MZANSI BOY GREG LEVINE SNATCHES TOP MCLAREN JOB

2011 sees the launch of McLaren Automotive's first in its range of 'pure' McLaren high-performance sports cars, the McLaren MP4-12C. And leading the company's first full year of global commercial operations will be the new Sales and Marketing Director, Greg Levine.

Levine has over 15 years automotive industry experience, including a successful five-year spell as Head of Audi South Africa. With past experience also in Italy and, most recently, at Audi UK as Head of Operations, Levine will bring to McLaren Automotive a broad and successful past and valuable exposure to commercially impactful marketing, retailer and customer programmes.

Antony Sheriff, Managing Director at McLaren Automotive, said of the appointment: "I first met Greg during our time working together in Italy and knew then that he had a bright future in the car industry. He has rapidly moved up through the ranks in the business and enjoyed great success in South Africa and the UK. His knowledge of the retail business and brand-building is excellent, and the fact that he has chosen to step into this crucial role at McLaren Automotive is testimony both to his drive and ambition, and McLaren's ability to persuade strong industry players to join our team.

"2011 is our launch year and, we believe, a milestone in sports car manufacturing as McLaren builds its own range of sports cars around our trademark carbon MonoCell chassis'. We are really excited that we have Greg on board to help achieve our goal of delivering the best customer experience in the industry," Sheriff concluded.

Greg Levine, Sales and Marketing Director at McLaren Automotive, said of his appointment: "McLaren's plans for a brand new car company are unique: they cover all aspects from design and development, to setting up a global retail network, and launching new technologies and processes that benefit the customer.

"I have watched this project grow with great interest and feel privileged to join such an exciting and dynamic brand at such an important phase in its development," he concluded.

Levine takes over the global role at a pivotal time in McLaren Automotive's launch plans. The final partners in the 35-strong global retail network will be confirmed ahead of the first 12Cs going on sale in late-spring, and production has begun at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) for a staggered launch by region from late-spring.

STORY BY MCLAREN

NEW FERRARI FOUR-SEAT, AWD FF FEATURED

Instead of going the four-door, four-seat route like its rivals, Ferrari has decided to go coupe-shooting brake from the looks of its newest concept car, the Ferrari Four or FF. Styled by lifetime Ferrari collaborator Pininfarina, FF features two doors but has seating for four people; two up front and two at the rear, unlike the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide which both sport four doors and the same seating configuration.

It may be Pininfarina-designed but from the side profile you’d swear the initial concept sketches were nicked from BMW. Can anyone say “Z3 M Coupe?”. Another image that comes to mind is one of a dog shagging your leg. So pretty pretty it ain’t, but will it be effective? The prancing horse alone should ensure that.

The FF is said to have 450 litres of cargo space with rear seats down and up to 800 litres with them up, which is quite remarkable for any two-door. The other reason why it’s called FF, apart from the entry points, is that it moves on four-wheel-drive (FWD). Ferrari fans are probably screaming “sacrilege” right about now but sorry lads, now is not the time to be sentimental. Times they have changed, and so must Maranello if it is to survive.

Total car length is 4.9 metres, width is 1.95m and height is 1.4m. Ferrari claims a dry weight of 1 790kg. Push and shove originate from a 6.3-litre V12 engine blasting out a nuclear-sized 485kW at 8000rpm, and peak torque of 683Nm at 6000rpm. It appears you really have to squeeze every last drop from the rev counter to tap into the best power bands. Mated to a dual-clutch F1-style gearbox, the Ferrari Four is said to accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and attain top velocity of 335km/h.

We know that Ferrari has registered a Hybrid powertrain and we expect to see it debut in the production FF before the end of 2012. Watch out for the V12 car at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show in March.

AUDI A3 COUPE/ SEDAN COMING?

