2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe revealed through leaked images

Marketing shots of BMW’s new-generation 2021 4 Series Coupe have leaked online, less than two days before the model’s slated unveiling. The new images – which surfaced on Twitter – offer the first clear look at the new 4 Series, including the controversial tall grille design that has set online discussion alight. As previously reported by CarAdvice, the 4 Series' new front end differentiates itself from the 3 Series sedan with this grille, larger air intakes and a different headlight design.

The real last Holden Commodore built was bought by a factory worker – report

A Holden factory worker bought what is claimed to be the last locally-made Commodore – even though the carmaker says it kept it as a museum piece. The incredible story – reported exclusively by WhichCar – revealed how Holden in fact prepared a number of red Commodore sedans in its final days, but the last one to be allocated a vehicle identifying number (VIN) was in fact sent to a dealer in Melbourne.

Lamborghini Sián gets the Lego treatment

Lego has taken the wraps off the latest in its expanding Tecknic series, the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37. The 1:8th scale model comprises 3696 pieces to recreate the stunning hybrid supercar, unveiled to the public at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. When completed, the Lego model will measure in at 60cm long, 25cm wide and 13cm high and incorporates features such as Lamborghini’s signature scissor doors, and a fully functioning eight-speed gearbox operated by paddle-shifters inside the cabin.

Has the new-car market bounced back? Early signs good for May

Car dealers representing some of Australia’s biggest brands are cautiously optimistic about a market recovery in May – and believe the worst of the coronavirus crisis might be behind them after a shocker in April saw sales slashed by 48.5 per cent. Veteran multi-franchise car dealers are divided on how quickly the new-car market will be back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Ford Ranger ramps up production in response to sales surge

Ford is urgently trying to address stock shortages of the Ranger ute in the lead up to June 30 – customarily the biggest month of the year for ute sales – after its two Thailand factories paused production for six weeks due to the coronavirus crisis. Some dealers are running out of Ford Rangers because the market has recovered faster than anticipated in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns, while others have plentiful supplies.

New Toyota HiLux back on! Updated model due in late August

The mid-life facelift for the Toyota HiLux is due in Australian showrooms in late August, dealers have been told. This is about a month later than the third week of July – the original arrival date – but earlier than expected after dealers asked for the new model to be delayed amid fears they were overstocked with the runout vehicle.

Jeep Gladiator ute arrives in Australian showrooms

The long awaited Jeep Gladiator has arrived in local showrooms in limited numbers as the first batch of vehicles cleared quarantine and were delivered to dealerships across Australia only a few weeks later than planned. CarAdvice has spotted a handful of examples of the Jeep Gladiator at a number of dealerships and was quoted anywhere from $85,000 drive-away to $95,000 drive-away.

Tesla Cybertruck won’t be five per cent smaller after all, compact ute could follow

The Tesla Cybertruck is likely going to have many people pulling out their tape measures when it eventually arrives in showrooms, after the boss of the company Elon Musk said the real thing would be five per cent smaller than the concept – only to later clarify it will only be slightly smaller.

2020 Ford Mustang R-Spec review

This car doesn’t need to exist, it’s as simple as that. Car brands have so much going on at the moment. It pays to sit back and think about some of the rapid changes in the market that every global brand is having to deal with right now, regardless of the vertical they play in. Automotive companies need to sell vehicles in a plethora of markets. If we compare Europe to parts of Asia, for example, the standards are widely juxtaposed.

The car with an entertainment screen for the front seat passenger

A United States patent application by Chinese electric car maker Nio has revealed details of a new entertainment screen for the front-seat passenger. While the patent is more focused on an airbag module named the ‘adaptive backup structure for airbag support’, design diagrams show a screen placed on the dash ahead of the front passenger seat. As reported by Chinese publication Chinapev, Nio’s new screen will be mounted on the passenger-side of the dash, but can be tilted towards the driver.

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50: the 980kg supercar

British supercar maker Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) has this week confirmed its T.50 supercar will weigh in at only 980kg – fulfilling a target set for the car last year. Last year, Gordon Murray – head of GMA and designer of the iconic McLaren F1 – set an ambitious goal of a 980kg weight for the three-seater T.50, rendering it the lightest supercar ever produced. For context, this figure undercuts the average weight of 1436kg for modern supercars by almost a third, GMA claims.

Hennessey’s Exorcist is a Camaro ZL1 with 746kW

Texas-based tuning company Hennessey has begun testing of its aptly-named Exorcist – a modified Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 designed to compete with the Dodge Charger SRT Demon. Thanks to extensive engine modifications to the standard Camaro ZL1's 6.2-litre supercharged V8 – including a larger supercharger, camshaft and cooling cores, a beefed-up valvetrain and freer-flowing intake system – the Exorcist produces a claimed 746kW and 1197Nm.

2020 Toyota RAV4 GX automatic review

The Toyota RAV4 is on course to become Australia’s most popular SUV of 2020. After finishing close behind the incumbent Mazda CX-5 in 2019, Toyota’s mid-sized sports utility vehicle had a clear lead in the country’s most fiercely contested segment, before its dominance increased during the coronavirus-affected April. It currently commands nearly a quarter of all mainstream medium-SUV sales.

Aston Martin begins DB5 Goldfinger Continuation project

British brand Aston Martin has begun work on its DB5 Goldfinger Continuation – a project which recreates the iconic car driven by James Bond in the 1964 film Goldfinger. Sticking to its original schedule for deliveries, Aston Martin says it will begin customer handovers of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars in the second half of 2020.

Tom Brady is selling his heavily modified stretch Cadillac Escalade

American NFL player Tom Brady is selling his 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV – giving football fans and car lovers alike a chance to buy a so-called "piece of the Brady legacy" for US$300,000 (AU$451,219). The massive luxury SUV, which Brady originally purchased for US$350,000, has only 13,000 miles – or 20,921km – on the odometer and is up for sale at Becker Automotive Design, the California-based custom vehicle shop that originally modified the car.

Around the tracks: An angry neighbour's exhaust stunt, a BMW X5 with a massive grille, and Bentley furniture

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 photos, articles, videos or 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?

2020 Audi A6 40TFSI sedan price and specs

Audi's new A6 allroad 45TDI isn't the only new addition to the company's large-car line-up, with the new 2020 Audi A6 40TFSI joining the range this week. As with the allroad, the 40TFSI model's debut follows the phased rollout of the wider new-generation A6 family in 2019. NOTE: This story has been illustrated with the up-spec A6 45TFSI. We will replace with 40TFSI images as they become available.

The Takata issue is a nail in the coffin for parts homogenisation

I can’t quite remember where I was reading it. From memory, it was maybe 10 years ago in the American muscle car bible, Hot Rod. I’d go back through my archive of magazines to look for it, but that’s one area the printed page isn’t great – search.

2019 Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab review

The 2019 Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab isn’t the cheapest Ram in the yard, that honour goes to the slightly smaller $79,950 drive-away Quad Cab. However, priced from $89,950 before on-road costs, when you consider what the Ram 1500 Crew Cab can do, and how easily it does it, there’s almost no argument as to the value-for-money equation.

2020 Audi A6 allroad quattro 45TDI price and specs

Australian pricing for the new fourth-generation 2020 Audi A6 allroad 45TDI has been announced, available in showrooms and through Audi's online purchasing platform. Availability of the A6 allroad follows the phased local debut of the wider A6 range in 2019. Its debut makes it the only wagon available in the A6 range, if a jacked-up and more SUV-like take on the concept.

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport long-term review: Introduction

Let’s all kindly welcome the latest long-termer into the CarAdvice fleet – a Land Rover Discovery Sport R-Dynamic SE P250. First things first, let’s dissect that confusing nomenclature to see what we’ve really got on our hands.

Truth about Ford Ranger Raptor V8: why it’s not coming this year or possibly ever

A Ford Ranger Raptor V8 will not arrive in Australian showrooms this year – or likely ever – an extensive investigation by CarAdvice has found. Contrary to media reports that claimed a Ford Ranger Raptor V8 “is coming”, “has been sanctioned by Ford Australia”, will be “sold through Ford dealers (with) full five-year warranty”, and is “anticipated” by the end of 2020, CarAdvice has learned the program was never close to approval stage.

2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy automatic review

The French brands pocket-rocket has grown up, but is it a regression or progression on one of the best hot-hatches around?

Every car leaving the Australian market in 2020

Although we're only a few months into the year, 2020 has already seen the exit of Holden, the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show and Australian Grand Prix due to coronavirus, and the steady decline of new car sales. In a challenging climate, it's perhaps unsurprising that carmakers are reducing their ranges, discontinuing under-performers and replacing older models with hybrids, electric cars or new creations altogether.

Ford cop cars turn up the heat to kill coronavirus

A software update from Ford is literally cooking away the COVID-19 virus inside 2013-2019 Police Interceptor SUVs. The idea came in response to law enforcement officials who had expressed concerns about the coronavirus inside their police vehicles.

Next Nissan Navara might not be a Mitsubishi Triton clone after all

In a sharp U-turn just 24 hours after executives representing the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance said most future models will largely look the same – but with different badges and subtle styling cues – Nissan has vowed to retain at least some of its identity.

BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo axed in Australia

BMW has unveiled its refreshed 6 Series Gran Turismo this week alongside the new-look 5 Series sedan and Touring wagon, but it will not be coming to Australia. News of the BMW 6 Series GT's departure from Australian showrooms comes just days after the company's UK division axed the liftback from its line-up. British website Autocar reported the decision was made to drop the model there due to low sales and the comparative success of its SUV models.

2020 Mahindra Pik-Up price and specs

Indian carmaker Mahindra has announced pricing and specification for its 2020 Pik-Up ute lineup, arriving in Australian showrooms now. The Mahindra Pik-Up range opens with the 4x2 S6+ single cab at $23,990 drive-away, and the 4x4 S6+ single cab starting from $27,990 drive-away. A Pastoral Pack can be optioned on the 4x4 S6+, which adds a steel bull bar, brush rails, a snorkel, tow bar, vinyl floor mats, canvas seat covers and a bash plate. The pack brings the price to $35,990 drive-away.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic here in August

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed its GLB 35 4Matic – the AMG-tuned version of the new seven-seat GLB SUV – will arrive in Australian showrooms this August. Mercedes-Benz Australia's communications manager Ryan Lewis confirmed the timing of the model during the local premiere of the brand’s new GLB. “We’re looking at probably August for the first arrivals of the [GLB] 35,” Mr Lewis said.

Bentley files patent for steering wheel that tucks away

British luxury brand Bentley has filed a patent application for a steering wheel that is able to be moved out of the way on self-driving cars. Patent images of the radical design first surfaced on US forum Cybertrucktalk, showing a hinged mechanism that allows the ‘wheel’ to swing. The mechanism allows the controls to occupy the position of a conventional steering wheel or retract into a recess in the driver’s door.

2021 BMW 4 Series confirmed for June 3 unveiling

A flood of spy photos and leaks have ensured there is little left to see of the new 2021 BMW 4 Series, but today brings a first official teaser – and confirmation of its unveiling date. As with all brands working through the COVID-19 lockdown, BMW will give its new mid-sized coupe an online unveiling, to be streamed live at live.bmwgroup.com/en/live-streaming

2020 Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure review

CX-30 is a bit of an odd badge out in Mazda’s SUV range, though it’s not unusual to see the Japanese brand add another compact sports utility vehicle. Mazda’s first SUV to use double rather than single digits in its name slots in above its first small SUV, the CX-3, and below another highly popular model, the mid-sized CX-5.

