2000 Mercedes-Benz SL600 Reviews

Australians don’t buy cars like they used to, we know this, and we also know that SUVs and utes have filled showrooms and flown out the doors faster than they can be stocked lately - but what does the Australian car market really look like right now?

Five years after the Mercedes-AMG Project One concept broke cover at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, a full production example of the car, now simply called Mercedes-AMG One, has snatched Nurburgring lap record bragging rights, with a blistering lap of the

Renault and Geely team up to save combustion for a few more decades yet - focusing on markets outside of Europe.

Volvo has brave plans to accelerate its electrification plans, specifically in Australia to go all-electric early, but measuring itself against newcomers to the space is key to its success.The plan to go all-electric by 2026 will be backed by five new model launches, as the brand endeavours to replace or electrify all of its current nameplates.Obviously, it will face stiff competition from its traditional rivals, like BMW’s i range or Mercedes-Benz with its EQ division, but Volvo’s Australian managing director, Stephen Connor, said to succeed, the brand must pitch itself against EV newcomers.“We’ve got to move away from measuring ourselves against these traditional rivals,” he said. “We need to benchmark ourselves against newcomers, more like Tesla, BYD certainly. Why wouldn’t we see these brands as competitors? As a threat? We have to look at both the tech sector as well as the premium sector.”To that end, Volvo’s current EV strategy is notably in contrast from its premium rivals. The XC40 Recharge fully electric for example, starting from $72,990 before on-road costs is priced more closely a to Tesla Model Y (from $72,300) than the equivalent Mercedes-Benz EQA (from $78,513) or BMW iX1 (from $82,900).Targeting new-age rivals doesn’t just stop with the likes of Tesla and BYD though, Volvo Australia even considers its sister brand Polestar a rival in Australia.“Polestar is a competitor,” Mr Connor said. “We don’t discuss our product plans with them - their product strategy is different from ours and vice versa.“We don’t scrimp on safety for example, and our model range is simplified. There is one fully specified Recharge variant. In fact, we are even heading towards one powertrain, we could take out single and just sell the twin, C40 pre-sale is around 90 per cent twin motor. Simplicity is where we’re heading.”In contrast to the C40 or XC40 Recharge which is sold in just one variant with all the equipment included in either single- or dual-motor form, the mechanically related Polestar 2 starts with a much lower entry price (from $63,900 for the base Standard Range Single Motor), but requires a $3400 safety pack to match the Single Motor Volvos on active safety equipment.Volvo also plans to back its electric car strategy with an infrastructure play, installing fast-charging locations at all of its dealerships.“These will be free for our customers,” said Mr Connor. “Free coffee, tea, and our plan is for these locations to be 24/7.”While this might not provide as many locations as are offered by Tesla with its healthy list of ‘destination’ and ‘Supercharger’ locations which are mostly exclusive to Tesla owners, it does help to take the stress off for potential buyers worried about the lack of public charging locations available currently.Volvo says its fully electric move will also boost its volume, with Mr Connor claiming the brand can climb from its current 12,000 yearly units sold to 20,000 units by 2026.“By 2025 we predict we’ll be 70 percent electric anyway. We’re confident we’ll have the supply to meet our targets by 2026. If our product was available today we’d do it today. Our consumer is ready,” he said.Volvo’s next fully electric model will be the EX90, which will replace its popular XC90 large SUV. It is due to be revealed next week, for an international launch in 2023. Expect to see it in Australia some time in 2024, although Mr Connor hopes the Australian division’s new accelerated strategy may see our market prioritised for new model launches.

After years of trying and failing with worthy attempts like the i3 luxury hatchback and i8 supercar, BMW Australia seems to have finally found the right formula for electric vehicle (EV) success with the coming iX1.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed that the EQE SUV will be the brand’s true blockbuster electric vehicle, with the design and dynamic appeal to take it to the top of the EV SUV luxury class in Australia. Reported to be priced from about $160,000 when it launches sometime after the middle of next year, the newly-unveiled midsizer is taking aim at the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX and Polestar 3, as well as the A

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed it will bring a limited number of 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance F1 Editions to Australia, as the specifications for the Formula 1-inspired variant are revealed internationally.The F1 Edition, which is in other

Mercedes-Benz’s third electric SUV after the midsized EQC and compact EQA has been officially on sale in Australia since September 1, yet we hear there might still be some available stock for a pre-Christmas delivery for buyers who are quick enough.

An unlikely EV candidate, the Mercedes-Benz GLB-based EQB is a slick, safe and sound family-focused luxury SUV, and unique in offering a seven-seat option in its class. As a refined if sedate cruiser, the entry 250 front-drive works fine. But the 350 4Matic AWD has a few tricks up its sleeve, including rapid touring capabilities and a cracking chassis to boot. If only the EQB wasn't so expensive.

While Mazda remains one of the most popular car brands in Australia, maintaining a 9.1 per cent market share in the country bested only by the ever-dominant Toyota's 21.7 per cent, there are sections of the market that Mazda hopes it can muscle in on.The