Car News

Audi Sport has previewed the six new models it promises to debut before 2020, publishing a shadowy teaser image to its social media. While the performance division hasn't officially confirmed what each model is, we had a close look at all the LED daytime-running light signatures and reckon we know what's on the way.

Australia's Takata airbag recall is almost 80 per cent complete, but the ACCC data says there are three brands with a conversion rate below 70 per cent. A combination of heat and humidity can make the propellant in Takata airbag inflators degrade over time. In an accident where the airbags deploy, metal fragments could shoot into the cabin, posing a serious risk of injury or death to passengers.

BMW has added two fresh variants to its 8 Series line-up in Australia, with the 840i Coupe and Convertible set to arrive in September. Sitting below the M850i, power in the 840i (from $202,900) comes from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six petrol making 250kW and 500Nm. It's put to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, good for a 100km/h sprint of 5.0 seconds (5.3 seconds for the drop-top).

Despite the continued decline in overall new car sales, brands from China are posting triple-digit growth – namely Haval and MG. For the month of July the overall market slid 2.8 per cent, with the year-to-date figure 7.7 per cent down on the first seven months of 2018. However, SUV specialist Haval recorded a 164.2 per cent increase on July 2018 (albeit off a low base) to 140 registrations, while its YTD tally of 783 vehicles is up 155 per cent on the same period last year.

Ram could update its long-serving DS 1500 to extend its life as a cheaper, simpler foil to the high-tech fifth-generation currently on sale in the USA. Speaking at Fiat Chrysler's earnings call, FCA CEO Mike Manley said minor updates could be in store for the 1500 Classic (as it's known) to keep it relevant in the crowded North American pickup market.