Luxury

Audi have launched the performance grade for the Q6 SUV line - the SQ6 e-tron. Is this the taste-test for what to expect from their high-performance RS that Audi has teased for the future? Only time will tell.

Mercedes-Benz has added a new, lower-cost variant to its large sedan E-Class line-up, with the E200 joining the existing E300.The 2025 Mercedes-Benz E200 starts from $117,900 before on-road costs which represents a $14,100 saving over the higher grade E300, costing $132,000.The E200 joins the line-up almost a year after the current-generation E-Class launched in Australia.As well as missing out on real leather upholstery (replaced with synthetic leather) the E200 doesn’t have the AMG-Line exterior nor some of the extra power of the E300.Still powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, the E200 has just 150kW and 320Nm under its belt and is aided by the mild-hybrid starter-generator which can chip in 17kW and 205Nm extra temporarily.It drives the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, and has a claimed 0-100kmh sprint of 7.5 seconds.The E200 doesn’t miss out on too much kit, though, still retaining the clever digital LED headlights and Burmester 4D surround sound system with 17 speakers.As usual, safety is covered comprehensively by Mercedes with 10 airbags inside plus a host of active and passive safety tech.Finally, a Comfort Package which adds real leather seats with heating and ventilation comes in at $3500.

Audi is swimming against the electric car tide, launching its flagship RS Q8 Performance super SUV in Australia with the most powerful V8 the company has ever given birth to.The RS Q8 is the sportiest version of Audi's flagship five-seat Q8. The RS Q8 Performance has taken things further, with a twin-turbo V8 making more grunt than any other in the company’s history with an output of 471kW and 850Nm. That’s an increase of 30kW over the outgoing RS Q8.That’s enough oomph to hurl the 2.2-tonne SUV from 0-100km/h in a supercar-like 3.6 seconds. The RS Q8 has also set a lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife of 7:36.698. Pulling the RS Q8 up fast are huge 440mm ceramic front brakes in 23-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.   A freshly redesigned exterior with carbon-fibre grille frame, mirror caps, redesigned matrix LED headlights and new tail-lights make the RS Q8 look as mean as it is quick.Standard features inside include Nappa leather upholstery, RS sports front seats with heating and ventilation, four-zone climate control, brushed aluminium trim elements, a 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system, a panoramic sunroof, power assisted doors, and a power tailgate.The price, however, is a little bit more expensive then the outgoing model with the RS Q8 Performance listing for $255,800 before on-road costs, an increase of $27,500.That's a little pricier than the 460kW BMW X6 M Competition ($250,900 before on-road costs), but less than the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe 4Matic+($275,300 BOC).

Australia’s premium small SUV hybrid class is about to experience a shake-up with the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Junior.

My 2011 Mercedes-Benz C200 has timing-chain stretch at 112,000km.

Big screens and displays in cars can make interiors look modern and minimalist but what happens if they fail?

Zeekr is teasing what will be the flagship SUV in its line-up, with a hybrid twist.

If we offered you a free Ferrari or free Toyota which would you take?

You can thank/blame (take your pick) Scottish engineer James Watt for the confusing way we measure engine performance in cars. He was the person that came up with the bright idea of measuring power based on a horse.

Audi's refreshed range gets price-tags ahead of full details later this year.