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Two special, flagship, cars were launched this past week, but rather than fill you in using traditional black Trebuchet MS font – as I typically do here in iMod – I found these videos speak volumes. Enjoy!

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Limited Edition

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

I also reported on the new Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Ambition last week. The Audi A1′s Volkswagen Polo underpinnings are well known and the car has been labelled by some as nothing more than a glitzy version of its German understudy. At the most basic levels and on paper, I might agree, but the diminutive Audiís tangible character firmly dispels any such notions. I like the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine’s performance, economy and all-round flexibility. Other plus points include, the eye-catching styling and a refreshed take on the Audi interior, which was beginning to border on cliched in recent models, despite its excellence. For the low-down on the smallest Audi to-date (with one of the biggest options lists!), click here.

Big news this week is Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Limited Edition – the ultimate naturally aspirated 911 and the 997′s motorsports-infused swan-song. As the name would suggest, this latest limited-edition 911 packs a 4.0-litre flat-six, derived from the 911 GT3 RSR racer, complete with forged pistons, titanium connecting rods and a crankshaft pulled directly from its track-bred descendant. The result is the most powerful normally aspirated 911 to date, with 368 kW peaking at 8 250 r/min and maximum torque of 460 N.m at 5 750 r/min. That massive engine partnered with a host of lightweight kit (carbon fibre buckets, front fenders, luggage compartment lid and ìweight-optimised carpets) allows the 1 359 kilogram GT3 RS 4.0 to run to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, crack 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds and top out at 308 km/h. A six-speed manual is the only gearbox available and standard equipment includes central twin exhausts, massive rear wing and the first production application of air deflection vanes on both sides of the front bumper (dubbed ìflicsî) to improve stability and exert an extra 193 kg of downforce at speed. Of course the GT3 RS 4.0 has visited the N¸rburgring and clocked a lap time of 7m27s, earning its place as one of the fastest production cars ever to lap the famed circuit. Pricing is not available for South Africa at this stage, but if youíre keen, we suggest you get your orders in now as only 600 will be produced when sales begin later this year.

More powerful still is the updated 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, which now features the new 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, instead of the old naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre unit. The new powerplant, already known from the CLS63 AMG, delivers 390 kW as standard, with an additional 24 kW for a total of 414 kW with the AMG Performance package. The new V8 engine has a peak torque of 700 N.m available between 1 750 and 5 000 r/min, with the AMG Performance kit adding another 100 N.m of torque. Needless to say, the AMG-badged E-Class is super fast, reaching the 100 km/h mark in 4.3 seconds (4.4 seconds for the Estate) with its top speed restricted to 250 km/h. The AMG Performance models shave 0.1 seconds of the 0 to 100 km/h time, while posting the same average fuel consumption. The new E63 AMG sedan posts an average fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km, while the Estate version settles for 10 L/100 km. This represents an increase of 22 percent in fuel-efficiency compared with its predecessor, as the new car uses 2.8 L/100km. CO2 emissions stand at 230 g/km for the sedan and 234 g/km for the estate. Among the fuel-saving measures Mercedes quotes is the newly developed electromechanical AMG sports steering system, which only uses power when the car is steered, and the efficient AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission fitted with a stop/start system. Visually, the E63 AMG with the new M157 engine has new light-alloy wheels and the ìV8 Biturbo’ badge on the front wings. Inside, the car gets the flat-top and -bottom steering wheel from the CLS63 AMG, a new E-Select shift lever with embossed AMG badge and a 3-D TFT color display in the center of the speedometer. Enthusiasts will appreciate the 3-stage ESP system with Sport mode, as well as the AMG Ride Control sports suspension, which now has a wider front track (by 56 mm) that increases grip in high speed corners. The market launch is scheduled for September 2011.

