Author Archive
BMW updates 3-series
July 22nd, 2010 
Christo 
BMW this week launched a facelifted range of 3-series Coupes and Convertibles in a sweltering Durban – after all, where would one go in the middle of winter to launch one of the most recognized (dare I say legendary?) convertibles in the country? While I am a definite fan of winter and very nearly melted [...]
Posted in Drive News 
Tags: 320d, 320i, 330i, 335i, BMW, convertible, Coupe, Dynamic Edition, TwinPower 
No Comments »Drive test – Mercedes E 350 Coupe
July 22nd, 2010 Christo 
SUBSTANTIAL STYLE Drive Magazine, October ’09 Christo Valentyn I am an outspoken fan of big cars, which is odd since I, as a single guy, have absolutely no need for abundant space. I’ve learnt to appreciate the current status quo dictated to us by the ‘green’ police with its mantras of fuel efficiency and low [...]
Launch Drive: Volvo C30 and C70
March 29th, 2010 Christo The Scandinavians aren’t exactly known for their mainstream approach to beauty. Living in a country that exerts a stark beauty, it’s not surprising that their award-winning designs are usually of the clinical, functional variety than say the emotive beauty of Italian design. Until recently, most Volvos also suffered from that clinical, functional approach which, while [...]
Volkswagen's Golf 6 is the 2010 SAGMJ Car of the Year
March 19th, 2010 Christo The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) last night announced the Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline as South Africa’s 2010 Car of the Year (COTY) at a gala banquet held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The announcement of the prestigious accolade comes after a stringent process of voting and physical testing [...]
Launch Drive: Toyota Auris X
March 17th, 2010 Christo When Toyota launched the Auris in 2007, they hoped it would move the goalposts forward. The Run-X it replaced was a hugely successful model for Toyota, owning 33% of the C-segment hatchback market at the height of its popularity. While Auris was certainly an improved vehicle in many respects, it didn’t have the fun factor [...]
Quick Test: Nissan X-Trail 2.5 SE 4X4
March 8th, 2010 Christo In 2002, Nissan’s X-Trail entered the market right when the craze for small SUVs started, subsequently becoming one of the most popular examples of these vehicles that, at the peak of its lifespan, owned a third of the local market. Sporting attractive, purposeful looks, good engines, outstanding practicality and sufficiently credible off-road capabilities, it appealed [...]
Quick Test: Chery J1
March 6th, 2010 Christo In the past year I have had to make peace with the fact that the Chinese are coming to SA with even more vehicles. Not just Nissan/Isuzu rip-off bakkie combinations, but passenger cars as well. Some are blatant design rip-offs, which the Chinese are famous for, but then there are others that actually show a [...]
Clio range expands with an 'S' model
February 17th, 2010 Christo Renault’s performance models have been immensely popular in South Africa over the past few years, with the RenaultSport sub-brand especially showing a very loyal following. The RS models are not always within everyone’s reach, though, and as Renault desires to sell cars that deliver sporty appeal at affordable prices has led to the return of [...]
Audi A1 (officially) revealed
February 17th, 2010 Christo With their eyes set firmly on 2012, Audi is introducing a whole new dimension to the premium compact class with the new A1, a car the company says condenses all of the virtues of the brand down to less than four metres – “a design full of character, uncompromising quality and pioneering efficiency technologies”. And [...]
Lexus to launch CT200h at Geneva
February 16th, 2010 Christo A mere six months after Lexus revealed the gorgeous LF-Ch concept, the company will now unveil the new CT200h at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. “Created for those who wish to lower their emissions but not their standards, the CT200h will be the first, and only, full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment”, says [...]
