CAR ADVICE

Australian Grand Prix fans will witness faster lap times, top speeds of close to 330kmh, and more overtaking opportunities at this November’s F1 race after the Albert Park street circuit receives its first major overhaul in 25 years. Lap times are forecast to be slashed by up to 5 seconds, according to initial estimates, after seven corners on the 5.3km track are modified – and two are removed.

Jaguar Land Rover has joined key premium brand rival Mercedes-Benz in switching to a five-year warranty. All Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover models will adopt a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty from 1 April 2021, across vehicles purchased for both private and business use.

UPDATE, 1 April 2021: With the facelifted 2021 F-Pace now in local showrooms, Jaguar has bumped up pricing across the range. This story has been updated with the latest figures, along with local imagery. UPDATE, 2 December 2020: The hero F-Pace SVR has now also been updated for the new model year, with Australian pricing revealed today. See our full story here. Jaguar has announced the updated F-Pace, with new mild-hybrid powertrains, and new interior, and extra tech.

For a bit of extra fun on April 1st, we'd like to take you back to when we had an exclusive first drive of the Landwind Labrador Sport. The imported SUV shared a passing resemblance to the Land Rover Discovery Sport, and if rumour was correct, featured a groundbreaking 12-volt starter-generator mild-hybrid system...

Recommended retail prices across the 2021 Isuzu D-Max ute range have increased by a margin of $1000 in Australia. A spokesperson for Isuzu in Australia was unable to comment on the price change when approached by CarAdvice, with the brand's media bulletin merely attributing "increasing costs associated with the [D-Max]" for the price rise.

The 2021 Nissan Patrol Nismo has been unveiled, offering bold styling and additional performance over the standard model. At this stage, the sportier Patrol Nismo looks like it won't be offered in Australia, with Nissan developing the SUV specifically for the Middle East – one of the largest international markets for the Patrol.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up has been teased in shadowy images ahead of official photos being released with the studio lights turned up a fortnight from now. Hyundai USA released these darkened images overnight so it still has something left to show on 16 April 2021 when the Santa Cruz is due to be formally unveiled. We did what most websites do in such situations, and brightened the digital images and turned down the contrast to see if we could see more.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness has been unveiled in the US, with an Australian launch yet to be confirmed – though the rugged model remains the local arm's wishlist. The first model under Subaru's new Wilderness sub-brand – also expected to spawn Forester and XV Wilderness in the coming years – the Outback Wilderness aims to inject a dose of off-road capability into the brand's high-riding wagon.

The 2021 Suzuki Swift 100 Year Anniversary Edition will go on sale in Australia next month to celebrate 100 years of the Suzuki brand worldwide. Based on Suzuki's entry-level Swift GL Navigator, the 100 Year Anniversary Edition adds a black rear roof spoiler, a "carbon-fibre style" front bumper decal, black side stripe decals, and unique badging on the tailgate.

The first production example of the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX has been bought by an unnamed buyer for US$410,000 (AU$540,000) at a charity auction – more than five times higher than its RRP. US car giants Ford, General Motors, Dodge – and now truck subsidiary Ram – have sold the first production vehicles of highly sought-after performance models at auctions in recent years to raise money for worthwhile causes.

The 2022 Ford Ranger is due in Australian showrooms early next year rather than later this year – following minor delays in development and the production rollout due to the coronavirus crisis – according to confidential information shared with dealers. And the next Ranger Raptor is understood to follow about six months or less after the arrival of the mainstream models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette will arrive in Australia late this year and early next year initially in extremely limited numbers. Dealers for the newly-created General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) brand – most of whom are former Holden outlets – have been told they will only receive four cars each in their initial allocation. More cars will follow in 2022 once next year's right-hand-drive production run gets underway.

Tesla has teamed up with social media giant TikTok to allow the owners of its electric cars to record, edit and upload viral videos directly from their vehicles. The Californian car maker has collaborated with the Chinese-owned video-sharing app on a new software update to be made available on all of its cars globally from 1 April 2021.

Following in the footsteps of the expanded Mustang and new Bronco sub-brands overseas, Ford Australia has announced that it will consolidate its line-up under the Ranger moniker. On the basis of full-year sales figures in 2020, the Ranger accounted for over 68 per cent of Ford’s model mix. In the hopes of emulating that momentum across the remaining line-up, Ford wants to hone in on the Ranger’s brand recognition in Australia.

A medium-sized, performance-oriented, seven-seat SUV is a niche carved with a toothpick. However, meet the sugar cube – my endearing term for the sweet and boxy 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB35. Even with all those traits, I can't imagine punters flocking to stores adorned with the three-pointed star for one. However, I do imagine many walk out having bought one – after being walked up from a GLA or sideward from a GLC.

