Cars news

• Franchising code changes fail to protect dealers from Holden-style impact, industry figures say

  11-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The long-awaited results of a review are in – and not everyone’s happy with the outcome.The Federal Government has agreed to make changes to the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct – but the proposed amendments aren’t far-reaching enough according to industry figures, and could leave car dealers exposed if another major brand decides to exit the market.The Government has this week agreed in principle to back the 23 recommendations made for change to the franchising cod
  
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• Why we will never see pop-up headlights again

  23-05-2024 07:48 via drive.com.au
  Quite possibly, one of the coolest styling features ever may never be seen on a new car again… Pop-up headlights: no cooler gimmicks have graced the automotive world quite like it. RELATED: TR7, not a Triumph of engineering
  Whether they were designed to give a car a more streamlined look, better aerodynamics, or just a futuristic appeal, they worked. People loved their look, and soon, they were on everything from Ferraris and Lamborghinis to Fords and Mazdas.The first
  
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• Volkswagen pledges to avoid price war with Tesla for upcoming ID.4 and ID.5 electric cars

  23-05-2024 07:00 via drive.com.au
  VW has updated its launch timing for the new ID.4 and ID.5 electric cars, insisting it will not get into a price war with other manufacturers.Volkswagen Australia will not be sharing the price for its upcoming electric cars, the ID.4 and ID.5, until the last minute, to avoid Tesla-style price cuts which can ruin electric vehicle resale.The brand says it will not enter into a price war with Tesla, which has just issued large discounts to its Model 3 and Model Y, and is instead waiting for current
  
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• 2024 Jeep Compass price and specs: Hybrids replace regular petrol and diesel

  23-05-2024 05:00 via drive.com.au
  The Jeep Compass SUV has gone all-hybrid – and dropped conventional petrol and diesel variants – with a $4590 increase in the entry price in Australia.2024 Jeep Compass pricing and specificationsMild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid power onlySimplified model line-up now built in Italy, not IndiaPriced from $45,990 before on-road costsThe 2024 Jeep Compass small SUV range has switched to hybrid power – and axed conventional petrol and diesel variants – in Australia, with the upd
  
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• When do EOFY car sales start?

  23-05-2024 03:29 via drive.com.au
  The end of the financial year is when buyers see the some of the biggest discounts on new cars. Here’s what’s on offer for the 2024 EOFY car sales.If you’re looking to buy a car soon, car brands have already started advertising end of financial year specials. EOFY deals can typically start towards the end of May and go into June.
  If you’re unsure when the financial year runs in Australia, it starts on 1 July and finishes on 30 June of the following year.
  Knowing the right
  
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• 2024 EOFY offers for utes

  23-05-2024 03:14 via drive.com.au
  With the end of the financial year fast approaching, vehicle manufacturers are beginning to discount stock. Some of the best deals in Australia are being offered to ute buyers.Car brands are beginning to advertise their respective end of financial year sales, so if you’re looking to buy a brand-new ute before the end of June then here’s what you need to know…But if you’re considering buying a ute for business use and unsure if it’s worth your while, we recommend ch
  
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• On this week’s episode of Drive Review: Nissan Patrol Warrior, BYD Dolphin, MG 4, and the GWM Ora

  23-05-2024 02:47 via drive.com.au
  Tune in to Nine Rush this weekend to catch another episode of Drive Review. Episode 6 of Season 2 airs this Saturday at 4pm!In this episode, James compares three compact electric hatchbacks – the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, and MG 4. At the other end of the size scale, we go off-road in the hardcore Nissan Patrol Warrior.
  Tune in to Nine Rush on Saturday, 25 May 2024, at 4pm to catch the sixth episode of Drive Review for Season 2.
  The post On this week’s episode of
  
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• The Lap: The EV adventure continues across the Nullarbor

  23-05-2024 01:45 via drive.com.au
  The second episode of The Lap airs this weekend. Tune in this Saturday to catch the team on their journey across the iconic Nullarbor.
  This episode starts in Ceduna, South Australia, and follows the journey across the iconic Nullarbor Plains. This vast expanse is known for its stark, desolate beauty and the crucial lifeline provided by roadhouses scattered along the way.
  The highlight of this episode is the breathtaking Bunda Cliffs, where the land meets the sea in a dramatic display of natural
  
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• Australia’s largest dealer network warns of downturn

  23-05-2024 00:50 via drive.com.au
  The company behind 10 per cent of all Australian new car sales is predicting lower profits this year due to economic conditions and increased competition.Australia’s automotive industry has been warned it could be entering a period of turmoil, with the nation’s largest car seller forecasting a significant drop in profit due to a slowdown in consumer spending.At its annual shareholder meeting, Eagers Automotive said it was expecting a 15 per cent drop in underlying profit in the first
  
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• Australian electric Toyota HiLux project cancelled

  23-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  Development of a locally-produced HiLux EV by a Queensland-based start-up has been shelved, coinciding with Toyota confirming its own plans to build one.Days after Toyota confirmed a battery-electric version HiLux, an Australian startup has shelved plans for a locally-produced electric HiLux after falling $5 million short of its funding target.Queensland-based company Roev said it had more than 500 orders for the package after building several prototypes during a four-year development of a Toyot
  
