Car News

A Mercedes-AMG GT coupe has been stripped of its panels after being left with an airport valet car park service. Jay Tranter and his girlfriend returned to the UK from a Portugal holiday to discover the $300,000 supercar was all but destroyed by thieves. The British couple had left the vehicle with a valet service at Birmingham airport for five days, at a cost of £52.94 (AU$94.94). Representatives from the valet service met the couple at the airport at 4am on 8 July 2020.

A limited-edition 2021 Mini JCW GP – the fastest and most powerful Mini of all time – has rolled in a backyard crash in Europe, within hours of the owner taking delivery. The vehicle flipped and landed back on its wheels with less than 38km on the clock – and most of that distance was accumulated in the owner’s back yard.

When buyers have a choice between hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric power in identical cars, they opt for the electric vehicle despite a significant price premium – according to figures released by Hyundai Australia. While Japanese car maker Toyota is enjoying record sales of petrol-electric hybrid vehicles – accounting for more than half the demand for the Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV – South Korean car maker Hyundai is making inroads with its electrified alternatives.

Goodyear has been asked by Ford to make Wrangler markings on its tyres less conspicuous, according to American car website Motor1. Ford launched three new models under the Bronco sub-brand last week, aimed at competing with Jeep – and the Jeep Wrangler is directly in its sights. Unfortunately for Ford, one of Goodyear's most popular off-road tyres shares the same name with Jeep's off-road vehicle, leading Ford to request the prominent competitor's name be made less obvious.

Fancy an electric car for free? There's only one catch: you will need to move to Germany. Tax exemptions for electric cars in parts of Europe are now so generous it is possible to lease a brand-new zero-emissions vehicle at almost zero cost. German dealership Autohaus Koenig has begun advertising Renault Zoe leases for “free” – after a deposit of €3100 ($AU5060) – thanks to new government rebates.