The Toyota Gaming Engine returns to Comic Con Africa with four days of gaming, a Hilux that walks and talks, and close to R30 000 in prizes across South Africa's first vehicle themed cosplay competition.

Comic Con Africa has never had a shortage of superheroes. What it’s been missing is some supercars.

That changes from 24 to 27 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, where The Toyota Gaming Engine returns as official partner and headline sponsor with its biggest presence yet at Nasrec, and a cosplay category South Africa has never seen.

Carsplay Toyota

The TTGE Carsplay Competition, cosplay but for cars, asks Comic Con’s most committed builders to do something they’ve never done – drop the swords, shields and capes for some chrome, headlights and wheels.

Any Toyota. Any interpretation. Literal builds, humanoid takes, futuristic, fantasy, stylised, the brief is deliberately wide. Scored by a panel of a TTGE representative, a Comic Con Africa representative and a professional cosplayer, judges will look at five criteria with ten points each - Creativity, Toyota interpretation, craftsmanship, resourcefulness and stage presence.

Budget is not on the scorecard. Recycled material and DIY problem-solving score as well as a workshop build, which is exactly the point.

Entries are open now at ttge.co.za/comic-con-africa-2026 and close on 25 September. Entry is open to anyone 18 or older with a valid Comic Con Africa ticket, solo or in teams of up to four. Every entrant gets a free TTGE Carsplay Starter Pack with official badges, decals, the Toyota colour range and build references.

Live judging takes place on the Comic Con Africa main stage from 15:30 on Saturday 26 September, with contestant check-in at the TTGE stand at 15:00.

First place takes R10 000 cash, a Toyota GAZOO Racing driving experience for two at Zwartkops Raceway and Comic Con Africa 2027 weekend passes for the winner and two friends. Second takes R3 000 and third R1 500 in eGift24 vouchers, both with 2027 passes attached.

Load The Hilux, IRL

TTGE Brake Time’s new daily mini-game “Load The Hilux” is being brought to life in the food court. A full-size Hilux, a pile of oversized cargo, a stopwatch and a leaderboard waiting to be filled. Players sprint, collect and load every item into its marked position. Fastest time each day wins aeGift24voucher, and setting a new record earns awesome TTGE merch.

 

Four days in The Engine Room

The TTGE stand runs free-to-play gaming across all four days. Gran Turismo 7 on full-motion sim rigs, Street Fighter, EA FC and Brawlhalla on console, Clash Royale and Subway Surfers on mobile, with daily leaderboards, King of the Hill runs and daily prizes. The stand's mini stage will also host “Beat The Pro” showdowns, prize handovers, winner interviews and appearances by the TTGE CSR league players.

 

The world’s only walking, talking Hilux

A brand built [RR1] Hilux transformer will be roaming the show, pointing people to the stand and photobombing everyone’s camera roll. Fans who grab a selfie with it and tag TTGE could win a share of R15 000 in eGift vouchers. The Hilux transformer doesn’t have a name yet either – the fan who submits the winning idea takes a share of the same pot.

Drift X Experience

Driving the experience home, the Drift X activation will be on display for all Comic Con Africa attendees to engage with. This features a precision drift driving experience with the Toyota GR vehicles around a gymkhana style course, demonstrating the agility of the GR models.

Full details at ttge.co.za/comic-con-africa-2026.

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