Car News

UPDATE AUSTRALIA'S fuel quality is still apparently not suitable for the latest high tech engines - despite Porsche this week claiming its updated Macan SUV was the first car sold in Australia with a petrol particulate filter. Further investigation found Porsche has in fact not fitted particulate filters to its latest model sold in Australia, contrary to initial reports. Porsche shocked the car industry - and its fellow German brands - by announcing the technology leap.

Australia looks likely to make autonomous emergency braking (AEB) mandatory on all new vehicles sold from the early 2020s, pending the passage of draft UN standards. Unlike the rules soon to face the European Union parliament, which includes lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and black box data recorders, the United Nations World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations rules relate exclusively to autonomous emergency braking.

Hyundai Australia has announced pricing and specification for the limited-run Kona Iron Man Edition "arriving in showrooms soon" priced from $39,990 before on-road costs. Based on the flagship all-wheel drive Highlander, the Kona Iron Man Edition picks up a swag of bespoke features inspired by the Marvel superhero, loosely based on the concept vehicle shown at the Kona's debut a couple of years ago.

The new entry-level Jetta brand plans to have 200 dealerships across China by the end 2019, and will also use "innovative sales formats", including digital showrooms, a presence in shopping malls and mobile sales trucks. The Jetta brand will target value conscious buyers who typically prefer local brands. When sales start, the Jetta range will consist of one sedan and two crossovers. At today's announcement, the company displayed images of two of the as-yet-unnamed models.

The Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder has been revealed ahead of its physical debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show, which starts at the beginning of March. UPDATE, 4/3/19: Lamborghini's local division has issued a statement regarding local pricing and specifications for the Huracan Evo Spyder. See bottom of article for details