The Car Guide

Elon Musk may have shrugged the thought of BYD off a few years ago, but the Chinese automaker may have the last laugh with extreme expansion projects currently underway which will possibly see global exports double to 800 000 units.  Image: BYD Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! In 2024, Tesla produced 1 774 442 EVs while BYD managed 1 777 965 units in the same period. This now makes the Chinese automaker the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer but BYD is accelerating its global expansion with major investments in production facilities and an ambitious goal of doubling its overseas sales next year. At the heart of this expansion is a colossal new factory in China which is complemented by a strategic move with production in India and a concerted push to dominate international markets. Related: BYD Aims to Reduce EV Charging Times with New Super e-Platform In Zhengzhou, Henan province, BYD is constructing a manufacturing complex of unprecede...

Previously considered off-the-table in terms of its technology-sharing agreement with Toyota, Suzuki has confirmed its popular Jimny package will now be available to its compatriot car maker. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! An agreement that, in the long run, will grant Suzuki access to Toyota’s hybrid and BEV technology, in the meantime, Toyota has enjoyed significant local sales success with its portfolio of rebranded Suzuki products. These include the Baleno-inspired Starlet Hatch, the Fronx-derived Starlet Cross and the Grand Vitara-based Urban Cruiser. The Toyota Vitz is also a repackaged Suzuki Celerio. Related: Adventure-focused Jimny Conqueror Concept Breaks Cover Including drawing attention to the respective attributes of each donor vehicle, while it’s fair to suggest that by default, this agreement has also benefited Suzuki’s local sales, products like the Swift and Jimny have, to date, been viewed as “off limits” to Toyota’s product planners...

A Volkswagen Golf R sporting lifted suspension has been spotted on the Nürburgring. Could this test mule be a rally-inspired version of the German firm’s pinnacle hot hatch? Image: Statesidesupercars Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag! Earlier this year, we were afforded the opportunity to sample the 8.5-generation Volkswagen Golf R on ice in Sweden. However, what if you desire an all-paw hot hatch for gravel? Well, recently, a Golf R sporting lifted suspension and a wider body kit was spotted being tested on the Nürburgring. Consider this prototype then a 911 Dakar or Huracan Sterrato on a budget! Featuring an array of vehicles, in the footage released by Statesidesupercars on YouTube the test mule makes a brief appearance from around the two-minute mark. But could this be a rally-inspired Golf R? Related: Review: Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 4Motion DSG Well, while the proposition of such a Golf is enticing, a fair bet would be that it only serves as a...

Aston Martin’s Valhalla edges closer to its delivery deadline and has been snapped during validation testing on UK roads and at a proving ground in Spain. Production is set for the second quarter of 2025! Image: Aston Martin Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! ​The Valhalla will serve as Aston Martin’s inaugural series-production mid-engine supercar. Employing all sorts of trickery for the most effective and potent propulsion, under the rear-cited engine cover is a plug-in hybrid system that combines a bespoke 4.0-litre twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 engine with three electric motors. This configuration delivers a total output of approximately 794 kW and 1 100 N.m of torque. Performance projections indicate an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. The vehicle also offers a dedicated electric driving mode from the electrified system. Related: New Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Revealed Dur...

Looking to upgrade to a new vehicle in 2025? These are the Car Team’s top picks in the performance car category with the 911 Carrera taking the title. Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine! Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Criteria Thrills. That’s it. Factors such as price, engine size, body shape or 0-100 km/h time aren’t our primary concern here. If it excites us, it’s in with a shot. That means we look at hot hatches, sportscars and top-echelon supercars (as long as we’ve driven them). Related: BMW Unveils Epic 80-Year Digital Model Encyclopedia Winner: Porsche 911 Carrera Our annual Performance Issue featured several cars that were faster, louder or more head-turning than the white 992.2-generation Porsche 911 Carrera tested in this edition. Yet, true to form, it was the relatively unassuming Stuttgart creation that most experienced testers would spend their own money on. The “back-to-basics” entry-level 911 forgoes the hyb...

Similarly to Volvo’s ‘Epic Split’ with Jean-Claude Van Damme, BYD has shown the stability of its  new Yangwang U7 sedan by having it cross a road strewn with speed bumps while a martial art master balances on its roof!  Image: BYD Videos showcasing the technology employed in Chinese vehicles have become fairly commonplace over the past few years. Not so long ago, the Huawei and JAC collaboration dubbed Maextro S800 was pitted directly against the pinnacle that is the Maybach S680 to demonstrate just how much better their stability and comfort technology is when compared to the German. Now, BYD subsidiary Yangwang has done something similar, albeit less controversially against a rival, instead with the help of a martial artist… Related: Huawei’s Maextro S800 Takes on Maybach S680 in Luxury Showdown with Controversial Twist The Yangwang brand was founded as BYD’s premium division similar to what Lexus is to Toyota. A testbed and demonstrator of its most advanced technolo...

