CAR ADVICE

Ford fans have a big reason to cheer in the New Year. In 2018 Ford outsold Holden for the first time in 21 years – since 1997 – which was also the last time Ford led the entire new-car market (at the time the end of a three-year winning streak). While both brands are now outside the Top Four – and preliminary figures show Ford sales were down for the second year in a row – the Blue Oval brand turned the tables on its former rival Holden, which posted its eighth year in a row in decline.

The Toyota HiLux ute has shattered its previous sales record after posting the highest annual tally of any vehicle for the past decade. Preliminary figures for 2018 show the Toyota HiLux eclipsed 50,000 sales for the first time ever – overtaking the peak of 47,093 set in 2017 and the previous high of 42,956 set in 2008. The last vehicle to top the 50,000 mark was the Holden Commodore in 2008, with 51,093 sales.

A potential customer for the Porsche Taycan has revealed its naming structure, proving the company isn't quite ready to let go of internal combustion norms just yet. Alex Roy, an American journalist with a pre-order slot for the pure-electric Porsche, posted a picture of a letter from the company on Twitter, revealing the three models will be labelled Taycan, Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo.

Tesla owners have a new easter egg to play with after the electric car maker added an "Emissions Testing Mode" to its vehicles via an over-the-air update. At present there are seven fart options to choose from, all named after a product from one of Musk's companies or a recent Musk-related controversy: Not a Fart, Short Shorts Ripper, Falcon Heavy, Ludicrous Fart, Neurastink, Boring Fart, and I'm So Random, which is a random mix of all of the above.

Along with being one of the most popular vehicle segments in Australia, buyers aren’t necessarily putting away their wallets after driving off the showroom floor. The 4x4 ute is a massive favourite for aftermarket modification, and for a huge variety of reasons. Many are chasing better off-road capability on tough 4WD tracks, while others are tricking up their rigs to spend weeks at a time on the road. And, of course, many just want to look tough during the weekly grocery shop.

And then there were two. Market leader Toyota and fellow Japanese brand Nissan are now the only two in the Top 10 with a below average three-year warranty after Subaru boosted its coverage to five years from January 1, 2019. Subaru introduced its five-year warranty on certain models in December – and had increased its standard three-year coverage during monthly sales promotions in recent years – but the new deal is permanent.

With Targa High Country just around the corner, it’s time we take a look at Alborz and the Elise’s journey so far. How is his preparation coming along? What changes have been made to the car to get it Targa ready and has Alborz had enough time behind the wheel of the now competition prepared car? Finally, what is Alborz expecting from the event, the competition and himself now that he’s so close to start and finish line.

Driving the A110, you’re blessed with the certainty that this is a car meant to be enjoyed in the finest tradition of automotive enjoyment – by being driven hard at the limit. Am I still in love, almost a year since I drove it at the at the international launch? Without question. Is it a rational love? No, but then, when has love ever made sense?

This is an unashamed love letter. From the moment I first laid eyes on the Alpine A110, I was smitten. It was December 2017 and I was in France for the international launch of the reborn Alpine brand. My first glimpse of it in the metal evinced all kinds of physiological reactions. Weak-kneed, sweaty-palmed and heart racing, it was like the moment you know you fell in love for the first time.

Mazda Australia clearly believes there’s big business in catering for large families. Having successfully lobbied in 2007 to grab a right-hand-drive version of the US-focused CX-9 seven-seater SUV, the company has now diverted the new CX-8 seven-seater from the Japanese brand’s domestic market. It makes Australia and New Zealand the only countries in the world to feature two Mazda seven-seater SUVs.

Since being released in 2015, replacing the original 1990s model, the HR-V has been Honda’s main fighter in the competitive small-SUV space. Three years is a fair amount of time, and the 2018 Honda HR-V has been recently updated with a redesigned front bumper and grille that's finished off with some new LED headlights. There are some specification tweaks across the range as well, along with the new RS specification. We’ve got the new LX spec, which replaced the L as the range-topping variant.

When we’re not creating it ourselves, the CarAdvice team spends a lot of time finding and consuming motoring content from all over the world. Here’s a handful of the articles, videos and social media posts that most caught our eye last week. Some of them are brand-new, others have been online for a while. Enjoy them – just not too much, okay? Here's how America feels about the new Ranger Old or new, which would you take?  Here it is, the ideal car for the festive season

Subaru is getting ready to launch a track-ready WRX STI in the USA, in the form of the S209. At the moment, the only preview for the car is a video published by Subaru America, dubbed From Japan with Love.  It shows a heavily camouflaged WRX STI hammering around Virginia International Raceway, suggesting whatever is getting ready for release will be meaningfully different to the stock STI.