The 2021 Suzuki Jimny is set to be listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), allowing investors to trade the popularity of the small SUV on the futures market. Suzuki Australia's Chief Investment Officer Alan Smithee made the announcement this morning, saying the move will strongly benefit Jimny investors: "We've seen unprecedented demand for the Suzuki Jimny since its release, pushing delivery times out until late 2021, as well as witnessing soaring second-hand prices.

The cost of petrol is skyrocketing ahead of the Easter long weekend, with prices in the three main capital cities returning to pre-pandemic levels. The average price of fuel hit 147.2 cents per litre in Melbourne this week and is expected to continue its rise alongside Brisbane, which is currently at 164.3 cents despite the ongoing lockdown. Melbourne's more affluent suburbs – including Hawthorn and Camberwell – hit $1.60 a litre, while some Eastern suburbs reached $1.70.

The next-generation 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 is now all but confirmed to be a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. Mercedes-AMG has taken the wraps off a new high-performance plug-in hybrid system based around a four-cylinder engine which will be employed by AMG-badged versions of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class – with rumours suggesting it'll be the flagship C63 performance mid-sizer that will benefit.

When it comes to electrification, there are three well-trodden paths: pure electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. For its foray into the world of electrified vehicles, Volvo has plumped for the third option – plug-in hybrid – although an all-electric XC40 is coming soon. For now, in Australia at least, Volvo is offering three plug-in hybrid variants of its SUV range, helpfully badged as ‘Recharge’.

Mercedes-AMG will launch the first in a new range of electric vehicles (EV) in Europe later this year, as part of a wider brand shift towards smaller engines and electrified technologies.

The covers have come off the Genesis X Concept, revealing an all-electric Gran Tourer (GT) coupe that provides a glimpse at the company's direction. Genesis has revealed the X Concept alongside a 'digital motor show' website, providing a virtual space for people to view the battery-powered concept in its Lencois Blue paint.

Volkswagen will not change its name in the US to Voltswagen, according to a new report citing insider sources who believe it was an April Fools prank that leaked days earlier than planned. Volkswagen had published a press release confirming the temporary name change for certain electric models in the US, however it appears to have since deleted the bulletin.

The 2021 Skoda Kodiaq facelift has been teased, ahead of its full debut on 13 April. A set of design sketches released overnight reveal exterior changes to Skoda's seven-seat Kodiaq will be mild, headlined by slimmer LED headlights with lower LED fog lights, and a reshaped front bumper with a wider lower air intake. Slimmer LED tail-lights feature at the rear, with C-shaped signatures.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQS's interior has been revealed, ahead of its full debut rumoured for 15 April. The dedicated all-electric companion to the combustion-powered S-Class limousine, the new EQS will debut an all-new interior for Mercedes-Benz, dominated by what the brand calls the MBUX Hyperscreen.

The 2021 Mazda MX-30 Hybrid is an interesting and important entrant in what is now a crowded space globally. Interesting, in that we expected the electric version to arrive either ahead of the hybrid or at least at the same time. And important because there is no doubt whatsoever that a move to hybrid, and eventually full electric, is where the market is taking buyers. Whether they like it or not. This car is Mazda's toe in the water.

Australian pricing and specifications for the mild-hybrid version of the 2021 Mazda MX-30 have been confirmed ahead of the small SUV's local arrival on 1 April 2021. The MX-30 M Hybrid will be offered in three specification grades, with pricing kicking off from $33,990 before on-road costs and topping out at $40,990 before on-road costs. It lands ahead of its all-electric sibling, which is due to touch down in Mazda showrooms before the end of 2021.

First and foremost, the 2021 Hyundai Nexo is an electric vehicle with an on-board power station. Instead of relying solely on batteries to store energy, it generates power-on-demand via a clever hydrogen fuel-cell stack under the bonnet.

The Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept has been revealed overnight. Unveiled via an online live-stream event, the LF-Z Electrified claims to preview the next generation of Lexus' electric vehicles, debuting an evolved design language and a dedicated electric-only platform set to be used by future production models over the coming years.

Australians could be waiting even longer to take delivery of their new cars, with the recent blockage at the Suez canal exacerbating delays originating from the coronavirus pandemic. Despite news the container ship MV Ever Given has been refloated – allowing one of the most vital international shipping routes to flow with maritime traffic again – it's expected the issues created will push out deliveries of some European new cars by weeks.

The Mitsubishi Pajero came to the end of production this year, ending a four-decade run as a proven, capable four-wheel-drive. While it felt its age in recent years, for a long time the Pajero was one of the main family off-roaders available on the market, with the Mitsubishi fighting in the same class as the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.

The 2022 Kia EV6 electric SUV has been revealed in full – and it's coming to Australia. “We will be bringing EV6 to Australia and production will commence during [the fourth quarter of] this year. Timing of arrival – along with further details regarding pricing and specs – will be confirmed at a later date," a spokesperson for Kia told local media earlier today.

