Automotive news

• Brabus manufacturing program announced for Australia in world-first

  30-04-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au
  Brabus has chosen Australia for its bespoke manufacturing program with local luxury car distributor, Zagame.In a world first, German company Brabus and Zagame have launched a personalisation program in Australia to ‘manufacture’ custom vehicles locally as a Stage 2 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).The factory-supported Brabus Refinement Program enables customers of the Melbourne-based luxury car dealer to customise their vehicle with upgrades certified as original and fully cove
  
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• This priceless Holden concept car was saved from the council tip. Twice!

  30-04-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au
  With satellite navigation and a rear-view camera, 1969’s Holden Hurricane previewed a motoring future we take for granted today.Original story published in Drive on 1 May, 1997Holden has built only two concept models – and this one was literally saved from the municipal rubbish tip.The futuristic Hurricane was designed by Holden’s stylists and engineers in the true tradition of General Motors’ “cars of tomorrow”, ostensibly as a test-bed for the-then new Austr
  
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• 2025 MG HS Vibe review

  30-04-2025 16:00 via drive.com.au
  This latest MG HS has improved leaps and bounds over its predecessor, but is it enough to compete with established nameplates from Kia, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2025 MG HS VibeThere are MG models out there that are more technologically advanced, and there are MGs that are more affordable for Australians, but no other MG model i
  
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• ‘I’m lovin’ it’: Full-sized McDonald’s car sets tongues wagging in viral video

  30-04-2025 08:00 via drive.com.au
  Though you might see advertising cars on local roads, one US driver decided to show their passion for McDonald’s, because they’re lovin’ it.
  Image: Facebook/Houston McDonald’s
  There’s nothing like that feeling of getting a toy car in a McDonald’s Happy Meal when you’re a kid, but one driver in the US has decided to take it to another level.A TikTok video has gone viral online after one motorist was spotted driving a car in the shape of a Ronald McDonald
  
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• General Motors recalls 721,000 V8 engines globally, but Australian impact to be confirmed

  30-04-2025 08:00 via drive.com.au
  The 6.2-litre V8 fitted in a number of General Motors vehicles – including the Chevrolet Silverado sold in Australia – has been recalled with impacts to local models to be determined.General Motors has recalled 721,000 vehicles fitted with its 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine due to defective parts leading to catastrophic failures including several injuries.The voluntary recall is for vehicles fitted with the 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine – codenamed ‘L87’ – between 20
  
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• Aston Martin DBX S revealed as one of the most powerful SUVs in the world

  30-04-2025 06:47 via drive.com.au
  Squeezing 15kW more from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 makes the 535kW/900Nm Aston Martin DBX S one of the most potent SUVs on the planet.Aston Martin has a new top-dog SUV with the unveiling of the DBX S, which boasts even more power from its petrol V8 and a more sonorous exhaust.Utilising the same AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 as the rest of the DBX line-up, the new DBX S punches out a sizeable 535kW/900Nm – making it more potent, at least on paper, than a Mercedes-AMG G63 and
  
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• ‘We gave them a little time before we slaughter them’: Trump tariff relief for US car makers

  30-04-2025 06:33 via drive.com.au
  The US President announced a minor reduction in tariffs for car makers, enabling them more time to reorganise complex supply chains towards American manufacturing.Tariffs on car makers in the United States will be partially reduced as the industry looks to reset – reorganising supply chains and business strategies – in the new automotive landscape.United States (US) President Trump signed two executive orders on April 29 winding back the impact of the tariffs but not completely remov
  
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• 2025 MG S5 EV price and specs: New electric SUV undercuts Atto 3 in cheapest form

  30-04-2025 04:14 via drive.com.au
  The MG S5 EV small electric SUV is due in showrooms next month with prices in line with its BYD Atto 3 competition – all starting with a four, drive-away.2025 MG S5 EV pricing and specificationsNew electric SUV based on MG 4 hatchFour variants, up to 430km rangePriced from $40,490 drive-awayThe 2025 MG S5 EV – the SUV version of the popular MG 4 electric hatch – will undercut the cheapest version of the BYD Atto 3 by $500 to $2500 when it arrives in showrooms in May.But the S5
  
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• 2025 BMW X3 price and specs: Diesel returns to Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC rival

  30-04-2025 03:55 via drive.com.au
  Diesel returns to BMW’s new fourth-generation X3 line-up with more torque than the flagship M50 xDrive, but also more expensive than the 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).BMW Australia will once again offer diesel power in its new-generation X3 family SUV range, with the new 40d xDrive variant slotting in below the flagship M50 xDrive.Priced at $108,900 before on-road costs, the sole diesel powertrain in the new BMW X3 range is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six-cylind
  
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• Ferrari 296 Speciale breaks cover as faster, lighter, track-honed special edition priced above $720,000

  30-04-2025 03:45 via drive.com.au
  The 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale is the most powerful rear-wheel-drive model ever from the Prancing Horse.Ferrari’s tradition of building even more hardcore variants of its supercars is alive and well after the Prancing Horse brand revealed the 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale overnight.The track-honed special edition is a lighter and more powerful rendition of Ferrari’s mid-engine 296 GTB, now outputting 648kW from its hybrid-assisted mid-mounted V6 engine.As before, the 296 Speciale’s
  
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• 2026 Isuzu D-Max EV makes global debut ahead of Australian launch

  30-04-2025 02:43 via drive.com.au
  The production version of the electric D-Max has been revealed in Europe with a one-tonne payload and 3500kg towing – and it is heading to Australia.The 2026 Isuzu D-Max ute has been revealed and will bring a one-tonne payload and 3500kg towing capability when it goes on sale in Australia as soon as 2026.Beating arch-rivals Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux to showrooms with a battery-electric dual cab model, the Isuzu D-Max EV was revealed with a dual-cab body at the 2025 Commercial Vehicle Sh
  
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• Chery Tiggo 9L goes Toyota Prado hunting, plus tank-turn ability

  30-04-2025 01:00 via drive.com.au
  New-generation tri-motor electric SUV goes after Prado with rugged looks, autonomous driving tech and the trademark ‘tank turn’ capability.The 2025 Chery Tiggo 9L has been revealed in China with more tech, three electric motors and a host of gear in a Toyota Prado-sized package able to perform ‘tank turns’.While it shares the same name as the seven-seat Tiggo 9 due in Australia by mid-2025 – a rival for the Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger – the 9L is a better-eq
  
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• GWM Tank 700 off-roader likely for Australia with $100,000 price estimate

  30-04-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The largest and most expensive car from GWM in Australia could offer turbo-diesel four-cylinder or twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid power, if it comes to showrooms.The GWM Tank 700 four-wheel-drive could be the first $100,000 car to wear the company’s badge in Australia if it is green-lit for local showrooms.And it could launch with 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 plug-in hybrid power – alongside a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder – in place of the turbo-petrol V6 plug-in hy
  
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