I don't understand why people aren't buying more wagons. Alright, I do understand it. It's my job, after all, to know how the market works and what draws people to the latest trends. What I mean, is: if you've bought a passenger car and it isn't a wagon, you've made the wrong choice. ("Flame suit on", "Come at me bro", "Don't @ me", et cetera.) 

The Audi RS4 Avant is a family hauler that truly hauls arse, in a straight line and through corners alike, and it does it in all conditions. No other luxury wagon outside the Audi stable can claim that in quite so angry a fashion. While I do dig the C63 Estate, I reckon it just isn't quite the headturner that this baddie clearly is.

The exterior of the fifth-generation Toyota Supra has been accidentally revealed a few weeks ahead of its official launch at the 2019 Detroit motor show. These images were originally posted by user t93 on the forums of Supra MkV.com. T93 claims it was sent to them when they signed up for the waiting list on Toyota Germany's website.

Subaru has revealed the pair of hotted-up 'STI' concepts it's planning to reveal at the Tokyo Auto Salon next month, in the form of two sporty-styled specials. The Impreza STI Concept takes the base hatch, and adds a set of custom wheels, some black add-ons to the front bumper and side skirts, central exhaust, and a contrast roof finish. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff, but similar to what we've seen from Mazda with its range of add-ons for the 3.

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has released its 'ultimate' take on the P1 GTR, inspired by Ayrton Senna's legendary MP4/4 racer. The project celebrates the 30th anniversary of Senna's first Formula 1 World Championship, commissioned by a McLaren collector who grew up idolising the Brazilian. He worked in tandem with MSO for three years on the car.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here's a look at the CarAdvice team's hits and misses for 2018. Hit: Ford Ranger Raptor

If a vehicle is a statement, this Range Rover Sport SVR is a string of violent obscenities, spoken with a perfectly elegant enunciation. Partly, you’re a bit shocked. But mostly, you’re massively impressed. It’s a vehicle that can’t help but command your entire attention.

The Daihatsu Copen Coupe will make its in-the-flesh debut at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon before going into a limited production run. Based on the 2016 Copen Cero concept, the production version of the coupe features a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof and a glass rear window which doubles as a hatch.

Call me boring, but the new Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander is my choice. This $60,500 large SUV impressed me in so many ways during a comparison against key rivals that I wrote earlier this year. It’s one thing to make a supercar great, but we can’t forget to focus on cars that everyday people will drive, either.

It’s difficult to find issues with this car, and unlike a lot of other Hyundais, there’s some extra-level style elements to match the substance. This is not a phone-in job. Perhaps befitting my persona, there are enough head-turning sex machines in our Winners Circle. The 2018 Santa Fe Highlander delivers a premium experience for regular families, and to me that’s equally worthy of celebration. So, to it…

The Suzuki Jimny Sierra Pickup Style concept will debut at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon in the middle of January. As its name suggests, the cabin has been truncated and now only has two seats, while the boot has been replaced by a open-bed tray.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are the most read stories across all categories And here are the best, head-to-head in a broad range of conditions We can't wait to see the Jimny next year!  Those facts are laid out here

Previous iterations of the Lexus ES have been the automotive equivalent of popping an Ambien. But in case you missed the memo, Japan’s luxury car brand doesn’t play that way any more. And so, the new-generation big sedan embraces modern Lexus’ far more aggressive design language. It has a long and low roof, powerful sculpted bonnet, long and broad shoulders, lovely door-mounted side mirrors and a chiselled rear end. It also has a lower coefficient of drag (aero rating).

Plenty of CarAdvice team members have had a serious crack at me for my choice for favourite car of the year. However, the ones who have are forgetting one critical element of any car review - fit for purpose. And that's where the Abarth 595 nails its brief in spectacular fashion.

The Abarth 595 won't be to everyone's tastes, but if you're cross-shopping it with a Polo GTI, you're not an Abarth buyer in the first place. In terms of fun for dollars outlaid, the Abarth 595 is easily my pick of 2018.

The chairman of Tata Motors has gone on the record to state the Indian automaker has no plans to sell Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) or discontinue the Jaguar marque. In the third quarter of 2018 the company lost £90 million ($160 million) due to weakness in the Chinese market, local Brexit woes, and dwindling demand for diesel-powered vehicles and traditional sedan models.

