There was a lucky escape for basketball players – and the driver of an out-of-control Mercedes hatchback – after it crashed through the wall of a sports centre in Belgium.
A speeding Mercedes-Benz hatchback has crashed in spectacular fashion in Belgium, launching through a roundabout and flying through the wall of a basketball sports centre.
The accident, captured on CCTV, occurred just after a practice session had finished, and the players were in the changing room.
The crash caused significant structural damage to the building after impacting the top section of the gym wall.
According to Google Maps, the distance from the roundabout to the gymnasium is approximately 50 metres, almost twice the length of a basketball court. Excessive speed was clearly a factor in the crash.
Photos shared on social media platform Twitter show extensive damage to both the car and the sports centre – and illustrate the distance between the roundabout and the building wall.
The joke is on you, news cycle. We beat you to it!
We’re big fans of an April Fool story here at Drive, with the annual ‘prank’ day one of the best at getting the team’s creative and comedic juices flowing. Sometimes we hit, sometimes we miss… but occasionally our satire is a little close to home.
Here are five times our April Fool jokes have come true…
Back in 2016 we shoved an extension cord into the front fender of a PXII Ranger and ‘faked’ a spy photo, but in 2024 we can do it for real!
The new-generation Ford Ranger is expected to arrive with a plug-in variant next year, allowing the ute to minimise fuel consumption around the city but still manage long distance towing and touring without compromises to range.
The new Landwind SUV, which was inspired by the design of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, seemed to have a ridiculous name back in 2017. After all, who would name a car after a dog or any pet for that matter?
Bring on 2020 when the Haval Big Dog hit the market in China. If that wasn’t enough, GWM’s electric brand Ora now offers the Good Cat, Ballet Cat, Funky Cat, Lightning Cat and Punk Cat in various markets.
This was almost too crazy an idea for someone not to turn into a reality. Back in 2021, given how much social media popularity was building around cars and car owners, we suggested your Tesla would be able to upload videos direct to your TikTok account. In February this year, Mercedes-Benz announced this feature would be included on the new E-Class in some markets.
We’d like to say we couldn’t make this up… but we did.
While drive-thru charging is still a bit silly, Evie Networks and Red Rooster offered driver’s in the Northern Territory a complimentary small chips for using the EV charger at Red Rooster Marrara, just outside of Darwin.
While the chips-with-charge offer was only offered between February 27 and March 1 this year, we felt it similar enough to our 2022 April Fools joke to make this list.
Only a couple of months passed between the unveiling of our fictional Toyota Camry Cross and the real Toyota Crown, a sedan with a high-riding stance and black cladding around the wheel arches. It is even available as a hybrid!
It may not be ‘specifically’ true, even though the fuel excise rate has risen from $0.40 per litre in 2017 to now just under $0.48 per litre (0.477 cents), an increase of 20 per cent in just six years, as this matches the national CPI inflation rate (yes, it is that high).
The thing is, fuel excise revenue is actually falling because cars are becoming more efficient rather than due to drivers switching to EVs. So we can assume there are spreadsheets and whiteboards in Canberra trying to find a way to manage this hot potato moving forward.
In the market for a new family car in 2023? One of these picks might just hit the spot.
In 2023, Australia’s best family cars have to work harder than ever.
It now goes beyond just child seats and big boots, with modern-day buyers craving impressive fuel economy, advanced safety technology, low ongoing ownership costs and powertrains that don’t sacrifice driver enjoyment.
Thankfully, carmakers are answering the call with some seriously family-friendly offerings, providing powertrains and specification grades to suit every lifestyle and budget.
Luckily, the Drive team had the opportunity to narrow down the plethora of appealing options to a sharp shortlist during our testing for the 2023 Drive Car of the Year.
Here are our picks for the best family cars of the moment…
Best medium SUV for families: Nissan X-Trail
The long-anticipated new Nissan X-Trail was worth the wait – providing family buyers with a poised, practical and premium-feeling medium SUV.