Nissan 400Z teased in video presentation

The new Nissan 400Z has been teased in a video presentation broadcast from Japan tonight at the end of the company’s annual financial report. The images of the new Nissan 400Z appear to show it is a heavy facelift rather than an all-new model. If the daytime running lamps are a guide, circular headlights appear to make a comeback on the new Nissan 400Z, no doubt a nod the original Zed car models from the 1970s.

2020 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe price and specs

Porsche's Cayenne E-Hybrid SUV now has a fastback-styled companion, with the Australian debut of the 2020 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe. Available for order now, the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe slots in above the regular E-Hybrid model and beneath the 4.0-litre turbo V8 petrol-electric Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe – although five other Cayenne variants sit between the two in price.

Cars you didn’t know you want: Peugeot 504 Coupe

It was unquestionably Peugeot’s world car, the 504, that venerable machine produced between 1969-83 and remaining largely unchanged over that time. It was also one of the most versatile, produced not only as a sedan, but also an estate, a ute, a cabriolet and the car we’re looking at here today, the gorgeous Peugeot 504 Coupe.

2021 Suzuki Swift here in September

Suzuki Australia has confirmed its 2021 Swift hatchback will arrive in local showrooms in September – and the Swift Sport will be here in June. While pricing for the GL and GLX Swift will be announced later in the year, Suzuki has confirmed the Sport variant will start from $26,990 plus on-road costs. This represents a price increase of $1500 for the sportier version.

Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara to look the same under radical overhaul

The Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are among the first casualties of a radical overhaul of the struggling Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The original plan was for all three car makers to save money by sharing platforms, technology and engines – components customers cannot see – but retain their own identity with unique exterior designs and bodywork.

Used car sales recover after COVID-19 lockdowns

The used-car market is showing signs of recovery as lending restrictions – and coronavirus lockdowns – begin to ease. In the grip of the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic in March and April, many used-car dealers, wholesalers, and new-car lots were offering lower-than-normal trade-in values – or refusing to buy stock. Many used-car operators were hamstrung by strict new lending practices – and an increase in finance application knock-backs.

Toyota tops the list, Tesla climbs the ranks in Australia's most trusted car brands

Japanese car giant Toyota has once again been named the most trusted car brand in Australia, but consumers have increasing faith in electric-car challenger brand Tesla – and 'distrust' Holden and Volkswagen, new research has found. According to automotive and transport data from Roy Morgan's annual Risk Report for 2020 – an annual survey of more than 7000 respondents – Toyota is held in high regard, followed by Mazda in second place and Tesla in third place.

2021 Kia Rio facelift due in Australian showrooms in July

Kia has announced the details for its updated Rio hatchback, with the refreshed model due to arrive in Australian showrooms in July. The refreshed Kia Rio gains upgrades to safety, technology, infotainment and styling across its S, Sport and GT-Line variants. Kia Rio S and Sport models will be powered by the familiar 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (74kW/133Nm) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual from the current model.

McLaren makes 1200 redundancies to stay afloat

British F1 and supercar specialist McLaren has issued 1200 staff redundancies to stay afloat during the car industry downturn caused by the global coronavirus crisis. In a statement to investors, McLaren confirmed it had let go of 1200 employees – approximately a quarter of its total workforce – across its automotive and racing businesses, as well as members of its back office functions.

China's next generation LDV T60 teased in leaked images

Chinese car giant SAIC has released an image of a concept vehicle that is believed to be the next generation LDV T60 ute. Overseas reports claim the teaser image has been released ahead of an expected unveiling later this year. The concept sketch shows a double cab chassis with much sleeker styling than the current LDV T60, and a roof-mounted storage pod.

Hyundai Australia extends warranties again due to COVID-19

Hyundai Australia has again increased its warranty extension period to account for the decrease in car use during COVID-19 lockdown periods. The new extension means Hyundai cars with warranties that were due to expire anywhere between 1 March 2020 and 29 June 2020, will have their warranty extended to 30 June 2020. It means the warranty on some cars will have their warranties extended by up to three months, or as little as one day.

2020 Kia Rio S manual review

Once the domain of cheap and cheerful runabouts, the light-car segment in Australia, where the 2020 Kia Rio sits, is facing a double strike of cost pressures. Buyers expect more technology and equipment, pushing prices up, and right now exchange rates are unfavourable, further amplifying the effect.

2021 BMW 5 Series unveiled: Android Auto in, wagon likely out

The updated 2021 BMW 5 Series has been unveiled today, ahead of an Australian market launch confirmed for October. The big news for many buyers will be the addition of Android Auto – even better news is that it will arrive in wireless form, just like Apple Carplay. Sad news, for statistically fewer buyers (and this writer), is that the 5 Series Touring wagon body may have been axed.

2020 Lexus ES300h Sports Luxury long-term review: Introduction

If there’s one thing Toyota, and by default Lexus, has mastered over the last couple of decades, it’s hybrid technology. From humble beginnings with the original – and polarising – Prius, the Japanese car giant has created the blueprint for closed hybrid systems, offering a thriftiness at the bowser combined with an ease of use (there’s no need to plug-in to top up the battery) that is appealing to a huge number of buyers. Witness the runaway success of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB price and specs - UPDATE

UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz Australia will be hosting a live walkaround and Q&A on Facebook Watch and Instagram Live on Thursday May 28 at 6pm AEST. You can find the event here on Facebook. May 20, 2020: Mercedes-Benz has announced price and equipment lists for the new GLB seven-seat small SUV ahead of its Australian showroom arrival next month.

2020 Ford Fiesta ST v Volkswagen Polo GTI comparison

SToush: Ford's new pocket rocket takes on the Polo GTI

2021 Mini Countryman revealed: No more diesels

The refreshed 2021 Mini Countryman has been unveiled online ahead of a late 2020 Australian debut. The new-look Countryman was last spied in final testing less than a week ago, with next to no camouflage except to the one section we can now see notable changes have been made. For the 2021 model year, the second-generation 'F60' Countryman – which debuted at the 2016 LA motor show – picks up a new grille garnish that brings it more in line with the look of the regular Cooper range.

2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ coupe and convertible unveiled

Mercedes-AMG has given its E53 coupe and convertible a mid-life facelift, with the refreshed two-door models expected to arrive in Australia in October. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 carries over the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine used in the current model, equipped with a conventional turbocharger and an electronic turbocharger. Outputs remain unchanged at 320KW and 520Nm, with a nine-speed AMG-tuned automatic transmission sending power to all wheels through the 4Matic+ system.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and convertible revealed

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its facelifted 2021 E-Class lineup ahead of an Australian arrival in October. The updated Mercedes-Benz E-Class models get a new grille, redesigned LED tail lights, four extra paint colour options – including high-tech silver, graphite grey metallic, mojave silver and patagonia red – and ‘aero’ wheels. Inside, a new open-pore grey ash wood and aluminium with light carbon-fibre grain trim option accompanies an all-new 'intelligent' steering wheel.

Tesla Cybertruck tested: Jay Leno takes Elon Musk for a joyride

A month after being caught on camera during filming for an upcoming season of a US motoring TV show, the CNBC network has released a teaser video which confirms the Tesla Cybertruck was indeed tested by car enthusiast and comedian Jay Leno. The promotional video, released this week ahead of the airing of Jay Leno’s Garage at 10pm eastern time Wednesday in the US, shows Tesla boss Elon Musk sitting in the passenger seat while the car is being driven by the comedian and car collector.

Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500 in demand as buyers holiday at home

An increasing number of Australians are planning epic road trips on home soil because of travel restrictions overseas, according to the latest new-car sales data which has unearthed an unexpected trend. Sales of heavy-duty four-wheel-drives and towing vehicles – such as the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series, Nissan Patrol, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – have either surged or remained relatively strong in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

If I ran Toyota… I’d bring back the FJ Cruiser

"If I ran the company..." The CarAdvice team play 'fantasy football' with the automotive industry and take turns in the top seat of the big brands. What would we do if we ran the show? First up, Susannah heads up Japanese giant, Toyota.

Jeep owners are finally locating the 'Easter eggs' hidden in their cars

Jeep owners are taking to social media to share the 'Easter eggs' – hidden symbols or messages tucked away in hard-to-find places on the vehicle – after a viral video highlighted the off-road brand's tradition of concealing logos in its cars. They are loosely referred to as 'Easter eggs' because the search for them is much like a hunt for hidden chocolate eggs at Easter.

Nissan and Renault press pause on merger – report

Car makers Nissan and Renault have pressed pause on their plans of a merger as both brands struggle to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. According to news agency Reuters, Nissan and Renault will hold off on the merger to instead focus on repairing their alliance, with the brands set to make a joint-announcement later today. The two car makers formed their alliance back in 1999 to share technologies and development costs, with Mitsubishi joining in 2017. Above: Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida

2020 Hyundai iLoad review: diesel automatic

The Hyundai iLoad is Australia’s second-best-selling delivery van. The number-two spot isn’t normally something to boast about, but in this case it’s noteworthy when you consider the strength of the competition from Japan and Europe. The Hyundai iLoad has had a remarkable run since it went on sale locally in 2008 and, it turns out, played a key role in establishing the credibility and trustworthiness of the emerging South Korean brand.

2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo long-term review: Value for money

Value for money, in a wider pragmatic sense, is seldom applied to sports cars by the people who are considering them. They’re not usually good value for money. Often featuring two doors, cramped cabins, limited usability and likely poor residual values, they’re a selfish choice that’s led by the heart over the head. I can’t imagine a punter having much success after walking their family of five into a Mazda dealer, and pointing to the roadster in the corner.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe teased

A shadowy preview image for the updated 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has been handed down today, revealing a significant front-end makeover. Key among the changes is a new-look Hyundai grille, marking the first big step away from the 'waterfall' design that has evolved over the past decade – right through to the wide mouth of the new Sonata sedan, new i30 sedan (formerly Elantra) and the facelifted i30 hatch range.

2021 Mercedes C-Class spy photos

The next generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan has been caught in camouflage on German roads ahead of its likely showroom arrival in Europe in 2021 and Australia in 2022. Although the test car is heavily disguised, the photos show the external proportions of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan remain largely unchanged, though the headlights and tail-lights are expected to adopt the Stuttgart marque’s latest design language.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC first spy photos

Spy photos have emerged of the second generation Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV three years before it is due in showrooms. Rarely are prototypes out on public roads so far ahead of their release date, but we’re guessing Mercedes-Benz is fast-tracking development of what has become a key model for the brand. The current Mercedes-Benz GLC – which went into production in 2015 – only just received its mid-life facelift, but already engineers are working on the second generation model.

Holden invites dealers to negotiate compensation packages via video chat

General Motors says it will not reduce its compensation to dealers, even though the US car giant claimed a fortnight ago it had new calculations which estimated showroom owners may only be entitled to a fraction of the original sum offered. General Motors Holden has invited its network of 185 dealers – which operate 203 showrooms – to a video conference in the second week of June.

Mercedes: carbon-neutral production starts with electric car batteries

Mercedes-Benz has brought forward its bold plan to introduce carbon-neutral vehicle production – and is trying to find a more efficient way to manufacture 500,000 battery packs per year for its range of electric cars which, experts say, is an “energy intensive process”. “It would defy the purpose of an electric vehicle if you used too much CO2 to produce it,” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius told international media during a video conference overnight.

Most powerful Volkswagen Touareg ever: twin turbo V8 diesel due late this year

Volkswagen Australia has secured a limited run of what will be the German brand’s fastest and most powerful SUV to date – 10 years since it last built a high-performance family four-wheel-drive. The Volkswagen Touareg will be available with a twin turbo 4.0-litre V8 diesel later this year, but at this stage it is only planned to be in production for 12 months or so and be phased out at the end of 2021.

