The Car Guide

The General Insurance brings Street Fighter II’s iconic Lexus LS 400 to life, restoring the legendary arcade version for a massive sweepstakes giveaway. Image: General Insurance General Insurance has restored an iconic prop from the Street Fighter II bonus stage. The process transforms a 35-year-old digital punching bag into a fully functional, road-legal model up for grabs via a national sweepstakes. The real-world build models the first-generation (XF10) Lexus LS 400. This Japanese luxury saloon inspired Capcom’s original 1991 arcade graphic. Underneath the custom pixelated exterior sits Toyota’s 1UZ-FE naturally aspirated 4.0-litre DOHC V8, developing 191 kW at 5 400 r/min and 353 N.m of torque at 4 600 r/min. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The LS 400 and its 1UZ maintains a bulletproof reputation for mechanical reliability. Hollywood car builder Dennis McCarthy and his team at Vehicle Effects executed the comple...

The November 2026 issue of CAR magazine has hit the shelves. We highlight what you can expect to find inside the latest issue — on sale now! Image: Peet Mocke On the cover The cover star of the November issue, we got behind the wheel of the new Haval H7 — in HEV format — for an exclusive first drive in Cape Town ahead of its official local launch. Taking a tilt at the hotly contested lifestyle-oriented midsize-SUV segment, it looks as though the box-fresh variant could upset some major players in the field… Will it prove a home run for Haval? Feature Marking a radical turning point that carries the future hopes of Jaguar, we detail everything you need to know about the Type 01 . Drives In addition to the H7, we sampled the new BMW iX3 (in 50 xDrive guise), Isuzu MU-X 1.9TD LS now featuring a 4×4 drivetrain, the facelifted Hyundai Creta in newly introduced N Line flavour, and the revised Hyundai Staria. BMW iX3 50 xDrive Isuzu MU-X 1.9TD 4×4 LS AT Hyundai Creta 1.5...

Tesla has unveiled the production specifications for its redesigned Roadster. The new sports EV is said to redefine performance standards through aerospace technology and mechanical engineering. Image: Tesla After years of delays, the Tesla Roadster concept has reappeared with an all-new design language and specifications. The American EV company’s flagship model now incorporates angular design panels inspired by the Cybertruck’s controversial aesthetic. It also features innovations from SpaceX, as the premise leans into aerospace. This is a ground-up redesign that does not inherit a single component from the previous Roadster concept. Tesla Roadster: angular cyberpunk design and aerodynamics Engineers integrated minimalist design principles to eliminate unnecessary weight and maximise aerodynamic efficiency. The exterior features hidden LED headlamps, with flush-mounted body panels reducing drag. Tesla also applied titanium accents, complementing Ano White paint, which ...

The price of petrol and diesel could rise again in November 2026. We detail how much you could pay for fuel next month… Image: engin akyurt/Unsplash South African motorists are already feeling the effects of the October 2026 fuel price hike. So, the Central Energy Fund (CEF) predicting that the price of petrol and diesel could rise even further will require South Africans to dig even deeper into their pockets next month. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources ( DMPR ) will announce the  official fuel prices closer to Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Also read: 5 tips to save fuel and improve fuel economy According to the CEF, the price of petrol could increase by R2.26 per litre for 93 ULP/LRP and R2.27 per litre for 95 ULP/LRP. Diesel prices could rise by R1.37 and R1.46 per litre for 0.05% sulphur (500ppm) and 0.005% sulphur (50ppm), respectively. If the CEF’s predictions are correct, this is what you can expect to pay for fuel next month… November 2026 fuel pric...

Designed in just six months, the mid-engine Mission S will be positioned above the 911 portfolio. CAR Editor Ian McLaren was at the New York reveal Image: Porsche The venue for the reveal of Porsche’s latest concept car was specific for several reasons, not least because the US remains the largest market for this German automaker. In 1953, Porsche delivered the first example of its vaunted 550 Spyder to this same pier in Queens, New York. While that car had barely made landfall before claiming class victory at the Carrera Panamericana races, significantly, the 550 was marketed and priced above its high-volume 356 sibling. Dubbed Mission S, Porsche’s newest supercar is similarly set to be positioned above the current 911 Carrera family. Designed under the leadership of Tobias Sühlmann, the brief for the Mission S was to find the right balance between modern and heritage, while adopting the mantra of “race-born elegance”. Viewed in the metal, the low-slung product incorporates severa...

Audi South Africa plans to expands local lineup of premium next-generation SUVs, with the new Audi Q7 and Q9 model lines set to reach Mzansi in 2027… Image: Audi Audi South Africa has officially confirmed it will introduce the Q7 (including the Audi Sport SQ5) and Q9 model lines to its local catalogue in 2027. These models follow the recently introduced new-generation Q5 SUV, which is now available in South Africa. The German brand’s previous-generation Q7 and SQ7 are still available to configure and order. These two models are still in production at Volkswagen’s Indian and Malaysian plants. The third-generation Q7 has already been introduced to key global markets, as production begins at the Bratislava, Slovakia plant. Major refinements made to the new-generation Q7 Image: Audi The third-generation 2027 Audi Q7 introduces a complete redesign built on the premium combustion platform. The updated exterior displays sharp body lines, a broader Singleframe radiator g...