Car sales hit the brakes in February 2019

DEALERS are likely to be desperate to do a sharp price on a new car in March – traditionally the second-biggest month of the year for sales – after figures for February revealed the biggest market slowdown since the Global Financial Crisis. It is now 11 months in a row sales have fallen short of the same month the previous year — and even market leader Toyota has been hit hard.

Skoda Karoq, Kodiaq updates announced

Skoda has announced some minor changes for its Karoq and Kodiaq crossovers ahead of the Geneva motor show, set to go into production later this year. In terms of design, both models will swap out the current Skoda arrow logo on the tailgate for 'Skoda' script, in line with the new Kamiq baby SUV also making its public debut at the Swiss event.

2019 Audi R8 V10 Decennium revealed

Audi has revealed its 10th anniversary present to the R8 V10, in the form of the limited-run Decennium coupe. Just 222 examples will be built worldwide, making it a very tricky beast to track down. The Decennium is distinguished from other R8 models by its matte bronze engine intake manifold and and 20-inch milled wheels.

CarAdvice podcast 142: Volkswagen Commercial director, Ryan Davies

This week Mandy Turner is joined by Paul Maric and James Wong. In car news, the NSW opposition is planning to slug car buyers with the highest stamp duty in Australia, Toyota customers are paying more luxury car tax than many other buyers, and the Australian EV Council has slammed Federal Government's 'plan about a plan' on EVs. Plus, the Honda E Prototype and 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc R have been unveiled.

Tesla Model 3 'Standard Range' now on sale in the US

Tesla has finally released the affordable Model 3 it's been promising for so long, now available to order in the States for US$35,000 ($49,300) before incentives. Jumping on the company's US configurator shows new variants, dubbed 'Standard Range' and 'Standard Range Plus', the latter costing US$2000 more ($2818). Specifications for the Standard Range are as follows: 220mi (354km) of range, a top speed of 130mph (209km/h), and a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 5.6 seconds.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coming to Australia with 480kW

It's been the worst-kept secret in the industry, but we can finally officially reveal HSV will import and convert the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 from April this year, with pricing to start from $159,990 before on-road costs.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS coming to Australia with manual option

HSV has confirmed it'll bring the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro to Australia, complete with the option of a manual transmission and a higher $86,990 starting price before on-road costs. Headline news is the addition of a six-speed manual option to the Camaro, which now becomes the standard transmission. A 10-speed automatic is an option ($2200) and brings customisable launch control and line-lock.

Kia four-door electric concept teased again

Kia has continued the drip-feed of details about its upcoming electric concept car headed for the Geneva motor show, revealing it'll have four doors, a new Kia logo, and more than 20 screens. No, that isn't a typo, it'll have more than twenty screens.

Ferrari F8 Tributo unveiled

The Ferrari F8 Tributo has been revealed ahead of its in-person debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which starts next week. Powering the F8 Tributo is a 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 delivering 530kW of power at 8000rpm, and 770Nm of torque at 3250rpm. This seems to be the same engine employed by the 488 Pista.

2019 Lotus Exige Sport 410 review

Driving the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 410 is a visceral experience, raw and unadulterated. It’s immersive and unrefined. Unembellished. It’s a car that breathes you in, inhales you, and embraces you so you become part of it. It screams at you, with you, and howls in delight even as you laugh with unbridled joy during your tango with the tarmac. It’s a delightfully raucous driver's car that makes no sense at all. Until it does.

2019 Geneva motor show: What to expect

The first motor show of the year, Detroit, is a distant memory, and the European calendar's first big new-car event of the year, the 2019 Geneva motor show, is nearly upon us. What can we expect this year? Catch our list of world premieres below: Alpina B4 S Bi-Turbo Edition 99 (confirmed) Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo xDrive (revealed) Bentley Bentayga Speed (revealed) BMW X5 xDrive45e (revealed) BMW 330e (revealed) BMW 745e (revealed) BMW M760Li xDrive (revealed)

Holiday weekend getaway in the Renault Megane RS

As perhaps my personal favourite release of 2018 under a quarter-mil’, the Renault Megane RS – the ‘softer’ Sport EDC, specifically – was my list-topper for Christmas break getaway cars.

NSW Government to create national Autonomous Vehicle Centre of Excellence

The New South Wales Government has committed to creating a National Centre of Excellence for autonomous vehicles, and will later this year host the International Driverless Vehicle Summit (IDVS). According to the Australian Driverless Vehicle Index (ADVI), the new Centre of Excellence will help address Australia's slow progress on autonomous vehicle development.

2019 Porsche Macan S review

The newish 2019 Porsche Macan range has landed in Aussie showrooms – something of a facelift by conventional car-making definition, yet something else according to the local arm. “It’s more half facelift, half new-generation” is the claim, and of course off goes the spin-doctoring alarm, though in fairness Porsche Australia does have (half) a point.

Elon Musk gets cryptic, Tesla stocks rise

Tesla's mercurial founder and CEO, Elon Musk, has sent Tesla stock soaring with a cryptic triptych of tweets. We'll know more on Thursday 2pm, California time, but Musk – rebranded Elon Tusk on Twitter, naturally – has promised "Some Tesla news". In most cases, that wouldn't be news. But after the tweet made its way around the world Tesla stocks rose by almost 6.0 per cent, proving Musk is still able to move markets with a few sweeps of his thumbs.

CR-V, G-Class, Tarraco score five stars in Euro NCAP testing

Euro NCAP has released the latest round of safety ratings this week, with the new Honda CR-V, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Seat Tarraco all scoring top marks. All three vehicles were tested against the firm's latest 2019 criteria, each achieving at least 90 per cent for adult occupant protection and 80 per cent for child occupants. In particular, the Seat managed an impressive 97 per cent for adult occupant protection, which Euro NCAP says is amongst the best score in this category.

New Porsche fuels debate about Australia’s petrol quality

THE debate about Australia’s fuel quality is about to be reignited by Porsche. The updated Porsche Macan SUV is the first car sold in Australia with a petrol particulate filter. Until now, European brands have claimed Australia is missing out on the latest engine technology because our unleaded petrol is allowed to have up to 50 parts per million of sulphur rather than the maximum 10 ppm mandated in Europe.

Ginetta supercar revealed

Ginetta has unveiled its new, as-yet unnamed, supercar ahead of its public debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show. The Leeds-based firm has confirmed to Autocar the vehicle will be powered by dry-sump 6.0-litre V8, which was developed in-house and is milled from a single block of aluminium. Making around 450kW (600hp) of power and 705Nm of torque, the V8 is pushed to the back of the engine bay and drives the rear wheels through a Ginetta-designed six-speed sequential transmission.

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC revealed, here Q3 2019

Mercedes-Benz has pulled back the sheet on an update to its important entrant in the mid-sized SUV segment, the 2019 GLC, with a tougher look and the addition of MBUX infotainment. Given it's a critical point for most buyers, we're going to start with the infotainment. At the launch of the new C-Class, Mercedes said its mid-sized sedan wouldn't be getting the bleeding-edge MBUX system because its electrical architecture is based on that of the E- and S-Class, instead of the A-Class.

AEB could become mandatory in Australia

Australia looks likely to make autonomous emergency braking (AEB) mandatory on all new vehicles sold from the early 2020s, pending the passage of draft UN standards. Unlike the rules soon to face the European Union parliament, which includes lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and black box data recorders, the United Nations World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations rules relate exclusively to autonomous emergency braking.

2020 Polestar 2 unveiled

Polestar has unveiled the car it hopes will take down the Tesla Model 3 overnight, in the form of the 2. It's stayed true to its original concept, too, with a design heavily inspired (almost entirely inspired, in fact) by the Volvo Concept 40.2. On the inside, the Polestar 2 has a dashboard design that's quite different from the Volvo XC40, with a free floating portrait-orientation 11.0-inch touchscreen dominating the cabin.

Honda e Prototype revealed

The Honda e Prototype, patterned on the 2017 Urban EV concept, previews the company's first mass-market electric vehicle for buyers outside of China. Aside from the black patch on the bonnet, the design is refreshingly minimalist, and devoid of any sporty pretensions.

Around the Tracks: Influencers, cracked windows and Faraday Future

When we’re not creating it ourselves, the CarAdvice team spends a lot of time finding and consuming motoring content from all over the world. Here’s a handful of the articles, videos and social media posts that most caught our eye last week. Some of them are brand-new, others have been online for a while. Enjoy them – just not too much, okay? Things are tough in the world of startups Yes, it's satire. But it's scarily accurate, too MX-5 owners, are you alright? 

2018 Mazda CX-3 Akari AWD review

Image is everything, fashion is fleeting, and style is timeless. As Anna Wintour-esque as buzzphrases like those might sound, they’re true. At least they’re as true of consumer goods as they are high-end couture. There will always be exceptions, but in most cases if you were given the choice between something stylish and aspirational or something more frumpy, you’d hardly pick the latter.

Hyundai Kona Iron Man Edition on sale from $39,990

Hyundai Australia has announced pricing and specification for the limited-run Kona Iron Man Edition "arriving in showrooms soon" priced from $39,990 before on-road costs. Based on the flagship all-wheel drive Highlander, the Kona Iron Man Edition picks up a swag of bespoke features inspired by the Marvel superhero, loosely based on the concept vehicle shown at the Kona's debut a couple of years ago.

Toyota Corolla GR Sport, Trek revealed

Toyota Europe has revealed a pair of new Corolla variants for the Geneva motor show, offering two very different flavours depending on buyer preference. First up is the Corolla GR Sport (pictured in silver), which in concept is in a similar vein to the Hyundai i30 N-Line or Ford Focus ST-Line – offering sporty looks and equipment without any powertrain upgrades.

Porsche’s massive safety faux-pas

Porsche Australia has been left red-faced after releasing a new model without safety technology that comes standard on sub-$20,000 hatchbacks. Despite costing between $80,000 and $100,000 the updated Porsche Macan SUV does not come with autonomous emergency braking as standard — even though the safety aid is fitted to budget-priced models such as the Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and most other new cars on sale.

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV, Stelvio QV limited editions revealed

Alfa Romeo has revealed a pair of F1-inspired special editions based on the Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Quadrifoglio performance models for the Geneva motor show next week. Dubbed the 'Alfa Romeo Racing special series', the limited-edition models celebrate the company's entry into the Formula 1 championship with Sauber.

2019 Honda Civic sedan pricing and specs

Honda has announced pricing and spec information for the 2019 Civic sedan range, headlined by the news VTi-L and RS models will now come with the Honda Sensing safety suite as standard. The active safety suite, previously reserved for the range-topping VTi-LX, brings autonomous-emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam.

CarAdvice on YourMoney, 27 February 2018: What's on this week's show?

On this week's episode of CarAdvice, Trent Nikolic and Paul Maric look the sales numbers from January 2019, talk about Hyundai's first N-Line product, wax lyrical on the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, and talk hail damage with Steve Price. First up: BMW has revealed its first-ever X3 and X4 M, complete with a hotter, meaner Competition variant. They're coming directly for the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S, which has exactly the same amount of power...

Jetta: Volkswagen launches new entry-level brand in China

The new entry-level Jetta brand plans to have 200 dealerships across China by the end 2019, and will also use "innovative sales formats", including digital showrooms, a presence in shopping malls and mobile sales trucks. The Jetta brand will target value conscious buyers who typically prefer local brands. When sales start, the Jetta range will consist of one sedan and two crossovers. At today's announcement, the company displayed images of two of the as-yet-unnamed models.

2019 McLaren 720S Spider review: Who needs a roof?

The 720S Spider demands a hefty $66,100 premium over its Coupe sibling, as well as rival models like the Ferrari 488 Spider ($29,112) and Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder ($23,365). But I’d argue that neither can match the all-round performance of the McLaren both on and off the track, as close as they might be.