Project Cars: 1990 W201 190E 2.0 Sportline

I've owned quite a number of cars over the years, but as someone who tends to skew towards Europe, it struck me as strange that I had never owned a Mercedes-Benz. We had a couple growing up, a white W123 300D and a Thistle Green W124 230E, and that era of '80s and '90s Benz has always been a favourite. So when the opportunity came up to buy a rather special 190E, I couldn't resist.

Maserati MC20 supercar teased again

Italian sportscar maker Maserati has teased its MC20 completing track testing in Sicily ahead of a slated September debut. While the blurry spy photos released by Maserati reveal no new information about the MC20 – its first supercar in more than a decade – CarAdvice understands it will be unveiled in the coming months.. The local showroom arrival of the Maserati MC20 is expected later this year, CarAdvice has been told. Above: previously released teaser image of the Maserati MC20

COVID-19 breathes hope into the future of cars as buyers shun mass transit

The coronavirus crisis has breathed new hope into the future of the automobile as experts believe many consumers will move away from mass transit in favour of a vehicle that can provide personal space. That’s the assessment by Mercedes-Benz, the inventor of the motor car.

Formula E racer fined for using a substitute driver during an eSports race

Audi racer Daniel Abt (pictured above) has been fined €10,000 (AU$16,700) and had all points earned in the Formula E online competition series stripped because he used a substitute driver. Mr Abt was found guilty of misconduct following an admission that he had brought eRacing professional Lorenz Hoerzing in to compete for him on Saturday for round five of the Formula E Race at Home Challenge in Berlin.

Mercedes gives a sneak peak of its new S-Class limousine

The nose of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been revealed during a video presentation with global media overnight. The official photo was shown a fortnight after images of the car – inside and out – appeared on Instagram after a prototype was parked in what appeared to be a junk yard. The official image of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class appeared on a screen for a few seconds during a video conference with the chairman of the company, Ola Källenius, and international media.

2020 Citroen C3 Shine review

As Australia’s urban centres build in volume but not in space, it can be hard to find the right balance of compact size, premium features, and individual flair in a car that’s easy to park and thread through city streets. Meet the 2020 Citroen C3, possibly the answer to your inner-urban transport needs.

2020 Toyota Fortuner vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - off-road comparison

4WDers are a bit spoiled for choice these days. Along with traditional big 4WD wagons and huge array of 4WD utes available, buyers can also look at a segment in between: 4WD wagons, based on the utes. We’ve got two of the freshest updates here: The 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (which is facelifted for 2020), and the 2020 Toyota Fortuner (which got refreshed in late 2019).

Renault could disappear without a bail out – report

French car maker Renault “could disappear” if its €5 billion (AU$8.3 billion) government bail out application is not approved, according to the man in charge of signing off on the sum. France’s finance minister Bruno Le Maire made the prediction while speaking to Europe 1 Radio last week about Renault’s future. Further to the success of the bail out, Mr Le Maire detailed Renault’s need to “adapt” and “be competitive” in order to survive, according to news outlet Reuters.

Ferrari F1 star Charles Leclerc stars in new 'Rendezvous' movie

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc has teamed up with legendary French film maker Claude Lelouche to pay homage to one of the most famous pieces of motoring cinema ever – and illegally – created.

Kia planning a tiny, affordable, short-range electric car

Kia Motors is developing an ultra-compact electric car to rival existing models such as the Citroen Ami, in an effort to provide people with affordable alternatives to public transport in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

New car sales in Europe plummet 74 per cent

New car sales in Europe have dropped 74 per cent since January, the decline attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just 292,180 new cars were sold across the 27 European member states – plus the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway and Switzerland – in April 2020, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. That’s a 74.8 per cent decrease (or 842,940 sales) against the 1,135,120 new car registrations recorded in January 2020.

Mercedes-AMG boss tipped for top job at Aston Martin

Tobias Moers, the head of Mercedes-Benz’s performance division AMG, is set to take the top job at struggling British luxury marque Aston Martin. Aston Martin is expected to make an announcement regarding the appointment on Tuesday, according to the Financial Times. While Aston Martin’s current chief executive Andy Palmer said he was not aware of the announcement and declined further comment, Aston Martin confirmed it was “reviewing its management team”.

Holden Special Vehicles reaches the end of the line with last Colorado SportsCat

EXCLUSIVE A white HSV Colorado SportsCat SV has become the last vehicle to wear the Holden Special Vehicles badge, as the final example rolled off the Melbourne assembly line late last week, marking the end of a 32-year run for the brand which put its name to more than 92,000 cars. The vehicle, completed on 22 May 2020, has been bought by a Holden dealer in Queensland and is expected to be kept as a collector’s item.

Lexus celebrates 30 years in Australia

Toyota’s luxury vehicle division Lexus has celebrated 30 years in Australia after bringing its first cars to local showrooms in May 1990. Over its 30 year tenure in Australia, Lexus has sold a total of 142,931 new cars (as of April 2020) – with the Japanese brand setting its annual sales record of 9612 vehicles last year. Lexus sales in Australia were slow to gain momentum, with the brand taking 18 years of local operation to reach 50,000 new cars sold.

Why Toyota HiLux vs Ford Ranger is the new Commodore vs Falcon battle

The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger have been our top two selling vehicles outright for the past three years in a row, as Australians continue to embrace utes in huge numbers. And the Toyota HiLux has held the number one spot for four consecutive years, since 2016 when it became the first ute in Australian automotive history to top the charts. The shift to double-cab utes comes as they have become safer, roomier, better equipped, and more like an SUV to drive.

Isuzu D-Max running out of stock in lead-up to June 30 deals

The Isuzu D-Max is running out of stock in the lead-up to what is usually the biggest month of the year for ute sales. Isuzu dealers have told CarAdvice that supply has almost run out at some showrooms, while others say they have barely enough vehicles to carry them through to the end of the financial year, June 30. Stock levels at Isuzu dealers across Australia had gradually been wound back to make way for the all-new model due in late July.

2020 Audi Q3 35 TFSI review

What do we want? Attractive compact SUVs! When do we want them? Like, yesterday! It's hard to pinpoint a class of car that's more competitive, faster growing or littered with options than the crossover segment. Plus, head toward the pricier end of the spectrum and you'll find some of the most attractive, coveted cars on the road – the Audi Q3 chief among them.

The most effective car safety features, according to a new study

New research out of the United States has found the presence of some, but not all, car safety technologies – including adaptive cruise control and forward collision prevention – can lead to a substantial reduction in the frequency of car crash insurance claims, while others offer little to no impact.

Australian company launches 'world-first' electric car charging technology

A Brisbane-based company has become the first charging provider to develop technology that will allow electric car owners to access all public charging stations from any brand or provider without the need for credit cards or multiple accounts.

2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class recalled, safety features may not work in a crash

Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall of 155 examples of its 2018-2019 G-Class 463 Series SUVs sold as Mercedes-AMG G63 due to a defect in wiring that operates safety features in the event of a crash. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says a wiring harness may be damaged during regular opening and closing of the front doors.

Old v new: 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback v 2020 Ford Mustang R-Spec

My admiration for the sixth-generation Ford Mustang grew significantly during this comparison. I’d never really associated the quintessential Pony car with a textbook evolutionary treatment or design philosophy. The type of treatment that’s been ring-fenced by brands like Porsche, who are the gatekeepers of such an approach. They’re the ones in the textbooks, not Ford.

2020 Jaguar XE R-Dynamic SE review

The Jaguar XE is the compact sports-luxury sedan the X-Type of the 2000s should have been, and it simply reinforces how far the British brand’s product development has progressed ever since ownership swapped from Ford to Tata Motors in 2008. For whatever reason, however, the XE hasn’t had the desired effect of boosting sales of Jaguar sedans. Even allowing for the big dent SUVs are putting in passenger car sales, Jaguar four-doors are struggling even relative to key rival sedans.

Around the tracks: A footballer's rare Ferrari, a Mustang GT drifts into a creek and a free Batmobile movie

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 photos, articles, videos or 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?

Jamiroquai front man’s rare BMWs to be auctioned this weekend

Jay Kay – the lead man of English band Jamiroquai – will have three BMWs from his personal collection go under the hammer in the UK tonight. The BMWs will be part of an auction of 86 rare and exotic cars held at England’s Silverstone circuit. The event will be held online in response to COVID-19 restrictions.

Australia's most affordable hybrid and electric cars

The list of electric car and hybrid car options in Australia expands with every passing year, but their often prohibitive cost – particularly in the case of EVs – remains a major barrier to their uptake.

2020 Honda Civic RS hatch review

Who says hot hatches need to have all the fun? The 2020 Honda Civic RS hatch turns the temperature down from the full-tilt Civic Type R, and offers something that makes as much sense as it does an impact, in a practical and sporty package. And, controversial opinion alert, I think it looks even better than its range-topping sibling!

Holden dealer negotiations now under ACCC supervision

US car giant General Motors has agreed to “negotiate in good faith” over the compensation offers to dealers for the shutdown of the Holden brand, after intervention by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. In a media statement issued today, the ACCC said it was “preparing for court action had Holden not changed its position”.

General Motors' million-mile battery is 'almost there'

US carmaker General Motors has been working on a battery it claims will last for 1 million miles (1.61 million kilometres) of electric car driving – and the technology is “almost there”, according to the company’s executive vice president. Speaking during an online investor conference earlier in the week, GM’s Doug Parks said the brand was focusing “multiple teams” on the development of its next-generation battery technology, according to news outlet Reuters.

Video review: 2020 Toyota Fortuner v Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - on-road comparison

For those who want a big SUV with built-in off-road ability, you’ve got two choices: go big, with something like a LandCruiser or Patrol. Or, go not-so-big (and not-so-spendy) with the variety of ute-based 4X4 wagons currently on offer. If you want to fit seven aboard (or five and lots of gear) and have the confidence to travel off-road, two recently updated and facelifted options that can mix business with pleasure are the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.

Toyota RAV4 recalled for fault in crucial suspension component

Toyota Australia has issued a recall of 1552 of its RAV4 SUVs produced between 25 September 2019 and 17 October 2019 due to a crucial suspension component that may fail. The recall affects both petrol and hybrid RAV4s cars with model codes AXAH54, AXAH52, MXAA52 and AXAA54. Toyota’s recall says that lower control arms – a crucial suspension arm that helps tie the front wheels to the body – fitted to the front of the cars may be defective.

Is there an electric Jeep Wrangler on the horizon?

Plans for an electric Jeep Wrangler are still under wraps, but the off-load icon appears to be edging closer to a battery-powered model. A senior Jeep executive believes electrification could even make for a better Wrangler – and the option is probably inevitable. “I truly believe that if we do an electric Wrangler, sometime in the future, that would actually be a better Wrangler,” said Mark Allen, the Detroit-based design boss at Jeep, during a video conference with CarAdvice this week.

Designing an icon

Mark Allen has a lot of weight on his shoulders. As the design boss of Jeep, the American holds the heritage of the brand and everything it represents at the tip of his Copic markers. Jeep enthusiasts are a loyal bunch, revering the brand not only for its storied history, but for the ideals of freedom and adventure Jeep exudes with its range of SUVs and off-roaders.

Mazda MX-30 electric car starts production, still not confirmed for Australia

Japanese car maker Mazda has begun production of its first all-electric model – the MX-30 city SUV – ahead of its European release later this year, however the model's Australian plans remain unclear. While the local arm of Mazda says it is keen to bring the MX-30 here, the company reiterated to CarAdvice today that no official decision has been made.

McLaren to mortgage historic car collection to raise funds – report

British F1 and supercar specialist McLaren is looking to borrow between £250 million (AU$465 million) and £275 million (AU$511 million) against its headquarters and historic car collection to see it through decreased profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are being sought by McLaren and its financial advisers JP Morgan following the rejection of a £150 million (AU$279 million) loan application with the English government, Sky News reports in the UK.