Aston Martin has partnered with Curv Racing Simulators to create the Valkyrie-inspired AMR-C01-R; a high-end (R1.3 million!) racing simulator designed for serious virtual racers. We can all dream, but here is all you need to know… Image: Curv Racing Simulators With only 50 units available and a starting price of approximately R1.3 million, this is far from a standard gaming setup—it’s a purpose-built machine delivering an immersive and realistic driving experience. Related:  New Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Revealed The collaboration between these two brands is rooted in a shared vision of bringing real-world motorsport design into the virtual space. Curv Racing, founded by professional racer Darren Turner, provided the technical know-how, while Aston Martin infused its signature design and craftsmanship. The result is a simulator built around a carbon fibre monocoque, similar to that of an actual race car, with styling cues taken from the Valkyrie hypercar. Image: Curv R...

Looking to upgrade to a new vehicle in 2025? These are the Car Team’s top picks in the luxury SUV category with the Range Rover Sport taking the crown. Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine! Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Criteria Like the luxury car segment, these vehicles reign supreme in terms of comfort, quality and sense of occasion – notably on the school run. Similarly, there’s no ceiling on what these vehicles might cost. Related: CAR Rookie Places Second Overall at GR Cup Round 1 Winner: Range Rover Sport As showcased by the British Royal Family, while the modern Range Rover may tick many boxes for ultimate comfort, luxury and stateliness, it’s the nimbler Range Rover Sport sibling we’d park in our driveway. Including this proud brand’s latest interpretation of an uncluttered, technology-focused interior, the Range Rover Sport portfolio has steadily evolved to focus on increased performance (including a new 467 kW SV...

Fiat Professional has whipped the covers off of the Scudo and E-Scudo wearing S-Design touches which adds some sporty flair to the panel van. Image: Fiat Looking for a new or used Fiat? Find it here with CARmag! The Scudo S-Design wears some unique styling details when compared to its standard counterpart. These details include diagonal graphics on the bodywork, a large FIAT logo on the side profile and a black grille sited between two full LED headlights. The exterior treatment is complete with diamond-cut 17-inch alloy wheels to further allude to it being more than just a light commercial vehicle. Fiat has also added several optional packs to enhance both style and functionality. The Icon Pack includes painted bumpers, front fog lights, and folding side mirrors. The Winter Pack offers heated front seats and a heated leather steering wheel. The Comfort Pack features keyless entry and start, improving accessibility for busy drivers. Related: Grander Panda – Fiat’s Funky Hatch G...

Looking to upgrade to a new vehicle in 2025? These are the Car Team’s top picks in the luxury car category with the capacious 7 Series taking the title. Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine! Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Criteria Despite pressure on this segment from high-end, raised ride height rivals, the luxury car market remains one that showcases the best a respective brand offers in terms of money-no-object opulence, maximum comfort and innovation. Related: CAR Rookie Places Second Overall at GR Cup Round 1 Winner: BMW 7 Series The longstanding champion of this category is usurped this year by its arch-rival from Munich. Noted for its refinement, effortless sophistication and focus on comfort – most notably for its rear seat passengers – the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses its crown to the unapologetically audacious presence of the modern BMW 7 Series. With a range that includes the option of turbodiesel, turbopetrol, hyb...

Mark King, a long-time Bentley enthusiast, has just added a unique Apex Edition Bentayga to his already impressive collection, mirroring the livery of his special edition Continental GT which commemorates a racing icon.  Image: Bentley Looking for a new or used Bentley? Find it here with CARmag The Apex Edition Bentayga is one of only 20 crafted by Mulliner worldwide, and it sports the same Verdant green and Moonbeam finish as his 2023 Le Mans Collection Continental GT. King’s passion for Bentley runs deep, a tradition passed down through his family. Based in Northern Ireland, his garage boasts a Bentayga Speed, a rare Continental GT3-R, and a Continental Flying Spur, all driven regularly. He’s been a loyal Bentley owner since 2010, and when the opportunity arose to commission a Le Mans Collection Continental GT, celebrating 20 years since Bentley’s Le Mans victory, he didn’t hesitate. “He leapt at the opportunity,” the company said, and adding the matching Apex Edition Bent...

The Volvo EX90 has launched in South Africa. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for the Swedish firm’s flagship all-electric SUV. With 604 km of range, would this entice you to switch to electric mobility?  Image: Volvo Looking for your next new or used Volvo? Find it here with CARmag!  The Volvo EX90, which we sampled at its international launch in 2024, has finally touched down on local shores, with the Swedish marque’s South African arm announcing pricing and specifications for its emissions-free flagship SUV. Related: Review: Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance Exclusively available in Twin Motor Performance guise, the EX90’s dual electric-motor arrangement produces 380 kW and a healthy 910 N.m of torque. The Gothenburg-based brand claims these figures allow the all-wheel-drive seven-seater to complete the 0-100 km/h dash in 4.9 seconds. The EX90 is equipped with a 111 kWh battery pack and according to the automaker, a single full charge allows for an all-electric...

