Car News

We're often told manual cars don't sell in meaningful numbers Down Under, but certain models buck the trend. Models like the Mazda MX-5. A recent report from the USA revealed 76% of MX-5 soft-top buyers are opting for three-pedal cars, and 52% of RF buyers are choosing to row their own. Which got us wondering if the story is the same in Australia. Thankfully, Mazda was happy to indulge our curiosity.

The Infiniti Q50 will debut a new driver-assistance system that will allow for hands-off driving later this year. Exclusive to the Japanese market at this stage, the Q50 – sold in its home region as the Nissan Skyline – will get an enhanced ProPilot technology suite (dubbed ProPilot 2.0) that uses the vehicle's navigation system to assist drivers on the highway over a pre-determined route.

Overnight Volvo Cars inked a long term multi-billion dollar lithium-ion battery supply deal with LG Chem and CATL, an important step in meeting its lofty electrification goals. Last year Volvo said it was aiming to have half of its sales be fully electric cars by 2025, easily trumping its earlier commitments.

Ferrari's first 'mainstream' hybrid model will lob on May 31, and is expected to pump out a whopping 735kW of power thanks to three electric motors. That's according to the Ferrari Chat forum, which this week had an invitation to the hybrid's unveiling posted on one of its threads. Chatter on the forum suggests the 735kW car, which hasn't been named, will blend a V8 engine with three electric motors for performance that puts the 812 Superfast in the shade.

Audi has revealed the heavily revised A4 family, headlined by an updated design and a comprehensive technology upgrade. Outside, the design team in Ingolstadt has taken clear inspiration from the new A6. There are new headlights (LED across the range) and a fresh interpretation of Audi's corporate grille, along with tweaked air intakes and detailing on the bumper. The wheel arches have been swollen slightly, and there are sharper lines on the flanks as a throwback to Quattro legends past.