The Car Guide

An Aston Martin Vanquish used by Pierce Brosnan and EON Productions to promote the iconic film Die Another Day is set to go under the hammer with H&H Classics on the 9th of October.  Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag!  Before sales reports dominated by raised ride height SUVs, Aston Martin once sold sporty two-door coupes exclusively. Just more than 20 years on, one of these models that was campaigned by Pierce Brosnan for the James Bond franchise is set to go under the hammer. The Vanquish in question is a V12-powered GT capable of impressive performance, even by today’s grand tourer standards. While it is no new model, it is estimated to fetch between £50 000 and £70 000 (or R1.1 to R1.6 million). Known for its association with the James Bond franchise, this particular model started as one of seven Vanquish cars kept by Aston Martin for press duties. It was sequentially registered under the license plate series ‘Y829 MWL’ to ‘Y836 MWL,’ excluding...

A stunning 1957 Ferrari 335 S, entered by American enthusiast Brian Ross claimed the prestigious Best of Show award at this year’s Salon Privé Concours on the grounds of an Oxfordshire estate. Looking for a new or used Ferrari? Find it here with CARmag!  The award-winning Ferrari, bearing chassis number 0674, boasts a rich racing history. In 1957, it was campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari, with a lineup of star drivers. Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant piloted it to sixth place at the Sebring 12 Hours in March of that year. The car then finished second in the Mille Miglia under the guidance of Wolfgang von Trips, a race recently brought to life in the Michael Mann film Ferrari . The car was later upgraded to a 4.1-litre engine for the Le Mans 24 Hours, where it set the fastest lap of the race, although it didn’t finish. It continued its racing career at the Caracas 1000km, securing a second-place finish with Mike Hawthorn and Luigi Musso. Post its stint as a works car, the Fe...

BMW has revealed the latest M Performance parts package for the new X3 model line-up. Here’s what you can expect… Image: BMW Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag!  Following the debut of a box-fresh (or updated) BMW , especially those of the performance variety, such as the new-generation M5, the German marque, sometimes rather quickly, reveals an array of M Performance parts for the newly unveiled model. In July 2024, the latter came in the shape of the aforementioned performance saloon. Now, the Bavarian brand has whipped the wraps off its latest M Performance parts package; this time handing the new X3 a variety of “sportier”-looking design elements. Related: New BMW M5 Handed M Performance Parts So, what components can be had with the new M Performance parts pack? Well, for starters, a three-part M Performance front splitter (a first for the X3), which is finished in high-gloss black. There are also a M Performance rear diffuser and bumper, M Performan...

The Mercedes-AMG G63 Grand Edition has been confirmed for South Africa, with only 20 (of the 1 000 units globally) examples heading to local shores. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for this limited-edition G.  Image: Mercedes-Benz Looking for a new or used Mercedes-Benz? Find it here with CARmag  Limited to only 1 000 units globally, 20 of which are destined for South Africa, Mercedes-Benz SA has announced the G63 Grand Edition is headed to SA. Here’s what you can expect, including pricing and spec, of this special-edition G-Class. “The Mercedes-AMG G63 is now also undoubtedly regarded as an automotive icon and demonstrates its unique position among performance … [The] Grand Edition is a testament to the G-Class and ushers in a new era of G, which will be revealed in the coming months,” said Alexandra Boavida, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz SA. Related: Mercedes-AMG G63 Returns Better, Bolder and Electrified Mercedes-AMG G63 Grand Ed...

Now with two models on offer, GAC Motor endowed with the might of distributing giant Salvador Caetano behind them, has a promising plan to cater for prospective buyers across the country. Looking for a new or used Chinese vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Several years ago, the arrival of new Chinese models would be spread months apart but things in 2024 couldn’t be more different. New Chinese-made arrivals burst onto South African shores to great fanfare on a monthly basis and established brands in the Asian nation see the local market as a prospective foothold for the African continent. This means that the arrival or rebirth of several Chinese automakers has taken place over the past few months which includes the arrival of niche subsidiaries too. Related: GAC Emkoo Debuts in South Africa – Pricing and Spec The latest to emerge is GAC Motor, which now has two models on offer for prospective buyers. The future will likely see the arrival of other models from its comprehensive li...

