The Car Guide

Establishing their shared commitment to a carbon-neutral future, Japanese automakers Toyota, Subaru and Mazda have announced the development of new electrified engines. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!  Toyota , Subaru and Mazda have again cemented their commitment to a more sustainable future, with the companies announcing the development of new, electrified engines in pursuit of carbon neutrality. To achieve this each of the three manufacturers is aiming to optimise the integration of electric motors, batteries, and a variety of other electric drive units to these powertrains. Related: Toyota Will Continue with ICE Power Until it is Outright Outlawed In addition, the firms are also focusing on decarbonising internal combustion units by means of carbon-neutral fuel. The latter includes synthetic fuel (e-fuel), biofuels, and liquid hydrogen. Image: Toyota The companies have also stated that the more efficient and powerful e

Jeep is making a bold stride towards electrification with the introduction of its first-ever   global battery-electric SUV, the Wagoneer S. Here’s all you need to know about the new model! Image: Jeep Looking for a new or used Jeep? Find it here with CARmag! This new offering signifies a significant shift for the brand, long known for its rugged, internal combustion engine vehicles. The Wagoneer S prioritizes performance without sacrificing efficiency. With an estimated output exceeding 447 kW and a driving range surpassing 482 km on a single charge, it caters to drivers seeking both power and practicality. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is estimated at a brisk 3.4 seconds, thanks to a standard all-wheel-drive system with two electric drive modules (EDMs) powering each axle. Selectable drive modes like Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Sand offer adaptability for various road conditions. Image: Jeep Ensuring convenient charging, the Wagoneer S boasts a 400-volt, 100 kWh battery p

The Suzuki Fronx has quickly become a favourite in the South African market since its launch, reflecting the increasing appetite for compact crossovers. Despite limited supply initially, Suzuki SA states the next few shipments should remedy the long wait for buyers wanting to get behind the wheel.  Image: Suzuki Looking for a new or used Suzuki? Find it here with CARmag! The Suzuki Fronx has been well-received for its design, practicality and value for money. However, Suzuki Auto South Africa has faced significant challenges in meeting the high demand for this model. Henno Havenga, General Manager of Auto Sales and Marketing for Suzuki Auto South Africa, previously highlighted the enthusiastic reception of the Fronx but also noted the supply constraints that have impacted sales. “We were able to secure around 1 500 units for the first three months of sales and hope to keep the number as strong as possible. We are truly grateful for the overwhelming positive response from the mar

BMW has given its iconic 3 Series a fresh update for 2025, introducing a host of new design details, advanced technologies, and performance enhancements. Here’s a closer look at what to expect from the revamped model. Image: BMW Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag!  The 2025 BMW 3 Series sedan showcases a refreshed exterior with two new colour options: Arctic Race Blue metallic and Vegas Red metallic. For those seeking further personalization, BMW now offers Frozen Pure Grey metallic and Frozen Portimao Blue metallic under its Individual program. M Sport package-equipped models (standard on the M340i and optional on the 330i) feature stylish 19-inch M alloy wheels in double-spoke design, available in either bi-color or Jet Black. There’s also an option for Y-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels with a bi-color finish. Inside, the updated 3 Series emphasizes a clean, tech-forward aesthetic. Drivers of the 330i will appreciate the new two-spoke steering wheel with a poly

South African motorists can look forward to some relief at the pumps this June. According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), released on 27 May, fuel prices could potentially decrease next week. Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!  On Wednesday, the 5th of June , the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will announce the adjustments to the country’s petrol and diesel prices, and the news is promising.  For the first time since January, petrol prices are expected to drop by a significant R1.00 per litre. This will come as a welcome respite for petrol drivers who have been dealing with rising fuel costs for months. The CEF’s early predictions, which are often accurate, suggest that both Petrol 93 and Petrol 95 will see a reduction of 100 cents per litre. Diesel drivers are also in for good news. Following a similar decrease last month, diesel prices are expected to drop once again . Diesel 0.05% is predicted to de

