CAR ADVICE

Mercedes-Benz has announced the new 2021 E-Class line-up for Australia, offering a fresh design and new standard features for the model's mid-life update. At this stage, the facelift is only offered on sedan, coupe, and convertible body styles. Wagon buyers will have to wait a little longer for the styling changes. Pricing for the entry-level E 200 sedan now starts from $96,900 plus on-road costs (an increase of $1365), with the E 300 is now $117,900 plus on-road costs (up $3965).

Renault has extended its existing seven-year warranty and drive-away pricing offers on the Koleos medium SUV until the end of the year. The offer sees the Koleos kick off from $32,990 drive-away for the base-spec Koleos Life and topping out at $44,990 drive-away for the flagship Koleos Intens 4x4, marking reductions of up to $500 on the recommended retail price.

After the first heavily discounted 1000 units of its 2021 GR Yaris sold out in a matter of days, Toyota has responded by slashing the price of another 100 examples of its new hot hatch for a few lucky buyers. The GR Yaris is officially priced from $49,500 plus on-road costs, but Toyota is offering another 100 units for pre-sale at $44,950 drive-away – a discount of $4550 even before you factor in on-road costs.

Mitsubishi has reverted to a five-year/100,000km warranty after offering seven-year coverage on its most popular models for almost two years – and will add 10-year/200,000km coverage to vehicles serviced within the dealer network from day one. Mitsubishi notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of the change two weeks ago and the corporate watchdog is yet to announce any adverse findings.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a recall of 6116 examples of its X-Class ute, with Model Years from 2018 to 2019 (MY18-MY19), due to a possible hydraulic fluid leak from the steering system. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says a connection on the hydraulic line could leak, which may result in a failure of the power steering system.

The 2021 Dacia Sandero and Stepway models have been officially launched for the European market, however it’s unlikely Australian showrooms will see the all-new cars anytime soon. Now in its third generation, the Sandero has been built by the Renault-owned Romanian manufacturer since 2007. The standard hatchback is 4099mm long, has a 328-litre boot, and features 15-inch wheels.

The 2011-2019 Mercedes-Benz G300 has been recalled in Australia, due to a potential fault with electronics in the steering column switch. A total of 2909 examples of the four-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz are affected locally, and these vehicles were sold between 3 January 2011 and 30 January 2019 (MY2011-2019).

As Volkswagen Group transitions towards an electric car future, executives at the car company may be considering selling Lamborghini and Bugatti, according to a report from news outlet Reuters. The unnamed sources say the company is reviewing how some of its niche brands – which also includes Ducati motorcycles – can be restructured, realigned, or even sold off, as the business moves towards a future with electrified powertrains.

Jaguar Land Rover will begin manufacturing its interiors from wholly recycled material, in a bid to make the brand more sustainable. The company's next generation of cars will feature trims and floor mats made from a nylon product known as Econyl fibre, which comprises recycled industrial plastic, fabric offcuts from clothing manufacturers, and used fishing nets.

Today is a big day for Mitsubishi Motors Australia, with the brand celebrating 40 years Down Under. Looking back over the history of the brand, it's easy to assume one of two things. Either, it seems like Mitsubishi has been around for a lot longer than 40 years. Or, as some in the CarAdvice office have remarked, that 40 years went by pretty quickly. Of course, the brand was familiar to Australians already, having been on sale here since 1964, but distributed by the Chrysler Corporation.

The performance car world is changing, and so is Volkswagen R, as evidenced by the arrival of the 2021 Volkswagen Touareg R, the first-ever plug-in hybrid model to come from the German carmaker’s performance sub-brand.

Nissan has revealed a concept car designed to bring vital electricity to disaster-struck areas, based on the fully-electric Leaf hatchback. Called the Re-Leaf, the car can be driven into areas experiencing a power outage, allowing its batteries to be used as an electricity source.

"Don't waste your money on a new set of speakersYou get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers" Listening to music while cruising in your car is one of life’s greatest joys. Eclipsed only by singing along to said music.

The problem with building all your cars using the same components is that people will say they are all substantially the same. It’s been an issue for McLaren since the launch of the MP4-12C back in 2012. From that point onwards, almost all of the company’s road cars have used evolved versions of the same carbon-fibre tub, twin-turbocharged V8 engine and twin-clutch transmission. So why pay the huge supplement for the punchier and angrier versions?

The current flagship in the GLE range, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe is a redesigned take on an already popular model within the range. Coupe styling aside, Mercedes-Benz’s big, luxury SUV might look similar to the old model, but it promises to be significantly better.

