Latest news with #BMW1Series
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Investigation into the burnt body of Malcolm Pather leads to arrests
Malcolm Pather, 41, was reported missing before his body was found in a burnt vehicle in Melkbosstrand. Image: Supplied Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a badly burnt body - believed to be that of missing 41-year-old Malcolm Pather found in Melkbosstrand. Pather was reported missing by his brother-in-law on July 15 and according to Facebook posts appealing for help to track him down, the Richwood man was last seen leaving his home in his Blue BMW 1 Series vehicle on July 13. His phone was switched off that same day, and while his car was later found in Mitchells Plain, he was nowhere to be found. It is alleged that before he was found dead, he booked a sex worker in Table View, but instead walked into a trap. He was allegedly ambushed and extorted before things turned deadly. A bakkie was then stolen in Goodwood and set alight, however, was set alight again in Melkbosstrand a second time, with Pather's body discovered on the back. Some more digging revealed that this particular bakkie was stolen in Goodwood between July 12 and July 13 and set alight, but then burned out a second time with the body on the back. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk explained: 'The body of a male found was burnt beyond recognition. All leads were followed up on evidence found on the crime scene and a possible person of interest was identified.' According to sources, evidence found at the crime scene led to a potential suspect who was identified on video footage in possession of Pather's vehicle. The sources further stated that the vehicle was seen on video footage at a petrol station in Melkbosstrand dropping off a male suspect who was seen buying petrol in a container. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the tragic murder of 41-year-old Malcolm Pather. Image: SAPS 'On Friday 25 July the address of the suspects were identified and on the same day a 39-year-old female was taken in for questioning," added Van Wyk. 'After she was arrested, she was admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt and remained in custody. 'On Monday 28 July a male suspect aged 39 was arrested at Cape Town Magistrate Court by members attached to Melkbosstrand CID.' He added that both suspects are facing charges of murder and are expected to appear at the Atlantis Magistrates Court today, however that additional charges will be added after consultation with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA.) The Cape Argus sister newspaper the daily Voice reached out to Melksbosstrand Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Trevor Courtney, however he informed us that he cannot comment on the matter as it is under investigation. Anyone with further information about the incident is requested to contact the investigating officers of Melkbosstrand SAPS Detectives Sergeant Theys on 072 560 2512 and Sergeant Pietersen 082 469 6277, Bothasig SAPS Detective Sergeant Jaftha 064 775 7492. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
BMW M135 xDrive review: Faster, sharper and still premium
The BMW 1 Series has always been a popular choice amongst those who wanted a small everyday premium car. And hardcore enthusiasts that wanted to tear up the streets. The Citizen reports that over time, with the advent of the world going SUV-crazy, the BMW 1 Series has become more of a niche car. And with the change from the old days of them being rear-wheel driven and powered by those legendary N54 and N55 engines, dare I say it, the car has become more civilised in M135 xDrive guise. Just like the VAG boys have moved from 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, VW Golf Rs to 2.5-litre, five-cylinder Audi RS3s for breaking records. With the new M135 now running the same 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder powerplant as before, it's no longer considered a weapon for the BMW guys that want to tear up the streets and dragstrips. Today they are spending stupid money on S58 3.0-litre straight-six powered M2s, M3s and M4s. New naming strategy A quick lesson in BMW badging might also be in order right now. BMW have dropped the 'i' from the naming of their gasoline-powered cars because this letter is now reserved for their electric cars like the i4 etc. But the diesel cars still get a 'd', and the plug-in hybrids get an 'e' and the mild hybrids don't crack a mention. I think these corporate execs have too much free time on their hands like the Audi guys who decided the 30 TFSI and 40 TFSI means something to them and only them. So, when I type M135 and M135i, I am actually referring to two different cars and have not just made a typo. This is in no way a VW Golf 8 R versus BMW M135 shootout. But almost everybody I spoke to had to chip in and say that the Golf would smoke the M135. So, for what it is worth, these