Car News

The iconic Volkswagen Kombi is one step closer to making a comeback on Australian roads. The modern version of the 1960s hippie mobile – officially known for the time being as the I.D. Buzz – will play a leading role in the rollout of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle range due a little over two years from now. While the Kombi name and the production design are yet to be formally unveiled, Volkswagen Australia has all but confirmed the new Kombi is coming.

Australian motorists will be able to buy the cheapest petrol at the bowser – regular unleaded – for at least another decade after the Federal Government quietly announced it would leave our current standards unchanged until 2027. Even after the new regulations come into force, Australia will continue to sell 91 octane regular unleaded – the fourth cheapest petrol in the OECD – although it will need to meet cleaner fuel standards.

Ford has whipped the covers off the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3L High Performance Package, a more extreme version of its entry-level four-pot pony car. Under the bonnet is the same 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which now produces 246kW of power and 475Nm of torque – 15kW more than the standard US-market Mustang EcoBoost.

Toyota’s Japanese arm has unveiled a range of factory-fitted accessory packages for its RAV4 midsize SUV. The four packs announced belong under either Toyota’s Modellista brand or its TRD performance division. Starting with the former, two Modellista kits are on offer: the road-biased ‘Urban Solid Strider’ and the rugged ‘Jaos’. The former wears an aggressive aero package consisting of a front splitter, revised upper grille, redesigned rear diffuser, bold side skirts and 19-inch alloy wheels.

American tyre company Goodyear is set to launch its new range of ultra and ultra-ultra high performance tyres in Australia from May to better compete with the likes of Michelin and Pirelli in the upper end of the tyre segment. The manufacturer will release a new range of three tyres that will give a more comprehensive sports and Motorsport tyre coverage. The range includes the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R and the Goodyear SuperSport RS.