Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2018 i CAR

Congratulations to Mahomed Suliman Mahomed, who wins an aviator-inspired, lightweight SOLO Altitude backpack (R1 499) and a stylish SOLO Ludlo tablet sling (R699) that can accommodate a tablet up to 11 inches in size. SOLO Established in 2008, SOLO is committed to shaking up an old industry. The brand’s goal is to keep you moving in style with cool, thoughtfully designed bags and tablet cases. Since ’08, the streets of New York have provided SOLO with endless inspiration. Every design has a unique style, sparked by the sights and sounds of the city. While New York is a place SOLO calls home, that dynamic spirit translates everywhere. See www.gammatek.co.za for more info.…

JEEP RENEGADE ETA: Q1 2019 A brace of new turbocharged 1,0-litre petrol engines – a 90 kW/190 N.m three-cylinder unit and a four-cylinder in 110 and 135 kW states of tune with 280 N.m – won’t be offered here owing to local fuel-quality issues. Updated 1,6- and 2,0-litre MultiJet II turbodiesels will also bow with the update but local availability is up in the air at present. AUDI A4 ETA: November 2018  Described by Audi SA as a subtle refresh and not a facelift – that comes in 2020 – the update takes in minor design cues that, according to Audi, lend the A4 a more striking front end. These changes are especially evident in the new “S line” and “S line competition” packs. The S line features new bumpers…

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Q4 Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV Q4 Aston Martin DB11 AMR Q4 Audi A4 refresh November Audi A6 Q1 2019 Audi A7 Sportback Q3 Audi A8 Q1 2019 Audi Q8 Q4 Bentley Continental GT imminent BMW M2 Competition imminent BMW M5 Competition imminent BMW 8 Series Q1 2019 BMW X4 imminent BMW X7 TBC Fiat 500X facelift Q3 Ford Ranger update 2019 Ford Everest update 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Q4 Jeep Cherokee facelift Q4 Jeep Renegade facelift Q1 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk imminent Jeep Wrangler 2019 Kia Sorento facelift imminent Lexus ES November McLaren Senna Q4 Mercedes-Benz A-Class imminent Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift imminent Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Q1 2019 Nissan Leaf TBC Pagani Huayra Roadster Q4 Peugeot 5008 Q4 Renault Duster imminent Renault Kwid facelift Q4 Rolls-Royce…

IT’S a fact that, as a species, we are a remarkably fickle bunch. That we fall for fake news and are often mesmerised by whatever’s the biggest, brashest, loudest and possessed of the most Twitter followers goes to show being softly spoken in this maelstrom of madness is tantamount to being invisible. And that’s what’s gradually happened to the Touareg since its arrival in 2002. Having met with much fanfare, including a stonking V10-engined turbodiesel and stunts such as towing a Boeing 747 and netting (albeit in the heaviest of disguises) top honours in the Dakar Rally, VW’s halo SUV has otherwise gone about its business quietly toiling away on the cusp of SUV stardom so enjoyed by the likes of the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport, not to…

It’s day two at Ascari and the turn of the M5 Competition to bare its teeth … which is what it does on lap three of six as I exit the final corner, a high-speed right-hander, onto the main straight. I overcook my speed – easy to do in a 460 kW super sedan capable of hitting 100 km/h in 3,3 seconds – and hit the run-off on the outside of the bend. Thankfully, the M5 C’s all-wheel drivetrain corrects my foolishness and spits me back onto the track towards more hugely exhilarating laps. The product of gentle revisions to the suspension (it sits 7 mm lower, the springs are stiffer and there’s increased camber at the front), engine and design, the M5 is better than ever. It doesn’t come…

AS fans of the Zuffenhausen brand will know, the T moniker dates back to 1968 when the original 911 T won several rallies, including the Monte Carlo event with British driver Vic Elford behind the wheel. The formula was simple: reduce mass; shorten the gearing; improve traction. The 2018 version continues this purist approach, with lightweight windows and straps for door handles that shave some 20 kg off the weight of the Carrera, plus you can choose to forgo the rear seats and infotainment system for further reductions at no cost. Our press unit was a seven-speed manual (alongside a seven-speed PDK at the same price) and its final-drive ratio has been shortened to make the most of the 272 kW delivered to the rear axle with a limited-slip…

