pockets and with a lit­ tle smart regulation, we can turn every car into a shared car and we can reclaim our cities, starting today.”

While taxi owners are right to demand fair competition for pas­ sengers with everyone or no one having permits, they may yet find that car owners themselves are signing up for UberCommute to better use their travel time.

This may become the new fo­ cus of Alon Lits, Uber in sub­Sa­ haran Africa, now that cabinet re­ fused to amend the National Land and Transport Act to in­ cluding a permit for drivers who use technology to directly link with passengers, as opposed to permits for a metered taxi or a chartered service. For as Kalanick pointed out, nobody wants to sit idling in traffic, be they in Beijing or in Northdale.

• alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za

Tata redefines passenger cars for modern customers TATA Motors, India’s largest ve­ hicle manufacturer, is displaying a host of new models at the 2016 Auto Expo in India.

All or some of these new mod­ els could be imported to South Africa after the various deriva­ tives have undergone local static product clinics and dynamic evaluation on test tracks and public roads.

“Tata Motors is focused on bringing to market the most ex­ citing and dynamic, youthful, high performance vehicles that should be segment­defining in terms of style and features,” said the president of the Tata Passen­ ger Vehicle Business Unit, Ma­ yank Pareek.

“The new range of Tata Mo­ tors vehicles showcased at Auto Expo will provide the market with a wider product choice while at the same time redefining our passenger cars for modern customers in terms of both styl­ ing and technology.”

The most important car on show was the small Zica hatch­ back, which is the first Tata mod­ el using the IMPACT global de­ sign cues from Tata’s facilities in Pune (India), the United King­ dom and Italy. The car was re­

Tata’s latest hatch, the Zica, has been renamed the Tiago, and may yet come to South Africa.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC named due to the similarity be­ tween Zica the car and Zika the mosquito­borne virus. The new name for the Zica is Tiago, which name was shortlisted with Civet and Adore from over 37 000 sug­ gestions submitted through so­ cial and mobile channels. The public voted that Tiago best fit the attractively styled new hatch

from Tata.

Kyri Michael, the CEO of Ac­ cordian Investments which dis­ tributes Tata passenger cars and light commercials in South Afri­ ca, says that he is delighted the promise of significant new mod­ els is being fulfilled.

“We are most impressed with the new ranges on show at the

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 084 278 3447 or Avir@witness.co.za

Delhi Auto Show as they are much improved in all aspects and we believe they can be competi­ tive in the South African market in the future.

“We are now looking forward to the roll­out of the new models to give added impetus to the Tata brand in the local passenger car market, starting later this year,”

added Michael.

The brand building pro­ gramme that started last year is being undertaken with the full support of Tata Motors which has invested significantly in mar­ ket research on which to base the renewal programme.

This includes the introduction of new products, improving the dealer network by upskilling dealer personnel and restructur­ ing the head office to make the whole operation more efficient.

One of the models shown in India that will do well in South Africa is a perfomance Bolt.

Tata teamed up with Jayem Automotives to develop this Sport hatchback based on the Bolt. It is powered by a modified Revotron 1.2T turbocharged en­ gine with special exhaust system to provide higher power (83 kW) and torque (170 Nm) which re­ sults in acceleration from 0­100 km/h in 12 seconds.

Performance suspension us­ ing retuned springs and dampers for a harder but lower ride ensure improved roadholding and han­ dling, but in Tata tradition, this go­faster Bolt looks to be what the Citi Golf was, an affordable hot hatch.

SUBARU ANNOUNCES NEXT CHASSIS FUJI Heavy Industries, the manu­ facturer of Subaru automobiles, unveiled an overview of the Subaru Global Platform, which will form the foundation of the next genera­ tion of Subaru vehicles until 2025.

The company said the next­gen­ eration platform is designed with the future in mind, and looks ahead to 2025. The main features include:

• Subaru’s biggest­ever enhance­ ment in overall vehicle performance • Emotionally engaging “Dynamic feel” that goes beyond high per­ formance • The world’s highest levels of safety • Single design concept for de­ velopment of all models, adaptable to electrification in the future.

— Wheels Reporter.

