MOTORING - The African Mirror

Sep

23

2025

JAECOO fires back at compact SUV rivals with sharp-priced J5 triple threat

MOTORING

JAECOO has thrown down the gauntlet in South Africa's fiercely competitive compact SUV arena, unleashing its all-new J5 with launch pricing that undercuts key rivals while delivering premium specifications that punch well above their weight class. The Chinese marque's latest salvo arrives as a three-pronged attack on the sub-R500k market, with the entry-level Vortex variant storming in at just R369,900 for early adopters – a full R10,000 below its regular R379,900 sticker price. The range-topping Inferno caps out at R479,900, positioning JAECOO squarely against established players in one of the market's most lucrative segments. Turbocharged Performance Meets CVT Efficiency Under…

Sep

01

2025

By The African Mirror

CELEBRATING FIVE DECADES BMW 3 Series: A legacy in motion

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO In the autumn of 1975, amid the gleaming halls of Frankfurt's International Motor Show, automotive history was quietly rewritten. As visitors wandered between towering displays of chrome and steel, few could have predicted that a sleek, compact sedan bearing BMW's distinctive kidney grille would evolve into one of the most influential automobiles ever created. The Birth of an Icon The BMW 3 Series emerged not as a mere replacement for the beloved BMW 02, but as a bold declaration of intent. This was no ordinary car - it was the crystallization of Bavarian engineering philosophy, a machine that…

Aug

25

2025

By The African Mirror

AUDI UNLEASHES 3RD-GEN A5 SEDAN: A Tech-loaded German missile that’s redefining premium performance

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO THE automotive world just got a serious wake-up call. Audi South Africa has dropped the curtain on its all-new third-generation A5 Sedan, and this isn't just another pretty face with four wheels – it's a technological tour de force that's about to shake up the premium midsize segment like a magnitude 8 earthquake. "This is a truly beautiful vehicle and we cannot wait to share it with our customers," declares Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa, with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you're holding a royal flush in a game of automotive poker. Sculpted…

Aug

14

2025

By The African Mirror

RHYTHM ON THE ROAD: Mo-T’s musical journey gets a stunning new beat with Jetour X70 Plus

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO WHEN talent meets horsepower, magic happens on South Africa's highways Picture this: A gleaming Glacier White SUV pulls up to a packed venue, its panoramic sunroof catching the stage lights as fans gather around. Out steps Moshe Kgasoane – better known as Mo-T, the trumpet virtuoso whose soulful melodies have captivated audiences across Africa as part of the legendary house trio Mi Casa. But tonight, it's not just his music that's turning heads – it's his ride. The award-winning musician has found his perfect road companion in the Jetour X70 Plus, and the chemistry is undeniable. "Now that's…

Aug

06

2025

By Jovial Rantao

BMW Unleashes R2.8 Million M5 Touring in South Africa

MOTORING

High-performance estate delivers 535kW hybrid power and 305km/h top speed BMW South Africa has launched its most powerful estate car ever – the M5 Touring – with a staggering price tag of R2,795,000 that positions it among the country's most expensive performance vehicles. The luxury German automaker's flagship wagon arrives 12 months after its sedan sibling claimed Performance Car of the Year honours in the 2025 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year awards, where it also secured third place overall. "The addition of the Touring derivative to our arsenal speaks to the overwhelming popularity of this model,"…

Jul

31

2025

By JOVIAL RANTAO

GWM Unleashes P300 LS: New bakkie heavyweight targets SA’s toughest jobs

MOTORING

A leading Chinese automaker has cranked up pressure on Toyota and Ford with a muscular new double-cab boasting a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and an aggressive R529,900 starting price GWM South Africa has thrown down the gauntlet to established bakkie rivals with the launch of its new P300 LS range – a hard-hitting double-cab that replaces the outgoing P-Series Black Edition LS with significantly more power and presence. The newcomer arrives as GWM continues its aggressive assault on South Africa's lucrative light commercial vehicle market, where Japanese and American brands have traditionally dominated. Armed with a potent 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine developing…

Jul

09

2025

By The African Mirror

From School Runs to Spin Classes: How Rachel Kolisi found her perfect driving companion

MOTORING

MOTORING CORRESPONDENT IT'S 6:30 AM, and Rachel Kolisi is already behind the wheel. The philanthropist, fitness enthusiast, and mother of two is navigating the familiar morning dance of school drop-offs, her day stretching ahead with workout sessions, business meetings, and the endless logistics of family life. But there's something different about her daily drives now – a sense of ease that comes from having the right partner for the journey. "I'm obsessed," Rachel laughs, patting the dashboard of her Jetour X70 Plus. "It's got everything you need: luxury, space and comfort. And the standout features make every day easier." As…

Jun

10

2025

By Jovial Rantao

JAECOO J7 SHS: The Future of electrified adventure has arrived

MOTORING

THE automotive landscape in South Africa just shifted into a higher gear. JAECOO has unleashed the J7 SHS – a revolutionary plug-in hybrid SUV that doesn't just promise the future of sustainable motoring, it delivers it with breathtaking power and unprecedented sophistication. This isn't just another hybrid. This is automotive evolution in action. Pure Electric Thrills, Unlimited Adventures Picture this: 90 kilometers of whisper-quiet, zero-emission driving through the heart of Johannesburg, followed by an epic 1,200+ kilometer journey to the Garden Route – all without a single fuel stop. The J7 SHS transforms how South Africans think about electric mobility,…

May

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Maserati Unveils the New Grecale: The Dawn of Everyday Italian Excellence

MOTORING

MASERATI, the legendary house of Italian luxury and performance, has unveiled the latest evolution of its iconic SUV: the new Grecale MY25. With this launch, the Trident brand redefines what it means to experience “Everyday Exceptional”-infusing passion, innovation, and unmistakable Italian style into every journey. The Grecale stands shoulder to shoulder with Maserati’s most celebrated creations, including the GranTurismo, GranCabrio, MC20, and the ground-breaking Grecale Folgore, each model a testament to the brand’s devotion to grand touring and the art of driving. The 2025 Grecale line-up is broader and more versatile than ever. Maserati introduces the new “Grecale” trim, joining…

Apr

29

2025

By The African Mirror

LIGHTNING STRIKES: OMODA C3 redefines the crossover segment with radical cyber-inspired design

MOTORING

IN a thunderous debut that electrified the Shanghai International Auto Show, OMODA has unleashed its most daring creation yet: the futuristic OMODA C3. This isn't just another crossover - it's a seismic shift in automotive design that combines lightning-inspired aesthetics with cyber-mecha influences to create what might be the most visually striking vehicle in its class. The C3 represents a bold evolution of OMODA's "Art in Motion" philosophy, pushing boundaries with its sharp, deconstructed lines and geometric precision that would look more at home on an interstellar battleship than city streets. Every element - from the intricate wheel patterns to…