2019 McLaren 720S Spider review

Arizona is 10 per cent larger than the UK and has a population of seven million, with five million of those residing in Phoenix. So, once you leave the city, you’ll find deserted roads and even more of the ubiquitous saguaro cacti. And for those interested in botany, it takes about 100 years for the main stem to reach maturity and its natural height, but then the additional arms take about another 75 years to grow. And believe me, there are many that appear to be around 375 years old.

2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 revealed

Mercedes-AMG has taken the wraps off its new GLE53 4Matic+, which will serve as the GLE's flagship variant until the full-fat AMG 63 version arrives. As with most AMG models, the new 53 is all about what lies under the bonnet. In this case it's a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six augmented by 48V mild-hybrid technology, which Mercedes calls 'EQ Boost'.

2020 Jaguar XE pricing and specs

The updated Jaguar XE has been revealed, with pricing to kick off at $65,670 before on-road costs when the dramatically slimmed-down range arrives locally. According Jaguar Land Rover, the revised exterior is inspired by the F-Type. The front end benefits from slimmer looking full LED headlamps, and restyled air intakes.

Nissan IMQ concept teased

Nissan has teased its IMQ Concept ahead of the Geneva motor show, designed to preview the brand's all-electric, highly-automated future. The sharp-looking crossover follows in the footsteps of the IMs and IMx revealed at the 2018 Detroit and 2017 Tokyo motor shows respectively, with similar hook-shaped taillights and angular detailing.

2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder revealed

The Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder has been revealed ahead of its physical debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which starts at the beginning of March. Like the Huracan Evo coupe, the Spyder is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 churning out 470kW at 8000rpm, and 600Nm of torque at 6500rpm. This engine was previously used on the pre-facelift Performante model.

2020 Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI revealed

The Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI has been revealed ahead of its in-the-flesh debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which kicks off early next month. Under the bonnet, this model features a 4.0-litre turbo-diesel V8, which has been tuned to deliver 310kW of power and 900Nm of torque. Further details about the drivetrain have yet to be confirmed, but Volkswagen says it complies with the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard.

Hyundai Palisade would ‘do well’ in Australia

The Hyundai Palisade, which is currently only made in left-hand drive, sits a good size above the Santa Fe, offering not only eight seats, but significantly more room inside and out. Andrew Tuitahi, Hyundai Australia's senior manager of product planning, told CarAdvice that a larger-than-Santa Fe offering would likely do well in our market.

Porsche Macan: Next-generation crossover to be fully electric

The luxury car marker has just confirmed the second-generation Porsche Macan will be abandon the MQB transverse engine front- and all-wheel drive platform in favour of the new Platform Premium Electric (PPE). Developed in conjunction with Audi, PPE will form the basis of the Taycan sports sedan, Porsche's first all-electric model. The Taycan is heavily influenced by the Mission E concept, and will be launched at the end of the year.

2020 Skoda Kamiq revealed, here late Q1 next year

Skoda has officially revealed the Kamiq, now the smallest member of the Czech brand's SUV family. In terms of design, it's very obvious the littlest Skoda crossover was inspired by the Vision X concept that previewed it at last year's Geneva motor show, though it's been toned down a bit for production. Up front is a new split headlight design that separates the main beam from the LED daytime-running light clusters – a first for the brand.

Design Review: Audi Rosemeyer Concept (2000)

There are not a lot of concept cars that maintain the ability to impress and intrigue almost two decades after their launch, but the Audi Rosemeyer is definitely among them. The retro-futuristic hypercar from Germany was presented in June 1, 2000 at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg as the pinnacle of the brand's technical evolution and a fitting tribute to Auto Union's 'Silver Arrows' race cars of the 1930s.

Time Machine Tuesday: 26 February 2019

People often say “don’t forget where you came from”. Although we’re focused on every new car, every last detail here at CarAdvice, we have an extensive back-catalogue of news stories, lifestyle yarns and reviews. Here’s a look at what happened on the week of February 26 in years past. Sadly for old Pathfinder fans, there's no firm word on whether it's coming here It'll be the only new-gen Fiesta variant headed Down Under in the coming months, too

Toyota confirms Corolla GRMN, sorta - report

Toyota has pretty much confirmed it will produce a proper hot hatch based on the new Corolla, according to a new report out of Europe. Speaking with Dutch publication AutoRai.nl Toyota's deputy chief designer, Toshio Kanei, said a fully-fledged Corolla GRMN is "certainly realistic".

Rolls-Royce set for another record-breaking year with Cullinan

In 2018 super-luxury car manufacturer Rolls-Royce sold a record 4,107 cars – a huge number when you consider just nine years ago when current CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos arrived, they were selling just 1000 cars.

2019 Alfa Romeo Giulietta revealed

Alfa Romeo has partially revealed and detailed the refreshed 2019 Giulietta hatchback, ahead of its debut at next week's Geneva motor show. Two versions of the Italian hatchback will be on display at the Swiss event, Veloce and Executive, both featuring revised designs and some new specification.

SEC calls for Elon Musk to be held in contempt over tweet

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reportedly asked a judge to hold outspoken Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, in contempt for violating his settlement with the agency with a tweet last week. Bloomberg reports that the tweet in question, made on February 19 (US time), violates the settlement Musk made with the SEC last year that required him to seek pre-approval from the company for social media posts and "other written communication that would be material to the company or investors".

Hispano Suiza Maguari HS1 GTC revealed

While the Hispano Suiza 'Carmen' set to debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show is an all-electric supercar being developed in Barcelona, this Hispano Suiza rebirth comes from a Switzerland-based firm. This company was also responsible for the brand's 2010 concept car, and was founded car designers Erwin Leo Himmel and Olivier Boulay.

NSW opposition plans to slug car buyers with the highest stamp duty in Australia

NSW Labor leader Michael Daley plans to increase stamp duty to the highest rate in the nation – to 7 per cent on vehicles priced above $100,000. This would be in addition to the 33 per cent Luxury Car Tax and 10 per cent GST already levied on cars in this price range. Mr Daley says he wants the “wealthiest in society” and “the big end of town” to pay for more nurses as part of his $240 million plan to legislate minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

2020 Audi A5 Sportback spied

Photographers have snapped the first images of the upcoming Audi A5 facelift this week, previewing the relatively light changes in store for its coupe, convertible and four-door Sportback range. With the swirly black-and-white wrap focused on the front and rear ends, it's pretty obvious the majority of changes will be made at the bumpers and light units to bring the A5 family in line with the company's latest models.

Abarth 124 Rally Tribute, 595 esseesse revealed

Abarth has revealed the 124 Rally Tribute and 595 esseesse as part of the company's 70th anniversary celebrations. The Italian performance brand's new models each have a unique flavour, which are both claimed to be "authentic expressions of the brand's racing soul and its glorious past in motorsport". First cab off the rank is the new 595 esseesse, which debuts some 55 years after the original.

Seat Minimo concept unveiled

The Seat Minimo has made its debut at the 2019 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and will eventually enter same the market niche as the Renault Twizy. Justifying the car's launch alongside the latest round of smartphones, the Minimo is fitted with a Digital Access key, 5G mobile connectivity, and wireless Android Auto support.

2020 Volkswagen T-Roc R unveiled

Under the bonnet the Volkswagen T-Roc R features the company's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine tuned to deliver 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. This is channelled to the ground via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and an all-wheel drive system. The hot crossover has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

2019 Mercedes-Benz S400d L review

When you've thrown the feature book at a car, midlife updates are often only skin deep. Mercedes-Benz updated the S-Class range in early 2018 with a minor face lift and a reduction of available models from 12 to eight in a bid to simplify the range. In addition to the range simplification, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz S400d L was spawned (a long-wheelbase version of the S400d) and the entire range had an increase in standard specification, including:

SEA Electric: Aussie EV maker launches in USA

SEA Electric is taking its Australian EV-making talents abroad, preparing two pure-electric trucks and a van for the American market. Based on Ford and Isuzu chassis, and set for display at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, the display trucks follow the purchase of a site in Los Angeles, from which it'll explore what's required for North American certification and distribution.

2018 Citroen C4 Cactus long-term review: Interior comfort and practicality

Our time with 'Smurfette' the Citroen C4 Cactus Exclusive is nearly up, but before we return the brightly coloured French crossover, let's have a look at the cabin. We've already gone through the Cactus's infotainment and technology (or lack of), which you can read more about here. As for comfort and practicality, the little crossover is surprisingly spacious inside, despite barely being any larger than your average small hatchback.

Exclusive: Toyota customers pay more luxury car tax than owners of Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Bentley – and Audi, BMW and Lexus

EXCLUSIVE Toyota customers are paying more Luxury Car Tax than buyers of most prestige brands, prompting renewed calls to scrap the 33 per cent levy on vehicles priced above the $66,331 threshold. Luxury Car Tax has reaped the Federal Government more than $5 billion over the past decade – including more than $695 million in the last financial year alone.

Electric vehicles: Federal 'plan about a plan' slammed by EV Council

Prime Minister Scott Morrison today unveiled a $2 billion pre-election climate change policy, but electric vehicle advocates are calling for more to be done in support of the burgeoning EV market. There's minimal mention of electric vehicles in the policy, which simply commits to developing a 'National Electric Vehicle Strategy' without any concrete promise what it might look like and when it might be done.

Volkswagen announces factory bonus for MY18 Golf R

Volkswagen Australia is currently offering 2018 model-year Golf R hatches and wagons with a $3000 factory bonus for a limited time. Following the recent announcement of drive-away pricing for the front-wheel drive Golf GTI, the German manufacturer has introduced a new offer on its flagship all-wheel drive performance duo, available until March 31.

2019 Peugeot 208 revealed

Peugeot has revealed its new 208 baby hatchback ahead of an in-person debut at the Geneva motor show next week, complete with a pure-electric variant. Up front, the new supermini has a face with more than just a hint of 508 about it. The headlamps contain a condensed version of Peugeot's three-stripe claw graphics, the outermost of which link with a pronounced 'fang' running into the bumper. There's a jewel-like grille and 208 badge on the bonnet, also in keeping with the wider range.

Gosford Classic Car Museum closes

Gosford Classic Cars has closed its doors after less than three years of operation, due to an ongoing dispute with the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Set up in 2016 to be Australia's 'largest car dealership', the museum specialises in rare and unique vehicles, with the current collection totalling an estimated value of over $70 million.

BMW X1 gets 'no credit' in IIHS pedestrian AEB testing

The BMW X1 has completely flunked pedestrian autonomous emergency braking testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). So poor was its performance, the littlest BMW crossover was the only vehicle to not be rated in a test of 11 compact SUVs. The second-worst rated car was the Mitsubishi Outlander, while the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Volvo XC40 took top ratings.

Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5 plug-in hybrids revealed

Audi has revealed its new range of plug-in hybrids, based on various model lines including the A6, A7, A8 and Q5. Set to make their public debut at the Geneva motor show next week, the four new PHEVs are badged 'TFSI e' – the company will reserve the 'e-tron' monicker for all-electric models from here on.

‘Brand identity’ needs a rethink

There is a vast array of car manufacturers kicking around today, and due to the ever-broadening growth of electric cars, a number of prospective new entrants (vacuum maker Dyson, for instance) poised to enter the fray. And yet the car business is simultaneously homogenous. Cars are ever more similar and inter-related, through direct joint-ventures between rivals or stable-mates alike, and via shared components provided by huge suppliers.

Ford investigating inaccurate fuel, emissions data

Ford Motor Company could be in hot water regarding emissions and fuel consumption data, after the company's employees raised concerns incorrect figures were submitted to regulators and consumers. A new report by industry journal Automotive News Europe says the Blue Oval has recently hired external investigators to figure out whether its internal processes translated to inaccurate data.

