CAR ADVICE

Australian pricing and specifications for the 2022 BMW X3 and BMW X4 have been confirmed, ahead of the first customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of this year (October to December inclusive). The facelifted SUVs pick up reshaped front and rear ends, new headlights, an updated interior, and revised infotainment across the range. A plug-in hybrid powertrain also joins the line-up for the first time.

Nissan has officially revealed its range-topping 2021 Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, which is due to land in Australian showrooms within a few months. Changes for the new Navara Warrior are headlined by a GVM upgrade and new winch-compatible bullbar, but many other tweaks and adjustments have been made by Premcar and Nissan under the skin.

French performance brand Alpine is going electric – and here are the three new vehicles that will make up its future. First announced in January, and teased as part of parent Renault’s strategy event overnight, the three new electric Alpine models will be launched in Europe starting in 2024.

From today, Honda customers will not be able to negotiate on price when buying a new car after a radical overhaul of its traditional business model. Under the restructure, Honda has reduced the number of dealers nationally from 115 outlets to 90. Some outlets have separated their showrooms and service centres, while the company will also experiment with “pop up” stores in shopping malls.

Renault has detailed a new compact electric vehicle platform that could be capable of bringing Australia its first $33,000 European electric hatchback. Known as CMF-BEV, the new platform will be used for ‘B-segment’ city cars (classified as ‘light cars’ in Australia), and promises to reduce the cost of the vehicles it underpins by 33 per cent versus Renault’s sole electric passenger car still on sale, the Zoe hatchback.

Dual-cab utes have been Australia's top-selling vehicles for the past five years and are on track to make it six in a row this year. Although it hasn't been widely reported, before its shutdown Holden discussed with Honda the possibility of sharing a ute. As exclusively reported by CarAdvice’s own Joshua Dowling, under the proposal Honda would get a version of the Colorado, while Holden would receive a version of the Jazz rebadged as a Barina.

The 2022 Volkswagen Polo GTI has been officially revealed, ahead of an Australian launch in the second quarter of 2022 (April to June inclusive). Volkswagen's smallest GTI model in Australia benefits from the same round of updates as the regular Polo in April, with refreshed styling, updated interior and expanded safety – though there's no more power.

Production of the BMW i3 will wrap up this month for North American markets, however the quirky electric hatchback's future in Australia is unclear for now. While US production is ending, insiders suggest the vehicle will continue to be built for Europe until June 2022. CarAdvice has contacted BMW Australia for clarification on the vehicle's local status, and this story will be updated when more information becomes available.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has recalled 61 examples of its 2020-21 Mercedes-Benz GLB SUV, citing a potential fault with the side spoiler mounts. The affected vehicles were sold between 4 May 2020 and 2 March 2021 (Model Years 2020 to 2021). The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says: “The side spoilers at the tailgate may not have been mounted correctly.

There’s a new Toyota Kluger in town, and it’s picked up a fuel-saving hybrid powertrain for the first time. Following in the extremely successful footsteps of the RAV4, Camry and Corolla, the 2021 Toyota Kluger promises to reduce fuel usage without a significant jump in asking price. And we’ve got what could be the most pragmatic and popular choice of the 2021 Kluger range: GXL specification, with the all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain.

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.

Toyota has placed a pause on new orders for its 2021 Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch, as customer interest has seen demand outstrip supply, pushing wait times back into 2022. Effective from 1 July 2021 (this Thursday), Toyota Australia will no longer receive new GR Yaris orders – and it's unclear how long order books will be closed for, with the brand stating it will "announce a recommencement of [orders] ... soon".

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website today: After disappearing from public view for 20 years, Princess Diana’s old Ford Escort has sold for $96,000. Tom Fraser Click here to read the full story.

The 2022 Skoda Kamiq range has seen a reshuffle for the new model year, with one shortage-affected variant making way for two new uprated models. As promised, the range now opens with a new entry-level Kamiq 110TSI Ambition variant, replacing the 85TSI variant that Skoda says has sold out for the remainder of 2021.

Amid confusion around travel restrictions during Lockdown Two, authorities in NSW have reminded motorists that driving to the snow from Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast and the Blue Mountains is not permitted.

The 2022 Subaru WRX has been teased for the first time, ahead of a full reveal in the coming weeks or months, and an Australian launch early next year. A sole shadowy image released by Subaru serves as our first official look at the production 2022 WRX, previewing its bespoke four-door sedan shape that draws visual parallels to the new-generation Levorg wagon (due in early 2022), and the Viziv Performance concept of 2017.

