SMG Ballot and SMG Rocks where out to support the Cell C Sharks at Ashton college as they took on the Vodacom Bulls in a preseason friendly.
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Standard Bank Ride and Drive
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You are invited by SMG and Standard Bank to experience the world of BMW. We are excited to host you for the morning of the 23rd February.
Kindly confirm all your details by clicking on the button below. Please note that each invite is for 1 person only, therefore if you are bring a partner please can your partner also confirm his or her details as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3833″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3825″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Book Now
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3 SA-built Toyota Hilux race vehicles among top 10 in Dakar Rally
CAPE TOWN – Stephan Peterhansel won the Dakar Rally 2017.
The Frenchman, driving alongside Jean Paul Cotret, finished the final stage in second place, but ended the rally as the clear front-runner, more than five minutes clear of second placed Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena.
Three South African-built Toyota Hilux race vehicles have finished in the top 10.
The 13-day rally, which travelled through Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, ended in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires after 12 stages.
Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz trailed stage 12 winner Loeb by just 30 seconds on the final stage of the event, posting the third-fastest time of the day.
This held off Orlando Terranova, who mounted a late charge to challenge De Villiers-Von Zitzewitz for their fifth position in the overall standings on stage 11.
De Villiers-Von Zitzewitz also recorded fifth-fastest time of the stage.
South Africa Motors CEO Andrew Kirby was quoted as saying that he was positive about the team’s results.
“In the end this is the ultimate challenge, because it is undoubtedly the toughest motor race in the world. We may not have achieved what we set out to do this year, but we can certainly be proud of our performance. We were first in class T1 4×4, proving once more just how tough our Toyota Hilux is in these extreme conditions.”
Twenty-four other vehicles completed the race in addition to the three Toyota Hilux vehicles.
Toyota also took top honours in class T2.2 for modified diesel vehicle, where the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 GX crews finished first and second in class.
(Content courtesy of Eye Witness News)
Van Zyl’s SA Open ace wins R1.9m BMW
Cape Town – South African golfer Jaco van Zyl bagged a hole-in-one in Round 2 at the SA Open, earning him a brand new BMW i8!
Using a 4-iron, 37-year-old Van Zyl aced the par-3, 17th hole on Friday morning.
Van Zyl would go on to sign for a round of 7-under par, 65, to sit 8-under at the halfway mark.
According to Wheels24, the car is worth R1.9m!
Only the winner of this year’s tournament, who will pocket nearly R2.3m, will earn more than Van Zyl this week.
content courtesy of Sport24
SMG drives Rage Festival
The annual coming of age festival, Rage Festival hit the shores of the East Coast. Thousands of matriculants celebrated in absolute style during a festival that showcased the best of the best in terms of entertainment, production and lifestyle.
As the official car sponsor, SMG had some amazing cars being used as artist vehicles, for activations, promotions and squad cars. The most exciting activation is the SMG Rage Roadshow hosted by Kyle Cassim, a prominent South African DJ and 5FM Radio Personality….. stay close and watch this space.
Send pictures of the SMG drives Rage Festival cars to gareth.cameron@bmwdealer.co.za and stand a chance to win a BMW Lifestyle voucher to the value of R500.
BMW South Africa Refurbishes its Classic Cars
BMW M1 and South African exclusive BMW 333i
As part of the BMW Group’s centenary celebrations this year – under the motto “THE NEXT 100 YEARS” – BMW South Africa has refurbished two of its classic cars, the legendary BMW M1 and South African exclusive BMW 333i, also known as the Gusheshe.
As a world-leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, as well as a provider of premium finance and mobility services, the company has always valued the preservation of its heritage. It is for this reason that BMW South Africa purchased the BMW M1 from a customer in the mid 1980s and used the vehicle as part of its classic collection as well as various activities. The car was later joined by the E23 BMW 745i, E28 BMW M5, E30 BMW 333i and 325iS. However, in the late 1990s, the BMW 745i (E23) and E28 BMW M5 vehicles were sold to customers due to a lack of resources to manage these classic cars. Only the BMW M1, BMW 333i and 325iS remained.