The latest Jaguar XF was launched at the New York motor show this past week. Design director Ian Callum has taken critical design cues from the flagship XJ, such as the lower profile headlight assembly with Bi-Xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights for what actually appears to be slimmer version of the J-Blade’ design. On display was the powerful XFR supercharged model, looking even more aggressive with new styling treatments, which enhance the more aggressive nature of the car. It’s still a beautiful fast car, only this time around, the extra performance intentions of this variant are a touch more overt than before. Jaguar Land Rover global boss, Dr Ralf Speth, believes that itís more important to exploit current models with additional drivetrains, be they diesel or some other propulsion system, that can still provide ride and performance that is synonymous with Jaguar’s brand expectations. Indeed, Dr Speth is quick to point out to us that over the next five years no less than 40 new models or variants will be produced by the Jaguar land Rover group, with around one billion dollars per annum budgeted for these actions. That’s exactly what they have delivered too in the form of an all-new super efficient small displacement diesel engine for the XF. It’s a technology rich 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with a stop/start system, which is a first for Jaguar. While fuel efficiency is a key driver for this powertrain with a combined fuel consumption of a staggering 4.5 L/100km and an equally impressive CO2 emission output of 149g/km, performance for a Jaguar is mandatory. Despite this engineís rather modest capacity, power and torque figures are 140 kW and 450 N.m respectively, meaning the least powerful XF probably wonít be short on ëgruntí despite its green credentials. Credit must also go to the new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which will be standard fitment on all diesel models in the XF range. The XF has a long life ahead of it and donít be surprised to see an aluminium body XF (or should that be XFR-S?), which would mean a massive step up in performance if the same powertrains were employed or in the other direction, smaller engines that would use less fuel, but offer similar performance to the more powerful cars. Whichever way it goes, you can guarantee that with Ian Callum at the design helm, Jaguar will continue to build ëbeautiful fast carsí.

Nine years after its revival, Mini’s fun-loving character and individual appeal is still winning hearts. However, thereís a new face on the premium small car scene in the shape of the Audi A1. Mini has thus responded with a number of subtle updates to its already winning formula. For 2011, the Mini range benefits from subtle exterior updates. These include a new front bumper design that better meets the ever increasingly stringent pedestrian protection requirements, as well as offering a slight improvement in aerodynamics. The front foglights feature new chrome surrounds, while all models are now equipped with LEDs for the rear lights, as well as the dynamic brake light function. At the same time, new wheel variants, paint finishes and optional extras, accentuate both the elegance and premium character of the Mini family. The Mini Connected application gives owners access to streaming Internet radio and reception of RSS news feeds. Moreover, it also enables Facebook and Twitter posts to be displayed on the on-board monitor and allows the user to send standardised text messages. Mini engineers have given the 1.6-litre and 1.6-litre turbo engines a slight power boost to 90 kW and 135 kW respectively. Click here to watch a video demonstration of the Mini Connected system by Mini SA Product Manager, Chris Potgieter.

Volkswagen launched their new Passat sedan recently. New exterior styling brings the Passat in-line with the rest of the VW family, most notably in the front, with a new radiator grille that features four horizontal crossmembers. Optional bi-xenon headlights with daytime LED running lights add to the Passatís character, while the tail-end is less wedge-shaped than before and features wrap-around tail-lights, underlined by a chrome highlight strip. Volkswagen has paid close attention to detail in their latest Passat, beginning with the carís insulation. The new interior look and feel is reassuring in its build and perceived quality. A revised soft-touch dashboard boasts new dials, trim finishes and an analogue clock joined by subtle chrome highlights. New front seats feature climate control as standard and have one of the most effective cooling systems Iíve sampled, including those of BMW and Aston Martin. Whatís more, an automatic fatigue detection system monitors the driver’s inputs and emits an audible and visual warning when fatigue is detected. Technology extends to the engine bay too, with a choice of 1.8-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TDI engines. The 1.8 TSI offers 250 N.m of torque from 1 500 r/min and maximum power of 118 kW at 5 000 r/min. At the same time, Volkswagen engineers have managed to reduce fuel consumption from 7.6 L/100km to 6.9 L/100km with corresponding CO2 emissions of 160 g/km. The turbocharged petrol engine is available with either a slick-shifting 6-speed manual, or 7-speed DSG gearbox. The 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel engine produces 103 kW and 320 N.m of torque between 1 750 and to 2 500 r/min. It is available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG gearbox and VW claims itíll sip 5.6 L/100km (6.4 L/100km when equipped with DSG) and CO2 emissions of 147 g/km (168g/km for DSG). Optional equipment includes an electrically operated swiveling tow bar; electric rear sunblind; sunroof; electronic 12-way driver seat with memory function; as well as Park Assist, which provides automatic steering assistance to aid reverse parking. Prices start from R294 000 for the 1.8 TSI Comfortline.