Australian pricing and details for the 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible have been announced today, following the June arrival of an updated LC Coupe range. Available now, the LC500 Convertible's Australian-market debut follows its May confirmation, November 2019 unveiling and its initial debut as a thinly-veiled concept back in January of the same year.

A new Honda model expected to debut as the 2022 Honda Civic has been revealed in recent patent filing uncovered on the CivicXI forum – five years after the current model made its global debut. According to American publisher Car & Driver, Honda has confirmed it will unveil the new Civic around the middle of next year – officially in the northern hemisphere's spring season.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible has been unveiled today, slicing the top off the German car maker's divisive new two-door. In a move mirroring that of the latest Z4 roadster, the ‘G23’ 4 Series Convertible ditches its predecessor’s folding hard-top roof in favour of a fabric soft-top.

Toyota Australia has issued an urgent recall on a further 6260 Corollas fitted with potentially deadly Takata airbags after two serious injuries were caused by the faulty devices in a crash in Sydney in late August. The latest recall adds 5475 examples of the ZZE122 Corolla, and 785 examples of the ZZE123 Sportivo variant. Affected vehicles were sold between 30 April, 2003 and 30 September, 2004 (MY2003–2005).

Audi has electrified its all-new A3 Sportback range, with the unveiling of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ‘40 TFSI e’ variant. Powering the new-generation A3 PHEV is the same powertrain as its Volkswagen Group siblings from Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda. Under the bonnet is a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to an 80kW/330Nm electric motor for combined outputs of 150kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

The Toyota HiLux ute has received the tough truck treatment in New Zealand with a special model called the Mako – designed to challenge the Ford Ranger Raptor, and named after “the most aggressive shark in the ocean”. However, the high-riding Toyota HiLux has been developed for the New Zealand market only and is not coming to Australia.

Porsche has announced a new carbon offset facility for Australian drivers. The Porsche Impact program gives people the opportunity to calculate the annual carbon-footprint of their vehicle, and offset that impact by contributing to one of two carbon-reduction projects locally.

Australian mining company Piedmont Lithium has signed a five-year supply deal with Tesla, with the option to extend the contract for an additional five years. Around one third of Piedmont's high-grade lithium ore will be delivered to Tesla from the company's North Carolina mine, which produces around 160,000 tonnes each year. Shares of the Australian miner surged on the back of the news, with the stock gaining 35 per cent over its closing price on Monday.

Images of the new seven-seater Ford Equator have emerged online ahead of the model's release. The Chinese-market SUV cements the styling themes for JMC-Ford – the Blue Oval's joint venture in the country – which looks to be an evolution of the design language seen on other models from the company. The pictures were posted on the social media website Weibo, along with what appears to be internal Ford documents outlining the model's specifications.

The premium mid-size sedan segment is a raging battlefield, with all comers from all corners of the world looking to secure a slice of the lucrative market. So, a challenger brand looking to enter the fray had better have an arsenal worthy of consideration. Enter Genesis, the luxury arm of Korean brand Hyundai, which is looking to take on the establishment with the car we have on test here, the top-of-the-range 2020 Genesis G70 Ultimate Sport.

We set up an age old battle three pedals vs two with the new Ford Focus ST. To compare we've also got the Focus RS MKII but who will win? The second-generation Ford Focus RS was a turbocharged rally car for the road (and wouldn’t have looked out of place on a WRC stage). But 10 years after its Australian debut, how does the hero hatch stack up against what may end up being the fastest version of the current Focus you’ll be able to buy, the ST?

The Ford Puma may be named after the round-faced species of the big-cat family, but it’s very much the cub of the Blue Oval’s SUV family.

The Ford Puma may be named after the round-faced species of the big-cat family, but it’s very much the cub of the Blue Oval’s SUV family. Adopting the badge used for a fun little sports coupe sold outside of Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ford’s new crossover replaces the little-loved EcoSport.

Hyundai Motorsport has taken the covers off its latest TCR race car, adding the Elantra N TCR to its stable of customer cars that also includes the i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR. The addition of the Elantra N TCR is designed to ensure maximum relevance in global markets, the sedan set to race in markets where the Elantra is sold.

The streamlined and updated 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia line-up has gone on sale in Australia, offering buyers a new entrypoint into the range, plus fresh standard safety features and price reductions on some variants. The 2020 Giulia line-up has been trimmed from four to three variants, with a new base grade – the Giulia Sport – replacing both the previous entry-level Giulia variant and the mid-spec Super variant.

With the 2021 Isuzu D-Max already filing out of Australian showrooms, it comes no surprise the related 2021 Isuzu MU-X SUV isn’t far behind. Until now, Isuzu has remained tight-lipped on details and timing for its new seven-seat, off-roading family 4x4. Images retrieved from the Japan Patent Office by dutch publication AutoWeek have opened the floodgates however, giving the clearest look yet at what to expect from the 2021 MU-X.

