The current car industry in South Africa is dominated by petrol and diesel engines. But a new future is on the horizon as electric vehicles (EVs) are starting to gain traction in the country. According to an analysis by a researcher at the University of Cape Town (UCT), EVs and plug-in hybrids could potentially make up 20% of new cars sold in South Africa by 2030. However, there are still some major roadblocks to overcome for this transition to occur. For starters, the vastness of South Africa’s cities and the…
Read More about this topicCategory: Concept News
what the future holds for cars and bikes
Lexus RZ 450e RZ battery-electric SUV
The first ever RZ battery-electric SUV built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform will be launched in South Africa in the first quarter of 2024. Powered by an efficient 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery producing 230kW of power and 435Nm of instant torque to all four wheels. A full charge will provide a driving range of 400 km. The all-new electric powertrain with e-Axle electric motors and DIRECT4 all-wheel drive adds to the renowned Lexus electric driving qualities including zero exhaust emissions. The Lexus designers ensure the all-new RZ maintains the Lexus…
Read More about this topicMaserati, another Auto manufacturer goes electric!
At the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show Maserati introduced its first full-electric SUV the Grecale Folgore its new GranTurismo to the Asian market. A historic moment for this iconic brand being the first Italian luxury car maker to produce 100% electric vehicles. Folgore is the name of the trident’s electric range and represents luxury, functional beauty and a vision which unites the past with the future. Maserati has committed to produce electric versions of all its models by 2025 and full-electric vehicles alone by 2030.
Read More about this topicSuzuki Electric Concept Car
The all new 4×4 SUV all-electric Suzuki has been shown in concept form at the 12th annual Auto Expo in India, with an expected global launch in 2025. The new Suzuki eVX is a concept SUV that combines 4×4 DNA with the latest advanced features currently available in electric vehicles. From an exterior design point of view the model is instantly recognisable as a Suzuki SUV joining the current line-up which includes the Grand Vitara which offers both traditional combustion engines and a modern hybrid option. The concept design has…
Read More about this topicGlimpse of the new Toyota C-HR Prologue
As newly styled SUV’s with far reaching radical designs find their way onto our roads, we can give you a glimpse into what Toyota will introduce in 2023 on Europeand roads. THE NEW C-HR PROLOGUE…. Have a look and enjoy……………….
Read More about this topicRevealed: The INEOS Grenadier 4X4 Design Features.
INEOS Automobile reveals the design of its upcoming 4X4 Grenadier. Built from the ground up on an all-new platform, the INEOS Grenadier has been designed with a purpose, namely to meet the demands of its future owners go- anywhere capable, comfortable, rugged working vehicle. Head of Design Toby Ecuyer said “The brief was simple, – Design a modern highly functional and capable 4X4 utility vehicle”. Nothing is for show, the primary objective is to produce a modern engineered Grenadier with utility at its core with the ability to stand the test of time. INEOS Automobile are…
Read More about this topicKIA XCeed and Imagine by Kia concept acclaimed in latest iF Design Awards.
The Kia XCeed urban crossover and the Imagine by KIA concept have been awarded with prestigious 2020 iF Design Awards. Both vehicles demonstrate KIA Motors Corporations design-led approach to product development and the brand’s evolution in an age of electrified mobility. KIA’s desire to champion and popularise exciting electric cars has led to the “Imagine by KIA concept winning a prize in the “Professional Concept” category. The XCeed was awarded in the “Product category” following the successful introduction of the new urban crossover to the European new car market in 2019. Kia won its first…
Read More about this topicKia Motors making bold moves in the compact SUV segment
At the Delhi Auto Expo 2020 in India, Kia revealed the new Sonet concept SUV. Unveiled for the first time today the Kia Sonet previews its future global concept SUV. With a modern, dynamic bold design, the Sonet is equipped with several first-in-class features. These include Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grill, stepwell geometry within the grille mesh, and ‘tiger eyeline day time running lights. Inside, the Sonet is designed with a young social, connected, a savvy-tech buyer in mind. The cabin is fitted with a 10,25 inch infotainment system, UVO connect…
Read More about this topicNissan IMs and IMQ make China debut
Nissan IMs and IMQ make China debut Debut at the Shanghai show are the IMs and IMQ electrified concept cars. First unveiled in January at the 2019 North American International Auto Show, the 100% electric IMs defines a new vehicle segment – the elevated sports sedan. With an extended wheelbase and the battery located under the body, the concept car is characterized by its elevated, spacious cabin. In autonomous mode, the IMs offers completely hands-free operation. In manual mode, it delivers the exciting, high-performance drive that only an electric vehicle…
Read More about this topicOpen-top concept suggests future direction of the Lexus LC flagship coupe
Lexus has revealed an open-top concept version of its LC flagship, describing it as an aspirational halo vehicle for the luxury lifestyle brand’s entire vehicle line-up. The new LC Convertible Concept, which receives its world premiere at the Detroit auto show, is an artful reflection of the athletic proportions of the LC coupe. Chief designer Tadao Mori said a production version of the concept would be exhilarating in many different ways. “You would see its dynamic lines as you approach, hear its engine when you started it up and feel…
Read More about this topic3 Concept cars we’re hoping to see in 2019
