shaneassad

03/09/2024

The New Aston Martin Vanquish

5.2 L Twin Turbo V12
Power - 614 kW
Torque - 1 000 Nm
Top Speed - 345 km/h
0-100 km/h - 3.3 Seconds

The "Shield" at the rear of the car is available in either Full Carbon Fibre or Paint Sampled to match the body.

Also available with an optional Titanium Exhaust System for an absolutely aural experience.

The interior features a mixture of only the best technology and options from the rest of the range.

The centre control unit houses analogue controls as apposed to touch sensitive buttons. Allowing for a more focused and less distracted driving environment.

Pricing: TBA

Aston Martin Daytona

28/08/2024

Mersedes-AMG G63 Grand Edition to hit Mzansi 🇿🇦

Production is limited to 1 000 Units Worldwide, with 20 set to arrive in SA

Colour - MANUFAKTUR Night Black Magno with gold contrasting details.

Price: R5,474,512

Mercedes-Benz South Africa

27/08/2024

Tonight I’m with GAC MOTOR to welcome them into the SA market and for the introduction of their model lineup 🇿🇦

23/08/2024

There aren't too many words that can express what to expect from the Temerario.

A Hybrid Twin-Turbocharged V8 that revs up to 10,000 RPM...

As much as these supercars are going hybrid, it feels as if it's bringing out the best performance from the cars themselves👌🏼

Lamborghini

23/08/2024

Welcome to the Porsche Macan T

It is easily one of the best offerings Porsche currently have, especially considering that the next generation of Macan is fully electric⚡️

Powered by a 2.0 Litre 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine, the Macan produces 195 kW and 400 Nm.

It also features the Sports Exhaust, as well as the "Porsche Active Suspension Management" or "PASM" for short.

This allows you to actively adjust the dampers to either stiffen up or soften the suspension to your liking.

This model is also specced with 20" Macan S wheels in Jet Black Metallic.

We also have the notorious GT Sport steering wheel 🏁

Porsche
Porsche South Africa

23/08/2024

Time for a Cup of “T” 🏁

Porsche South Africa
Porsche

19/08/2024

Say Hello, to the Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years.

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 911 Turbo. Featuring the current Turbo-exclusive colour "Turbonite".

The colour can be found on the rear engine cover, fuel tank cap and in the Porsche Crest.

Porsche offer Exclusive "Heritage Design Package" which Include the base colour as "Aventurine Green Metallic".

Although PTS Colour Options are also available.

Porsche South Africa Porsche

09/06/2024

Mercedes-AMG C63 SE Performance🏁

Local Pricing Confirmed at R2,476,800

Mercedes-Benz South Africa

30/05/2024

Say Hello to the new Porsche 911, the 992.2.

The very first "Hybrid" 911.

Introducing a few interior changes, such as the "Engine Start/Stop" Button, and the new Fully Digital Instrument Display.

Staying true the the 911's Driver focused design.

So, let's make this clear.

Porsche have absolutely created something special with the hybrid technology. Essentially, instead of having the legacy of the 911 be destroyed with hybridisation and having an "EV" mode. They have utilised the hybrid technology to make the 911 even better, by placing electric motors by the turbo-chargers.
Ultimately eliminating all turbo-lag.

Pricing for the New 992.2 is as follows:

911 Carrera - R2,477,000
911 Carrera Cabriolet - R2,746,000
911 Carrera GTS - R3,386,000
911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet - R3,654,000
911 Carrera 4 GTS - R3,546,000
911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet - R3,814,000
911 Targa 4 GTS - R3,814,000

Porsche South Africa

03/05/2024

The Mazda CX-30 was my introduction into the model range, and it was a breath of fresh air in terms of engineering and functionality👏🏼

Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0 four-cylinder engine, the CX-30 packs a punch of power as you put your foot down with 121 kW and 213 Nm.

The interior greets you with a minimalistic design that serves for purpose, and less distraction.

The cabin space is phenomenal along with the Bose Sound System that engulfs the passengers, and not to mention that the build quality is second to none in its’ segment.

