CAR ADVICE

Australia’s car industry may be no more, but HM The King has chosen Australian-made four-wheeled transportation for his big day – but it only has six horsepower. The coronation of King Charles III is less than a week away, and the head of the British Royal Family has chosen to travel to Westminster Abbey in an Australian-made vehicle. While most Australians would like nothing more than seeing The King and Queen Consort riding through the streets of London in the back of an old Holden or Ford ute, the royals will instead be transported in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach – a horse-drawn carriage built in Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches in 2010. Despite the ornate exterior, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach is based on an aluminium chassis and has electric windows, hot and cold air-conditioning, and hydraulic suspension. MORE: Queen Elizabeth has a custom Labrador bonnet ornament. Here’s where to get one Above: The Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Designed and built by mas...

Chinese car-maker Chery has unveiled an electric version of its first new model for Australia after an eight-year absence from the local market. Pending any unforeseen delays it is due here next year. Photo credit: paultan.org. The electric version of the 2024 Chery Omoda 5 SUV from China has been revealed, ahead of the first Australian showroom arrivals due early next year. The petrol Omoda 5 arrived in Australia in March 2023, as Chery’s first new model in its return to Australia after eight years away from local showrooms. But details of the electric model, due here in the first half of next year, only surfaced at the Shanghai motor show last week (photos in this story credited to Malaysia’s Paul Tan ) – where it was quietly unveiled under the radar of most English-speaking media. Specifications published by Chery (via Paul Tan ) show it will be powered by a 165kW electric motor driving the front wheels, and a 61kWh battery pack, good for 450 kilometres of claimed...

The first production run of Volvo EX90 electric SUVs has already sold out in Europe, months before its showroom debut – and nearly 18 months from the first Australian arrivals. The first allocation of 2024 Volvo EX90 electric SUVs has already been spoken for – and order books temporarily closed – in Europe, but the instant sell-out is not expected to affect Australia. The Chinese-owned Swedish car maker has announced the EX90 – the electric successor to the XC90 – has surpassed “the company’s boldest and most ambitious internal projections”. “As a result, Volvo Cars has closed the order book for the time being because the first scheduled production run is sold out, but it will re-open again soon,” Volvo said in a media statement. MORE: 2024 Volvo EX90 revealed, confirmed for Australia It is unclear how many cars are in the first production run, how many orders have been accepted, and when orders are scheduled to resume. However, UK publication Autocar reports the...

The Ford Everest has received its third price rise in 12 months, with the RRPs of most models increasing by between $500 and $1500 since launch. The Ford Everest SUV has undergone its third round of price rises in less than 12 months – and the second series of hikes since the new model went on sale last year. Ford dealers have been advised the next production batch of Everest models will be subject to the latest price rises. Vehicles that have already been ordered – and which are an MY2023.5 build – will be ‘price protected’. But new orders – or any customer deliveries pushed into the next model-year production cycle due to delays – will be obliged to pay the increased price, unless the dealer is prepared to eat into their own profit margin. Below is a list of new-generation Ford Everest prices – and RRP changes – since launch. Final drive-away prices are higher than the figures below because the data does not include registration, stamp duty and dealer delivery ...

As a celebration of the Porsche 911’s 60th anniversary, the German car-maker is reportedly planning something special in the form of a lightweight homage to the ultra-rare 911 ST of the early 1970s. The 2024 Porsche 911 ST is expected to be unveiled on 8 June 2023, according to unverified overseas reports. Porsche is said to be reviving the ST badge for a new special lightweight 911 powered with a GT3 engine – and GT3 RS bodywork – with information about the model shared by Porsche collector and comedian Spike Feresten on his podcast, Spike’s Car Radio. It’s understood the date has been chosen to correspond with the 24 Hours of Le Mans event – the famous French endurance race where Porsche won its class with the original 911 ST in the early 1970s. According to Drive’s European Correspondent Greg Kable, the ST is also a celebration of the 911’s 60th anniversary, and is expected to be based on the 911 Carrera T variant, but with body parts from its GT-badged siblings. ...

Unfortunately, ‘can I drive naked?’ is now a commonly-asked question on Google. Yikes. Interestingly, the answer can depend on the circumstances. No, don’t refresh your browser. Unfortunately, it’s come to this. People are legitimately questioning whether they are allowed to get behind the wheel while topless, pants-less or generally unclothed. I mean, we know it gets hot in Australia over summer, but surely that’s why air conditioning was invented? While we’re all for people getting comfortable in the privacy of their own homes, does a car constitute private property? And is stripping off while driving more than just frowned-upon, but a fineable offence? RELATED: Is it illegal to drive barefoot? RELATED: Is it illegal to speed while overtaking? Yes and no – and the answer is all about context. Generally speaking, being naked in your car isn’t strictly illegal, but it can land you in hot water the second someone else sees you. No Australian state has a road rule specifica...

A new limited-edition – the Mitsubishi Triton Sport – has arrived in showrooms as the current model approaches the end of the line to make way for the next generation due later this year. Skip ahead: Introduction Running costs Price and specification Energy use Interior space and comfort On-road assessment Connectivity and infotainment Summary Safety 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport The current-generation Mitsubishi Triton ute is approaching the end of the line after almost two decades – and that means it is special edition time. While the Mitsubishi Triton in showrooms received a major facelift in 2018 – after a refreshed model was introduced in 2015 – the architecture of today’s model dates back to the previous shape launched in 2005 . It means the Mitsubishi Triton will be close to 20 years old when the next generation – new from the ground up – arrives later this year or early next year. Which means it’s time for Mitsubishi to check ...