Concept cars are futuristic-looking vehicles that are often displayed at motor shows. Some concept cars are eventually produced, others never make it past the prototype phase. The Dodge Viper, for example, was built as a concept in the 1980s and was so popular that Chrysler decided to put it into production. There are plenty of exciting concept cars out there that we’d love to see hit the road, but our top three for 2018 has to be: The Nissan Xmotion Concept This compact SUV already has the accolade of “Most…
Read More about this topicYamaha Cross Hub concept is a motorbike-carrying SUV
25 Oct, 2017 11:00am Lawrence Allan Yamaha follow up 2015 sports car concept with unusual pickup-style SUV at the Tokyo Motor Show Yamaha has once again branched out from motorcycles to showcase a new concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show. The latest vehicle, called the Cross Hub, is a combination of a pick-up and an SUV, and follows on from the 2013 Motiv and 2015 Sports Ride concepts. Very little detail was given about the Cross Hub concept at Yamaha’s show conference, but we do know that it’s targeted…
Read More about this topicTesla Model 3 details leaked online
Tesla is down selling its upcoming Model 3 with an internal comparison tool. Details of the American electric car maker’s upcoming mass-market Model 3 have leaked online with the Tesla Model 3 Owners Club forum publishing what it claims is a comparison chart for dealers to upsell customers into a larger, far more expensive Model S. The leaked chart shows the Model 3 has a battery range of more than 346km and of a 0-60 miles per hour (0-97km/h) time of 5.6 seconds, which stacks up to previously released information. Tesla has made…
Read More about this topicToyota has unleashed its inner-child to create a real-life Tonka truck.
The Japanese brand has converted one of its HiLux utes into a big, yellow, go-anywhere off-roader to celebrate the popularity of the dual-cab workhorse and celebrate Tonka’s 70th anniversary. The Tonka HiLux also serves a serious purpose, highlighting Toyota’s investment in its 150-strong product planning and development division that is still active in Australia despite the impending closure of its manufacturing facilities. Australian product design chief Nicolas Hogios was in charge of the project and explained it was about showing the brand’s fun side. “We have taken Tonka out of…
Read More about this topicVolkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept First Look: Gratefully Undead
Might the MEB Platform Finally Bring us a Modern Microbus? by Frank Markus Words We’ve been teased with the Microbus Concept 2001, Bulli (2011), and at last year’s CES, the BUDD-e—all were takes on Volkswagen’s iconic original air-cooled, rear-engine Type 2 bus. Each troweled on plenty of design cues to evoke the hippy original, but the first two were attempting to drape that monospace design over a conventional front-drive combustion powertrain, and even the BUDD-e, which was said to be electric, failed to eliminate the traditional hood and grille—two absolute…
Read More about this topicAudi Q8 Concept First Look: Getting in on the Fastback SUV Game
Concept Closely Previews Production Model Erick Ayapana Words Audi had a lot of metal to show at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, but the Q8 e-tron concept was the debut that stole the spotlight. The coupe-inspired crossover closely previews a production model slated to arrive sometime next year, built on the same modular platform that underpins the Audi Q7. The automaker says the Audi Q8 concept is a mix of coupe-like styling with a few elements harkening back to the vintage Ur-quattro as well. For starters, the wide C-pillar is…
Read More about this topic2020 Porsche ‘Mission E’ electric car spy shots
Porsche confirmed in 2015 to put into production an electric car based on its Mission E concept unveiled at that year’s Frankfurt auto show. Today we bring you the first spy shots of a test mule for the car, spotted undergoing cold-weather testing near the Arctic Circle. The test mule is using the modified body of a second-generation Panamera but there are a handful of clues that reveal the true identity. You’ll immediately notice that the test mule is somewhat taller than the Panamera. This is due to the flat…
Read More about this topicInfiniti Is Ready To Rumble In The EV Sports Car Market
Infiniti is not going to be confused as a serious mover and shaker in the premium market, at least in the way Mercedes, BMW, and Audi are treated. However, Nissan’s upscale brand did make some strong gains in 2016 when it delivered more than 230,000 vehicles for the entire year. Not only was that number up seven percent compared to its total in 2015, it also represented a new sales record for the company. So with bright and sunny days seemingly ahead for Infiniti, now appears to be a good…
Read More about this topicToyota 86 Shooting Brake concept revealed
A radical Toyota sports car that was born in Australia could be heading to the world. The 86 Shooting Brake was conceived in Melbourne, built in Japan, and has already triggered massive interest in Europe. It’s an extension of the 86 sports car that is already a global best seller and has the personal backing of the car’s chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada. Toyota has previously tried to spin the 86 into a convertible, even building a concept car for motor show displays, but Tada believes there is more potential in…
Read More about this topicKia Stinger sports car will arrive locally in 2017
Kia will be taking a giant dive into the unknown with the production version of the Stinger, which has been developed to be more like a hardcore BMW M4 than the brand’s previous sporty-ish efforts, among them the Proceed GT and Koup. It’s also heading for a new price high for the South Korean brand, beyond the R700,000 of its flagship Sorento SUV. “This car is the CK. It comes next year,” says Kia Motors Australia chief SH Cho — CK being the Kia codename for the production version of…
Read More about this topic