After acquiring the BMW M1, BMW South Africa restored the vehicle from its original blue colour to the red brand positioning colour. The seats, steering wheel, dashboard and carpets were completely redone at the then seat and upholstery supplier in Rosslyn, using original BMW materials. After some years, some mechanical complications occurred and the car was no longer driveable as parts became scarce. The car was then only used for static purposes until July this year when a decision was taken to refurbish the car and get it mobile again. The refurbishment was completed by the company’s press vehicle technicians as well as two apprentices from the BMW Training Centre at Plant Rosslyn.
BMW M1
When the 64th Paris Motor Show opened its gates in 1978, sports car fans and lovers had only one destination – the stand of BMW Motorsport GmbH. There they were able to admire a super-low, extremely dynamic new model making it quite clear at very first sight that this was Germany’s fastest road-going sports car; the BMW M1 was 1,140 millimetres (44.9”) high, with a power of 204 kW (277 bhp) at 6,500rpm and top speed of 262 km/h. “Everybody was crowding around BMW’s new mid-engined sports car”, wrote the press at the time.
In addition to a successful racing history, the BMW M1 is significant as the first of the sports cars developed independently by BMW Motorsport GmbH. In July 2016, BMW Group Classic staged a revival with BMW M1 racing cars in the Procar Series just before the race for the “Austrian Grand Prix” at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Races with these cars were enthusiastically received in the supporting programme on Formula 1 weekends in Europe. When the first Procar Race was held at Zolder, Belgium, in May 1979, contemporary Formula 1 racing drivers competed in identical racing versions of the BMW M1 against national sports-car professionals, private drivers and talented upcoming drivers. Some of these drivers are now taking the opportunity to get back into the cockpit of the BMW M1 at events such as the Legends Parade in Spielberg – including the three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda, who won three Procar Races in 1979 and also succeeded in claiming the overall placing.
BMW 333i.
Another special car that was refurbished is the locally exclusive BMW (E30) 333i, which was manufactured in 1985 at BMW Plant Rosslyn and characterised by a special motor as well as numerous other technological and design features. The BMW 333i, based on the second generation BMW 3 Series (E30), was specially developed for the South African market and created in collaboration with BMW, BMW Motorsport GmbH and Alpina. The highlights of the BMW 333i include a 3.2-litre straight six-cylinder engine with 197 hp (146 kW), a 5-speed sports transmission, sports suspension and specific cockpit design. By 1987, approximately 200 units were produced.
In 2017, BMW South Africa will embark on a second phase of restoring another popular model – the BMW (E30) 325iS. The 325iS was also introduced in 1985 and was a sporty upgrade of the 325i. Two versions were introduced in limited numbers: 145kW and 155kW (both 2.7 litre naturally aspirated engines). They had a uniquely identifiable ‘iS’ body kit, 15” wheels, full electric package, 25% limited slip differential and M Sport suspension with Bilstein struts. The car has a rich racing history winning local races such as the Stannic Group N Class and Castrol Nine Hour races amongst others.
Care 4 Water driven by SMG
On Thursday, 17 November 2016, The Initiating Dealership SMG South Coast, BMW Group Financial Services associates and American Waves for Water ambassadors delivered 350 water filters valued at R 260 000.00 to two Wards, 8 & 32 in Dumezulu, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Dumezulu has been riddled with a water crisis for several years now. An array of challenges including poor infrastructure, corruption and a much needed upgrade to the water purification system, coupled with the current drought, means local community members don’t have access to clean drinking water. Therefore, water is currently being accessed from untreated community rivers and dams.
Reliance on water tankers to supplement the water shortage means the residents have, at times, gone several days without a single drop of water in the area. SMG South Coast in collaboration with BMW Financial Services Waves for Water, made it their personal mission to improve the lives of these community members by providing access to clean water through the distribution of 350 portable water filters to churches, schools, Crèches, Mobile clinics and other stakeholders within the area.
Taylor Paul, the Waves for Water ambassador, lead a demonstration with the community stakeholders to show how this innovative water filter solution has the potential to provide 10 000 people access to clean water, thus preventing waterborne diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid and E-Coli. After the demonstration, the SMG South Coast and BMW Financial Services staff gave one-on-one training to the community members to ensure they had a good understanding of how to use and maintain the filters.