Audi grew 23.4% globally in 2010 on 2009 figures. A nice rebound for the world’s third biggest premium car maker, aiming to be number one by the year 2015. Sales for last year came to 1.148 million cars. Chief rival BMW sold just over 1.2 million vehicles in the same period. Products like the new A1 (launching in Mzansi next week), upcoming Q3 (smallest SUV in the ranger, smaller than both Q7 and Q5), new A6 and a fourth body type for the A3 are expected to boost sales.

Another type of A3? Yes. Remember, first it was the three-door hatchback, then came the Sportback, and then later the Cabriolet (slahla). Audi now says a different body type of A3 is on its way this year. What could it be? We can only think of two derivatives: a sedan and a coupe. A sedan would basically look like a smaller A4, while a coupe could be quite unique, possibly take some resemblance from the A5 Coupe. The case for a sedan is that it’s unique in the segment in which hatchbacks rule. Markets where such a car could thrive include China and the US. An A3 Coupe on the other hand would take on the BMW 1 Series Coupe head-on, to inject some competition and excitement into that sub-segment. I imagine an RS 3 Coupe for example, taking on the new 1 M Coupe. We can only dream!

The Q3 SUV on the other hand, begins production this year as well and will be built in Spain. Q3 is meant to be a BMW X1 rival. Engines for both the A3 sedan/ coupe will come from other existing Audis, including the 1.4 TFSI and the 1.6 TDI.

I think the Audi Q3 will be priced at about R350 000 for a baseline model when it arrives here either in late 2011 or early 2012. 

ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA FINALLY SWAGGERS INTO SOUTH AFRICA

Admittedly I have been waiting to drive this car for months, following its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show almost a year ago. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is one pretty dame. Id’ say Alfa still designs some of the best-looking, if not the very best-looking cars in the entire industry. And this one is no different.

An obvious replacement to the old 147 premium hatchback, the Giulietta harks its name back to the cars of the 1950s which bore the same name. Being a young buck myself, my first experience with this iconic name was a 1982 model Nuova Giulietta, then owned by my aunt. Of course I was still a baby then so the closest I got was the front passenger seat. But those who had the pleasure swore by it. I must admit, I can’t say I’ve ever driven an Alfa that didn’t satisfy my driving itch. In this list I include cars like the GTA and Brera. Even the suburban 159 sedan (due for replacement later this year) can outhandle some pedigreed sports cars on any given day. I promise you.

New Giulietta is very much in the same vein. Except less. Fiat has built the car on a new platform called Compact which is supposed to make it very nice for people who like to drive. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it a solid 7, but someone else would probably give it a 9. Why the discrepancy? A lot of 147 customers apparently complained of that car’s over-sportiness, to the point of discomfort for some. Giulietta has addressed these concerns and of course in the process, lost some of the hard edge. Normal drivers will really enjoy it, Alfistis, I’m not too sure. The car is fun for sure, but perhaps not challenging enough for what we’ve come to expect of this Italian brand. Even the Q2 electronic differential used in the ranger topper isn’t enough to add the spicier handling.

Stylewise Alfa could do no better than the 8C Competizione as a design influence. Those flowing eyes with LED running drops, wavy bonnet, and upside down deep triangular front grille. The shoulder line starts mid-headlight but breaks before the front door handle, only to resume again midway and flows straight to the rear light. What a beautiful rear light it is, as it folds into a loop. Awesome to look at when Giulietta brakes, or at night. Hidden on the C pillar are the rear door handles, same style as the old 156. At 4.35 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.46 metres high the car is quite spacious for its type.

Interior comfort levels are increased by the inclusion of technologies such as the Fiat/ Microsoft Blue & Me technology, which makes it easier to connect passengers with the car, in terms of entertainment. For the Giulietta Alfa has partnered with Tomtom, the world’s leading satellite navigation system maker, to make a portable package. You can dock the device on the dashboard while driving, and remove it for use as a portable sat nav.

