Automotive news

• Dieselgate: Current, former Volkswagen CEO knew of cheating before public admission - report

  20-08-2018 04:31 via caradvice.com.au
  Recently-unsealed court filings are giving us a better insight into who at Volkswagen knew about what (and when they knew it) in the long-running Dieselgate emissions cheating saga.Recently unsealed documents, reported by Der Spiegel and filed by the Braunschweig prosecutor's office, say Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen Group CEO at the time, and Herbert Diess, current VW Group CEO and then-head of the Volkswagen brand, were present at a meeting about the cheating on July 27, 2015.
  
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• Jaguar XJS gets modern makeover with help from Magnus Walker

  01-05-2024 08:41 via drive.com.au
  The Supercat might look like a classic Jaguar XJS, but with carbon-fibre bodywork and a supercharged V12, TWR Performance has brought the vehicle into the modern age.British firm TWR Performance has unveiled the Supercat – a modernised limited-edition version of the classic Jaguar XJS coupe.The Jaguar was given refreshed looks from designer Khyzyl Saleem, with help from famous Porsche collector Magnus Walker, but is being led by the team at TWR Performance – the revived company with
  
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• How does the MG 4’s vehicle-to-load functionality work?

  01-05-2024 08:00 via drive.com.au
  Vehicle-to-load or V2L offers MG 4 owners an exciting way to power their lives while on the go. Here’s how it works.
  Electric cars are loaded with innovative technology, but perhaps the most practically useful is something called ‘vehicle-to-load’ functionality, enabling them to function as mobile batteries that can power external devices.“Electric vehicles are pretty much energy storage on wheels,” says Kate Cavanagh, a transport electrification team leader at CSIR
  
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• Council plans to axe private kerbside electric-car charging

  01-05-2024 06:19 via drive.com.au
  Internal monitoring and an independent review of the trial program highlighted the complexities of ownership, insurance and access as the main reasons behind the possible change.A Melbourne bayside council is considering scrapping its private kerbside electric-vehicle charging program after two years of testing – with voting set to take place on 1 May 2024.As first reported by the Herald Sun newspaper, internal monitoring by the Port Phillip Council along with an independent review of the
  
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• Cupra Leon, Born, Ateca, and Formentor on special for end of financial year

  01-05-2024 06:00 via drive.com.au
  VW’s Spanish car brand Cupra has announced end-of-financial year offers for its line-up, including $10,000 off certain models.Cupra – a Spanish car maker owned by German giant Volkswagen – has introduced a range of end-of-financial-year offers across its four-model range, available until 30 June 2024.The biggest saving is for buyers of the Ateca VZx performance SUV, which for a limited time is being offered by Cupra for $58,888 drive-away – a saving of $10,102 compared to
  
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• 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport price and specs: Second facelift up to $2400 dearer

  01-05-2024 04:56 via drive.com.au
  The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4WD has been given another styling update – with higher prices and extra features – ahead of an all-new model due next year.2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport pricing and specificationsRevised front and rear styling, new wheel designNew features for GLX, GSRPriced from $51,540 before on-road costsThe updated 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has arrived in Australia with revised styling and price rises of $1600 to $2400.Shown in Thailand earlier this year, it is the
  
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• Tesla lays off Supercharger, new model launch teams – report

  01-05-2024 03:15 via drive.com.au
  In a blow to other car companies waiting to use Tesla’s charging network – and buyers waiting for smaller, cheaper Teslas – the US car giant has reportedly laid off two key development teams.US electric-car giant Tesla has fired the teams behind new-model launches and Supercharger stations – amounting to more than 500 staff, plus two top executives, including an Australian – amid slowing sales and declining profit margins, a new report claims.Website The Information
  
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• Bugatti Chiron successor spied

  01-05-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  The hybrid-powered follow-up to one of the world’s fastest production cars has been spotted ahead of an unveiling in June.The first image of the Bugatti Chiron replacement – one of the world’s fastest road cars – has been spied ahead of its global debut in June 2024.An image of the rear end of a camouflaged prototype posted to Germancarforum – as well as a side-on photo published by the UK’s Top Gear – show the new hypercar will adopt a slimmer, leaner a
  
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• 2024 Mitsubishi eK X EV quick drive

  01-05-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  Mitsubishi is testing the Australian waters with its quirky eK X EV electric kei car – but is it ripe for local consumption?To date, Australians haven’t had much exposure to the Japan-unique kei car.Before we go further, the kei car category exists in Japan to accommodate micro-sized cars that cost far less than conventional-sized cars. Diminutive in both size and price, kei cars are also subject to tax and insurance discounts.It’s uncommon to see these mini-mes in Australia, b
  
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• Everything you need to know about the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Interactive Brochure

  01-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The latest offering from Ford brings an iconic nameplate to the electric vehicle landscape. Explore it in more detail by viewing our Interactive Brochure.
  Sponsored by FordThe exhilarating experience of a Mustang combined with the efficiency and instant response of high-performance electric motors? Sign us up!With a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including the latest advanced driver assistance technology, the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E is packed with features no matter which model you c
  