The 2021 SsangYong Rexton has gone on sale, with two facelifted models available in Australia. As reported by CarAdvice last month, SsangYong has dropped the entry-level EX variant from the Rexton line-up, instead offering just the ELX and Ultimate – with the cost of entry into the Rexton range now $8000 more than when the EX was available. While the ELX costs $1000 more and the Ultimate $2000 more than their pre-facelift pricetags, buyers do get more power and fresh looks.

Forget Holden versus Ford, there’s a new battle brewing between Chevrolet and Ram in the US pick-up market in Australia, with the announcement of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss for Australia. After the runaway success of Ram Trucks – selling more than 8000 pick-ups since the brand was established locally – arch rival General Motors is about to shift into gear having set up shop as General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) in the wake of Holden’s demise.

Despite delays arriving in Australia, the 2021 Renault Captur has finally landed, and first impressions suggest it has been worth the wait. The previous-generation Captur, when it arrived in 2014, slotted into the small-SUV class – a category that has since split into light SUV and small SUV. Many stayed classed as small, but the Captur, Nissan Juke and Suzuki Jimny are the only light SUVs of a crop of 11 currently that shared market space with the Captur back then.

The iconic Chevrolet Corvette – the USA’s answer to Ferrari and Porsche supercars – will be priced between $145,000 and $175,000 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australian showrooms at the end of this year. While it will be one of the most expensive cars to come out of North America, the V8-powered mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette will cost about half the price of a Porsche 911 and a fraction of the cost of a Ferrari, despite offering similar acceleration and performance.

Volkswagen will change the name of its US division to 'Voltswagen of America', in a push to highlight the brand’s shift towards electrification. According to US business news outlet CNBC, an incomplete press release leaked overnight suggests the 'Voltswagen' moniker will be used on all zero-emission models from May 2021 onwards, while internal combustion variants will – at least for the time being – retain the existing Volkswagen badging.

Hyundai has suspended production at one of its factories in South Korea thanks to a shortage of semiconductor computer chips. Hyundai is the latest car maker to pause manufacturing due to the chip shortage, with General Motors, Honda, Stellantis, and a number of other companies announcing similar situations over the past month. A spokesperson for Hyundai Australia told CarAdvice the impact to local buyers is expected to be minimal.

It was back in 1969 when the very first Ford Mustang Mach 1 was born. The car was designed by Ford as the bridge between the regular Mustang GT and Shelby GT350 in the pony-car line-up, plus the Mach 1 served as the 'performance Mustang' answer to rivals in the muscle car class. The Mach 1 nameplate was a success, and Ford offered the variant in the second-, fourth- and fifth-generation Mustang, with each model adding its own design flair. But all that was a very long time ago.

On the rare occasion Lexus makes a convertible, it's fair to say it doesn't do things by halves. The 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible debuted in late 2020 as only the third drop-top model the Japanese marque has produced in its 31-year history, after the SC and IS models. It also marks the brand's first-ever soft-top convertible.

Australian Tesla buyers will not be able to get their hands on a new Model S or Model X until 2022, with the brand's online configurator revealing deliveries of both models are on hold until next year. The electric sedan and SUV had their 2022 facelifts revealed in January 2021, but customers wanting to purchase the current, pre-facelift model have missed the cutoff and will now have to wait until 2022.

Toyota has opened Victoria’s first commercial hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling facility, at the site of its former manufacturing plant in Altona. A 200kW electrolyser – which draws voltage from an 87kW solar system, 100kW battery, and the mains grid – is used to 'decompose' water into hydrogen and oxygen, and, according to Toyota, this can produce up to 80kg of the zero-emission fuel each day.

Ford Australia has recalled 31 examples of its Transit van, citing a potential fault with the rear driveshaft. The affected vehicles were built between 18 August 2020 and 26 August 2020 (Model Year 2021). The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says: “Due to a manufacturing fault, the vehicle's rear driveshaft bearing support bracket may hold the driveshaft at the incorrect angle, causing excessive wear to the driveshaft over time.”

Reclining in resplendent saddle-brown leather seats while scrolling through the glossy 12.3-inch touchscreen of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe, you may well feel as though you’ve hit peak Mercedes. The marriage of old-school luxury with modern-day technology is a hallmark of the German brand, and the facelifted E-Class exemplifies this blend.

The 2022 Hummer EV SUV variant has been teased once again by GMC, ahead of its official reveal next week. The new videos show the most detailed silhouette yet of the mammoth all-electric off-roader, and confirm the model will be unveiled on 4 April 2021.

