Articles by John Law

Mazda revealed a facelift BT-50 at the Thailand Motor Expo, but there’s a twist.

The most expensive Prado wears the name of the National Park in which its Australian media launch took place.At the top of the Prado tree, the Kakadu moves back to match the VX's appearance with 20-inch alloy wheels, body colour bumper trims, illuminated side steps and 'Lux' grille.Inside, it has genuine leather-accented upholstery, heated steering wheel, heating and ventilation for the front and second row outboard seats, eight-way power adjust for the driver and four-way for the passenger.Carpet floor mats, a refrigerated centre cubby, power-adjust steering column, 14-speaker JBL sound system, terrain monitoring cameras and a panoramic sunroof finish off the ritzy Kakadu's equipment list.The Prado has not been rated by ANCAP yet but comes fully featured with adaptive cruise control (that can be set to regular if you wish), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign assist, driver-attention monitoring, rear occupant alert and nine airbags.It uses the same 'GA-F' ladder frame platform as the larger 300 Series and a version of the old 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with a 'V-Active' 48-volt starter generator. The Prado now has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.The Kakadu builds on the list of features with adaptive dampers, five on-road drive modes, a torsen limited-slip rear differential and Toyota's multi-terrain select off-road system.

Reports are circulating like wildfire about a 'mini' Toyota LandCruiser FJ. 

Subaru has announced minor model year changes for the 2025 BRZ sports coupe. The small changes are limited to the addition of a full-size spare tyre in the flagship BRZ tS trim level (matching others) and a ‘Sport’ mode for manual variants. The new Sport mode sharpens up the throttle response when engaged.It also benefits from higher downshift tolerance in automatic models. Otherwise, the range is unchanged — including price — with the manual BRZ Coupe priced from $43,790, the S from $45,090 and tS $48,690, all before on-road costs. It does not get the revised dampers and updated daytime running lights as seen in Japanese-market BRZs.  Unlike the Hyundai i30 N, Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GR86, Subaru has kept the price of its manual BRZ $1000 below automatic models. There are no other changes for MY25, despite Toyota rolling out minor chassis and technology updates for its GR86 for the next calendar years. Under the BRZ’s bonnet is the same 2.4-litre flat-four ‘boxer’ engine developing peak power and torque outputs of 174kW and 250Nm. A six-speed manual or automatic transmission transfers drive to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, dual-zone climate control, 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather-trimmed shifter and steering wheel, cloth upholstery, push-button start and Subaru’s 'EyeSight' safety suite. The mid-level S upgrades upholstery to a blend of synthetic leather and ‘Ultrasuede’ and adds a heating function for front occupants.At the top of the tree, the track-focussed tS adds STI-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, darker alloys, blacked-out mirrors and roof antenna, a red/black interior trim combo and an STI-specific cluster design.The Toyota GR86 is reportedly coming in for another major update in the next few years with Toyota allegedly taking over the lead position on the joint-model program from Subaru, meaning a turbo-petrol engine is likely in the future.Correction: this article previously stated the 2025 BRZ would be equipped with updated dampers and light designs. This is not the case in Australia, only in Japan.  2025 Subaru BRZ pricingAll prices listed are before on-road costs  

The 2025 Toyota Prado Altitude is the most identifiable of all variants, with the heritage square grille, chunky tyres and a choice of two unique colours — Ningaloo Blue or Tanami Taupe — paired with a light grey roof.Like the GX, the five-seat Altitude is a much more practical offering than the compromised seven-seat Prados.Along with the unique matte grey 18-inch alloy wheels and Toyo Open Country 265/70R18 tyres, the Altitude gets a locking rear different, front stabiliser disconnect system, passive dampers, 221mm ground clearance, Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Crawl Control and Toyota's multi-terrain select off-road system.Though it's rough and tumble, the Prado Altitude is equipped with a few more goodies than the VX, with genuine leather-accented upholstery, a heated steering wheel, digital rear-view mirror, heating and ventilation for the front seats, eight-way power adjust for the driver and four-way for the passenger.A refrigerated centre cubby, carpet floor mats, power-adjust steering column, 14-speaker JBL sound system and sunroof round out the appointments.The Prado is yet to be crash tested ANCAP yet but comes fully featured with adaptive cruise control (that can be set to regular if you wish), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign assist, driver-attention monitoring, rear occupant alert and nine airbags.Toyota's latest Prado uses the same 'GA-F' ladder frame platform as the larger 300 Series and a version of the old 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with a 'V-Active' 48-volt starter generator.The Altitude has full-time four-wheel drive comes and easily-engaged high and low range. All Prados have a 3500kg braked towing capacity and the Altitude's payload is 580kg.

In a shock announcement, Toyota has started running down the clock on ‘A90’ Supra sports car production.