STRIKING deals at Barons Pietermaritzburg

By Barons Pietermaritzburg I wondered if all the strikes had affected the Volkswagen stock at Barons Pietermaritzburg so I popped down there to check it out. I should have known that with all the planning they do the strikes ended up having no effect on them whatsoever.

life with Das Auto Engineering and BlueMotion Technology, now is as good a time as any to get down to Barons Pietermaritzburg – the bespoke Volkswagen dealers who tailor deals to suits you.

In fact, not only were Barons Pietermaritzburg fully stocked with the widest range (As always), but there knowledgeable and passionate sales team were on the floor promoting some STRIKING deals on their quality/reliable Volkswagens!

Barons VW Pietermaritzburg can be found at 9 Armitage Road. They are committed to bringing you quality cars and excellent service at the best possible prices ALL year round! To start hunting for your dream vehicle, visit www.baronsvwpmb.co.za. And to book a test drive or service call (033) 845 3100. Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.

So if anyone living between Durban and the Drakensburg is looking to fuel inject their

Polo Vivo. No deposit. No hidden costs.

Free leather seats.

Purchase a Polo Vivo 63kW Polo Vivo Eclipse 63kW Trendline from R2,724* p.m. Sedan from R2,841* p.m.

Polo Vivo 63kW Trendline R169,400 R2,724 *

72

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

0%

30% (R50,820)

R246,957

10.25%*

Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Receive free leather seats.

Model

Vehicle Price

Polo Vivo Eclipse 63kW Sedan

R188,100

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

R2,841 *

72

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

10.25%*

5% (R9,405)

30% (R56,430)

R260,966

Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg.

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

An optional cost of R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.25%. Offers calculated on the Polo Vivo 63kW Trendline model in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration, but includes bank initiation fee of R57. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 18 March 2016 or while stocks last.

An optional cost of R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.25%. Offers calculated on the Polo Vivo Eclipse 63kW Sedan model in standard specification.

Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration, but includes bank initiation fee of R57. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 18 March 2016 or while stocks last.

• • • • •

Mileage certified • Full Service history • 7-day exchange plan • Vehicle Customization • 24 Hr roadside assistance •

Polo Vivo 2013 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.6 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline 2016 Polo Vivo 1.6 Maxx Polo 2012 Polo GTI DSG 2014 Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline Golf 2009 Golf 6 GTI 2.0 TSI DSG 2015 Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG 2015 Golf 7 R TSI DSG 2015 Golf SV 1.4 TSI Comfortline Jetta 2015 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline Up! 2015 Take up! 1.0 55kW Other VW 2011 Amarok Double Cab TDI Highline 4Motion 2012 Tiguan 1.4 TSi BlueMotion 2015 Cross Caddy 2.0 TDI 2016 Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG Other 2012 Toyota Corolla 1.6 Professional 2013 Toyota Aygo 1.0 5 Door

e&oe

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

80-point mechanical check 2-year / unlimited km warranty* Vehicle History Integrity Check Balance of VW Automation Plan Professional Vehicle Reconditioning

Silver White White Beige White Beige

R123 000 R144 900 R144 900 R144 900 R164 900 R179 900

89 000 29 500 27 000 30 000 6 000 5 000

km km km km km km

White Red Red White Silver

R198 900 R169 900 R204 900 R199 900 R204 900

97 000 35 000 9 000 9 000 17 000

km km km km km

Silver White White White

R229 900 R399 900 R549 000 R309 000

58 000 15 000 3 500 7 000

km km km km

Red

R279 900

6 000 km

White

R122 900

8 000 km

Beige Silver Green Grey

R289 900 R229 900 R299 000 R399 000

89 000 75 000 19 000 3 000

Blue Red

R148 900 R89 900

90 000 km 89 000 km

*The advised price exclude the 2 year Mastercars Warranty. The Mastercars Warranty is available as an option and is a contract between the customer, an insurer and administrator. This extended Warranty is not available for all Amarok and Light Commercial Vehicle models. Terms & conditions apply. While stocks last.

Mastercars Sales Consultants: Laurie - 082 783 8040 • Rajen - 072 228 9834 • Sanjay - 083 639 0989 Barry - 072 235 4244 • Phumlani - 073 017 0294 Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Barons

Pietermaritzburg

9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100

km km km km

0% deposit.

Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI Trendline from R8,201* p.m.

