Dakar 2020 a landmark year for competitors - Lowvelder Epaper
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Why blend in when
Friday January 24, 2020 you can stand out?
Tel: 013-754-1600
Dakar 2020 a
landmark year
for competitors
When Thierry Sabine hero Paulo Gonçalves, it
got lost in the Abidjan- will also go down as the
Nice rally in 1977, the best ever for Southern
idea for the Dakar was Africans. Drivers, riders,
born. An idea that he teams and cars from south
expressed in these words: of the Limpopo starred
"A challenge for those with stage wins, podium
who go and a dream for finishes and heroic
those who stay behind." efforts all-round, as Sean
Forty years later, the Berriman navigated US
Dakar is as tough as driver Casey Currie to
it gets, despite all the the SSV win and several
technological advances others delivered top ten
to support competitors in
this gruelling race. Continued on page 2
And while Dakar
2020 will ultimately be
remembered for Carlos
Sainz Sr winning his third
race in a third make of
car, Ricky Brabec taking
his first bike win and
Honda’s first since
1989, and also for
the loss of the
life of Dakar
motorcycle
Stéphane Peterhansel.
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2 Friday January 24, 2020
A tale of heartbreak and
double F1 world champion and two-time
Continued from page 1
Le Mans 24-hour winner, Fernando Alonso,
ended 13th overall after rolling his Gazoo
finishes. SA Hilux among several other adventures
over the past two weeks.
Three wins in three different brands Giniel de Villiers added another stage win
Spanish former double world rally to his incredible Dakar CV on day 2, but
champion Sainz added a third Dakar he had to work hard to overcome several
win aboard his Mini buggy to his 2010 punctures and a few navigation issues early
Volkswagen and 2018 Peugeot victories. He on, with punctures set to be another point
beat Qatari 2019 winner, Nasser Al Attiyah’s to remember in the early days of this year’s
South African-built and run factory Gazoo race. Dakar 2020 was also a great race for
Racing Toyota Hilux and former 13-time tiny Johannesburg race car maker, Century,
Dakar winner on two and four wheels, after Frenchman Mattieu Serradori took the
Stephane Peterhansel’s Mini, after that pair team’s first ever Dakar day win en route to a
started the final day split by just six seconds. splendid eigth overall aboard the Corvette-
Saudi home hero, Yazeed Al Rajhi (Hilux) powered machine in a truly giant-killing
came home fourth ahead of South Africa’s performance.
former Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers It was a tough, but rewarding race for
(Gazoo SA Hilux), the consistent Argentine Kyalami-based Red-Lined Motoring
Orlando Terranova (Mini AWD) and Dutch Adventures, that ran a pair of Nissan
driver Bernhard ten Brinke (Gazoo SA Navaras for gentleman crews, but Dakar
Hilux), while Dakar rookie winner, former delivered a poisonous sting in the tail to
Thomas Bell.
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Casey and Sean
Berriman.
Fernando Alonso. Carlos Sainz.
Thought of the week
*$2$
Melody Beattie
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have
into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to
order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house
into a home, a stranger into a friend."