Looking to upgrade to a new vehicle in 2025? These are the Car Team’s top picks in the large adventure SUV category with the all-new Land Cruiser Prado taking the title. Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine! Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Criteria Considering our market’s penchant for weekend-away travel, as well as the deteriorating condition of the roads around many of our cities, the significance of the rugged, adventure-focused SUV has never been greater. Related: CAR Rookie Places Second Overall at GR Cup Round 1 Winner: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Toyota Land Cruiser Prado One of the most highly anticipated new vehicle introductions of the past twelve months, the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has certainly lived up to its hype. Replacing the still impressive (and relatively well-priced) Ford Everest on the top step of this popular category, as a member of the broader Land Cruiser family, the modern Prado feels as ass...

Pretoria-based  SVI Engineering has developed an innovative new armoured vehicle solution aimed at keeping loved-ones safe in a hijacking event.  Image: SVI An unfortunate blight on the South African landscape remains the number of armed hijacking attempts that plague its citizens. While SVI specialises in both complete armouring solutions (up to B4 and B6-level conversations) and ground-up armoured vehicle creations, the brand recently turned its attention to a more attainable, less intrusive package. Under the catchphrase, “when smash and grab is not enough”, the new SVI Lite solution offers customers the opportunity to armour only the doors and side windows of vehicles, including the best-selling Toyota Corolla Cross. Adding 15 kilograms of mass per door, SVI Lite consists of Kevlar panels placed within the door panel, with lightweight armoured glass able to prevent a 9 mm bullet shell from passing through. Statistically, a 9 mm is used in most hijacking events. Unl...

The culmination of a project that started in 2016, German filtration company Mann+Hummel has expanded its global footprint by opening a factory in South Africa. Image: MANN+HUMMEL Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!  Expanding its global production network, Mann+Hummel  has announced the opening of a new factory in South Africa, with the German firm saying, “The opening of our new production plant in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a giant leap for our local African team.” Said Mann+Hummel President and CEO Kurk Wilks: “This plant in South Africa is a key milestone in Mann+Hummel Africa’s business growth strategy and this investment shows our clear commitment to supporting our customers in this market.” Aiming to deliver innovative and reliable solutions that are tailored to local markets, operations — of producing “high-performance” filters for passenger cars, commercial and industrial vehicles, and aftermarket industries — are alread...

Audi has launched its revamped A5 range, headlined by a significant leap forward in plug-in hybrid technology, now badged “e-hybrid” for instant recognition.  Image: Audi Looking for a new or used Audi? Find it here with CARmag! This move signals Audi’s commitment to expanding its PHEV lineup, as CEO Gernot Döllner states, “As part of our model initiative, we are significantly expanding our range of plug-in hybrids in 2025.” The new A5 Avant and Saloon e-hybrid quattro models combine the trusted 2.0 TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 220 kW. A key advancement is the new 25.9 kWh battery, a 45% increase in capacity over previous models, enabling significantly extended electric-only driving. Technical Development board member, Geoffrey Bouquot, highlights this, saying, “The increased electric range of our new plug-in hybrids enables our customers to cover the majority of their daily journeys using only electric power.” Related:  Review: Au...

Looking to upgrade to a new vehicle in 2025? These are the Car Team’s top picks in the premium midsize SUV category with the X3 reigning supreme. Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine! Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Criteria In terms of premium feel and price point, vehicles in this category sit above “mainstream” midsize SUVs. While cars like the modern VW Tiguan and Kia Sportage have closed this perceived gap, there remains an element of sophistication and status here. Related: CAR Rookie Places Second Overall at GR Cup Round 1 Winner: BMW X3 Assembled at BMW South Africa’s Plant Rosslyn, the X3 reclaims the top spot in this segment after relinquishing it to its otherwise excellent X1 sibling in our 2024 voting. Fresh from its local launch, the fourth generation of BMW’s best-selling product introduces bold new styling, a more spacious interior and the firm’s newest infotainment and driver assistance technologies. Until a n...

 Californian electric-vehicle manufacturer Karma Automotive has unveiled the Amaris, a striking two-door coupé.  Image: Karma Automotive Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Founded in 2014 as a successor to Fisker Automotive, Karma Automotive initially gained attention with its Revero model. Over the years, the company has positioned itself as a luxury electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturer, with a focus on performance and sustainable innovation. The Amaris takes this vision to the next level, blending performance with futuristic design. The Amaris is built using lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium, contributing to its sleek design and performance-oriented capabilities. The coupé features 22-inch forged aluminium ‘Constellation’ wheels, distinctive ‘swan doors’ and and a flowing ‘Comet Line’ that enhances its sculpted silhouette. The rear of the car is highlighted by an aero pass-through spoiler. Related:  The Fisker Alask...