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Guaranteed Total Cost Incl Deposit Future Value fees & VAT Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

Model

Vehicle Price

Amarok D/C 2.0 TDI Trendline

R459,500

R8,201*

36

10.75%*

0%

R293,621

R588,851

Amarok D/C 2.0 BiTDI Trendline

R489,700

R8,729*

36

10.75%*

0%

R312,918

R627,175

Amarok D/C 2.0 BiTDI Trendline Auto R507,200

R8,904*

36

10.75%*

0%

R329,680

R650,209

R510,500

R9,093*

36

10.75%*

0%

R325,210

R653,571

Amarok D/C 2.0 BiTDI Trendline 4Motion R540,700

R9,622*

36

10.75%*

0%

R345,507

R691,895

Amarok D/C 2.0 BiTDI Trendline 4Motion Auto R558,200

R9,750*

36

10.75%*

0%

R362,830

R713,838

Amarok D/C 2.0 TDI Trendline 4Motion

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost of R1600 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.25%. Offers calculated on models in standard specification. Offer excludes the Amarok Double Cab Ultimate model. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes bank initiation fee. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. **Total retail price as above at a Guaranteed Future Value on 20 000km p.a. Subject to bank approval.

Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 18 March 2016 2016 or while stocks last.

New Sales Consultants

Alison Wiltshire – Sales Manager • John Brown • Merglin Rama Menzi Ngubane • Bahle Bhengu • Erica Neff • Keshnee Pillay

Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

BP Advertising

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

e&oe

Vehicle Price

e&oe

Model

6

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 10, 2016

Seen at the Ashburton Car and Bike Show

Goodyear’s IntelliGrip tyres support the needs modern cars have for constant information with sensors packed in the rubber. PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Sensor packing rubber New tyres sense road surface and talk to car’s computer APART from the 3D printed rubber ball that Goodyear pre­ sented as a future tyre for self­ driving cars at the Geneva In­ ternational Motor Show, the spherical, the company also showed its IntelliGrip tyre.

This wheel packs advanced sensor technology in the rub­ ber to support current and au­ tonomous vehicle control sys­ tems.

According to a study from the World Economic Forum, cities expect autonomous vehi­ cles to become a reality in the next 10 years [1]. In addition, the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Tech Choice Study [2] concludes that consumers deem collision protection technology most important in the wake of the changing automotive industry.

“By steadily reducing the driver interaction and interven­ tion in self­driving vehicles, tyr­ es will play an even more impor­ tant role as the primary link to the road,” said Joseph Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice presi­ dent and chief technical officer.

“The concept tyres play a du­ al role in the future both as crea­ tive platforms to push the boundaries of conventional thinking and as testbeds for next­generation technologies.”

Thanks to its advanced sen­ sor technology and specially designed tread, the Goodyear IntelliGrip concept tyre can sense many road conditions, including both surface and weather conditions.

The IntelliGrip also uses ad­ vanced active wear technology, based on Goodyear’s active wear and tyre­pressure moni­ toring system sensor technolo­ gy, to assess the state of the tyre and the vehicle.

Goodyear developed special algorithms to account for such variables as inflation pressure and tyre temperature to give a better estimation of the state of the tyre and as a result, opti­

mise the autonomous control system of the vehicle.

In addition to sensing the road and tyre conditions, the tyre also communicates with the vehicle’s central computer system, which should contrib­ ute to delivering improved driv­ ing performance and safety.

When the tyre senses a rainy or slippery road surface, the au­ tonomous cornering response optimise stability and even support collision prevention systems.

Goodyear is working with a number of car manufacturers to further adapt this technolo­ gy to their needs, enhancing connectivity with features such as Electronic Stability Control Systems, Brake Control Sys­ tems and Suspension Control Systems.

The IntelliGrip’s microchip was developed with Huf, a lead­ ing manufacturer of mechani­ cal and electrical locking sys­ tems, tyre pressure monitoring systems and telematic systems for the automotive industry worldwide. — WR.

V JOSEPH ZEKOSKI

Goodyear chief technical officer

Tyres will play an even more important role as the primary link to the road.

Organiser Sean O’Farrell hands Neil McCulloch a prize for winning the Bike section of the Car & Bike Show with his RM 465.

Sponsor Palan Naidoo of Munro Shocks hands the trophy for the winning car to Farouk Salot for his 1992 V8 Ford Sapphire.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Fans of British sportscars show that anything goes, even an original teardrop caravan hooked to a Shelbey Cobra.