A good spread of petrol engines is on offer. First off is an 88kW, 206Nm 1.4-litre turbo that would probably be the best-seller in the range. Next up is the same engine but with MultiAir technology, 125kW at 5500rpm, and peak torque of 230Nm at 2250rpm in normal mode and 250Nm at 2500rpm in dynamic mode. The top dog is a 1.7-litre turbo 1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde which kicks out a very useful and wholesome 173kW at 5500rpm. Maximum torque is 300Nm at 4500rpm (340Nm at 1900rpm in dynamic). Mzansi has not been allocated diesel models and the company won’t be drawn into whether a high-performance, 200kW-plus GTA is on the cards or not.

All three drive through the two front wheels and are engaged by a 6-speed manual gearbox. There are moments of understeer as expected, especially when driving off briskly. When cornering it’s not too evident, depending on the sharpness of that curve. At the same time steering feedback is more neutral, more sedate than in the 147.

I expected more from the interior, I must admit. I mean, anyone with a body like that is automatically beautiful inside too, right? Well, the design is quite simple, unfussy, well laid out actually and quite accessible from the driver’s point of view. Unfortunately, perhaps due to very low R&D spend, a number of items have been sourced from Fiat models like the Punto. An example is the steering boss and its satellite buttons. Yes it’s perfectly acceptable to share in order to arrest costs, but one does not expect to be staring at a Fiat while blasting down on the performance Quadrifoglio Verde.

At the media launch down in Cape Town I was lucky enough to drive one painted in a special triple-coat colour called Rosso Competizione, after that car. Buyers will be able to choose from 8 types of alloy wheels ranging from 16 to 18-inch in diameter.

Alfa Romeo offers a five-year 150 000 km warranty on the new Giulietta. Linked to this is a six-year/90 000km service plan for the 1.4-litre models (with service intervals of 30 000km) and a six-year/105 000km service plan for the flagship 1750 TBi which features 35 000km service intervals.

Alfa sees the Giulietta competing with cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and VW Golf mainly. I would add the Renault Megane and Opel Astra to the mix. For volumes it probably won’t be able to match any of them. But for performance and finesse it holds its head high above the clouds, and in some cases, about the class.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Pricing (including VAT and C02 emissions tax)

1.4 TB (R243 000)

1.4 TB MultiAir (R279 900)

1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde (R330 275)

GM KILLS DAEWOO BRAND IN SOUTH KOREA

In a move designed to enhance its presence in Korea and to bolster its domestic sales operations, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. (GM Daewoo) announced today that it is replacing the current nameplate with the world’s fastest growing automotive brand, Chevrolet. All of the company’s new product introductions and refreshments this year will be under the Chevrolet badge.

Additionally, GM Daewoo announced that it will be changing its company name to GM Korea Co., which is globally consistent with all other GM country operations. The company name change is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter.

“This important new brand strategy is designed to strengthen our commitment to the Korean market, recognizing it as one of the strongest performing countries within GM’s global operations. We are well positioned to bring one of the world’s iconic brands to Korea,” said Mike Arcamone, President and CEO of GM Daewoo.  “We cannot afford to sit still, and instead, choose to make a bold move with the launch of Chevrolet in Korea.”

GM’s market research overwhelmingly points to consumer acceptance of the Chevrolet brand in Korea. “This new growth opportunity will allow us to compete in brand new segments and offer our customers more choices than ever before, resulting in a strong future for our company, our employees and our sales agents,” said Arcamone. 

This year, the company will begin its most aggressive vehicle launch plan in its history and will have an all-new product lineup with the introduction of eight new models in 2011 under one brand platform, Chevrolet. The company’s new and exciting product portfolio includes the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Orlando, the Chevrolet Aveo global small car, as well as a new SUV and a new premium midsize sedan.

 “Not only are we giving Korean consumers more vehicle choices than ever before, but in order to ensure Chevrolet’s long-term success in the domestic market, we are totally redesigning our dealerships, A/S networks and sales networks so that customers will be able to enjoy Chevrolet’s award-winning dealership experience and service,” said Arcamone. “Our main goal is to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

This next step of its evolution recognizes the company’s rich heritage and GM’s commitment to Korea which is one of GM’s primary production and engineering operations in the world. “Our sales increased 20% last year, our domestic market share increased double-digits and our exports soared 35%,” said Arcamone. “We are able to make this bold, strategic move to Chevrolet because of the hard work and dedication of our 17,000 employees, which has unflinchingly focused on increasing our domestic market share and supporting Chevrolet’s global growth in our export markets.”