Kia will demonstrate its mood detection technology at its stand at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The Real-time Emotion Adaptive Driving system, or READ for short, was co-developed with the Affective Computing group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab.

Let’s point out the bleeding obvious once again, just for fun: SUVs are selling like crazy in Australia. People are moving away from sedans, hatchbacks and wagons in big numbers – it’s all about small, medium and large SUVs. ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’ is a term that has become so muddied and ambiguous over the years, I’m not exactly sure on what it means. But anyway, that’s a chat for another day.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here's the top five comparisons this year. Which of these top-selling SUVs would you pick? It's Japan v Japan. Who's got your vote? Watch the video (in collaboration with YouTube personality Joe Achilles) here

Greg Kelly, the man accused of helping former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn understate his salary by around $100 million, was released from the Tokyo Detention Centre on Christmas Day. According to Reuters he was released after his family posted bail of ¥70 million ($880,000). He was photographed being taken from the jail in a taxi at around 10.45pm on December 25, local time.

I consider myself in a very lucky position to be jumping into a fair number of vehicles every week working at CarAdvice. You soon learn that first impressions are pretty important, and the relationship you have with a car can take a few different twists and turns during the experience. Some cars can be naturally exciting and engaging, while others feel more pedestrian. More banal.

The Ranger Raptor's engine isn't what anybody dreamed it would be, but no vehicle is judged on its engine alone, and the Raptor does feel like more than just the sum of its parts. It’s the next evolution of Australia’s 4WD, signalling a very exciting future to come. Let’s just hope they stick a few different (and more powerful) engines under the bonnet.

Being a small crossover, one of the most important and regular tasks our Citroen C4 Cactus long-termer will have to complete is the daily urban commute – and so far, we're relatively impressed. While 'Smurfette' didn't pass our recent infotainment and technology review with flying colours, we've been pleasantly surprised with how comfortable the Cactus is to drive day-to-day, though it still isn't without its quirks.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has recalled certain GLC and C-Class models, over concerns about the passenger seat occupant detection. According to the company, a software bug in vehicles with the Audio 20 system could affect the system that detects occupants in the front passenger seat. The fault could mean the airbag inflates incorrectly in an accident.

What a jam-packed year for the CarAdvice podcast. We enjoyed producing the best and latest automotive content over 44 episodes, including nine special episodes. Thirteen panel members covered over 200 news items, 60 reviews, and 20 comparisons. We also spoke to over 50 special guests and 14 owner reviews, and we took the podcast out of the studio 13 times to broadcast from different locations.

A dune buggy concept based on the Volkswagen Group's upcoming MEB electric car platform should debut in 2019. The company recently sent a Christmas card depicting an open-top vehicle driven over uneven ground by someone wearing Santa hat. A source has told Autocar Volkswagen is developing three retro-style vehicles based on its all-electric MEB platform.

Having spent two weeks in a Nissan Titan back in 2012 on a road trip through Texas and Tennessee in the United States, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of the latest iteration, the 2019 Nissan Titan PRO-4X. This time, though, we were heading off-road in Morocco and into the wilds of the Sahara Desert. 

Following the hundreds of test drives and numerous launches I’ve taken part in over the course of the year it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite. Real highlights included Porsche’s entry-level 911 T, Hyundai’s first hot hatch, the i30 N, and the wonderful Alpine A110 I punted at Targa High Country, all of which deserve podiums for the sheer driving thrills. But while it's tough to single out one unforgettable vehicle or experience, I chose the latest Lexus GS F.

Yes, compared with hugely more expensive rivals in the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S, the Lexus GS F is shamefully underpowered and downright slow in a straight line. But on a road like the Hakone, it’s probably going to be quicker, given the confidence it feeds back to the driver. And, besides, this may be one of the last naturally aspirated V8 engines ever produced as emissions targets tighten each year.

On this week's episode of CarAdvice, Trent Nikolic and Paul Maric look at fuel prices in Australia, and chat about the CarAdvice Winners Circle. First up, Mercedes-AMG has set a new Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record for SUVs, but how relevant is that time to the average consumer? Skoda wants to double its Australian sales in the next five years. The company is selling strongly Down Under, but has high hopes for the future.

An engineering and development mule for new Peugeot crossover has been spied undergoing testing in Europe. The mule is fitted a modified body borrowed from the current Peugeot 208. Thanks to its massive wheel arch extensions we know the new car will be significantly wider than 1739mm hatch.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here's what got you talking the most this year. What omitted features annoy you the most?

Porsche has dropped the Mission E moniker for its first electric vehicle, and replaced it with Taycan. Shorter, sure, but much trickier to pronounce. To that end, the brand has released a new video explaining how to correctly address the four-door, four-seat EV. Roughly translated, it means 'lively young horse' – a reference to the rearing horse in the Porsche crest. Check out the video below for the official language lesson.

The Renault Zoe has been a long time coming – on sale in France since 2012 and totalling a little over 33,000 sales since then. Renault then updated the Zoe in October of 2016, introducing a bigger 41kWh battery that added range to the city electric vehicle. It was around a year later that Renault Australia officially confirmed that the Zoe would be sold in Australia.

My choice of Porsche 911 GT3 for Winners Circle 2018 demands some back story. There’s no other brand that gets my heart racing than Porsche. When I imported a red 1974 911 from America in 2010, I realised it was the type of car I had been searching for for a long time. A car proud of its history, a car gorgeous from every angle, and a car that uses curvy mountain roads as its playground. I raced it, I showed it off, and cried when I scratched it. The Porsche passion in my blood was strong.

I could talk all day about how the 911 GT3 drives, but the sound that thing makes as the dial winds its way around the tachometer, made my hair arms stand on end. Sure, you can get an adrenaline rush by skydiving, or bungee jumping, but for me, it’s driving a Porsche GT3. It’s such a pure supercar that is not only addictive to drive but is unforgettable.

You told us you don't trust the traditional 'Car of the Year' format favoured by most publishers, and you wanted to know more about our own personal faves, objectivity be damned. Well, here it is. Get the full story right here. NOTE: This video was first published on December 18.

The offering of electric cars at Nissan dealerships worldwide could be expanding in the not-too-distant future. At the very least, it's likely the company is preparing two new electric car concepts over the coming year or so. AutoGuide has discovered trademark filings for the IMS and IMQ names at the European Intellectual Property Office. These two names seem to follow on from the Nissan IMx concept unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo motor show.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. For this instalment, we're covering off the five most visited CarAdvice news stories of the year.

Mercedes-AMG has teased its upcoming hot-hatch flagship, the A45, with a video showcasing its hotly-anticipated drift mode. The new video was shared on Mercedes-Benz social channels overnight, and shows a camouflaged pre-production car getting very sideways around a wet track somewhere in Northern Germany.

The CarAdvice Melbourne garage has welcomed another new long-term tester – say hello to 'Aldo' the Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Sport Limited Edition. Priced from $48,000 before on-road costs (or $48,900 drive-away), the 2.0 TFSI Sport Limited Edition builds on the specification of the standard 'Sport' sedan variant by adding the usually optional Assistance Package and Technik Package as standard equipment, which normally ask for $1500 and $2900 respectively.

This is probably the first time in my life where driving or owning a Corolla can be considered ‘cool’ and I believe it’s more than worthy of being a top pick for the year.

My winning pick for 2018 is the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid. Shortly after the all-new model launched locally in August I reviewed the mid-spec SX variant. Why a Corolla? The new-generation model is such a leap forward in so many ways, and personally I believe it’s a genuine top pick in the small-car segment.

We were relatively satisfied with the Acadia LT AWD, which looks to be the pick of the range. It lacks the CX-9’s cabin ambience, granted, its engine never inspires you and the FWD mode is ordinary, but it’s spacious, good value, comfortable and looks the part.

Holden needs a win, as it fights to define itself as a full-line importer. While many of its new products – ZB Commodore, Astra, Equinox – are competitive with rivals, declining sales figures show it’s still battling to win people over.

Anyone who frequents our comments will know readers don't always agree with the expert reviews published on CarAdvice. Our team of road testers and journalists are lucky to drive lots of cars, but that also means we approach things from a certain angle.

Enthusiasts may obsess over them, but for the average motorist the black rubber rings under each corner of their car probably don’t occupy much thought until it comes time to replace them, and then it’s just another out-of-pocket inconvenience. Bridgestone is aware of this. The company’s marketing campaigns attempt to connect consumers with the stark reality that the couple of tonnes of fast-moving metal they’re strapped into rests on four hand-sized blocks of tread in contact with the ground.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here are the spy photos that most excited you during the year.

