The Car Guide

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has announced that the Italian carmaker Fiat will introduce two new models in 2023. This announcement comes as part of Stellantis’ plans to reposition Fiat as a brand with a strong focus on affordable and environmentally friendly vehicles. Image: Fiat The new Fiat models are believed to be a small crossover SUV and a small electric city car. Both models are expected to be built on a new platform that has been developed by Stellantis specifically for electric vehicles. The company’s new eCMP platform was developed in partnership with French automaker Groupe PSA. The platform is designed to be modular and flexible, making it well-suited for a variety of vehicle types and powertrain options. The new platform will allow the company to produce electric vehicles that are more efficient and have a longer range than current models. The small crossover SUV is expected to be a replacement for the Fiat 500X, which has been on the market since 2014. The new mod...

As we approach a new month, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued a statement highlighting the impending and drastic increase in the price of fuel taking effect from the 1st of March 2023.  Image: Pexels The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced that for March 2023 , the price of petrol (93 and 95 ULP) will increase by R1,27. Inland prices for 93 Petrol will soar from R21,38 to R22,65 while coastal prices will increase from R20,73 to R22 per litre. The inland cost per litre for 0.05% Diesel will climb from R21,32 to R21,68, while the coastal price will increase from R20,67 to R20,97.  These are the main contributors to the severe increase in fuel price for March 2023:  Crude oil prices . The price of Brent Crude oil decreased slightly from $83,00 to $82,14 per barrel during the DMRE’s review period. Despite the decrease in price per barrel, a weekly report highlighted the continued rise in crude oil inventories which marked ...

Today Car Magazine is attending the launch of   the new 2023 BMW X1 . Alongside specs and pricing for the new X1, here is a guide to understanding the new 2023 G20 generation 3 Series LCI. Image: BMW Debuting in 1975, BMW’s 3 series is known as one of the firm’s greatest offerings that have seen a production life of over 45 years. The latest generation of the 3 series features a redesigned front end featuring a more aggressive presentation by way of gaping side air intakes, pronounced body lines and a domineering lower air intake. The exterior is punctuated by a slender brake lamp array and pronounced tailgate. The Interior of the G20 generation 3 series showcases a new interior design that features a slew of amenities, such as BMW’s cured display utilizing the firm’s Operating system 8 to the toggle-oriented gear. The 3 series LCI range sees the inclusion of plug-in-hybrid variants of the 320, 330 and 330 xDrive subspecies. All   2023 3 Series LCI models are out...

The BMW X1 has been a popular choice for luxury compact SUV buyers since its introduction in 2009. In 2023, BMW is now launching a refreshed version of the X1 with updates in design, technology, and performance.  Image: BMW One of the most significant updates to the refreshed BMW X1 is the pricing, which is expected to reflect the new changes. Starting with the exterior, the refreshed BMW X1 will feature a new front-end design, including a larger kidney grille, updated headlights, redesigned front bumper and 20-inch rims available for the first in the compact SUV. The overall shape of the X1 remains the same, with a sleek and sporty appearance, with approximately 20 kilograms less than its predecessor. The changes to the exterior give the X1 a more aggressive and modern look, which is sure to appeal to buyers. Image: BMW  BMW has updated the technology with a new infotainment system and a larger digital display screen. The new system is more intuitive and offers bett...

Feeling the effects of the global semiconductor shortage, Ford has announced that Australia-bound Ranger models may lose their anti-theft sensors. Image: Ford Many automotive manufacturers are still reeling from the effects of the long-standing semiconductor shortage that was brought on as a result of the hard lockdowns experienced around the world. “Global supply chain constraints, including shipping logistics combined with high demand around the world for our Next-Gen vehicles, have limited our delivery capacity of these exciting new models” — a statement found on SA’s Ford website Image: Ford The Drive Australia highlighted that a recent dealer bulletin released by Ford forecasts some troubling changes made to Ranger models earmarked for the Aussie market. Ford stated that models produced from March this year, earmarked for the Australian market, would lose their two hi-tech anti-theft motion sensors and even an omission of the exterior heated mirror caps. The absence of...

