Urban News

A huge change to speed limits in New South Wales has just come into force. Roadwork speed limits in NSW will no longer apply during non-work hours on-site, when it is safe to do so.Speed limits signs must be removed when there are no workers on site and it is out of work hours.Speed limits will return to the normal signed range, as long as it is safe for drivers and pedestrians.“Protecting construction workers and motorists around worksites is critical. We are not changing or weakening any rules around safety,” Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said. “But as everyone has experienced, leaving speed restrictions in place outside of construction hours often slows down traffic movement. "This change will help traffic keep moving, reduce frustration for motorists and make journeys across the state more efficient."Previously, drivers were required to slow down to the signed roadwork limit regardless of whether there were any workers present.Roadwork limits meant speeds were dropped to 80km/h, 60km/h and 40km/h, including on major highways. Speed limits can incrementally decrease from 110km/h to 40km/h as drivers get closer to the location of the roadworks. This created unnecessary delays, where road roadwork speed limit signs were left out even after workers had left the site.This will now be illegal under the NSW Government's new legislation. Roadwork speeds are monitored by mobile speed cameras, as well as fixed mobile phone detection cameras. Fines, including double demerits, are applicable. The Chris Minns' government first promised to address roadwork speed limits ahead of the 2023 election.This move marks its fulfilment ahead of the March 2027 election. 

China’s latest budget electric car is about to hit Aussie showrooms.The Leapmotor B05 is priced from $35,990 (drive-away), placing it in close proximity to the GWM Ora 5 (from $33,990, drive-away) and MG4 (from $39,990, drive-away).There is also a long-range variant of the B05 available, starting from $39,990 (drive-away), making it $4000 more than the base car.All variants have a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 240Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of less than seven seconds.The long-range B05 comes with a 67kWh battery that provides a driving range of 482km, while a 56kWh unit in the base car offers 401km, both according to WLTP standards. These strong range figures for the hatchback are in part due to the car only being offered in a rear-wheel drive set-up. The car has DC charging capabilities at up to 174kW, meaning it can charge from 30-80 per cent in under 20 minutes on both variants. On the inside, there is a 14.6-inch central touchscreen display and an 8.8-inch digital driver display.It is also equipped with a wireless phone charger as standard, accompanied by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The long-range grade adds a fixed panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, synthetic leather seats and a premium 12-speaker sound system.It also introduces electrically adjustable seats, with the front ones heated, as well as a heated steering wheel.Leapmotor said the B05 will arrive in Australia in late August 2026.It will join Leapmotor’s growing model line-up in Australia which includes electric and range-extender variants of its B10 and C10 SUVs. The B10 and C10 have been slow sellers in Australia as they target cheaper and more popular petrol-powered alternatives and face tough competition on the price front from Geely and BYD.Leapmotor will continue to bring across more models to Australia over the next 18 months, including the B03X compact SUV and the D19 large SUV.There is also a hot hatch variant of the B05 called the 'Ultra' being developed in China that could be on its way to Australia to top-out the range in the coming years as a new rival to the MG4 XPower.

New data has revealed the true impact of the fuel crisis on Aussie drivers as they stop filling up their cars as frequently.Data from novated lease company Maxxia looked at more than 200,000 salary-packaging fuel transactions between February and May of 2026.Gaps between fill-ups for drivers stretched from every 8.6 days in February to every 13.5 days by May. This indicates drivers were travelling less distance and were delaying trips to the bowser, squeezing every last drop of petrol out of the tank before refuelling. This gap has continued to widen even though fuel prices have been lower in the past few weeks.Lower fuel prices have encouraged drivers to fill up their tanks with more fuel, even if those trips still remain somewhat infrequent compared to before the Iran war.Small top-ups gained popularity between February and May, more than doubling in that period.It comes after the federal government tried to alter driver habits during the fuel crisis, running a $20 million advertising campaign.The campaign focused on reduced car use and avoiding lead-footed driving.Maxxia’s data also showed people did cut down on driving between February and May. Very high-use drivers (traveling more than 120km per day) cut their distance driven by 45 per cent between February and April.The data shows commuter drivers (60km-120km), remained steady despite reduced long-distance travel.This highlighed Aussies' dependence on driving to get around, according to Maxxia Chief Executive Officer Antonia Albanese.“For many of our customers, the car isn’t a luxury – it’s how they get to work, visit clients, or support their family,” Albanese said.“For people who can't simply stop driving, that tells you just how hard they're working to absorb these costs.”Fuel prices are expected to rise again in the coming days with the federal government halving the Fuel Excise discount in Australia.Fuel price increases have also coincided with an acceleration in the number of electric cars bought in Australia. There were more than 21,000 EVs sold last month, with budget favourites like the Jaecoo J5 EV and Geely EX5 shooting to the top of the charts. 