Nissan has confirmed plans to reveal a new model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with a teaser suggesting it'll be the long-range Leaf electric vehicle. The Leaf E-Plus, as it's likely to be badged, will pack a 60kWh battery and is expected to offer around 360km – up 120km on the 40kWh model touching down locally in April next year.

My Winners Circle short list wasn’t so much about choosing the best vehicle of 2018, but selecting the vessel beneath the year’s most memorable motoring experience. And nothing came close to the cocktail of eye-popping wonder and bum-clenching fear that was my McLaren Senna drive at Estoril, Portugal, in June, before Winners Circle got traction.

Curt Dupriez: I’d have the G63 over AMG’s other big, biturbo V8-powered, all-paw, quarter-mil prospect, the E63 S, any day of the week. Heck, even if the sedan was half its actual price. If only because the truck’s ridiculous and nonsensical joys would cast a might brighter halo across any daily humdrum. Crazy? Given at the time of writing that the G63 is sold out, pre-Aussie launch, until 2020, it won't be too lonely in the looney bin...

Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO and chairman of Nissan, has been rearrested on fresh charges, with Japanese prosecutors accusing him of hiding personal trading losses with funds from the automaker. Prosecutors have informed Japanese news outlets Ghosn has been rearrested on aggravated breach of trust charges. They allege Ghosn transferred ¥1.85 billion ($23 million) in losses he suffered during the 2008 global financial crisis to his employer.

Another year, another 44 CarAdvice podcasts packed with news, reviews, comparisons, special guests and topics. With around 44 hours worth of podcast goodness, it’s hard to pick the best parts. Even so, we’ve tried to pack them into one episode.  Highlights include a discussion on infotainment systems, public reaction to the 2019 Holden Commodore, celebrity chauffeur Joe Achilles, a hot lap in the Hyundai i30 N, everything Ford Ranger Raptor, and much more.

The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye. Who doesn't love a bargain?

So long as you have the money, buying a Ferrari should never be a difficult decision. At the end of the day, the Italian brand represents a universally recognised symbol of speed, glamour, wealth and performance.

The updated Audi Q7 has been spied again this week, this time on the snowy roads of Europe. While there's plenty of swirly black-and-white camouflage at the front and rear, we can see where the main changes will be made for the Q7's mid-life upgrade.

Hyundai can’t make a hot hatch, can it? From the very moment the South Korean brand announced it would be creating its own performance division, the i30 N drew a line in the sand. Automotive enthusiasts lined up on either side to be either for or against the newcomer. Some claimed Hyundai had no heritage, which somehow made its challenger invalid.

It’s been a few months since we last caught up with Briannen and her Beetle. The 16-year old is restoring her first car, a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle, with her VW mechanic dad, Mark, who is teaching her all the tricks along the way, and we will be following her every step. Saturdays used to be the only day Briannen could work on ‘Apis’, but she hasn’t been visiting the workshop as much as she would like to.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here, we've taken a look at the video posts that most caught your eye on CarAdvice.

A pair of pre-production 2019 Audi SQ7 prototypes have been snapped by photographers this week on the snowy roads of Europe. Interestingly, the two vehicles have different sets of panels on them, with one giving a clearer look at the final design of the mid-life update, the other appearing a mix-and-match of the current model and the new.

Since the Focus replaced the Laser in 2002 there’s been the option of a hatchback or sedan body style, but never a wagon. That changes for 2019 with the introduction of Ford’s fourth-generation small car. It’s not going to be the variant that revives the Focus’s sales fortunes in Australia, of course. That you can count the number of small wagons you can buy for about $30,000 on one hand is all you need to know about the level of their popularity here.

Ford has revealed a new pet accessory concept designed to soothe sensitive ears during the fireworks on New Year's Eve. The Blue Oval cites statistics showing an estimated 45 per cent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks, causing distress for the animals and also their owners.

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year. Here's a look at the five most popular Car Culture stories of 2018. Watch the video and get the full written piece here Take a trip back in time with Mandy Turner here Do you agree with Alborz? Read the full article here

Mercedes-Benz Australia has expanded its Takata airbag recall further, now including the previous-generation 2010-17 model-year E-Class family, including the sedan, Coupe and Cabriolet variants. UPDATE, 21/12/18: The company's local arm has confirmed affected E-Class sedans come under the 2010-11 model years. We've updated the article to reflect this information.

