Luxury

The all-new Jaguar GT EV delivers on the British car-brand's original founder's vision that a 'Jaguar should be a copy of nothing' – and then some.In fact, so radical is the four-door limo alternative to other electric limos like the Mercedes EQS, Polestar 5 and Lotus Emeya, many 'experts' thought it would be impossible to build.Little more than a year since the concept was first unwrapped, Jaguar has proven them wrong and CarsGuide is about to get its first drive in a dog-eared prototype.Work actually began on the Jaguar GT, codename X900, back in 2021 when a small black ops-style band of designers and engineers met to drive some of the classic Jaguars that have shaped the carmaker.Curiously, instead of becoming infatuated by cars like the XK120, E-type or much later XJ-S, it was a 1978 XJ-C coupe that won the team over, with the pillarless two-door delivering a masterclass in ride, refinement and effortless performance.To achieve the show car's dramatic proportions, Jaguar had to start from scratch developing both an all-new architecture and a triple-motor all-electric powertrain.In the flesh, a classic GT's long bonnet, short rear deck and ultra short overhangs are all present and correct but turned up to 11.Much bigger in the flesh than you would imagine, even with camouflage, the 5200mm length, stretched 3200mm wheelbase and standing just 1400mm tall, plus monolithic design is imposing and like nothing else.Beneath the skin, it might have been tempting to load up the Jaguar GT with all the tech it could, but engineers did the opposite. If it wasn't needed, it wasn't included.There is height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension and adaptive dampers and even rear-wheel steering, but it's all tech used previously in either Jaguars or Range Rovers.Trick roll-cancelling tech was ignored due to weight, power usage and the fact the GT has a low centre of gravity.Non-negotiables were optimum double wishbones up front and an expensive multi-link integral rear suspension, plus arran ging the battery pack for an optimum 50:50 weight distribution.Engineers also split the battery to create an area of free space within the pack itself, enabling them to mount the driver and passenger seat almost as low as the F-Type, the same arrangement also provides valuable foot room for the second row.We were permitted to climb into the rear seats, or explore the old mule that is just one of 150 prototypes that have been hot and cold-weather tested all over the world but a large boot has been promised, as well as a small frunk for cables.Leg and headroom should also be generous.Behind the wheel, the Jaguar doesn't lack pace thanks to a mighty triple-motor arrangement that pumps out a towering 768kW and 1300Nm of torque.Expect a 0-100km/h comfortably below 4.0 seconds, although in the driving mode we were limited to, instead of neck-snapping thrust, engineers focused on a more linear build-up of acceleration.Using a pair of e-motors to drive the rear axle, that alone produces 706kW, Jaguar says combined with a smaller 260kW motor driving the front wheels, it delivers a traditional rear-biased feel.The rear axle can also use the motors for torque vectoring, boosting agility further.Over a poorly surfaced road that gives a decent impression of what we're subjected to in Australia, the GT soaks up the punishment and provides easily what feels like class-best comfort.Push a little further and you'll discover there is some body roll but it's not excessive and combined with accurate and precise steering, drive-by-wire brakes that imperceptibly blend real mechanical braking with regenerative braking and you have an engaging and surprisingly authentic driving experience.Fitted with a 120kWh battery – the biggest power pack engineers could squeeze between its axles – and the new GT should be able to cover up to 700km on a single charge.Plug it in and its 800-volt architecture should ensure a 10-80 per cent recharge in around 20 minutes.In markets like the UK, the Jaguar GT is tipped to be priced around £130,000 ($260,000 plus on-roads) with the British brand preferring to sell fewer cars at high prices and profit margins than before.

