The Car Guide

The South African Insurance Association which controls the vehicle salvage database has agreed to make information regarding accident-damaged cars accessible to the public in an attempt to curb previously written-off and poorly repaired vehicles from re-entering the used market. Code 2 simply means a used vehicle while Code 3 denotes an accident damaged vehicle that is permanently unfit for use. The sad state of South Africa’s motor vehicles may not be immediately visible to the untrained eyes of unsuspecting road users but it is reflected in the high death toll that the country experiences annually.  The formula is simple, the more accidents the country has, the higher the road fatality statistic is. According to data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), there were 12 921 reported road fatalities in 2018 which represents 22.4 traffic deaths per 100 000 inhabitants.  The logic with this initiative is to reduce future fatalities by making it difficult fo...

The Maruti made model debuted in India last week but Suzuki South Africa has given us some more information on local derivatives as the Baleno breaks cover on South African shores.  Built on the existing Baleno shell, the updated model has been comprehensively refreshed on the outside and inside. Affordable automaker Suzuki has been on an upward trend of sales and managed to set some personal best figures throughout last year . The extensively updated Suzuki Baleno will be available on sales floors from June and the platform-shared Toyota collaboration is intended to keep the updated B-segment hatch relevant for a few more years with a new engine and more tech.   Using the shell of its predecessor as a basis, the front, rear and interior of the new Japanese hatch have been significantly redesigned using more horizontal exterior linework to allude to a wider vehicle. Suzuki claims that the use of high-tensile steel on the 955kg model also allows the model to achieve...

VW’s T SUV range, consisting of the T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg, welcomes a new member to the family with addition of the Volkswagen Taigo compact SUV coupé in 2022. The first units of the Volkswagen Taigo will be retailed  in the first half of this year, joining the T-Cross and T-Roc as Volkswagen’s trio of compact SUVs in the A0 SUV segment. The Taigo derives its name from a combination of ‘tiger’ and ‘Taiga’, which is a forest in the Northern Hemisphere. Symbolising strength, outdoors and adventure, Taigo’s name starts with the letter ‘T’ and follows Volkswagen’s naming convention for its SUVs in South Africa. Featuring a trendy crossover body style, raised seating position and pioneering connectivity, the Taigo impresses with its stylish design, numerous driver assistance systems and high levels of comfort and safety for all passengers. Featuring full LED headlights, a digital cockpit and the latest generation of VW’s infotainment systems, the Vol...

It’s tough to pick just three classic cars, because one could list so many, and for several different reasons – from performance, to design, to place in motoring history. But for the purposes of a read that may inspire you to consider who makes your top three (in an incredibly tough competition!), I present you with my three favourite classic cars. Ferrari 250 GT short-wheel base As you may have picked up from previous pieces, I have a soft spot from my youth for Ferraris, and this particular one tops my list. The 250 GT is simply one of the most epic V12s ever built! Characterised by a 3,0-litre Colombo V12 engine, The 250 series was one of the company’s most successful early lines (between 1954-1964), and the Grand Tourers took all that power and performance and accommodated it into an aesthetic that, for me, is just everything. The 250 GT is my favourite classic car.   Mercedes 300SL Gullwing The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing has to be one of the brand’s most iconic vehicles eve...

The historic Zuffenhausen factory in Stuttgart will receive another sizable €500M investment to become production ready for the future electric Porsche 718 derivatives of its entry level sports car.  The Stuttgart factory has probably changed a little bit in its time with Porsche. After the riveting dieselgate scandal which was first revealed in 2015, tainted management at the Volkswagen Group quickly committed to alternative powertrain research and development. This move has placed the large automaker in good stead with the global trend of electrification becoming the imperative for many car manufacturers.  Porsche Taycan production at the 72 year old facility. Being a few steps ahead of their competitors, the Volkswagen Group initially invested €700M as early as 2018 to add production of its flagship EV, the Taycan. The four door performance EV has since surpassed annual sales of the ardent 911 with the upward trend expected to continue into the future. Knowing t...

A man named Romano Artioli is the reason that the world still has the archetypal lightweight sports car Lotus in our midst after he took the reins of the English carmaker in 1993 and named his first order of business after his granddaughter. It is only fitting then that the Final Lotus Elise production car goes to the lady that shares its namesake.  The final Elise Sport 240 destined for purchase finished in the Championship Gold colour. Romano Artioli was the quintessential Italian entrepreneur who shared a great passion for automobiles in the 1990’s. So much so that he was the man responsible for the Bugatti reboot when the EB110 was launched in 1991. The genesis of the story between Romano, Elisa and Lotus. But this article is not about him but rather his granddaughter Elisa, who if you didn’t already know or interpret by now is the original namesake of the Elise. More on the compact model here .  The archetypal lightweight sports car has enjoyed a production run...

The Yaris Rally 1 car took the runners up position in the Championship opening Rally Monte Carlo with Sébastien Ogier behind the wheel but Finns Kalle Rovanperä and Esapekka Lappi piloted their Toyota GR challengers to first and third respectively in Sweden.  The Ford Puma which took overall victory at Monte Carlo battling with the powdery elements in Sweden. The past weekend runnings in the snowy terrains of Sweden saw Toyota claim two podium spots after Finnish driver Kalle Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen claimed the top spot with a total time of 2:10’44.900 throughout the rally.  Podium finishers in the Rally1 category for Toyota GR and Hyundai. Native experience driving on the white powder proved to be indispensable as fellow countrymen Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm claimed third in the sister Toyota GR Yaris. The Finns sandwiched Belgian duo Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe in their Hyundai i20 N Rally1.  The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 is still in ...

