Mazda unveils the all-new Mazda 2

[flagallery gid=1] Mazda revealed the all-new Mazda 2 yesterday, the Japanese manufacturer’s competitor to cars like the Fiesta and Polo. And I’m sure you will concur, from the photos at least, it’s a neat looking thing. No doubt the design team will say that’s because of KODO, something that means ‘Soul of Motion’ in the … Read more

FIFA snub Rosberg’s helmet design

FIFA ‘fair play’ and all that sportsmanship stuff seems to have flown out the window as a recent announcement revealed that the football governing body snubbed Nico Rosberg’s plan to pay tribute to Germany’s world cup victory with a special helmet design. Pooh pooh FIFA. MD HOCKENHEIM Germany (Reuters) – Formula One championship leader Nico … Read more

Ford launches new models into “untapped” Africa

(Reuters) – Ford Motor Co announced 17 new vehicles for Sub-Saharan Africa on Thursday, as carmakers jostle for position in one of the last major markets where potential growth remains largely untapped. The models, among 25 to be introduced by 2016 in a broader product offensive across the Middle East and Africa, draw on the U.S. auto giant’s global vehicle … Read more

SVM Qashqai

Meet the Nissan Qashqai that’ll outrun a McLaren

By Miles Downard * If I were to tell you that your average family SUV could be made to go faster than a McLaren P1, I’m sure you’d think I’d lost my marbles and should be shipped off to Tara Hospital for immediate psychiatric attention. Well, I hope you’re sitting down, because a company called … Read more

Which province has the best drivers? Definitive proof in pictures

South Africa’s best drivers are to be found in the Western Cape, with Gauteng ranked second overall, according to data from Discovery Insure’s road safety smartphone application. During June, the first month of the campaign 16.8 million kilometres of driving data was collected and analysed. The study has shown that although some 70% of users are male, … Read more

Tech stocks draw investors on smart-car innovation

The automotive industry, being relatively traditional in its approach, is about to get a big wake-up call as tech companies look to steal its lunch. That’s because they are taking giant leaps when it comes to integrating smart-phone-like technology into cars – and some go even further to create entirely smart-cars that can drive on their … Read more

Nissan Versa under investigation, possible recall coming

The world really is a funny place. Fifty years ago there wasn’t much concept of ‘health and safety’. The view was more along the lines of, if you do something stupid and get hurt, it’s your own darn fault. Nowadays though anything and everything comes with a warning label, explaining in laborious detail that your … Read more

Jeep Compass (Photo: Quickpic)

Driven: Jeep Compass shows its mettle

By Miles Downard * This is the new entry level Jeep, aimed at those more interested in the ‘Urban Jungle’ than the kind involving mud and flying insects. It’s also a great deal improved on the old one which really was a rather ropey example of an SUV. Only since Fiat took control of matters … Read more

Google: Just press go: designing a self-driving vehicle

Google launch prototype of their self-driving car

By Miles Downard *  Sitting in traffic on the way to work must be one of the most useless uses of time imaginable. There’s no opportunity to do anything of use, like watch a move for example, or catch up on that book you’ve been reading for months. Find something though-provoking on BizNews.com even. But … Read more

Honda CBR500R (Photo: Quickpic)

Honda CBR500R: Midweight ride honours legendary Honda-spirit

By Gerry Bezuidenhout. So, you’ve been riding ‘n 250 now for some time, wishing you could step up to something bigger, more powerful and a little bit faster. However, you also don’t want to throw a leg over a bike that will have you clinging to the bars, screaming in terror. Where to go? Over … Read more