You really do get what you pay for with the all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric and the more cash you splash the better the large battery-powered SUV gets.Locked in for a quarter three Australian landing, the fourth-generation all-new Cayenne is a natural rival for the Lotus Eletre and the hybrid BMW XM, as well as traditional fast SUVs that include the Range Rover Sport SV and BMW X5 M.Available in three different flavours, even the entry Cayenne Electric ($167,800 plus on-road costs) comes with dual motors that provide all-wheel drive and churn out 325kW of power. The middle-rung Cayenne S ($193,100 plus ORCs) ups that to 490kW, which is plenty for a brisk 0-100km/h of 3.8 seconds but if you can afford it we'd pay even more for the game-changing Turbo model that costs a substantial $259,900 plus on-roads.Delivering an astonishing 850kW and 1500Nm of torque, the Cayenne that shares its PPE platform with the smaller Macan, can rocket from 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds making it as quick as the German brand's latest flagship 911 Turbo S coupe and sees it on par with some so-called hypercars.No other SUV, not even the Lotus Eletre (2.95 seconds), comes close to matching the Cayenne Turbo's explosive performance off the line and, remarkably, the big Porsche SUV is no one-trick pony because it also raises the bar for thrills behind the wheel – but only if you tick a few boxes first.To unleash the full potential of the battery-electric SUV you'll need to option both the Active Ride ($17,480) and rear-wheel steering ($3570), although we could probably do without our car’s carbon-ceramic brakes and pocket the $19,520 saving.Frustratingly the Active Ride, that cancels body roll and reduces pitch and drive associated with hard acceleration and braking, isn't available on the base model which is a shame as it transforms the Cayenne into a car that drives like a much smaller, lighter sports car.Highlights include, the accurate and precise steering and a decent ride considering the epic performance on top. The full 850kW power output is only ever available during either launch control or when you stab the 'push-to-pass' button on the rotary drive mode selector on the steering wheel, with 'only' 630kW available at other times, which is more than enough to see off most Ferraris.Back off the pace and the Porsche is surprisingly relaxing, while the ride in its comfiest mode is supple enough to provide a decent impression of something far more luxurious. Just tyre noise caused by the wider rubber intrudes.Off road, the same trick suspension blesses the Cayenne with far more off-road capability, providing better wheel articulation, while the height-adjustable air springs provide up to 245mm of ground clearance.For those who live in the country, Porsche will even offer an Offroad Package ($5230) that adds a revised front and rear bumper for a better approach and departure angle, plus arches and side skirts finished in a more durable black plastic.Towing is up to 3500kg, which is impressive for a fast SUV and on par with the combustion V8 twin-turbocharged Range Rover Sport SV.While some might miss the sound of a combustion engine and find the switch to an EV daunting, Porsche has tried to take the pain out of the ownership experience.Equipped with a large 113kWh battery (net) the base Electric can cover up to 642km, while even the Turbo can still drive up to 624km on the European WLTP test cycle.Run low on juice and a 10-80 per cent charge at up to 400kW takes just 16 minutes, although on a less powerful 400-volt charging post found in Australia that figure drops to around 26 minutes.Later on, post-launch Porsche will roll out its new inductive charging tech that can top up at up to 11kW at 90 per cent efficiency without any of the faff related to plugging in your car when you get home.Even though the Cayenne is just 55mm longer than the current combustion version, the new architecture beneath sees it come with a wheelbase that's almost 130mm longer for more legroom, while headroom in the front and rear is generous and the rear boot offers up to 781 litres of space and is boosted by a decent 90-litre frunk for cables.Upfront the Porsche SUV has one of the best cabins going, marrying plenty of proper physical controls with an intuitive large infotainment system, 14.5-inch digital instrument cluster and a new 14.9-inch passenger display.Other useful additions are a new 3D augmented reality head-up display. For fit and finish the Cayenne is among the very best in its class.Standard kit for Australian models includes 14-way electric heated and ventilated seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a 360-degree camera, park assist, four-zone climate control and a Bose premium sound system.The S version adds 20-inch aero wheels, Matrix LED lamps and a heated steering wheel.Finally, the Turbo adds Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), the Turbo rear motor, larger 21-inch alloy wheels, HD matrix LED lamps, 18-way adaptive seats, a GT sports steering wheel and an uprated Bose surround sound system.

There is good news for those wanting to splash out on a new luxury car.The Australian government has signed a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union that removes the five per cent import tariff that was slugged on all vehicles built on the continent.Australia has not removed the Luxury Car Tax (LCT), which was believed to be a big part of the drawn out negotiations, but it has sweetened the deal for European-soured EVs.The LCT on European cars has been raised to $120,000, up from roughly $91,000.These two measures will slash thousands off the price of some electric cars, with the coming BMW iX3 likely to be about $10,000 cheaper than expected.There has been no movement on the LCT for petrol, hybrid or diesel powered vehicles, with those machines hit with the 33 per cent tax on every dollar over the roughly $80,000 threshold.These measures could entice other carmakers to bring their electric cars to Australia, which may have previously been considered too expensive.Head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Tony Weber said this was a win for Australian new car buyers.“The removal of the tariff is a positive outcome for Australian consumers and brings European vehicles in line with those imported from other major markets such as China, Japan, Korea and Thailand,” said Weber.Weber called for the removal of the LCT altogether.“The change to the Luxury Car Tax is incremental and leaves in place an outdated measure that no longer reflects the structure of the Australian automotive market.“Luxury car taxes were first introduced in Australia nearly 40 years ago to protect a domestic manufacturing industry which no longer exists. It serves no clear purpose other than raising revenue and continues to impose unnecessary costs on consumers,” said Weber.