This is the next-generation 2012 VW Beetle, which has now dropped the capitalised word New from its name. The 2012 VW Beetle differs in styling from the previous generation with a flatter roof and more upright back end. The new Beetle is also wider than its predecessor by 84 mm and longer by 152 mm. Engine options will include the 2.0-litre TFSI engine and the 2.0-litre TDI diesel in both European and North American spec variants. In addition the range-topping engine, the 2.0-litre 147 kW, will feature standard XDS electronic differential lock as fitted to the Golf GTI.

Having seen the entries to Friday’s ‘Cleavage Day Competition’ and trying to figure out how I can get 23 gorgeous women to send me pictures of their cleavage too, I finally managed to pull my fist out of my mouth and put together the all-important motoring highlights from last week. Thankfully, like Chris, I also bring you plenty of curves in the form of a Maserati, Audi R8 and a new BMW M3…

I’m sure Maserati GranCabrio owners amongst us might, at some stage, have felt the need to spice up their ride – you know, because cruising the streets of Sandton or Camps Bay in a standard Maser just doesn’t always cut it. So don’t worry, because Ferrari-specialist tuner Novitec has you covered with a new upgrade kit. The kit includes a new supercharger and watercooled intercooler, a reworked ECU, a new intake manifold and larger injectors for more power. The result is 434 kW and 572 N.m of torque – enough to rocket the Novitec GranCabrio from 0 ñ 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 300 km/h. Novitec also adds a stainless-steel sport exhaust to help that Ferrari-derived 4.7-litre V8 sing like Luciano Pavarotti and a KW aluminum coilover kit. Appearances are upgraded with a carbon-fibre front spoiler, side skirts, rear fascia and a boot lid spoiler, while 21-inch wheels at the front and 22-inchers at the rear round off the exterior styling. Finally, as with any Novitec Rosso product, the interior can be upholstered in any combination of leather and Alcantara the customer desires. Novitecís GranCabrio package costs around US$29 000, or roughly R200 000.

The Audi R8 is certainly one of the sleekest supercars and it’s hard to argue with the potency of the V10 5.2 FSI engine. With itís 386 kW, mid-mounted, V10, the Lamborghini-derived engine is more than enough motivation for mere mortals. However, some folks out there felt slighted by the fact that Audi detuned the Lamborghini-sourced unit for its use in the R8. Enter the folks at Heffner Performance, who decided to rectify the situation by sticking two massive Garrett GT35R turbochargers into the R8′s rear-end. The result? A 540 kW, twin-turbocharged, teutonic terror, that accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h faster than you can snap your fingers – and oh yes, those 540 kW are measured at the rear-wheels! Heffner are still busy with this project, but weíre sure theyíll be boasting about the performance figures as soon as possible.

BMW M Power dominated the headlines on the first of April. One of their releases on that day was a new concept based on the M3 Sedan using loads of carbon fibre and other lightweight parts reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. New information now states that the BMW M3 ëLightweightí will be released in June at the Nurburgring M Festival. The output will be between the ‘regular’ M3 and the M3 GTS, so somewhere between 309 and 335 kW. The name of the vehicle has been unclear late last week, when German magazine ‘Auto Motor und Sport’ reported that the M3 Sedan will be marketed as the M3 GTS, but with a power output of only 328 kW. Like the GTS Coupe, the BMW M3 GTS Sedan will be equipped with the specially tuned 7-speed DCT transmission. The production version will be showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.

Finally, in case you missed the launch of SABikeFan last week, I’ve included one of the top stories from the world of motorcycling, which is this: Czech manufacturer and government-backed FGR has introduced its first motorcycle, which it claims is the world’s most powerful production bike. Madness is what many would call it, but for hardcore horsepower junkies the FGR Midalu muscle-bike would probably be the most exciting piece of machinery to roll out this year. The FGR Midalu is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 that pushes out 240 HP (178 kW) and weighs-in at close on 270 kg. Covered in carbon-fibre, the Midalu has been built using quality components from Ohlins, Brembo and OZ Racing wheels. In total, over 40 different suppliers contribute components to the final product. The price is yet to be disclosed along with performance figures, but expect to hand over many pennies, as FGR will be producing an exclusive batch of around 6 units in its first year.

That’s all the news for this week. By the time you read this I would have touched down in Jo’burg for the launch of Honda’s new CBR125 & CBR250 motorcycles, before returning to the Mother City for the launch of KIA’s new Cerato Hatchback on Wednesday. If you like, you’re welcome to follow me on twitter for an insight into the whirl-wind lifestyle of a motoring editor. Enjoy the short week ahead. Oh, and ladies, if you’re reading, Chris has my email address. ;)

It was a busy week for local manufacturers last week, with two hot new hatchbacks from Volkswagen and a great looking entry-level set of wheels from Toyota.

