Festival Recap
Festival of Motoring 2026: Every EV Showcased at Kyalami
The WesBank Festival of Motoring returned to Kyalami from 28–30 August 2026 — and once again, electric and range-extender vehicles took centre stage. Seven models were showcased across the weekend, from a brand-new premium EV badge landing in South Africa to a fully electric bakkie that's already launched and priced. If you're weighing up your next car, here's everything that was on display, and what it could mean for your options heading into the new year.
What is the Festival of Motoring?
Organised by Messe Frankfurt South Africa and powered by WesBank, the Festival of Motoring is one of the country's biggest motoring showcases — now in its ninth year. Over three days at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, more than twenty brands bring their latest models for public test drives, hot laps, and new-model reveals, with the aim of helping everyday buyers make more informed decisions about their next car or finance deal.
This year, the clearest theme was electrification — brand after brand used the festival to show where they're headed next, whether that's an already-launched model or a preview of what's still to come.
The 7 EVs and REEVs Showcased
Battery Electric
Suzuki e Vitara
Suzuki's very first battery-electric vehicle, built on a new dedicated EV platform and carrying 38 years of Vitara heritage into an entirely new chapter. The all-wheel-drive variant shown at Kyalami is genuinely one of the surprises of the year.
| Battery | 61 kWh |
| WLTP Range | 395 km |
| Charging | AC + up to 70 kW DC |
| Power & Torque | 135 kW / 307 Nm |
| SA Launch | Not yet confirmed |
Battery Electric — New Brand
BAIC Arcfox T1
This is bigger than one new model — BAIC used the festival to introduce Arcfox, its premium EV sub-brand, to South Africa for the first time. The T1 compact crossover leads the charge, positioned as a rival to the BYD Dolphin. As of now, Arcfox hasn't officially launched in SA yet — this was a Festival of Motoring preview only, with pricing still unconfirmed.
| Battery | 42.3 kWh |
| Claimed Range (CLTC) | 425 km |
| Power & Torque | 70 kW / 176 Nm |
| SA Launch | TBC — preview only so far |
Range Extender (REEV)
Dongfeng Friday
A mid-size crossover that drives like an EV but carries a small petrol generator on board to top up the battery — no range anxiety. This full battery-electric version goes a step beyond the REEV Friday already on pre-order locally.
| Battery | ~32 kWh |
| Electric Range | ~220 km claimed |
| Charging | 6.6 kW AC / up to 80 kW DC |
| Power & Torque | 120 kW / 240 Nm |
| SA Launch | Before end of 2026 |
Battery Electric
Lepas L6 EV
Lepas displayed the all-electric L6 right alongside the standard petrol version, giving buyers a clear side-by-side look at both powertrain options under one nameplate.
| Battery | 67 kWh |
| WLTC Range | 450 km |
| Charging | 6.6 kW AC / DC via CCS2 |
| Power & Torque | 160 kW / 275 Nm |
| SA Launch | Not yet confirmed |
Range Extender (REEV)
iCaur V27
Chery's subsidiary brand brought its biggest model yet — a range-extender SUV sized to rival the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, pairing a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with twin electric motors.
| Battery | 34.3 kWh |
| Price | Under R1 million |
| SA Launch | Before end of 2026 |
Range Extender (REEV)
Changan Deepal S05
Built for buyers who want the electric driving feel without worrying about running dry — Changan claims over 1,000 km of combined range thanks to its onboard petrol generator.
| Battery | 27.28 kWh |
| Electric / Combined Range | 160–200 km / 1,000+ km |
| DC Charging | 30–80% in ~20 min |
| Power & Torque | 160 kW / 320 Nm |
| SA Launch | November 2026 |
Battery Electric Bakkie — Already Launched
Geely Riddara
The only vehicle on this list that's already launched and priced. A fully electric double-cab bakkie — proof the electric space in South Africa isn't just about hatchbacks and SUVs anymore. We're planning a dedicated bakkie script and blog post for this one next.
| Battery (entry Aspire 2WD) | 63 kWh |
| Range (NEDC / WLTP est.) | 369 km / ~314 km |
| Charging | 6.6 kW AC / 90 kW DC |
| Power & Torque | 180 kW / 309 Nm |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h |
| Starting Price | R611,900 |
The Takeaway
Seven electric and range-extender vehicles, one weekend, one racetrack — and a clear signal that South Africa's electric space keeps growing. From a brand-new EV debut, to a fully electric bakkie already on sale, to more range-extender options landing before the year is out, there are more options headed your way if you're considering your next car, even into the new year. We'll be bringing full, dedicated breakdowns on each of these in the coming weeks — so keep an eye out.