Tesla Model 3: Consumer Reports rescinds recommendation, along with five others

The on-again, off-again relationship between Tesla and Consumer Reports has taken another turn, with the reliability-focused US publication removing its recommendation for the Model 3. In initial testing, the Model 3 was found to be "not good enough to recommend", before over-the-air updates fixed the issues – which saw the car stop worse than a Ford F-150 in braking tests – and earned the littlest Tesla a coveted recommendation.

2019 Ford Endura Titanium review

Leaving a seven-seat option out of the Endura range might be a bit of a gamble on Ford’s behalf, particularly when rivals like the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and CX-8, Holden Acadia and Hyundai Santa Fe come standard with the flexibility of two extra seats, be they for full-time use or ‘just in case’ situations.

Lister Knobbly concept teased

Lister is preparing to show off a concept modern reincarnation of its legendary Knobbly racer at the Geneva motor show. The company's co-owner, Lawrence Whittaker, gave little away in teasing the low-slung concept, beyond tweeting to confirm this is indeed "the new Lister Knobbly concept we've been working on".

Q&A: Talking with Australia's peak body for car dealers

Our focus is to inform people about new cars, and in so doing we generally deal directly with carmakers and their representatives, plus representative body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

2019 Toyota HiLux SR review

The Toyota HiLux has been Australia's top-selling new vehicle for three years running, outgunning the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Holden Colorado and Nissan Navara in the process. Peerless reputation and resale values, creature-of-habit customers, and Toyota's vast dealer network across our red country all play their role in making this the reality. What Ford's F-Series is to North America, the HiLux is to us.

The week's top news stories: February 24, 2019

The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.

Time capsule: The first Toyota

It was a simple design, a front-engined, rear-wheel drive, metal-bodied sedan built on a ladder frame chassis. It unashamedly borrowed its design cues from the American-made DeSoto Airflow, right down to the rear suicide doors.

2020 Volvo XC90 facelift revealed, new mild hybrid drivetrains announced

The updated Volvo XC90 has been unveiled, and the exterior differences are difficult to spot. The grille insert is now concave and the highlights around the lower air intakes have been modified, but aside from that the only other differences relate to new alloy wheel designs and paint options. More significant upgrades have been made under the bonnet, with the range gaining new mild hybrid drivetrains.

Cupra Formentor concept unveiled

The Cupra Formentor concept will be given its in-the-flesh debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which kicks off at the beginning of March. Although the car that will go on stage in Geneva is billed as a concept, it looks production ready — check out the interior and its proper wing mirrors! — and is likely based on the Seat Ateca crossover.

Isuzu Ute wins major customer satisfaction award

A car manufacturer took out Roy Morgan’s ‘Best of the Best’ trophy in its annual Australian Customer Satisfaction Award earlier this week, given to the company with the highest rating across all market categories. This winner was… Isuzu Ute (IUA), which managed a 96.1 per cent satisfaction score, nudging it ahead of supermarket Foodland (93.5 per cent), bottle shop Dan Murphy’s (93.3 per cent), the Heritage Bank (92.9 per cent), and insurer RACT (92.3 per cent).

Australia's most dominant cars

Sales charts for the Australian car industry are broadly broken up into categories or segments, pitting like-for-like vehicles against one another. By analysing these segments it becomes clear a number of them are dominated by a single player. For every segment that’s closely fought between a number of competitors, there’s one that… isn’t.

2020 Porsche 911 Turbo leaked?

The new Porsche 911 is barely three months old, but already the top-end variants are starting to appear on the internet. We've seen spy photos of cars wearing big wings, camouflaged prototypes and now what appears to be an undisguised 911 Turbo on Instagram. Hmmm. It's obviously not an official Porsche picture, but all the hallmarks of a 911 Turbo are present and correct in the leaked images, posted on Instagram by user t_schleicher.

2019 BMW M3 CS review

As far as farewell gifts go, the BMW M3 CS is beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. It’s captivating by virtue of being the last of the current-generation F80 M3 line. While it may be an ‘old car’ by contemporary standards – particularly when lined up against the incoming G20-generation car that will replace it – the anachronisms inherent in its engineering base make it a purist's dream. Of sorts.

Let's talk electric vehicles: a CarAdvice podcast special

Barely a week goes by without us talking about electric vehicles on the CarAdvice podcast. In this special, Mandy Turner hosts our panel with Paul Maric, Curt Dupriez and Jez Spinks while on location for our latest electric vehicle mega test. Topics include the future of EVs, battery longevity, different types of charging, build quality, pricing, servicing, infrastructure, range anxiety, and so much more. Listen to the podcast below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Hyundai Tucson N-Line teased

Hyundai is preparing to expand its N-Line trim in Europe, giving the warmed-over i30 a Tucson-based brother. The new Tucson N-Line looks likely to launch at the Geneva motor show next month, with a range "of motorsport-influenced details inside and out". Based on what we've seen, the car will get a more aggressive front-end treatment and unique alloy wheels, along with N-Line badging on its flanks.

Mitsubishi Engelberg concept teased again

Mitsubishi has once again teased the concept it plans to reveal at the 2019 Geneva motor show, revealing its chunky profile and split headlamp treatment. Based on our brightened version of the teaser, pictured above, the car will have a face blending elements of Triton and Eclipse Cross, with the same split headlight treatment and bluff snout.

Automotive 'black box' recorders could become mandatory in Europe

The European Union Parliament will next month vote to make pre-crash 'black box' data recorders and potentially life-saving active safety technology mandatory on new vehicles sold after 2022. In yesterday's vote, the EU Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) approved plans to make autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, intelligent speed assist and lane-keeping assist mandatory on all new cars sold from 2022.

2020 Volkswagen Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle facelift unveiled

Volkswagen has given its Transporter van a new look, with a fresh grille more closely aligned to models like the Touareg, a sportier looking bumper design, and squarer headlight units which flow directly into a new side badge and indicator element. Out the back there's LED driving lights integrated into the redesigned tail-lights graphics.

CarAdvice podcast 141: We drive the Ford Falcon Holy Grail!

This week Mandy Turner is in Sydney for the EV mega test – listen out for the EV podcast special! – and is joined on the panel by Trent Nikolic and Tony Crawford. Geza emailed us at podcast@caradvice.com to ask if he should chip tune his 2014 Kia Rondo, used to haul the family and a camper trailer.

Kia teases electric concept for Geneva

Kia has offered a peek at its upcoming electric concept car, revealing its face in a teaser. Although the original image was blacked out, a bit of basic photoshop is all it took to get a proper look at the compact, sporty show car.

2019 Audi SQ5 TDI unveiled

Audi has revealed a diesel compatriot to the SQ5, inventively dubbed the SQ5 TDI, following in the footsteps of the model's diesel-only predecessor. Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine assisted by an electric compressor at low revs and a 48V mild-hybrid setup. This powertrain cranks out 255kW of power and 700Nm between 2500 and 3100rpm. All of this channelled to ground through all four wheels and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

2019 Mazda 3 review: Australian quick drive

There are a number of car brands in Australia that must long to be Mazda, and not simply because it’s number-two in the sales race behind Toyota. Market research and sales data suggest that prospective customers are easily ‘up-sold’ into more expensive premium versions of its Mazda 3 small-car staple. They’re not after a $20k ‘base’ grade, instead wanting something nicer.

2019 Mazda 3 review: Australian quick drive

There are a number of car brands in Australia that must long to be Mazda, and not simply because it’s number-two in the sales race behind Toyota. Market research and sales data suggest that prospective customers are easily ‘up-sold’ into more expensive premium versions of its Mazda 3 small-car staple. They’re not after a $20k ‘base’ grade, instead wanting something nicer.

2019 Mazda 3 pricing and specs

Mazda Australia has taken the bold decision to push its new 3 sedan and hatch upmarket, responding to what it calls customer demand for ritzier choices in the small car space.

New Mazda 3 costs more, and will sell less

Mazda Australia has justified its decision to push the new-generation 3 hatch and sedan models further upmarket – greatly increasing the price of entry in return for a substantial amount of extra equipment – by suggesting it’s simply following customer trends.

Holden officially slams takeover talk but concedes it’s now a “challenger brand”

Holden boss Dave Buttner has officially dismissed talks of a takeover in the distribution of its cars – but in a shock move the former Number One has raised the white flag and admitted it is now a “challenger brand” in the wake of record low sales. In wide-ranging media interviews this week, Holden executives conceded the company needs to reinvent itself to remain relevant amid changing buyer tastes, and has even vowed to take on “keyboard warriors” who give it grief on social media.

The Holy Grail of Ford Falcons

The mighty Falcon GTHO has risen from the ashes two years after the closure of the Ford factory. Except the people who built this car can’t call it a GTHO because it was never an official program. The engineers who developed the supercharged Falcon GT always knew there was more power in reserve and more potential in the chassis. In the end, they ran out of road before they could get the fastest Falcon of all time over the line.

Tested: the Holy Grail of Ford Falcons

The mighty Falcon GTHO has risen from the ashes, two years after the closure of the Ford factory - except the people who built this car can’t call it a GTHO, because it was never an official program.

Volkswagen Atlas off the table for Australia

Volkswagen has categorically ruled out the current-generation Atlas making the trip to Australia, with a tricky right-hand drive business case the culprit. Speaking with media on the back of an SUV-focused dealer event in Brisbane, Paul Pottinger, Volkswagen's local head of communications, said the behemoth seven-seat SUV is just "not going to happen this generation" in Australia.

Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered concept revealed for Geneva

Peugeot Sport has revealed a high-performance version of the 508 Hybrid, ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show next month. Dubbed the 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered, the concept car teams a 'PureTech 200' 150kW turbocharged petrol engine with a 110bhp (82kW) electric motor on the front axle, while an additional 200bhp (150kW) electric motor drives the rear wheels, giving the performance sedan all-wheel drive.

2020 SsangYong Korando revealed, Australian launch Q3

The new-generation SsangYong Korando has surfaced ahead of its full reveal at the Geneva motor show next month. Sporting a sharper design and a raft of brand-first technologies inside and out, the Korando slots between the Tivoli and the Rexton in the company's SUV line-up making it a rival to the likes of the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Alfa Romeo to show new model in Geneva

Alfa Romeo is planning to reveal something at the Geneva motor show next month, which the company says should give "a taste of what's next to come in the word of Italian performance and luxury". Speaking with Roadshow by CNET, company spokesperson, Berh Alexanian, indicated the brand will arrive at the Swiss event in "full force" with "something new up our sleeves as well".

Toyota Australia cyber attack: Customers and showrooms unaffected

Toyota Australia has confirmed it has been the victim of an attempted cyber attack, however it believes no customer data has been accessed.  In a statement issued today the company said: “The threat is being managed by our IT department who is working closely with international cyber security experts to get systems up and running again”.  Toyota says at this stage it has “no further details about the origin of the attack”. 

SAIC Motor takes over MG in New Zealand

SAIC Motor has announced it will be taking over the distribution of its MG subsidiary in New Zealand from British Motor Distributors. As part of the move, the company will introduce the MG3 automatic hatchback and ZS crossover to the New Zealand market later this year, joining the existing MG6 Plus, MG3 manual and GS SUV.

Volkswagen T-Roc, T-Cross confirmed for Oz, arriving early 2020

Volkswagen has confirmed the Polo-sized T-Cross and the on-again, off-again T-Roc are coming to Australia early in 2020, giving the brand's SUV portfolio a long-overdue boost. Speaking on the back of a dealer conference in Brisbane, Todd Ford, product manager at Volkswagen Group Australia, said both cars offer a "significant volume opportunity" when they arrive.

