Luxury

The BMW iX3 is more than just a new EV for the German brand, it's the flag bearer for the Neue Klasse (or New Class) architecture, promising new tech, features and driving fun that will spread to all BMW's incoming electric vehicles. But does it live up to the hype? We put it to the test at its local launch to find out.

This V8-powered Japanese coupe is being phased out in Australia. Lexus has confirmed the LC is approaching the end of its lifecycle Down Under. A special edition LC 500 will hit Aussie shores in the second half of this year as the final examples of the car.Lexus said allocation for the car has already been exhausted, with only a small number of units provided.A spokesperson for Lexus Australia also confirmed the you can no longer order any model from the LC lineup anymore.So what is next for the iconic sports car? The LC 500 is Lexus’ flagship two-door sports car, available in hard-top coupe or convertible form.It carried a more than $200,000 price tag in Australia, having launched globally in 2017 as a direct rival luxury grand-touring coupes like the BMW 8-Series.The rear-wheel drive LC is fitted with either a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine, producing 351kW/540Nm or a 3.5-litre hybrid petrol engine, with 264kW and 350Nm. Lexus originally planned to halt production for the car in late 2025, but this latest special edition batch will now be its final iteration.It is the bigger sibling of the RC compact sports car that was discontinued in 2022. A spokesperson for Lexus Australia said they could not comment on what would replace the LC 500. It does seem like the full-blooded V8 engine will be a thing of the past for the Lexus sports car.Speculation in 2024 suggested the LC’s replacement would ditch V8 and non-hybrid V6 set-ups to be powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 hybrid engine or fully-electric alternative. Lexus also unveiled an electric sports car concept at the Japan Mobility Show last year that could provide a glimpse into what is coming. The concept provided few details other than its striking looks, but it did feature multiple electric motors and batteries, according to the brand. An electric successor to the LC is more likely as Lexus targets an electric-only lineup by 2030. We could learn more of this new potential model in the coming months, and into 2027.

Sometimes, a vehicle facelift doesn’t amount to much. Maybe a nip here, a tuck there, but to be sure you’re looking at the new version, you need to check the badges.To be honest, the revised Polestar 3 SUV is a bit of that, with very little to visually distinguish the facelift from the previous car. But underneath there are some serious upgrades which, in that oh-so-Swedish understated way, serve to make the Polestar 3 an even more tantalising prospect.The Polestar 3 has now moved to 800-volt technology which not only allows for faster charging, it also opens up the prospect of even more performance. A new generation of lithium-ion batteries also means greater range potential.But it’s nice to see that Polestar hasn’t limited its attention to the drivetrain; there’s now a revised anti-roll-bar system and a recalibration of the power steering assistance. Which just goes to show that even though brands like Polestar trade on being an all-electric solution, there are still some engineers in Sweden who know how the rest of a car should work.Meantime, the medium-large SUV space is a very crowded one right now, so the question is whether the new tech – invisible as it is – is enough to keep the Polestar 3 carving out its slice of that market.

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has set its sights on competing against the likes of BMW’s M division, Mercedes-AMG and even Porsche eventually with its new Magma sub-brand. The first installment in this new chapter has arrived, the GV60 Magma. While based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and 6 N, Genesis has given the GV60 a unique twist. We review it to assess its performance, luxury, value and more.