Across the four model grades, there’s the choice of five seats or seven seats, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, and hybrid or full-petrol – kicking off from $36,750 before on-road costs.
The thoughtful and practical cabin combines plenty of space with elegantly executed modern convenience features, and even the entry-level model is well-equipped with safety and technology.
On the road, the X-Trail is quiet and refined – especially in e-Power hybrid form – with impressive dynamics and towing capabilities up to 2000kg, which is an increase of 500kg on the old model.
Best hybrid SUV for families: Mitsubishi Outlander
Efficient, well-packaged and flexible for growing families, the plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander is an excellent all-rounder and the perfect entrypoint into the hybrid world.
With four different trim levels available from $55,490 plus on-road costs, the plug-in hybrid Outlander offers value-for-money no matter your budget, with an interior that provides quality beyond its price.
On the road, the ride is soft but secure and the cabin is quiet, with impressively frugal fuel consumption (we saw as low as 3.4L/100km on our Drive Car of the Year test loop when using the electric-only range).
The added bonus of a compact third row provides extra convenience in the event of any school-run crises.
Best small SUV for families: Nissan Qashqai
The new-generation Nissan Qashqai offers a streamlined four-grade line-up kicking off from $33,890 before on-road costs, and all variants come equipped with the same 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
This powertrain package is quiet and smooth but boasts solid performance, while the driver assistance and safety technology is well integrated into the on-road experience.
The surprisingly spacious cabin contains an accommodating boot and premium finishes, plus an impressively advanced infotainment system offers smartphone mirroring capabilities and an advanced overhead-view camera on the higher grades.
Our pick of the bunch is the ST-L grade, which provides some useful driver assistance extras as well as a well-appointed cabin with an upmarket feel.
Best large SUV for families: Toyota Kluger
As is the theme of most successful SUVs today, the Kluger range offers peak flexibility for the modern buyer, with all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive variants and the choice of a petrol engine or Toyota’s famously efficient hybrid powertrain.
Comfortable and familiar, the updated Kluger offers Toyota’s trademark affordable servicing costs, plus a much-improved infotainment system and lots of interior storage, with a starting price of $51,120 before on-road costs.
The third row is a bit of a squeeze, but it’s useful for those who need to occasionally carry extra passengers.
For us, the sweet spot in the range is the GXL grade – ideally in hybrid form – which offers comfort and technology in equal measure.
Best electric car for families: BYD Atto 3
One of the newest electric cars in Australia for 2023 also happens to be one of the best – and most affordable.
Starting at $48,011 before on-road costs, the BYD Atto 3 isn’t “cheap” by most people’s standards, but it offers good value for money.
The interior might feature some daring design choices, but importantly it also offers plenty of space and is comfortable and modern.
Performance is zippy – although, beware the low-grip tyres – and it’s a smooth and easy electric vehicle to drive.
Best people mover for families: Kia Carnival
Before we get into all the highlights of the 2023 Kia Carnival, let’s start with possibly its most appealing factor: five ISOFIX-compatible seats.
Starting at $47,480 before on-road costs, the Carnival line-up contains both petrol and diesel powertrains and the grades range from basic to incredibly well-equipped.
Few cars on the market are capable of accommodating so many child seats – or adult passengers – at once, and the Carnival does it with ease, without ever losing its composure on the road, even when fully loaded.
Even when every seat is occupied, access to all three rows is easy, plus a deep boot provides a genuine ability to accommodate luggage as well as passengers.
If sheer space is your priority, the Carnival is king of its segment – with an attractive appearance that still allows for some emotional appeal.
Best dual-cab ute for families: Ford Ranger
Our 2023 Drive Car of the Year winner might be a ute, but it’s also a viable family car, with a large, versatile range catering to every need and budget.
As one of the larger utes in the segment, the new Ranger offers plenty of space and comfort and its technology offering is a strong point – both in terms of safety and convenience.