2020 Kia XCeed sketched

Kia Motors Europe has teased its upcoming small SUV, unofficially dubbed the XCeed, ahead of its unveiling at the Geneva motor show early next month. Set to slot between the little Stonic and the mid-sized Sportage in Kia's European line-up, the XCeed will have a lot in common with the Ceed hatchback and Sportswagon it will share its underpinnings with.

2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo review

Rich Ceppos • The Turbo Ultimate is the most expensive model in the all-new, second-generation 2019 Hyundai Veloster line-up. Its intriguing three-door configuration continues (two doors on the passenger's side, one on the driver's side), and the Ultimate comes with a long list of standard equipment, ranging from leather seats to a head-up display and a full complement of active-safety equipment.

Skoda Vision iV concept interior sketched

The Skoda Vision iV will debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show at the beginning of March, and could preview a new electric crossover "coupe" for the brand. Like the recently launched Scala hatch, the company's word mark is used for the centre of the steering wheel instead of its winged arrow logo. The two-tier dashboard features a small instrument pod and an infotainment screen, both of which appear to float above the dashboard top.

Europe to cut truck and bus emissions by 30 per cent by 2030

Two of Europe's key governing bodies, the European Parliament and Council, have agreed to a provisional deal, which will see the 28 member bloc cut carbon dioxide emissions from heavy trucks and buses by 30 percent from 2019 levels by 2030. The deal will also see the EU target a 15 per cent reduction by 2015, as well as create incentives to spur production and sales of low- and zero-emissions trucks.

Ford closes factory in Brazil, exits heavy truck business

Some time in 2019 Ford will close its São Bernardo do Campo factory located in the suburbs of Sao Paulo, and its oldest manufacturing facility in Brazil. The factory's closure will see the loss of an estimated 2700 manufacturing jobs, and the end of local production of the previous-generation Fiesta. It will also see the automaker exit the local heavy commercial truck market, with the plant responsible for manufacturing the Cargo (above), F-4000 and F-350 models.

2019 Volkswagen Touareg Launch Edition pricing and specs

Volkswagen has confirmed pricing and specs for the first 2019 Touareg coming to our shores, the Launch Edition, on the back of a dealer event in Brisbane. Overseas models pictured. Local imagery will be added when it's available.  The new SUV, pitched as a more premium offering than its predecessors, will be priced from $89,990 before on-road costs. Power will come from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine when the car arrives in dealers early in May.

CarAdvice on YourMoney, 20 February 2019: What's on this week's show?

On this week's episode of CarAdvice, Trent Nikolic and Paul Maric look at an Australian supercar, check out last year's strong sellers, and explore the range-topping Mercedes-Benz X-Class. In car news, the Brabham BT62 supercar will be road legal, allowing exacting customers to drive their handmade racer to the track, make Ferraris look slow, and then drive home again.

Toyota Prius C to be axed in the US

Toyota's North American division will cull the little Prius C from its line-up in the coming months, making way for the new-generation Corolla Hybrid to take its place in the range. Speaking with the US's Autoblog, a Toyota spokesperson confirmed the move, adding there's around 700 units left in dealer stock in the US. "The transition to Corolla Hybrid [should be] in the next couple of months," the spokesperson said.

Nissan x Opus concept revealed

Nissan has collaborated with Opus Campers to create a concept camper trailer that features second-life battery packs from the Leaf EV to offer "up to a week's worth" of off-grid power for remote adventures. Incorporating the vehicle manufacturer's new Energy Roam system, a portable weather-proof power pack with 700Wh capacity, the concept camper trailer offers both 230V and 12V circuits with enough juice for "around seven days of camping", aided by the on-board solar panel accessory.

2008-15 Volkswagen Caravelle, Multivan recalled for Takata airbags

Volkswagen Australia has initiated its recall for Caravelle and Multivan models fitted with Takata airbags, affecting vans and people movers across the 2008 to 2015 model years. The recall is specific to the driver's side airbags, which could have degraded propellant if exposed to high temperatures and humidity over time.

Aston Martin Project 003 teased

Aston Martin has offered the first glimpse at its upcoming Project 003 hypercar, set to hit the market late in 2021. Just 500 examples will be made, following in the footsteps of the Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro, dubbed Project 001 and 002 respectively.

Honda Australia: 'No changes' for Civic Type R despite UK plant closure

Honda Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to the currently UK-sourced Civic Type R, despite its global parent announcing the factory that makes it will shut its doors in 2021. The Swindon plant is the only Honda facility that makes the Civic Type R (pictured) currently, though the company's local director, Stephen Collins, says the current model will see out its lifecycle and confirmed plans for a next-generation model after that.

2019 McLaren 600LT Spider review: Who needs a 720S?

McLaren’s newest track-focused weapon is the 600LT Spider, and if you’re thinking it’s a junior-league performer because of its Sports Series product positioning and open-top profile, you couldn’t be more wrong. You can probably guess which car they benchmarked during the development too – yep, the 675LT Spider, meaning this thing has massive shoes to fill as the latest and fifth chapter in the Longtail lineage.

McLaren 600LT Spider review

The last time I drove a McLaren Longtail was three years ago at the famed Silverstone Circuit in England, and that was the unequivocally phenomenal 675LT Coupe. The experience left me totally gobsmacked.

Emojis coming to Queensland numberplates

Queensland drivers could soon be staring at an emoji on the back of another car, with the state allowing five faces on its latest range of personalised plates. Announced with an Instagram post, drivers will be able to add a classic smiley, a 'laughing cry' face, a 'heart-eyes' face, a winking face, and the cool, sunglass-wearing emoji. Unfortunately the smiling pile of poo, eggplant and peach won't be offered...

2020 Ford Escape to offer PHEV variant - report

The all-new Ford Escape is due to be revealed soon, and new details have come to light regarding the powertrains that will be available. Documents first published by The Truth About Cars and then confirmed by Carscoops reveal the new-generation crossover will offer two turbocharged petrol engines in North America, along with a plug-in hybrid variant.

Honda officially closes UK manufacturing operations

It’s not just vehicle manufacturing in Australia that has felt the strain in recent years, with Honda officially announcing this morning it will close its UK plant in the English town of Swindon.

2011-15 Volkswagen Passat (B7) added to Takata recall

Volkswagen has kicked off the Takata recall campaign for its B7 Passat, focusing on cars in the hottest and most humid parts of Australia. As with all cars included in the Takata recall, a combination of heat and humidity can make the airbag propellant degrade over time. If vehicles with a faulty inflator are involved in an accident triggering the airbags, there's a risk the unit could explode under too much internal pressure.

Daimler and BMW mobility joint venture launch is imminent - report

BMW and Daimler are set to announce their joint urban mobility venture this week, after being granted approval by the European Union in January. According to reports from Autocar the joint venture will be called Jurbey, replacing the companies' current Car2Go and DriveNow short-term rental services, which are spread across a number of different banners and applications.

2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i review

It’s been a long time since I was part of a two-Subaru family: first-gen Forester for her, Liberty RS Turbo for me, our then-toddler eldest child having no real preference for either. Fast-forward almost two decades and my now-adult eldest bears only the slightest resemblance to her former cherub self, and surely the same can be said for the Subaru Forester’s fifth and apparently all-new generation.

Camping in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo

Camping is awesome, a great Australian pastime, cheap, relaxing and family-friendly. And I reckon if more people did it, the world would be a better place. One thing I like about camping is it’s all about simplicity. However, getting a good little camping setup is beset on all sides by unnecessary gear, extensive research and potentially expensive modifications.

2019 Mercedes Benz Marco Polo Activity: The camping trip

If you're into camping but you’re not a fan of canvas or tents, and caravans are just a little too much, then a camper van would be your best option. And no, you don’t need to hire a 1992 Mitsubishi Express from the Byron Bay hinterland with lewd innuendo scrawled down the side.

Audi Q8 45 TDI launches in Europe

Audi has launched a new 45 TDI variant of its Q8 in Europe this week, joining the 50 TDI and 55 TFSI in the overseas line-up. The 45 TDI is essentially a de-tuned version of the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with the same 48V mild-hybrid technology offered in the 50 TDI, making 170kW and 500Nm in this application. Peak torque is available from 1370-4500rpm. According to the four-ringed marque, the Q8 45 TDI will do 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 233km/h.

2013/14 Volkswagen Up! added to Takata recall

The 2013/14 Volkswagen Up! has joined the long (and ever-growing) list of cars caught in the mandatory Takata airbag recall, with 2295 micro cars called back for fresh inflators.

Volkswagen ID production to be carbon neutral

Volkswagen is chasing carbon-neutral production for its upcoming ID Neo hatchback, in an attempt to save one million tons of CO2 every year. Renewable energy will be used to power the Volkswagen plant in Zwickau, Germany, where the ID will be built. It'll also source the battery cells in the most sustainable way possible, although the company admits the entire process can't be carbon-neutral, from raw materials to manufacture.

Ford recalls 1.48 million F-150 trucks in the US

Ford Motor Company has made three separate safety recalls in North America, the largest being 1.48 million F-150 pick-up trucks for potentially faulty transmissions. The manufacturer says F-150 models fitted with the six-speed automatic transmission from 2011-13 may experience an "intermittent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module, potentially resulting in a temporary, unintended downshift into first gear".

2020 Mini JCW GP spied

Photographers have snapped the Mini JCW GP on the back of a car carrier in Europe, giving us a closer look at what the German-owned British marque has in store for its new performance flagship. Despite the swirly yellow wrap covering its entire body, we can see some of the design changes coming to the 3 Door Hatch's body, including racier bumpers, widened guards and a massive rear wing.

Honda preparing to announce UK factory closure - report

Honda looks likely to announce the closure of its plant in Swindon, UK, thanks to a combination of import tariffs in the USA, declining diesel demand, and uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Reports from Sky News have suggested the announcement could come as soon as this afternoon Australian time, Tuesday morning in the UK.

2020 Holden Commodore spied

The updated Opel Insignia – known locally as the Holden Commodore – has been snapped by photographers this week in Europe, giving an early look as to what to expect from the mid-life refresh. From what we can see in the images, the Commodore/Insignia has most of its changes focused around the front end, with minimal camouflage at the rear. We're expecting the main revisions to be focused on the front bumper and grille, along with the headlights.

Volkswagen Touareg V6 petrol joins European range, 'no plans' for Oz right now

Volkswagen is getting ready to add a petrol-powered V6 engine to its Touareg line-up, according to reports from Europe.

2020 BMW 1 Series spied inside and out

Photographers have snapped the all-new BMW 1 Series during development testing once again, though this time we're getting a first look at the new-gen model's overhauled cabin.

2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera review

Just my luck. We received an invitation to drive the all-new 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera in New Zealand, through some of the most scenic coastline you'll ever lay eyes on. But, despite being right in the midst of summer, the weather forecast showed rain, more rain and even more rain. With our flights and the car already booked in, we cracked on and decided to make the most of it.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera review

There’s no denying that this is one of the best-looking cars in the world. Is it as quick as a Ferrari 812 Superfast? Who cares. The person that buys this car will revel in the fact that it looks better than any current Ferrari, and it still demands just as much attention as an Aston Martin ever has, regardless of the free servicing on offer from Ferrari.

Rolls-Royce struggling to meet demand for Cullinan

Rolls-Royce is reportedly maxing out its production capacity after the launch of its "high-sided" Cullinan crossover, having also set a sales record in 2018. Industry journal Automotive News reports the company's first SUV (though Rolls-Royce refuses to use such a pedestrian term) has filled the order books through to July already, and that the company's sole plant in Goodwood is maxed out.

