Jalopnik: South Africa

South Africa: Land Of Beetles

Murilee Martin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

The South African car-buying public apparently demands very high production values for its ads for German vehicles, judging from this lengthy Volkswagen ad and a similarly elaborate Opel ad. From its sale to a wholesome suburban couple in 1959 to a redemptive Sawzall convertible-izing in the post-apartheid era, we follow the heartwarming saga of a South African VW Type 1.

Volkswagen Bus Syncro: Ready For South African Hoonage

Murilee Martin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT

We caused some disgruntlement among VW Transporter ~~fanatics~~ aficionados when we opined that perhaps the little rear-engined vans were on the sluggish side. Today we're going to regruntle our Type 2-loving friends by sharing this VW ad that demonstrates- in fact, encourages- off-road hoonage of the sort you'd normally associate with a Warlord Edition 4x4 Hilux. In South Africa, you could get a four-wheel-drive, Audi-5-banger-powered VW Transporter Syncro until 2002. Yes, 2002!

South Africa Gets Opel Corsaminos!

Murilee Martin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Let's say you're in South Africa and you just can't get your hands on a good vintage 1956 Mercedes-Benzamino (or, in the local parlance, a Mercedes-Benz Bakkie). Fortunately, The General sells a Gamma-platform-based bakkie known as the Opel Corsa Utility. Sure, it's front-wheel-drive, but it's a factory-built car with a truck bed nonetheless. Thanks to Franzouse for the tip! [GM South Africa]

Factory Benzaminos For South Africa!

Murilee Martin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Technically, the pickup truck version of the Mercedes-Benz 180D, built during the 1956-58 period for the South African market, wasn't a factory Benzamino (or should that name be Mercedampage, given the later association with Chrysler?), but we figure it's close enough for our purposes. 400 Mercedes-Benz 180Ds with no body behind the B pillar were imported to South Africa to have the beds installed locally, and they were promptly dubbed "Bakkies" by the locals. You can read about a Bakkie restoration project here, or wish for a time machine in order buy this one that just sold on eBay. [MBZPonton.org]

GM Launches South African El Camino, Calls It A Chevy Lumina

Wes Siler — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EDT

The South African market is getting its own new El Camino, but theirs is called a Chevy Lumina SS Ute, and gets the Chevy corporate face. Mechanically identical, the Lumina ute get the same 361bhp 6.0-liter V8 as the American ~~Pontiac El Camino~~ Pontiac G8 Sport Truck. The Lumina face is notably less aggressive than the G8's, reflecting the vehicle's intended market, which should be more utilitarian in South Africa. But, would this understated Chevy-badged Camino have been more appropriate for the US than its aggressive brother from Pontiac? [Via World Car Fans]

Imagine Life In South Africa Without Opels

Murilee Martin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST

The General couldn't move too many Achievas or Azteks in South Africa, but Astras and Kapitäns and such seem to do all right there. This ad has some nice "why we love cars" shots, but its Manta shortage is distressing.

Now You Can Whip Out Your Vuvuzela On South African Taxi Drivers!

Murilee Martin — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:00:00 EDT

Apparently the drivers of minivan taxis in South Africa tend to be hated and feared by other drivers, so here comes this Flash game called Taxi Wars. Players get the opportunity to bash in the taxi's windows with a golf club, puncture its tires with a screwdriver, or redecorate its flank with spray paint. Those feeling more aggro can take a vuvuzela and blast it in the driver's ear, causing his hair to stand up (according to this article about the game, a vuvuzela is one of those plastic horns blown by drunks at sporting events); those who boil over with road rage (or bitterness over the dismantling of apartheid) can pound the hapless driver into unconsciousness with what appears to be the angry white fist of P. W. Botha. – Murilee Martin

Taxi-Wars [ilogic.co.za]

Get A Hummer In England: H3 Wrong-Side-Drive Unveiled!