Volkswagen Golf name to be retired in the electric-car age?

One of the world's most popular cars, the Volkswagen Golf, could be retired in certain markets as the automotive industry and customers embrace the electric age. However, the Golf badge still has at least two generations of life left in it – the current Golf 8 and the next Golf 9 – that would run until at least 2035.

2020 Hyundai Kona Go 2WD review

The Hyundai Kona has been somewhat of a success for Hyundai since it was launched in 2017. Its compact size, unique styling, and affordable pricing saw it as the second-best-selling small SUV under $40,000 in February.

2020 Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro price and specs

Audi Australia has announced price and specification details for the two new 40 TFSI quattro additions to its Q3 small SUV lineup. Joining the base model Q3 35 TFSI S tronic – which is priced from $46,400 plus on-road costs – the new Q3 40 TFSI quattro comes in at $53,900 plus on-road costs, while the Q3 40 TFSI quattro S line starts at $59,400 plus on-road costs.

2020 Ford Focus ST review

We get behind the wheel of the Blue Oval's new performance hot-hatch in automatic and manual.

2020 Ford Focus ST review

Australia punches above its weight when it comes to performance cars. We have among the highest per-capita sales of AMG Mercedes, M Power BMWs, and RS and GT Porsches in the world. It’s the same with hot hatches. While small cars have been overtaken by SUVs, pint-size vehicles with plenty of performance have increased in popularity. The figures sound small – growing from 1.6 per cent to two per cent of the market over the past five years – but it’s all relative.

Volvo just reduced the top speed of its new cars

All new Volvo cars will now have a limited top speed of 180km/h, as part of the Swedish car maker’s efforts to reduce serious injuries and fatalities. On May 20, 2020, Volvo announced it had followed through with plans initially outlined early in 2019 to limit the top speed of all of its new cars and offer owners the ability to electronically restrict top speeds even further.

10 electric utes on the horizon

The electrification revolution has made its way through hatchbacks to sedans and SUVs and now it has its sights set firmly on a new frontier: utes. As with most automotive industry showdowns, it was Tesla that kicked off this sparring match with its not-so-bulletproof Cybertruck, releasing a video showing the all-wheel-drive, all-electric pickup tugging a Ford F-150 up a hill.

Parking cops to return as coronavirus restrictions ease

The free ride – or free car parking – is about to come to an end across Australia. Councils across the country are getting ready to chalk tyres and issue parking tickets as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are gradually eased. As previously reported by CarAdvice, many suburbs across Australia enjoyed free parking as councils took the bombers off the beat to help communities handle working from home orders and social distancing measures.

Australia's animal collision 'hotspots', according to insurance data

Motorists travelling to regional areas are being warned to stay vigilant on the roads ahead of a predicted 15 per cent rise in animal collisions from May to August this year, with a major Australian insurance company issuing a warning about "hotspots" for incidents involving animals and cars.

2021 Mini Countryman spy photos

Mini’s facelifted 2021 Countryman city SUV has been spotted during testing at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit ahead of its Australian showroom arrival later this year or early 2021. Although we have had photos of the updated model before (click here), the new images reveal more detail of the upcoming Mini Countryman, including a revised front and rear bumper design, and updated interior tech.

Tesla completes site preparations for Berlin gigafactory

US electric car specialist Tesla appears to have completed site preparations for its Berlin ‘gigafactory’ production facility, according to a new video. Aerial drone footage captured by YouTuber ‘Tesla Kid Grünheide’ (video at bottom of story), shows cleared land and access roads carved out of the 300 hectare site just outside Berlin. Industrial ‘pile drivers’ are also visible on-site, suggesting that preparation of building foundations may commence soon.

A fast car you've never heard of: Mulholland Legend 480 revealed

Niche sportscar maker Mulholland Automotive has unveiled its new Legend 480 – a sports car it says will be a “true successor” for the “TVR recipe for the 21st century”. The British-built two-seater Legend 480 takes its name from the 480hp (358kW) V8 engine that sits up front which sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

2020 LDV G10 diesel automatic review

LDV is part of the SAIC conglomerate, which beyond the use of way too many letters when you combine the two, is also the biggest automobile manufacturer in China – and that’s something to take note of, especially in a market of that size and growing. Here, we’re taking a closer look at the 2020 LDV G10 diesel van – positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to the main players.

Video review: 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC400

Same same, but different. The all-new Mercedes-Benz EQC has plenty of GLC déjà vu, and that might be what makes it work so well.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB price and specs

Mercedes-Benz has announced price and equipment lists for the new GLB seven-seat small SUV ahead of its Australian showroom arrival next month. The Mercedes-Benz GLB will be available in three model grades, beginning at $59,900 plus on-road costs for the GLB 200 and $73,900 plus on-road costs for the GLB 250 4Matic. These models are expected to arrive next month. The range-topping Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic will cost $88,900 plus on-road costs when it arrives in showrooms later this year.

Bosch celebrates 25 years of electronic stability control

May 19 marked 25 years since Bosch introduced electronic stability control to the new-car market. This ground-breaking technology debuted on the 1995 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Bosch claims the then-revolutionary technology has gone on to save 15,000 lives, as well as prevent approximately 500,000 personal injury crashes. Since 1995, Bosch has continually improved the capabilities of the technology, and has produced more than 250 million stability control systems to date.

Next Ford Focus ST to go hybrid, current model likely its last traditional hot hatch

The next generation Ford Focus ST will likely adopt hybrid power – and the model that is about to go on sale in Australia this week could be the last of the blue oval brand's traditional hot hatches. The boss of Ford Performance Europe, Stefan Muenzinger, told Australian media during a video conference for the local launch of the new Ford Focus ST that he was not permitted to talk about future model programs.

Project Cars: 2001 Land Rover Defender 130

The Land Rover Defender is my second 4WD, which is also an all-time favourite for me. It’s the long-wheelbase model, sporting the 2.5-litre TD5 five-cylinder, with a bark much worse than it’s 90kW/300Nm bite. I love it for that 3225mm wheelbase (which is closer to 127 inches), old-school live axles, good payload, low gearing and great clearance.

BMW X7: Alpina XB7 unveiled, coming to Australia in 2021

BMW tuning company Alpina has unveiled its new XB7 six- and seven-seater SUV ahead of its Australian arrival in early 2021. The XB7 – based on a BMW X7 M50i xDrive – receives Alpina’s signature touches including increased engine power, improved driving dynamics and styling changes inside and out.

New Ford Focus ST won’t get all-wheel-drive

The boss of Ford Performance Europe has ruled out an all-wheel-drive version of the new generation Focus ST hot hatch as a possible replacement for the Focus RS which was axed last month. Speaking to Australian media via a video link for the local launch of the blue oval brand’s latest hot hatch, Stefan Muenzinger said there are no plans for an all-wheel-drive system to handle the most powerful Ford Focus ST to date.

Ford Focus ST wagon ruled out for Australia, but auto hatch will boost sales

The Ford Focus ST wagon offered in Europe is not planned for Australia. However, Ford Australia expects the new Focus ST hatch due in showrooms this week will broaden its appeal with the option of an automatic transmission for the first time. Figures supplied by Ford show demand for manual versus automatic transmissions for all hot hatches sold in Australia is fairly even, at 53 per cent versus 47 per cent respectively.

2020 BMW M8 review

You may have read the social media marketing line, proclaiming the 2020 BMW M8 Competition as simply ‘the fastest ever BMW M car in series production’. I say ‘simply’ as it a rather specific claim, but impressive nonetheless.

2020 Nissan Juke price and specs

Nissan Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for its second-generation Juke small SUV ahead of a local showroom debut in June. The new Nissan Juke will be available in four trim levels – up from two on offer in the previous generation (excluding the Nismo variant).

2021 Suzuki Swift appears online

The facelifted Suzuki Swift hatch has appeared online months before it is due to arrive in Australian showrooms. The images of the updated Suzuki Swift show subtle styling changes to the nose and tail. In addition to a flash of chrome in the grille and a different bend in the rear bumper, the 2021 Suzuki Swift is expected to get minor technology updates such as blind-zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a digital speed display in the instrument cluster.

Volkswagen launches its first electric van, but it's not coming to Australia

Volkswagen has launched its first fully-electric version of the iconic Transporter van, but it has presumably been designed for short trips only. The maximum driving range is just 132km – a fraction of the 600km or more a diesel Volkswagen Transporter can travel on one tank The eTransporter 6.1 is built by specialising tuning company ABT – away from Volkswagen's main assembly line – but has the backing of the German car company.

Ute beauty! Pick-up sales surge after COVID-19 lockdowns ease

Sales of US pick-ups such as the Ram 1500 and newly released Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – as well as our perennial favourites the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – have been bolting out the door in the first two weeks of May, according to numerous dealers and industry sources. A survey by CarAdvice of dealers in Queensland, NSW and Victoria has found many have started to see a return to form earlier than expected, despite the coronavirus crisis.

New Hyundai ute comes to life in a digital format

This is what the new Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up could look like, according an artist impression by a Russian website. Using a photo of the bare shell of the Hyundai Santa Cruz that appeared online a fortnight ago, the website Kolesa.ru has created a computer generated image of what it imagines the showroom version could look like. These computer illustrations by Kolesa.ru have taken a punt on the Hyundai Santa Cruz sharing some of the design themes from the new Hyundai Santa Fe family SUV.

Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV to get over-the-air updates, still no closer to Australia

Ford has announced its new Mustang Mach-E electric SUV will be available with over-the-air technology, allowing some of its software to be updated via the internet or using mobile phone data. However, while the technology sounds exciting – and Ford will sell the electric SUV as a right-hand-drive model in the UK – it is still no closer to being confirmed for Australia.

Plug pulled on Dyson electric car

Sir James Dyson – founder of household electrical appliance company Dyson – has revealed the electric car his company was working on before cancelling the project late last year. Dyson began developing the seven-seater car – codenamed ‘N526’ – in 2017 with a total planned budget of approximately AU$3.7 billion, as reported by The Times.

2020 BMW X6 M Competition review

Beefy, angry, loud and powerful. No, it’s not the Olympic weightlifting finals, it’s the new 2020 BMW X6 M Competition, and I’m behind the wheel for a first spin on Australian soil.

Video review: 2020 Range Rover Sport SDV6 R-Dynamic HSE

Soccer fields. Rugby ovals. Private school car parks.These are just some of the places you’ll see littered with Range Rovers. You could argue that the Velar has taken over as the up market, fashion conscious choice, but still, you’ll spot plenty of Sport models in these situations.

2020 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Dynamic review

Soccer fields. League pitches. Footy ovals. Private school car parks. These are just some of the places you’ll see littered with Range Rovers. You could argue that the Velar has taken over as the upmarket, fashion-conscious choice, but still you’ll spot plenty of Sport models in these situations.

Ferrari slams the brakes on an electric supercar

Ferrari has poured cold water on the idea of a pure electric supercar, claiming current battery technology is good enough. The bold statement comes despite a number of rival brands planning to release electric supercars in the near future. In an interview with UK magazine AutoCar, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer Enrico Galliera said suitable battery technology is more than five years away.

MG plans 1 million car sales annually, three new models by 2024

Chinese car maker MG is planning to add three new models to its lineup and top 1 million annual sales by 2024. According to UK magazine AutoCar, MG will enter up to 100 global markets to achieve the feat as part of its ‘Mission 100’ strategy – which also coincides with the brand’s 100th anniversary. MG sold 298,000 cars globally in 2019 – meaning it will need to more than triple its current output to hit its target. Above: MG ZS

Toyota HiLux restarts production, plenty of stock coming for June EOFY deals

Deals on a new Toyota HiLux are likely to get even better in the coming weeks as the assembly line in Thailand restarted after a one-month break, large shipments are waiting to dock or clear quarantine, and dealers are already overstocked due to the April sales slowdown.

Ford Ranger ute on the brink of stock shortage

Showroom supplies of the Ford Ranger are starting to run low in parts of Australia – and some dealers are concerned replacement stock may not arrive in time for June, the end-of-financial-year and customarily the biggest month for ute sales. Both Ford Ranger factories in Thailand are due to restart production today after being closed for more than a month – since March 27 – due to the coronavirus crisis.

New Volkswagen Golf delayed until 2021

The coronavirus crisis has slammed the brakes on the Australian showroom arrival of the new generation Volkswagen Golf. The new VW Golf 8 was due in Australia in late 2020 – about a year after it went on sale in Europe – however CarAdvice has been told the COVID-19 lockdowns and temporary factory shutdowns have pushed back the local introduction until early 2021.

Lexus planning a Toyota Yaris-based SUV – report

Lexus is believed to be planning a city SUV based the new Toyota Yaris Cross (shown above and below), according to international reports. The new Lexus model will be named the ‘BX’, the report by AutoHome claims, and it is expected in showrooms in 2023. The Lexus BX is expected to adopt the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine as the Yaris Cross, however will only be offered as a hybrid. The Lexus BX would be the company's smallest SUV to date, slotting beneath the Lexus UX.

Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S, Australian price confirmed

Porsche has unveiled its new 2021 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S models for the 992 platform, available for order now before they arrive in Australian showrooms later this year. The Targa 4 will start from $275,800 plus on-road costs and the Targa 4S is $314,100 plus on-road costs. The Targa variants are priced on par with the convertible 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, which are $21,900 more than equivalent coupe variants.

Inside the Alfa Romeo Museum

It’s a story that starts in Milan, Italy, on 24 June 1910. On that day, a group of Italian businessmen started Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (A.L.F.A.) and started building cars. Today, of course, we know that carmaker as Alfa Romeo, a brand that has over the last century-and-a-decade given us some of the most beautiful and evocative cars ever made.

2021 Volkswagen Golf wagon spy photos

There are few surprises left when it comes to the latest generation of VW's benchmark small car, and now we have our first look at the new 2021 Volkswagen Golf wagon. Speaking of no surprises, there is little about the look of the new Golf wagon that will shock. As with the outgoing Golf 7.5, the new Golf 8 wagon will simply stretch its roofline and wheelbase to deliver a useful boost in capacity – without any of the 'sportwagon' tapering often adopted elsewhere.

2020 BMW X5 M Competition review

The march won’t stop. Range-topping high-performance SUVs like the 2020 BMW X5 M will continue to grow in size, performance and ability. That’s probably a good thing, but at what point does it become ridiculous? Here. At this point. The new X5 M is an extraordinary feat of engineering. Up front, a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine shoves a loaded 460kW and 750Nm to the ground with enough clout to rocket the 2.3-tonne family hauler from 0–100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

New V8 Supercars calendar heads to Bathurst twice

A revised V8 Supercars calendar has been released after the series came to a halt for more than four months due to the coronavirus crisis and national lockdowns. The V8 Supercars will go to Bathurst twice under the new arrangements. The Bathurst 1000 will go ahead as a four-day event in early October as per normal, while the season finale will be held at Mount Panorama in February 2021 as part of the 12-Hour event.

People drive more carefully when their dog is in the car

Research out of the United Kingdom has found motorists take more care on the road and are less stressed behind the wheel when driving with their pet dog in the car. The study, conducted by the UK arm of Spanish car maker SEAT, surveyed 2000 dog-owning licence holders and found 54 per cent of respondents drove more carefully when they had their pet in the car.

Brabham Automotive delivers its first BT62 hypercar

Adelaide-based hypercar manufacturer Brabham Automotive has officially built and delivered its first production BT62. Claimed to be "the world's most track-focussed hypercar", this particular green example was finished in competition specification as requested by its owner, Horsepower Racing. Horsepower Racing is a UK-based business that specialises in the sale and hire of competition race cars. They plan to compete with the car in the 2020 Britcar Endurance championship.

2021 Genesis G70 spy photos - update

The Genesis G70 has only been on sale in Australia for 12 months – via one dealership, in Sydney, for now – however Hyundai’s luxury division is already working on a facelift. An updated version of the Genesis G70 is due in local showrooms either late this year or early next – about midway through the car’s five-year model cycle.

Does the Australian car market need to be so complex?

Buying a new car should be a relatively stress-free process. Understanding the product on offer and knowing what you’re getting for your money are two fundamental parts when making your decision. After all, this is likely to be your second-biggest purchase ever, next to your primary residence.

2020 Audi SQ8 review

The question (or should it be conundrum) the 2020 Audi SQ8 raises might seem a little simplistic on the surface. That is, do you want less for more? Less roof, less glass, less second-row head room. More style, though, and as we often question here, what price style? So, first the price. In contrast to the Audi SQ7 we reviewed late last week, which has a starting price of $161,500 before on-road costs, the SQ8 starts from $165,500 before on-road costs. Precisely four grand more for less, then.

V8 Supercars restart in Sydney June 27-28 for TV-only event

V8 Supercars will be back on track at the end of next month, with a two-day TV-only event at Sydney Motorsport Park. It will be the first time Australia's most popular motorsport category will be racing since the season-opening Adelaide 500 in February. The Sydney circuit – formerly known as Eastern Creek Raceway – had been scheduled to run as a night event in late August. However the venue has been pulled forward to a daytime, TV-only event so V8 Supercars can return to racing.

Tesla owner uses phone app to stop a thief escaping with his car

A Tesla owner in California has used a remote shutdown feature on his mobile phone to thwart a thief during an attempted carjacking. Detailed in a social media post by the Barstow Police Department, the suspect allegedly entered the owner's Tesla Model 3 electric car and ordered him to get out.

CarAdvice's best driving songs 2020

We've polled the office, and these are the sounds most likely to get a CarAdvice staffer hitting the road. Good thing we're allowed to, now! Depending on where you live in Australia, it's just about time to get your motor running and head out on the highway for a relaxing, mind-healing and legal nonessential drive.

Around the tracks: An amphibious Suzuki Jimny, Paul Walker's BMW E30 M3 and a 300km/h joy ride

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 photos, articles, videos or 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?

2021 Hyundai Tucson spy photos

The new-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson has been spied testing again this week, the first time since it was properly previewed at last year's Los Angeles motor show. Although the new Tucson had been caught in camouflage earlier in 2019, it was LA's Vision T plug-in hybrid concept that offered the best look yet at what we can expect from the new mid-sized SUV.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet review

Join Trent Nikolic as he tests the new Cabriolet with its luxurious interior and formidable performance.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet review

If you’re anything like me, when you think 911, you think hardtop – especially at the higher end of the performance envelope. However, the 2020 Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet might just be the perfect drop-top sports car.

Trakka releases Jabiru J2M off-road motorhome

Australian off-road camping specialist Trakka has released a shorter variant of its Jabiru motorhome called the J2M and based on the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. The Trakka Jabiru range already comes in a variety of wheelbases, layouts, and the choice of either two or four-wheel drive.

Audi trials five-year warranty for a limited time

Audi Australia has announced it will provide five-year, unlimited kilometre warranties and five years free scheduled servicing for cars sold in May and June. The offer is available “across a significant number of vehicles” and also includes complimentary registration, stamp duty and CTP insurance. CarAdvice will update this story with confirmation of which cars are not included in the scheme.

Senator offers to buy Holden for $1

Queensland senator James McGrath offered to buy the Holden brand from US car giant General Motors for $1 in an extraordinary speech in federal parliament last night. Senator McGrath also accused General Motors of using the global coronavirus crisis to prolong compensation negotiations with Holden dealers, after announcing in February it would axe the iconic Australian car brand by the end of this year.

Volkswagen Amarok 580S limited-edition coming soon

Volkswagen has released pricing for its new limited-edition Amarok V6 580S, with 200 examples coming to Australia from $70,990 plus on-road costs. That pegs the Volkswagen Amarok 580S between the Amarok V6 Highline ($64,990 plus on-road costs) and the range-topping Amarok V6 Ultimate ($72,790 plus on-road costs). It will be launched nationally next month in dealerships and online, and will be on sale in June.

Steering wheel falls off Tesla Model 3

A UK-based travel agent was reversing his one-month old Tesla Model 3 into his driveway when the steering wheel fell off and disconnected from the car. Jason Tuatara, took to social media to vent his anger at Elon Musk directly. How can this happen to a #tesla the safest car in the world? #StaySafe #checkyours pic.twitter.com/LCHBcwRRF4 — Jason T (@JasonTuatara) April 26, 2020

2020 Audi S6, S7 price and specs

Audi Australia has announced pricing and specification for its updated 2020 model-year S6 TFSI and S7 TFSI sedans. The models begin at $149,900 plus on-road costs for the S6 (in blue), with the larger S7 (in white) coming in at $159,500 plus on-road costs. Both models receive a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine (331kW/600Nm) with Audi’s electric powered compressor designed to reduce turbocharger lag – the first time Audi has used the technology on a petrol engine.

Hyundai plans to use UV radiation to sterilise car interiors

Hyundai is planning to use ultraviolet (UV) light globes to sterilise the interiors of its cars. UV radiation has been shown to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi – and also neutralise viruses – with the brand pointing to its use in hospitals, train stations and art galleries.

2020 Audi SQ7 price and specs

Audi Australia has announced pricing and specification for its updated 2020 SQ7 TDI seven-seater SUV. The high performance 2020 Audi SQ7 begins at $161,500 plus on-road costs. Audi says this is $400 less than the previous SQ7 despite the face-lifted model picking up additional equipment worth $15,000.

Bentley Bentayga recalled because seat belts may detach

British luxury brand Bentley has issued a recall for 67 examples of its 2018-2020 Bentayga seven-seater SUV due to a faulty seat belt anchorage point. Petrol V8, petrol W12 and diesel V8 models are affected. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the anchorage point for the third row seat belts may not meet legal load requirements.

2020 Audi SQ8 price and specs announced

Audi Australia has announced pricing and specification for its new 2020 SQ8 TDI five-seater SUV. The Audi SQ8 – the performance version of the brand’s Q8 SUV – starts from $165,500 plus on-road costs, placing it at a $3500 price premium over the newly-released seven-seater 2020 Audi SQ7 with which it shares most of its equipment.

2020 Audi SQ7 review

It’s almost hard to believe that not so long ago, the idea of a serious, performance SUV in the large segment would have been the stuff of pub banter and bluster – but now the segment is getting a proper roll on. The newest kid on the block domestically is the 2020 Audi SQ7, which is very much a large SUV, and very much performance-oriented, too.

2020 Audi S6 sedan, 2020 Audi S7 Sportback review

Want to stand out from the pack? Want something rare, obscure and unusual? Then you want the 2020 Audi S6. It’s subtle, menacing, and sure to remain a rarity… Audi has only sold 34 A6s for the first four months of this year, but if that’s still too commonplace, there’s the more sharply styled and even less common Audi S7. The A7 family has only notched up 22 sales so far.

BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo signs with McLaren for 2021

Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo has signed with McLaren from 2021, quelling previous speculation that he might replace Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari. McLaren has confirmed the news via its Twitter page. McLaren announces that @DanielRicciardo will race for the team alongside @LandoNorris in the Formula One World Championship from 2021. ?Read more ⬇️

Kia Picanto facelift unveiled, here in a few months

Australia’s best-selling city car, the Kia Picanto, has had a minor makeover and big lift in technology. The 2021 Kia Picanto, unveiled in South Korea overnight where it is sold as the Kia Morning, gets a redesigned nose, new tail-lights and rear bumper. On the technology front, the new Kia Picanto gains the availability of rear cross-traffic alert and blind zone warning, however it is unclear is these features will appear on examples sold in Australia.

