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The Citizen
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Opel Frontera Gravel concept previews rugged Duster rival
Limited to a one-off build, the latest Opel Frontera Gravel concept could be an adventurer's companion and rival to Renault's popular Duster SUV. Looking for a new or used Opel? Find it here with CARmag! Built in collaboration with motorsport specialists BlackFish and XS, the concept will be shown publicly for the first time at the XS Carnight event in Wörthersee, Austria, today. Designed at Opel's Rüsselsheim studio, the Frontera Gravel builds on the standard Frontera Electric model, adding a range of off-road-inspired visual upgrades. These include a Thule Canyon XT roof rack, auxiliary LED lights on the hood and roof, a front winch, and snow tracks mounted on the D-pillars. It also gets 16-inch Borbet CWE alloy wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres, which enhance the SUV's tough appearance, even if its actual off-road capability remains limited. Related: Opel Unveils All-Electric Mokka for Rally Debut The body is finished in a matte Desert Stone wrap with black contrasts on the hood and roof, while orange detailing on the skid plates, mirrors, roof rack, and badging gives it a more striking look. Matching orange stitching appears on the microfibre seats inside, with a black headliner completing the theme. Underneath, the concept sticks with the front-wheel-drive layout of the production Frontera Electric. It uses a single 115kW electric motor and a 54kWh battery, offering up to 400km of driving range. While it's not built for serious off-roading, Opel says it's capable of light-duty trail driving or 'soft-roading'. There's currently no all-wheel-drive version of the Frontera, though Stellantis has deployed electrified rear axles in models like the Jeep Avenger 4Xe and Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Q4. This approach is also planned for the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda 4×4, suggesting it could be possible for Opel in the future. Though officially labelled a concept, the Frontera Gravel could point to a new rugged trim level to compete with the likes of the upcoming Dakar-inspired Dacia (or Renault) Duster. Opel says the concept is a way to gauge interest in a more adventurous version of its family SUV. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Opel Frontera Gravel Concept Previews Rugged Duster Rival appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Shock and awe: The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is on its way
Shock and awe: The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is on its way At first glance, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E could easily be mistaken for a concept car. However, this 'mini-supercar', as the French firm dubs it, has been given the green light for production. Slated for introduction in 2027, only 1 980 examples (the number of units signifying the year the original R5 Turbo was unveiled) will be made. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec Based on a newly developed platform, the R5 Turbo 3E features two electric motors, sited within the hubs of the 20-inch rear wheels. This setup produces a combined outputs of 400kW and a seismograph registering 4 800Nm of torque. This allows the 1 450kg, super-hatch to complete the 0-100km/h dash in under 3.5s, on the way to a 270km/h top speed. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! The R5 Turbo 3E's 800 V electric architecture incorporates a 70kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers a claimed operating range of 400km on a single full charge. It is worth noting that these remarkable abovementioned figures may vary once the R5 Turbo 3E has officially completed homologation. Related: Toyota Celebrates 40 Years at Le Mans With Throwback Liveries The R5 Turbo 3E's retro-styled bodywork measures 4 080mm long, front to rear, 2 030mm wide and 1 380mm in height. The two-door's carbon-fibre shell wraps around a driver-focused interior featuring such items as 10.1- and 10.25-inch displays, Alcantara-trimmed bucket seats with six-point harnesses and a rally-style vertical handbrake. Find the full feature in the June 2025 issue of CAR Magazine. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Shock and Awe – Renault 5 Turbo 3E appeared first on CAR Magazine.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Suzuki SA upgrades local HQ and distribution centre
