Luxury

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”.

Mercedes-Benz has released pricing for its Maybach SL680 luxury large convertible coupe. The SL680 will start in price from $463,900, before on-road costs, making it one of the most expensive cars in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. Maybach variants have usually been reserved for ultra-luxury limousines, such as the S680, but this takes a different line, focusing on a more sporty experience. It lines up as a direct rival to the Bentley Continental GT convertible, which also is powered by a V8, starting from $504,700, before on-road costs. It will also be an alternative to the electric-powered Rolls-Royce Spectre, starting from $800,000 (before on-roads). The SL680’s 4.0-litre V8 produces 430kW and 800Nm, which is more than the Continental GT.The car comes as standard with an all-wheel drive system and is capable of completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds. It gets a sweeping exterior design, and with 50 paint choices, as well as 21-inch wheels in two options, the second of which is a multi-spoke design costing $12,900.It has polished interior elements, including silver chrome trim and illuminated door sills, along with a wood and leather steering wheel. There are Napper leather seats, which are heated and ventilated, as well as a premium 17-speaker Burmester audio system, which can output 1220 watts. It also gets all the accessories you would expect as standard like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and wireless phone charging. It also features Mercedes’ augmented reality navigation system.As you would expect, this high-end Mercedes has some seriously pricey options aside from the aforementioned wheels.For $16,900, the car can be fitted with a Mercedes-Maybach pattern on the bonnet and for an extra $24,300 the whole car can be finished in an exclusive paint. The SL680 adds to the Mercedes Maybach range, which already includes versions of the S-Class limousine, as well as the EQS and GLS SUVs.2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 pricing Australia 2026 Mercedes-Benz SL680 engine and efficiency2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 standard featuresOther standard features include: Head-up display64-colour ambient lightingHeated wood and leather steering wheelSilver chrome trim elementsIlluminated door sillsHeated and ventilated front seats with massage function 2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 safetyThe Mercedes-Benz SL680 has not been crash tested by ANCAP.Standard safety features: Adaptive cruise controlLane keep assist360-degree cameraLane change assistSteer assistMemory parking assist2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 warranty All Mercedes-Benz models are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

Lexus’ latest high-performance offering flew off the shelves when it first launched, but now a new influx of stock means wait times have been slashed.According to Lexus Australia, there is now only a wait of up to three months for a LBX Morizo RR, which is down from the circa 12-month wait as reported in November 2025.“The LBX Morizo RR proves that high‑performance and sophisticated luxury can coexist in a compact SUV. The current wait time is up to three months, depending on the choice of colour and trim,” said a Lexus Australia spokesperson.It’s unclear how much LBX Morizo RR stock is coming in this latest allocation, or if stock is more free-flowing now.It’s understood only 100 examples of this hot SUV were allocated to Australia for the first year of production and all of these sold out quickly, creating a backlog of orders.The LBX Morizo RR is based on the regular LBX SUV but is also essentially a more sophisticated and high-riding version of the Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla.It’s a personal favourite for former Toyota Motor Corporation President and CEO Akio Toyoda, whose nickname and pseudonym as a racer is Morizo.At the heart of this hot, pint-sized SUV is a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 206kW and 390Nm.This engine also features in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla but it’s slightly detuned. In those aforementioned cars the engine produces 221kW and 400Nm.The only transmission option offered in Australia is an eight-speed torque-converter automatic. However, a six-speed manual is offered in Japan.Pricing for the LBX Morizo RR is currently $76,490 before on-road costs. This is almost $20,000 more than the top-spec version of the regular LBX Hybrid. It’s also $6000 more than the top-spec GR Corolla GTS automatic.

