Willem van de Putte

Motoring Journalist

Watch VideoTackling Kyalami's 16 corners: round two of the Toyota GR Cup

Willem van de Putte|Published

Our journalist Willem van de Putte shares his anticipation and preparation for round two of the Toyota GR Cup challenge at the legendary Kyalami circuit, where media ...

Watch VideoSouth African racer AJ Venter scores R4. 2m boost for dangerous Isle of Man TT

Willem van de Putte|Published

South African motorcycle racer AJ Venter is the only African competitor at the notoriously dangerous Isle of Man TT race. He has secured a game-changing R4. 2 million ...

First drive of the Leapmotor C10 REEV: The future of petrol-electric hybrids in South Africa

Willem van de Putte|Published

The Leapmotor C10 REEV combines electric vehicle technology with a petrol range extender, offering over 900km of range. With Stellantis bringing this Chinese midsize ...

Watch VideoSouth Africa's reckless driving culture: What is fuelling the lawlessness?

Willem van de Putte|Published

Criminology Professor Christiaan Bezuidenhout explains why South Africans routinely ignore road rules, from the normalisation of traffic violations to corruption ...

Watch VideoCitroen plans expansion in South Africa, but the Basalt won't be on the roads just yet

Willem van de Putte|Published

Citroen Global CEO Thierry Koskas reveals plans to expand the French carmaker's footprint in South Africa with appropriate products and an increased dealer network. ...

The Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior: South Africa's latest double cab bakkie with attitude

Willem van de Putte|Updated

The new Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior joins South Africa's premium bakkie lineup with enhanced off-road capabilities, locally engineered modifications, and aggressive ...

Watch VideoScared of parallel parking? Watch BYD's 'Crab-Walk Mode' solve your problem

Willem van de Putte|Updated

Parallel parking - a dreaded task for many drivers that can cause anxiety and frustration. But Chinese automaker BYD may have found the solution with their revolutionary ...

Officine Fuoriserie: Where the super-rich transform Maseratis into bespoke masterpieces

Willem van de Putte|Published

Maserati has unveiled its new Officine Fuoriserie customisation service at its historic Modena plant, offering car enthusiasts unprecedented levels of personalisation. ...

Citroen C3 expands with a panel van as small commercial vehicle market thrives

Willem van de Putte|Published

Citroen is preparing to enter the competitive small commercial vehicle market with a panel van version of their C3 model. With the segment showing growth despite ...

Watch VideoWATCH: Testing SVI LITES's bulletproof car window against point-blank gunshots

Willem van de Putte|Published

SVI Engineering has developed SVI LITE, an affordable partial ballistic protection system for vehicles that costs significantly less than full bulletproofing. Starting ...

Mini Aceman: all you need to know about SA's latest premium electric crossover

Willem van de Putte|Published

Mini's first all-electric crossover, the Aceman, arrives in South Africa with two variants offering ranges up to 400km. Starting at R800,000, this premium small ...

Ford Ranger bakkie is still the king in SA's used car market

Willem van de Putte|Published

South Africa's used car market demonstrates resilience with a 0. 8% year-on-year increase in February 2025, while the Ford Ranger maintains its market dominance. ...

AA weighs in on vehicle modifications, roadworthy tests and corruption

Willem van de Putte|Published

Explore the implications of car modifications in South Africa, including safety concerns, legal considerations and the need for regular roadworthiness inspections ...

Ford Ranger bakkie: still the king in SA's used car market

Willem van de Putte|Published

South Africa's used car market demonstrates resilience with a 0. 8% year-on-year increase in February 2025, while the Ford Ranger maintains its market dominance. ...

Nissan Magnite's nip and tuck: premium updates to budget-friendly SUV

Willem van de Putte|Published

REVIEW: The refreshed Nissan Magnite receives significant interior and exterior updates, bringing premium features to the compact SUV segment. We test the range-topping ...

The psychology of car colours: what yours says about you and its practical benefits

Willem van de Putte|Published

Explore how car colour choices reflect personality, influence resale value, and reveal trends in the automotive industry.

Zooming into happiness: the Porsche 911 Carrera experience

Willem van de Putte|Published

Discover the unmatched performance and elegance of the Porsche 911 Carrera, a sports car that continues to set the standard for driving enthusiasts.

Watch VideoWATCH: What happens when a motoring journalist becomes a motorcar racer

Willem van de Putte|Published

Join motorsport novice Willem van de Putte as he takes on his first-ever race in the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Cup Media challenge at Killarney International Raceway. ...

Toyota Fortuner Challenge 2025: Independent Media claims back-to-back victory

Willem van de Putte|Updated

Independent Media claims victory at the Fortuner Challenge 2025, as Hennie Terreblanche and his young teammate Saood Variawa conquer a series of demanding tasks ...

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak and why bakkies rule in South Africa

Willem van de Putte|Published

Discover why the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab is a top choice among South African bakkies, combining comfort, utility, and advanced features.

From journalist to race driver: my Toyota GR Cup journey begins

Willem van de Putte|Published

Join me as I transition from journalist to race driver in the thrilling Toyota GR Cup, where I'll face new challenges and embrace the adrenaline of competitive racing. ...

Pimp my ride Mzansi style: Only in South Africa

Willem van de Putte|Published

South Africa ranks globally as a top consumer of performance vehicles, but with modification culture on the rise, what modifications are actually legal? We explore ...

Software engineer set to represent Independent Media in 2025 Fortuner Challenge

Willem van de Putte|Published

Discover how Hennie Terreblanche, a software engineer and CrossFit coach, prepares for the 2025 Fortuner Challenge, representing Independent Media.

The alarming 200% increase in petrol prices since 2008: what you need to know

Willem van de Putte|Updated

South African fuel prices have skyrocketed by almost 200% since 2008, from R7. 20 to R21. 55 per litre. And it's not only at the pumps where we are feeling this. ...

Lexus introduces the LX 700h Hybrid SUV and adventure-ready Overtrail model

Willem van de Putte|Published

Explore the new Lexus LX 700h and Overtrail, where luxury meets adventure in a hybrid SUV designed for outdoor enthusiasts.