Car News

Australians planning to holiday at home are helping drive a sales surge of the Nissan Patrol four-wheel-drive – even as the overall car market posted two of its worst months in 30 years due to the coronavirus crisis. Nissan Australia has reportedly put in an urgent call for more Patrols out of the factory to keep up with local demand. Sales of the Nissan Patrol have increased for the past three months in a row compared to the same period last year.

Suzuki’s facelifted 2020 Ignis city SUV has joined Australian showrooms with revised styling – and a price increase across the board. The 2020 ‘Series II’ Ignis comes in two trim levels, with pricing opening at $17,990 plus on-road costs for the five-seater GL and $19,990 plus on-road costs for the four-seater GLX. This represents a $2000 price increase for the GL and $1000 for the GLX compared to the outgoing model.

A special tribute has been paid to the founder of the iconic McLaren Formula One team and specialist sports car maker, Bruce McLaren, on the 50th anniversary of his death behind the wheel. June 2 2020 marks exactly 50 years since Kiwi engineer, technician and racing legend Bruce McLaren was killed in an accident during testing at Goodwood circuit, located in West Sussex, UK. In honour of McLaren’s lasting legacy, a private ceremony was held at the brand's Woking headquarters.

Volkswagen Australia has issued a recall of 72 examples of its 2020 Touareg SUV due to a transmission leak that could result in damage. The recall notice, lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says an oil pipe fitted to the transmission may have been welded incorrectly, which can result in a leak. If left unattended, the transmission can lose “several litres” of fluid, which could lead to damage of the unit.

The new Toyota Hilux Rugged X and Toyota Hilux Rogue are being kept under wraps until closer to their showroom arrival a few months from now. However, a special edition of the updated Toyota HiLux released in Thailand could provide some of the inspiration of the styling elements of at least one of the two top-end models.