The next wave of new cars for SA
After what was an intense four days of motoring at this year’s Festival of Motoring, the dust has finally settled. With a record of 34,659 visitors, over 20 car manufacturers on display, more than 40 pit doors in use and over 100 exhibitors covering everything from automotive products and services to lifestyle brands and custom builds, there was plenty to take in.
Walking the pits and the display stands, it was hard to ignore the energy shift. The established European and Japanese marques were present and accounted for, but the gravitational pull had moved. Unlike, say, 6 years ago, when Chinese brands were only exhibiting and testing the market, they’re now launching.
For the first time in a while, the question among the media wasn’t which German or Japanese brand had the best new product, but which Chinese brand was going to undercut them. That made for a fascinating topic at the show during media day and clearly showed how much the South African market has changed. That aside, this year’s FoM had plenty of interesting stuff on display, from new launches and local debuts to cars that are still some ways away from our market.
So, coming to the big question: who showcased what? Here’s the lot… in alphabetical order.
Changan
The Changan brand has made a significant impact since arriving in the local market roughly a year ago. Models such as the Alsvin, CS75 Pro, Hunter, Hunter REEV and Deepal S07 have given it a presence across some fiercely contested segments. Now, Changan is adding two electrified SUVs to the mix, the Deepal S05 REEV and Uni-S HEV, as it continues its push into the growing NEV market.
Starting with the Deepal S05, it’s a smaller SUV positioned below the S07 and, at a glance, looks like a scaled-down version of its bigger sibling. The more interesting bit, however, is what’s happening underneath. Its 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 72kW and 125Nm but doesn’t drive the wheels directly; instead, it acts as a generator for the 27kWh battery pack. Changan claims the S05 can travel more than 1,000km with both power sources available while offering up to 200km of electric-only driving. It’s a setup that I can see making a lot of sense locally, especially since our EV charging infrastructure still needs to catch up.
The Uni-S HEV, on the other hand, is still the same compact crossover SUV that we know but with the addition of a hybrid system. It combines the same 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with 110kW and 220Nm with an e-motor. The total power output is 166kW and 290Nm at the front wheels through a CVT transmission. Two variants will be offered: CL and CE, both with distinctive features to differentiate them.
Both models are expected to arrive in SA in November, and pricing will be announced before that time.
Chery
At the Chery stand, the brand previewed three models that include the compact electric Q, the Tiggo V and the KP31 diesel-hybrid bakkie.
Starting with the Chery Q, it sits on the T1X 3.0 electric platform as the brand’s new small fully electric crossover, and it’s quite an interesting proposition for the local market because the pricing puts it well below most new EVs currently available here. It makes use of a rear-mounted e-motor with 90kW and 115Nm, powered by a 42.7kWh battery pack, enough for up to 400km between chargers.
Two variants of the Chery Q are on offer: Comfort and Elite, priced at R349,900 and R389,900, respectively. That puts it right in the thick of SA’s budget EV battle, with the Geely E2, BYD Dolphin Surf and Dongfeng Box all vying for the same buyers. And at this money, that’s a pretty interesting fight.
The Tiggo V isn’t exactly new to us since our first encounter with it was at the Beijing Auto Show in April. It’s a 7-seater, 3-row SUV, but what makes it particularly interesting is what happens with the third row, which can be reconfigured into an open, bakkie-style load area which gives owners some extra versatility when needed.
The local powertrain situation is still a little unclear, with Chery disclosing little regarding motivation. What we do know is that it uses the brand’s Super Hybrid System, and it has a claimed range of up to 1,030km. If Chery gets the pricing and specification right, this could be a rather interesting addition to the local SUV market.
Perhaps the Festival’s biggest debut is the KP31, Chery’s first serious shot at SA’s fiercely competitive bakkie market. Sitting on a dedicated hybrid platform, it pairs a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with electric power and 4WD. Chery currently quotes a combined 350kW and 800Nm, an electric-only range of up to 100km and a towing capacity of 3,500kg. Those numbers match the 350kW offered by the BYD Shark 6 Performance, although the Chery has another 100Nm on top.
And KP31 probably won’t be its final name. Chery asked locals to come up with something more fitting, and the response has been rather enthusiastic, with more than 20,000 submissions received. The final six options are BAKKIE, GROOTMAN, NDUNA, CHIEF, ORCA and BRAHMAN. Personally, I’m hoping they pick something with a little more character than KP31.