Ray Wert — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 11:30:00 EDT

We were all excited earlier this morning when the General dropped the release on the green-is-good Aura Green Line. We thought maybe they'd turned a new leaf and began to learn to love the sedan. Ha! We totally should have known better. That bit of hetero-automaker love lasted all of about 20 minutes, which is about when we read the second release of the day, which amazingly ran right over that pro-green pro-car message with a 16" anti-green gas-guzzling tire. The second release pushes GM's new right-hand-drive Hummer H3 for jolly old England and other similarly-configured markets. Although this H3's a whole "39 mm shorter, 171 mm lower and 73 mm narrower" than the one we can buy over here, it still manages to run with the less-than-hearty (but always fuel inefficient!) 3.7-liter engine powering the 'merican version. The Lutz-heavy press release that's got all sorts of englandorable words like "manoeuvrability" is just after the jump. – Ray Wert

HUMMER H3 Right-Hand-Drive Unveiled

* Premiere at the opening of new HUMMER showroom in the United Kingdom
* Assembly in GM's Struandale plant in South Africa
* Start of sales in summer 2007

DETROIT - Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman, global product development, unveiled a prototype right-hand-drive H3 during the opening ceremony of a new HUMMER facility in Manchester, UK. "HUMMER's iconic design and unparalleled off-road capabilities appeal to a wide audience globally. We are determined to build upon the brand's unique recognition in Europe and especially here in the UK," said Lutz.

The right-hand-drive HUMMER H3 will be assembled at GM's Struandale plant in South Africa and will be available in other right-hand-drive markets, such as South Africa, Australia and Japan.

GM acquired the rights to the HUMMER brand in late 1999. The H3 made its debut in North America in May 2005 and helped make HUMMER one of the fastest-growing truck brands in the United States by the end of 2006. With its smaller, more efficient package, the H3 made the brand accessible to more customers, while still retaining the characteristics that make a HUMMER unique: iconic design and unparalleled off-road performance.

In addition to growth in the United States, HUMMER has shown significant expansion around the globe. HUMMER sales grew nearly 34 percent globally in 2006, with 82,000 vehicles delivered, compared with 61,000 in 2005. This performance was paced by the continued strength of the HUMMER H3.

While all previous H3s have been assembled in GM's North American facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, the new international H3, intended for most markets outside of North America, is being assembled at the Struandale Assembly Facility in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where GM invested more than $100 million to prepare for production of the H3.

HUMMER H3

Since the beginning, HUMMER vehicles have been in a class of their own, with extreme style and capability, unmatched by the competition. The latest chapter in the story is the HUMMER H3, designed in response to demand from global markets for a premium everyday driving vehicle, offering the legendary HUMMER performance.

Developed for markets around the world and built in South Africa, the H3 embodies HUMMER's unique styling features and iconic shape. In addition, the H3 has a premium interior design and a 3.7-litre engine with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system.

H3 packs its authentic HUMMER style and capability into more compact dimensions. Compared to the HUMMER H2, the H3 is 39 mm shorter, 171 mm lower and 73 mm narrower. Roughly the same length as a larger family saloon, H3 can navigate city traffic, yet still deliver HUMMER's trademark crawling and climbing capability off-road.

The 4,782 mm long HUMMER H3 is powered by General Motors's Vortec 3.7-litre engine with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. Specifically designed for this type of vehicle, it delivers 242 hp/180 kW at 5600 rpm and 328 Nm of torque at 4600 rpm.

H3 is the first HUMMER ever to offer the choice of a manual or an automatic transmission. In addition to the Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission is available, offering ultimate driver control.

At the heart of the HUMMER H3's capability is its electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The system is augmented with traction control, an optional locking rear differential and StabiliTrak stability control, which is offered as standard. The H3 can ford 407 mm deep water at 32 km/h or 610 mm deep streams at an 8 km/h pace, and climb 407 mm vertical steps or rocks.

This off-road performance is also aided by the "wheel at each corner" design giving a maximum approach angle of 37.5 degrees and maximum departure angle of 35.5 degrees. These approach and departure angles permit the H3 to drive into a hole and back out again, without getting hung up at the front or the rear.

The H3's more compact size provides manoeuvrability advantages, such as an 11.3m turning circle, making equally easy work of parking manoeuvres or tight turns when off-roading. A 219 mm ground clearance and maximum breakover angle of 23.5 degrees make it possible to clear large obstacles in off-road driving.

Electric Boogaloo, South African Corolla Style

Murilee Martin — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:41:12 EST

Things may have seemed grim in South Africa in 1984, what with the whole apartheid/repression thing and all. But there was one bright spot for beleaguered South Africans: the brand-new Toyota Corolla. The '84 was just so good that it made ordinary office workers don gray-and-yellow shellsuits and perform perhaps the worst robot dancing ever done before a camera. Plenty of brain-damaging surreal details (e.g., gigantic fast-food items protruding from bouncing cars) in this one, folks; do not operate heavy machinery after watching. – Murilee Martin

Sierrachero's Daddy: Cortinachero!