EDITOR FAX NUMBERS Accounts: 013-754-1655 Nelspruit 1200 OFFICE HOURS MANAGEMENT Distribution manager:
12 Stinkhout Crescent Monya Burger
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083-455-5608 Classifieds: 013-754-1655 Friday: 08:00-16:00 Buks Esterhuizen Marketing and PR:
Advertising: 013-752-4287 PO Box 246 Julia Burger
Friday January 24, 2020 3
triumph for drivers local and international alike
TreasuryOne duo, 2018 Dakar Rookie Motoring Adventure and Motorsport principal of Subaru Nelspruit, Danie
former triple SA champion Ross Branch,
of the Year Hennie de Klerk and Johann who, riding as a privateer, took a stunning Media. Stassen, for his impressions of the Dakar:
Smalberger racing out of Pretoria, who day 2 win and rode most of the way well Ed: I asked local off-road racer and dealer
started 27th in Friday's final stage off a fine within the top ten on his own KTM against
week following a difficult start, only to be the might of the factory teams. Met die afskop van die In die motorfietse het daar vir die eerste
left stranded within spitting distance of the Equally epic was SA lady rookie, the tiny Dakar 2020 was talle keer ‘n vroueryer, Kirsten Landman,
finish with transmission failure. They duly Taye Perry’s superwoman effort aboard her motorsport-entoesiaste die Dakar voltooi in die 55ste posisie
made it to the finish to claim 34th overall, KTM. Taye had ridden brilliantly to start the opgewonde. Ongeveer algeheel, en Taye Perry in die 77ste plek
two places ahead of their Dubai-based penultimate day a splendid 51st overall and 30 % van die voertuie algeheel. Dit is uitstekend vir motorsport
British teammates, Thomas Bell and Patrick third among the lady bikers, but her machine wat deelneem in die in Suid-Afrika om soveel deelnemers
McMurren. developed a problem to leave her stranded Dakar word in Suid- te hê, wat ook so betrokke by ander
A relatively new Dakar class, the side- in the desert 300km from home. Undaunted, Afrika gebou, wat ‘n aspekte van die Dakar kan wees.
by-side vehicles, delivered a thrilling race Taye was towed out of the stage and arrived uitstekende getuigskrif Hier is ‘n paar interessante feite
throughout with positions changing by the at the bivouac at midnight. Her bike was is vir ons plaaslike aangaande die kostes om die Dakar by
waypoint throughout the two weeks, but repaired and she rode home to finish a well talent, tegniese kennis te woon:
American Casey Currie, driving with SA lad deserved 78th overall and fourth among en tegnologie. • Hoë vlak-inskrywing - ongeveer
Sean Berriman now racing on a US licence, the ladies. Soos elke jaar tot R5 miljoen plus ‘n FIA Spec-voertuig van
managed to be most consistent to take an Perry’s loss was Kirsten Landman’s gain dusver was Giniel de Villiers van die begin af tussen R4 miljoen en R7 miljoen plus.
ultimately easy win over Russian Sergei - SA's second lady rookie rode a consistent konstant en het vyfde algeheel klaargemaak. • Middelvlakinskrywing - ongeveer
Kariakin, Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo Dakar on her KTM to come home a splendid Carlos Sainz in die twee-wiel aangedrewe R4 miljoen plus ‘n FIA Spec-voertuig van
and Zimbabwean Conrad Rautenbach. 54th overall and third among the ladies. Two Mini was onmoontlik om te vang, met die tussen R4 miljoen en R7 miljoen plus.
more South African bikers, factory Honda Mini wat die jaar ‘n topspoed van tot en met • Privaat inskrywing - ongeveer
Honda breaks 31-year Dakar duck rookie Aaron Maré and veteran former 205 km/h deur die langer roetes kon behaal, R3 miljoen plus ‘n FIA Spec-voertuig van
It was a big Dakar for Honda as Springbok hurdler Wessel Bosman, both waar die Toyota’s slegs ‘n spoed van 185 tussen R3 miljoen en R7 miljoen plus.
Californian, Brabec stormed home to a retired early in the race, while Mike Horn km/h kon behaal. Nassar Alitiay, wat ook met Die boonste kostes sluit die volgende in:
crucial Dakar motorcycle win for Honda in navigating for former bike winner Cyril ‘n Suid-Afrikaans geboude Hilux deelgeneem • Dakar-ingskrywingsfooi van R480 000
not only its first Dakar win in 31 years, but Despres, retired in the second week. het, het ‘n tweede plek losgeslaan en nog (ingesluit kar, bestuurder en navigator)
Brabec also finally broke KTM’s 18-year Source: Dakar 2020 coverage ‘n Suid-Afrikaans geboude voertuig deur • Dakar-inskrywing per tegnikus:
stranglehold on Dakar bike wins and made TreasuryOne Motorsport, Red-Lined Century Racing het ‘n agtste plek algeheel R170 000 (dit sluit ‘n driegangmaaltyd
good the huge disappointment of Honda behaal. en twee vierkantemeter vir jou tent in)
losing the two previous editions after • Jou beraming vir bande beloop
dominating much of the way each time. R280 000 (tussen 32 en 40 bande)
Several Southern African bikers delivered • Beraming vir brandstof: R 250 000
heroic Dakar rides, not least Botswana’s • Extra onderdele - dit is noodsaaklik om
motordele van tussen R1,2 en
R1,8 miljoen byderhand te hê.
