FACELIFT MERCEDES-BENZ E 63 AMG IS OFFICIAL

Mercedes-Benz went back to their labs and reconfigured the astounding E 63 AMG. Based on the new facelift E-Class that’s destined for South Africa sometime this year, E 63 AMG is now even more powerful than ever.

While the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 remains the very same block used by the current E 63 AMG, some things have clearly changed. Like the fact that it now reaches out 410kW at 5500rpm, and pushes through 720Nm of torque between 1750rpm and 5250rpm. Mercedes-Benz says it will now splash forth from 0 – 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds.

But that’s not all. There’s a new extra model called the 4MATIC S-Model which has a rear diff lock. This thing is thus the most powerfulcar in its class, more so than the new Audi RS 6 Avant (412kW) and BMW M5 (412kW). This one is good for 430kW also at 5500rpm and a blasted 800Nm between 1750 rpm and 5000rpm. They say it will scatter off into the distance from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, making it the quickest E-Class of all time, and something quickerthan the SLS AMG GT.

The cars wear 19-inchwheels and are run by a 7-speed MCT automatic gearbox. The interior it more plush, but at the same time aggressive, featuring aluminium pieces on the pedals, steering wheel, the doors and dashboard among others.

We should expect the new facelifted E 63 AMG in #Mzansi sometime before June, where it will meet up against its natural foes.

GM LOOKS TO GROWTH IN 2013

NAAMSA vehicle sales statistics for December reflect 46 016 new vehicle deliveries for the month, an increase of 1.8% on December 2011. This brought total sales for the year to 623 914 units, up 9.2% on 2011.

“The motor industry went into 2012 facing two psychological break points in terms of growth targets for the year,” says Malcolm Gauld GMSA’s Vice President Sales and Marketing “The first was the volume challenge of 620 000 units for the year and which was realised with the release of the December numbers taking the total for the year to 623 914.

“The second was the possibility of double digit growth, a goal that seemed destined to be easily exceeded going into the third quarter but was hampered by a drop-off in sales, particularly in the light commercial sector, during the last three months of the year. The passenger vehicle market performed well above the ten percent growth benchmark for most of the time ending the year 11.3% up. However, the light commercial sector lagged – impacted by a crisis of confidence amongst commercial buyers which saw the LCV sector decline by 13.1% month on month December 2012 vs 2011. Growth in this sector for the year was inhibited to just 4.6%, but was still a welcome plus for the industry.”

“For the GM franchise in South Africa 2012 was an exciting year which saw the expansion of both the Chevrolet and Opel brands with the introduction of a number of exciting vehicles. The image building Astra GTC and the Meriva MPV boosted interest in the Opel brand while the main events for Chevrolet were the introduction of the Trailblazer SUV and the Cruze Hatch. The Chevrolet Utility continued its leadership in the competitive sub-1 ton market segment to once again end the year as the top selling vehicle in its class. GMSA ended 2012 with total sales of 69 968 vehicles and a full year market share of 11.2%.

“Looking ahead through 2013 the GM franchise once again has a lot to offer South African vehicle buyers starting off with the introduction of the most powerful Astra yet from Opel, the new Astra OPC, which is set to raise the stakes in the performance car sector with its 206kW/400 Nm power-plant. This exciting hot hatch is due in the market in February. The all-new Isuzu 1-ton pick-up range is set to transform our LCV line-up with significant styling and technology improvements over the existing Isuzu KB range towards the end of the first quarter.

“There has been a marked shift in buying patterns towards smaller vehicles like the Chevrolet Spark in recent times. GMSA is unique in this market as the only manufacturer to produce a vehicle in this class locally. We will take advantage of the flexibility that this gives us to add value and contemporary styling to the Spark with a significant update due in the early part of the year.

“Our forecast going into the new year is for a virtually flat market. The buying down trend in the passenger market will continue as vehicle operating costs continue to come under pressure and buyers look for overall cost efficiencies.

“It is probable that there will be some consolidation in the passenger vehicle market with private buyers perhaps retreating a bit. This trend will likely be countered by a renewal of buyer interest and activity in the light commercial sector – no ground shaking trend expected but rather a reversal of the downward trend seen in the last quarter of 2012. Whilst the past year has produced welcome growth in the industry contrary to global trends, the coming year the focus will be on preventing any erosion of that growth.”

STORY BY GENERAL MOTORS

TOYOTA HILUX STARTS DAKAR 2013 WITH A BLAST

On a day that saw the Dakar Rally start to show its teeth and several of the top contenders lose time with navigating problems Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz made an early move with a trouble-free drive to second place on stage two in their Imperial Toyota Hilux.

The 2009 Dakar winners completed the 242-kilometre special stage in the deep, soft sand and dunes around Pisco in Peru 2 min 35 seconds behind 2012 champions Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret of France in a Mini.  The French pairing now lead the rally overall by 2 min 38 sec from the South Africans.  Third overall is the SMG of another French crew, Ronan Chabot and Gilles Pillot, who are 1 min 8 sec behind De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz.