Over the past few months BMW Group Financial Services has globally been on a quest to raise $500 000 in order to provide 10 000 water filters that can produce clean, drinkable water to over 1 000 000 people in need. To date, they have globally managed to raise $321 456 which has funded water filter rollouts in Mexico, China, Brazil and Thailand ensuring thousands of people are now able to access clean water for the first time.
South Africa was chosen for the 2016 Care4Water rollout.
With the ongoing donations and support from all the markets world-wide, the members of Dumezulu on the South Coast will now be able to safely drink water without the concern of water-borne diseases. Dealer Principal, Darren Staats carry’s the ethos that is prevalent throughout the SMG group and that too give back to the communities that you are in. “We need to do whatever we can, and as often as we can to improve the lives of the less fortunate people around us. I hope that we have achieved today goes a long way to help as many people as it can for as long as it can. It was a very humbling experience for me and my team and I would like to thank our partners that helped make it possible”
BMW Motorrad presents Concept ConnectedRide.
BMW Motorrad presents Concept ConnectedRide. The next advancement in motorcycle connectivity for increased safety and comfort.
Today, we find a high degree of digitisation and connectivity throughout the professional and private sphere. The automotive industry has long responded to this development with numerous innovations. BMW automobile already offers individually tailored digital services such as the BMW Connected App – a personalised digital mobility assistant that helps the driver to plan appointments and travel, for instance.
Munich. Today, we find a high degree of digitisation and connectivity throughout the professional and private sphere. The automotive industry has long responded to this development with numerous innovations. BMW automobile already offers individually tailored digital services such as the BMW Connected App – a personalised digital mobility assistant that helps the driver to plan appointments and travel, for instance.
As long ago as 2009, BMW Motorrad presented BMW ConnectedRide, demonstrating the wide-ranging possibilities of rider assistance systems based on vehicle-to-vehicle communication and using intelligent connectivity.
BMW Motorrad presents ConnectedRide with new smartphone integration solution as the next step in motorcycle connectivity.
At the EICMA, BMW Motorrad now presents a further milestone in motorcycle connectivity: a TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connection as could be applied to standard BMW Motorrad models in the future. BMW Motorrad and Robert Bosch GmbH are collaborating in the field of pioneering display and networking technologies since there are signs of an increasing demand for complete connectivity in the motorcycle area, too.
Stephan Schaller, President BMW Motorrad: “Connectivity and the availability of digital services are increasingly becoming an issue for motorcyclists. For this reason we are expanding our range in this area. In the future we will be offering services that enrich the motorcycling experience. New apps and functions via connection with smartphones and back-end services will open up a whole range of possibilities in terms of intelligent networking, making motorcycling more exciting, more comfortable and also safer.”
Thanks to powerful synergies with BMW automobile, BMW Motorrad is well placed to accelerate the introduction of new services. In this way, various car digitisation technologies such as TFT displays, ECALL and WiFi as well as V2x communication and back-end infrastructures can be adapted for use with motorcycles.
Already a reality in BMW cars, BMW motorcycles will also offer increasing options for intelligent and simple connectivity in the future, as well as allowing continuous updating via systems and devices such as smartphones and navigation units.
Premiere at the EICMA 2016 for TFT instrument cluster which interlinks the motorcycle, rider helmet and smartphone.
At the EICMA, BMW Motorrad now presents an instrument cluster with TFT display that demonstrates the possibilities of connectivity between the instrument cluster, rider helmet and smartphone as integrated elements of BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide.
In addition to information relevant to riding (road speed, engine speed etc.), smartphone-based functions such as navigation, telephone and entertainment are provided in a multifunctional instrument cluster and operated safely and conveniently using a multi-controller. The BMW System 7 helmet fitted with microphone and speakers acts as the rider’s reception centre for acoustic output such as navigation directions, telephone calls and music.
Intelligent connectivity for rapid assistance in the event of an accident or emergency.
This year, BMW Motorrad has realised an ECALL function for the first time in the motorcycle sector. The optional equipment “Intelligent Emergency Call” enables faster assistance in the event of an accident or emergency. The system will be available as an ex works option from the beginning of 2017 in a BMW motorcycle. If an emergency situation or accident occurs, the intelligent emergency call is activated automatically or manually, transmitting the position data of the motorcycle and so the coordinates of the accident scene, which in turn sets the rescue chain in motion via the qualified BMW Call Center.
