REVISIT: BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 Tyre review

As we move toward the end of the year, and a hope that travel restrictions will ease across the country, many readers have been asking about getting a vehicle prepared for a big trip away – so we felt it was a good time to review the build-up we did to a 70-Series Landcruiser dual cab. We're re-re-running the updates each Sunday during October, but we'll end with a brand-new instalment – next week.

News recap: best stories from the week that was ICYMI

You know you’re rich – or in an industry with, er, fast-moving cashflow – when you can torch a $400,000 Mercedes as a publicity stunt. We don’t know the full story, other than this Russian customer wasn’t entirely happy with his car. It’s real, and there’s video to prove it. We started watching it with our hands over our eyes once he started pouring petrol into and over the car.

Five new wagons you can buy for under $40,000 in Australia

The cliche goes that motoring journalists are only really satisfied behind the wheel of a station wagon with a manual transmission – and it’s not incorrect. At CarAdvice, our wagon-loving ways take many forms, but we can all agree on one thing: it is the superior body type. While we can bemoan the rise of the SUV until we (and you, dear readers) are blue in the face, it does mean the scarcity of the wagon on our roads just ups its cool factor even further.

2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid models gain larger batteries, increased range

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid have received upgraded electric power systems for the new year, ahead of an Australian arrival in the first quarter of 2021. Battery capacities in the plug-in Cayennes – in both ‘wagon’ and Coupe body styles – have increased from 14.1kWh to 17.9kWh for MY21 – matching the recently-revealed Audi Q8 TFSI e, which shares its ‘MLB evo’ platform with the Porsche twins.

Holden Torana SL/R 5000 A9X with low mileage sells for $425,000

An original 1977 Holden Torana SL/R 5000 has sold for $425,000, thanks to its low mileage and rare options list. What makes this particular Holden so desirable is its rare A9X package, which was introduced as a way for the car company to fit more competitive performance parts to their racing cars, which had to be based on their road-going version. This particular Tuxedo Black sedan has less than 30,000 kilometres on the clock, and was held onto by the last owner for 28 years.

Jeep partners with Empty Esky to support bushfire-affected communities

A new website has been launched by not-for-profit organisation Empty Esky, with the idea of supporting bushfire-affected communities. The new website – created with the financial help of Jeep Australia – provides pre-made itineraries for those wanting to take a road trip to regional areas, ranging from single day trips from capital cities to three day driving holidays.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S580e plug-in hybrid review

Not since the very first Mercedes-Benz-branded models started rolling from the production line in 1926, has Mercedes-Benz attempted to produce something approaching the engineering complexity and sheer technical ambition of the new S-Class. A car that is destined to be produced exclusively in four-door saloon guise, following a decision to not replace the existing coupe and cabriolet models.

General Motors offers ‘in-flight movies’ for cars with WarnerMedia RIDE streaming service

Cross country road trips in the US have been upgraded to Business Class with the announcement of a collaboration between General Motors, WarnerMedia and telecommunications provider AT&T. The service, called WarnerMedia Ride, allows owners of GM-brand vehicles (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac) to stream on-demand entertainment via the car’s WiFi hotspot and an unlimited-data AT&T 4G plan.

2021 Volkswagen Golf R snapped without disguise – UPDATE: teased, again

UPDATE, October 31: The 2021 Volkswagen Golf R has been teased once again, this time with the previously spied R badge – a new design, although revealed already with recent R and R-Line models – displayed in its new home beneath the VW roundel. As noted below, the new Golf R will be revealed on November 4, so watch for all details to be revealed next week. UPDATE, September 17: The 2021 Volkswagen Golf R has been teased ahead of the model's unveiling on November 4, 2020.

Cars you didn’t know you want: Fiat Dino Spider

Ferrari had a problem. It wanted to go Formula 2 racing in the 1960s but it needed to homologate its 2.0-litre engine for competition, and that meant at least 500 had to be built and used in road-going cars. As a maker of low-volume sports cars, that was never going to happen. Yes, Ferrari tried with the Dino 206GT, powered by its new 2.0-litre V6, but its small production numbers (just 152 were made between 1967-69) were never going to trouble the homologation bean counters.

Aussie young gun tests Renault F1 car

Australian Formula One hopeful, Oscar Piastri, has had his first taste of an F1 car, clocking up just under 500km behind the wheel of a Renault R.S. 18 at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain. The 19-year-old was given the opportunity to test the Renault F1 car following his stunning victory in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. Piastri admitted to being nervous before getting behind the wheel of the 2018-spec F1 car.

Jurassic Park tribute Ford Explorer for sale. No expense spared.

On the fancy-dressiest day of the year, it seems fitting to draw attention to a 1993 Ford Explorer which has been modified as a tribute to the ill-fated ‘wild life tour’ vehicles from the 1993 film, Jurassic Park. What’s more, the customised Explorer is for sale on US time-erasing window-shopping auction portal, Bring a Trailer.

Spec Shootout, Halloween Edition: Christine v The Car

For a little bit of Halloween fun this year, we thought we would compare two of cinema’s finest four-wheeled villains and discover once and for all which murderous machine is the greater of two evils. John Carpenter’s imagining of Stephen King’s Christine fights to the gruesome death against George Barris’ custom B-grade nemesis, The Car – in our first-ever Spooktacular Halloween Special Scare-parison.

Around the tracks: A rogue Mini accidentally wanders onto a race track

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? We've all taken a wrong turn in our driving careers, ending up on a multi-lane freeway or a tiny one-way street.

Gallery: the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is the latest, fast SUV from Germany

Mercedes-AMG has widened its product range, introducing a lower-powered, more affordable tier of performance vehicle. This move has brought changes the trio of new A-Class, CLA-Class and GLA-Class products, with the introduction of new '35' AMG versions. These lower-powered performance models have become the new entry point, sitting beneath the more-powerful 45, and 45 S variants.

REVISIT: 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended: $740,000 Rolls makes its Australian debut

It's Halloween, and this is a GHOST! So, we couldn't resist a revisit. September 24: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has launched its new Ghost Extended in Australia. This lengthened-version comes off the back of the all-new Ghost's global reveal earlier in September.

Digital instrument clusters through the ages

The age of the gauge is over. Nowadays, screens are taking over. Most modern cars employ some of digital display to present vehicle data. Audi could be considered pioneers of this modern-day trend, having implemented one of the first, customisable fully-digital instrument clusters, in the third-generation Audi TT. They are not an entirely new thing, however. More complex iterations of this concept span back as far as the 1970s.

2020 Ram 1500 Warlock review

Few vehicles spawn such vitriolic response as the Ram 1500 in Australia. On one hand, there are fans of this big American that’s now available through more mainstream means, with its big engine, big comfort and big towing capacity. On the other hand, others cannot fathom why such a thing exists on the roads, with its big consumption, big footprint and big asking price.

Volvo recalls XC60 SUV with potential windshield wiper fault

Volvo Australia has issued a recall on 9388 examples of the XC60 SUV, noting “the front windshield wiper arm nut was not tightened sufficiently during manufacturing”. The affected vehicles are Model Years 2018-2020, and were sold between 1 September 2017 and 27 August 27 2020.

Toyota says market recovery is being held back by stock shortages, predicts 2020 will hit 17-year low

Market leader Toyota says new-car sales are recovering quicker than the industry had forecast during the grip of the coronavirus crisis – and dealers are taking orders for more cars than they can deliver, due to severe stock shortages. Analysis by Toyota – which has been market leader in Australia since 2003 – predicts the sales tally for 2020 will fall to its lowest level in 17 years.

What is diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue), and how does it work?

In efforts to keep diesel-fuelled engines on the right side of emissions laws, manufacturers are turning to more and more aggressive means of reducing the kind of bad stuff coming out of the tailpipe. And when things like exhaust gas recirculation and diesel particulate filters aren’t cutting the mustard, something called selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is employed.

2021 Mazda BT-50 price and specs: Single cab and Freestyle cab models join the range

The missing single cab and extra can variants of the 2021 Mazda BT-50 have been announced, with Mazda taking a strictly work-focussed approach to the new additions. While the dual cab BT-50 range comes in three distinct trim grades, the single cab and extra cab versions, which include rear-hinged doors for rear-cabin access (which Mazda calls Freestyle cab) will only be available in the entry-level XT grade.

2020 Toyota HiLux SR 4x2 Hi-Rider review

There’s absolutely no doubt that Australians love the Toyota HiLux, and while the 2020 Toyota HiLux SR 4x2 Hi-Rider might not be the most popular variant, the model range itself shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

The Ineos Grenadier is a new 4x4 the haters might love

Very few new 4x4 models and designs give that small niche of traditional 4WD enthusiasts something to not whinge about. Actually, when you really think about it, such 4WDers, zealots of traditional off-road ability, spurn anything new and technological with mistrust. Sometimes, even after that new technology has gone some distance to prove itself. It’s a small group, yes, but they are vocal. Historically, responses from the diehards have been like this:

Bugatti takes the wraps off 500km/h hypercar

Bugatti has released details of what it has been teasing for the past week, confirming the track-only Bugatti Bolide, a one-off concept hypercar capable of hitting 500km/h from standstill in around 20 seconds. Based on the road-going Bugatti Chiron and powered by the same W16 engine, the Bolide’s power unit has been uprated via the addition of four new turbochargers with more boost and which are claimed to have added 282kW over the outgoing turbos.

SSC Tuatara 508.7km/h speed record claims were "substantially incorrect"

Last week CarAdvice reported the SSC Tuatara had broken the production car land speed record in the Nevada desert with an average speed of 508.7km/h in two directions. Now, the legitimacy of that achievement has been cast into doubt. Based on the known distance between set points along Nevada’s Highway 160 – and the amount of time it took for the car to reach them – high-profile YouTuber Shmee150 estimated the Tuatara’s peak speed was no higher than 450km/h.

2021 Genesis G80 price and specs

The all-new 2021 Genesis G80 sedan is ready to roll into Australian showrooms with a pared back range, but a broader spread of options. Where the outgoing G80 offered four distinct variants, the new range comes in just one trim level, however now features a choice of two powertrains from Genesis.

Mitsuoka Buddy unveiled: Retro American styling for the Toyota RAV4

The Mitsuoka Buddy has emerged online, offering buyers the chance to own a modern vehicle with the retro styling of an American SUV. Based on the Toyota RAV4, Mitsuoka has transformed the vehicle into a classic American model from the 1980s, with a design vaguely reminiscent of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer or Suburban from the era.

Kia's LandCruiser rival could come with military credentials

Kia Australia has been pushing for a ladder-frame SUV and ute for our local market for some time now, with proper off-road capability to compete against the dominant Toyota LandCruiser. The obvious choice would be to use the Kia Mohave's ladder-frame chassis to develop such models. This idea was all but confirmed recently when The Korean Car Blog spotted a prototype out testing, using a raised Mohave chassis.

2020 Peugeot 2008 price and specs: More money for the small French SUV

Pricing and specification for the new Peugeot 2008 small SUV has been revealed today. The range now starts with the Peugeot 2008 Allure, priced from $34,990 before on road costs. The previous entry-level 2008 Active has now been discontinued. This sees the cheapest Peugeot 2008 rise by $10,500 when compared to the outgoing model. Comparing like-for-like however, the new 2008 Allure is still $5500 more expensive than before.

Battery Ram! Electric pick-up coming, says boss – report

A fully-electric version of the Ram 1500 pick-up is currently in development, it has been confirmed. Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) boss, Mike Manley, made the announcement during a conference call discussing third-quarter earnings, according to American newspaper Detroit Free Press. "I do see that there will be an electrified Ram pickup in the marketplace, and I would ask you just to stay tuned for a little while, and we’ll tell you exactly when that will be," Mr Manley said.

2020 Peugeot 2008 review

It's always better late than never. Peugeot has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and making an SUV was a tune that it took a while to learn. Its first in-house crack at something resembling an SUV was the first-generation Peugeot 2008. However, its wagon-esque styling, complete with hunchback roof line, meant it never struck a chord with Aussie SUV intenders. To provide some clout, the brand claims it sold only 2500 copies of its 2008 in Australia over a seven-year lifespan.