BMW’s first global electric 3 Series has been revealed with a breathtaking driving range of up to 900km.Previewed by CarsGuide late last year but now officially revealed, the BMW i3 is the German giant’s next Neue Klasse (new class) model following the iX3 mid-size SUV that goes on sale in Australia mid-year.The sedan is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2027 and will be sourced from BMW's Munich plant in Germany.The next-gen internal combustion 3 Series sedan, which is based on BMW’s CLAR platform, will likely be revealed later in 2026.The headline news for the new i3 of course is that driving range. BMW says it can achieve EV range of up to 900km, although this is a provisional figure and may change by the time it makes it to production.In the prototype I sat in at the embargoed reveal in November, the mock screen readout showed the battery at 80 per cent capacity with 712km left. That means 100 per cent charge would give you 890km.This is well above the still impressive 805km range of the iX3 in 50 xDrive guise. It also outpaces the Tesla Model 3 Long Range (750km), while versions of the Lucid Air sedan (not sold in Australia) can drive up to 820km.The i3, shown in 50 xDrive guise, uses the same underpinnings as the iX3, which means the sixth generation of BMW’s eDrive, this time with 800-volt architecture. Like the iX3 it uses cylindrical cells for the high-voltage battery. This “cell-to-pack” design means high energy density and, importantly for packaging, reduced battery height.There are two motors, one on each axle, with the rear motor the primary driver for the car, but it is all-wheel drive. Outputs are 345kW of power and 645Nm of torque, matching the iX3.DC charging is technically 400kW, which BMW says can add up to 400km of range in just 10 minutes at a high-powered charging station, but these don’t exist in Australia. AC charging is up to 22kW and the i3 has bi-directional changing capability.The i3 features the same four ‘superbrains’ found in the iX3. It includes the so-called ‘Heart of Joy’, which handles driving dynamics, as well as computers for automated driving and parking, multimedia, and for other functions like vehicle access and air conditioning.Design wise it maintains a sedan silhouette although it loses some of the striking elements of the gorgeous Vision Neue Klasse concept from 2023, like the tail-lights and the low-set glasshouse.The iconic BMW kidney grille and quad headlights take on a new look too. The grille is that in name only - it’s simply blacked-out panels with illumination for the kidneys. Circular headlights are gone and replaced with quad lines and in-set headlights much like on the iX3.The famed Hoffmeister kink remains, and the boot lid kicks up at the edge for a sporty look.At 4763mm long, 1865mm wide and 1482mm tall with a 2897mm wheelbase, the new i3 is 50mm longer, 38mm wider, 42mm higher and with a 46mm longer wheelbase than the current-gen BMW 330 sedan.Inside you’ll find BMW’s Panoramic Vision which projects content and visuals across the entire width of the lower edge of the windscreen. It also has a 17.9-inch central display touchscreen and a multifunction steering wheel with ‘Shy Tech’ controls that appear only when required. There’s also an updated version of its voice control system, a new digital key and an optional 3D head-up display.While BMW previously sold an electric 3 Series in China with the i3 badge, this is the first truly global 3 Series EV. It also marks a return of the i3 badge in Australia after the small tallboy hatchback that was discontinued in 2021.You can expect a Touring wagon version at some point, as well as high-performance electric M3 and lower grade models, too.

In Audi’s latest round of financial results for 2026, the German luxury brand confirmed “the focus” would be on its latest and largest product, the Q9 flagship SUV.

