Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Introducing a unique additive range your bakkie will thank you for

Keeping your engine and fuelling system clean means your vehicle will perform optimally

– Melicia Labuschagne, Liqui Moly SA Director

Braais and bakkies may be barbeques and pickups in other parts of the world, but they’re as woven into South African culture as slap tjips, robots and bunnies.  South Africans love bakkies and they’re the first choice as a do-everything vehicle: people farm with them, build with them, adventure with them, move house with them and subject them to all kinds of use and abuse.

That’s why leading lubricant and additives brand, Liqui Moly, has launched a new additive series tailored for the needs of SA’s multipurpose workhorses. 

Liqui Moly SA Director Melicia Labuschagne says the Bakkie Series Additive range has been overwhelmingly well-received so far: “We have a well-tested range in the US called the Liqui Moly Truck Series for pick-up trucks or ‘utes’, but when you say truck to a South African we think of a massive 18-wheeler! We use the word bakkie, and now we have created our own bakkie-branded range, unique to South Africa.”

The Bakkie Series Additive range focuses on cleaning and protecting fuel systems and engines – saving fuel, boosting engine performance and protecting the environment. It includes a Bakkie Series Complete Fuel System Cleaner, Complete Diesel System Cleaner and an Oil Treatment and comes in larger 500ml cans which are colour-coded blue for petrol and red for diesel.

“Keeping your engine and fuelling system clean means your vehicle will perform optimally, your fuel and oil consumption will drop and the vehicle will emit fewer pollutants,” says Labuschagne. “Protecting the engine from wear will give it a longer life. Overall, using these additives will save you money, take care of your vehicle from the inside, maximise performance and protect the environment.”

The higher the octane number, the better the quality of the fuel

– MELICIA LABUSCHAGNE, LIQUI MOLY SA DIRECTOR

Labuschagne explains we also drive bakkies and 4x4s differently, for example using higher revs on a 4×4 trail or when moving a large load, requiring peak engine performance at all times. However, as you drive, deposits are created inside the engine. “Over time, fuel consumption increases and performance decreases. These are the alarm bells that show you the fuel system is getting dirty and it’s time to use an additive that not only removes these deposits on the injector nozzles, intake valves, spark plugs, and combustion chambers, but prevents new ones forming. The Bakkie Series gets to the core of the problem.”

The Bakkie Series Complete Fuel System Cleaner not only removes deposits but improves petrol quality by increasing octane level. This prevents the onset of knock, or “pinging”, a potentially catastrophic condition where fuel ignites spontaneously.

“The higher the octane number, the better the quality of the fuel, which means more efficiency, lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. The additive eliminates starting problems and reduces noise, while caring for all parts of the injection system and protecting it against corrosion,” adds Labuschagne.

The diesel equivalent, the Bakkie Series Complete Diesel System Cleaner,boosts the cetane number, optimises the combustion process and restores performance. “Ignition timing is critical in diesel vehicles and Complete removes deposits on injector nozzles and in the combustion chamber. The additive also protects your diesel tank from water and impurities that can cause rust. For example, if you’re at an outlying fuel station or there have been large temperature variations, you may end up with water in your tank from contaminated fuel. The additive will clean and protect your fuel system.”

The Bakkie Series Oil Treatment offers a higher concentration of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) than the other ranges, at five percent rather than two. A single 500ml can will treat up to seven litres of oil. The MoS2 – which Liqui Moly is famous for – forms a highly-resistant lubricating film on all surfaces, which reduces friction and therefore engine wear. Quieter running, reduced oil and fuel consumption and extended engine life are other benefits.

Our treatments don’t contain manganese or anything else that can damage catalytic converters

– MELICIA LABUSCHAGNE, LIQUI MOLY SA DIRECTOR

Labuschagne says what makes this range stand out is that there are no harmful metals added: “Our treatments don’t contain manganese or anything else that can damage catalytic converters. The diesel additives have also been extensively tested on common-rail fuel injection systems used in some 4×4 vehicles. We recommend using these additives every 2 000 kilometres, or if you notice problems such as uneven idling, poor engine performance or excessive exhaust smoke.  The older the bakkie and the higher the mileage, the greater the effect of the additives.

“Bakkies work hard for us, and it’s time to take care of what takes care of you,” concludes Labuschagne.

So take a shot’left now-now and get your bakkie taken care of. Shot, bru!