1973 BMW AG assumes full shareholding of the Praetor Monteerders production plant and establishes BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd. 1983 The second-generation BMW 3 Series begins production. Fans nickname the car “Gusheshe”. 1992 The first “Dolphin” BMW 3 Series rolls off the production line. A total of 84 876 would be built here. 1997 Production of the fourth-generation “G-string” BMW 3 Series begins. 2004 Crowned World Car of the Year two years later, a total of 356 257 fifth-generation BMW 3 Series models would be produced at Rosslyn over a period of seven years. 2012 Production of the sixth-gen. BMW 3 Series begins. Some 382 658 examples are built. 2015 Plant Rosslyn is awarded the Platinum Plant Quality Award in the JD Power IQS (initial quality survey). 2015 The…

BMW 430i GRAN COUPÉ STEPTRONIC  price R739 139 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 998 power (kW/r/min) 185/5 200 torque (N.m/r/min) 350/1 450-4 800 gears/drive 8/R 0-100 km/h (sec) 5,80 est max speed (km/h) 250 fuel index (L/100 km) 6,60 luggage capac (L) untested serv/maint plan M5/100 000 km OUR VERDICT Thanks to a chassis that brilliantly blends dynamism and comfort, plus good looks, a practical cockpit and a punchy engine, the 430i is our choice. VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON 2,0 TSI R-LINE 4MOTION DSG  price R699 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 984 power (kW/r/min) 206/5 600-6 500 torque (N.m/r/min) 350/1 700-5 600 gears/drive 7/4 0-100 km/h (sec) 5,80 max speed (km/h) 250 fuel index (L/100 km) 8,64 luggage capac (L) 416/1 032 serv/maint…

SUZUKI SWIFT 1,2 GL MT  price R175 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 197 power (kW/r/min) 61/6 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 113/4 200 gears/drive 5/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,31 max speed (km/h) 170 fuel index (L/100 km) 5,88 luggage capac (L) 224/776 serv/maint plan S2/30 000 km OUR VERDICT Arguably less characterful than before, the new Swift nevertheless offers the same levels of build quality, value for money and relative driving thrills that made its predecessor so popular. HYUNDAI GRAND i10 1,2 FLUID  price R196 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 248 power (kW/r/min) 64/6 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 120/4 000 gears/drive 5/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,73 max speed (km/h) 167 fuel index (L/100 km) 7,10 luggage capac (L) 184/928 serv/maint plan none OUR…

VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI 2,0 TSI DSG  price R375 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 984 power (kW/r/min) 147/4 400-6 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 320/1 500-4 400 gears/drive 6/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 6,65 max speed (km/h) 237 fuel index (L/100 km) 7,08 luggage capac (L) 224/832 serv/maint plan S3/45 000 km OUR VERDICT Well built and suitably fast, the Polo GTI comes of age in terms of mimicking the well-rounded brilliance of its big brother. More affordable than the outgoing model, yet more competent all-round. MINI COOPER S 5-DOOR STEPTRONIC  price R459 780 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 998 power (kW/r/min) 141/4 700 torque (N.m/r/min) 280/1 250-4 600 gears/drive 6/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 6,8 max speed (km/h) 232 fuel index (L/100 km) 6,5 luggage capac (L)…

