The Car Guide

Rolls-Royce marked 100 years of its Phantom nameplate at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, unveiling a unique, film-inspired version called the Phantom Goldfinger. Image: Rolls-Royce This heavily customised Phantom Extended was built for a private client with a clear affinity for James Bond, drawing direct inspiration from the 1964 film Goldfinger. Specifically, it references the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville driven by the movie’s villain, Auric Goldfinger. The original film car was also on display at the event. Unlike the classic model, the new Phantom Goldfinger features gold trim crafted from 18- and 24-carat gold, along with design elements linked to the film’s characters and locations. Rolls-Royce has not disclosed exact specifications, emphasising that the car’s appeal lies more in its visual drama than its performance figures. While first privately unveiled in 2024 to coincide with the movie’s 60th anniversary, this marked its public debut. Image: Rolls-R...

A neat example of a 1970 Ford Mustang Sportsroof has been listed for auction at RM Sotheby’s. Here’s how much it’s expected to fetch… Image: RM Sotheby’s Looking for a new or used Ford? Find it here with CARmag! Paying homage to the sought-after Mustang Boss 302, this 1970 Ford Mustang Sportsroof, finished in Bright Cold Metallic from the factory, was originally configured in 1969 and employed the former Blue Oval muscle car’s 302 V8 engine and a three-speed manual transmission. Related: SA Legend BMW 333i Fetches R3 Million at Local Auction However, the standard motor and gearbox were ditched in favour of a 347 V8 unit, which reportedly produces a peak power output of 331 kW, and a Tremec five-speed manual cog swapper. Noteworthy, the newly fitted engine features electronic fuel injection. RideTech coilover suspension and Wildwood disc brakes, fore and aft, are also present, with the latter items sited behind 17-inch American Racing Magnum 500 alloy wheels. Image: RM Sotheby...

The Vilaca Racing Time Attack Championship continues its 2025 season this weekend with Round Two at Zwartkops Raceway in Centurion. Image: Vilaca Racing The 2.4 km circuit will host a full day of time-based competition on Saturday, May 31, as drivers return to chase fast laps and championship points. Time Attack differs from traditional racing formats by focusing solely on lap times. Drivers compete against the clock, not each other, aiming to extract the quickest possible performance from their cars. The format has grown in popularity in South Africa for its accessibility, attracting both amateur and seasoned drivers across multiple car classes. Related:  Vilaca Racing Time Attack Championship Kicks 2025 Season Off This is the sixth season of the Vilaca Racing series, which kicked off in March and will include six rounds in total. Future events include a stop at Formula-K Raceway in July, a high-profile appearance at the Festival of Motoring at Kyal...

Following a 10-year hiatus, Geely has made a bold return to South Africa, with its Riddara sub-brand’s RD6 all-electric bakkie.  Image: Riddara Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Through local electric vehicle (EV) dealer Enviro Automotive, the Geely brand has returned to South Africa after an absence of around 10 years, and the car leading the charge comes in the shape of the Riddara RD6, the first battery-electric bakkie in SA. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec The local RD6 line-up will initially be exclusively offered with a 73 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery and the choice of two powertrains: the RWD single motor model developing 200 kW and 348 N.m of torque, and the AWD with a combined 315 kW and 595 N.m from its two axle-mounted, permanent magnet synchronous motors. According to the company, these figures allow the RWD and AWD versions to sprint to the three-figure marker from a standstill in 7.3 and 4.5 seconds, ...

Limited to a one-off build, the latest Opel Frontera Gravel concept could be an adventurer’s companion and rival to Renault’s popular Duster SUV.  Image: Opel Looking for a new or used Opel? Find it here with CARmag! Built in collaboration with motorsport specialists BlackFish and XS, the concept will be shown publicly for the first time at the XS Carnight event in Wörthersee, Austria, on May 30th. Designed at Opel’s Rüsselsheim studio, the Frontera Gravel builds on the standard Frontera Electric model, adding a range of off-road-inspired visual upgrades. These include a Thule Canyon XT roof rack, auxiliary LED lights on the hood and roof, a front winch, and snow tracks mounted on the D-pillars. It also gets 16-inch Borbet CWE alloy wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres, which enhance the SUV’s tough appearance, even if its actual off-road capability remains limited. Related:  Opel Unveils All-Electric Mokka...

