Car News

Audi and Porsche are working together on what Audi today called the ‘premium platform electric’ (PPE), which will underpin a series of models across vehicles spanning the B, C and D-segments. This partnership's outcome will underpin the upcoming Porsche Taycan, as well as the Audi e-tron Sportback concept expected to be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show in November.

BMW has announced its competitor to MBUX, dubbed Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA), ahead of its production debut in March next year. As is now standard in smart speakers from Google, Apple and Amazon, you can prompt the IPA with 'Hey BMW' – good luck to owners with a Google Home – and it'll take care of essentially any of the in-car functions for you. Owners can also name their car's assistant, with BMW offering Charlie or Joy as suggestions.

La Trobe University has called for more consideration of autonomous vehicles in future infrastructure planning decisions, having concluded a 12-month self-driving bus trial on campus. More than 500 students and staff rode the 'Autonobus' during its year on the La Trobe Bundoora campus, before providing feedback about the experience.

Hydrogen made in a CSIRO laboratory has been used to power a car for the first time, with chief executive Larry Marshall today taking a ride in a car powered by the lab-produced fuel. According to the organisation, the process "will pave the way for bulk hydrogen to be transported in the form of ammonia, using existing infrastructure, and then reconverted back to hydrogen at the point of use".

Seat has debuted its new 'Digital Cockpit' on the Arona crossover and Ibiza hatchback this week. Measuring 10.25 inches, the optional Seat Digital Cockpit "not only has a more modern and versatile design, but provides greater functionality, allowing drivers to view everything from classic information found on analogue dials, such as speedometer and tachometer, to full-colour maps and navigation".