1 M COUPE: DID BMW LIE?

InsideLine, one of America’s favourite motoring reads, got its hands on a new BMW 1 Series M Coupe. First thing they did? Put the dynamite on a dyno of course! Strapped to the hilt the turbo laser surprised test engineers by posting around 280kW, which is all of 30kW more than what BMW officials claim! Say what?

IL often pulls these stunts with certain cars they get lent for media testing. But the tests they use are different from the ones used by manufacturers who test engine power at the crank, not at the wheel as what IL does. Results between the two methods are often 15% or so off.

For the record, the official line is that the new 1 Series M Coupe spits out 250kW from its twin turbo 3.0-litre straight 6 engine.

HONDA ACCORD ADORNS FRESHER FACE

Honda’s Accord has been one of our favourite cars since it came into the country as Darth Vader’s helmet in 2003. Since then we’ve had two new models, one facelift in 2006 the other all-new (2008). It’s time for a facelift again. While the first facelift made things sober, this one gives Accord a sharper future. Both sedan and Tourer are affected.

The styling revision is quite apparent on the front grille which now surrounds itself with cleaner headlights that feature clear-lensed indicators now located closest to the grille instead of outside the headlights. A different lower front bumper is less gaping. New reversing light indicators and a chrome bar just above where the number plate is placed round up the gist of it. Three new exterior colour Alabaster Silver, Graphite Lustre metallic and Celestial Blue Pearl, are available. Unfortunately due probably to their ages, Accord buyers seem to favour the darker, duller colour palate.

The three different trims at dealership floors are the Elegance, Executive and Exclusive. Goodie features rise higher with each trim from left to right.  Elegance for instance, is the baseline with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic, 17-inch alloys and dual-zone climate control. Add Bluetooth connectivity, 8-way adjustable front seats, cruise control and satellite steering wheel controls and you have the Executive. Exclusive Accords have all that stuff plus more special bits like rain-sensing wipers, Active Cornering lights, a USB/iPod/auxiliary insert and parking sensors for both front and rear ends.

Honda is an innovative company with a proud history of invention and general bettering of motor cars. One of these is the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) which reacts to impending accidents in three ways, the last of which (hard braking) is taken just before the accident happens. It follows a beeping alarm, a light tugging of seatbelts and light braking by the car. We’ve seen a similar system employed by the likes of Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW before.

Another is the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), also used by the three Huns as well as Volvo. Honda’s system operates at between 70km/h and 180km/h. What it does is to beep when the driver veers into the wrong lane unintentionally. Such is determined by the fact that he/she didn’t use the indicator. Sadly South Africans generally do not indicate and could thus find themselves being beeped at incessantly. Should no reaction be forthcoming, the car then steers itself back into the correct lane. Thankfully the driver is always in control and will not encounter a counter-counter steering effect normally experienced with the Mercedes-Benz system.

When it comes to engines, the range is well-equipped. The two petrols are the 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre which are both naturally aspirated. Not very good news for us Gautengers who appreciate a good turbo boost in overtaking. But maybe there’s a solution later. The 2.0-litre gives off 115kW at 6300rpm and 192Nm of torque between 4100rpm and 5000rpm. You can buy it with a manual or automatic gearbox. Nought to 100km/h acceleration is claimed at 10 seconds, top speed 215km/h, average fuel consumption 7.2 litres per 100km and C02 emissions at 165 g/km in manual.

The 2.4-litre is quite a lively thing with its robust 148kW made at a high 7000rpm, with torque of 234Nm sneaking in at 4300rpm. Honda says it will run between 0 – 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, top off at 227km/h while using only 8.8 litres per 100km of unleaded, with average C02 emissions checking in at 203g/km.

Last but not least is the kicking 2.2-litre i-DTEC turbo diesel whose power output is now rated at an impressive 132kW at 4000rpm, up from the old model, while maximum torque of 380Nm spreads outwards from 2000rpm. Give it the correct boot and it goes from standstill to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds, peaking off at 220km/h. Its combined fuel average is 5.8 litres per 100km, while C02s are rated at 151g/km. The same engine can be ordered mild at 110kW in automatic form only.

With its new styling, hi-technology, safety features and engine choices, the facelift Honda Accord will be very difficult to ignore, even for those who always think Germany first at these price levels.

