The Car Guide

Bound for the South African market, JMC has announced a targeted asking price for the Vigus single-cab bakkie. Image: JMC In July 2025, Salvador Caetano Auto South Africa  announced it is expanding its local footprint through a partnership with JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation) – the Chinese automaker scheduled to relaunch in our market in the coming months. JMC will relaunch its local operations with the introduction of the vehicle you see here, the Vigus single-cab bakkie. In a bid to disrupt the sub-R350 000 single-cab bakkie segment, the firm aims to offer the single-cab Vigus at a “highly competitive” target price of R300 000. “Built to meet the demands of hardworking South Africans”, the Vigus is positioned as a workhorse. The single cab is equipped with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which churns out 103 kW and 310 N.m of torque. The turbocharged oil-burner is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. According to the brand, this translates to “s...

BMW has developed the prototype of their hydrogen fuel cell system that is set to be put into production by 2028. Image: BMW BMW’s Munich and Steyr competence centres are currently building the first prototypes of the brand’s in-house-developed hydrogen fuel cell system. The company’s first production model powered by this technology is scheduled to roll off the line at BMW Group Plant Steyr in 2028. The German marque’s journey with hydrogen-powered mobility began in 2014, when the automaker fitted a Toyota-supplied fuel cell drive system to the BMW 535iA. The second stage came with the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet. Now in its third generation, the German marque has developed its own complete fuel cell system, although the individual cells continue to be sourced from Toyota. According to the Bavarian firm, the latest iteration of the system is more efficient, 25% more compact, and offers improvements in both range and power output. The fuel cell generates electricity through an ...

Fully homologated for our market and right-hand drive, the Corvette Stingray and Z06 are now available in South Africa. Here’s updated pricing. Image: CVH Auto Group The Corvette Stingray and Z06 have arrived in South Africa – fully homologated for our market and in (factory built) right-hand-drive format, and available in both coupé and convertible body styles. Noteworthy, the Stingray ships with the US brand’s Z51 performance package as standard – the latter adding to the American supercar’s on-road and -track capabilities, and lifting the 6.2-litre V8’s peak power output to a healthy 369 kW. Torque is rated at 628 N.m. Mounted midships, the naturally aspirated engine channels power to the rear axle via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the company, the Stingray completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds. As mentioned, in addition to the Stingray, the Z06 is also available in our market. The latter, more focused variant is equipped with a 5.5-litre atmo...

We have rounded up the five best-selling Chinese passenger cars in South Africa in August 2025. See the list below. In August 2025,  naamsa reported 51 880 new vehicles were sold in South Africa – an 18.7% increase over August 2024’s sales. Of the total new-vehicle sales, an estimated 43 196 units sold were attributed to dealer sales, 6 266 to the rental industry, 1 215 to corporate fleets, and 1 203 to government sales. The 36 914 new passenger-car sales in the eighth month of 2025 represented the highest since September 2024. Zooming in on this segment, we take a closer look at the five best-selling Chinese cars in South Africa. 5. Jetour Dashing – 495 Image: Jetour Introduced to the local market in September 2024, the Dashing is the most popular of the two-strong Jetour model lineup. Last month, 495 units were sold, marking an increase of 58 units sold when compared to July. 4. Haval H6 – 511 Image: Haval Having undergone a significant facelift in June this year, t...

Following setting a Guinness World Record at the inaugural Jimny Gathering, Suzuki Auto South Africa aims to set another at the 2025 instalment of this event.  Image: Suzuki At the inaugural Jimny Gathering in 2023, which took place in Clarens in the Free State Province, Suzuki Auto South Africa set a new Guinness World Record – for the most cars to switch on their headlamps at the same time. Now, with the upcoming second Jimny Gathering – 26 to 28 September 2025 at Louvain Guest Farm in the Outeniqua Mountains – the Japanese automaker’s local arm intends to set another Guinness World Record. On Saturday, 27 September, Suzuki SA will officially attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most car doors closed simultaneously. To qualify as an official record, Guinness World Records requires a minimum of 250 vehicles, with at least one door on each participating vehicle closed within five seconds of the starting signal. “We believe the coordinated and simultaneous closing...

The 16th edition of the Simola Hillclimb will feature a broader selection of vehicles for Classic Car Friday, regulation changes for the hillclimb, and improved safety measures. Image: Simola Hillclimb The 16th iteration of the Simola Hillclimb will take place in Knysna from 30 April to 3 May 2026. This past year, the motorsport event drew a record 20 244 spectators and was voted ;Best Event Organiser’ in the Best of Knysna & Plett Reader’s Choice Awards for 2025. With its growing reputation, next year’s edition is expected to once again attract South Africa’s top drivers, along with international competitors, and showcase an even broader variety of vehicles. The organisers emphasise the continuous evolution of the Simola Hillclimb, a key factor in its success. Next year, several changes will mark a new chapter. Notably, Leon Smith will take charge of the competition side of the event. He steps in for Geoff Goddard, who retired after overseeing 15 memorable editions. For Cla...

The latest collaboration between Maserati and Acqua di Parma celebrates the art of travel and Italian craftsmanship. Image: Maserati Maserari has teamed up with Italian fragrance and lifestyle brand Acqua di Parma to release a collection of automotive accessories. Inspired by the Trident brand’s grand touring heritage, the collaboration centres on turning long journeys into an immersive sensory experience. The Acqua di Parma x Maserati collection includes an Andiamo car diffuser in Acqua di Parma’s signature yellow hue and branded with both companies’ logos. The refillable car diffuser attaches magnetically to the vehicle’s air vents, releasing the fragrance throughout the cabin when the air conditioning is turned on through the diffuser’s simple cursor. The Passepartout Leather Charm, made from genuine leather with yellow stitching and finished with Maserati’s logo, holds a 12 ml bottle of Acqua di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne. A set of Maserati blue Nappa leather gloves w...