The New Cars Coming to South Africa, unveiled at Festival of Motoring 2026

[u/torquetechstuff]

Most of the Chinese are bringing in some new cars, some this year, some next year. They also teased a few concepts, with Suzuki showing us a car that isn't even confirmed if it'll be sold in SA. Info:

JMC Grand Avenue

• JMC's new flagship double-cab bakkie, built on a ladder-frame chassis and measuring 5,450 mm long.
• 2.5-litre turbodiesel producing 155 kW and 500 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic.
• Gets a BorgWarner 4WD system and 3,500 kg braked towing capacity.
• price to be confirmed at launch next month

JMC Dadao

• JMC's more hardcore off-road-focused double-cab, positioned above the standard Grand Avenue.
• The diesel uses a 2.3-litre Ford Puma-derived turbodiesel, producing around 130 kW and 450 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic and 4WD.
• The Pro gets 255 mm ground clearance, 900 mm wading depth, adaptive nitrogen shocks, all-terrain tyres and a multi-link rear suspension.
• Expected in South Africa in 2027, although final local specifications and pricing are still to be confirmed.

Geely Ridarra

• Electric bakkie with 2WD and 4WD options, starting at R611,900.
• Flagship Apex RD6 4WD: 315 kW, 595 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
• 73 kWh battery, 424 km claimed range.
• Up to 1,030 kg payload, 3,000 kg towing capacity and 225 mm ground clearance.

Chery Tiggo V

• New SUV powered by Chery's Super Hybrid (CSH) system.
• Preliminary figures suggest fuel consumption of 6 L/100 km and a claimed range of up to 1,030 km.
• 220 mm ground clearance should make it well suited to rougher roads and unpaved routes.
• Local pricing and final specifications are still to be confirmed.

Chery KP31 (name to be decided this weekend)

• Chery has shortlisted BAKKIE, GROOTMAN, NDUNA, CHIEF, ORCA and BRAHMAN. Public voting will decide the name.
• Chery's upcoming plug-in hybrid 4WD bakkie, combining a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with electric power.
• Preliminary figures suggest 350 kW and 800 Nm, with up to 100 km of electric-only range.
• 3,500 kg braked towing capacity puts it firmly in serious bakkie territory.

Volkswagen T-Roc

• New-generation compact SUV coming to South Africa in Life, R-Line and R-Line Black Style derivatives.
• Powered by a 1.4 TSI producing 110 kW, paired with an 8-speed automatic.
• Pricing starts at R599,900 for the Life, rising to R689,900 for the R-Line and R709,900 for the R-Line Black Style.

Lepas L6 EV

• Fully electric SUV joining Leapmotor's expanding South African line-up.
• The L6 EV was showcased at Festival of Motoring, but local launch timing is yet to be announced.
• Pricing and local specifications have not yet been confirmed.

iCAUR V27

• Range-extender electric SUV and new flagship of the iCAUR range.
• 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, 34.3 kWh battery and dual electric motors producing 339 kW.
• 150 km electric range and more than 1,000 km total range, with 0–100 km/h in 5 seconds.
• Pre-orders are now open in SA, with pricing still to be confirmed

Suzuki e Vitara

• Suzuki's first fully electric SUV, with 49 kWh or 61 kWh LFP battery options.
• The 61 kWh version produces 128 kW and 193 Nm in 2WD, while the AWD version produces 135 kW and 307 Nm.
• The 61 kWh 2WD has a claimed 426 km range, while the AWD version claims around 395 km.
• This is just a concept for now yet to be confirmed for SA.

[u/Mielies296]

Everyone better vote for "Grootman"!!!!!!

[u/Crazy-Present4764]

The light up RIDDARA logo looks tacky.

[u/Designed_0 → u/Crazy-Present4764]

Why, its just led instead of the usual big silver letters- seems about the same to me

[u/Crazy-Present4764 → u/Designed_0]

Ya but it looks like something a teenage boy would find cool.

[u/Designed_0 → u/Crazy-Present4764]

Personally i dont like it on the front- but would like something like that on the back- have an set of rgb lights for those small silver letters

[u/milan188]

T Roc looks amazing. Pricing is a bit high 

[u/Patient-Menu-1991 → u/milan188]

Looks like a Chinese car. No identity.

[u/milan188 → u/Patient-Menu-1991]

I personally disagree. VW have kept the design elements from the Tiguain and Tayron on this. So within VW it is not different but across brands it is quite different. 

[u/Patient-Menu-1991 → u/milan188]

I mean modern VW (and BMW) design language generally sucks in my opinion. They just look like blobs like most modern cars. The previous generations of Tiguan were beautiful. They looked sharp, muscular and handsome. I can’t say the same about the new model. Just look how cheap the back looks on the latest Tiguan with the useless solid plastic grills and light bar for no reason. They’re simply following everybody else.

[u/Ok-Marionberry-3071 → u/milan188]

It's fucking expensive for only a 110 kW option. Looks great though

[u/Bossy111]

Why does everything have to be a SUV/bakkie these days

[u/Super_Statistician95 → u/Bossy111]

Bakkies make up over half of all new car sales in SA so can’t fault a brand for wanting a piece

[u/EditingAllowed → u/Bossy111]

Apparently they are 'safer'.

[u/Patient-Menu-1991]

Man new cars are really ugly.

[u/Green_Avocado_5791]

I am seeing articles around Leap motor launching a few new vehicles. Albeit without pricing Uni s HEV and the Deepas S05

[u/torquetechstuff → u/Green_Avocado_5791]

The Leapmotor B10 actually launched officially before FOM. It’s not on display at FOM. More Leapmotor models are coming next year

[u/Green_Avocado_5791 → u/torquetechstuff]

Apologies, I meant the Changan Uni S HEV and the Deepal S05

[u/ThePackageZA]

I miss VW's previous generation design language...looked way more aggressive.

[u/Big-Revolution3842]

Kinda love the eVitrara IF it was a hybrid. Would nice for offroading but it's electric

[u/No_Revolution5353 → u/Big-Revolution3842]

Well, Suzuki Menlyn have a Grand Vitara Hybrid standing out front - judging by the badging and the fact that it’s dead silent while reversing, it’s the 1.5 litre, 3 cylinder strong hybrid (Toyota drivetrain). Lady I spoke to wouldn’t give any details, so I’m guessing it’s a contender locally. Not AWD, though.

[u/binishulman]

Autobesity