Joburg show set to be world class

02 October 2011 - 23:23 By Motor Mania
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The Johannesburg International Motor Show may be the new kid on the block when compared to Frankfurt, Geneva and Shanghai, but that makes next week's event no less enthralling.

Normally held every two years, last year's event was poostponed because of the Fifa World Cup.

With that soccer spectacular now a distant memory, motoring enthusiasts can look forward to next Saturday when the event kicks off.

With more than 400 exhibitors and more than 5000 vehicles on show, it is without doubt the biggest international automotive event in Southern Africa.

Besides cars there will be 4x4s, SUVs, bakkies, vans, motorbikes, scooters, quad bikes and trucks.

But a day out at Nasrec, where the show is being held, does not necessarily mean just wandering around stand after stand.

A 4x4 course, vehicle handling track and funfair rides will all be on offer to visitors.

Nissan will show off the 2011 world car of the year, its all-electric Leaf with a top speed of more than 220km/h. Faster still is the new carbon-fibre McLaren MP4-12C.

Peugeot will display its HR1 petrol-electric concept vehicle. On the Mercedes-Benz stand will be the latest SLK with Magic Sky Control. At the touch of a button the glass part of the folding roof can change from light to dark.

BMW's i8 Concept, a sporty plug-in hybrid, will be on show - one of two electrically assisted vehicles on the German firm's stand. The other will be the i3 Concept. The i8 is powered by a turbocharged 1,5l petrol engine and an electric motor. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.5 sec, has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h and boasts fuel consumption of 2.7l/100km.

For a real taste of the future, Honda will present the 12th generation of its Asimo (advanced step in innovative mobility) humanoid robot. Besides walking and talking, the robot can run, climb over obstacles and push objects.

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