two are separated by mere hundredths of a second here and there at any measured distance. And by less than one kilometre too as you can see from the comparison chart. Faster than before This does not mean the BMW M135 is slow by any means. It is in fact now very much back on par with the VW Golf R. And also somewhat quicker than its predecessor despite making less power and torque, while almost weighing in the same. But how? Let me give you the numbers first, so that you too can try figure this out, before I add my two cents. The BMW M135 hit 100km/h in a fraction better than claimed 4.77 seconds, while the previous M135i did this sprint in 5.41 seconds. At the longer 800m mark, the new car is doing 212km/h, while the old one is lagging at 199 km/h. This is an advantage that stays all the way to their electronically limited top speeds of 250 km/h. Even in the roll-on acceleration runs, the new M135 outguns the old M135i. For 2025 the F70 BMW M135 xDrive produces 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The previous F40 BMW M135i xDrive with the same engine churned out 225kW and 450Nm. 50Nm of lost torque is not easy to overcome, especially when the listed kerb weights are only a mere 5kg in favour of the new car. Dual-clutch advantage The power now comes in a bit later, as does the torque. Yes, the power holds a bit longer, but the torque starts running down at the same place on paper. But this alone can't explain the difference in performance on the road. I have only two explanations that make some sort of sense to me. One, put the two cars on a dyno and you might see graphs that indicate different power and torque figures throughout the rev range that differ from the claimed numbers. Two, the change in transmissions from the previous gen's eight-speed, torque converter back to a seven-speed dual-clutch unit has had a bigger effect on the performance than we thought it would. I thought the old transmission was really good, but my off the line data indicates that the dual-clutch set-up gets up and bolts away from torque-converter. And without anything else to work with, unless I got a dud M135i from the manufacturer a few years ago, I am just going to say that the new F70 BMW M135 is quicker than the old F40 M135i. And I have no idea why. BMW M135 road test data
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
BMW M135 a premium pocket rocket that keeps Golf R in check
Latest reiteration of all-wheel drive hot hatch has become more civilised than before. The BMW 1 Series has always been a popular choice amongst those who wanted a small everyday premium car. And hardcore enthusiasts that wanted to tear up the streets. But over time with the advent of the world going SUV-crazy, the BMWs 1 Series has become more of a niche car. And with the change from the old days of them being rear-wheel driven and powered by those legendary N54 and N55 engines, dare I say it, the car has become more civilised in M135 xDrive guise. Just like the VAG boys have moved from 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, VW Golf Rs to 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, AudiRS 3s for breaking records. With the new M135 now running the same 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder powerplant as before, it's no longer considered a weapon for the BMW guys that want to tear up the streets and dragstrips. Today they are spending stupid money on S58 3.0-litre straight-six powered M2s, M3s and M4s. ALSO READ: Box-fresh all-new BMW 1 Series makes dramatic debut New naming strategy A quick lesson in BMW badging might also be in order right now. BMW have dropped the 'i' from the naming of their gasoline powered cars because this letter is now reserved for their electric cars like the i4 etc. But the diesel cars still get a 'd', and the plug-in hybrids get an 'e' and the mild hybrids don't crack a mention. I think these corporate execs have too much free time on their hands like the Audi guys who decided the 30 TFSI and 40 TFSI means something to them and only them. So, when I type M135 and M135i, I am actually referring to two different cars and have not just made a typo. This is in no way a VW Golf 8 R versus BMW M135 shootout. But almost everybody I spoke to had to chip in and say that the Golf would smoke the M135. So, for what it is worth, these two are separated by mere hundredths of a second here and there at any measured distance. And by less than one kilometre too as you can see from the comparison chart. BMW M135 faster than before This does not mean the BMW M135 is slow by any means. It is in fact now very much back on par with the VW Golf R. And also somewhat quicker than its predecessor despite making less power and torque, while almost weighing in the same. But how? Let me give you the numbers first, so that you too can try figure this out, before I add my two-cents. Very little separates the times posted by the BMW M135 and VW Golf 8R. Picture: Mark Jones The BMW