The 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT has been revealed. The first Porsche SUV to wear the hallowed GT badge – though it’s not certain this model has been developed by the same Motorsport team responsible for GT2, GT3 and GT4 road cars – the Cayenne Turbo GT is the hottest iteration of the Cayenne Coupe yet, with more power, sharper handling and extra downforce.

This could be the most valuable Australian-made road car to date, except there is just one catch. It’s not for sale, so its price for now is anyone’s guess. A restored 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III set an auction record earlier this year after being bought by a Sydney art collector for $1.15 million.

Mechanically, these two vehicles have plenty in common: a small revvy petrol engine, live axles, ladder chassis, big tyres (for the size of the car), and wheels at the extremities of each corner.

More details regarding the upcoming 2022 Kia Sportage have emerged online, courtesy of the well-informed website The Korean Car Blog. It's expected the mid-size family SUV – which shares much of its underpinnings with the Hyundai Tucson – will be offered with four engine options in overseas markets: a four-cylinder petrol, a four-cylinder diesel, a 'conventional' petrol hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

A new entry-level Tesla hatchback – priced from US$25,000 (AU$33,000), and unofficially referred to as the Model 2 – is due in 2023 as a competitor to the Volkswagen ID.3 in the small electric hatchback segment, according to a report from British publication Autocar.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has recalled 993 examples of its GLE SUV, citing a potential fault with the air conditioning system. The affected vehicles were sold between 9 September 2019 and 29 July 2020 (Model Years 2019 to 2020).

Suzuki's latest advertising efforts align its brand to a fun, jovial demeanour. I know you've seen them – 'for fun's sake', or the other that sees a gentleman perched atop of a Suzuki as if it were a (fun) motorbike. After jumping out of the 2021 Suzuki Swift GLX Turbo, I'd have to agree with the marketing message. Before we get to the fun stuff, let's cover off the vital points first.

"Outstanding levels of interest" have seen Suzuki announce a price for the new 2022 Suzuki Jimny Lite earlier than expected: $26,990 before on-road costs. The stripped-out Jimny comes in $1500 less than the fully-loaded, eponymous Jimny variant already on sale in Australia, which has attracted wait times of six to eight months across Suzuki showrooms nationwide.

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the unique, first-to-run content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website today: The Prologue will lead Honda's electric-vehicle push into the US market in 2024, as part of broader electrification plans between now and 2040. Alex Misoyannis

Kia is developing two new dedicated electric SUVs – the first of which will launch in 2022, sized similarly to today's Seltos and Stonic. Online publication The Korean Car Blog quotes well-placed sources indicating Kia is preparing a second electric SUV to sit below the new mid-size EV6: a small SUV of similar dimensions to the current Seltos and Stonic (plus the US-market Soul), set to wear the EV4 or EV5 nameplate. It's slated to launch "sometime" in 2022, according to the outlet.

Ever wondered why Kia is trying to come up with a new term for people movers? It’s because, in consumer studies, the feedback from buyers is that people movers aren’t cool. According to market research conducted by car companies, dads don’t want to turn up to a hardware store in a people mover, and mums apparently aren’t flattered by doing the school run or weekend sport drop-offs in a family bus.

The facelifted 2023 Audi E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback due in late 2022 will gain new batteries, more efficient motors and a significant boost in range, ahead of the arrival of an all-new Q8 E-Tron replacement in 2026 – according to new reports.

Japanese automotive giant Nissan has appointed Adam Paterson as Managing Director of operations in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Paterson – who currently serves as the brand’s Director of Marketing in Canada – will commence his new role from Nissan's Melbourne head office on 1 July 2021.

We recently looked at some of the best car model names ever, those instantly recognisable nameplates that have not only stood the test of time, but also speak to our inner selves, tapping into a well of emotion that only a true car lover will understand. Nameplates like Mustang and Viper, Defender and Roadmaster, Countach and Testarossa – the list could be endless – all mange to convey meaning, a sense of purpose beyond mere alpha numeric badging.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 has gained an array of updates, ahead of first Australian deliveries early next year. Headlining the updates to Toyota's popular mid-size SUV is a revised exterior appearance, with changes claimed to include including a new LED fog light design across the RAV4 range, and new alloy wheels "on most variants". Hybrid variants gain restyled headlights claimed to enhance night-time vision, while all automatic petrol variants benefit from engine stop-start technology.

