Innehållsförteckning för November 2025 från CAR

MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE COUPÉ ETA: NOW *Claimed figures Price: R4 386 749 Powertrain: 4.0-litre, V8 twin-turbo petrol V8 + electric motor Transmission: 9-speed automatic Drive: AWD Power: 600 kW Torque: 1 420 N.m 0-100 km/h: 2.79 seconds Top speed: 320 km/h* Fuel consumption: 9.8 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 199 g/km Rivals: Aston Martin Vantage Coupé; Porsche 911 Turbo S Improved comfort and versatility compared with the previous GT New Porsche 911 Turbo S waiting in the wings In late 2015, accompanied by colleagues Duwyne Aspeling and Nikesh Kooverjee, I undertook a road trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town, via Upington, in a Mercedes-AMG GT S Coupé branded with bright red “722” stickers. The subsequent September 2015 cover feature paid homage to the feat of British racing legend…

KIA CARNIVAL 2.2CRDI SXL ETA: NOW *Claimed figures Price: R1 299 995 Powertrain: 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel Transmission: 8-speed automatic Power: 148 kW @3 800 r/min Torque: 440 N.m @1 750–2 750 r/min 0-100 km/h: 10.7 seconds Top speed: 190 km/h* Fuel consumption: 6.7 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 158 g/km* Rivals: Ford Tourneo Custom; Hyundai Staria; Mercedes-Benz Vito Select; Volkswagen Transporter SUV-like road manners; versatility Not the value proposition it used to be In an exciting period of evolution for Kia’s South African operations, the next product to receive both this Korean brand’s newest design language and a reconsidered, more focused local offering is the Carnival people-mover. Available in EX and flagship SXL trims, along with striking exterior updates, the interior is enhanced compared to the previous version through the inclusion of…

Price: R1 047 760 0-100 km/h: 8.58 seconds Top speed: 218 km/h Power: 140 kW Torque: 310 kW CAR fuel index: 9.00 L/100 km CO2 : 171 g/km Even the entry level X3 has the credentials of a winner Kyle Kock Well balanced and impressively refined – possibly the pick of the X3 range Gareth Dean Although its traditional rivals have all but acquiesced to the pressure of downsized forced-induction petrol engines, the BMW’s X3 has soldiered on with the 2.0-litre turbopetrol it shares with other models in the firm’s lineup. Choosing rivals from Southern Germany at this price point is nearly impossible. Audi’s opted for turbodiesel engines in the entry-level models of its new Q5 midsize SUV and the only petrol engined Mercedes-Benz GLCs are the AMG-fettled 43 and hybridised…

Driver: Marius Boonzaier 6 months 4 158 km 7.82 L/100 km Overall character; interior design, detailing and build quality; fun to drive Pricey options; lack of storage compartments; occasionally firm ride Decades ago, I asked a grown-up, “If money were no object, what car would you have?” Their answer surprised me. It wasn’t an iconic classic, nor one of the latest high-performance or luxury cars of the time. Instead, their car of choice was a compact hatchback… and not of the “hot” variety, I might add. Upon asking them why, they answered, “It’s all I need.” As a child, I didn’t quite understand this notion. However, as the years progressed, I’d like to believe I’ve become wiser and come to understand it. And the new Mini Cooper C is a…

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Email: car@habarimedia.com Mail: CAR, PO Box 180, Howard Place, 7450 WINNING LETTER 12 YEARS WITH A KIA SORENTO On 22nd January 2013, a few months after retirement, I bought a Kia Sorento seven-seater 2.2 diesel AWD. As the car came with a five-year maintenance plan, I assumed that ownership would be plain sailing. Over the past twelve years I have travelled just short of 150 000 km – 23 000 km while towing a Sprite Swing caravan. Over that time, it’s used 15 145 litres of diesel at a cost of R221 892.27. The average fuel consumption over the period was 10.4 L/100 km at a cost of R1.52/km. The worst consumption, without the caravan, was 11.6 L/100 km (mostly town driving), and the best consumption without the caravan was…

Revealed in flagship guise, the GLC400 4Matic with EQ Technology is equipped with dual electric motors — fed by a 94 kWh (usable) battery pack — producing a combined power output of 360 kW, which is good for a 0-100 km/h sprint of 4.3 seconds. At the time of writing, the Stuttgart automaker had yet to reveal this model’s torque output. The GLC with EQ Technology measures 4 845 mm long, front to rear, and 1 913 mm wide, making it 129 mm longer and 23 mm wider than its internal combustion SUV sibling. The wheelbase has been stretched, too, by 84 mm. Thanks to the increase in dimensions, Mercedes-Benz says the all-electric model offers 13 and 46 mm more legroom for front and rear occupants, respectively. The emissions-free GLC’s…

TATA TIAGO 1.2 XT MANUAL ETA: NOW *Claimed figures Price: R209 900 Powertrain: 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, petrol Transmission: 5-speed manual Power: 63 kW @6 000 r/min Torque: 113 N.m @3 300 r/min Top speed: n/a Fuel consumption: 5.0 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 119 g/km* Rivals: Suzuki Celerio; Toyota Vitz; Renault Kwid Strong performance; spacious cabin Potential misgivings with automated manual transmission After a six-year hiatus from South Africa, Indian automaker Tata Motors’ renewed aspirations for expansion outside its home market include aligning its diverse modern product portfolio with the perceived needs of this market. After all, around 50% of all passenger cars sold in SA are currently sourced from India (see page 30). Backed by the Motus Group, and with up to 17 new models waiting in the wings, Tata has officially…