What’s in a name? Well, if your car is called the Toyota Aygo, you know that it is more than a pure vehicle descriptor. Aygo – a combination of “I” and “go” is a promise of freedom and mobility, a declaration of independence for a first time car buyer. Starting with its cheeky front design, with signature bulge over the Toyota badge, smiling lower air intake, integrated bumper protectors and flowing front fenders the Aygo makes no mystery of its youthful appeal. Inspired by the cabin design of modern speedboats, the Aygo offers figure hugging front seats, a flowing dashboard that offers a multitude of storage spaces and a bold instrument cluster that is mounted atop the height-adjustable steering wheel, allowing for good visibility regardless of the steering wheel position. The Aygo is a true city car thanks to its length of 3 415 mm and 4.7 m turning circle, yet its 2 340 mm wheelbase and very short overhangs shows that Toyota has squeezed every inch of interior space into this small city dweller. All versions of the Aygo offers speed sensitive electric power steering and air conditioning. The Aygo Wild adds front electric windows, an MP3-player-ready front loading CD-player and a 50:50 split rear bench seat with ISOfix tether points for a child seat. All versions of the Aygo have a full sized spare wheel. One of the Aygo’s most attractive features can be found under the bonnet. The Aygo is fitted with Toyota’s acclaimed 3-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that has won its category in the World Engine of the Year competition for four years running. At 67 kg the Aygo’s engine is the lightest internal combustion engine in a passenger vehicle while its fuel consumption figure of 4.6 L/100km and tax-beating CO2 emissions of 105 g/km will make an immediate and long term difference to overall cost of ownership. The Aygo’s engine delivers 50 kW at 6 000 r/min and 93 Nm at 3 600 r/min. The engine is mated to a five speed manual gearbox. Weighing just 830 kg, the Aygo has a top speed of 157 km/h and a 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time of 14.2 seconds. Pricing starts from R109 900 and includes a 4-year/60 000km service plan.

Bigger, better, faster is a trend in the motoring world that, in Volkswagen’s case, has seen the original Mk1 Golf GTI morph from being rabbit-like in nature to that of a hare. The smaller Polo hatchback has effectively filled the gap left by the growing Golf and is now the ërabbití in the range. However, the difference between a rabbit and a hare is, well, hares are just faster. Or are they, because Volkswagen has just launched itís new Polo GTI and this rabbit has a serious pair of you-know-whats! Under the bonnet is a retuned version of the 2009 International Engine of the Year, a turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre petrol engine with direct-injection. The 132 kW 16-valve four-cylinder engine reaches its maximum power at 6 200 r/min, while maximum torque of 250 Nm is available between 2 000 – 4 500 r/min. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG, with VW claiming combined fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100km and CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km. Weighing in at 1 269 kgs, the Polo GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds (matching the Golf GTI) and reaches a top speed of 229 km/h – just 9 km/h less than the Golf GTI. A sportier chassis includes ESP and Volkswagen’s XDS electronic transverse differential lock. The new Polo GTI has a 15 mm lower ride height compared with the standard Polo range and, in combination with 215/40 R17 profile tyres, allows the baby GTI to tackle corners with fervid pace. The sportiest Polo stands out from the range with a nuber of subtle styling elements, most notably, the two classic red trim strips on its radiator grille; fender flares; colour-coded rear spoiler; 17-inch alloy wheels in ‘Denver’ styling; and customised rear apron with a diffuser look in its lower section with chrome exhaust pipes. Inside the Polo delivers a genuine GTI ambiance. The sport seats are standard equipment and boast Alcantara/Vienna leather combination trim. The roof liner, roof pillar trim, grab handles and sun visors are all styled in a sporty black; a glossy black surface decorates the panels of the centre console. Pricing starts from R259 000 and includes a 3-year/120 000km warranty and 12-year Anti Corrosion warranty.