PHOTOs: ALWYN VILJOEN

Motorsport commentator Len van der Westhuizen with his 1995 Lotus 7.

At motor shows, art hides everywhere, as shown by Kelly’s thigh tattoo citing Proverbs 31:25 (top left), and the art under the hood and on the diff of Kalvin Mathurine’s multi award­ winning V8 Capri 302. The annual event this year raised funds for the SA team who will compete in the World Mounted Games in Ireland in July,

MX5 rules England, Astra the rest of the EU TWO cars did well in Europe last week.

In England, the world’s best selling two­seater, Mazda’s MX5, was crowned both the Open Top Car of the Year and the overall winner of Car of the Year Awards.

The Mazda2, meanwhile, won the Best Supermini category.

The UK Car of the Year awards are judged by 27 of Britain’s lead­ ing automotive journalists with road tests carried out on British roads.

In Germany, Opel’s Astra won the overall Car of the Year title, the all­new MX­5 has added to its impressive awards tally, which in­ cludes 10 new honours in 2016.

It won the Imported Converti­ ble category of German maga­ zine Auto, Motor & Sport’s “Best Cars 2016” readers’ choice awards, and was voted “Best Cabrio of the Year” by Portu­ guese magazine Turbo.

In Australia, the MX­5 was named 2016 Wheels Car of the Year for the third time in the model’s history. It was also voted

The Opel Astra is Europe’s Car of the Year.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Sports Car for the Money 2016”, and, in Canada, TSN Mo­ toring TV’s “Sports Car of the Year”. Also named 2015­16 Japan Car of the Year and the Japan Au­ tomotive Hall of Fame’s 2015­16 Car of the Year, the latest incar­ nation of the iconic roadster has reaffirmed Mazda’s dominance of the affordable sports car sec­

tor.

In Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new Opel Astra was voted “Car of the Year 2016” by a 58­strong jury of automotive journalists from 22 European countries.

The “Car of the Year 2016” trophy was presented to Opel CEO Dr Karl­Thomas Neumann

by Coty president Hakan Matson on the eve of the first press day

at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show. The Astra emerged as the winner from a field of seven Coty finalists. More than 40 new cars, from sporty roadsters to premium limousines and sports utility vehicles, were among the original contenders.

“The new Astra represents the start of a new era at Opel and vic­ tory in this year’s ‘Car of the Year’ competition shows that we are on the right track,” said Neu­ mann. “It is an honour for us to receive such a prestigious award from leading automotive jour­ nalists.”

Three new Opel models have been named “Car of the Year” in its last eight editions.

The European Car of the Year award was founded in 1964. This year’s victory takes Opel’s total “Car of the Year” tally to five.

The Opel Kadett E was the first car from Rüsselsheim to win the award in 1985. In recent years, Opel has come out on top twice — with the Insignia in 2009 and the Ampera in 2012. — WR.

MOTORING WitnessWheels BIKING

March 10, 2016

7

Handmade bikes from the U.S

LEFT: A reproduction 1888 full­suspension Whippet bike, made by Paul Brodie at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Sacramento, California, over the last weekend of February.

The electric Due bikes will be the first with built­in action cameras. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

2WD electric dirtbike Android smartphones show the speed and film the ride LOZ BLAIN ELECTRIC dirt bikes are a fan­ tastic idea — machines like the Zero FX, Alta Motors Redshift and even the Stealth H­52 can give you serious offroad giggles without pissing off neighbours and locals.

Plus, while range concerns still make electric roadbikes a tough sell outside the commuting are­ na, batteries are good enough for an­hour­and­a­bit of offroad use, which’ll give you some good laughs and a decent bit of a work­ out.

Italy’s Armotia is getting set to throw its hat into the ring with a pair of e­bikes that bring some special abilities to the table.

The Due X weighs in at 125 kg, about 8 kg more than a fully fu­ eled KTM EXC­F 250 enduro bike.

Continuing that comparison, the Due makes just 15 horsepower while the KTM makes 37 — but where the Kato makes about 23 Nm of torque, the Due can put out as much as 200(!).

Tight trails will be less work, with no clutch or gearbox to fid­ dle with, and the Due can put its power down through both wheels.

This is accomplished by using two motors — one to the rear wheel via a chain drive, one small hub motor in the front wheel.

