Latest news with #SimolaHillclimb
TimesLIVE
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupé lands in South Africa
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupé is now officially available in South Africa. Recently seen flexing its muscle at the 2025 Simola Hillclimb in Knysna — where it claimed class honours in the road and supercar category — this German bahn-stormer is driven by a 4.0l twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 450kW and 850Nm, paired with a 150kW/320Nm electric motor. Combined, the powertrain delivers a staggering 600kW and 1,420Nm of torque. This is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission and fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ system. Mercedes-AMG claims a 0—100km/h sprint time of just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h. On the more sensible end of the spectrum, the GT 63 S E Performance also offers an electric-only range of up to 13km, thanks to its F1-derived 400V, 6.1kWh battery. Connected to a 3.7kW onboard charger, it can be recharged using a household socket, wall box or public charging station. Adding more clever tech into the mix is the AMG Dynamic Select system, offering eight driving modes: Electric, Battery Hold, Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual. These can be selected via the AMG button and central display on the centre console or through the AMG steering wheel controls. Each mode tweaks the behaviour of the powertrain, gearbox, steering, damping, and exhaust note. Drivers can also toggle between four levels of energy recuperation — one of which allows for near 'one-pedal' driving. Other performance-focused features include active aerodynamic aids, such as a deployable rear spoiler and a concealed underbody flap that improve downforce at speed. AMG Active Ride Control with semiactive roll stabilisation and rear-axle steering further boost agility and stability across various driving conditions. Braking duties are handled by a ceramic high-performance composite system: six-piston fixed calipers and 420mm rotors up front, and single-piston floating calipers with 380mm discs at the rear. Wrapping these are 20" AMG 10-spoke alloy wheels fitted with high-performance tyres (295/35 front and 305/35 rear), with forged 21" wheels available as an option. Inside, the GT 63 S E Performance is as luxurious as it is potent. Standard features include a fully digital instrument cluster, an 11.9" portrait-orientated touchscreen running the latest MBUX infotainment system, and exclusive AMG Performance and Track Pace apps for telemetry and lap-time logging. Occupants are treated to Nappa leather sports seats, carbon-fibre interior trim, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an ergonomic AMG Performance multifunction steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and active steering and lane-keeping assist. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupé is priced from R4,369,287, which includes a standard five-year/100,000km service and maintenance plan.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Record setting Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance priced
Second torquiest AMG product on-sale in South Africa today finally arrives after its competition success in Knysna in May. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance took overall victory in the production car class at the Simola Hillclimb in May. Image: Colin Mileman Having made its public debut at the Simola Hillclimb in Knysna last month, where it won the production car category overall piloted by AMG Driving Experience boss Clint Weston, Mercedes-Benz has divulged pricing of the AMG GT63 S E Performance. Performance hybrid The replacement for the previous generation AMG GT R, the two-door GT63 becomes Affalterbach's second torquiest road car on-sale today behind the S65 E Performance, by combining the stalwart 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor and battery pack. Devised as a short range hybrid with emphasis on performance, hence its name, the V8 develops 450kW/850Nm on its own and is mated to the nine-speed MCT transmission. ALSO READ: Mercedes-AMG shocks 500 kW jolt into two-door AMG GT 63 Combined with a rear mounted electric motor developing 150kW/320Nm, driven by a 6.