The new Volkswagen Golf R is here! The Golf R is the flagship of the Golf range and the most powerful Golf model ever built, so let’s cut to the chase shall we: The Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, whilst the DSG equipped car is even faster at 5.5 seconds to reach 100km/h. A 2.0-litre turbocharged engine pushes out 188 kW and 350 N.m. of torque, which is enough for a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Drive is sent to the tarmac via a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG transmission. The Golf R uses the latest generation of Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Compared to the Golf R32, the new Golf R has a constantly variable torque split and is no longer as front-biased as the old system. Up to 100 percent of torque can be transferred to the rear wheels and the latest 4Motion system is much quicker to react to changes in grip levels. The suspension setup consists of Macpherson struts in front and a multi-link configuration at the rear, while the car rides 25 mm lower than a regular Golf. Internally ventilated brakes discs, 345 mm in front and 310 mm at the rear, clamp R-specific brake callipers painted a high-gloss black with R-logo. 19-inch alloy wheels and 235/35 profile tyres connect the Golf R with terra firma. The exterior styling sets the flagship R apart in a number of areas such as the Talladega style wheels, black brake callipers with R-logo and new bumper design, both front and rear. Standard Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering light illuminate the way through the night. Interior highlights include Art Grey decorative seams on all leather stitching; gloss-black highlights on the steering wheel; a re-styled R gearshift knob; carpet floor mats with piping in Art Grey; aluminium door tread plates with R-logo and the instruments with their blue pointers and a speedometer scale that reads up to 300 km/h. Pricing from R408 930 includes a 3-year/120 000km warranty, 5-year/90 000km service plan and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.

Do you enjoy the speed and excitement of two-wheels? Well, SABikeFan has just launched – literally, it’ll have been online for just a few hours by the time you read this. In the coming days it’ll be filled up with news, info and videos from the world of motorcycling, so be sure to check it out and follow @SABikeFan on twitter for the latest updates. Incidentally, you can also follow me on twitter: @ScottOnAutos

Plenty of new models launched locally this past week…

The Suzuki Swift was one of two models that spearheaded the launch of Suzuki Auto South Africa in June 2008 and now the second generation of the popular hatch has arrived in SA. The subtle redesign accentuates the wrap-around effect of the car’s glass area which, coupled to a more sharply raked windscreen, wider body and restyled headlight and tail light clusters, creates a more distinctive presence than before. In the new cabin, Suzuki claim the Swift is markedly sportier, yet also more refined, courtesy of the black trim with contrasting silver accents. This is complemented by an entirely new array of instruments and controls, along with upmarket textures and exquisite craftsmanship. Suzuki’s expertise in compact car design mean the new Swift’s proportions afford roominess and comfort, with gains in both areas despite a minimal increase in overall length of just 95 mm to 3.85 m. The new Swift is lighter and stiffer than before, promising improved handling, along with slightly softer suspension settings for improved comfort. A new 1.3-litre unit replaces the previous model’s 1.5-litre unit and is lighter and more efficient, requiring 5.5 L/100km on average and emitting 132 g/km of CO2. The 5-speed manual version of the new Swift is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, and the 4-speed auto version in 12.3 seconds, with top speeds of 170 km/h and 165 km/h respectively. The entry-level Swift GL features power steering with a height-adjustable steering wheel, electric windows front and rear, remote-controlled central locking for the doors and tailgate, and air-conditioning. Also on the list are electrically adjustable mirrors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and a multi-function trip computer that displays outside temperature, fuel consumption and driving range. This model comes pre-installed with an antenna and six-speaker system, while a CD tuner is available as an optional extra. Pricing starts from R152 900 and includes a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, roadside assistance, as well as a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

SsangYong has travelled a rocky road over the past few years, having been placed into receivership in 2009 after recording a $75.42 million loss. However, like their tough-natured vehicles, SsangYong is slowly making its way back onto a smoother path under the wing of its new parent company, Mahindra, and the new Korando looks set to spearhead SsangYong’s recovery. A radical departure from what we’ve come to expect from Ssangong’s designers, the new Korando is the first SsangYong to feature a monocoque body structure, which the exterior design echoes in its solid and integral appearance. The high bonnet line, bold air intake, flared wheel arches and masculine shoulder line, all serve to endow the new Korando with a character that should see it appeal to South Africa’s SUV-loving masses. Standard equipment includes leather covered seats, a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats with a 60:40 split layout, cruise control, radio/CD/MP3-player with USB and aux-in connections, to mention a few. Hard wearing plastics impart a feeling of durability, while the switchgear follows a logical layout. The dark shades of the interior are interspersed with silver and chrome highlights, giving the cabin a modern feel. The cabin also offers a number of convenient storage areas, as well as a hook located in the front passenger footwell for securing the odd shopping bag. Another all-new component for the Korando is its diesel engine. No longer a Mercedes-sourced unit, the 2.0-litre turbocharged unit incorporates the latest technology to achieve Euro-5 emissions regulations, as well as being adaptable to future Euro-6 rules. The e-XDi200 engine features combined cycle fuel economy of 6.1 L/100km and CO2 emissions of only 159 g/km. The maximum power output of 130 kW and 360 N.m. of torque means it is one of the most powerful engines in its class and does not leave the Korando wanting for pace. The Korando is currently available in a front-wheel drive and manual transmission configuration, but the range will expand in June when an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive will be introduced. Pricing starts at R294 995 for the SsangYong Korando 2.0 CRD 4×2 and includes a 3-year/100 000km factory warranty, as well as a 5-year/105 000km service plan and road-side assistance.