Since its return to the South African market in 2008, Suzuki Auto South Africa has been experiencing immense growth, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker having secured its place as one of SA's top-three best-selling car brands. Looking for a new or used Suzuki? Find it here with CARmag! Now, in a bid to improve upon its local operations and support future growth, Suzuki has invested in a brand-new head office and distribution centre, scheduled to be completed mid-2026. Related: Top 12 Best Buys 2025: Company of the Year – Suzuki Auto South Africa Indeed, come next year, Suzuki Auto SA will move offices, from its current, Linbro Business Park-based headquarters to a 'custom-designed', 24 507m² facility, which will include 2 900m² of office space and 19 100m² of warehousing, in Longlake Logistics Park in Gauteng. The firm's new SA headquarters will also feature such amenities as boardrooms, training facilities and a workshop, to name but a few. Related: Top 12 Best Buys 2025: Budget Car – Suzuki Swift Vice-president and CFO of Suzuki Auto SA Berto van der Lith says: 'This move marks a significant chapter in our journey. Our new headquarters will allow for further improvements in our current operations and support the growth we foresee in the coming years.' Leasing consultant at Fortress Marguerite Oosthuizen adds: 'We set out to deliver more than just warehouse space for Suzuki. It was about creating a tailored, future-focused facility that embodies the brand, supports its people and enables bold, sustainable growth.' Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! The post Suzuki SA Upgrades Local HQ and Distribution Centre appeared first on CAR Magazine.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VW plant Kariega enters next phase for production of new SA-built crossover
Volkswagen's Plant Kariega in the Eastern Cape has entered the next phase in preparation for production of the third SA-built model. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! As Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) continues to prepare Plant Kariega for production of its third South African-built model, the automaker has announced the Eastern Cape-based assembly facility has entered the commissioning phase for the highly-anticipated entry-level compact crossover/SUV. Related: VW's Kariega Plant Will Pause Production in 2025 For R4 Billion Investment of Tera SUV This announcement comes after VWGA halted production at Plant Kariega earlier in 2024 (from April 14 to May 12) to complete the upgrades, notably to the body shop, paint shop and final assembly areas, made to the manufacturing line in December 2024. Noteworthy, with the aforementioned upgrades completed, production of the Polo Vivo and Polo has returned to normal, while the commissioning phase is carried out over the weekends. The latter phase comprises the processes of bringing the new equipment online and carrying out the necessary checks to ensure it operates optimally. Related: VW Finally Unveils New SA-built Compact Crossover Built alongside the aforementioned two cars, the automaker's upcoming product will serve as the opening gambit to the company's local crossover/SUV portfolio, which currently comprises the Polo-based T-Cross and Taigo, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg. Positioned below the T-Cross, the Tera — as it is named in Brazil, where it is also manufactured — will officially be introduced in 2027. Locally, however, this model will be known by a different yet unannounced name. The German marque's SA arm has, however, confirmed that its moniker won't necessarily adhere to its 'T' naming convention. Related: Polo Production Halts at Kariega for Tooling of New A0 SUV VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe said: 'We are happy to be back to normal production, with the knowledge that we are one step closer to our future of building three models in our plant.' Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag! The post VW Plant Kariega Enters Next Phase for Production of New SA-built Crossover appeared first on CAR Magazine.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 takes on the Cape 1000
Set in the Western Cape, the annual Cape 1000 is fast becoming a go-to event on the international motoring calendar. We borrowed an appropriate set of wheels and tagged along on the 2025 event. Here's Alex Shahini's experience. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! 'Welcome to the thousand' were the first words my navigator, Sam, and I heard upon entering the parking lot of the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant. The registration point for the annual Cape 1000 rally, Sunday's Show & Shine gathering, represents one of the most spectacular collections of rare automotive machinery in South Africa. Although this Western Cape-based rally may still be in its infancy, it has grown in popularity and proudly claims to be 'South Africa's most beautiful drive'. 'My husband, Ross, started the Round Table Cannonball Run Africa in 2003, which brought about the establishment of the Super Car Lifestyle events company,' says Cape 1000 co-founder Vanessa Crighton. 'He conceptualised the Concours South Africa and many supercar tours before an accident he was involved in December 2014 prompted me to join him in his passion for bringing like-minded car enthusiasts together. 'Having researched overseas regularity rallies like Italy's famous Mille Miglia (Thousand Miles), and appreciating the spectacular scenery the Western Cape has to offer, we came up with the concept of Cape 1000. We had no idea that it would explode like it has,' continues Crighton. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec The inaugural Cape 1000 in 2022 saw 40 classic and exotic cars navigate a 1000-mile (1 600km) route, taking in some of the Western Cape's finest roads, mountain passes and destinations. The four-day event that quickly drew the attention of excited onlookers included several timed events in the interest of friendly competition. Arriving at the Show & Shine registration point for the 2025 event in a pre-launch Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 and viewing the calibre of the 64 other cars participating in this year's event, it quickly became apparent that the Cape 1000 is now one of the most preeminent events on the South African motoring calendar. Divided into Classic (pre-1977), Modern Classic (1977-1996) and Sports Car (1997 to current), those selected out of more than a hundred entries for the 2025 Cape 1000 included a 1959 Mercedes-Benz SL190, a 1968 Ford Mustang GT, a 1970 Ferrari Daytona, a 1971 Porsche 911 RS, a 1993 Lamborghini Diablo, a 1995 Ferrari 512TR Testarossa and a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing. Our CLE 53 was joined by other current performance cars like the stunning Ferrari 12 Cilindri and an Aston Martin DB12. Related: Toyota Celebrates 40 Years at Le Mans With Throwback Liveries With the cumulative value of the gathered procession best left to the imagination, the appeal of carefully organised events like these is that they allow owners an opportunity to enjoy their wares in a controlled environment while navigating sections of regularity driving (where the competitor is required to maintain a constant set speed, rather than an average speed) and abiding by all traffic laws. An altogether less restrictive element of the Cape 1000 is access to Killarney International Raceway on the first day of proceedings. Here, owners are encouraged to have fun within the limits of their respective comfort zones. In one of the more surreal moments of my career to date, I rejoiced at the opportunity to follow the racing lines of some of the most sought-after cars on the planet. An altogether easier task when the machinery is not your own – and as capable as a modern AMG package is – I later loosened the reins of the CLE 53 4Matic to record the fastest lap of the day. 'I'd like to thank my sponsors…'. Notes, smiles and camera footage compared, the second part of Day 1 led the convoy via the picturesque towns of Philadelphia, Stellenbosch and Somerset West to join the spectacular Clarens Drive linking Gordon's Bay with Rooiels. As I've experienced on various CAR Performance Shootout routes, it's once you experience the sheer joy and exasperation of bystanders, young and old, at the sight of a convoy like this rumbling through the high streets of smaller towns that you realise how unifying the automotive world can be. Including sections of fast, winding routes in between the towns of Montagu, Aston, Kleinstraat and Ceres, while the second day of the event was designed to test the agility of the cars; ambient temperatures in the Karoo exceeding 40 degrees added to the drama of proceedings. Fortunately, stops for both photo opportunities and refreshments were forthcoming. An integral part of the Cape 1000 is acknowledging the role of enthusiasts, including those who can only dream of one day being behind the wheel of such impressive machinery. With this in mind, organisers are quick to update those following the event and who are keen to catch a glimpse of the convoy on both its route and designated stop-overs. Day two and three overnights in Franschhoek provided an opportunity for both public viewing and a charity auction dinner for the participants. Breakfast plates cleared, and coffee consumed, the third day of the Cape 1000 saw the convoy visit the towns of Worcester, Tulbagh and Wellington before returning to the familiarity of Franschhoek. Parking the new Mercedes-Benz CLE package alongside the likes of the 1969 280SL Pegoda, 1972 350SL and SLS, I noted the subtle yet noteworthy odes to these legendary two-door stablemates within the packaging of the new car. As a reminder, the modern CLE badge was introduced as a means of combining the agility of the outgoing C-Class Coupé with the sophistication of the since-discontinued E-Class Coupé Ignoring the onboard navigation's suggested hour-long return trip to Cape Town, the final day of this year's Cape 1000 guided the convoy towards the West Coast town of Paternoster, including some welcome stretches of well-maintained country roads, where participants would once again need to navigate sections of regularity driving for the accumulation of points. Crossing the finish line at the V&A Waterfront, it's fitting that the ending point of such a spectacular four-day driving route is South Africa's most visited tourist attraction. Indeed, while events like the annual Mille Miglia continue to enthral with a combination of high-end cars and driving routes, with our climate, scenery, people and enthusiasm, it surely won't be long before entries for the Cape 1000 begin rolling in from across the globe. Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Joining the CLE200 and CLE300 4Matic, each available in Coupé and Cabriolet form, the new flagship CLE 53 4Matic+ ups the ante via suitably dynamic exterior upgrades compared with its siblings, as well as 330kW/560Nm application of AMG's turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Torque is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, and its maker claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.2s. Find the full feature in the June 2025 issue of CAR Magazine. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Mile High Club – 2025 Cape 1000 appeared first on CAR Magazine.
