What started life as a simple “get-together” for the Early Ford Club at the Westridge Tennis complex in 1992 is now South Africa’s longest running and most successful regional motoring event, the Durban Motor Show.
At this year’s event (10 – 13 April 2008), show goers can expect an automotive treat across 6 300m2 of indoor exhibition space and 4000m2 of space outdoors. Von Krause, Toyota Advanced Driving head-honcho, will drive a Toyota Prado SUV up a 43-degree ramp (two degrees before the vehicle could potentially fall backward) – a perfect demonstration of the recently facelifted Prado’s capability, while two of South Africa’s best motorcycle stunt riders, Brian Capper and André Kriel will team up to treat spectators with an impressive display of agility and ability.
Three of the worlds most prestigious marques, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Bentley will also be on display at the Durban Show – with such models as the DB9, V8 Vantage, Phantom and GT Speed headlining the stands. The distributors of Bentley in South Africa, Pearl Auto, will also unveil a supercharged version of the Lotus Elise.
Another guaranteed showstopper will be the Fiat 500, available in South Africa in May and said to be a selling like hot cakes worldwide. Besides the 500, Fiat will also launch the Scudo (a medium van with a payload of 900 kg) at the Durban Motor Show.
Great Wall Motors will use the Durban Motor Show to launch its new Hover Crossover, while SsangYong will launch two models on its stand – the new Actyon Sports automatic double-cab and the Kyron 270 SUV. The recently launched Audi A5 will also be displayed as well as the BMW M3 Coupé, Subaru Impreza WRX, Smart ForTwo, Range Rover Sport diesel, Chrysler 300C Touring.
Besides displaying its cars, Chinese automaker Geely will also have draw for the winner of two Geely CK1 saloons on giveaway (one for keeps, the other for charity) at the show. “Geely wants to establish itself as a car for the people by getting involved with the community and we see Give ‘n Win as an ideal tool,” explained Geely SA’s marketing director, Efce van Heerden.
The Durban Early Car Club and Veteran Car Club will also have an exhibition at the show with a wide range of classic models on display including a 1959 Dodge Kingsway, 1967 Ford Galaxie, 1954 Citroen Light 15, a Mercedes Benz 450 SL, 1948 Ford bakkie, 1968 Volvo, 1968 MGC Coupé and the oldest running condition automobile in South Africa, a 1904 Cadillac Motortorque.
The Durban Motor Show kicks off tomorrow (April 10th) and CAR Magazine will have a stand at the event, showcasing the newly launched Porsche Cayenne GTS.
