May
2022 Tesla Model S Plaid+ spied at Laguna Seca with retractable rear wing and active aerodynamics
The upcoming Tesla Model S Plaid+ will feature a retractable rear wing and active aerodynamics, newly-released footage taken at the Laguna Seca raceway in California suggests. The high-performance electric sedan – which Elon Musk claims will be the world’s quickest production car when it launches early next year – can be seen raising a (presumably) hydraulic spoiler to an almost-vertical angle under deceleration, effectively acting as an air brake.
May
Lamborghini joins the combustion exodus: Hybrid only by 2025, with first electric vehicle due by 2030
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW The drip of manufacturers committing themselves to an electrified future is about to become a torrent, and it seemingly doesn’t matter what level of the car industry they operate at.
May
Honda E electric hatch arrives in Australia through independent importer
The first Honda E electric car has arrived in Australia – but don't expect to see it in Honda showrooms any time soon. Imported by independent firm OZM Auto Group – which specialises in importing Japanese-market sports cars and people movers – the top-of-the-range, grey car pictured is the first example of Honda's pint-sized electric E hatch to reach Australia, through the limited-time Special Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS).
May
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander caught on camera in Australia, due in showrooms October 2021
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has been caught on camera testing on local roads, months before it is due in Australian showrooms. The first all-new Mitsubishi Outlander in nine years is in the final stages of validation and development testing. A camouflaged version of the new Outlander was photographed by an eagle-eyed reader in inner-city Melbourne earlier this week. MORE: 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander revealed, Australian timing confirmed
May
2021 Toyota HiAce V6 petrol to be axed
The Toyota HiAce van range is about to lose the powerful V6 petrol option barely two years after going on sale. The new-generation Toyota HiAce was introduced in 2019; the latest semi-bonneted design was the first complete overhaul of the iconic van in 15 years.
May
2021 Peugeot 3008 GT Sport review
French SUVs are seemingly not in vogue when they should well be. Sales data supports this, too, as Peugeot has sold just 173 examples of its medium SUV to the end of April 2021. It must be a brand-awareness issue, as we're about to discover how much of an undiscovered gem its new facelifted 2021 Peugeot 3008 GT Sport is.
May
Project Cars: 1994 Peugeot 405 Mi16 Phase II
After getting it safely to Melbourne, one of the main things separating my 1994 Peugeot 405 Mi16 from say, a roadworthy one, was tyres. While the tread wear on the car seemed good, they were mismatched brands (Michelin on the front and Toyo down back) and had varying maturity as noted by the DOT code stamped on the sidewall.
May
Lexus to launch plug-in hybrid later this year, first dedicated all-electric model in 2022
Toyota’s luxury marque Lexus has confirmed it will launch a plug-in hybrid model later this year, followed by its first ground-up all-electric car in 2022. Further, the brand has committed to launching “more than 10” new electrified models by 2025, set to join the nine variants already on offer worldwide.
May
2021 Ram 1500 DT price and specs: Mild-hybrid pick-up arrives
The 2021 Ram 1500 DT pick-up has finally launched in Australia after months of delays. Priced between $114,950 plus on-road costs and $139,950 plus on-road costs, Ram offers the new 1500 DT series in two variants: the Laramie and the Limited. The new-generation Ram DT pick-up will be sold alongside the DS series, also known as the 'Classic' model, which has been on sale in Australia since 2013.
May
Ford patents in-car advertising, safety expert warns against the tech
Ford has filed a patent for new in-car software that would deliver 'pop-up' advertising on in-car infotainment systems, official documents reveal. Dubbed 'billboard interface' by the American manufacturer, the patent filing – which was lodged in 2016 but only became public earlier this month – says the technology would be capable of "obtaining, via a camera, an image of a billboard and identifying, via a processor, a segment of that image."
May
2021 Mitsubishi Triton prices rise for the third time in eight months
The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton has received a fresh round of price rises in the lead-up to the end of the financial year on June 30 and the biggest month for sales of utes and vans. The third price rise for the Mitsubishi Triton in eight months amounts to increases of between $250 and $450 in most cases. A confidential Mitsubishi dealer bulletin shows 13 of the 22 models have drive-away pricing deals, and only some variants have received equipment changes.
May
Automotive industry welcomes cleaner petrol, paves the way for fuel miser cars
Fuel-miser motorists will soon get broader access to the latest petrol engine technology – as world-class premium unleaded is set to become the new normal – after the Federal Government pledged a $2 billion support package to prop up Australia’s two remaining oil refineries, and helped bring forward long overdue upgrades to produce cleaner unleaded fuel.
May
Video: 2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580S First Drive
We test the 2021 VW Amarok W580S. Volkswagen Amarok TDV6 gets the special vehicles treatment.
May
2019 Ford Focus recalled with wiring fault that could cause the engine to lose power
Ford Australia has recalled 342 examples of its 2019 Focus, citing a potential wiring fault which could cause the car to lose engine power without warning. The affected vehicles were manufactured between 28 September 2018 and 16 May 2019 (Model Year 2019).
May
2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic review
It's been almost three years since the current-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class went on sale in Australia. Since then, a new BMW 1 Series has arrived, and a new Audi A3 is just around the corner, which means a midlife update for the A-Class range can't be too far off. The example tested here is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic (Mercedes-speak for all-wheel drive), which is priced from $55,500 plus on-road costs.
May
2022 Lexus ES: Australian details revealed, here in August
The updated 2022 Lexus ES sedan will be available with a more affordable petrol engine option when it arrives in Australia in August 2021 – though prices have yet to be announced. This 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine – known as the ES 250 – sends 152kW and 243Nm to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.