I would happily recommend the CX-30 for a family. With a large boot and increased ride height, you’re only a whim away from an off-road adventure👏🏼

Mazda Southern Africa

22/04/2024

Is the Honda FIT e:HEV the pinnacle of fuel consumption?⛽️💸🤔

Well in terms of a normal Hybrid, definitely yes!

What I mean by normal, is that you don’t have to plug it in at the end of every day to charge. This is a good ol’ fashioned Hybrid that uses an energy-regenerative system to store the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost under braking.

Then allowing you to use that energy where the naturally aspirated engine needs it the most; in the low-rev-range.

(A very similar concept to that of the “KERS” *Kinetic Energy Recovery System* that was introduced into Formula 1 in 2009).

What makes the FIT extremely attractive is the fact that you can average 4.1 litres / 100 km, it is VERY practical oddly enough and the cabin space is somewhat deceiving. When you climb into the FIT, it doesn’t feel like you’re driving a small car at all.

When cruising around the city, the FIT will happily swap over between its’ 1.5 Litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and the electric motor.

The FIT e:HEV is also paired with Honda’s “e:CVT” transmission which allows for a seamless transition between the electric motor and ICE power plant, so that you have an uninterrupted driving experience.

Performance figures for the FIT e:HEV are 90 kW, and 253 Nm👏🏼

Pricing for the FIT model lineup:
• FIT 1.5 Comfort CVT - R380,500
• FIT 1.5 Elegance CVT - R416,500
• FIT Hybrid e-CVT - R544,900

Honda SA

15/04/2024

This is the Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line, and it is in a class of its’ own.

After living with the car for a few days, I quickly became reminded as to why Mercedes-Benz builds some of the worlds’ greatest cars.

Nevermind all of the current day statistics, market share analysis, supply and demand data. This is simply about the raw essence of heritage and engineering.

Even though the A200 is the “Baby Mercedes”, it still gave me the same feeling that any of its bigger brothers did. The quality, unrivalled luxury in its class, and that X-Factor. That “je ne sais quoi”, a certain aspect that I can’t quite put my finger on.

I suppose that’s because it’s an emotion. It’s how the car makes you feel the moment you step inside it.

The A200 isn’t about speed and performance, that’s what the A35 and A45 are there for. The A200 is there to simply welcome you into the family, and to give you a taste of what is to come.

It is, at the end of the day, a damn fine Mercedes-Benz👏🏼

Pricing starts at R796,560

Mercedes-Benz South Africa

04/04/2024

Volvo XC 60 T8 Recharge = UNDERSTATED LUXURY 💎

I was left in absolute awe after just a day of driving the new Volvo XC 60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid 🍃

The interior is extremely rich in its’ Swedish design, and Volvo didn’t hold back when it came to comfort 🇸🇪

The front seats of the XC 60 are heated; ventilated and can massage your back as well as any physiotherapist 👏🏼
The rear seats are also heated as you sit back and relax.

One of the party-pieces on the XC 60 is the Bowers & Wilkins Sound System that absolutely enriches you in some of the best quality audio I have ever experienced in a car. It features 15 Speakers, 15 Channels, a Subwoofer and a total output of 1410 Watts 🔊

Drivability of the XC 60 is like no other. When you’re cruising around the city in “Pure” mode, the car will utilise its’ 19 kW battery to move you along in full-electric mode. You have a total range of 81 km in this mode.

However if you drive in “Power” mode, the car will set itself up for war with both the ICE (internal combustion engine) and Electric Powertrains acting together to provide you with astonishing numbers such as 708 Nm, 340 Kw and 0-100 km/h in 4.8 Seconds ⚡️

The beating heart of the T8 is a 2.0 Litre 4-Cylinder engine that is both supercharged, and turbocharged.

When you’re out and about on your daily commute, you’ll find yourself opting for the “Hybrid” driving mode as this will give you the best of performance, range, and fuel consumption. The engine will only kick-in when you are on the highway or when you need that extra bit of power to overtake.