Exclusive: New Kia Sorento gets remote parking tech, centre airbag and other firsts

EXCLUSIVE The new Kia Sorento will enable drivers to squeeze the vehicle into a tight parking spot using a remote control – while standing outside the car – a confidential dealer bulletin obtained by CarAdvice has revealed. The remote parking technology has until now been exclusive to top end limousines and electric cars.

Ford Puma ST spy photos

The Ford Puma ST was cutting laps at the Nurburgring in Germany overnight and these are believed to be among the first images of the model wearing little disguise. The Ford Puma ST is a city SUV with the DNA of a hot hatch – and the engine from one, for that matter. According to our spy agency based in Germany, under the bonnet of this Ford Puma ST test vehicle is the same 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder (147kW/290N) used in the Ford Fiesta ST that just went on sale in Australia.

New Toyota HiLux delayed indefinitely as dealers are overstocked

The Toyota HiLux – Australia’s top-selling car for the past four years in a row – is expected to be the subject of even sharper deals than usual in the next few months, as showrooms continue to clear runout stock to make way for an updated model (pictured above). The runout Toyota HiLux SR5 double cab 4x4 is back to its previous low of $53,990 drive-away with auto. Some older 2019-built examples are being advertised by certain dealers online for even less than this.

Ford steps into the battle against bird poo

Ford of Europe has invented fake bird poo so it can test the durability of its paintwork. Bird poo can be one of the most damaging environmental elements to automobile paintwork as the acidity can eat through the coating. To try to combat this, Ford created a variety of lab-created synthetic droppings to cover the different diets of Europe’s birdlife. What a bird eats affects the acidity of the waste, Ford of Europe research found.

Project Cars: 1999 Nissan Silvia S15

She’s my first and only car, a 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R, and one I affectionately refer to as Rachael. The Silvia models had never really done anything for me growing up, but after driving a friend’s newly purchased S15 I became obsessed with the balance and styling of the car and had to have one.

Toyota Yaris sold out, new more expensive model months away

The Toyota Yaris city hatch – one of Australia’s most popular and most affordable cars – has almost sold out and it will be months before its all-new replacement arrives. Fewer than 40 Toyota Yaris hatchbacks remain across the national network of more than 200 dealers and once they’re gone there won’t be a model to replace it until August at the earliest. Based on the monthly sales rate of the Toyota Yaris, these final 40 or so vehicles will be gone in the coming days.

Skoda introduces used-car capped-price servicing

Skoda Australia has announced capped-price servicing packages available to owners of its used cars. The packages – which cover all items in the routine service schedule – are available for used Skoda cars that are more than 12 months old or have travelled more than 15,000km, providing they have had their first scheduled service. Skoda’s packages are valid for four years and span the vehicle’s next four annual services or 60,000km, whichever comes first.

Ford Ranger Tradesman special edition launched

The Ford Ranger line-up has yet another special edition, as Australia's second-best selling ute approaches the last 12 months or so of its current model cycle. The Ford Ranger Tradesman is priced from $47,990 drive-away. That's $1000 more than the middle-of-the-range Ford Ranger XL 4x4 on which it is based, however the company claims the extra equipment is worth more than $5500.

2020 Toyota Prius i-Tech review

There was once a time when ‘Prius’ was the sole synonym for ‘hybrid’. In fact, at various points throughout its 23-year history, the Prius has been synonymous with plenty of words – ranging from ‘vegan’ and ‘environmentalist’, to ‘Hollywood celebrity’ and ‘smug’. “How do you know if someone drives a Prius?" internet memes have wisecracked, “Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.”

Video review: 2020 VW T-Roc

Given an unprecedented demand globally, it has taken the local subsidiary a couple of years to convince Germany to send a few small SUVs over to wee-old Australia. This does happen quite a bit, as European manufacturers often allocate hot product to the most profitable markets, which is usually not Australia. Either way, they’re late to the party

2020 Volkswagen T-Roc review

If you're a car brand, the small SUV segment is the place to be. It seems to be growing, up 4.4 per cent year to date as of March, despite a wider regressing market. This proves that people are happy to either step up from a hatchback or step down from something larger, possibly compromising on some space, to jump on the small-SUV bandwagon.

New Kia Sorento SUV to get blind-spot camera

The new-generation 2020 Kia Sorento SUV is poised to get blind-zone camera technology on top-end models. Utilising a wide-angle, high-definition camera under each side mirror, the technology shows vehicles in the adjacent lanes that would normally be in a driver’s blind-spot.

2020 Toyota Fortuner Crusade review

When compared to stablemates, it’s hard not to see the Toyota Fortuner as a bit of a tepid performer in terms of sales. While Toyota four-wheel drives are normally right at the pointy end of their respective segments, this HiLux-based 4x4 wagon is outsold by the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Everest. Strange, considering it shares a lot with both the HiLux and LandCruiser Prado, which are dominant sellers.

Jeep responds to footage of Wrangler tipping over in US safety tests

The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door has been filmed tipping over in two crash tests conducted by a US safety body, prompting the US car giant to issue a statement defending the vehicle's safety record.

MG Australia’s flagship store wins five international design awards

MG Australia has won five international design awards for a sculpture displayed in its flagship Sydney store in Alexandria. The sculpture, titled ‘Electric Meets Reality’ is described as an “immersive installation”, inspired by the brand’s first electric car – the ZS EV SUV – which is due in Australia later this year.

2021 Mercedes S Class limousine leaked on Instagram

The new Mercedes S-Class has been exposed inside and out in the first revealing images of the flagship limousine. The photos of the 2021 Mercedes S-Class posted by Spanish spy agency Cochespias on Instagram show a car wearing little external disguise – and detailed interior shots – for the first time.

2021 VW Golf GTI TCR spy photos

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR edition has been out flexing its muscles on the Nurburgring race circuit in Germany ahead of a likely European debut later this year or early next year. The photos show the latest generation Volkswagen Golf with an aggressive front bumper, low profile tyres and a large front brake package.

Trump supports Tesla factory restart, Musk says “thank you”

The US President Donald Trump took to Twitter overnight to support Tesla’s plans to reopen its electric car factory – weeks earlier than local authorities allowed and in defiance of county shutdown orders. The 45th US President wrote on social media: “California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely!” The controversial boss of Tesla, Elon Musk, replied on Twitter: “Thank you!”

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer Minibus price and specs

Mercedes-Benz Australia has released pricing and specs of its updated 12-seater Sprinter Transfer Minibus. Pricing begins from $72,479 before on-road costs for the 414CDI, and $87,926 before on-road costs for the more powerful 416CDI. Both trims make use of a 2.1-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel. In 414CDI trim, it has an output of 105kW/330Nm, the 416CDI has an output of 120kW/360Nm.

Lotus working on vehicle-to-grid technology

English sports car maker Lotus has partnered with Centrica plc – parent company of British Gas, the largest energy supplier in the UK – to develop what could be vehicle-to-grid technology. In a statement, Lotus says the venture will “[make] the car an extension of the home, capable of storing electricity, minimising emissions and generating new income by providing services to the energy market”.

2019 Audi Q7 long-term review: Towing

There’s no easy way to avoid bringing water into the cabin of a car after launching a jet ski. Unless you have someone who can mind the jet ski while you go and park, you typically end up almost waist deep in water unloading the watercraft off the trailer and securing it, before you can go and ditch the car. Which is why I have mastered the art of using neoprene seat covers, beach towels, and deep dish heavy-duty rubber floor mats with tall edges to protect whatever car I’m in at the time.

MG Cyberster concept: two-seat sports car previewed

MG’s Chinese parent company SAIC has revealed images from its London-based design studio showing a racy, two-seater roadster, called the Cyberster. The images were published on the SAIC Design Advanced London Facebook page – the latest international studio opened by SAIC – with little additional information about the model. “Here’s a preview of something very exciting in the making, designed and developed by the UK & Shanghai Design team! Stay tuned for more…”, the post said.

Formula One: Vettel out at Ferrari; Ricciardo frontrunner to take seat

Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo is in line for a shock switch to Ferrari, according to international reports. The unconfirmed speculation comes after negotiations for Sebastian Vettel’s 2021 contract renewal with the Italian team reportedly fell through.

Charges laid against the team who helped Carlos Ghosn escape

Turkish prosecutors have prepared charges against seven people in relation to former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn’s escape from Japanese authorities while under house arrest in Tokyo. Mr Ghosn escaped Japan in December 2019 – while under house arrest for charges of under-reporting pay and misusing company funds while at Nissan – by hiding in an ‘instrument box' shipped to Lebanon via Turkey.

‘SUVs here to stay’: Renault design chief

The proliferation of SUVs on our roads is not going to subside anytime soon. That’s the message from Francois Leboine, the head of concept car design at French auto giant Renault, who spoke to Australian media during a phone conference last week. In addition to their popularity due to a taller driving position – and more flexible cabins and cargo areas – SUVs also provide close to the ideal platform for electrification, he said.

Tesla defied COVID-19 lockdown orders, began making cars over the weekend

Electric car specialist Tesla defied coronavirus lockdown orders and had already restarted production over the weekend as it commenced legal action to reopen – an exclusive report by The Verge revealed, which the company has since confirmed. Tesla production line workers had contacted the US website on condition of anonymity.

More than $7.1 million in fines issued by mobile phone detection cameras in NSW

Mobile phone detection cameras have issued more than $7.1 million in fines to approximately 21,000 motorists in NSW in the first two months since authorities began issuing tickets instead of warnings. The high number of fines comes despite there being only a handful of mobile phone detection cameras in NSW – the first Australian state to adopt the breakthrough technology – in two fixed locations and a small but undisclosed number of temporary locations.

Escalating the chase – buying a car from Japan, part three

In parts one and two, we explored the process of buying a car from Japan, discussed some of the concerns likely to cause trepidations, the costs and what it’s actually like to go ahead with it. Now, we’ll finally meet the car, check out some other interesting things enthusiasts are currently bringing over, and discover whether it was all worth it.

Tesla Cybertruck: 'Iconic. Brutal. Perfect,' says rival designer

One of the world’s leading car designers has called the Tesla Cybertruck a "perfect design". François Leboine, the boss of concept car design at French auto giant Renault, bestowed the accolades on Tesla’s striking and revolutionary design for a ute during a video conference with Australian journalists.

Toyota GR Corolla poised for the USA. Now for Australia...

Toyota USA has hinted a GR version of its Corolla hatchback may be joining its lineup, however plans for other countries including Australia are yet to be announced. In a recent Twitter post, Toyota USA said, “While GR Yaris isn’t hitting the states … perhaps it’s time the US got a hot hatch to call its own”. In the US, Toyota offers only the Yaris and Corolla as hatchback options.

Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series recalled due to fire risk

Toyota Australia has issued a recall for 22,971 of its LandCruiser 70 Series models built between 13 June 2016 and 5 November 2018 due to an increased risk of fire. Toyota’s recall says that – due to the design of the exhaust pipe heat shield – vegetation may accumulate during off-road usage if the debris is not routinely removed. CarAdvice has contacted Toyota Australia regarding any reports of fire on Australian-delivered cars and will update this story with the response.

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed review

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid is, in many ways, the best of three worlds. It has electric driving range for urban dwellers, a petrol engine to take you beyond city limits, and the convenience of an SUV body.

