The Car Guide

BYD has announced when the Atto 2 DM-i will launch in South Africa. Here’s what we know about the SA-bound new-energy compact crossover/SUV… Image: BYD As we highlighted in Every Chinese car confirmed for SA in 2026 , the BYD Atto 2 is set to be introduced to our market this year. Now, the Chinese automaker’s local arm has confirmed when the new-energy compact crossover will arrive on our shores. While the Atto 2 is also available in all-electric format in overseas markets, the local lineup will employ BYD’s DM-i (Dual Mode intelligent) powertrain. The petrol-electric setup comprises a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE) and a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor – the latter fed by either a 7.8 or 18 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery. Equipped with the former, the Atto 2 produces 122 kW and 300 N.m of torque, while the model featuring the larger Blade Battery is endowed with a combined power output of 156 kW, with torque remaini...

Set to be introduced to SA in 2026, VW has officially revealed the Amarok Walkinshaw W600. Here’s what you can expect… Image: Volkswagen As we highlighted in Every bakkie confirmed for SA in 2026 , Volkswagen is set to introduce the Walkinshaw-developed Amarok W600 to our market in the fourth quarter of 2026. However, at the time, VW had yet to fully reveal this new model. Well, the German marque has now officially whipped the wraps off the Amarok W600. We highlight what you can expect from the SA-bound Amarok Walkinshaw W600 . The Amarok W600 is based on the Style derivative, though is set apart from the latter model via the fitment of several bespoke exterior and interior design elements, and uprated suspension – the latter for improved handling on tarmac. The W600 adopts a 22 mm rear anti-roll bar and Walkinshaw-tuned Koni shock absorbers and dampers. The Amarok W600 is fitted with a set of model-specific 18-inch matte black ‘Amadora’ alloy wheels, s...

Volkswagen Group Africa has achieved a new manufacturing milestone, with the one-millionth Polo rolling off the German marque’s Plant Kariega assembly line. Image: Volkswagen Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has announced the one-millionth sixth-generation Polo has been produced at its Kariega production facility in the Eastern Cape. This comes after the 500 000th unit built for export rolled off the production line in April 2026. Local production of the sixth-generation Polo kicked off in 2017, and VWGA has been manufacturing four generations of the popular hatchback since 1996. Finished in Smoky Grey exterior paint, the one-millionth Polo is a right-hand-drive GTI, destined for the South African market. The current-generation Polo makes up almost half of all Polos ever produced at Plant Kariega, as well as around a fifth of the 4 803 424 vehicles built at this factory over the past 75 years. It will also continue to build up to a significant portion of cars as it will remain in pro...

While we wait for the reveal of the next Hilux GR-Sport, Toyota’s Racing Division (TRD) has announced a selection of tasty GR upgrades for the new Hilux. Image: TRD The new Toyota Hilux is set to launch in South Africa soon, with the local launch date set for towards the end of June 2026. Now, while Toyota has has remained tight-lipped about the next Hilux GR-Sport , the Japanese automaker’s TRD (Toyota Racing Division) arm has introduced a raft of GR upgrades for the “standard” ninth-generation model, with the selection including both exterior and functional enhancements. Exterior elements include a GR front grille, finished in gloss black; stainless steel GR muffler, measuring 100 mm in diameter; and GR mud flaps, the latter available in red or black. TRD also offers GR visors for the side windows. The parts list further includes a GR door stabiliser. In addition to the aforementioned items, TRD also offers a GR performance damper set, which the company says improves steering stab...

The Geely E2 has launched in South Africa as the new most affordable EV currently available in our market. See pricing and specs below… Image: Geely Geely has introduced the E2 all-electric compact hatchback to South Africa, with the latest member in the Chinese automaker’s local model portfolio now positioned as the most affordable EV in SA – a title previously held by the BYD Dolphin Surf , which is priced from R341 900. The E2 is available with the choice of two trim grades: Aspire and Apex. Both models employ a single electric motor, which produces 85 kW and 150 N.m of torque. Power is delivered to the road via the rear wheels. The e-motor is coupled with a 39.4 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which can receive up to 70 kW at a DC fast-charging facility. According to the brand, the LFP unit provides an operating range of up to 325 km (WLTP) when fully charged. The E2 has a claimed energy consumption of 15.2 kWh/100 km. Geely says a 10-100% AC char...