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Torque Magazine, Durban (2025)

26/12/2025

⁣Some say ... "If you don't look back at your car after you park it, you've bought the wrong car!"⁣
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Suzuki SA

25/12/2025

With the influx of out-of-towners, Durban traffic has been hectic. This has certainly affected the first part of our fuel economy test, where we achieved 7.8 L/100 km while traveling just over 430km on a full tank. With the roads expected to quieten down after Christmas, we are aiming to get the Jimny well into the 6s.⁣⁣
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Suzuki SA

25/12/2025

With busy and cramped parking lots this December, our Jimny is proving to be the perfect "go anywhere, park anywhere" vehicle.⁣
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Suzuki SA

18/12/2025

Extended wheelbase! Extended holiday plans!⁣
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Is bigger always better? We’re spending the festive season in Suzuki SA's Jimny GL 5-Door 5MT to find out. ⁣
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The big news is the size difference: it is 340mm longer between the wheels than the standard 3-door. That growth spurt transforms the rear cabin from 'emergency use only' to a genuine space for passengers, and finally gives you a boot you can use daily.⁣
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Power comes from the proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine (75kW / 130Nm), and while we know the dominates the trails, we want to see how it handles the open road. The target is 's frugal claimed consumption of 6.3l/100km - we are going to see if we can replicate that figure in the real world with the aircon blasting and the boot full.⁣
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At R437 900, this feels like a lot of character for the money, but does the extra weight dull the fun? We're putting it through its paces over the break - what specific details do you want us to test? Drop your questions below.

15/12/2025

Safety King: The Refreshed XC90 Is Officially a Mobile Fortress⁣
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For decades, the word "Volvo" has been shorthand for "safety." It is a reputation earned not through marketing, but through lifesaving innovation - from the invention of the three-point seatbelt to pioneering autonomous braking. ⁣
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Now, Volvo Car South Africa's refreshed , which arrived in SA in October, has reaffirmed that leadership by securing the coveted 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.⁣
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This isn't just a participation trophy. The IIHS has significantly toughened its criteria, specifically with the updated moderate overlap front test, which now places a dummy in the rear seat to evaluate protection for passengers - often children - in the back. While many modern SUVs struggle to adapt to these stricter standards, the ’s structure remained rock-solid.⁣
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The results were emphatic: the SUV achieved 'good' ratings across the board. The crash tests demonstrated ample survival space and low injury risk for both the driver and the rear passenger, proving that the XC90 protects the entire family, not just the person behind the wheel. ⁣
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Beyond crashworthiness, the standard crash avoidance systems performed admirably, often stopping the vehicle entirely in pedestrian and vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios.⁣
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"Safety has always been the foundation of the brand," says , Managing Director of . "The updated moderate overlap results show that we do not take our heritage for granted. We are constantly looking for ways to make every journey safer for every occupant."⁣
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In an era where car manufacturers obsess over 0-100 km/h times and screen sizes, the XC90 serves as a comforting reminder that ’s primary obsession remains unchanged: keeping you and your family alive.

15/12/2025

Porsche Just Dropped the Ultimate "If You Know, You Know" 911⁣
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To celebrate what would have been the 90th birthday of Ferdinand Alexander "Butzi" Porsche - the man responsible for shaping the iconic silhouette - Porsche has created a truly special machine: the 2027 911 GT3 90 F.A.⁣
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Limited to just 90 units globally, this special-edition car, built by , is more than just exclusivity; it is a deeply personal tribute. The model is based on the potent with the , powered by a magnificent naturally aspirated boxer engine that delivers 375 kW and 450 Nm of torque.⁣
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The unique features begin with the exterior's F.A. Green Metallic paint, a colour developed specifically for this car and inspired by the Oak Green Metallic on Butzi’s personal 1980s 911. ⁣
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The deeply personal connection continues inside, where the seat centres are covered in a bespoke F.A. Grid Weave fabric. This pattern, utilizing five colours, was directly inspired by the pattern of his favourite sports coat, a detail Mark Porsche confirmed was strongly linked to his childhood memories of his father's home office.⁣
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The cabin is finished in Truffle Brown Club Leather with contrasting Limestone stitching. Further bespoke details include a Sport Chrono clock designed after his original Chronograph 1, a signature plaque below the shift boot, and Satin Black Sport Classic wheels. The rear decklid grille bears a gold plaque signifying the 90 F.A. Porsche.⁣
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Only 89 units will be available for sale - one is reserved for - with a starting price of US$387,000 (R6.5 million) before any optional equipment. As Mark Porsche says of the project he helped design: "I am sure that my father would have loved this very special 911.