2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 review

The clever clogs in Affalterbach are on a roll at the moment, especially with this particular 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35. Its latest generation of product is gaining a new breadth of ability. No longer are they all the aggressive sledgehammers of yesteryear. I’m sure you’ll jump into anything wearing the three capital letters, now so synonymous with performance, and feel content. Even as far as family cars slash daily drivers go, they’re becoming more palatable at each product update.

Victorian automotive businesses you can support right now

Victoria's automotive industry has returned to work after months of lockdown, with businesses in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria once again permitted to operate at full capacity. And if you've been sitting on your hands waiting to get your car maintenance checklist ticked off, there's never been a better time.

The five oldest car models in history still in production

Some cars burst onto the world stage with much fanfare, only to flop on the showroom floor and be consigned to the automotive history books as a single-generation curio. Others, enjoy an average lifespan, morphing through several generations before fading away quietly. And then, there are these models, those that have evolved and endured over decades of production, moving from generation to generation to become automotive icons.

2021 Genesis GV70 revealed: Luxury medium-sized SUV bound for Australia

Emerging Korean luxury marque Genesis continues to grow its portfolio, with the medium-sized 2021 GV70 SUV revealed today after months of speculation. The GV70 will become the fifth model in the global Genesis lineup, along with the the bigger GV80 SUV and G70, G80 and G90 sedans. Likely to seat only five, the GV70 will compete with the likes of Mercedes's GLC, BMW's X3 and Audi's Q5.

2020 Ford Escape awarded five-star safety rating

The 2020 Ford Escape will hit showrooms next month, and buyers can now be assured the all-new SUV offers some of the highest levels of safety available. The independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) awarded the Escape a five-star safety rating off data provided by partner Euro NCAP, scoring favourably with adult occupant protection (92 per cent), child occupant protection (89 per cent), vulnerable road user protection (82 per cent), and safety assists (77 per cent).

2020 Nissan Qashqai Midnight price and specs: Special edition crosses to the dark side

A new special edition of the Nissan Qashqai joins the range, gaining a visual boost and some extra equipment to help it stand out from the pack. The Qashqai Midnight Edition joins the ranks of previous special editions like the N-Sport and N-Tec, in what’s fast becoming an annual tradition for Nissan.

Video: Best ute 2020 comparison: Isuzu D-Max v Mazda BT-50 v Toyota HiLux v Ford Ranger v Mitsubishi Triton v Nissan Navara v VW Amarok vs LDV T60 Trailrider

We test eight of Australia’s favourite utes in our annual mega test.

Million-dollar Toyota 2000GT begins restoration in Sydney

A very rare Toyota 2000GT sports car has begun its restoration journey, it has been revealed. Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia announced the 2000GT's restoration kicked-off at a workshop in Sydney in recent days. Only 351 examples of the Toyota 2000GT were made between 1967 and 1970 – with nine being delivered to Australian customers – making it one of the rarest vehicles to ever come from the Japanese car maker. And one of the most valuable.

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalled due to faulty headlight adjustment

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall on 291 examples of the C-Class, citing a potential fault with headlight adjustments. The affected vehicles are all Model Year 2018, and were sold between May 1 and August 30 of that year. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says “a deviation in the headlight adjustment may lead to a reduction or an enlargement of the illumination.

REVISIT: 2020 BMW 330i Touring review

March, 2020: It may not be the only wagon in the mid-size prestige segment, but could BMW’s 330i Touring be the best? Mid-range, mid-sized, yet anything but middle of the road, the 2020 BMW 330i Touring is both polished and practical. As the sole 3 Series wagon for the Australian range, it’s also likely to be a rare and treasured beast.

2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, B-Class, and CLA recalled

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall of 101 examples of its A-Class, B-Class, and CLA variants with Model Years from 2019 to 2020 (MY19-MY20) due to the potential for an oil leak to occur. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), states the oil leak could either ignite and cause a fire, or leak onto the roadway and cause an accident.

The Isuzu MU-X tech coming to the Isuzu D-Max

The 2021 Isuzu D-Max ute has only just gone on sale in Australia, but there are already some clear signs of the extra technology coming to next model update. The new-generation Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive wagon – which was unveiled in Thailand today ahead of its Australian showroom arrival this time next year – had a host of extra features likely to make it onto future editions of the Isuzu D-Max ute.

2021 Isuzu MU-X revealed, due in Australia next year

The covers have come off the 2021 Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive at a gala preview event in Thailand this afternoon, ahead of its Australian showroom arrival next year. As night follows day, the 2021 Isuzu MU-X four-wheel-drive wagon has been unveiled about 12 months after the new-generation Isuzu D-Max ute, with which it shares the majority of its underpinnings. While the new-generation Isuzu D-Max has just gone on sale in Australia, it was unveiled late last year in its homeland, Thailand.

2021 Jaguar E-Pace price and specs: Diesel dropped as range slimmed

The facelifted 2021 Jaguar E-Pace gets some impressive new technology, alongside a $1170 price increase at the bottom end. Externally, the compact Jaguar SUV now has a lower aperture, new grille, updated LED headlights, and a few subtle tweaks at the rear. Interior upgrades include a new Pivi Pro infotainment system and a 11.4-inch curved-glass touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Meanwhile, a cabin air ionisation system – with PM2.5 filtration – can be optioned.

The Australian states with the most – and fewest – electric car charging points

New South Wales is officially the state with the largest number of public electric car charging points in Australia – but it has room to improve if it's going to continue servicing the growing number of electric cars on its roads. A new study from insurance company Budget Direct has broken down the number of DC fast-charging and AC charging points in each state, ranking them based on how many sites there are per electric vehicles on the roads.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 review

Eastnor and Fiorano don’t have much in common, but they should be twin towns. Eastnor is a tiny village in the English county of Herefordshire, home of a scenic Victorian castle that was originally commissioned by a bloke with the unimprovable name of John Cocks.

Mercedes-Benz to increase stake in Aston Martin to 20 per cent

Mercedes-Benz will increase its stake in British sports car company Aston Martin Lagonda by up to 20 per cent over the next three years. In a statement issued by Mercedes-Benz, the German car giant said the move would provide Aston Martin with broader access to technology and powertrains.

Kids are nagging their parents to buy electric cars, research reveals

Environmentally conscious kids are influencing their parents’ car buying decisions, according to a new survey commissioned by Peugeot in the UK. The study revealed that over half of the children surveyed are urging their parents to be more environmentally aware, not only through general household recycling and reusing, but in pushing them towards buying an electrified vehicle.

2021 Porsche 911 Carrera Cross: High-riding 'Safari' imagined

A prototype Porsche 911 has been spied testing in Germany, but with one curious detail: raised suspension. Why a brand-new 911 sports car would even be fitted with high-riding suspension remains a mystery. At this stage there have been no industry whispers about such a variant. However, in the past few months we know Porsche has been testing a Taycan Cross Turismo, using a lifted body to combine the best aspects of a large luxury wagon with the clearance of an SUV.

Bugatti's newest hypercar could be based on the all-electric Rimac Concept One

Bugatti’s upcoming hypercar may be a reskinned variant of the all-electric Rimac Concept One, according to a new online clue. The Bugatti website last week teased obscured images of the new model’s X-shaped tail-lights, but these have now been replaced with the cryptic text “0,67.” Analysis of the Rimac website suggests the 2014 Concept One (shown below) weighs 1850kg, and produces 913kW from its four electric motors.

Kia boss to electrify brand with relaunch – report

Kia CEO Ho-Sung Song is preparing to relaunch the company as it begins rolling out a range of electrified cars. In an interview with Automotive News, Mr Song revealed the Korean car company would align itself with a younger customer base as it transitions away from traditional combustion powertrains. It's expected Kia will announce its future product plans in more detail, as well as unveiling a brand-new logo.

2020 Mazda CX-30 long-term review: Family friendliness

As an overall happy owner of a 2017 Mazda 6 GT wagon – in black, on the big shadow grey 19s because aw yeah – I'm more than a little glad to see that my few gripes have been addressed in the company's newer models and facelifts. Gone are the ugly infotainment graphics with its early-2000s design student metal-and-glass look – replaced by a premium and minimalist look with a faster processor and a bigger screen (depending on the model, sure).

2021 GMC Hummer EV sold out in 10 minutes

The all-electric 2021 GMC Hummer EV reportedly sold out within 10 minutes of last week’s high-profile reveal. Priced from US$112,595 (approximately AU$160,000), 'thousands of examples' of the Edition 1 pick-up were secured with a deposit of US$100 (AU$140). Currently only available in the American market, the Hummer EV will eventually be offered in dual-cab pick-up and SUV configurations. Factory production will commence in 2021, at the manufacturer's ZERO plant in Detroit.

Here’s what to expect from Melbourne car dealers post-lockdown

After months of lockdowns and on-site closures, Victoria’s automotive industry has finally been permitted to return to work – hopefully heralding a resurgence for hundreds of businesses left sidelined by the coronavirus. One of the many groups elated over Premier Daniel Andrews' reopening announcement were car dealers, some of whom have been prevented from conducting on-site vehicle viewings, test drives or even office work for up to 112 days.

$400,000 Mercedes-AMG burned to the ground in apparent online protest

A disgruntled Russian YouTube star has used the video streaming platform to stage a dramatic protest against Mercedes-Benz. Mikhail Litvin doused his luxury Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S four-door in petrol before setting it alight and watching it go up in flames, totally destroying the car which, in Australia, starts from $358,735 plus on-road costs. Litvin’s staged the protest after his car has reportedly suffered from a litany of problems which he claims his local Mercedes dealer refused to fix.

2021 Toyota Yaris Cross $26,990 to $37,990 plus on-road costs

The Toyota Yaris Cross – the Japanese brand’s first pint-size SUV – will cost big bucks when it arrives in local showrooms from next month. Pricing announced today confirms the Toyota Yaris Cross will be available with a choice of petrol or hybrid power, in two-wheel-drive and electric all-wheel-drive.

Fiat-Chrysler and Peugeot-Citroën groups set for European approval – report

A high-profile merger between FCA (Fiat-Chrysler) and PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) is reportedly set for approval by the European Commission. News outlet Reuters reported earlier this week that sources close to the matter confirmed the approval was imminent. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the eventual conglomerate – to be known as Stellantis – will comprise Citroën, Chrysler, Peugeot, Fiat, Dodge, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, DS, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Ram, and Vauxhall.

Project Cars: 1988 Lada Niva - Update

Will you separate? Can you post? Do you have the 10mm washer that goes on the back side of the second-to-left bolt on the inside of the glovebox? A big component of the allure, and downright thrill, of owning a project car can be summed up in one simple word. Parts.

2021 Lotus Lambda SUV imagined

A brand-new 2021 Lotus Lambda SUV could be here before the end of the year. Earlier this month rumours indicated the British company – best known for producing lightweight sports cars – was preparing to unveil the Lambda after patent images surfaced online. These renders from Spanish publication motor.es via Kolesa provide a better glimpse of what we can expect with the Lotus Lambda.

2021 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe review

The past seven years have been kind to the BMW 4 Series. Introduced with a good deal of fanfare back in 2013, it has now recorded over 800,000 sales worldwide. Its success is spread across three models, including Coupe, Cabriolet and five-door Gran Coupe, as well as a range of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, which together have managed to provide it with wide appeal.

2021 Nissan Navara caught undisguised – UPDATE: Teased!

UPDATE: There is little left to be seen of the new-look 2021 Nissan Navara, thanks to the spy photos and leaked promotional images below – but once it has left the station, the teaser train must go on. An official teaser has appeared on Nissan Australia's social media profiles today, offering a shadowy look at the Navara's facelift, along with a short history lesson on the company's ute game.