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the AMG GT63 S E Performance produces 600kW/1 420Nm, which AMG says will get it from 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 320 km/h. As with the four-door AMG GT63 and the S65 E Performance, drive is routed to all four wheels via the 4Matric+ all-wheel-drive system. Being a plug-in hybrid, but with performance as the main focus, as mentioned, the claim all-electric is a mere 13 km. AMG modes Able to feed as much as 100 kW back into the battery pack using the regenerative braking system, the local market AMG GT63 S E Performance comes with the same hybrid-optimised AMG Dynamic Select system as the variant sold in Europe. In total, this consist of eight settings: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, Electric and Battery Hold, which uses the V8 as the main propulsion method without affecting the battery's range. Inside and out Carried over from the Old Continent model as well is the rear-axle steering system, the adaptive AMG Ride Control dampers, model specific shock absorbers and springs, the standard AMG carbon ceramic brakes, and the AMG light alloy wheels measuring 20-inches at the front and 21-inches at the rear. Inside, the AMG GT63 S E Performance's unique accommodation includes optional diamond quilting on the AMG Performance Nappa leather trimmed seats, and hybrid graphics and readouts within the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and the 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment system. Price Forming part of a three model range as Mercedes-Benz South Africa's website lists the GT 55 and standard GT 63 as the other variants, albeit without pricing, the GT63 S E Performance as a sticker of R4 369 287, which includes a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. NOW READ: Mercedes-AMG takes home the gold and bronze at Simola Hillclimb
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Local athlete climbs to become a Protea
Northcliff High's very own Chris McGowan is making waves, climbing his own success to be chosen as a member of the Proteas climbing team. Read more: South African climbing sensations selected for IFSC Youth World Championships in China Competing in the South African National Climbing Federation (SANCF) Selections Competition, McGowan secured an impressive second place in both the lead and speed disciplines. He also set a new personal best in speed, clocking in at an astonishing 8.9 seconds. This remarkable performance has earned him a spot as a Protea athlete, allowing him to represent South Africa on the international stage. Reflecting on his achievement, Chris described the moment he realised he had placed second as 'unreal'. After completing his second lead climb, he was initially in disbelief, feeling as though he was living a dream. 'It took a while to sink in,' he said, recalling the excitement of the competition. As he prepares for the upcoming world championships, he expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. 'It's truly amazing to be chosen as an athlete competing in the world championships. I know it's going to be tough, but I am working hard, training even harder, and staying super focused.' Chris' journey in climbing began at the young age of five, when he first tried the sport for fun. His brother, Michael, played a pivotal role in introducing climbing to Northcliff High by starting the first climbing team. After a hockey injury in Grade 8, Chris joined the team and has been dedicated to the sport ever since. Also read: The Simola Hillclimb 2023 thrilling and spectacular, as promised What he enjoys most about climbing is the combination of physical and mental challenges it presents. 'I love everything about climbing – the thrill of reaching the top, visualising the best routes, and the excitement of 'dino-ing' to that crimp,' he exclaimed. He also appreciates the sense of community within the sport, where climbers encourage one another, regardless of competition. However, the path to success has not been without its obstacles. Chris highlighted the importance of mental state, stating that learning to manage his emotions during challenging climbs has been a significant hurdle. 'It's a big mental game, and you have to be strong in every aspect.' Grateful for the support he receives, Chris acknowledged his family, coaches at Inside Edge, Devin Sender and Chris Buys, as well as the encouragement from Northcliff High and Mr Scott Houston. He is set to compete alongside talented climbers from Johannesburg, including Jemma Erdey, Jasper Marais, and Morgan Atkinson, as he represents South Africa on the Protea team at the prestigious IFSC Youth World Sport Climbing Championships in Helsinki, Finland, this July. In addition, he has also earned a spot to compete in the IFSC European Cup in Bologna, Italy. However the journey is costly, therefore he is pleading for donations. Those interested can kindly donate at: Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Petter Solberg to race at Simola Hillclimb
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Mercedes-AMG takes home the gold and bronze at Simola Hillclimb
