The Car Guide

After a relatively long period of uncertainty regarding its stance on EVs, Suzuki is designating nearly $35 billion to produce a lineup of EV models that will go on sale in Europe by the end of the decade and one of them could be a Jimny EV. Image: Suzuki Suzuki Motor Corporation recently revealed its electrification plans for the global market, including India. While Maruti Suzuki will launch 6 all-electric cars by 2030, Europe could receive 5 electric cars, including an electrified version of the Jimny, Suzuki’s teaser images gave us a sneak peek into the upcoming Jimny EV. Maruti Suzuki while being late to the EV party wants to offer a range of EVs across many segments, its debut of fully-electric models will first be introduced in its home country of Japan in 2023. Europe and India are set to follow in 2024, and within the following six years, Suzuki expects to have between five to six EV models available in these markets. The first of these fully electric Suzuki models is m...

At this point, it seems as though the CEF and the AA continually confirm fuel hikes for each new month. The latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is no different and shows that motorists should prepare for a sizeable increase in petrol and diesel prices in early February. Image: iStock These potential increases couldn’t come at the worst time as South African consumers are already weighed down with household budgets. Load shedding is also another crippling issue that undoubtedly adds fuel to the already strong fire and the recently-announced electricity tariff increase of 18,65% doesn’t help alleviate the burden either. The expected changes are as follows: Petrol 93:  increase of 58 cents a litre. Petrol 95:  increase of 52 cents a litre. Diesel 0,05%:  increase of 33 cents a litre. Diesel 0,005%:  increase of 22 cents a litre. Illuminating paraffin:  increase of 38 cents a litre. While the Rand has remained relatively firm against the do...

Rolls-Royce are in the midst of ushering in a new era of mobility with the Spectre, their first pure electric vehicle. Pursuing a flawless product, their all-new coupe has been undergoing a stringent regiment of testing and the latest location to basque in its silent opulence has been South Africa’s very own mother city. We got an exclusive preview. 2030; the year many automakers have set internal deadlines to cease production of internal-combustion engines (ICEs). Rolls-Royce is no different but while the yearns of enthusiasts and petrolheads fall on deaf ears for their beloved supercar monikers to ignore the mandates of the EU and continue to produce fossil-fuel-powered behemoths, this will bear very little significance for the Goodwood-based premium marque. That is because electrification should, in theory, lend itself well to the plush and elegant models that bear Henry Royce and Charles Rolls surnames. Clean and silent propulsion paired with impressive power and torque outputs s...

With ambitious plans to develop over a dozen new models by 2027, there is a high possibility that Kia is silently developing a model to contend in the highly lucrative bakkie segment. Here is everything we know on a potential Hilux rivalling model.  Image: KDesign AG During the Kia Investor Day that was held in May 2022, the South Korean automaker said that it plans to launch at least two BEVs per year in order to build a lineup of 14 battery-electric vehicles by 2027. Kia’s president Mr. Ho-sung Song revealed plans to produce specialized electric vehicles in four major markets to expand the electric vehicle volume. Will a fully electric bakkie fall under this new plan? New spy shots and renderings have recently emerged on the internet, showing a bakkie development mule from Kia adorned in heavy camouflage. Aside from commercial vehicles like the K2700 (also known as the Bongo), Kia has never built a consumer-grade pickup and this will be a turning point for the brand as they...

Owning a car is expensive, and keeping track of a car’s value can be difficult. If you’re looking for an accurate and convenient way to get an idea of the value of your car, then you need a free car valuation tool . This guide will show why a free car valuation tool can be useful for all car owners. Why You Need a Free Car Valuation Tool A free car valuation tool is important because it allows you to determine your vehicle’s current market value easily. This can be invaluable if you want to sell or trade-in your car and ensure you get the best possible deal. A good car valuation tool will provide reliable data on the current market values of different cars so that you can make informed decisions about how much your vehicle is worth. Another benefit of a free car valuation tool is that it allows you to compare different makes and models without visiting multiple dealerships or private sellers. By using such a tool, you can quickly determine which vehicles are more valuable than other...

Sports Utility vehicles, in previous years, were often seen as overly-large, thirsty behemoths for the road. More recently, they have emerged as a more common sight on the streets of South Africa and have replaced the likes of hatchbacks and estates as the go-to family car for many. Here are our best picks for new SUVs available for under R750 000.  Many of the world’s automotive manufacturers have subsequently entered the SUV market with their own offerings, meaning there’s no better time to be in the market for the pumped-up models. While the entry-level SUV segment is booming with new entrants arriving almost monthly, we decided to dabble in more premium options. From the popular Audi Q3 to the high-tech Kia Sportage and the ever stylish Alfa Romeo Tonale,   the options are vast.  Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction : R496 900 The Chery comes equipped with a 1,6-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that produces 145 kW of power and 290 N.m of torque. This is pair...

South African racing legend Deon Joubert, writing for CAR Magazine, speaks about the unique market that is the homologation vehicle.  The iconic BMW 325iS / Image: BMW When it comes to cars, as with many things, there is this constant dance between price and value, with the value often increasing to much more than what the original price may have been. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 Some cars are instantly collectible, and brand-new Ferraris and similar high-end brands throughout the years have found their way from the shop into the garages of affluent collectors, where they have always appreciated in value. But they have also always been out of reach of the average person. For the general person, the mass-produced vehicles that we can buy have a price, but because manufacturers make them for a long period of time, there is no rarity value initially attached to these cars. Over time that car starts losing value as it becomes more obsolet...