RENAULT CAPTUR 66 kW TURBO DYNAMIQUE  price R281 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 3/898 power (kW/r/min) 66/5 250 torque (N.m/r/min) 135/2 500 gears/drive 5/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 12,90 max speed (km/h) 171 fuel index (L/100 km) 6,48 luggage capac (L) 224/880 serv/maint plan S3/45 000 km OUR VERDICT What this purposefully designed crossover lacks in boot space, it makes up for with a characterful design and a zesty, fuel-efficient turbopetrol powerplant. HYUNDAI i20 1,4 ACTIVE MANUAL  price R279 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 368 power (kW/r/min) 74/6 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 133/3 500 gears/drive 6/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,89 max speed (km/h) 182 fuel index (L/100 km) 8,04 luggage capac (L) 256/1 032 serv/maint plan S3/60 000 km OUR VERDICT It may…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front/side/curtain Air-con: dual-zone climate Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/Bluetooth/voice control/USB Cruise control: standard Sat-nav: standard Park assist: standard Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: electric, incl. height Folding rear seat: 40:20:40 split Upholstery: leather Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: electric rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: standard Wipers auto-on: standard Headlamps auto-on: standard…

SAND, they say, is the great equaliser. Riders will proudly boast of their off-road skills (which are often more about their vehicle’s abilities), but take them onto sand and you soon find out who really has the moves. Dual-purpose motorcycles are capable, comfortable and perfect for the open road but, if you want play in the sand, there are few motorcycles as capable as a full-on enduro or moto-x bike. It’s the reason all three of us CAR bikers – Peter Palm, Nicol Louw and I – are a little tense as we wheel the CRF450RX off its trailer. This is, after all, the largest moto-x bike Honda offers and, even though we’re on sand dunes, you can still hurt yourself pretty badly. These bikes are extremely narrow, which helps…

Motorcyclists know how dangerous it is to unexpectedly encounter a sudden change in road surface, such as an oil slick or wet painted line, during a ride (and especially when cornering). The bike can slide, leading to an accident. To counter that, Bosch is working on jet-thrust technology that resembles something out of a science-fiction movie. How does it work? Well, when the Bosch inertial system detects a slide, it triggers a gas canister – similar to the inflators found in an airbag assembly – to release gas into a tank which can vent the jet to the desired direction, providing a force vector to keep the bike upright at the critical moment. Although the idea sounds far-fetched, it has already been successfully tested on an actual motorcycle (with outriggers…

Knock sensors are accelerometers mounted on the block of an engine to “listen” for the onset of knock (or auto-ignition). If detected, the ECU retards the ignition timing to protect the engine, impacting performance. Most modern engines are calibrated to run on 95 unleaded petrol to produce the claimed maximum power outputs and will retard the timing only when a lower-octane fuel is used. There are, however, advanced knock-control systems able to advance the timing until the onset of knock. The result is a higher power output than claimed at the standard of 95 octane.…

As an experiment, we made use of our standard fuel route and chose a Toyota Hilux Dakar 2,8 GD-6 4x4 with a manual gearbox as the test mule. The manufacturer’s claimed fuel consumption is 9,1 L/100 km. Completing our fuel route while driving normally returned a figure of 8,3 L/100 km. Using power mode on the freeway, some sandbags in the back and driving a bit more aggressively with higher revs before changing gears, the figure climbed to 11,1 L/100 km, or 22% higher. This gives us a good example of how much cash you can save by taking it easy and using common sense.…

Please include your physical address and telephone number. Diverse ideas and opinions are welcome, but publication of your letter doesn’t necessarily mean we agree. Please stick to a maximum of 300 words. CAR reserves the right to edit and shorten letters owing to space constraints. ELECTRIC CARS FOR SOUTH AFRICA? MAYBE, BUT... So much has been published about the benefits of full electric cars but there is a downside to all this hype. First World progress could become a Third World disaster if we ignore the consequences of such progress in countries such as ours. As much as we would all like to see electric hook-ups all over our beloved country, I doubt if anybody has ever tried to document the final impact it would have in terms of our…

Is it really necessary to adjust the points structure yet again? THERE were moments during the past few months when you could have been forgiven for thinking those in charge of running Formula One had been reading Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. People sitting in committee somewhere had suggested an expansion of the GP calendar and spreading the points from first to final finisher. Those in charge seemed more intent on tinkering at the edges rather than tackling fundamental problems head on. On the first topic, I agree with Gunther Steiner when the Haas team principal says we should be creating an air of exclusivity by cutting back the calendar instead of adding to it. But I’m not so sure about his view that points could be awarded down…