Rickey Brabec. Nasser Al Attiyah. Photos: Can-Am Dakar, Mini, Honda, MCH/Red-Lined
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4 Friday January 24, 2020
It is more than just a cosmetic facelift
Locally, 2015 was the year the Mercedes- “the Mercedes of MPVs” went on to be a of alloy wheels and interior trim options. facelift continues to build on this position.
Benz V-Class celebrated its debut with a true success. The 2019 facelift makes for New design and even greater comfort Active Brake Assist, which is available
completely new approach to design, value a refreshing feel to the already dominant The V-Class facelift has a broader for the first time, can detect the risk of a
appeal, comfort and safety in the Multi- model. Focal points include a restyled and appearance and an even stronger visual collision with a vehicle ahead, and initially
Purpose Vehicle (MPV) segment. striking front-end design, a sporty and presence thanks to its new front end. This initiates a visual and acoustic warning. If the
What would end up being known as streamlined cockpit, as well as a new range comes courtesy of a new bumper design driver responds, it builds up brake pressure
with striking cooling air inlets and a new appropriate to the situation.
diamond structure in the radiator grille. If there is no response, the system actively
The interior of the V-Class follows the assists with evasive and braking manoeuvres.
trend of modernity and clarity. The trim In urban traffic, Active Brake Assist also
elements in the piano lacquer, ebony wood, reacts to stationary obstacles or crossing
carbon fibre and brushed aluminium looks pedestrians.
remain. Highbeam Assist Plus is another new
Trusted and proven engine variants safety feature. When in high beam mode,
With the facelift, the Mercedes-Benz it supports the driver with a consistently
V-Class retains the trusted and proven optimised illumination of the road. In the
four-cylinder OM 651 diesel engine in event of vehicles in front or oncoming traffic,
three output variants. The V 200d develops the LEDs of the main-beam module are
100kW of power and a maximum torque of partially deactivated, creating a U-shaped
330Nm. The V 220d generates 120kW of cut-out in the cone of light. The remaining
power and 380Nm. areas of the roadway continue to be
With an impressive output of 140kW and illuminated with the main-beam headlamps
powerful peak torque of 440Nm, the top-of- (partial main beam).
the-line V 250d is as powerful as it is agile. Complimentary launch PremiumDrive
The V 250d accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h top-up
in an unmatched 9,1 seconds. To ensure the V-Class facelift successfully
An even safer drive takes over the reins from its predecessor,
With Crosswind Assist, which helps the Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa is offering
driver to keep the vehicle on track even all V-Class facelift customers
in the case of gusting crosswinds, and the a complimentary top-up to a 6-year/
drowsiness-detection system Attention 100 000 km maintenance plan. This is a
Assist, the V-Class redefined the safety limited special launch offer, enhancing the
standards in its segment when it was standard 5-year/100 000 km maintenance
launched internationally in 2014. The plan.
1(/6358,7 0$/$/$1(
Friday January 24, 2020 5
6 Friday January 24, 2020
Hot on the road and cutting-edge on the track
The world premiere of Toyota’s rally- dramatic angles, enlarged 18-inch wheels, reinforcements beneath the side members new GR-FOUR AWD system designed
inspired GR Yaris has revealed a pure extended wheel arches, an imposing front to ensure the suspension’s performance to optimise drive power to each wheel,
performance car born from Toyota’s title- air intake, specially designed brakes with potential can be realised. while also being simple and lightweight.
