Skip to main content

Posts

Love at First Dance

When she first joked about it, I dismissed it as a fleeting urge; a curiosity that wouldn't kill the cat. Then she insisted. She implored and cajoled me, piercing me with her hazel eyes and coaxing me with her caustic voice.  Being in this dingy alley leading to a flight of stairs up to a small door that struggled to let out the deafening music and the stench of revellers shook the very foundations of my masculinity. She held my hand and dragged me up the stairs. My masculinity pulled the eject handle and deserted my body quicker than a fighter jet pilot in distress. As we climbed up, we bumped into tall dark figures in wigs and thongs, their guttural chants sharply contrasting their outfits. At the entrance, we paid the redeemable entrance fee and I thought 'there's no turning back now boy'. For 10 pm, the club was too fully packed. We got stools and sat at a corner near a subwoofer, using the vibrating contraption as a table. The ground beneath me was shaking and the ...

The Torque Talk Episode 5 (KIA Sorento)

KIA Sorento 2025 could be cheaper than the 2024 model by Mandla Lubanzi Image by: Motor1 Mid last month, Kia revealed the pricing and details for the 2025 Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid, both of which have received the same updates as the 2024 pure combustion model. Unsurprisingly, prices have increased compared to last year—quite significantly in some instances. However, there's an unexpected twist. The base price of the new Sorento plug-in hybrid is actually lower than it was. This is because a new entry-level trim has been released. The plug-in hybrid's base price, which includes a $1,375 shipping charge, is now $49,365 for the EX model. This preserves the same hybrid drivetrain with 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but it comes with a $2,300 lower starting MSRP than the model from the previous year. In summary, it has a 14-kilowatt-hour battery pack, a single electric motor, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2025 Sorento has a 30-mile ele...

The guy in my dream

By Dee Lemorena  I have not been able to leave my house since yesterday. This is what happened. I left Papa Joe's in Utawala at around 8 pm Saturday and went straight home because I had emails to respond to. Since I was full, I made myself comfortable and slid into bed at around 11. Now, I don't know what happened between 11pm and 3 am but I have been having flashbacks in bits and most probably, by end of today, I'll remember everything. When I do, I'll let you know. I was in California, driving from the Los Angeles County Museum on Wilshire Boulevard Avenue to the Newport Beach and a cool handsome guy in dark sunglasses was sitting right beside me. I can't remember what we were talking about but I was smiling and giggling like a little girl and it made me happy. It was a 50 minute drive but being an amateur and baby girl, it took us about two half hours to get to the City. Patience! The handsome guy was guiding me and showing  me famous burger joints along the way ...

The Torque Talk - Episode 3 (the old buddies)

The old buddies  By Mandla Lubanzi Carl Benz's development of a gasoline-powered vehicle and subsequent fabrication of several identical replicas in 1886 marked the introduction of the first modern car- a useful, marketable vehicle for daily use- as well as the first automobile in series production. Lets look at some of the mid nineties buddies  Austin Maxi The Austin Maxi, mocked by many today, was a decent car with a 1.5-liter E-series engine that was let down by some initial quality issues and a mismatch between engine and gearbox. It also had a terrible cable-operated shift that was fixed in later models with more powerful motors. The Maxi was the first hatchback in the UK and had fold-down rear seats to make tones of luggage space, even enough to make a double bed, as Austin pointed out.  The Hydraulic suspension, later Hydra gas, provided a plush ride, but during its 12-year existence, the Maxi never quite met its sales targets. Dino 246 Although the Dino 246 freque...

The Torque Talk - Episode 2

The strangest driving laws in the world by Mandla Lubanzi Driving laws are influenced by the cars in a particular country, the people who drive them, and the environment in which they operate. For instance, while not a regulation, but rather a recommendation, officials in some of South Africa's hostile areas advise motorists not to look under the bonnet if their vehicle breaks down. It is safer to stay in the car and phone for help than to walk down the side of the road and risk being robbed, hit, or both. Also, unlike in most other countries, South African drivers are not required to have insurance when driving a car. As a result, approximately 70% of vehicles in the country do not have it. But it's probably a good idea: South African roads are dangerous by developed-world standards, and car theft is a major issue. Law of potatoes ! The Marketing Act of Potatoes, passed in Australia in 1946, prohibits motorists who are not members of the Potato Marketing Corporation or one of...

The Torque Talk - Episode 1

EVs By Mandla Lubanzi Hi, I'm Erick Mandla Lubanzi,  I call Bloemfontein, South Africa, my home. Known as the "City of Roses," Bloemfontein is a charming city with a rich history, beautiful parks, and a vibrant cultural scene. Talk less of the beautiful landscapes,  the Naval Hill, with its panoramic views and wildlife reserve, is a popular destination for locals and foreigners. It is quite a busy City with everything seemingly moving rapidly. It's a place where tradition meets modernity, and I love being part of this dynamic community. One day before infinity, I'll tell you about Bloemfontein.  I'm thrilled to announce my partnership with Sunset Saga to run the 'Torque Talk' column. In this column, we'll be diving deep into the fascinating world of cars—exploring everything from classic models to the latest innovations in the automotive industry. The host said a bit about me earlier, what he didn't tell you is that I'm here indefinitely. M...

Torque Talk by Mandla Lubanzi

Mandla Lubanzi turned 27 in April. If you can't tell the car he drives or the last time he put on a suit, at least you can already guess his country. He is South African, living in Bloemfontein - The City of Roses in Central south Africa. His best athlete in the world is Cheslin Kolbe and you can tell him nothing about it. His best drive is Land rover. Mandla is here to talk about cars. Btw he told me he can talk to cars ... And they listen ! Photo credit: Architectural Digest  We are thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our blogging team, Mandla Lubanzi. Mandla brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for everything on four wheels, and we're excited to have him share his insights, reviews, and expertise with you. Mandla has been an avid car enthusiast since childhood. His journey began with toy cars and has evolved into a full-blown love affair with the automotive world. With years of experience as a car reviewer and a deep understanding of automotive technology, ...