The next-generation Skoda Superb large car due in 2023 will offer a choice of liftback or wagon body styles – and a halo RS model could be on the cards, if there's enough demand for one. Skoda CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed both sloped-roof liftback and long-roof wagon body styles will continue to be available, despite rumours suggesting the Superb's twin under the skin, the next-generation Volkswagen Passat, would be offered solely in wagon guise.

Tesla has recalled 285,520 vehicles in China, citing a software fault allegedly affecting locally-built and imported examples of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV. According to state-owned media, the electric cars' cruise control functions could be inadvertently engaged when the driver attempts to select a gear (forward or reverse). In extreme cases, this could lead to an accident and occupant injury.

An Aston Martin Valkyrie has been spied testing on public roads in Spain, just weeks before the first customer deliveries of the low-slung hybrid V12 hypercar are expected to commence. The new footage of the vehicle – which was designed by Aston Martin in collaboration with Red Bull Formula One's engineering outfit and legendary Formula One engineer Adrian Newey – gives the best insight yet into its road presence, sound, and active aerodynamics.

This is the new-generation 2021 Subaru Outback, but I reckon many might struggle to pick it from the outgoing model. Although it looks quite similar, this is an all-new model with little carryover from the previous generation. And we’ve got a top-spec model to sample here. A 2021 Subaru Outback 2.5 Touring, which has a starting price of $47,790 before on-road costs. That's compared to $39,990 for the eponymous Outback 2.5 and $44,490 for the mid-spec Outback 2.5 Sport.

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the unique, first-to-run content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website today: For the first time ever, Toyota is sharing its hybrid system with an overseas manufacturer. Ben Zachariah Click here to read the full story.

In an unprecedented move for Tesla, the electric vehicle specialist will open its Supercharger stalls to all makes of electric vehicles at a Norwegian site in 2022. As first reported by Electrek.com, officials from the northern county of Vestland were informed earlier this week the US-based manufacturer would expand access to its presently-exclusive system in a bid to qualify for regional tax incentives.

The upcoming 2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric people mover has been spied once again, this time with its production body – albeit disguised in a clever vinyl wrap.

The fastest version of the Formula One-inspired Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, the track-only 2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, has been revealed – again.

A rare and immaculate 1977 Holden Torana A9X sold short of its $1 million target price at auction at the weekend, but it set a new record for the breed. One of just 33 Holden Torana A9X road cars specially-built to be eligible for motor racing – known as a GMP&A model – went under the hammer for $775,000, but the buyer paid in excess of $833,000 once the 7.5 per cent auction fee was included.

With lockdowns in place for Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the Central Coast for two weeks (as this article was published) to stop the spread of the coronavirus, there are restrictions on vehicle movement. Interstate and regional travel is banned (with fines up to $1000 for breaching a public health order and leaving lockdown areas), which has come at a frustrating time for families preparing to enjoy the school holidays.

For 2021, the brand has given its small car a midlife update, which we had the pleasure of sampling on a quick drive through the Southern Highlands and South Coast districts of New South Wales.

Volkswagen will cease sales of internal combustion-engined vehicles in Europe by 2035, an executive of the marque has confirmed – though petrol and diesel sales in other markets will continue for a "good deal longer", despite positive signs from Volkswagen Australia that new fuel quality legislation will pave the way for more plug-in vehicles Down Under.

The 2022 Kia Seltos, Kia Stonic and Kia Rio now wear the Korean brand’s new logo, with the rest of the Kia Australia range to follow suit by December. Model Year 2022 versions of the Seltos small SUV, Stonic 'light' SUV and Rio city car arriving in showrooms now are the latest to gain the new logo, a Kia Australia spokesperson confirmed to CarAdvice, joining the updated Cerato – the first vehicle to feature the new 'KIA' script Down Under – launched locally in recent weeks.

A V8-powered Jeep Gladiator ute is a real possibility, according to a high-ranking executive within the company. This means along with a a 3.6-litre petrol V6 and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, the Jeep’s off-road ute could also score the same 6.4-litre Hemi V8 from the recently-released Wrangler 392. This big petrol V8 powerplant gives the iconic off-roader 350kW and 637Nm, and is enough to launch it from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds.

