Subaru’s all-new Outback is getting ready for its local launch
Subaru’s all-new seventh-generation Outback has already begun building strong international momentum ahead of its arrival in the local market later this year.
- Product News
- 22 April 2026
One of South Africa’s most popular motorsport events is just days away, with the Simola Hillclimb once again set to draw fans, competitors and manufacturers to the Garden Route.
The event is scheduled to take place from 30 April to 3 May 2026, with practice and qualifying sessions in the first two days and the main King of the Hill shootout over the final weekend.
The annual spectacle has grown into a highlight on the local motorsport calendar, combining high performance machinery with a festival like atmosphere.
Where and when?
The Simola Hillclimb takes place on Simola Hill in Knysna in the Western Cape, using a short but demanding stretch of tar that winds its way up the hillside. The 2026 event marks the sixteenth edition and is expected to attract record crowds following continued growth in recent years.
The event typically runs over three days, with practice sessions and qualifying rounds building up to the main competitive shootout on the final day. Spectators are accommodated at various viewing points along the route, while the paddock area offers close access to the cars and teams.
Classes and King of the Hill:
The event features a wide mix of machinery, split into different classes. These include road going production cars and highly modified or purpose-built race cars, ensuring a diverse field ranging from everyday performance vehicles to extreme machines designed purely for speed.
The highlight of the weekend is the King of the Hill shootout, where the fastest competitors from the various classes go head-to-head for overall honours. This title is regarded as the ultimate prize at Simola, crowning the quickest driver and car combination on the hill.
In recent years, the King of the Hill title has been dominated by specialised race machinery. The past three winners have all come from the single seater or prototype style classes, underlining the level of performance required to claim outright victory on the demanding course.
A growing motorsport spectacle:
Since its inception, the Simola Hillclimb has developed into a globally recognised event, attracting international drivers and attention. It combines elements of traditional hill climb racing with a broader lifestyle experience, making it appealing to a wide audience beyond hardcore motorsport fans.
Attendance continues to climb, with more than 20 000 spectators recorded over a recent edition. The event also serves as a platform for automotive brands to showcase new models and technologies, adding to its appeal.
Subaru’s all-new seventh-generation Outback has already begun building strong international momentum ahead of its arrival in the local market later this year.
Motus Retail has officially opened its first dedicated Mahindra dealership in the Western Cape, located in Tygervalley. Martin Smit will lead the team as Dealer Principal.
MG Motor South Africa has added two new models to its local range with the introduction of the MG3 hatchback and MG ZS Pro compact SUV or crossover.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
We Buy Cars has continued its involvement in youth skills development, with a recent group of learners completing sponsored programmes in partnership with SA Business School.
Durban played host to a gathering that placed KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) firmly in the spotlight of South Africa’s automotive story.
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.