No mention is made of how power is proportioned to the wheels other than to say there’s three riding modes you can choose from. But on other 2WD dirtbikes we’ve seen in the past such as the Christini AWD setup, a small percentage of power to the front wheel seems to do the trick. 2WD should give the Due X superb climbing ability and drive in low traction situations.

It makes a bit less sense on the Due R, a second model that gets a light supermoto treatment while keeping the same 21­inch and 18­inch wheels as the X.

Mind you, it’ll be interesting to see if there are actually any bene­ fits for a 2WD system on the road.

The other interesting touch on the Due bikes is that they don’t technically have a dash.

Each one gets a built­in, rug­ gedized, waterproof RUG­GEAR RG600 Android smartphone as a display.

The dash functions are achieved through an app, which can theoretically give you limit­ less customisation options — but that’s just the beginning.

Think of all the other bits and pieces a smartphone carries. SIM cards, Bluetooth, data connectiv­ ity and GPS chips. A range of ac­ celerometers and sensors, as well as direct connectivity to your en­ gine telemetry systems. The computing and display power to calculate and communicate in a number of ways.

And of course, built­in camer­ as and data storage. The Due bikes will be some of the first to come to market with built­in ac­ tion cameras.

You’ll be able to watch your videos back and share them di­ rectly from the dash of the bike.

This alone is such a great idea that I find myself suddenly sur­ prised that it hasn’t been done before.

The Due bikes are slated to run off a 5,1 kWh battery. Top speed is around 80 km/h for the X and 90 km/h for the R, and both bikes’ range is quoted as “up to one hour and 20 minutes”.

Those aren’t earth­shattering figures, but the 2WD functionali­ ty and the fascinating idea of a smartphone dash (not to men­ tion the fact that Armotia will give you the STL files if you want to customise and 3D print your own bodywork) make this a com­ pany worth keeping an eye on.

The Due bikes are set to be­ come available for test rides very soon. Prices are expected to be around €12 300 (R207 800).

— Gizmag.

PHOTOS: BEN COXWORTH ­ GIZMAG

Side­by­side riders share steering and pedalling duty, on this Pineapple Trike.

A striking e­bike from Maxwell Cycles, minus its midship­ mounted motor.

The experimental Lifebike uses a unique frame design to transfer pedalling torque across from the drivetrain.

A heavy­duty hauler from Peacock Groove.

A monster bike like no other LOIZ BLAIN CAN motorcycles undergo mei­ osis? If so, Ludovic Lazareth’s LM 847 looks like it’s got stuck in the process of cell division.

Built around a gigantic, 4,7­li­ tre Maserati V8 engine, this ter­ rifying tilting quad bike picks up where the Dodge Tomahawk left off, with four single­sided swingarms, rim­mounted brakes, dual hub­centre steering and a bunch of other crazy touches. Not a bolt on this crazy creation is anything like any oth­ er bike you’ve seen this side of the show­only Dodge Toma­ hawk. From the winged front lamps, to the rude, stout air in­ take behind the screen, to the in­ congruous footboards, to the fact that it runs a single­speed transmission with a hydraulic coupling and electric reverse, it’s a complete original … … until you notice he’s stuck

The very wide handlebars are to provide the necessary leverage to move those wide, dual front tyres.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

a Ducati Panigale tail section on it, virtually unchanged, and somehow made it work visually despite the fact that it’s fixed to a 2,6 metre long, 400 kg, tilting quad bike.

The heart of the matter is a ludicrous motor: the 4,7­litre, 32­valve, V8 from the Maserati Quattroporte, a 620 newton­ meter bone crusher that puts out exactly 4,7 times the old

horsepower limit.

One rear tyre was never going to be enough to put 470 horse­ power to the ground, so Lazar­ eth supplies two, each with its own chain drive, and each on its own hefty single­sided swing­ arm.

The obvious choice here would be to suspend each wheel individually, but Lazareth has no time for obvious choices.

He mounts a TFX rear shock transversely, in a fashion that looks like it will not only damp bump­handling movements that affect both rear wheels, but also any motion that moves one wheel relative to the other — for example, cornering lean angle changes.

How this works dynamically on the road, who knows?

— Gizmag.

WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

8

March 10, 2016

Two SA karters make good Ferrari signs Perel after a decade of hard work, while Motorpark snaps up Aberdein for Germany TWO very fast South African karters, David Perel and Jona­ than Aberdein, both from the Western Cape, have moved an­ other step up in racing ranks.

