The Car Guide

Following their 1-2 finish at the 2025 FIM MotoGP World Championship, brothers Marc and Álex Márquez were each gifted customised Audi RS 6 Avant performances from Audi. By: Julian Rael Gordon Image: Audi The 2025 FIM MotoGP World Championship saw motorsport champions Marc and Álex Márquez finish in a 1-2 position, respectively. And to commemorate this achievement and their performance throughout the season, they were each gifted a customised Audi RS 6 Avant quattro performance from Audi Spain. Finished in Mythos Black paintwork, replete with Daytona Grey wing mirrors, Marc’s RS 6 Avant rolls on Matte Black 22-inch alloy wheels. Sited behind the latter are red carbon-ceramic brake callipers. Álex’s example features Daytona Grey exterior paint, Mythos Black wing mirrors, Matte Titanium Grey alloys, and blue brake callipers. The two examples also feature distinctive wheels. Further distinguishing these RS 6 Avants from the “standard” model, in lieu of embossed ‘RS’ logos, the seat...

At CAR magazine, we take each vehicle we road test on a standardised mixed-use (urban and motorway) 100 km fuel run to gauge its ‘real-world’ fuel economy. We’ve rounded up the five most fuel-efficient vehicles we tested in 2025.  5. Honda Amaze 1.2 Trend MT: 5.43 L/100 km (5.5 L/100 km claimed) Image: Peet Mocke The Honda Amaze, which we tested for the July issue, bested its claimed fuel consumption by 0.07 L/100 km. The Amaze is powered by a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine producing 66 kW and 110 N.m. The four-pot powering the model we tested was coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. 4. Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI Style DSG: 5.20 L/100 km (5.6 L/100 km claimed) Image: Peet Mocke The Volkswagen T-Cross Style returned 5.2 L/100 km on our mixed-use fuel route; 0.4 L/100 km less than VW’s claim. The updated T-Cross also claimed a podium spot in our 2025 SUV Shootout . The T-Cross employs a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which, in Style ...

Springboks rugby players Ox Nché and Trevor Nyakane have scored new Mitsubishi Tritons at a brand ambassador’s event in Durban. Image: Mitsubishi To commemorate Mitsubishi Motors’ renewed partnership with Springboks rugby player Ox Nché and the beginning of Springboks prop Trevor Nyakane’s partnership with the Japanese automaker’s local arm, the duo of Springboks were given sixth-generation Triton bakkies. Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Nché has been a brand ambassador of Mitsubishi since 2023, shortly after the Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Since then, he has driven a fifth-generation Triton Xtreme. Joining Nché and other local sports stars as the latest member of Mitsubishi’s brand ambassador family is Trevor Nyakane. Said  Lerato Nonyane, General Manager of Product and Marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, “Mitsubishi looks forward to continuing to build and grow these relationships as the pairing gets ready to defend their Rugby World Cup title and b...

Chery has officially announced its plans to be the first Chinese automaker to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Image: FIA WEC/ADRENAL MEDIA Chery has ambitions to become the first Chinese automaker to compete in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Indeed, the Wuhu-based automaker has announced it has signed a five-year partnership with Automobile Club de l’Oest, the company that organises the Le Mans 24 Hours. The Chery Group will enter its Exeed luxury brand, supported by a factory-backed team, into the endurance race. The manufacturer has confirmed its three-pillar plan includes the development of a domestic endurance racing championship, before competing in the official Asian Le Mans championship and, then, entering the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Exeed. Chery has yet to announce an official entry date and whether it will compete in the Hypercar class –  along with Ferrari, Toyota and BMW, to name but a few, and newcomers such as Genesis and McLaren – ...