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• Cupra Ateca to gain cheaper base model in Australia

  01-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The new slowest-selling Cupra in Australia is set to add a more affordable base variant with a less powerful engine to help boost deliveries down 80 per cent year-on-year.
  European models shown throughout.
  The Cupra Ateca compact SUV is due to add a new entry-level variant in Australia later this year promised to be the Volkswagen-owned car maker’s cheapest new SUV.Due between July and September 2024, the Ateca V will use a detuned 140kW/320Nm version of the flagship VZx’s 221kW/400N
  
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• 2024 BMW iX2 review: Australian first drive

  01-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The stylish BMW X2 returns to Australian roads with a second generation, now bolstered by two electric variants.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 BMW iX2BMW was one of the first brands to popularise the unique coupe-style SUV with the X6 back in the noughties, but the body style has since proliferated across the German car maker’s range with models such
  
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• Will the Tesla Cybertruck ever come to Australia? Here’s why it’s unlikely

  30-04-2024 23:04 via drive.com.au
  The Tesla Cybertruck has been on many car lovers’ wishlists since it was announced in 2019. Nearly five years later, it remains unlikely it will make it to Australia.The Tesla Cybertruck has dominated the headlines since Elon Musk unveiled the retro-futuristic electric truck at the Tesla Design Studio in California, USA, in November 2019. RELATED: Tesla pauses deliveries of Cybertruck due to ‘faulty’ accelerator pedalThere was plenty of excitement but plenty of criticism a
  
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• 2025 Chery Omoda 9 all but confirmed for Australia

  30-04-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  Another mid-size family SUV from Chery is being prepared for Australia, but the company is remaining tight-lipped on if it is locked in for showrooms.The 2025 Chery Omoda 9 appears set to join the Australian line-up in the coming months.At about 4770mm long, the Omoda 9 is only marginally larger than the 4720mm Tiggo 8 Pro Max due in Chery showrooms imminently – and is half a size class larger than two other Chery mid-size SUVs, the 4500mm-long Jaecoo J7 and 4513mm Tiggo 7 Pro.Chery has su
  
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• 2024 Isuzu D-Max: Australian first drive

  30-04-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  Isuzu’s brought the D-Max utility in for a nip-and-tuck facelift, and it’s resulted in genuine improvements to an already great dual-cab ute.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Isuzu D-MaxIt could be argued that Isuzu didn’t really need to update the D-Max light-utility vehicle. It was 2023’s third-best-selling ute, and the Japanese car
  
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• 2024 Cupra Formentor VZe Tribe Edition, Leon V Tribe Edition priced for Australia

  30-04-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  Spanish car brand Cupra has added two special editions to its line-up with new design details – and in one case, a lower price than the regular model.Two new limited editions have joined the Cupra line-up in Australia based on the Formentor SUV and Leon hatchback, which are due for major facelifts this time next year.The 2024 Cupra Formentor VZe Tribe Edition and 2024 Cupra Leon V Tribe Edition introduce visual changes and extra features to Cupra’s plug-in hybrid SUV, and base-model
  
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• Jeep Cherokee recalled in Australia over fire risk, Grand Cherokee’s wheels could fall off

  30-04-2024 08:15 via drive.com.au
  There are two separate faults affecting the models, both of which could cause an increased risk of an accident, according to the recall notice.Jeep Australia has recalled more than 13,000 examples of its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs, citing multiple potential faults that could lead to a fire or the wheels falling off.The 10,160 affected Cherokees are stamped 2013 to 2015 models, but may have been sold later.The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infras
  
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• Jeep Cherokee recalled in Australia over fire risk, Grand Cherokee’s wheel alignment defective

  30-04-2024 08:15 via drive.com.au
  There are two separate faults affecting the models, both of which could cause an increased risk of an accident, according to the recall notice.Jeep Australia has recalled more than 13,000 examples of its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs, citing multiple potential faults that could lead to a fire or the front wheels “leaning outwards”.The 10,160 affected Cherokees are stamped 2013 to 2015 models, but may have been sold later.The recall notice, lodged with
  
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• 2024 Volkswagen Amarok Style V6 review

  30-04-2024 08:07 via drive.com.au
  The Volkswagen Amarok V6 blends macho looks with a macho driveline and, in mid-specification Style trim, offers nearly everything you could ask for in an adventure-centric double-cab ute.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 StyleHere’s a surprising data point. So far this year, the Volkswagen Amarok is the highest-selling individua
  
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• Shredding rubber: Putting Continental’s new MaxContact MC7 to the test

  30-04-2024 08:01 via drive.com.au
  Continental’s new performance tyre has been designed specifically for the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. So is it any good? Rob Margeit headed to the Contidrom to find out.“Who wants to go first?”After a pause when no one else volunteers, I stick my hand up.“I’ll go.”I get an incongruous round of applause, as if I’ve just volunteered to be the lone rescuer of a bunch of kids lost in an impenetrable forest.If only I was so noble. I’ve don
  
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• 2024 Ford Transit price and specs: Increased payload, towing for price rise on diesels

