CAR ADVICE

You could argue that we spend too much time and angst worrying about the top end of town when it comes to utes. Equally important is the less prestigious part of the segment, where the fundamental values of utility and practicality reign supreme. No ‘suits in utes’ around here – this is an area where blue collars and hi-vis rule.

MG Australia has revealed pricing and specifications for its newest small SUV offering, the 2021 MG ZST. While the Chinese-owned British brand will continue to offer its other small SUV, the related MG ZS, for at least another 12 months, the new MG ZST will look to offer a more premium, tech-focused experience to potential customers. It will be offered in two trim levels, with the MG ZST Excite starting from $29,490 drive-away, and ZST Essence starting from $32,490 drive-away.

Jeep has given its iconic Wrangler range a rework in Australia, culling the diesel-powered Rubicon flagship and adding a new Night Eagle specification as the entry into the four-door Wrangler Unlimited range. The returning Sport S grade leads the refreshed range as the overall price-leader, available only as a two-door model. The four-door Rubicon Unlimited, meanwhile, lives on as a petrol-only model.

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 range has been announced, with three trim levels available in a combination of drivelines and bodies, headed-up by the dual-cab range initially. Buyers of the new BT-50, co-developed alongside the recently-launched Isuzu D-Max range, will be able to choose between the entry-level XT, the sportier XTR, or the range-topping GT.

Australia's new car market, it is fair to say, did not have a stellar year in 2019. Month after month, sales were down, with consumer confidence low and dealers struggling with significant changes to finance regulations.

The upcoming 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross has made its Japanese-market debut this week, giving buyers a look at the wider line-up in its international form. Coming to Australia in late 2020 as a rival to models like the Hyundai Venue and Mazda CX-3, the Yaris Cross will debut here with a choice of petrol and petrol-electric hybrid powertrains. For our detailed coverage on the Yaris Cross's dimensions, engines and equipment highlights, see our earlier story here.

Volkswagen will reintroduce a diesel powered version of its seven-seat Tiguan Allspace SUV from October. The Tiguan Allspace 140TDI variant was last available in Australia in 2018. Volkswagen says this particular model was temporarily discontinued due to "WLTP-related (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, or "real-world" fuel economy testing) production restrictions".

The new Isuzu D-Max has begun arriving in Australian showrooms but a stock shortage caused by an interruption to production will delay the complete rollout of most models. Dealers contacted by CarAdvice have advised they are expecting to receive only limited stock in the coming weeks, and some have only one display vehicle until full shipments arrive next month.

Road safety authorities in the US have extended a deadline for car makers to add a sound emitting device for quiet vehicles, according to a report from news outlet Reuters. The so-called 'quiet car' rules are designed to improve pedestrian safety, forcing models with near-silent electric powertrains to produce an audible noise up to 30km/h.

Volvo Australia is dropping a number of diesel models from its 2021 model range. The most expensive diesel model in the XC60 line-up, the D5 R-Design, is no longer available to local buyers. The D5 R-Design has also been pulled from the XC90 range. Those wanting diesel motors in the Volvo XC60 will have to make do with the 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel in the D4 Momentum and D4 Inscription, priced at $64,990 plus on-road costs and $71,990 plus on-road costs respectively.

It wasn’t long ago that Kia was considered an up-and-comer, selling affordable cars that ticked boxes but weren’t enough to turn heads. Flash-forward to today, however, and it's a major player, regularly converting brand-loyal buyers with a penchant for all things premium thanks to its remarkably well-equipped and well-priced top-spec offerings.

After 6 months and 6000km's we say goodbye to the second-generation Veloster.

Kia Australia has issued a recall for 2241 examples of its Carnival people mover with the Model Year 2020 (MY20), due to an incorrectly tightened battery terminal. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the loose battery terminal could "increase the resistance to the alternator and may lead to heat being generated, which could result in a fire within the engine compartment".

The personal information of tens of thousands of New South Wales motorists may have been exposed in a mysterious online data leak and experts believe the source could be a fleet or toll road operator. A folder containing 108,535 scanned images of more than 50,000 driver's licences, and another containing Roads and Maritime Services toll notice statutory declarations, was uncovered by Europe-based cyber threat consultant Bob Diachenko while he was investigating a separate data breach.

Holden Special Vehicles and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group have appointed a new boss, Joel Stoddart, as the company prepares to broaden its engineering business across multiple brands and ramp up production for General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV). And although Holden Special Vehicles branding will disappear with Holden showroom signage by the end of the year, the company says it will preserve three decades of history of HSV cars and continue to support them with parts and service.