The European Union has officially announced plans to change the 2035 emissions laws due to pressure from automakers. Image: Volkswagen Europe’s 2035 emissions laws are set to be revised, with the latest proposal in the European Parliament allowing for a limited number of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) to be sold. Previously, the emissions laws stated that all new light vehicles sold could not “emit any carbon dioxide (exhaust) emissions”; practically banning the sale of all vehicles employing ICEs from 2035. The latest proposal essentially states that 90% of all new vehicles should be fully-electric, with the remaining 10% being those of the hybrid variety. Although this would not affect vehicles already on the road, automakers that exceed their fleet emissions target would be liable to pay financial penalties. The European Union (EU) plans for the transport sector to become carbon-neutral by 2050. The year 2035 was chosen for the updated emissions laws to become ...

Scheduled to launch in 2025, VW has revealed key details about the upcoming all-electric Polo and Polo GTI.  Image: Volkswagen In September 2025, Volkswagen announced its upcoming all-electric compact hatchback will don the ‘Polo’ moniker. Indeed, according to Thomas Schäfer, CEO of  VW  passenger cars, the German automaker will move their well-known nameplates, which is “firmly anchored into people’s minds”, into the future…and this will include the ID. Cross , an all-electric version of the T-Cross compact crossover. The ID. Polo was first showcased – dressed in camouflage, no less – to the public at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich. However, at the time, the Wolfsburg brand had yet to reveal more detailed information about the upcoming model. Well, VW has now revealed key details about the all-electric Polo. VW ID. Polo Dimensions Based on VW’s “further developed” Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB+) platform, the ID. Polo measures 4 053 mm in length, 1 816 mm in ...

The iCAUR V27 large SUV is heading to South Africa. We detail what you can expect from this Chery sub-brand’s flagship model. Image: iCAUR Ahead of its local introduction in 2026, Chery sub-brand iCAUR has released fresh details about the V27, the flagship model in the firm’s new-energy adventure-SUV portfolio. The V27 sports retro-inspired styling, while offering modern technology and powertrains. Positioned above the V23, the V27 measures 4 899 mm long (or 5 045 mm with the tailgate-mounted spare), 1 976 mm in width, 1 894 in height, and 2 900 mm between the fore and aft axles. The exterior is defined by its old-school styling, a wide stance, and short front overhang. Up front, the V27 features eight interchangeable colour elements, while two tailgate designs are available for customers to choose from. Inside, a large infotainment touchscreen takes pride of place on the dashboard. Digital instrumentation is also present. The package further features a dual panoramic sunroof, c...

In 2025, a raft of new cars were put through our stringent road test regimen. We’ve rounded up the 14 highest-scoring vehicles tested by CAR magazine in 2025. 5. Hyundai Tucson 2.0D Executive: 84/100 Image: Peet Mocke Tested in the September 2025 issue of CAR magazine, the refreshed fourth-generation Tucson impressed the CAR team. The mid-cycle facelift has brought Hyundai’s midsize family SUV much closer to its contemporary rivals, such as the Kia Sportage and 2025 T op 12 Best Buys category winning Volkswagen Tiguan. 4=. Audi RS Q8 quattro performance: 85/100 Image: Peet Mocke With its brawny 471 kW/850 N.m 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, trick quattro all-wheel-drive system and high-quality finishes, the Audi RS Q8 quattro performance impressed the CAR team in its September 2025-issue road test. 4=. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 1.6T Elite AWD: 85/100 Image: Peet Mocke The new Hyundai Santa Fe’s blend of spaciousness, refinement and frugal 175 kW/367 N.m hybrid powertrai...

BAIC has revealed the ELMT Max Concept, a doorless off-roader with beefy tyres, a unique illuminated grille and a rally-inspired interior. Image: BAIC Following the local introduction of the B30 in November 2025, Chinese automaker BAIC has now debuted the ELMT Max Concept in China. The off-road-focused concept SUV is built on a fully modular design, allowing the car to be fitted with interchangeable panels and parts to “transform” it to suit its driver’s needs, whether it is for daily commutes or, more likely, off-road expeditions. The ‘elemental’ design study allows doors, exterior panels, interior layouts and functional elements to be interchanged for added practicality. The front end features an illuminated grille, flanked by horizontal headlamps. The rear end features vertical taillamps. Both the front and rear boast large off-road bumpers and wheel arches, which house the concept’s massive wheels. The silhouette is defined by a sloped roofline and diagonal A-pillars. Inside...