Facelift Honda Accord Pricing

2.0 Elegance (R303 000)
2.0 Elegance auto (R317 500)
2.4 Executive (R358 700)
2.4 Executive auto (R371 200)
2.2 i-DTEC Executive (R388 200)
2.2 i-DTEC Executive auto (401 200)
Tourer 2.4 Executive (R388 700)
Tourer 2.4 Executive auto (R401 200)
Tourer 2.4 Exclusive (R416 700)
Tourer 2.4 Exclusive auto (R431 200)
Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC Executive (R428 200)
Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC Executive auto (R431 200)

MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER IS OFFICIAL!

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster has been dropped upon us. It follows swiftly on the tailpipes of the SLS AMG Coupe which we tested a while ago. Most obvious is that the gullwing doors that make the Coupe so interesting are now gone, in favour of normal pull-out doors. Other than that, the cars are virtually the same. Oh, the Roadster also has a soft convertible roof.

Power is still provided by the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 with maximum power output of 420kW at 6800rpm, and peak torque of 650Nm at 4750rpm. It’s motivated by a 7-speed double clutch transmission sending all power and torque to the rear wheels. A 100 – 100km/h time of 3.8 seconds is claimed, while top speed is limited to 317 km/h.

Despite added technologies to improve the car’s rigidity and the extra weight of the roof mechanism, only 40kg of fat was gained. The roof itself comes in either black, red or beige, and can be opened or closed in 11 seconds, and at speeds of up to 50km/h. A small rear window pops up to help chase unwanted winds away, while Merc’s patented AIRSCARF system assists in blowing warm air into the backs of occupants’ necks. The interior can be ordered in one of 8 different colours to match the 9 exterior ones.

A standard 5-spoke light alloy wheel will be sold right next to a 7-spoke wheel which buyers can opt for at no additional cost. Tyres are 265/35 R19 up front and a slightly bigger 295/30 R 20 at the rear.

Gladly we’ll get to see and meet the new SLS AMG Roadster at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) in NASREC this coming October. Sales will begin not long thereafter, at prices around the R3 million point.


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Yamaha R15

The Yamaha R15 in a brand new avatar was seen coming for quite some time now with spy shots of the motorcycle surfacing as early as late last year. But Yamaha India remains as tight lipped as ever with a terse, “we have no plans of launching the new R15″ being the standard reply to emails to their customer care department. In what appears to be the clearest images yet, the new Yamaha R15 has been scooped by a BikeAdvice reader, from what looks like a Yamaha production facility. 

Replete with new headlamps and tail lamps, with a raised rear like it’s elder brother, the legendary Yamaha R1, the new Yamaha R15 looks very sharp indeed. Some speculations put the power figure from the 150cc, four valve, DOHC liquid cooled engine to be 22 PS, which for now must be taken with a fistful of salt as there exists no confirmation for the bumped up power figure. The latest set of images definitely seem to indicate an R15 instead of the R15, due to the change in exhaust muffler and position of the front disc brake.

Ferrari FF

By Wayne Armstrong

The Ferrari FF represents a number of firsts for Ferrari, and no, FF does not stand for Ferrari Firsts, although, perhaps it should. The FF actually stands for Ferrari Four. The car is a four seater, which is replacing the outgoing Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. However, Ferrari have made a number of four seaters before so that's not it. No, the second F stands for Four Wheel Drive. This is the first time that Ferrari has used four wheel drive on a road going production car.

Four wheel drive is not the only first for this car though. You cannot fail to notice the design of the FF as it is a radical departure from cars that have gone before it. The design is called 's
hooting brake' and could be seen as a cross between a coupe and an estate car. The other way of looking at it is - it's a hatchback! The interior space that this creates allows for up to 400 litres of luggage, but, wait for it, the rear seats also fold down allowing for this capacity to be doubled. Can you imagine doing you DIY shopping and being able to fit everything in the back of your Ferrari!
However, this is no Ford Focus. This hatchback has a mighty V12 engine sat up front which produces a heady 660 bhp and 504lb ft of torque. That's good enough to propel the Ferrari FF from zero to 62mph in 3.7 seconds, thanks in part to the 7 speed dual clutch transmission already in use in the Ferrari 458 Italia and the California. The top speed is not to be sniffed at either - 208mph. By the way, the engine at over 6.2 litres is the most powerful engine Ferrari have ever put into a production car and you may find it quite remarkable that such a unit returns a rather respectable (for this sort of car) 18mpg.
The bodywork design is from Ferrari's favourite style house, Pininfarina, but you wouldn't think so to look at it, such is the departure from previous designs. To be honest I think it is going to be a love it or hate it design but one thing is for sure, it certainly will turn heads.
It is quite clear too, that Ferrari is trying to increase the size of their target market with this car too. The four wheel drive system for example means that it will be driveable in many more variable road conditions, including rain and snow. The shooting brake design means that the car is also practical to use every day as you no longer need to make a choice between bringing the kids or the shopping back from the supermarket.
If this is the shape of things to come from Ferrari then I can't wait to see what the replacement for the 599 will look like.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6279305

Supercar Profile - Ferrari California

By Wayne Armstrong

The Ferrari California was first unveiled to an unsuspecting bunch of car enthusiasts at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. It is a 4 seat (to be honest it is more a 2+2) grand tourer sports car which lays claim to a number of firsts for the Italian supercar manufacturer.

