Volvo Re-launches its 60 Range

Design is influenced by people and how these people interact in their social environment. Currently the appetite for technology is driving the new age of technological advancements. Scandinavians created the concept of “beautiful things that make your life better”.…

The adventure began with a “cuppa” coffee and a hot air balloon ride. The three balloons gently lifted off the dry Highveld landscape like gentle giants floating through the sky. It’s not every day you get to stop and watch life pass you by, especially from 2000 feet above the ground.  The adrenaline from the ride was a great way to set off on our off road adventure.  The…

The first impression

Audi’s Q line of vehicles have created a following but not without initial controversy. The Q7, the first of the brand’s quest to go big or go home in the SUV market, was launch back in 2006. It was judged for looking like a hearse. That didn’t stop it going on to be a top seller and having a longer lifespan than the previous generation VW…

(Image by Shawn Jooste)

Remember the TV series M.A.S.H? The satirical American black comedy from the early 70’s which aired for over a decade. Remember or not, you’ll remember the two door army jeep, which was most often seen as an open topper in the series. What’s that got to do with the newly nipped and tucked Suzuki Jimny?…

MINI have launched the world’s first SAC! This apparently is not a joke, but rather an acronym for “Sport Activity Coupe”.

There is one thing in life that is certain, change. Music is downloaded, video clips are uploaded, kids don’t read books but scan tablets, and everyone is chatting on Whatsapp. Imagine I made this statement ten years ago, you would think I…

Do you enjoy driving? If you do, keep reading. The FORD Focus ST3 is a driver’s car. Though I am not from the Play Station generation, the ST brings out a playful 4D sensation, which I could only imagine of the next generation motorsport game. From the moment you sit in the Recaro racing seats, you…

The Techno Quickie: The self-parking car

By Daniel Calbacho

Autonomy- don’t we all wish we had some of that?  Teenagers would kill to do as they please and roll to their own beat. So who would ever imagine an autonomous car? Volvo is in development of just that. A car that drives better than us! It’s safer, more fuel efficient and leaves us with…

I have a soft spot for the Fiat 500. I reviewed the Abarth 500 earlier in the year and I am now reviewing its topless variety, the Abarth 500C. The Abarth suffers the prejudice of being labelled expensive, but is it really? This is a label I wish to dispel. The…

The first impression

The MiTo was originally launched in South Africa in March 2008. It was fresh in its styling and a quirky alternative to its competitors, the Audi A1 and the MINI Cooper. I reviewed the manual Quadrifoglio Verde a year ago, which left me smitten and longing for a second rendezvous.

So with good reason I was happy to…

The first impression

It seems as if I am having a French affair. After reviewing three French vehicles one after another, it does feel that way. I have a new found respect for the French car manufacturers after my 21 day French lesson. They are beautifully designed and pay great attention to design details. More than that,…

The first impression

SUVs are cool! So cool in fact, there are more and more to choose from these days. They really…

The first impression

We all know the French have flair. They make great food, wine, and fashion, who else could make a morning bread roll, tweak it and call it a croissant? Only the stylish French! Their cars are no exception,…

Jaded. A term one could use to illustrate the effect of attending one premium launch after the next.  Brand managers alike all seeking to outdo the next in the pursuit of the “perfect launch” and to create a lasting impression with…

The new GOLF (winner of World Car of the Year title 2013) is the 7^th incarnation in a long history of hatchbacks produced by the VW brand. It was initially introduced in 1974, as a replacement for the much loved but aging Beetle. The GOLF was designed…

“A is for Attack”, these were the proud words used by Martin Zimmerman, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Together with his team, who were all like proud parents as they unveiled the very different 3^rd generation A-Class, at the local launch in Cape Town last week.

The morning after, what was an entertaining prelaunch dinner with singing sensation Toya Delazy and the…

On Monday the 1st of April I was fooled! Go figure, being the global day for pranksters and Subaru not being a likely culprit.  Now we know that the news media are synonymous with April fools headlines. Though this year, the real joker was DSTV, with their erroneous memorial commercial to Nelson Mandela. Being a relatively sensible chap, I…

Ever so often, I drive a car that speaks to me, leaving me with an impression and a definite positive after thought. The original Fiat 500 of the 1950’s and the current model, both pull at the emotional strings of onlookers. Most love the compact dimensions and use the word ‘cute’ with enthusiasm, while others think it’s ridiculous.

The ‘cute’ factor has been…

The Datsun originated in Japan almost a century ago in 1914, but in 1981 the Datsun brand was integrated with Nissan. It has been announced as part of Nissan's expansion plans to awaken the spirit of the Datsun brand after 32 years of silence. We can expect to see the Datsun back on our roads by the end of 2014.…

Toyota Yaris Hybrid XS

I have wanted to review a hybrid vehicle for some time.  For a motoring journalist, it is equivalent to a food critic getting to try out a vegan veggie pesto wrap.

When you think hybrid, you think Toyota. The Japanese brand launched their first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius in 1997. It has been a car…

The Volvo V40 D3 Excel Auto

We all know that Volvo make safe cars. But not many are aware of how much more than safety this brand has mastered. As part of Volvo’s new brand positioning, appealing to a younger and edgy audience, Volvo partnered with the Twilight film series. The lead character, Edward Cullum, sported a new Volvo in each…