Kia has released full details of its facelifted 2021 Stinger performance flagship, ahead of its Australian arrival in the fourth quarter of 2020. While a handful of images of the Korean brand’s refreshed fastback were released earlier this month, we’ve had to wait until now for details regarding its global engine line-up and updated technology suite.

The 2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Premium's time in the CarAdvice garage is up. We had initially planned to do a few extra things with this car, such as go to the racetrack for a cheeky lap or two, as well as partake in a bit of touring through country New South Wales. However, we took delivery of this car at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made some tasks increasingly difficult to achieve, so we instead focused on other areas.

Mazda has released details of their forthcoming 2021 BT-50 ute accessory program, which will include over one hundred options for the new ute. “The commercial vehicle segment is of vital importance to Mazda Australia, and a strong accessories offer brings further customer personalisation opportunities,” said Vinesh Bhindi, Managing Director of Mazda Australia.

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. has made millions at the box office by playing an eccentric superhero who wears a custom mechanised suit to battle bad guys, so it makes sense the actor's real-life ride would be suitably tailor-made and unique. For his latest automotive purchase, Downey Jr. enlisted Wisconsin-based custom car builder SpeedKore to lend some X-factor to a 1974 BMW 3.0 CS – and the design brief was reportedly to blend modern materials with classic Euro styling.

Between last year's stylised Vision T show car and recent spy photos, there's no great feats of imagination required in guessing at the final design of the new-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson. That hasn't stopped us trying, of course, so we've again tasked artist Theophilus Chin with crafting an informed but still speculative look at how the new mid-sized family SUV will look.

The soon-to-be-launched Lucid Air electric sedan has a record-toppling driving range of 832km, according to third-party testing by the EPA in the United States. For comparison, the Tesla Model S Long Range is said to be able to travel 713km on a single charge. The new car draws voltage from a 113kWh battery pack fixed to a skateboard platform. Lucid Motors claims its sedan is said to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds and have a top speed of more than 320kmh.

Ford is leading a research project in the United Kingdom that could see road travel in urban centres become easier and safer thanks to the ability to "foresee traffic incidents" and prevent them from happening. Ford Mobility has partnered with a group of councils, transport bodies and universities to create a predictive road safety tool that utilises data from connected vehicles, local authorities and roadside sensors to identify high-risk hotspots.

A BMW 5 Series ute conversion has been listed on Ebay for $US30,000 (approximately $AU41,700). Unfortunately for Australian ute lovers however, it's left-hand drive and happens to be located in the Russian city of Kursk. And shipping isn’t included in the price. According to the listing, the 2000 BMW E39 530d is in “excellent condition,” and has leather seats, a leather multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and a trip computer.

A Tesla driver using autopilot has admitted to watching a movie on his phone as his car crashed into two police vehicles that were stopped on the side of the road. The incident occurred in Nash County, North Carolina last week when two police cars were responding to an earlier crash. The Tesla ploughed into one police car which was then pushed into the other police and struck the officers at the scene, however according CBS17.com no injuries were reported.

The origins of Australia’s favourite workhorse date back to 1968 when the original N10 generation Toyota HiLux made its debut in Japan, replacing the Toyopet Light Stout. Since those early days, the HiLux has gone through eight generations. It’s conquered the world too, sold in 180 countries. Even those pick-up lovin’ Yanks embraced the HiLux through several generations before Toyota released the US-market Tacoma, spelling the end of the HiLux in the US.

If there's one thing the first half of 2020 taught us, it's to expect the unexpected. Deadly viruses, bushfires, riots in the streets, mandated social isolation – you've got to be prepared for anything. And anyone familiar with apocalypse movies will know the hero (or heroine) always needs a giant, all-black, 4x4 truck to drive around amid the chaos. Enter, the 2020 Lexus LX570.

Isn't Bentley just such a wonderful brand? So wonderful, in fact, I'd say it offers the best GT car experience you can get for your money with its Continental GT model.

This pristine 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO 83 sedan has just sold auction for more than $250,000. This follows on from the recent sale of the 'Chicken Coupe' – a 1973 Ford Falcon GT RPO 83 Coupe that fetched $300,000, despite being left to rot in a barn for more than 30 years.

The annual J.D. Power survey for quality and appeal has named BMW, Kia, and Hyundai as the best car makers, according to US motorists. Two owner studies were conducted, determining the quality of the vehicle and the overall appeal. The results follow the research firm's 'dependability' study in February 2020, in which Hyundai's luxury arm Genesis took the honours.

The 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 Touring have been filmed in testing at the famous Nurburgring in Germany. The video, posted on YouTube channel Auto Addiction, shows the camouflaged models being driven hard by Porsche test drivers. Porsche's GT3 range is a favourite among enthusiasts as track-ready, high-performance iterations of the 911 Carrera.

