Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i CAR

The new CX-5 was unveiled in the UK with a revised version of the Japanese automaker’s e-Skyactiv G powertrain. Incorporating 48 V mild-hybrid technology, the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit produces 104 kW, making it 17 kW less powerful than the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder employed by the current-generation petrol models available in our market. The e-Skyactiv G unit is slightly torquier, though; churning out 238 N.m compared to the 2.0-litre’s 213 N.m. This engine option will be available with the choice of front- and all-wheel drivetrains. However, it’s fair to assume that the initial local powerplant offering will mirror Australia’s lineup — a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol producing a healthier 132 kW and 242 N.m. It is worth noting that, in Australia, this engine’s six-speed automatic transmissionis coupled with…

It seems that barely a week goes by before news of another safety-related vehicle recall appears in the international headlines. In the context of vehicle recalls, the definition of “safety-related” can be quite broad. It includes problems or failures that pose an immediate threat of severe injury or fatality, through to those which might only lead to a breakdown but are deemed safety-critical as they could result in the vehicle stopping in a dangerous position or location. Fortunately, the latter are in the majority, but conversely this has contributed to a situation where the sheer number of recalls combined with this perceived over-cautious approach has led to many motorists not taking such matters as seriously as they should. The first question many of us ask is why there are so…

FORD TERRITORY 1.8T DARK EDITION ETA: NOW *Claimed figures Price: R733 000 Engine: 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Power: 138 kW @5 200 r/min Torque: 318 N.m @1 750–3 000 r/min Fuel consumption: 7.0 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 161 g/km* Rivals: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro; Haval H6; Kia Sportage; Jaecoo J7; Toyota RAV4; Volkswagen Tiguan Comfort; Versatility Lots of capable rivals at this price point Introduced in 2024, the reimagined Territory package has become a key part of Ford South Africa’s monthly sales. Manufactured in Nanchang, China, under an agreement with Jiangling Motors (JMC), its adaptable packaging and competitive pricing give the brand a strong presence in our market’s popular family SUV segment. Until the recently unveiled facelifted version is approved for right-hand-drive markets, the current three-model range has…

Price: R799 900 0-100 km/h: 5.07 seconds Top speed: 200 km/h Power: 321 kW Torque: 762 N.m CAR fuel index: 0.96 L/100 km CO2 : 19 g/km Impressively quick and good-looking, is the H6 PHEV the bargain of its segment? Kyle Kock Finally has the go to match the show, and a price to also raise some eyebrows. Marius Boonzaier In our preview drive of the updated H6 in the August 2025 issue, Haval outlined its commitment to staying ahead of established South African rivals. This is especially evident in the firm’s midsize-SUV portfolio, where virtues such as styling, good build quality, practical packaging, impressive driving manners and an expanding aftersales support promise seem to be holding true. What we certainly weren’t expecting was GWM’s first foray into the performance-SUV segment.…

As with the previous round in Gqeberha, I’ll admit to eagerly anticipating the 2025 GR Cup season mid-point at Zwartkops Raceway. Having attended many launches and events there over the last 18 years, it’s familiar ground and I was therefore cautiously optimistic going into round four. The only problem was that four of the other drivers in the Media Challenge had lapped the Big Z just as much as me – with championship leader Nabil Abdool from Supersport probably the greenest driver on the circuit. Half a gap isn't one With a 25-car grid on the shortest circuit of the 2025 calendar, the entire field would have to be cautious. Nobody wants to take out their car at any point in the season, let alone yours AND someone else’s. If…

Email: car@habarimedia.com Mail: CAR, PO Box 180, Howard Place, 7450 WINNING LETTER ROAD SENSE AT AN ALL-TIME LOW At this time of the year, the number of road deaths is once again making headlines. It makes one wonder whether anything has really been done in recent years to make the roads safer. Authorities don’t acknowledge that many drivers lack the skills required to safely navigate long stretches of freeway, inclines on mountains and dense traffic in and around cities. Compounding the problem is the fact that driving a vehicle is one of the few activities a person can continue doing years after obtaining a license, with no further training. Many motorists ignore the first rule taught in driving school: keep left. They drive leisurely in the right lane and faster…

Measuring over five metres in length, the Bentley EXP 15’s monolithic bodywork is an amalgamation of sedan, GT and SUV styling. Indeed, according to the Crewe company’s director of design, Robin Page, this design choice allows the firm the opportunity to gauge customers’ reactions before revealing their first all-electric offering in 2026. “The beauty of a concept car is not just to position our new design language, but to test where the market’s going,” said Page. The EXP 15 embodies design principles that will influence future Bentley production models. The concept’s imposing front facia incorporates an upright, illuminated grille. Despite being battery-electric and such an item isn’t necessary, the company says it’s an important element as it pays homage to the brand’s historical design language. Similarly, the elongated bonnet reflects…

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1975, the original Golf GTI, or “Sport Golf” as it was referred to during its development, was tasked with offering customers drawn to Volkswagen’s boxy replacement for the Beetle a little extra in terms of driving dynamics and enthusiasm. A small group of Wolfsburg-based engineers and marketing executives, led by Anton Konrad and Alfons Löwenberg, worked behind the scenes on a passion project they believed would be a game-changing derivative within the recently introduced Golf Mk1 lineup. Eventually greenlit by VW, the plan for the first Grand Tourer Injection was to sell 5 000 units. By the end of its production in 1983, the GTI had accounted for 456 690 sales. Dubbed EA195, the Sport Golf distinguished itself from other models in…

