WeeklySA_AdminGRAND CELEBRATION: Numerous automotive brands will be displaying their latest and greatest products in a glut of exciting activities from innovative displays to track and 4×4 drives
By Motoring Reporter
The Festival of Motoring, which takes place at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from Friday, August 30, until Sunday, September 1, promises to be a grand celebration of car culture.
According to the organisers, show goers can expect a glut of exciting activities, from innovative displays to track and 4×4 drives, motorsport displays and simulator competitions.
Numerous automotive brands will be displaying their latest and greatest products, including Alfa Romeo, BAIC, Bentley, BYD, Chery, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Haval, Isuzu, Jaecoo, Jeep, Lamborghini, Mahindra, Omoda, Opel, Porsche, Peugeot, Shelby, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo.
The manufacturers have not, as yet, announced the full array of new models that will be showcased although organisers have confirmed that the Lamborghini Revuelto will make an appearance, alongside the full Bentley and Porsche model ranges, including the new Panamera, and there will be a special celebration for 50 years of the 911 Turbo.
A new addition to the Festival this year is the FoM Experience Centre, where visitors can enjoy adrenaline-pumping hot-lap sessions around the main circuit. Offered at an extra cost, these rides are provided by BMW Motorsport Club, Simola Hill Climb, Samlin Lamborghini and RDE Supercars. In addition, drifting rides are on offer at the skidpan by XDrift.
Volkswagen will also be offering track drives and a chance to ride with VW Motorsport drivers Jonathan Mogotsi or Daniel Rowe in a Supa Cup racing Polo during the performance sessions. On-track entertainment includes demonstrations from F1-type vehicles and the Sunbet ZX10 SuperBikes Masters Cup Challenge. A unique time attack, “The Shelby Mustang Speed Challenge,” will further add to the excitement. The Festival also promises an array of family-friendly activities, including simulator competitions, kids’ sand art fun and a Merchandise Shop. Show goers can also look forward to vibrant food market, organisers say, featuring a variety of gourmet offerings and local favourites.
“The Festival of Motoring is the next level in motor show evolution; it is an immersive experience that engages attendees with the dynamic world of motoring.
“Whether a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the Festival offers a comprehensive array of attractions, from exhilarating test drives to captivating audio-visual experiences.
“The event brings together automotive enthusiasts to experience the pinnacle of motoring excellence,” said Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, which stages the festival.
Tickets for the event are available at howler.co.za, with prices set at R275 per adult and R75 for children aged 4 to 12 years.
Complimentary shuttle services will be provided by SANI Car Rental from the Mall of Africa, and internal shuttles by Volkswagen, Isuzu, and Haval to the 4×4 village.
The new Suzuki Swift is set to launch in South Africa “in the near future”, with the latest generation of this popular hatch powered by a “new engine”. Here’s what we know…
Suzuki Auto South Africa has finally confirmed that the new Swift is scheduled to launch locally “in the near future”, while also revealing that the popular hatchback – which has become one of Mzansi’s top-selling passenger cars in recent years – will be powered by a “new engine”. Set to make its local premiere at the imminent 2024 Festival of Motoring in Gauteng, the AOL-generation Swift for Mzansi is again expected to be imported from Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facility in India rather than from the brand’s domestic market of Japan.
Suzuki Auto SA describes the new-gen Swift as “brand new from rubber to roof, with a sporty new design, new engine and safety features never before offered as standard in this class of compact vehicles”.
So, what do we know about this new engine? Well, considering only a single powertrain is currently available in the Indian market, we can speculate that the SA-spec version will employ the same latest Z-Series engine as offered in the world’s most populous nation