Dongfeng
Dongfeng had a lot to say at this year’s Festival of Motoring, but the star of the show was undoubtedly the new Forthing Friday. The midsize SUV will be offered in both range-extender and fully electric forms, giving buyers two different avenues into the brand’s electrified offering.
The range-extender version is expected to arrive first. When it comes, it will feature a 31.9kWh battery pack that powers a front-mounted e-motor and a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine which functions as a generator. Power is rated at 120kW and 240Nm, while the claimed combined range is 1,300km. As for the EV range, Dongfeng claims around 200km.
Hot on its heels will be a fully electric model. This particular model will pack a front-mounted electric motor with 150kW and 400Nm, while its 64kWh battery pack is expected to provide a range of around 400km between chargers. Both models are expected to launch locally in October and November, respectively.
Dongfeng also used the event to introduce the Kaiyi brand to SA while revealing plans for a much larger local portfolio. The distributor is targeting around 14 models in the country by early 2027, so what we saw at FoM is likely just the beginning of Dongfeng’s local product offensive.
Geely Auto
Geely and bakkies? It might sound like an odd combination, but it’s coming soon. The Chinese marque has entered the bakkie market with its Riddara, and this is no token attempt to join the growing crowd of Chinese contenders. It looks ready to challenge the established order. As the first fully electric bakkie to arrive in South Africa, the Riddara combines the practicality we expect with 225mm of ground clearance, a payload of up to 1,030kg and towing capacity of up to 3,000kg, depending on the model.
Underneath it sits on Geely’s M.A.P. platform, developed specifically for its new-energy bakkies rather than being adapted from the company’s standard Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). The Riddara is offered in three variants: Aspire Econ 2WD, Aspire Econ 4WD and flagship Apex RD6 4WD. The entry-level 2WD model is powered by a 63kWh battery pack, while the 4WD models feature a slightly bigger 73kWh unit.
Power in the 2WD comes from a rear-mounted electric motor producing 180kW and 309Nm. The AWD Aspire Econ adds a second motor on the front axle, pushing outputs to 280kW and 485Nm, while the flagship Apex RD6 AWD gets modified motors producing 315kW and 595Nm. Range stands at a claimed 369km, 390km and 424km respectively. When it comes to recharging, all three variants support DC charging at up to 110kW.
On paper, the Riddara looks like an interesting prospect, particularly given its performance and bakkie credentials. However, those range figures may not resonate as well with the overlanding crowd, where long distances between charging points remain a consideration. We’ll see how the market responds.
Geely Riddara Pricing
- Aspire Econ 2WD: R611,900
- Aspire Econ 4WD: R681,900
- Apex RD6 4WD: R781 900.
GWM SA
Over at the GWM stand, the big news was the arrival of a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, which will find its way into both Tank and P-Series models. Developed under the watch of GWM Powertrain Director Michele Scotti, the six-cylinder engine produces 170kW and 620Nm, giving the brand some serious firepower in two of its key ranges.
In the Tank line-up, it powers the Tank 500 Super Luxury 4×2 (R849,900), Ultra Luxury 4×4 (R929,900), and Overland 4×4 (R999,900). On the bakkie side, the same engine is available in the P500 Super Luxury (R724,900) and Ultra Luxury 4×4 (R799,900). All versions are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Also making an appearance was the Jolion Max, which will slot neatly between the Jolion Pro and H6. It gets a different front and rear-end treatment to the models we already know, although GWM is keeping most of the details under wraps for now. What we do know is that it’s expected to arrive locally before the end of the year.
And GWM clearly isn’t slowing down. The brand says we can expect the P300 PHEV and Haval H7 in the coming months, while the WEY brand is also on the way, although that one isn’t expected until 2027. If anything, GWM’s stand was a good indication that there’s plenty more coming from the group.
iCaur
The iCaur V27 was another interesting addition to the show, bringing a more rugged, retro-inspired take on the SUV formula. Its boxy styling gives it plenty of character – something we have since appreciated with iCaur products such as the V23. The upright stance and chunky proportions give it plenty of presence on the stand, while the interior takes a more modern approach with a large 15.4-inch touchscreen and plenty of standard technology.
Unlike the fully electric V23 and 03T, the V27 is a range-extender EV, pairing a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 34.3kWh battery and two electric motors to produce 339kW. It has a claimed 150km electric range and a total range of more than 1,000km, while the dual-motor model can sprint from 0-100km/h in a reported five seconds. Pre-orders opened at the Festival, although pricing and local derivatives are yet to be confirmed.