WHEN modernising the looks of an iconic vehicle, designers have to tread carefully to ensure the perenially endearing elements remain intact, piquing the interest of dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts and new customers alike. When it comes to the Jeep Wrangler, this conundrum is perhaps on an elevated level since its roots can be traced to 1941. While Jeep’s designers are afforded freer rein when it comes to penning most of the firm’s other products, with the Wrangler a line is firmly drawn in the sand and tradition cannot be messed with too much. In relation to the outgoing model, the four-door version is 96 mm longer and the two-door 78 mm. The round headlamps cannot, in my mind, be bettered by fancy shapes. Jeep tried to go all square in 1987 and…

YOU can practically hear the eyes rolling at Ford HQ when someone poses the question whether the new Focus has what it takes to dethrone the long-time segment supremo, Volkswagen’s Golf. Previous generations have come close but walked away without the celebratory cigar and now Ford has ushered in an all-new, rakishly handsome challenger to slap the gauntlet across that confident German jaw. And all-new this fourth-generation Focus certainly is. Along with a new three-cylinder 1,5-litre turbopetrol (the familiar 1,0-litre turbopetrol is the other option), there’s a box-fresh chassis that makes its debut on the Focus and will be used on forthcoming models such as the next-generation Kuga. Dubbed the C2 platform, it was clean-sheet-of-paper stuff, says Ford’s platform director, Michael Blischke. The engineers’ aim with the new Focus was…

FROM the outside, it looks like an impressive suburban garage big enough for four cars … but that’s way short of the mark. The door opens to reveal a cavernous space filled with a mouth-watering selection of highly desirable classic and some more contemporary cars. This 30-year-old collection is a mix of restored Alfa Romeos, some still with that wonderful patina of older cars in top nick, plus a few examples still needing some attention. Although modern sportscars such as a Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series and Ferrari F430 are parked at the entrance, Hannes Pienaar explains it was the older Alfa Romeos that laid the foundation for his passion in cars. “My father had an interest in vehicles and my love of Alfa definitely comes from him, as well…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front/side/curtain Air-con: dual-zone climate Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/Bluetooth/voice control/USB Cruise control: standard, adaptive Satnav: standard Park assist: standard Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: electric, incl. height Folding rear seat: 60:40 split Upholstery: leather Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: standard Wipers auto-on: standard Headlamps auto-on: standard…

While it loses its Swift naming, the new Dzire is, by all accounts, the sedan version of the Suzuki’s bestselling hatch. A R2 000 premium on its tailgated equivalent, the Dzire’s GA and GL specifications largely mimic those offered by the new Swift, while the 1,2-litre petrol engine and choice of either a five-speed manual or automated manual transmission is shared through both body styles. Weighing just 4 kg more than the Swift, the 155 mm longer Dzire’s luggage compartment offers 64 litres more packing space compared with its hatch sibling. It’s interesting to note GL specification in the Dzire range adds air vents for rear passengers, a welcome feature not offered in the Swift.…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front/side/curtain Air-con: manual Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux/Blue/voice control/USB Cruise control: standard Sat-nav: optional Park assist: optional Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: manual, incl. height Folding rear seat: 60:40 split Upholstery: cloth (leather opt) Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: standard Wipers auto-on: optional Headlamps auto-on: optional…

An EV’s range is linked to the energy density of its batteries. As the tech evolves, so too does the density. The following are examples of the current specific energy density (Wh/kg) of different production battery types. NICKEL-IRON 19-25 (Wh/kg) NICKEL-CADMIUM 30 (Wh/kg) LEAD-ACID 30-40 (Wh/kg) ZINC-CARBON 36 (Wh/kg) ALKALINE 85-190 (Wh/kg) LITHIUM-PHOSPHATE 90-130 (Wh/kg) LITHIUM-MANGANESE-OXIDE 150 (Wh/kg) LITHIUM-MANGANESE-DIOXIDE 150-330 (Wh/kg) LITHIUM-COBALT 220 (Wh/kg) LITHIUM-IRON-DISULFIDE 297 (Wh/kg)…