Lexus has recently filed trademark applications for the model name 'LBX', however it remains unclear what Toyota's luxury division intends to do with it. These applications were initially filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on August 5, 2020. Lexus subsequently filed the same paperwork in Israel and Switzerland. The letter X has traditionally denoted SUVs in the Lexus range.

Isn't Bentley just such a wonderful brand? So wonderful, in fact, I'd say it offers the best GT car experience you can get for your money with its Continental GT model. Just so we're all on the same page, let's quickly discuss the art form of the GT. Grand touring, or as it should always be referred to, gran turismo, is the mastery of travelling great distance in speed, style, comfort and luxury, with at least four seats and room for a couple of overnight bags.

An automated valet car park system is being developed by Ford and Bosch in the US. When the Ford Escape test vehicle arrives in a designated area of the car park, the driver can then use a smartphone app to initiate automated parking. The test vehicle communicates with integrated Bosch sensors to locate empty spaces within the facility. The same sensors can identify and avoid pedestrians and other hazards, and will autonomously park the car.

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 photos, articles, videos or 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? At this point, we've learned to take everything Elon Musk says seriously.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia has issued a recall of 490 examples of the Sprinter vans fitted with rotating seats with Model Years from 2019 to 2020 (MY19-MY20) due to the potential for side airbags to deploy. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the rotating seats can damage wiring connected to the side airbags.

In the world of hot hatches, there’s only one apex predator, the slightly berserk Mercedes-AMG A45 S. But not everyone wants a hot hatch, preferring instead something more mature than a hatchback’s unashamed youthful positioning. Enter the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S, a four-door ‘coupe’/sedan with all the performance and charisma of the hatchback, but with a boot.

Few vehicles shake up a motor show like a new Land Rover. Look at the new Defender which stole the show at Frankfurt. Funnily enough, the original Land Rover did something similar 71 years ago.

The first official trailer for The Batman (2021) gives us the best glimpse yet at the caped crusader’s new set of wheels. The film will star Robert Pattinson in the titular role, and his Batmobile appears to be heavily inspired by classic American muscle cars of the 1970s. Some online reports have suggested the vehicle is a modified Plymouth Barracuda, however this is incorrect.

"If I ran the company..." The CarAdvice team play 'fantasy football' with the automotive industry and take turns in the top seat of the big brands. What would we do if we ran the show? This time, Justin takes over the performance arm of Toyota, Gazoo Racing. I was going to start this piece by saying first, I'd change the name of my newly inherited business – but let's park that. Toyota Gazoo Racing, despite the interesting name, is a fascinating Motorsport enterprise.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA has big shoes to fill. Despite being an ageing player in a tough segment, the old model was the segment leader in 2018 and remained in the top three in 2019. It’s fair to say, then, that the Australian market liked the old model. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new GLA is bigger, bolder, more SUV-like, and (of course) better.

Father’s Day is around the corner (September 6, to be precise) and if you’ve left buying a gift to the last minute, you’re not alone. Thankfully, car-loving dads are fairly well-catered for and there are a plethora of enthusiast-friendly products vying for your father’s attention. Below, some of the CarAdvice team’s top picks for Father’s Day presents that won’t be relegated to your dad’s knick knack drawer. Trust us – we’re dads (well, some of us are anyway).

The head of Mercedes-Benz Australia, Horst von Sanden, has announced that he will retire at the end of this year. He will be replaced in the top job by Florian Seidler, who previously served as the CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Mr von Sanden arrived in Australia in 2000 to take the position of General Manager of Marketing. He became Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Managing Director in July 2003, and took on the role of CEO in 2014.

A mysterious new Hyundai people-mover has been spied with no camouflage. The pictures originally published by Chinese website Auto163 (which have since been taken down) show the vehicle is named the Hyundai Custo, while the marks covering the prototype suggest it has worn the company's heavy vinyl camouflaged in the past.

The 2020 Abarth 695 70º Anniversario has finally arrived in Australia, celebrating the Italian car company's 70th anniversary. First announced in October 2019, only 40 of the special Abarth hatches will be available to local buyers, with prices starting from $44,950 plus on-road costs. The Abarth 695 70º Anniversario gets tri-colour Sabelt sports seats, 17-inch SuperSport alloy wheels, red Brembo brake callipers, and the model's Monza exhaust.

UPDATE – 28 August 2020: Another Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ mule has been caught driving on Japan's roads, with photos emerging on Twitter. While the pictures don't reveal any new details, the sudden appearance of so many prototypes suggest the sports coupe is progressing in its development. Click here to see the latest renders of the upcoming model. The next generation of the popular Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ sports coupe twins has been spied for the first time.

Did we say '2021 Nissan 400Z'? Better make that 2022 – for its unveiling, that is, and 2023 for an on-sale date. So, 2023 Nissan 400Z it is. (This is where, if I could, I'd insert an animated GIF of a man shaking his fist at the sky.)

We put the all-new D-Max up against the industry big hitters, the Toyota HiLix and Ford Ranger to see which is the best pick.

After eight years of plying the same hardware, Isuzu Ute Australia finally has some fresh metal to show off: 2021 marks an all-new Isuzu D-Max ute.

After eight years of plying the same hardware, Isuzu Ute Australia finally has some fresh metal to show off: 2021 marks an all-new Isuzu D-Max ute.

Audi has released Australian pricing and specifications for its new flagship sedan, the fifth generation S8 sports sedan. The S8 is the brand's performance iteration of the A8 luxury sedan, powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine with two twin-scroll turbochargers, generating 420kW and 800Nm. Paired with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, power is delivered to the road via Audi’s Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

Tesla is "probably three to four years" off producing a high-volume, longer-life, longer-range, more energy-dense battery, according to the electric car maker's CEO, Elon Musk. In a Twitter exchange regarding his consistent hints about the possibility of an all-electric jet, Musk told followers: "400 Wh/kg *with* high cycle life, produced in volume (not just a lab) is not far. Probably 3 to 4 years."

Land Rover has revived its iconic Defender badge for a completely new four-wheel-drive designed to conquer – and escape – the urban jungle. Hardcore Land Rover enthusiasts are still coming to terms with the use of the proud Defender name – which earned its stripes in the post-war era on one of the longest serving vehicles in the automotive world – on a modern, high-tech SUV. Not since Holden put a Commodore badge on a German import has there been such an outcry.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall on 64 cars, citing a potential fault with the turbocharger assembly. The affected models are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, and CLS with model years between 2019 and 2020. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says that “screws for the turbocharger oil feed and oil return lines may not have been correctly tensioned during the assembly process.”

Greg Kable got it absolutely spot on when he reviewed the 2020 Audi S8 at its international launch for CarAdvice in late 2019. Here’s what Greg thought: The engineering brief for the new 2020 Audi S8 is surely one of the most demanding in the automotive business. Here’s a car that, on the one hand, must deliver top-shelf limousine-like qualities, with all the imbibing plushness, soft-riding comfort and soul-soothing refinement discerning customers expect.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster is now in the on-road phase of testing, with development being led by the automaker's performance arm, Mercedes-AMG. These images of heavily camouflaged, pre-production SL Roadsters were taken at the Mercedes-Benz testing compound in southern Germany. It's understood the new model will be known as the SL Roadster, having been designed exclusively as a soft-top, two-seater convertible.

“Can you label a car an SUV if it does not have off-road capabilities? We believe you shouldn’t.” Those were the words of Jochen Eck, the head of overall vehicle testing for Mercedes-Benz compact cars, when speaking to local journalists about the German’s marque’s latest launch – the new Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover SUV.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA has big shoes to fill. Despite being an ageing player in a tough segment, the old model was the segment leader in 2018 and remained in the top three in 2019. It’s fair to say, then, that the Australian market liked the old model. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new GLA is bigger, bolder, more SUV-like, and (of course) better. Let’s find out.

Reports from UK publisher Autocar detail Volkswagen Group's plans to introduce a successor to the current eighth-generation Passat by 2023. The news comes after Volkswagen Group chairman Herbert Diess initially invalidated such plans. Diess had previously suggested that the future all-electric ID Vizzion model (pictured above) would likely be offered in saloon and wagon body types, and could act as a replacement to the Passat product family.

Michael Jordan's 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 has sold for US$202,200 (AU$279,275) at auction, despite the bidding kicking off at a mere US$23 – a tribute to the basketball legend's iconic jersey number. Although it notched up 252,803km in its lifetime, the V12-powered S600 attracted plenty of interested buyers thanks to its one-of-a-kind custom touches, which include chrome rims and an in-built phone that still bears the NBA star's name.

German authorities have launched an investigation into potential emissions regulations-cheating software on Porsche petrol models, according to news outlet Reuters. The Federal Motor Transport Authority – Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, known as the KBA – initiated the probe after Porsche informed officials it had begun an internal investigation into the matter.

A German driver has been handed a whopping €1500 (AUD$2450) fine for a low-range speeding offence in the German town of Kulmbach in Bavaria. The driver was caught clocked at 81km/h in a 70km/h zone by one of the town’s speed cameras, a low range offence that would normally attract a fine of just €20 (AUD$32). But, closer inspection of the photo captured by the speed camera soon had Oberfranken Police revising its penalty.