Equipped with nine airbags and a fresh five-star safety rating from ANCAP, there is little room for criticism for the Ranger on the safety front.
Thanks to a well-tuned ride and handling and predictable and reliable intervention from its driver assist systems, the Ranger is a consistent bet both on road and off.
Best off-road SUV for families: Land Rover Defender
With the new Defender, Land Rover has somehow seamlessly blended the off-road prowess of the legendary nameplate with modern convenience and comfort.
Of course, this enticing combination will come at a steep price, with the Defender range kicking off from an eye-watering $81,950 before on-road costs for the base-spec, three-door 90 variant.
Refined on-road yet impressively capable off-road, with both diesel and petrol options (and a supercharged V8), there’s nothing the modern Defender can’t handle.
Kids will love the cabin too, with cool technology to play with (hello, air suspension party tricks) and the option of a third row for back-seat bandits.
Best medium luxury SUV for families: Jaguar F-Pace
Standout infotainment, a capacious boot and seriously good looks are just some of the highlights of the Jaguar F-Pace, the best luxury medium SUV in Australia.
Family buyers will delight in the smooth ride quality (no car-sickness here!), active noise-cancelling technology and comfy leather seats.
Impressive body control and ample power ensure it retains driver enjoyment, while comprehensive safety technology offers plenty of peace of mind.
Naturally, anything Jaguar touches doesn’t come cheap, and the F-Pace has a starting price of around $82,000 – but you’re unlikely to regret splashing out.
2022 Jaguar F Pace
Best small luxury SUV for families: Volvo XC40
As the winner of the ‘best medium luxury SUV’ segment for three years running, the Volvo XC40 continues to improve as an upmarket offering for families.
Kicking off from just over $50,000, the XC40 offers impressive value for money – packing in a powerful engine, premium materials in the cabin, impeccable build quality and plenty of safety technology.
A small family will find the cabin accommodating, thanks to a boot that can swallow up most of your stuff without trouble – although second-row legroom is a little more limited.
Drive Car of the Year judges described the XC40 as “a true benchmark of compact luxury”. Enough said.
Slowing down cars to less than walking pace is a smarter solution to banning them, one council Australian council believes.
One Australian council says it has come up with the solution to the road toll in its region: 0km/h speed limits.
The Manningside Regional Council says banning cars and trucks is impractical, but will soon begin a second round of trials with a speed limit reduction.
“Our pilot trial found that reducing the speed limit from 50 to zero kilometres-per-hour resulted in a 97 per cent reduction in the road toll within our council area,” Mayor Karen Smithee told Drive.
“We make no apologies for putting our residents’ wellbeing ahead of the wants and needs of local hoons.”
While the Federal Government mandates the Australian Design Rules for new cars, and state governments set rules for which cars can (and cannot) be registered, local councils set speed limits for all local roads – excluding freeways.
“Manningside welcomes tourists via the freeway, but we ask them to respect our local speed limits when they enter our towns,” Mayor Smithee said. “It may add a bit of extra time to your journey, but that’s a small inconvenience for the protection of everyone.”
School zones will continue to operate at a lower speed limit during school times, a council spokesperson confirmed.
The council is expected to announce further details of its trial at 12pm today, and this article will be updated at that time.
Ford is expected to announce an update to its radar cruise control that emulates the driving behaviour of its owners – by tailgating the car in front.
The 2023 Ford Ranger will soon receive an over-the-air update allowing its semi-autonomous radar cruise control system to tailgate the car ahead.
Ford says its ‘T-Gate’ technology – also known as tailgating – will enable the Ranger to reduce its distance to the car in front to less than a metre when driving in traffic.
When cruise control is disengaged, the T-Gate system will alert the driver if the Ranger isn’t following closely enough to other cars.
The company says the system is so advanced it can adjust its speed and distance tolerances so the Ford Ranger is only just off the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead.