15/12/2025

Can You Really Get a Premium-Looking SUV for Under R340k? Jaecoo Says YES!⁣
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Every few years, a price announcement lands on our desk, forcing us to double-check the press release for a typo. In a South African market where R340,000 typically buys a compact hatchback or a crossover that feels built to a strict budget, JAECOO South Africa has kicked the door down with the new .⁣
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This model serves as arguably the brand’s most significant launch to date. It takes the premium, squared-off aesthetic of the bigger and distils it into a package that channels a distinct "baby " vibe. It looks expensive, substantial, and far more premium than the sticker price suggests.⁣
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While the "Core" becomes the new entry point to the lineup, it avoids feeling like a punishment for saving money. Under the bonnet, you are not stuck with a breathless naturally aspirated engine like many rivals in this bracket. ⁣
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The entire range, including this new Core model, is powered by a punchy 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 115 kW and 230 Nm, paired with a smooth CVT. That is serious punch for a vehicle in this price segment, ensuring it won't feel lethargic on the highway.⁣
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Inside, the value proposition is relentless. Even this base model treats you to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, and a full suite of safety tech, including ESP and Hill Start Assist. ⁣
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It sits below the Vortex, Glacier, and flagship Inferno variants - which add luxuries like larger screens, leather, and panoramic sunroofs - but the Core makes you question the need to spend more. ⁣
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It comes wrapped in a warranty package that borders on the absurd: 5-year/150,000 km for the vehicle and that famous 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty.⁣
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However, we need to pause the applause to discuss a frustrating omission. You will notice a scarcity of visual angles in this piece. That is because Jaecoo South Africa supplied only three images of this vital new model. We are left scratching our heads. Why launch a volume-driving, price-sensitive product without giving the public a proper look at it? Buyers in this segment do their homework online; they deserve to see exactly what they are buying without having to visit a dealership in person. It is a baffling oversight for a vehicle that has so much to offer.⁣
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Visuals aside, the J5 is a massive win for the consumer. It offers style, power, and peace of mind at a price that leaves the competition with very few excuses.⁣
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Jaecoo J5 1.5T Core CVT - R339,900⁣
Jaecoo J5 1.5T Vortex CVT - R379,900⁣
Jaecoo J5 1.5T Glacier CVT - R439,900⁣
Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno CVT - R479,900

14/12/2025

Since its launch, the has proven it is an absolute beast of a machine, and while it has packed on some weight, it is a fearsome super sedan. But how will it compare against two other German rivals in a drag race?

13/12/2025

Volkswagen's Mk6 is widely acknowledged as the fan favorite of the moniker, but how does it compare in a straight-up drag race between its predecessors and successors?

12/12/2025

Would You Choose the Denza B8 Over a Land Cruiser 300?⁣
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While South Africa is currently bracing for the arrival of the , the recent global reveal of its bigger brother, the , poses a much more uncomfortable question for local 4x4 enthusiasts. ⁣
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With BYD South Africa - Denza's parent brand - already gunning for the Hilux with the impressive bakkie, this flagship suggests the Chinese giant is ready to hunt the biggest game of all: Toyota SA's .⁣
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On paper, this isn't a fair fight; it is a massacre. The is revered for its 225 kW 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6 and the potent 305 kW 3.5-litre turbo-petrol V6, but the Denza B8 brings a sledgehammer to the trail. Pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors, this plug-in hybrid monster churns out 450 kW and 760 Nm of torque. ⁣
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That effectively doubles the power of the popular diesel and leaves even the petrol V6 gasping, propelling the 3.3-tonne SUV to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. It makes the "Master of Africa" look positively agricultural.⁣
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Physically, the B8 is colossal. Measuring 5,180 mm in length and nearly two metres wide, it physically overshadows the . It matches the Toyota’s critical 3,500 kg towing capacity but adds a technological arsenal the Japanese marque cannot match, including three locking differentials and hydraulic suspension that lifts the vehicle to clear 890 mm wading depths.⁣
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Inside, the B8 makes the feel a generation behind. A massive 17.3-inch screen dominates the cabin, accompanied by an 18-speaker Devialet sound system, Nappa leather captain's chairs, and a fridge that heats and cools. In other right-hand drive markets, this package is expected to undercut the significantly - a massive factor considering the flagship Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.5T GR-Sport now costs R 2 172 600.⁣
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We know South Africans are fiercely loyal to the Toyota badge and generally view anything electric with deep suspicion. But the B8 offers a petrol safety net for long trips and 100 km of electric range for traffic.⁣
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If you could have significantly more power, superior tech, and potentially save hundreds of thousands of Rands, would you be brave enough to betray the legacy? Or is that just sacrilege?