Wheels has been an avid fol­ lower of Cape Town’s Perel, who has thrown everything he has (and owned) at his dream of be­ coming a race driver on the Euro circuit.

After a successful season as GT racer with Bonaldi Lambor­ ghini in the Italian GT Cup last year, Ferrari world championship team Kessel Racing has now signed Perel to drive a Ferrari 488 GT3 in the AM category of the Blancpain World GT Endurance Championship for three years.

“Kessel Racing Ferrari and Da­ vid Perel have just signed a con­ tract that sees David becoming an official Kessel Racing Ferrari race driver beginning with the 2016 season,” a team statement confirmed last Monday.

“The objective of this co­oper­ ation is not only to try to win the 2016 Blancpain AM Endurance Championship, but also to build a long­term relationship with Kessel Racing and to assist David to reach his goal of becoming a top professional GT driver.

“Kessel Racing Ferrari was highly impressed by the young South African driver in his recent first test for the team — David’s approach is very professional and even if he doesn’t have long expe­ rience in GT Series he’s very fast and consistent. We are most ex­ cited and confident to have David driving for us this season.”

Perel, who thoroughly im­ pressed in his maiden GT season for Bonaldi Lamborghini in the Italian GT Cup, is delighted at this chance. “It’s still all pretty

Jonathan Aberdein.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED surreal,” he admitted. “It’s been 10 years of hard work and there have been many bumps and dis­ appointments along the way, but this really makes it all worthwhile — I think I need to pinch myself to believe it!”

Perel will team up with a pair of gentleman drivers in the five­ race Endurance series that visits the world’s classic circuits Monza, Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Spa Francorchamps (for the 24­ hour race) and the Nurburgring grand prix circuit. Perel will also take part in the official series pre­ season test at Paul Ricard on the French Riviera.

The Blancpain series compris­

David Perel.

PHOTO: FILE es two separate Sprint and En­ durance series, which races in three classes; Pro, Pro­Am and Am, where Perel will commence his Kessel Racing Ferrari career.

“Because this is my first year in the series I am still a bronze category GT driver,” Perel ex­ plains. “That means despite my quick pace, I am still able to com­ pete in the AM class and that will have a positive affect on my team’s overall pace.”

Perel also paid tribute to his former Bonaldi Lamborghini Italian GT Cup team. “It is im­ portant that I recognise my pre­ vious team, who also offered me a drive this season and I was real­

ly keen to continue with them,” Perel said.

“But the offer from Ferrari se­ cures my long­term future as a racing driver, which is quite spe­ cial. Still, I will forever be thank­ ful for what Bonaldi did for my career and I will carry those memories very proudly.”

David Perel’s story is, however quite inspirational — following a successful local and international karting career, he had a less than thrilling initial step up to the main circuit in various local se­ ries. Ever determined, Perel con­ centrated on his online business, which soon became successful enough to finance an attempt at

the racing big time, which he pre­ pared himself intensely for in ev­ ery respect.

When the opportunity came for Perel to race for Lamborghini in Italy, he took it with both hands, throwing literally every­ thing he had at the effort that saw him and former team­mate Mirko Zanardini win most races of all in that series. Now he has a Ferrari contract in pocket — liv­ ing proof that everything is pos­ sible for those prepared to make the effort to go get it …

Aberdein coming through Having won everything there is to win in South Africa, Aberdein

is moving up the ranks a lot faster than Perel. The South African Rotax Max DD2 and double Western Province DD and Senior Rotax Max karting champion next will compete in this season’s German ADAC Formula 4 cham­ pionship.

“Jonathan Aberdein will drive for Team Motorpark in the 2016 ADAC German Formula 4 cham­ pionship,” team principal Timo Rumpfkeil confirmed.

Jonathan, son of former top SA race star Chris Aberdein, raced karts under his dad’s watchful eye as he developed as a driver over the past six seasons, culminating not just in last year’s triple title, but also in strong showings in the European Rotax Max champion­ ship and World Finals. Aberdein also put in a spectacular perform­ ance when he stole sixth overall in a recalcitrant kart in the Rok World Finals.

Aberdein will race against an­ other son of a top racer, Mick Schumacher, son of Michael.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to race in Formula 4 with Team Motopark in 2016,” Aberdein said.

