Supertech Motorrad in Pinetown became the envy of motorbike dealerships in KwaZulu-Natal when it was selected to reveal to select clients from September 10 the much-anticipated R18 — the cruiser with the biggest Boxer engine yet from the Bayerische Motoren Werke AG.
The worldwide Covid-19 lockdown moved the R18’s official launch date from April to September, leaving bikers keenly anticipating the local launch to see if the R18 has what it takes to let BMW compete among the heavy cruisers.
Local riders clearly like the R18’s specs and classic good looks, as Sales Executive Damien Kotze told Dealerfloor 24 of the R18 cruisers are available, of which 17 have already been pre-ordered.
BMW’s engineers got 67 kW (97 Pferdestärken, for those who still think in terms of horsepower) from the 110kg drivetrain, thanks to an over-square design with a 107.1mm bore and a 100mm stroke in the 1802 cc, two-cylinder boxer engine.
But kilo-Watts are not what cruisers want. They need Newton metres, and here the R18’s big Boxer engine delivers in shovel loads, making its maximum torque of 158 Nm at 3000 rpm and a level 150 Nm between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Steve Bailey, General Manager at Supertech Motorrad Pinetown said prices start at R319,900, including a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and the list of options include everything a rider can possibly want to “make life a ride”, as the Motorrad slogan reads.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa has reaffirmed that the Hyundai Grand i10 complies with all safety and homologation requirements applicable in South Africa, as stipulated by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).
Canada’s efforts to reduce its dependence on its southern neighbour, the United States, have gained fresh momentum with the announcement of a deal with China that will see tariffs on electric vehicles from the Asian giant significantly reduced.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has declared a dispute against Motus Retail, South Africa’s largest automotive retail group, following the company’s announcement of planned salary and benefit reductions affecting 532 employees.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Ford Racing has unveiled the Mustang Dark Horse SC, though South African enthusiasts will have to admire it from afar as there are no plans to introduce the model locally.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa announced a special addition to its GLA range in the form of the new GLA Night Edition now available locally.
JAC Motors is taking the fight to its competitors with newly launched T6 2.0L CTi 1-tonne single-cab bakkie that made its local debut and joins the manufacturer’s existing bakkie range in the country.
