2013 The team members from 2012 were very encouraged by their performance in 2012 so Eastern Cape Motors entered a few more teams.

We entered 5 enthusiastic teams.  The Destroyers, Raptors, Avengers, Vipers and the Dominators.

All Team members were very keen and ‘ready to rock’.

The swimmers were fantastic! Richard chased closely by Jason, put in one of the most phenomenal swims the event has seen. This set in motion a fantastic cycle chase by John-Lee, Wesley and Francois, who had to fight off the opposition.

The fiery ECM runners literally ran like the wind, absolutely demolishing the opposition.

The ECM Avengers came in first, very closely followed by the ECM Destroyers.

A new course record for this scintillating race was set by the ECM Avengers which is indicative of the kind of pace the ECM Teams set.

ECM’s 5 teams finished in the top 8, a really spectacular performance by all our swimmers, cyclists & runners who gave of their very best.

A fantastic day of competition, a really fun event and a magnificent display of determination and teamwork in the face of stiff opposition.

Well done & congratulations to all our spirited athletes, we all look forward to Corporate Ironman 2014.

With the launch of the newest fuel-efficient engine, Ford now has capacity to build 1.6 million EcoBoost engines annually. By the end of 2013 six plants across Europe, Asia and North America will be producing EcoBoost engines, triple the number that were doing so in 2010.

Production of the four-cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost – the fifth member of the EcoBoost family – will commence initially at Ford’s world-class facility in Craiova, Romania, later this month. Other manufacturing locations will be announced in the future. The new engine will be first introduced in China in the all-new Ford Mondeo, making its public debut later this month at the Auto Shanghai Show 2013, with applications following in the Fusion sedan in North America this year, and later the new Mondeo in Europe.

As a key contributor to Ford’s aggressive fuel economy and emissions strategy, EcoBoost technologies enable improvements to both fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions of up to 20 per cent. The 1.5-litre engine benefits from signature EcoBoost turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing and has been designed to be even more fuel-efficient and offer high levels of engine refinement, quietness and performance.

Additionally, the newest EcoBoost engine will be a strategic entry for Ford in global markets that offer tax relief to consumers who purchase vehicles powered by engines of 1.5-litre capacity or less.

The new aluminium-block, twin-cam 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine will feature some of the innovative features introduced on the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost, including an integrated exhaust manifold. The new engine is expected to provide similar horsepower and torque performance to Ford’s current 1.6-litre EcoBoost, while delivering improved fuel economy and lower CO₂ emissions.

The 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine is the first engine from Ford to incorporate a computer-controlled clutch on the belt-drive water pump, which further improves efficiencies by reducing warm-up time. A water-cooled charge air cooler is added to offer a more efficient feed of air into the engine.

“Ford EcoBoost technology has changed the way people look at petrol engines and has enjoyed huge success with customers,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Powertrain Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “The new 1.5-litre unit further extends our EcoBoost promise of economical motoring in terms of both fuel efficiency and, in some markets, tax-savings.”

Ford has sold more than 600,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles globally since the range was launched with the 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost in 2009. Ford added the 2.0-litre EcoBoost in 2010; the 1.6-litre EcoBoost followed in 2011; and last year the 1.0-litre EcoBoost was launched, winning the 2012 “International Engine of the Year” award.

By the end of this year, nearly 80 per cent of the company’s global nameplates will be available with fuel-saving EcoBoost technology.

The US automaker sold more than a million Focus units globally, topping perennial sales champion Toyota’s Corolla by more than 147 000.

THREE FORD’S IN TOP 10

Third was Ford’s F-Seriestruck, followed by Chinese automakes Wuling’s Sunshine, Toyota’s Camry and Ford’s Fiesta. The Focus has become a huge success in China with nearly 300 000 sold in 2012.

More than 150 professional test drivers, plus customer fleet drivers and Ford engineers, put a number of vans through a punishing series of tests covering the equivalent of 4.8-million kilometres and including non-stop driving to simulate an extremely demanding 10-year life cycle along with extreme climate testing and corrosive salt and mud-baths.