The Mercedes 190e EVO II and the BMW E30 M3 are undoubtedly some of the most respected and admired automobiles to ever be built and building on a long-lasting rivalry between the two revered German automakers. However, despite how enticing and sultry these cars are, would you pay R4 million for one? Neither car needs an introduction. However, for the sake of nostalgic trips back to the age of fossil-fuel-fed four-bangers bred for motorsport dominance, let’s indulge ourselves. Starting with a Bavarian legend which is positioned as royalty amongst its automaker’s fleet, the 1988 E30 M3 is a sixteen-valve, four-cylinder, dubbed the S14, which would endow the powertrain with 143 kW @ 6750 r/min and 230 N.m @ 4750 r/min. Needless to say, its capable powerplant housed in a frame barely tipping the scales past 1 300 kg. After its unveiling, the E30 would go on to cement its nameplate as a marque of motoring excellence and usher in a new segment of performance for the automaker. From DTM to...

The SAGMJ has unveiled the Top 21 finalists of this year’s SA CAR of the Year competition . From compact cars, hatches, performance vehicles and even EVs, the SAGMJ continue to whittle down the pickings of this year’s ring leaders. Image: Opel The SA Car of the Year competition is hosted and overseen by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists. Essentially it is a selection of various segment-defining vehicles spanning multiple automotive genres available in the South African market. This year sees a wider array of EVs in the final selection while the “Performance” category sees only one vehicle in the running. Surprisingly, the 21 finalists do not see the inclusion of any of the “budget category” contenders. “The 2023 COTY finalists showcase cutting-edge innovation and fierce competition in the quest to offer the best mobility solutions. These finalists are the cream of the crop in South Africa, and we can’t wait to see who comes out on top” — Mabuyane Mabuza, Chairperson...

2023 begins with news from Italy about the successful delivery of a life-saving organ, overseen by the Polizia di Stato. An interesting caveat about this particular Italian police force’s recent life-saving endeavour, the delivery vehicle was a Lamborghini Huracan.  A manufacturer that has birthed V12 cylinder bearing beast s, see one of its Huracan models used as a special transport vehicle. The Polizia di Stato has been utilizing this automotive marvel for some time now as it reports that over 200 delicate organ transport trips have been completed using this visible policing vehicle. In partnership with the National Transport Centre for over seven years, the Police unit has also conducted more than 350 operational services as well as serving as an integral part of the road safety education program.  Image: Polizia di Stato The most recent trip is particularly noteworthy as the Lamborghini and skilled driver were in the Italian city of Padua but the hospital that needed ...

One of the cornerstones of Toyota, when it was founded in South Africa, was offering affordability to all those who aspired for private mobility. A recent addition to their local lineup embraces this mantra wholeheartedly, albeit with an already familiar face. This is the new Toyota Vitz. The State of the Motor Industry address by Toyota representatives at Kyalami enables us, the motoring media to gauge where the Japanese manufacturer is heading over the next calendar year. It also serves as a platform to introduce new models, display new technology and engage with the media. Related: Toyota has a busy year ahead, here is the verdict of SOMI 2023 Obvious aside, this is a rebadged Suzuki Celerio, which forms another arm of the collaboration between the two manufacturers which as a result, provides more cost-effective R&D and production, making the end product more affordable for the consumer – remember this for the pricing details later on! From an initial glance, other than the...

After the new vehicle market registered its twelfth consecutive month of year-on-year growth during December 2022, we witnessed industry vehicle sales show a steady increase in the Naamsa document compared to 2021. Volkswagen was one of the sterling contenders in 2022 and for that reason, we are being treated with new models for the new year! Here is what we can expect.  Image: Volkswagen In 2022, Volkswagen sold 63 601 units in the local market with a total passenger car market share of 16,4%. The December 2022 new passenger car market and light commercial vehicle market reflected a sound performance with a year-on-year volume increase of 15,4% in the case of new passenger cars and a gain of 16,1% in the case of light commercial vehicles. Sales of medium commercial vehicles increased year-on-year by 36,9% while heavy commercial vehicles and buses increased by 23,1%. After a good year in 2022, Volkswagen South Africa is applying more pressure and is set to release at lea...

Toyota officially set up shop here in South Africa in 1962 and has established a solid presence through meticulous efforts tailored to our local conditions. Toyota currently has a sales network that extends to 53 African countries and has continued to keep a stellar reputation when it comes to the vehicles they build. Image: Toyota The first Hilux bakkie arrived in South Africa in 1969. This basic 1,5-litre short wheelbase model provided a very attractive alternative to the larger Australian and American utes with their thirsty 6 and 8-cylinder engines that held the major share of the bakkie market at that time. The Hilux enjoyed immediate popularity as an economic solution to light-load transport needs, particularly in fleet and agricultural applications. It goes without saying that South Africa is one country that is infatuated with bakkies and for good reasons of course. With our horrendous road conditions, a Ford Ranger , Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max or a Nissan Navara will gla...

The road fatalities, injury and prosecution statistics were released for the 2022 to the 2023 holiday period. It is optimistic to note that ‘only’ 1 451 people were killed on South African roads this festive season. This is a 13,9% decrease compared to the previous year’s 1 685. Image: RTMC The CEO of  MasterDrive , Eugene Herbert, says the significance of this cannot be underestimated as more vehicles were expected on the roads this year as the first holiday period since 2019 without lockdown restrictions. “While data on the number of travellers is not as easily available, it is important nonetheless. An almost 14% decrease without lockdown contributing to the decrease, is something not seen in many years. “The objective should be to aim for the same decrease in coming years. This requires an analysis of what was done differently this year. It could be an increased police presence or more commitment to road safety initiatives but this can only be answered by government and re...