M135 hit 100km/h in a fraction better than claimed 4.77 seconds, while the previous M135i did this sprint in 5.41 seconds. At the longer 800m mark, the new car is doing 212km/h, while the old one is lagging at 199 km/h. This is an advantage that stays all the way to their electronically limited top speeds of 250 km/h. Even in the roll-on acceleration runs, the new M135 outguns the old M135i. For 2025 the F70 BMW M135 xDrive produces 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The previous F40 BMW M135i xDrive with the same engine churned out 225kW and 450Nm. 50Nm of lost torque is not easy to overcome, especially when the listed kerb weights are only a mere 5kg in favour of the new car. ALSO READ: New BMW 1 Series and 2 Series out to banish doubt further Speed-seven double clutch The power now comes in a bit later, as does the torque. Yes, the power holds a bit longer, but the torque starts running down at the same place on paper. But this alone can't explain the difference in performance on the road. I have only two explanations that make some sort of sense to me. One, put the two cars on a dyno and you might see graphs that indicate different power and torque figures throughout the rev range that differ from the claimed numbers. Two, the change in transmissions from the previous gen's eight-speed, torque converter back to a seven-speed dual-clutch unit has had a bigger effect on the performance than we thought it would. I thought the old transmission was really good, but my off the line data indicates that the dual-clutch set-up gets up and bolts away from torque-converter. And without anything else to work with, unless I got a dud M135i from the manufacturer a few years ago, I am just going to say that the new F70 BMW M135 is quicker than the old F40 M135i. And I have no idea why. BMW M135 road test data
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
Fairland police launch manhunt for Fast Guns gang leader's killers
The scene where alleged gang boss Kenny Morgan was murdered on Wednesday. Image: Supplied Fairland, Johannesburg, police have launched a manhunt following the murder of a man believed to be the leader of the notorious Fast Guns gang, Kenny Morgan, who was gunned down on the N1 highway on Wednesday evening. According to police, the 56-year-old Morgan was travelling with another man when their vehicle came under heavy fire near the 14th Avenue off-ramp on the N1 South. Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that the incident occurred on July 9, 2025. 'The police in Fairland responded to a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, at the 14th Avenue off-ramp and N1 South. A 56-year-old man was fatally shot,' said Sibeko. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'It is alleged that an unknown white BMW 1 Series with two occupants approached the victim's vehicle, and several shots were fired. The suspects fled the scene, and the motive for the shooting is currently unknown.' No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police have opened a case of murder. Alleged gang boss Kenny Morgan was killed on Wednesday Image: File Morgan is the second alleged figure of the Fast Guns gang to be assassinated in recent years. In February 2023, Keenan Sheldon Ebrahiem was shot dead in Florida under similar circumstances. At the time, police reported that Ebrahiem was driving a Mercedes-Benz when gunmen in a silver VW Jetta 6 opened fire. He lost control of the vehicle, hit the pavement, and later died in the hospital. The Fast Guns are based largely on the West Rand. Authorities have urged anyone with information on Morgan's killing to contact the Crime Stop line on 08600 10111 or submit anonymous tip-offs via the MySAPS App.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- The Citizen
Police hunt suspects after fatal Joburg shooting of alleged gang leader
More details have emerged about the shooting on the 14th Avenue off-ramp from the N1 South near Northcliff, Johannesburg. Roodepoort Record reports that Kenny Morgan, the alleged leader of the Fast Guns gang, was gunned down in a suspected targeted hit on Wednesday evening. According to police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the 56-year-old was fatally shot after a BMW 1 Series with two occupants approached his vehicle and opened fire. The suspects fled the scene, and Morgan was declared dead when authorities arrived. Morgan was reportedly travelling with another man when their vehicle came under heavy gunfire. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, and it remains unclear whether the second occupant was injured. A case of murder has been opened by the Fairland police in Randburg. No arrests have been made, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Members of the public can contact Captain Sibeko on 082 947 8770, the Crime Stop line on 08600 10111, or submit anonymous tips via the MySAPS app. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