  30-04-2024 07:38 via drive.com.au
  Increased capability comes at a higher price as the Transit range is pared back for a simpler line-up.2024 Ford Transit pricing and specificationsSix variants including van, single cab-chassis and bus bodies with varying roof heights, diesel engines and single electric versionManual transmission dropped, upgraded entry-level auto, greater payload and towingIn showrooms in late 2024 from $59,990 plus on-road costs.The 2024 Ford Transit large van has been updated, with the starting price up $3000
  
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• 2024 Ford Transit price and specs: increased payload and towing with another price rise on diesel models

  30-04-2024 07:38 via drive.com.au
  Increased capability comes at a higher price as the Transit range is pared back for a simpler line-up.2024 Ford Transit pricing and specificationsSix variants including van, single cab-chassis and bus bodies with varying roof heights, diesel engines and single electric versionManual transmission dropped, upgraded entry-level auto, greater payload and towingIn showrooms in late 2024 from $59,990 plus on-road costs.The 2024 Ford Transit large van has been updated, with the starting price up $3000
  
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• Fresh warning for toll users as service under attack from scammers

  30-04-2024 07:10 via drive.com.au
  The toll company Linkt has issued a new alert reminding people how not to fall victim to cybercriminals.Australian road-toll service Linkt is warning of a new spike in scams targeting its users – with the number of attempts almost doubling between February and March this year alone.The toll provider, which operates across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, said it has seen a “significant increase” in scams this year in which customers are being tricked into paying for routes they
  
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• Tesla to supply largest battery storage facility in Australia

  30-04-2024 04:54 via drive.com.au
  A coal-mining town in Western Australia will soon be home to the country’s biggest battery farm, utilising technology from US electric car maker Tesla.Australia’s largest battery storage facility will soon begin construction using Tesla technology.Located in the southwest of Western Australia, French company Neoen has been awarded a $650 million contract by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to establish a second electricity storage location, consisting of Tesla Megapacks.T
  
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• What do you need for a sim racing set-up?

  30-04-2024 04:00 via drive.com.au
  Thinking about getting into sim racing? Here’s the rig you’re going to need, according to the experts.
  We all here at Drive know all too well the adrenaline rush of pushing an exotic sports car to its limits (or more accurately, ours) on a racetrack, but it comes with very big risks that could set you back tens – if not hundreds – of thousands of dollars.But what if there was a way to replicate the sensation of flying over Conrod Straight at Bathurst in a Porsche 911 or l
  
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• Man charged after five cars stolen from regional disability hub

  30-04-2024 03:24 via drive.com.au
  The vehicles were taken from a community not-for-profit organisation in the town last week.A man has been charged with allegedly stealing five cars from a not-for-profit organisation, which helps provide mobility services for people with a disability.Victoria Police charged the 35-year-old man today with multiple counts of burglary and theft of motor vehicles following the break-in at the Hare Street property last week, located in Echuca – on the Victorian border with New South Wales.
  
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• Man charged after five cars stolen from Echuca disability hub

  30-04-2024 03:24 via drive.com.au
  The vehicles were taken from a community not-for-profit organisation in the town last week.A man has been charged with allegedly stealing five cars from a not-for-profit organisation in Echuca, which helps provide mobility services for people with a disability.Victoria Police charged the 35-year-old man today with multiple counts of burglary and theft of motor vehicles following the break-in at the Hare Street property last week.He has been bailed to appear before Echuca Magistrates’ Court
  
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• Surprise new eight-cylinder engine unveiled by GWM

  30-04-2024 02:30 via drive.com.au
  Big petrol engines are dead? No one told GWM, which has unveiled a new flat-eight cylinder engine – but it is not destined for what you think.GWM has made a splash at the 2024 Beijing motor show by unveiling an all-new eight-cylinder engine.But while the company is bucking the industry trend by developing an eight-cylinder, the bad news – as some may see it – is the engine has been designed for use in a motorcycle.Rather than being a V8, the ‘Souo H8’ engine is
  
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• Not dead yet: New eight-cylinder engine unveiled by GWM

  30-04-2024 02:30 via drive.com.au
  Big petrol engines are dead? No one told GWM, which has unveiled a new flat-eight cylinder engine – but it is not destined for what you think.GWM has made a splash at the 2024 Beijing motor show by unveiling an all-new eight-cylinder engine.But while the company is bucking the industry trend by developing an eight-cylinder, the bad news – as some may see it – is the engine has been designed for use in a motorcycle.Rather than being a V8, the ‘Souo H8’ engine is
  
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• Wagons aren’t dead: Cupra Leon Sportstourer locked in for Australia

  30-04-2024 01:34 via drive.com.au
  Volkswagen thinks wagons are dead in Australia, but its Spanish sibling Cupra disagrees – and has confirmed a new Leon ‘Sportstourer’ for showrooms with Golf R DNA.The void left by the axing of the Volkswagen Golf R wagon in Australia will be filled by its twin under the skin, the 2025 Cupra Leon Sportstourer, due in local showrooms in July or August next year.Sales of wagons in Australia have fallen by more than 80 per cent since the turn of the century, and have claimed iconi
  
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