Thursday, November 8, 2012

Kingz of Sosha at it again


Tshepang “Isla Bonita” Mkhoza gave himself a timely birthday present with a dazzling party celebration at Soshanguve Spinning Palace at Soshanguve Block F this past weekend.
Bruce Mbingeleli
One of the most Epic spinning birthday celebrations was held this past weekend at the famous Soshanguve Spinning Palace (SSP) at Soshanguve Block F.
My motive was, if you’re looking for a new challenge in spinning, drifting then frankly the SSP is the right place to be. Petrol-heads enthusiasts descended to the Palace with greatest of ease, to support the Soshanguve Spin Kingz (SSK).
One of the most exciting spinning and drifting events hosted in Soshanguve a small township in Pretoria. This event which was attended by spinners and drifters from Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa, Hammanskraal, Memoledi, Soweto, Rustenburg, Limpopo, this is when spinners battled it out on the spinning pitch in celebration of Tshepang “Isla Bonita” member and Co-founder of the Soshanguve Spinning Kingz. The support keeps on increasing after each and every event hosted at SSP, due to the different line-up of spinners and drifters. Billal Chaya friend of Mkhoza was very pleased with the outcome of the spinning celebration.
 “It's an honour be to part en parcel in the celebration of Tshepang’s birthday I really enjoyed myself”, said owner of Design Ridez Billal Chaya.
The masses were so amazed by Y & Sons with the stunts they show cased at the spinning pitch, hanging on windows and jumping onto a moving vehicle for dare life, now that’s what we call a stunt of a lifetime. All and above, the crowd enjoyed the spinners and drifter who attended the event at Soshanguve Spinning Palace, Y & Sons went an extra mile to ensure that the  crowd  had a good time.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Honda reports surging profit, but chops FY outlook

Source by: AFP
TOKOYO – Japan’s Honda Motor said Monday that first-half net profit more than doubled to $2.7 billion, but the market of the Accord and Civic warned its full-year results would be much weaker than forecast.
The automaker said its net profit of 213.96 billion yen ($2.7 billion) was up from 92.23 billion yen in the same period a year ago, while sales were 4.71 trillion yen, up from 3.60 trillion yen. Honda also cut its full-year profit forecast by 20 percent, saying a strong yen and lower sales would hit its results.
The company now expect to earn 375 billion yen in its fiscal year to March 2013, down from an earlier 470 billion yen forecast, with sales also tipped to fall to 9.8 trillion yen, down from 10.3 trillion yen.
“We expect earnings to come below the estimates announced on April 27 2012, due to a decrease in sales volume amid the changing business environment and the impact of currency exchange rates,” Honda said in a statement.
The company credited its rosy first-half results largely to a rebound following last year’s quake-tsunami disaster.
Japanese automakers saw extensive damage to their supply chains as a result of the twin disasters in Japan and flooding in Thailand in the autumn.
A high yen also ate into exporters’ sales and profits.
The country’s automakers have come under pressure from the value of the currency, which last year hit record highs against the dollar and remains strong, making exports relatively more expensive overseas and cutting the value of repatriated earnings.
Honda and rivals Nissan and Toyota have also been hurt by territorial tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, with the trio’s September sales in China, the world’s biggest vehicle market, plunging.
Honda sales dropped 40.5 percent to 33, 931 units, and it said earlier, but made no mention of the spat in its earnings announcement on Monday.
The two counties have been locked in a festering row over the islands in the East China Sea, controlled by Japan but claimed by China.  

Friday, October 26, 2012

Insane Storm Hits Ekurhuleni


Bruce Mbingeleli
Johannesburg – A disastrous hail storm caused pain and misery to vehicle owners of Vosloorus in the East Rand, on the 20th  has left many cars with smashed windscreens, windows and damaged bodywork. The sizes of the hail stones are bigger than anything I have ever seen in my life and could quite possible kill a person if they were hit on that head. This was a SERIOUS storm that only took less than thirty minutes to cause so much havoc.

Images courtesy of Ntokozo Nkosi.










































Accident of the Week – 22nd October 2012

Horrific day it turned out be, burnt Ferrari 430

By: Zero 2 Turbo
So another case of too much power with too little experience. A father purchased this F430 for his 18year-old son only one week ago. Of course he ended up crashing it at high speed in the early hours of the morning. Him and his 21 year-old passengers were critically injured and over 80% of the bodies were badly burnt.
A tow-truck takes what’s left of the F430

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Mother City’s Sensational Exotic Motoring style