The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists ( SAGMJ ) recently celebrated its 60th birthday, marking a significant milestone for the organization that has played a crucial role in the country’s automotive industry . Image: SAGMJ The SAGMJ was founded by Robin Emslie, Barry Curtis and Kenneth Maxwell, a group of car enthusiasts who took the initiative and used the London-based Guild of Motoring Writers’ underlying principles to draft the requirements for developing a constitution for a South African Guild. The Guild represents the country’s top motoring content creators and photographers in the print, broadcast and social media industries. Its members include publishers, editors, journalists, photographers, vloggers, bloggers, influencers, and representatives from the automotive industry. Since its inception in 1962, the SAGMJ has been at the forefront of promoting excellence in motoring journalism, offering its members a platform to hone their skills and showcase their ex...

Built on the foundation of the iconic G-Class SUV, this G63 bakkie variant is designed to tackle any terrain with ease while providing a comfortable and luxurious driving experience. Image: Pit26 Motorsports The Mercedes-AMG G63 bakkie by Pit26 is a beast on wheels, combining the rugged durability of a bakkie with the power and luxury of a Mercedes-AMG vehicle. This custom creation by the tuning company Pit26 Motorsports takes the iconic G-Class to new heights, creating a vehicle that is both stylish and powerful. Image: Pit26 Motorsports The G63 Pickup’s exterior is a sight to behold. The bakkie features a bold and rugged design that is instantly recognizable as a G-Class vehicle. The boxy shape and upright stance of the vehicle exude a sense of strength and toughness, while the signature AMG Panamericana grille adds a touch of refinement and style. According to Pit26, some fairly drastic modifications of the entire rear end of the vehicle had to happen in order to turn ...

Of the less prominent news to come out of Toyota’s State of the Motor Industry address in January is the updated Fortuner which boasts a fair bit of cosmetic treatment to keep the model relevant for the next few years. Here is how much it will cost.  Image: Toyota Given minor changes as part of Toyota’s plan to keep their popular SUV relevant on the market for some time more, Toyota presented the updated SUV, which supplements Toyota South Africa Motors’ medium-full size SUV lineup. Along with the arrival of the respected SUV were sales indications from the 2022 year. Along with the Prado and LC300, the Prospecton-produced model managed a whopping 7 805 annual sales, compared to only 2 007 and 1 597 respectively for its peers. Related: Toyota has a busy year ahead, here is the verdict of SOMI 2023 More importantly, the SUV has claimed the top-selling spot in the medium SUV segment with a 41% market share. “The refreshed model sports an aggressive new styling with revised LED...

As an automotive enthusiast, it’s always disappointing to hear that a beloved vehicle moniker will soon be discontinued. Unfortunately, it seems that the Mini Cooper Clubman will be the latest casualty of changing market trends and shifting consumer preferences. Image: MIN According to reports, Mini might be ending production of the Clubman in 2024. This news may surprise some, as the Clubman has been a popular choice among Mini fans since its introduction in 2007. The stretched model is known for its unique design, with an elongated body style and a split rear door that adds both quirk and practicality. It’s also a bit more spacious than the standard Mini Cooper, making it a great choice for those who want the iconic Mini look with a bit more room to stretch out. Image: MIN However, despite its popularity, it seems that the Clubman simply isn’t selling as well as it used to. As the automotive market shifts towards SUVs and crossovers, smaller cars like the Clubman are becomi...

Lamborghini has been known for creating some of the most stunning supercars in the world, and the Aventador has been one of their most iconic models. However, the Italian automaker has recently announced that they will be re placing the Aventador with a new model, and car enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting its arrival. Image: Lamborghini The Aventador was first introduced in 2011 and quickly became one of the most sought-after supercars in the world. With its sleek design, powerful V12 engine, and impressive performance, it is one vehicle that truly stood out from the crowd. However, as with all things, time marches on, and it’s time for Lamborghini to move on to something new. The successor to the Aventador is shrouded in mystery, but there are a few details that have been leaked. The Aventador is said to have a hybrid powertrain, which will combine a V12 engine with an electric motor to produce an astonishing 745 kW of power. Image: DMC Rumours suggest that power is not t...

