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An EV that is coming to Australia has broken a world record.

You know it’s motor show time when a brand whips out a six-wheeled vehicle alongside a single-seater autonomous vehicle.Lexus has pulled out all the stops at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, revealing a total of five concepts.The company has also used the motor show to announce it is repositioning itself even further upwards in terms of luxury. This is despite Century now having been spun out from Toyota as a flagship ultra-luxury brand.The LS sedan was Lexus’ first vehicle back in 1989. The current, fifth-generation version is on its last legs and is slated to be axed soon.At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the company has shown off a number of different interpretations of what this vehicle or vehicle series could morph into in the future.LS historically stood for ‘Luxury Sedan’, however, Lexus is now calling it ‘Luxury Space’.One of the wildest concepts at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show is simply called the Lexus LS concept. It’s a six-wheel people mover which has larger front wheels and two sets of smaller rear wheels.Lexus claims the six wheels allow for maximised interior space and comfort.The second and third rows can be configured to allow for sitting forward or facing each other.It’s clear the LM people mover has been successful as Lexus sees potential for an even higher-end people mover.Conversely, Lexus has also revealed the LS Micro concept which takes all the elements of the full-blown six-wheeler LS concept but puts it in a single-seater fully autonomous vehicle.This three-wheeled autonomous vehicle concept is essentially a pod with a business class lounge seat. It’s designed for point-to-point driving in urban areas where larger cars won’t fit.The front door opens like a jewellery box, allowing you to climb in. There’s also a cargo area at the back that opens, revealing space for special Lexus carry-on baggage.Additionally, the company also revealed the LS Coupe concept which is a high-riding sedan crossover of sorts. It’s claimed to offer sporty, dynamic looks, with a luxurious and expansive interior space.The driver’s seat has been created to prioritise a sporty feel with prominent bolsters, whereas the passenger seats prioritise comfort.Inside the driver has stacked screens that act as the digital instrument cluster and multimedia system, plus a yoke-style steering wheel.Second-row passengers can interact with screens on the back of the front seat backrests.Externally there is a drone built into the roof that can be deployed, as well as a pull-out draw for the boot.Another concept Lexus unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show is a further iteration of its Sport concept. This was first revealed earlier this year at the Quail as part of Monterey Car Week in the US.This latest concept, however, features updated exterior aerodynamic detailing, while the interior features an overtly driver-centric two-seater cockpit.Lastly Lexus unveiled its autonomous Catamaran concept which the company is using as an expression of another version of ‘Luxury Space’.At this stage it’s unclear whether Lexus will put any of these concepts into production.

Toyota reveals new ultra-high-end brand.

Mazda’s new, entry-level versions of the CX-60 mid-size SUV with the 2.5-litre petrol engine are only launching in Australia now, but it’s been available in other markets since its launch.

Infiniti has revealed a new luxe SUV with the heart of a supercar and the underpinnings of a Nissan Patrol.It’s the 2026 Infiniti QX80 R-Spec, and it’s a one-off concept built for the 2025 SEMA Show, featuring aggressive design elements and the engine from a Nissan GT-R.It’s a more extreme follow-on from the 485kW QX80 Track Spec concept the brand showed off at Monterey Car Week, taking inspiration from the model that loaned the QX80 R-Spec its engine: the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition.The QX80 R-Spec features a hand-built GT-R R35 VR38 engine, the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 putting out as much as 1000hp (746kW) in the one-off SUV. The QX80 usually has a smaller and much less powerful 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, albeit still related to that of the GT-R.Infiniti says the high output was achieved through “custom turbochargers, intercoolers, exhaust manifolds and an upgraded fuel system”, while GT-R carbon ceramic brakes take care of brushing that speed off.A lower, wider body kit, custom coilover suspension and a set of huge 24-inch bronze wheels (wrapped in 315/35R24 Yokohama Parada Spec-X tyres) help give the QX80 that ‘Need for Speed: Underground 2’ look (remember trying to race a Hummer H2?), along with the pearlescent-like purple wrap that nods to the R34 GT-R’s iconic Midnight Purple.The QX80’s custom exhaust exits, rear diffuser, and other elements like its fog lights complete the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition-inspired looks.Infiniti didn’t detail the QX80 R-Spec’s interior, but we can assume it’s not been completely redone to mimic the inside of a GT-R.

