The Car Guide

Earlier in December, a highly modified Suzuki S-Presso Cabriolet was shown on display in Surabaya, Indonesia. Not only limited to radical exterior bodywork, the chopped-top Suzuki now reportedly features all-terrain modifications. Image: @val.willson Looking for a new or used Toyota or Suzuki? Find it here with CARmag. Details on the quirky and compact S-Presso Cabrio are limited but it was displayed at the Christmas Autoland event at the Fashion Atrium Pakuwon Mall in Indonesia. Don’t expect to find this in Suzuki showrooms anytime soon though since it is listed as a modified cabriolet and not factory-prepared. Related: Toyzuki: Suzuki Jimny Turned Toyota Land Cruiser The caption posted by AutonetMagz further states: “This car also carries the ALTO (all-terrain offroad) modification concept with changes to the legs in the form of All-Terrain tires and 15-inch rims,” which presumably confirms that the changes are only aesthetic and not mechanical. Related: Suzuki’s Jimny 5 Door...

Japan is kicking the year off on a high with the Tokyo Auto Salon taking place in January. Nissan has some cool concepts to display, one of which is an NV350 taxi that has been converted into a Disaster Support Van. Interestingly enough, the automaker claims it has the Leaf’s electric battery.  Image: Nissan Looking for your next new or used Nissan? Find it here with CARmag. The Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 will take place at Makuhari Messe from the 12th of January to the 14th of January and Nissan has revealed some of what its display will entail. Off-road to on road to Nismo branded creations, one of the whackier and more niche concepts the Japanese automaker will be displaying is this repurposed Disaster Support Van which bears striking resemblance to what we are affectionately familiar with as the NV350 Impendulo taxi. Related: Aussie Developed Nissan Navara Warrior Rumoured for SA Production As the concept’s name suggests, this van-based mobile support hub is designed for depl...

A small team and their heavily modified 911s have ascended to heights that no other ‘earth-bound vehicle” has ever gone. Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag. Image: Porsche 6 734 metres above sea level, on the peak of the Ojos del Salado volcano in Chile, stood a small team and their heavily modified 911s, which touched the sky thanks to the fuels coursing through their veins. The two modified Porsche 911s , affectionately named “Doris” and “Edith”, are the results of the collaboration between Porsche and RD Limited. Of the two, Edith is the more athletic model of the pair. Founded on the 911 Carrera 4S platform and repurposed to withstand and overcome the extremities of the volcanic Chilean landscape. Below each car’s utilitarian physique are a host of specially designed mechanical components, purposed to allow these cars to conquer the demanding terrain. Image: Porsche Some of the noteworthy components include portal axles, introduced to incre...

With stiff competition across all passenger vehicle segments, many automakers relatively new to South Africa have undergone some radical puberty spurts. Let us know which of the automakers below you believe has undergone the biggest glow-up below! Looking for your next new or used car? Find it here with CARmag.   Representing Asian automakers from South Korea and China, all of the selected contenders have shown a great improvement in perceived quality and attractive styling. Gone are the days of mundane, white-good-esque four-wheeled offerings for our market! Now available are race-bred models like the i30 N from Hyundai (a recent CAR Performance Shootout winner) and easy-on-the-eye family haulers like the Kia Sorento. Not bad considering both automakers only arrived in Mzansi just before the close of the century. Image: Hyundai Moving into an age of new energy, both South Korean automakers have demonstrated their design might with the Kia EV range as well as the utterl...

As obstreperous as it gets, Ford’s new F-150 Raptor R has now debuted with a mild facelift but a significant update under the bonnet, cementing it as one powerhouse of a bakkie! Image: Ford Click here and find your next Ford with CARmag . For the 2024 model year, Ford has subtly refreshed its best-selling F-150, giving it a more geometric front end and introducing the Pro Access Tailgate on select trim levels. However, the standout update lies under the bonnet of the latest F-150 Raptor R model, Ford’s renowned high-speed off-road model boasts a robust 537 kW. This marks a 15 kW increase over its predecessor and a 14 kW advantage over its chief adversary; the 2024 Ram TRX. Related: Specifications Unveiled for the Upcoming Ford Ranger Tremor The power boost is attributed to a new engine calibration and “reduced air inlet losses,” with modifications to the bonnet and body close-out panel to enhance airflow to the air filter. While the peak torque remains at 868 N.m, the broader to...