Polestar has lowered the price of some grades of its updated Polestar 3 in Australia. The refreshed electric SUV starts from $116,700, before on-road costs, for the base single motor, which is more than $1700 cheaper than the previous model. The long-range variant is $1600 cheaper than last year’s pricing, while the top-grade Performance has increased nearly $2300, starting from $146,700 (before on-road costs).The Polestar 3 is a rival for the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE, which both have starting prices north of the $130K price bracket. The main change for the Polestar 3 is the addition of 800-volt architecture, which has improved charging times by more than 25 per cent, according to the brand. Neither the BMW or the Mercedes-Benz are built on an 800-volt platform, both have 400-volt architecture instead, meaning the Polestar offers faster charging times than its rivals. All variants can charge at more than 300kW, facilitating a 10-80 per cent charge time of 22 minutes across the range. The Polestar may charge faster, but driving range remains competitive between the trio. The 111kWh battery on the previous model is no longer available on the Polestar 3, due to compatibility with the new 800-volt platform.The base rear motor variant now comes with a 92kWh battery, which has a driving range of 604km, down from more than 700km. Dual-motor variants get a 106kWh battery. The cheaper dual motor has about the same driving range as before, while the Performance grade has seen its range increase to nearly 600km. The Performance grade also gets a power boost and now produces 500kW and 870Nm, with 0-100km/h taking 3.9 seconds. This is in part due to a newly-developed rear-mounted motor on all variants. As part of the changes for this year’s models, the car is fitted with a premium 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system and head-up display, among other features as standard. Otherwise, the cabin is much the same as the previous model but new zippy computer processing, provides a boost to tasks and safety performance.This upgrade will be available to existing Polestar 3 owners as part of a complimentary hardware retrofit. 2026 Polestar 3 pricing Australia2026 Polestar 3 electric motor and efficiency 2026 Polestar 3 standard featuresOther standard features includeHead-up displayFoldable boot floorAcoustic rear windowPower-operated steering columnSoft-close doorsUpgradeable features: 2026 Polestar 3 safetyThe Polestar 3 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety features360-degree cameraCurve speed assistLane change assistPark assistAdaptive cruise controlLane keep assist2026 Polestar 3 warranty and servicing The Polestar 3 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty for the battery. 

Porsche Cars Australia has used the four points of the compass as inspiration for a quartet of one-off, uniquely-themed vehicles to celebrate the iconic German brand’s 75 years in the local market.The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Macan 4S, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo and Cayenne S have been designed to reflect the country’s diverse colours and landscapes.The ‘Go North’ Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is finished in ‘Emerald Green Metallic’ to reflect the lush vegetation of Australia’s tropical north with 21-inch ‘Exclusive Design’ rims finished in ‘Neodyme’ (satin gold), and the car’s ‘Espresso’ leather interior representing the region’s contrasting earth tones.Next, the ‘Go East’ Taycan 4S Cross Turismo in ‘Ipanema Blue Metallic’ is a nod to the ocean and coastal surf culture, with 21-inch Exclusive Design wheels in ‘Crayon’ (soft grey) and two-tone black/Crayon leather interior (with ‘Speed Blue’ highlights) representing marine life, coral formations and sandy beaches.Then, the ‘Go South’ Macan 4S’ ‘Gold Bronze Metallic’ finish, 22-inch ‘Vesuvius Grey’ ‘RS Spyder Design’ wheels and black/Chalk extended leather interior reference South Australia’s Limestone Coast and the dolerite sea columns of Tasmania’s southern Tasman Peninsula.Finally, the ‘Go West Cayenne S’ in ‘Ipanema Brown’ with 22-inch ‘Black silk-gloss’ rims and ‘Bordeaux Red’ seat centres echo natural formations, indigenous artworks and the Outback’s deep red colours. Each commemorative car features bespoke items including a ‘75 Years of Porsche in Australia’ key painted to match its exterior colour, illuminated door sill guards customised with each vehicle’s directional theme as well as embossed floor mats. But these cars may not be unique for long because speaking at their unveiling during this year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix weekend, Porsche Cars Australia CEO and Managing Director Daniel Schmollinger said: “These four cars align timeless Porsche design with regional identity, culture, lifestyle and purpose.“And best of all, they are available for any of our customers to replicate using the Porsche online car configurator.” In marking 75 years in Australia, Porsche references a “chance encounter” when Australian Norman Hamilton, in Europe to investigate pump technology for the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, was overtaken by a silver sports car while driving across Austria‘s famously twisting Grossglockner Pass. The car was a Porsche development prototype driven by German race ace Richard von Frankenberg. Stopped at the same inn in the next village he and Hamilton struck up a conversation, which led to Hamilton meeting Ferdinand Porsche. A vehicle distribution deal followed with the first two Australian-market Porsche 356s shipped to Melbourne in 1951, one of the earliest export arrangements in the brand’s 78 years as a carmaker.

