CAR ADVICE

Another new Chinese electric-car brand you’ve never heard of is a step closer to Australian showrooms, with a competitor to the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3. Forthing Friday spotted in Sydney’s west. Photo: Boris Jirgens. The next budget-priced electric family SUV from China – the Forthing Friday – is one step closer to Australian showrooms, after it was spotted testing on Sydney roads in recent days. The unusually-named SUV is produced by Dongfeng , one of China’s largest car makers, and is similar in footprint to a hybrid Toyota RAV4 or electric Geely EX5 . Forthing was due to commence production for Australia in late October ahead of the first deliveries “possible” at the end of 2025, based on comments to Australian media late last year , but these targets did not eventuate. Now an example of the Friday electric SUV has been spotted by Drive reader Boris on the roads around, and driving into, the Sydney headquarters of Ateco, the independent Australian distributor of LDV, ...

Two Chinese brands could leverage existing joint venture partnerships, bringing the production of Chinese cars to the UK, increasing production at underutilised British factories. Nissan Sunderland factory. Photo: iStock Factories owned and operated by Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan in the United Kingdom could soon become production hubs for Chinese brands. Underutilised production capacity at Nissan’s Sunderland plant and JLR’s Solihull site could be balanced out by assembling Chinese cars designed by the respective brand’s joint venture partners. JLR’s plans to relaunch Jaguar as an ultra-premium brand on par with Bentley and Rolls-Royce will leave Solihull’s high-volume production line with available production slots, alongside the current Range Rover models built there. Financial Times reports that JLR’s Chinese joint venture program with Chery could be used to bring production to the UK, as sales of Chery, Omoda , and Jaecoo vehicles accelerate. MORE: Omoda, Ja...

While Mercedes-Benz is known for luxury and high retail tag, this 300SL Gullwing fetched the staggering price of almost AU$7.5 million at auction. Here’s why. As far as rarity goes, there’s few cars more exotic than this 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ that was recently sold at an auction. According to auctioneer Artcurial , the Mercedes-Benz 300SL fetched a whopping €4,407,800 at auction, equating to approximately AU$7,484,422, or about seven Aussie houses. RELATED: Would you pay almost $2 million for a Honda? One person just did But what makes this specific vintage Mercedes so rare? Well for starters, it was one of only 30 new ‘Gullwing’ examples delivered to France, and only one of 106 cars with graphite paintwork paired and a natural leather interior. If that isn’t enough of a rare cache, this specific Mercedes-Benz 300SL has only accrued 34,255km on its odometer throughout its 70-year life, while retaining ‘100 per cent’ of its original factory numbers. The vehicl...

Honda’s first logo change in 25 years is set to coincide with its new 0 Series electric models due in 2027. New Honda “H mark” logo design Honda has released a new logo set to go back to its roots, which will be adopted on its next-generation range of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids from 2027 onwards.  The new logo connects to the Honda emblem – known as the “H mark” – used on the brand’s first vehicle in 1963, but in a narrower format, while losing the border that can be seen surrounding its most recent badge. The current design has been used on all Honda cars since 2000, with similar versions dating back to the early 1980s.  Honda claims the new logo begins the “transformation of the company”. MORE: Honda and Aston Martin open to road car partnership, amid F1 engine deal Honda 0 Saloon (European model) This logo has already been sighted on the Honda 0 Series electric concepts, including the Saloon, SUV, and Alpha unveiled over the past two years, w...

Despite Australia’s road toll continuing to climb, new data has revealed why most Aussies are turning their car’s safety systems off. As Australian authorities continue to tackle the country’s rising death toll on local roads, new data has revealed many Australian drivers have admitted to turning off their car’s safety features due to concerns that they’re more distracting than helpful. According to a survey conducted by IAG – Australia’s largest general insurer which owns companies such as RACV, RACQ and NRMA  – which polled 2000 local drivers, 60 per cent of participants confessed to turning off their cars advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). RELATED: ‘ Robust protection’: The safest new cars you can buy in Australia ADAS generally refers to a car’s numerous safety technologies which can include features such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and parking assist. Based on the survey data, more than a third (38 per c...

