The Car Guide

Returning to the elite class of Le Mans for the first time in 50 years, the new Ferrari 499P has big shoes to fill in the highly competitive WEC series. This is the red and yellow-liveried hybrid competitor in all of its glory.  Image: Ferrari It has been half a century since Ferrari last contended the top tier of the Le Mans series. As such, the Italian automaker steeped in motorsport has drawn inspiration from elite racecars of yesteryear for their newcomer. The name, for example, continues the nomenclature that the Maranello outfit has used for the past few decades. The 499 refers to the cubic capacity in centimetres of each cylinder while the subsequent letter represents the word prototype.  Related: Porsche 963 debuts at Goodwood as LMDh prototype for the 2023 season Following regulations, the model employs a 3,0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with Formula 1-derived hybrid assistance. With a 120-degree layout, the automaker has confirmed that it is not the same motor t...

As we all begin to slowly emerge from the comfort of our homes back out onto our busy roads, getting back behind the wheel means re-assessing our knowledge of car insurance . So, before you begin planning the kids’ extra mural timetables and scheduling your daily meetings, we want to make sure you remain safe from the second you pull out of your driveway. And that starts with figuring out what the best type of car insurance is for you.  What cover do the different car insurance policies give you?  Contrary to popular belief, there are many different types of car insurance. Yes, you actually get options! At Budget Insurance , we like to put you in the driver’s seat by letting you choose your own level of vehicle coverage.  We crunched the numbers, balanced the calculations, and created an extensive selection of Car Insurance types – just for you! Let’s look at the kind of cover you’ll get under each of our Car Insurance policies.  Comprehensive Car Insurance To...

Arriving in South Africa for a second time, JAC Motors has decided to diversify its T6 range with the introduction of the 2,8-litre TDI engine. Here is pricing and specification on the Chinese bakkie. Image: JAC Motors Launched in 2015, the T6 serves as JAC Motors ’ seventh-generation international bakkie which caters to buyers seeking reliable and economical diesel engines. Speaking of which, the 2,8-litre turbo-diesel motor which has just been reintroduced into South Africa churns out 68 kW and 210 N.m. The diesel engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission in the 4×2 and a six-speed manual transmission in the 4×4 derivative. Related: JAC T6 now offered with petrol powertrain – we have pricing “Over the past five years, customer feedback played an important role in our brand’s local growth. We believe that the market’s need for a reliable and economical 2,8-litre turbodiesel engine is one of those examples where we can respond with tried and tested products,” says ...

Minor treatment has been imparted onto the ageing but timeless Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia models until their replacements arrive in the future. In addition, the Italian automaker has launched a Competizione trim for both models. Image: Alfa Romeo This marks the most significant updates for the luxury models from the Tornino-based automaker since their debut several years ago. The Giulia, which arrived in 2016 and Stelvio the following year have carried the premium firm’s sales for the past few years but the latest update signals the most comprehensive update yet. Related: Alfa Romeo CEO confirms sports car for first half of 2023 Both models have undergone a modest yet noticeable update on the exterior and interior. Starting on the outside, both the SUV and sedan have received refreshed headlights which realign the veteran models with the recently released Tonale SUV. Full-LED Adaptive Matrix headlights will feature on both models with three design DRLs adding to a nighttime s...

Describing a viable hydrogen car, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse believes the German automaker can achieve this by the close of the decade as an alternative to electrification. Image: BMW Not everyone wants electric vehicles and not everywhere at the moment is capable of handling the novel form of propulsion. BMW are now at the forefront of the automotive industry by pioneering a viable hydrogen car that they believe could arrive by the end of the decade.  Related: First BMW iX5 Hydrogen drives at Munich IAA Mobility 2021 Speaking at the launch of the Rolls-Royce Spectre , Oliver Zipse, BMW Group CEO stated: “We believe in hydrogen for many reasons. We believe that – and I’m speaking now from the BMW side but that ends up being for every brand in the Group – if you want to ride emissions-free and you do not have a charging station, this is the only possibility we have. In some areas to implement a hydrogen infrastructure is easier than an electric infrastructure, for example in...

The best bakkies on the market will always be a contentious debate, with fierce rivalries between Ford and Toyota but the battle for most expensive is a little bit more clear-cut. Here are the 5 most expensive bakkies available in South Africa right now. The bakkie segment starts at the meagre R187 999 for the Mahindra Bolero 2,5Di Single Cab Maxitruck Plus. Littered with a vast array of models with different powertrains in single and double cab flavours, the list goes all the way up to well over a million Rand. Here are the 5 most expensive bakkies on sale. Related:  Best bakkie buys – how popular are Mzansi’s most affordable bakkies Jeep Gladiator 3,6 Rubicon Double Cab – R1 299 900 The most recent addition to South Africa’s new bakkie market is this; the 209 kW and 347 N.m Jeep Gladiator. Taking the same recipe of the Wrangler and applying it to a bakkie, or pickup as Americans call it, it satisfies a niche market for the price tag it demands. The 3,6-litre V6 moto...