The all-new BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe are set to arrive in Australian showrooms during the first quarter of 2021. The twin models are powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, producing 353kW/550Nm in entry-level guise. Drive is sent to the rear-wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, allowing a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 4.2 seconds.

McLaren has once again cut production figures for its open-top Elva project, now suggesting that just 149 examples will be built. Back in April the supercar maker slashed the initially-slated run of 399 examples to 249, citing a “customer desire for exclusivity”. However, the company cites the coronavirus pandemic – and subsequent factory shutdown – for the latest round of cuts.

It might not be gone in sixty seconds, but the 2021 Toyota GR Yaris has sold out and the website for pre-orders has temporarily been shut down. The first shipment of 1000 Toyota GR Yaris hot hatches has been allocated to customers and dealers across Australia after an overwhelming and unexpected response. Toyota Australia had initially forecast it could take up to 18 months to clear the first 1000 vehicles, and said it would review pricing once the first 1000 were sold.

The 2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan N (or i30 N Sedan as most are likely to call it) has been teased in a video released by the Korean car maker. The video, which shows-off Hyundai's i30 N Sedan TCR racing car – known as the Elantra N TCR overseas – gives a sneak peak at the road-going variant in the final few seconds.

UPDATE: Hyundai has handed down a series of new 2021 Genesis GV70 preview images, although the vehicle is still wearing camouflage – just as it is in the photos already published in this story earlier in September. Despite the confounding camouflage, the official new photos reveal front and side views not previously seen, offering a first clear look at the general proportions and lines of Hyundai's rival to the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5.

Polestar has confirmed the Precept will make it into production. The brand says the decision was made due to overwhelming feedback, following the release of the vehicle as a concept back in April 2020. Development has already begun on the Polestar – Volvo's all-electric performance brand – which introduces its own sleek design language with the Precept. "The public said, ‘We want it’, so we decided to build it,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

With this year's Beijing motor show, the 2021 Haval H6 is preparing for its international debut,following a domestic market launch at the Chengdu show in July. Parent company, Great Wall Motor, is using the motor show to remake itself as a “global technology travel company” but for now, the Haval H6 looks to follow a fairly traditional medium SUV format.

BMW has filed to trademark the name 'Silent Shadow' in Germany, suggesting that a long-rumoured all-electric Rolls-Royce could be further into development than we previously thought. The paperwork tells us the designation is for "automobiles and their parts," but does not specify the project for which it is destined. Regardless, it's hard to imagine the name – which is reminiscent of the 20th century's Silver Shadow – ending up anywhere else.

UPDATE: Volvo has extended this offer, now running until the 30th of December, 2020. The story below is otherwise unchanged. Volvo Australia is offering a $5000 cash-back rebate on MY20 XC90 and XC60 SUVs, V60 and V90CC wagons, and the S60 sedan. The offer applies to all variants within each model range, and is supported by the brand’s new, five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.

As debate continues to rage over whether electric cars should be subsidised or taxed in Australia, a new report has suggested their uptake could help, not hinder, government revenue – once economic and societal benefits are taken into account.

Subaru's next WRX is, slowly but surely, taking shape. Due for a likely 2021 unveiling, official details are trying our patience here at CarAdvice, so we tasked auto artist Theophilus Chin to render his take on the final product. In reality, the styling of the 2021 Subaru WRX is no real mystery, with the Japanese car maker having dropped plenty of hints, starting with the Viziv Performance STI Concept in January 2018.

Stefano Domenicali, former team principal at Scuderia Ferrari F1 (2008-2014) never tried to hide his love of the sport anytime we had the chance to discuss all things Lamborghini with him at various launch events around the world. While his switch from Ferrari to Lamborghini in 2016 was met with a few raised eyebrows among the supercar elite, his return to F1 – in the top job no less – will raise few eyebrows.

BMW seems to be making a habit out of releasing controversial new model releases, with its latest reveal – the 2021 M3 sedan and M4 coupe – proving no exception. After a premature image leak confirmed the cars' contentious coffin-shaped grilles, the official reveal continued to generate plenty of discussion about the bold new look of BMW's answer to the Audi RS4 and RS5, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG C63.

Buying a car often follows down a path of logic or emotion – the classic head-versus-heart decision. The 2020 Toyota LandCruiser 76 Series is, let’s face it, an emotional one. Although, it’s often caught parading as a logical one. It’s a highly usable and desirable old bus, mostly because it’s very old, simple and heavy-duty.