2020 Ford Focus ST revealed

Ford Performance has unveiled the new-generation Focus ST this week, ahead of an Australian launch early next year. As before, the Focus ST will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines (though we never got the oiler Down Under) with an automatic transmission available for the first time with petrol power.

2020 GMC Acadia revealed, not for Holden right now

GMC has unveiled the 2020 Acadia SUV, donor for our Holden Acadia, with a more upmarket face, a new turbocharged engine, and a fresh range-topping trim grade. Although there's plenty going on under the skin, we're going to start by talking about the car's new look. With slimmer headlights, a fresh daytime running light signature and a grille more in keeping with the wider range of GMC cars and trucks, it's definitely a more upmarket take on the formula laid out by the original Acadia.

2019 Toyota HiAce officially revealed

Toyota has officially unveiled its 2019 HiAce van, just days after leaked images of the hotly-anticipated load-lugger revealed its snub nose and more modern face. When it arrives locally in mid-2019, the HiAce is expected to carry a five-star ANCAP rating in its safest guise. Toyota says the switch to a 'semi-bonneted design' has allowed it to fit new engines, create a more rigid frame, and offer more pliant suspension.

Waymo leads autonomous vehicle industry on disengagements

Google's self-driving cars, operating under the Waymo name, required human intervention just once every 11,154mi (17,950km) in 2018, comfortably making it the industry leader for disengagements. Waymo vehicles drove a whopping 1.2 million miles (1.93 million kilometres) in California last year, equating to a "50 per cent reduction in the rate of disengagements and a 96 per cent increase in the average miles travelled between disengagements" compared to 2017.

Honda HR-V +Luxe on sale from $29,990

Honda Australia has announced the special-edition HR-V +Luxe, which brings a handful of luxury features to its popular small crossover. Based on the VTi-S trim, the +Luxe gains black leather seat trim, heated front seats, metallic/pearlescent paint, and '+Luxe' badging over its standard counterpart, with the majority of these items usually reserved for the high-spec RS and VTi-LX grades.

Ferrari: Mid-engined hybrid coming this year

Ferrari will this year unveil a new mid-engined hybrid supercar, with more power and torque than the current 488 Pista. The company's CEO, Louis Camilleri, confirmed the news at an earnings call, as reported by Automotive News. We know it'll combine a petrol V8 engine with electric augmentation, but whether or not it'll be a plug-in model, series hybrid, or merely use electrification for a KERS-style boost, remains a mystery.

Road to Race and the Lotus Elise: The complete story

There is a small violin playing for me somewhere amongst an ocean of epic first-world problems. My first-world problem? The unfulfilled desire to be a competitive racing driver. Any driving enthusiast would feel that relentless craving somewhere deep inside – the thought of ‘what if?’. What if I too could get paid to race a car competitively? This is my journey.

Skoda Vision iV concept sketched

Skoda has teased its Vision iV concept with a pair of design sketches, ahead of its official unveiling at next month's Geneva motor show. Dubbed a 'concept study', the Vision iV is an all-electric four-door crossover coupe that could preview the brand's first EV model to be based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB architecture.

2019 Volvo XC40 pricing and specs

Volvo Australia has revised the XC40 line-up for the 2019 model year, dropping the price of entry by $3000 while also switching up the powertrain options in the process. Now starting at $44,990 before on-road costs, the range kicks off with the T4 Momentum, which gets a lower-output version of the 2.0-litre turbo four that was offered in the outgoing T5 Momentum. The T4 petrol engine puts out 140kW at 4700rpm and 300Nm between 1400 and 4000rpm, down from 185kW and 350Nm in the T5.

Maserati slashes prices range-wide for 2019

Maserati Australia's importer, Ateco, has revised prices across its entire Ghibli, Levante and GranTurismo ranges, as it prepares for a "challenging part of the Australian car market cycle".

Hyundai prepping sub-Kona SUV for New York – report

Hyundai has confirmed it will present a new baby crossover next month at the New York motor show, slotting underneath the Kona in its global line-up. Speaking with North America's Motor Trend, SangYup Lee, head of the Hyundai Global Design Center in Namyang, Korea, confirmed the new model will be unveiled in the Big Apple in April, and hinted at what to expect from the design.

Volkswagen Golf GTI now $47,990 drive-away

Volkswagen Australia has announced new drive-away pricing for the 2019 Golf GTI, now kicking off at $47,990 drive-away. Priced from $45,490 before on-road costs when it initially arrived Down Under in October, the Golf GTI remains unchanged spec wise, though this year's drive-away deal also includes the brand's recently-introduced five year/unlimited kilometre warranty coverage.

Holden slams takeover rumours

EXCLUSIVE Holden boss Dave Buttner has delivered a scathing knockdown of the recently reported distribution takeover proposal – telling dealers in a confidential meeting on Friday it is “absolutely no way, not happening” and dismissing the proposal as “pure scuttlebutt”.

Cupra teases its first standalone model

Seat has teased a new Cupra concept car, which will be unveiled on February 22, European time. The debut of the new concept is timed to coincide with the brand's first anniversary as a standalone marque. Few details have been confirmed about the new car, although the company says it "mixes the benefits of a performance car and an SUV".

2019 Hyundai i30 N review

The Hyundai i30 N hot hatch has had car lovers and industry followers excitedly talking since it hit Australian dealer lots in March of last year. We all know the pedigree. That it was 'honed' at the Nürburgring, project-led by ex-BMW M maestro Albert Biermann. That Korea’s auto behemoth had invested heavily in order to topple icons like the Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type-R and Renault Megane RS.

2018 Skoda Kodiaq 132TSI Sportline long-termer: Interior comfort and practicality

Skoda has marketed itself around the Simply Clever tagline locally, putting its little cabin touches and add-ons in the spotlight. Thankfully, the Kodiaq lives up to that billing with a well thought-out interior that's spacious and premium in equal measure. Fans of the brand will be familiar with the in-door umbrella, but here's a quick rundown of the 'Simply Clever' knick-knacks on board the Sportline.

The Lotus Elise and my Road to Racing: The first chapter

There is a small violin playing for me somewhere amongst an ocean of epic first-world problems. My first-world problem? That being the unfulfilled desire to be a competitive racing driver. Any car or driving enthusiast would feel that relentless craving somewhere deep inside – the thought of ‘what if?’. What if I too could get paid to race a car competitively?

Amazon invests in electric ute and SUV company

Amazon, along with other investors, has injected another US$700 million ($987 million) into Rivian. According to the Rivian, the automaker will remain independent. In a prepared statement, Jeff Wilke, the CEO of Amazon's Worldwide Consumer division, said, "We're inspired by Rivian’s vision for the future of electric transportation". The company hasn't released any further details about this round of funding, so it's unclear how much investors are valuing the startup automaker at.

The week's top news stories: February 17, 2019

The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.

2019 SsangYong Rexton Ultimate review

Remember SsangYong? That lesser-known Korean purveyor of affordable but strange-looking SUVs, utes and people-movers? Well, it’s back after a brief hiatus from our market, and has ambitions to carve out a niche in Australia’s intensely choice-rich vehicle market.

2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost spied again

The next-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost has been spied again, this time during cold weather testing in Sweden. The prototype seen here wears the same level of camouflage as the vehicle photographed at the end of January on the back of a flat-bed truck, wedged between two BMW crossovers. With our view no longer obstructed by two wagons, we can see the front and rear of the new sedan more clearly.

Land Rover Discovery SVX cancelled

The Land Rover Discovery SVX has been axed before a single car has rolled down the production line. Land Rover has confirmed the SVX's demise to Autocar, stating the vehicle unveiled at 2017 Los Angeles motor show, and originally slated to go on sale locally in late 2018, will not be manufactured. In addition to having a raft of modifications aimed at improving its off-roading ability, the SVX was to be the only Discovery variant available with a V8 engine.

Polestar 2 teased ahead of February 27 reveal

Polestar, sub-brand of Volvo, has teased its second production model ahead of its reveal on February 27. The inventively-named Polestar 2, which is gunning straight for the Tesla Model 3, will be a pure EV with a driving range somewhere in the realm of 400km.

Configurator Challenge: 2019 BMW X5

Customisation is in vogue at the moment, but choice can be seriously confusing. In our configurator challenge, we let the CarAdvice team loose on a manufacturer’s website to create their ideal spec of a certain model. For this edition of the Configurator Challenge, we’re designing our perfect BMW X5 using the company's configurator. Let us know what you think in the comments, and which cars you’d like to see next!

2019 Lexus RC350 F Sport review

The Lexus RC350 F Sport is back, with sharper looks and its most fulsome spec yet. And in less than five years, it's come quite a way.

2020 Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo spied again

Photographers have this week snapped the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo during cold weather testing in Europe, ahead of its production reveal in the coming 12 months. More specifically, this Taycan Sport Turismo prototype was spotted on the snowy roads of Sweden wearing very little disguise.

Takata airbag recall: NSW joins other states in registration ban

NSW has joined other states in banning the registration renewal of cars equipped with faulty Takata airbags – which can spray shrapnel with deadly force when deployed in a crash. The NSW Government today amended regulations to enable authorities to cancel registrations and/or ban the registration renewal of vehicles subject to a compulsory recall.

Suzuki Jimny: You don’t mess with imperfection

The CarAdvice Melbourne office has just had not one, but two 2019 Suzuki Jimnys pass through its garage – one auto, one manual. As unlikely as it seems, this tiny little shipping crate on wheels is shaping up to be one of 2019s hottest new releases. Every time we mention it on the site or on social media it attracts a swarm of comments and reactions.

Bike 'superhighways' could cut Victorian congestion - RACV

Victoria is already in the midst of huge infrastructure changes, but the solution to the state's congestion and packed public transport system could be 'cycling superhighways' on 10 high-traffic corridors.

BMW initiates Takata recall for 2000-03 5 Series, X5

BMW Australia has issued a recall notice for the 2000-2003 model-year 5 Series and X5 as part of the ongoing Takata airbag recall. The Bavarian marque reports 'some' of the 3391 affected units may have received an affected Takata inflator as part of a "steering wheel conversion during the life of the vehicle".

2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia pricing and specs

Alfa Romeo Australia has released pricing and specifications for the upgraded 2019 Giulia line-up this week, with the range kicking off from $60,900 before on-road costs. The four-tier line-up remains, but the previous model's diesel options have now been dropped, leaving the 147kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol as the sole engine for base grades.

Tesla adds Dog Mode, Sentry Mode

Tesla has added two new software features to the Model S, X and 3, thanks to one of its over-the-air updates. The first is Sentry Mode, designed to deter potential thieves. If someone leans on a car with Sentry activated, the car switches into an 'Alert' state and shows a message on the central touchscreen, warning the potential thief the car's cameras are turned on.

CarAdvice podcast 140: Take a ride in the Jimny, and sporty wagons!

This week, you are joined by Mandy Turner, Kez Casey, and Mike Stevens. In car news, the Mitsubishi ASX, the BMW X3 M and X4 M Competition, and the Alpina B7 XDrive have been revealed. Plus, the Fiat 500C Spiaggina '58 has been confirmed for Australia, and the Liberal National Party has backed a proposal for manufacturers to share service data with independent repairers. Alborz Fallah reviews the 2019 Kia Cerato GT.

EV charging: FCAI backs Infrastructure Australia

Australia's peak motoring body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), has thrown its support behind an Infrastructure Australia report putting electric vehicle charge infrastructure on a list of high-priority projects for the nation. Tony Weber, FCAI CEO, described electric vehicles as a "key component in the way of the future" in a statement. "It is very pleasing to see further acknowledgement and real-world planning from Australian regulators on this technology," he said.

