Za Auto Life: The automotive experience at RAW photographic expo

Given that the expo took place the same weekend as coveted Clarkson ,Hammond and May live (formerly known as the Top gear festival) which Gymkhana , stunt and rally driver Ken Block came on board as well , it wasn’t a fair choice between the two. I was able to attend the Nikon expo, which didn’t sit well with my fellow petrol heads on social media.

Apart from being enticed with the latest full frame camera bodies and 200k Lenses, as well as half a million rand next generation-type drones from premium defense system the RAW expo added other elements to the event which anyone whose passion lies in document anything should make an effort to attend the entire three day event.

Considering that 85% of auto writers were in Northgate on this particular weekend, I’m quite certain you’ve read up about it in every possible angle. As from the expo these are a few few automobiles that were on show.

These two set a few meters from where I was enjoying from Shwarma from ANAT ,trying hard to restrain the 552 horses in their engines.Jaguar has certainly created the perfect competitor for the less than 2 million rand super car market which includes the R8-V8 ,BMW M4 ,Porsche 911 and the Mercedes benz C63 coupe to name a few.

Land rover did their traditional make shift hill climbing with the discovery 4, but we’ll get to that some other time.

On more pressing issues:

Last month, Daytona group formally launched the Rolls Royce Ghost series 2 in Sandton to a crowd of deep pocketed folks whom you won’t be seeing on tabloid magazines. 32 days from then, someone decided to cruise through the dusty roads of Heldersfontein estate to give our eyes a break from all the lenses staring back at RAW. Perfectly parked next to the river and tree at the venue, the car provided various angles for great image composition. Before the multitudes could come through, these are a few snaps I acquired of this silent ghost.

From a performance point, the double R’s youngest (and cheapest) sibling still utilizes the same 12 cylinder, 563 Horsepower engine as the series 1. On the aesthetics side you still have the optional brushed aluminium hood/bonnet and of course the traditional coach lines. Unlike the gigantic Phantom, the series 2 retains the same appeal as most sedans within its class and below, so you won’t be mistaken for a chauffeur while you’re cruising through Melrose arch.

There’s of course the extended wheel base for that extra rear leg room if you prefer to take care of business while on the road and let Alfred do the driving.

The visible change is evident on the headlights which have given the ghost more of a slightly aggressive appeal, as if Casper lost his friendly eyes. Pity the owner wasn’t around, it would’ve been nice to have a better look of the interior, as oppose to squinting through the partially tinted glass. Taking a look between this model and its predecessor, there isn’t much distinction as oppose to what the dealership might offer you on the bespoke program.