Sometimes secrets in the car industry make their way into the public, whether via journalists or general mishaps, but it’s not often a brand will spill its own tea.But much of the 2026/27 BMW model line-up has been revealed by an apparent mistake on the German carmaker’s USA website, where icons for some cars yet to be confirmed have appeared.As reported by Motor1 among others, a new version of BMW’s smallest M car is on the cards, with 2027 BMW M2 xDrive having been listed as one of several new models on the way.The shock addition of all-wheel drive to the only M car left without all four wheels doing the driving is just the start, with an all-wheel-drive 3 Series ‘M350i xDrive’ also apparently on the way, marking the start of the next-gen icon.It’ll be joined by the i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive, two variants of the electric version of the 3 Series in the same way the 5 Series has the i5 and so on.We don’t know what the 3 Series looks like yet, but expect it to borrow heavily from the brand’s recent Neue Klasse design concept.There’s also a BMW iX4 40 xDrive inbound, which should be the ‘coupe’ style version of the already-revealed iX3.The next-gen BMW X5 is also locked in with a ‘40 sDrive’ variant and an electric cousin in the iX5 60.Finally, the 7 Series comes along with what’s set to be a facelift of the limo that was launched in its current incarnation within the last four years. A 740i xDrive is the only variant listed, but the V8-powered 760i and electric i7 should be sticking around.The site has now removed the list of incoming vehicles, but the info is out and about now.More local confirmations will, of course, come in time despite expectations that much of what’s been locked in for the US is likely to land here anyway. Stay tuned.

When it comes to the Mercedes GT coupe, this is the peak.It’s the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GT63 Pro, and it’s landing in Australia to bring a sharper edge to the brand’s two-door performance flagship.Seriously powerful, stylish and ‘spenny, the GT63 Pro takes notes from Merc’s motorsport division and incorporates them into the V8-powered sports car slash tourer.For the privilege, you’ll need to stump up $418,900, before on-road costs. That’s compared to the already hefty $370,400 the AMG GT63 costs without those extra three letters added.Mercedes-AMG also created a special version of the GT63 Pro called the 'Motorsport Collectors Edition', limited to 200 units worldwide and costing an extra $150K on top of the Pro’s asking price.Mercedes-Benz Australia wouldn’t tell us if any are coming Down Under, but it wouldn’t be hard to spot one given the 'Obsidian Black Metallic' paint is contrasted with hand-painted Mercedes star patterns and 'Petronas Green' highlights inspired by the brand’s F1 car.In reality, the AMG GT63 Pro is special enough without the exclusivity or visual flair of the Motorsport Collectors Edition.It’s more powerful than the non-Pro, for a start. Its 450kW and 850Nm is up 20kW/50Nm on the standard, and that was already a set of figures that leaves competitors behind for the price.That comes thanks to the venerable 'M177' engine under the long bonnet, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol unit built by one of AMG’s engineers in Affalterbach.With all four wheels copping the shove from the engine via a nine-speed multi-clutch transmission, the two-tonne two-door can hit 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds according to Merc.That means it’ll be really difficult to spot the visual cues that differentiate the Pro from the rest of the GTs, like the 21-inch wheels, altered front venting in the bumper, the exhaust, carbon-fibre body elements, or the little chequered flag beside the GT63 badge.Inside, it’s not as hardcore as the ‘Pro’ might suggest. No race seats and harnesses, there’s still a pair of relatively comfortable AMG sports seats, nice leather upholstery, even a sunroof!The way it looks and how usable it remains is a testament to the fact this sharpened-up AMG is still meant to be a car you could live with when you’re not putting its dynamics to the test.Speaking of which. Inclement weather during Summer at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit provided the (perhaps sub-optimal) conditions for our time behind the wheel of the GT63 Pro.A few laps to get reacquainted with the circuit were followed by a healthy number of runs to work out how capable this beast is.Phillip Island boasts a mix of fast, sweeping bends and tighter technical turns and the AMG has the tools to tackle both.The thumping V8 under the hood and the width of its Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres (295/30 fr - 305/30 rr) mean power is plentiful and traction isn’t lacking, so powering out of long corners into open straights is immensely satisfying. There is also a standard set of carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers at the front, so pulling up at the other end of those straights is no hassle.Even by modern standards, two tonnes is heavy for a sports car, but the AMG GT manages its weight well, the Pro removing 23kg from the standard car via weight-reduction including liberal use of carbon-fibre to land at 1937kg. But lose focus, and mistakes will of course be exaggerated by how heavy the car is, especially in the wet.With its rear-wheel steering in play, the 4.73m long car feels more nimble than you’d expect, though, and if you’re familiar enough with the track you can carry an impressive amount of speed through some sections of PI that would have some stumped. A racing driver advising from the passenger seat also helps.Given its weight and power, you’d think the GT63 Pro would be a handful, but it’s genuinely balanced and manageable. And when you get it right the car makes you feel heroic rather than scared.As with a lot of cars that wear the AMG badge, it feels like something you could take directly from a track to a meeting and then pick your partner up from work without feeling out of place in any case.The day-to-day life part of the Pro has its… pros and cons. Sorry.A useful 321L boot can become 625L with the rear seats folded down. Also, there are rear seats!But its claimed 15.0L/100km fuel consumption figure means you’ll be filling up that 70L tank regularly, with 98 RON premium fuel of course.There’s also servicing, every year or 20,000km, but Mercedes charges quite a bit to get a GT63 looked after. You’re able to buy plans for three years ($5165), four years ($7700) or five ($9420). That's a fair bit more than you'll pay for servicing a Porsche 911 GT3, for example.The latter would bring your prepaid servicing up to the same timeline as Merc’s five-year/unlimited km warranty and five years' of roadside assist, all of which is starting to lag behind the mainstream in terms but is still standard for premium brands.On the plus side, even though there’s no ANCAP rating (the cost to crash-acquire one would be immense), Mercedes’ focus on safety being high-tech and non-intrusive should surely mean the Pro doesn’t feel like it’s trying to take over the task of driving on the road, while also being able to protect you should the worst happen. We didn’t have lane-keep active at the track, of course.