2020 Bentley Bentayga Speed unveiled

The new Bentley Bentayga Speed has been unveiled ahead of its in-the-flesh debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which kicks off at the beginning of March. Under the bonnet, there's a version of the company 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine tuned to deliver 467kW of power and 900Nm of torque.

2020 Land Rover Defender interior leaked

An undisguised photo of interior of the new Land Rover Defender has been posted on Twitter by Richard Charles, a jewellery designer specialising in automotive-themed products. The authenticity of the photo was seemingly confirmed when Richard Agnew, Land Rover's communications and public relations director, publicly replied: "How about you now remove this image that you’ve publicly stated you shouldn’t post. Legal team are on the way."

Australia falls down Autonomous Vehicle Readiness Index

Australia has slipped from 14th to 15th in the Autonomous Vehicle Readiness Index, a trend the Australia Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI) says should "sound warning bells". According to ADVI, Australia has "gone from being on the international radar as a leader, to a country that risks being marginalised as it slips further into autonomous vehicle obscurity". "Now is the time for leadership and positive action to address these concerns," said Rita Excell, director of ADVI.

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES ADAS review

How many mainstream carmakers can you name currently selling a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in Australia? Right now there’s only one, and perhaps surprisingly it’s humble ol’ Mitsubishi with the almost anonymous Outlander PHEV.

2019 Holden Commodore Calais V Tourer: Reader review

Anyone who frequents our comments will know readers don't always agree with the expert reviews published on CarAdvice. Our team of road testers and journalists are lucky to drive lots of cars, but that also means we approach things from a certain angle. Rather than hogging the keys, we're slinging them to frequent site visitors, commenters and members of owner groups. The idea is to get a range of perspectives on a certain car, and pull them together in one place.

Audi Q4 e-tron concept teased

Audi has released preview sketches of the Q4 e-tron concept it plans to unveil at the Geneva motor show next month. Like the company's other even-number-badged SUVs, the Q4 looks to be a coupe-styled crossover, with a sloping roofline and more aggressive appearance than say, a Q3.

2020 Toyota HiAce revealed in leak, V6 petrol and HiLux diesel options likely

Toyota has been working overtime developing a new 2020 Toyota HiAce (codenamed H30) to replace the current generation, which has been around in its current shape since its launch in 2004. According to documents seen by CarAdvice and images sent in by a CarAdvice reader, the new HiAce will not only lose its trademark flat front-end, but will also pick up a petrol V6 option, along with the current-generation 1GD 2.8-litre diesel engine from the Toyota HiLux and new gearbox options.

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is 'high-priority' - Infrastructure Australia

Infrastructure Australia has labelled the expansion of electric vehicle charge infrastructure as a high priority, putting it on a list of 29 High Priority Initiatives for Australia. In a report published today, the independent statutory body identified a lack of charge infrastructure as a significant barrier to electric vehicle adoption, calling for a "network of fast-charging stations on the national highway network" to drive adoption.

2019 Volkswagen T-Roc R teased

Volkswagen has provided its most revealing teaser for the upcoming T-Roc R compact SUV yet, in the form of a mildly-disguised concept sketch. The hotted-up compact crossover will be revealed in concept form at the Geneva motor show in March, but based on the image above the concept car will be pretty close to production ready.

2020 Kia 'Tusker' spied in the snow

Photographers have spied the upcoming small Kia crossover destined for the Asia-Pacific and North America, believed to be named the Tusker. The Tusker is the production version of the SP concept revealed at last year's New Delhi motor show, and should arrive in Australia before the end of the year to compete with the likes of the Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda CX-3. Australian-delivered models will be produced in South Korea, though the Tusker will also be built in India for that market.

Volkswagen Polo Beats

It's not cheap, given the same fundamental powertrain and transmission package is available for less, but the Beats offers all the Polo's best assets in a package that'll no doubt appeal strongly to people who want to stand out a bit more than is possible in the Comfortline or R-Line.

Scientists develop method of converting waste plastic into fuel

Scientists at Purdue University in Indiana have discovered a way to turn polypropylene plastic waste into oil, which can then be turned into petrol or diesel fuel. As part of a paper published in Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, a team led by professor Linda Wang created the oil by adding pellets of purified polypropylene waste to supercritical water, an extremely hot and highly-pressurised form of the liquid.

Seat concept teased ahead of Mobile World Congress debut

While new smartphones will make most of the headlines at Mobile World Congress 2019, Seat will be using the gathering to unveil a new "mobility platform" concept car. Details about the car are thin on the ground right now, with the company stating the concept will make a "difference in Seat's urban micromobility strategy".

2019 Audi RS5 Sportback review

The question that kept floating around in my head at the local launch of the new Audi RS5 Sportback was ‘Why does this car exist?’. While that might sound like a smackdown (it’s not), hear me out. The 2019 Audi RS5 Sportback joins the RS5 Coupe and, if we’re being pedantic, the RS4 Avant in Audi’s line-up of RS cars in the mid-sized segment. Something for everyone, it seems. It’s also the first time Audi’s staid A5 liftback has received the RS treatment.

Honda Urban EV prototype interior revealed

The interior of Honda's electric vehicle prototype, expected to be a near-production version of its Urban EV concept, has been revealed ahead of the car's official unveiling at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which kicks off at the beginning of March. The prototype's interior will seemingly have a clean, minimalist design, which is certainly in keeping with the styling of the 2017 concept car, as well as the prototypes spied during testing.

Renault-Nissan Alliance: New holding company chairman named

Thierry Bollore has been named chairman of the holding company responsible for coordinating the Renault-Nissan Alliance, replacing embattled executive Carlos Ghosn in the role. Although he's resigned from his role as chairman and CEO at Nissan and Renault, Renault this week confirmed the currently-detained Ghosn is still a director on its board.

2019 Mazda CX-3 sTouring review

The car you see here is the 'new' and 'updated' Mazda CX-3, released toward the end of last year. We won't blame you if you're struggling to see any differences on face value. However, that seems to be the point of this 2019 model-year upgrade: dressing up an already handsome offering to keep it fresh against an ever-increasing number of crossovers, in what is one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry.

CarAdvice on YourMoney, 13 February 2019: What's on this week's show?

On this week's episode of CarAdvice, Trent Nikolic and Paul Maric look at the new BMW 3 Series, ANCAP goes hard at the Kia Cerato, and the boys check out a star-spangled dual-cab from Ram. First up, BMW has revealed pricing and spec information for the hotly-anticipated new 3 Series. With a new look, new technology, and a fancy suspension system, it's coming straight for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The surprising inspiration for the iconic McLaren F1

Remember the funky Toyota Sera? No? Unsurprising, really, as the sporty little coupe was built exclusively for the Japanese market, with a total of 15,941 cars produced from 1990-96. Of those, 15,852 cars were registered in Japan, emphasising its local market credentials.

2020 Mini JCW GP to make over 220kW

Mini has confirmed the 2020 John Cooper Works GP will offer more than 220kW when it launches next year, comfortably usurping its pared-back predecessors for punch. As with the wider Mini range, we know the next GP will draw on a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. At the moment, the most powerful model in the Cooper Hatch line-up – the JCW – makes 170kW, all put to the front wheels.

Range Rover Sport HST revealed for the UK

Range Rover has revealed a new variant of the Sport in the UK, headlined by the introduction of the company's new Ingenium inline six announced earlier today. Dubbed the Range Rover HST, the special-edition model features the high-output 400PS (294kW) of the new 3.0-litre inline six with mild-hybrid technology, which also puts out 550Nm of torque.

Toyota 86 British Green Limited revealed for Japan

Toyota Japan has revealed a new special-edition version of its entry-level sports car: the 86 British Green Limited. Yes, that's right, it's named after the iconic shade of green the Brits have used on their motorsport entrants for decades, and it looks great on the little Toyota 86.

Jaguar Land Rover reveals Ingenium inline-six

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed its new flagship engine from the 'Ingenium' family, in the form of a twin-charged (that's supercharged and turbocharged) six-cylinder petrol engine. Set to debut locally in 2020, the new Ingenium inline six will be available in both 265kW and 294kW tunes, with torque ranging from 495Nm to 550Nm.

Volkswagen 'excited' about Ford ute partnership

Volkswagen Australia is keen to see the outcome of the recently-announced commercial vehicle partnership with Ford Motor Company, particularly the next-generation ute set to replace the current Amarok. Director for commercial vehicles, Ryan Davies, said we probably won't see the production model until 2022 or 2023, though the local arm is "excited" about what's to come.

2020 Subaru Forester e-Boxer hybrid for Australia - UPDATE

UPDATE, Feb 13 2019: Subaru Australia now says its "best estimate" for Forester e-Boxer hybrid timing is the last quarter of 2019, potentially November. This is still to be locked in, however. The new model will make its debut at the Geneva motor show next month. Find out Forester reviews here.

Volkswagen unclear on e-van timeline in Australia

Volkswagen Australia's commercial division says it isn't sure exactly when it will introduce all-electric versions of its van range, despite the brand's push towards electrification globally. Speaking with CarAdvice at the local launch for the Caddy Beach camper van in Sydney this week, director for commercial vehicles at Volkswagen Australia, Ryan Davies, said it's "too early to tell" what the future of electric vans will look like here.

2019 BMW X3 M, X4 M Competition revealed

BMW M GmbH has revealed the first-ever X3 M and X4 M, complete with more powerful Competition variants, ahead of an Australian arrival during the second half of 2019. First up, power. The X3 M and X4 M twins both house a twin-turbo inline-six under the bonnet, making 353kW and 600Nm. Jumping to the M Competition – that's right, there's a Competition – boosts that power output to a whopping 375kW. Trainspotters will notice the AMG GLC 63 S also makes 375kW. Hmmmm.

New Cars: 2019 New Car Calendar - the February update

We said it in 2017, and in 2018, and we can safely say it again: last year was a big one for new model reveals, and 2019 is shaping up to bring more of the same. With new-car sales numbers having fallen short of a record effort in 2018, the 60-or-so brands operating in Australia will be hoping their latest offerings inspire more interest among local buyers.

Citroen teases concept for Geneva

Citroen is prepping two concept cars to celebrate its centenary in 2019, one of which looks likely to debut at the Geneva motor show. Speaking in a video posted on YouTube, Citroen CEO Linda Jackson said "2019 is a perfect time to announce new mobility solutions", confirming both concepts will be on show at the VivaTechnology Exhibition in Paris this May. Only one, however,

Jaguar Land Rover seeking funding after huge write-down - report

Jaguar Land Rover is seeking US$1 billion in funding after a disastrous fourth quarter of 2019, huge-write downs on the value of its investments, and continued sales struggles in China. According to a report from Automotive News Europe, the Indian-owned carmaker needs to raise US$1 billion ($1.4 billion) within the next 14 months to replace "maturing bonds" and fund the brand's expensive electric vehicle development program.

2019 Ford Ranger XLT 2.0 4x4 auto review

Take a look at Australia’s new-car sales figures in 2018 (or just take a look around your neighbourhood) and the popularity of utes will come as no surprise. They’re everywhere you look, and even more popular than some passenger cars. For 2019, the Ford Ranger sets itself up to continue infiltrating the market. While key rival the Toyota HiLux may have been Australia’s most popular car, the Ranger isn’t too far behind it in second place, especially comparing 4x4 models.

2020 Mitsubishi ASX revealed

The top-selling Mitsubishi ASX small crossover is about to get another facelift, though this one appears to be a little more substantial than some of the running changes we’ve seen over its nearly 10-year life cycle. The updated model will appear for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March, alongside a mysterious Mitsubishi concept called Engelberg.