Two launches in a month isn’t something that Alfa Romeo frequently do but while some of us might get to grips with their former reveal; the Tonale , only select talents will get to experience their latter. In a typical case of ‘the best was saved for last’ say hello to the Alfa Romeo C42 F1 challenger .  No iconic Alfa Romeo Scudetto (grille) on the C42 car but we will let that slide since aerodynamics are the name of the game. The pre-season track running which was held last week in Barcelona saw the Swiss team adorned with the name of the historic Italian automaker experiencing misfortune while the Alfa Romeo C42 was confined to the inside of the pit garage. Finishing ninth out of 10 teams in the mileage charts, the new 2022-spec car only managed a meagre 175 laps between all drivers. The camo livery that was worn by the C42 during the Spanish shakedown. While the Alfa Romeo C42 may not have performed as hoped by team boss Frédéric Vasseur, he remains optimistic and i...

There is no mistaking the visceral rumble and snarl of a German V8, however, these days V8 powertrains are a dying breed. The boffins at BMW are keeping them alive, though, and in high-octane fashion, the team at Carwow has come together to test some of Bavaria’s luxury muscle cars. An exhilarating brawl between BMW’s brutal M8 Competition , menacing M5 CS, and ballistic M5 Competition inevitably ensues. All three vehicles are powered by BMW’s inimitable S63 4,4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, and each car weighs just under 2 tonnes. With 0-100 km/h times all around the 3-second mark, there is no doubt that this will be neck and neck the starting line. In true Bayerische fashion, these behemoths are equipped with the firm’s M-specific M-xDrive AWD system, 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, and power figures north of 450 kW. The ability to decouple the front tires and switch from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive is a key feature in many serious M-badged BMWs, unsurprisingly, seconds ...

The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy needs no introduction and interestingly, the luxury automotive manufacturer enjoyed a record financial year year in 2021 with an increase in sales of 49%. The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Reginal Dealer Conference is a celebration of the partners and dealerships, highlighting the outstanding performance of standout retailers. The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Johannesburg team received the “Retain” accolade, awarded to the best performing divisions at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Regional Dealer Conference. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars takes home the ‘Retain’ award for the second year in a row. The award was one of the four awards that highlighted different qualities that each dealership should strive for. The awards are titled; Engage, Entertain, Retain, and Customer Centricity. This year’s celebration marks the second occasion where the Johannesburg division has received the “Retain” accolade Justin Divaris, CEO of Daytona Group – sole importers and distributors of Roll...

There is a saying in the automotive community that goes something along the lines of ‘respect all builds’ but this one is sure to ruffle some feathers. Mike Burroughs from StanceWorks Garage isn’t the first to do a weird engine conversion but that hasn’t stopped him from this: say hello to his K-swapped Ferrari 308. The K24 sitting cosily where the original Ferrari V8 was once housed. If you don’t know, StanceWorks Garage which was founded in 2009 is one of the more revered names in the American aftermarket community. Creating well executed builds which often push the boundaries of what is considered conventional. Built for time-attack and not to please purists. The K-swapped Ferrari 308 is no different and although it is yet to be complete, it has halved its cylinders, added a Garrett G35-900 and aims for 1000 hp (745 kW) with the help of a new Garrett G42-1200 in the future.  Two exhaust outlets, one for the turbo downpipe and the screamer pipe for the wastegate. Fr...

In an electrifying display, Audi South Africa hosted its “Night of Progress” event last week that saw six new e-tron models unveiled and launched for the South African market. The event, held at the Zeitz MOCAA contemporary art museum, hosted 170 guests who were able to witness a grand ceremony showcasing the latest fully-electric e-tron models. In attendance were many industry players, influencers, media houses, and a few other key individuals. The luxurious RS e-tron GT was test-driven for the first time by celebrities, the media, and VIPs.   Globally, the fully electric range has had great success. The Ingolstadt-based manufacturer saw a 58% increase in its electric car deliveries in 2021. Audi has sold more than 52 000 e-tron units worldwide which, according to an Audi press release, accounts for two-thirds of its overall EV sales. The electric vehicle portfolio appears to have doubled in size over the past year.   Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa, highlighte...

The Hoonigan YouTube channel often produces unorthodox and erratic automotive content. One video could be a breakdown of a hillclimb monster, and the next could be an update on their “1 000 hp Halo Warthog” build . Needless to say, their content is intense, just like this drag race between a modified Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and a Tesla Model S Plaid.   Automobili Lamborgini’s screaming V12 is a visceral and prime example of the joys of an internal combustion engine, and the Aventador SVJ only strengthens that idea. With its a 6,5-litre V12 powertrain capable of producing 581 kW and 718 N.m of torque, this iteration of the Aventador symbolises everything that petrolheads love about the Italian brand and the cars that they produce. Accompanying this ludicrous motor is a 7-speed single clutch automated manual transmission which feeds power to all-four wheels and is managed by the Haldex generation IV AWD system, resulting in a 0-100 km/h of around 2,8 seconds and a mind boggling...

The high performance derivative of the prodigious pony car was only offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission from factory but now you can get a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with a 6-speed manual conversion… if you live somewhere near the American state of Illinois.  HPJ Performance and their 6-speed manual Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 proof of concept. This is not a factory option unfortunately, but aftermarket American V8 performance specialists HPJ Performance have completed a manual Ford Mustang Shelby proof of concept and are now offering a 6-speed manual conversion on the standard 567 kW brute.  A completely new centre console with the 6-speed Tremec ball shifter looks as standard as if it were from the factory. As standard, the 5.2-liter Predator V8 powered GT500 is good for 850 N.m so any gearbox conversion used would have to be equally capable of transferring the angry American stallions exclusively to the rear wheels. Legacy of the late Carr...