Toyota offers 10-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on cars with faulty DPFs

Toyota Australia has doubled the warranty from five to 10 years on cars affected by faulty diesel-particulate filters (DPFs). Customers have experienced – and Toyota has acknowledged – repeated problems with the DPF system fitted to 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV and 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV diesel engines. This includes Toyota HiLux, LandCruiser Prado, and Fortuner dating back to 2015.

Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered likely for Australia

Australia is looking likely to receive the most powerful Peugeot ever built - the plug-in hybrid Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered (already dubbed 'Peugeot 508 PSE' by punters). At the launch of its all-new 2008 small SUV, Kate Gillis, general manager of Peugeot Citroen Australia, said that evaluation has so far been favourable, and that PSA Groupe were in support of launching the vehicle in Australia.

Every car leaving the Australian market in 2020

It's been a big year for automotive in 2020, with the exit of Holden, the cancellation of international motor shows and the 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.

2021 Volkswagen Touareg Wolfsburg price and specs: Limited-edition SUVs arrive

The 2021 Volkswagen Touareg Wolfsburg has been announced, with only 300 of the special SUVs on offer. Of those, 200 will be fitted with a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 producing 210kW and 600Nm – the high-output V6 engine offered in the Touareg range – and taking a claimed 6.5 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standstill, the same as the 190TDI, through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Hercules Alpha: The 750kW electric Nissan pick-up

A startup in the US says it is planning an electric pick-up for the American market. Hercules says its electric ute – named the Alpha – will be based on the Nissan Titan, a full-size pick-up only available in North America. Rather than developing a vehicle from scratch, Hercules plans to re-engineer the Titan into a fully-electric vehicle, claiming the vehicle will produce around 750kW from its four electric motors.

'Fast & Furious' movie franchise to end – report

News out of the US claims the 11th Fast & Furious film will be the very last in the long-running movie franchise. According to a report from Hollywood news website Deadline, Universal Pictures has tasked director Justin Lin with wrapping up the series, with a storyline expected to stretch across the final two films. The latest movie, F9: The Fast Saga, was expected to be released in early 2020, but was delayed a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Video: 2021 Hyundai i20 N shown on track

The 2021 Hyundai i20 N has been put through its paces on track, as captured in a new video put out by the Korean car company. Designed to fight against the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Ford Fiesta ST, the i20 N comes with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 150kW and 275Nm. Drive is through the front wheels via a six-speed manual and limited-slip differential. Earlier this month, CarAdvice was invited to test a prototype of the i20 N on track.

2020 Toyota LandCruiser 200 GXL review

While Toyota holds a dominant stranglehold over many segments of Australia’s new-car landscape, 4x4 sales show a particularly tight grip on the short’n’curlies. The LandCruiser Prado is a far-and-away winner when it comes to large 4WDs, and will look to continue that dominance with a recent update. But go up another segment, where the big, expensive and dated V8 diesel 200 Series LandCruiser lives, and boy, it’s as popular as ever.

Peugeot planning 'sustainable sales growth' in Australia through electrification

Peugeot, through its local distributor Inchcape, is looking to grow sales in Australia by way of a two-stage rollout of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. The first step is to launch the all-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid Peugeot 3008 SUV (below) halfway through 2021. This will likely be followed by an all-electric Peugeot 208 city hatch toward the end of 2022.

Victoria's automotive industry can now officially reopen

New car buyers in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria can now inspect their next vehicle purchase in person, after the state government announced automotive retail would be permitted to reopen after months of closures. From October 28, all automotive businesses will be allowed to re-commence on-site work, including new and used car dealerships, mechanics and service centres.

Audi reaffirms its commitment to all-wheel-drive in the electric-car era

German car maker Audi has reaffirmed its commitment to all-wheel-drive, even as it pivots with the rest of the car industry to electric power. As Audi celebrates the 40th anniversary of its all-wheel-drive “quattro” system, the company says it is well progressed with plans to evolve the technology and apply it to pure electric cars. Unlike mechanical all-wheel-drive systems – in which the front and rear drivelines are connected – electric cars power the front and rear wheels independently.

Victoria's coronavirus lockdown rules: Your car questions, answered – UPDATE

Victorians remain in the grips of ongoing coronavirus restrictions, relying on often-confusing weekly announcements from Premier Daniel Andrews to learn of the changes in both Metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Below, we've answered some commonly asked questions about Melbourne's latest coronavirus lockdown rules and how they pertain to drivers. If we've missed anything, let us know in the comments section.

Tesla disputes Chinese recall of almost 30,000 cars – report

Tesla has reportedly challenged a recall for almost 30,000 American-made Model X and Model S cars imported into China, disputing claims there is an issue with the vehicles' suspension and instead blaming the problem on "driver abuse". The recall, lodged with China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) by Tesla Motor's Beijing arm, apparently affects Model X and S cars produced between September 17, 2013 and January 15, 2018, and imported into China.

Takata seatbelt warning: Is the automotive world on the brink of another global recall crisis?

The automotive world could be on the brink of another global recall crisis. Takata, the same company responsible for producing potentially deadly airbags in more than 100 million cars, may have also lied about the strength and safety of its seatbelts.

2021 BMW M4 Competition x Kith: Special edition with lifestyle brand

The 2021 BMW M4 was only recently revealed, but a special edition has already been announced. The German car company has collaborated with New York lifestyle brand Kith to create the BMW M4 Competition x Kith, which will be limited to just 150 examples worldwide. The M4 has mainly cosmetic upgrades, featuring merged BMW and Kith logos throughout the vehicle, as well as BMW M tri-colour front seats with embossed Kith lettering and an illuminated badge.

2021 Fiat 500e 3+1 revealed with a tiny rear passenger door

The Hyundai Veloster will soon no longer be the only asymmetrical ‘three-door’ car on sale, with the unveiling of the 2021 Fiat 500e 3+1. Based on the reborn, all-electric Fiat 500e hatch unveiled earlier this year, the 3+1 adds a small, rear-hinged door on the passenger side, to allow easier entry into the rear seats.

Peugeot auctions rare cars – UPDATE: Sold! How did they go?

UPDATE, October 22: The results are in. The whole auction lot sold for €1,118,000 (AU$1,856,752). What did our picks fetch? Peugeot 504 Coupe. Guide price: €11,000 - 14,000. SOLD €18,300. (AU$30,392) Peugeot 205 'Rallye'. Guide price: €11,000 - 14,000. SOLD €18,300. (AU$30,392) Peugeot 2008 'DKR16'. Guide price: €450,000 - 550,000 (AU$747,300 - $913,200). UNSOLD. Citroën Méhari. Guide price: €5,000 - 8,000. PULLED FROM AUCTION PRIOR.

2021 Audi RS E-Tron GT to get three electric motors and 520kW – report

The 2021 Audi RS E-Tron GT will use a tri-electric motor set up, reportedly boasting more than 520kW of power. Despite the E-Tron GT being based on the all-electric Porsche Taycan, it's believed the Audi will receive an additional electric motor and more power, according to a report from UK publication Auto Express.

2021 Mitsubishi Triton GSR review

The Mitsubishi Triton GSR is the new flagship of the brand’s ute range. Although the GSR badge was previously applied to a rally-bred, high-performance, turbocharged all-wheel-drive Lancer sedan in the 1990s, more recently it has been used on the Mitsubishi ASX to distinguish the top model grade of the brand’s small SUV. In the case of the Mitsubishi Triton, the GSR badge doesn’t bring any more power, torque or capability, but it does deliver a more sporty appearance.

New Zealand Prime Minister adds to her electric-car fleet

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Arden is poised to switch to electric power for her ministerial car, from a BMW 7 Series diesel to an Audi e-Tron.

US authorities urge caution over Tesla's latest autonomous tech

Tesla is poised to introduce a new level of autonomous driving technology in the US, however authorities say they stand ready “to protect the public against safety risks”. The Reuters news agency has reported Tesla released an early test version of what it refers to as “full self driving” software to an “undisclosed number of expert, careful drivers”. Tesla owners responded by posting videos taken by them while experimenting with earlier versions of the company’s autonomous technology.

New Cars: 2020 New Car Calendar, the October update

Australia's new car market, it is fair to say, did not have a stellar year in 2019. Month after month, sales were down, with consumer confidence low and dealers struggling with significant changes to finance regulations.

REVISIT: Buying and Modifying a Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series: Part 4

As we move toward the end of the year, and a hope that travel restrictions will ease across the country, many readers have been asking about getting a vehicle prepared for a big trip away – so we felt it was a good time to review the build-up we did to a 70-Series Landcruiser dual cab. We're re-re-running the updates each Sunday during October, but we'll end with a brand-new instalment – next week.

News recap: best news stories from the week that was ICYMI

An electric Hummer, the world’s fastest road car (unofficially), a new pint-size hot hatch from Hyundai, and Tesla price rises for its Supercharger power in Australia.These are just some of the top news stories from last week. Here's a quick recap, with links to the original stories so you can catch up in no time. General Motors is about to resurrect the Hummer brand name but not as a gas-guzzling V8 but a hulking heavy-duty four-wheel-drive with epic electric power.

Rolls-Royce professionally renders the design concepts of kids

Super-luxury brand Rolls-Royce has professionally rendered the dream cars of kids, as part of an international design competition. From 5000 submissions four winners were eventually selected, each in one of the following categories; technology, environment, fantasy and fun. Chenyang from China, aged 13, took the top prize in the technology category, with the Rolls-Royce Bluebird II. His streamlined design is powered by jet turbines, and is supposed to work on "land, water, and snow."

Access Denied: Australia loves a ute... but we don't get these

Australia loves a ute. In fact regional centres all around the country not only depend on them for day-to-day operations, but celebrate them in the finest style, with the hallowed ute muster. So, what happened to the ute? The mere mention of the word probably pops an image of a Commodore or Falcon load-lugger into your head. Maybe something a bit older, say a Kingswood or a Valiant.

Aftermarket BMW M3 and M4 grilles and bumper set for production

German aftermarket specialist, Prior Design, has taken the wraps off - via YouTube - its in-house redesigned front grille and bumper for the newly-released BMW M3 and M4 siblings. The M halo cars aroused much controversy when revealed to the public earlier this year, the large, vertical kidney grille dominating the front fascia and drawing criticism from car enthusiast and automotive media alike.

Mazda introduces newly-manufactured original parts for first generation MX-5

Owners of the original Mazda MX-5 (NA) will now find it easier to keep their iconic drop-tops in tip top condition with Mazda revealing it has started manufacturing new replacement parts for the 30-year-old roadster. The catch for Aussies, it’s limited to Europe and the UK for now. A total of 117 left-hand and 156 right-hand drive parts are being manufactured to original specification by Mazda, albeit using modern materials and technology.

2020 Porsche Macan GTS review

In nearly every test we’ve done recently that involved a Porsche car or SUV, we’ve come to realise that adding a GTS badge to the tail moves that variant right to the head of the class, and it seems that rings true with the 2020 Porsche Macan GTS.

Video: 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible review

From the moment we first saw it, there was no doubt that the Lexus LC500 was a beautifully styled sports coupe, and as you tend to do when you see a beautiful coupe, thoughts drift to what it might look like with the roof removed from the equation. Or more accurately, a roof that can be removed from the equation when the mood takes you.

2020 Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior long-term review: Towing

This month, we hitched up the CarAdvice trailer and hit the road in our 2020 Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior long-termer – with a slightly different (though still related) ute in tow.

2021 McLaren Elva shown off in Lando Norris test drive

The 2021 McLaren Elva – set to be the newest addition to the British-manufacturer’s Ultimate Series – has been test driven at Silverstone by 20-year-old F1 driver Lando Norris. This represents the best look yet at the upcoming roadster in action. Inspired by founder Bruce McLaren’s M1A, M1B and M1C race cars of the 1960’s, the the £1.4 million (AU$2.5 million) Elva is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 599kW and 880Nm.