Despite a rumour emanating at the beginning of April, it seems that Fiat’s all-electric 500e will make a provision for a combustion alternative amidst slow EV adoption and several automakers backpedalling on electrification strategies.  Image: Fiat Looking for a new or used Italian car? Find it here! It seems it wasn’t an April fools joke – Fiat ‘s 500e has been confirmed to receive a combustion engine after all. Despite initially being launched as a purely electric city car, the iconic hatchback will now be produced with an ICE powertrain after Stellantis, Fiat’s parent company, confirmed a hybrid 500 will begin production at the Mirafiori factory in Italy starting in Q1 2026. Image: Fiat The move to reintroduce a combustion engine variant highlights the shifting dynamics in the automotive industry. The anticipated rapid transition to EVs has slowed, with many consumers reevaluating their choices as EV incentives are reduced or phased out. This market shift has prompted autom

Chery’s flagship model in South Africa; the Tiggo 8 Pro Max, now boasts a five-star ANCAP rating for local buyers seeking an SUV that ticks the safety checkboxes. Image: Chery Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here! Adding to its safety accolades like the Chinese C-NCAP assessment, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max on Friday, May 24, earned a coveted five-star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the highest possible rating awarded by the safety authority. ANCAP star ratings assess the level of safety a vehicle provides for occupants and other road users during a crash. They also evaluate the vehicle’s ability to avoid or minimize the severity of crashes through advanced technology. Notably, ANCAP is among the first programs to mandate a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for testing. Related: Driven: Chery Tiggo 9 Pro PHEV Introduced in South Africa in 2022 and updated in March 2024, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max recently arrived

Remaining the most successful rally team in the history of the WRC, Lancia has announced it will be making a comeback to the sport with the recently unveiled ICE-powered Ypsilon HF, albeit as a front-wheel drive competitor. Image: Lancia Looking for a new or used Italian car? Find it here! Rebirthing the iconic HF badge, Lancia has previewed a sporty iteration of its Ypsilon hatchback which is set to hit the market in May 2025. Powered by a 179 kW electric motor, the model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds. It features lowered suspension, a widened wheel track, and a muscular design inspired by Lancia’s historic models. Following the Ypsilon HF, Lancia plans to introduce HF versions of the Gamma and Delta models too. Related: Lancia’s Pu+Ra HPE concept showcases brand’s future In addition to the announcement of a more sporty alternative of the Ypsilon for the road, the more exciting news is that Lancia will be making a return to rallying with the Ypsilon Rally

Springboks captain, Siya Kolisi, stepped into the realm of motorsport as a guest in the Red Bull Racing garage during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of one of Formula 1 ‘s most prestigious events, Kolisi mingled with the sport’s luminaries. During the customary grid walk, where VIPs and guests engage with drivers and teams before the race, Formula 1 correspondent Martin Brundle took the opportunity to interview Kolisi. Brundle, celebrated for his Formula 1 career and insightful commentary, spotlighted Kolisi’s presence in the motorsport community. Related:  Springbok Eben Etzebeth’s Garage has as Much Muscle as He Does Yet, the most poignant moment of Kolisi’s Monaco sojourn unfolded away from the cameras. As he traversed the grid, Kolisi serendipitously encountered his former Springbok teammate, Tendai Mtawarira. The two Rugby World Cup champions shared a heartfelt embrace, their reunion underscoring the enduring bond forged through their shared sport

Celebrating a quarter of a century of the RS4 Avant, Audi has unwrapped a limited-edition model boasting more power and several performance-focused items as standard. Here’s what you can expect from the RS4 Avant edition 25 years… Image: Audi Looking for your next new or used Audi? Find it here with CARmag!  Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the RS4 Avant, Audi has introduced to its line-up a special-edition model boasting an array of performance-focused upgrades, the most notable of which coming in the shape of an uprated powertrain, tweaks to the suspension, and the fitment of carbon-ceramic brakes, housed in 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber, as standard. However, in addition to the latter tyres, the package ships with a set of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tyres, specifically designed for track use. Related: ROAD TEST: BMW M3 Competition vs Audi RS4 Avant For the limited-edition RS4 Avant, the brand with the four rings has tuned the stand

