VW celebrated top dealers and top motoring groups
CFAO‘s Mc Duling Motors under the leadership Allan Stiles as Dealer Principal scooped the top award as Dealer of the Year at VW’s recently held Grand Prix Awards.
- Dealer News
- 5 May 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.
Donald Trump has threatened to increase United States (US) tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% from next week, up from the 15% rate set under last year’s so-called Turnberry framework.
No, the Chinese are not coming to take over – they are already busy accomplishing it.
Motorists and households already under pressure will have to dig deeper into their pockets yet again from Wednesday, with sharp fuel and energy price hikes taking effect across South Africa.