Ineos Automotive has announced a collaboration with the HALO Trust, the world’s largest charity devoted to the clearing of old landmines. The world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance and weapons disposal organisation, the HALO Trust, is currently operating in 23 different countries around the world. With a worldwide fleet of more than 600 four-wheel-drive vehicles, the joint British and American charity operates off-roaders in some of the most remote and inhospitable places on the planet.

Kia Australia has recalled a total of 767 examples of the 2021 Kia Sorento and 2021 Kia Carnival, fitted with 3.5-litre 'Lambda' V6 engines. According to the recall notice lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), "The fuel supply pipe may have been damaged during manufacturing, which may result in a fuel leak.

There’s little doubt that when Mercedes-AMG created the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine (internal code M139), it created an instant classic. While ripe for cramming into hot hatches, it should come as no surprise the bean counters at AMG HQ would look to amortise development costs across a broader range of product. Enter the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S, the three-pointed star’s take on the hot performance SUV.

The 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III at the centre of one of the most famous photos ever taken of an Australian muscle car has reportedly been found decades after it was stolen and cut up for parts. And the car enthusiast who stumbled on the remains dumped on a property in rural NSW in 2015 says he wants to piece it back together.

In the current climate of closed borders and no international holidays, the great Australian road trip has made a heroic comeback. Both the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser have been household four-wheel-drive nameplates for decades, but the last twelve months has seen huge spikes in demand for those big Japanese SUVs.

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?

Customisation is in vogue at the moment, but choice can be seriously confusing. In our configurator challenge, we let the CarAdvice team loose on a manufacturer’s website to create their ideal spec of a certain model. To mark the announcement of the Cupra Australia range earlier this week, the team will be configuring their favourite vehicles on the Cupra UK configurator (including a few not offered in Australia!)

An immaculate example of the extremely rare 1977 Holden Torana A9X hatchback has been listed for auction with price expectations in excess of $1 million. According to the seller, the homologation-special – which consists of an option pack and lightweight body shell fitted – was the first in a limited-production run of 33 built for factory-backed race teams (370 road-going examples of the A9X were also built, bringing the total number to 403).

Suzuki Australia has recalled up to 4282 examples of its 2018-20 Jimny off-roader, citing two separate faults relating to the fuel pump and airbags. The affected vehicles were sold between 9 May 2018 and 2 December 2020 (Model Years 2018 to 2020). Four separate recall notices – outlining the two faults – were lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

We’ve lamented the demise of interesting car names for a while now. With the proliferation of increasingly meaningless numbers and letters being used to create a model’s identity, it’s refreshing to see the Haval Big Dog and GWM Tank 300 on the list of new vehicles potentially heading to Australia. We love Big Dog, which conjures up images of a rugged off-roader sitting high on the road while Tank 300 sounds like, well, a tank. Cool.

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the unique, first-to-run content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website today:

Not keen on petrol power? The 2021 Genesis G80 range now offers a diesel option. Joining the existing 2.5-litre and 3.5-litre turbo-petrol variants of Genesis' large sedan, G80 buyers can now opt for a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder option, priced from $87,900 before on-road costs – a $3000 premium over the entry-level G80 2.5T.

It's the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix this weekend, the first of two back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Max Verstappen heads into this round with a 12-point lead over Lewis Hamilton after a thrilling victory at last weekend's French Grand Prix. It sets the stage for surely another spectacle.

Skoda has all but ruled out a return for the Skoda Fabia RS hot hatchback – and the chances of an all-electric Fabia are even slimmer, at least on its current architecture. Speaking after the Czech brand's 'Next Level' strategy announcement overnight, Skoda CEO Thomas Schäfer told media that an industry shift towards electric vehicles makes a business case for a new Fabia RS performance city car hard to build.

The next-generation 2022 Honda Civic Type R has been spied testing, ahead of its global launch planned for 2022. Less than 24 hours after the unveiling of the new-generation Civic hatch, our spy photography partners snapped Honda's halo hot hatch testing on European roads – and despite the 11th-generation Civic's move to a more conservative style, it's clear the Type R will lose little of its extroverted appearance.

The 2021 Peugeot 2008 range has been expanded with the addition of a new mid-spec GT variant. Joining the base Allure and flagship GT Sport variants launched late last year, the 2008 GT slots into the middle of the range with the same engine as the entry-level Peugeot SUV, but offering some of the luxury features of its higher-spec range-mate – priced from $38,990 before on-road costs.

