The Model Spot - SA

VW is considering adding a fourth equipment line to the well established “Trendline”, “Comfortline” and “Highline” packages. Called “Collectors Edition”, the package is defined by its exclusive natural leather interior in the style of the finest luxury sedans.

Seen here as a prototype in the new Golf VI, the Collectors Edition's leather is applied in a refined brown tone called “IOWA” to the sport seats (lateral supports of seatback, outer sides of seat, center panel and covers), the center armrest and door inserts while black piping is sewn onto the outside seams.

The package also includes decorative interior accents strips in high-gloss piano lacquer, aluminum door sill plates embossed with “Collectors Edition”, and on the outside a color matched grille and new 18-inch “Vancouver” alloy wheels.

The only disappointment is that the seat’s outer side panels are embossed with the letters “WDS” – the initials of the chief designer, Walter de Silva. Granted, it's just a concept, but is that really necessary?

Did you know that Kleemann is a Danish tuning company based in uhm, Denmark? Did you know they have an office in the US of A, and that they export their products to over 40 other countries? Did you know that Kleemann felt that the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series was not enough? Imagine that! What’s not enough exactly? A few things really. One of them is power. These days any old kitchen mechanic can wring out 507bhp out of a car, no big deal. Kleemann felt this number could be challenged, not too madly but enough to worry the tarmac about all that melting rubber.

In order to do this Kleemann provided the CLK with a kit consisting of a set of high flow exhaust manifolds with matching downpipes and 200-cell steel sport catalysts, and a remapped engine ECU. For their troubles they were rewarded with an extra 38bhp, taking the unit up to 545 ponies. Torque is 675Nm. Power goes to the 20” tyres fitted at the back, which measure 305/25 and 11” wide, while front axle has to do with 10” wide with 255/30 tyres. The standard gearbox was not messed with, so it remains, along with the awesome driveability of the CLK 63 AMG Black Series. By the way, this special kit is codenamed Kleemann 63-K2 and can be fitted into any of the 63 AMG cars on the road today. Can we get some performance figures please.

Johannesburg - South African fans were the first in the world to be officially presented with the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car that will contest the fourth season of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport from September.

A1 Team South Africa hosted a media gathering at the Kyalami grand prix circuit in Midrand on Friday at which the new car, dressed in its new A1 Team South Africa livery, was unveiled. It features a V8 engine designed and built by Ferrari and a brand new chassis designed in collaboration with Ferrari. Tyres are to be supplied by Michelin in the 2008/2009 season.

The chassis is based on the design of the highly successful F2004 Ferrari chassis as used by Michael Schumacher, incorporating A1GP's core values to deliver close, exciting racing among a competitive field where overtaking is an essential part of the entertainment.

Swiss styling tuner, Caractere, brings us their latest kit for the new Audi A4 (B8 platform). With the newest A4 model only on the market since the beginning of the year, Caractere is amongst the first few to present a comprehensive styling package. Consisting of complete front bumper fascia for cars with original fog lights, side skirts, boot spoiler and rear bumper fascia with or without exhaust tips (left & right). Caractere says the kit, which comes with a 5 year warranty against defects, will be availabel towards the end of the year.