I mentioned at the start of my Mini Cooper S long-term review that I’ve long aspired to be Charlize Theron in The Italian Job. I mean, I’d take Charlize Theron in any role to be honest, but her cool, calm, self-assuredness while descending train station stairs in her Mini is something that really spoke to me.

Honda Australia has issued a recall for 36 examples of its model-year 2019 Honda Odyssey people mover, citing a fault with the rear seat belt assembly. According to the recall notice, which was lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), incorrect manufacturing of the rear seat belt assembly could see the webbing sensor in the third row left-rear seat belt become inoperative.

There’s a near-100 per cent chance you’ve been impacted somehow in your life by a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. From postal deliveries, to internet goodies arriving by courier, or – unfortunately – riding in the back of an ambulance, the ubiquitous van continues to serve our needs. And this year, it turns 25.

Victorians remain in the grips of an ongoing lockdown, after Premier Daniel Andrews announced a roadmap to recovery and extended stage-four restrictions for residents of Metropolitan Melbourne, with more lenient restrictions for regional Victoria. Below, we've answered some commonly asked questions about Melbourne's latest coronavirus lockdown rules and how they pertain to drivers. If we've missed anything, let us know in the comments section.

Pricing for the 2021 BMW M3 sedan and M4 Coupé has leaked online only days after the models were unveiled. While unverified, the leak shows the 2021 BMW M3 with a manual transmission will be priced from $144,900 plus on-road costs, while a manual M4 Coupé will start from $149,900 plus on-road costs – consistent with recent pricing for these BMW performance models. Buyers opting for the Competition pack with automatic transmission will have to pay an extra $10,000.

Hyundai N has revealed the RM20e at the 2020 Beijing Auto Show, providing a glimpse at what we can expect from the company's performance brand in the future. Using a Hyundai Veloster N body, the RM20e has a mid-mounted 800-volt electric motor sending 596kW and 960Nm to the rear wheels. Power comes from a 60kWh battery pack. While no official numbers have been provided, Hyundai says the RM20e is expected to do the 0-100km/h sprint in less than three seconds.

UPDATE, September 28 – Peugeot has added an additional 64 vehicles to its fuel line recall. Affected vehicles may see the fuel supply and return lines damaged as a result of movement between the pipes and body guidance ribs. The vehicles were available for sale in Australia between 1 April 2018 and 31 July 2019, expanding in the previous date range of 1 December 2018 to 31 March 2019.

Ford Australia has issued a national recall for 2787 examples of its model-year 2019 Focus hatchback, citing an issue with the transmission stud which could damage the engine wiring loom. The recall notice, which has been lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says the transmission stud in the Ford Focus could chafe on the engine engine wiring loom. Ford says damage to the engine wiring loom could lead to a reduction in engine power and the engine stalling.

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.

EXCLUSIVE Flagship versions of the 2021 Toyota HiLux range will cost more than many luxury cars, ranging between $73,000 and $77,000 – a significant 20 per cent increase on previous drive-away prices. Leaked drive-away offers for the 2021 Toyota HiLux Rugged-X and Toyota HiLux Rogue show Toyota’s recent round of price rises show no signs of abating.

Ford Australia has issued a recall of 2775 examples of the Transit Custom van with (2017 and 2019 model years, or MY17 to MY19 in Ford-speak), and 347 examples of the 2017 Transit (MY17), due to the potential for an electric water pump to overheat.

Mini Australia is attempting to make electric vehicle ownership more compelling, by launching a new all-inclusive ownership and finance program, dubbed 'Mini dynamic mobility package'. The deal is offered exclusively with its new Mini Electric Hatch and includes: As for the costings of the program: The program comes as the first Mini Electric models begin to be delivered to customers.

Volvo Australia has issued a recall on a total of 372 cars – across three model types – citing a potential fault in the cooling system. The affected cars are the S60, V60 and XC60, with model years between 2014 and 2017. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says "if the cooling system has to be refilled, air may become trapped in the cooling system, which may result in insufficient cooling of the engine components".

It’s ubiquitous on our roads, usually with a ride-share sticker of one type or another affixed to its rear window. Or maybe it’s festooned with ‘Taxi’ on its flanks. But, to dismiss the Toyota Camry as just a means of short transport is to do the Japanese sedan a disservice, certainly in these modern times.

General Motors Design has released renders of potential future pickup truck concept designs online. While the vehicles are meant to be over-the-top – and are not intended for production – it's interesting to see how far they can push the limits of design when not having to worry about transforming a vehicle into a production or showroom reality.

Eight more Volkswagen employees have been charged by German prosecutors for their alleged roles in the 'Dieselgate' saga. German authorities have continued their scrutiny of car manufacturers ever since Volkswagen was found to have used software to cheat diesel emissions laws back in 2015. The eight employees were charged with fraud, false certification, and other violations related to emissions laws, news agency Reuters reports.

