Embracing technology at Auto Africa

Says editor and publisher Alan Duggan, "We knew that we'd be competing for the public's attention against a formidable line-up of new models and concept cars, so we decided to concentrate on offbeat exhibits, with a healthy measure of new technology thrown into the mix."

The dragster, for example, is powered by a Westinghouse jet engine that used to propel a US Navy Banshee fighter during the Korean War. Piloted by Nico van Rensburg, it demolishes the standing quarter-mile in about the same time that it took you to read this sentence.

Also on show is a solar-powered car built by students from the University of Pretoria, a Gecko 8-wheel drive military all-terrain vehicle, a beautiful custom motorcycle known as the Redneck Rocket, a drag quad, the new Segway personal transporter, and a "naked" Yamaha MT-01 muscle bike (worth R110 000) that Popular Mechanics is offering as a prize in a subscription competition.

Adds Duggan, "Arguably one of our coolest exhibits is also the smallest - a tiny fuel cell car that runs on hydrogen generated from ordinary water. It's perfect for us, because our magazine is all about demystifying science and technology."