A frugal and comfortable oil burner might be the logical choice for most trekking between Joburg and Cape Town but a group of motoring affiliated members backed by naamsa embarked on an EV road trip between Johannesburg and Cape Town. The scenic trip wasn’t without its shortcomings though…

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Last year, an ambitious road trip sought to address the feasibility of long-distance electric vehicle (EV) travel in South Africa. Unlike the usual day or two trek on the country’s passage between the two cities, this pre-planned trip spanned four days exposing the diverse landscapes of the country, travelling through the villages in the Eastern and Western Cape to the rugged mountain passes of the Karoo, including Nieu-Bethesda and Prince Albert via the Swartberg Pass. The event was strategically timed ahead of Naamsa’s SA Auto Week in Cape Town, adding weight to the discussion around South Africa’s EV future.

Related: Toyota Warns Subsidised Chinese Imports Could Further De-Industrialise SA

The road trip was spearheaded by Naamsa in collaboration with major industry players, including KPMG, Accenture, Woolworths, the Industrial Development Corporation, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, the Electric Mission, WesBank, FNB, and TechCentral. Their aim was to highlight the challenges and opportunities that EV owners might face when embarking on long-distance travel, particularly in areas with limited charging infrastructure.

The convoy consisted of five electric vehicles— a Volvo XC40, a BMW iX50, a Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+, a BYD Seal, and a Volkswagen ID.4— all of which successfully reached Cape Town despite a few tense moments in Colesberg and Jansenville, where range anxiety became a real concern.

Related: Did Red Bull Miss Out On Something By Signing Lawson?

Piloting the silent vehicles 2 200 km was a team keen on Escaping the Noise and comprised industry and sustainability experts. Among them were Greg Cress, Principal Director for Automotive and E-Mobility at Accenture; Hideki (Dex) Machida, Automotive Industry Leader at KPMG; Feroz Koor, Group Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Holdings; Hiten Parmar, Executive Director at the Electric Mission; and Kival Singh, Head of Sustainability and ESG Solutions at FNB South Africa.

Related: Toyota Confirms Four Refreshed Models for SA at SOMI

Also in attendance were Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa, Nathan Fredericks from the Industrial Development Corporation, Nicholas Brooks from the UK’s Just Energy Transition Project, and Tshetlhe Litheko, Chief Policy Officer at Naamsa. TechCentral’s Editor, Duncan McLeod, was also part of the team, helping document the journey alongside a production crew comprising Jonathan Pinkhard, Frank Meyer, and Shaun Abdul.

With its mix of real-world testing, expert perspectives, and scenic South African backdrops, the documentary offers a compelling look at the future of EV travel in the country and does prove there is still a little way to go for the infrastructure to truly make this a realistic form of long-distance travel.

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Image: kayash2000

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While reports on who was behind the wheel remain unconfirmed, what can be seen in the below video is a Ferrari F40, on greasy UK roads, sliding after too much throttle input sends the rear wheels into a frenzy. This all occurred on Thursday, January 16, 2025, reducing the vehicle valued at approximately R50 million to a sad collection of scattered parts. With the typical English weather, the vehicle collided with a lamppost and flipped onto its side on the A5 London Road in Markyate, Hertfordshire. When it comes to speculation, the driver was reportedly a service technician, and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Greasy road, too low a gear, gap to the car in front, too much loud pedal and around she goes!

Silly bugger.#Ferrari #F40 pic.twitter.com/87FKuIxhRB

— _ (@DabOf0ppo) January 17, 2025

The extremely light Ferrari F40 is revered for its twin-turbocharged V8 engine which produces a respectable 352 kW but due to this powertrain and certain slow spooling forced induction, it has been known to catch lesser experienced drivers out, or those using old, cold or worn tyres. What the cause was here remains uncertain, however a closer inspection on the photos shows what looks like new tyres while the video shows too much throttle on slippery roads. Highly sought after being the last model signed off by Enzo, there are reportedly only around 75 units in the UK. This particular vehicle, bearing the registration F40 PRX, is believed to be the highest-mileage F40 in existence and it will hopefully be brought back to its former glory soon.

Related: Did Red Bull Miss Out On Something By Signing Lawson?

That said, the photos from the scene show extensive damage to the front of the car, with the entire front clamshell torn off, exposing internal components such as the suspension and radiator. The interior seats were covered in protective plastic, indicating the car was likely under service at the time of the accident which corroborates the theory that it may not have been the owner at the teller.

