MOTORING - The African Mirror

Apr

12

2025

The Road Less Crowded: A Family’s Journey in the Jetour X70 Plus

MOTORING

THE summer sun peeked through the curtains as the Mokoena family bustled around their home. It was the first day of their long-awaited holiday road trip to the coast, a journey of almost 800 kilometers that would have seemed daunting in their old sedan. But this year was different. "Dad, I've packed my boogie board!" shouted eight-year-old Thabo, dragging a bag almost as big as himself toward the front door. Daniel Mokoena smiled, remembering the cramped trips of years past—the constant chorus of "He's touching me!" and "I don't have enough space!" from the back seat, the tetris-like challenge of…

Mar

25

2025

By The African Mirror

The Roar of Innovation: How Audi Redefined the Performance SUV

MOTORING

THE Nürburgring Nordschleife - a serpentine ribbon of asphalt that has broken the spirits of countless machines - stood silent on that crisp January morning. Little did the track know that it was about to witness automotive history. Audi Sport GmbH had been quietly engineering something extraordinary. Not just a car, but a statement. The RS Q8 performance wasn't merely an SUV; it was a symphony of power, precision, and unbridled ambition. When Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa, first unveiled the vehicle, his words were almost a challenge to the automotive world: "This is absolute sportiness and elegance,"…

Mar

04

2025

By Jovial Rantao

GWM throws down the gauntlet with the launch of the new P-300 bakkie

MOTORING

IN a market saturated with tough trucks, GWM is betting big that its all-new P300 bakkie can not only compete but dominate. Fresh off the heels of the award-winning P500, the Chinese automaker is promising a "relentless" combination of power, tech, and ruggedness. Under the hood lies a 2.4L Turbo Diesel, churning out 135 kW and 480 Nm of torque. GWM boasts a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, putting it squarely in the crosshairs of established players. But in a country where bakkies are more than just vehicles – they're symbols of status and reliability – can a relative newcomer…

Feb

12

2025

By The African Mirror

Volkswagen’s Iconic People-Mover Enters a New Era

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO THE legendary Volkswagen Transporter is ready to write its next chapter, with a revolutionary new design that pays homage to its ancestors while boldly stepping into the future. Set to hit roads in late 2025, this seventh-generation marvel continues the legacy that began with the beloved T1, while offering unprecedented space and versatility for both families and businesses alike. This isn't just an upgrade – it's a complete reimagining. The new Transporter greets the world with striking LED headlamps that command attention, while subtle design cues whisper of its heritage – from the T1's iconic clarity to the…

Feb

01

2025

By The African Mirror

The wind beneath the Mustang Dark Horse’s wings

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO IN the heart of Ford's engineering sanctuary stands a marvel of modern technology – a chamber where the future of automotive excellence takes shape. Here, in the Rolling Road Wind Tunnel, the legendary Mustang Dark Horse was born not just from steel and engineering prowess, but from the very air itself. Picture this: A massive chamber where artificial hurricanes dance with precision at speeds up to 200 mph, swirling around a mechanical beast mounted on what amounts to the world's most sophisticated treadmill. Below the vehicle, five synchronized belts spin in perfect harmony, recreating the intimate dance between…

Jan

13

2025

By JOVIAL RANTAO

The New Citroën Aircross: Adventure Meets Luxury in a Bold Family SUV

MOTORING

BREAKING new ground in the competitive SUV market, Citroën proudly unveils the stunning new Aircross – a bold statement of French innovation that transforms the ordinary family SUV into an extraordinary adventure companion. This isn't just another SUV; it's a revolution in versatility, wrapped in muscular design and powered by cutting-edge technology. Imagine an SUV that doesn't just adapt to your lifestyle – it enhances it. The new Aircross breaks the mold by offering an ingenious 5+2 seating configuration, a rare find in its segment. Whether you're planning a family road trip or need extra space for the kids' friends,…

Dec

04

2024

By JOVIAL RANTAO

Dark Horse Rising: Ford’s Thundering Stallion Unleashed in South Africa

MOTORING, MULTIMEDIA

IMAGINE a machine that doesn't just drive, but roars with unbridled passion. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse isn't just a car - it's a performance symphony, a mechanical predator ready to devour both street and track with savage elegance. Ford has done more than introduce a new model; they've birthed a legend. After more than two decades, the first new Mustang performance series since the iconic Bullitt thunders onto the scene. This isn't just a car - it's a statement etched in V8 muscle and cutting-edge engineering. At its core, a specially tuned 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine pulses with 334kW…

Oct

04

2024

By The African Mirror

New Fiat 500 a blend of style and substance

MOTORING

FIAT’s distinctive and iconic city car, the Fiat 500 is fresher than ever for 2024 with updates to the range making it every bit as safe, fashionable, efficient and stylish as it has been for the past 67 years. For 2024, the model range has been consolidated into three models, with a new naming convention starting from 500 Base, 500 Style and 500 Style Cab all powered by FIAT’s 1,2-litre engine with automated five-speed MTA transmission. Three generations in 67years, starting with the first one in 1957 - the "original" Fiat 500 - which went on to become an icon…

Aug

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Meet the new refreshed Volkswagen Polo Vivo

MOTORING

SINCE its market introduction in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been South Africa’s top selling passenger model with over 425 000 units sold across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Volkswagen has refreshed the Polo Vivo with the new front-end design, new infotainment, new seat trim design and enhanced safety features to continue its success in the South African and Sub-Saharan markets. Polo Vivo has firmly established itself as a leader in the entry-level hatch market in spite of new models being launched on a regular basis and with an even greater offering in the Polo Vivo, the new model…

Aug

21

2024

By The African Mirror

GWM takes luxury to the next level with new tank 500 HEV SUV

MOTORING

GWM South Africa proudly presents the all-new TANK 500 Hybrid SUV which offers a combination of elegance, advanced technology and exceptional off-road capability. This newest addition to the GWM line-up epitomises luxury, innovation and exceptional build quality. The TANK 500 is the latest in the series of the new GWM vehicles to be introduced in South Africa this year. As the flagship model, the TANK 500 stands as a true testament of the growth of GWM as a manufacturer of world class luxury vehicles. The TANK 500 HEV is a technological tour de force with advanced features aimed at enhancing…