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2026 Mercedes-AMG C43 Edition R+ brings down sports sedan point of entry

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Slightly revised styling, but more affordable price tag, for new Mercedes-AMG C43 Edition R+ that is now available for $121,000 BOCs. Mercedes-Benz Australia has launched a more affordable version of the AMG C43 with the Edition R+ hitting showrooms next month priced at $121,200 before on-road costs. This puts it $2600 downstream of the standard Mercedes-AMG C43 , despite adding small cosmetic changes. To differentiate itself, the Mercedes -AMG C43 Edition R+ adds the AMG Styling Package that features a gloss-black finish on the front splitter, lower intake surrounds, rear spoiler, and diffuser. MORE: Mercedes-AMG C-Class six-cylinder confirmed to replace C63 hybrid four-cylinder This, combined with the already standard Night Package that already replaces the C-Class’ chrome exterior touches with gloss black, “delivers a cohesive and purposeful design”, according to Mercedes-Benz. Also standard on the C43 is the AMG Dynamic Plus, bun...

Volkswagen confirms Golf and T-Roc Hybrids, but key details still unknown

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The fight could be brought to Toyota as Volkswagen prepares to launch plug-less hybrid versions of its popular hatchback and small SUVs. Volkswagen has confirmed it will offer regular hybrid version of both the Golf hatchback and T-Roc small SUV, but it remains unclear if these Toyota-fighting models will make it to Australia. The upcoming models will be closed-loop ‘plug-less’ hybrids with two electric motors mounted on the front axle, one as the drive motor and one as the generator. For Europe, the models are positioned between the mild-hybrid eTSI already offered in some markets, and the plug-in hybrid models sold in Europe as the ‘eHybrid’ or sportier ‘GTE’. MORE: 2026 Volkswagen ID.3 Neo showcases the brand’s future interiors Power will be fed back into the 1.6kWh nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) battery through regenerative braking, and assisted by the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. At low speeds, the h...

2027 GWM Haval H6 and H7 SUVs set for overhauls in Australia

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The Haval H6 will be replaced by a larger, newer SUV, while a new-generation H7 could become GWM’s next seven-seater in Australia. GWM’s family SUV range is set for a major shake-up in the next 12 to 18 months, with the current H6 and H7 both expected to be replaced by new-generation models in Australia, plus the addition of the value-focused Jolion Max. The fourth-generation 2027 GWM Haval H6 has been confirmed as the global-market version of the Haval Xiaolong Max, which went on sale in China in 2023 but received a comprehensive update last year. Australian showroom arrivals for the 2027 Haval H6 are due early next year, according to GWM Australia . Meanwhile, the current GWM Haval H7 hybrid – launched in Australia less than 12 months ago – is likely to have a short life in Australia, as a new-generation model with seven seats and plug-in hybrid power is already under consideration. MORE: GWM confirms new-model blitz for Australia, led by hybrid and electric cars ...

Ferrari Luce EV likely to be more expensive than expected – report

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The first EV from Ferrari will reportedly be one of its most expensive models to buy, but pricing will not be official until next month. Ferrari has set a preliminary price for the Luce electric vehicle (EV) of approximately €550,000 ($AUD900,000), making it potentially more expensive than exotic supercars like the SF90 Stradale. This is according to a Bloomberg story, which reports a €50,000 ($AUD81,000) increase over the price reported by Reuters in June of 2024. When the car premieres on 25 May, the final sticker price for Ferrari’s first electric model could deviate by up to 10 per cent on either side, but it seems poised to be positioned even higher than the V12-powered Purosangue SUV that is available for $728,000 before on-road costs in Australia. The all-electric Ferrari Luce won’t be an SUV but is likely to be a grand touring wagon with rear doors, back seats, and a tailgate. Its interior, which has developed a love-hate relationship with fans since it was prev...

Lynk & Co GT concept with 2.0s 0-100km/h claim is Chinese brand’s ‘Time to Shine’

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As a 10th anniversary present to itself, Geely-owned Lynk & Co unveiled a stunning GT car with performance credentials to shake established rivals. Chinese brand Lynk & Co has celebrated its 10th anniversary by revealing a stunning high-performance coupe at the Beijing motor show . The official name for the concept is, awkwardly, ‘Time to Shine’ but it’ll be referred to herein as the Lynk & Co GT concept. Lynk & Co refers to the coupe as “both a tribute and a statement of intent” for the brand, pointing to a possible production future. The styling carries elements from 12-cylinder Ferraris, with hints of 599 in the long bonnet, a window line from the 812 Superfast , and a visor-like front end that gives a nod to the current 12Cilindri . MORE: Lynk and Co cars from China coming to Australia with slightly less unfamiliar name Powertrain specifics for the electric GT Concept were not released, but Lynk & Co claims the GT Concept can accelerate from...

F1 Australian Grand Prix to lose season-opening spot for 2027 – report

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A potential shake-up to the F1 calendar could see the Australian Grand Prix lose its coveted position as the season-opening race for 2027. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images Australia will reportedly be skipped as the first Grand Prix weekend of the F1 season for the first time in three years, with Bahrain tipped to take its opening spot on the 2027 calendar. According to PlanetF1 , the earlier conclusion of Ramadan in 2027 – finishing in the first week of March – opens the door for Bahrain to host Round 1 of the F1 season, with a provisional date of 14 March. Albert Park held the season-opening race from 1995 to 2019 in all but two years, before Melbourne was forced off the calendar in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic , not returning until 2022. MORE: Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian drift Tokyo streets in a Ferrari F40 Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images Bahrain then took over as the opener from 2021 to 2024, with Melbourne reclaiming the coveted slot last year....

Toyota defends RAV4 price rises up to $6000

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The Japanese giant has argued new-generation technology and safety features make up for the new RAV4’s price hikes up to $5930. RAV4 Cruiser. Toyota has pointed to the “value proposition” offered by the new RAV4 after prices surged by up to $5930 with the switch to the new-generation model in showrooms now. The entry-level RAV4 GX now starts from $45,990 plus on-road costs – up $3730 – or about $50,000 drive-away, and climbs to about $65,000 drive-away for the top-of-the-range hybrid – before the plug-in hybrid, which exceeds $70,000, is considered. It may represent sticker shock for buyers upgrading from a five-year-old RAV4, as the RRP of today’s GX is higher than a well-equipped, front-wheel-drive Cruiser hybrid – with a sunroof, leather seats, and more – in 2021, before inflation. Few new cars are as affordable as they were five years ago, and Toyota argues the features built into the base model are worth the price rises. MORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 to skip ANCAP safety r...