Their Toyota Motorsport team-mates Duncan Vos and Rob Howie finished 14th after a narrow escape when they rolled their Imperial Toyota Hilux after cresting a sand dune too fast.  It landed on its wheels and they were able to continue immediately, finishing some 20 minutes behind the stage winners.  They are now 13th overall, 22 min 40 sec behind Peterhansel and Cottret.

“Today’s special stage was more difficult than we expected. It was very hot – 40 degrees Centigrade outside and 60 degrees in the car.  Navigation was tricky, especially with the sun making it difficult to see the tops of the dunes,” reported De Villiers. “So I didn’t go very fast in the first part of the stage, but then things got better.  At the end we’re happy because the Hilux is working well and we didn’t have any problems. This is a good sign for the next few days, which should be very difficult.”

Vos commented: “The day didn’t go according to plan.  We struggled to climb a tall sand dune and on the third attempt we carried too much speed and crested the dune too fast, with the Hilux rolling end over end. Luckily it landed on its wheels and we lost very little time as we were able to continue straight away.

“It was extremely hot and there were many, many dunes. Overall we felt much better than last year, but the next couple of days are going to be very tough for everyone. We have to maintain a high level of concentration and keep pushing.”

It was not only the stage that was difficult.  De Villiers and Vos are both keen and accomplished mountain bikers and are among the thousands of South African cyclists who are mourning the death of South African mountain bike Olympian Burry Stander in a road accident in KwaZulu-Natal.  De Villiers and Stander were personal friends and team-mates in the Specialised squad and De Villiers is carrying a photograph inside the Imperial Toyota Hilux in memory of his friend.

Monday’s stage three from Pisco to Nazca includes a 100-kilometre liaison section before a 243-kilometre special stage.  Ahead lies a sequence of dunes called Ergs in Africa.  All the competitors who go over them without getting stuck will be able to proudly breathe a sigh of relief.  Their reward will be to take advantage of the route along the sea front on the second half of the special stage, but they will have to beware of tracks at the end of the stage that will require all their skill and vigilance. 

STORY TOYOTA

TEAM TOYOTA SA'S DAKAR CHALLENGE FOSTERS ON

The countdown to the 34th running of the Dakar Rally is almost over and, with just two days to go to the start in Lima, Peru, on January 5, the Toyota Imperial South Africa team is good to go.

It’s been a hectic few days since the team flew in from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo international airport on December 28.  Both Imperial Toyota Hilux 4x4s have been reassembled in Toyota Peru’s workshop since their flight across the Atlantic in an SAA Airbus, the six tons of spares and equipment needed to support the 15-day race have been off loaded and packed into the team’s support trucks and both bakkies have successfully completed two days of shake-down testing.

“We’re good to go,” declared team manager Glyn Hall. “The lads have been extremely busy since arriving here and everything has gone according to plan.  The planned test went very well and both drivers are happy and ready for Saturday’s opening stage.

“The test area provided us with just the right terrain – big sand dunes and camel grass and also a 10-kilometre gravel road that included crossing a dry river bed.  We worked through the tests we had planned and found the best settings.  The two crews practised with the sand ladders and tested different tyre pressures.

“We just have scrutineering and documentation to complete in the next few days and then the long build-up is over.  We’re well prepared – better than last time – and we all feel good about the challenge that lies ahead,” said Hall.  

2009 Dakar Rally winners Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz in the #301 Hilux will start Saturday’s opening special stage in second place behind former winner Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and Lucas Cruz of Spain in an American-built V8 buggy.  South African off road champions Duncan Vos and Rob Howie in the #312 Hilux will start in 13th position.

Saturday’s stage consists of a 250-kilometre liaison section followed by a 13-kilometre special stage that will end in Pisco.  This mini special stage on the outskirts of Pisco will not be as stiff as the drink that made the region famous and it will be one of the few opportunities competitors will get to admire the picturesque landscape as they settle down for the long haul in the days ahead

STORY BY TOYOTA

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA REVEALED IN PROMO SHOTS

The baby Mercedes-Benz CLS is going official at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Called the CLA, it rides on the same platform as the A and B-Class compact premium cars, but is a sedan. Its main competition will come from the upcoming Audi A3 sedan and BMW 1 Series sedan. These are the first official Photoshopedpromo pictures.

Being the latest baby Benz, the CLA will surely sport similar engines to its A and B brethren, as well as some from the bigger C and E-Classes. These include the 1.8-litre turbo worth 90kW for the CLA 180, and a CLA 250doing 155kW. Diesels will feature prominently too, especially for the European markets. Of course the CLA 45 AMG is also being developed and should spew about 260kWby our calculations. Even if it’s slightly less it should still be pretty decent off the mark.