Summarize

It’s been another quiet couple of weeks at the news desk so this is an Auto Fortnight, rather than an Auto Week. It’s still been interesting though and as always, the supercar makers are teasing us…

For starters, meet Mercedes' tweaked AMG GT in roadster and Coupe. Now making 40kW more at 395kW and 670Nm. It gets AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, electronic limited slip differential, high-performance composite braking and AMG's Race driving program, while rear-wheel steering is optional and should be in SA soon. Pay R250K extra and you get that trick, black carbon-rich Night Edition…

Lamborghini's 620kW (yes, that's 620 kilowatts) track-only SCV12 will meanwhile be its most powerful naturally aspirated V12 yet, driving a dynamic mechanical limited slip differential through a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox. It has special Pirelli slicks on 19-inch front and 20-inch magnesium wheels.

Also overseas, is anyone paying attention at Honda’s local HQ…? They've just released a car that could work very well in SA if it comes in RHD — the 265kW 470Nm 2021 US market 3-litre biturbo V6 Acura TLX Type S edges the Audi S4's 265, but falls shy of the BMW M340i's 285kW. Staying abroad, you can now get a Corolla Sedan in GR Sport get-up in some overseas markets… It's stock under the skin though.

In about the only local launch news, Mahindra's rugged TUV300 has just emerged from a restyle packing a surprising level of luxury and seven seats. Best of all, the new T8 model starts at under R3K a month…

Looking ahead for a second, latest intel on Nissan’s forthcoming 300kW (400 horse) three-litre biturbo V6 400Z is that it will use the VR30DDTT V6 out of the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport with the choice of a new nine-speed automatic or a manual transmission good for 100 km/h in under five seconds. It will also be a good old bare-backed petrol car without any electrical interference for once…

It also seems that a Ford Bronco bakkie is on the cards too. Such a pity that Ford SA has no plans for its red hot reborn SUV to take Wrangler on locally…

Sticking with Ford, it’s allowed itself to dream a little with a one-off Mustang Mach E concept. Can’t tell you much more than it has 1000 kilowatts makes 1000 kilograms of downforce and has seven electric motors. Yes, that’s right — seven motors. There you go!

And this one you can have if you live in the US of A — specialty Vehicle Engineering from Toms River, New Jersey's supercharged 605kW 975Nm 6.2-litre V8 Silverado plucks a classic name out of Chevy history. Meet Yenko/SC. Yummy! — Michele Lupini