The next-generation Volvo XC90 will make the switch to all-electric power, following its unveiling in 2022. Volvo has confirmed the next generation of its long-running large luxury SUV will make the switch to electric power, just days after confirming the XC90's smaller sibling, the XC60, would make the jump to zero-emissions propulsion in 2024.

An extra-long Land Rover Defender ‘130’ seven-seater has been spied testing on public roads, confirming that another variant of Land Rover’s off-roader is getting closer to being officially revealed These images – published by Autoblog – show a camouflage-clad Defender that has clearly grown in its rear end, with Land Rover's new seven-seat four-wheel drive to gain a longer rear overhang.

The 2020-21 MG3 hatchback – Australia’s top-selling city car – is being recalled because the petrol tank could detach from the vehicle due to a batch of incorrect retaining bolts. The recall – issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – covers almost 4000 examples of MG3 (also badged MG 3) hatchbacks sold locally that were built across the 2020 and 2021 model years.

Ferrari has unveiled the first V6-powered model it has developed in nearly half a century, the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB – and it's a hybrid. Unveiled online overnight, the 296 GTB is the first car developed by the Ferrari brand to employ a V6 in nearly 50 years – and the first to ever wear the Prancing Horse logo, given the 246 GT of 1974 was badged as a Dino.

Meet the Haval Big Dog (above) and Great Wall Motors (GWM) Tank 300 (below). Both are box-shaped SUVs but one is a city slicker similar in size to a Toyota RAV4 or Nissan X-Trail, while the other is a heavy-duty four-wheel drive that appears to share some of its inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Suzuki Jimny, with a dose of Jeep added for good measure. These vehicles are under consideration to join the Chinese Haval and GWM brands in Australia from next year.

While Chinese automotive brands MG and LDV are fast-tracking their way up the charts in Australia, fellow Chinese conglomerate Great Wall Motors Haval is about to redouble its efforts in the sales race. After a stalled start via an independent distributor in Australia more than 10 years ago, GWM Haval is now a factory-backed operation with a direct line to head office in China – and has plans for a new model onslaught.

Great Wall Motors has endeavoured to iron out some of the bumps in its new-generation Ute just months after going on sale in Australia. In response to feedback from early test drives by customers and media, GWM says it has smoothed out the twitchy throttle response and reduced turbo lag with a new software calibration.

Little known Chinese brand GWM Haval is about to roll out a range of petrol-electric hybrid cars aimed at clawing back some of the global dominance of Toyota, which is the biggest seller and one of the pioneers of the fuel-saving technology. GWM Haval will launch its first hybrid car in Australia by the end of this year – the Haval H6 Hybrid, a medium SUV similar in size to a Toyota RAV4 or Nissan X-Trail.

Volkswagen Group Australia announced in recent days the Cupra brand will launch in Australia in the second quarter of 2022 (April to June inclusive), 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.

Spanish brand Cupra will launch next year in Australia with a fixed price online business model, however it appears parent company Volkswagen is unlikely to follow suit. Under the new system – referred to by the brand as an “agency model” due to the use of independent dealers to service stock – each Cupra variant will be allocated a non-negotiable drive-away price, and customers will be able to secure a vehicle over the internet.

My neighbour, Alex the restaurateur, is what I’d call a non-denominational car enthusiast. He sees the different test cars parading through my driveway week in, week out, and shows a keen interest in almost everything regardless of race, colour or creed.

Cupra – a performance-focused spin-off of Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary Seat – will launch three cars in Australia between April and June next year: the Ateca mid-size SUV, Formentor mid-size crossover SUV, and Leon hot hatch. A wagon variant of the Leon known as the Sportstourer already on sale in Europe, and the all-electric Cupra Born due to launch in Europe in late 2021, have not been ruled out for Australia, however neither will be initially available.

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the unique, first-to-run content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website so far this week: Infiniti's new BMW X5 rival breaks cover, but it's not bound for Australia. Alex Misoyannis Click here to read the full story.

The 2021 Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit has broken the Nürburgring production car lap record, with a time of six minutes and 43.30 seconds around the 20.832km layout of the circuit. The time was set by German development driver Lars Kern, on ultra-sticky (but road-legal) Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.

Renamed owner Stellantis is plotting a revival of the Lancia brand with a slew of new models in the next six years, new reports suggest. According to Automotive News Europe, up to three new Lancia models are in the brand's plans: a city-sized 'light' hatchback due in mid-2024, a small SUV due in early 2026, and a Volkswagen Golf-rivalling small hatchback in late 2027 – all available with some form of electrification.