Video: 2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan first drive review

There’s more to the strategy behind the 2021 Hyundai i30 sedan than simply a name change from the outgoing Elantra. It needs to be remembered, too, that the Elantra was a solid car in a segment that has waned a little of late, but shows signs of gaining momentum over the next few years.

Gallery: 2021 Hyundai i20 N in all its pocket rocket glory

The pocket rocket category was far from overflowing this year, and 2021 won't exactly offer more options than the average hot-hatch fan could stomach having to choose from – but at least there's now one more. Revealed this past week, the i20 N is a proper full-bottle N offering – only the second, after the i30 versions (or third if you want to count body shapes in the mix).

Australian driver Oscar Piastri to test with Renault Formula One team

Only a month after winning the Formula Three championship, Australian racing car driver Oscar Piastri has been invited to test in a Renault Formula One car. The 19-year-old will be one of only three F3 drivers to invited to show off their talents in Renault's 2018 Formula One car later this month at the Bahrain International Circuit. "It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to drive an F1 car, so I am very grateful to the team for the opportunity," Piastri said.

Around the tracks: Asking owners of expensive cars how they afford them

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 Mercedes-AMG A35 sedan review

When AMGs account for a healthy percentage of Mercedes-Benz sales, you can’t blame the German brand for capitalising with more performance variants. So, following on from the ‘43’ and ‘53’ badges introduced below the full-fat AMG 63 models in Mercedes’s medium and large model ranges, 2019 saw the freshly founded ‘35’ number applied to compact models below the fully fledged ‘45’ AMGs. At least, they do in the case of the A-Class hatch and GLA compact SUV.

Video: Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA put through its paces by Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi

Alfa Romeo's wild Giulia GTA and GTAm monster sedans have been put to the track test by F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, at the famous Balocco Proving Ground – home to Alfa Romeo sports car testing since the 1960s. Although partly a valuable promotional opportunity, inviting the brand's motorsport representatives to test the new hero Giulias is an important part of the development process.

Video: 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250e PHEV review

Plug-in hybrids don’t often get the respect they deserve – despite making sense for a large cross-section of the driving public – but after a few days with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250e, it’s hard to work out why PHEVs don’t get a bit more love.

Revealed: the damning report on Toyota diesel particular filters

Legal representatives for car giant Toyota – and the law firm that commenced a Class Action over diesel particular filter faults on approximately 250,000 HiLux, Prado and Fortuner models – went head-to-head today in an online Federal Court hearing. At the centre of the dispute is the excessive white smoke caused by certain Toyota models equipped with the 2.8-litre engine (and some equipped with the smaller, 2.4-litre) when it is doing a “burn off” of the diesel particular filter.

First allocation of VW Amarok W580 almost gone

An orderly queue is starting to form for the Volkswagen Amarok W580 special edition. The locally-developed model – a partnership with Volkswagen Australia and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, formerly the parent company of Holden Special Vehicles – is due in local showrooms from April 2021.

Tesla discreetly raises price of Supercharging by almost 25 per cent in Australia

Electric-car specialist Tesla has discreetly raised the cost of Supercharger usage by almost 25 per cent in Australia this month. Tesla Model 3 owner Wan told CarAdvice yesterday that – without notice – the per kW pricing increased from $0.42 to $0.52 sometime between his last two charges. “That’s a lot more expensive. I hadn’t realised they’d done that,” he noted.

Is the Australian motor show making a comeback?

Australian car buyers will once again have an opportunity to look at and sit in a wide range of new four-wheel drives, as automotive companies begin taking a more active role in 4WD shows around the country.

Is the Australian motor show making a comeback?

Australian car buyers will once again have an opportunity to look at and sit in a wide range of new four-wheel drives, as automotive companies begin taking a more active role in 4WD shows around the country.

Remember these cars? Well, you can still buy 'em new

Yes, we can still confirm the Mitsubishi Lancer is no longer on sale (but we like to double-check every now and then). But there are still plenty of models lingering around among all the new or relatively fresh metal in showrooms – vehicles that most people had forgotten were actually still available.

These are the world's 15 most valuable car brands

The world's most valuable car brands have been revealed for 2020, with a small number of brands managing to improve their rankings despite a difficult year for the industry. With its annual Best Global Brands survey, marketing agency Interbrand ranks brands based on their overall valuation, which takes into account things like "financial performance of the branded products or services, the role the brand plays in purchase decisions, and the brand’s competitive strength".

Honda NSX departs Australia, but an NSX-based SUV could be coming

The Honda NSX has been retired from the Australian line-up, the company has confirmed. According to VFACTS data, only nine examples of the $420,000 Honda coupe have sold since the car was released in 2016 – and none in 2020 – prompting the NSX to be removed from sale. Honda Australia confirmed the decision, telling CarAdvice new orders for the model can no longer be placed. The NSX does remain on sale in other markets such as the US and UK.

2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan review

There’s more to the strategy behind the 2021 Hyundai i30 sedan than simply a name change from the outgoing Elantra. It needs to be remembered, too, that the Elantra was a solid car in a segment that has waned a little of late, but shows signs of gaining momentum over the next few years. The small-car class might not go back to where it once was in this country, but the product offering – across all major brands, it has to be said – is better than it’s ever been.

Promotional Ford Mustang to be auctioned for charity

Shannons are auctioning a Ford Mustang that was once used for Supercar Championship promotional duties. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Camp Quality, a children's charity that supports kids aged 0-13 with cancer. The 'Velocity Blue' V8 manual example was originally used by Ford Australia as a media evaluation vehicle. It was factory-specified with 19-inch forged aluminium wheels, adaptive suspension and Recaro seats.

What would change if Australia made the move to left-hand drive? Probably not the cars you'd get, or the price you pay

As a right-hand-drive market, Australia is in the minority. That much is pretty well known. RHD cars aren’t an obscure rarity in the global market by any means, with over 60 countries currently using this format. Certainly, there are more LHD markets (over 140) and as a result more LHD production volume, around 75 per cent globally.

2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible review

From the moment we first saw it, there was no doubt that the Lexus LC500 was a beautifully styled sports coupe, and as you tend to do when you see a beautiful coupe, thoughts drift to what it might look like with the roof removed from the equation. Or more accurately, a roof that can be removed from the equation when the mood takes you.

2021 Mercedes-Benz A250e PHEV review

Plug-in hybrids don’t often get the respect they deserve – despite making sense for a large cross-section of the driving public – but after a few days with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250e, it’s hard to work out why PHEVs don’t get a bit more love.

Autonomous safety feature could soon be compulsory on all new cars

Manufacturers may soon be required to include an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system as standard on all new cars sold in Australia, under a recent Federal Government proposal to reduce road trauma caused by light vehicles. In a Regulation Impact Statement issued in October 2020, the Government proposed introducing a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) mandating car-to-car and pedestrian-detecting AEB systems on all new-generation models from July 2022, and on all new cars from July 2024.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 to cost from $83,365 plus on-roads, auto and manual

Australian pricing for the Ford Mustang Mach 1 has been confirmed before the limited edition arrives in local showrooms early next year. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will start from $83,365 plus on-road costs. Just 700 will be imported from the US.

2021 Mazda MX-30 EV primed for local release, government docs reveal

The 2021 Mazda MX-30 is all but confirmed for Australia, after documents revealed the model has been approved by the Federal Government's car certification body. The Road Vehicle Certification System (RVCS) website published a letter dated 19 October 2020, stating Mazda's application for the MX-30 had received the green light. While the small SUV has not yet been announced locally, gaining approval from RVCS is one of the many steps manufacturers must take prior to launching a new model.

Toyota Corolla plug-in hybrid in development – report

Toyota may be developing a plug-in hybrid Corolla, according to a report from Japanese auto website Best Car Web. Unlike Toyota's popular Corolla Hybrid currently available in the line-up, a plug-in hybrid would allow the vehicle to be driven entirely on battery power for a typical commute.

Five reasons why the GR Yaris is the most eagerly awaited sports car of 2020

Here at CarAdvice, we’re all keen to drive Toyota's new performance hero, the GR Yaris. The obvious signs are there: a solid power to weight ratio, all-wheel drive, and unique bodywork. However, there’s more going on under the skin, and at head office in Japan, which are making it worth the wait. One never mentions chassis origins when discussing hot hatches. After all, commonality is a big proponent of their affordability, so we’re told.

Bugatti teases radical new model

Bugatti is teasing an upcoming model, expected to launch later this month. An image – appearing to show radical X-shaped rear taillights – is accompanied on the brand's website with the caption “what if…?” The images comes seemingly out of the blue, as, just last month, Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann told media outlet Bloomberg the company had halted all product development for 2020.

Video: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS long-termer introduction

The GLS is the car that Mercedes-Benz refer to as the S-Class of SUVs. It's a pretty bold statement and carries a lot of responsibility, so is the big guy up to the task? Well, we've got one, and this GLS 450 is ours for the next few months so we can find out.

2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder review

Any sentence with the words Lamborghini and Huracan in it gets people interested. Add the word Evo and the letters RWD to the sentence, though, and things really start to heat up. Here it is, then, in all its sharp-edged glory – the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder.

Video: Best ute 2020 comparison: Isuzu D-Max v Mazda BT-50 v Toyota HiLux v Ford Ranger v Mitsubishi Triton v Nissan Navara v VW Amarok vs LDV T60 Trailrider

We test eight of Australia’s favourite utes in our annual mega test.

2021 Mazda BT-50 scores five stars for safety, loses points for pedestrian protection

The Mazda BT-50 has been awarded a five-star safety rating, making it one of the safest utes on sale in Australia alongside its twin under the skin, the Isuzu D-Max. However, testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – which compares crash safety, collision avoidance technology, and likely injuries to pedestrians and cyclists – found the Mazda BT-50’s bold nose marked it down slightly compared to the Isuzu D-Max.

2020 Ford Escape launches virtual test drive program

The all-new 2020 Ford Escape – which ­is set to arrive in Australian showrooms next month – will be available for virtual 'test drives'. Ford has also introduced drive-away pricing deals ahead of the model's launch. With many local businesses still operating under COVID-19 restrictions, creative solutions have been necessary to keep customers safe.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 long-term review: Introduction

The boss. The top dog. The grand poobah. The big enchilada. When it comes to being the king of the hill in the premium SUV stakes, nothing comes close to a big Mercedes. Or in the case of our 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 long-termer, the ‘biggest’ Mercedes. Like a rolling solar eclipse, at 5219mm long by 2030mm wide, the GLS casts a shadow larger than the BMW X7 (5151mm x 2000mm), the Audi Q7 (5063mm x 1970mm), and the Land Rover Discovery (4970mm x 2073mm).

2021 Subaru XV price and specs: Prices rise on mid-life update

The 2021 Subaru XV has received its mid-life update, getting a mild facelift and some new driving tech, together with some new variants. But while Subaru has raised prices for the entry-level XV 2.0i AWD by $450 to $29,690 before on-road costs, higher grades have seen prices increase up to $1170. The Subaru XV 2.0 Hybrid has now been split across two models: the Hybrid L AWD ($90 cheaper than the outgoing Hybrid model) and the range-topping Hybrid S AWD at $40,790 plus on-road costs.

2021 Volkswagen Caddy launches in Europe, expected here soon

The 2021 Volkswagen Caddy has been officially launched in Germany, with the all-new van and people mover expected to land in Australia next year. The new Caddy is based on Volkswagen's latest MQB architecture, which also underpins the new 2021 Golf.

2021 Hummer EV launch: Watch it live here

GMC's much-awaited all-electric Hummer – set to rival the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford Electric F-150, and Rivian R1T – will launch at 11:00AEDT today. Watch it live here. Let us know what you think of the new Hummer in the comments below. MORE: Everything HummerMORE: Electric vehicle news

2021 Hyundai i20N revealed, due in Australia early next year

The 2021 Hyundai i20N covers have come off ahead of its Australian showroom arrival in the first half of next year. Price is yet to be announced but early estimates position it between $30,000 and $35,000. Hyundai’s first pint-size hot hatch is a rival to the Ford Fiesta ST, VW Polo GTI and Suzuki Swift Sport, all of which fit into this price bracket.

