Car News

Audi has released new official details about the second-generation A1 Sportback, set to arrive in Australia during the first half of 2019. The A1 has grown 56mm longer than the outgoing model (4.03m), but its width is "almost the same" at 1.74m. Audi claims the A1 Sportback's boot is 65L more accommodating than before at 335L, which expands to 1090L with the second row seats folded, thanks to the bigger footprint.

UPDATE, 20/06/18: We've added new images of Australian-spec MY18 Optimas to this article. Head to the galleries section for more pictures Local pricing and specifications for the updated 2018 Kia Optima have been released this week, bringing a fresh look, some new equipment, along with price revisions. It's a fairly mild update – and we don't even have images of local models yet – though the two-tier line-up picks up Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time.

Volkswagen is preparing a more affordable Amarok Core V6 to slot in below the current Sportline, with a starting price below $50,000 and a manual option. Speaking with media at an event in Sydney today, the company confirmed the new model will be showing up in dealerships from October in eight-speed automatic guise. We'll be the world's first market to get an 'entry level' Amarok V6 model– although Volkswagen wouldn't necessarily want to use that term.

UPDATE (19/6/18): Volkswagen Australia has expanded this recall, and confirmed with CarAdvice that previous-generation models are affected, not the current Polo as previously reported. See article for details Volkswagen has recalled around 13,000 examples of the previous-generation 2018 model-year Polo, over concerns about the left-rear seatbelt releasing under certain conditions.

BMW Australia has issued a recall for the first-generation X3 SUV sold from 2004 to 2007 as part of the ever-expanding Takata airbag recall. According to the manufacturer, faulty Takata airbags may have been used as replacement units for the original Petri inflators "during the service history of some vehicles" – specifically models fitted with the 'SA0255' sports steering wheel. These airbags wear a less-dangerous, though still potentially deadly 'beta' rating.