Three-pointed star scored overall victory in the road going production Clint Weston won the road standard road car class overall behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance. Picture: Mercedes-AMG The 15th running of the Simola Hillclimb turned out to be a bittersweet weekend for everybody due to the unfortunate passing of seasoned campaigner Pieter Joubert, who was killed when his Lotus left the road at high speed. Three-pointed star on top At the request of his extended racing family, the event continued, and this is when Mercedes-AMG's big guns came out blazing and dominated the hill. ALSO READ: Simola crowns Zeelie king amidst tragic final day The team from Mercedes-Benz South Africa's AMG Driving Academy not only walked away with the coveted King of the Hill title for standard road-going production cars, but also third place in the same category. With a time of 43.174 seconds, the 1.9 km Simola Hotel & Country Estate yield first place for AMG boss Clint Weston driving the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance. Courtney Nicholl took the final step on the podium in the AMG C63 S E Performance. Picture: Mercedes-AMG Courtney Nicholl drove the AMG C63 S E Performance to third place with a time of 44.599 seconds. The third member of the AMG onslaught, Natalie Weston, finished seventh overall with a time of 47.436 seconds in an AMG GLC 63 S E Performance. Supercar top 10 results The boys from down the road, Cristiano Verolini from the BMW Driving Experience and BMW's racing champ Leyton Fourie pushed the Mercedes-AMG team hard all weekend, with times of 43.872 and 45.932 seconds in their lighter, but less powerful, M4 Competition and M2 entries securing second and fourth place respectively. Simola regular, Gordon Nicholson, finished fifth in his Audi R8 V10 with a time of 46.103 seconds to lock out a German Top 5. Natalie Weston finished seventh overall in the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance. Picture: Mercedes-AMG Garth Mackintosh came in sixth in his McLaren 720s with a time of 47.018 seconds, while Yash Rampersad was eighth with a 47.789-second run in his Porsche 718 Cayman. Completing the top 10 were Paul Munro with a time of 48.738 seconds in his Toyota Supra and motoring journalist, Ashley Oldfield, with a time of 49.231 seconds in the all-electric MG Cyberster. Simola winner The weapon piloted by Weston is capable of getting from 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, making it the fastest Mercedes-AMG model ever made. Under the bonnet sits a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo V8 combined with an electric motor and battery that produces a combined 600kW/1 420 Nm. Besides its sub-three-second claimed acceleration time, the GT 63 S E Performance will go 320 km/h. NOW READ: Simola success for Suzuki as Jimny walks away with a podium
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
2025 Simola Hillclimb: New records and victors emerge amid tragedy
The 2025 Simola Hillclimb event in Knysna was marred with tragedy as seasoned racer Pieter Joubert lost his life in an accident on the hill while performing a qualifying run on Sunday morning. At the request of the family, Sunday's King of the Hill challenge continued in a shortened format to honour Joubert. And honour him they did, with drivers putting on a spectacular display of driving skill in the final Top 10 shootout. This culminated in a new record in the Modified Saloon Car category, with 2021 winner Pieter Zeelie performing a best run of 37.090 seconds in his Toyota MR2 Super GT, slashing 1.039 seconds off Nissan R35 GT-R driver Franco Scribante's previous record. Zeelie was the first saloon car competitor to break through the 40-second barrier during qualifying with an astonishing time of 37.553 seconds. While an unexpected electrical glitch during the Class Finals ended that run prematurely, more importantly he put on a faultless performance in the final run of the day to secure the 2025 King of the Hill victory. He finished 1.280 seconds ahead of Roets. 'We worked hard on the set-up of the car, and everything just came together today,' Zeelie said. 'We turned the boost up for the Class Final, but we couldn't find out what caused the engine to cut out, so I decided to turn the boost down for the Top 10 Shootout, so I'm confident that a 36-second time is definitely possible after today,' the winner added. Reghard Roets finished second overall with a time of 38.370 seconds in his BB Motorsport Nissan GT-R. The 2025 event also saw some electrified action, with seven-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson blitzing the electric vehicle record with a fastest time of 39.001 seconds in the Volkswagen Polo RX1e, while also securing third overall. Although the silent motor did little to excite, the WRX champion did manage to mesmerise the crowds with perfectly controlled four-wheel drifts through many of the corners, which Kristoffersson put down to tyre choice.