Less is more with the freshly revealed Ferrari Amalfi Spider, claims the Italian supercar-maker.That's because, by removing the Amalfi coupe's roof, you remove the barrier to one of motoring's most intoxicating experiences – the sound of a V8 roadster in full song – or at least that's what its designer told CarsGuide at the recent Ferrari roadster's official launch.Created to beat the likes of the Aston Martin Roadster, Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet and even bigger drop-tops like the Bentley Continental GTC, the true beauty of the new Amalfi Spider is with its roof up it looks identical to the drop-dead gorgeous coupe.Not an easy task, say designers, but one accomplished to such an extent in a wind tunnel the Amalfi roadster replicates the same air-bending prowess as its hardtop sibling.The Ferrari drop-top also possesses the same advanced aero that includes neat front headlamp air intakes, underbody vortex generators, large functional side skirts and larger-still rear diffuser and, its pièce de résistance, a three-stage rear spoiler.Roof up, and the Amalfi's five-layer 220mm-thick hood also offers the same sound and heat insulation as the retractable hardtop favoured by the former Portofino, bringing enhanced levels of refinement on a cruise.Lowering the ragtop at speeds of up to 60km/h is a process that takes just 13.5 seconds.Aside from shrinking luggage space from 255 litres to 172 litres – the good news continues with the promise of class-best roof down comfort.Recruiting an aerodynamicist from Ferrari's F1 team, the Amalfi rear seats' backrest raises by 90 degrees at speeds of up to 170km/h reducing buffeting and boominess other convertibles suffer with at high speed.Ferrari only refers to its latest Amalfi as a '2+', as the rear seats don't quite justify '2+2' status, with limited legroom suited only for very small kids.Not that you'd buy the entry Ferrari for doing the school run, instead you'd pick the fast supercar because of its performance and the way it rewards behind the wheel.The good news is despite the addition of an electric motor for the roof and all the extra bracing needed the kerbweight has only increased by 86kg to a still lithe 1556kg without fluids.Mounted mid-ship under the bonnet is the coupe's sublime twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 that produces an identical 471kW of power and a thumping 760Nm of torque.Off the line, with only the modest increase in mass, Ferrari claims the roofless version of the coupe matches the 3.3 seconds the standard coupe takes to launch from 0-100km/h.Top speed remains a very blustery 320km/h.Coping with a slight change in weight distribution from 50:50 to 48:52, engineers have given the Amalfi Spider new springs and dampers that help it dynamically match the fine ride/handling balance as the coupe.Ensuring it should be fun behind the wheel the Ferrari scores the same ABS Evo brake-by-wire braking, advanced 6D sensors and latest 6.1 version of its Side Slip Control (SSC) that have all been honed by the carmaker's F80 hypercar and should ensure it will be fast, engaging and prove wildly entertaining behind the wheel.Speaking of which, like the coupe unveiled back in 2025 the new Amalfi Spider comes with a new steering wheel design that brings back physical buttons and features an anodised aluminium start button.Within there's also a large 15.6-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch multimedia screen and further 8.8-inch display that can broadcast the g-force, revs and high speeds to your terrified passenger, with all three working with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.Offered with three different comfort seats tailored to your size, the new pews come with 10 different air chambers and provide for a massage function.There's even the option of a powerful 14-speaker 1200-watt Burmester sound system should you ever tire of the twin-turbo V8 soundtrack.Set to land in Australia in around quarter three (July-Sept) of 2027, the Ferrari Amalfi Spider is likely to command a price premium of around $70,000 over the already-hefty $503,261 (before on-road costs) charged for the coupe version.That means it will command a significant premium over the two-seat Aston Martin Vantage Roadster ($435,000) and the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible ($452,670) but could be priced on par with the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet that is yet to be costed for our market.