UPDATE: new speculative renderings of the 2021 Nissan 400Z have surfaced in the Japanese media, posted to enthusiast forum GR86.org this week. We've added them to this story (above and further down), but the content is otherwise unchanged. July 17: The 2021 Nissan 400Z is believed to be in the final stages of development and due in local showrooms next year.

I don’t need to tell you all twice that lockdown can have plenty of ill effects on the mind, body and soul. We all did our part, hopefully, for the greater good of our society, and it had to be done. Please understand this is merely an observation, and far from a complaint.

This story was first published in November 2019, but it has now been updated with current information on hydrogen fuelling potential in the Australian market. The car that emits only water vapour from its tailpipe – the Hyundai Nexo hydrogen-powered vehicle – is officially ready for Australian roads. The electric car that runs on hydrogen has been formally certified by the Australian government, cleared for use on local roads, and scored top marks in the latest crash safety tests.

You may be familiar with the concept of a restomod, taking an old car and bringing it up to date with later-model tech and engineering, but have you considered retromodding instead? The idea isn’t entirely new, of course. Japan is home to Subaru Sambars with Kombi-style faces, Nissan Cubes with Chevy C10 identity issues, and Suzuki Everys that think they’re American school busses, not to mention the many ways to restyle a Jimny.

A four-page brochure has surfaced online, touting the advantages Jeep’s Wrangler enjoys over the incoming Ford Bronco – heating up competition before the Bronco has been released. Originally posted on the Bronco6G forum, a community member says they ‘found’ the documents, without offering any further details. The documents appear to come from Jeep’s head office, with FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) footnotes and Jeep branding throughout.

McLaren is set to introduce an all-new carbon-fibre architecture, revealed today, to underpin the company's next generation of electrified supercars. The chassis is designed specifically to accommodate hybrid powertrains. It was developed at McLaren’s $91 million Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield, and will also be manufactured onsite. McLaren previously reported that the factory's workforce would increase by more than 140 staff when the new-generation chassis enters production.

Aston Martin Asia-Pacific boss Patrik Nilsson has confirmed he has secured more of the British brand’s first-ever SUV, the Aston Martin DBX, for Australia, after selling out of the initial allocation almost a year ahead of hitting local showrooms. CarAdvice reported back in February that Australia’s entire allocation of the luxury crossover had been sold, the order books filled ahead of the model’s on-sale date either late in 2020 or early 2021.

We all love to lust over high-performance sports cars and extravagant luxury SUVs, but when it comes to buying a car for our own everyday use, we’re happy to trade ‘class-leading’ and ‘game-changing’ for a solid all-rounder.

The 2021 Porsche Panamera has been officially unveiled, with the model line-up receiving a big shake-up. Prices across the range have been slashed, with the entry-level Panamera now $19,100 cheaper than the outgoing model, while the new range-topping Turbo S is cheaper than the previous Turbo S E-Hybrid – by a whopping $63,400.

UPDATE, 26 August: BMW M has provided the clearest images yet of the M3 Touring, with a video posted to Facebook showing the wagon in camouflage (see below). The car appears to share a similar grille to the polarising 2021 4 Series Coupé, despite this feature being omitted in early renders.

Ford has detailed some of the newest running changes to up-spec Ranger models, as the last step in the updated Ranger line-up. Having already announced XL Special Edition, XLT Fully Loaded and regular XL, XLS and XLT variants, Ford now turns its attention to the most expensive models in the Ranger family.

Toyota has revealed their facelifted 2021 Fortuner range, which has been released alongside the updated 2021 HiLux. Along with a new look, Toyota’s ute-based seven-seat SUV gains a more powerful driveline, a handful of specification changes and a bump in retail prices.

While Toyota’s updated 2021 HiLux, LandCruiser Prado and Fortuner still carry over the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine as the respective outgoing models, there have been a lot of mechanical changes for the new models. And Toyota Australia is adamant the worst of its diesel particulate filters are behind them. This new iteration engine has more power and torque, and claims to be more efficient at the same time.

The 2021 Range Rover Evoque line-up has been refreshed with a new hybrid engine and a new infotainment system. The Evoque range has been consolidated to offer only the R-Dynamic design package. While the now entry-level R-Dynamic S P200 is $880 more than the outgoing model, the R-Dynamic SE P250 has seen a price reduction of $1295.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 will receive a bigger infotainment screen, a new specification grade and fresh standard and optional equipment for its top-spec variants in the United States, with some of the changes set to make their way Down Under soon. A Mazda Australia spokesperson told CarAdvice the updates – including upgrades to the infotainment and connectivity systems and the arrival of a new 'Carbon Edition' option – are "available to us and we will confirm spec and pricing closer to launch".

