Automotive news

• BMW admits heated seat subscriptions were a mistake

  03-02-2026 22:26 via drive.com.au
  The German giant will double down on subscriptions with a monthly fee to use the 360-degree camera, if you didn’t order it to begin with – but heated seat charges won’t return.
  BMW iX3
  BMW has admitted that monthly charges to unlock the heated seats and steering wheel were “probably not the best way” to dip its toe into the burgeoning market for subscriptions to features in new cars.However, it has no plans to drop subscriptions altogether, and is instead doubling d
  
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• New vehicle registrations rise 8.9% in January, led by light passenger demand

  03-02-2026 22:22 via autotalk.co.nz
  New vehicle registrations opened the year higher in January, with 11,806 new vehicles registered, up 960 units or 8.9% on the same month last year, according to industry data. The January result points to a firmer start to the year for the new vehicle market, with growth led by light passenger vehicles, while overall demand […]
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• January opens year on ‘stronger footing’, MIA says

  03-02-2026 22:22 via autotalk.co.nz
  The Motor Industry Association says it was a solid start to the year for the new vehicle market, with registrations up nearly 9% on the same month last year in January, although demand remains sensitive to broader economic and confidence settings. “January has opened the year on a stronger footing than the same month last […]
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• Hyundai Digital Key 2 review: Can a phone replace a car’s key fob?

  03-02-2026 21:30 via drive.com.au
  Phone car keys are more accessible than ever, with Hyundai recently launching its Digital Key 2 in Australia. Drive puts it to the ultimate test – leaving home without the physical key fob – to see how well it works.Hyundai is the latest brand to offer digital keys in Australia – allowing drivers to lock, unlock and start their car from their smartphone or smartwatch – years after launching earlier iterations of the technology overseas.The latest-generation Digital Key 2
  
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• 2027 Honda HR-V reveals a sharp new look under camouflage

  03-02-2026 20:41 via drive.com.au
  Honda’s compact SUV is set to get a redesign that should give the next-generation a sharp new look.A spy picture of a heavily camouflaged version of the 2027 Honda HR-V has emerged, giving a first look at what to expect from the next-generation model.The HR-V, as it is known in Australia, or the Vezel in Japan, will enter its fourth generation in 2027, with the current model first entering production in 2021.The engineering vehicle, spied testing in Japan, gives a first look at what to exp
  
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• Xiaomi denies Ford joint venture talks report

  03-02-2026 19:57 via autotalk.co.nz
  Chinese technology company Xiaomi has categorically denied reports suggesting it was in talks with Ford Motor Company about a potential joint venture to manufacture electric vehicles in the United States. “This report about a joint venture with Ford Motor Company is completely false,” Xiaomi says in a social media post. “Xiaomi does not sell its […]
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• Romano promoted to lead Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific

  03-02-2026 19:43 via autotalk.co.nz
  Hyundai Motor Company Australia has announced the promotion of Don Romano to President of Asia Pacific for Hyundai Motor, while retaining his position as CEO and President of Hyundai Australia. Under the new role, Romano will oversee both the Hyundai and Genesis brands across the region and split his time between Sydney and Jakarta. The […]
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• 2026 Kia Sportage S Hybrid price confirmed, drive-away offers across the SUV range

  03-02-2026 19:38 via drive.com.au
  The Sportage S Hybrid entry level grade undercuts the most-affordable RAV4 and Tucson, as drive-away deals become available for the SX and GT-Line.Australian pricing for the 2026 Kia Sportage S Hybrid has been confirmed ahead of its imminent Australian showroom arrival.Officially priced from $44,450 before on-road costs, Kia Australia is currently running a special offer for the new Sportage HEV S front-wheel-drive variant at $44,490 drive-away until February 28, 2026, unless extended.The $44,49
  
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• China bans hidden car door handles over safety concerns

  03-02-2026 09:10 via abc.net.au
  
  The hidden car door handles that have been popularised by Tesla will be banned from next year.
  
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• Hidden door handle ban confirmed for China poised to affect the world

  03-02-2026 06:49 via drive.com.au
  China will, from next year, require hidden door handles to adhere to strict new rules after safety concerns were raised.
  Retractable door handle on a BYD Sealion 7.
  Power-operated retractable door handles – as seen on cars such as the BYD Seal, which pop out of the body electrically when the car is unlocked – are set to be banned in China from the start of next year, with the technology likely to disappear globally as a result.As the largest automotive market in the world, the prohib
  
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• 2026 Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor Performance review

  03-02-2026 06:30 via drive.com.au
  Is it a sedan? Is it an SUV? Well, neither of those things matter as long as the Polestar 4 is a damn good electric car.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2026 Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor PerformanceA luxury car needs to tick a lot of boxes. Namely it needs to be comfortable, it has to feel dynamic to drive, and more often than not, it needs to have a bit of g
  