TYRE DEFECT In earlier days, many farms were connected by single telephone lines, with the result that anybody could pick up the phone and listen to their neighbour’s conversation. Each farm had a different ring code consisting of a combination of long and short rings so that you knew when to answer. In any community, there were always one or two people who listened in all the time, so that they got to know everybody’s business. We all knew who the culprits were and sometimes used their knowledge to our advantage. At present, we have an even better system called Facebook. Susan Houghton spends hours on it every day and, since many people add a comment every time a dog barks, she gets to know what’s going on as well…

POWERTRAIN COMPARISON If we consider different powertrains driving a similar vehicle at the same speed, should the fuel consumption not be equal, as the energy needed to propel the vehicle stays constant? This would include petrol, diesel, naturally aspirated and turbocharged units of varying capacities. In my opinion, a smaller-capacity engine is not always more fuel efficient in day-today driving. Do you support my views? JEREMIAH MNISI Hazyview Great question, Jeremiah. When you consider the movement of a vehicle from an energy point of view, you are correct. It takes a set amount of energy to propel a vehicle at a set speed. If the vehicle specification and mass is fixed but the powertrain is varied, as you described, the energy requirement does not change. What’s left out of the…

Apart from the bus, bakkies and vans were also available. We don’t have precise sales figures for Kombis of the time but, of the roughly 8 000 units VW sold annually, we do know that people movers accounted for about 5 000 units, the vans about 2 000 and the bakkies the rest. The reason many Kombis are such rust buckets these days is because most of them spent decades parked outside in the elements. Keep them in a garage and you won’t have a problem. I can vouch for this because I owned a bay-window version for 30 years; it was garaged and suffered little rust.…

Percentage of customers willing to switch from their current car brand to a tech company car such as Apple or Google. SELF-DRIVING CARS How often do drivers take control? Number of test miles and system disengagements; California, Sep 2014 to Nov 2015 BIG DATA ON WHEELS Data generated by electric cars versus a person’s average data usage per hour…

Just as we’re looking to Volkswagen’s future in the shape of the T-Cross, this year also marks four decades of the Volkswagen Golf in our market. Here are some of the milestones in the history of the iconic hatch. 1978 Production of the Mk1 Golf commences at Uitenhage 65 Mk1 units produced daily 57% Local component content of each Mk1 Golf produced R3 985 Price of the 1 100 cm3 L two-door at launch 10 000 Golfs produced locally by 1981 1982 Local launch of the Mk1 Golf GTI 25 years The lifespan of the Mk1 Citi Golf on the local market 370 000 Citi Golfs sold before production ended in 2009 2004 Introduction of the locally built Mk5 Golf 813 000 Total number of Golfs produced in Uitenhage 2008…

MY foot is flat on the accelerator as the needle passes 100 km/h. The Ranger Raptor feels like it floats above a dirt track that’s more akin to a rally stage than a farm road. The first serious bump appears from the dust. I hesitate. It’s the kind of obstacle that could easily rip the suspension from a standard bakkie before sending it into countless barrel rolls. Yet there’s no frantic “brake! brake!” command from my instructor. Instead, he calmly instructs me to go. I instinctively brace for the expected impact as the Raptor’s suspension compresses but there’s no spine-crushing jolt. The double-cab bakkie remains utterly composed as the wheels leave the ground before returning graciously to terra firma moments later. The Raptor name is borrowed from the 336…

PLEASE join me on a trip down memory lane as we revisit Performance Shootout 2017. As has become custom, after driving each year’s newest performance cars on an epic road trip right before their keys are handed to CAR’s track tester Deon Joubert for hot laps at some or other racetrack, the team votes and then we rank the vehicles from best to worst. That year, the Audi R8 V10 Plus scored a resounding overall victory, in the process bumping BMW’s M4 GTS into second place. There was an M2 in that clash, too, but it placed a relatively disappointing sixth. The little coupé showed much promise before Shootout kicked off and there were excited murmurs of its chances of snaffling the crown. On the road trip, however, not all…

