This Porsche is very close to my heart. I always loved the mid-engine Boxster, celebrating its 25th birthday this year. I picked up the Spyder on a beautiful, wind still and sunny Cape winter day and took it across the sublime tarmac of Franschhoek pass and later on my home run Clarence Drive.
Author Archives: dieterlosskarn
Audi S7 Sportback – The Transporter Reloaded
If the Transporter movies would have been filmed now, Jason Statham alias Frank Martin would have gone for this S7 – and not the A8 W12.
In Europe the hot version of the executive sedan A7, is only available as a turbo-diesel, with a 48 Volts mild hybrid system. We are more lucky in South Africa, with this 331kW 3.0-l. turbo-charged V6 option.
Audi R8 Spyder – Endangered Species
Where to begin? Introduced in 2006 and loosely based on the Lambo Gallardo, this naturally aspirated R8 is actually an everyday driving car, despite its eye-watering performance. The facelifted 2021 model has a significantly more aggressive appearance, than its predecessors. Optional laser lights add to this.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 S AMG & GLS 580 – Dusty Stars
As soon as Mercedes models have a ‘G’ in their name, they can officially be taken off the beaten track. I picked two vehicles out of the GL range: the nimble GLC 63 S AMG and the mighty GLS 580. But I made only one of them dirty.
Out of Berlin – BMW cruiser R 18
Is the Berlin-build BMW cruiser R 18 the first serious Harley-Davidson and Indian competition ever? In order to find out die-hard Harley biker chick Irina Mink took one for a day.
Land Rover Defender 110 -Welcome back
Land Rover took their time to develop a new Defender. In 2016 the last of the legendary 110s came of the production line. In the rugged terrain of the Cederberg mountains I found out, whether the new one is a worthy successor to the icon created in 1949.
Which Porsche? – Porsche 911 Turbo S – Cayenne GTS – Cayman GT4
Which is your favourite Porsche model? Would you go for the iconic 911 in its most famous Turbo S version, the sporty SUV Cayenne GTS or the pure-bred, naturally aspirated Cayman GT4? I experienced all three of them. And chose another one as my favorite.
In charge now – Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche convincingly succeeded in not betraying their heritage of gorgeous fossil-fuel-burning dream cars. They just opened a new chapter. With an electrifying masterpiece, coming out of their brand-new 700 million Euro production facility in Zuffenhausen. I had a convincing drive in the top-of-the-range Taycan Turbo S.
Continental Lift Bentley Inter-Continental GT
What do you do, when you love your Bentley Continental GT so much, that you want to take it with you on the annual bush trip? Well, why not approach this small company in the hamlet of Sutherland, South Africa’s coldest town. What comes out of there is even cooler. Glamotion Limited turns your Continental into an Inter-Continental. I went for a conti-mental spin.
Wild Cat – Jaguar F-Type R
I was patiently waiting for the appropriate ride to accompany me on my first post-lockdown road trip. When it arrived, I let the cat out of the bag. In the divine shape of the new Jaguar F-Type R.