Having launched the pure-electric version of its Cayenne large SUV late last year, Porsche Cars Australia has released details of a new all-wheel drive S Electric model, positioned between the existing entry-grade Electric and top-spec Turbo Electric.Scheduled for arrival in the third quarter of this year, the the Cayenne S Electric is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor on each axle producing 400kW (up to 490kW with launch control) which is a mid-point between the base model’s 325kW and the Turbo’s 630kW (850kW with Launch Control).Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is a seriously rapid 3.8 seconds and a 113kWh (gross capacity) drive battery delivers combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) range of 635km (WLTP).With a charging capacity of up to 400kW Porsche says the Cayenne S Electric can be charged from 10-80 per cent in 16 minutes at that rate.And as per the Cayenne Turbo Electric, the Cayenne S Electric uses direct oil cooling for the rear-axle electric motor to dissipate heat directly from the current-carrying components.Car spotters should look out for specific front and rear aprons finished in ‘Volcano Grey Metallic’, body colour on selected inserts and the rear diffuser as well as 20-inch ‘Aero’ rims.2026 Porsche Cayenne pricing2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric powertrain and efficiencyThe Cayenne S Electric is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor on each axle producing a combined 400kW (up to 490kW with launch control).Combined cycle energy consumption is between 21.7–19.2kWh/100 km with range at 635km (WLTP).2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric standard featuresAside from included safety tech, standard feature highlights are:20-inch ‘Aero’ alloy wheelsPrivacy glassParking Entry Package (with ‘Surround View’ and ‘Self-Steering ParkAssist’)Digital radioExterior colour - up to and including the ‘Dreams’ range as no-cost options14-way electric comfort seats with memory packageBose ‘Surround Sound System’Panoramic roof systemSeat ventilation (front)Four-zone automatic climate controlOptions:Porsche Torque Vectoring PlusPorsche Active Ride suspensionPorsche Ceramic Composite Brake (with yellow-painted brake callipers)2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric coloursExterior colour options (standard): WhiteChromite Black MetallicVanadium Grey MetallicCarrara White MetallicDolomite Silver MetallicMystic Green MetallicMadeira Gold MetallicAlgarve Blue MetallicNapali Blue MetallicOptional ($7370):Oak Green Metallic NeoPale Blue MetallicSlate Grey NeoMonteverde MetallicInterior colour options:Partial leather - Black - Black/Chalk BeigeLeather - Black - Black/Lavender - Black/Magnesium Grey - Black/Sage Grey - Black/Bordeaux Red - Black/Chalk Beige - Black/Chalk BeigeSynthetic leather - BlackClub leather - Espresso - Bramble2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric safetyThe Porsche Cayenne has not been assessed by ANCAP but standard safety features include:‘ParkAssist’ (front and rear) including reversing camera3D Surround View with Active Parking Support (Self-steering Park Assist)Warning and Brake Assist incl. Pedestrian protectionDriver Awareness DetectionLane Change Assist - Blind-spot monitoring and Rear AssistLane Keeping AssistTraffic sign recognitionAirbags - front, front side (thorax), side curtain (covering both rows) and knee airbags for driver and front passenger2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric warranty and servicingService interval - 12 months / 15,000 kmWarranty - Three years / unlimited km (including paint)Battery warranty - Eight years / 160,000km12-year rust warrantyRoadside assist - Three years2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric dimensionsLength - 4991mmWidth - 1980mmHeight - 1674mmWheelbase - 3023mm

Australians love the Cupra Formentor. Last year, we snapped up almost 1500 of the Spanish brand's mid-size SUV. But despite our deep affection, until now, the flagship high-performance VZ5 version of the Formentor has been cruelly denied to anyone pining for a faster version.That changes from this December when the fire-breathing Formentor VZ5 finally arrives in right-hand drive for the first time – but you'd better be quick because almost as soon as production begins, ever-tightening EU7 emissions regs will see its exotic Audi RS3-sourced 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine killed off forever.There's no word just how many we'll get Down Under, but when sales start at the end of the year expect a healthy five-figure premium over the $65,790 charged for the current flagship VZx, that only makes do with a punier 2.0-litre turbo.In the flesh, designers didn't exactly get carried away with the upgrades over the regular Formentor and we think only real performance car geeks will spot the different 20-inch alloy wheels, extended front splitter, tweaked rear bumper and diffuser plus some purposeful wider arches.For everyone else, the dead giveaways will be the diagonally stacked copper-coloured tips and tell-tale 'VZ5' badging.Inside, just a pair of standard figure-hugging 'Cup' bucket seats are the only evidence you're sitting in a VZ5 – a statement of intent, perhaps, of the higher g-forces occupants will endure.The star of the show, of course, lurks beneath the bonnet – the same exotic 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo that offers an offbeat growling soundtrack and delivers devastating performance in the Audi RS3.Except the Formentor VZ5 turbo five-cylinder doesn't quite produce the same 294kW and 500Nm as the hyper hatch. Instead, it has been detuned to 287kW and a lesser 480Nm of torque but still gets the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard all-wheel drive.Like the RS3 it borrows its heart from, the family-friendly SUV bags the Audi RS3's wild torque splitting rear differential that boosts on-road agility and provides for a proper drift mode on track. On a fast flowing race circuit you'll also be grateful engineers have fitted bigger Akebona six-piston performance brakes.Off the line, with plenty of traction available the Formentor VZ5 rips from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds – a cool 0.7 seconds quicker than the 228kW VZx making it one of the fastest combustion-powered SUVs out there.It sounds good, too, like a rally refugee from the late eighties, although noise regulations mean there's not quite enough noise piped into the cabin.Inside, providing extra support on track Cupra have made the Cup bucket seats that were optional on the VZx standard – and that's it.On road, first impressions are mixed. We think many will love the exotic sound of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder but wish the soundtrack were a little louder.The RS3 engine is also hamstrung by the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission's lack of smoothness around town but peel off onto a country road and all is forgiven, thanks to its sharp up- and downshifts.Push a little harder than you would on Australian roads and the powerful brakes are easily up for the challenge, but it's difficult to detect the rear torque-splitting differential in action, compared to how effective it is in the smaller, lighter Audi hot hatch.One final gripe about the way the flagship Formentor drives, is that the lighter VZx has better steering feel and isn't that much slower cross-country than the VZ5, but we think most diehard performance fans will shrug off its 10.1L/100km average and be seduced by the quicker, more powerful car with its racier soundtrack.

