The Car Guide

Ferrari has revealed the latest model from its One-Off programme. Based on the F8 Spider, meet the HC25… Image: Ferrari Ferrari has whipped the wraps off the HC25, a specially built model from the Italian automaker’s One-Off series – the latter forming part of the Maranello manufacturer’s Special Projects programme. Based on the F8 Spider, the HC25 employs a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 529 kW and 770 N.m of torque, available from 7 000 and 3 250 r/min, respectively. The mid-rear-mounted powertrain revs up to an 8 000 r/min redline. Power is exclusively delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Ferrari, the HC25’s outputs allow for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 2.9 seconds, before breaching the 200 km/h marker 5.3 seconds later, at 8.2 seconds. The top speed is rated at 340 km/h. Bringing this one-of-a-kind Ferrari to a standstill is a set of 398 mm front/360 mm rear brake discs. The HC25 is finished in Moo...

Geely has expanded its E5 lineup with the introduction of the Apex Plus spec. See pricing below… Image: Geely Following the launch of the Geely E2 , which tops the list of most affordable EVs in SA , in April 2026, the Chinese automaker has expanded its E5 portfolio with the introduction of a new flagship variant, the Apex Plus. The Apex Plus is equipped with the same electric motor as its E5 stablemates. The front-mounted unit produces 160 kW and 320 N.m of torque. However, compared to its Aspire and Apex siblings, the new range-topper pairs the e-motor with a larger lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery – 68.4 vs 60.8 kWh. The E5 Apex Plus’ 68.4 kWh LFP unit serves up a claimed operating range of 450 km; in increase of 20 km over the Aspire and 40 km over the Apex. Geely claims a 10-100% 11 kW AC charge takes seven hours, while a 30-80% 100 kW DC fast charge takes 20 minutes. The E5 Apex Plus completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.6 seconds; 0.7 seconds slower than t...

The first of its kind, VW has officially whipped the wraps off the ID. Polo GTI. We detail the all-electric performance-focused compact hot hatch… Image: Volkswagen In April 2026, VW’s ‘Polo’ nameplate entered a new chapter, with the Wolfsburg brand officially unveiling the first all-electric version of its popular compact hatchback. As we reported with the reveal of the ID. Polo , a GTI variant of the latter will be introduced to the lineup this year. Well, this performance-focused model has finally made its debut, with VW revealing the ID. Polo GTI. The ID. Polo GTI is equipped with a single electric motor, which produces 166 kW and 290 N.m of torque – the latter delivered to the road via the front wheels. Compared to the internal combustion engine (ICE) Polo GTI , which is exclusively built at the German marque’s Plant Kariega facility in South Africa, the emissions-free model is 19 kW more powerful. The ICE model is torquier, though, with its 2.0-litre turbocharged fo...

Hot off the press, the June 2026 issue of CAR magazine has hit the shelves. We highlight what you can expect in the latest issue… Image: Peet Mocke The cover star of the June 2026 issue, we got behind the wheel of the highly anticipated new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ for an exclusive first SA drive ahead of its official local launch. In the June 2026 issue, we also sample the Volvo ES90 , the Changan Uni-S , and the Land Rover Discovery Tempest. In the latest issue of CAR magazine, we put a quartet of vehicles – ranging from a hot hatch to crossovers and SUVs – through our stringent road-test regimen. The latter includes the Mitsubishi Destinator , Suzuki Across , all-wheel-drive BAIC B30 hybrid, and the Toyota GR Corolla automatic. In Insight , we detail the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C , the first 911 Cabriolet to don the vaunted ‘GT3’ moniker, the Mini-Vagabund co-developed duo of one-off Countryman S models, the Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale, Hyundai Boulder Concept, and Honda...

Confirmed for Australia, a market that largely mirrors ours, could the Chinese-built Ford Bronco make its way to SA? Image: Ford Developed by JMC Ford, the joint venture between Ford and Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), the Ford Bronco New Energy is heading to Australia, a market that largely mirrors ours. So, could the Chinese-built Bronco make its way here? Available in all-electric (EV) and REEV (range-extended EV) – the latter featuring an internal combustion engine (ICE) to recharge the battery pack – formats in China, the Bronco New Energy is based on a monocoque chassis…as opposed to the ladder-frame platform underpinning the US-built Bronco. The Bronco New Energy measures 5 025 mm in length and 1 960 mm in width; making it 84 mm longer and 55 mm narrower than the Everest . The Bronco New Energy’s wheelbase is longer, too – 2 950 vs 2 900 mm. The Bronco New Energy sports a ground clearance of up to 220 mm. The water-wading depth is rated at 600 mm. The E...

Unveiled in December 2025, the new Kia Seltos is heading to South Africa…and it will retain the South Korean automaker’s frugal 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine option. Image: Kia The second-generation Seltos was revealed with a selection of powertrain options: 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol producing 110 kW/179 N.m, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol (T-GDI) available in 132 kW and 142 kW states of tune, and hybrid – the latter setup pairing a 1.6-litre atmospheric four-pot with either a single or dual electric motors for combined power outputs of 113 and 131 kW, respectively. At the time, there was no word on whether the frugal 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel unit that’s available with the outgoing model, which claimed top honours in the ‘Compact crossover’ category at CAR magazine’s Top 12 Best Buys awards, will be offered with the box-fresh Seltos. However, at the May 2026 launch of the Carens seven-seater in Johannesburg, Kia’s local arm tol...