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• Police impound Holdens at hoon event

  22-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  Police said the event gained traction on social media, attracting about 70 vehicles and 100 bystanders and ended with numerous illegal burnouts.Eight drivers in South Australia have lost their licence and vehicle following a hooning event late last month.Police said the event took place in Regency Park – an inner-city suburb approximately 11km north of Adelaide – on 27 April 2024, with the Holden car enthusiast meet-up gaining traction on social media and attracting an estimated 70 v
  
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• Tray chic: Electric Ford F-150 Lightning pick-up gets Australian makeover

  22-05-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  In what is being claimed to be a world first, developing a tray for the Ford F-150 Lightning could make the EV pick-up more attractive to Australian buyers.An Australian company importing and converting electric Ford F-150 Lightning to right-hand-drive has partnered with another local business to expand the landmark ute’s suitability as a work vehicle.The first F-150 Lightning electric pick-up with an aftermarket aluminium tray was unveiled this week, made to replace the factory tub suppli
  
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• Opel’s visionary city car that could have been an Aussie Holden | Drive Flashback

  22-05-2024 21:21 via drive.com.au
  General Motors’ funky city car came close to production before the bean-counters stepped in. Australia was on its hit list too.This story by Phil Scott originally published in Drive on 26 May, 1996I’m on the speedbowl at Dudenhofen in Germany, peeling off the high-banked oval track at 130km/h, changing gears with a finger flip on a dashboard-mounted rocker switch. No clutch, no exhaust pollution to speak of and nothing behind me.The car is just 2.9m long but it’s as cheeky as a
  
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• How long do tyres actually last? And do they have a use-by date?

  22-05-2024 08:07 via drive.com.au
  Getting new rubber on your wheels can be an expensive endeavour, but how long do tyres last? Do they have a shelf life? We have the answers. Getting four new tyres on your car can cost upwards of $1000 or even more. It’s not a fun exercise to fork over the money for new tyres; however, not getting some fresh rubber on your wheels could cost you a whole lot more than just the cost of replacing them. RELATED: What do the numbers on the side of tyres mean?It’s imperative to th
  
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• McLaren trademarks hint at future hypercars

  22-05-2024 06:26 via drive.com.au
  The British supercar maker has been busy filing new trademarks, suggesting a new generation of high-performance models could be just around the corner.McLaren has filed several trademarks which may be related to the company’s next generation of hypercars.Drive has unearthed a trademark application for the ‘E1’, which could be a successor to the P1 – the range-topping hypercar from McLaren built between 2013 and 2015 – with the name being an homage to the brand&rsquo
  
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• Tesla ‘Cybercab’ autonomous robotaxi teased

  22-05-2024 04:15 via drive.com.au
  Tesla is working on an electric and autonomous taxi with Cybertruck-inspired styling – and this may be our first teaser of its design.US car giant Tesla appears to have provided our first official look at its upcoming autonomous ‘robotaxi’ – reportedly to be called Cybercab – ahead of its unveiling on 8 August 2024, US time.As foreshadowed in Elon Musk’s biography published last year, it appears the Cybercab will embrace its name with Cybertruck-inspired angul
  
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• More Volkswagen plug-in hybrids coming to Australia

  22-05-2024 03:45 via drive.com.au
  Upcoming emissions standards for new vehicles have placed plans for a range of plug-in hybrids back on the table for VW in Australia.Volkswagen Australia has re-ignited its interest in rolling out plug-in hybrid technology to its best-known models – alongside its first electric cars – in preparation for the Federal Government’s upcoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).In recent times the German car giant has shown declining interest in offering plug-in hybrid power on mo
  
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• 2025 Honda Civic facelift revealed with new look

  22-05-2024 02:31 via drive.com.au
  The Honda Civic small car has received a styling and technology update in the US, hinting at what’s to come for the hatch in Australia.The 2025 Honda Civic has been given a facelift, ahead of US showroom arrivals later this year – with Australian deliveries yet to be confirmed.The facelift for the Civic has been announced in the US, with refreshed exterior styling, new interior features, and the North American introduction of the petrol-electric hybrid already available in Australia,
  
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• Video: 2024 Maserati GranTurismo, GranCabrio price up $80,000 to $120,000 for new model – UPDATE

  22-05-2024 01:33 via drive.com.au
  Maserati’s front-engined sports coupe and convertible have returned with a twin-turbo V6 instead of a V8 – and price rises of up to 34 per cent or $120,000.2024 Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio pricing and specificationsTwin-turbo V6 replaces Ferrari-derived V8Modeno and Trofeo variants of the coupe, Folgore electric to comePriced from $375,000 before on-road costsUPDATE, 22 May 2024: The 2024 Maserati GranTurismo is on sale in Australia, available in two specifications – th
  
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• 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 price and specs: Half the cylinders, but electrified and faster

  22-05-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  AMG’s new high-performance mid-size SUVs have swapped V8 power for 500kW four-cylinder hybrids – and price rises of up to $7700.2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance pricing and specificationsPerformance SUVs ditch V8 for four-cylinder hybrid powerF1 turbo and battery technology contributes to 500kW power outputPriced from $192,900 before on-road costsThe new four-cylinder plug-in hybrid 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 will be more powerful – and more expensive – than the old V
  