Ford Australia has confirmed a very mildly-updated MY18.75 Mondeo will launch at the beginning of next year, after it was spied on the roads of Melbourne this week. Snapped by our very own Mike Stevens, the bum-lifted wagon gets a new tail-light arrangement joined through the middle by a chrome strip – giving the estate-bodied Mondeo a more upmarket look at the rear.

Toyota Australia is facing a class action lawsuit over issues with the Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) in 2015-18 HiLux, Prado and Fortuner vehicles powered by the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine. According to the legal firm considering the claim, its clients have experienced "increased fuel consumption and a loss of power of the vehicle" because "hard deposits accumulating on the DPF oxidisation catalyst" stop it reaching the necessary temperature.

Join Mandy Turner, Paul Maric and James Wong for the last podcast for 2018! In car news, Australia's first Genesis showroom is taking shape, the Suzuki Jimny has been hit with an AEB bug, Ford Australia has announced it isn't planning to kill passenger cars, and a mobile phone detection camera will be trialled in NSW. We answer Mark's question in Ask CarAdvice, if December or January is the best time to buy a new car.

Paul’s Audi R8, Curt’s AMG G63, Mandy’s Porsche 911 GT3…I knew many of the team would succumb to temptation of machinery worth north of $250K. Given that I didn’t want to leave Mike or James, with their Santa Fe and Corolla, to represent the men of the people alone, I opted for the 2018 Ford Mustang GT – in my preferred automatic form – to help keep the modest end of the field honest.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch range is about to have a new entry point of $42,300 before on-road costs, thanks to the arrival of the A180 range-opener. This is about $5000 cheaper than the A200, which was serving as the base model. At the same the company has expanded the performance-oriented A250 range, adding a front-wheel drive model as price-leader. Both the A180 and the revised A250 range will be in dealers by March 2019.

Mercedes-Benz has given the full rundown of its 2019 GLE range for the European market, touting the fact the new-gen SUV is the first vehicle in its class to comply with the new Euro 6d emissions standard. In its home market, the new GLE will be offered in four flavours – 300d, 350d, 400d, and 450. As you may have guessed, that's three diesel variants and just one petrol, for now at least.

Hyundai has revealed a new fingerprint authentication system, allowing drivers to unlock and start their car using smartphone-style technology. The system features two fingerprint sensors: one on the engine start/stop button, and one on the driver's side exterior door handle. Hyundai's system is capable of storing authentication details for two drivers, including three sets of fingerprints for each person.

Possibly the best thing about Audi’s first attempt at all-electric mobility with the e-tron SUV is that there’s few indicators to highlight that you’re in anything other than a regular Audi SUV. It does without the kitsch, attention-grabbing X-Wing doors or a dash that goes all Santa Claus at Christmas like you’ll find on the Tesla Model X and it’s not trying to create a new genre like the Jaguar I-Pace. Instead the e-tron feels just like another member of Audi’s off-roading family.

The upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake has been snapped again by spy photographers this week, including new images of the swoopy estate's cabin. We already have a rough idea of what the exterior will look like despite the heavy camouflage, blending the face of the new A-Class with a miniature version of the larger CLS's rear. Being the Shooting Brake, this version gets a wagon booty compared to the sedan look of the standard CLA.

Toyota Australia has issued a recall for the new-generation Corolla hatchback fitted with the 2.0-litre petrol engine over concerns CVT-equipped models could have faulty transmissions. "This recall is due to a problem with the torque converter in the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) assembly," Toyota said in its press release.

Mini has detailed the mildly-updated JCW Hatch for Europe, complete with a new particulate filter helping it meet Euro 6d-Temp emissions regulations on the tough WLTP test cycle. Power still comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 170kW/320Nm, hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission as standard. An eight-speed automatic is also be available.

Mazda has revealed a removable carbon-fibre hardtop for the MX-5 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, alongside a new 3 hatchback with a factory bodykit. Although it technically offers two hardtop options for the MX-5 – the RF, and an aftermarket unit designed for racing – this carbon-fibre top takes a different approach.

The end of the calendar year and the start of a new one is a good time to buy a new car because dealers are trying to clear old stock. But the bargains are likely to be sharper this time around because new-car sales are on track to hit the brakes for the ninth month in a row, dealers are overstocked, and the forecast for next year is gloomy.

The Qiantu K50, a Chinese electric coupe, will be built in the US, potentially beating a number of Chinese-backed automakers to the punch. CH-Auto and Mullen Technologies, a southern California-based electric car distributor and manufacturer, have signed an agreement to produce the Qiantu K50 from 2020 using a mix of local and imported components. The Qiantu K50 has an all-electric drivetrain boasting 300kW of power, and features carbon-fibre body panels and an aluminium frame.

