The Car Guide

Billed as the most powerful GTI to date, and sporting rear-wheel drive, Volkswagen has whipped the wraps off the ID.3 GTI… Image: Volkswagen Based on the ID.3 Neo, Volkswagen has revealed the ID.3 GTI. Billed as the most powerful GTI to date, the ID.3 GTI joins the ID. Polo GTI in the German marque’s all-electric hot-hatch portfolio. Unlike its smaller sibling – which is equipped with a single, front-mounted electric motor – the ID.3 GTI features a rear electric motor. Driving the aft wheels, the latter item produces 240 kW and 545 N.m of torque. As a reminder, the “standard” internal combustion engine (ICE) Golf GTI’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol develops 195 kW and 370 N.m, with the Clubsport derivative endowed with 221 kW and 400 N.m. According to the Wolfsburg brand, the ID.3 GTI dispatches the 0-100 km/h dash in 5.6 seconds, before topping out at an electronically governed 200 km/h. The apex ID.3’s electric motor is cou...

Available with the choice of 4×2 and 4WD drivetrains, the GWM Tank 500 employing a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine has officially launched in South Africa. Image: GWM In July 2026, GWM’s South African arm announced via social media that a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine is “coming soon” to the local Tank 500 lineup. Well, the Tank 500 3.0TD has now officially launched in SA. Sharing an engine with the P500 3.0-litre turbodiesel , the new Tank 500 model is endowed with 170 kW and 620 N.m of torque, delivered to the road via either a 4×2 or four-wheel drivetrain. The 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged oil-burner is exclusively coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, replete with low-range transfer case in the 4WD. GWM claims an average fuel consumption of 6.8 and 7.1 L/100 km for the 4×2 and 4WD, respectively. Matching  GWM’s figures translates to a driving range of 1 147 km for the 4×2 and nearly 1 100 km in the 4WD from a full, 78-litre tank of fuel. ...

The local new Subaru Outback lineup will comprise two derivatives, the latter including a rugged Wilderness grade, and two engine options. Image: Subaru Subaru South Africa has confirmed the local new Outback lineup ahead of its launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. The range will comprise two derivatives, Premium and Wilderness, with the former and latter employing 2.5- and 2.4-litre flat-four petrol engines, respectively. The opening gambit to the two-strong lineup, the Premium’s 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer powertrain produces 137 kW and 254 N.m of torque. The Wilderness variant adopts the Japanese automaker’s 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer unit, which produces a healthier 194 kW and 382 N.m. Both engines are coupled with Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard. Wilderness grade further gains an X-Mode all-wheel-drive management system. Compared to the Premium mod...

Designed as a continuation of the ‘Modificata’ designation, Ferrari has unveiled the 296 GT Modificata, a track-only limited edition based on the 296 GT3 Evo. Image: Ferrari Ferrari has whipped the wraps off the 296 GT Modificata, a track-only model based on the 296 GT3 Evo. Produced in limited numbers, the 296 GT Modificata is for exclusive use in non-competitive events of the Club Competizioni GT programme.   The 296 GT Modificata employs the same 3.0-litre V6 as the 296 GT3 Evo. However, in this application, the twin-turbocharged unit produces 537 kW (130 kW more than the GT3 Evo), with 800 N.m of torque delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission. The peak power output is available from 7 500 r/min, with the full complement of torque on tap from 5 000 r/min. Bringing this Ferrari to a halt are 400 mm front and 332 mm rear disc brakes, sited behind 18-inch wheels. The latter items are wrapped in slick tyres measuring 325/680 and 325/705 in siz...

By Taki (Hippocrates) Bogiages, Head of Sales and Technical for Motul South Africa The Expensive Myth Hiding in Your Car’s Service Book Most drivers in South Africa are diligent about engine oil changes. Given current vehicle prices and general cost-of-living pressures, keeping our cars running efficiently for as long as possible is a top priority. We stick strictly to engine service intervals, check the dipstick, and replace the filter like clockwork. Yet, there is a massive oversight hiding beneath the surface: transmission fluid. While engine oil gets all the attention, gearbox maintenance is often completely neglected until something goes wrong. Much of this stems from a persistent automotive urban legend: the “lifetime fill.” Transmission Maintenance versus Oil Maintenance Decoding the “Lifetime Fill” Myth Many owner’s manuals use phrases like “filled-for-life” or “sealed transmission.” It sounds appealing—one less maintenanc...

We’ve rounded up the five most affordable hybrid vehicles available in South Africa in 2026. See the list below… 5. MG MG3 1.5 Hybrid+ Luxury – R469 900 Image: MG Motor The MG3 Hybrid+ combines a 75 kW/128 N.m 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor, fed by a 1.83 kWh battery, for a combined system output of 155 kW and 425 N.m. MG claims the hybrid compact hatchback returns an average fuel consumption of 4.3 L/100 km. 4. Jaecoo J5 1.5T SHS hybrid – R459 900 Image: Omoda & Jaecoo The Jaecoo J5 SHS hybrid, which we sampled in China for a first drive ahead of its official local launch, arrived in South Africa in September 2026. The J5 SHS features a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and and single electric motor, producing combined power and torque outputs of 165 kW and 295 N.m. The Chery sub-brand claims a combined average fuel consumption of 5.3 L/100 km. 3. BYD Atto 2 DM-i ...