winning experience in the World Rally red calipers, and twin exhaust tips. To ensure the plans worked in practice, the The distribution of torque between the
Championship (WRC). Summarised as a “rally car for the road”, GR Yaris was put to the test by professional front and rear axles is governed by a
Powered by a new 200kW/370Nm the GR Yaris is the latest in Toyota’s race and rally drivers during the development high-response coupling.
three-cylinder turbocharged engine, rich heritage of sports cars, including programme. The driver can adjust the system’s
the GR Yaris benefits from the design the Toyota 800, 2000GT, Celica, Supra,
All-new 1.6-litre turbo engine performance to suit their preference
and engineering skills of Toyota Gazoo Corolla AE86, MR2 and 86. or the driving situation using an AWD
Racing (TGR) and Tommi Mäkinen GR Yaris is the second pure sports The GR Yaris engine is an all-new, three- mode dial switch. In normal mode, the
Racing, Toyota’s partner in the WRC. car model to be launched globally by cylinder turbocharged unit that benefits base front/rear torque distribution is
As well as serving as the official TGR, following last year’s return of the from motor sport technologies to maximise 60:40; in Sport mode the balance shifts
homologation model for development of legendary Toyota GR Supra. performance, including multi-oil jet piston to the rear with 30:70 distribution,
the next Yaris WRC car, GR Yaris also cooling, large-diameter exhaust valves and a to achieve a fun-to-drive quality on
Heritage
part-machined intake port. Displacing
has all the attributes required for owners The new GR Yaris is Toyota’s first winding roads and circuits, and in Track
1,618 cm3, it produces a maximum 200kW
looking to compete successfully in local genuine AWD sports car and its first mode the base setting is 50:50 for fast,
rally competitions. Every aspect of the and 370Nm of torque. It is matched to a competitive driving on circuits or special
homologation model for WRC competition
car has a performance focus: an all-new six-speed manual transmission, engineered to stages. In each mode, the torque balance
since the end of production of the Celica
platform and engine, new suspension, accommodate high torque levels. will automatically adjust in response to
GT-FOUR in 1999.
lightweight construction, aerodynamic A lower roofline improved the car’s Power-to-weight ratio the driver’s inputs, vehicle behaviour and
styling and a new GR-FOUR permanent ability to cut through the air, while Achieving a strong power-to-weight ratio, road or track conditions.
all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. positioning the new 1.6 turbo engine the GR Yaris has the power of a C-segment Performance braking system
With high power and low weight, it further back towards the centre of the performance hatch, but the weight of a The performance braking system
has all the credentials for competition car and locating the battery in the boot B-segment machine (kerb weight 1,280 kg). features large 356mm grooved front
success, and for delivering exhilarating helped produce a better chassis balance Its power-to-weight ratio of 156kW/ton helps discs with four-pot calipers, engineered
performance as a super-hot hatch for the for improved handling, stability and deliver 0-100km/h acceleration in less than to cope with rigorous demands of high-
road. responsiveness. 5,5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed track and special stage driving
In a striking departure from the The new platform allows for a wider speed of 230km/h. with high-level heat capacity.
standard model, the GR Yaris has a three- rear track and new double-wishbone rear GR-FOUR: New all-wheel-drive system Is it considered for the SA market?
door body that is lower and wider with suspension system. The team also devised GR Yaris performance is supported by a Apparently it is, yes...
Friday January 24, 2020 7
This SUV beats the sports cars at their game
brand marketing manager for Alfa Romeo the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio also with its own algorithms to handle all the
Readers of the magazine Auto Bild and Jeep. “After all, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio includes the limited slip differential with electronic devices that intervene on the
Sportscars chose the 375kW strong top Quadrifoglio is not only one of the most active torque distribution in the rear axle car’s behavior harmoniously and in real
version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio as powerful vehicles in the segment, but also a (AlfaTM Active Torque Vectoring), and time, making driving extremely natural,
the winner of the category SUV/Import. real sports car thanks to its driving dynamics the AlfaTM Chassis Domain Control, instinctive and safe.