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA has been unwrapped ahead of its early 2027 debut, when the small premium SUV will rock up with a class-leading 657km range and some of Benz's latest EV tech.The all-new Mercedes GLA is no longer a higher-riding A-Class, but is now more closely related to the latest CLA small sedan, sharing its latest MMA platform and advanced EV tech.As well as being available with all-electric power, the compact SUV has also been engineered for mild-hybrid combustion engines that are set to arrive in the second half of next year.Both electric and mild-hybrid versions of the GLA have been built to rival the Audi Q3/Q4 and the BMW X1 that also lands later next year.Mercedes has equipped the battery-powered GLA with powerful 800-volt electrics for super-quick top-ups, with as much as 270km of range added in little more than 10 minutes thanks to fast-charging up to 320kW.AC charging is up to 11kW, with faster 22kW top-ups an option.A 10 to 80 per cent recharge takes between 20 to 22 minutes, ensuring the GLA should be among the quickest-charging small SUVs out there.In Europe, just three powertrains will initially be offered. The GLA 200 comes with a single motor that pumps out 165kW and 335Nm and features a 58kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a range of up to 447km.The mid-spec GLA 250+ remains rear-drive, but is combined with the larger 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery for the maximum 657km range, but delivers 200kW, while mustering the same amount of torque.At the top of the EV tree is the GLA 350 4Matic that picks out 260kW and 515Nm of torque for a brisk 0-100km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds, gains dual motors and all-wheel drive, and can still cover up to 643km on the same WLTP test cycle.Later on, a mid-spec 71kWh NMC battery will also join the line-up.It has not yet been revealed what variants of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder 48-volt mild-hybrid will be offered on the GLA, but the small sedan comes with versions offering 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm, with both front- and all-wheel drive available.Picking up where the recently launched GLB compact seven-seater left off, designers have tweaked the old car's slightly ungainly proportions to create a lower SUV (-20mm) with a longer wheelbase (+61mm) and wider rear track (+31mm), while the more muscular arches give the impression of a sportier car than before.Fresh aerodynamic wheels that range from 18- to 20-inches hint at the advanced air bending at work that has reduced drag to around 0.27Cd, while the black plastic cladding on the arches and underbody suggests some off-road prowess.Up front, like the latest C-Class Electric, there's a large dominant chrome-framed grille that is illuminated with 608 dots of lights.In some high-grade models, the grille frame features an LED light strip that is combined with a central star, which also glows.Those stars reappear within the headlamps, with the optional Multibeam LED lamps gaining star-shaped daytime running lights.Sportier AMG Line models ramp up the styling with a smoked chrome grille and a different front bumper that gets more aggressive air intakes and a lower splitter. There's the choice of gloss black AMG 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels.A further AMG Plus pack adds a spoiler and door sills, as well as different 20-inch alloy wheels that come finished in gloss black.Base spec models come with heated comfort seats wrapped in fabric and fake leather, while the AMG Line trim adds sports seats and steering wheel, plus shift paddles and brushed stainless-steel pedals.Thanks to a more generous 2790mm wheelbase (+61mm), the driver and front passenger have 7mm more legroom than before, with occupants in the second row getting an additional 38mm.Even though it's lower, the GLA gains 24mm extra headroom in the second row, while the boot is 70 litres bigger at 410 litres, with the EV versions boasting a generous 107 litre frunk up front.Mirroring bigger, more expensive Benz models, the panoramic roof can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button and can even be specified with up to 172 illuminated stars.As well as more space, the overall impression of the GLA is just how much big car tech has been squeezed into the brand's entry SUV.Like the CLA sedan, the GLA comes with the optional MBUX Superscreen, which spans the entire width of the dash, blending a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch infotainment system and 14-inch passenger display all placed behind a single piece of glass.Running the car-maker's latest software, highlights include a virtual assistant that has been enhanced by ChatGPT, Bing and Gemini that combined are said to provide a natural, intuitive conversation that can even help you remember a song title or artist, even if you can't.Front passengers can also use their own screen to stream YouTube or watch movies, while a powerful 16-speaker Burmester 3D 850-watt premium sound system can focus the sound to individual passengers, creating a quiet zone for the driver.More fresh tech includes a new Terrain mode for the all-wheel drive 4Matic versions that boosts traction on dirt, sand and mud, plus an optional transparent bonnet that provides a camera view of any obstacles that lurk beneath or ahead of the driver.With the GLA equipped with up to eight cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors, plus a powerful supercomputer, the GLA can auto-steer, lane-keep, brake, accelerate and even change lanes by itself on the move, following a simple tap on the indicator stalk.Auto-parking is a highlight, with tech that even helps prevent nasty kerb strikes while slowly manoeuvring.On sale in Europe from this November, with the mild-hybrids joining the line-up in early 2027, it's thought the Mercedes-Benz GLA will land in Australia from early next year, when the most affordable EV version is expected to be priced from around $70,000 plus on-roads.

The Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series rivalry is the stuff of automotive legend that dates back more than three decades, or even longer if you count the 190E that came before it.For almost all of that time, both fiercely proud German brands have thrown everything they could at the pair of mid-size sedans to gain the upper hand, and the latest Mercedes C-Class Electric that arrives in Australia early next year is no exception.Even though it shares the same C-Class badge with the current combustion model, almost nothing is shared under the skin, with the battery-powered version based on an entirely different all-new platform specifically created for the EVs.In the metal, that explains why not a single body panel is shared, and instead of a traditional three-box silhouette, the Mercedes EV is more of a four-door coupe, with a shape designed to minimise drag to boost range and efficiency.Helping it stand out in the executive car park, the C-Class Electric features a futuristic update of the upright chrome grille that's illuminated by no fewer than 1050 tiny LED elements, flanked either side by a pair of slimline lamps with star-shaped LED elements.At the rear, there's the merest sniff of the Nissan Z, or the latest flagship Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door, with the quad-round tail-lights and full-width light bar.We'll leave it up to you to decide if you love the new look, or prefer the BMW i3's more striking styling, but it's hard not to fall in love with what's happened inside the Mercedes.Thanks to the underpinnings, engineers have been able to stretch the wheelbase to liberate more space within, with more legroom for both those up front and in the rear.You might think the rakish rear styling may have robbed the second row of valuable headroom, but there's still just enough for the tall, while the panoramic roof that turns opaque at the touch of a button and features 162 illuminated stars, will amuse kids and adults alike.Boot space is decent at 470 litres, which is boosted by a 101-litre frunk.A special mention has to go to the supremely comfortable seats that have a deep tissue massage function and can be finished in a certified vegan leather option for no extra cost.Top-spec versions even come with integrated speakers within the headrest.Ahead of the driver, the base-spec grades come with a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a central 14-inch multimedia, with the further option of another 14-inch touchscreen for the passenger.Our car came with the 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen that stretched almost pillar-to-pillar and would fool many into thinking you're being piloted around in an S-Class.Big and small screens run the firm's most advanced software that now provides a virtual assistant which, thanks to ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Bing, is claimed to provide a natural conversation akin to a chat with an old mate.We've already mentioned the C-Class's 800km range, but that figure is set to be only for the rear-wheel-drive C300 that arrives later.The all-wheel-drive dual-motor C400 4Matic can travel 762km before it needs topping up, which is very respectable but a long way off the 900km of the all-wheel-drive BMW i3 50 xDrive.Some of the range discrepancy is because the Benz comes with a 94kWh battery, instead of the i3's much larger 108.7kWh power pack, but do the maths and it still falls short because the BMW can average an astonishing 12.5kWh/100km for efficiency, some way off the 14.1kWh claim for the C400.More bad news for the battery-electric sedan is when it comes to charging.Capable of being topped up at around 330kW, up to 325km of range can be added in just ten minutes, with a 10-to-80 per cent battery refill taking 22 minutes.The BMW, meanwhile, can charge at a rate of 400kW, adding 400km of range in the same 10 minutes, with the 10-to 80-per cent top up taking 20 minutes.In Australia, those figures might be largely academic, but with our more plentiful 400V chargers, which account for around 80 per cent of all posts, the i3 still claims victory with 200kW top-ups, compared to the 100-ish-kW of the C400.Where the C-Class Electric scores valuable points back is that its dual motors produce an impressive 360kW and 800Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h dash of just 4.0 seconds – a substantial 0.7 seconds quicker, with a 210km/h (+10km/h faster).Behind the wheel, Mercedes doesn't quite nail the brief of being the sportiest C-Class ever. With a kerbweight of 2460kg, it's far too heavy for that, but to boost both comfort and agility, the Mercedes sedan gains both the option of air suspension and rear-wheel steering.The fiendishly clever air springs and active dampers use Google Maps to remember both when to raise or lower the ride height and even make a note of nasty bump and lumps in the road, uploads the data to the Cloud, then let's other Mercedes models know where they are to pre-arm their suspension for a smoother ride.It's clever, but at times in comfort mode the ride feels a little uncontrolled, while the steering feels too quick at lower speeds.If you don't need the tighter turning circle, we think you should try the standard coil spring and active damper set-up and regular steering that still rides well, while offering better, more precise steering.In Europe, the base Sport grades come with 19-inch alloy wheels, heat and noise insulating glass, LED headlamps, the panoramic roof, the comfort seats with four-way lumbar adjust, parking assist, blind spot assist and adaptive cruise with lane-keeping.The AMG Line adds sport seats, the switchable panoramic roof, an AMG bodykit and uprated LED lamps.The 2027 Mercedes C-Class Electric has yet to be crash tested by either EuroNCAP or rated by ANCAP, but when it is, the mid-size sedan should be judged among some of the safest cars money can buy, with the German brand earning a fine track record for safety.The latest-generation Mercedes C-Class Electric comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and 10-year/250,000km protection for the battery.Expect it to come with at least three years of capped-price servicing.Mercedes Australia has yet to lock in prices locally, but when it does arrive early next year expect pricing for the C-Class Electric to kick off from around $105,000 plus on-roads, matching what will be charged for the BMW i3.