JMC 
JMC is growing its business-focused bakkie line-up, and the all-new Grand Avenue made its appearance at the show as a larger and more upmarket sibling to the utilitarian Vigus. At 5,450mm long with a 3,270mm wheelbase, it has a fair bit more presence than the Vigus, which measures 5,335mm. It also shares the Vigus’ 2.5-litre turbodiesel, but with 155kW and 500Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic.
After spending time with the Vigus, which impressed us with its workhorse ability but left a lot to be desired in terms of refinement, the Grand Avenue looks like the JMC we’ve been waiting to see. With a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, the numbers put the Grand Avenue into some serious company, and it looks like JMC is ready to play a much bigger game in the bakkie segment, and we’re rather keen to see how it drives.
A surprise reveal came in the form of what JMC calls the Dadao. It’s an extreme 4×4 concept bakkie that’s kitted out to the max. The display model had a more aggressive stance, chunkier tyres and plenty of additional off-road hardware, although JMC hasn’t revealed much about what sits underneath the skin just yet. The Dadao name is also unlikely to stay, with JMC looking for a name that locals can better connect with. It looks like a Grand Avenue built for some serious off-road work. Whether it has the substance to match the attitude will only become clear once we get behind the wheel.
LDV
LDV used this year’s Festival of Motoring to introduce the T60 Max Plus, a new range-topping version of its double-cab bakkie. It adds a more premium feel and extra equipment to the T60 line-up, giving the Chinese manufacturer a stronger contender at the upper end of the midsize bakkie segment.
Besides being the flagship, the T60 Max Plus (not pictured here) gets the same 2.0-litre twin-turbodiesel engine with 160kW and 500Nm that powers the lower-spec variants. The engine is paired either with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. LDV hasn’t confirmed prices for the Max Plus, but if the equipment, performance and premium positioning are anything to go by, it could make for a rather compelling addition to the T60 range.
Lepas
As new as it is to the local market, the Lepas brand is already preparing to expand its range, with the L6 EV taking centre stage at the event ahead of its local launch. It was joined by the L4 ICE, L4 EV and L8 PHEV, giving visitors a glimpse of where the brand is heading.
The L6 EV was the main attraction, powered by a 67.8kWh battery feeding a front-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and 275Nm. Lepas claims up to 450km of range on a single charge. To make the switch to electric a little easier, the brand is also offering a pre-order package that includes a 7kW home charger, installation, vehicle-to-load capability, a Type M charging cable and a R5,000 charging voucher. Not a bad way to transition into EV ownership.
Suzuki Auto
Finally, Suzuki is entering the EV space. It may have taken its time, but better late than never. The brand showcased its all-new e-Vitara at the Festival of Motoring, its first fully electric model, with the 4WD version on display. It pairs a 61kWh battery with dual electric motors producing 135kW and 307Nm, with a claimed range of up to 395km.
The e-Vitara also gets Suzuki’s AllGrip-e four-wheel-drive system, and, according to Suzuki, the car on display represented the proposed local specification. And judging by the looks alone, it could be a hit here. It has the familiar Vitara name, but with a considerably more modern appearance. Add a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a long list of safety features, and there’s plenty to like.
Suzuki says it remains a potential introduction for South Africa, depending on market conditions. We certainly hope it makes the cut.
Volkswagen
The second-generation T-Roc was the only new model VW showcased at FoM, and while we’ve already covered pretty much everything here, there was one important part missing: pricing. Well, now we have it.
The range is refreshingly simple, with a single 1.4-litre TSI producing 110kW and 250Nm, paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission across all derivatives. Pricing starts at R599,900 for the Life, while the R-Line comes in at R689,900. Those after the darker treatment can opt for the R-Line Black Style at R709,900.
More importantly, the pricing suggests VW isn’t simply playing it safe. At just under R600k to start, the T-Roc looks like a deliberate attempt to take the fight to the Chinese brands, which have been offering plenty of kit and strong value in this segment. Whether the VW badge and familiar driving experience are enough to sway buyers remains to be seen.
The big picture
And that’s a wrap for this year’s Festival of Motoring, and if there’s one takeaway, it’s that the local automotive market is changing faster than anticipated. There’s a huge presence of Chinese manufacturers, and the legacy brands seem to be responding, while the buyers are the ones who benefit.
The next few months are shaping up to be some of the most interesting in the local motoring calendar, with plenty of new models heading our way, and we’ll be driving as many of them as we can get our hands on.
