The Car Guide

A new report from Japan has suggested which powertrain the new Toyota FJ Cruiser will employ. Here’s what we know so far. Render of new Toyota FJ Cruiser. Image: Best Car Recently, a raft of details , including a leaked patent drawing of the exterior, of the new Toyota FJ Cruiser emerged online, with reports suggesting how large the compact Land Cruiser will likely be and possible engine options – the latter including either the Japanese automaker’s 2.7-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol unit or 2.4-litre turbodiesel, with initial reports having said the 2.8-litre turbodiesel, also employed by the outgoing eighth-generation Hilux bakkie, which we sampled in Legend 55 guise in August 2025, could be on the cards. However, now, a fresh report from Japan has said the new FJ Cruiser will be available with a single engine option. According to Creative Trend , the “baby” Land Cruiser will employ the above-mentioned 2.7-litre motor, internally known 2TR, which produces 122...

The updated Audi S3 Sportback and Sedan have touched down on South African shores, with the local arm of the German automaker announcing pricing for the more powerful models. Image: Audi Boasting an increase in power and torque, along with several mechanical updates, the fresh-faced Audi S3 has arrived in South Africa. Starting with the engine, the S3 now produces Mk8.5 Golf R-matching outputs of 245 kW and 420 N.m – increases of 32 kW and 20 N.m over the pre-facelifted S3. The full complement of twisting force is available in a broad 2 100-5 500 r/min swathe of the rev band and delivered to the German marque’s quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the firm, the S tronic unit has been refined with a sharper shift pattern. Throttle response has also been optimised for improved acceleration, the automaker says. Audi claims the more powerful S3 completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds, before topping out at an electronically go...

According to a report from Japan, there is a possibility that the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 could adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Image: Toyota Since its introduction in 2021, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, which we sampled in December 2021, has been available with the choice of two engine options: 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel, which churns out 225 kW and 700 N.m of torque, and a 305 kW/650 N.m 3.5-litre V6 twinturbo-petrol. However, according to a report from Japan, Toyota could introduce a third powertrain to its flagship SUV. According to Creative311 , it’s been reported that there is the possibility of the Land Cruiser 300 gaining a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup, which will likely pair an electric motor with the existing 3.5-litre petrol internal combustion engine (ICE). However, the report suggests that the fitment of an electric motor and battery will impede on interior space – resulting in the original seven-seat layout being ditched for a five-seat configuration. The fuel tank w...