Automotive news

• Nissan’s end-of-financial-year deals start early

  22-05-2025 08:15 via drive.com.au
  Buyers can save $1500 on select Nissan models this weekend such as the Navara Pro-4X Warrior, X-Trail e-Power, and Pathfinder.Nissan Australia has kicked off its end-of-financial-year (EOFY) campaign early, and will only run the initial promotion over the next four days to the end of May 25 instead of the usual June 30.The four-day sale cuts $1500 from the asking price of the 4×4 Navara ute (including Warrior), X-Trail e-Power grades, top-spec Qashqai N-Design e-Power, and the Pathfinder i
  
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• Will the Toyota HiLux go plug-in hybrid?

  22-05-2025 08:00 via drive.com.au
  With the announcement of the RAV4 plug-in hybrid and other PHEV utes hitting the market, could Toyota respond with a hybrid HiLux?
  Photo: Sank Ritthiphon Saiyaphrom for HeadlightMagToyota Australia has finally responded to growing interest in the plug-in hybrid segment by adding a new RAV4 PHEV to its line-up, so could the electrification of its dual-cab ute be next?RELATED: BYD Shark 6 owners give their unfiltered opinionsPressure has been mounting on the Japanese manufacturer for quite some ti
  
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• 2025 Chery E5 price and specs: Renamed electric SUV gets cheaper

  22-05-2025 08:00 via drive.com.au
  Chery’s E5 electric small SUV has been updated with a new name and price cuts of up to $3000, but no styling changes to mirror its C5 petrol sibling.2025 Chery E5 pricing and specificationsOmoda E5 renamed to E5 alongside C5 petrol modelRRPs cut by up to $3000, but drive-away offers availablePriced from $39,990 before on-road costsChery’s first electric car in Australia has received a new name and price cuts of up to $3000 for 2025.The 2025 Chery E5 is the new name for the existing O
  
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• Luxury Car Tax wind down mooted to protect vehicle resale value – report

  22-05-2025 07:45 via drive.com.au
  Residual values will crater if the Luxury Car Tax is removed in one fell swoop, according to automotive industry representatives, and should instead be phased out.
  Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.The Luxury Car Tax (LCT) will not be axed in one hit, instead it will be phased out by the Federal Albanese government in stages to protect resale values, according to a new report.According to The Australian, the controversial tariff will slowly be wound down, but over what period and to what degree is s
  
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• New warning to avoid flood-affected roads in NSW after record rainfall

  22-05-2025 03:56 via drive.com.au
  Drivers are urged to not traverse flood-affected roads as the state’s SES works to help rural and isolated communities grappling with heavy rain.
  Photo: Getty Images
  Fresh warnings have surfaced for drivers to remain off flood-affected roads in the New South Wales (NSW) mid-north coast and Hunter regions after record-breaking rainfall this week.In the last 24 hours, according to the State Emergency Service (SES), there have been 1023 reported incidents and 339 flood rescues – the lat
  
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• Tesla Model 3 earns new five-star safety rating after hiatus for latest model

  22-05-2025 03:00 via drive.com.au
  A five-star safety rating has finally reached the latest Tesla Model 3 after the previous model’s score was withheld from the new version 18 months ago.The latest Tesla Model 3 electric car has earned top marks in crash testing, nearly 18 months after the score applied to the pre-update model was withheld from the facelifted version amid compliance checks.The new five-star ANCAP score was tested under the latest and most stringent protocols, including the highest results to date in the Chi
  
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• Tesla Model S electric car to get another facelift after 13 years on sale: Spy photos

  22-05-2025 02:35 via drive.com.au
  Tesla will spruce some life into its longest-running car with another styling update due in US showrooms later this year, but not destined for Australia.Another facelift for the Tesla Model S electric car has been caught on camera testing at Germany’s Nurburgring race track, nearly 13 years after the original hit US roads.It will be the third major styling update for the Model S – after overhauls in 2016 and 2021 – which is now one of the oldest new cars on sale in Tesla’
  
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• Lexus UX300e electric car axed, cutting brand’s EV line-up in half

  22-05-2025 01:00 via drive.com.au
  Toyota’s luxury division has dropped its electric small SUV, hiking the price of entry into a Lexus EV by $40,000 – and well into six figures.
  Lexus UX300e.
  Lexus is preparing to discontinue its first, and cheapest electric vehicle in the Australian market.The brand has confirmed that the UX300e small SUV will no longer be sold here, leaving the larger and more expensive RZ range as the sole EV in the local Lexus line-up.The UX300e was first introduced to the Australian market in lat
  
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• Toyota stepped in to offer Nissan support after failed Honda deal – report

  22-05-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au
  As plans for a merger between Honda and Nissan fell apart, a Toyota exec allegedly reached out to Nissan.A new report from Japanese media suggests that Toyota reached out to Nissan, following the failed merger with Honda.In a process that started in early 2024 with discussions regarding electric vehicle collaboration, Nissan and Honda then expanded the scope of the partnership to a full-fledged merger.By the end of 2024, Mitsubishi, which already collaborates with Nissan, joined the discussions.
  
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• 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ review: Australian first drive

  22-05-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The performance division of Mercedes-Benz always made Iron Fist super sedans, but the new plug-in hybrid E53 AMG delivers a velvet glove with a lithium-ion fist.2025 Mercedes-AMG E53While it may not be the top-tier performance model in the E-Class range, one look at the specifications for the new Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ may leave you scratching your head.In the AMG hierarchy, 53 comes before 63, and 63 models are the undisputed performance leaders, but scratch the surface on the new E53
  
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