Lights went out on the 2021 Formula One season this past weekend as round one kicked off at the Bahrain International Circuit Prior to Sunday's race it was 105 days since fans were last treated to racing action – this time out there were new coloured racing cars, re-branded teams and exciting changes in the paddock. This didn't come with monumental change come race time, however. As predicted, the silver arrows were as dominant as ever with Lewis Hamilton clocking up his 96th career win.

The Ford Mondeo will be discontinued after three decades of production. Ford announced the Mondeo will end its production in March 2022, with the expectation it will be replaced by a high-riding SUV model. Launched in Europe in 1993 to replace the Sierra, Australia first saw the Ford Mondeo two years later – touted as the company's first true global car.

When shopping superseded parts for an old car, there's something called 'new old stock'. These are things that were made a long time ago, yet remain unused in their original packaging. The 2021 Hyundai iMax Elite feels that way. It's been alive and kicking for 14 years now. In this time, we've seen a full model generation of Kia Carnival come and go, and the latest version elevating the segment to new heights.

Subaru Australia has issued a second recall for 1982 examples of its 2021 Outback, citing a fault with the vehicle's pre-collision braking system that may see it activate unexpectedly. It marks the second recall announcement in one day for Subaru's new-generation large SUV, following a recall notice pertaining to the model's electronic brake booster appearing on the ACCC website only hours prior.

AGL energy subsidiary ActewAGL has opened Australia's first public hydrogen vehicle refuelling station. Located in Fyshwick just outside of the Canberra CBD, the station produces its own hydrogen gas on-site by capturing rainwater and using specialist equipment to create the fuel – powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. The station's opening coincided with the ACT Government's arrival of 20 Hyundai Nexo hydrogen vehicles.

Volkswagen Group has announced it will seek damages from its former CEO, Prof Martin Winterkorn, after a six-year investigation. Wintekorn was named alongside former Audi CEO, Prof Rupert Stadler, by Volkswagen Group's Supervisory Board as allegedly being the two individuals responsible for the 'Dieselgate' saga, which has resulted in the company paying an estimated $46.5 billion in fines, compensation, and vehicle buybacks.

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 Thunder has been announced for Australia as a tough flagship for the Japanese brand's new-generation dual-cab ute. The new model will put the new Mazda BT-50 in a head-on battle with the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain with which it shares its underpinnings. Although the Mazda and Isuzu bodies are unique, both vehicles are twins under the skin and are made on the same Isuzu production line in Thailand.

The latest recent from the Australian Institute reveals the majority of Australians support electric-vehicle (EV) policies. This includes a government subsidy on the purchase of new EVs along with a ban on the sale of new fossil-fuelled cars by 2035. Key results from the survey reveal two in three Australians – or 62 per cent – agree with the government subsidies for the purchase of EVs.

Volkswagen Group Australia announced in recent days the Cupra brand will launch in Australia in early 2022, bringing a range of European-market, high-performance compact cars and SUVs to Australian shores. But what is Cupra, what does it sell, and why should you be excited for its arrival Down Under? Here's your Australian-centric guide to Volkswagen's high-performance Spanish subsidiary. MORE: Cupra coming to Australia in early 2022

The slower you go, the less fuel you use. The faster you go, the more inefficient a 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross GXL hybrid becomes. Seems odd, but it's true. As you're aware, internal combustion cars use more fuel in traffic. Stop-start engine technology helps somewhat, but the constant tasking of acceleration – from slow speeds – makes them uneconomical. The exact opposite happens with a Yaris Cross hybrid, which went a bit against my initial assumptions.

New data has identified the Melbourne roads where traffic congestion is actually worse than it was before the 2020 coronavirus pandemic – with some locations seeing a 20 per cent surge in motorists compared to 2019. While most roads have either maintained or lowered their congestion levels in 2021 compared with 2019, a small handful have seen a surge in traffic.

The year 2020 was one that many would like to forget, and the automotive industry is no exception. Lockdowns and economic slowdowns brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic translated exactly as you'd expect for Australia's new-car sales, with a staggering 48.5 per cent sales decline in April, contributing to an overall market down 13.7 per cent by the end of the year.

Subaru Australia has officially recalled 256 examples of the 2021 Outback, following the announcement of a stop-sale (and stop-delivery) last week. According to the recall notice filed with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), there may be an issue with the setup of the Electronic Brake Booster, which uses engine vacuum pressure to assist braking.

When it comes to superlative claims, being the ‘best selling nameplate’ in the world, ever, is pretty hard to beat. The Toyota Corolla has been a feature of the global automotive marketplace since 1966, and when Toyota celebrated a half-century of Toyota production in 2016, some 44.1-million ‘rock-and-rollas’ had been produced.

As you may have come to realise, late-night, potentially emotionally driven, classic car purchase conversations are a pretty standard thing for the CarAdvice team.