Infiniti has unveiled the QX60 Monograph, a near-production-ready concept previewing a replacement for the ageing, left-hand-drive-only QX60 SUV (which launched in 2012 as the JX). The latest concept from Nissan's luxury brand debuts a striking new look that strays from Infiniti’s existing design language.

With sophisticated tech, quality inclusions, and a revised platform underneath, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium Edition is currently the most up to date US truck on sale on Australia. There’s the new Ram 1500 not too far away to take the fight right up to it, but at the time of testing, the Silverado is as good as it gets in Australia.

The new 2021 BMW M3 sedan and 2021 BMW M4 Coupé are nearly upon us, revealed this week ahead of their Australian debut next year. For the full story, catch our detailed write-up at the below link. Otherwise, please enjoy (or cringe at) our full gallery below. Scroll on! MORE: 2021 M3 and M4 revealedMORE: M3 news and reviewsMORE: M4 news and reviews MORE: M3 news and reviewsMORE: M4 news and reviewsMORE: Everything BMW

Audi has extended its ever-widening line-up even further, by unveiling the 'coupe' sibling to its Q5 SUV, the 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback. The sportier-looking variant's unveiling comes roughly three months after Audi debuted the reworked Q5, making it the third Audi SUV to receive a coupe-style Sportback makeover (after the Q3 and e-tron).

Ferrari's beautiful 812 Superfast has been transformed into this, the Omologata, a one-off special. The Omologata is the 10th special V12 front-engined customer order to be unveiled since the P540 Superfast was delivered to an American buyer in 2009, continuing the tradition of completely transforming a 'regular' Ferrari for the brand's most loyal and well-heeled clients.

Few cars have captured the hearts of automotive enthusiasts around the world like BMW’s original pocket rocket, the E30 M3. Widely regarded as not just one of BMW’s finest, but one of the best examples of a ‘driver’s car’ to ever earn the epithet. And we have motorsport to thank for its existence.

Korean tyre company Kumho has received accolades from the 2020 International Design Excellence Awards for two of its tyres. The first, called the e-NIMF, is an airless concept which the brand says mimics traditional pneumatic tyre characteristics – a difficult feat for airless tyres. As well as being maintenance-free, Kumho claims the e-NIMF can also be rejuvenated with new tread when worn down, reducing waste.

The 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 is expected to be announced in January, according to information posted in an American charity auction. The Petersen Automotive Museum is giving one lucky person the chance to secure a build slot for a new Porsche GT model on the US website Bring A Trailer, stating the new car will be announced at the beginning of the new year.

Citroen is possibly as alternative as you can get in terms of mainstream offerings. Last year, only 400 cars with the double-chevron made their way into esoteric households across Australia. As far as 2020 goes, only 114 have reportedly left the dealership, which is 61 per cent down compared to this time last year. To throw some context your way, Chrysler, which is alive in Australia only via a single offering, the 300 sedan range, has managed to outsell Citroen so far in 2020.

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?

Rising Chinese brand Lynk & Co has unveiled its latest creation in the Zero Concept, an outline for an electric car that's set to offer more than 700km of range when it enters production in 2021. The production Zero will mark the first fully electric car to be produced by Lynk & Co – a premium brand that first launched in China in 2017 as a joint venture between Geely Auto Group and its subsidiary, the Volvo Car Group.

Honda Australia has announced it will hold a lottery to decide which of its customers will get the chance to own a Civic Type R Limited Edition, the “purest expression of Civic Type R to date.” An allocation of just 20 vehicles will hit the local market and, of those, one will remain in Honda’s custody for promotional duties. The remaining 19 vehicles will be offered to the public.

The Volkswagen USA website went down for two hours overnight, as thousands of would-be customers attempted to preorder the new all-electric ID.4 SUV. The manufacturer's American branch posted to Twitter at 1:48am (AEST) “Phew! We're flattered. Appreciate the interest in the ID4 - you guys broke our site! We're rebooting and will respond when we're back up.” It was two hours before the company confirmed the domain was functioning again.

A 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III that’s a little worse for wear, not in original condition – and missing an engine – is still expected to fetch big money as it goes to auction this week. Auction house Grays Online believes bids will reach in excess of $300,000. As this article was published, the bidding was already past $200,000 barely 24 hours after the auction went live online.

Toyota has filed a trademark for the GR 010 name in Europe, citing use for "automobiles and structural parts thereof." It appears likely the designation is reserved for an upcoming street-legal variant of the brand's GR Super Sport concept, which was recently spotted testing at Le Mans.

