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Top Gear South Africa: the world’s most entertaining motoring magazine provides entertainment, excitement and information for anyone with a passion for cars and motoring. It appeals to motoring enthusiasts and fans of Top Gear TV alike.
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In This IssueWelcome...Joining me at the pointy end of the plane on a flight to Paris at the end of May was Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan. This was days – hours, even – before Standard & Poor’s much-awaited announcement of South Africa’s interim credit rating. I could not help but wonder how many non-sequential banknotes Pravin’s unusually sizable suitcase could hold. In case the outcome was, you know, less than optimal. It’s a temporary respite, of course, this six-month window – a lifeline; and the country, along with us as consumers, will have no choice but engage in some tantalisingly torturous stomach-in-chest-outery, to try and curb unnecessary spending, reliance on credit, and debt. But where to start? Cue a raft of insulting cash-saving tips from the usual sea of soapbox experts.…2 min
In This IssueWelcome...Joining me at the pointy end of the plane on a flight to Paris at the end of May was Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan.This was days – hours, even – before Standard & Poor’s much-awaited announcement of South Africa’s interim credit rating. I could not help but wonder how many non-sequential banknotes Pravin’s unusually sizable suitcase could hold. In case the outcome was, you know, less than optimal.It’s a temporary respite, of course, this six-month window – a lifeline; and the country, along with us as consumers, will have no choice but engage in some tantalisingly torturous stomach-in-chest-outery, to try and curb unnecessary spending, reliance on credit, and debt.But where to start? Cue a raft of insulting cash-saving tips from the usual sea of soapbox experts. Therefore, to add…2 min
In This IssueInboxFROM TOPGEAR.COMThere’s Ferrari engine technology up front, carbon everywhere else. Alfa’s destiny is the Giulia QVItalians day-dreaming again. I regret buying the Alfa 159, as it is legendary for Alfa to spend 3-5 times a year in the hands of the mechanics, instead of on the road.Nkosana SibandaHonestly, the German trio isn’t invincible. The Alfa is right up there with the best, and it’s a new car. With Ferrari bits.Marc MpolokenThe thing is, Alfas are not built with care, they lack soul, and they always disappoint.Boitumelo NyamaForget about M2: BMW’s built a real 1M revival with this. Matching power numbers, tooBMW is losing the plot. This 140i should be a 4-litre or nothing!Edward van RensburgIf these updated units are significantly lighter than the mightiest 2, then ‘cry the beloved M2…2 min
IntakeBig Baja’s little brother“I’m aware that a mumbled pace note could have catastrophic consequences”“You know what that means, right?”, a cheery competitor says as he points to three emboldened exclamation marks. I nervously shake my head. “Death.” Oh dear. I’m in Baja, Mexico, the estranged sliver of land that’s orphaned by California above it, and by mainland Mexico, a hop across the sea to the east. I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew.The plan is to sit shotgun and navigate a torturous 2250-kilometre off-road route from Ensenada (at the top of the Baja peninsula), down to holiday hotspot San José del Cabo (at the southernmost tip) as part of the NORRA Mexico 1000. Problem is, my rally navigating nous extends to exactly zilch, and flicking though the course book…11 min
In This IssueInboxFROM TOPGEAR.COM There’s Ferrari engine technology up front, carbon everywhere else. Alfa’s destiny is the Giulia QV Italians day-dreaming again. I regret buying the Alfa 159, as it is legendary for Alfa to spend 3-5 times a year in the hands of the mechanics, instead of on the road. Nkosana Sibanda Honestly, the German trio isn’t invincible. The Alfa is right up there with the best, and it’s a new car. With Ferrari bits. Marc Mpoloken The thing is, Alfas are not built with care, they lack soul, and they always disappoint. Boitumelo Nyama Forget about M2: BMW’s built a real 1M revival with this. Matching power numbers, too BMW is losing the plot. This 140i should be a 4-litre or nothing! Edward van Rensburg If these updated…2 min
IntakeA DAY IN THE LIFE OF......Patrick Dempsey6:00amI’m usually up around 6am. My boys are nine [twins Sullivan and Darby], and I do the school run. I have a 911 GTS Targa right now, and they love the roof – everybody loves that roof. Then we’re basically car-spotting all the way to school. There’s a magazine stand in Brentwood [in LA] where I buy TopGear. True.8:30amI’ll work out with my trainer for an hour or so most mornings. When I was in racing mode, I’d be working out fully six days a week. When it comes to racing, actually the biggest thing to manage isn’t fitness, it’s emotion. Everyone gets nervous, but if you’ve done your training you can cope better. The driver changes are also vital. You want to get comfortable, up to speed and into…3 min
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