Australian Mazda shoppers will soon encounter an all-new offering on local showroom floors, with the imminent arrival of the MX-30 small SUV. Boasting a distinctive design that's a nod to Mazda's history – from the RX-8-inspired freestyle doors to the cork accents on the interior – the MX-30 will blend heritage with future-proof powertrains. It will touch down in its first iteration as a mild-hybrid, with the MX-30 M Hybrid going on sale from April 1st, 2021.

Why doesn’t every car have that? Every now and then we come across comfort or convenient features in new cars and wonder why all vehicles don’t do the same – or why nobody else has thought of it. Some ideas are common sense, simple touches. Others need to be engineered in the car from the outset. So we searched the archives – as well as gathered the best features of new cars on sale today – to arbitrarily come up with this Top 10 list.

Following the death of racing driver and television personality Sabine Schmitz earlier this month, a petition has emerged online calling for a corner to be named after her at Nurburgring Nordschleife. Schmitz, who passed away aged 51 following a long battle with cancer, was affectionately known as the 'Queen of the Nurburgring' – the racing circuit where she spent most of her life and career.

The process of buying a new car can be a vigorous one, with endless options available and various factors to consider. There's no doubting that a car's warranty is imperative and could be a deciding factor when it comes to purchasing a new car. The basic proposition is much the same across the board – however, they vary significantly depending on the manufacturer. New-car warranties start from three years and generally go up to seven.

The 2022 Ferrari Purosangue has been rendered by Photoshop artist Giorgi Tedoradze, hinting at what the controversial high-performance SUV may eventually look like. Tedoradze – who is not professionally associated with the Ferrari brand – imagines the high-riding Purosangue with sleek running lights on the nose, and an Aston Martin DBX-inspired rear.

Within the world of commercial vehicles, the adoption of smooth, slick automatic transmissions hasn’t always kept pace with the rest of the market. That’s despite a growing buyer appetite for easy-to-operate autos. In the case of the 2021 Fiat Ducato it’s out with the old automated six-speed single-clutch transmission and in with a new nine-speed torque converter auto, leading a raft of changes for the updated van.

Every now and then, you need a reminder of what it’s like to have some fun behind the wheel. Sure, you could lust after the latest Porsche 911 or anything by Lamborghini, but the reality for most of us is a little more sobering. It’s that reality that Kia has tapped into with its thimble-sized warm hatch, the Kia Picanto GT.

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?

High-performance hatchbacks have been around for the best part of half a century, and we've picked our list of the five hottest ever built. With so many classic to choose from however, let us know your own top five in the comments below. Launched in 1984, the Peugeot 205 GTI was an early pioneer in the hot-hatch segment. The sporty three-door – based on the standard 205 hatchback – initially featured a 77kW 1.6-litre engine, however 1987 saw the introduction of a 94kW 1.9-litre variant.

The 2021 McLaren Elva is the newest addition to the British manufacturer’s Ultimate Series – and a handful are bound for a selection of lucky Australian buyers. Inspired by founder Bruce McLaren’s M1A, M1B and M1C race cars of the 1960s, the Elva is equipped with McLaren's 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 600kW and 800Nm.

When I think Toyota Supra, I’m immediately taken back to the chase scene in the Fast and the Furious – for those who haven’t seen it, this particular model is a bright orange 1994 Supra Mark IV. I jest. You've all seen the movie. And that was a very different Supra, too. What is undoubtedly now an iconic nameplate then has changed in 2021. In fact, we're led to believe that the new Supra has the heart of a Toyota but the soul of a BMW. In theory, that's no bad thing is it?

Volkswagen's new-generation Golf R hot hatch will go on sale in Australia in early 2022, with its long-roof wagon sibling expected to arrive alongside it. A year from the car's local launch, its maker has taken the eighth-generation hot Golf to the snow to showcase its trick new all-wheel-drive system and torque-vectoring R Performance rear differential, featuring a new-for-Volkswagen 'Drift' mode.

The E-Class is my favourite platform within the broad portfolio that now comprises the complete Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG range. And budget permitting, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ Coupe might be the smartest choice of the whole lot.

The 2022 Nissan 400Z could simply be badged 'Nissan Z' and undercut hot hatches on price in the US when it is unveiled later this year, according to new information. A post on the NewNissanZ fan forum claiming to quote leaked insider information – the authenticity of which couldn't be validated by CarAdvice – alleges Nissan's new sports car will be badged 'Nissan Z' in export, non-Japanese markets, rather than the power-based 400Z designation widely rumoured.

Toyota and Subaru have confirmed plans for a joint announcement on 5 April 2021, suggesting the all-new GR 86 sports car could be closer to launch than previously thought. Teasing the upcoming event, an image appears to show the badges of both a Toyota GR 86 and a Subaru BRZ, with the words "Let's make ever-better cars together!" While it's yet to be confirmed the upcoming media event will feature the wildly-popular coupe's reveal, CarAdvice understands this is highly likely.