The BMW i3S is weird. It looks weird. The interior is weird. It’s weird to drive. But in a world where cars are morphing into indistinguishable blobs powered by variations of the same four-cylinder engine layout, the i3 range's overwhelming weirdness is a charming reminder of what happens when talented automotive engineers are given a bit of freedom.  

Mazda’s belated embrace of turbocharged petrol engines in its current fleet of cars has been most welcome. The first recipient was the new CX-9 family crossover, then the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon joined in, attaining the punch it they long deserved.

More than half of Australia’s drivers are now “seriously considering” buying a hybrid car instead of a purely petrol-powered option, according to a Roy Morgan survey of more than 50,000 people. The organisation’s market-specific Automotive Currency Report published findings based on in-person interviews with more than 50,000 Australians at home, up to September 2018, including 37,000 current drivers and the rest aged over 14 and intending to be drivers within four years.

GM Holden has issued a recall for the 2014 to 2016 model-year VF Commodore, WN Caprice, and related HSV versions over concerns the power steering system could fail. The manufacturer reports "increased electrical resistance in a component within the Electric Power Steering system may result in a loss of power steering assistance". If the condition occurs, it could increase the effort required to turn the steering wheel, or even loss of steering control.

NIssan has announced a limited-edition version of the R35 GT-R acknowledging the company's new partnership with tennis Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka. Just 50 examples of this special GT-R will be available, with unique colour options chosen by Osaka herself. Based on the GT-R Premium grade, three body colour options are available – Midnight Opal, Brilliant White Pearl, and Meteor Flake Black Pearl.

The Audi Q4 crossover has been spied between tests at one of the company's evaluation facilities. Up front the new model doesn't look too far removed from the Q3, with the two vehicles sporting virtually identical headlights. The Q4 does seem to feature a different grille insert, and a revised front bumper design.

The Tesla Model 3 is taking the USA by storm and it'll hit Australia by mid-late 2019. Paul Maric jumps behind the wheel of the Model 3 Performance for a road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to see how well an electric car performs in a market with dedicated EV infrastructure.

It was freezing cold and 6:30AM on the 10th of April in 2016. That was the morning that Tesla opened the books for global pre-orders for the Tesla Model 3 and Australia was the first cab off the rank. That morning I stood with a stack of new owners keen to put a deposit down for the eagerly anticipated Tesla Model 3. Fast forward almost three years and those with pre-orders are still at least six months away from seeing their cars.

To modify or to not modify? That is the burning, eternal question for many enthusiasts. To explore the functional pros and cons of both paths, we've lined up a new Toyota HiLux Rugged X against a nicely tweaked SR5. Let's see how they both go!

Morgan's range of V8 sports cars has fallen victim to strict WLTP regulations, leaving the Roadster V6 and 3 Wheeler its only offerings in Australia. According to a Morgan bulletin, there are just four production slots left for the 4/4 with an ADR compliant engine. Once they're snapped up, no more naturally-aspirated 4/4s will make it to our shores, and the factory "has not given any indication" whether a replacement model is coming.

On this week's episode of CarAdvice, Trent Nikolic and Paul Maric look at the new Mitsubishi Triton, look into the Australia success story that is ARB, and talk about the best commercial vans on the market today. First up: Toyota has confirmed there will be three drivetrain options on the new RAV4 SUV in Australia, including a hybrid. It's due to touch down in the second quarter of 2019.

The Federal Opposition has promised to establish a National Office of Road Safety, should it win the 2019 Federal Election. The proposal was announced at the Labor Party's national conference in Adelaide, with the party arguing "after decades of decline, the road toll is again heading in the wrong direction".

Power. You can never have too much of it. So when Audi decided to create their first ever rear-wheel drive car, how apt that it would be in a beastly sports car with a fire-breathing naturally aspirated V10. I first had the chance to experience the Audi R8 RWS at Phillip Island during the local launch. It’s the automotive equivalent of your blind date being a 10/10 before you’ve even had the chance to speak with them.

Volkswagen Australia has recalled the Mk6 Golf, 'B6' Passat, and Passat CC as part of the ongoing Takata airbag recall. Affected units span the 2009 through 2016 model years depending on nameplate, affecting both the driver and passenger front airbags. Like previous Takata recalls, the fault revolves around degraded airbag propellant as a result of exposure to high temperatures and humidity over time.

Renault and Volkswagen engineers had the great minds to think alike in 1976. Each group took their respective manufacturer’s humble three-door hatchback and beefed up it with go-faster components – creating a whole new breed of affordable performance car for enthusiasts. It’s the Volkswagen Golf GTI, however, rather than the Renault 5 Alpine (or 5 Gordini, as it was known in the UK) that took credit for popularising the hot-hatch concept, and only the GTI has become a global household name.

Toyota has tested the new Supra sports car on Australian roads before it arrives in showrooms in the second half of next year. However, rather than making changes to suit local conditions, the week-long exercise was used to validate settings already developed on foreign roads. The A90 Supra’s chief engineer Tetsuya Tada – also the chief engineer for the current generation Toyota 86 – accompanied six engineers and technicians from Toyota Australia on the test drive.

Porsche has added another variant to its 718 Cayman and Boxster range, today announcing a pared-back 718 T for both coupe and drop-top.

The new Hyundai Santa Fe will no longer be offered as a diesel or a seven-seater in the US, according to a new article out of North America. Green Car Reports received confirmation from a Hyundai spokesperson the Korean manufacturer has decided to cull plans to offer the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel Santa Fe in the North American market – the main powertrain available in Australia.

Land Rover has released the first official teaser of its new-generation Defender, ahead of a full reveal sometime next year. The above image was published on some of the company's social channels, including its North American Instagram profile. Accompanying the photo is the caption: "do not unwrap until 2019", indicating the official reveal of the much-loved nameplate will occur in the new year.

SUZUKI says it won’t stop deliveries of its highly anticipated Jimny four-wheel-drive – but is considering a software update – after overseas tests found a glitch that caused the car to repeatedly slam the brakes even though there was no obstacle. Testing in the US found the Suzuki Jimny’s stability control could be triggered after the autonomous emergency braking system detected a guardrail when rounding a bend.

The 2019 Nissan Terra is a Navara-based 4WD wagon platform that would almost certainly fill the void left in Australia by the ‘softening off' of the Pathfinder. Given the recent proliferation of rugged 4WDs on offer in Australia – think MU-X, Fortuner, Pajero Sport and Colorado 7 to name just a few – it’s hard to see a situation where Nissan wouldn’t benefit from one of its own.

The New York motor show isn't until March next year, but debuts and reveals have been confirmed by at least eight manufacturers ahead of the event. Some of these unveilings will come from Acura, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, all premium brands that will no doubt want to showcase important models at the New York show – but what will they be presenting exactly?

Ford Australia doesn’t intend to follow its parent company’s move to all but axe its entire passenger-car range in the USA, but admits the future of the mid-sized Mondeo is uncertain. The Mondeo’s North American twin, the Fusion, is set to be culled among a raft of models including the Fiesta city car, Focus small car, and Taurus large car. It'll leave the Mustang sports car as a lone passenger car in a showroom dominated by trucks and SUVs.

Customers of Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis may never need to venture to a dealership or service centre under a radical plan to “reinvent” the car buying and ownership experience. After almost a year of delays, Genesis is a step closer to opening its first standalone showroom in Australia – in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall – with cars due to go on sale in March 2019. Sites in Brisbane and Melbourne are due to follow in 2020.

The French-made Nissan Micra – which is not yet on sale in Australia – has achieved the maximum five-star ANCAP rating, albeit with a 2017 date stamp reflecting when it commenced production. The crash tester awarded the Micra 91 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 79 per cent for Child Occupant Protection and Pedestrian Protection, and 72 per cent for Safety Assist. Report here, based on Euro NCAP physical test.

Kia Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for the all-new 2019 Cerato hatchback shortly after it was spied on the streets of Sydney, which mirrors the sedan range launched earlier this year. Starting from $20,990 plus on-roads (or currently $19,990 drive-away), the Cerato hatch will be offered in the same S, Sport and Sport+ trims as the sedan from launch, with the turbocharged GT set to join the range next month.

Nio has expanded its fast-growing line of electric vehicles in China, adding the mid-sized ES6 SUV to its range. Revealed at an event in Shanghai, the ES6 is being described as a "high-performance" and "long-range" sibling to the ES8 SUV and lap-record smashing ES9 supercar. Two trim levels will be offered: the ES6 Standard, with a 160kW motor on each axle, and the ES6 Performance, which subs the regular rear motor for a 240kW unit.