Manhart has unveiled a strikingly enhanced version of the Toyota GR Supra, showcasing significant upgrades in performance, handling, and aerodynamics. Here’s a closer look at what they have done. Image: Manhart Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! The German tuning company, based in Wuppertal, has a history of working with the GR Supra, with their earliest projects on the model dating back to 2020. This latest iteration is equipped with the GR 550 tuning kit, which brings the car’s power output to an impressive 405 kW and 770 N.m of torque, a substantial increase over the standard 285 kW and 500 N.m. Achieving this power boost involved several key modifications. Manhart replaced the standard turbocharger with a more potent unit and added a carbon fibre intake system from ARMAspeed. Cooling efficiency is enhanced with a specialized radiator kit, while the MHtronic module optimizes engine performance. The exhaust system, crafted from stainless steel by FI Ex...

In relatively quick succession to its debut model, GAC Motor has now unveiled its second model; the Emkoo. Here is how much the slightly larger SUV will cost in South Africa and what it comes equipped with. Looking for a new or used Chinese vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Less than a month following the local launch of the Emzoom, GAC Motor debuted the slightly larger Emkoo model at its brand evening in Johannesburg. The function brought media, dealers and other industry affiliates to get a better understanding of what GAC Motor is and how the Salvador Caetano Group is handling its distribution. The presentation included some background for the GAC Motor group, which is the fifth largest automotive producer in China and currently holds China’s Brand Quality and Service Awards. Related: Review: GAC GS3 Emzoom R-Style More importantly, by the close of 2024 the group plans to have 20 dealers established across the country with aspirations of doubling this number by the close of 20...

The BMW 8-Series E31, renowned for its timeless design, continues to inspire custom builds that push the boundaries of performance and aesthetics. This V10 powered iteration dubbed the 858 CSL may be one of the most impressive yet.  Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! Brought to life by REYN Speed Shop and Precision Sport Industries in collaboration with automotive artist Jon Sibal, this restomod is far from a simple facelift. At its core, the 858 CSL replaces the original E31’s engine with a 5.0-litre V10 sourced from the E60 M5. Known as the S85, this engine has been further enhanced by CarBahn, the tuning house founded by BMW tuning legend Steve Dinan. The V10 has been stroked to 5.8 litres, although the precise power output remains undisclosed. For comparison, the stock S85 engine produced 378 kW and 520 N.m of torque, significantly more than the E31’s original V12 engines, which ranged from 224 kW to 280 kW. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a ...

The refreshed Hyundai i10 Cargo and Venue Cargo have touched down on South African shores. Here’s what you need to know… Image: Hyundai Looking for a new or used Hyundai? Find it here with CARmag.  Hyundai has introduced updated Cargo models to its local Grand i10 and Venue line-ups. Here’s what you can expect, including pricing and specification, for the Grand i10 Cargo and Venue Cargo. Related: Review: Hyundai Grand i10 Updated Hyundai Grand i10 Price in South Africa Grand i10 1.0 Premium Cargo MT — R249 500 Grand i10 1.0 Premium Cargo AT — R289 900 As standard, the Grand i10 Cargo ships with a service plan spanning one year or 15 000 km and a seven-year/200 000 km warranty. The automatic Grand i10 Cargo is scheduled to arrive in SA towards the end of 2024. The Grand i10 Cargo is powered by a 1.0-litre, naturally aspirated three-pot. The petrol unit produces 49 kW and 94 N.m of torque. Hyundai claims an average fuel consumption of 5.5 L/100 km for the manual deriv...

Techart’s new Aero Kit I elevates the Porsche Cayenne with enhanced aerodynamics, performance upgrades, and bespoke luxury. Here’s a closer look. Image: Techart Looking for a new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! With a legacy spanning over 37 years, Techart has established itself as a leader in enhancing Porsche vehicles, turning everyday models into personalized automotive masterpieces. While the brand has garnered significant recognition for its work on the Porsche 911, its expertise extends to other models within the Porsche lineup, including the Cayenne and Macan SUVs. Techart’s latest offering continues this tradition with the introduction of the Aero Kit I, designed specifically for the facelifted Porsche Cayenne models. The Aero Kit adds a striking new dimension to the SUV’s design. At the front, the kit introduces high-quality carbon fibre components that enhance the vehicle’s sporty appeal. The redesigned bonnet, with its aero-focused elements, not only update...

Several generations later, the Opel Corsa has evolved into a sharp and popular offering in the hatchback market, frequently clinching best-selling B-segment titles in Germany and the UK. Here is the story of how it started.  Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!  The Corsa story cannot be told with out mention of the popular Kadett. The original affordable Opel, the Kadett, once the smallest model in the German marque’s portfolio, was discontinued in 1991, with the cabriolet version available until 1993. Although the initial, pocket-friendly proviso of the Kadett could, at first, suggest the Corsa might be the more natural successor to the small sedan, that was not the case; “Astra” would be the moniker adorning the Kadett’s replacement, which was introduced in 1991. However, the Corsa was conceived nearly a decade before the first-generation Astra would make its debut. The reason being that, with each Kadett iteration, the Rüsselheim-based brand ...

Touring Superleggera has made a striking return to The Quail, unveiling their latest creation, the Veloce12. Image: Touring Superleggera Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! This vehicle draws its design inspiration from the iconic Ferrari 550 Maranello, blending modern elements with classic proportions to create a harmonious and elegant restomod. The Veloce12 stands as a testament to the art of restomodding, taking the revered Ferrari 550 Maranello of the 1990s to new heights. The extensive revision work on this model comes with a hefty price tag of over 690 000 Euros (approximately R13.5 million), not including the cost of the donor car. This investment reflects the comprehensive enhancements made to both its aesthetics and mechanics. Related: Audi A6 e-tron Officially Unveiled and Coming to SA in 2025 Under the metal, the Veloce12 houses a meticulously upgraded 5.5-liter V12 engine. With a substantial power upgrade, this performance vehicle now g...

Toyota Gazoo Racing has introduced the GR Supra GT4 EVO2, a refined version of its successful racing car, poised for a 2025 debut. This latest iteration emphasizes enhancements in performance, reliability, and driver operability, building upon the groundwork laid by its predecessors. Image: Toyota Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! The GR Supra GT4, first launched in 2020, quickly gained traction in the racing world, with over 120 units sold globally. The model’s success is underscored by its impressive track record, having secured victories in GT4-series races across 11 countries and regions. Its achievements include more than 500 podium finishes and championship titles in Asia, the United States, and Europe. These accomplishments reflect the model’s adaptability and competitiveness in various racing environments. Image: Toyota For the 2023 season, Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled an updated version of the GR Supra GT4 EVO, which featured advancements in...

After almost three decades of captivating audiences with their unique blend of humour and automotive expertise, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are preparing to bid farewell, marking an end to the Grand Tour series. The final episode of The Grand Tour is set to air on September 13 2024, marking the end of an era for the trio, who first rose to fame with Top Gear.  Although The Grand Tour has been a staple of Amazon’s streaming service for the past eight years, it was on the BBC’s Top Gear where Clarkson, Hammond and May solidified their place in television history. Their dynamic chemistry and unfiltered banter turned Top Gear into one of the most popular automotive shows worldwide. The show’s appeal lay not just in the cars, but in the camaraderie and often chaotic adventures of its presenters. However, in early 2015, the BBC decided not to renew Clarkson’s contract following an alleged altercation with a producer, br...

On its 50th-anniversary celebration year, the Volkswagen Golf has been crowned as the Best Car of the Half Century. Image: Volkswagen Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag!  This year, the Volkswagen Golf is marking a major milestone, with the Wolfsburg-based automaker’s best-selling car to date, with 37 million units sold, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Indeed, the car that replaced the original Beetle is half a century old. However, now, on its golden jubilee, the Golf has much more to celebrate — recently, it has been awarded as “Best Car of the Half Century” at the Best Cars of the Year — The New Car World Championships. Related: How It Started: Volkswagen Golf GTI “Some manufacturers are barely able to keep their ‘most important’ models in production for five years. The fact that Volkswagen has been successfully building and selling petrol, diesel, pure-electric and hybrid versions of the Golf around the world for 50 years really does say i...

Lexus is refreshing the RX lineup for 2025 with several notable updates, headlined by the introduction of a new Black Line Special Edition and the F Sport Design trim. These additions aim to enhance the appeal of the popular crossover by offering more style and performance-oriented options. Image: Lexus Looking for a new or used Lexus? Find it here with CARmag! The Black Line Special Edition stands out with its distinct exterior features. Based on the RX 500h F Sport Performance model, this edition showcases a striking Incognito finish complemented by black accents. The F Sport Design trim, available exclusively on the RX 350 and RX 350h, brings a sportier aesthetic to these models. Building on the Premium grade, this trim introduces F Sport-specific styling elements, including an aggressive front fascia, a distinctive grille, and a redesigned rear valence. Image: Lexus The interior is adorned with black open-pore wood trim, the Black Line carries its bold theme with a tw...