Author: Damion Smy
Former police officer and Australian Labor Party (ALP) electoral candidate Naomi Oakley has called for the demerit points system to be revised, saying it’s “too easy” for motorists to lose their driver’s licence.Ms Oakley, who was a Victoria Police officer for 12 years, is the ALP candidate for the Victorian seat of Casey, which covers an area north of Melbourne including the Yarra Ranges and stretching east towards Mansfield. In a submission to an ALP committee, Ms Oakley called for changes to penalties, saying the prevailing circumstances are unfair to Victorian drivers and make it too easy for them to lose…
A facelifted and expanded 2026 Ford F-150 range will likely be topped by a brand new Platinum flagship, as a part of the primary upgrade for the enduring American pickup lineup because it was officially released in Australia in 2023 – and it should remain essentially the most inexpensive full-size dual-cab on sale here despite price increases.Due in showrooms in early 2026, the upgraded MY25 F-150 will likely be $8000 costlier than before at base level, but still cheaper than its key rivals, while the brand new Platinum will likely be priced at $163,950 before on-road costs – greater than…
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG G63 Offroad Pro has been confirmed for Australia with – as its name suggests – several off-road oriented upgrades designed for the rough stuff, making it the brand new flagship of the esteemed G-Class lineup.Priced at a hefty $383,900 before on-road costs ($15,500 greater than the regular G63), the Offroad Pro combines extra suspension smarts and exclusive drive modes with more cabin gear in a more rugged package. These include AMG Traction Pro, which manages torque distribution to every individual wheel across seven different stages to enhance traction in slippery conditions. Also exclusive to the special G-Wagen is AMG…
The subsequent-generation Omoda 5 and Omoda 7 have been revealed in China before the all-new SUVs enter production in 2026 – and potentially expand Chery’s Australian Omoda lineup.While the Omoda 5 is already on sale in Australia in each petrol and electric forms, often called the Chery C5 and E5 respectively, the Chinese automaker has now revealed its first hybrid version of the small SUV.CarExpert understands the C5 and E5 will remain sold under the Chery brand in Australia for the foreseeable future, which could leave the brand new hybrid-powered model to be badged here because the Omoda 5. CarExpert…
The Kia Tasman X-Line has been given a $3000 price cut – in addition to more equipment – despite the hotly anticipated Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux challenger only occurring sale three months ago. The penultimate X-Line 4×4 version of Kia’s first dual-cab ute has been given a limited-time $3000 price cut, to now start at $67,990 drive-away – and likewise gains $3897 price of extras, representing a saving of nearly $7000.Those extras include metallic paint (normally $700) and a Sports Pack comprising tubular side steps ($956), soft tonneau cover ($1065), and a short-arm sports bar ($1176). The discounted pricing is officially…
The striking Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic concept automobile has been unveiled because the German luxury automaker heads into what it boldly describes as “a brand new era of iconic design” following a series of self-described boring vehicles. The Vision Iconic show automobile packages a wild, Art-deco design theme with electric vehicle (EV) technology, in addition to solar-power cells and artificial intelligence (AI) designed to duplicate thought patterns of the human brain.The gothic-like show automobile’s striking chromed radiator grille was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz W108 (1965-1972), W111 (1959-1971) and W100 Pullman 600 (1963-1981) – and its design language was first seen on the…
It was wet, cold and much too early, and it almost made me famous for all of the incorrect reasons. Eastern Creek Raceway – now often known as Sydney Motorsport Park – was beckoning.A dark, brooding racetrack covered in a skinny film of water as misty rain always leaked from the grey skies above. I’m sitting on a tough race seat, clutching a thin-rimmed black steering wheel with fog filling the visor of a race helmet borrowed from my editor, Andrew Maclean – whose name you’ll also see at CarExpert lately. The automobile I’m sitting in is really irreplaceable. A real icon, it’s…
American electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla has staged a big turnaround by posting its best-ever quarterly production and delivery figures, with 447,450 vehicles manufactured and 497,077 cars delivered to customers globally between July and September – each latest benchmarks for the brand.The spike comes after the brand posted its largest quarterly sales decline in over a decade through the previous reporting period.So on the identical day that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was declared the world’s first ‘half trillionaire’ – meaning his net value is greater than $US500 billion ($A758bn) – the automaker reported record quarterly sales of nearly half one…
Nearly 200,000 Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 sports cars – and other more popular BMW models – have been recalled within the US, and a few Australian vehicles are also prone to be caught up in what has now grow to be a worldwide issue.The US product safety recall for each models is as a result of a possible starter motor defect which could see the BMW-produced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine fitted to some Supra coupes and Z4 roadsters activate by itself, and even catch fire.This implies Australian Supra owners is not going to be involved, given only the…
An investigation into counterfeit airbags is underway after they were linked to 5 deaths within the US, where authorities have warned they’re a “direct threat to public safety” and their fitment is a federal crime. In keeping with Carscoops, troublesome airbag inflator systems are being imported from China, and panel beaters and repair centres are sometimes unaware they’re being supplied with a counterfeit product.These ‘fake’ components appear just like real versions but are as much as 10 times cheaper, in response to a US report.“These fakes are sometimes constructed with poor-quality materials and usually tend to fail because they’re only imitations…