CAR ADVICE

A transmission solenoid fault could cause the engine to over-rev in certain gears, according to the recall notice. Toyota Motor Company Australia has recalled 11,020 examples of its 2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, citing a potential fault with the transmission solenoid. The affected vehicles were produced in 2025, and are expected to be a mix of 2025 and 2026 model-year vehicles. The recall notice , lodged by Toyota Australia, says: “The impacted LandCruiser 300 vehicles are equipped with a 10‑speed automatic transmission that uses linear solenoids to control gear shifts. “If a solenoid fails under certain conditions, the Transmission ECT-ECU may not communicate the fault to the Engine ECU, causing the transmission to over‑rev in certain gears. “This can damage the transmission, cause a loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds, and, in some cases, may cause fluid leaks that make contact with hot exhaust components. “These ...

BMW says it will let the customers decide if they want electric or internal combustion vehicles when it comes to high-performance M cars. BMW M CEO Frank van Meel said that the performance arm of the German brand will let the sales figures show if customers want electric or internal combustion (ICE) power. “As long as there is demand from the markets, which currently there is a lot, we will keep [building petrol cars]. Of course, if there is no demand, because everyone falls in love with the electric one or the other way around, we will see. That’s the direction we’re going to follow,” van Meel told Drive this month. The news comes on the back of BMW’s decision to develop an all-electric M3 , after being a solely internal combustion vehicle for four decades. Full specifications are yet to be released, but the electric M3’s development has been depicted in YouTube episodes for the past year. It is already known that the car will utilise four electric motors, one for each ...

The 30 new models will encompass all-new vehicles and updates of popular cars from Mercedes-Benz, all set to arrive within two years. Mercedes-Benz has pledged to launch 30 new models by the end of next year, with more than half expected in showrooms over the next 12 months. The remaining 14 models will be due in 2027, with all 30 vehicles set to bolster its three-level line-up as the German brand adds both new electric and combustion (petrol and diesel) options to its range. Mercedes-Benz splits its range across ‘Top-End’ models, which include the GLS , S-Class , and G-Class ; ‘Core’ which features C-Class , GLC , E-Class , and GLE ; while the ‘Entry Level’ encompasses the GLB , CLA , GLA , and A-Class . Of the 16 new vehicles set to release in 2026, there will be six electric and ten petrol/diesel models. MORE: Next Mercedes-Benz A-Class to adopt SUV styling and B-Class space – report Mercedes-Benz EQS Six new variants will be added to Mercedes’ Top-End vehicle li...

All up very happy with the 2025 Tank 300 Ultra Diesel, and under $55k I don’t think you could do better.  Owner: David Ultra annoying lane assist that you have to turn off every time you start, cruise control that stays a mile back from the car in front and slams on the brakes if something gets in the gap. Very intrusive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Lots of bings and bongs that you will have no idea what it’s complaining about.  Great value for money, ride is good, default tyres are good for on-road and not cheap ones. Fuel economy is not as good as listed, but still very good for a box driving on the motorway.  Had the wagon for 3 months now.  Improvements would be to allow the driver to turn off the emergency lane-keeping permanently if they wish, throttle sensitivity at start/low speed and auto gearbox tuned better.  The diesel powertrain is smooth and well-calibrated. Love the fact they didn’t just place a 2L in petrol version ...

We gather two hero Honda hybrids to look at what’s changed in a quarter of a century and, equally importantly, what hasn’t. Game-changing cars don’t come around very often. This century you could count the real disruptors on one hand. We’re talking vehicles that brought something new to a significant market.  The original Tesla Model S and the XW20 Toyota Prius are the obvious primaries, but you could also make a case for the Tesla Model 3, the Porsche Cayenne and possibly the Hyundai Ioniq 5N. But preceding all of these is a car that put hybrid motoring on the map. Despite that, it seems as if the Honda Insight G1 has been almost forgotten. The J-VX concept car that would go on to become the Insight first appeared at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. Honda can’t claim first dibs on the concept of a modern petrol/electric hybrid, because the original XW10 Toyota Prius was first shown in concept form in 1995 and went on sale in Japan in 1997. It would take until November 1999 f...