Cape Town has been ranked as the sixth most congested city in the world according to the latest findings in the INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard. Image: Pinel Motswagole/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ According to the INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard , Cape Town is the sixth most congested city in the world, with drivers spending approximately 96 hours – or four days – in traffic per year. The newly released report evaluated 942 cities worldwide and found that, despite Cape Town’s traffic levels having increased by only 2% since 2024, congestion has increased by 16% since 2023. While the traffic conditions in London, Paris, and Los Angeles have improved, Cape Town’s congestion is worsening at a rapid pace, with the report noting an average speed of 17 km/h when driving into Cape Town’s central business district in the morning. Cape Town moved up three places since the 2024 study, where it placed ninth. Cities that ranked ahead of the Mother City in terms of...

Rocketeer’s V6-powered Keiryo MX-5 is a lighter, more powerful version of the best-selling Japanese roadster. Image: Rocketeer Rocketeer Cars is known for fitting Mazda MX-5s with V6 engines. However, the UK tuner has now created its most extreme modified MX-5 yet. The Keiryo, meaning lightweight in Japanese, will be limited to only 10 units. The first example has already been built, with delivery scheduled for early 2026. A Touring model will also be available, which will retain many of the creature comforts the Keiryo lacks for weight-saving purposes. Each Rocketeer model is built at the company’s engineering and production facility in Whitchurch, Hampshire and features a bespoke design, closely created with the commissioning client – from mechanical to cosmetic specs. The build can take up to one year. Based on the first-generation MX-5 NA, the Keiryo replaces the Miata’s 1.6-litre four-pot with a Jaguar-derived 3.0-litre AJ30 V6 engine producing 275 kW. This is a significant ...

Porsche has unveiled a special-edition GT3 paying homage to Ferdinand Alexander, the legendary designer who penned the 911.  Image: Porsche Commemorating Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche, the visionary designer who penned the 911, Porsche has unveiled a new limited-edition 911 GT3, the 90 F.A. A nod to the late designer, who would have celebrated his 9oth birthday in December 2025, only 90 examples will be made. Noteworthy, one of the 90 units has already been purchased by Ferdinand Alexander’s son, Mark. Developed by Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division, the commemorative model’s exterior and interior were inspired by F.A. Porsche’s own G-Series 911, which he drove in the 1980s. The 911 GT3 F.A.’s bodywork is finished in model-specific Green metallic paint inspired by F.A’s Oak Green metallic 911. Gold-coloured decals are also present. The limited-run model is fitted with a set of Sport Classic wheels, replete with the Stuttgart marque’s 1963 crest on the central-locking wheel...

The Volkswagen T-Cross made a big impression upon its 2019 arrival. Six years later, is the pre-facelift model still good enough as a used buy? Image: CAR The Volkswagen T-Cross launched in South Africa in 2019 and immediately became a dominant force in the compact-SUV segment. This pre-facelift model, which defined the market until the refreshed version arrived in 2024, was a carefully calibrated product, successfully bridging the gap between the compact Polo hatchback and the larger T-Roc and Tiguan models. It is built on the popular and reliable MQB A0 platform. The crossover’s success was underpinned by VW’s brand appeal, a suite of efficient turbocharged engines, and a youth-focused aesthetic. The T-Cross was not just another vehicle; it was a statement that offered German build quality and technology in a right-sized package. Related: 2025 Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI Style DSG Road Test A Rundown on the Volkswagen T-Cross The pre-facelifted VW T-Cross lineup in South Afr...