Not too long ago, Honda announced that on the 28th of February , we’d see its new hybrid 596 kW race homologated CR-V. Alongside extreme aero elements , this hybrid racer sounds like an F1 car. The Honda Performance Development wing of the Japanese firm has its hands full with the task of turning a docile family carrier into a high-revving, wide-bodied electrified racer. While the official unveiling is a stone’s throw away, details surrounding aspects like powertrain specs have been kept under tight wraps. The first drop of blood in the water was a post originating from Honda’s “From the Honda Garage” that only gave the reveal date and a claim that it possessed ludicrous amounts of power. Image: Honda Photos revealed the inklings of exposed carbon fibre body panels, a large rear wing, a full roll cage and some impressive aero. In a teaser video released by Honda, the mysterious electrified passenger carrier was seen in a somewhat unobstructed view. The video offers a glimpse at a...

The 2023 Cape Town E-Prix has come and gone. With all that happened throughout the weekend, these were key moments for the local history-book-worthy event. Image: DS Peneke Key moments: Porsche’s Antonio Felix Da Costa pulls two risky overtakes securing a winning spot for Tag Heuer in the drive of his life Jaguar’s Sam Bird withdraws from the race after an accident during qualifying Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein receives DNF after rear-ending Sebastien Buemi in Lap 1 Mahindra and ABT withdraw from the race following safety concerns Jean-Eric Vergne sets the fastest race lap of 1:09:740  Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz secures Julius Baer Pole Position during qualifying and becomes the second-youngest pole sitter in Formula E history Image: Jaguar Porsche secured pole position following a daring overtake by Antonio Felix Da Costa in lap 24 of the 30-lap race, which took place through the treacherous turns 7, 8 and 9. DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne followed in second place with...

There’s a seat reserved for the Ford GT40 at the roundtable of automotive icons . Ford’s supercar challenger was bred out of the desire to stick it to Ferrari after the deal turned sour. Image: Ford “Go to Le Mans, and beat his ass” — Henry Ford II Ford’s prolific GT-badge bearing had upset the equilibrium of motorsports after its unearthing that would persist throughout the lifespan of Ford’s golden child (1964 to 1969 to be exact). The MK II GT40 debuted in 1964 propelled by a 4,2-Litre aluminium block V8 —which belonged to a Ford Fairline — housed in a heavy steel body that saw numerous victories across iconic races such as the Le Mans 24 hours , Nurburgring 1000km, etc. Image: Ford After being handed the responsibility of racing the GT40s at the tail end of 1964, Carroll Shelby replaced the 4,2-litre V8 that powered the first GT40 iteration and replaced it with a brawnier and beefier 7,0-Litre 427 cubic-inch V8 that produced 361 kW and 644 Nm! And so, the MKII GT40 was ...

Nick Cassidy tops free practice one of the 2023 Cape Town E-Prix and we join Jaguar in their pit garage writes Brent van de Schyff. Image: Brent Vd Schyyf It’s race day and the teams are furiously at work finessing the plans to extract the extra tenths needed to get the jump on the rest. We were invited to a bucket list opportunity to join the Jaguar team in the pit garage and listen on the radio talk between the driver and race engineer. You wouldn’t be mistaken by thinking this is more a spy or military exercise than a simple practice session involving race cars. But let me inform you that other teams are listening too and the racer/engineer pair are careful about what they say and anything of top secret value is communicated in a pre-arranged code language. It’s quite a wild experience to bear witness to it first hand. Image: Brent Vd Schyyf Jaguar’s Sam Bird went P1 towards to the latter parts of the session by almost 0.5 seconds but that was short lived after Envision Ra...