Browsing: Automobiles

Article SummaryJudging by the quad exhaust tips, this fully camouflaged prototype appears to be the X2 M35i xDrive.Despite the heavy disguise, it’s clear the facelift will bring a completely redesigned front fascia with a vertical grille, bringing the X2 in line with the iX3 and X5/iX5.The real revolution will take place inside, where iDrive X will completely transform the dashboard layout.Having retired the X4 last year, BMW is down to just two Sport Activity Coupes, the X2 and X6. However, big changes are ahead for the SAC lineup. The X4 returns later this year strictly as the first-ever iX4. In…

GM and SAIC extended their 50-50 joint venture through 2047. SAIC-GM will produce at least 30 new-energy models by 2030, using Chinese-developed platforms and software. China will be GM’s engineering and export hub for shipping Buick and Cadillac models. GM is not walking away from China—it is doubling down. General Motors just locked in a 20-year renewal of its 50-50 SAIC-GM joint venture to 2047, even as Chinese brands eat into its sales and Western rivals quietly scale back. The refreshed tie-up will lean hard on Buick and Cadillac, with Chevrolet pulled from China showrooms after a broader restructuring of…

The substantially updated Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now available to order in Australia ahead of a local launch in November 2026, when the German brand’s flagship sedan will bring a choice of updated six- and eight-cylinder engines plus a bolder exterior design.Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed the refreshed Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will arrive in Australia in the first half of 2027, though it hasn’t yet confirmed pricing.Revealed in January 2026, Mercedes-Benz says the updated S-Class is the most comprehensive mid-cycle update in the model’s history, with more than 50 per cent of the extra-large luxury limousine (around 2700 components) being newly developed, updated…

Article SummaryAudi’s top five models retain the most value overall, led by a group of performance coupes averaging approximately 67.5%.The BMW M2 ties the Audi TT RS for the best individual result, while the 3 Series leads its mainstream sedan rivals.Luxury EVs suffer the steepest depreciation, with the BMW i7 retaining just 26.4% of its original value after five years.Depreciation is an unavoidable talking point when it comes to luxury auto sales. BMW isn’t immune from it, nor are its two primary rivals: Audi and Mercedes-Benz. But depending on the brand and model, depreciation fears could be drastically overblown or…

New Car Buyers view heated seats as the most wanted feature in a vehicle. Safety features make up a large portion of the list of wanted features. A growing number of car shoppers trust advanced driving features such as lane-keep assist and automatic braking. Car shoppers face a myriad of choices that start at a high level before being boiled down to checkboxes on an order form. You start with a given make and model before moving on to trims, powertrain choices, and then on down to the nitty-gritty luxury and tech features. According to automotive market research firm AutoPacific,…

The BYD Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has been confirmed for Australia and is set to join the electric version of the small SUV later this year.BYD Australia has opened an Expressions of Interest page on its website for the Atto 2 DM-i (for ‘dual-mode intelligent’ plug-in hybrid powertrain) ahead of its expected arrival before the end of September.Pricing and local specifications have yet to be announced, but with the Atto 2 EV starting from $31,990 before on-road costs, the new DM-i version could become Australia’s cheapest PHEV.That title is currently held by another BYD, the Sealion 5, which…

Article SummaryBMW M cars generally retain more value than their standard counterparts, but the advantage is often surprisingly small.The M2 and M4 Coupe are among the strongest performers, losing just 32.2% and 35.5% over five years.The standard 3 Series and X6 buck the trend by depreciating less than their full-fledged M equivalents.Part of the allure of buying the full-fat M model over the base model is performance. But there are several other benefits often used to sell the more expensive car over the entry level version. Value, for example. An oft-repeated mantra of M car owners (and to-be M car…

We’re now in the back half of 2026, which means one month closer to the “late 2020s.” Feeling old yet? As the year progresses, consumers continue to put their money down on new vehicles, with the latest sales results showing clear trends, signaling a major shift in the market. With gas prices still unpredictably high, and the average cost of a new car continuing to hover around $50,000, consumers are seeking cheaper vehicles. Affordable models across the industry saw big increases in sales last month compared to the year before, including older offerings, like the Mazda3.    Hybrids were also…

There’s a cheaper hybrid Honda CR-V in town, and it’s been a very long time coming.Actually, there are now three cheaper CR-V e:HEV variants than there were just 12 months ago, as Honda has finally expanded the hybrid range of its largest SUV beyond a sole flagship grade. The range-topping e:HEV RS had been the only hybrid variant available since late 2023.At the same time, Honda Australia has removed a fair chunk of petrol-only CR-V variants, leaving a six-grade lineup comprising two petrol-only and four hybrid grades. The only downside is that prices have increased by up to $4500 for…

Article SummaryThe new G65 X5 grows to 196.8 inches on a 119.5-inch wheelbase, narrowing the size gap to the X7 while dropping its third-row option entirely.The X5 now offers five powertrain types, including a PHEV and a full EV, while the current X7 remains gasoline-only with no plug-in option.U.S. X5 pricing starts at $71,250, roughly $13,000 to $14,000 less than the X7’s starting price of $86,700-plus.BMW just revealed the fifth-generation X5, and it changes the math on this comparison more than anyone expected. The G65 X5 is bigger, more expensive to option out, and loaded with tech the current X7…