Volvo claim a fuel consumption of 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres. Now of course that sounds too good to be true. However it actually is just about possible, given that you treat the car like a cell phone and plug it in at home each night to charge. On an average daily commute, I averaged 1.9 Litres / 100 km.

At times when I ran out of electrical charge, the car ran solely on its’ engine while I used Regenerative Braking to charge the battery. I then averaged 6.7 L / 100 km. To get the most out of the Hybrid System, simply ensure that it’s charged.

Pricing Starts at R1,314,000 including VAT.

Volvo Car South Africa

11/03/2024

This is the Proton X50, and for me it is the best car in their lineup👌🏼

Although it is powered by the same 1.5 Litre Turbocharged 3-Cylinder Engine that is found in the X70 & X90 respectively, it simply DOES NOT feel the same at all.

The moment you step inside the X50, you feel as if you’ve seated down, and buckled up in a sports coupé.

The X50 feels incredibly stable, responsive and handles like a go kart. It encourages you to not only enjoy the drive, but to have fun at every bend and turn👏🏼

The interior features plush leather with all of the necessary luxuries that you’ll find in any of its’ competitors.

I would definitely recommend the X50 for any family, or professional looking to enter into the SUV Market.

It is definitely one of the best looking vehicles in its’ segment, and the engine delivers 130 kW & 255 Nm of torque to the front wheels. Fuel consumption sits at an acclaimed 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Pricing starts at R449,900.

Proton South Africa

04/03/2024

Over the weekend I joined Mercedes-Benz South Africa as they hosted an exclusive meet and greet with our Champ 🏆 Dricus “Still Knocks” Du Plessis 🇿🇦

We had the privilege of asking the Middleweight Champion of the World a few questions, and slowly started to understand what makes him tick. As well as what he would do in his time-off.

To conclude the event and celebrate his World Championship Victory, Mercedes-Benz South Africa gave Dricus the latest GLE 63 S AMG, an appropriate vehicle for a fighting champion 👏🏼

Dricus du Plessis

01/03/2024

Last night I attended the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards sponsored by Absa and needless to say that it was an incredible event!👏🏼

Seeing those behind the brands that actually make the leaps and strides ahead, get recognition for their work is beyond gratifying to see and be a part of!🏆

Congratulations to everyone that won, and to everyone that pushes to be the difference in the automotive industry every single day.

Thank you for having me Cars.co.za , I look forward to the next one!

24/02/2024

I joined Volvo South Africa for the Launch of their highly anticipated EX30 👏🏼

Needless to say, it was amazing to see the EX30 in the flesh for the first time!⚡️

A “not-so-big, big deal” is the perfect way to encapsulate what the EX30 brings to the EV table.

Essentially being a Compact SUV, the essence of the EX30 is sustainability, simplicity and functionality.

There are three variations of the EX30: Single Motor, Single Motor Extended Range and the Twin Motor Performance⚡️

The primary differences between the Single Motor and Extended Range is of course the range on a single charge. Varying between 344 km to 476 km.

Of course the Twin Motor Performance is the main draw card for Volvo as it truly has supercar performance with a 0 - 100 km time of 3,6 Seconds, power output of 315 kW and 543 Nm of torque🔥

It is truly astonishing.

I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the EX30 later this year!👀👏🏼

Pricing is confirmed to start at R775,900.

Volvo Car South Africa

23/02/2024

This is the all new Honda Elevate, and I flew down to Cape Town to see what it's all about🌊

Firstly, the Elevate looks great in the flesh and it drives incredibly well for a Compact SUV.

Honda have given you two gearbox options to choose from, which are also ultimately the only two trim options.

The six-speed manual is the "Comfort" trim option, while the CVT is the "Elegance".

On launch we only drove the CVT, which is definitely ideal for city driving and long trips. This CVT transmission is one of the best l've experienced.

Honda have given the Elevate a 1.5 Litre DOHC I-VTEC Petrol Engine that produces 89 kW and 145 Nm of torque. Which is considerably more than that of its' direct competitors.