Hyundai ‘s entry into the bakkie segment with the Santa Cruz has attracted considerable attention since its debut in 2021. The buzz has only intensified with the prospect of a right-hand drive version. Here’s what we know so far about the anticipated model. Image: Hyundai Looking for a new or used Hyundai? Find it here! Recently, Australian publication Carguide reported that Hyundai previewed a “Tucson Ute” at a dealer event, sparking speculation about the potential for a right-hand drive version of the Santa Cruz to enter markets outside North America. With Hyundai Automotive South Africa stating to CAR Magazine that they are consistently advocating for a bakkie to be added to their lineup, the possibility of the Santa Cruz making its way to our shores may be intriguing but it looks like it may be only viable in the future. The Santa Cruz is a unibody double cab bakkie built on the same platform as the Tucson midsize SUV. In North America, it offers two engine options: a natural

In 2023, US tuner Hennessey whipped the wraps off the H850 Mustang Dark Horse, a supercharged version of the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 Ford Mustang ever created. Now, the Texas-based brand has revealed performance figures for its 664 kW Mustang. Image: Hennessey Looking for a new or used Ford? Find it here with CARmag! Boasting the most power of any free-breathing V8 Mustang ever created by the Blue Oval automaker, the Mustang Dark Horse, which we sampled at the home of NASCAR in the USA in 2023, is endowed with 373 kW and 567 N.m. However, it seemed Texan company Hennessey thought the atmospheric petrol unit could do with more power and torque. Related: Driven: Ford Mustang V8 Dark Horse The result was the H850 Mustang Dark Horse, an extensively modified version, which, courtesy of the fitment of a supercharger and an array of upgraded mechanical items, sports 634 kW and 880 N.m. Now, the firm has announced the performance figures for its upgraded Mustang

BMW has whipped the covers off the Concept Skytop, an ‘exceptionally elegant’, one-of-a-kind concept vehicle referencing historic BMWs from yesteryear. Image: BMW Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! With its “clean” exterior styling, the Skytop Concept was designed to inspired the desire to travel, BMW says. The bodywork is defined by “a few” sharp lines, which directs the concept car’s volume from the sweeping bonnet to the rear end. The “shark nose” front end of the Concept Skytop features an illuminated kidney grille. The latter is flanked by custom-made LED headlamps In addition, there are several design items referencing the Z8 roadster, each “carefully” chosen. This includes the “pronounced” spline, which extends from the bonnet, through the interior, to the tailgate, the latter of which is adorned with aluminium trim. A leather-finished roll bar is also present. Related: Naomi Campbell Inspired BMW XM Mystique Allure is Draped in Purple Velvet Imag

Marking the fifth occasion for winning the prestigious “Design Concept Award”, Alfa Romeo’s new 33 Stradale concept has outclassed its rivals at the hallowed Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como. Image: Alfa Romeo Image: Alfa Romeo Looking for your next new or used Alfa Romeo? Find it here with CARmag! At the esteemed concourse event in Italy, which has become synonymous with the world’s most beautiful vintage cars since 1929 and the most captivating prototypes since 2022, the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was awarded the prestigious “Design Concept Award.” This accolade affirms the 33 Stradale’s status as a distinctive and exceptional work of automotive art. Related: Leisure Wheels – The SUVs that took part in the 2024 SUV Shootout This marks the fifth occasion that an Alfa Romeo has secured this award, following in the footsteps of the Brera, 8C Competizione, 8C Spider, TZ3, and Alfa Romeo 4C Concept models. Notably, Alfa Romeo is the only brand to have

From its inception in 1970 to the present day, each iteration has pushed the boundaries of what a luxury SUV can be. Now, with the introduction of the new Range Rover Sport SV, Land Rover is writing the next chapter in this storied history with considerable demand in South Africa. Image: Range Rover Looking for a new or used Range Rover? Find it here with CARmag! “T he Range Rover Sport SV Edition One represents the pinnacle of luxury and performance in the SUV segment, ”  says Janico Dannhauser, Product and Pricing Manager at Jaguar Land Rover South Africa.  “ It’s  a culmination of decades of innovation and engineering excellence, delivering an unparalleled driving experience for our discerning customers .” At the heart of the Range Rover Sport SV lies a powerhouse of an engine – a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged MHEV V8 that churns out a combined 467 kW and 750 N.m of torque. This   not only  makes it the most powerful Range Rover Sport ever produced  but also  propels it from 0