The Car Guide

Mazda ’s latest move to upscale its image involves a fresh take on its logo, as the automaker prepares to shift its focus from a sporty, youthful vibe to a more refined and sophisticated presence. Image: Mazda Looking for a new or used Mazda? Find it here with CARmag! The company has recently filed for a new trademark in Japan, indicating a change in its emblem. The upcoming badge doesn’t stray far from Mazda’s current design. It still features the signature winged “M” but with some noticeable tweaks. The outer ring of the logo is now more circular compared to the slightly squared-off look of the old emblem. Additionally, the wings forming the “M” have been redesigned to be more angular, giving them a sharper appearance. The logo will also adopt a flat, two-dimensional look, moving away from the three-dimensional style of the existing badge. Interestingly, this revamped logo may already be familiar. It closely resembles the emblem seen on the Mazda Arata concept, a sleek SUV unv...

The fourth round of the South African Endurance Series (SAES) Championship at Kyalami is shaping up to be a critical event for competitors aiming for the top. Previous rounds have delivered dramatic last-lap victories, and the Kyalami round promises to be just as intense. Among the contenders, the Adjust4Sleep/Rico Barlow Nova NP02 team, driven by Nick Adcock, Michael Jensen, and Charl Visser, is eyeing a comeback after their gearbox failure in Gqeberha. Team principal Rico Barlow is confident in their repaired gearbox, stating, “I am confident it will not pose any problems at Kyalami and we most certainly looking to get a good finish.” The previous round at Aldo Scribante was a rollercoaster of emotions. The Into Africa Racing Lamborghini Huracan, driven by Xolile Letlaka and Stuart White, was demoted to second place due to a penalty, making them eager for redemption at Kyalami. Meanwhile, Paul Hill and Bradley Liebenberg, who inherited the win in Gqeberha with their Promigen Audi...

Thule South Africa will soon introduce the Outset, an “innovative”, tow bar-mounted tent, to its comprehensive range of adventure-focused camping equipment. Image: Thule Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!  Thule’s local portfolio comprises an array of outdoor-ready camping equipment, including a range of rooftop tents. However, come mid-August 2024, the local arm of the Swedish company will offer outdoor enthusiasts with a new camping solution. It comes in the shape of the Outset, an “innovative” tent you can mount to your vehicle’s tow bar. Here’s what you can expect… Related: Latest Local Accessory Range Converts Toyotas into Ultimate Overlanders According to Jamie Owen, Marketing Manager at Thule South Africa, with the Outset, the firm “wanted to create a completely new way to camp” with “something that turns an everyday vehicle into a luxury adventure vehicle”. Owen added, “At Thule, design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creat...

The 10th Anniversary Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional was a huge success at Grimsthorpe Castle, drawing a record crowd. Over 2 000 cars and more than 4 000 guests enjoyed the Lincolnshire sunshine on Saturday, making it the biggest event yet and a period correct Hilux has claimed the event honours. www.matthowell.co.uk Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag!  Hagerty started the Festival of the Unexceptional in 2014 to celebrate long-forgotten everyday family cars from 1968-1989, now known as the ‘Unexceptional Era.’ Each year, the event has grown in size and reputation, attracting car enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s 10th-anniversary event was the biggest and best yet, with thousands of FOTU cars displayed on the front lawns of Grimsthorpe Castle. Fifty standout cars competed in the Concours, showcasing the finest examples of everyday cars. The live stage featured two rounds of a Smith and Sniff gameshow and a live podcast recording, d...

Volvo Car South Africa has introduced a limited-number of Black Edition derivatives to its XC60 line-up. Here’s what you can expect, including pricing and spec, from the new models. Image: Volvo Looking for a new or used Volvo? Find it here with CARmag.  Exclusively limited to 23 units, the Volvo XC60 Black Edition models have made landfall on South African shores, with the local arm of the Swedish automaker revealing pricing and spec for the latest derivatives in its XC60 portfolio. Related: Review: Volvo XC60 Beast 2.0 Volvo XC60 Black Edition Pricing in South Africa B5 Plus Black Edition — R1 092 500 Recharge Plus Black Edition — R1 364 000 Recharge Ultimate Black Edition — R1 438 000 As standard, all models ship with a maintenance plan spanning five years or 100 000 km and a warranty of the same duration and distance. Five-year/unlimited km roadside assistance, DataDot and Volvo On Call are also included with the package. Image: Volvo Related: Review: Volvo...

The 928 Surfari story begins on Poland’s Baltic coast, where Tadeusz Elwart and his father ran a campsite and watersports business. Their shared passion for Porsches eventually led to the creation of a unique vehicle: the 928 Surfari. Image: Porsche Looking for a new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! Growing up, Tadeusz was immersed in Porsche culture. This passion, combined with a love for the sea, sparked the idea of transforming a Porsche into a beach buggy. With the Hel Riders festival gaining momentum, the dream of the 928 Surfari started to take shape. The goal was ambitious: create a Porsche that could handle off-road terrain and serve as the perfect beach cruiser. The Porsche 928, with its powerful V8 engine, was an ideal starting point. But turning it into a beach buggy required significant modifications to the gearbox, differential, and suspension. Image: Porsche Enter Tomasz Staniszewski, an engineer and rally driver with experience from the Classic Dakar...