According to GM, a Chevrolet is sold somewhere in the world every 7.4 seconds. Last year, more than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold around the globe, and currently one out of every four Chevrolet vehicles is manufactured in Korea. 

In step with its new brand strategy, GM Daewoo is changing its corporate name to GM Korea Co. This morning, the GM Daewoo Board of Directors, factoring in the best interests of the company, its employees, shareholders, dealers and suppliers, approved the new company name. The current GM Korea will keep its name, GM Korea Ltd., and its focus will remain on the Cadillac brand.

 “Changing our corporate name will increase our standing within GM globally while demonstrating our commitment to growing locally,” said Arcamone. “With the significant changes that we are announcing today, our goal is to increase our domestic sales and market share, generate additional revenue, strengthen our relationship with the customers, create new jobs and expand our presence in Korea. We regard these moves as a key to our long-term success and fundamentally believe they will also bring added benefits to our customers and the Korean economy.” 

Founded in 1911 and named after famous, Swiss-born race car driver Louis Chevrolet, Chevrolet is one of GM’s four core brands and its largest brand. Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary this year marks the continuous success of the brand with more than 4.2 million global sales in 130 countries around the world in 2010.  The Chevrolet brand constitutes 53 percent of GM’s business.

GM Daewoo played a lead role in the design, engineering and manufacturing of the Chevrolet Cruze global compact sedan, the new Chevrolet Spark global mini-car, and the new Chevrolet Aveo global small car.

“Chevrolet has enjoyed success in mature markets in North America and Europe, as well as in emerging markets like Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America” said Arcamone. “We are confident our customers in Korea will embrace Chevrolet as well.”

STORY BY GENERAL MOTORS

DAIHATSU TURNS ITS BACK ON EUROPE

Daihatsu is leaving Europe. For good. Or bad, apparently. The Japanese brand says it is withdrawing from the 10 European countries in which it has been trading. Stated as the reason is “the result of increasing development costs to comply with regulations in Europe, such as those related to CO2 emissions, and the appreciation of the yen against the Euro, which have had a negative impact on business results and made selling vehicles manufactured in Japan by Daihatsu no longer viable”.

Make what you will of that press statement but word is that sales of just about 19 000 in 2010 did not put a big smile on company parent Toyota, which owns a 51% share. Any company that sells its goods well will have adequate research and development budgets to keep growing strong.

I smell a political ploy of some sort. I mean if Daihatsu leaves Europe, where will it go? Who will replace it? Scion? Subaru? In South Africa it does not do that well either. Is there a future for this little brand that makes some of my favourite cars in the Materia and the Sirion?

NEW: BMW SHOWCASES 2.0-LITRE TURBO ENGINE

BMW has released some details about its next small petrol engine. The four-cylinder petrol unit has one turbocharger with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology which is claimed to offer a great balance between power and fuel consumption. Displacing 2.0-litres (1997 cc) in capacity, the engine will have its first taste of public life in the X1 xDrive28i.

Maximum power is 180kW at 5000rpm, while peak torque is a forceful 350Nm. Planted in the 6-speed manual xDrive28i it helps the car move from 0 – 100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds, while the 8-speed automatic achieves 6.5 seconds over the same period. Average fuel consumption is said to be 7.9 litres per 100km, and C02 emissions of 183g/km are officially recorded.

The new 2.0-litre turbo engine is the first of a number of small four-cylinder turbos from the BMW brand, including the 1.6-litre turbo already used in the MINI Cooper S range. I expect these two engines to form the backbone of near-future BMW products and both should be configurable to produce different power outputs for different models. We should also see the 2.0-litre in upcoming 128i, 328i, X3 xDrive28i and 528i models.