A total of 110 candidates in ten classes and agility.” a unique central vehicle
participated in the competition. It has a V6 biturbo petrol engine with “intelligence” created
Actually, this SUV is a sports car. 2.9-litre capacity, whose high performance by Alfa Romeo
At least, that is what the readers of the is optimally and safely brought to the
magazine seem to be thinking. They road by the four-wheel drive AlfaTM Q4.
chose the 375kW strong top Alfa Romeo The excellent traction provided allows an
Stelvio Quadrifoglio as the Sportscar of acceleration from zero to 100km/h in only
the Year 2019 (issue 01/20 on 3,8 seconds, and the top speed
December 13). is 283km/h. The four-wheel
“The acceptance of the Alfa Romeo drive AlfaTM Q4 is the
Stelvio Quadrifoglio in the exclusive ideal and safe way to
circle of Sportscars of the Year get to the road. The
impressively demonstrates the high standard equipment of
status of our SUV among sports car
fans,” said Cristina Mauri,
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8 Friday January 24, 2020
New e-4orce ensures a smooth driving experience
Nissan is elevating the performance
capability of electric vehicles with its new
twin-motor all-wheel-control technology
called e-4ORCE. This technology provides
instant torque to all four wheels to deliver
balanced, predictable power and handling on
par with many premium sports cars.
The “e” represents Nissan’s technologies
enabled by a 100% electric motor drive
system. 4ORCE, pronounced “force,”
evokes physical power and energy with “4”
standing for the all-wheel control driving
capability.
“The e-4ORCE twin-motor all-wheel
control technology offers precise handling
and stability, which gives drivers greater
confidence and even more excitement than
ever before,” said Takao Asami, Nissan’s
senior vice president of research and
advanced engineering. “This technology
enables excellent cornering performance Engineers developed the e-4ORCE This is accomplished by employing e-4ORCE increases driver confidence by
and traction on slippery surfaces and a technology to specifically manage regenerative braking from both front and faithfully tracing the driver’s intended line
comfortable ride for all passengers.” The electric vehicle power output and braking rear motors, making city stop-and-go traffic thanks to ultra-high-precision motor and
technology was born from lessons learned performance to be smooth and stable. less jostling. Similarly, on rough, bumpy brake control. With the confidence to handle
in the development of the Nissan GT-R’s Unparalleled ride comfort is the result of the roads and when accelerating, motor control such a variety of road surfaces, even for
ATTESA E-TS torque split system and the e-4ORCE technology’s ability to minimise is optimised to maintain ride comfort by novice drivers on slippery surfaces, driving
Nissan Patrol’s intelligent 4X4 system. vehicle pitch and dive. minimising irregular movement. becomes more enjoyable.
Nissan takes a technical leap forward with acoustic meta-materials
Nissan showed a new material at this material’s cost competitiveness in terms
year’s CES trade show that can help make of mass-production is almost the same as,
car cabins quieter while also boosting energy or possibly better than, current materials.
efficiency. Nissan demonstrated the new Therefore, the material can also be applied
lightweight sound insulation material, known to vehicles where the use of sound insulation
as acoustic meta-material, at CES 2020 in materials is currently limited due to cost
Las Vegas. or weight. Nissan started its research on
The make-up of the new material is simple. meta-material technology around 2008. At
A combination of a lattice structure and the time, meta-material was used in high-
plastic film controls air vibrations to limit sensitivity antennas used for electromagnetic
the transmission of wide frequency band wave research.
noise (500 to 1 200 hertz), such as road and Nissan worked to extend the applicability
engine noise. Currently, most materials used of meta-material technology to include sound
to isolate this frequency band consist mainly waves, leading to the successful invention
of heavy rubber board. Nissan’s new acoustic of acoustic meta-material. Making vehicles
meta-material weighs one-fourth as much lighter helps limit the environmental impact
as these while providing the same degree of of driving by improving energy efficiency. It
sound isolation. also enhances enjoyment, as the quiet vehicle
Because of its simple structure, the cabin makes driving more comfortable.
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