“The German Formula Four Championship is highly compet­ itive and will give me the ideal platform to advance my career in motorsport.”

“2016 will be a steep learning year for Jonathan,” Motorpark team principal Rumpfkeil point­ ed out. “He doesn’t know the car or the tracks yet, but he’s a natu­ ral talent and we will do our best to support him, so I’m confident that he can break into the top 10 quickly.”

The ADAC German Formula 4 season starts at Oschersleben on April 17.

It’s a four­man Super GP race at Welkom THE SuperGP Champions Tro­ phy brigade heads to Phakisa Freeway, outside Welkom, for the second round of the 2016 series on Saturday.

At the opening round at Red Star Raceway in February Clint Seller (NeoLife Africa Yamaha R1) got the defence of his Su­ perGP title off to the worst possi­ ble start, emerging from the weekend with no points after a Race 1 crash.

Mathew Scholtz used Seller’s misfortunes at the opening round to full effect and heads the championship standings with a full house of 50 points.

Anthony Shelley (Fercor / Tar­ pave/ Supreme Yamaha R1) took two strong second places at Red Star and should be in the leading bunch at Phakisa.

Daryn Upton was the best of the BMW squad at Red Star and should also be in the mix with his S1000RR. Michael White (Con­ sortium Shipping Yamaha R1) had an impressive debut in the premier class, getting on to the podium in just his second race.

He certainly has the pace to run with the leaders.

Lance Isaacs (LIR BMW S1000RR) now has to contend with the dual roles of rider and team manager.

A much improved perform­ ance in the second race at Red Star has given him a confidence boost and the veteran will be looking for further improvement

Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee in their Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Yaris S2000. PHOTO: QUICKPIC

TOYOTA RULES RALLY START Clint Seller leads the Super GP at Red Star Racway.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED in the Free State.

Brent Harran led the Kawasaki challenge at Red Star and, despite a few problems on the day, is in a tie for sixth place on the log with Nicolas Grobler (BMW S1000RR) and AJ Venter on the Uncle Andy Racing Suzuki GSXR 1000.

SuperMasters Run in conjunction with the Su­ perGP races, the SuperMasters Interprovincial Challenge sees Lance Isaacs at the head of the championship log. Team­mate Justin Gillesen (LIR BMW S1000RR) lies in second ahead of Jacques van Wyngaardt

(BMW S1000RR). The only non­BMW mounted rider to line up on the grid at Red Star, the Honda­mounted Damion Purifi­ cati, is fourth on the log just ahead of Etienne Nelson and Johnny Krieger.

Super600 Based on the evidence at Red Star, the Super600 battle is go­ ing to be a two­way fight between defending champion Steven Od­ endaal (Yamaha R6) and Adolf Boshoff (NeoLife Africa Yamaha R6).

The pair were substantially quicker than the rest of the pack although more development on

the Uncle Andy Racing Suzuki GSXR 600s, in the hands of Blaze Baker and Darien Kayser, since the opening round could well see them close the gap.

Nicole van Aswegen (Triumph 675), Byron Bester (Kawasaki ZX6) and Kewyn Snyman (Hon­ da CBR600) all scored valuable points at Red Star and should do the same at Phakisa.

As usual practice sessions take place on the morning of Friday, March 11, with qualifying for all classes taking place in the after­ noon. After short warm­up ses­ sions on Saturday morning rac­ ing gets underway at 9 am.

• GazSports

TOYOTA took the top two po­ dium steps on the opening round of the South African National Rally Championship in the Free State town of Welkom this weekend.

The inaugural Goldfields Rally saw 2014 champions, Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee take overall victory in their Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Yaris S2000. Team­mates Giniel de Villiers and Carolyn Swan finished in second place, in the same car.

Glyn Hall, team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing SA, said “despite a whole new team orga­ nising things, the crews certainly put on a good show. And for us, coming first and second on the opening round of the champion­ ship was a fantastic result”.

In Class S1600, for front­ wheel­drive cars with engines up

to 1 600 cc, it was defending champions Guy Botterill and navigator Simon Vacy­Lyle who led from start to finish, giving their lYato­supported Toyota Etios another class victory, and assisting Toyota in winning the manufacturer’s award.

The next round of the national rally championship is the leg­ endary Sasol Rally, which takes place on the weekend of April 22 and 23, on the rough forestry tracks around Graskop and White River. — WR.

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