Jaguar plans to move upmarket and complete with Bentley in the luxury SUV segment, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) CEO Thierry Bolloré revealed this week in an interview with British motoring outlet Auto Express. Mr Bolloré – who formerly headed-up French automotive giant Renault – noted “initial design work” has already been completed for the next generation of battery-electric Jaguars, set to be introduced in 2025.

UPDATE, 24 June 2021: The 2021 Beat The Blue motorkhana test of skill between police and car enthusiasts has been postponed from 30 June 2021 to 19 September 2021 after new COVID restrictions came into force following a recent outbreak. A statement issued by organisers overnight said entry fees would be refunded or carried over to the new date. Beat The Blue is a not-for-profit charity. All money raised goes to NSW Police Legacy, a support network for the families of fallen police officers.

The 2022 Honda Civic hatch has been officially unveiled ahead of its Australian launch in the fourth quarter of 2021 (October to December) – and it will eventually come with the option of hybrid power. Following the unveiling of the new Civic sedan in April, Honda has taken the wraps off the 11th-generation Civic hatch, the sole body style for Australia as the sedan will be dropped locally.

While it might share its bodywork with more sedate versions, the 2021 Audi TT RS is an entirely different beast. The current TT range all feature all-wheel drive, quick-shifting dual-clutch transmissions, and turbocharged engines, be it the TT, TTS or TT RS – but it’s the latter that goes above and beyond when it comes to turning up the heat. That might be a bit of a problem for it, though.

Images of the 2022 Audi RS3 sedan have leaked, just days after its German maker published full mechanical details for its upcoming hyper hatch. Images shared by forum Cochespias (and reposted widely) show Audi's new flagship compact sedan in full, confirming the road-going RS3 will draw close parallels with the aggressive styling cues debuted on the new RS3 LMS race car earlier this year.

With an extended range courtesy of a more formidable, more energy-dense battery pack, the 2021 Nissan Leaf e+ is going to make a lot more sense for a lot more Australian buyers – especially one-car families. Forty per cent more sense, in fact, in terms of range.

The Volkswagen Touareg R plug-in hybrid performance SUV is coming ever closer to Australian showrooms, with the brand confirming plans are advancing for a local launch for Volkswagen R's flagship model. Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it is "in discussion" with its German counterpart to bring the 340kW/700Nm, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Touareg R to Australia, as the fifth Volkswagen R model on sale locally, following the Golf, Tiguan and T-Roc R product onslaught planned for 2022.

A modified Tesla Model 3 Performance is being trialled in the UK as a police highway patrol vehicle. It’s unclear exactly what features the law enforcement-spec sedan picks up for official duties (beyond the external livery, sirens and lights), however the car was reportedly custom-built by Tesla's UK division to gauge interest for electric vehicle uptake across the wider fleet.

Toyota Australia has recalled 7671 examples of its C-HR SUV, citing a potential fault with the fuel pump. The affected vehicles were sold between 2 December 2019 and 26 May 2021 (Model Years 2019 to 2021). The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says: “The internal components of the fuel pump may wear and fracture the welded area of the fuel pump, which could lead to a fuel leak in the engine compartment.

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the unique, first-to-run content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website so far this week: Whispers suggest Lexus is considering an entry-level UC sports coupe, based on the upcoming Toyota GR 86. Ben Zachariah

Ford is expected to answer the call for more power in the booming four-wheel-drive segment, with a V6 turbo diesel that previously powered the Ford F-Series pick-up likely to be available as an option on the new generation Ford Everest from next year.

UPDATE, 23 June 2021: Toyota has continued the 2022 Toyota Tundra's teaser campaign with a first look at the new pick-up's interior. While the image released by Toyota only shows the top of the Tundra's cabin, a 12.3-inch touchscreen shared with the new LandCruiser can be seen mounted to the dashboard, while the red marker atop the steering wheel suggests we're looking at the off-road-focused TRD Pro model.

Audi has outlined its plans to end production of internal combustion engines in most markets by 2033, as part of its plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Authenticating reports from earlier this week, Audi has confirmed its last all-new, combustion-engined vehicle will enter production in 2025 – likely to be a next-generation version of the A6 or A8 sedans, or Q3 small or Q8 large SUVs, using the brand's seven- to eight-year life cycles as a guide.

