Get ready for JIMS

The Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) will soon be the talk-of-the-town when some of the biggest names in the automotive world touch down in South Africa from 16-27 October at the Nasrec Centre.

Petrol-heads across the nation can expect some new and exciting models from all the big leagues in the automotive world.Companies such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Ford, Mazda, Range Rover and much more will all be showcasing new models raging from family saloons, SUV's, hot hatches sports cars and many more.

The 2011 JIMS show was a massive success and was very well attended. Manufacturers pulled out all the stops to impress the public and the media. Some of the highlights at the show was the launch of some very fast and pretty cars such as: The BMW M5 flown in from Germany just for the show, the Lexus LFA also flown in from Japan just for the show, the Volkswagen Beetle flown in from Germany and the Mercedes-Benz SLS convertible to mention but a few.

General Motors Company impressed the public a great deal with a full factory display of how its cars are made and assembled (like a production line). Hyundai also impressed with an elevated driving simulator, similar to the ones used in Formula 1.

The public could also enjoy a full 4X4 off-road track with 30 degree inclines, muddy water pits, left and right articulates which felt like the car would tip over with too much movement.

The stunts and drifting track was probably the best in my opinion.Two 20 metre ramps were set up for bikes and were perfectly aligned for two meaty, flame-throwing Chevrolet Lumina's to drift around. The bikes would ramp in unison over whilst down below the Lumina's spin figure-eights also in unison.

That is just the-tip-of-the-iceberg in terms of what you can expect at this years show. You have two months to save the date, because this is a show you do not want to miss.

 

SBK is back this weekend

The World Super Bikes Championship resumes this weekend at the Imola racetrack in Italy and teams are gearing up for tough weekend.

Spectators were treated to an exciting race weekend with the season opener at Phillip Island, Australia and riders are eager to get back on the black stuff. Catch the race this weekend, Sunday April 1 check your local listings for times.

The current standings are:
Max Biaggi, Aprilia, 45 points
Marco Melandri, BMW, 30 points
Tom Sykes, Kawasaki, 29 points

A much needed win for Ferrari F1 Team

The Ferrari F1 team managed to secure a much needed win yesterday at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. It seemed very unlikely that Ferrari would finish in the top five let alone the on the podium. After the weekend in Australia and the results received in free practice were below average.

The race started with cars forced to use intermediate tyres due to wet track conditions. Racing got under way with Mclaren Mercedes team mates Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button on the front row. Poor weather conditions forced stewards to deploy the safety car and shortly after that the race was red flagged.

The race restarted under safety car rules and soon after it was called in.  Racing on full wet tyres drivers were still apprehensive to put the hammer down. Fernando Alonso wasn't buying the cautious approach he catapulted to the front with Suaber Ferrari driver Sergio Perez hot on his heels it.  The young Mexican (Sergio Perez) ate away at Alonso's lap times and was soon up the Spaniard's exhaust. Contact with curb saw the Mexican slide onto the run off area.

1st Fernando Alonso, Ferrari   
2nd Sergio Perez, Suaber Ferrari
3rd Lewis Hamilton, Mclaren Mercedes

Ford's old - new pride and joy

Think of a car that can do it all, a car that drives well , looks good, sounds good and gets the heart beat racing every time you start it.  A few BMW's maybe an Alfa or a Ferrari? Yes, those cars can each do some of the above mentioned. But the Fords new Mustang can do it all!

The American car giants have had plausible success with the Ford Mustang since its introduction way back in the 1950's and over the years the company has re-invented and redesigned - and have done well doing that.

The rectangular headlights that become one with the overhead cross-member that runs over the grill give it a menacing look but at first glance could be mistaken for an old Skyline GT-R. The small  A-pillars that allow for that slanted roof line is reminiscent of the GT500 (Eleanor) which really gives you that rush of excitment every time you look at it. A big rear bummper at the rear that meets a slanted rear roof line make for a good match. It looks bold and incharge!

Ford have opted for a 5.0 litre V6 derivative mated with a new state-of-the-art Select Shift Automatic gearbox. The driver has the option to change manual by the flick of a switch on the steering wheel.    

The News

Car makers have released exciting new pictures and information about cars that are set to launch in the this year and next year. Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and many more!

Mercedes-Benz are set to launch the new SL next year. An iconic model in the Merc family, this model receives the same styling and design as the new SLK with some rather sexy lines on the doors and the bonnet to give it that extra bit of finesse. New Blue-Direct engines will power this beaut - a SL350, V6 engine, producing 225Kw and a SL500, V8 engine kicking out 320Kw will be the line up.

Volkswagen have two new models set to release soon - the Up 4-door will make its debut in 2013. The most exciting model to come out of the Volkswagen stable is VW's Beetle. Looking a bit like a squashed up version of the Panamera this model is completely new. Engines specifics were not mentioned.

Seat will make a more racier version of the Leon. The Italian marque have dubbed it the Leon FR Supercopa and is said to be very quick. A 2.0l TSI engine will power the hot the hatch.

Stay posted for more news soon...

  

Some news

The new A3 looks like a beefed up A1. We will have to wait and see what it has to offer. Mean while British car giants Bentley are planning to launch an SUV range that will rival Porsches Cayenne and perhaps Land Rover as well. Ford go electric with the Focus Electric.

All this and more on Wheels24. Go and check it out. 

Much confusion

Over heard some of my fellow class mates talking about the difference between Kw and Nm. So what is the difference? It is simple. A Kw is a metric unit of power - Nm is the amount of torque an engine makes.

So how does it all work out in a car, the Golf R for example has a 2.0L turbocharged 188kw engine, @6000rpm all this power is available and between 2500-5000rpm 350Nm are available.