When you're spending the best part of $200K on a family SUV you want more than a little luxury and performance to go with its day-to-day practicality. Add in petrol-electric plug-in hybrid efficiency and the Range Rover Sport Dynamic HSE P460e starts to look like a compelling proposition. We spent a week behind the wheel to test its credentials.

The House of the Trident is grabbing its golden opportunity with both hands – and its timing is impeccable.In the very month production of the petrol Macan ends, Maserati is launching its facelifted three-year-old Grecale, the mid-to-large SUV that it hopes will soak up sales from those in the market for a fast, classy Porsche substitute.In the flesh, the updates are largely a success, with the replacement lower front apron and fresh 19- and 20-inch rims all adding extra visual drama that was previously missing from the current model, drawing inspiration from no less than the firm's wild track-only MCXtrema.The new aero tweaks are also said to both cut drag and improve cooling, while a new pair of air curtains and further revisions beneath the skin boost efficiency.Under the bonnet, engineers have tweaked the powertrain offering to match the former Macan.The former entry 221kW mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder that powered the base GT has been axed and replaced by a 243kW high-output version of the same engine that once powered the Modena.Peak torque remains identical at 450Nm, but it means the most affordable Maserati now accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds.The middle-rung Modena, meanwhile, gets a special detuned version of the flagship Grecale Trofeo – the same high-tech twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 'Nettuno' engine that was first rolled out in the sublime MC20 supercar.Producing 287kW and 500Nm of torque, engineers claim the more affordable V6 will seduce you with its soundtrack while sprinting from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.At the top of the Grecale tree remains the 390kW/620Nm Trofeo that takes just 3.8 seconds to launch from rest to the 100km/h benchmark.All come with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, plus an electronically controlled rear differential.There's also the option of a battery-powered 410kW Grecale Folgore, but despite having a range increased to a decent 580km due to aerodynamic revisions, fresh low-rolling-resistance tyres and a front-axle disconnect, it remains an also-ran due to its outdated 400-volt electrics.In comparison, the Macan EV is quicker to charge while offering higher levels of performance.Since first being introduced in Australia in 2023, according to engineers, the Grecale has been subject to continuous improvements, with one claiming both quality and reliability have been improved significantly.Upgrades as part of the facelift include new metal gear selectors that provide haptic feedback and a fresh steering wheel that now has flat upper and lower sections.The Grecale's trademark centrepiece carriage clock has been overhauled and is now octagonal in shape and can display everything from the time, driving mode and even g-forces.One last addition is a driver attention monitor that was needed to pass inbound Euro safety regulations that can struggle to detect eyes when a driver is wearing sunnies.Inside, the Grecale feels better built than those early launch cars we drove, while the build was nearly flawless and some of the high-grade materials employed are impressive, even at its elevated price.While some might lament the familiar Android Automotive-based UConnect infotainment system, which is common to other more affordable Stellantis products, the Maserati's system – which blends a lower 'comfort' touchscreen for the climate functions – is all intuitive, responsive to touch and makes the Maserati easy to live with, even if it doesn't wow with its size or resolution.We're sure many families will also appreciate the larger dimensions of the 4.9-metre-long Grecale that provides rear-seat passengers with more than ample leg- and headroom, plus a large 570-litre boot, although the entry mild-hybrid sacrifices 35 litres of that luggage capacity to house its battery.Climb behind the wheel of the Modena V6 and it's remarkable how different it initially feels compared to the more urgent Trofeo.Engineers have worked hard on cultivating a worthy soundtrack for the lower-powered V6, with a deep growl low down in the rev range that, occasionally, thrums a little like a turbo-diesel. Pick up the pace and the twin-turbo sounds far more appealing and enthralling.In its default GT mode, the detuned Modena feels a little too lazy and lacklustre, with a dull throttle response blunting it, which doesn't quite compute with the Maserati badge, but switch to Sport and the supercar-like scalpel responses return, as well as strong acceleration that lives up to the badge and price.Ride comfort is decent in GT mode with our car's adaptive air springs, although sometimes you'll find yourself shifting the adaptive dampers to a firmer setting for a bit more body control, undoing some of the plush ride.If you've stepped out of a Macan, you might also miss that car's more direct and precise steering and greater sense of agility, but the faster Trofeo adds some of that back with its more reactive rear e-diff.For those not in the mood, the Grecale is a quiet and comfortable place and provides a high driving position that we think many owners will appreciate.In European markets like Italy or Germany, pricing for the 2027 Grecale has carried over largely unchanged.In Australia, that means the entry grade - now simply called Grecale - with the 2.0-litre turbo is likely to still cost around $122,500 (plus on-roads), the new Modena V6 from $148,000 and the Trofeo a punchy $188,500.That means the Maserati will continue to sit at $24,600-$46,800 higher than the outgoing Macan – which could prove a hurdle, not least when you consider the high cost of options.Previously, the base Grecale came with 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch Android Automotive-powered infotainment, with a head-up display and a powerful 21-speaker 1285-watt Sonus Faber sound system.Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, while adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert were all standard.The Modena added active dampers and larger 20-inch alloy wheels, while the flagship Trofeo came with 21-inch rims, performance brakes, adaptive air suspension and an additional Corsa driving mode.The updated configurator now suggests the head-up display, premium sound system plus the 12-way or 14-way electrically adjustable premium leather seats will all be costly options.Then there are the glorious ways you can personalise and make your Grecale a true one-of-one bespoke build, which will prove irresistible to many.Since Maserati is a low-volume carmaker, the Italian firm hasn't volunteered its mid-size SUV for either Euro NCAP or ANCAP evaluation, but the Alfa Romeo Stelvio that shares the same platform was awarded the full five stars for protection back in 2017, suggesting that with its more modern driver-assist tech the newer, updated Grecale has the potential to deliver an impressive result.Perhaps predictably, running costs will be high, as the Maserati only averages 10.6L/100km on the combined WLTP test cycle.The Maserati Grecale comes with a short three-year unlimited-kilometre warranty that can be extended twice, but there are some eligibility requirements. The limited extended warranty also only offers protection for the engine and transmission.There's also the firm's Extra10 warranty program, which covers powertrain components up to the 10th year for unlimited kilometres, but only if they've been covered by all previous extended warranties.Other rivals, still available at a lower price point, include the more mainstream BMW X3 M50 xDrive ($126,900 plus on-roads) and the Mercedes-AMG GLC53 ($140,600) or the impossibly powerful 500kW GLC 63 S E-Performance ($194,000).