Related: Road Test: Aston Martin Vantage Coupé

So then, if you think you are having a bad day, things could be worse, right?

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Set against the backdrop of a race track, the video posted by GTA SA Durban Kasi humorously portrays a Toyota Quantum, fully loaded with passengers, effortlessly outpacing seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who, in the video, struggles to keep up around the Temple of Speed in Italy.

The parody combines South African car culture with gaming flair, showcasing the Quantum in its most unorthodox role yet — dominating the track against a Formula 1 champion. The absurdity of a minibus taxi competing with and surpassing Hamilton’s high-performance Ferrari Formula 1 race car is a comedic nod to the unique hustle and resilience associated with local taxis.

Related: Lewis Hamilton ‘Very Emotional’ Driving Senna’s 1990 F1 Car

Known for blending South African motoring themes with popular games like GTA, the account frequently delivers imaginative and humorous takes, from “stanced” vehicles to high-speed taxi antics. This latest post is a fitting tribute to South Africa’s vibrant car culture.

Watch here:

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The post Toyota Quantum Outpaces Lewis Hamilton in Parody Video appeared first on CAR Magazine.

The incident unfolded as the M240i and Golf R prepared for their drag race. However, before the official start, the M4 driver took to the adjacent arena to commence a drift demonstration, cutting across the track and directly into the path of the accelerating vehicles. The Golf R, caught off guard and obscured by the M240i ahead of it, collided head-on with the M4, causing significant damage to both cars.

Fortunately, the M240i driver managed to react swiftly and avoid the collision, escaping unscathed. The M4 and Golf R, however, were left severely damaged and had to be removed from the track by a forklift.

Related: DRAG RACE: Toyota GR Corolla GR-Four Circuit vs Volkswagen Golf R

This unfortunate event highlights the importance of strict rules and regulations at drag racing events. Proper marshalling and clear communication are essential to ensure the safety of all participants. By establishing clear guidelines and enforcing them rigorously, organizers can minimize the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for everyone involved. There is no certainty of where the fault lies, whether with the M4 driver who entered a live track or incorrect marshalling that allowed the Bavarian coupe on and the motoring fraternity has been critical of The Rock Raceway’s poor safety of both drivers and spectators.

Multiple different views of the accident have been circulating on social media, who do you think was at fault?

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The post BMW M4 Drift Stunt Leads to a Major Crash with Golf R During Local Drag Race appeared first on CAR Magazine.

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Related: LONG-TERM WRAP UP: Toyota Corolla XR Hybrid Sedan

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Not so long ago, South Africa’s streets were ablaze with the sounds of Formula 1 when Oracle Red Bull Racing took to Sandton for the Showrun. Now, the energy drink company has released a short cinematic skit of David Coulthard’s theatrics at Kyalami!

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Manifesting a future South African motorsport would so dearly love, a Formula 1 car recently took to the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit as part of the globally revered Red Bull Showrun. While scripted lines include “The drivers will love this circuit” and Coulthard stating “I have been waiting a long time to get a modern [Formula 1] car on this track… good to be back”, the Scotsman added in a press conference that Kyalami has all of the ingredients for a Grand Prix challenge, echoing the sentiments of his in-video lines.

Related: Sandton’s Showstopping Showrun a Roaring Red Bull Success

“Driving the RB7 here at Kyalami was unforgettable,” Coulthard shared explaining how much he loves coming back to South Africa. “With South Africa’s energy and Kyalami’s world-class track, it’s clear the country is ready to rejoin the F1 calendar.”

Related: How Spinning Will Become an Official Sport According to Red Bull Athlete Samsam

While the Oracle Red Bull Racing theatrics centre around the sonorous Formula 1 challenger of yesteryear, recently signed South African spinner Samsam also got in on the action, with a short cameo at the end. It may only be a matter of time now, since Kyalami officials have made firm commitments to spend millions upgrading the required sections of the circuit to align itself with current FIA standards but the antics of  Oracle Red Bull Racing have undeniably played a crucial part in showcasing the spirit South Africans would have for a full-blown Grand Prix.

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The post Watch Red Bull Racing Bring A Taste of Formula 1 Back to South Africa appeared first on CAR Magazine.

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In the latest of Ford SA’s ‘Our Ford Stories’ video series which coincides with Ford South Africa’s Centenary Celebrations, viewers are offered a glimpse into some of the lesser spotted Blue Oval models that now demand classic status. The video series continues to highlight the iconic nameplates that Ford has fostered into the country over the years, which have fostered a passion for the brand that very few other automakers can lay claim to.

