Car News

Swedish performance brand Polestar has released new details about its upcoming 1 hybrid sports car, this time regarding the new model's extensive use of lightweight carbon-fibre in its construction. The company says the use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for most body parts contributes to a weight saving of 230 kilograms.

Volkswagen Australia managing director, Michael Bartsch, has called for Australia's fuel standards and emissions testing to be dragged into line with the latest European rules, lest we become a "dumping ground" for old engine technology.

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.

The upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV has been previewed again, this time during hot weather testing on Spain's Iberian peninsula. Dry heat is the first challenge in the series, as exposure can cause battery damage in electric vehicles. Therefore, with temperatures in the region reaching up to 50° celsius, the Iberian peninsula is a great location to test the EQC's battery cooling systems in terms of heat insulation and how it copes with high power requirements in these conditions.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR has been confirmed for the Australian market, scheduled to arrive in local showrooms in the first half of 2019. Previewed by the TCR concept at this year's Lake Worthersee meet, the most powerful production Golf GTI ever gets an uprated 2.0-litre turbo four with 213kW of power and 370Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic.