Car News

After a rocky start to 2019, Tesla will examine every penny heading out the door to ensure its long-term survival. In a leaked email to all Tesla staff obtained by Electrek and Reuters, Musk said the company would embark on a “hardcore” cost cutting drive to ensure it is "financially sustainable and [able to] succeed in our goal of helping make the world environmentally sustainable". Every expense "no matter how small" is up for review, and this extends to salaries, parts, travel and rent.

Tesla has wirelessly updated the software on the Model S and Model X, after spontaneous battery fires in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The company this week issued the update, which tweaks "charge and thermal management settings" in the battery out of "an abundance of caution".

BMW M has revealed a commemorative version of its M5 super sedan, dubbed the Edition 35 Years. UPDATE, 20/5/19: BMW Australia has confirmed Australia will get a limited allocation of the M5 Edition 35 Years. See bottom of article for details.

This week Scott Collie and Mike Costello are on the panel. In car news, it appears a BMW Z4 M is off the cards, Volvo Australia is working on capped-priced servicing, Mazda is preparing inline-six petrol and diesel engines, and a Hyundai N EV sports car is coming with thanks to a Rimac partnership. Josh Dowling reviews the 2019 Toyota RAV4, and Tony Crawford talks about the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster.

Ford of Europe has revealed a more practical alternative to the Focus ST hatch, but it's reserved for overseas markets unfortunately. As with the hatch, the Focus ST wagon is available with either a 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, or a 206kW/420Nm 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol mill. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual, while the petrol is available with a seven-speed automatic as well.