Toyota Motor Corporation has whipped the wraps off the LFA Concept, the battery-electric successor to the legendary LFA. Here’s what we know so far. Image: Lexus First showcased at The Quail Motorsport Gathering as the Lexus Sport Concept and Japan Mobility Show in 2025, Toyota Motor Corporation has revealed a new name for its future battery-electric Lexus super sportscar – LFA Concept. Developed alongside the Toyota GR GT , which has been confirmed for SA , the LFA Concept will form part of a trio of next-generation sports cars, all designed with three major principles in mind: a low centre of gravity, aerodynamic efficiency, and rigid lightweight construction. The latter is accomplished by lightweight all-aluminium chassis. Although the LFA Concept shares a name with its V10-powered predecessor, it signifies the Japanese automaker’s entry into the era of all-electric performance cars. The exterior of the LFA Concept is defined by its flowing, low nose-to-tail silhouette, de...

Speaking to every manufacturer on the South African car market, and taking a glimpse into our own crystal ball, we bring you the cars you can look forward to coming to SA in 2026. We highlight the Chery models heading our way in the coming 12 months. Image: CarNewsChina Acknowledging that the Chery brand has proven to be relatively light on its feet when it comes to introducing strategic updates across its current product portfolio, 2026 looks set to be another significant year for this Chinese marque’s South African operations. While we know there are plans to introduce the Himla double-cab – which we’ve sampled for a first drive in China – likely with a choice of internal combustion and hybrid powertrains, the big news is the likelihood that our market will receive the box-fresh Toyota Land Cruiser Prado-rivalling 9L SUV. Unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, the 9L is built on the manufacturer’s T1X unibody platform. The 9L is expected to sport similar exterior dimensions a...

Encor has revealed the Series 1, a limited-edition remastered Lotus Esprit featuring a full carbon-fibre body and a comprehensively rebuilt twin-turbo V8. Image: Encor Design UK-based restomod specialist Encor Design has unveiled the Series 1, a limited-edition, remastered take on the iconic Lotus Esprit. Production is capped at 50 units, marking 50 years since the original Esprit debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1975. To recreate the car, the original Esprit was digitally scanned and its fibreglass body replaced with a full carbon-fibre shell. The new body preserves the Esprit’s angular silhouette but introduces sharper, more contemporary lines. The trademark wedge profile remains, and is now paired with a cleaner, more aerodynamic nose, while the pop-up headlamps are enhanced with modern LED projectors. Encor’s forged, billet-machined wheels pay homage to both the Esprit’s early ‘slot-mag’ design and the later Sport 350’s five-spoke alloys. Underneath, the donor chassis is s...

The new Mazda CX- 5 has been awarded the full complement of five stars in a recent Euro NCAP safety test. Image: Euro NCAP The third-generation Mazda CX-5, which debuted in July 2025 and is scheduled to launch in South Africa in 2026, has received the full complement of five stars at the latest round of Euro NCAP safety tests. The family SUV scored high in Adult Protection, Child Protection, and Vulnerable Road User categories. The CX-5 achieved a 90% score for Adult Occupant protection, 89% for Child Occupant protection, and 93% for Vulnerable Road Users. The CX-5 also performed well in the Safety Assist Systems category; scoring 83%. The CX-5 comes equipped with an extensive suite of safety features as standard, including six airbags, Isofix child-seat anchors, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and emergency brake assist, stability and traction control, hill-start assist, and an emergency stop warning. The CX-5 also includes a host of advanced driver-assista...

Hot off the press, we highlight what you can expect in the January 2026 issue of CAR Magazine. Image: Peet Mocke From hot hatches and barnstorming hybrids, to a manual-transmission masterpiece in the Porsche 911 Carrera T and the first Ferrari to join us on our annual Performance Shootout road trip, in the January 2026 issue of CAR magazine, we celebrate performance with our 2026 Performance Shootout – no winner, no stopwatch; just a celebration of performance. 2026 Performance Shootout lineup The ten-strong 2026 Performance Shootout lineup included the revised (210 kW/400 N.m) Toyota GR Yaris equipped with the Japanese automaker’s eight-speed DAT (Direct Automatic Transmission), Volkswagen’s Mk8.5 Golf GTI, which we’ve sampled in an exclusive first local drive in 2025, updated Audi RS 3, refreshed BMW M2, and Ford Mustang Dark Horse . However, if you thought our celebration of performance included only one American muscle car, think again… We brought another – the Corvette Sti...