Anthony Albanese pays tribute to Holden three years to the day after factory closure

Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has delivered a speech in parliament commemorating three years since the closure of Holden’s assembly line in Elizabeth, South Australia. Speaking in federal parliament yesterday – three years to the day after the last Australian-made car rolled down a mass-production line – Mr Albanese paid tribute to Holden’s Bathurst 1000 win on the weekend, and the demise of the once iconic brand.

It's officially the 'best time on record' to sell a used car, new data claims

There has never been a better time to sell a used car in Australia, with prices skyrocketing for the fifth consecutive month in September to sit almost 30 per cent higher than they were at the same time last year. According to the latest data from global economic research company Moody's Analytics, wholesale prices for used cars last month increased by another 3.8 per cent on August figures – or precisely 29.9 per cent higher than 2019 prices.

Five cool things about Maserati's MC20 supercar

Some cars, at first glance, take your breath away. Subjective, of course, but that was what I felt when I first saw the 2021 Maserati MC20 in the metal at the local reveal. It is, from every angle, a stunning-looking car, worthy of sitting alongside its compatriots from Maranello and Bologna.

Alpine could position itself as 'mini Ferrari', says Renault boss – report

Renault CEO Luca de Meo has suggested Alpine could be cultivated to become a "mini Ferrari". According to UK publication Auto Express, Italian-born de Meo said the Renault-owned Alpine brand could combine expertise from its Formula One team with "quasi-artisanal" work conducted at the Alpine factory to produce vehicles akin to those made by Ferrari.

1982 Holden Commodore VH SL/E V8 comes onto the market with substantial price tag

A 1982 Holden Commodore VH SL/E finished in “Tahitian Blue” has been listed in Sydney for $54,995. With 121,418km on the clock, the 38-year-old vehicle is accompanied by its original servicing and warranty handbook. Bought new from Melbourne’s Reg Hunt Holden dealership the year it was built, the vehicle is optioned with cruise control, air conditioning, central locking and a trip computer. MORE: Peter Brock's championship-winning 1980 Holden VB Commodore to be auctioned

2020 Range Rover Sport HST diesel review: Ingenium inline-six

The tail end of 2020 is a strange time to be launching a new diesel engine, especially in a car that is coming up for replacement within the next 18 months. But that’s what Land Rover is doing with a new six-cylinder version of its Ingenium diesel powerplant, one that is set to quickly spread across the JLR family but which we experienced in full-strength D350 guise in a Range Rover Sport driving in the cold and damp of an autumnal UK.

2020 Kia Stinger recalled with fuel pump fault

Kia has recalled 372 examples of the Stinger, citing a potential fault with the fuel pump's jet nozzle housing. The affected vehicles are designated MY2020, and all were sold between May and July of this year. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says “a plastic burr may remain after the moulding process of the fuel pump's jet nozzle housing, potentially blocking the nozzle".

2021 Genesis G70 revealed – UPDATE: Engines and safety specs confirmed

UPDATE, October 20: The most recent 2021 Genesis G70 updates for the Korean market have been announced and, while not every configuration will necessarily be available in Australia, this gives us the best insight yet into the new model.

You could win a 2021 Toyota LandCruiser Prado by entering this competition

As Australia heads into the summer holiday season, sales of all-purpose 4x4 vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado are soaring – and for good reason. But while others are shopping around for the perfect family utility vehicle, you could skip the queue by entering to win a brand new Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu without even setting foot in a dealership.

SSC Tuatara smashes through 500km/h barrier

American hypercar manufacturer SSC North America has obliterated the record for the world’s fastest production car, its SSC Tuatara recording an average speed of 508.73km/h over two runs on State Route 160 in Nevada on 10 October, 2020. The SSC Tuatara was driven by British Racing driver Oliver Webb on an 11km stretch of the highway, closed for the record attempt.

2021 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid price and specs: Line-up revamped

Porsche has overhauled the Panamera line-up for 2021, with two additional plug-in hybrid powertrains now available. The new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid variant represents the flagship offering, and produces 420kW from its 4.0-litre biturbo V8 petrol engine, and 100kW from an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This is enough to launch the vehicle from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 3.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 315km/h.

REVISIT: 2019 Hyundai Elantra Active review

Hmmm… When was the last time we reviewed the Hyundai Elantra Active? That would, in fact, be the review I wrote, not much more than six months ago. Happens a lot at CarAdvice, where we churn through so many new cars, it’s easy to forget what you reviewed and when.

NSW is getting an electric car manufacturing facility worth $700 million

There's a grand plan afoot to bring automotive manufacturing back to Australia, with the announcement of a new $700 million facility in New South Wales dedicated solely to the local production of electric cars. The facility will be owned and operated by Nexport, an electric bus company launched in 2018 that's currently working to assist the NSW government with its plans to electrify the state's 8000-strong public bus fleet.

2021 Hyundai i30 sedan safety “unrated”, could get four-star rating

The Hyundai i30 sedan is currently “unrated” for crash safety by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and may only earn four stars if tested locally. While the 2021 Hyundai i30 sedan meets or exceeds Australian Design Rule safety requirements, ANCAP has become the default benchmark for crash safety because it has more stringent criteria.

2021 BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition First Edition models confirmed locally

The 2021 BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition First Edition performance SUVs have been announced, with just two of the 250 build slots available for each model confirmed for the Australian market. The special-edition models – announced by BMW overnight – offer a number of interior and exterior styling options for buyers who want something a little bit special on the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition.

Hyundai i30 on track to be Australia’s top-selling car thanks to name change

A simple change to the badge on the boot lid could see the Hyundai i30 become Australia’s top-selling passenger car next year. While the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes remain clear market leaders overall, the battle for passenger car honours has traditionally been between former Number Ones the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. However, both the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 have been under siege by the Hyundai i30 and Kia Cerato.

2021 SsangYong Rexton facelift teased, leaked ahead of November debut

A new look for the 2021 SsangYong Rexton is on the way, with a crucial facelift not only teased this week – but also revealed through a leak on Instagram. The teaser images show a broad new chrome-heavy grille design for the Rexton, which – while not a particularly unique look – represents some of the most modern, Western styling the brand has attempted.

2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan price and specs: Elantra replacement arrives

The 2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan has arrived, offering safety and performance options to small sedan buyers. Replacing the Elantra, the new i30 Sedan is available in four variants: Active, Elite, N Line, and N Line Premium. Unlike its hatch sibling, the new Hyundai sedan misses out on a basic i30 (no badge) version.

2021 Jaguar XE price and specs: Jag's mid-sizer goes all-wheel drive

The 2021 Jaguar XE has arrived, with buyers now benefiting from all-wheel drive as standard, a mild-hybrid system and updated technologies. Jaguar has also announced a new XE R-Dynamic Black, with a drive-away price of $69,990. By comparison, the MY20 range launched last year with prices of $65,570 for the SE R-Dynamic and $71,490 for the HSE R-Dynamic – both excluding on-road costs, and neither equipped with all-wheel drive.

2019-2020 Volkswagen Crafter van recalled for faulty window fitment

Volkswagen Australia has issued a recall of 45 examples of its Crafter van with Model Years from 2019 to 2020 (MY19-MY20) due to a fault with window fitment. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says affected vehicles "could allow water into the vehicle and could even fall off the vehicle". Vehicles were sold between 1 July 2018 and 29 September 2020. Volkswagen is contacting owners to organise a repair, free of charge.

Video: 2021 Lotus Evija struts its stuff on track – UPDATE: Goodwood JPS livery!

UPDATE: a new video has been released for the 2021 Lotus Evija, showing Charlie Henry Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara – son of Lord March, Duke of Richmond and founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed – experiencing the Evija at Goodwood SpeedWeek. You can see the new video below. We've also added a new set of photos showing the Evija in a modernised tribute to the iconic JPS black and gold livery.

2020 Volkswagen Passat review: 140TSI Business Wagon

SUVs have put the conventional station wagon on the endangered-species list, so it’s pleasing to see a market return for the Volkswagen Passat wagon. The Passat range had been on an enforced sabbatical of about six months – owing to production delays as the German brand adjusted to life under new European emissions regulations.

2022 BMW i4 M spied: First images of the fully-electric M car

The 2022 BMW i4 M has been spied in heavy camouflage, giving us a first glimpse at the performance variant of the all-electric model. BMW's M version of the i4 distinguishes itself from the standard model in a few key ways: M mirrors, body kit, a wider rear wheel track, and the signature blue brake callipers of M cars. As revealed by CarAdvice in September 2020, BMW M CEO Markus Flasch confirmed the division's first fully-electric vehicle was currently in development.

Video: 2020 MG HS range review

A lot of you, our readers, have been asking questions about the new medium-sized SUV from MG, the HS. In particular, one question that stands out as common is, "which one do I go for?" So, today, we're here to answer exactly that. We have assembled all three of the regular trim levels, entry-level Vibe, mid-tier Excite and top-spec Essence, in order to answer the question. It's worth noting, MG is one of the few brands in our market that offers ongoing national drive-away pricing.

The legend of Ford's Mustang Mach 1

Mach 1. It screams fast and powerful. ‘Mach’ of course, is the measure of the speed of sound and ‘Mach 1’ is the sound barrier which, for those who like to know these things, is 1224.71km/h at sea level and with the ambient temperature at 20 degrees Celsius.

2020 Citroen C5 Aircross Shine review

Medium SUVs. It’s Australia’s most voluminous segment, and the most common take on the average family car these days. This neck of the woods, like so many others in our country, is utterly dominated by an offering from Toyota. The RAV4 accounts for one-quarter of over 100,000 mainstream medium-sized SUVs sold up to September in 2020. Completing the podium is Mazda’s CX-5 and Hyundai’s Tucson. Competition is strong, with many good offerings holding a decent slice of the pie.

Victoria's coronavirus lockdown rules: Your car questions, answered – UPDATE

Victorians remain in the grips of an ongoing lockdown, after Premier Daniel Andrews announced a roadmap to recovery and extended stage-four restrictions for residents of Metropolitan Melbourne, with more lenient restrictions for regional Victoria. Below, we've answered some commonly asked questions about Melbourne's latest coronavirus lockdown rules and how they pertain to drivers. If we've missed anything, let us know in the comments section.

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series to get GR treatment – report

The next-generation Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series due next year is reportedly going to be joined by a flagship GR version, similar to the Nissan Patrol V8 Warrior being developed in Australia. The unconfirmed report by Japanese website creative311.com sites unnamed sources and other media outlets, who claim Toyota is developing a new top-end model.

2021 Nissan Navara caught undisguised in latest images

The 2021 Nissan Navara has yet again been leaked without camouflage, this time revealing higher model grades for the upcoming ute. These images show a mid-range Navara and give us the best glimpse yet at the range-topping, sportier Navara Warrior variant – the company's Ford Ranger Raptor challenger. These are the first images of the Nissan ute that display its quad-LED headlights, which feature the brand's signature boomerang daytime-running lights.

Nissan’s new-model onslaught: 12 new models over three years

Nissan showrooms will be overflowing with new or updated models over the next few years, as it aims to freshen-up its ageing line-up. In addition to the just-released Nissan Juke city SUV and an updated Nissan Leaf electric car (now with more range), dealers have been told an updated Nissan Navara is due in local showrooms early 2021. A leaked dealer presentation has revealed the Japanese car maker plans its biggest roll-out of new models in recent memory.

Nissan Patrol V8 Warrior is go! Dealers told to expect flagship 4WD next year

Hardcore off-road fans may finally get the four-wheel-drive wagon they’ve been wishing for, with the locally-developed Nissan Patrol V8 Warrior scheduled to go on sale next year. While Nissan is yet to publicly confirm the vehicle has been signed off, dealers who participated in a confidential meeting about future model plans were shown a teaser image of what the Nissan Patrol V8 Warrior might look like.