State-of-the-art technologies for interconnecting the BMW Motorrad community.
Another step towards motorcycle connectivity is the integration of a worldwide community of motorcyclists through a strategic partnership with the technology start-up Rever. Since 2015, Rever users in 199 countries have covered millions of kilometres by motorcycle and have tracked their routes. Using the app and the Rever website, bikers can discover the best routes in the world, compile their own individualised routes, log their trips and share their motorcycling experiences on social media platforms. In the future, this will enable BMW Motorrad to extend and optimise its range in direct contact with the target group.
BMW Motorrad regards the simple and seamless integration of the customer’s existing digital world into the motorcycle as crucial to the acceptance of this type of new service. This might happen in the future through the consistent interlinking of existing systems such as DriveNow and ChargeNow, providing services beyond actual motorcycle travel itself and even linking into smart home applications.
You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
The Land Rover Experience: Duzi2Sani
A weekend of tourism activity and community experiences, culminating in an ascent of a snow laden Sani Pass, were the highlights of the Land Rover Experience – a proactive initiative involving celebrities and stake holders in the promotion of local attractions and the strengthening of a joint Pietermaritzburg – Lesotho tourism partnership.
Now in its third year, the experience ranged from steam train excursions, traditional gumboot dancing and school tree planting ceremonies to a visit to the Nelson Mandela capture site, adventure paddle boating and a food tasting festival. The cherry on the top was a convoy ascent of the rugged 42 kilometre Sani Pass – one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Africa – and the opportunity to raise a traditional toast in the highest pub on the continent.
Land Rover Pietermaritzburg sales manager Brendon Meintjies said that participants in the experience included government officials, community stakeholders, tourism entrepreneurs, media personalities and television stars Leleti Khumalo and Naymaps Maphala from the popular series Uzalo. “It was a fantastic success, and a wonderful opportunity for the proactive promotion of a number of related initiatives” he said. ” All the participants embraced the spirit of the experience, which was clearly illustrated on the Sani Pass when during photo stops impromptu snow fights were very much the order of the day.”
In addition to fun opportunities, he said the snow on the Sani Pass added a sense of adventure to the experience. “The first time a vehicle successfully climbed the pass was in 1948, when it took 12 hours to get to the top” he explained. “Today it takes a lot less, particularly in a Land Rover 4×4, but it is still an incredibly dramatic drive and a thrilling African experience, with the road snaking upwards beneath towering cliffs and past tumbling waterfalls. Among the final hairpins is a waterfall that remains frozen from May to September.”
The Land Rover Experience is seen by SMG and Land Rover Pietermaritzburg as part of an on-going commitment to give something meaningful back to the community. It is designed to not only focus attention on the activities and attractions of tourism orientated initiatives, but through such involvement, to embrace and foster local communities.
SMG drive Rage Festival South Africa
As the excitement dawns upon Rage, the completion of High School and the possibilities that lie ahead, SMG is here to take that journey with you. SMG BMW and MINI have partnered with G&G Productions to be the official vehicle partner to Rage. There will be a number of activities managed by G&G Productions that are driven by SMG.
The highlight of the SMG drives Rage Festival will be the artist carpool, keep a look out for this car on the road to see the artists and DJs having some fun.
At this momentous moment in the life and the coming of age, it is fitting that you lock and drive as good as you feel. It is with this in mind that SMG would like to offer the following Rage Festival Deal:
• SMG will guarantee the best price on 1 series, 2 series and all MINIs
• SMG Scratch and Dent Policy valued at R6000 Free
• SMG Ride valued at R6000 Free
• R5000 Shopping Voucher to the Shopping Centre of your Choice
To take advantage of this Rage Festival offer and drive into your new life in style contact Gareth Cameron gareth.cameron@bmwdealer.co.za.
SMG is the biggest BMW group in the country with dealerships across KZN and the Western Cape. There are strategic partners in Gauteng, so where ever you go and whatever your vehicle needs may be SMG has you covered. For more information go to www.smg.co.za
T’s & C’s Apply, contact Gareth Cameron for the T’s and C’s.