Yes, that same Xiaomi as the cellphone maker has now produced a car! Dubbed SU7, the McLaren-faced EV will give a Taycan a run for its money. Looking for your next new and used Toyota? Search here with CARmag.  Upon first inspection, the SU7 has taken undeniable inspiration from Porsche’s first electric creation too. Silhouette, fender details and lighting all bear a resemblance to the German creation. While the model to wear the Stuttgart badge has been on production for several years, the Xiaomi is fresh to the market. Officially unveiled after being initially teased a few months ago, the SU7 now has a comprehensive list of specs and figures provided by Xiaomi. Related: Porsche 964 RSR Restomodded With EV Powertrain Things get confusing when looking at powertrain options since the cellphone maker has confusingly named the lined V6, V6s and V8s despite all models being battery-electric with architecture compatible with 400- and 800-volts. Now that is out of the way, the base ...

It isn’t uncommon to see police forces boasting some serious firepower but the Turkish fleet has scored several supercars after a massive bust of a notorious kingpin. Looking for your next new and used Supercar? Search here with CARmag.  In a now-viral X post shared by Ali Yerlikaya , Tukey’s Minister of the Interior, 23 seized vehicles have been displayed as a warning to fugitives finding refuge in the country. Related: Liberty Walk to turn new Suzuki Jimny into baby G-Class! This comes after Turkish authorities recently apprehended Hakan Ayik, a notorious gang leader and alleged drug importer known as “Australia’s most wanted man.” To make a bold statement, these confiscated vehicles, including a Ferrari 488, Bentley Continental, Porsche Taycan, and Audi RS6, have been transformed into police vehicles, showcased in a dramatic promotional video released by Yerlikaya. The combined value of these luxury police cars is estimated between R60 million and R70 million. Göreve geldi...

Going against the grain of traditional petrol-powered Porsche restomods, this 964 RSR borrows an EV powertrain, presumably against the wishes of die-hard petrolheads. Image: Everrati Looking for your next Porsche? Find it here with CARmag. A dime a dozen in 2023, Porsche 911 restomods can be found on every corner of the internet and are dominated by stalwarts by Singer and Guntherwerks. Everrati is another name that will be familiar in automotive circles by now, but perhaps not for the right reasons. The British company specialises in conversions of classics into fully electric vehicles. Their latest project follows the same recipe and is a tribute to the 3,8-liter 964 RS. Related:  Porsche’s All-New Electric Macan – First Look Everrati’s approach involves replacing the iconic flat-six engine of the 911 with two electric motors situated behind the rear axle. To maintain the car’s weight distribution, the batteries are strategically placed both in the front and rear. Thi...

Over 88 million new cars are expected to be sold in 2024 with EVs expectedly on the rise. Here are how many EVs are expected to sell in the new year while having a look at South Africa’s past performance. Looking for your next new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag.  With 2024 fast approaching, S&P Global Mobility forecasts a notable surge in global new vehicle sales. The projection foresees a substantial 88,3 million new vehicles entering the global market next year, reflecting a 2,8% year-over-year increase. The local automotive manufacturing sector contributes over half a million units annually, with 555 889 units produced by the close of 2022, representing an increase of 11,8% from a recovering post-pandemic 2021 economy. During last year, South Africa declined from 21st to 22nd in global vehicle production rankings. Stay tuned for a full overview of annual production over the course of 2023 in the coming weeks. Related: BMW Development Boss says M3 will go All-Elect...

Understated but not underpowered, the Porsche Cayenne S is a masterclass in versatility and performance. This is how it performed after an in-depth testing regiment with the CAR Magazine team. Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag.  The Cayenne S presents itself as a luxury SUV that doesn’t wear its performance potential on its sleeves. That is unless it’s outfitted with the R66 800 sports exhaust, which brazenly retorts the efforts of the SUV’s turbocharged 4,0-litre V8 capable of producing 349 kW/600 N.m of torque. Related: Road Test Figures: Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance As power is directed to all four Pirelli P Zero-wrapped wheels, the Cayenne S is capable of sprinting from a s tandstill to 100 km/h in 4,62 seconds . The eight-cylinder powerplant is affixed to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which offers impressive in-gear acceleration. From 40km to 60 km/h in 0,91 seconds and 60km/h to 80 km/h in 1,08 seconds. Interestingly, the...

It is official, Volkswagen will bring electric GTI to market in 2026. Image: Volkswagen Looking for your next new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag. In anticipation of the mid-cycle facelift for the GTI scheduled in 2024, Volkswagen is already plotting the introduction of an all-electric GTI set to debut in 2026. Andreas Mindt, the company’s design chief, shared a sketch on Instagram comparing the original Golf GTI with the recently unveiled ID. GTI concept.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Andreas Mindt (@andreas_mindt_2023) With over 2,8 million units of the Grand Tourer Injection sold since the Mk1’s debut in 1975, this transition marks a significant shift toward electrification. The sketch hints at a potential production version of the ID. GTI, although the concept was based on the ID. 2all showcar, envisioned as the electric successor to the Polo supermini. Positioned on the MEB Entry platform, bot...