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has introduced some subtle changes to the iconic Chevrolet Lumina SS sedan and Ute for 2011. The front of the Lumina features a subtly revised bumper and air dam as well as new styling treatments for the fog lights and headlamps. A chrome strip is added to the boot lid just above the number plate on the sedan while the rear tailgate moulding on the Ute is now finished in body colour. The design of the 18-inch diameter alloys has also been refreshed. The tyre specification remains unchanged at 245/45 R18. A more subtle change is the addition of a ‘V’ to the nomenclature, changing the model designation from SS to SSV to bring the South African models in line with naming of other V series vehicles in the Lumina range. Despite the additional ‘V’ in the badging, the Lumina’s all-aluminium 6.0-litre V8 remains untouched, sending 270 kW and a burly 530 N.m. of torque to the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Revisions to the interior include an updated instrument cluster and centre console. The audio system has also been upgraded to include a USB socket and Bluetooth connectivity. The system features satellite controls on the steering wheel and touchscreen controls via the audio display screen. Chevrolet have added roof-mounted airbags to the Lumina Ute, which earned it a maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Pickup (excuse the pun) your Lumina SSV from R413 700 with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and roadside assistance, as well as a 3-year/60 000 km service plan.

If you’ve got more money than you could ever possibly spend and want the world’s coolest plug-in hybrid, get yourself to a Porsche dealer. The German automaker announced that it is taking orders for the gorgeous 918 Spyder. You’d better hurry, though, because it’s strictly first-come, first-served, and production will be limited to just 918 copies. Porsche officially opened the order books last week and set the price at R645 000. That’s a lot of money, but then the 918 is a lot of car. Porsche claims the petrol-electric rocket will do zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and top out at 318 km/h. It also will get 3.01 L/100km, but certainly not if youíre driving it like Ferdinand Porsche intend you to. That sort of haste is achieved with a 373 kW V8 based on the engine in the Spyder RS race car. Two electric motors, one at each end, provide another 160 kW. Electricity is stored in a lithium-ion battery of undisclosed size. Porsche claims the 918 will travel on electric power for up to 25 kilometers. The battery recharges in around three hours. The 918 is one in a wave of absurdly powerful, absurdly expensive cars-with-cords, which the Europeans are cooking up to tout their engineering and green credentials. Mercedes-Benz fired the first shot with the AMG SLS E-Cell, a battery-electric version of the SLS Gullwing slated for 2013. More recently, BMW said it would build the i8, a plug-in hybrid with performance on par with the M6. Clearly the 918 is a technology showcase and a halo to serve Porsche’s image. But the technology underpinning the car almost certainly will appear in more mainstream models.

For those that do manage to get on the Porsche 918 Spyder waiting list, Porsche are offering an exclusive 911 Turbo S ‘Edition 918 Spyder’ model. Why? Because deliveries of 918s won’t actually start for another two years. As you would expect, production of the special edition 911s is limited to 918 units worldwide. The limited edition 911 Turbo S series is cosmetically inspired by the 918 Spyder and will be available in both coupe and convertible body styles. While keeping the standard model’s 390 kW-strong flat-six turbo intact, the special edition gets distinctive acid green features such as the brake calipers, specific and part-embroidered model logos and seams, the instrument cluster needles, the bespoke PCM screen and illuminated door entry guards. In the special edition, the 911 Turbo Sí standard equipment is complemented by an enhanced leather interior, a special instrumentation version and additional carbon elements both inside and out. In addition, there’s a limited edition badge on the glove compartment lid that bears the same number as the 918 Spyder the customer has ordered, while the two cars can be finished in the same exact color. First deliveries of the 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder will commence in June 2011.

