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Author: benzina
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New Tesla Model 3 2020 becomes number one in UK amidst 97 per cent sales drop
The UK market, ravaged by COVID-19 restrictions, has experienced a 97 per cent new car sales drop. But there are some unlikely winners which have risen to the top of what is left. The UK new car market has received an absolute trashing in comparison to Australia, where its 161,064 new car units from April…
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Ram’s answer to the Ford Ranger could be a new Dakota 2021 ute
Ram could soon add a mid-size pick-up to its arsenal that would resurrect the Dakota name to take on Australia’s market-leading Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. A patent filing uncovered by MotorTrend in the US reveals that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) big-truck brand has trademarked the Dakota name for “parts for vehicles, namely, automotive exterior…
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Land Rover Defender with booming V8 coming to rattle the Mercedes-AMG G63- reports
The Land Rover Defender could be set for a significant engine upgrade, with reports a prototype powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 has been spied testing in the UK. That’s the word from London, where AutoCar is reporting a fire-breathing prototype, complete with booming quad exhaust – has been spotted. In fact, the publication’s sleuths went…
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Audi Australia introduces online sales process for entire new-car range
Following in the footsteps of parent brand Volkswagen, Audi has rolled out the ability to purchase – and organise test drives for – its entire range online. Audi has added the purchase portal to its Australian homepage, which allows customers to view every new vehicle in dealer stock, order one with a $500 deposit and…
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New Ford Ranger 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Toyota HiLux rival now costs more to buy
Ford Australia has increased the pricing of its top-selling Ranger ute for the third time in six months. With the exception of the flagship automatic 4×4 Raptor dual-cab pick-up that’s up $700, to $77,190 plus on-road costs, all Ranger variants are now $400 dearer. As such, the unchanged ute line-up now kicks off at $29,190…
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New Kia Seltos 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Mazda CX-30 rival gets more expensive – again
Kia Australia has increased the pricing of its hot-selling Seltos small SUV for the second time in just five weeks. That said, the price rise this time around is less severe, with all Seltos variants up $200. For reference, last month’s adjustment saw them jump $500. As such, the SUV line-up now kicks off from…
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Subaru Australia launches pick-up, drop-off and delivery services
Subaru has launched a suite of complimentary services designed to ease customer woes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and “remove obstacles in the ownership journey.” The brand is offering complimentary delivery on any car purchased online from participating dealers and is encouraging owners who are due a service to contact their local Subaru dealership to enquire…
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Coronavirus carnage as Australian new-car market records biggest ever drop in April
The Australian new-car market was hammered in April, recording its biggest ever monthly fall as shoppers stayed home in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Just 38,926 new vehicles found homes in April, down almost 50 per cent on the 75,550 sales recorded in April 2019 – earning the past month the unwanted honour of being the…
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Ram 1500 officially virus proof as jumbo truck piles on sales – even as Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux plummet
The Ram 1500 appears utterly virus proof, with the American jumbo truck defying the coronavirus downturn, even as its rivals shed sales in April. The American truck brand, reengineered right here in Australia by Ateco, managed a total 178 sales in April (105 of the 1500 Express, and another 73 of the 1500 Laramie), compared…
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New Mahindra Pik-Up 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Budget ute gains new look to take on Great Wall Steed
Mahindra has streamlined its Pik-Up ute range for the 2020 model year, while also bolstering equipment and upping prices for its budget-focused light-commercial vehicle. All S6 variants of the Pik-Up are now discontinued, with the 4×2 Single Cab S6+ now the new point of entry at $23,990 drive-away. A 4×4 version of the Single Cab…
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Porsche Australia passes on new manual 911 Carrera S 2020
Porsche Cars Australia will not offer a three-pedal version of its new 992-series 911 Carrera S and 4S, despite right-hand-drive production kicking off in Europe. That doesn’t mean all manual options are off the table for the local version of new-generation 911 however, as more hardcore variants, like the incoming GT3 and GTS, are expected…
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Kia Stinger to live on with new engine? Prototype spotted testing with new 2.5-litre turbo
Reports the Kia Stinger won’t be replaced after the 2020 update appear wide of the mark, with a prototype of the Korean Holden Commodore rival spied testing a new turbocharged 2.5-litre engine. The engine in question is the group’s 2.5-litre T-DGI – also used in the Kia Optima – which is expected to bump up…
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Why you should beware of buying a hail-damaged car
Recent massive hailstorms in NSW and the ACT have sent a rash of hail-damaged cars onto the used-car market. Sometimes, these can represent bargain buys, with literally thousands of dollars slashed from the price-tag of an undamaged example, and other times, you might be buying more trouble than you bargained on. An insured car will…
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Electric cars: Have we reached turning point?
Electric cars are coming, but we already know this to be a fact. Carmakers are ramping up their battery-powered fleets in significant numbers – everyone from Audi to Volkswagen and most brands in between. Until now, the widespread acceptance of them has been relatively minor, but are we about to see a dramatic change? It’s…
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Why European designers want to make dual-cab utes
Pick-ups, or utes as we call them in Australia, are our continent’s most competitive segment an automaker can play in – but they present unique design challenges that are sought after by Europe’s car designers. This is according to Renault’s Francois Lebione, who elaborated greatly on the very idea of designing a pick-up truck when CarsGuide simply…
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Ford’s top-secret ute project: Details on new “Maverick” baby Ranger leak
Details of Ford’s top-secret ute project are beginning to leak, with International reports suggesting the brand’s new baby Ranger will be called the Maverick when it arrives to take on the Hyundai Santa Cruz. US outlet The Fast Lane Truck has obtained an image of a 3D model of a new ute tailgate, with its…
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Toyota Corolla: What’s the story behind the model name?
The Toyota Corolla is up there with the VW Beetle and the Ford Model T when it comes to global recognition. But with all the fuss right now over another one of Toyota’s models – you listening, Corona? – it’s interesting to see how the Corolla got its name. You might have heard all sorts…
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New Lexus LC 2020 detailed: BMW 8 Series and Mercedes S-Class rival gets performance upgrade
Lexus Australia has confirmed an update for the LC coupe will arrive in June, ahead of its debuting convertible sibling due late this year. The 351kW 5.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol V8 LC500 and 264kW 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid V6 LC500h have returned, but both get revised automatic transmissions. The former’s 10-speed torque-converter unit has improved shift…
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New Kia Stinger 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Holden VF Commodore successor now costs more
Kia Australia has increased the pricing of its performance flagship, the Stinger large sedan. The Stinger is now $200 dearer, kicking off at $47,390 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 200S and reaching $64,990 for the range-topping GT Carbon Edition (see full pricing table below). No changes have been made to the Stinger’s standard specification,…
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New Ford Mustang 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Iconic muscle car is now more expensive
Ford Australia has given its iconic muscle car, the Mustang, a price rise. With the exception of the automatic 2.3L High Performance Convertible that’s up $300, all Mustang variants are now $500 dearer. As such, the Mustang range now kicks off at $51,490 plus on-road costs for the manual 2.3L High Performance Fastback (coupe) and reaches…