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to stave off the impending onslaught of China's large luxury SUVs by updating its range in Australia. The brand has shuffled around its GLE and GLS model lineup Down Under, introducing new engine choices and pricing.The GLS is the German giants’ flagship three-row SUV that directly competes with the BMW X7 in the ultra-luxury high-riding space.It will soon have some serious, and much cheaper, Chinese competition in Australia.The GLS is facing an impending battle against electrified rivals such as the XPeng GX and highly-anticipated Zeekr 8X and 9X duo, among others coming in the next months. These cars boast powerful fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups that will give the petrol- or diesel-powered GLS a run for its money. The GLS range now kicks off with a new petrol-powered 450 grade that starts from $181,900, before on-road costs. This makes it $7000 cheaper than its diesel-powered sibling that used to occupy the entry level position in the lineup.The GLS 450 has a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 280kW and 560Nm, representing more power but less torque than the diesel unit.The AMG 63 S high-performance grade has experienced a price hike of more than $6000, now starting from $313,900.The range-topping Maybach 680 has seen its price boosted by $5000, with a starting price of $424,900. Both variants receive a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine that pumps out 450kW and 850Nm.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS pricing Australia (before on-road costs)The smaller GLE two-row SUV has also undergone a reshuffle in Australia as it continues to take on the BMW X5.The range kicks off with a new, more expensive 350d grade, replacing the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a more powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder (210kW/650Nm) unit. It will cost nearly $6000 more than the outgoing 300d, starting from $142,300. Next up, the GLE 450 now costs $160,400, which is more than $3000 cheaper than it was before, but it will only be available with petrol power.The AMG 53 and V8-powered AMG 63 S have both increased in price by nearly $4000, with starting prices of $187,900 and $277,900, respectively. 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE pricing Australia (before on-road costs)These cars show-off the luscious and supremely comfortable interiors you'd expect for their price points, including Mercedes-Benz new 'Superscreen' multimedia system, comprising of three connected 12.3-inch displays.Pre-orders have opened for the GLE and GLS models, with the AMG range and the Maybach GLS expected to arrive early next year.

The Lexus ES has never been regarded as a blue-blooded Lexus, being so clearly Toyota Camry-based. But that changes with the eighth-generation ES, ushering in a redesigned body and interior, fresh tech, a stronger platform, sharper steering, new suspension and adaptive dampers for the electric version as tested here in ES350e guise. Collectively, do they transform the Japanese luxury sedan?