Holden down to last 500 cars: discounts listed model by model

Holden has asked dealers to report all remaining new cars as sold by the end of this month, so it can clear the books before the brand is retired at the end of 2020. The car maker had asked dealers to report most of their stock as sold by the end of last month, but some late deliveries prompted an extension. It is unclear exactly how many cars are left in Holden’s skeleton showroom network, however numerous dealer sources estimate approximately 500 or fewer new vehicles remain for sale.

Ford Bronco is right-hand drive capable, says Ford engineer

Ford is yet to confirm that a right-hand drive Bronco will be coming, but a recent interview has confirmed that it's far from impossible, and could pave the way for an Australian-delivered Bronco in the future. News and forum website Ford Authority quotes Paul Wraith, Bronco and Bronco Sport chief designer, who said that a right-hand drive Bronco is definitely feasible, and not overly challenging from and engineering point of view.

Renault Mégane eVision concept launched in France, production model slated for 2022

Renault has unveiled the Mégane eVision concept, with a production variant slated for launch in 2022. Built on the all-new CMF-EV modular platform – which it shares with the similar-spec Nissan Ariya – power is sent to the front wheels via a 160kW electric motor. Voltage is drawn from a 60kWh lithium ion battery pack, which, according to the manufacturer, is structurally integrated into the chassis and helps absorb energy in the event of a side collision.

New Cars: 2020 New Car Calendar, the October update

Australia's new car market, it is fair to say, did not have a stellar year in 2019. Month after month, sales were down, with consumer confidence low and dealers struggling with significant changes to finance regulations.

2020 Nissan Juke ST-L review

The Nissan Juke is back to make a youthful presence in the compact SUV segment, and to breathe some new life into the Japanese brand’s ageing fleet. It's been seven years since the original Juke arrived in Australia with its cheeky, opinion-splitting styling. The replacement is clearly related, yet the second-generation model has also matured in both design and size.

Hyundai announces Euisun Chung will replace father as chairman

The Hyundai Motor Group has announced Euisun Chung will take over from his father as chairman of the board. In remarks delivered following his promotion, Mr Chung said the future direction of the brand would be focused on 'customers,' 'humanity,' and 'social contribution.' The 49-year-old – who is the grandson of company founder – studied at the University of San Francisco between 1993 and 1997.

News recap: best stories from the week that was ICYMI

Stories about people paying big money for older cars remain of keen interest, including $437,000 paid for a rare R34 Nissan GT-R, and speculation about how much a 1980 Holden Commodore raced by Peter Brock, and a Valiant Charger 'Big Tank' in original condition might fetch.

Interesting Japanese cars you can now import into Australia

The demise of the local car manufacturing industry has meant Australia's protectionist vehicle import laws have been relaxed in recent years. While the import regulations ensure new-car buyers can't side-step dealerships, there are now plenty of opportunities for those shopping for a second-hand car to secure themselves something a little more unique.

Fully-electric MG B Roadster set to go into production next year

British car restorer and converter, RBW EV Classic Cars, has unveiled its latest creation, turning a classic MG B Roadster into an electric car. Although still in prototype form, the plan is to build 30 examples with each priced at £90,000 (AU$164,000) plus applicable taxes. The RBW MG B comes standard with six lithium-ion batteries, although can be optioned with up to eight batteries to improve range.

Meet Luca, the electric car built from ocean waste

Students at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have built Luca – an electric car made almost entirely from recycled waste. Matthijs Van Wijk, who worked on the project as a media representative, told CarAdvice the year-and-a-half manufacturing process represented a significant feat of engineering.

REVISIT: Buying and Modifying a Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series: Part 3

As we move toward the end of the year, and a hope that travel restrictions will ease across the country, many readers have been asking about getting a vehicle prepared for a big trip away – so we felt it was a good time to review the build-up we did to a 70-Series Landcruiser dual cab. We're re-re-running the updates each Sunday during October, but we'll end with a brand-new instalment.

Skoda develops app that listens to your car’s problems

Skoda claims to have trialled a smartphone app capable of diagnosing vehicle faults through audio analysis. This – according to the Volkswagen-owned manufacturer – could potentially lead to cheaper, shorter, and more effective servicing in the future. The system works by recording noises made by the car during operation, and then comparing these with a stored bank of referential sound patterns.

Chevrolet Camaro to take on revamped Mustang in 2022 V8 Supercars season

The once classic Holden versus Ford battle is entering its next chapter, as Chevrolet steps into void with the Camaro joining the Supercars Championship grid for the 2022 season. The Chevrolet Camaro will face off against a new-look Ford Mustang, which will be adapted to suit a new 'Gen3' control chassis. Gen3 will "place a greater emphasis on retaining key dimensions between the race cars and the road vehicles they represent", according to the Supercars website.

Gallery: Dune bashing in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Right here is where I could insert a (unexpectedly alliterative) joke about which dirty big dune basher Darth Vader would terrorise Tatooine in before dashing to Dagobah. Or, considering we're talking about dunes, perhaps a joke on what the Duke of Caladan would tour the spice mines of Arrakis in...

2021 VW Golf R snapped without disguise, more power coming – UPDATE: teaser!

UPDATE, 17 September: The 2021 Volkswagen Golf R has been teased ahead of the model's unveiling on 4 November, 2020. The shadowy image of the Golf R was shared in a short video on American racing car driving Tanner Foust's Twitter account, though the video mostly showed Volkswagen's new T-Roc R SUV.

Around the tracks: A very 2020 licence plate and an extremely tiny garage

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 Hyundai Kona Highlander 2.0-litre review

Both the light and small SUV segments are advancing at a rate of knots in Australia. There's always something happening in either of these segments, be it a new product finally making it here, spec refinements to an existing model, or even the introduction of new trim levels to pad out the portfolio.

2021 Hyundai i30 hatch price and specs: More safety for more money

The 2021 Hyundai i30 hatchback has been announced, offering buyers increased safety with updated looks. But Hyundai isn't giving away the new safety tech, with the price of the entry-level i30 (no badge) – previously known as the i30 Go – increasing by $2980. The Hyundai i30 hatch now starts at $23,420 before on-road costs for the 120kW/203Nm 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine with a manual transmission. The automatic adds $2000 to the price.

2020 Tesla Model 3: Price drops by up to $7000, spec upgrade for Australian models

The price of the Tesla Model 3 has dropped substantially for the Australian market, in line with upgrades to the electric sedan's interior and exterior design and claimed electric range figures. The base Standard Range Plus model is now priced from $68,425 before on-road costs – representing a decrease of $7000 on previous pricing – while its quoted range has received a 30km boost, now extending to 490km on a single charge (according to the NEDC test).

Video: Suspected Toyota GRMN Yaris on the Nurburgring

Days after the first images appeared, a video has now emerged of what is suspected to be the new (even more) hardcore 2021 Toyota GRMN Yaris. Sporting an aero package with a large rear wing – reminiscent of its Yaris World Rally Car cousin – as well as vented front guards and more aggressive front spoiler, the prototype was seen testing alongside the recently-unveiled Toyota GR Yaris.

2021 Audi Q8 TFSIe Quattro: luxury plug-in hybrid SUV coupe announced

The 2021 Audi Q8 TFSIe Quattro has been unveiled, with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain fitted to the German manufacturer's big SUV coupe. The 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine is combined with a 100kW electric motor to deliver 280kW/600Nm in the Q8's 55 TFSIe specification, sending the Audi Q8 to 100km/h from a standstill in a claimed 5.8 seconds.

The debate about electric vehicles needs to shift from ‘range’ to ‘quality’

The thought first struck me recently while I was testing the Harley Davidson Livewire electric motorcycle. It’s easy to think, too, given how quiet it is. Then, it popped into my mind again while I was testing the 2021 Audi e-tron at the local launch drive.

Maserati confirms local pricing for MC20 supercar

Maserati has confirmed local pricing for its first supercar in 15 years, the Maserati MC20, set to go on sale next year locally from $438,000 plus on-road costs. But those wanting the mid-engined supercar will have to wait until 2022, Maserati confirming the entire Australian allocation for 2021 is already sold out.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series price and specs: Most powerful AMG is here

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series has been announced for the Australian market, and just 28 local buyers will have the chance to claim one. After years of speculation dating back to 2015, the GT Black Series is now upon us, and boasts the most powerful V8 engine to ever come from Mercedes-AMG.

2021 Audi RS Q8 price and specs

Australian pricing for the 2021 Audi RS Q8 performance SUV has been announced today, with the model slated for an arrival in October. The RS Q8 – a hotted-up version of the Q8 SUV – is priced from $208,500 plus on-road costs, representing a premium of $43,000 over the previously top-spec SQ8. For the extra cost, buyers get a 441kW/800Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance that can save up to 0.8L/100km of driving under the right conditions.

2021 HiLux gets the ARB 4X4 Accessories treatment

The second half of 2020 is proving to be a busy time for Australia's aftermarket 4X4 accessory industry, with an onslaught of new models and facelifts hitting showroom floors. The latest announcement comes from ARB 4X4 Accessories, and their range of gear for the face-lifted 2021 Toyota HiLux. ARB's range-topping Summit bullbar is imaged, equipped with an electric winch and ARB's latest-iteration Intesity Solis LED driving lights.

2021 Isuzu MU-X teased in video

The 2021 Isuzu MU-X has been teased in a short video ahead of its official unveiling later this month. The 15-second commercial, released on YouTube by Isuzu Thailand, shows glimpses of the upcoming MU-X with selective lighting. It does confirm the appearance of the new MU-X will resemble our own rendered version of the SUV, which was based on leaked patent images revealed in September (although we clearly guessed wrong at the LED signatures).

Subaru sets Guinness world record for charity

Subaru of America has broken the record for the largest parade of Subaru vehicles. The previous world record stood at 549 vehicles, set in 2015. This recent effort saw more than three times that number – 1751 Subarus in total – form a three kilometre parade in Costa Mesa, California, to reset the world record. The parade was hosted an a safer alternative to the annual 'Subiefest' festival, which is one of the largest gatherings of Subaru enthusiasts in North America.

2021 Audi RS Q8 review

The early four-wheel drives – big, ugly, clumsy yet effective beasts – were built for a serious task: primarily to traverse the outback and explore difficult slabs of the wide brown land. They were tough, unbreakable and durable. Be reminded that these hitherto unreachable tracts of Australian rocks and sand didn’t, and still don’t, include the toffy ’burbs of Point Piper, Peppermint Grove and Toorak.

'Brand-new' Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R hopes to set new record price

Japanese used vehicle specialist JDM Expo has listed a Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R for sale with just 362km on the odometer. It says the Nissan is in "brand-new condition" and claims the mileage is has been verified. What further adds to allure of this particular R34 Skyline GT-R is both its model and colour. The car is a V-Spec II Nür edition, which was one of two special versions created to signify the end of R34 Skyline GT-R production.

2021 LDV Deliver 9 price and specs: China's big van arrives

The 2021 LDV Deliver 9 has been revealed, undercutting the price of some of the biggest vans in the segment by up to $20,000. Pricing for the mid-wheelbase (MWB) Mid Roof starts at $42,095 drive-away for the manual, with the automatic costing $43,148 drive-away. LDV says it's going after the motorhome industry with the Deliver 9, offering a manual long-wheelbase (LWB) cab-chassis variant for $42,095 drive-away, or $44,726 drive-away for the auto.

Video: 2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580 revealed

There is a new addition to the Volkswagen Amarok TDV6 range, due in showrooms in April 2021.

2020 Mazda CX-30 long-term review: Technology

Our little automotive microcosm is an interesting place. As up until quite recently, the word technology was inexplicably linked to the word luxury. Want a surround-view camera? You’ll be needing some double-stitched Merino leather then. Adaptive cruise control? Only if your car has soft-close doors. Fancy a snazzy sound system? Here’s some quad-layer pearl-infused paint with a double-barrel name sourced from a Nordic fjord to go with it.