When it first debuted in 1972, the Honda Civic was everything other small cars weren’t. Since then, the venerable model has become a popular car among drivers from around the world due for its reliability and affordability. However, the Civic is also known for its performance models such as the Type R and Si. The four door model has come a long way from its humble beginnings to the illustrious nameplate that we know today. Now, honouring its sporty side, the Japnese automaker has added a new addition to the family with the Honda Civic RS. Image: Honda The Honda Civic RS is powered by a revised 1,5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 131 kW of power and 240 N.m of torque, paired to an enhanced CVT that drives the front wheels and according to Honda, the gearbox delivers improved power delivery, refinement, and fuel efficiency. The Honda Civic RS has a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 7,42 seconds and an average fuel consumption of 6,3 L/100 km. It is safe to say Hond...

Name a more iconic duo; a rally-inspired Lancia with a Martini Racing livery. Very few combinations can evoke such nostalgia but Automobili Amos is doing just this with their Futurista recreation ahead of their next project: the Delta Safarista. Image: Automobili Amos Rally enthusiasts are sure to know about Automobili Amos. The Italian-based vehicle tuner and restorer first displayed their Lancia Delta project, titled Futurista a few years ago which takes an existing Delta HF Integrale and modernises it with tasteful upgrades. The handcrafted production run was limited to only 20 units and the final one is now here. Related: Stellantis wants to make Lancia globally relevant by 2024 The boxy bodywork of the Italian icon wears a hue of white paintwork, with the memorable blue and red livery subtly lining the flanks of the car. Move further back and the link becomes obvious: the rear spoiler bears the inscription of “Martini Legacy” which is ever fitting for the revitalised model...

To business: With all performance testing and drag races in the bag, CAR’s Performance Shootout 2023 started in earnest as our speed squad first assembled to tackle the next day’s stint, handling the selection of cruise missiles… writes Braam Peens. To deliver this mission, there could be no better part of blacktop than the Cape’s finest driving roads. An early morning start saw all the cars congregate at Gordon’s Bay before setting off on a scenic, and more than just occasionally swift – jaunt around Clarence Drive; the knotted ribbon of tarmac that frames False Bay. Bordered by rockface on the one side and the Indian Ocean on the other, it’s a picture-pretty journey loved by tourists but when in the right car, adored even more by driving enthusiasts. Like a rally stage, it’s a never-ending mix of short straights and countless corners that puts a premium on direction changes – and especially corner exit ability. But the best was yet to come. By their very nature such days, however;...

Flexjet , a private aviation company has recently overhauled two aircraft to receive the same colour scheme and details as the bespoke Bentley Bacalar, based on the same spec model of the company owner. Image: Bentley Working alongside Bentley Mulliner Design, Kenn Ricci commissioned the two aircraft to be brought to life using his own bespoke Bentley Bacalar as inspiration. The Julep finished exterior of the highly limited edition British coupe looks perfectly natural alongside both the Gulf Stream G650 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopter of Flexjet, a private aviation company owned by Ricci.  Related: Custom Bentley Bacalars shown in spectrum of colours Of only 12 models ever produced, Ricci decided to add some more exclusivity to his if the 22-inch tri-colour wheels, Satin Bronze exterior brightwork and satin carbon fibre accents were not enough. The exterior of the aircraft includes the same Julep tinge in their liveries while the inside of both has custom seats that incorporat...

Ford’s performance arm has recently lifted the wraps off the next generation of its terrain-taming Ford Raptor. A model that combines both a strong mechanical build and an intuitive technology kit, making it capable of taking on whatever off-road challenges that might appear. Image: Ford Ford’s twin-turbo 3,0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine is the heart of the new Raptor. An absolute powerhouse that produces 211 kW and 491 N.m, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, power is distributed equally to all four wheels. Thanks to Ford’s performance, the engine delivers an immediate response to throttle input. In addition, there’s an anti-lag system that keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after you take your foot off the padel. This allows for the quicker resumption of acceleration out of corners or through the gears when you accelerate again. Off-road driving modes include: Rock Crawl – Optimum traction for technical driving on loose surfaces. Sand – Configures p...