BMW has released details of its sharply-priced revamped iX3 electric compact SUV, with serious boosts to driving range and power output. The new-generation mid-size SUV starts from $109,900, before on-road costs, which is $5000 cheaper than the previous base model iX3 when it was released. BMW slashed the price of its previous- gen iX3 by more than $10,000 in 2023, with this latest version representing a return to the $100K+ bracket for the SUV. The car's price still sits below previous expectations of a $120K price tag, making the iX3 competitive compared to its segment rivals.It comes in as more affordable than a comparative all-wheel drive Audi Q6 e-tron, which starts from more than $120,000, before on-roads. It is also cheaper than the electric Genesis GV70, all-wheel drive Porsche Macan and dual-motor Polestar 3, with all three cars priced in the $130K+ bracket.There have been substantial improvements to the new-generation iX3 across the board. Its bigger 108kWh battery has a driving range of more than 800km (WLTP), nearly doubling that of the outgoing model and its 800-volt platform facilitates DC charging from 10-80 per cent in 21 minutes. The new SUV's dual electric motor set-up provides 345kW and 645Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds, utilising its all-wheel drive system.This means the iX3 has taken a significant step up on the set-up in the outgoing rear-wheel drive only iX3, which had a driving range of 460km and outputs of 210kW/400Nm.The car gets plenty of gear as standard, such as BMW’s wrap-around dashboard display and a head-up display. Seats are trimmed in a synthetic leather, with the front ones electrically operated and heated, and there is a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The new iX3 will launch in the middle of 2026, with more variants expected to follow soon after. 2026 BMW iX3 pricing Australia2026 BMW iX3 electric motor and efficiency2026 BMW iX3 standard features20-inch wheelsHead-up displayPanoramic digital dashboard displayPanoramic sunroofElectrically adjustable seats with memory functionHeated front seatsHeated steering wheelSynthetic leather seatsElectrically operated tailgateAutomatic air conditioningAmbient lightingPremium Harmon Kardon sound system2026 BMW iX3 safetyThe new BMW iX3 has not been crash tested yet. Standard safety features include: Adaptive cruise controlPark assistLane keep assistSteering assist2026 BMW iX3 warrantyAll new electric BMW cars are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000-kilometre battery warranty. 

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 24,122 BMWs and Mini derivatives sold new in Australia from 2010 to 2022.It confirms that examples of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series (F0x, F1x, F2x, F3x, G1, G3x), the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 (F48, F39, F1x, F2x, G0x) as well as the Mini Cooper (F5x) and Countryman (F6x) have been impacted.The notice said, “Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak. “If this occurs, the leaking coolant and recirculated exhaust gas may combine, which may result in a reduction of engine power and potentially a fire while driving,” the notice said. The department added, “A reduction of engine power whilst driving and/or a vehicle fire could increase the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and/or damage to property.”All grades of the nominated models sold from 2010 to 2022 are potentially included and the department says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BMW requesting they schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised BMW dealer for replacement of the EGR cooler, free of charge.Alternatively, BMW can be contacted on 1800 243 675, through email info@bmw.com.au or via www.recall.bmw.com.au. This recall comes on the back of another large scale recall alert last month impacting 16,578 BMWs sold new in Australia from 2020 to 2023.In that case, examples of the 2,3,4,5,7 Series (G12, G2x, G3x, G42), X3 (G01), X4 (G02), X5 (G05) and Z4 (G29) were found to have been exposed to a potential manufacturing defect which means the starter motor solenoid switch could experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit and in a worst case scenario “a fire during vehicle operation”.