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:00:00 EST

While Ford killed the Cortina when Lutz's Sierra was introduced in 1983, one facet of the storied marque soldiered on in South Africa (and was imported to Europe as both a Cortina and a Taunus): yes, the OG P100. Built from a lengthened Cortina chassis, the rustic-stage P100 was the final standing model of a line that had served Britain proudly for decades and is the only car besides a Cadillac that we can currently think of that ended up in a Clash song. We're totally starting a band just so we can cover "Janie Jones" and sing, "His P100 just won't run without fuel/Fill 'er up, Jacko!" – Davey G. Johnson

Ford Taunus Pick-Up! [Ford Taunus - Fun]

Related:
The Ford P100: Sierrachero! [Internal]

The Little Toyota Engine Light That Couldn't Turn Off: ToMoCo Issues Recalls For Over 250,000 Vehicles

Ray Wert — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:33:52 EST

The world's number one super best automaker from the land of the rising sun issued two recalls today — one here in the land of the free and home of the brave for around 60,700 four-cylinder Highlander SUV's from 2001 through 2003 and 159,100 RAV4's from 2001 and 2002. It seems the "check engine light" (also known as the Malfunction Indicator Light — just one F away from MILF) may "inadvertantly light" due to faulty "program logic in the Engine Control Module (ECM)." Apparently it's faulty because it's telling you something's wrong. Hmm...well, while you some of us sit and attempt to decipher that particular logic loopety-loop, let's just sigh in relief we're not in South Aftrica. That's where the second recall was placed into effect today, for more than 29,000 Corolla and RunX cars built during the 2006 model year after a problem was found in the vehicles' rear axle beam. Apparently this could result in the "front bush mountings splitting open and the front section of the axle beam coming adrift." Hmm, yup, that sounds fairly — well, why don't we let the official spokesperson from Toyota of South Africa finish that particular statement with the last line of the press release — "It could be dangerous." Took the word right out of our mouths. – Ray Wert

Less than Lekker: VW South Africa Loses Historic Vehicles in Transporter Wreck

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 23:45:00 EST

Sadly, a transporter rollover claimed nine milestone vehicles in Volkswagen South Africa's history. On the way back from a celebration in Cape Town that feted the 55th anniversary of the People's Car in SA, and ended up saying "Howzit!" to much, much damage. The carnage claimed vehicles including 2002 T3 microbus, a 1958 Beetle, a '78 Beetle, a '79 Passat, a '70 Audi 90, a '73 Audi 100S, a '75 Audi Coupe, and a '59 Beetle, all of which represented significant mileposts in VWSA's history. We hope they can rebuild them. Make them stronger. Faster. Better. Or just the same and not broken. They can choose. [Thanks to Mark Jawdoszyn for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson

VW museum loses nine historic cars as carrier overturns [The Herald, South Africa]

Related:
The VW Pickup Lives! We Didn't Know! [Internal]

Steam Makes Them Hot And Speedy! Brit Team Attempts To Set Land Steam Speed Record

Ray Wert — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 11:50:29 EDT

The conclusion reached after hearing a team of wacky Brits are looking to set the 100-year unbroken land speed record for steam powered vehicles is probably something like "there's a land speed record for just about everything." You'd probably be right, and proof of that assertion's coming in the spring of next year in Verneuk Pan, a lake bed in South Africa's Northern Cape — where the all-British team (complete with a "lady driver") will seek the un-Hammond-like speed of 200 mph as the champ speed of all things steam. That would beat the conductors cap off the old official record set at 127.659 mph by Fred Marriot's Stanley Steamer in 1906. But in our minds it still falls short of the old unofficial record set back in 1928, by a little cartoon duck named "RailCar Daffy" — unfortunately, his run of 382.1 mph was not sanctioned by the F d ration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the world motorsport's governing body, which requires an average of two runs in opposite directions — as well as requiring non-fictional drivers to not infringe on any of Disney's non-fictional water-vehicle driving characters. – Ray Wert

Full steam ahead [Telegraph.co.uk]

Related:
GM Sets Class Record at Bonneville Speed Week [internal]

Datcamino Mystery Solved?

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:30:00 EDT

Oddly enough, our plea for help regarding the origins of the Datcamino did not go unheeded. It's apparently a Datsun/Nissan 1200/1400 Bakkie — aka the Sunny Truck and Datsun Ute — which to people who don't habitually say "Howzit!" means that it's a small pickup sold in South Africa with a design that dates back to the 1970s. Which means that it's not really a Camino at all. Christ. We were double-foiled! [Pictured above is a current-model Bakkie with Fiat-esque square headlamps.]