2020 Ford Transit models recalled due to suspension issue

Ford Australia has issued a recall of 344 examples of the 2020 Transit and Transit Custom van (MY20) due to the potential for a suspension arm joint to break. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says a fractured lower control arm joint may separate, resulting in the loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of an accident.

2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross revealed

The 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been announced, with a new design to accompany the model's mid-life update. The chassis on the new Eclipse Cross has been revised, with Mitsubishi fine-tuning the suspension and upgrading the rear shock absorbers, which it says improves handling characteristics. But the most noticeable change is to the exterior design, with a sharper look bringing the small SUV further into line with the Japanese brand's striking design language.

2021 Lexus IS price and specs: New-look sedan here from November

Australian pricing for the 2021 Lexus IS range has been announced today, revealing a more streamlined line-up – albeit with the addition of pre-defined 'Enhancement Pack' models to the range. Due in Lexus showrooms from November 6, the 2021 IS range kicks off from $61,500 (up $1500 on current MY20 Redbook-listed prices) and tops out at $78,100 before on-road costs.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 confirmed for Australia

The new 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is coming to Australia, as a limited run of 700 vehicles from next year. Price is yet to be announced but the Ford Mustang Mach 1 is expected to be close to or in excess of $80,000, versus $73,688 plus on-roads for the previous limited edition out of the US, the Ford Mustang Bullitt.

2021 KTM X-BOW GTX launched with radical 'jet fighter' canopy

The 2021 KTM X-BOW GTX has been officially launched, equipped with a 'jet fighter' canopy and hypercar-rivalling power-to-weight figures. The external aesthetic is defined by exposed carbon fibre panelling, a large front splitter, and a gooseneck-mounted rear spoiler. To reduce drag on the KTM, traditional wing mirrors are replaced with rear-view cameras projecting to internal display screens.

Toyota GR Yaris prototype hints at hotter-still GRMN version

There’s little question the 2020 Toyota GR Yaris is serious about cementing itself as a dedicated hot-hatch challenger, but does Toyota have even better things up its sleeve? This latest development prototype, spotted testing at the Nurburgring, suggests a flagship GRMN Yaris may be on the way. Within Toyota’s performance division there’s GR Sport models, largely devoted to handling and appearance but not performance upgrades, then the powerful GR hero models, like the GR Yaris and GR Supra.

2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport unveiled with 221kW

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport has been announced, delivering a significant power increase over the standard version. Taking the baton from the previous 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR – a model still available in Australia – the Clubsport is designed to be a more pointed iteration of the iconic Golf GTI, offering increased handling characteristics to match the extra performance.

2020 Jeep Gladiator receives three-star ANCAP safety rating

Australia's peak automotive safety body ANCAP has officially awarded the 2020 Jeep Gladiator a three-star safety rating, citing "lower than expected" levels of adult occupant and vulnerable road user protection as the reason for the score. Of the maximum five stars a car can receive, ANCAP issued the utility vehicle only three, based on 2019 testing of its SUV sibling, the Jeep Wrangler, as well as supplied technical evidence and in-house evaluation and modelling.

Nine announces brand relaunch for DRIVE

Nine has announced it will relaunch the Drive brand as part of a major strategic product rollout over the coming months, positioning Drive as the dominant consumer brand for its significant digital automotive offering. The new brand highlights Drive/CarAdvice’s unique position as a leader in the Australian new car space.

Chrysler Drifter SRT imagined as modern-day panel van

Panel vans were an icon of Australian culture in the 1970s, providing young people with the freedom and accommodation to escape a more conservative society. While Holden's Sandman is the most well-known, the Ford Sundowner and Chrysler Drifter were also a big part of surf culture at the time. Estonian designer Rain Prisk – known for creating two-door wagon models on his Instagram page – has rendered what he's named a Dodge Challenger Hearse.

Toyota Mirai hydrogen Popemobile gifted to the Vatican

A Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric car has been converted into a Popemobile, and gifted the Vatican. Delivered on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan, the Toyota is 5.1 meters long and 2.7 meters tall at the highest point. However – unlike some previous iterations of the iconic vehicle – this Popemobile is not armoured. Instead, the pope sits on an exposed rear-mounted platform and is illuminated by an overhead LED system.

2021 Audi RS 4 Avant wagon review (with a dash of RS 5)

In an urban world where conspicuous consumption and a “mine is bigger than yours” mentality is rampant, is there a place for a subtle alternative – a vehicle that modestly whispers its intent, and then over-delivers? In my quiet suburban Sydney street live three oversized and sinister Mercedes-AMG biturbo SUVS.

Hey Charger! 1972 Valiant Charger E49 ‘Big Tank’ for sale: $400,000

A 1972 Valiant Charger E49 ‘Big Tank’ has been listed for sale at close to $400,000. The $395,000 asking price isn’t a match for the record sums paid for Holden and Ford muscle cars, but it is one of the highest for a Valiant from the same era. Although not in immaculate condition, it is one of only a handful original examples remaining, say representatives for Australian Muscle Car Sales.

Lotus upgrades test facilities with multi-million-dollar Geely investment

Lotus is in the process of upgrading its Hethel headquarters and testing facilities, as part of a push to modernise the brand and develop its zero-emission line-up. The most prominent element of the multi-million-dollar investment is a new electric drive unit test cell. According to the Geely-owned manufacturer, this will allow engineers to test EV motors, gearboxes and supporting electronics under simulated real-world conditions.

Video: Watch the 2021 Isuzu D-Max's ANCAP crash test

Behind the scenes: new, tougher crash tests. READ: 2021 Isuzu D-Max the first ute to earn five-star safety against tougher criteria

2022 Volvo XC90 may be company's last petrol-powered model – report

The next-generation Volvo XC90 – which is expected to arrive in late 2021 or 2022 – may be the company's last to be powered by a traditional internal-combustion engine. In an interview with American publication Car and Driver, CEO of Volvo, Håkan Samuelsson, confirmed the third-generation XC90 would be offered with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain – though it may be the last model to do so.

REVISIT: 2018 Audi RS4 Avant review

Audi's new-look 2021 RS4 Avant touches down in Australia this week, so the time is right to look back on the outgoing form of one of the motoring world's favourite wagons. Read Rob's thoughts below, and watch for our 2021 Audi RS4 review to appear soon.

2022 Honda Civic Type R imagined

A subtler 2022 Honda Civic is coming, but the Type R looks set to stay wild. The next Civic hasn’t gone official just yet, but after patent renderings revealed most of the key visual details, there’s little left to ponder for the mainstream range. The 2022 Civic Type R, on the other hand, remains shrouded in mystery – or, at least, prototype camouflage.

Chinese BYD Tang electric SUV spotted in Sydney

A new electric SUV from Chinese brand BYD, dubbed the 'Tang', has been spotted in Sydney by CarAdvice. The car has an unregistered vehicle permit attached to the window, which suggests it has been previously driven on public roads. In May 2019, BYD announced it would bring its vehicles to Australia through a deal with local company Evant, however it is yet to make inroads.

This is the car colour people will want in 2021 and beyond, report finds

The standout car colour for 2021 will be all about blending in, according to a new report from a global trend forecasting company specialising in car paint shades. German-based automotive coatings manufacturer BASF has released its annual Automotive Colour Trends for 2020-21 and has predicted we'll see the rise of cars in shades of "greyish green, warm beige and coarse grey".

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 4x4² review

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its latest in a growing line of hardcore four-wheel-drive prototypes, the EQC 4x4² – a one-off engineering exercise conceived to explore the ultimate off-road capability of the German automaker’s first dedicated electric-powered model.

The last road trip: Driving a Toyota Corolla through New Zealand

The very first thing I noticed as we drove away from Auckland Airport in our Toyota Corolla were the road signs. In New Zealand they are more British in their design, highlighting the fact that Australia's road signs take their influence from America.

2021 GWM Ute: Australian debut confirmed for fourth quarter

The 2021 GWM Ute is coming to upset one of Australia's most popular vehicle segments. Great Wall Motors is rebranding as GWM, with the Chinese company announcing its new ute model will be known simply as the 'Ute'. Interestingly, all trim variants will begin with the name 'Cannon', previously reported as one potential model name for the new pick-up, along with 'Poer' (shown on the images in this story).

Sydney's roadside power boxes set to become EV chargers

Sydney could become the electric car capital of Australia with a plan to convert roadside electricity distribution boxes into electric vehicle charging stations. The ambitious plan is being driven by Sydney-based charging infrastructure startup JOLT in conjunction with NSW electricity supplier Ausgrid.

2007-2012 Dodge Nitro, 2008-2010 Chrysler Grand Voyager recalled due for airbag cover fix

Fiat Chrysler Australia has issued a recall of 5464 examples of the 2007-2012 Dodge Nitro and the 2008-2010 Chrysler Grand Voyager, due to a loose airbag emblem. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the loose airbag emblem may "become a projectile and propel towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury".

2021 Isuzu MU-X Onyx Edition price and specs

The 2021 Isuzu MU-X Onyx Edition has been announced, delivering new tech, greater value, and enhanced style as the current MU-X range, which debuted in 2013, enters its run-out phase. Based on the range-topping LS-T, Isuzu's Onyx Edition gains a 6.8-inch infotainment system (in place of the regular LS-T's 8.0-inch unit) with satellite navigation, and newly added features like digital radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

Victoria's coronavirus lockdown rules: Your car questions, answered – UPDATE

Victorians remain in the grips of an ongoing lockdown, after Premier Daniel Andrews announced a roadmap to recovery and extended stage-four restrictions for residents of Metropolitan Melbourne, with more lenient restrictions for regional Victoria. Below, we've answered some commonly asked questions about Melbourne's latest coronavirus lockdown rules and how they pertain to drivers. If we've missed anything, let us know in the comments section.

2020 Kia Stinger GT Carbon Edition review

Car manufacturers love a special edition. It's an opportunity to add some bling or throw some extra equipment into the mix in order to shift more metal. Usually, this happens when a particular model is nearing the end of its life, presenting carmakers with an interesting dilemma of what to do with remaining stock.

2021 Hyundai i30 hatch and sedan: Australian specs surface online, prices likely to rise

The 2021 Hyundai i30 hatch has received its first major facelift locally, with CarAdvice bringing you the first exclusive photo of the new-model i30 Sedan Active for the Australian market. While styling changes for Hyundai's i30 hatch can also be revealed ahead of the official announcement, it has been confirmed the i30 range will no longer be offered with a diesel engine.

Racing legend joins Gordon Murray Automotive

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Dario Franchitti, has joined Gordon Murray Automotive in a development role as the British hypercar maker forges ahead with production of its recently revealed GMA T.50. Franchitti’s role will see him take on development work of both the GMA T.50 road car as well as the T.50s track-focussed version of the 3.9-litre, naturally-aspirated V12 hypercar.

Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R M-Spec Nür sets price record

A new record price has been set for a Nissan R34 GT-R at auction, with a pristine example selling for ¥33,205,000 at auction in Japan, according to according to GTR-Registry.com. That’s the equivalent of AUSD$437,500, US$313,400, £241,900 and €266,600, excluding commission and delivery fees. With just 6817km on the odometer, the Millennium Jade-finished M-Spec Nür eclipsed the previous record set back in 2018 when a White V-Spec II Nür went under the hammer for ¥32,000,000.

Five fun-size hot hatches in Australia now or coming soon

Hot hatches are enjoying a resurgence as our cities become congested and more buyers are treating themselves to a new car in lieu of an overseas holiday. With most international borders closed for the foreseeable future, dealers are reporting unexpected high demand – in particular for top end cars.

Australians continue to gorge themselves on four-wheel-drives to holiday at home

Australians are preparing to holiday at home next year, with the latest sales figures showing a continued surge in sales of four-wheel-drive wagons. Demand for iconic four-wheel-drives such as the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol remained strong in September, bucking the market trend of a 20.5 per cent decline year-to-date.