Toyota has released more details about the 2021 versions of the flagship HiLux Rogue and Rugged X models ahead of their postponed showroom arrival later in the year. The 2021 Toyota HiLux Rogue will gain a remote-controlled roller shutter – as per the recent upgrade to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak – and retain its marine-grade weather-proof tub lining. The 2021 Toyota HiLux Rugged X will retain 17-inch wheels and tyres which, Toyota says, are better suited to off-road driving.

Toyota has released photos of the HiLux designs that didn't make it into production for the 2021 model year. The biggest overhaul of the Toyota HiLux since this generation went on sale in 2015 was led by Toyota Australia's design and engineering team – and the changes are going global. In a media conference outlining the 2021 Toyota HiLux range in detail today, the company revealed some of the designs that were considered but discarded during the facelift process over the past few years.

Toyota has released all the details for the updated HiLux range.

The Toyota HiLux has been Australia’s top-selling car for the past four years in a row, and is on track to notch up its fifth win in 2020. It has been the top-seller outright in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory for more than a decade, driven largely by mining, farming and associated industries.

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport has been announced with a new mild-hybrid diesel powertrain. Prices have been increased with the updated model, with the now entry-level Discovery Sport P200 R-Dynamic S rising from $63,100 to $65,700 plus on-road costs. Land Rover has thinned-out the range, only offering the R-Dynamic design pack for all Discovery Sport models. With the standard P200 S being dropped from the line-up, the cost of entry into a Disco Sport has risen by 8.6 per cent.

It's already the second best-selling model in its segment, but the 2021 Hyundai Kona looks set to debut an important facelift that could improve its standing with buyers. The new look comes as no surprise, however, with recent spy footage of the anticipated Kona N hero offering a clear look at what we can expect. From these images, we can see the entire front end of the 2021 Hyundai Kona will be touched by the styling wand.

The coming of a hero Ford Bronco Raptor model has always seemed like a sure thing, but, thanks to an unlucky engineer, there is now little doubt of what's to come – and when. The engineer – whose identity has been thoughtfully obscured in screengrabs posted to the Bronco6G.com community – listed the Bronco Raptor among his ongoing projects under the Experience heading of his profile on LinkedIn – a career-focused social network.

First announced back in March, Rolls-Royce has now released official photos of the Dawn Silver Bullet. Limited to a build of just 50 vehicles, Rolls-Royce says the model is inspired by the big roadsters of the 1920s. Designed as a roadster version of the Dawn Drophead, the Silver Bullet sees the rear seats replaced with an aero cowling finished in tan-coloured upholstery with a titanium windbreak.

The Tesla Model 3 may be about to receive a heat pump, designed to improve range in cold-weather climates. According to a report from American electric vehicle news site Electrek, customers have begun taking delivery of the Tesla Model 3 in the US with a smaller 'frunk' (the front storage area where the engine would traditionally live), suggesting the company could be making room for a heat pump.

The 2023 Nissan R36 GT-R may get a hybrid powertrain as part of the automaker's revised model line-up, according to an overseas report. Nissan's Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta told Automotive News of the plans to renew the company's new-car range, with a particular focus on fully-electric and hybrid engines. Arguably the most iconic Nissan, the flagship GT-R coupe, could receive kinetic regeneration technology developed for their Le Mans endurance racing cars.

The 2020 Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior is something of a standout in the dual-cab segment in Australia. Whereas other manufacturers have been happy to release a product and let the aftermarket have its way with it, Nissan Australia decided to engage the aftermarket, allow them to enhance an already solid platform, and then offer it to the consumer with a full factory warranty. From the outset, it seemed like a clever idea.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall of 107 examples of the S560 with Model Years from 2017 to 2018 (MY17-MY18) due to the potential for engine plugs to fail, causing an engine oil leak. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says oil leaks are possible if the engine experiences high loads.

Toyota has updated their 70 Series LandCruiser with new technology, while also jacking up retail prices across the range. Prices have gone up between $2360 and $3860 across the range, with the 78 Series TroopCarrier getting the smallest increase. The popular 79 Series double-cab GXL gets the biggest price bump: up $3860 to $75,600 before on-road costs.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia has issued a recall of 6117 examples of its X-Class ute with Model Years from 2018 to 2020 (MY18-MY20) due to potentially misleading roof loading advice printed in the owner's manual.

