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Chery Tiggo V: fresh details of SA-bound ‘transformable’ SUV revealed

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Scheduled to launch in SA in 2026, Chery has revealed fresh details of its Tiggo V ‘transformable’ SUV/bakkie. Image: Chery In 2025, Chery unveiled a prototype version (codenamed ‘T1TP’) of its then-upcoming “transformable” (to a bakkie!) SUV at its International User Summit in Wuhu, China. However, at the time, the Chinese automaker remained tight-lipped as to whether the production version of this convertible SUV/bakkie will make its way to South Africa in the future. Well, Chery has now confirmed that we can expect this model to arrive on our shores towards the end of 2026. Revealed as the Tiggo V at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, the production model is touted as “one vehicle for all scenarios”; taking the shape of a seven-seater SUV or double-cab bakkie to meet “evolving” family and lifestyle needs. Indeed, according to the firm, the Tiggo V “delivers a flexible, multipurpose design that adapts effortlessly to different use cases, whether for everyday driving, family road trip...
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Updated Isuzu D-Max ‘coming soon’ to SA

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Isuzu South Africa has revealed the updated D-Max bakkie is ‘coming soon’ to our market. Image: Isuzu Unveiled in 2023, the facelifted current-generation Isuzu D-Max is scheduled to arrive in South Africa “soon”, as revealed by the Japanese automaker on its local website. However, on a dedicated page, where customers can enter their details to remain updated on the fresh-faced model’s official launch, the firm states that the revised third generation “is not just a facelift”, with the updates signifying “more than a new look”. Indeed, the company says the upcoming variant is “a smarter, tougher drive that stays true to its roots, while moving forward where it counts” – an “evolution of proven capability”. As a reminder, in September 2025, Isuzu announced the introduction of a 120 kW/400 N.m 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine option – the latter replacing the 110 kW/350 N.m 1.9-litre turbodiesel unit in select overseas markets – to its D-Max and MU-X portfolios. ...
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Chery ‘pushing hard’ to launch KP31 bakkie in SA in 2026

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Chery SA has revealed to CAR magazine that the brand is ‘pushing hard’ to launch its new double-cab bakkie, codenamed ‘KP31’, in our market in 2026. Image: Chery In February 2026, Chery officially unveiled a prototype version of its upcoming new bakkie, codenamed ‘KP31’, and along with the reveal, the Chinese automaker’s South African arm announced the production version of this box-fresh double-cab has been confirmed for SA – the local launch penned in for the fourth quarter of 2026, or first quarter of 2027. However, a local representative of Chery has now told CAR magazine that the brand is “pushing hard” to launch the yet-to-be-named production model, which employs a “world-first” plug-in hybrid (PHEV) diesel powertrain, in our market in 2026. Also read: SA-bound Chery KP31 bakkie interior revealed So, if the ‘KP31’ does arrive in our market in 2026, it will form part of the several new bakkies that’s still penned in to launch in our country this year – the latter includ...
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New Toyota Hilux official SA launch date confirmed

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Revealed in November 2025, the new Toyota Hilux is scheduled to make its official local debut this year. Here is when it will launch in South Africa… Image: Toyota 2026 is set to be a big year for Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), with the local arm of the Japanese automotive giant having confirmed an array of new models for our market – the latter including the box-fresh Land Cruiser FJ and new RAV4 . Locally built, the ninth-generation Hilux will also make its SA debut in 2026…and we can confirm when it will launch in our market. The new Hilux was revealed with the automaker’s trusted 2.8GD-6 powertrain, available in either “standard” or 48 V mild-hybrid configurations – the latter of which incorporates an 8.4 kW/65 N.m electric motor generator and DC-DC converter. Carried over from the eighth-generation model, the 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine produces 150 kW and 500 N.m of torque when paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, or 420 N.m in six-speed manu...
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Haval H7 Plus: SA launch date confirmed

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GMW has confirmed the Haval H7 Plus for SA, with the Chinese automaker announcing when the seven-seater SUV will launch in our market. Here’s what we know so far… Image: CarNewsChina Showcased at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, which runs from 24 April to 3 May, we got a closer at GWM’s SA-bound Haval H7 Plus — known as the Menglong Plus in its home market, where the Big Dog (or H7) Plus is essentially an updated version of the “standard” H7 available in our market. Available as a seven-seater, the H7 Plus measures 4 912 mm in length, 1 950 mm in width, and 1 905 mm in height — dimensions comparable to that of the Ford Everest and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The H7 Plus’ wheelbase spans 2 850 mm. GWM quotes a ground clearance of 221 mm and a water-fording depth of 580 mm. The H7 Plus is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol internal combustion engine (ICE) paired with dual electric motors — sited on the front and rear axles, respectively. The Hi4 (Hybrid Intelligen...
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Haval Jolion Max confirmed for SA – here’s when the larger Jolion is coming

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GWM has confirmed the Haval Jolion Max for the SA market. We detail the Jolion Pro’s larger sibling… Image: GWM GWM has announced the Haval Jolion Pro’s larger sibling, the Jolion Max, is en route to South Africa, with the Chinese automaker’s local arm confirming when this model will launch in our market. In terms of exterior dimensions, the Jolion Max slots in between the Jolion Pro and H6 in GWM’s Haval product portfolio. The Jolion Max measures 4 590 mm in length; making it 120 mm longer than the Jolion Pro and 113 mm shorter than the H6. The Jolion Max’s bodywork is 1 877 mm wide. Compared to its Jolion Pro sibling, the Max sports a 10 mm-longer wheelbase, at 2 710 mm. Although the local model lineup and specifications have yet to be announced, the example pictured here is equipped with automatic LED headlamps and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior plays host to 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment, 7.0-inch digital instrumentation, a wireless smartphone charging tray, and a p...
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SA-only BMW M2 RR Edition launch date confirmed

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BMW South Africa has announced the SA-only M2 RR Edition, a new limited-run model developed alongside the M 1000 RR/S 1000 RR M2 Edition special-edition superbikes.  Image: BMW In a bid to showcase their familial connections, for the first time, BMW South Africa and BMW Motorrad SA have teamed up to develop new special editions based on a vehicle and a duo of superbikes – the former and latter coming in the shape of the M2, and M 1000 RR and S 1000 RR. Distinguishing the M2 RR Edition from its “standard” M2 stablemate, the limited-run model’s bodywork is finished in Black Sapphire Metallic. It also features unique front and rear splitters, replete with black and red inserts, and a large rear wing. The M2 RR Edition sports a specially customised Akrapovič exhaust system. Stepping inside, the M2 RR Edition’s black and red seat upholstery is complemented by red contrast stitching. A sunroof is fitted as standard. Also read: BMW M2 333i Homage Edition unveiled for SA BMW M2 ...
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