From the editor

Can you believe it’s August already? What a peculiar, frustrating, enlightening and exasperating year it’s been so far … here’s hoping a rosier future for all is in store as we accelerate towards 2021.

We’re certainly an optimistic bunch at CAR. There’s been a tidal wave of exciting newmodel introductions in the last few weeks – their press launches have all been digital, of course – and we have them lined up for testing in the coming months. For now, though, please enjoy our driving reports on the extraordinary Ferrari SF90 Stradale (the brand’s

rst-ever plug-in hybrid; page 44) and Mini’s maiden step to an electric future (page 50). Both will soon be available locally and we have pricing, specs and de nitive verdicts…

Somewhat more modestly stickered, we compare three boutique compact crossovers that major in style (page 58) and test Mahindra’s new automatic 4x4 bakkie (page 76). We also slide in behind the vintage wheel of a one-off eighties Benz with a wonderfully brawny V8 under the hood (page 54) and report on a local engineer with big aspirations to build a certi ed LMP3 racecar (page 40).

If you’re a subscriber and have been left frustrated at the delays in delivery, I again apologise on behalf of the distribution team which was responsible for making sure you get your copies well before the rest go on sale. I say “was” because I have good news; we recently appointed a new distributor called Arena Holdings and you can reach them on their website at arena.africa or emailing your subscriber details to feedback@arena.africa. As always, you’re welcome to contact the CAR team directly, too; just send an email to car@ramsaymedia.co.za (most of us are still working from home, so mailing is better than calling).

As we transition to lockdown levels which allow more freedom of movement, we urge you to jump behind the wheel of your pride and joy and safely explore our great country. The CAR team certainly will! Terence_carmag