No stranger to winning, a 1933 Alfa Romeo P3 Grand Prix racing car has left the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este with Best of Show title and provides a glimpse into what Formula racing was almost a century ago.  Image: Alfa Romeo Looking for a new or used Alfa Romeo? Find it here with CARmag! The single-seater, part of the Auriga Collection in Germany, stood out at the annual Lake Como event for its historical weight and remarkably preserved condition. This particular car, officially known as the Tipo B, was awarded the prestigious Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show by a panel of esteemed judges. Related:  Zagato Unveils One-Off Reimagined Alfa Romeo 8C Originally developed for Grand Prix racing in the early 1930s, the P3 marked a turning point in motorsport engineering. Designed by Vittorio Jano, it was among the first genuine single-seat Grand Prix cars and made use of a lightweight chassis and a supercharged straight-eight engine. In its initial 1932 configur...

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E twin-motor EV superhatch promises an electrifying driving experience! Image: Renault Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! At first glance, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E could easily be mistaken for a concept car. However, this “mini-supercar”, as the French firm dubs it, has been given the green light for production. Slated for introduction in 2027, only 1 980 examples (the number of units signifying the year the original R5 Turbo was unveiled) will be made. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec Based on a newly developed platform, the R5 Turbo 3E features two electric motors, sited within the hubs of the 20-inch rear wheels. This setup produces a combined outputs of 400 kW and a seismograph registering 4 800 N.m of torque. This allows the 1 450 kg, super-hatch to complete the 0-100 km/h dash in under 3.5 seconds, on the way to a 270 km/h top speed. The R5 Turbo 3E’s 800 V electric architecture incorporates a 70 kWh ...

Michael Schumacher’s 2001 championship-winning Ferrari F2001 has become the most expensive Formula 1 car driven by the F1 legend to be sold publicly; having fetched an astonishing $18.17 million (around R324.24 million) at a recent RM Sotheby’s auction in Monaco.  Image: RM Sotheby’s This particular F2001 is considered one of the most historically significant cars driven by Schumacher over his F1 career, as it played a critical role in his dominant 2001 season, where he secured a memorable win at the Monaco Grand Prix, a race that marked Schumacher’s fifth and final victory on the notoriously challenging street circuit. Later that same year, the car carried him to another victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he clinched his fourth F1 World Championship title. Adding to this racer’s historical value, the F2001 was also the last Ferrari to win the Monaco Grand Prix in a championship-winning season for the Scuderia. Related:  The Changing of the Guard – Michael Schuma...

Suzuki Auto South Africa, in partnership with real estate group Fortress, has officially broken ground on its new headquarters and distribution centre in Gauteng. Image: Suzuki Looking for a new or used Suzuki? Find it here with CARmag! Since its return to the South African market in 2008, Suzuki Auto South Africa has been experiencing immense growth, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker having secured its place as one of SA’s top-three best-selling car brands. Now, in a bid to improve upon its local operations and support future growth, Suzuki has invested in a brand-new head office and distribution centre, scheduled to be completed mid-2026. Related: Top 12 Best Buys 2025: Company of the Year – Suzuki Auto South Africa Indeed, come next year, Suzuki Auto SA will move offices, from its current, Linbro Business Park-based headquarters to a “custom-designed”, 24 507 m² facility, which will include 2 900 m² of office space and 19 100 m² of warehousing, in Longlake Logisti...

South African motorists can expect a small break at the pumps this June, but it comes with a tax sting. From Wednesday, 4 June, the government will implement an inflation-based increase to the General Fuel Levy (GFL) — adding 16 cents per litre on petrol and 15 cents per litre on diesel. This pushes the total tax burden on petrol up to R6.37 per litre , once all levies are included. However, despite the tax hike, the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) points to an overall fuel price drop thanks to over-recoveries in recent weeks. Here’s what drivers can expect: • Petrol 93: ↓ 4 cents per litre • Petrol 95: ↓ 3 cents per litre • Diesel 0.05%: ↓ 33 cents per litre • Diesel 0.005%: ↓ 34 cents per litre • Paraffin: ↓ 52 cents per litre The levy increases follow Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget Speech earlier this year, where Treasury opted for fuel tax adjustments instead of the initially proposed 1% VAT increase — a move dropped under political press...

Zagato has unveiled the 8C DoppiaCoda, a one-off reimagined Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.  Image: Alfa Romeo Looking for a new or used Alfa Romeo? Find it here with CARmag! While the original 8C was designed in-house at Alfa Romeo by Wolfgang Egger and Daniele Gaglione, Zagato has reinterpreted the carbon fibre-bodied coupé with completely new exterior panels. The goal, according to the Milan-based firm, was to complete its modern reinterpretations of iconic Alfa Romeos. This version is said to “fuse classic GT elegance with aerodynamic elements inspired by motorsport”. The most prominent revision is its Doppia Coda (Italian Double Tail) rear design, which combines a rounded shape with the sharp-edged Kamm-tail design, also known as Coda Tronca . This fusion aims to balance the proportions of a grand tourer with the performance-focused profile of a racing car. Image: Alfa Romeo Related:  Star-Studded Alfa Romeo Racing Lin...