Toyota Kluger Hybrid confirmed for Australia

The new Toyota Kluger Hybrid has been confirmed for Australia and is due in local showrooms in early 2021. Toyota today confirmed that both the Toyota Kluger V6 and Toyota Kluger Hybrid four-cylinder would be sold alongside each other in Australia for the first time. Although there have been hybrid versions of previous generation Toyota Kluger models, they have not been offered locally.

Lexus UX 300e electric SUV gets 1 million km battery warranty

Japanese luxury brand Lexus has announced its UX 300e – its first pure electric car – will come with a 1 million kilometre/10-year warranty for its battery pack. While the model is yet to be confirmed for sale in Australia, overseas customers will have more than twice the warranty coverage on the battery pack than for the rest of the car. The Lexus UX 300e uses air-cooled technology to keep its 54.3kWh lithium ion battery pack operating within a safe temperature range.

2019 Kia Sorento GT-Line long-term review: Farewell

We now draw the curtains on our time with the 2019 Kia Sorento GT-Line after a few months of long-term testing. It's been passed around to a few in the CarAdvice office, and you can get their thoughts in the video attached to this story. Plus, you can also read on... In our time, it’s proven to be every bit the practical and pragmatic family hauler we thought it was, especially on the inside.

Video review: 2019 Kia Sorento GT-Line long-termer farewell

It's time to draw the curtains on our time with the Kia Sorento GT-Line, after a few months of long-term testing. It's been passed around to a few in the CarAdvice office.

Hyundai i30 and Elantra recalled for fire risk, nearly 90,000 cars included

Hyundai Australia has issued a recall of 87,499 of its 2007-2011 model-year i30 hatchback (shown above) and 2006-2011 Elantra small sedan (shown below) due to a defective circuit board that may increase risk of fire, with two known fires reported on Australian i30 cars. This recall follows the same fire hazard affecting 9393 examples of Hyundai's 2006 to 2009 model year Santa Fe SUVs, as reported by CarAdvice last week.

Hyundai 45 electric car spy photos

Hyundai’s next electric car has been caught on camera while testing near the company’s German engineering centre near the Nurburgring. The photos show a production-ready body, meaning the Hyundai 45 electric car will likely be in European showrooms some time next year. The Hyundai 45 electric car is yet to be confirmed for Australia, however local representatives have repeatedly expressed interest in any future models.

2020 Jaguar F-Pace 35t S review

With the ever faster, more powerful and more expensive evolution of performance SUVs, it’s no wonder that manufacturers have created a subset of high-riding, still fast, yet more attainable product to bask in the halo of their upper-crust family members.

Tesla delays roadster to make way for Cybertruck

Tesla boss Elon Musk has hit the brakes on the next generation roadster in an attempt to get the Cybertruck on the road sooner and prioritise other projects. However, the outspoken Tesla boss did not outline when the Cybertruck might arrive in showrooms or confirm if the production version will look like the controversial wedged-shaped concept vehicle unveiled last year.

Jerry Seinfeld axes Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee web series

Comedian and car enthusiast Jerry Seinfeld appears to have pulled the pin on his long-standing TV series ‘Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee’. In an interview with Variety magazine, Jerry Seinfeld said: “We haven’t planned anything with that show. I kind of feel like I did that tour.” Seinfeld said while the series looked easy to produce it was in fact more time-consuming than most people expected.

Track test: Porsche Taycan electric car versus BMW M8 Gran Coupe

The new Porsche Taycan electric car has lined up against a BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition in a head-to-head track test in Germany in the hands of a race driver thanks to AutoBild magazine. While we won’t give away the result – even though you might guess it – we will say it was closer than many would expect. For diehard petrol heads, the test shows there is still plenty of life left in fossil-fuel-powered performance cars.

Mazda seeking $US2.8 billion loan to survive coronavirus crisis – report

Mazda is seeking loans for 300 billion Yen ($US 2.8 billion) from Japan’s three ‘megabanks’ and other lenders to help it get through the coronavirus pandemic, the Reuters news agency has reported. Mazda, which has paused or slowed production in line with the rest of the automotive industry during the COVID-19 lockdowns, reportedly already has approximately $US6 billion in interest-bearing debt, which far exceeds its cash reserves, according to Japan’s flagship financial newspaper the Nikkei.

Tesla’s US factory restart delayed by health authorities

Health officials have slammed the brakes on Tesla’s plans to restart production at its US electric-car factory. Less than 24 hours after Tesla boss Elon Musk announced there were would be a gradual restart of production – after the Californian government said manufacturing in the state would be allowed under a plan to begin easing COVID-19 lockdowns – local health authorities stepped in and said the electric-car factory “must not reopen”.

The legend of two LandCruisers and a home-made float

There is a small-ish shed in the land behind Norm Needham’s house, which looks unassuming enough from the outside. Step inside however, and you’re greeted not by a workshop, but bunk beds, a couch and a fireplace. Most noticeably, the walls are loaded with 4WDing memorabilia.

2020 Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro price and specs

Audi has announced the Australian price and specifications for the latest addition to its Q8 SUV family, the Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro. The diesel variant arrived in Australian showrooms this month, joining the petrol-powered Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro variant as the second available option in the large luxury SUV range. The 50 TDI will be priced from $129,900 plus on-road costs – the same starting price as its 55 TFSI sister car.

Porsche upgrades its Track Precision App for iPhones

Porsche has updated its Track Precision App – which analyses a driver's performance corner-by-corner at most major racetracks around the world – for owners of Apple iPhones. Compatible with current generation Porsche 911 and Porsche 718 models, the updated Track Precision App Version 3.2 will now use Apple Car Play to access telemetry data collected by the car – including satellite positioning, throttle and brake inputs, G-forces and engine revs.

2020 Toyota HiLux review: Workmate 4x2 petrol manual

The Toyota HiLux Workmate 4x2 is one of Australia’s top-selling vehicles. Although the Toyota HiLux has been the nation’s favourite car for the past four years in a row – when all variants are tallied – the Toyota HiLux 4x2 Workmate alone is not far off the Top 20 sellers list.

Around the tracks: Dictator cars, Elon Musk's baby name decoded and a Land Rover 'Star Wars' moment

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 photos, articles, videos or 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?

Crazy Concepts: Lamborghini Genesis

Can you imagine anything as crazy as cramming a 5.2-litre Lamborghini V12 engine sourced from the Countach into a minivan? Well, imagine no more. Because it happened. The year is 1988 and Italian styling house Bertone thought it would be fun to experiment with the minivan segment. But this was no ordinary people mover. For starters, it featured signature Lambo gullwing doors at the front while the rear doors more conventional sliding numbers.

2006-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe recalled due to fire hazard

Hyundai Australia has issued a recall of 9393 of its 2006 to 2009 model year Santa Fe SUVs sold between 16 March 2005 and 22 September 2009 due to a defective circuit board that may increase the risk of fire. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the defect relates to an electronic circuit board in the vehicles’ anti-lock braking system (ABS) module that may short circuit when exposed to moisture.

Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder revealed, Australian details confirmed

Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has unveiled its new Huracan Evo RWD Spyder – the convertible counterpart to the Huracán Evo RWD Coupe – following an announcement it would resume production this week after lengthy COVID-19 shutdowns. Pricing for the Lamnborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder in Australia will start from $422,606 before on-road costs, with the model scheduled to launch locally in the second half of this year.

Kia confirms new CV electric car, Australian future remains unclear

Kia is poised to introduce a high-performance electric car based on the Imagine concept debuted in 2019 (pictured above), according to a report out of the UK by AutoExpress magazine. The technical details for Kia's flagship electric car are still under wraps for now, but the magazine reports it will be in European showrooms in 2021. Kia Australia says it wants the model, however it says it is too early to say whether the high performance electric car will make it to local showrooms.

2020 Porsche Macan Turbo review

Seasoned Porsche purists are not thrilled by the bald fact that a bloody SUV is the hallowed sports car brand’s best-selling model, both in Australia and internationally, and another SUV is also Porsche’s second-best seller.

2021 Skoda Enyaq iV electric SUV teased: 225kW RS hero to lead the way

Skoda has handed down a whole mess of details for its upcoming Enyaq iV electric SUV, along with a number of photos offering our best look yet at the Czech brand's first purpose-built EV. Let's look at the exciting stuff first: Rear-wheel drive in entry-level form, and a 225kW RS all-wheel-drive model at the top end. Mixed in with those details is confirmation of three battery sizes, five power variants and a driving range of up to 500 kilometres.

2020 Volkswagen T-Cross review

Finally, a year after its initial European launch, the Volkswagen T-Cross has landed in Australia. Volkswagen’s T-Cross represents one half of its new small-SUV offering in Australia, with the other half represented by the larger, faster, and much more expensive T-Roc. This dual-model onslaught arrives at a good time for Volkswagen. It comes as some of its bread-and-butter product lines begin to age and reach the end of their life cycle, be it the Golf 7.5, or the second-generation Tiguan.

Project Cars: 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Meet Ralph the Runner. So, after telling myself I'll make a sensible decision, sell my 35-year-old Toyota HiLux and buy a new-ish 4WD, I went and bought a 35-year-old Toyota 4Runner. Yep, I'm an idiot. But, this thing is way cooler than anything else I could have bought, and with only one owner, and 187,000km on the clock, I just couldn't pass it up. Unlike previous my 15-owner HiLux, this thing is in as original condition as you can get, and I'll try my best to keep it that way.

New Isuzu D-Max on track for July arrival as production restarts

The new Isuzu D-Max ute is on track to arrive in Australian showrooms in July as expected – despite a three-week factory shutdown during the global coronavirus crisis. Isuzu Ute Australia issued a statement today advising that the Thailand factory that manufactures the new generation Isuzu D-Max ute has restarted production as of this week, after being shuttered since the 13th of April. A separate Isuzu truck factory in Thailand is due to restart production on the 18th of May.

Coming soon: phone app that could save your life after a car crash

EXCLUSIVE Rescue crews and emergency workers across Australia – including police and the fire brigade – will soon have access to a smartphone app that will show the fastest and safest way to cut open cars involved in life-threatening crashes. It means rescue workers will have access to technical diagrams and critical information for hundreds of cars in a matter of seconds, saving critical time that could end up saving lives.

BMW bargains coming after hundreds of demo models get registered

Anyone looking to buy a BMW on a budget could be in luck in a few months from now after the company registered hundreds of demonstrator models and company cars to help prop up its reported sales numbers in April. A glut of low-kilometre near-new used cars are expected to flood BMW dealers in the coming months after being cycled briefly through the company’s head office. It means that buyers will likely get a sharp deal on a low-kilometre demonstrator or ex-company car in the coming months.

Five-year-old boy who stole parent’s car to buy a Lamborghini gets his wish

The five-year-old boy who stole his parent’s car earlier this week – and attempted to drive from Utah to California to buy a Lamborghini even though his feet could barely touch the pedals – has had his wish come true. While Adrian Flores has been grounded after being stopped by the Utah highway patrol just three miles from home – and with just $US3 in his pocket – he got to ride in a real Lamborghini the day after the incident received global media attention.

Old Tesla hardware containing owners' private data is surfacing on eBay

A hacker in the United States has uncovered old Tesla hardware on eBay that allegedly contains personal data from owners – including passwords, home addresses, calendar events and phone call history. Worse, the hacker claims Tesla knows about the breach but is yet to do anything about it.

LDV T60 Trailrider ute gets new diesel engine, rest of the range to follow

The LDV T60 Trailrider ute has been given a modest power boost with an all-new turbo diesel engine that will eventually be introduced across the rest of the Chinese pick-up range. The 2.0-litre single turbo diesel four-cylinder (120kW/375Nm) that has been designed in-house replaces the 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder (110kW/360Nm) that shared its DNA with Italy’s VM Motori. Towing capacity remains 3000kg; most rivals have 3500kg towing capability.

MG loans cars to health authorities for COVID-19

Chinese car company MG will provide a fleet of 10 of its ZS model SUVs to hospitals in the South Western Sydney Local Health District to assist in their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. The vehicles are intended to support the healthcare system with transport of essential medical equipment.

2020 Jaguar F-Type P300 R-Dynamic Coupe review

Late last year, I reviewed what was the last of the blown-V8 rag-top Jaguar F-Types in the Brit sports car’s seven-year lineage. A model set to be put to pasture mid-2020 with the arrival of a newly vamped, more streamlined MY21 model range. So, I was a little surprised when this 2020 Jaguar F-Type P300 R-Dynamic RWD Coupe, to give it its full name, arrived at CarAdvice HQ in the existing pre-facelift guise.

2014-2019 Ram 1500 diesel pick-up recalled due to fire hazard

American Special Vehicles (ASV) – the company responsible for converting US pick-up specialist Ram’s cars to right-hand drive for the Australian market – has issued a recall of 438 examples of its 2014-2019 model-year 1500 diesel pick-up due to a defective part that may increase risk of fire.

Ford releases autonomous driving data to research community

US car giant Ford will share data from an entire year of driving from two of its self-driving cars to the wider academic research community to help fast-track autonomous driving technology. In particular, the extra data will help researchers gain important insights into how the vehicles identify objects and hazards in a wide variety of driving conditions.

Takata airbag recall: 200,000 cars remain, 8000 to stop driving immediately

Nearly 200,000 potentially deadly Takata airbags remain on Australian roads unchecked – and 8000 are deemed so risky, owners have been asked to stop driving their cars immediately to have the vehicles bought back by the manufacturer. Road safety authorities in Australia are baffled by thousands of car owners who are ignoring multiple recall notices and face-to-face attempts to contact them about the free repair.

2021 Hyundai i20N teased again in new video, now a step closer to Australia

The Hyundai i20N hot hatch has been teased again in a promotional video out of Europe, as it gets ready to go into production. Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm if the smaller sibling to the Hyundai i30N will be available in local showrooms. However, every time we ask about the prospects of the Hyundai i20N coming to Australia, representatives tell us all Hyundai N models are on their wish list and they would like to expand the local line-up.

VFACTS: April 2020 new car sales, the complete report

New-car sales in April 2020 represented the biggest month-to-month slump since records were kept, the weakest result in 26 years, and the 25th month in a row in decline – a longer slowdown than the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and 2009 – as the coronavirus took its toll. Official figures show a total of 38,926 vehicles reported as sold – versus 75,550 for the same month last year – a decline of 48.5 per cent, versus sharper declines overseas of between 80 and 98 per cent.

New Hyundai ute spotted in bare metal

This is the new Hyundai ute Australians want but can’t have as it’s a US-only model for now. After spotting camouflaged cars during European winter testing earlier this year, the bare shell of the new Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up has been caught on camera and posted on Instagram (pictured above). The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a US-market pick-up based on the underpinnings of the Hyundai Santa Fe family SUV.

2020 Jeep Cherokee price and specs – S-Limited added as new flagship

Jeep has introduced a new flagship Cherokee model to crown its medium SUV range, with a new Cherokee S-Limited variant taking the top spot alongside a refreshed line-up. Largely a visual package atop the already comprehensively-equipped Cherokee Limited, the S-Limited adds ‘granite crystal’ coloured details like badging, grille surrounds, roof rails and S-Limited exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels.

Audi A1, A3 and TT recalled for transmission fault, 10,000 cars affected

Audi Australia has issued a recall for 10,373 examples of its A1, A3 and TT sports coupe due to potentially faulty seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions that were previously dismissed as not requiring repairs. Affected models include 2011-2016 model-year A1 small hatchback (pictured below), 2008-2016 model-year A3 mid size car (pictured above) and the 2012-2016 model-year TT sports car.

2020 Hyundai Palisade review

Hyundai likes to name its SUVs after iconic US locations. We already have the Tucson and Santa Fe, no doubt designed to convey a sense of adventure. The name of the new Hyundai Palisade SUV, we’re guessing, is either inspired by ancient defensive walls of the same name (one of the reasons people buy large SUVs is the feeling of invincibility and a desire to protect their families), or the Hudson River Palisades, a line of steep cliffs that stretch from New York to New Jersey.

Audi Australia introduces online purchasing for entire model range

Audi Australia has announced a new online purchasing platform and delivery service for every model in its range, joining sister company Volkswagen and a growing list of Australian brands offering some form of contactless sales solution during COVID-19.

F1’s Lando Norris to fill Supercars Eseries wildcard slot tonight

Formula One star Lando Norris will join round five of the Supercars All Stars Eseries tonight as a wildcard entrant, becoming the second Formula One driver to do so after Max Verstappen filled the slot for round two in April. The 20-year-old McLaren F1 team driver will compete across three races at the computer-generated version of real-life F1 circuit, Belgium’s Circuit de Spar-Francorchamps – more commonly referred to as ‘Spa’.

2020 Mini Electric price and specs revealed for Australia

Mini has announced pricing and specs for the launch edition of its first-ever all-electric model, the Mini Electric, revealing it will arrive in Australia in August this year. The German-owned British marque has said the three-door hatchback will have a national drive-away price of $59,900, or a recommended list price of $54,800 plus on-road costs, when it lands in Australian showrooms.

Project Cars: 1971 Land Rover Series IIA

My first 4WD, which my brother, father and I fetched from Cooma for $2500. We bought it because at the time, it was my dream car. And in many ways, it still is. It’s quite original and weather-beaten, and served as my first 4X4 for about five years, doing lots of camping, off-roading and road trips during that time.

Hybrid sales went through the roof in April 2020

Sales of petrol-electric hybrid vehicles skyrocketed in April 2020, even though it was the weakest month in 26 years and the sharpest decline since records began in 1991. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid appears to have been the driving force behind the unprecedented growth rate of all hybrid vehicles by 64.1 per cent (from 1711 to 2809) in April 2020 versus the same month last year.

2021 Genesis G70 facelift caught on camera

The Genesis G70 has only been on sale in Australia for 12 months – via one dealership, in Sydney, for now – however Hyundai’s luxury division is already working on a facelift. An updated version of the Genesis G70 is due in local showrooms either late this year or early next – about midway through the car’s five-year model cycle.

Lamborghini RAV4? Ferrari Prius? Toyotas transformed into Italian look-a-likes

They say imitation is the ultimate form of flattery, though we're not sure what Italian supercar makers Ferrari and Lamborghini would make of this lot. Japanese bodykit company Albermo has transformed the new Toyota RAV4 into a pretend Lamborghini Urus, and the current generation Toyota Prius into a Ferrari of some kind. The ‘XR51’ bodykit (shown above) fits a Lamborghini Urus SUV inspired front bumper onto the current fifth generation Toyota RAV4.

Subaru begins contactless car pick up and drop off amid COVID-19

Subaru Australia has announced it will offer home delivery of vehicles for new-car buyers, and contactless pick up and drop off for its service customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subaru’s offer extends to all cars undergoing routine servicing, and all new-car buyers regardless of whether the car was purchased online or in a showroom.

2020 Audi A5 Sportback review: 45 TFSI quattro

Audi is adept at creating cars to suit all tastes, even within single segments. Want a sedan? There’s the A4. The practicality of a wagon? A4 Avant. Something a little sportier? Slide your butt into an A5 coupe. Or, if you want to combine the swooping sportiness of a coupe with the (almost) practicality of a sedan, then there’s this, the Audi A5 Sportback.

General Motors Holden responds to threats of legal action

US car giant General Motors has hit back at claims its compensation offer to Holden dealers over the shutdown of the brand is unfair – and says accusations of unconscionable and misleading conduct are “baseless”, “plainly wrong”, and “unsupported by fact or law”. Holden dealers were initially offered by General Motors compensation equivalent to $1500 per new car sold over a set period of time – in addition to funding for recent showroom upgrades and other associated costs.

Surprise winners in April 2020: not all car sales went backwards in record low month

Sales of US-style Ram pick-ups increased in April 2020 as the rest of the car market slammed the brakes due to coronavirus lockdowns. Industry analysts believe the Federal Government’s $150,000 instant asset write-off is behind the surge, which saw Ram pick-up sales increase by 14.1 per cent in April (from 156 to 178) in a market that was down by 48.5 per cent.

VFACTS: April new-car sales down by 48.5 per cent, sharpest decline since records were kept

April new-car sales fell to their lowest level in more than 30 years – and recorded the sharpest month-to-month decline since records were kept – as the nation went into lockdown amid the coronavirus crisis. However, the decline of 48.5 per cent – to 38,926 vehicles reported as sold versus 75,550 for the same month last year – was not as dramatic as most other countries, which posted sales slides of between 80 and 98 per cent.

2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo long-term review: Family friendliness

Design is important to us all. Whether it lives primarily in your subconscious, or your conscious for that matter, we’re all somewhat making decisions with aesthetics as part of the process. The weight, or balance of that point in your decision making, is part of what makes us individual.

Cash for clunkers: new calls to get old cars off the road

The car industry is preparing to lobby the Federal Government to introduce a “cash for clunkers” scheme to improve road safety and help the market recover from the longest sales slump since the Global Financial Crisis.

Car industry calls for extension to $150,000 instant asset write-off

The Australian Automotive Dealers Association has called on the Federal Government to extend the $150,000 instant asset write-off to businesses for another six to 12 months.

India sold zero cars in April, Italy down 98 per cent, France had 89 per cent decline

The coronavirus crisis slammed the brakes on new-car sales around the world in April, as many factories stopped production and showrooms in some countries were forced to close. Preliminary reports out of India showed zero new cars were delivered, while Italy experienced a 98 per cent decline and France reported an 89 per cent drop.

2020 Ford Puma ST teased

Ford has teased what appears to be a sporty ST version of its 2020 Puma compact SUV in a new video posted to its Twitter account. Ford’s video shows distinctly Puma lines with tell-tale features of the brand’s sportier ST variants, including ST badging, alloy wheels, and Recaro sports seats. The new #FordST is coming, but are you quick enough to find it?Piece the new ST together, and let us know tagging @forduk with #FordST pic.twitter.com/pAWuirgnC4

2020 Nissan Juke scores five-star safety

The 2021 Nissan Juke – the second generation of the small SUV – has earned a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) ahead of a mid 2020 showroom arrival. The Nissan Juke received a score of 83.25 per cent across adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection and safety assist tests. “The Nissan Juke is a good all-round safety performer,” an ANCAP spokesperson said in a statement.

Lamborghini resumes production, will unveil new model this week

Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has resumed production at its Sant’Agata Bolognese plant in Italy following COVID-19 lockdowns – and has announced it will unveil a new model later this week, on Thursday 7 May. Lamborghini restarted production after Italy’s prime minister said on 26 April that certain industries could resume work from May 4. “We are ready to restart with great energy, but also with strict protocols,” Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

Ford Ranger ute baby brother named Maverick – report

The Ford Ranger pick-up's smaller ute sibling in the US is expected to be called Maverick – the name of a Ford compact car sold in the US in the 1970s, and the badge given to the Ford version of the Nissan Patrol Y60 sold in Australia between 1988 and 1994. YouTube channel The Fast Lane Truck claims the above image of a tailgate reveals the Maverick name, with space for Ford's famous blue oval badge.

2021 BMW 4 Series review: Prototype test

Jos van As, BMW’s head of driving dynamics, is grasping an imaginary steering wheel as he enthusiastically details the character of the new 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe. “It’s more sporting in every way compared with the old model,” he says, rolling his wrists to mimic the action of steering it. “But we’ve managed to improve overall comfort as well.”