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) with stop and go ACC helps the Focus maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead, while stop and go enables the system to bring the vehicle to a complete halt and automatically pull away. Speed sign recognition Adjusts the speed to within legal limits by monitoring speed signs when ACC is active. Lane-centering When ACC is in operation, cameras monitor road markings and gently steer the Focus to keep it centred in its lane. Adaptive front lighting The camera-based Predictive Curve Light and Sign-Based Light improves visibility by monitoring the road and road signs ahead, and adjusts headlamp beams before reaching bends, junctions and roundabouts. Active park assist 2 The system operates gear selection, acceleration and braking to complete automated parking manoeuvres at the push…

RANGE ROVER VELAR D300  price R1 127 846 cyl/capac (cm3 ) V6/2 993 power (kW/r/min) 221/4 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 700/1 500-1 750 gears/drive 8/4 0-100 km/h (sec) 6,5 est max speed (km/h) 241 fuel index (L/100 km) 7,70 luggage capac (L) 312/1 096 serv/maint plan M5/100 000 km OUR VERDICT This beautifully designed SUV balances style and luxury with plentiful space. This model also offers the most power and torque here and, as with the Mercedes-Benz, an all-wheel drivetrain. BMW 630d GRAN TURISMO STEPTRONIC  price R1 123 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 6/2 993 power (kW/r/min) 195/4 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 620/2 000-2 500 gears/drive 8/R 0-100 km/h (sec) 6,68 max speed (km/h) 250 fuel index (L/100 km) 6,72 luggage capac (L)…

TOYOTA FORTUNER 2,4 GD-6 4x4 6AT  price R522 100 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/2 393 power (kW/r/min) 110/3 400 torque (N.m/r/min) 400/1 600-2 000 gears/drive 6x2/4 0-100 km/h (sec) 13,92 max speed (km/h) 170 fuel index (L/100 km) 9,84 luggage capac (L) 168-492/1 292 serv/m plan 6 services/90 000 km OUR VERDICT This addition to the people’s favourite bakkiebased SUV offers capability, usability and value in spades. It’s our choice in this Match-up and the Fortuner range. MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT 2,4 D4 4x4  price R599 995 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/2 442 power (kW/r/min) 133/3 500 torque (N.m/r/min) 430/2 000 gears/drive 8x2/4 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,16 max speed (km/h) 180 fuel index (L/100 km) 9,60 luggage capac (L) 88-392/1 304 serv/maint plan…

RUST ON TIGUAN DISCS I bought a brand-new Volkswagen Tiguan in January 2017. In March of this year, a friend pointed out rust on the brake discs. I sent some pictures to the dealer, who told me it would disappear with driving. I was unhappy with this answer, so l took the vehicle in to the dealer. A person from the workshop gave it one look and told me he would phone the factory. They came back to me and said it is only surface rust and they would not do anything about it. Volkswagen South Africa is of the same opinion. According to VWSA, a disc replacement is the only fix but it will be for my account because the rust is not deemed a safety risk. I am…

Rodger Ward FORMULA LIBRE at LIME ROCK in 1959 THE KUDOS: Never take a knife to a gunfight is the prevailing wisdom. It’s not advice that Rodger Ward listened to, though. In a race open to cars of any formula and up against the likes of an ex-Fangio Maserati 250F Formula One car, as well as a Le Mans Jaguar D-Type and Aston Martin DBR2, Ward chose an 11-year-old open-wheeled Midget with a 1,8-litre, four-cylinder engine designed for oval racing. THE CAR During the 1940s, Frank Kurtis developed his reputation by building Offenhauser-engined “midget” open-cockpit racers that provided plenty of spills and thrills on the various dirt ovals around the USA. Stiff, light chromoly space frames and softly sprung suspensions meant plenty of inside-front-wheel-in-the-air action as they slid sideways, their…