Articles by Robbie Wallis

The Mercedes-Benz G-Professional cab-chassis and wagon range has reached the end of the line in Australia, with just a few examples left at dealerships, all of which are expected to be sold by the end of this year.

Jaguar Land Rover Australia has revealed full pricing and specification details for its all-new Defender SUV, with the nine-variant line-up set to arrive in local showrooms in June.

Toyota has uncovered an all-new pure-electric city car designed exclusively for the Japanese market, meeting the mobility needs of customers who make regular, short-distance trips such as the elderly, new drivers or business people.Set for a Japanese release in late 2020, the yet-to-be-named battery electric vehicle (BEV) is incredibly diminutive in stature, measuring just 2490mm long, 1290mm wide and 1550mm tall, making it shorter and narrower than the current Smart ForTwo.The two-seater hatch features a range of 100km on a single charge and has a top speed of just 60km/h. A tight turning circle combines with its size to make it easy to navigate through tight urban spaces.No details have been given on the battery-electric powertrain’s output, however a full charge takes five hours with a 200V outlet.Toyota development chief Akihiro Yanaka said the vehicle was designed with Japan’s ageing population in mind.“We want to create a mobility solution that can support Japan's ageing society and provide freedom of movement to people at all stages of life,” he said.“With the ultra-compact BEV, we are proud to offer customers a vehicle that not only allows for greater autonomy, but also requires less space, creates less noise and limits environmental impact.”Along with the launch late next year, Toyota is planning a new business model aimed to spur on the greater adoption of BEVs in general.To help put this into action, the brand will focus on programs designed to recycle batteries, starting with examining every step of the battery’s life from manufacture to sale, resale or re-use, and recycling in order to maximise its value.Toyota will create initiatives designed to recapture used batteries which can then be evaluated and re-used in pre-owned vehicles, as service parts and even in applications outside of cars.Peripheral services for BEVs such as recharging stations and insurance are also being developed by Toyota.The ultra-compact BEV will be shown at the Tokyo motor show this month alongside three different ‘walking area’ BEVs that will available for test rides, along with the i-Road three-wheeled scooter concept.The ultra-compact BEV will not be released in Australia.

Mercedes-AMG has announced an update for its high-performance GT two-door coupe and convertible range, ushering in a range of new features, updating pricing and removing the entry-level GT grade from the line-up.The removal of the GT Coupe and Roadster means variant choice has been slimmed from six to four – the GT S, GT C and GT R Coupe, and GT C Roadster – with pricing now kicking off from $311,142 plus on-roads for the GT S Coupe.Topping the range is the fire-breathing GT R Coupe from $361,042, with all four variants seeing increases in sticker price from between $10,272 and $14,472.To help justify the increase in price, AMG has added a number of specification features across the range, starting with technology derived from the GT 4-door Coupe that touched down in Australia in July.A new centre console now contains the AMG Drive Unit controls arranged in a V layout, with buttons to select drive programs and control dynamic functions.AMG has fitted a new Performance steering wheel which includes a rotary dial for easy switching between drive modes, as well as a second switch that toggles two different performance shortcuts and can be engaged while performing spirited driving without the driver’s eyes leaving the road.Inside, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster has been added to sit alongside the 10.25-inch media display with Apple and Google smartphone integration, while the Mercedes me Connect system which allows the owner to view key functions and relevant vehicle data via a linked smartphone app has also been included.From the outside, new LED headlights, alloy wheel designs and paint hues join the range.Now the entry-level variant, the GT S Coupe uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, like all other GT variants.Under the bonnet of the GT S, the V8 develops 384kW at 6250rpm and 670Nm from 1900-5000rpm, sipping 9.5 litres of fuel per 100km and sprinting from zero to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.Standard kit in the GT S includes heated sports seats with Nappa leather upholstery, leather/Dinamica microfibre AMG Performance steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, 640W 10-speaker Burmester sound system, AMG Ride Control suspension, variable sports exhaust, AMG limited-slip differential on the rear axle, high-performance brakes with red callipers, retractable rear aerofoil and staggered matte black AMG alloy wheels, measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear.Moving up to the GT C, power from the twin-turbo V8 is upped to 410kW from 5750-6750rpm and 680Nm from 2100-5500rpm, while drinking 11.5L/100km of fuel and sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in 3.7s.Added specification over the GT S includes AMG Performance seats, microfibre AMG Performance steering wheel, seating ventilation, titanium grey five twin-spoke alloy wheels and the AMG Dynamic Plus package with dynamic engine and transmission mounts, tighter suspension and steering tunes, and and rear-axle steering.The Roadster adds a soft-top roof with fabric roof lining and Airscarf neck heating.Topping the range is the GT R Roadster which bumps up outputs to 430kW at 6250rpm and 700Nm from 2100-5500rpm, while fuel economy has improved 0.1L/100km and zero-to-100km times reduced by 0.1s over the GT C.The GT R scores exclusive performance equipment including the AMG Interior Night package with with high-gloss black trim features, AMG interior piano lacquer package, Nappa/microfibre upholstery, carbon-fibre roof, static rear aerofoil, sport tyres and yellow brake callipers. 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT pricing before on-road costs:

BMW has revealed its high-performance four-door M8 Competition Gran Coupe, which will be touching down locally in the second quarter of next year to join the two-door Coupe and Convertible versions due around the same time.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has announced mild 2020 model-year pricing and spec updates for its Triton pick-up, with a focus on increasing standard specification of its volume-selling mid-spec variants.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has applied a light model-year update to its Eclipse Cross small SUV, with some minor changes to specification and the introduction of a new variant.The mid-spec LS grade, previously only offered with front-wheel

Jeep Australia has released pricing and specification for the latest full-time addition to its Grand Cherokee large SUV range, with the luxury-oriented Summit grade checking in as the flagship non-performance variant in the line-up at $84,450 plus on-roads.

Audi has ripped the covers off its all-new, second-generation RS7 Sportback performance sedan, ushering in new levels of performance ahead of a public debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

Tesla Motors has expanded its all-electric Model 3 medium sedan range with the inclusion of the Long Range variant, which adds a second motor to the entry-level Standard Range Plus version and is priced at $85,000 before on-road costs.