Chery to launch plug-in hybrid cars in Mzansi
Chery South Africa says it is ready to “strike on all fronts” with a range of new energy vehicles (NEVs) slated for introduction in 2024. This includes plug-in hybrid versions of the Tiggo 7 Pro and 8 Pro, as well as a full EV. In a media release, the group reaffirms its commitment to introduce hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric (BEV) cars in South Africa. Turbo...
Porsche obliterates Tesla’s Nürburgring lap record
Porsche has smashed Tesla’s Nürburgring lap record as well as its own electric record. This feat puts the Taycan neck-and-neck with hypercars and cements its status as the king of road-legal electric sedans. Driving a pre-production Taycan, Porsche development driver Lars Kern posted a lap time of 7:07.55 minutes on the 20,8 km Nürburgring Nordschleife (North loop). According to Top Gear South...
CM Virgo 15.6” Notebook Backpack – Review
The CM (Computer Mania) Virgo 15.6” laptop backpack promises to be a reliable companion to frequent travellers and laptop-bearing commuters alike. Can it deliver the goods? There is an infinite variety of laptop backpacks available – from beautiful but loftily priced Jekyll & Hide packs to more affordable examples, like this one from Land. At a retail price of R599.00, the CM Virgo occupies a lower...
What does it cost to drive a Hyundai Creta from Joburg to Cape Town?
Diesel-powered cars are the fuel-economy champions of long-distance journeys. But some petrol burners can play this game exceedingly well too – like Hyundai’s Creta 1.5 Executive automatic. South Africa has energy issues. There’s either not enough of it or it is overpriced. At the time of writing this (January 2024), a litre of 93 octane petrol has a retail price of R22.17 (inland). It’s tempting to view...
Zencar 22 kW T2-T2 EV Charging Cable – Review
I bought a 22 kW AC charging cable and found it very useful when reviewing electric vehicles. But who would want one of these EV charging cables, and why? Electric vehicles (EVs) are a hard sell in South Africa. Eskom’s unreliability has turned many a motorist against the idea of running an EV. And yet, many car users are now...
OPPO A58 smartphone touches down in Mzansi
OPPO South Africa has announced the arrival of the OPPO A58, the latest addition to its A-series lineup, representing a step up from the A57s. The new smartphone boasts an impressive 6.72-inch FHD+ Sunlight Display, upgraded Dual Stereo Speakers, and powerful performance. With 33W SUPERVOOC charging, a long-lasting 5000mAh Large Battery, intuitive ColorOS 13.1, and a sleek design, the OPPO A58...
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 hits the streets
New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080 is one of the most beloved running shoes ever made. So much so, that the company sticks with its winning formula, only tweaking it year-on-year. Now, v13 has just landed and it brings this same design philosophy, while claiming to be one of the best in its history. Running, redefined For version 13, the team...
Hobot Legee D8 robot vacuum mop – Snap review
If we have so little time left before robots become our overlords, it would be shortsighted not to exploit them while we can. Jeremy Proome put the Hobot Legee D8 to work, while carefully avoiding the topic of AI in conversations. Robot vacuum cleaners allow you to stay on top of cleaning without you actually doing anything. They do all...
More details about Tesla’s Cybertruck emerge
At a recent event in Austin, Texas, Tesla’s Elon Musk handed a dozen Cybertrucks to the first customers. During the event and in the days following the gathering, more information about this attention-grabbing vehicle emerged. Four years ago, when Tesla first revealed the Cybertruck, Musk wanted to prove how strong the truck’s body was. On stage, the steel doors withstood...
New electric MINI can drive farther and accelerate faster
The new all-electric MINI Cooper SE has more stamina than its predecessor and is a better sprinter. It’s available in a swanky JCW trim too. With 160 kW and 330 Nm of maximum torque, the all-new MINI Cooper SE has the ability to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. This compares favourably to the current model’s time...