For example, the Ferrari California is the first Ferrari to feature a folding metal roof. It had to come eventually I suppose, but Ferrari have taken their time to introduce this to their lineup. The beauty of designing such a feature is that Ferrari managed to achieve never before matched aerodynamic properties for a convertible. In fact, they spent a lot of time and money to get the aerodynamics right on this car. So much so, that
which a drag co-efficient of only 0.32, this is the most aerodynamic production road car Ferrari have ever produced.
Also, another first for a Ferrari is the fact that the Ferrari California features a V8 engine mounted up front. All previous front engined Ferraris have been V12s.
Thirdly, the California features a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, another first for a Ferrari production road car.
The extra engineering involved in the folding roof mechanism among other things makes the Ferrari California relatively heavy when compared to say, a Ferrari F430. You would think this would affect performance, and you would be right, except for the fact that dual clutch gear change mechanism improves acceleration so much that the California matches the F430's sprint time from zero to 62mph in less than four seconds. This is even more impressive when you consider that the up front V8 produces 30 horse power less than the F430's mid mounted unit.
Another first for a Ferrari road car is multi link rear suspension, which makes for superb handling.
One of the things that may not appeal to Ferrari customers is the look of the car. It is a bit of a departure from previous cars in the Ferrari stable. It's not an immediately likeable shape. Part of the problem is the need to incorporate the metal roof when it is folded, but opinion is divided. Some say they could have made a slightly greater effort to make the California prettier to look at.
The California is built in Maranello in a new production line at the side of the other cars in the Prancing Horse stable. Around 6000 Ferrari California's are built every year

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6279580

Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider 16M

By Passione Rossa

Limited to only 499 passionate customers, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider 16M is the convertible version of the 430 Scuderia and it is born to commemorate Ferrari's 16th victory in the Formula 1 Constructor's World Championship. The 430 Scuderia 16M is one of the best performing spider Ferrari has ever produced thanks to its superior performance and technological solutions derived from Formula One. Performing

0 - 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, the car is designed for fast and tight driving conditions and has a set up ideal for sport driving. Its performance at the Fiorano race track registered remarkable lap times lower than any other Ferrari spider models intended for the road. The 430 Scuderia 16M engine is an evolution of the F430's 4.3 liter V8 and features several modifications from its derived. Such innovations allow to boost performance and achieve a power of 118 CV/l for a total power output of 510 CV and, at the same time, to comply with the Euro4 and LEV2 standards exhaust emissions regulations. Significant changes have been done in regards to the body, chassis and the intensive use of carbon fiber.
The 430 Scuderia Spider is equipped with the F1-SuperFast2 gearbox, one of the latest evolutions from the F1 racing experience allowing reducing gear change time to 60 milliseconds. The E-Diff is now integrated with the vehicle's stability control systems and the torque is intelligently distributed to the wheels bringing considerable advantages in terms of performance, stability, safety and driving pleasure. The E-Diff, in particular, allows the driver to modify the car set up according to the road and driving conditions from the manettino mounted on the steering wheel. The 430 Scuderia Spider features the racing version of the Manettino, further enhanced options for a sportier driving. The F1-Trac provides ease of driving even in extreme conditions, maximum traction on exiting corners, constant performance and drive comfort.
Carbon fiber and aluminum line the cabin, whether the carbon-framed seats are covered in weight-saving cloth. There is a diamond-plate-style aluminum on the floor, accented by exposed welds. The Ferrari 16M weighs in around 3300 pounds, about 200 fewer pounds than an F430 Spider, or just over 200 more pounds than a 430 Scuderia.
Improved brake performances are provided by the Brembo braking system with carbon ceramic discs: the front discs, in particular, have a larger diameter allowing an improved rolling radius and breaking efficiency. The brake pedal remains consistent even on extreme race track situations and has been optimized for all driving conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5848667