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Aston Martin Valhalla almost did 140km/h in reverse, and it was a terrible idea

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When it comes to top speeds in reverse, less is definitely more. Sometimes we need saving from ourselves. Aston Martin Valhalla plug-in hybrid hypercar The Aston Martin Valhalla is remarkable for a number of reasons. It sets a number of firsts for the company. It’s also a car that presented the company with a bizarre problem. It was too fast in reverse. On the face of it, that doesn’t sound too great an issue in the greater scheme of things. In reality, it could easily be a bit frightening. Reverse gear in the Valhalla doesn’t run through its eight-speed dual-clutch transmission . Instead, the plug-in hybrid hypercar handles reverse through its pair of electric motors driving the front wheels. These can run at speeds of up to 140km/h while driving forwards, but it was soon realised that they’d do exactly the same in reverse. Frankly terrifying, especially given the amount of power they have at their disposal. MORE: Aston Martin Valhalla among Australia’s most expensive n...
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BMW is dancing around China’s door handle ban with a region-specific solution

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New regulations in China mean cars must have physical door handles to ensure ease of operation in an emergency, but BMW has opted for a region-specific solution. It appears BMW isn’t prepared to abandon flush-fit electronically actuated door handles just yet. The trend towards flush-fit door handles that electronically present themselves, or require counter-intuitive steps to open, is about to be brought to an abrupt end, thanks to the introduction of regulations in China that require simple, manual operation in a variety of conditions. As one of the largest new car sales markets in the world, it’s reasonable to assume that the new Chinese regulations would force car brands to follow suit across global markets to keep a lid on costs. BMW , however, looks set to adopt a specific solution for the Chinese market that won’t be seen elsewhere. At least, not initially. MORE: 2027 BMW M3 EV seemingly leaked Images of China’s version of the iX3 electric SUV reveal a unique ...
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GAC hopes to be a best-seller in Australia sooner than previously thought

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Chinese car brand GAC previously claimed it could be a Top 10 selling brand in five years. Now it reckons it can hit its goal even sooner. GAC Aion UT GAC thinks it can crack the list of the Top 10 best-selling car brands in Australia in as little as three years, planning a rapid expansion even quicker than it previously targeted. The Chinese car brand, like many newcomers, is eyeing a top-10 place in the new-car sales charts, and has previously declared it wants to achieve its goal within five years. GAC , which stands for Guangzhou Automobile Group, also wants to expand its dealership reach from 30 to 100 during the same period. At the launch of its new Aion UT electric hatchback this week, though, local boss Kevin Shu said he thinks GAC can do it sooner. MORE: 2026 GAC Aion UT price and specs – BYD Dolphin and MG 4 rival detailed for Australia GAC Aion UT “Within five years, with 10 models, with more than 100 [dealer] network together, we can enter the ...
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The EV insurance ‘sting’ facing Aussie drivers fleeing the fuel crisis

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Despite more drivers making the electric transition, new data has revealed that EV insurance quotes have increased by 10 per cent in one year. While most drivers feel the soaring prices of petrol, recent data has revealed a large spike in Aussie motorists jumping into electric cars due to the Middle East conflict. By now, most drivers are feeling the financial pinch at the bowser amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. And while some drivers turn to stockpiling to get ahead of an uncertain economy, some motorists are jumping into fully electric cars. According to recent data from CommBank, new EV car loans surged by a whopping 161 per cent in March compared with the weekly volume average recorded in February before the war in Iran started. But it’s not just private drivers who are making the electric transition. RELATED: The unexpected EV cost adding thousands to your maintenance bill According to CommBank, business loans on just Teslas alone increased by 268 per cen...
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Toyota Supra A80 scores more reproduction parts from in-house heritage program

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A new dashboard will be one of more than 300 parts across eight models that Toyota reproduces under its Heritage Parts Project. A80 Supra interior, with the reproduced parts. Toyota has added the dashboard of the 1993 to 2002 Mk4 Supra ‘A80’ sports car to the range of 300-plus components it reproduces for older models under the GR Heritage Parts Project, from LandCruisers to the 2000GT. Production of the instrument panel will start in September, using modern materials and manufacturing techniques intended to improve durability, while maintaining the grain of plastic of the original to retain visual authenticity. The GR Heritage Parts Project has reproduced discontinued parts for older Toyotas since 2019, to help customers keep their vehicles on the road. It builds more than 300 parts across eight models: the 2000GT, A70 and A80 Supra , Corolla AE86 coupe, and 40, 60, 70 and 80 Series Land Cruisers . MORE: Toyota exec keen on Supra return – ‘I’d love for it to b...
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Mazda outlines hurdles facing EV adoption in Australia: ‘Options are not the issue’

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Electric vehicle adoption in Australia needs to move beyond the NVES fines-based approach, according to this major car brand. Mazda Australia believes the Government should be doing more to incentivise the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), and that the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is the wrong way to go about it. Speaking to Drive , Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi said there is now enough choice in the EV market – spread across price point and size – so other hurdles to adoption need to be addressed. “There are some other barriers, and I do understand consumers will take time to move towards that, but I would encourage the regulators to think about how to drive that demand and support the consumer in whatever the barriers are now,” Bhindi said. “One of the proactive things that is currently in play is the battery subsidy – so someone who has got solar, can capture the energy and therefore allow charging infrastructure at home, so it makes perfect sense. MORE...
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Wagon popularity has surprised BMW M boss

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The success of long-roof versions of BMW M cars has surprised the division’s CEO, as the body style fades in popularity across the broader car market. BMW M3 Touring The success of BMW’s M3 and M5 Touring models has come from left field, admitted BMW M CEO Frank van Meel, as customer interest in traditional car-based wagons continues to wane in favour of SUVs. “A little bit [surprised], yes,” van Meel told Australian media when asked if he has been surprised by demand for Touring models. “Because over the past decades, every time we asked, ‘do you want a Touring model?’, the answer was always ‘no, we don’t want that in our market. We are an SUV market, or we are a sedan market’.” BMW M currently offers two car-based wagons in performance specification, the M3 Touring and M5 Touring. The demand for traditional wagons has steadily faded away over the past two decades, with the market shifting focus toward SUVs and leaving less than 20 different wagons on sale in Australia...
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