Epic battle between Mercedes G63 AMG and the Range Rover SV Autobiography

Few cars are as imposing as the Mercedes Benz G-Class, especially one with the added AMG nameplate. Before you even step into the massive SUV, you get the sense that you can go anywhere in the new G63 AMG. Once on the inside, however, you are overwhelmed by effortless luxury that only cars in this league possess. From the plush leather-clad steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles to the bespoke two-tone seats, the interior, much like the exterior, is purpose-built.

Start the engine up and immediately the twin-turbo V8 roars to life. Although the cabin is well insulated, you will be under no illusion as to the monster that lurks beneath the bonnet in front of you. On take-off, there is a hush but addictive rasp coming from the AMG sports exhaust. 

The G63 feels super solid but most owners will use this car in the urban jungle with little to challenge its supremacy instead of off-road where this car has very few peers. It does have an annoyingly wide turning circle and it’s not as comfortable as its closest competitors namely the Range Rover, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. This shouldn’t be surprising as the G-class has been around for over 30 years and although it is very solid, it is very mechanical and its core qualities will only really be appreciated by the truly adventurous at heart.It is very utilitarian, even the doors are heavy with hinges reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler. By comparison, the Urus is very sports orientated while the Bentayga focuses on luxury to the point of neglecting fluent design. The Range Rover then is a more comparable alternative even though it doesn't quite match the G63 for raw speed even in its raunchiest V8 Supercharged engine guise.

Despite its massive size, the latest Range Rover just isn’t as imposing alongside the G63. It is a lot more comfortable though and features technology that even NASA could be proud of, making it easier to live with every day. The upgraded infotainment system is more of a novelty than a technological marvel but the car itself is quite capable of doing the daily commute to school then to work, meetings, gym, school and back home. It is equally at home in rough terrain although unlike in the G63 you would be more worried about something possibly going wrong. It won’t but nevertheless, it fails to give that assured feeling you get in the Mercedes despite its legendary reputation in this regard.

Ultimately the choice between the two cars boils down to individual taste and the reason behind the purchase. The G63 has that unmatched presence and is a lot more exclusive whereas the Range Rover is a bit nimbler, more obviously luxurious and ultimately easier to live with as a daily commute. It isn’t as rare though and although recently refreshed it still seems a bit dated compared to the new G63.

Of course neither of them are cheap with the G63 starting at over R2 million while the Range Rover Autobiography with its supercharged V8 engine will also set you back at least R2.2million

New cult car from BMW? The M340i xdrive promises a lot and delivers even more...

 

Face to face with the latest 3 series flagship ahead of the M3 launch

The BMW M340i xDrive initially seems like a bit of an anomaly. An all wheel drive 3 series hasn't, up until now, been offered in South Africa. The 340i moniker is also relatively new. To top it off, its performance figures suggest it is M5 quick (F10 M5). It sits rather untidily as the current flagship model with the 318i, 320i, 320d, 330d and 330i lining up below it. With some journalists questioning the value of the M340i given the performance offered by the more humble 330i so very few will ever look into what the M340i promises. And it promises a lot!

The M340i is good for a brisk sprint of 0-100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. This is made possible by an impressive 285kW and 500Nm emanating from its turbocharged 3 litre petrol turbo engine with power transferred to all four wheels through a slick 8 speed automatic transmission. The AWD system doesn't just help with amassing rapid off-the-line speed, it also helps provide comforting grip through the twisties. Don't let that fool you into thinking this is a mindless track machine though because that isn't necessarily accurate. This car is quick and agile but also a lot more compromising than the more edgy M3. And its not a bad compromise either. Yes it gets BMW's adjustable damping system and has a range of other adjustable settings for the steering feel and throttle response. And yes it sounds raunchier than the model it replaces but this car is more mainstream than its hefty price tag would suggest. Its a perfect companion for someone who loves performance but is still responsible, still likes to enjoy maximum comfort on their daily commute and probably travels with company quite often. The cockpit is driver orientated in similar fashion to BMWs of old yet exudes technology and sufficient luxury to keep even discerning buyers happy.  

The M340i then is a modern tool for consumers that like to have balance, who dont mind having a machine that is something of a jack of all trades. I can imagine this consumer being someone who works hard(and smart), goes to gym regularly, has a family and still has time to play hard without being irresponsible. In other words, a well rounded individual. Whether this is the consumer that BMW has in mind is another thing of course because in reality this car would make a wide range of consumers happy despite outcries from purists. 

What purists may not be aware of is that BMW's competition already has similar offerings. The Mercedes C43 AMG and the Audi S4 are its closest rivals. While the C43 AMG is only slightly slower ,it does deliver a more exhilarating experience capped off by its addictive exhaust note while the S4 is a more sedate candidate, it is just as quick as the Mercedes but a lot cheaper than both its rivals here. 

The Mercedes C43 AMG and Audi S4 are incredible cars in their own right

As always it comes down to personal taste in terms of the choice between the M340i, C43 AMG and S4 as there is very little in terms of figures to separate these rivals. The M340i is the quickest, sharpest in terms of handling and ever so slightly more comfortable with the best built quality of the trio while the Audi is generally the cheapest and most practical with its own built quality considered flawless but it is the Mercedes which many consider the most exciting. 

What to expect at JIMS 2013

The Johannesburg International Motor Show is one if the most anticipated events on the calendars of car enthusiasts (and there are truck loads) in South Africa and this year promises to the most exciting installment yet... Taking place in mid-October, what can you look forward to? 

The 2013 edition of JIMS held in conjunction with Auto Shop and the Johannesburg Truck and Bus show will have a lot of highlights with the major car manufacturers set to reveal some new cars due in our market... 