Ranger Forum Club moderator Travis told Drive while the software didn’t actually improve his travel times, the technology emulated real-world Ford Ranger driver behaviour and made it seem as if he was driving faster than everyone else.
“Ford studied its customers when creating the Next-Gen Ranger, and they’ve been replicated Ranger owners when developing [this technology],” he said.
“My ute can now replicate the way I drive by tailgating at the press of a button, with minimal input from me – I love it.”
Ford says further announcements will be made at 12pm today, and this story will be updated as more information comes to hand.
Supply of three of Skoda’s four best-selling models are about to improve, after extended stock shortages and production slowdowns.
New batches of Skoda Octavia mid-size cars, Kamiq small SUVs and Karoq mid-size SUVs are en route to Australian showrooms, after years of production delays in the wake of COVID-19 and semiconductor shortages.
Skoda has confirmed new stocks of the Kamiq, Octavia and Karoq are available to order now, ahead of the arrival of the first examples soon “entering dealerships”.
The company is aiming to have stock of key models in the country for near-immediate delivery, depending on colour and variant – or if a customer wants a particular specification, wait times for custom orders of less than six months.
It follows consistent stock shortages since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago – and the war in Ukraine over the past 12 months – including recent shortages for the Octavia due to a lack of reversing cameras.
“Specification that may be optional elsewhere is expected by Australian customers. Select features are currently available as options and – thanks to Australia being prioritised as a high specification market – are fitted to the vast majority of our inbound stock,” Skoda director Michael Irmer said in a media statement.
“That’s an important step forward to give customers what they desire, and once possible they will become standard again. Customers continue to select vehicles with one if not two packages,” the executive said.
Prices for Skoda vehicles have risen steadily over the past two years, despite some features become unavailable due to production constraints, or reverted from standard to cost options.
Analysis by Drive has found Skoda prices have increased on average by 22.9 per cent between January 2019 and 2023 – however most models have been significantly updated over this period to justify some of the price increases.
A learner driver has learned the hard way after being caught drunk driving in Melbourne last night.
A learner driver has been caught overnight with an alleged blood-alcohol concentration of 0.268 – more than five times over the limit for a fully-licenced driver.
Victoria Police says the 26-year-old woman from Werribee in Melbourne’s west was driving unaccompanied, despite only holding a learner’s permit and requiring a fully-licenced driver to sit next to them.
Highway Patrol officers observed the woman’s car allegedly driving with no headlights on Sydney Road in Fawkner in Melbourne’s north at approximately 8:10pm.
After being intercepted, the woman’s learner’s permit was immediately suspended.
While learner drivers are required to have a blood-alcohol concentration of zero, fully-licenced drivers are allowed to drive with a BAC level of up to 0.05.
Police say the woman is expected to be charged on summons in relation to drink driving and other traffic matters.
Victoria has introduced clearer guidelines for how drivers – and passengers – can use mobile phones, smart watches and other digital distractions. UPDATE: An important read as new laws come into play today.
New driver distraction laws are being introduced in Victoria from 31 March 2023, with revised rules clarifying how motorists can use mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, and built-in infotainment screens, among other technology.
As before, hand-held mobile phones cannot be used while driving, but the revised laws now bring ‘mounted’ mobile phones and tablets into line with the use of built-in infotainment and navigation screens installed on most modern cars.
If a device has been mounted in the vehicle (in a cradle designed for the purpose or as part of the infotainment system), drivers can briefly touch it to:
initiate, accept or reject an audio call
play or stream audio material
adjust volume levels
use a function on the device designed to assist you to operate the vehicle
use a navigation function
use a function on the device designed to monitor a driver’s behaviour or condition, or
carry out a professional driving task
Unless parked, drivers cannot physically type information into their device, nor can they scroll for any reason, use the device to read or write text messages, emails, message chains, or to view websites, watch movies, TV shows, video games, images, access social media, or conduct video calls.
The same rules above also apply to smart watches, which can only be touched briefly to initiate, accept, or reject an audio phone call, to play or stream audio via the device, or adjust volume levels.