The top of the electrified food chain is where the new Audi SQ8 e-tron will sit but it remains unconfirmed for South Africa while pricing is announced for foreign markets. Should Mzansi received the plush and silent German SUV? Image: Audi Looking for your next Audi? Find it here with CARmag In terms of power, the SQ8 Audi e-tron features three electric motors, 122 kW up front and two 97 kW units at the rear, generating a combined 364 kW and 973 N.m of torque in Sport mode. Acceleration-wise, the model manages the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4,5 seconds before reaching a capped top speed of 210 km/h. This electric SUV features an impressive 106 kWh battery pack and supports DC charging at up to 170 kW, allowing a 10 to 80% charge in approximately 31 minutes. While range details may differ in certain markets, the overseas model offers up to 471 km of driving range for the Sportback, with WLTP-rated energy consumption at 24,4 kWh/100km. Image: Audi Standard features include air suspen...

Apple’s latest teasers show that their next-generation Apple CarPlay, arriving in 2024, will be more integrated into future car interiors. Here is a preview of how it will look! Image: Apple Looking for your next new or used set of wheels? Find it here with CARmag.  In 2022, Apple unveiled an enhanced version of CarPlay with a unique feature – the ability to extend its influence beyond just the touchscreen to encompass all screens within a vehicle. Recently, Apple provided glimpses of its customized designs in collaboration with luxury sports car manufacturers, Aston Martin and Porsche, showcasing the versatility of the system. Related: Porsche’s EV Macan Offers Augmented Reality HUD and New Infotainment In the Aston Martin rendering, CarPlay takes command of the infotainment screen and the instrument cluster, featuring elegant silver gauges outlined in racing green, framing the album cover art of the media being played. On the Porsche front, the system extends control to th...

Polarising in its design and utilitarian function, this slammed Tesla Cybertruck is sure to divide opinion even further. Fortunately, if you aren’t a fan, this specific model will remain purely in the virtual realm, at least for now.  Image: Robert Designs Looking for your next new or used car? Find it here with CARmag.   Typically designed to be robust workhorses both on and off the road, full-size bakkies offer a canvas for modifications. Following its official production debut, the Tesla Cybertruck has inspired independent designer Robert Design to embark on a digital makeover, featuring an assertive body kit and new wheels. The resulting aesthetic leans more towards that of a car than that of a bakkie. While these renderings showcase a meticulously crafted 3D model that appears remarkably authentic, they currently exist solely in the digital realm, awaiting the possibility of transformation into a tangible reality should a Cybertruck owner decide to ado...

Debuting for Japan, Toyota has unveiled a new version of the Crown Sport which features a PHEV powertrain capable of 225 kW. Image: Toyota Looking for your next Audi? Find it here with CARmag South Africa is on the shortlist to receive some of Toyota’s snazzy Crown range and now the automaker has debuted a model for its home country which is now receiving a charging port and a potent powertrain. Although the model in the metal has already arrived, it will now feature a 2,5-liter petrol engine and an electric motor, delivering a total of 225 kW. Related: Toyota Crown Sport Debuts as Sleek Hybrid SUV For the PHEV variant, Toyota has enhanced stopping power by upgrading the front brakes with 20-inch discs hugged by six-piston calipers, finished in red at both axles. Paddle shifters have been added, and extra braces to the floor tunnel increase body rigidity compared to the non-plug-in hybrid Crown Sport. As a plug-in hybrid, the vehicle excels in efficiency. A lithium-ion battery...

Prominent for ostentatious and extravagant modifications of existing high-end monikers, Mansory has garnered a reputation for delivering products that follow the ‘sky is the limit’ mantra but their latest project is actually destined for the sky. Image: Mansory   Looking for your next new or used set of wheels? Find it here with CARmag.  Mansory has now taken a leap into the fantastical with digital renderings of a flying hypercar, offering a glimpse into their visionary take on the future of the automotive industry. Related: New Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance by Mansory This unnamed model combines elements reminiscent of various supercars, with influences from Ferrari Enzo in the headlights, Ferrari F50 and Pagani Huayra in the vented bonnet, a touch of McLaren in the greenhouse, and avant-garde aero details akin to a limited-production Lamborghini. If you look hard enough, you will likely find inspiration from all of the favourite hypercar makers. Upon further insp...