Prestige & Luxury Cars

BMW has thrown high tech and sheer grunt at its fourth-generation X5, with it ready to enter showrooms in November in a crisp body that is marginally bigger but more feature-rich than its predecessor.

Maserati has added a new entry-point to its Levante large SUV range, undercutting the existing line-up by up to $15,000.Specifically, the Levante, which sits under the Turbo Diesel and S variants, kicks off at $125,000 plus on-road costs.Like other offerings in the SUV range, the Levante is offered with GranSport and GranLusso equipment grades which command a significant premium at $159,990 apiece.Meanwhile, the standard Turbo Diesel carries over at $139,990, and the lowest-spec S retains its $179,990 price tag.Powering the new Levante grade is a version of Maserati's Ferrari-designed 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, in this case producing 257kW/500Nm.This translates to a 64kW/80Nm power reduction compared to the Levante S, which shares the same donk.With its all-wheel drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission, the Levante gets along at a reasonable tilt, sprinting from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds flat.Standard features include a pneumatic valve exhaust, 19-inch alloys, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, an electric tailgate, auto dipping mirrors, leather trim, heated 12-way electric front seats and a multimedia system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.For safety, the Levante is equipped with blind spot monitoring, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control.The mid-life update brings a few changes including a redesigned front fascia and rear bumper as well as the option of adaptive LED matrix headlights; a first for the Levante.Other enhancements include the addition of Maserati's 'Integrated Vehicle Control' (IVC) as standard, a technology which helps to prevent instability, improving safety and driving dynamics.Lastly, two new tri-coat paint schemes are now available on the Levante including 'Rosso Potente' and 'Blue Nobile'.Maserati Australia chief operating officer Glen Sealey is confident the new entry point will help drive sales for its luxury performance SUV."The newest addition to Maserati Levante range is endowed with everything expected of a Maserati with a level of accessibility never before achieved in a Maserati," he said."It is no coincidence that the arrival of this latest Maserati model coincides with the opening of new Maserati dealers in Australia as we fully expect the newest Levante to significantly contribute to Australian sales."2019 Maserati Levante list pricing

Tesla-trumping Porsche set for local showrooms within 18 months.

Lexus Australia will add a new range-topping variant to its LX luxury upper-large SUV line-up this month, with the LX570 S to check in at $168,098 plus on-road costs.That translates to a $25,300 premium over the fully optioned LX570 upon which it is based.The extra money gets buyers a newly designed front grille, more aggressive front and rear bumpers,  unique 21-inch alloy wheels, and side-mirror-mounted puddle lamps.To improve dynamics, the S brings front performance dampers that are said to improve body rigidity and steering stability.New features are also found inside, including alloy pedals, Shimamoku Grey ornamentation and rich-burgundy semi-aniline leather trim.Carry-over features include a reversing camera, 10 airbags, four-zone climate control, surround-view monitor and a 12.3-inch high-definition infotainment system.The S gains no changes to the LX570's engine, with it also powered by a 270kW/530Nm 5.7-litre petrol V8.That's matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, helping it achieve a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.Safety-wise, the S carries over Lexus' Safety System Plus which includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive high-beam headlights, head-up display, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.Lexus' local arm is confident that the new flagship will help bring in new customers, according to chief executive Scott Thompson."The striking features of the new LX 570 S, from its unique exterior styling to the dynamic upgrades, symbolise the evolution of the LX model and will further expand its popularity among customers," he said. Check out all 2018 Lexus LX570 price and spec info here.

Toyota Australia has updated specification levels of its mid-tier GXL and VX LandCruiser 200 Series grades, adding increased safety equipment while keeping pricing across the range static.

With the new A-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz is turning the trickle-down theory of technology flow on its head, by putting its cool new toys in the brand's entry-level small car.

BMW will launch passenger-facing cameras designed to let your car read your emotions within the next two years, driving headlong into a science-fiction future.

Porsche Cars Australia has outed local specifications for its updated Macan, with the German compact SUV checking in at $81,400 plus on-road costs in entry-level guise.

Porsche has confirmed it will bring a new Speedster to production to celebrate the end of the current 991-series 911 models, aimed at limited production and an Australian sale date late in 2019.

If you're holding out for a BMW-badged ute to do battle with the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, you can forget it, with the brand's highest executives today ruling out an entry into the pickup market.