Price: R469 900 0 to 100 km/h: 7.84 seconds Top speed: n/a Power: 150 kW Torque: 310 N.m CAR Fuel index: 6.48 L/100km CO2 : 123 g/km Chery makes a lot of good products, but the Tiggo Cross hybrid falls short Kyle Kock Stylish exterior and generous equipment are not enough to outweigh powertrain issues Marius Boonzaier Introduced to South Africa in 2024, the Tiggo Cross is bookended by the Tiggo 4 Pro, Chery’s best-selling model locally, and Tiggo 7. While it is worth noting that the Tiggo Cross has replaced the Tiggo 4 Pro as the company’s most pocket-friendly crossover/SUV in other markets, the latter soldiers on in the Wuhu automaker’s SA lineup. The decision to offer the Tiggo Cross alongside the Tiggo 4 Pro in our market has provided…

Knowing that the National Extreme Festival would return to two circuits at the end of the season was something in which I found solace earlier this year. First up, Killarney International Raceway, my “home” circuit, and where I made my racing debut along with everyone else running in the Media Challenge of the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa GR Cup in March. The opening performance in the pre-facelift manual GR Yaris had surprised even me, taking two second positions in class and securing second overall on my first ever race weekend. And since that outing, podium finishes – bar the fourth round DNF at Zwartkops – have been the order of the day. Many would be happy to do that well in a debut race season, but the thought of…

Volkswagen is transferring its most popular nameplates into the era of electric mobility — to its ID. family. Indeed, the German marque’s upcoming front-wheel-drive all-electric compact hatchback and crossover models will play host to the iconic ‘Polo’ and ‘Cross’ monikers. “Our model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds. They stand for a strong brand and embody characteristics such as quality, timeless design and technologies for all. That’s why we’re moving our well-known names into the future,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of VW passenger cars. The ID. Polo measures 4 053 mm in length and 1 816 mm wide, making it slightly shorter and wider than the current ICE model. Two battery packs will be available: 38 kWh and 56 kWh — the latter offering a claimed all-electric operating range…

Impressive poise and ride; presence like few other cars out there Some fiddly cabin ergonomics; it’s in 911 territory pricewise Despite our efforts to remain as impartial as possible in our line of work, it’s sometimes difficult to shake one’s prejudices when confronted with a car as iconic as the Corvette. A youth spent seeing iterations of these wheeled slices of Americana powersliding away from hapless police interceptors in movies throughout the 70s and 80s, or being piloted by Ray Bay-wearing, Don Johnson types (yes, his character drove a Testarossa in Miami Vice, but the car used in the show was actually a reskinned Corvette) along palm-lined boulevards, with a shapely blonde in the passenger seat and a glovebox likely full of recreational pharmaceuticals, had the Corvette carrying some cultural…

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 1.5 ETSI 110 KW DSG ETA: 2026 *Claimed figures Price: TBC Powertrain: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol + 48 V hybrid system Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Power: 110 kW @5 000-6 000 r/min Torque: 250 N.m @1 500-3 500 r/min Driven wheels: front Top speed: 210 km/h* Fuel consumption: 6.2 L/100 km* CO2 Emissions: 141 g/km* Rivals: Haval H6 1.5T HEV; Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Intuitive hybrid powertrain works seamlessly SA pricing will be key Introduced in 2024, the third generation of Volkswagen’s best-selling Tiguan quickly reaffirmed this raised-ride-height product as the benchmark in its segment, proceeding to reclaim the top spot from the Kia Sportage in our annual Top 12 Best Buys awards issue. Built on Volkswagen’s MQB Evo platform, the modern Tiguan (and its extended, seven-seater Tayron sibling) deliver impressive perceived…

Price: R3 749 100 0-100 km/h: 4.59 seconds Top speed: 210 km/h Power: 467 kW Torque: 750 N.m CAR Fuel index: 16.20 L/100km CO2 : 298 g/km I love its sense of presence and all-conquering persona. I’d buy the Edition One in this spec for maximum novelty Ian McLaren As unlikely as a barnstorming Defender package sounds, it’s difficult to fault the Octa’s execution Gareth Dean The premise of many Hollywood movies is the idea of a so-called super soldier, a genetically enhanced combatant sent into battle to use superior strength, conditioning and wherewithal to strike fear into the heart of an enemy. At the core of these blueprints, whether on the good guy’s side or the “bad”, is a subject selected because they’ve displayed a level of bravery and acumen…

Driver: Alex Shahini 3 months 3 750 km 4.70 L/100 km Refinement; fuel consumption Prevalence of white examples; CVT doesn’t like to be rushed A chat with Ian McLaren on his return from driving the forthcoming new Volkswagen Tiguan eTSI revealed interesting comparisons between the German brand’s latest hybrid technology and the workings of my Corolla Cross HEV. While the former incorporates a 48 V starter-generator setup to complement the workings of the 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine, including seamlessly placing the transmission into a coast mode in certain conditions, Toyota’s proven traditional hybrid setup focuses on supplementing the 1.8-litre engine’s on-the-move performance via its ability to drive for short distances, including initial pull-away, in EV mode. Both systems harvest regenerative (braking) energy to recharge their respective batteries. Satisfied with my average…

5 seats, 400 L 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD R9 476 August 2021 (Ballade 1.5 RS CVT) 0-100 km/h: 10.81 seconds Top speed: n/a Power: 89 kW Torque: 145 N.m Fuel consumption index: 6.60 L/100 km The eighth-generation Honda Ballade arrived in South Africa in 2020, aiming to make inroads into the compact-sedan segment with its value-for-money proposition and Honda-backed reputability. Interestingly, the car arrived as the automotive landscape was hitting its next gear in favour of all things crossover and SUV. These genres now overshadowed the sedan market, making the climb up the sales ladder a tad more difficult for the Ballade and its competitors. Five years on, the Ballade is a mainstay in Honda’s portfolio, but how does it stack up as a used buy? Over its predecessor,…