Kia has introduced a free accessory pack on dual-cab pick-up versions of the Tasman ute, except the fleet-focused base models. Kia Tasman equipped with accesories The Kia Tasman is now available with a free accessory bundle that addresses some of the ute’s equipment shortcomings. The complimentary accessory pack offer is available on the dual-cab pick-up versions of the Tasman SX, SX+, X-Line and X-Pro. The most fleet-oriented Tasman S 4×2 and Tasman S 4×4 are excluded from the offer. The pack consists of a tow bar, tubular side steps, and a soft tonneau cover. MORE: Kia Tasman ute under trial for Northern Territory police Kia Tasman X-Line Regular retail pricing for the three accessories, including fitting, comes to $3144. The added accessories address equipment gaps on the Tasman range, with no tow bar or side steps fitted as standard on any Tasman model, despite their inclusion on rivals. Kia is running the accessory promotion while stocks last on new and dem...

For 2026, the Ineos Grenadier off-roader has gained a limited-time Black Edition grade, improved steering and air conditioning, and new accessories. 2026 Ineos Grenadier Black Edition The 2026 Ineos Grenadier four-wheel-drive has gained a limited-run Black Edition grade, along with updates to its steering and air conditioning, and an expanded genuine accessory list. Priced from $122,000 before on-road costs, the 2026 Ineos Grenadier Black Edition – based on the range-topping Fieldmaster – is available as a station wagon or Quartermaster ute. Limited to Inky Black exterior paint, the special-edition adds gloss-black 18-inch alloys, a darkened grille and skid plates, privacy glass, and a black lockable spare wheel storage box. The Black Edition also gains dark headlining and carpet flooring inside, while usually-optional BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres are fitted, replacing the standard-fit Bridgestone all-terrain tyres. MORE: New Ineos Grenadier ute ‘return and refund policy...

Not everyone passes their driver’s test on the first go, but these drivers have taken failing to the next level. We all know that feeling all too well. The first solo drive where you can play your own songs while listening to the uninterrupted silence of the road, and no nagging instructor telling you to stick to the speed limit even if you’re a smidge under (sorry, mum). How about the first time you drive with your friends on the traditional Macca’s run or late-night cruise to nowhere and everywhere at the same time? As far as life goes, getting your driver’s licence ranks among the greatest experience for most people. RELATED: The man who drove around earth 125 times in a Volvo But the journey to getting your licence is filled with challenges ranging from theoretical tests to real on-road experience that checks your competency in adhering to local road rules. While failing your driver’s licence once or twice isn’t anything to be shameful about, these drivers have been etc...

Sharing the road with learner drivers can be frustrating, but some Aussies are helping them out with their best tips for learning to drive. In a car-loving country like Australia, it’s common to come across drivers on their L-plates on many a car trip. And while no one likes getting stuck behind a learner motorist who may be a bit too cautious, a Reddit user recently invited Australian drivers to share their essential advice for novice motorists venturing onto local roads. RELATED: These are the most expensive driving fines in Australia A learner driver posted to the Driving Australia Reddit forum said, “I want to know what other drivers on the road would like learner drivers to know, whether that’s common mistakes, advice or even encouragement”. Though social media platforms are generally filled with people wanting to express their frustration or share their humour, the Reddit post garnered some helpful responses from other users. In one instance, one user advised to sti...

Upgrades to the Ford Ranger ute have cut fuel consumption – and, in a move that will help avoid government fines, CO2 emissions – from the models popular with fleets. The most affordable versions of the Ford Ranger ute have gained fuel-saving auto engine stop-start technology – along with minor design and feature changes – ahead of a wider-reaching ‘MY26.5’ update due mid-year. Ford has applied a number of small tweaks – and deletions – to Model Year 2026 (MY26) Ranger utes now in showrooms, with no accompanying price increase. The biggest change is the addition of auto engine stop-start technology to 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel variants, which claims to save between 0.5 and 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres of fuel, and 12 to 18 grams per kilometre of CO2. It will become more important when the next production run of Ford Rangers commences – Model Year (MY) 2026.5 – as the 2.0-litre bi-turbo will be axed, leaving the single-turbo as the standard choice in many popular grad...