The Car Guide

Ahead of its official SA launch in the third quarter of 2026, Volvo has announced it is ramping up EX60 production to meet demand. Image: Volvo Volvo Cars has announced it is ramping up EX60 production. Indeed, since the release of the Swedish automaker’s all-electric midsize SUV in January 2026, demand for the SA-bound EX60 has shown a substantial increase; higher than what was initially expected. Volvo has stated its intent on creating a production plan that serves its high quality standards, while increasing the numbers of EX60 units produced at its Torslanda plant in Sweden. The company has reportedly been in talks with the relevant labour unions in order to keep the factory open for an extra week to meet the spike in demand – a measure said to have never before taken by the Gothenburg brand. “That so many customers ordered the EX60 in the first month has surpassed our expectations, and it’s a good ‘problem’ to have,” said Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer of Volvo ...

Ferrari has whipped the roof off the Amalfi, with the Italian automaker revealing the Amalfi Spider. Image: Ferrari When Ferrari unveiled the Amalfi in July 2025, we stated that we expect a convertible version of the Roma’s replacement will follow in due course. Well, now, the Prancing Horse brand has officially revealed the Amalfi Spider. Just like its coupé sibling, the Amalfi Spider is powered by the “latest evolution” of Ferrari’s F154 engine. As a reminder, the front-mid-mounted 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 470 kW and 760 N.m of torque – the former and latter available from 7 500 and 3 000 r/min, respectively. Despite weighing 86 kg more than the coupé (1 556 vs 1 470 kg), the drop-top Amalfi completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in the same (claimed) time – 3.3 seconds. The coupé is four-tenths of a second quicker to the 200 km/h marker, however – 9.0 vs 9.4 seconds. The Amalfi Spider tops out at 320 km/h. The Spider also benefits from a brake-by-wire system for imp...

Nissan has whipped the wraps off the updated fourth-generation X-Trail in urban-focused Tekna and rugged N-Trek guises. Image: Nissan Introduced in 2021, Nissan has handed handed the fourth-generation X-Trail a mid-cycle update, with the Japanese automaker revealing the refreshed current iteration in Tekna and N-Trek flavours. Both models feature a redesigned front fascia with a more pronounced ‘V-Motion’ grille. Urban-focused Tekna grade sports 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and gloss black bumpers, wheel-arch trim, side sills and mirror housings. Round back, the Tekna features a body-coloured rear bumper and a new LED taillamp array. The Tekna also introduces two new exterior colours, Sukomo Blue and Coastal Dune, both of which also available in a two-tone finish. The more rugged N-Trek model rolls on 19-inch alloy wheels, and feature black roof rails, lower bumper cladding, and N-Trek badging. Magma Red trim is also present. Adding to its adventure-focused proviso, the cab...

Suzuki South Africa has announced pricing for the latest member in its compact-SUV portfolio, the Across. Image: Suzuki The Suzuki Across , known as the Victoris overseas, will launch in South Africa soon. Now, before this compact SUV’s imminent arrival, the Japanese marque’s local arm has revealed pricing for the newcomer. See pricing below. The Across, produced at Maruti Suzuki’s Kharkhoda assembly plant in India, is underpinned by the brand’s Global C architecture. The Across measures 4 360 mm in length and 1 655 mm in height, making it both longer and taller than the compact SUV with which it shares a platform, the Grand Vitara. However, it shares the latter model’s width and wheelbase –  1 795 mm and 2 600 mm, respectively. Locally, the Across will be powered by Suzuki’s ‘K15C’ powertrain, which pairs a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with the firm’s 12 V SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) tech – the latter utilising an integrated starter generator (ISG) ...

VW has teased the next Golf, with the German marque releasing a shadowy image of the ninth generation’s silhouette. Image: Volkswagen Although an official release date for the ninth-generation VW Golf has yet to be announced, unofficial reports have suggested the new model will make its debut either in 2028 or nearer to 2030. However, while we wait for official word on the latter, VW has released a shadowy teaser image of the all-electric next iteration. The emissions-free Golf will be underpinned by the carmaker’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which will incorporate an 800 V electrical system. From what we understand, single- and dual-electric motor configurations will be available. The ninth iteration will likely also spawn GTI and R variants in the future. While the ninth-generation Golf will be fully electric, and thus likely wear the ‘ID.’ badge, from what we understand, the current internal combustion (ICE) model will remain in production – the latter moving to Mexico in...

The Suzuki S-Presso made everyone take note as a new car, but can it move the needle (again) as a used option in 2026? Image: CAR magazine Most South Africans are in a constant pursuit of accessible mobility – a motivation driven by harsh economic realities and escalating costs of living. Suzuki addressed this in 2020 with the introduction of the S-Presso, instantly claiming the title as the country’s most affordable new car and igniting a fierce battle in the budget-hatchback segment. Marketed as a “micro-SUV” owing to its elevated, 181 mm ground clearance and boxy proportions, the S-Presso promised the allure of crossover styling without the associated financial burden. However, beneath the clickbait-worthy price tag (even now on 2026’s used market ) and plastic cladding lies a vehicle that demands a critical eye. While it undeniably made – and makes – owning a new car feasible for thousands of South Africans, it also introduced compromises on several fronts. A rundown on the Su...