BMW X4 Concept

BMW`s new addition to the X range : Photo Source Auto Express

@B_Mbingeleli

Bavarian Motor Works are set to fill in the gap in their X range with the production of the BMW X4. The vehicle which will hit the markets in 2014, is set to be a smaller version of the X6.

The BMW X4 which will fill in the gap between the X3 and X5 models is a new compact crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a production ready concept of the SUV which will share the same powertrains with the X3, including a variety of four cylinder and six cylinder engines in both petrol and diesel format. 

Under the hood, the X4 will most likely feature past BMW engine options, such as a 176kW 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 220kW 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six. In America, it will be featured as an all-wheel drive with less powertrains in petrol and turbocharged engines for overseas consumers.

  

A distinctive fastback roofline is a key exterior feature which shapes the rear end of the cross over vehicle, while a large kidney grill and twin circular headlines represent it at the front. The connection between the front LED headlights and the grill are linked by silver elements which are within the headlights. 

When it comes to the exterior, it has that unique fierce look the headlights have a glimmers’ of silver and the front view has been added with a bit of glittering silver to compliment the embossed logo of the X4. Nothing much has changed when it comes to styling, as it has identical exterior features as the the recent X models and also taking a few features from the F30 3 series.

The vehicle measures 4.648mm in length, 1,915mm in width and 1,622mm in height. It bears the same length and wheelbase as the X3, but its 53mm lower and 34mm wider than the X3. 

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German rides dominate at German vs Jap event

 Santoz Adoni`s Nissan Sabre 200sti, one of the best custome rides that we out at the German vs Jap 2013.

@ROBERT_MABUSELA

Hundreds of custom vehicles made it down to the German vs Jap event that took place at the Nasrec Expo Centre on Saturday the 6^th of April. At the event German and Japanese manufactured vehicles were set to compete to see which of the two country`s vehicle are best represented in South Africa.

The various competitions that were held include a Show n shine, Sound off competition and Dyno runs where only the best customised and modified rides would win in the different categories of each competition. In the German corner Audi`s, Wolkswagen`s, BMW`s and Mercedez Benze`s rivaled Japan manufactured Nissan, Honda and Toyota vehicles.

Out in the show n shine competition German rides outnumbered the Japanese, from Wolkswagen MK1`s, Polo`s, VW Caddy`s, Sciroccos, Seat Leon`s, various BMW E generation models and the presence of the South Side crew`s old school Mercs. Even though German rides were out in their numbers one could not miss one of the best Japanese customsed ride, a Pretoria based Maroon Nissan Sabre 200sti. The show stopper   feature of this particular Nissan is its “Scissor doors”, which caught peoples eye`s from a distance. Its doors open to a fully customised interior that features a custom dash board with a built in DVD player, bucket seats and a 142 db sound system. Exterior customs include a 40 mm drop, 5 star chrome 18” rims, a custom boot and remote controlled rear doors with shaved door handles.  Santoz Adoni`s Nissan doesn’t only have show stopping looks but also has the performance to make it a fully customised ride.

IASCA South Africa hosted the sound off competition and dyno run parallel to the show n shine. On the dyno different vehicles tested their performance, as the Germans dominated the show n shine it was clear that the Japanese manufactured vehicle we all about performance. Having the most kilowatts on the dyno was the main objective, but what was most impressive was seeing a supercharged Toyota Tazz pushing 279 kW and 418 nm of torque, which was least expected from the model.  

 At the sound competition the overall winners were Meshack Narainsamy 165.3 db, Irfaan Mahomed 157.6 db and Kogilan Maistry 154.2. The German vs Jap event was a well organized show which attracted some if the country`s best custom and performance cars.

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Photos from the event



Tarmac Tearing Performance

McLarens latest MP4-12c Spider, produces a total of 460kw @7500rpm and 600nm of torque @3000 -7000rpm. Picture source: (Convertible Car Magazine)

@ROBERT_MABUSELA

If there is a supercar that is to rival the likes of the Ferrari 458 spider, it has to be able to do so with more than one aspect. Performance, aesthetic aggressive looks, and the overall built of the supercar has to be of an exceptional quality. Engineers of McLaren might have built a car to match up supercars, with the McLaren MP4 12 C and now the MP4 12 C spider takes them on hats off in the drop top supercar league. Chopping off the roof of a supercar is a move that in the past had more downs than ups for manufacturers, as by doing so the looks of the car may have improved whist hindering its performance.

The spider is capable of carrying its extra added weight to a top speed of 329 km/h, depending on the tires fitted on your spider. Achieving tarmac tearing performance means that you will have to order the spider with the optional Corsa tyres which are together with the launch control essential in helping you reach the 0-100 km/h mark in 3.1 seconds. Powering the McLaren is a 3.8 liter twin-turbo engine which is similar to the one used in the coupe, the spider has been mapped to produce a total of 460kw @7500rpm, while 600nm of torque peaks @3000 -7000 rpm. All the power and torque are channeled to the rear wheels through a seven speed dual clutch transmission.

McLaren have set a benchmark with their MP4-12c Spider's performance which as compared to its coupe sibling has only lost a second in reaching the 0-100 km/h mark. Even with its added roof folding mechanisms, it still manages to live up to supercar performance figures.  The two piece folding roof which has put on an added weight of 40kg to the spider gives you the best of both worlds, with the convertible airy feel or that of being "cockpitiezed" (hypnosis in the cockpit of a fast travelling supercar). A commonly-seen retractable rear windscreen which is situated behind the passenger compartment is a feature that invites the sound of the twin-turbocharged V8 into the cockpit even when the roof is up. Switching in between both worlds can be done in 17 seconds, even while travelling at traffic speeds of up to 30 km/h, of which going from coupe to roadster hasn’t been this easy.

Inside the carbon monocell cockpit, the interior is detailed with carbon fiber which surrounds the centre console and other interior parts. The sight of buttons and knobs is still a feature to many functions of the spider which has had minimal changes made to its interior and exterior. Apart from the roof being folded down one would not notice any difference from the coupe, but as you start looking with 8 eyes (spider) you will then notice the not so obvious changes. Starting with the door handle, of which unless painted in a distinctive color one would mistaken the sweet spot which gives motion to the suicide doors.

Internationally buyers have various colour options as it is available in 12 exterior colours which will blend in well across the different trims of its range. Different trim levels include the two new executive trims, semi perforated leather and the Alacantra trim. South African buyers will appreciate the new Vehicle Lift System which gives a better ground clearance making it much simpler to go over speed humps.

From the production of the MP4-12c McLaren have show that they have got what it takes to produce a full road car and now with the spider they have added some style to a well built supercar without having to worry about losing its strongest point, being performance.  

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