Volkswagen’s Plant Kariega in the Eastern Cape Province has entered the next phase in preparation for production of the third SA-built model. Image: Volkswagen Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! As Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) continues to prepare Plant Kariega for production of its third South African-built model, the automaker has announced the Eastern Cape-based assembly facility has entered the commissioning phase for the highly-anticipated entry-level compact crossover/SUV. Related: VW’s Kariega Plant Will Pause Production in 2025 For R4 Billion Investment of Tera SUV This announcement comes after VWGA halted production at Plant Kariega earlier in 2024 (from 14 April to 12 May) to complete the upgrades, notably to the body shop, paint shop and final assembly areas, made to the manufacturing line in December 2024. Noteworthy, with the aforementioned upgrades completed, production of the Polo Vivo and Polo has returned to normal, while the commis...

BMW has revealed the Speedtop, a sleek three-door Touring, at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. While it may look like a concept, the Speedtop has been confirmed for production…in very limited numbers. Only 70 examples will be built.  Image: BMW Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! The BMW Speedtop is closely related to the Skytop, a limited-edition 8 Series-based convertible, which made its debut in 2024. Both of these special BMW’s share a variety design cues, the most notable of which coming in the shape of their front facias, reinterpreted kidney grille styling and, flanking the latter, slim headlamps. However, the Speedtop is, of course, distinguished by its svelte, yet rakish, Touring profile. The two-seater Touring deletes the aft pews of the series-production coupé it is based on to make way a leather-trimmed luggage compartment.  Inside, the layout mirrors the 8 Series, but everything has been reupholstered. The dashboard, ...

Unveiled at the  Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este over the weekend, the new Bovensiepen Zagato takes the Bavarian performance piece that is the M4 but gives it a touch of Italian design. Image: Zagato Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! While it doesn’t wear a BMW badge, this striking coupe is clearly rooted in the M4, specifically the facelifted G83 generation. The car comes from a new venture led by Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen, sons of the late Alpina founder, Burkard Bovensiepen. While Alpina is now part of the BMW Group, this fresh project carries on the family’s tradition of exclusive, high-performance vehicles. Fittingly, the new company is based in Buchloe—the same town Alpina has long called home. At first glance, the silhouette gives away its M4 origins, but nearly every body panel has been redesigned. The Bovensiepen Zagato features an all-new exterior crafted largely from carbon fibre. The front end ditches BMW’s bold kidney grilles i...

Effective from the 4th of June 2025, the General Fuel Levy will be increased by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 centre per litre for diesel. The AA has warned that despite it not being increased in the past several years, this will be a bitter pill to swallow for cash strapped South Africans. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the hike as the sole new tax measure in the 2025/26 fiscal year, attributing it to inflationary pressures. He emphasised that the adjustment is necessary to address fiscal challenges, especially after the government scrapped a proposed VAT increase earlier this year.   Since the South African government’s decision to increase the General Fuel Levy (GFL), widespread concern has arisen among motorists, industry stakeholders, and opposition parties. As a reminder, the General Fuel Levywill rise by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents per litre for diesel, marking the first such ...

The Brabus -developed #5 is the most powerful smart ever produced… Image: Brabus Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! The AWD performance crossover’s twin electric-motor configuration produces 475 kW and 710 N.m of torque for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds (when ‘Launch’ mode is activated) and a top speed of 210 km/h.The 800 V electric architecture supports DC fast charging up to 400 kW. The result is a 10 to 80% charge takes only 18 minutes. When replenished, the 100 kWh battery offers a range of up to 540 km. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec The tech-laden interior features a trio of digital displays, for instrumentation, infotainment and the front passenger, respectively. A 20-speaker 1 190 W Sennheiser sound system,  panoramic sunroof and a 256-colour ambient lighting array are also present. Related: Toyota Celebrates 40 Years at Le Mans With Throwback Liveries Visually, Smart’s pinnacle #5 is set apar...

Worldwide, Plug-In Hybrid EV sales growth is exceeding that of BEVs. With myriad benefits and a receptive audience, this once-interim technology could well be the way forward. Looking for a new set of wheels? Find it here with CARmag.  The year 2024 marked some significant developments for the EV industry. Growth continued with sales of plug-in vehicles increasing by 26% YoY (year on year) to a total of 17.2 million and an increased global market share of 22%. Of this volume, 63% comprised Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), with the balance of 37% being Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). This share grew from 31% in 2023, following YoY PHEV growth of 53% vs just 14% for BEVs. This trend contradicts previous industry assumptions that view hybrids as merely an interim solution in the transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to BEV adoption, suggesting that the current overall BEV offering is not appealing to motorists to the extent as much as originally forecast. Tho...