Following its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, Koenigsegg has released performance specifications for the Agera R. The twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8 engine develops 820 kW and 1 200 Nm of torque. It is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which enables the 1 330 kg supercar to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0 – 200 km/h in 7.5 seconds, 0 – 200 – 0 km/h in 12.7 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 390 km/h! In terms of efficiency, owners can expect to average 14.7 L/100km and have CO2 emissions of 310 g/km. On the design front, the Agera R has an aerodynamic carbon fibre body, which creates an impressive 300 kg of downforce at 250 km/h. Additionally, the exterior boasts an adaptive rear wing, a removable hardtop, and an aggressive rear diffuser. Inside, the cabin is outfitted with leather upholstery, power windows, GPS navigation, and a premium audio system with iPod / USB connectivity. If that isn’t impressive enough, options include heated seats, four-point racing harnesses, a rear view camera and exposed carbon fibre bodywork. No word pricing, but don’t expect any change back from Ä1 million.

I recently got behind the wheel of a very special four-door saloon. The Aston Martin Rapide is touted as the ‘the world’s most elegant four-door sports car’, which is quite a turn-around from the last four-door Aston produced in 1974, the Lagonda – a car that Bloomberg Businessweek ranked as one of the 50 ugliest cars of the last 50 years. Thankfully, however, the Rapide is founded on the esteemed DB9 coupe – from the chassis to the engine. Read my full report on the exclusive Aston Martin Rapide here.

Mercedes-Benz has lifted the curtain on a high-performance version of its recently launched C-Class CoupÈ developed by its AMG division. Stuttgart’s answer to the 331 kW Audi RS5 and the 309 kW BMW M3 coupÈs is built around the revised 2012 C63 AMG saloon and sticks with Mercedes-Benzís familiar 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 lump. As with the sedan model, the V8 powerplant in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG CoupÈ churns out 336 kW and peak torque of 600 Nm. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes just 4.5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Customers can opt for the AMG Development Package that pushes output to 358 kW, for a 0 to 100 km/h to 4.4 seconds and a limited maximum speed of 280km/h. Thereís only one available transmission for the rear-wheel drive coupÈ, the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed automatic. As for the interior, the two-door Merc gets a bespoke set of body-hugging sports seats with integral head restraints, unique trim and an AMG performance steering wheel with flattened top and bottom sections that was adopted from the CLS 63 AMG.

The redesigned Porsche 911 is set to be unveiled later this year, but that hasnít stopped the company from launching an assortment of special editions for the current model. If recent reports are correct, the ever expanding lineup will gain another variant dubbed the 911 GT3 RS Limited Edition. The specifics are still kind of murky, but the car will reportedly feature a new 4.0-litre flat-six engine with 368 kW, which is 37 kW more than the standard model. Furthermore, the vehicle could be outfitted with the new PDK-S transmission which promises near instantaneous gear shifts. The GT3 RS Limited Edition will reportedly be unveiled on April 7th, so expect to hear more on this one.

The season opener of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship took place under floodlights at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar last night. Joining the bikes on the starting grid, however, was BMW’s 1 Series M CoupÈ Safety Car, which is possibly the very first modified 1 Series M Coupe and features various handling and performance revisions. The car has received a number of performance upgrades to suit track work. Thereís a new lightweight titanium exhaust system, lightweight fibre-reinforced bonnet and polycarbonate rear and side windows for weight reduction purposes. Thereís also a new aerodynamics package including an adjustable rear wing and a new front apron and splitter integrated into the lower front bumper bar. There’s also additional ducting in the front to aid engine and brake cooling. Inside, the car is fitted with a race roll cage, racing bucket seats in the front with harness seat belts and removed rear seats. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe safety car is also fitted with an adjustable suspension system and an uprated braking package consisting of six-piston fixed calipers. If this modification program sounds familiar, then look no further than the BMW M3 GTS that received similar track-ready treatment. For all intents and purposes, we’d say this is unofficially a 1 Series M Coupe GTS. Just imagine if BMW decided to introduce this car in larger and more affordable numbers than they did with the very expensive and exclusive M3 GTS!

Yes, it’s another Limited Edition Lamborghini Gallardo (although officially itís just a one-off at the moment), this one bolted together to celebrate Italy’s 150th Anniversary of Unification and originally named the Lamborghini Gallardo Tricolore. If that rings a faint bell somewhere, you may have been reminded that Pagani created a Zonda Tricolore as one of the endless. This is really the last Zondaí creations. Essentially the Tricolore is a Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni with a different paint job, but still a stripe that runs up the car and through the cabin. This time it’s a red and green stripe bisected by the white paint job to evoke the Italian flag. Lamborghini is likely to take the one-off Tricolore and turn it in to a limited edition.