Nissan mulls resurrecting right-hand drive version of its Murano mid-size coupe SUV as it looks to soak up capacity from underutilised US manufacturing.

Volvo explains how Geely is encouraging it to move to faster model cycles, but it won't move as quickly as Chinese rivals.

It seems anyone can build a car these days.Japanese electronics company, Sharp, is the latest non-auto brand to dive into the car world with a new concept that will be on display at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show later this week.Dubbed LDK+, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a TV, but it's actually an electric people mover.It joins other newbies to the car industry such as China’s Xiaomi, which usually makes smartphones, and Sony of PlayStation fame.Sharp hasn’t developed the car all by itself but is using Foxconn’s electric vehicle platform. Foxconn is the manufacturing powerhouse that builds the iPhone for Apple.Sharp isn’t the only brand partnering with Foxconn. Even Mitsubishi has partnered with the manufacturer to build an EV.Foxconn, or Sharp, haven't detailed what motors or battery the platform handles, but we do know it is for compact cars measuring about 4300mm long or about the same size as a Toyota Corolla hatchback.It’ll also have a versatile modular interior layout that can be used for multiple applications.The LDK+ is a concept, so it has some whacky interior applications.When parked the vehicle can be used as a theatre room or a remote workspace. The driver’s and front passenger seats can swivel to face backwards, to act like a living room space.There is a screen folded above the rear seats that can be pulled down to enjoy movies or for online meetings.Sharp said the concept can sync with people’s home appliances - only Sharp branded of course. So if you want to start your air-con or washing machine from the car, you can.The vehicle will also have a vehicle-to-load function that can power appliances.

Yet another warning that long wait times for new cars could be back

Tesla’s masterpiece is around the corner.The American EV brand’s chief designer Franz von Holzhausen told the Ride the Lightning podcast the Roadster may break cover this year.That’s no guarantee it’ll be revealed this year, but von Holzhausen said it would appear “definitely within two years”.We’ve heard this all before, though.Initially Tesla claimed the Roadster would arrive by 2020, but the COVID pandemic was blamed for delays. Then, in Tesla’s July 2024 earnings call Musk claimed it would be reaching production by “next year”. Late last year, it became clear that Roadster buyers will need a lot more patience.“I’d like to thank our long-suffering deposit holders,” Musk said, acknowledging the enormous delays. “The Roadster is not just the cherry on the cake but also the icing on the cake. We’re close to finalising the design.”The Roadster was first revealed back in 2017 at the same event the Semi was revealed. The Semi is now on American roads.Tesla has been taking deposits for the Roadster since that event almost 10 years ago.It is no small amount of money either, at US$50,000. The Australian Roadster deposit page is currently broken, but previously is was asking Aussies to slap down a $7000 deposit via credit card followed by a $59,000 bank transfer 10 days after to secure your spot.That’s the same price as a base Model Y or Model 3, but with no firm arrival date in place.Tesla had also been asking customers to pay $10,000 for a Full Self Driving mode that wasn't attainable until recently. So the company does have some form of delivering on its long term promises, eventually.In saying that, the FSD mode needs driver supervision, so isn’t technically 'full self driving'.If and when the Roadster does arrive, it promises to be one of the mightiest vehicles on the road.Elon Musk said in 2024 the Roadster would go from zero to 60 miles per hour (0-97km/h) in under one second.He also said that was the least interesting bit.However, he current Tesla Roadster page has watered those claims down.It said the Roadster will complete the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint in 2.1 seconds, which is still mind-bendingly fast.It’ll have a top speed of more than 400km/h and a driving range of about 1000km.Heady numbers, but not the knock out punch they were a few years ago.Fresh faces such as the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and BYD’s YangWang U9 Xtreme pose a serious threat to the Roadster's dominance.The 2026 Yangwang U9 Xtreme is the fastest electric production car to lap the Nurburgring, with a time of 6:59.157 over the 20.8km circuit.It also set a speed record of 496.22km earlier this year, but this is unofficially as it didn’t complete the run in both directions.The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra lapped the Nurburgring in a 6:22 earlier this year, but that was a prototype. Its production version did it in 7:04.957, which is five seconds slower than the U9 Xtreme.The Tesla Roadster might now be playing catch-up rather than pacing the field.