It wasn't too long ago that electric cars were science fiction. Even closer however was a time when silent, emission-free cars were a privilege that only the uber-wealthy could afford. Yet here we are today discussing a car that you and I can now fill with hydrogen – the most abundant chemical substance in the known universe.

Chinese car giants Geely and SAIC have unveiled new brands in recent days, with the companies targeting the luxury electric vehicle (EV) segment. Earlier this week, Geely announced it would launch a new premium EV brand called Zeekr, with plans to offer models around the globe. The car maker says Zeekr models will offer an "unrivalled luxury experience in terms of comfort and performance".

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok has been teased in a new stylised rendering. Expected to launch in 2023, Volkswagen is partnering with Ford to create the next-generation Amarok, based on the highly-popular Ranger – but the company insists it will have "Volkswagen DNA". The German car giant sent personnel from its commercial arm to Australia in 2019 to work with Ford's local design and engineering departments, ensuring the ute will be more than just a re-badge.

The 2021 Haval H6 will be priced from just above $30,000 drive-away when it reaches Australian showrooms in early April. Initial pricing and specification details released by Haval confirm three variants of the new mid-size SUV will be offered in Australia, with the entry-level H6 Premium to start from $30,990 drive-away – undercutting not just the H6’s mid-size SUV rivals, but many in the light and small SUV segments below.

The Australian automotive industry has reported its overall CO2 emissions for the first time, revealing how it's tracking towards its voluntary Emissions Standard targets for 2030. For now, the numbers are industry-wide, with a breakdown of individual brand performance to come in April 2021.

How does the D-Max's twin under the skin fare off the beaten track? We find out in some tricky conditions.

The 2022 Ford Ranger has been spied testing in Australia wearing full camouflage. The next-generation Ranger prototype was caught undergoing evaluation by Ford engineers in Footscray, in Melbourne's inner-west, by a keen-eyed CarAdvice reader. The prototype spotted in these photos appears as if it could be a Ranger Wildtrak, thanks to its side steps and a stylish rear 'sail plane' valance extending from the rear window – a trademark of the Wildtrak variant.

The 2022 Alpina B8 Gran Coupe – a tuned variant of the BMW 8-Series sedan – has been revealed, with powerful V8 performance, upgraded suspension, tweaked styling, and a reworked cabin. Power comes from BMW’s original 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, uprated to send 457kW/800Nm to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Alpina claims this set-up allows the B8 to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 324km/h.

Rattly three-cylinder engines have long been a hallmark of micro cars, if not always their most distinctive element in the case of peculiarly (but wonderfully) named Japanese examples such as the Daihatsu Move Latte, Mazda Autozam AZ-1, Mitsubishi Minica Dangen, Nissan Moco, Suzuki Mighty Boy and Toyota Pixis Joy.

A rare 1974 Holden Torana L34 SL/R 5000 has been listed for sale, with price expectations "in excess of $750,000." The high-performance L34 variant was a homologation special introduced by Holden two years after scrapping the originally planned V8-powered Torana during the infamous "supercar scare" of 1972. It went on to win the Bathurst 1000 on two occasions. This example is one of just 263 built.

There’s excess, and then there’s the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S 4Matic+ – a full-size SUV that quite simply has no right to be as fast and agile as it is in the real world. In either wagon or coupe bodies, if you don't mind. The saying ‘you can have your cake and eat it too’ has never made any sense to me to be honest, but in the case of the GLE63 it seems to be bang on the money.

A custom-built 2019 Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series six-wheeler has been listed for sale on Drive, with an asking price of $192,888 plus on-road costs. The chassis restructure – and extensive suspension upgrade – was carried out by local conversion specialist JMACX, at a reported cost of $61,585. In its current form, the exotic dual-cab measures more than 6500mm from nose to tail.

The 2021 F1 season has arrived, kicking off this weekend in Sakhir at the Bahrain International Circuit. The F1 schedule retains a record 23 races with the season starting a week later than usual, and not in Melbourne, Australia as in the past. It's set to be an exciting opener with new teammate pairings, updated rules and regulations, and some rebranded teams. Here's everything you need to know about the first round of the 2021 Formula One season.

A 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback is the grand prize in this year's Audi Foundation charity raffle, with proceeds from ticket sales set to support important causes such as education, mental health and medical research. The RS5 Sportback on offer is valued at more than $176,555 driveaway, but entrants will have the chance to get behind the wheel of Audi's five-door performance car for just $50 a ticket.

Seven Subaru dealerships in Melbourne have moved to a fixed-pricing model in an effort to improve transparency for consumers and do away with haggling. The 'Price Pledge' initiative has been implemented across the Trivett retail group's dealer sites in Berwick, Docklands, Doncaster, Essendon, Glen Waverley, Mentone and Werribee Plaza. The approach was originally trialled across two models from May 2020 onwards, but has now been rolled out across all models in the brand's portfolio.