It’s not worth it. You’ve got no idea what you are doing. You’re chasing your tail. You should be spending your money on other things. Just sell it. Move on. Despite such reasonable and pragmatic thoughts, I haven’t been able to bring myself to sell this flogged-out old battler. I haven’t even advertised it, using that time honoured trick of jacking up the price beyond anything realistic to ward off suitors.

The 2021 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupé will be offered with an unprecedented range of M Performance Parts aesthetic and performance accessories, however not all of them will necessarily be offered in Australia. BMW unveiled its competitors to the Audi RS4/RS5, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, and Mercedes-AMG C63 earlier this week, powered by a retuned version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six powertrain from the X3 M and X4 M.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed the electric car maker will "probably" release a smaller version of the Cybertruck overseas, potentially allowing the incoming electric pick-up to compete with popular local offerings like the Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger. In prototype form, the Cybertruck measures roughly 5.4m long, 2m wide and 1.9m tall, but Musk has previously suggested a production version may need to be smaller – although the Tesla CEO has changed his tune on that matter in recent months.

After the announcement of garden-variety Yaris pricing, I was disheartened to say the least. What this said to me was that the upcoming saviour of Japanese sports cars, the GR Yaris, would likely be too rich for my blood. I kept my hopes up, however. See below a conversation between myself and CarAdvice frequenter Hotshot, where I expressed desire for Toyota to "knock it out of the park" in terms of pricing, and repeat what it did with the 86 launch back in 2012.

The current flagship in the GLE range, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe is a redesigned take on an already popular model within the range. Coupe styling aside, Mercedes-Benz’s big, luxury SUV might look similar to the old model, but it promises to be significantly better.

This really is the final, final edition of the current-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI, the TCR. The dots on the side and the initials on the flanks are a nod to the Touring Car Racing edition of the VW Golf GTI in Europe. The TCR is the most powerful Golf GTI of all time, and an exclamation point for the current generation of the world’s biggest-selling hot hatch.

Victorian drivers are paying more for their car insurance than residents of every other state in Australia, a new survey of 2500 Australian motorists has found. According to data from comparison company Mozo, the average annual car insurance premium for a Victorian customer is $1181 – roughly $162 more than the national average of $952.

The 2021 Hyundai i30N hot hatch has technology inspired by Formula One’s ‘push to pass’ button. A new “grin shift” mode “releases maximum power … for 20 seconds … performance that is sure to bring a grin to the driver’s face. To activate, the driver pushes a button on the steering wheel.” The technology is among a long list of changes to the updated Hyundai i30N unveiled in Europe overnight.

Peugeot has turned up the wick on its svelte 508 sedan and wagon, creating the 2021 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered. However, unlike recent performance Peugeots, the 508 PSE (as it is also known) is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and debuts the lion brand’s new performance nameplate: Peugeot Sport Engineered.

UPDATE: Toyota has confirmed today that of the first 1000 2021 Toyota GR Yaris cars that will be priced from $39,950 drive-away, 560 have been allocated to buyers already – on the first day. How many of those were private buyers and how many were Toyota dealers is, of course, unknown. Either way, this means potential buyers currently sitting on the fence had best decide which side they'll hop down to.

Ford’s fan-favourite, the Fiesta ST hot hatch, now has a high-riding sibling, with the unveiling of Europe’s 2021 Puma ST. Under the bonnet is the same 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as the Fiesta ST, producing 147kW of power and 320Nm of torque (up from 290Nm in the hatch) from 2500-3500rpm.

The current flagship in the GLE range, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe is a redesigned take on an already popular model within the range. Coupe styling aside, Mercedes-Benz’s big, luxury SUV might look similar to the old model, but it promises to be significantly better.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has launched its new Ghost Extended in Australia. This lengthened-version comes off the back of the all-new Ghost's global reveal earlier in September.

From collecting dust to collector’s item, a tidy-but-dusty example of a 1985 Holden Commodore VK Group A has been unearthed in a shed in Sydney after not turning a wheel for more than 20 years. Better known as the “Blue Meanie” – due to all 500 examples being presented in the same bright blue paintwork – this one is being offered online through Muscle Car Sales, who discovered the car in recent months.

The governor of California has announced the state will ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from 2035, mandating that all new cars sold from that point will be emissions-free. On September 23, Gavin Newsom, the state's 40th governor, signed an executive order decreeing that all sales of new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles will be banned by 2035.

The much-anticipated 2021 Renault Arkana won’t arrive in Australian showrooms until the second half of next year, however new powertrain, infotainment, technology and safety details have been released in anticipation of the upcoming UK launch. Built on the Renault Nissan Alliance's CMF-B modular platform, the SUV coupe measures 4568mm from nose to tail, making it only slightly longer than the new Megane hatchback. It is considerably taller however, standing at 1571mm.