Australian company Lumen Freedom has revealed it supplied the wireless charging technology used in the 2020 McLaren Speedtail Hyper-GT, a hybrid hypercar that's the first vehicle in the world to rely solely on wireless charging. Melbourne-based Lumen Freedom confirmed it provided the wireless charging receiver, wall box and ground pad for the AU$2.88 million car – the key components which allow it to seamlessly charge via induction, without the need for cables.

Some of my fondest memories as a kid were family road trips. It seems ironic to make this comment now, but travel (by plane) wasn’t as easy – or affordable – back then as it is now. Well, certainly not up until about March 2020, anyway.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has had a mild refresh, but the most noticeable change is to the bottom line. Buyers wanting an entry-level manual 2021 Toyota RAV4 GX will have to hand over an extra $1705 compared with the 2020 version, with the car now priced from $32,695 plus on-road costs for a manual. The automatic RAV4 GX starts at $34,695 plus on-road costs.

A raft of safety enhancements have been announced for the 2021 Toyota C-HR, along with a number of new convenience features. News of improvements to the C-HR follows the appearance of the recently revealed C-HR GR Sport in the Australian government's Road Vehicle Certification System database – often a sign of launch plans, though never a sure thing.

Specialist coachbuilders Coleman Milne of the UK and Germany’s BINZ International have revealed their latest creation, a hearse based on the Tesla Model S. Dubbed the BINZ.E, the all-electric hearse starts life as a Tesla Model S, before being stretched and heightened in order to accommodate coffins. Neither Coleman Milne or BINZ International quote performance figures – not that anyone needing the services of a hearse is in a hurry.

Renowned broadcaster Greg ‘Rusty’ Rust celebrates a milestone with the release of his 50th Rusty’s Garage podcast. The wildly successful automotive and motorsport themed podcast has racked up over three million downloads since launching in 2018, Rust’s blend of knowledge and his warm and unassuming interview style hallmarks of its success. To celebrate the milestone episode, Rust has called on genuine car enthusiast, and Hollywood star, Eric Bana.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 may be getting the Mazda 3 Turbo engine from November. While exact details are scarce, it's understood Mazda has added the CX-30 Turbo to dealership documents in the US, according to website CarsDirect. As the CX-30 is based on the same platform as the Mazda 3, it makes sense the more powerful engine would find its way into the small SUV. The 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder offers 170kW/420Nm on standard unleaded, with 186kW/434Nm available on high-octane petrol.

The second-generation Toyota 86 has lately been stepping out in revealing camouflage, with the latest round of spy photos offering plenty of detail, but there’s still much to be revealed. Plenty of secrecy surrounds chassis and powertrain details, still, but the external details are now much more obvious thanks to a recent development mule spied undergoing evaluation.

I'm happy that Mazda is still around and kicking. It could've gone the way of Saab so easily. By that I mean bought by a larger brand, pilfered into oblivion, and either forced into badge-engineering its new master's products or, worse, dissolved.

Chinese electric car maker Nio has a plan to make electric cars more affordable by allowing consumers to purchase its vehicles without a battery, adding the ability to swap in the most appropriate battery pack as needed. The company's 'Battery as a Service' plan (BaaS) enables consumers to save up to 70,000 Chinese Yuan (AUD$14,128) off the purchase price of a Nio model by renting their car's battery for around AU$197 per month.

The updated 2021 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has been revealed with more power and more features, but buyers will also have to pay more. Prices for the full-size 4WD begin at $59,840 plus on-road costs for the Prado GX – $5750 more than the outgoing model. However, the six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is now standard across the Prado range, whereas buyers would have had to have forked out an extra $3000 for an auto on the previous model.

The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor may get a supercharged V8 to compete with the new Ram 1500 TRX, if reports out of the US are true. According to American website The Drive, an insider at Ford has revealed the new F-150 will gain the 5.2-litre V8 engine from the Mustang GT500, suggesting a new power war between Ford and Ram has begun.

How many Mitsubishis have an indicator stalk on the left-hand side in Australia? I’m not sure, but I’m guessing it’s a short list. We can officially add one more, however, with the new 2020 Mitsubishi Express van. In particular, we’re behind the wheel of the long-wheelbase Express van with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and automatic transmission. Why does a Japanese van have a Euro-style stalk set-up? Simple: this Mitsubishi is a Renault Trafic under the skin.

UPDATE: Jaguar Land Rover Australia has confirmed its limited-time warranty extension to five years and unlimited kilometres, has been extended to included vehicles sold and delivered before September 30 – up from the original June 30 end date. All other details remain as described below. April 8: As brands work to boost their appeal through the hard months ahead, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Australia has added a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty to its offering for a limited time.