This is it: meet the 2021 Hyundai Kona N, which has been spied undisguised ahead of its full detailed reveal. The Performance Blue-hued Kona N pictured was captured by our spy photography partners during a video shoot near the Nurburgring, evidenced by the closed road guarded at 150-metre intervals by Hyundai officials, and the presence of a 'Russian arm' filming car.

The fully-electric 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 has arrived as part of the company's ever-expanding electric model range. Mercedes-Benz has based the EQA on the GLA, but instead fitted the small SUV with a thermally-managed 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, powering a 140kW/375Nm electric motor driving the front wheels via a single-speed mechanical transmission. MORE: 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 prototype: International first drive

The upcoming 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace facelift has leaked online, ahead of its Australian launch in the first quarter of 2022. Images published by the Chinese government's Ministry of Transport – and reposted by VWNewsBlog – show the updated Volkswagen seven-seat SUV in full, revealing it will benefit from similar styling changes to those applied to the five-seat Tiguan earlier in 2021.

The 2022 Volkswagen Polo and 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc will receive mid-life facelifts in Australia in the second half of next year. Volkswagen Australia confirmed to CarAdvice this week mid-life updates for the Polo light car and T-Roc small SUV are expected to go on sale in Australia in the second half of 2022 – including the flagship, high-performance R version of the latter.

The 2021 Haval H6 Hybrid mid-size SUV has been revealed in Thailand – and it could be on Australian showroom floors by the end of the year. Based on the new-generation version of Haval's H6 mid-size SUV – which will go on sale in Australia in petrol-only form in the second quarter of 2021 – the H6 Hybrid aims to do battle with a growing selection of hybrid medium SUVs, led in Australia by the highly-popular Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Australian pricing and specification details for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Wagon have been announced, ahead of its local arrival in July. The more practical, long-roof sibling to the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf hatch – which arrives in May – the new Golf wagon brings an evolutionary exterior design, an overhauled cabin, new technology and a new automatic transmission. However, the changes come at a cost, with price rises of up to $4960 over the outgoing Mk7.5 model.

Australian pricing and specification details for the 2021 Peugeot 3008 have been announced, with the updated mid-size SUV now on sale. Peugeot's mid-size SUV has undergone a facelift for 2021, with the 3008 gaining an updated look in line with Peugeot's newer models (including 'claw' daytime-running light and tail-light designs), upgraded interior technologies and, by the end of 2021, the option of plug-in hybrid power.

Peugeot wants to be considered a mainstream premium brand in Australia. And if the face lifted Peugeot 3008 is anything to go by, the French carmaker is going about it the right way. The medium SUV segment is ripe for the plucking, with a host of mainstream and premium brands competing for traction. Plugging into that segment successfully needs something pretty special. And on first impressions, Peugeot has nailed the brief.

Australian pricing and specification details for the 2021 Peugeot 5008 have been announced, with the updated mid-size SUV now on sale. Peugeot's seven-seat SUV has undergone a facelift for 2021, with the 5008 scoring an updated look in line with newer Peugeot models (including 'claw' lighting signatures), upgraded cabin technology and a simplified range.

If ever there was an antidote to the increasing homogenisation of vehicles on our roads, then French car giant Peugeot is the proof, its range of handsome and slightly different (but not too different) cars and SUVs offering a different take on the same old formula. Case in point? The Peugeot 5008, the French brand’s take on the large, seven-seater SUV segment.

At first glance, there may not be a whole lot to set the 2021 BMW 520i apart from its immediate predecessor. This version carries BMW’s LCI, or ‘Life Cycle Impulse’, tag – extravagant branding for what equates to a midlife freshen-up. There are no changes to the sheet metal, but lights, bumpers and grille get a new look. The squared-off daytime running light signatures are the easiest to spot, though everything else looks typically BMW enough to not stand out too much.

UPDATE, 24 March 2021: Lexus has confirmed it will take the covers off its all-electric concept on Tuesday, 30 March 2021, at 9pm AEDT. After much speculation, a new teaser image – supplied alongside the announcement – confirms the model will be a high-riding sedan. It's understood the yet-to-be-named vehicle will be underpinned by Toyota's Direct4 electric powertrain architecture, and power will be sent to all four wheels.

The 2022 Toyota GR 86 may be delayed due to similarities with the Subaru BRZ. The new-generation GR 86 was co-developed with Subaru and will be made on the same production line as the BRZ, but a new report suggests Toyota President Akio Toyoda wants the 86 to be noticeably different in the way it drives. Japan's Best Car Web reports the Toyota boss told the development team: "Aim to differentiate performance from the BRZ."