The facelifted 2022 Dacia Duster SUV has been unveiled in Europe – a model that's likely to be high on the wish list for Dacia's slated Australian launch in 2022. Dacia – a Romanian budget brand owned by Renault – has treated the Duster to a revised exterior design in line with its latest Sandero and Logan models, plus new interior technology and the addition of a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 2022 Porsche 911 GTS has been unveiled, ahead of its Australian launch in the first quarter of 2022 (January to March inclusive). Debuting in fixed-roof Coupe, soft-top Cabriolet and iconic Targa body styles, the 911 GTS serves as the latest application of Porsche’s “sweet spot” GTS moniker, which build on regular (Carrera S) variants of the model with more power, a focus on driving dynamics, and increases standard equipment levels.

Hyundai has acquired a controlling stake in the high-profile robotics firm Boston Dynamics. It has previously been reported the South Korean car giant was preparing to buy into the tech company, however regulators have now officially sanctioned the deal. Financial details are thin on the ground for now, however Hyundai and former-owner SoftBank report the company was valued at US$1.1 billion (AU$1.5 billion).

The current-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ sports-car twins have sold out in Australia, CarAdvice understands. While limited dealer and demo supply may remain on some showroom floors, both manufacturers suggest their respective national dealer networks have cleared out stock and are awaiting next-generation replacements. A spokesperson for Subaru Australia said: “The last BRZs left [our] stock over the last month.”

Volvo Australia has recalled 11 examples of its XC90 Excellence luxury SUV, citing a potential fault with the power-adjustable rear seats. The affected vehicles were sold between 1 July 2017 and 31 August 2020 (Model Years 2016 to 2020). The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says: “If there is liquid or liquid droplets on the rear seat control display, the system may perceive this as a constant touch.”

Despite being at the forefront of the SUV revolution (think early Sportage), Kia has steadfastly been late to the city SUV party. That all changed earlier this year with the launch of the Kia Stonic – a high-riding hatchback designed to appeal to young urbanites everywhere.

The Isuzu VehiCross looks like it’s been lifted straight out of the pages of a Japanese comic book. There’s a fantastical quality to its design, far ahead of its time. It wouldn’t look too out of place in new car showrooms today but when you consider it was launched way back in 1997, its futuristic design becomes all the more remarkable. Better yet, unlike today’s proliferation of crossover SUVs, the VehiCross had the off-road chops to match its high-riding and rugged stance.

As we continue toward a single publishing platform, some great news stories are being published on both CarAdvice and Drive. If you're a keen reader of CarAdvice, you might be missing out on some of the unique, first-to-run content we're publishing over on Drive. Here are the best stories published on the Drive website so far this week: A sighting of a mid-engined Kia Stinger is our latest look at Hyundai N's flagship sports car. Alex Misoyannis Click here to read the full story.

Almost every Honda model variant will be more expensive for Australian consumers by an average of a few hundred dollars when the brand’s new fixed-price “agency” model is introduced at the beginning of next month. Whereas the current range (prior to July 1) is advertised before on-road costs – with drive-away pricing differing between state and postcode – July 1 will see the Honda range transition to nationwide drive-away pricing, now inclusive of metallic and pearlescent paint.

Honda Australia has detailed its new 'Honda Price Promise' purchasing and ownership model, which will see fixed drive-away pricing, scheduled servicing and roadside assistance offered across the range.

When the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge lobbed in the CarAdvice garage for a three-month-long loan, I was pegged as the perfect candidate to take ownership of the plug-in hybrid SUV. I live in the inner city, with a daily commute of an 18km round trip.

The 2022 Peugeot 308 SW wagon has been officially unveiled, ahead of an Australian launch in 2022. Following in the tyre tracks of the 308 hatch unveiled earlier this year, Peugeot's new-generation compact wagon extends the five-door hatchback for increased practicality.

The Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback will be built in China, according to the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. As first reported the Automotive News Europe, SAIC Volkswagen – the brand’s joint-venture with SAIC Motors – received approval this week from local regulators to begin production at its Anting plant in Shanghai. The ID.3 is currently assembled exclusively in Volkswagen’s native Germany, at the brand’s Zwickau and Dresden plants.

The next-generation 2022 Lexus LX750h – and its twin under the skin, the upcoming Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid – look set to employ petrol-electric V6 power, according to new reports out of Japan.