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• 2025 Mini Cooper SE: International first drive

  22-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  Executives within big companies love to talk about ‘key deliverables’, and with a car like the all-new 2025 Mini Cooper Electric, perhaps the most significant of them must be fun. Fun at every level. Trent Nikolic tests Mini’s new joint venture to find out whether an electric Cooper puts a smile on your face as much as the name demands. 
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotai
  
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• Kia’s Prado rival is being axed – report

  21-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  The Prado-sized, turbo-diesel V6-powered Kia SUV never sold to Australians is reportedly headed for the chopping block.Kia is reportedly preparing to discontinue its first and only V6 diesel-powered competitor for the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest after 16 years in production.The Kia Mohave was never offered in Australia – and lasted in US Kia showrooms for a single model year, 2009 – but has been on sale in South Korea since 2008, and in that time has undergone two facelifts.South K
  
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• 2024 Volkswagen Touareg price and specs: More equipment yet up to $8250 cheaper

  21-05-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  VW has cut the price of the Touareg large SUV – and boosted the standard equipment – as part of a facelifted range that brings styling and equipment tweaks, and the new plug-in hybrid Touareg R.2024 Volkswagen Touareg pricing and specificationsAdded equipment, but lower prices for the facelifted rangeTwo diesel engine options plus new R plug-in hybridPriced from $86,790 before on-road costs
  Touareg R in blue, 210TDI Elegance in grey.
  A facelift for the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg large S
  
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• How much should you spend on a used car?

  21-05-2024 21:40 via drive.com.au
  Determining how much you should spend on a used car is a complicated process – To lend a helping hand, Drive spoke to a few experts.Determining how much you should spend on a used car is a complicated process that usually involves many steps – each with its risks at the cost of the uninitiated’s finances.From an extensive list of models currently available on the used-car market, different financial options, finding the right budget, additional car costs, and private versus dea
  
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• 2024 Toyota C-HR Koba review

  21-05-2024 16:00 via drive.com.au
  What happens when a brand like Toyota decides to veer off course? The C-HR, that’s what! Its design will either impress or distress, but what’s it like to drive? Does this hybrid small SUV have what it takes to penetrate an already heavily saturated segment?Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Toyota C-HR KobaIf the Toyota range were your traditional
  
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• Real-world fuel efficiency testing figures show some cars perform ‘worse’ than lab ratings

  21-05-2024 14:00 via drive.com.au
  The third round of results from local testing implies some top-selling brands and models aren’t as efficient or clean as their mandated window sticker figures suggest.The latest round of real-world testing of new-car fuel consumption and emissions has found 38 per cent of those evaluated are producing worse results than the figures stated on their windscreens when new.New test results produced by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) reveal eight out of 21 cars tested had fuel consum
  
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• Does a car need to be serviced even if it’s not being driven?

  21-05-2024 08:14 via drive.com.au
  Getting a service can be frustrating, especially if you haven’t taken your vehicle out of the garage. But does a car need to be serviced if it’s not being driven?Servicing a car is imperative to the overall health of its engine, gearbox, differential, and other moving parts.RELATED: How many kilometres is good for a used car?When you’re driving, oil can be burnt, contaminated, or thinned out as it’s put through repetitive cycles in an engine or gearbox. Hence, it is impor
  
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• High-performance Toyota SUVs are needed, says GR boss

  21-05-2024 07:00 via drive.com.au
  While the boss of Gazoo Racing has dashed hopes for a HiLux ute to rival the Ranger Raptor, he says there is scope for high-performance SUVs wearing GR badges.Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (GR) division – responsible for motorsport and high-performance road cars – will have to expand into SUVs eventually, according to its boss.Toyota GR President Tomoya Takahashi told Australian media, including Drive, there is a market for high-performance SUVs, and indicated they would eventually be
  
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• 2025 Peugeot E-Expert price and specs: Electric van $30,000 more than diesel

  21-05-2024 04:46 via drive.com.au
  Peugeot’s Toyota HiAce rival has gained the option of electric power – as part of a facelift inside and out – but the EV version costs $30,000 more than the diesel.2025 Peugeot E-Expert pricing and specificationsMid-size van gains electric power and faceliftUp to 330km claimed driving rangePriced from $79,990 before on-road costsThe second electric commercial van from Peugeot in Australia – the 2025 Peugeot E-Expert – will be priced from $79,990 plus on-road costs w
  
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• Tesla slashes prices in Australia for third time in two months, up to $5000 off Model Y, Model 3

  21-05-2024 02:50 via drive.com.au
  The top-selling Tesla Model Y is now cheaper than a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in Australia after the third price cut in two months.The price of the most affordable Tesla Model Y is now close to $10,000 cheaper than it was two months ago, after another round of significant price cuts were introduced by the US electric-car giant in Australia.After handing down two rounds of price cuts last month – with reductions of up to $8500 – Tesla has taken $3000 to $5000 off its most popular Model 3 and
  
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