*Claimed figures Price: R1 199 995 Powertrain: 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch Power: 148 kW @3 800 r/min Torque: 440 N.m @1 750 – 2 750 r/min Top speed: 201 km/h* Fuel consumption: 6.9 L/100 km* CO2 Emissions: 158 g/km* Rivals: Chery Tiggo 8; Ford Everest; Volkswagen Tayron Proven turbodiesel powertrain; overall refinement A bit expensive For many, the evolution of the seven-seat Sorento since 2008 has aligned closely with the impressive trajectory its maker, Kia, has been navigating in terms of steadily improved build quality, overall refinement, and noteworthy global ownership satisfaction ratings. Where, traditionally, the seven-seater Sorento SUV has shared many attributes with its Hyundai Santa Fe cousin, locally the Kia looks set to carve its own path now that its recently introduced updated relation, together with its…

Price: R3 266 100 0 to 100 km/h: 3.72 secs Top speed: 250 km/h Power: 471 kW Torque: 850 N.m CAR Fuel index: 14.64 L/100 km CO2 : 277 g/km Faces strong competition within this niche space. I’d be tempted by its similarly impressive RS 6 Avant sibling, too Ian McLaren I love the pinnacle Q8’s sense of presence and stance, even if much of it still needs to be optioned at purchase Gareth Dean Brought to the South African market in 2021, the high-performance halo model of Audi’s Q SUV range shares the same rip-snorting EA825, 4.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged V8 engine with its RS 6 Avant sister car, and its Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga relatives. A vehicle announced via a new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for SUVs, an…

Driver: Gareth Dean 3 months 4 021 km 9.17 L/100 km Impressive balance of comfort and involvement; surprisingly practical Occasionally stiff low-speed ride; roofline infringes on rear headroom Audi’s Q8 first arrived on our market back in 2019 as a late-coming, but nonetheless impressive counter to coupé-SUV rivals such as Mercedes-Benz’s GLE Coupé and BMW X6. This Sportback rendition of the Q7 offered buyers something a bit sportier-looking than the firm’s halo SUV, and with its engine lineup encompassing turbocharged V6 petrol and diesel offerings, as well as the mighty biturbo V8 in the fire-breathing RS Q8, it always impressed us in our road tests and drives. Fast forward five years, and the Q8 has been subjected to a mid-cycle update as part of a rejig of Audi SA’s SUV…

Price: TBC Powertrain: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Power: 195 kW @5 250–6 500 r/min Torque: 370 N.m @1 600 r/min 0-100 km/h: 5.9 seconds* Top speed: 250 km/h (limited)* Fuel consumption: 7.3 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 166 g/km* Rivals: Honda Civic Type R; Hyundai i30N; Mini Cooper JCW *Claimed figures Updated interior; feels dynamically accomplished No more “vvrpha”soundtrack; it’s going to be expensive There was a time, not too long ago, when up to 70% of the Volkswagen Golf sales in the South African market had the letters ‘GTI’ written on the order form. An alarming statistic that is still mentioned in the halls of the brand’s Wolfsburg head office, it spoke to this halo model’s popularity among a local audience that appreciated two critical things: the legacy of…

Price: R709 900 0-100 km/h: 8.06 seconds Top speed: 201 km/h Power: 137 kW Torque: 416 N.m CAR Fuel Index: 8.88 L/100 km CO2 : 169 g/km Facelift has solidified the Tucson’s current Top 12 positioning even further Marius Boonzaier With its turbodiesel particularly frugal in FWD guise, the Executive is the Tucson to have Kyle Kock Launched in April, the updated Hyundai Tucson just missed out on our 2025 Top 12 Best Buys awards judging. However, the pre-facelifted fourth generation, which was introduced to the South African market in 2022, remained a worthy competitor against its local midsize-SUV peers. Thanks to a broad lineup, keen pricing, generous aftersales cover and easy-to-drive characteristics, the Hyundai secured a podium finish in the Midsize SUV category. The Kia Sportage claimed second, while the…

Conceived by the FIA and Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) in 2018 and brought to fruition in 2023, the modern regulations and broad appeal associated with the current top tier of the World Endurance Championship continue to draw the attention of some of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers. Known as the Hypercar category, the appeal of this restructured racing formula includes a considered cost structure, purportedly competitive racing, and the ability to showcase respective future-focused powertrain technologies. THE 93RD RUNNING OF LE MANS Held from 11 to 15 June, the showpiece of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship was hosted at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. Marking the halfway point of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains widely regarded as one of…

5 seats, 296/912 L 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC R14 076 Mercedes-Benz A200 Sedan 7G-DCT (April 2020) Power: 120 kW Torque: 250 N.m 0-100 km/h: 9.03 seconds Top speed: 225 km/h Fuel consumption index: 6.48 L/100 km The fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class was introduced to the South African market in 2018, not long after its global debut. The car was a significant upgrade over the third generation, which, at its 2012 debut, presented one of the most prominent design changes between generations ever seen on any car. But design aside, it also represented something else for the German automaker: it made premium motoring more attainable, and the tech-forward experience was fun. Remember the “Hey Mercedes” voice prompts for the early MBUX infotainment systems? Locally, the fourth-generation A-Class lineup comprised the A200,…