Volkswagen Amarok V6: Manual variants coming soon

Volkswagen Australia is looking to further expand its Amarok range in the coming months, headlined by the introduction of manual versions of its V6 variants. Speaking with CarAdvice at the launch of the Caddy Beach camper van in Sydney this week, Ryan Davies, director for Volkswagen Australia's commercial vehicle division, said the local arm is keen to bring the manual-equipped Amarok V6 Down Under.

2020 Alpina B7 xDrive revealed

Alpina Automobiles has taken the wraps off the updated 2020 B7 xDrive, based on the facelifted BMW 7 Series limousine. Like the vehicle on which it's based, the B7 gets a host of design revisions including new lights and bumpers, along with a revised interior incorporating the latest BMW driver assistance and infotainment systems. Under the skin, changes have been made in the engine bay to improve responsiveness and enhance power delivery across the rev range.

Lexus 'Sole of UX' revealed in New York

Lexus USA has unveiled a new collaboration with John Elliott, fashion designer, to create a set of custom tyres for the brand's new UX compact crossover. Seriously. Tie-ups between the world of fashion and motoring are nothing new, but that doesn't mean the UX's pair of shoes is any less amusing.

LNP backs calls for service data to be shared with independent repairers

The Liberal/National Party (LNP) has this morning released its consultation paper into the sharing of manufacturer vehicle service and repair information, backing the ACCC's calls to make it mandatory.

2019 Fiat 500C Spiaggina '58 confirmed for Australia

Fiat Chrysler Australia has confirmed the throwback 500 Spiaggina '58 special edition is headed for our shores, priced from $25,990 before on-road costs. Back in the 1950s, the 500 Jolly Spiaggina was a fixture on the Italian Riviera, shuttling wealthy jet-setters around glamorous beachside resorts. With a stable economy came money, and the cute little beachside Fiat became a glamorous luxury designed to put a smile on your face.

55-car convoy in 'autopilot' mode claims Guinness world record

We've covered a lot of autonomous developments recently, but none are quite as grand in their scale as this one. There's a new world record for 'largest parade of autonomous cars', and it belongs to a Chinese car company. The world record attempt took place in late November 2018 at the Dianjiang test track, near Changan's headquarters in the Chinese city of Chongqing.

2020 Ford Escape/Kuga: Seven-seat variant planned for Europe - report

The next-generation Ford Escape/Kuga will reportedly be available with a three-row seven-seat option in Europe. According to Automotive News, the next-generation Ford Escape, which will again be branded as the Kuga in Europe, will be offered in seven-seat form. It's unknown if this seven-seat version of the Kuga/Escape will be identical to the next-generation crossover to be sold in other markets, like the US, or whether it will feature a lengthened rear overhang, longer wheelbase, or both.

2020 Kia 'XCeed' spied

Spy photographers have snapped the Kia Ceed-based SUV once again during cold weather testing in Europe, ahead of an anticipated reveal in the coming months. The new model is rumoured to be badged the 'XCeed', slotting between the pint-sized Stonic and larger Sportage in Kia Europe's line-up. As the name suggests, the new crossover will have a lot in common with the Ceed hatchback – think of it as a competitor to hatch-based crossovers like the Ford Focus Active and Subaru XV.

2019 Hyundai i30 N Line manual review

With all the feather ruffling and hoo-ha surrounding last year’s i30 N hot hatch release, it’s with considerable relief that its more tempered Hyundai i30 N Line brethren recently slipped relatively quietly onto the radars of buyers and reviewers alike. Less fanfare means less joy, right? Not necessarily.

Volkswagen Caddy Beach arrives from $46,990 drive-away

Volkswagen Australia has announced details for the new Caddy Beach camper van, with prices starting at $46,990 drive-away. Dubbed as the "most affordable and cleverest recreational vehicle on sale today" by the director of Volkswagen's local commercial division, the Caddy Beach is based on the long-wheelbase Maxi Trendline grade and gains a host of lifestyle-oriented features.

2020 Kia Sportage revealed for the US

Kia Motors America has revealed the facelifted 2020 Sportage for the US market at the 2019 Chicago motor show, bringing the American model in line with the versions sold in global markets like Australia and Europe.

Opel to return to Australia, Holden to lose Commodore and Astra?

German brand Opel could make a return to Australia in a move that would see Commodore and Astra vacate Holden showrooms and leave it with a range of SUVs and utes. The bold plan is one of two confidential proposals reportedly being discussed with General Motors and independent importer Inchcape, a UK-based firm which distributes Subaru, Peugeot and Citroen cars in Australia.

Around the Tracks: Rental cars, Ferrari on the Nurburgring

When we're not creating it ourselves, the CarAdvice team spends a lot of time finding and consuming motoring content from all over the world. Here's a handful of the articles, videos and social media posts that most caught our eye last week. Some of them are brand-new, others have been online for a while. Enjoy them – just not too much, okay? Is 64hp enough? Hmmmm

BMW M140i Finale Edition announced from $62,990

BMW Australia has confirmed a new 'Finale' package for the M140i hot hatch, scheduled to arrive in showrooms around March priced from $62,990 before on-road costs. Celebrating the last iteration of the rear-drive hatchback before it makes the switch to front- and all-wheel drive in the next generation, the M140i Finale Edition gets special badging, extra specification and unique design bits over the 'standard' M140i for $3000 extra.

2019 Opel Corsa teased

Opel has teased the arrival of its all-new supermini, the 2019 Corsa, with a single image on its social media. Captioned with "Revolutionary. Electrifying. Accessible!" on Twitter, the picture shows the car's headlight and... actually, it's just a headlight.

Toyota GR Supra Performance Line: TRD-fettled concept revealed

Toyota has revealed a hotted-up take on its hotly-anticipated Supra at the Osaka Auto Messe, with the TRD Performance Line concept. Although it's billed as a show car at the moment, the Performance Line likely showcases a range of factory accessories for the Supra.

2019 Alpina B5 Touring, XD3 pricing revealed

Alpina has announced pricing for its B5 Touring and XD3, as it continues its rollout in Australia. The 5 Series-based B5 Touring will be priced from $217,000 before on-road costs, making it $7000 more expensive than the sedan. Power comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine making 447kW and 800Nm, put to the road through all four wheels and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

2018-19 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport recalled

Jaguar Land Rover has recalled the 2018-2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, over concerns about an issue with the indicators. According to the company, the indicators may fail to work when the driver activates them using the column stalk. There are no visible audible warnings when the fault occurs, except perhaps the honks and sighs of exasperation from other road users. Naturally, indicators that don't work increase the risk of an accident for both the driver and other road users.

BMW 9 Series is not required, says BMW exec

The BMW 9 Series probably won't be happening any time soon, so if you're hanging out for a bigger and more luxurious BMW sedan, it's time to start evaluating other options. Speaking with Autocar, Klaus Fröhlich, BMW's head of research and development, said: "I don’t think you need a 9 Series. In this segment, you need three cars – an X car, a saloon and an emotional sporty car – and we have them: the X7, 7 Series and 8 Series."

2019 BMW X4 xDrive20d M Sport review

SUV 'coupes' still cause raging debate regarding their design, practicality, and validity of existence. But who started this trend? The widely accepted answer is none other than BMW.

Amazon invests in autonomous driving technology company

Aurora, a startup focused solely on self-driving vehicle technology, has secured over US$530 million ($750 million) in Series B funding. This round of funding is led by venture capital firm Sequoia, Amazon, and T Rowe Price Associates, an asset management company. Thanks to this latest round of investment Sequoia gains a seat on Aurora's board. According to the Aurora, Amazon will be tapped for its "unique expertise, capabilities, and perspective".

The week's top news stories: February 10, 2019

The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.

Ghosn: Renault may've paid for part of executive's lavish wedding

Renault has uncovered payments it believes were used to partially pay for Carlos Ghosn's second wedding, held at the Château de Versailles. The company has discovered a sum of €50,000 ($80,000) it understands was "allocated to Mr. Ghosn's personal benefit" as part of a broader charitable donation it signed with the château. A source has told Reuters Renault agreed to sponsor a €2.3 million ($3.7 million) renovation in exchange for €575,000 ($920 million) worth of credits with the château.

2018 Volkswagen Polo Beats review

Even if you've been living under a rock, it's been impossible to ignore the Beats brand over the past decade. It's a pop-culture icon, beloved by the music industry and brand-conscious teenagers, making it a prime target for savvy marketeers in search of a tie-up.

2018 Lexus ES300h... not just a tarted-up Camry

When you think Lexus, you think old man’s car. Well, that’s all changing… and in a big way. Lexus has gone to town on dropping that image with sharp styling, stacks of luxury and the option to ‘sportify’ your car with an F-Sport package. Enter stage left the Lexus ES300h. I hopped into the car thinking it was a Toyota Camry with some fancy leather and a stack of features. Turns out I couldn’t be more wrong.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Red Eye review

The Challenger SRT Hellcat Red Eye doesn't quite manage that trick, although it often feels as if it is trying to, but it still represents the same 'more equals better' mentality. The regular SRT Hellcat, which Americans can buy from their local Dodge dealers, isn't exactly lacking firepower: already producing an entirely healthy 527kW from its supercharged 6.2-litre V8.

Lexus USA launches Complete Lease subscription

Lexus has joined the horde of manufacturers offering a subscription service, although it's not technically being marketed that way. The new Complete Lease program will be offered on the UX SUV in the California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Toyota USA confirms Android Auto for new cars

Toyota USA has confirmed the 2020 Sequoia, Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner will get Android Auto capability. In Europe, the privilege will also be extended to Aygo and Yaris buyers. Initially, the technology will only be available on newly-purchased vehicles, and Toyota hasn't confirmed whether it'll be standard-fit or an optional extra.

Fiat Chrysler recalls 880,000 trucks in North America

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled 573,876 Ram 2500/3500 trucks and 193,813 Ram 1500 pickups in North America, with major safety issues driving both campaigns. The former (and larger) recall pertains to a potential issue with the steering linkage, with FCA saying an "investigation discovered a specific steering-linkage configuration on certain vehicles may separate over time", creating a risk of steering loss.

Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Sport long-termer: Urban driving

We're a couple of months in with Aldo, our Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Sport long-termer, and the majority of time spent behind the wheel has been the daily grind to and from the CarAdvice Melbourne office. So how does it stack up so far? In short, it's pretty impressive! Stay tuned for the next update... Only joking!

2019 Mitsubishi Triton review: GLS Premium flagship driven!

This is the GLS Premium, now the flagship in the Triton range, replacing the Exceed. Can the new facelifted model compete with the top-shelf offerings in the Ranger and HiLux lines?

Cold weather can cut EV range by 41 per cent - study

iPhone owners will know how much of an impact the cold can have on their battery life. Turns out, electric vehicle owners are facing the same struggle, with a study from the North American AAA revealing driving range can drop by up to 44 per cent in frigid conditions.

Jaguar Land Rover suffers massive fourth-quarter loss

Jaguar Land Rover has posted a £3.4 billion ($6.2 billion) loss for the fourth quarter of 2018, on the back of low demand for diesel engines and sluggish sales in China. The result is the company's worst quarterly loss, driven in part by a £3.1 billion ($5.7 billion) write-down on the value of its investments.

You don't know what you don't know

Did one of your parents teach you how to drive? One of mine did. It was my father. As the head of the household and the avatar of all the family’s driving skills (Mum was several orders of magnitude crapper than he was), it fell to him to teach me how to drive the family car. Poor bastard was right up against it from the start. His old XP Ford with the 170 Pursuit motor and the 20 turns lock-to-lock, was always going to be a challenge for the 16-year-old me.

CarAdvice podcast 139: Platform sharing explained

On this week's podcast, you're joined by Mandy Turner, Paul Maric, and Mike Costello. The team answer Gavin's question about what a platform actually is, and why brands share them. In car news, the Hyundai i30N Fastback will be debuting in Australia in March or April, and the 2020 Mazda CX-6 (or could it be a CX-3?) SUV has been previewed.