BMW has put the top on its all-new 2012 6-Series with the presentation of the CoupÈ model ahead of its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in China in April. The new 6-Series Coupe comes shortly after the convertible model that received its public debut at this yearís Detroit Motor Show in January. Based on last yearís ëBMW Concept 6 Series CoupÈí, the styling of the Bavarian firmís premium GT is the work of BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, who replaced Chris Bangle in 2009. The new 6er features a far less controversial but somewhat more bland styling than its predecessor, with a pronounced front end sporting a busy set of headlamps, auxiliary lights and a relatively low roofline. At 4 894 mm long, 1 894 mm wide and 1 369 mm tall, the 2+2 coupÈ is 75 mm longer, 39 mm wider and 5 mm lower than its predecessor. It also rides on a 75 mm longer wheelbase at 2 855 mm, which promises to improve space for the rear passengers. Boot capacity stands at 460-litres. The interior design is the same as on the soft-top model, with the more driver-orientated cockpit and the large display on the center console standing out. At launch, the new 6-Series CoupÈ will be offered with a choice of two powerplants, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six for the 640i and a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 for the 650i. Both the 650i CoupÈ and 640i CoupÈ transfer their power to the rear wheels via a standard eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles. However, in the U.S., BMW will also offer a 6-speed manual gearbox for the 650i CoupÈ. The 640iís straight-six produces 235 kW and 450 Nm of torque, while the 650iís V8 engine kicks out 300 kW from its 4.4-litre displacement and 600 Nm of torque. The 6 Series Coupe is expected to arrive in South Africa around September.

The 2011 South African Car of the Year (SACOTY) was announced last week. For the first time, this yearís competition was conducted using a the more modern and completely transparent European Car of the Year (COTY) based scoring system and, for the first time in the 26-year history of the SACOTY awards, produced a tie for first place. Ladies and gentleman, the winner of the 2011 SA Car of the Year title is, the BMW 530d and the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI, with both contenders having scored the exact same number of points to share the top spot this year. The COTY finalists are put through their paces at the world renowned Gerotek vehicle test facility outside Pretoria before voting takes place. The WesBank / SAGMJ COTY competition is about automotive excellence and the winning vehicle must score highly in its own class, not against each other as is often thought, but across a variety of categories including those that reflect value for money, safety, dynamics, technology and aesthetics to name a few. Although separated by more than R400 000 in sticker price, the BMW 530d and Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI were decidedly well ahead of their peers in their relevant classes and ultimately could not be separated by a single point at the end of a long and thorough process. The result sparked heated debate, with questions surrounding the efficacy of the judging process. In response, Danie van Jaarsveld, Chairman of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) issued a statement clarifying the decision in electing this yearís winners. Read the full story and find the individual scores and judges comments here. VW has also taken full advantage of the competition tie and released this tongue ‘n’ cheek video:

It didnít take long, but then it never does. Ferrari and Lamborghini have confirmed that their brand-new models, announced only in the past month, are all bought up for the first yearís worth of production. The unique Ferrari FF, a shooting brake-like supercar that introduces all-wheel-drive to the Italian companyís bag of tricks, is powered by an equally new 6.3-litre V12 engine producing 485 kW and 683 Nm of torque. Without a load in its cavernous rear, the FF will hit 100 km/h from standstill in 3.7 seconds. ìWith the FF, we open a new book in Ferrariís history,î Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo told reporters at Geneva. ìThis is something we have never done before.î Its styling has already proved polarising among the pundits, but with buyers clamouring to get their orders in, it seems Ferrari cannot put a foot wrong. We can likely thank the sure-footedness of all-wheel-drive for that.

Lamborghiniís Aventador LP 700-4 enters the market with a more traditional supercar design, if you can call any of the SantíAgata manufacturerís designs ëtraditionalí. Not to be outdone by Ferrari, the Lamborghini also has a new engine between the axles, with 525 kW and 690 Nm of torque coming from a brand-new V12. Along with the ultra-lightweight carbon fibre tub and body, the new engine pushes the Aventador from 0 ñ 100 km/h in a neck snapping 2.9 seconds. If the supercar battle was ever off, it is most assuredly back on.