UPDATE, 22 June 2021: Less than two hours after undisguised spy photos hit the Internet, Hyundai has released a pair of new teaser images of the 2022 Hyundai i30 Sedan N. Hyundai promises "more details" will be released in the coming weeks – stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest. Our earlier updates continue below. Alex Misoyannis MORE: 2022 Hyundai i30 Sedan N spied without camouflage, Australian launch due late 2021

The 2022 Hyundai i30 Sedan N has been spied undisguised during a photo shoot, ahead of its full reveal in the coming weeks, and Australian launch in late 2021. Images posted by the Korean Car Blog (via Hyundai Clube Portugal) show Hyundai's new high-performance i30 Sedan free of camouflage, finished in Hyundai N's signature Performance Blue paint, contrasted with red accents and black styling features.

The all-new 2022 Audi RS3 performance hatchback and sedan will feature an electronic “drift mode" in a range-wide first for Audi When engaged, the setting – known as 'torque rear' mode – is capable of sending "up to" 1750Nm to either the left or right rear wheel (whichever is under primary load during a corner) through the engagement of two independent axle-mounted clutches (shown below). This helps break traction and allows the tail of the car to step out, permitting controlled slides.

We haven't tested the Aston Martin DBX off-road before and it's not something we ever thought we'd be doing either. And yet, here we are.

The next-generation Volvo XC60 mid-size luxury SUV will make the switch to electric power when it arrives in 2024, the brand has confirmed. As part of a broader announcement of Volvo's joint-venture with Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt, the car maker confirmed the next-generation XC60 will offer all-electric power – with the wording of Volvo's announcement strongly suggesting combustion engines will not be offered in any capacity with the new model.

Warm sedan buyers on a budget now have a new option to consider, with the launch of the 2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan N Line Special Edition. Quietly added to the Australian range earlier in June, the i30 Sedan N Line Special Edition sees a number of luxury features stripped out from Hyundai’s punchy small sedan, in exchange for a lower starting price: $29,690 before on-road costs.

My whole neighbourhood is being turned into a school zone and I’m not happy about it. A couple of weeks ago, signs began sprouting up on King St, Newtown warning of the impending change to speed limits along what is one of inner Sydney’s busiest thoroughfares.

The 1994 Toyota Supra from the original Fast & Furious movie has sold at auction for US$550,000 – or AU$733,000 – and is believed to be the second most expensive Supra ever sold. First appearing in The Fast & The Furious and driven by the late Paul Walker, the 'A80' Supra was the hero car of the film, famously being built into a "10-second car" by the protagonists and showing an arrogant Ferrari driver why Japanese performance cars should never be underestimated.

Jeep has recalled 11,632 examples of its Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV in Australia, citing a potential fault with the powertrain. The affected vehicles were sold between 1 June 2013 and 1 January 2019 (Model Years 2014 and 2015).

The BMW 3 Series has long been a mainstay for the German manufacturer. A nameplate rich in history and now in its seventh generation, it continues to be a top-seller for the brand. We tested the 2021 BMW M340i xDrive sedan – a sporty sedan that offers the optimal formula of power, performance and everyday practicality.

Alfa Romeo is plotting a new range of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles under Stellantis leadership, led by an electrified revival of the iconic Alfa Romeo GTV, according to new reports. British publication Autocar reports the Italian marque's move under the newly-formed Stellantis umbrella – combining Alfa Romeo's old owner, Fiat Chrysler, and French conglomerate Groupe PSA – has seen the formation of a wide-reaching product plan to revive the brand, centred around electrification.

In a decision regarded by the car industry as a victory for common sense, the Supreme Court of NSW has dismissed a civil class action against Volkswagen over potentially faulty Takata airbags that had been replaced during a recall – and which had not been deemed responsible for any fatalities here or overseas.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator range has been expanded with the addition of a new Night Eagle variant, along with increased payload capacities across multiple models. The Gladiator range now opens with a new Night Eagle variant (below) priced from $68,450 before on-road costs, which adds a number of blacked-out styling features over the outgoing, entry-level Sport S grade of Jeep's dual-cab off-road ute it replaces.

The Honda Clarity – currently offered overseas in hydrogen and plug-in hybrid guises – will be discontinued later this year, a spokesperson for the brand has confirmed. However, Honda claims it remains committed to fuel-cell technology and on track to for carbon neutrality by 2050.

As a car enthusiast, it's not hard to get excited about the new 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI. However, it's worth acknowledging that it remains the universal aspirational car of choice for those who are beginning to care about what they drive, or awakening to how one drives.