The 2020 Ford Puma will land in Australia this month with a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – a score applicable to every variant in the brand's new small SUV line-up. Ford Australia's latest arrival received scores of 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 77 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 74 per cent for safety assist.

UPDATE: McLaren has today confirmed the 765LT will exceed its targeted 0-200km/h time, covering the sprint in 7.0 seconds rather than the expected 7.2 seconds. Its quarter-mile (~400m) time is now also officially listed at 9.9 seconds, clarifying the earlier "less than 10 seconds" figure. The company has also confirmed this week that the 2020 production schedule of the 765 total build number is now completely allocated, "with expressions of interest far exceeding total production".

We saw it in concept form three years ago as the ID Crozz, and here it is at last: the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 – the company's second model in its new ID electric vehicle range. Joining the smaller ID.3 hatch revealed last year, the mid-sized, five-seat ID.4 debuts as Volkswagen's first all-electric SUV – making it an obvious option for buyers looking to haul their small family around in zero-emissions style.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced the latest updates to its 2021 Range Rover Velar range in Australia, following in the footsteps of models like the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar F-Pace before it. A simpler model-walk aims to take some of the complexities out of the purchasing experience with the previous four trim levels, two design lines, and eight available engines (excluding the high performance SVO model) stripped back to just five variants.

BMW seems to be making a habit out of releasing controversial new model releases, with its latest reveal – the 2021 M3 sedan and M4 coupe – proving no exception. After a premature image leak confirmed the cars' contentious coffin-shaped grilles, the official reveal continued to generate plenty of discussion about the bold new look of BMW's answer to the Audi RS4 and RS5, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG C63.

The 2021 BMW M 1000 RR has been revealed, and it's the first proper two-wheeled model to officially wear the fabled M badge. The news comes on the heels of the launch of the BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe, making it the third M vehicle to be released within 24 hours. While the company did release an M Package for the BMW S 1000 RR back in 2018 – which included a number of M-branded performance parts – this latest model is the first official motorcycle from BMW M.

Australians who want a small, zippy town car have been in consensus lately. Kia’s pint-sized Picanto has taken the so-called micro car market by the short-n-curlies. In 2019, the Fiat 500 and Mitsubishi Mirage put up little resistance to this barnstorming Korean, which netted 80.5 per cent of the segment. Of course, this has been helped by many makes departing this segment as huge swathes of buyers prepare to step up small SUVs instead.

Jaguar may be secretly developing a new hypercar. Images have emerged on the 7th Mustang internet forum, showing patent drawings for an unknown hypercar design, filed by Jaguar Land Rover. The illustrations show more than a passing resemblance to the iconic Jaguar XJ220 and stillborn Jaguar C-X75, suggesting the British brand may be secretly developing a vehicle to compete with the Mercedes-AMG One and Aston Martin Valkyrie.

As we explained last month, we wanted to take a closer look at the 2020 Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior for a couple of reasons. First, it’s impressive that an Australian company is deeply involved in the engineering enhancement. Second, you get a proper factory warranty for a modified dual-cab. And third, they are basically selling out before dealers can get their hands on them. So, Nissan has definitely done something right.

Nissan may be planning an SUV with a 'Z' badge in the future. At a recent media event for the Z Proto, Nissan's Senior Vice President for Global Product Planning, Ivan Espinosa, said the Japanese car company was exploring a potential Z SUV. "There's always temptation, we're always exploring these things," Mr Espinosa responded, when asked about the potential for a high-riding Z model. "The strength of Z – the brand – is so big, that it could potentially allow some wild things."

The 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid has been announced at the company's Battery Day presentation, and it will deliver performance which surpasses Porsche's 918 Spyder hypercar. Tesla says the new Model S Plaid will do the 0-100km/h sprint in 2.1 seconds, and will run the 400m (quarter mile) drag strip in nine seconds, thanks to 820kW from its three electric motors and all-wheel drive.

In a push to keep momentum going on its marketing train, the covers have come off the new 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line this week. A full unveiling won't occur for another month yet, but these images provide a first clear and official look at the sportiest model in the new Sonata sedan range. Due in Australia in late 2020 alongside the regular range, the Sonata N-Line adds a more aggressive look with sports styling and big 19-inch alloy wheels.

Tesla's much-hyped Battery Day has indeed delivered a new type of battery cell, which the company says will provide a 16 per cent increase in range. Theoretically, this means a Tesla Model S could offer a range of up to 750 kilometres on a single charge. The new Tesla battery, named the 4680 for its dimensions (46mm by 80mm), reportedly provides five times the energy and six times the power of previous comparable cells.