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• Tyler the Creator ‘crashed’ this rare Ferrari at the 2026 Grammys

  03-02-2026 05:30 via drive.com.au
  Tyler the Creator loves his cars, so no one could have predicted the rapper ‘crashing’ this rare Ferrari at the 2026 Grammys.If you’re familiar with the zeitgeist, you might have come across Tyler the Creator’s eclectic car collection.Though the 34-year-old rapper is known for his love of sports cars from different eras, ranging from a McLaren 675LT, BMW E30, numerous Lancia Delta models, and surprisingly, a Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, he’s also shown an affinity for cla
  
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• BYD launches connected car trials for digital road charging

  03-02-2026 02:46 via autotalk.co.nz
  BYD Auto NZ has partnered with global vehicle data aggregator Compass IoT to commence connected car data trials with major fleet operators, positioning the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer at the forefront of New Zealand’s transition to a digital Road User Charging (RUC) system scheduled for 2027. The initiative, supported by NZTA, integrates BYD’s in-vehicle telematics […]
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• Tesla Model Y, Model 3 get subtle name changes in Australia, but still no Standard variants

  03-02-2026 02:31 via drive.com.au
  Tesla has paved the way for the launch of cheaper Model 3 and Model Y variants in Australia with a subtle name change – but there are still no plans for Standard entry-level grades.
  Tesla Model Y Premium RWD.
  A small change has been made to the popular Tesla Model Y and Model 3 electric cars in Australia to bring them into line with models sold in the US and Europe.Regular versions of the Tesla electric cars – the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, and Model Y
  
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• Tesla aligns model naming with global convention

  03-02-2026 02:31 via autotalk.co.nz
  Tesla will rename its Model 3 and Model Y lineups in Australia and New Zealand from February 3rd to align with a global naming convention, with no changes to pricing or specifications. The electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer says the change reflects consistency with the Tesla brand and its models for the future. While Standard models […]
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• LDV deals drop D90 SUV below $40,000, free extras on Deliver 7 van

  03-02-2026 02:00 via drive.com.au
  LDV is offering a cut-price drive-away deal on the D90 SUV, and a free option pack on the Deliver 7 van for a limited time.
  D90 Executive 4WD pictured.
  LDV has announced separate limited-time offers on two key vehicles in its range.The LDV D90 seven-seat SUV has had its price lowered to $39,990 drive-away for the entry-level D90 Mode 2WD, in a promotional offer that runs from 3 February to 30 June 2026, or while stocks last.It is down from regular pricing of $43,674 drive-away for private buyers
  
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• Turners Cars takes Kantar supreme advertising award

  03-02-2026 01:34 via autotalk.co.nz
  Turners Cars has won the Kantar 2025 Supreme Ad Impact Award for its “Tina’s Road Trip” advertisement, with the campaign’s strategic use of music and celebration of New Zealand culture earning top honours. The award recognises advertising campaigns that demonstrate strong impact, memorability and emotional connection. Kantar’s 2025 winners span diverse categories from FMCG and […]
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• Volkswagen slashes up to $12,000 off ID. Buzz electric vehicle price

  03-02-2026 01:12 via drive.com.au
  A pricing “realignment” drops the RRP of Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz, alongside lower promotional drive-away offers to further stimulate interest.Less than 18 months after arriving in Australia, Volkswagen has cut pricing of its ID. Buzz electric vehicle (EV) by up to $12,000 in a bid to open up “accessibility” to its van and people mover range.The cut applies to the full recommended retail price (RRP), following limited-time discounts offering similar reductions on the I
  
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• Best new-car deals in February 2026

  03-02-2026 00:46 via drive.com.au
  Most car brands in Australia have special offers available in February 2026. Here are some of the best deals.
  2026 Kia EV5 Air Standard Range.
  Are you looking to buy a new car? We’re now a month into the new year, making it a great time to score a deal as carmakers look to clear 2025-plated stock.Nearly all car manufacturers have at least one special offer available in February 2026. Listed below are some of the best new-car deals recently covered by Drive, and available across Australia t
  
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• Toyota Prado gets first price rise for new model, alongside LandCruiser 300 Series

  03-02-2026 00:11 via drive.com.au
  Price rises for 2026 have pushed the most expensive Toyota Prado into six figures before on-road costs for the first time, and its biggest sibling up by $1000.Prices across the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Prado four-wheel-drive line-ups in Australia have increased by up to $1000 for 2026.It is the first price increase for the latest-generation LandCruiser Prado since it arrived in local showrooms in late 2024, and pushes the flagship Kakadu over $100,000 before on-road costs for the first
  
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