android auto

Android Auto, Google's smartphone mirroring system, has been given its first major makeover since it was introduced in 2015. The key change is a revised navigation bar across the bottom of the screen, which will soon feature a home button on the left side, and notification and voice command buttons on the right. In between is a dynamic section displaying audio or phone controls when you're in the navigation screen, and navigation instructions everywhere else.

Remember all that talk about whether Mazda was charging too much for its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit? It looks like the price is right, because the company has around 3000 people requesting the upgrade. That's according to Alastair Doak, marketing director at Mazda Australia, who today told CarAdvice the company has already re-ordered parts from Japan twice, suggesting demand has exceeded expectations.

The Mazda CX-8 has received a refresh in its home market of Japan, in similar fashion to the smaller and related CX-5, adding two petrol engine options to the range. Like the CX-5 and the CX-9, the 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine makes a healthy 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.

People often say “don’t forget where you came from”. Although we’re focused on every new car, every last detail here at CarAdvice, we have an extensive back-catalogue of news stories, lifestyle yarns and reviews. Here’s a look at what happened on the week of June 26 in years past. The all-new X5 was revealed just weeks ago, and one year ago today saw the debut of the smaller X3.

Australian pricing and specs for the revised 2018 Maserati GranCabrio have been announced, with the V8 Italian drop-top to kick off from $335,000 before on-road costs. The car will be offered in two trim levels: Sport (below in blue) and MC, or Maserati Corse (above). Both are powered by the same naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre V8 engine, making 343kW and 520Nm. It's hooked up to a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox with unique Maserati tuning.