Down to build quality. Honda have done major upgrades to the chassis in which include new crumple zones in the front to deflect collision energy away from both the driver and passenger.

Notably as well they have implemented a plethora of noise insulation methods to ensure a quiet drive.
Pricing for the Elevate starts at R369,900 for the Manual and R429,900 for the CVT

Last, but not least, fuel consumption figures. Honda claims that the Manual will average 6.7 L / 100km and the CVT will average 6.1 L / 100km.

12/02/2024

After spending time in the X70, it’s clear to see that Proton have focused their design efforts on a luxury-based experience👏🏼

The X70 has some of the most comfortable leather seats I’ve sat on, as well as a truly comfortable yet smooth drive👀

With a starting price point of R529,900, they’ve hit the nail on the head in terms of market compatibility. They’re going to give their competitors a bit of a hard time for sure👏🏼

The powertrain features a turbocharged 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine, with a power output of 130 kW & 255 Nm. It is the same engine we see in the X90, but without the Mild-Hybrid system.

For me, I am very grateful that they opted for a dual-clutch-gearbox instead of the cheaper CVT option. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with CVT, I just am not a fan.

In terms of safety, the X70 is one of the family as it boasts a 5-Star NCAP Safety rating⚡️

If you opt for the Premium X 2wd option (which is the highest spec available), you will also have all of the ADAS programs at your fingertips as well.

For those that don’t know, ADAS - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems include all of the necessary safety features to ensure that you and your family are safe.

It includes items such as blind-spot warning, front collision warning, emergency braking and so on. You get the just of it.

Each X70 model comes with a 5-Year Warranty (Unlimited Kilometres) with a 5-Year Roadside Assistance Plan.

Proton South Africa

07/02/2024

Mercedes-Benz invited me to their GLC Coupé Launch in Cape Town last week, and they never disappoint👏🏼

The emphasis on the updated GLC Coupé’s embodiment of luxury and lifestyle is something to be seen, but rather felt.

It is the epitome of luxury, and comfort as you are cocooned in a universe that is Mercedes-Benz.

From the self-adjusting seats, MBUX System, climate control and Bermester sound system. You can’t help, but feel that you have arrived at your destination. That’s even before you start driving👏🏼

The GLC Coupe currently features two engine options, being the 220d and 300d variants.

The 220d will provide you with 145 kW / 440 Nm, all while you retain a fuel consumption between 5.1 - 5.8 litres / 100 km.

The 300d will provide you with 198 kW / 550 Nm, all while you retain a fuel consumption between 5.5 - 6.1 litres / 100 km.

Mercedes-Benz are also changing the way we see ownership of their cars👏🏼

Besides the customer-centric V&A Lounge that was recently unveiled in the heart of Cape Towns’ CBD.

They have flexible financing options such as their Agility Finance which offers the client the option to either renew and get a new car, retain and keep their current vehicle, or return the vehicle.

This is what they phrase as “Guaranteed Future Value”, as it provides a larger scope of customers to enter the brand, especially considering the economic climate. The Agility Finance Program even includes a reduction in interest rates in the second and third year of ownership if taken over a 36-Month Period.

Agility Finance genuinely sounds like a fantastic option to consider, especially if you are planning to upgrade your vehicle every three years.

Pricing of the GLC Coupé:
• GLC 220 d - R 1,392,350.00
• GLC 300 d - R 1,447,350.00

Mercedes-Benz South Africa

05/02/2024

04/12/2023

I was recently invited to the unveiling of the new Ferrari Purosangue 🇮🇹

It noteably stands out as it is their first "SUV", however it is powered by a V12. Happily ensuring that this is more likely to feel like a grand-touring family affair.

Pricing starts at approximately R9.7 Million and this exact specification you see below comes in at R12 Million.

There are reportedly 70 allocations for South Africa with an apparent much lower supply that will be hitting our docks.

Thus this will be making the performance SUV market shake as the forecast will be that exclusively will drive the resale price exponentially up. Probably reaching the R16 Million mark.

Ferrari Scuderia South Africa