Mercedes-Benz W113, 1967 280SL CoupĂ© automatic sadly it’s not a gull-wing

Bruce Mbingeleli

A person can think twice going to the Cape in a bus, hoping if you pull up in a luxurious car you would praised and adored by the masses of the Cape.  Well, this time around I realized it not all about what type of vehicle you have or drive, all that matters is how you as an individual take care of your vehicle. As they as; “the beauty lies in the beholder”.
On my way to the beautiful city, while I was travelling with my colleagues we were so amazes by the view of the mother city and the epic atmosphere of the beautiful surroundings of beaches and vineyards can be, it's the rugged wilderness of Tabel Mountain, coated in a unique flora, which grabs everyone's attention. The view that stood out the most is the beautiful dealerships which were the Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and the Lamborghini. These dealerships showcase and their showrooms offer dedicated and unique sales and services experiences, in line the leading global Aston Martin dealerships. All of the dealerships are manned by highly skilled and experienced staff with knowledge.
I’m more of a Vintage car fan and I must say though, that the mother city goes an extra mile to show off its exotic vintage cars. What I saw at the sea-point was really amazing, wonderful must have vintage cars, on my way to the SABC I came across on three beauty vintages the 1979 Jaguar XJ Series III, the 1987 E30 323i and the 1967 Mercedes-Benz 280SL. Out of all the cars I saw and only one that captured my heart was the Mercedes-Benz 280SL, it was a shame that it wasn’t a gull-wing though, but it had that SLS feeling which might not be on a person’s December shopping list any time soon, but it does represent the car that many one-per centers have been loving from Mercedes.
The 280 SL was welcomed in December 1967 and continued in production through 23 February 1971, when the W 113 was replaced by its successor, the new and substantially heavier R107 350 SL. Over the years, the W 113 evolved from a sports car into a comfortable grand tourer, and US models were by then usually equipped with the 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning. Manual transmission models came with the standard 4-speed or the optional ZF 5-speed, which was ordered for only 882 cars and thus today is a highly sought-after original option. In Europe, manual transmissions without air conditioning were still the predominant choice. Of the 23,885 280 SLs produced, more than half were sold in the US, and in Africa I’m really not sure but one thing for sure we have glorified vintage cars.
According to Mercedes Benz M130 Engine was the last and largest of the ‘mid-sized’ Single Over Head Camshaft (SOHC) straight-6 cylinder (inline) engines produced by Mercedes Benz. The ‘mid-sized six’ started life as the 2.2 liter M180 which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor show in September 1951 alongside the new 3.0 liter M186 ‘big’ Straight-6. The SL main change was an upgrade to the 2.8litre engine that pushes a serious 130 kW of maximum power and 244 Nm maximum torque; this is mighty adequate power from the W 113.

People were so star struck by the car, especially the nice fresh paintwork that’s what surprised me. The interior it still looks good, fresh and elegant and well kept like it was just bought last night. Comparing the motoring life of the two cities, I would seriously go for the Cape it portrays an all new versatile frame when it comes to classic cars.
Images courtesy of Journomotortainment







Saturday, October 6, 2012

Mercedes Drive Electrified for Power


Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive will be on the international market next June, pushing 552Kw and 1000Nm of torque.
Bruce Mbingeleli
Mercedes–Benz has released the all-new SLS AMG electric drive, the next generation of emission-less efficient vehicles in the world to make its debut in at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. According to the brochure the SLS is fitted with four synchronized electric motors producing 552Kw and a maximum torque of 1000Nm, with an acceleration of 0-100Km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h. This makes it the fastest electrical driven series in the world. The new design features a vibration-free engine and motors that provide maximum torque in an instant. 

According to the brochure the liquid-cooled high voltage lithium ion battery contains 12 modules of 72 lithium ion cells each, with an energy content of 60Kw/h and an electric load potential of 600Kw, the best there is currently in the automotive industry.  A convenient quick-charge feature allows the driver to recharge the vehicle in a very short time from the comfort of their home, and a sight-stage safety design constantly checks and re-checks the entire electrical system.
Aluminium space frame contributes to its light-weight character, with an improved weight distribution and lower centre of gravity, not only focusing on its ability to increase its speed, ceramic composite brakes provide the vehicle with a perfect even deceleration.

As for when this super beauty will land the shores of South Africa that’s still to be confirmed, on the arrival of the Electric Drive next year.

Specifications

Top speed: 250 km/h (governed)
Max output: 552 Kw
Max torque: 1000 Nm
0-100 km/h: 3.9 seconds
Range: 250 km
Battery voltage: 400 volts
Battery weight: 548 kg
Battery energy content: 60Kw/h

Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz















































Friday, October 5, 2012

Magic of luxury Audi A8


Super luxury, the Audi A8L W12 Quattro.

Audi A8

One can say “No other model manifests the care of The “Vosprung durch Technik” brand as well as the Audi A8”.
Well, this flagship for the Audi brand, the A8 creates an impression of strength, sophistication and superiority in its segment. The clear and progressive design language is characterised by powerful proportion and timeless quality in a super luxury car.

The beautiful and flowing lines resemble the fluidity of a remarkable piece of art, making it quite simple the art of progress. 
Compared with other V8-powered super luxury cars, the Audi A8's 273Kw and 445Nm of maximum torque, with a 4.2-liter V8 is a little short on power. Some reviewers think this is a problem, while others rave that the excellent eight-speed transmission, light weight and Quattro all-wheel-drive helps the A8 accelerate quickly enough to remain competitive.

The Audi A8 Range
Model
Kilowatts
Torque    Nm/rpm
Top Speed km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h
Fuel consumption
C02   g/km
4.2 FSI Quattro Tiptronic
273
445/3500
250
5.7
9.5
219
4.2 FSI Quattro Tiptronic
258
800/1750
250
5.5
7.6
199
3.0 FSI Quattro Tiptronic
213
420/3500
250
6.1
9.1
213
3.0 FSI Quattro Tiptronic
184
550/1500
250
6.1
6.6
174

Audi A8L
Witness the powerful sovereignty of the long-wheel base derivatives of the Audi A8 range. With an outstanding degree of comfort in the rear, the Audi A8L welcomes you to your very own sphere of relaxation and comfort.

An interior that exudes quality craftsmanship, from the finest leather to the highest quality wood.
The powerful engines on offer provide spectacular performance to make driving easier and more enjoyable in what could be your new executive boardroom. According to the brochure it’s a new alpha model, the Audi A8L W12 is powered by a smooth yet engine. The 6.3liter 12 cylinder engine produces 368Kw and 625Nm of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive that pushes 0-100 km/h in time of 4.4 seconds pretty impressive for an enormous super car.

The Audi A8L Range

Model
Kilowatts
Torque Nm/rpm
Top speed km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h
Fuel consumption
C02   g/km
6.3 W12 FSI Quattro Tiptronic
368
625/4750
250
4.9
12.4
290
4.2 TDI Quattro Tiptronic
258
800/1750
250
6.0
7.8
204

 Bruce Mbingeleli