Armoured Mobility named official Volkswagen SA armouring partner

Armoured Mobility has been confirmed as an official armouring partner of Volkswagen South Africa, with the announcement made at the 2026 NAMPO Harvest Day, currently under way in Bothaville in the Free State.

The partnership sees Armoured Mobility formally recognised as an approved converter partner for Volkswagen vehicles in South Africa, with the company now listed on the carmaker’s website.

Jaguar has revealed the name of its upcoming electric grand tourer, confirming that its first model in a new era will be called the Type 01. Set to debut later this year, the luxury four-door GT marks the British brand’s reinvention as an all-electric manufacturer and introduces a new naming strategy that draws on Jaguar’s heritage. According to Jaguar, the “0” in Type 01 refers to electric propulsion and zero tailpipe emissions, while the “1” signifies the first model of a new generation. The car is being designed, developed and built in the UK. The “Type” designation also revives a naming tradition that dates back to Jaguar’s racing and performance cars, first appearing on the Le Mans-winning C-type in 1951 before later featuring on road-going models such as the E-type and F-type. Jaguar says the Type 01 — which was recently cold-weather tested up in the Arctic Circle — will feature a newly developed body architecture and tri-motor electric drivetrain producing more than 735kW and 1,300Nm. Quick it shall be. “We have reimagined Jaguar for a new era, with inspiration from what has gone before,” said Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover. “Our engineers have achieved this with a vehicle that looks and drives like no other EV, yet reflects a unique provenance.” Ahead of its official reveal, camouflaged Type 01 prototypes will appear on the streets of Monaco during this weekend’s Formula E E-Prix.

Armoured Mobility has previously developed armoured versions of several Volkswagen models, with the Amarok described by the company as one of its most requested platforms for customers seeking added protection.

“Volkswagen has a strong reputation in South Africa for building vehicles that are capable, refined and trusted across both lifestyle and commercial environments,” said Armoured Mobility GM Nabeel Khan. “For us, becoming a Volkswagen South Africa armouring partner is a proud milestone because it allows us to combine that proven vehicle platform with our specialist armouring expertise.”

Ford Southern Africa has debuted the Everest range, updated for 2026. The seven-seat SUV now offers a wider range of trim models, specifications and drivetrain options. The refreshed line-up kicks off with the new entry-level Everest Active, which replaces the previous XLT and is powered by the new 2.0l four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, benefitting from the fitment of a timing chain for improved durability and producing outputs of 125kW and 405Nm. It’s available as a two-wheel drive version or a part-time four-wheel drive model and equipped as standard with a 10-speed automatic gearbox updated with new software. The 4x2 model has four drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow Haul and Slippery. The 4x4 gains Mud, Ruts and Sand modes and a locking rear differential for off-road applications. The standard features list in the new Active includes adaptive cruise control, lane centring and lane keeping systems, road edge detection, a driver impairment monitor, ABS, electronic stability programme, six airbags, and front and rear parking sensors with a rear camera. Amenities include keyless entry, push-button start, manually adjustable and cloth-covered seats, an eight-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-inch colour touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, and zone lighting and puddle lamps inside the heated exterior mirrors. Exterior features include body-coloured bumpers, black roof rails and side steps, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlamps with automatic activation and high-beam switching. The 4x4 Active gets underbody protection. Step up to the Everest Sport, and you get a 184kW/600Nm 3.0l V6 diesel engine with permanent four-wheel drive, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree camera, blind spot detection with trailer coverage, a powered tailgate, a 400W inverter, a windscreen-mounted USB port, electric seats in front, full leather upholstery and the Pro Trailer Back-up Assist. The Sport model also retains a black-painted radiator grille, bumpers, mirrors, door handles and 20-inch alloy wheels, including the distinctive and exclusive Blue Lightning body paint option. The V6 diesel-powered Everest Wildtrak steps up with a black front bumper, raised roof racks, Matrix LED headlamps, adjustable ambient lighting and a black roof lining. The third-row seats now have a power-folding function, while the top-tier Everest Platinum continues largely unchanged except for new wheel-lip mouldings with painted flares and the addition of the new Acacia Green paint colour. Ford Southern Africa also announced the more rugged Everest Tremor and Ranger Super Duty models are earmarked for local entry in Q4 and sometime in 2027, respectively. Updated Ford Everest pricing 2.0L Diesel Active 10AT 4x2 - R825,000; 2.0L Diesel Active 10AT 4x4 - R875,000; 3.0L V6 Diesel Sport 10AT 4WD - R1,149,000; 3.0L V6 Diesel Wildtrak 10AT 4WD - R1,244,000; and 3.0L V6 Diesel Platinum 10AT 4x4 - R1,340,000.

“The Amarok, in particular, has become one of the standout vehicles for our clients. It offers the strength, comfort and road presence expected from a premium double cab, while giving us an excellent foundation to integrate discreet B4 and B6 protection without compromising the vehicle’s character.”

Armoured Mobility currently offers the Volkswagen Amarok 2.3T Double Cab PanAmericana 4Motion with certified B6 discreet armour. While B4 protection is aimed at everyday security and designed to withstand most handgun threats, B6 protection offers increased ballistic resistance against rifle fire.

The Amarok package includes B6-rated ballistic glass, reinforced A-, B- and C-pillars, an armoured firewall, roof and front fenders, as well as full cabin protection. Other features include run-flat steel-band tyres and a push-to-talk intercom system.

According to the company, lightweight ballistic steel and glass are used to retain the vehicle’s practicality and factory-like appearance.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup Xpeng is in talks with Volkswagen and other carmakers about buying a factory in Europe, Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The development comes days after Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said the company could bring its cars developed in China to the European market or even share factory capacity in Europe with Chinese partners. Elvis Cheng, Xpeng’s managing director for northeastern Europe, told FT’s “Future of the Car” summit that the Hong Kong-listed company is in talks with the German carmaker to see if “there is any possibility we can find a location here in Europe”. Volkswagen owns a stake in Xpeng and has three joint venture partners in China — SAIC, FAW and JAC — none of whom currently have production capacity in Europe. Xpeng would also consider building a new European plant, FT reported. “We think not all the factories can satisfy the requirements of our latest or future product requirements,” Cheng told FT, adding that Volkswagen’s plants were “a little bit old”. Volkswagen declined to comment on the FT report when contacted by Reuters. Blume had previously said Volkswagen would check “if there are opportunities for our Chinese partners in Europe” to deal with excess plant capacity. To counter domestic weakness, Xpeng is expanding aggressively overseas. However, its push into Europe faces challenges due to tighter rules on foreign investment. Reuters

“For many clients, especially in South Africa, safety is no longer a luxury conversation,” said Khan. “It is a practical requirement. The challenge is to provide that safety without taking away the comfort, usability and confidence people expect from a premium vehicle. That is where the Amarok performs exceptionally well.”

The partnership comes amid continued interest in armoured civilian vehicles in South Africa, particularly among buyers seeking discreet protection in premium passenger and double-cab vehicles.

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