The Car Guide

The folks at ABT has handed the new Audi RS 5 a boost in power and torque, with the German tuning company revealing the RS5-R.  Only 130 examples of the Avant and Sedan will be built. Image: ABT The new Audi RS 5 Sedan and Avant made their official global debut in February 2026. Touted as the German marque’s the first high-performance plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), the box-fresh model proved so popular that it’s been sold out for 2026 amid strong demand . As a reminder, the RS 5’s PHEV powertrain comprises a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 and single electric motor, the latter fed by a 22 kWh battery pack. The new-energy setup produces combined power and torque outputs of 470 kW and 825 N.m – good for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds and 285 km/h top speed (when specified with the Audi Sport Package). Power is delivered to the road via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. New Audi RS 5 g...

Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac chased down his stolen Chiron in his personal Porsche 911, leading to a wild chase crossing international lines… Only a single Chiron is being recalled over the incident. Company founder and CEO Mate Rimac recently shared a remarkable story on Facebook. A thief stole his Bugatti Chiron directly from the factory. Rimac chased the stolen car alongside Croatian police while driving his Porsche 911. Rimac explained that Croatia feels extremely safe. Therefore, he usually leaves key fobs inside his cars at company facilities. Many South Africans might find this habit surprising… Unsecured keys and open campus access Rimac will no longer leave keys in unattended vehicles. He previously kept keys inside cars to help workers move them efficiently for testing. The Bugatti Rimac campus lacks heavy security barriers. Rimac prefers an open, welcoming environment for visitors. However, guests still need access cards to enter company buildings. A strange...

Foton has whipped the wraps off the Tunland V9 PHEV double-cab bakkie in Gqeberha. Here’s what you need to know… Image: Julian Steyn Revealed in Gqeberqa on October 29, 2026, the Foton Tunland V9 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) bakkie has the BYD Shark 6 and South African-bound Chery Grootman in its sights. While the Chinese automaker has yet to confirm local pricing, it has revealed when the PHEV-powered double cab will be available in our market. Foton Tunland V9 PHEV powertrain and performance The new-energy Tunland V9’s PHEV powertrain comprises a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with dual electric motors — the latter fed by a 32.85 kWh battery. The PHEV arrangement produces combined power and torque outputs of 350 kW and 800 N.m — figures matching that of the Grootman, which is scheduled to arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2026. As a reminder, the BYD Shark 6 in Performance specification produces 350 kW and 700 N.m. The Tunland V9 PH...

Tata has announced local pricing for the updated Punch compact crossover. We highlight the refreshed model lineup. See pricing and specs below… Image: Tata Previewed at the local launch of the sub-R250k Osprey compact crossover/SUV in September 2026, Tata has announced local pricing for the updated Punch . The South African lineup comprises three derivatives, available with the choice of three trim grades, and two engine and transmission options. Engines, transmissions and fuel consumption The Pure+ and Adventure variants employ the same engine and gearbox as the outgoing Punch . That’s to say the entry-level and mid-spec derivatives are powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine producing 65 kW and 115 N.m. of torque – the former and latter available from 6 000 and 3 250 r/min, respectively. Power is exclusively delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The Accomplished+ S’s 1.2-litre, three-cylinder e...

The Mercedes-Benz M 252 LS engine features F1-inspired electric turbo technology alongside new high-voltage battery cell developments. Image: Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz has enhanced its existing M 252 petrol engine in the GLB 250 for improved performance and efficiency. The new M 252 LS produces 170 kW, plus an additional 23 kW via an MHEV (mild-hybrid electric vehicle) system. The unit introduces an electric exhaust gas turbocharger powered by a 48 V system inspired by Formula 1-inspired technology. Mercedes-Benz claims the setup delivers immediate throttle response across the entire rev range. The M 252 LS offers improved performance, while fuel consumption is significantly decreased. The German brand’s updated engine reduces the GLB 250’s claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration time by 0.1 seconds, to 6.8 seconds. Carbon emissions drop by approximately 17% compared to the previous design. The electric gas turbocharger recovers exhaust energy to charge the onboard battery. Du...

Toyota’s next-generation hybrid powertrains feature a 1.5-litre engine, over 15% better fuel economy, and flexible platform integration. Image: Toyota Toyota is developing a next-generation hybrid powertrain designed specifically for its future multi-pathway vehicle platforms. The advanced system combines a family of 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engines – in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms – with lighter electric motors. Engineers have paired these internal combustion engines (ICE) with compact power control units and inverters. Global energy circumstances differ significantly by region, as do customer preferences. The Japanese automaker addresses these distinct market dynamics through a strategy that provides different electrified options. Consequently, this Toyota Hybrid system supports maximum flexibility across global vehicle development and manufacturing operations. Toyota engineered the entire system from the ground up instead of modifying existing hard...