The annual Festival of Motoring is upon us again as car enthusiast and thrill seekers alike will meet at the legendary Kyalami Grand Prix circuit over the weekend for 3 days of entertainment, family fun and high octane fun. In the same light, OEMs exhibiting on the three days take the spot light by revealing some highly anticipated vehicles for onlookers and media to view.
This year's show is no different and has managed to keep up the hype of last year's momentum. There have been some significant reveals already so let us take a look at what those are and when South Africans can expect to get behind of the wheel of some of the shown products.
Suzuki eVitara
Suzuki took the bold step to introduce their first vehicle to ever fall with in the New Energy Vehicle category in the form of the newly launched Across SUV. Whilst some might remember, there was a mild hybrid Grand Vitara which had the brands smart all wheel drive deemed "All-Grip" but this version was later dropped due to reasons undisclosed by the brand at this point. But with the certain wave of EV adaption, brand certainly strive to align apart with the change and so we have been shown to the all electric Vitara vehicle which is set to be joining the Across as the second NEV vehicle from the brand.
The eVitara is a battery electric vehicle that consists of a front-wheel drive or an electric all-wheel-drive system called ALLGRIP-e. Depending on the chosen wheel drive configuration there is a 49 kWh or 61 kWh battery. The 49 kWh battery supports up to 55 kW DC charging, while the larger 61 kWh battery handles up to 70 kW DC charging, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in roughly 45 minutes.
On the question of when Suzuki is bringing this vehicle over to our shores officialy, the company stated that it is running a feasibility study and checking local market interest before making a final decision.
Geely Riddara
Yet another bakkie is set to join the already jam packed options lineup in the form of this new Geely Riddara. This is a new energy vehicle bakkie which is available in both all electric or PHEV variants in some markets, with our region benefiting from the plug in versions. Geely confirms that the Riddara in Mzansi will be the RD6 built on the M.A.P Platform, this features the popular 1.5l petrol Chinese application paired to dual electric motors powered by a 73 kWh battery.
From launch the Riddara will be available 2WD or 4WD and is set to produce a combined output of 315 kW and 595 Nm. The bakkie offers dedicated drive modes including Economy, Comfort, Sport, Sand, Mud and Off-road, and off road capable dimensions.
The Riddara will launch with three derivatives,
Aspire Econ 2WD - 180 kW, 309 Nm - R 611,900.00
Aspire Econ 4WD - 280 kW, 485 Nm - R 681,900.00
Apex RD6 4WD - 315 kW, 595 Nm - R 781,900.00
Volkswagen T-Roc
We first saw the T Roc in the flesh whilst attending the VW Indaba 2026 event held annual just as a new year begins. The vehicle enters a new generation which brings about a new design, an adaption of the brands newest technologies and a shocking pricing that might put a smilie on those who have always wanted to buy one.
The new T-Roc is offered with the 1.4 TSI 110kW engine mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission. The engine develops maximum torque of 250 Nm available between 1500 and 3500 rpm. Inside, the vehicle experiences a heavy overhaul which introduces the brands latest operating system via the 10.3-inch and 12.9-inch formats depending on and specification.
From launch the T-Roc is available in three derivatives: Life, R-Line and R-Line Black Style all of these trims spread apart exterior features like IQ.Light LED Matrix headlights, 18-inch Coventry alloy wheels, black exterior mirror housings, black decorative elements, black roof rails, privacy glass just to name a few things.
As far as pricing goes, the vehicle has managed to come in a tad bit lower than the outgoing version : Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4 TSI Life R599,900
Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4 TSI R-Line R689,900
Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4 TSI R-Line Black Style R709,900
The Volkswagen T-Roc comes standard with a 3 year/120 000 km warranty, 5 year / 90 000 km EasyDrive Service Plan including a 12-year anti corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km.
iCAUR V27
In our time at the China AutoShow 2026, our chaperons iCaur had a stacked program which entailed a first ever taste drive of some of the models destined for Mzansi arrival. The V27 REEV was amongst the vehicles we had an opportunity of sampling and now, it is here and beckoning a full launch soon.
As a refresher, the V27 is the flagship offering under the iCaur brand and it is the brands first Range Extended Electric Vehicles which means it host a setup which comprises of a petrol engine and electric engine only here, the petrol engine acts solely as a generator to power the electric components of the vehicle which drive the vehicle.
Under the vehicles bonnet is a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine that works with a 34.3 kWh battery and two electric motors to produce an output of 339 kW. The V27 has a claimed electric range of 150 km and a total claimed driving range of more than 1,000 km, with the dual-motor model accelerating from rest to 100 km/h in five seconds.
Pricing, derivatives and delivery timing will be confirmed separately. The first events under the iCAUR and Red Bull partnership will also be announced over the next few months.
Chery KP31 & Tiggo V
Chery's display features the brands newly unveiled compact electric Chery Q and two bakkies in the Tiggo V, and the KP31 diesel-hybrid bakkie. For short specifics, the Chery Q is rear-wheel drive compact hatch that boosts Level 2 driver-assistance technology, a spacious cabin and compact dimensions making it the perfect city run around.
Alongside the Q, Chery has displayed the Tiggo V. What is a seven seater by day and and a pickup at night this car is quite the gnarly vehicle as it has a transformable rear body SUV structure that allows the enclosed 3rd row seats compartment to be reconfigured with an open, pickup-style load area.
And now we know that it should be powered by a Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) system which probably means it will host a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder dedicated hybrid petrol engine (1.5T DHE) combined with three electric motors and a 3-speed hybrid automatic transmission similar to that of a Tiggo 9.
The last piece of the reveal is the KP31 bakkie. This vehicle will preimere a a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with electric power to output a combined a total of 350 kW and 800 N.m, an electric-only range of up to 100 km on the NEDC cycle and a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg.
Further details on local specifications, model ranges, pricing and launch timing are announced in due course.
And this is only the beginning
These are only some of the vehicles making their presence felt at this year's Festival of Motoring, with more than 25 brands exhibiting across the three-day event.
What is perhaps most interesting about this year's show is not necessarily one particular vehicle, but the direction of the market itself. Electrification continues to feature heavily, while the ever-growing presence of Chinese manufacturers is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly in segments such as SUVs and bakkies.
Whether all of these vehicles eventually make their way onto South African roads remains to be seen, but the Festival has once again given us a glimpse into what could be sitting in showrooms over the next few years.
For now, we'll be keeping an eye on the stands to see what else gets revealed..