Car News

BMW has become the first manufacturer to offer factory-backed wireless charging for one of its electrified vehicles, launching an inductive charge pad for the 530e iPerformance. The system involves a pad, placed on the ground in your garage (or outside, thanks to waterproofing) and plugged into an outlet, and a coil underneath the car. It's a 3.2kW charger, capable of fully topping up the battery in less than four hours thanks to its (claimed) 85 per cent efficiency rating.

Drivers in California can now opt to have digital number plates fitted to their vehicles, but take up is expected to be low. According to the Sacramento Bee, the new digital plates will cost a pretty penny: the initial purchase price is US$699 ($925) excluding fitting, and there's also a US$7 ($9.30) per month fee.

The facelifted 2019 Mazda CX-3 range has launched in the company's home market of Japan, hinting at what's to expect from the updated crossover when it arrives in Australian showrooms later this year. Headlining the upgrades are a new 1.8-litre turbo diesel, new active safety equipment, and more upmarket trimmings and finishes throughout the cabin.

Two groups, The Center for Auto Safety and Consumer Watchdog, have called on the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the Tesla Autopilot system.

The upcoming 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has been teased again, this time in a single overhead image revealing some of the new model's exterior details. Finished in bright blue with contrasting white stripes, we can see the GT500's massive fixed carbon-fibre rear wing and large bonnet vent which nearly stretches the length of the 'hood'. It also looks like the bonnet vents form part of a power bulge.