‘WORST POSSIBLE TREATMENT’

Barry Gale, Ford Europe commercial vehicles chief engineer, told Wheels24: “I don’t think many customers would believe what this vehicle has been through. We inflict the worst possible treatment that a van could endure and we’re only satisfied when our new vehicle comes through with flying colours – just as the Transit Custom has done.”

Ford analysed data from more than 600 Transits around the world to assess its “worst-case usage durability targets” based on a 10 -year, 240 000km life.

Accelerated durability testing took place at Ford’s Lommel proving ground in Belgium, which included a “trailer tow general durability” test.

Extreme tests included: (remember, this is a van…)

Autobahn speed: Maintaining maximum speed for two months non-stop.
Figure Eight: Executing figure-of-eights non-stop for a month.
Chassis strength: Crashing into a 140mm kerb at about 60km/h.
Potholes and bumps: Completing a potholed and bumpy course at up to 70km/h more than 5000 times.
Corrosion resistance: Driving over rough gravel roads, salt and through mud-baths and soaking in high-humidity chambers for 12 weeks.

During its development, Ford Transit Custom prototypes also endured 40C in Dubai and -40C in Finland.

DIESEL POWER

In the test labs, Ford subjected its 2.2 Duratorq diesel, which will power all Transit Customs, to 46 days of continuous high-load urban driving on specialised rigs.

Ford has engineered more than 100 significant improvements as a direct result of its testing regime. These include the redesign and strengthening of the engine mount brackets and body rocker panels.

The same regime will deliver similar benefits to the all-new Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect models due to be launched in 2014.

Gale said: “Pushing the van to the limit helps us to deliver a stronger, more robust product. This translates directly into everyday reliability for the customer, however tough their working environment.”

The SA units will have the 2.2 Duratorq TDCi diesel engine and be offered as long and short-wheelbase variants. The new Transit will arrive later in 2013.

IN DETAIL

The Jaguar F-TYPE has today been declared the 2013 World Car Design of the Year.

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said: “No design project has given me greater pleasure than the creation of the F-TYPE. It’s a project I’ve looked forward to from the moment I joined Jaguar, and it’s one that’s given my team and I great satisfaction. The F-TYPE is a sports car that is true to Jaguar’s design values – beauty of line and purity of form – and I’m honoured that the World Car of the Year jury has recognised our work with this award.”

Some 43 cars were considered for the award, this selection being reduced to a shortlist by an advisory panel of design experts* before final consideration by the 66 World Car of the Year jury members.

On the F-TYPE, the advisory panel said: “The long wheelbase, short overhangs and flared fenders give this car a good stance. The contour in plan view tapered toward the door emphasises the muscular rear fender that houses the driven wheels.

“The F-TYPE exterior maintains Jaguar’s own elegance in its horizontal proportion and rounded surfaces, yet it looks very dynamic. But I would like to say the interior design is even more attractive. It is clearly driver-oriented, and a grip bar for the passenger is nicely integrated into the big centre console. The seat design is superb, too.”

The award was collected by Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar, at the New York International Auto Show. Commenting from the show, he said: “The F-TYPE is the first full-blooded Jaguar sports car to be launched for more than 50 years.  Its architecture and technology are world class, wrapped in an evocative and progressive design that could only be a Jaguar – ‘Callum unfiltered’, as we call it in-house. It is as dynamic yet refined as any Jaguar sports car should be, and is a unique proposition from a performance and price perspective. This combination of factors has clearly inspired this year’s jurors, and we are delighted and honoured to collect this award.”

While the outgoing car was eye-catching in its own right, the new Kuga’s adoption of a more purposeful take on Ford’s kinetic design language moves the car further in line with more contemporary offerings such as the new Focus.

Among the highlights are a steeply raked windshield, a more aggressive front airdam and headlamp treatment, raised beltline and large wheel arches.