Force Motors of India has declared its official entry into the South African market with an upcoming lineup of five vehicles. The Force Gurkha 4×4, Traveller midi-bus, and panel van range are just a few of the products that Force Motors will have available when it first enters the South African market early next year. Force Motors, based in Pune, is one of India’s leading manufacturers of panel vans and midi-buses, having collaborated with Mercedes and BMW. The Force Gurkha four-seater SUV, which takes inspiration from the Mercedes G Wagon , is designed for serious off-roading enthusiasts and comes equipped with differential locks on both axles, a snorkel, and a 700 mm water-wading capability. A five-speed manual transmission connects the vehicle’s 2,6-litre Mercedes four-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 67kW and 250Nm of torque, to both axles. The same engine powers the single-cab Kargo King bakkie. This tough workhorse will be available in two versions, one with a payloa...

Moving into a sustainable future with the Industrial might of China behind it, GWM used the Paris Motor Show to debut its new energy brands WEY and ORA. Models in the lineup may bear comical names but the move is a commitment to European mandates by the firm.  Image: GWM GWM’s two new energy brands, WEY and ORA presented a selection of vehicles to the attendees of the lucrative Paris Motor Show. The 2022 edition of the event also served as a launching platform into the European market for the WEY Coffee 01 and ORA Good Cat (namely Funky Cat in the European market). Speaking at the Paris Motor Show 2022, Henry Meng, President of GWM Europe noted, “The Paris Motor Show is the perfect opportunity to present GWM and our products to the European market as well as the world. WEY and ORA are the first two brands of GWM that enter the European market.” Related: GWM Ora Ballet and Punk Cat key specifications revealed Of the two new energy brands, WEY is focused around high-end luxur...

Each month we recommend four best-buy budget options limited by a fixed price and year of production. This month we have the Renault Kwid, Datsun Go, Hyundai Grand i10 and Suzuki Celerio pitted against each other. With a budget of R120 000 and a production date no earlier than 2019, these may be the best bang-for-buck used budget options in SA.  First up on our budget best-buy list, we have the Renault Kwid , which showed so much enthusiasm when it was released, with its funky looks, standard kit and low price tag of between R120 000 and R130 000. Appealing to young, first-time buyers, it was an instant hit. The Kwid is perfectly suited for South African motorists who put fuel economy first when purchasing a vehicle. With efficiency in mind, its performance of  50 kW of power and 91 N.m of torque won’t set the world alight. It will sprint from a dead stop to 100 km/h in 13,67 seconds and continue onto 152 km/h. Image: Renault The Kwid embodies a simple modern design...

Hot track, hotter cars. The long, never-ending straight stretches of highway to the Saldanha airstrip were worth the commotion and monotonous trek for the results of the CARMAG Shootout drag showdown. Here is what transpired.   Summer heat beating down onto the coarse tarmac facing the Atlantic seaboard, each of the CAR Mag champions took to the strip to prove their mettle – without skipping a beat. With Western Cape roadworks adding a few extra minutes to our travel time to the remote location, the entire team was itching to see which cars would set the best real-world times. Bets in full swing and drivers behind the wheel, the performance testing for the 2023 CARMAGShootout was officially underway.  Related: Meet the CARMAGShootout Champions of 2023 With a brimmed shootout schedule of cars pitted against each other, the sunrise-to-sunset high-octane action passed by at an inconceivable rate. Quantitative measurements determining the victor of the day, it was time to allo...

Ever wondered how Springbok icon Bakkies Botha would fare against a South African motoring icon? Well, webuycars.co.za answers the question in an hilarious skit. …order, @WeBuyCars_SA ! Good morning, South Africans pic.twitter.com/rtBCGbILuu — Sihle Ngobese (@BigDaddyLiberty) October 27, 2022 The post WATCH: Bakkies vs the bakkie appeared first on CAR Magazine . The Car Guide

The shift to electric for the BMW Group seems a certainty after the German automaker invested a massive $1,7 billion into US facilities to accommodate EV and battery cell production. This is part of a roadmap to build six EVs in the USA by 2030. Image: BMW A massive EV offensive can be used to describe the BMW Group in their bid for electrification. Along with the $1,7 billion investment in the US, the automaker has announced four additional battery cell factories for Europe and China, each with an annual capacity of 20 GWh.  The investment into US facilities for BMW includes a $1 billion upgrade for the existing Spartanburg facility while the leftover change of $700 million will go to building the new battery plant Woodruff, South Carolina – not too far away. This is a push to reach its roadmap goals of producing six electric vehicles within the USA by 2030 while the new 1 million square foot factory will create 300 jobs.  Related: Renault 4ever Trophy debuts as retr...