Using voice controls – such as navigating to a place through voice assistance – and initiating voice controls through touch are accepted.
Passengers also cannot use an electronic device if it is likely to distract the driver – including showing the driver a display – nor can a device be passed to or from a driver unless the vehicle is parked.
The new rules have also clarified mobile phone use for learners and probationary licence holders.
Learners and provisional drivers in Victoria can now use a mounted device – such as a securely-mounted phone – for navigation and to play audio, provided its operation has been set-up prior to the journey commencing.
This is at odds with states such as NSW and Queensland which ban novice drivers from using or viewing any controls on their phones – even via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, or when mounted in an approved bracket.
While an L or P plater in Victoria can briefly touch the screen or controls of a car’s built-in infotainment screen to adjust navigation settings, climate controls, and audio functions, at no point are they permitted to touch a mobile phone or any other mounted electronic device.
Those requiring L and P plates in Victoria are also not permitted to take phone calls at any point while driving, but the use of a wearable device (such a smart watch) is allowed in limited circumstances.
The illegal use of an electronic device carries a fine of between $555 and $1849 and four demerit points in Victoria – with learners and probationary drivers losing their permit or licence if they accumulate five demerit points in a year.
“Too many drivers continue to put lives at risk using mobile phones behind the wheel,” Victorian Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said in a media statement.
“We need every motorist to make the right decisions when they’re behind the wheel. When they don’t, road safety cameras and Victoria Police are there to hold them accountable.”
For more information, visit the VicRoads website by clicking here.
The first examples of the new Ford F-150 destined for Australian showrooms will soon roll off the US production line ahead of local right-hand-drive conversions before deliveries start mid-year.
US production of the first examples of the 2023 Ford F-150 destined for Australian showrooms will soon ramp up ahead of local conversions and deliveries from the middle of this year.
Ford Australia CEO Andrew Birkic told media this week the F-150 program was “in full swing,” with the first stage of production about to begin in Dearborn, Michigan before the vehicles are shipped to Australia to be remanufactured in right-hand-drive.
“F-150 is in full swing – so, very close in terms of production out of North America,” Mr Birkic said.
“A lot of work happening out at Merrifield [in Melbourne’s north], at the RMA facility that will be doing the [remanufacturing on behalf of Ford].”
The F-150 – which starts from $106,950 before on-road costs – will be converted from its original left-hand-drive configuration to right-hand drive to make it suitable for Australia.
While the Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado are converted by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group – the company previously behind Holden Special Vehicles performance cars – Ford has turned to Thai-based third party RMA which has never before undertaken a program like this or on this scale.
However, Mr Birkic says the quality of the remanufacturing work for the F-150 is the highest priority for Ford.
“We’re really focused on getting it right. I’ve been in a few meetings this week, where again, we remind ourselves that the key is to ensure that we do an absolute wonderful job of the remanufacture,” he said.
“And our partner, RMA, [is] totally in sync with that … completely aligned with that objective.”
While the Ram and Chevrolet pick-ups are V8s, the Ford will be powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, sending 298kW and 678Nm to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2023 Ford F-150 is due to begin arriving into local showrooms from July – pending any delays – with XLT and Lariat models available in short- and long-wheelbase formats.
The Mazda MX-30 will undergo a small tweak to its paint options and interior equipment in the second half of 2023.
The 2024 Mazda MX-30 is due to receive minor exterior and interior updates during the second half of this year, the car maker has confirmed.
Announced for Japan late last year, the mild update for the MX-30 will be the first for Mazda’s small SUV since it arrived in Australia in April 2021, though the changes are limited to altered exterior paint options and a revised gear shifter.
Since the Mazda MX-30 was launched in Australia, the hybrid G20e Astina and electric E35 Astina variants have been available with three ‘tri-tone’ paint finishes as a cost option.