Bugatti Chiron Sport '110 ans Bugatti' unveiled

The Bugatti Chiron Sport '110 ans Bugatti' has been unveiled with a subtle two-tone exterior paint job. At the rear, the matte Steel Blue paint is said to evoke the texture of hot-rolled steel, while Steel Blue Carbon finish used elsewhere allows the underlying carbon-fibre to seen. Other unique touches include matte black wheels in front of French Racing Blue brake calipers. Matte black is also used for the car's exterior badging, rear spoiler, and exhaust tips.

2019 Jaguar I-Pace SE long-term review: Introduction

I won't lie. I'm excited for a future containing alternative-fuel vehicles – whether they're electric or hydrogen powered... Or even powered by hot air. For too long now, Tesla has dominated the luxury EV market, leaving entry-level EVs to other brands. Makes sense, given how trendy it has now become to get on the EV bandwagon.

GM considering proposal to shut Holden office and switch to independent importer - report

Holden's head office could be closed by its parent company General Motors and switch to importing cars via an independent distributor, according to a confidential proposal revealed by the Australian Financial Review newspaper. UK-based firm Inchcape — the distributor of Subaru, Peugeot and Citroen cars in Australia — has reportedly approached General Motors to take over the distribution of Holden cars.

2019 Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition unveiled, just 30 for Australia

Like the 10th Anniversary model, the Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition is available in a single exclusive exterior colour. This time around it's an eye-catching shade of orange dubbed Racing Orange. The unique hue is also used for the car's brake calipers, and throughout the interior, including the stitching, seat piping, vent surrounds, and door trim.

2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road unveiled

The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road has made its debut at the 2019 Chicago motor show. Power comes from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force engine making 151kW of power. It is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic, and a torque vectoring all-wheel drive setup capable of shifting up to 50 per cent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels.

2020 Subaru Liberty unveiled

The seventh-generation Subaru Legacy — known as the Subaru Liberty in Australia and New Zealand — has been unveiled at the 2019 Chicago motor show. Riding on the company's new global platform, the new Liberty/Legacy is said to be significantly stiffer than today's car.

2019 Mercedes-AMG C63S review

Mercedes' most popular AMG model has had a midlife makeover and a modest price rise of $1000 to $160,900 plus on-road costs. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG C63S gets no extra power from its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 but a new nine-speed auto (replacing the previous seven-speed) improves its response – although overall 0-100km/h performance is rated the same at 4.1 seconds.

Toyota teases TRD Pro off-roader for Chicago

Toyota USA has released a single teaser image and preview video of a new off-road model it plans to reveal on February 7. "A new TRD Pro off-road beast will be unleashed at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, leading the charge for a host of updates across the TRD Pro lineup," the company said in its press release. Not much else is known about this new model, though it will be shown alongside the updated 2020 Tacoma pick-up truck at the Chicago event.

Melbourne to Mulwala (and back) in the 2019 Ford Focus

I spent a bit of time with the all-new 2019 Ford Focus ST-Line over the Christmas break, and one of the biggest tests I put the Blue Oval's latest hatchback through was a 570km round trip from Melbourne to Mulwala on the New South Wales border. The reason for my long road trip was to visit my best friend who was staying with family on Lake Mulwala, and I thought it would not only be a great weekend getaway before work started again, but also a great challenge for the little Focus.

2019 Mitsubishi Triton bullbar: Safety-conscious factory accessories revealed

The bullbar industry is set to face a new challenge, as more utes come equipped with autonomous emergency braking systems that need a clear view over the bonnet. As is the case with the recent Ford Ranger – which is available with AEB and has a factory-approved, AEB-compatible bullbar – the new Mitsubishi Triton has a completely redesigned bullbar, designed so it doesn’t impede the AEB cameras in the windscreen.

2021 BMW iNext testing begins

BMW has teased its upcoming pure-electric, autonomous crossover, the iNext, as it gears up to being production in 2021. That's right, 2021. The plug-in technology showcase was teased by a distinctive concept last year, with a suitably eye-catching exterior and a cabin inspired by a "modern, high-end living space".

2018-19 Volvo XC60 recalled

Volvo Car Australia has issued a recall for the 2018 and 2019 model-year XC60 SUV over concerns the optional power tailgate mightn't operate as intended in cold weather conditions. The manufacturer reports the tailgate lifting arms may freeze "under certain conditions in cold climates", which could also lead to an unusual noise, loss of function, or even the complete separation of the tailgate lifting arms.

2019 Ram 1500 gains barn-door tailgate

Ram has unveiled a new multi-function tailgate for the 2019 1500, as the North American pickup market heats up in new, fascinating ways. The new multifunction tailgate is a direct response to the GMC Sierra's crazy new six-way tailgate and the Ford F150's integrated step and handle. It's made of aluminium, damped, and can be remotely opened. You're able to open it conventionally, folding it down to reveal the standard load bay, or split the tailgate 60/40 like a set of barn doors.

2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport, Sport Premium pricing and specs

Hyundai Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for the facelifted Elantra Sport and Elantra Sport Premium, with the performance range kicking off from $28,990 before on-road costs. As we already knew, the biggest difference between the Elantra Sport range and the core line-up is what lies under the bonnet – a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo four shared with the i30 N-Line and the Kia Cerato GT.

NYPD calls for RBT locations' removal from Waze

New York Police Department (NYPD) has written to Waze, one of Google's mapping services, calling for it to remove 'DWI checkpoint' locations from its app. Unlike regular Google Maps, the Waze app lets drivers report obstacles, traffic, mobile speed cameras and 'DWI checkpoints', known locally as random breath test (RBT) stops or booze buses.

2019 Mitsubishi Triton GLX+ review: Australian launch

The Mitsubishi Triton has had its first facelift in four years, bringing bold styling to its previously understated appearance. While it looks like an all-new model, this is a clever redesign of the Triton introduced in 2015.

2019 Mitsubishi Triton review: GLX+ and GLS Premium

The Mitsubishi Triton has had its first facelift in four years, bringing bold styling to its previously understated appearance. While it looks like an all-new model, this is a clever redesign of the Triton introduced in 2015. It’s new from the windscreen forward and the rear fenders have been re-stamped, but the doors, cabin, tailgate and tub carry over from before.

Mercedes-Benz talking with Tesla over LCVs, Geely over cooperation

Dieter Zetsche, outgoing CEO of Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz and Smart, has said talks regarding electric commercial vehicles "are happening" with Tesla The two carmakers have been in contact since November, when Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, tweeted: "Maybe interesting to work with Daimler/Mercedes on an electric Sprinter. That’s a great van. We will inquire." Speaking to Automotive News, Zetsche stated the "outcome [of the talks] is open".

Kia e-Niro sells out in the UK - report

Kia has completely depleted its 2019 allocation of the new e-Niro in the UK, with prospective buyers now forced to wait until 2020 for the all-electric SUV. According to a new report by Auto Express the Korean manufacturer is struggling to satisfy demand for the zero-emissions crossover, similar to parent Hyundai's experience with the related Kona Electric.

Mercedes-Benz O-Class trademarked in Europe

The filings for various Mercedes-Benz O-Class models were made with the European Intellectual Property Office on February 4, 2019. According to AutoGuide, the company has filed trademark applications for O 120, O 140, O 180, and O 200 model names. It's not known what type of car the O-Class name might be used for, but the indicative power badges suggest it would be a vehicle would be smaller than the A-Class, which begins with the A160 petrol and A160 CDI diesel.

Volkswagen confirms T-Roc R - video

Volkswagen has officially confirmed the T-Roc R for production, teasing the little performance crossover in a short clip on YouTube this week. We've seen plenty of development prototypes for the R-badged T-Roc over the last year or so, and the market version should stray far from those vehicles – T-Roc body with subtle aero add-ons, big wheels and brakes, and a quad-tipped exhaust.

2019 Kia Sorento GT-Line review

It is no secret Australians love SUVs, and their popularity has risen substantially in the last 10 years. In fact, there are now over 100 more seven-seat SUV grades on the market than there were back in 2009. That’s a lot of choice. Seven-seaters are becoming the popular option for large families, for the school run, or for those who think it’s handy to have those two extra seats in the third row ‘just in case’.

2019 World Car Awards: Finalists announced

The countdown to the World Car Finals has begun this week, with a list of 10 finalists announced for the overall title, along with the contenders in five specialist categories. According to the firm, a jury of 86 "distinguished international automotive journalists" selected the finalists by secret ballot, based on their own assessment of the vehicle as part of their professional work. The initial list of 40 models has been shaved to 10 finalists, with representation from around the world.

CarAdvice on YourMoney, 6 February 2019: What's on this week's show?

On this week's episode of CarAdvice, Trent Nikolic and Paul Maric compare muscle cars, talk performance wagons, and ask when we're going to see the latest Land Rover Defender. First up, Kia has revealed pricing and specifications for the new Cerato GT, its entry to the burgeoning warm hatch market.

Hyundai Kona Iron Man Edition confirmed for Australia, here Q1 2019

Hyundai Australia has confirmed the Kona Iron Man Edition will be headed to local showrooms in the coming months, following its initial reveal at Comic-con last July. Just like the model detailed for the UK last month, Australian-delivered Iron Man Editions will feature matte grey exterior paint with Iron Man red exterior accents and contrasting roof, unique bumpers and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with Iron Man emblems and badging scattered around the exterior.

2019 Audi TT RS revealed

Audi Sport has revealed the refreshed TT RS range, sporting a subtle design update and new personalisation options. Scheduled to go on sale in Europe from February 7, the TT RS coupe and roadster both benefit from minor design changes front and rear, the option of Matrix LED headlights and OLED tail-lights, along with a new optional RS design package that adds a splash of colour to the interior.

New Cars: 2019 New Car Calendar - the February update

We said it in 2017, and in 2018, and we can safely say it again: last year was a big one for new model reveals, and 2019 is shaping up to bring more of the same. With new-car sales numbers having fallen short of a record effort in 2018, the 60-or-so brands operating in Australia will be hoping their latest offerings inspire more interest among local buyers.

VFACTS: MG sales on the rise

MG may have a hallowed name, but it hasn’t really been relevant to Australians for a very long time, since it was a purveyor of iconic British drop-tops. That appears to be changing, however, with the company making some serious inroads thanks in large part to the ZS small crossover SUV.

Toyota Kinto subscription service launched in Japan

Initially there will be two Kinto plans to choose from: Kinto One for Toyota vehicles, and Kinto Select offering only Lexus cars. At launch only five Toyota vehicles will be available through Kinto One: Prius, Corolla Sport, Alphard, Vellfire, and Crown. Prices for 36 month subscription vary depending on the vehicle, with the Prius starting at ¥49,788 ($626) per month, and topping out at ¥106,920 ($1345) for the Crown.

2020 Volkswagen Passat facelift revealed, here before year's end

Volkswagen has revealed the updated 2020 Passat range this week, sporting a range of equipment and technology upgrades in addition to minor design revisions. While it may not look all that different, the Passat has received a raft of new assistance and infotainment technologies to re-assert it as a flagship model in the Volkswagen stable, after being knocked down a rung or two by the related Arteon and larger Touareg SUV.

Lagonda All-Terrain Concept teased

Lagonda will reveal its second concept car at the 2019 Geneva motor show, designed to offer a glimpse of how its fully-electric off-roader will look. The new All-Terrain Concept will be the first production Lagonda. It appears to be a raised version of the autonomous concept unveiled last year in Geneva. Billed as an "entirely new approach to luxury", the Lagonda Vision Concept (below) was fully electric, and didn't require any driver inputs. Steering yourself is so 2016, you see.