Nissan 1400 Bakkie [Nissan, South Africa]

Related:
Datcamino? [Internal]

RIP, Speedy: World's Fastest South African Killed in Accident

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:26:21 EDT

Johan Jacobs, the "World's Fastest South African," was killed when his jet-powered dragster flipped over and disintegrated at 300 miles per hour. The accident happened on a trial run, a day before he was to make a run at the a land speed record he set this past March, at 316 mph. He'd been hoping to set a world record for acceleration over one mile. [Thanks to Haje for the tip.]

Attempt at land speed record ends in death [Fast Car]

Some People Didn't Like the South African Smart Billboard

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 14:30:00 EDT

We actually thought the "German engineering, Swiss innovation, American nothing" billboards in South Africa were pretty ballsy and clever. Chrysler's Jason Vines doesn't think so, and apparently neither did some other PR types at DCX. The billboards are now toast. The ad agency said the "nothing" crack referred to the car's diminutive size, rather than the perception that America sucks. Mmm-hm...

Ad Watch: Kermit Snags Some South African Green From BMW

Ray Wert — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:54:02 EDT

So, basically...Kermit the Frog is a whore — he'll sell himself to any automaker that will take his furry green froggie butt and plop it into the front seat of a car. But really, at least he's doing what other big celebs have done — commercialized himself overseas, as in this BMW 1-Series commercial for South Africa. And although we totally have no idea what the hell he's saying — the "making of" video after the jump is in english — and pretty damn funny. Especially when he asks if he can get the Beemer in green. For you Kermit, I think they'll do it — after all, you're a star now. A bright, shining star.

American Nothing: Smart Billboard in Johannesburg, South Africa

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 17 May 2006 10:44:27 EDT

Diplomatic immunity!

[Thanks to Jeff and TTAC for the tip.]

Smart Car — American Nothing [Neandernews]

Going 'Round the Cape with Volkswagen: South African Advertising Oddness

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 01 May 2006 17:46:37 EDT

David from Hemmings tipped us off to this amazing treasure trove of current and vintage VW ads from South Africa, a country that's so badass that press junkets abound there, people mount flamethrowers on their vehicles to deter carjackings, and you can buy a Golfamino. Plus, some of these ads are just plain weird. Lekker!

More South African VW Commercials [Volkswagen, South Africa]

South African Kings Go Bending X5s

Davey G. Johnson — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 00:50:50 EDT

The South African government forked over some serious dough to hand the Eastern Cape province's five traditional kings each a BMW X5. And two have them have already been wrecked. King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of AbaThembu BakaDalindyebo drove over a signpost two days after taking delivery and mangled the front suspension, and Zwelonke Sigcawu of AmaGcaleka apparently did something similar. What's more, King Zwelenkosi Matanzima of Western Thembuland has already dented his. "Grandfather? Who were these men?"

"They were...the Hoon Kings!"

Kings damage luxury cars [News24, South Africa]

Related:
S-Class Flamb : 2007 Luxo Machine up in Smoke [Internal]

Only Women In Rally Cars Can Prevent Forest Fires

Ray Wert — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 13:40:28 EST

It's one of the more odd intersections of rally racin'. All-girl rally team Lola and Megan Verlaque went off track in their Subaru at a national championship rally race in South Africa yesterday. Seems simple enough right? Here's where it gets interesting. The heat from the engine turbo-charger on the Subaru lit the grass and brush around the track, igniting the undergrowth into an all-out conflagaration. A national all-call was sent out to fire teams, and they are currently battling to contain the blaze in the Franschoek forests. The rally crew was unhurt.

Rally car starts forest fire [Motoring]

Related:
More rally action [internal]

Beware, Johan: Jet-Powered Man Becomes Fastest South African

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 18:43:16 EST

Back when we were the head of our undergrad art/lit publication, somebody always ended up getting a story or poem into the book because he or she happened to be sleeping with one of the staffers during the selection process. The most egregious of these pieces was entitled "Beware Yohar," and we shall reproduce it for you below:

Beware Yohar

There are things in the sand

where you stand.

Beware Yohar

The sand is slipping

and tripping at your feet.

Beware Yohar

Ahead of you

is hope and fear.

Behind you

lies memory and regret.

Look Down Yohar

Here, Now,

Look Down

We're sorry to subject you to the near-Vogon quality of verse, but when we saw that a man named Johan Jacobs just became the holder of the South African Land Speed Record at 509km/h (316.277mph), and hopes to set a 1-mile world acceleration record, we couldn't help but think of old Yohar. And giggle. A lot.

SA's Land Speed Record Tumbles [Motoring.co.za]