Reminiscent of the gold rush R days in the 1880s, there is frenetic advancement happening overseas in the haste to migrate to EVs. They all said it was coming to a continent near us, and it is already here.
Casting aside the problems of Eskom and load shedding for now, we take a look at the Mercedes-Benz EQA to see how it stacks up against others such as the BMW iX3 and the Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Size-wise, the EQA is the baby of the Mercedes' new EV family, spun off a version of the MFA2 platform that underpins many A-Class-based models. The ever increasing size of cars is becoming a problem on our old roads and limited space in parking bays, so this EQA is a breath of fresh air. The size will be spot-on for most families, with just one exception, which we will tackle later.
Regarding its styling, it looks the part with the de rigeur single-bar taillamp array and a minimal rear overhang. The interior is beautifully finished. It has a vast flat-screen instrument binnacle area combined with the touchscreen display. The air vents follow the tried-and-tested route of circular dials, and satin aluminium bevels and rose-gold spokes for adjustment. It may sound ostentatious, but it has been elegantly executed.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de CAR South Africa.
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Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