GMSV has announced details of its genuine accessories range for the Silverado 1500 pick-up. Comprising two bespoke packs along with standalone options, the genuine accessories will help owners and future buyers toughen up and customise their big utes. The Chevrolet Silverado is available in three trims in Australia, where it is locally converted to right-hand drive. The LTZ Premium ($130,500, before on-road costs) is focused on towing and carrying big cargo while the ZR2 ($138,500) has an off-road bent. Reflecting each trim’s target audience, GMSV has put together a pair of genuine accessory packs. The ZR2’s Terrain Pack costs $4192 (plus GST and installation) and features a soft tonneau cover, sports bar, weathershields, black exterior bashing, heavy-duty side steps and sill protectors.Meanwhile the LTZ Premium Black Pack is a $3032 (plus GST and installation) indulgence featuring black  20-inch alloy wheels and black badging all around, right down to the Z71 emblems and Chevy ‘bow-tie’ badge."We know that so many of our customers personalise their Silverado, and the launch of these dealer-fitted accessory packs will give them even more choice, while at the same time simplifying the process,” said GM Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Jess Bala.Aside from the packs, there’s now a massive catalogue of stand-alone accessories. You can get soft, hard roll-up, lockable tri-fold or a key fob-controlled electric rolling tonneau covers, a swing-out toolbox, cargo nets, cross rails, tailgate gap cover and cross rails, on the practicality side of things. Visual enhancements include weathershields, your choice of silver or black script, sill guards, black or chrome side steps, a sports bar and black wheel nuts. The Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium can be optioned with a bonnet deflector, black badges and emblems, different mudguards and high-gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels.Inside, goodies like a centre console organiser, all-weather floormats and lockable rear-seat storage container are available from dealers. On the towing side of things, GMSV dealers offer 50mm tow balls for up to 3500kg braked towing or a larger 70mm ball that covers you for 4500kg. Compatible trailers can have a camera that aids visibility by ‘seeing through’ the load. As the accessories are genuine GM products, GMSV Australia and New Zealand warranties the parts with the balance of the new vehicle warranty, or 24 months/50,000km from the date of fitment, whichever is greater. The Silverado 1500 was one of the earlier arrivals in Australia’s burgeoning American pick-up ute market along with the RAM 1500. Ford has arrived with its F-150, and Toyota’s Tundra is in dealerships now as well. Chevrolet’s Silverado has a 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine which develops 313kW and 624Nm in 1500 guise. A Silverado 2500 HD is also available packing a 350kW/1322Nm ‘Cummins’ 6.6-litre turbo-diesel. 

In almost every measurement, the new 250 Series LandCruiser Prado leaps ahead of its predecessor. 

The seven-seat Toyota Prado VX is aimed at the affluent buyer who drives mostly on sealed roads.It gets a traditional 'Lux' grille design along with 20-inch alloy wheels and body-colour cladding, think of the VX as a high-sheen RM Williams to the GX's steel-toed Blundstones.Inside, the theme continues with genuine leather-accented upholstery, heating and ventilation for the front seats, eight-way power adjust for the driver and four-way for the passenger.A refrigerated centre cubby, carpet floor mats, power-adjust steering column, 14-speaker JBL sound system — that isn’t a huge upgrade — and terrain monitoring cameras finish out the equipment levels.The Prado has not been rated by ANCAP yet but comes fully featured with adaptive cruise control (that can be set to regular if you wish), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign assist, driver-attention monitoring, rear occupant alert and nine airbags.It uses the same 'GA-F' ladder frame platform as the larger 300 Series and a version of the old 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with a 'V-Active' 48-volt starter generator. The VX also gets adaptive dampers with greater drive mode customisation and the same 3500kg braked towing capacity.

Toyota’s flagship sports car is gearing up to drop a pair of cylinders and its BMW roots come the next generation. That’s according to BestCar, known for its well-placed insider sources in key Japanese carmakers including Toyota. The current Supra went on sale in 2019 and is expected to be replaced come 2027. The Supra was rumoured to be going all-electric, but it appears the coupe will either get hybrid propulsion alongside, or instead of, battery-electric. It is the hybrid powertrain that’s got us excited, though, with reports pointing to Toyota’s new downsized four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine sitting under the bonnet. Toyota announced the new engine line-up in May at its Multi-Pathway workshop. It is widely expected that these new engines will power everything from updated family SUVs such as the RAV4, all the way up to flagships sports cars, the reborn Celica and revised Supra. The 2.0-litre turbo will come in two trims, with the more powerful (mooted for the Supra) developing 294kW and 500Nm, an uplift over the current Supra’s 285kW/500Nm 3.0-litre ’six. Expect it to be teamed with a parallel hybrid system, similar to the one seen in Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrids sold in North America. Instead of a separate electric motor, it is located between the engine and eight- or potentially 10-speed automatic transmission, meaning the new Supra should be able to run on petrol-power alone with real gear shifts. It sounds like a similar solution to the one Mazda is going to roll out for the production version of its Iconic SP sports car concept. BestCar has created render images of the future Supra, leaning on the proportions of the existing 'A90' model but with big changes to front and rear clips that give it a more modern look.The new Supra is reported to be a Toyota-only project, leaving BMW and its Z4 behind. Toyota recently took over the lead in its smaller GR86/BRZ sports car project with Subaru.For BMW, the Z4 is a niche vehicle, finding only 81 homes so far this year in Australia, while Lotus has sold 126 Emiras and Toyota 213 Supras. There is no official confirmation of the Supra’s next generation from Japan or Australia yet, however, the company recently pledged the sports car to Australia’s premier racing series, Supercars, beginning in 2026.