UPDATE: Following our earlier look at the new 2021 Genesis GV70 as it lapped the Nurburgring (shown in this story in the black-and-white vinyl camouflage), a new prototype has appeared in South Korea with a heavy canvas camouflage. The latest spy photos don't offer a great deal of detail, but it is clear we can expect to see the same new two-row lighting design at both ends, as recently revealed on the new G80 sedan and GV80 SUV, and spied on the upcoming G70 facelift.

Toyota has designed an articulated cockpit canopy potentially destined for an upcoming performance road car, patent documents filed in the USA suggest. A street-legal version of the 735kW Toyota GR Super Sport concept car has reportedly been in the works for some time, and the recently sighted drawings are likely part of this project. The pictured car shares distinctive characteristics with the GR Super Sport concept, with a similar sweeping tail and rear wheel arches.

It seems old Peugeots never die, they just get made in Azerbaijan. Late last year it was announced that Iran Khodro Industrial Group would cease the manufacturing of the Peugeot 405 in Iran, ending a 26-year lifespan of a car that had not been built in its native France since 1997. But if 33 years isn’t long enough for the 1988 European Car of the Year to remain in production, the tooling and licence have been sold to the Azerbaijani industrial consortium, Azermash Khazar.

UPDATE: A pair of new teaser images for the upcoming 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer have been handed down, this time offering a tightly cropped view of the new model's grille, along with a close-up look at a knurled rotary dial in the centre console. We've added those images to this story, which is otherwise unchanged. August 19: The upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer has been teased online, ahead of an official debut for the company's next full-sized flagship SUV.

The process of obtaining "fitness to drive" certification for NSW motorists over the age of 75 has been streamlined and simplified by the state government. Older drivers are, however, still required to undergo an annual GP and optometrist assessment. The documentation can now be completed by a relevant medical professional online and customers no longer need to visit a Service NSW Centre to have it ratified, a Transport for NSW spokesperson told CarAdvice.

The Swedish carmaker launches its new "Recharge" badged SUV, but how does it drive in the real world?

Up to 30 classic Rolls-Royces are set to be restored with electric powertrains by British conversion specialists Lunaz. The Phantom V and Silver Cloud variants will be offered in a range of body styles, including four-door limousine, two-door coupé and drop head coupé. The Phantom V draws power from a 120kWh battery pack, while the Silver Cloud draws power from a 80kWh battery pack. Lunaz claims both cars have a range of 300 miles (482km).

A bright pink McLaren 570S has been extensively damaged in central London after reportedly colliding with a VW Golf. Simon Tuhill, the London Fire Brigade Borough Commander for Camden, reported the accident on Twitter. “We go to many incidents involving crashed vehicles but not that many where one of those vehicles is a McLaren,” the post read. “Crews from Euston attended this RTC on Montagu Mansions Marylebone last week to make the scene safe after a driver lost control.”

A new windscreen wiper design – first patented by Tesla in late 2019 – could make its debut on the upcoming Cybertruck. According to the website InsideEVs, the patent lends itself to the flat windscreen fitted to the sharply-creased Tesla pick-up. Rather than pivoting from a fixed point as with a traditional system, the patented design uses an electromagnetic block that moves horizontally across the entire length of the windshield.

Call it envy, but knowing your neighbour has something does a lot to make you want the same. The Australian new vehicle market plays host to close to 50 brands that sell cars, SUVs and utes at volume. Then there are van and light commercial brands, low-volume specialist sports car brands, and left-hand drive converters on top. We’re spoilt for choice already. And of course, it’s not enough.

I struggled to wrap my head around the things that my Marina Bay Blue-coloured 2020 BMW X6 M Competition press car was able to do.

Toyota rather rudely shocked Australian new-car buyers with the announcement of its better-equipped but markedly more expensive new Yaris. While Toyota’s pre-launch information hinted at a sizeable step up in technology and safety equipment, few expected the price rise it would take to cover the cost of those inclusions.

The 1,750,000th Chevrolet Corvette has rolled off the production line, marking another milestone for the iconic American sport scar. The first-ever Corvette – white with red interior – roared into life on 30 June, 1953 and now 67 years later, the 1.75 millionth Corvette is also finished in Arctic White with a red leather interior, an homage to that very first Corvette.

An American company is working on a solar-panelled tonneau cover for ute tubs. Worksport announced the Terravis product is currently in development, and has been designed with future fully-electric pick-ups in mind. But the solar array can also charge batteries fitted to any vehicle, giving outdoor enthusiasts and builders a way to power their devices when they're off-grid. MORE: Now is the time for more full-size US trucks to be made available in Australia