We expect the new BMW 4 series coupe,  Audi RS7, and a hotter version of the Peugeot RCZ coupe to be the stars if the show but brands like Infinity, Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover with the Range Rover Sport could steal the spotlight! See www.jhbmotorshow.co.za for more details. 

Detroit motor show reveals stunning cars for 2013 and beyond

Concepts and production cars to get the pulse racing

The Detroit motor show, taking place until 27 January has seen some manufactures take the opportunity to reveal some stunning concepts as well as production versions of their cars for 2013 and beyound. Here are some of the models that you can look forward to...

Toyota revealed a concept of the next toyota in a bright burnt orange colour scheme. While the production version is likely to be watered down a lot, Toyota seems to be on the right track in creating good looking sedans again. They will hopefully loose that aweful grill as well as add softer looking 15 inch  and 16 inch rims as options. 

The BMW i8 electric car's arrival is imminent. Still an exciting car to look forward to... Wonder what colours this will come in though.

The Corvette stingray was one of the cars that really excited media when unveiled. This is the production version and can be described as nothing short of incredibly stunning. In red the car seems to be poised to compete with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. 

The Ford Focus has been given a new lease on life with this super hot version, a 500GT Shelby enhanced variant. Details will be available but the naming suggests that it has inherited its bigger brother's 5 litre V8 mill to give it some serious grunt. This is not likely to make it to production however.

My favourite car at the show has to be the new Mercedes E-Class Coupe. The German manufacture has managed to make this car even more beautiful. The car exudes power and luxury in every shade and seems poised from every angle... 

Some of the other cars that caught the eye include the BMW 128i coupe (slightly revised with a 180kw powerplant at its heart), the Lamborghini Aventador spyder, Cadillac ATS coupe,  new Audi R8,   and BMW Z4 facelift while Buick put up a rather lackluster exhibit.

   

American icon hisses at worldwide recognition

Dodge Viper slithers dangerously!

Vital stats

Manufacturer: Dodge

Model: SRT-10 (Phase 2)

Years: 1992 - present

Latest: 2013 model (MK5)

Body: 2 door , 2 seat sports coupe / convertible

Layout: Front mounted engine with rear wheel drive

Engine: 8.4 Litre V10  

Transmission: 6 speed manual 

Power: 450 kw (South Africa)

Torque: 760 Nm

0-100 km/h: 3.4 (claimed)

The Dodge Viper, although quite a young brand, embodies the spirit of the American muscle car. Timeless design, large capacity engine and effortless power and grunt characterise this mean machine. The Viper was first produced in 1992 with an 8 litre V10 powerplant at its heart and a sub 5 second sprint to 100km/h ability. It is often mistakenly thought to compete directly with the likes of the Corvette but is infact more of a supercar despite the similarities. 

Through the years, the Viper's external design has been too conservative with Chrysler refusing to temper with its rising star's success formula. Fundamentally too, the car changed little retaining its V10 and six speed manual transmission configuration but increasing power output significantly with each generation. Perhaps because of its left hand drive only limitation as well as the perception that American cars cant corner the Viper's imposing  presence has remained obscured  from much of the world. It took a colossus effort in the form of the fourth gebneration GTS and SRT -10 to haul back the brand from obscurity. This generation proved its worth as a Supercar by being faster around the bends that established race cars such as the Porsche  GT3, the Nissan GTR and even the surefooted Audi R8. 

For 2013, the Viper has shed its skin and comes in a visibly apparent and quite stunning shape. So significant is this car's departure from the old design that it will be called the SRT Viper and no longer be known as a Dodge. 

Stomping STI!

Vital stats

Manufacturer: Subaru

Model: Impreza WRX STI

Years: 1992

Latest: 2010 model (MK3)

Body: 4 door sports sedan and 4 door sports hatch

Layout: Front mounted engine with all wheel drive

Engine: 2.5 Litre turbo charged boxer  

Transmission: 6 speed manual (6 speed automatic option also known as Prodrive available)

Power: 221 kw (South Africa)

Torque: 400 Nm

0-100 km/h: 5.6 (claimed)

The Subaru WRX STI is perhaps the ultimate cult car. Its legendary status is courtesy of its all wheel drive (AWD) configuration pushed into action by powerful and near unbreakable turbocharged boxer engines. Its rally heritage is also quite impressive. A few years ago, the STI stomped its competition with two litre turbocharged monsters but the latest iteration available in South Africa uses a 2.5 litre screamer of a drivetrain. Power is rated at 221kW and 308Nm of torque (Japanese version is more powerful thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger). Still the European version is enough to scare the likes of BMW's 135i as well as the Audi S3 which have similar performance figures.

Dynamite comes in small packages

Retro is sexy again!



Vital Stats

Manufacture: BMW
Model: Mini Cooper S
Years: Since 1959
Latest: 2012 special edition
Varients: Clubman, Countryman, roadster/coupe, convertible
Engine: 1.6 litre turbo charged
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Body: 2 door coupe (4 door in countryman and clubman variations)

Power: 125 kW / 6000rpm
Torque: 220Nm / 4000rpm
0-100 km/h: 8.2 seconds (for South Africa)

The Mini brands needs no introduction, its reputation is legendary especially amongst English folk where it started life in 1959. It has cult status similar to the VW beetle the world over and relived its glory days under the ownership of BMW from early 2000. Its a classic case of dynamite coming in small packages with the Mini Cooper S. A small body, relatively powerful engine and kart-like handling make it an agile and fun cult car! And it continues to build equity with the JWS and Countryman variations as well as recent World Rally Championship exploits. In Europe and the U.S, the Mini is fine for both men and women but in South Africa it is considered somewhat feminine despite its sporting ability...