Related: Uncovering South Africa’s Forgotten Role in Ford’s Legacy

Several models, plus their owners are featured here. The latest timeless classics video starts off with the oldest of the lot, a Fairlane, which perfectly epitomised American grandeur and space-aged styling of the era. Of course, the Mustang which has previously featured as a standalone video with David Mashabela is included as well, along with a few other models from more recent memory. A completely original Escort serves as a time capsule into the 1980s, where the model was renowned for its lightness, reliability, and handling that dominated rally stages.

Related: David Mashabela Shares Details on His Mint Ford Mustang

Closer to home and motorsports, the video also includes some perfectly preserved, customer-owned models that are intrinsically linked to motorsport in South Africa. The first of which is the rare and highly sought-after Sapphire Cosworth built by Basil Green and Geoff Mortimer, and the homologation special Sierra XR8. Both these vehicles have cemented Ford’s place in our automotive culture. Closer to the current era, a far newer Fiesta ST is featured and demonstrates the performance club that has been spurred as a result, attesting to the many active Ford Clubs around the country

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The post Ford Showcases Some Impeccably Maintained Classics in Latest Video appeared first on CAR Magazine.

Despite many naysayers criticizing the all-new BMW M5 for its hefty weight, it seems to hide it pretty well when tackling any performance-oriented activities. Join for a POV lap around Kyalami below!

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BMW South Africa driving instructor Cristiano Verolini shows what the all-new BMW M5 is capable of during the 2024 M Fest hosted at Kyalami. Starting the lap of the 4.5 km circuit from turn 16, the 2.5-tonne luxury behemoth immediately powers onto the main straight before eventually being slowed by its sizable anchors, going from an indicated 236 km/h to around 70 km/h entry into Crowthorne.

Related: The M2 Racing May Be the Ultimate BMW Competition-Ready Model

The all-wheel-drive system just about keeps things in check, although Verolini does have to input steering correction to allow the 535 kW maximum power output to most efficiently propel it forward. From the video, the S68 also seems to provide a sonorous tune, while the electrified hybrid system operates in near silence in the background. There is traffic on the circuit, with other M models ferrying customers and enthusiasts around the hallowed circuit, so this isn’t explicitly a timed lap but it does look rapid. Kyle Kock managed to have a few short and spirited laps of the circuit, but it seems that the driving instructor is perfectly in tune with the luxury sedan.

Related: Review: BMW M5 (G90)

As a recpa, the G90 M5 houses a 4.4-litre V8 under the bonnet, which works in conjunction with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to send power to all four wheels via BMW’s eight-speed M Steptronic automatic and pre-gearing. The electric system alone makes 145 kW and 280 N.m of torque, but the combined output is 535 kW and 1 000 N.m. Despite the fact that it is one of the few M5’s to not boast a greater power-to-weight figure than its predecessor, it looks to be as fast.

 

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The post Jump Aboard the Impressively Quick BMW M5 for a Lap Around Kyalami appeared first on CAR Magazine.

This could potentially be the most disappointing accident of the year; the moment not one but two Chiron models collide, collecting a stricken truck in the process.

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Related: Bugatti Unveils its V16-Powered Tourbillon

An accident as avoidable as this proves how a mundane manoeuvre can be costly and even potentially life-threatening. There is no certainty where the blame will be apportioned in this scenario, but it is generally advisable to not overtake multiple cars for this reason while always checking in the mirrors and the blind spot before initiating a manoeuvre is essential.

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The post Botched Overtake Results in Two Crashed Bugatti Chiron Models appeared first on CAR Magazine.

The 2024 season of the Toyota GR Cup is almost at its conclusion but ahead of the final round at Zwartkops Raceway, here is a look at the penultimate weekend at Killarney Raceway in Cape Town.

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Alex Shahini managed to bag a second-place win in Cape Town during an enthralling race weekend that saw four contenders tussling for victory over the two races. Action was prevalent throughout the grid too, with the GR86 Development Academy also scrapping it out in some incredibly close racing.

Related: On the Raggedy Edge – GR Cup Round 6

Watch the episode below to get caught up before the Extreme Festival contingent takes to Zwartkops Raceway tomorrow!

Related: One Last Dance – Toyota GR Cup Returns to Zwartkops for Season Finale

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The post GR Cup Round 6 – Cape Town appeared first on CAR Magazine.