These have mixed black lower body cladding with Ceramic grey paint and a grey roof, Polymetal Grey paint and a silver roof, and Soul Red Crystal paint and a grey roof.
For the Model Year 2024 MX-30, the Ceramic and Polymetal options are expected to be replaced by a pair of two-tone finishes – Jet Black (paired with a grey roof) and Zircon Sand beige (black roof, pictured above).
Mazda’s signature Soul Red Crystal (below) will continue to be available, now paired with a black roof rather than grey.
The Mazda MX-30’s gear lever will be updated for Model Year 2024 vehicles, with its shift button – which unlocks the shifter to move between park, reverse, neutral and drive – now moved to the front of the selector, rather than on the right side.
In Japan, electric Mazda MX-30 variants are fitted with new badges, including an ‘EV’ badge on its front quarter panels and an e-Skyactiv badge on the SUV’s tailgate.
Despite select dealers offering price cuts in August last year in an attempt to shift stock, Mazda reported 738 MX-30s as sold in Australia during 2022, making it the brand’s second-slowest selling car for the year, behind the MX-5 sports car which recorded 495 sales.
Between January and February 2023, the Mazda MX-30 has recorded 137 sales, putting it fourth-last among 21 small SUVs under $45,000, ahead of the Citroen C4 (four sales), Peugeot 2008 (28 sales) and Suzuki S-Cross (66 sales).
The Mazda MX-30 line-up currently starts from $34,310 plus on-road costs for the G20e Astina, while the flagship E35 Astina electric variant is priced from $65,490 plus on-road costs.
A spokesperson for Mazda Australia said the first customer deliveries of the updated MX-30 are due to begin from the second half of 2023, with pricing for the small SUV to be announced closer to its arrival.
Our Christmas list just got a lot shorter and more specific. As they say in the classics, shut up and take our money!
Have you ever felt the excitement on Christmas morning of opening your present to find an AFX slot-car set? Multiply that feeling by infinity as you can now buy what is possibly the greatest slot-car race track ever conceived.
It might also be one of the most expensive slot-car tracks ever sold, as the auction – live now on US-based Bring a Trailer – is up to a bid of $US80,000 ($AU120,000) as of writing with no reserve and six days still to go.
This 1:32 scale race track diorama not only depicts the Le Mans 24-hour race from the 1971 Steve McQueen movie of the same name, but it is also housed inside a replica Porsche 917 race car, sporting the same number-20 roundel and Gulf Racing blue and orange livery seen in the film.
This is the car that McQueen’s character, Michael Delaney, crashes in the film’s 1970 race.
If you haven’t seen it, enjoy the film’s trailer below.
Porsche was successful in the real 1970 and 1971 Le Mans races too, with the 917K endurance racer winning both events.
Constructed in Detroit by Slot Mods, the set measures approximately four meters long by two meters wide, and runs twin tracks (with two controllers) so you can re-enact your favourite Le Mans battles.
There is even trackside lighting should you want to settle in and conduct your own 24-hour endurance race.
All elements of the diorama landscape were hand-painted to match the 1971 race as featured in the Le Mans film, with period-correct advertising signs and buildings completing the look.
The lucky winner will score 19 cars (including a Ford GT40 customised to represent the camera car infamously constructed to film the movie’s racing scenes at real racing speeds), as well as a selection of period racers in both their fictional and real-world racing liveries.
Our one point of contention is the inclusion of a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C which feels decidedly out of place, and out of time. That aside, the Slot Mods 917 Raceway is in our minds, the ultimate centerpiece to any home, or automotive publishing office…
For a bit of extra wow factor (should you need it), the Porsche 917 body hinges open by remote control, and the head and tail lamps work.
The 917 layout isn’t the largest or most detailed in the Slot Mods portfolio either.
Should you want something specific, the company offers basic ‘scenic raceway’ commissions starting from around $US50,000 ($AU75,000), that can reportedly climb to over $US250,000 ($AU375,000) for a custom ‘megatrack’ layout.