Three engine options will be offered – a 1,6-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol in two states of tune and a 2,0-litre TDCi turbodiesel. The entry-level petrol unit develops is coupled to a front-wheel drivetrain and produces 110 kW. Mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, this engine returns a combined fuel consumption of 6,6 litres/100 km. This particular setup is augmented by a start/stop system.

Next up is a 134 kW version of the same engine. This unit is coupled to a six-speed, develops 240 N.m of torque and consumes 7,7 litres/100 km.

The 2,0-litre turbodiesel is mated with ford’s Powershift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission and makes 120 kW and 340 N.m. The claimed fuel consumption for this model is 6,2 litres/100 km.

The new adaptive all-wheel drive system reacts within milliseconds to assess terrain conditions and splits drive between the front and rear axles accordingly. In a more dynamic driving scenario it works in tandem with Ford’s Curve Control system, which applies controlled braking when the system detects that a driver has carried too much speed into a corner to counter excessive understeer. This is further augmented by a torque vectoring system first seen in the Focus that applies a small degree of braking to an inside wheel under cornering to draw the nose in line.

In terms of trim the Kuga range kicks off with Ambiente, which incorporates front/rear foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, cruise control and an audio system with Bluetooth and voice control.

Trend specification adds rear parking sensors, leather sports seats, electrically folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control and a nine-speaker Sony audio system with TFT screen.

Range-topping Titanium specification adds bi-Xenon auto headlamps with auto high beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, curve control and a hands-free motorised tailgate.

Titanium-spec models can be further kitted up with the R35 000 Titanium Option Pack comprising radar-actuated braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Pricing:

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Ambiente FWD                         R289 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend FWD                                R324 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend AT AWD                         R364 900

Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Titanium AT AWD                   R398 900

Kuga 2,0 TDCi Trend Powershift AWD                  R384 900

Kuga 2,0 TDCi Titanium Powershift AWD            R428 900

Pricing includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year service plan (80 000 km on petrols and 90 000 km for diesels) and a 3-year roadside assist plan. Service intervals are 20 000 km for petrols and 15 000 km for diesels.

At Ford’s glamorous Annual Awards Ceremony in Johannesburg for 2012 performance, Eastern Cape Motors North End received the very prestigious Ford Award primarily for their performance in sales and customer service.  The Dealership’s strength in customer service was the ultimate “clincher” for the Award, beating all Ford dealerships nationally.

Stephen Theodosiou, the Dealer Principal of the North End Dealership, is elated by the award paying tribute to a really outstanding team effort by all the staff.

“The team ethic of striving to provide really exceptional customer service is and always has been, the focal point of our dealership.

We have been very fortunate over the years to be supported by loyal customers who appreciate that it is more about relationships than anything else and it has always been a privilege to serve our customers.

The Award is all the more important to us because it shows Port Elizabeth does not have to stand back for anyone, we can compete with the biggest and the best nationally.  (In some ways it is reminiscent of the recent courageous performances by the Southern Kings!”)

This 9^th Award puts Eastern Cape Motors into a very elite Group who have achieved 9 “Dealer of the Year” Awards.  “What a magnificent achievement a 10^th would be, it gives our team an incredible incentive to aim at!”

We look forward to continuing to provide really fantastic, class leading Ford and Mazda motor vehicles and delivering superlative customer service to Port Elizabeth.

The first double cab in 11 years to unseat the mighty Toyota Hilux from the top spot in our Top 2 Best Buys offers what is considered the ideal compromise between the carlike comfort of the Volkswagen Amarok and the rugged, go-anywhere character that the average South African bakkie owner craves.

While still competition looms on the horizon, including the imminent arrival of the all-new Isuzu KB, an ever-increasing (and impressive) Amarok range and the impossible-to-ignore Hilux, the Ranger retains its title thanks to its impressive drivetrains, classy and spacious interior, refinement and competitive value.  Recently, it has seen an improvement in spec and two Wildtrak derivatives have been added.