The 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed has been revealed, with the Volkswagen-owned British brand describing the coupe as its “most capable and performance-focused model ever." Power comes from a retuned example of Bentley's existing 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol engine, sending 484kW and 900Nm to all four wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.6 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 335km/h.

A group of five shuffle alongside a hugely modified Toyota GR Yaris. "It's no different from building a V8 Supercar," says Neal Bates, boss and owner of factory-backed Toyota motorsport outfit Neal Bates Motorsport. "Look at how many people there are here, one... two... five I think? Not bad, considering the output."

Australian specification details for the 2021 Hyundai Nexo have been announced, with the Korean brand beating Toyota to the punch by offering the first hydrogen-powered vehicle for sale in Australia. As the flagship in Hyundai's 'eco' vehicle line-up, the Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be offered to both private and business buyers via special order and under "all-inclusive package" ownership.

UPDATE, 24 March 2021: The 2021 Kia Cerato facelift has been spied free of camouflage, ahead of its imminent reveal within the next seven days. Photos published on Autospy show off the updated small car's front end in full, confirming it will mate a pair of sharper LED headlights (with new daytime-running light signatures) with a slimmer grille.

Australian Mazda shoppers will soon encounter an all-new offering on local showroom floors, with the imminent arrival of the MX-30 small SUV. Boasting a distinctive design that's a nod to Mazda's history – from the RX-8-inspired freestyle doors to the cork accents on the interior – the MX-30 will blend heritage with future-proof powertrains. It will touch down in its first iteration as a mild-hybrid, with the MX-30 M Hybrid going on sale from April 1st, 2021.

Following confirmation both the mild-hybrid and all-electric versions of Mazda's new MX-30 small SUV will arrive in Australia in 2021, the brand's local arm has confirmed it is also interested in offering the electric model with a rotary range-extender as "a third addition" in 2022.

The first examples of the 2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580 ‘grand tourer’ ute have rolled off the production line in Clayton, Victoria. Described as a passion project between Volkswagen Australia and Walkinshaw Automotive, the Amarok W580 promises to bring improved on-road driving dynamics – along with a more aggressive styling package – to Volkswagen’s flagship ute.

The 2021 MG Extender ute has been fully revealed this week, in both extra-cab and dual-cab bodies. Based on the Maxus T90, the MG Extender is built in right-hand-drive form for Thailand's market, making it a prime candidate for Australian buyers. Parent-company SAIC sells the ute as a Maxus in China, though it's likely the MG model would be badged as an LDV if offered Down Under.

It’s fair to say I had the same question as a lot of people when I met my latest long-termer, the 2021 MG ZS EV. “How many kilometres do you get?”

As New South Wales gets lashed by torrential rain and rivers break their banks, road users are being reminded that attempting to drive through floodwaters something that should be avoided at all costs. Even if you're in a kitted out four-wheel drive, driving through flood waters is never a good idea.

Volkswagen Group subsidiary Porsche has increased its stake in Croatian brand Rimac Automobili, opening the door for a long-rumoured takeover at Bugatti. Last year CarAdvice reported an alleged agreement between the two companies could see Porsche incrementally increase its stake in Rimac to as much as 49 per cent by mid-2021. In return, Rimac would acquire the Bugatti name from the Volkswagen Group without money swapping hands.

An extensive collection of vehicles used on the set of classic films – including Fast and Furious, Ford vs Ferrari, The Green Hornet, Ghostbusters, and Indiana Jones – have come onto the market in the USA, courtesy of auction house Volo Cars.

Deliveries of the 2021 Subaru Outback in Australia have been halted for an as-yet unknown reason, after receiving direct communication from its Japan-based factory. "We expect the factory to confirm the nature of the issue shortly and Subaru Australia will advise customers," a Subaru Australian spokesperson told CarAdvice. CarAdvice understands dealers only learned of the delivery pause on the morning of March 23.

It’s not often that the future gets to overtake the present, but that’s what has happened here. Jaguar’s announcement earlier this month that it will have produced its last combustion car as soon as 2025, and scrapped its existing model line-up at the same point, means my first drive of the revised F-Pace SVR feels more like a goodbye than a hello.

The MG Cyberster electric sports car has been teased once again in a series of new sketches, ahead of an official reveal later this month. A spokesperson for MG in Australia told CarAdvice: "The Cyberster was designed in partnership with Bilibili E-sports, and will launch in concept form on March 31." The new images show the electric convertible’s interior and digital infotainment system for the first time, alongside a McLaren Elva and Porsche 911 Speedster inspired rear end.

A fully-electric Jeep Wrangler Magneto concept has been unveiled in the US, as official figures are released disputing claims of the company's production plug-in hybrid variant. Jeep has chosen the upcoming annual 'Easter Jeep Safari' event in Utah, USA to show off its battery-powered concept – but the Wrangler has been configured in a different way to most other electric vehicles (EVs).