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max are twins under the skin, made on the same production line and – presumably – cost the same to build. But as we discovered, manufacturing cost has little to do with how car companies set prices – and there are numerous examples that defy logic. For example, on these ute twins Mazda charges a $2500 premium for automatic transmission versus a manual; Isuzu charges $2000.

Lotus has released the most in-depth look yet at its upcoming 2021 Evija hypercar (pronounced e-vye-a). In a new promotional video shot at the now Chinese-owned British manufacturer’s 3.5km Hethel test track, Gavan Kershaw – the Lotus director of vehicle attributes – provides extensive commentary on the project. He reveals and demonstrates for the first time the vehicle's five drive modes; Range, City, Tour, Sport, and Track.

BMW has commenced work on its first pure-electric car from the M performance division, but the M3 and M4 are safe for now. That’s the message from the CEO of BMW M, Markus Flasch, speaking to Australian media ahead of the reveal of the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe. The first M-fettled product from BMW’s expanding EV range will be a version of the i4, first previewed as a concept in March 2020.

This is it. BMW M has pulled the wraps off the 2021 M3 sedan and M4 coupe, its hotly-anticipated, new-generation challengers to the Audi RS4/RS5, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG C63. Click any of the photos in this story for our full gallery Arguably the most polarising styling element of the new M3 and M4 are their grilles.

The much-anticipated 2021 Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 coupes are expected to be in Australian showrooms at the end of of 2021. CarAdvice understands no firm date has yet been given to local dealerships, however there is an internal expectation that – if all goes to plan – the new models will begin arriving during the fourth quarter of 2021, some six months after the model was initially expected.

Car enthusiasts – and YouTube channels – can’t get enough of the sheer speed of electric performance cars. Until the novelty wears off – and every person on the planet is aware of the capability of electric cars when the tech is applied for maximum acceleration – we will continue to be treated to videos like this.

The BMW naming strategy isn’t always easy to follow. Odd-numbered cars are considered mainstream, and even numbers are targeted at lifestyled vehicles. So, a 3 Series or X1 is the bread and butter, but an X2 or 4 Series is the jam on top. Apparently, more practical (and now discontinued in Aus) cars like the 2 Series Active Tourer and 6 Series GT also denote a ‘lifestyle’ of some sort, so be it then.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) defines manufacturer warranties as "voluntary promises offered by the manufacturer about what they will do if something goes wrong with a new car". "Manufacturer warranties apply for a specified time and may add to consumers’ automatic rights under the Australian Consumer Law guarantees," the ACCC explains. "Manufacturer warranties come with conditions that limit the coverage and what consumers can claim for."

Suzuki Jimny owners can now upgrade the GVM (gross vehicle mass) of their pint-sized off-roaders, thanks to local aftermarket outfitters Ironman 4x4. Fully compliant with Australian regulations, the kit adds 350 kilograms of payload, increasing the GVM from 1435kg to 1785kg. This more than doubles the available payload, compared to a standard Jimny.

Update, 22 September: Nikola’s founder and chairman, Trevor Milton, has stepped down following the recent allegation of fraud levelled at his company. Former Vice Chairman of General Motors, Stephen Girsky, will replace him. “Focus should be on the company and its world-changing mission, not me,” Mr Milton said in an official statement. “I made the difficult decision to approach the Board and volunteer to step aside as Executive Chairman.”

There's an old saying that you should spend three months' salary on an engagement ring. According to consumer advice site finder.com.au, a similar rule applies when buying new cars. Ideally, it suggests, you shouldn't spend more than 15 per cent of your annual income on the purchase price of a car. That would mean someone on a salary of $100,000 (far more than the average Australian income) should be aiming for a car around $15,000 – not exactly achievable.

It’s a fun game writing about cars. You’ll ask us about the best light SUV; something sensible, stylish and popular; and we’ll respond talking about some left-field model, produced in an old brewery in Genovia, by a brand who’s CFO used to be a race engineer with Arrows F1, that shares it’s left front tie-rod end with the Cizeta Moroder V16T. Good times. Great banter. But not all that helpful for most buyers.

UPDATE, 22 September: Pricing for the 2021 Mazda BT-50 range has been announced, with the XT dual-cab chassis 4x2 kicking off the line-up at $44,090 plus on-road costs. At the top-end of the range is the Mazda BT-50 GT dual-cab pick-up (style-side tub) 4x4 automatic at $59,990 plus-on road costs. The new 2021 Mazda BT-50 goes on sale from 1 October 2020. See the bottom of this story for a full list of price and specs on each model offered in the range.