Mercedes-Benz has announced sharp drive-away pricing for a limited edition variant of its popular GLC mid-size SUV. Pricing will start from $89,000 (drive-away), until the 30th of April, and is limited in numbers according to the brand. This is a special version of the GLC 200 known as the ‘Avantgarde Edition’, not to be confused with the base ‘Avantgarde’ variant.This deal makes the GLC 200 more price competitive with some of its key mid-size SUV rivals, including the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5.The Avantagarde starts from $90,200, before on-road costs, so the deal on the Avantgarde Edition represents a solid saving for buyers, but it comes with some compromises. The Avantgarde Edition swaps 19-inch alloy wheels for 18-inch ones, with the car's lower sills and side-steps also getting a less flashy design. It is powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 150kW and 320Nm. Like its rivals, the car comes with all-wheel drive as standard.On the inside, the Avantgarde Edition keeps much of the gear found in other models, including an 11.9-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver display. There are also power-adjustable front seats, which have a memory function. The GLC-Class was Mercedes-Benz’s most popular model in 2025, topping the sales numbers of other big hitters in the line-up such as the the GLA-Class compact SUV. 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Avantgarde Edition pricing Australia2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Avantgarde Edition engine and efficiency2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Avantgarde Edition standard featuresOther standard features include:Metallic paintAutomatic climate controlPower seats with memory functionKeyless entry and start2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Avantgarde Edition safetyThe Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class received a five-star ANCAP safety rating.Standard safety features2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Avantgarde Edition dimensions2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Avantgarde Edition warranty and servicingThe Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.Mercedes-Benz offers three-year, four-year and five-year capped price servicing plans GLC models, with intervals occurring every one year or 25,000km. Capped-priced servicing plans:

Volvo has announced a series of updates for its small EV, the EX30, with new variants and tech coming.

Cadillac has released two new luxury all-electric SUV models in Australia, which are the mid-size Optiq and the large three-row Vistiq. The Optiq will start from $80,000, before on-road costs, while the Vistiq will start from $116,000, before on-road costs. This means it is substantially cheaper than the sportier Porsche Macan as well as the luxury-oriented Genesis GV60. Meanwhile, at $116,000 the Vistiq sizes up as a rival to other big luxury electric SUVs, such as the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90. The Vistiq is around $10,000 more than the all-wheel drive EV9, while the EX90 starts from over $120,000. As part of the announcement, the Lyriq coupe EV already on sale in Australia will be available with a drive-away offer of $95,000. This equates to a substantial discount on the $122,000 base asking price, before on-road costs. Both cars get dual electric motors, with the Optiq’s producing 224kW and 448Nm, while the Vistiq boasts 459kW and 880Nm. Shifting from 0-100km/h takes just 4.2 seconds for the Vistiq. They also both have driving ranges of more than 400km, which is in the ballpark of other key rivals.Both models are all-wheel drive only. On a DC fast charge, Cadillac claims the Optiq can add 94km in roughly 10 minutes, while the Vistiq can add 104km in around the same time. Cadillac’s new EVs feature a standout 33-inch display, which spans across much of the dashboard and both have lavish sound systems, with 19 speakers in the Optiq and 23 in the Vistiq. Elsewhere, the luxury SUVs have heated, ventilated and messaging seats, which are electrically operated with memory function, among other high-end luxury add-ons. Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq engine and efficiency 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq standard features 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq safetyThe Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq have not been crash tested in Australia yet. Standard safety features 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq dimensions 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq warrantyEvery Cadillac comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, as well as an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty.