The Car Guide

Audi ’s flagship Q8 and performance-focused SQ8 have arrived in South Africa, boasting design tweaks and enhanced technology. Here is how much they will cost in South Africa. Image: Audi Looking for a new or used Audi? Find it here with CARmag! Jumping straight in, the Q8 now features a more refined exterior, highlighted by the redesigned front and rear aprons. The addition of HD Matrix LED headlights with digital daytime running lights is new, offering four unique light signatures that add character to the vehicle’s appearance. In addition, the rear lights have also been upgraded to digital OLEDs with four customizable designs, enhancing the visual appeal at both ends. Audi has introduced new wheel designs, colours, and interior contrast stitching, aligning the Q8 with the brand’s modern, minimalist design philosophy. Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa, described the upgraded Q8 as the “epitome of Vorsprung durch Technik,” embodying the brand’s approach to design, technolog...

Ferrari is as committed to its storied past as it is to shape the future. The iconic Italian marque is determined to keep its classic cars on the road by offering restoration and bespoke customization services for models that span its decades-long history. Image: Ferrari Looking for a new or used Ferrari? Find it here with CARmag! A pivotal component of Ferrari’s preservation efforts is the brand’s extensive archive of original technical drawings and specifications, which serve as a foundation for faithfully recreating parts. These documents enable Ferrari’s skilled craftsmen to restore vintage models to their original condition with remarkable accuracy, down to the smallest detail—be it engine components or interior trim. “A Ferrari is a car that we want our clients to enjoy for the next 10, 15, or 50 years,” says Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. “It was important to make sure that every single component, not only the mechanical but also the ele...

Mercedes-Benz has officially introduced the 2024 V-Class V300d Exclusive in South Africa, showcasing a blend of style, luxury, and performance that draws inspiration from flagship models like the S-Class and Maybach. Image: Mercedes-Benz Looking for a new or used Mercedes-Benz? Find it here with CARmag! The new V300d has an assertive front-end design, highlighted by a bold radiator grille and LED light band, flanked by adaptive LED headlights. The upright star on the bonnet, typically reserved for the marque’s most premium models, adds an iconic touch. At the rear, a chrome trim strip embossed with the Mercedes-Benz logo and newly styled LED taillights add to its distinctive appearance. Additionally, the V300d’s 19-inch Monobloc alloy wheels, with their bold craftsmanship, elevate the vehicle’s curb appeal. Image: Mercedes-Benz Available in seven vibrant colors, including the new Kalahari Gold Metallic and Sodalite Blue Metallic, the V-Class offers further customization with ...

Serving as the iconic AC Cobra’s successor, the AC Ace will be going all-electric, replacing the burly V8 from the iconic sports car with a potent and silent 225 kW electric motor and battery pack.  Looking for a new or used sports car? Find it here with CARmag! AC Cars serves as one of Britain’s oldest active car manufacturers since it first got cracking crafting automobiles in 1901. Now, it will debut an all-electric AC Ace Classic at the 2024 SEMA Show in the USA, with the help of Tremec Electric GT. This isn’t the first foray into the electrified field; the Ace Classic electric arrives as a counterpart to the Ace Bristol Classic electric, which was developed at AC’s advanced facility on the UK’s south coast before heading to the US for final completion. This new model embodies the spirit of the legendary AC Ace, known as the precursor to the Cobra while bringing advanced electrification into the equation. Related: AC Cobra reborn with 487 kW superchaged V8 Speaking o...

Stellantis’ Heritage Division has reimagined the Alfa Romeo 4C in a limited run, honouring the brand’s motorsport legacy and specifically, Italian racing legend Nicola Larini. Image: Stellantis Looking for a new or use Alfa Romeo? Find it here with CARmag! The “Collezione GT Nicola Larini” series sees three special Alfa Romeo 4C Coupes transformed with design cues inspired by Larini’s 1993 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters triumph in an Alfa 155 V6 Ti DTM. These are part of Stellantis’ “Reloaded by Creators” series, which upcycles existing vehicles rather than producing new models, blending heritage with a contemporary touch. Each of the three cars wears a distinct colour scheme – Pine Green, Plum Red, and Ochre Yellow – shades that evoke the classic Alfa Romeo Giulia GT, a model celebrated for its racing pedigree. These liveries include Alfa’s emblem prominently on the bonnet, alongside white front and rear bumpers, echoing the style of the 1970s Giulia GT. The wheels are finished i...

Following months of fuel price reductions courtesy of a stronger Rand and improved global outlook, Cape Town was recently set back with a fuel shortage anomaly which highlighted the precarious position the Cape provinces face for refined crude oil.  Recently, the Cape Town metro experienced a scarcity of higher-octane 95 ULP following an unexpected refinery outage. To alleviate the shortage , a fuel vessel initially bound for Durban was diverted to Cape Town, although rough seas delayed its arrival. The issue has since been resolved , but with fuel prices set to rise again in November, Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, urges South Africans to adopt fuel-saving habits which are listed below. “F uel costs and availability are ongoing challenges, ” says Herbert. “ This is an opportunity to drive economically and reduce fuel consumption, especially with holiday travel around the corner. ” To help motorists manage costs, MasterDrive provides ten practical tips to improve ...

Porsche updated its 911 Carrera T as part of the 992.2 911 range’s refresh, and the new car looks to be right up enthusiasts’ alley. Image: Porsche Looking for a new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! The Porsche 911 Carrera T has been updated, expanding the 992.2 generation of the German automaker’s famed sports car range. The updated car comes to market with a clear intent of satisfying the purist with its focus on lightweight design, a manual transmission, and purist-focused aesthetics. The ‘T’ stands for Touring, and at Porsche, this goes all the way back to the homologation of the 911 T as a touring car in 1968, up to 1973. Since 2017, the 911 Carrera T has been back in the model range, positioned between the Carrera and the Carrera S. Related: 992.2 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Review The new car is available immediately, with pricing and warranty as follows: 911 Carrera T – R2 735 000 911 Carrera T Cabriolet –  R3 019 000 Pricing includes Porsche’s 3-year Dr...

Bentley Mulliner has announced an exciting new addition to its exclusive colour palette, introducing Nila Blue—a bespoke paint colour crafted in collaboration with renowned British fashion designer Supriya Lele. Image: Bentley Looking for a new or used Bentley? find it here with CARmag! This vibrant shade draws its inspiration from the Sanskrit word for “sapphire,” reflecting both Lele’s Indian heritage and her distinctive design aesthetic. Supriya Lele has made a name for herself in the fashion industry with collections that frequently feature her love for the colour blue. This unique collaboration with Bentley is a testament to Lele’s artistic vision, merging her creative flair with the luxury and craftsmanship synonymous with the Bentley brand. Image: Bentley Nila Blue is a standout addition to the Bentley Mulliner lineup, which already offers customers an almost limitless array of custom colour choices. The introduction of this striking hue speaks not only to Bentley’s c...

Kia’s eagerly awaited Tasman bakkie has been revealed in Saudi Arabia ahead of its South African debut in 2025. Image: Kia Looking for a new or used Kia? Find it here with CARmag! Kia has lifted the wraps on its all-new bakkie, the Tasman, which will take the fight to established players such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max. The Tasman made its global debut at the Jeddah International Motor Show in Saudi Arabia, with the Korean automaker confirming that the bakkie has been earmarked for the global market, including South Africa. Paul Turnbull, CEO, of Kia South Africa, confirmed: “The all-new Kia Tasman presents an exciting new opportunity for Kia globally, and indeed in South Africa. We are hard at work to make the Tasman’s local introduction a reality, and based on current planning, we aim to do this in the second half of 2025.” The Kia Tasman has been shown with different body styles, including double and single cab derivatives, catering to different requi...

Rolls-Royce has unveiled a remarkable one-of-one Phantom Extended to mark the 60th anniversary of the iconic James Bond film, Goldfinger. Image: Rolls-Royce Named the “Phantom Goldfinger,” this model not only reflects the elegance of the film’s original 1937 Phantom III but also brings an imaginative touch, laden with bespoke features that recall some of the film’s most memorable moments. “Witnessing how our Bespoke Collective seized upon the idea of celebrating 60 years of the film has been truly remarkable; this fantastic story has been masterfully explored in Phantom Goldfinger’s exquisite design,” said Boris Weletzky, Rolls-Royce’s Regional Director. “The creativity extended far beyond the making of the motor car, as we curated extraordinary experiences for the client and their family, all while staying true to the spirit of the Goldfinger theme.” Image: Rolls-Royce One of the most distinctive elements of the Phantom Goldfinger is its exterior, where vintage-inspired ...

This past weekend, German tuner Brabus pulled out all the stops, unveiling a showcase of around 36 models, including its latest and perhaps most audacious creation yet—the Brabus Rocket GTS. Image: Brabus Based on the current Mercedes-AMG SL 63, and dubbed a “hyper gran turismo,” the Rocket GTS features an exterior crafted entirely from carbon fibre, with highly optimised aerodynamics. The rear section sports a spoiler and diffuser made from the lightweight material, with the addition of titanium exhaust tips giving the car a distinctive look. “This combination not only looks unique but adds a bit of practicality,” according to Brabus. Image: Brabus Under the bonnet, the Rocket GTS utilises a hybrid powertrain that pairs a tuned 4.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor, delivering a staggering 735 kW and 1 620 N.m of torque. Brabus initially dialled up the torque to 1 820 N.m, but opted to scale that output back to “protect the nine-speed automatic transmission fr...

The cancellation of the annual Wörthersee gathering presented Volkswagen with an opportunity to “bring it home” – moving closer to the firm’s Wolfsburg HQ. Ian McLaren got a first-hand look at the new home of the GTI fan festival. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Established in 1982 near the town of Reifnitz on the shores of Lake Wörth, Austria, the annual gathering of Volkswagen Golf GTI owners and enthusiasts known globally as the Wörthersee festival had, before its COVID-19-forced cancellation in 2020, grown to become a four-day celebration of Volkswagen Automotive Group (VWAG) products attracting more than 200 000 visitors. Dubbed “the madness at the lake”, the event’s popularity would ultimately prove to be its undoing as, despite the obvious boost to the local economy, residents of this otherwise quaint village eventually grew weary of the festivities and party atmosphere associated with this festival. Related: More Fuel Price Relief Confirmed ...

Hyundai has introduced the RN24, a bare-bones, motorsport-inspired concept vehicle designed as a “rolling lab” to demonstrate the brand’s vision for high-performance electric vehicles. Image: Hyundai Looking for a new or used Hyundai? Find it here with CARmag! Built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, also shared by the Ioniq 5 N, the RN24 is 340mm shorter due to a re-engineered battery pack, giving it a compact, rally-ready stance. The RN24 pairs the Ioniq 5 N’s impressive 477 kW and 739 N.m dual-motor setup with a lighter chassis, inspired by the brand’s World Rally Championship efforts. It uses an 84 kWh battery pack, the same capacity as the Ioniq 5 N, and is engineered for an enhanced range of 447 km. Given the demands of the high-performance platform, Hyundai has also upgraded the RN24’s battery and motor cooling system for endurance and efficiency. Image: Hyundai At an estimated weight of 1 880 kg, the RN24 is approximately 350 kg lighter than the Ioniq 5 N, achieved through...