Car News

Lotus may be about to announce a brand-new SUV, according to Dutch publication AutoWeek. The Lotus SUV – which is expected to be named Lambda – will be based on the same architecture as the Volvo XC40. Citing Chinese sources, the Dutch website reported the SUV will be revealed by Lotus before the end of the year. The iconic British company, famed for its lightweight sports car creations, is majority-owned by Chinese car giant Geely, which also owns Volvo.

The Federal Government receives approximately $20 billion each financial year from fuel excise – currently 42.3 cents per litre of diesel and petrol pumped at the bowser – but only 22 cents out of every dollar raised is funnelled back into roads. On the eve of the Federal Budget, the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has renewed calls for roads to receive a fairer share of the funds raised by motorists.

Chinese manufacturer Songsan Motors has launched a suspiciously recognisable new model, called the SS Dolphin. Unveiled earlier this week at the Beijing Motor Show, the designers of the hard-top convertible have apparently been inspired by the 1958 Chevrolet Corvette C1. The Chinese copycat car is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid combination and, according to the brand’s website, can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Each year the Geneva motor show provides a testing ground of new ideas and concepts for everyone from established manufacturers to design consultancies and dream-weaving hypercar builders. Sadly some of the very best concepts miss their chance at production, be it due to their outright outlandishness, or perhaps because the brands proudly displaying them simply couldn’t get the sums to add up on some of the more courageous design choices.

UPDATE, 2/10/20: This article was originally published in June 2020 but has been updated with pricing details for several of Mazda's 100th Anniversary special edition models. Details in the story. Mazda has confirmed the Australian arrival of 700 limited models in honour of its 100th anniversary, with its entire range of vehicles receiving the special-edition upgrade.