Sacre bleu! French brands Citroen, Peugeot, Renault in dramatic sales slide

French car brands Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault are having a year they would rather forget. The sales of all three brands are in reverse in Australia, despite overhauls in distribution and management over the past few years. Renault sales are down by 27.3 per cent so far this year, Citroen is down by 57 per cent, while Peugeot has slowed by 13.9 per cent.

McLaren Sabre hybrid spied, could be brand's most powerful car yet

A prototype believed to be the forthcoming McLaren Sabre has been photographed in dazzle camouflage at a dealership in California. Released by spy.shots on Instagram, the car’s aesthetic is defined by long and deep side scoops, a board-mounted rear wing, a large front splitter, and McLaren's traditional dihedral doors. It's understood the Sabre is based on the Senna platform, and was inspired by the Ultimate Vision GT car from the Gran Turismo video games.

Volvo patents side-switching steering system

A patent filed with the US Patent Office hints that Volvo may be exploring a system of by-wire controls to allow steering, braking and accelerator controls to switch sides. While a patent application isn’t any assurance of a production reality, it does show the Swedish brand has an interest in protecting the intellectual properties surrounding a sliding rail-type control system.

New Cars: 2020 New Car Calendar, the October update

Australia's new car market, it is fair to say, did not have a stellar year in 2019. Month after month, sales were down, with consumer confidence low and dealers struggling with significant changes to finance regulations.

2021 Amazon and Rivian all-electric delivery van unveiled

Amazon has unveiled the first functional example of its upcoming all-electric delivery van. Built in collaboration with California-based start-up Rivian – which is, itself, part-owned by Amazon – the vehicle features semi-autonomous highway and traffic assist technologies, 360-degree exterior cameras linked to an internal digital display, three levels of storage shelving, and Alexa integration. Powertrain and performance details are yet to be released.

2020 Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring review

If you’re not familiar with the Mazda CX-30 by now, this is the Japanese brand’s latest SUV. Based heavily on the Mazda 3 hatchback, the CX-30 sits above the CX-3 baby SUV and CX-5 mid-sized SUV. (The CX-4 badge is seemingly off limits as it’s already used for a China-exclusive model.) We’ve reviewed the G20 Pure base model and the range-topping G25 Astina, and now we’re delving into the middle of the pack with the Touring.

Audi A4 ute conversion listed for sale

This 2004 Audi A4 ute conversion has come onto the market in Illinois, USA. According to the listing on Bring-A-Trailer, the donor vehicle was acquired in 2017 and subsequently modified using a kit from Smyth Performance. This included new fibreglass quarter panels, aluminium inner bed surfaces, and structural reinforcements.

They raced what?!?

Some series production cars scream race car as soon as they roll off the designer’s Staedtler. Whether it’s a svelte and streamlined profile, or a powertrain and chassis combination that demands to be driven at 10/10ths, some road cars emerge from the factory as if they were born to go racing. Think just about any modern supercar or sports car.

Ford joins the hunt for mythical ‘Otway Puma’

Sometimes cross-marketing opportunities are too good to pass up. In the lore of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, the state of Victoria has its own mythical creature that is rumoured to prowl the lush forests of the south-west. The Otway Puma.

Mercedes–Benz unveils newest addition to its line-up... the eScooter

Mercedes-Benz has launched the eScooter as the latest all-electric vehicle in its range. Developed in conjunction with Swiss mobility specialists Micro Mobility Systems AG, the collapsible product weighs in at around 13kg. Its 7Ah battery permits a 25km range, and recharging to 100 per cent takes around three hours. A promotional video announcing the launch also suggests the eScooter has smartphone connectivity features.

REVISIT: Buying and modifying a Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series: Part 2

As we move toward the end of the year, and a hope that travel restrictions will ease across the country, many readers have been asking about getting a vehicle prepared for a big trip away – so we felt it was a good time to review the build-up we did to a 70-Series Landcruiser dual cab. We're re-re-running the updates each Sunday during October, but we'll end with a brand-new instalment.

CarAdvice decides: New D-Max, or new BT-50?

Never ask a parent who their favourite child is – doubly so when it's twins. Of course, the crowd in the CarAdvice content team could never cower before such tough questions, so here it is: of the new-generation 2021 Isuzu D-Max and 2021 Mazda BT-50 twins, which would our team D-Max – the black contrast elements on the X-Terrain look much tougher than the chrome on the Mazda, and for mine, that's a big part of a ute's appeal.

Buy it now: Rally-ready Nissan GT-R up for grabs

When you think about it, the Nissan GT-R has all the makings of a modern Group B rally car. Given how loose regulations were at the time, the 'anything goes' era of rally legend pretty much provided some basic safety metrics to adhere to, and a minimum permissible weight – then let constructors run free and easy on things like engine size, power, exterior design and materials. The only thing a modern GT-R lacks, really, is the requisite raised ride height and meaty tyres. Until now.

Video: Mini Cooper S long-termer farewell

All in all, the Cooper is an expensive yet surprisingly practical daily driver full of pep, personality and fun factor. I miss it already.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series review

Available exclusively in coupe guise, the latest in an illustrious line of track-based models is, in essence, a road-going extension of AMG’s long and successful involvement in production car-based motorsport. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series primarily exists so that a small group of money-no-object customers can drive themselves to a track, spend the day lapping it with various set-up changes that make them appear like true racing professionals, and then drive home again at the end of it.

Around the tracks: A beached Maserati and a brilliant Ferris Bueller spoof

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? Here's a tip: If you own a Maserati Ghibli, don't take it off-roading. Especially not if there are sand dunes involved.

German F1 star buys stake in Aston Martin

German F1 ace and four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel, has acquired a stake in the company that will employ him from 2021, after confirming he had invested in Aston Martin. While remaining tight-lipped about the scale of his investment, Vettel told respected motorsport publication Autosport, “I think everybody’s free to do what they want with their money. And, as I know, Aston Martin is a public company, and everyone is free to invest in the company.

Peter Brock's championship-winning 1980 Holden VB Commodore to be auctioned

One of the most iconic cars in Australian motorsports history is set to go under the hammer. Peter Brock's famous Marlborough-liveried 1980 Holden VB Commodore HDT '05' racing car – the very car he won the 1980 Australian Touring Car Championship in – will be auctioned in late October. Prior to racing, this was the car used as the prototype vehicle to develop and produce the rules set by the country's motorsports body, CAMS.

Total recall: Every car recall issued in Australia in 2020 so far – UPDATE

Let’s get one thing out of the way early – taking care of your car’s recall notice is an easy thing to let slide. Despite the urgency of the manufacturers and their sincere warnings about all the awful things that can go wrong if you ignore it, we’re all guilty of occasionally letting a recall service fall down the to-do list. Hot tip: Don’t let that happen. Recalls are issued for a reason and not fulfilling them could see drivers and passengers injured or killed.

Five-door Suzuki Jimny could debut in 2021 – report

A five-door variant of the Suzuki Jimny is tipped to go into production in 2021. While rumours of a five-door Jimny first surfaced in 2018, a report from website GaadiWaadi suggests the model will be manufactured by Suzuki's Indian subsidiary from next year.

2018-2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 S, GT63 S, and GLC63 recalled for stability fault

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall of 1140 AMG vehicles with Model Years from 2018 to 2020 (MY18-MY20). The problem occurs in Mercedes-AMG C36 S, GT63 S, and GLC63 models. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the vehicle's stability control system may not function as intended, due to incorrect calibrations.

2021 Skoda Kamiq 85TSI review

When ancient Greek fabulist Aesop first said “good things come in small packages” sometime in the sixth century BC, he probably wasn’t thinking about the 2021 Skoda Kamiq. But his famed and fabled words ring true when regarding the latest – and smallest – addition to Skoda’s line-up of crossovers and SUVs. It’s four years since Skoda debuted the Kodiaq, a medium SUV with seven seats. That was followed in 2017 by the smaller Skoda Karoq.

Video: 2021 Mazda BT-50 review – Australian first drive

The new BT-50 is an excellent dual-cab in a segment that shows no signs of slowing down or becoming less competitive. We’ve scored it only just behind the D-Max at launch, which we think sets the standard at the time of testing. That’s only because Mazda has chosen not to put more effort into differentiating it from its twin. As it did a decade ago, Mazda once again has an undeniably solid platform beneath the attractive styling.

2021 Audi E-Tron GT to get RS hero and jet sounds

The 2021 Audi E-Tron GT will get a high-performance RS variant, the brand has confirmed. While full details have yet to be revealed, Audi's all-electric performance sedan – which shares its platform with the Porsche Taycan – is expected to offer a combined output of 434kW from its electric motors. Audi has remained tight-lipped about the RS version, but it's thought the car's performance will sit somewhere closer to that of the Porsche Taycan Turbo, which itself offers 460kW.

What the Federal Budget means for new car buyers

In good news for business owners shopping for a work-related car, the Federal Government has further extended its instant asset write-off scheme and expanded the eligibility criteria for claiming assets on tax as part of its freshly-unveiled Federal Budget. Here's what you need to know...

2021 Mazda BT-50 review

Hot on the heels of its near identical sibling, the 2021 Mazda BT-50 has launched in Australia, with the brand hoping to capitalise on what is undoubtedly a high-quality platform.

2020 Porsche Taycan price and specs: quicker and cheaper than a 911 – UPDATE

UPDATE: Porsche has released an informative video presented by brand ambassador and former F1 aerodynamicist Kate Reid, explaining the technologies and processes behind the Taycan's charging system. We've added the video to the bottom of this story, which is otherwise unchanged. JUNE, 2020: The Porsche Taycan – the German brand's first pure electric car – has undercut the iconic 911 Carrera by almost $40,000, according to official Australian pricing.

2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line coming to Australia, local line-up confirmed

The new top-shelf 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line has been unveiled today, accompanied by news it will headline the local Stonic range from December. Handily, we also now have basic details on which models will make up the local Stonic range, which will build on the facelifted and technology-boosted range that debuted overseas in August. We'll walk through the newly revealed GT-Line model first, and then into what we know of the wider Australian range.

Mercedes-Benz set to retire the manual transmission

It’s official. The manual transmission is on its way out at Mercedes-Benz. In news that’s highly unlikely to cause a ripple with Australian buyers, Mercedes-Benz head of research and development, Markus Schaefer, confirmed the company will “eliminate manual transmissions”. The removal of manual transmission from the product mix goes hand in hand with Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to electrification of its vehicle range.

2021 McLaren hybrid supercar confirmed

McLaren has confirmed its next-generation supercar will be launched in the first half of 2021. The vehicle – which does not yet have an official model name – will be the first built on the brand’s MCLA carbon fibre lightweight architecture. A V6 hybrid powertrain differentiates the car from all of its McLaren on-road predecessors, which have used twin-turbo V8 motors in recent times. Performance figures for the hybrid V6 are yet to be announced.

2021 Skoda Superb Sportline and Superb Scout price confirmed

The 2021 Skoda Superb Sportline and Superb Scout models have been officially confirmed for the Australian market. The Superb Sportline – which is offered in sedan and wagon configurations – has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine producing 206kW and 350Nm, while the Scout has a 200kW variant of the same powertrain. Drive on both Skoda models is sent to all four wheels, however the Scout has improved off-road capabilities owing to its boosted ride height.

Bugatti halts product development as rumours of VW sale intensify – Update

Update, 8 October 2020: Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann has told media outlet Bloomberg the high-performance Volkswagen subsidiary has effectively halted all product development. "We had talks about a second-model lineup," Mr Winkelmann said. "But [this is now] blocked due to the coronavirus crisis; we’re not talking about what’s coming next." Despite this, he stated the manufacturer is on track to turn a profit in 2020.

Trucks to lead Hyundai's hydrogen development

Hyundai has delivered the first seven hydrogen-powered Xcient trucks to customers in Switzerland, as the company commits billions of dollars to hydrogen technologies. The seven transport vehicles are the first of 50 to be delivered before the end of 2020, with Hyundai expecting to produce around 2000 hydrogen fuel cells in 2021.