New JMC Vigus will make an impression
Following the official brand re-launch by the Salvador Caetano Group, JMC South Africa announce the arrival of the All-New JMC Vigus.
- Product News
- 17 April 2026
Renault’s R-Space Lab is not intended to preview a specific future model, yet it offers one of the clearest statements of where the brand believes the modern car is heading.
Conceived by Renault Group’s Futurama innovation laboratory, the concept explores the long‑standing idea of voitures à vivre, vehicles designed as adaptable living spaces rather than simple tools for getting from place to place.
The exterior sets the tone. A clean one-box silhouette prioritises space and visibility over sporty proportions, with a body measuring roughly 4.5 metres in length and just 1.5 metres in height. Slim pillars, frameless doors and a windscreen that blends into a fully glazed roof create an unusually airy atmosphere and blur the boundary between cabin and surroundings. It is a deliberate move to make the interior feel calm, open and larger than expected.

Inside, the focus is on reconfigurability and intuitive digital design. A curved openR panorama screen runs across the full width of the dashboard, bringing together driving information, assistance systems and media in one continuous display. Most functions are controlled via a central touchscreen laid out to feel as familiar as a smartphone, while steer-by-wire technology allows for a compact steering wheel that frees up space and improves forward visibility.
Clever packaging underpins the living space concept. Airbags are built into the seats rather than the dashboard, allowing for a multifunction glovebox that can double as a leg rest. The front passenger seat slides back to engage with rear occupants, and three identical rear seats can recline, fold or flip up to accommodate everything from bikes to pets.

Human-centred safety also plays a key role. Technologies under evaluation include a tactile alcohol detector and in-car artificial intelligence acting as a Safety Coach. Together, they hint at a future where Renault cars behave less like machines and more like supportive partners in daily life.
South Africa’s motorists and automotive sector are facing a fresh layer of uncertainty as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global oil markets, but for now the country’s fuel supply remains stable even as costs rise.
Stellantis has struck a five year strategic partnership with Microsoft as it accelerates its shift towards software defined vehicles and digital services.
Auto China 2026 marks another milestone in the evolution of an event that has tracked China’s rise from emerging market to global automotive powerhouse.