Prestige & Luxury Cars

The xDrive30i sits high in the BMW X4 line-up with a list price of $83,900.

The X4 xDrive20d is the diesel sibling of the entry grade xDrive20i but costs $3000 more with its list price of $79,900.

There are plenty of sensible reasons why the M3 Pure isn't a practical family car. And we ignored every one of them. Having just spent a weekend behind the wheel of BMW's performance sedan, boy are we glad we did.

Sequels are never as good as the original, right? Well the second-generation BMW X4 could be one of the few exceptions to the rule.

Lexus is claiming a production-car world first with the imminent introduction of rear-view cameras in place of conventional wing mirrors on its new ES large sedan that will go on sale in Japan next month.The cameras on door-mounted arms – in a similar fashion to regular mirrors – transmit images to two 5.0-inch screens inside the cabin at the bottom of each A-pillar.Audi has also signaled its intention to introduce the digital mirror system on its Audi e-tron SUV, but Lexus will beat the German company to the punch by putting it into production first.Lexus has no plans to introduce the re-imagined mirror set-up outside Japan, but the move might put pressure on road safety legislators to change rules that deem this technology unroadworthy.In Australia, the regulations would have to change before mirrors of this kind are to become commonly available, with Australian Design Rules (ADR) requiring mirrors with specific design parameters.In theory, Lexus could apply for an exemption to the rule, although the Japanese carmaker has given no indication it will try.Audi also might have to revert to conventional mirrors for e-tron when it arrives in Australia in the second half of next year. Alternative mirrors have been a common feature on concept cars in the past decade, but road safety administrators have deemed latency issues and low-light performance make them less effective than regular wing mirrors.Lexus says its camera shape resists raindrops and snow, giving a clearer rear view while also reducing wind noise and providing a less obstructed view through the side windows."The system automatically enhances the corresponding area – left, right or behind – when the turn signals are activated, or when the transmission is put into reverse," it says. "The view of areas around the car can be manually enhanced by the driver to obtain complete peripheral awareness of the area around the vehicle."

Jaguar looks set to roll out its J-Type moniker for its next sports car range, that is expected to be electrified, after trademarks for the J-Type name were last month renewed with the European Intellectual Property Office.The carmaker has held the J-Type name since 2002 and its renewal indicates it is being prepared for the next sportscar range, with British media suggesting it could replace the F-Type.Jaguar uses the letter and 'Type' nomenclature for sportscars and, more recently, a prefix letter and the word 'Pace' for its SUVs.The renewal is the second visit to the intellectual property office for Jaguar in July after also registering the C-Pace name, which could be either a new category of SUV or a coupe version of the current F-Pace.Trademark registration for a new car is usually listed under Class 12 which applies to all types of land transport vehicles, including those with internal-combustion engines.In its J-Type application, however, Jaguar has broadened that to include Class 9 that includes a broad range of electronics and electrical devices, such as charging stations, batteries for EVs and autonomous vehicles, while Class 37 covers services for vehicles.The J-Type has the potential to be Jaguar’s first electric – either hybrid or full electric vehicle – sports car as its lodgement at the property office fell under the broad category that included autonomous driving systems, EVs, hybrids and even charging equipment.Reports from the UK have stated the J-Type will replace the F-Type in around 2022. The reports also state the new sports car will be mid-engined, initially with a hybrid drive and later with a full EV powertrain.The J-Type could follow the design and drivetrain principles of the 2010 Jaguar C-X75 concept sports car that used four electric motors and diesel-fuelled mini turbine generators. At the reveal of the car at the 2010 Paris motor show, Jaguar said the C-X75 would "influence future design and technology".UK motoring publication Auto Express reported that Jaguar is yet to confirm the drivetrain of a new sportscar but it predicted it could follow the I-Pace EV SUV with electric motors on the front and rear axles to provide all-wheel drive.The publication also said in its hybrid layout, the J-Type was likely to have a mid-mounted V6 supplemented by electric motors.It said that the powertrain would need at least 410kW of power to be competitive against rivals including the McLaren 570S. If the rumours are correct and the mid-engined J-Type reaches the showroom, it would be only the second time Jaguar has put a mid-engined car into mass production following the XJ220 of the 1990s.An EV is not unexpected as Jaguar has promoted electric and hybrid propulsion and it has just held the global launch of its first EV – the I-Pace crossover – that will lob in Australia in November.Jaguar design director Ian Callum said that last year’s Frankfurt motor show that he had probably designed his last internal-combustion vehicle. 

California is a nice place, sure. But the Italian Riviera is stunning. So it's no surprise Ferrari decided to rename its entry-level model, ditching the American moniker.

Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed its second-generation GLE large SUV ahead of its public debut at the upcoming Paris motor show.

Porsche has updated standard specification for its 718 series Cayman coupe and Boxster drop-top twins, while keeping pricing across each of its three variants static.

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has finally confirmed pricing for its new Chevrolet Camaro, which will be available in one variant, the 2SS, checking in at $85,990 plus on-road costs.Production will begin at HSV's new production facility in Victoria this month, where it will convert the American muscle car to right-hand-drive specification.The only option available from launch will be metallic paint, which will add $850 to the sticker price.Only 550 units will be available in the first year, which according to HSV managing director Tim Jackson, will allow the distributor to have a stronger connection with its customers."Our business model has always been to provide a niche offering with strong connection and support to our customers and, with just 550 available in our first model year, we are excited to get the product in customers' hands" he said.Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle tyres, power-adjustable heated and ventilated leather sports seats, a leather flat-bottomed steering wheel, a Bose nine-speaker sound system, power sunroof and keyless start.The dash is dominated by an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, with access to four drive modes – Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice and Track.The vehicle also benefits from a wireless phone charger, universal garage door opener and ambient interior lighting.As reported, the Camaro is powered by a 339kW/617Nm 6.2-litre LT1 V8 engine which is matched exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission.Suspension is handled by twin-tube shock absorbers, and lightweight Brembos front and rear provide stopping power.While customers can sometimes be turned off by conversions, Mr Jackson said he was confident that HSV will maintain the integrity of the left-hand-drive vehicle."This project has been over three years in the making and involved millions of dollars of investment in product development, testing and validation" he said."We set out with the goal of retaining the integrity of the left-hand-drive vehicle through the adoption of extensive engineering, development, and manufacturing processes"."I can't think of another organisation, that is not one of the large OE manufacturers, that has challenged itself to conduct full volume compliance on a passenger vehicle".2018 Chevrolet Camaro list pricingChevrolet Camaro 2SS – automatic – $85,990