Get ready for exceptional adventures in the new R 1250 GS range

The BMW GS models are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2020 and BMW Motorrad is presenting the new R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure just in time for this.

“Inspiring performance, an impressive range of equipment, an incomparable riding experience and an almost unshakable confidence of GS customers in their motorcycles contribute significantly to the success of the BMW Motorrad brand That was an incentive and at the same time an obligation with the new R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure.” Patrick Gürlich, Project Manager, and Reiner Fings, Product Manager

The legendary two-cylinder boxer engine ensures a superior and cultivated drive. It still has a displacement of 1,254 cm3 with 100 kW of power. Due to BMW ShiftCam technology for varying valve control timing and valve lift on the intake side, it provides superior power across the entire speed range, extremely smooth and quiet running and outstanding consumption and emission values.

 

 

Highlights of the new BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure:

  1. Original boxer engine with BMW ShiftCam technology for varying the valve control times and the valve lift on the intake side.
  2. Powerful acceleration over the entire speed range, exemplary consumption and emission values as well as smooth and quiet running.
  3. Power and torque: 100 kW at 7 750 rpm and 143 Nm at 6,250 rpm.
  4. Knock sensor system for optimised touring capability.
  5. New BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro as standard.
  6. Three riding modes as standard.
  7. New “Eco” riding mode for particularly economical driving as standard.
  8. Pro riding modes with additional riding modes and new riding mode preselection as well as dynamic engine brake control as optional equipment ex works.
  9. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) as standard.
  10. Electronic Dynamic ESA “Next Generation” chassis with fully automatic load compensation.
  11. Hill Start Control Pro (HSC Pro) with advanced function as optional equipment ex works.
  12. New full-LED adaptive headlight as optional equipment ex works.
  13. New lighting functions, cruising light and function-integrated turn indicator bulbs as optional equipment ex works.
  14. Vehicle voltage and USB sockets as standard.
  15. Seat heating for rider and passenger for increased travelling and touring capability as optional equipment ex works.
  16. Handlebar risers by 30 mm as optional equipment ex works.
  17. In addition to the standard seat height adjustability, a wide range of seat height options ex works.
  18. Connectivity: Multifunctional instrument cluster with 6.5-inch full-colour TFT display and numerous features as standard on the R 1250 GS.
  19. Intelligent emergency call as optional equipment ex works.
  20. One attractive basic colour each and the two triple black and Rallye style variants ex works as optional equipment.
  21. “40 Years GS” anniversary edition.
  22. Extended range of optional equipment and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

The new BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure will be available in South Africa from the second quarter of 2021. Local prices and specification will be available closer to the time. 

Here’s what the new BMW 5 Series will cost you

For the new BMW 5 Series range, it is all about paying attention to even the finest of details. From a more commanding outward appearance, an updated interior filled with detailed refinements and advanced innovations, the new BMW 5 Series is poised to be the most dynamic business sedan.

Updated exterior: To confirm its leading position at the premium end of the executive class, the BMW 5 Series range offers eye-catching design cues, including a clearly defined front and rear, a newly designed wider and taller BMW kidney grille and sleeker LED lights.

For the distinguished BMW 5 Series driver and occupants, a new Leather Dakota variant is now available for the seat surfaces, as well as optimised comfort seats.

Elevated safety: The new BMW 5 Series elevates safety to new levels, offering a number of passive and active features. The optional Integral Active Steering offers greater assistance at low-speed manoeuvering, while the Lane Departure Warning – part of the optional Driving Assist– is now offered with a lane return function. A 3-D visualisation of the surrounding area displays traffic situations and possible interventions by the assistance systems.

Efficient powerhouses: Under the skin lives BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, with four and eight-cylinder engines with optimized petrol injection. As an alternative, the diesel engine is offered with two-stage turbocharging.

Latest operating system: To top off the exceptional offering, the new BMW 5 Series range offers the standard-fitted BMW Operating System 7. The intuitive system opens up a host of potential new applications and connectivity options, as well as extended personalisation.

The new BMW 5 Series will be available in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2020, at the below prices:

ModelRetail price (excluding CO2 tax)CO2 tax
BMW 520dR 930,200R 5,796
BMW 530iR 930,200R 8,142
BMW M550i xDriveR 1,411,400R 20,838
BMW M5 CompetitionR 2,187,400R 20, 42