GCF Editorial German Gems Glimmer at Jo'burg International Motor Show 2013

[martinbo]

Thanks for posting Mike.

What's your opinion on the F15 now that you have seen it in the flesh?

Mike?

As I said in the F15 official thread - pics don't do the F15 X5 any justice. In the metal the car is just so much better looking; remember this car was white which tends to amplify the actual size of the car. Instead, the new X5 somehow looks more compact and definitely tauter, sharper. I was very impressed.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Excellent showing by the Germans. Thank you for all of the photos Martin.

 

[ACE]

I was too busy chatting to some Audi employees to get a shot of the rear - they were all over the F15.

The Audi employees in the white dresses?

Great pictures and write up. Thanks Martin

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Thanks for the coverage Martin! Always great to see members share their motorshow photos.

So what were the Audi guys saying?

 

[rollo]

Thanks for all the pictures and your commentary Martin.

 

[martinbo]

So what were the Audi guys saying?

"Their show girls are way hotter than ours..."

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Very nice pics Martin. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Human]

Thank you VERY much Boet! You captured the essence of JIMS with stunning photos!

I enjoyed the show too much and loved the way the German-trio showed their exhibition muslce - perfection to the 'T'!

Obviously I have non negatives about BMW's lineup and the X5, 4er and 3er GT + M-models made me drool. The F15 looks much more compact but sits exactly like the E70 and E53 before it.

The A3 Sedan is as awesome in the metal as on photos.
The RS7 is a total Brute.

The GLA is flippin awesome in the metal....X1 + Q3 has met their match in appeal.
The CLA looks great from the front and the low stance makes it appealing...that's until you move back and get more scope or wider view = awkward proportioned.
The S-class carries Benz dreams of charisma, style and class...yet it feels as if this top segment does not appeal to me as much as it did or should have!? Dunno, I'd rather take a BMW F10 LCI full house for the purpose of luxury travel or a 5GT if you need more legroom.

All-in-all it's up to personal taste. Brand-i, especially the i8 looks fanatsic and the i3 looks the opposite - it doe nothing for me. But it's a great engineering show from BMW.

BMW still appeals to me most, Audi has a great lineup and the GLA is gorgeos in the metal - that's it!

Before I sign-off, the Ford Fusion sedan is IMHO a great looking family sedan that deserves a 2nd look in the cramped SA market and small family sedan market. Great car from Ford - kudos!

Regards and appretiation!
Naas.

 

[martinbo]

Naas Maat...

My pleasure! My only regret is that I had very little time to spend there or share it with friends. I just rushed through it.

I agree with so many of your sentiments; GLA was a standout blinder. So much appeal in that little thing - the class of the A-Class.
BMW 3er GT: what a surprise in the metal; sooo much better than the 5er GT and quite remarkably spacious in the rear seat. I love the "just height" (an old Subaru tag line for early generation Foresters) feeling for ease of ingress and egress.

RS7 is a bomb! Did you check out the cool night vision assist? Super cool. S-Class? Pure opulence. But... not hewn-from-granite unimpeachably solid feeling. That took me by surprise.

One of my show stars was F15 X5 as was RR Sport. BMW i8 was, as I said, mesmerising but the i3 was, honestly, clumsy looking and forgettable - a problem for a car that has so much to prove.

Did you get a look at the F-Type's boot? I laughed.

People are going to deride me no end for this - and no, this isn't bias just because I do work for them - but Citroen's new C4 Picasso has a stunning interior and a rather un-MPV-like exterior persona. Very impressive fit and finish in the cabin with high-quality surfaces where they matter. That car deserves to be a winner.

RSQ3 looked stoopid. CLA looked no better than I came to expect from pics.

All in all JIMS 2013 was a minor disappointment with a few shining examples to engage the enthusiast.

 

[Cashmere]

Mike?

Haha, had a brain fart

On another note, what else was interesting JIMS from the non German camp? What did you think of the NSX?

 

[martinbo]

NSX was terrific - pity they tucked it away in a corner like it was nothing that special...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Martin did you happen to take any more photos of the S3 sedan?

 

[martinbo]

Martin did you happen to take any more photos of the S3 sedan?

Nope, sorry mate. I was in a rush!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Shame. I'm such a fan! Thank you.

 

[seanwaynes]

i loved all cars.! looking good.!!nice collection.!