The Hyundai Atos was reintroduced to the South African market in 2019 after a six-year hiatus. Now as a used-car, is it still a relevant choice on the second-hand market? Image: Hyundai SA Looking for a new or used Hyundai? Find it here! When the Hyundai Atos first launched in the South African market, it quickly garnered a reputation as a leading budget car. But as market- and buying trends changed, Hyundai opted to pull the Atos from the local market. However, things changed in November 2019 when the second-generation model made its debut after a six-year hiatus. The second-generation Atos’ arrival was a strategic move by Hyundai to bolster its presence in the market’s entry-level segment as an alternative to the likes of the Renault Kwid, and later the Suzuki S-Presso. This time, though, the Atos brought with it modern technologies and features at a very aggressive price-point. Owners were now treated to items such as a touchscreen infotainment system and advanced safety featu...

Volkswagen has given its Touareg SUV a bit of a refresh for the new model year and while it isn’t a complete overhaul, there are some interesting updates that make it a more compelling option in the crowded luxury SUV segment. Here’s what we know so far. Image: Volkswagen Looking for a new or used Volkswagen Touareg? Find it here with CARmag! The Touareg’s fresh look focuses on making the front end bolder and more prominent. The upper radiator grille now stretches wider, making the SUV look more commanding. The standout feature? The new IQ. Light HD matrix headlights. These aren’t just for show; they come with three LED modules and three L-shaped LEDs for daytime running lights. There’s also a sleek, illuminated strip that runs across the front, connecting the headlights and framing the Volkswagen logo. One of the most impressive upgrades is the new lighting system . The IQ. Light HD matrix headlights offer a glare-free main beam. This means you can leave your high beams on...

As 4WD SUVs and Double Cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers are faced with selecting a vehicle in these segments with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!  Technically, any system where drive is provided to all wheels is categorised as AWD. However, in SA we typically refer to three types – part-time 4WD, full-time or permanent 4WD, and AWD, with the latter usually describing a vehicle which is primarily 2WD but automatically engages 4WD when the system detects that it’s required. Complementing these different systems are features such as diff locks, viscous couplings, and brake traction control; all of which play their own role in the systems’ function and performance. It is important that prospective owners carefully weigh the capabilities of the different drivetrain types against their requirements and expectations pr...

The Toyota Celica could make a comeback, and prospective renders have it looking better than ever. After a hiatus of nearly two decades, this is what a 2025 iteration could look like. Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! First launched in 1970, the Toyota Celica swiftly became a legend in the sports car world. With its sporty handling, stylish design, and a range of engine options, it quickly captured the hearts of driving enthusiasts. The Celica was offered in various body styles, including coupes, liftbacks, and convertibles, catering to a wide array of preferences. By the time it reached its seventh generation, the Celica featured a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and shared its platform with models like the Prius, Corolla, Avensis, and RAV4. However, the Celica was discontinued in 2006 due to declining sales. As consumer preferences shifted towards SUVs and crossovers, the demand for sports cars dwindled. Increased competition from other manufact...

Jetour has emerged as one of China’s fastest-growing SUV brands and is now confirmed to make its debut in the South African market this September, with an existing 40-dealership-strong network. Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! Jetour Auto was launched by the Chery Holding Group in 2018, responding to market trends and consumer demand for affordable, technologically equipped SUVs. Operating completely independently in the global market from the Chery conglomerate, Jetour proudly maintains its own dedicated R&D, manufacturing facilities, sales, and aftersales channels. Once it arrives in South Africa, it will maintain this independent operation as well. Related: Battle for Chinese Supremacy – June 2024 In just five years, the firm claims it has sold over 1 180 000 vehicles globally across its five product lines, collaborating with over 1 200 partners in more than 60 countries and regions. The brand has achieved top rankings in several markets, underscor...

Lamborghini’s self-proclaimed world-first plug-in-hybrid super SUV has officially arrived in South Africa! Here is how much the Urus SE will cost!  Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag!  As a reminder, the newcomer signifies a “new chapter” in Lamborghini’s history with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, comprising a “re-engineered” version of the standard, internal combustion Urus’ 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. In this scenario, it has been tuned to produce 456 kW and 800 N.m of torque, and a 141 kW/483 N.m electric motor. The latter, permanent-magnet synchronous unit, which is coupled with a 25.9-kWh lithium-ion battery (allowing for an all-electric range of 60 km when fully charged), has been fitted to the inside of the eight-speed automatic transmission. Related: New VW Transporter Interior Teased! This means that the model puts out 588 kW and 950 N.m and can complete the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in “just” 3.4 seconds, a tenth-of-a-second qu...

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released teaser footage and details about the interior of the upcoming, seventh-generation Transporter. Here’s what we know so far… Image: Volkswagen Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag! In July 2024, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles released fresh details on the seventh-generation Transporter, with the German marque revealing more info about the new iteration’s exterior. Now, the Wolfsburg-based brand has released teaser footage and details of the upcoming model’s interior. Related: Volkswagen Teases Fresh Details on New Transporter “The Volkswagen van became an icon because form and function were in perfect harmony from the very beginning. We have taken this harmony to new heights with the new Transporter, and designed an interior that transposes the layout of the successful T6.1 into modern times,” said Albert Kirzinger, Chief Designer at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “The high-quality interior of our new Transport...