12/12/2025

The Most Desirable MG Yet is Staying Overseas (And It’s Our Fault)⁣
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On today's episode of gorgeous cars that are not coming to South Africa, we present the all-new . Freshly confirmed for the Australian market, this striking fastback serves as a painful reminder of what local enthusiasts are missing out on. ⁣
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While MG Motor South Africa is slowly but surely finding its feet on local soil, and taking baby steps towards winning over a skeptical market, this sleek flagship is staying overseas, and the reason is as predictable as it is depressing.⁣
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The MG 7 is a genuine stunner. It trades the sensible crossover shape for a low-slung, coupe-like silhouette complete with frameless doors and a theatrical three-stage active rear spoiler that deploys at speed. ⁣
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It isn't just all show, either. Under the bonnet lies a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering a potent 170 kW and 380 Nm of torque. This is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and an electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD), ensuring it has the bite to match its bark.⁣
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In markets like Australia, it pitches itself against the Toyota Camry and sportier rivals like the N Line or . ⁣
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The spec sheet is formidable: 19-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin tyres, a 14-speaker Bose sound system, a massive dual-screen cockpit, and adaptive suspension are all part of the package. It is a premium product designed to elevate the brand's image significantly.⁣
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However, if it were to launch locally, it would likely gather dust on showroom floors. South African buyers have ruthlessly abandoned the traditional D-segment sedan in favour of high-riding SUVs and double-cab bakkies. ⁣
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The , , and have all been casualties of this shift. Even the mighty couldn't survive the local obsession with ride height. ⁣
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Despite being an absolute looker with impressive performance, the MG 7 answers a question South African buyers are simply no longer asking. We want ground clearance, not aerodynamics, ensuring this remains something we can only admire from a distance.

12/12/2025

The Prado Produces 150 kW. The New Denza B5 Produces 505 kW. Any Questions?⁣
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Attempting to lure a South African driver away from a or a is usually a fool's errand. ⁣

In this segment, brand loyalty borders on religious fanaticism; you don't just buy these cars for their specs, you buy them for the badge on the grille and the decades of heritage behind it. ⁣
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But come early 2026, BYD South Africa’s luxury arm, , arrives with a machine designed to test that loyalty with sheer, overwhelming force.⁣
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The incoming is not interested in a fair fight. While it shares its ladder-frame DMO Super Hybrid platform with the upcoming bakkie, the two vehicles are worlds apart in ex*****on. ⁣
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Where the bakkie produces a potent 321kW, Denza has uncorked the system for the SUV. By pairing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with uprated dual electric motors, the B5 delivers a staggering 505 kW and 760 Nm. ⁣
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To put that into perspective, that is more than triple the power of the standard diesel engine found in the current , transforming this three-tonne family hauler into a sleeper capable of shaming performance cars.⁣
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It isn't just a drag racer, though. Dimensionally, the B5 is slightly more compact and agile than the gargantuan Land Cruiser 300, measuring 4,890 mm in length, 1,970 mm in width, and riding on a 2,800 mm wheelbase. ⁣
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While the relies on a standard suspension setup, the B5 gains a sophisticated hydraulic suspension system. This allows the driver to lift the body by an extra 90 mm over the standard 220 mm clearance, unlocking a 35-degree approach angle, a 32-degree departure angle, and a wading depth of 700 mm.⁣
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Inside, the utilitarian vibes of the Shark 6 are replaced by Nappa leather, a 16-speaker sound system, and a cabin finish that targets the demographic rather than the double-cab crowd. ⁣
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The B5 lacks the bush cred of a Defender or the unbreakable reputation of a Toyota, but it offers a tech-heavy, high-voltage alternative that makes the establishment look prehistoric. ⁣
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It is a mega gamble: can 505 kW and next-gen tech overcome decades of tradition? We will find out next year.

Torque Magazine

26/12/2025

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