A number plate allegedly worth more than $10 million has been spotted in the wild, but you’ll never guess the car that has them on.A picture posted by a Reddit user in Victoria shows the ‘1’ plate appearing on a car worth nowhere near that value. The valuation of this plate would likely extend into the millions in today’s market. The ‘20’ number plate in Victoria was reported to have sold for $2.54 million in 2024.There are rumours the current owner of the ‘1’ plate has been offered more than $10 million, but turned it down.You’d expect a number plate worth more than every production car on the roads would be attached to something suitably exotic. It has been attached so some sought after models throughout the years, but none of them fall into the same ballpark as the potential value of the plates. They have appeared on many other vehicles since then, including a Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Carrera. It seems to have primarily been attached to several Mercedes-Benz models like the E55 and E63 sedans. Most recently the plates have been spotted on a previous generation C43 wagon that seem to have been on the car since at least since 2018.The C43 was originally priced in Australia from $104,400, just over one per cent of the $10 million value attached to the ‘1’ plates. Now you can buy many examples of that generation of the C43 from less than $40,000, which is 0.4 per cent of the plates’ valuation.The '1' number plate has an extensive history in Victoria, according to reports.It was originally produced in 1932 but was forbidden from being put on any cars, with high-ranking Victorian officials disagreeing on who should display the plates on their car. This disagreement saw the plates locked away in a vault for more than a half century. The plates reappeared for the first time in 1984 at an auction, where they were won by a retired mechanic from Ballarat, paying $165,000. The number plate market has become increasingly lucrative in Australia, with the wealthy not just showing off with what they drive, but what plates are displayed on their cars.The NSW "1" plate sold for more than $10m in 2024 at a Lloyd's auction.The Queensland number plate 'Q12020' recently sold for $1 million, even though the seller was only asking $20,000 originally, according to the site.

A new affordable and super compact electric car has been named ahead of its official reveal, and this one is from Europe rather than China.Dacia has announced its upcoming fully electric compact car will inherit the ‘Spring’ name from its predecessor, which at some stages was the most affordable brand new electric car sold in Europe.Dubbed the ‘New Spring’, as it will be sold for a period of time alongside the outgoing car, the 2027 car will be a ground-up development based on the upcoming Renault Twingo.Expected to wear Dacia’s current angular styling language as opposed to the revived ‘90s aesthetic of the new Twingo from Renault, the Spring is said to keep the spirit of its predecessor.“New Spring keeps the essentials: a 100 per cent electric powertrain, four real seats, and a proper boot Dacia continues to pursue a clear ambition to pave the way for electric mobility that is accessible to all,” said the brand.The current low-cost car is built in China, but the new car will be built in Slovenia alongside the Twingo as parent company Renault looks to avoid tough new tariff structures imposed on Chinese-built vehicles in the EU.Renault has said it is targeting the equivalent of a sub-$30,000 price for the Twingo, but the Dacia model is expected to cost even less.The outgoing Spring was a success in Europe, selling over 200,000 units according to the brand. As recently as 2024 it was made available in right-hand drive to cater to the UK market.It is powered by either a 52kW/137Nm or 72kW/137Nm motor driving the front wheels, mated to a 24.3kWh battery allowing a 225km range according to the WLTP combined cycle.At just 3701mm long, it is even smaller than the most compact electric car sold in Australia, the BYD Atto 1, which measures 3990mm long. Its boot measures 308 litres, which Dacia says is class-leading.The Atto 1 starts from just $23,990 (before on-roads) in Australia, which makes it the most affordable new electric car on sale in Australia. It is also strictly a four-seat offering, and the entry-level version can travel 220km on a full charge, using a 65kW electric motor.The Duster is the only Dacia model on sale in Australia, and it is re-badged and sold as a Renault. The brand’s Australian operation, has said in the past the door is open to more re-badged Dacia models in the future.Ultra compact cars struggle to be sold in Australia as they often fall afoul of either our tough Australian Design Rules or the requirements for a five-star ANCAP safety rating.Mitsubishi trialled its eK X electric city car in Australia several years ago, but ultimately decided it wouldn’t be viable with the built-in-Japan model attracting higher prices than Chinese rivals, and it would have worn a safety rating of three stars or less.

MG is continuing its budget EV push with a new hatchback launching in 2027 set to take on the BYD Atto 1. It is sized for the B-segment, meaning it sits on the smaller end of the hatchback scale. Based on this, it is expected to be smaller than the MG4 and MG4 Urban, so it could end up being the cheapest model in MG's line-up. MG Australia has previously said it does not comment on future models or product details, so it is unclear whether it will eventually make its way Down Under. The local branch has been contacted for comment to see if the new hatchback will launch in Australia. There are limited other details available at this stage, but the brand has provided a couple of teaser images of the new hatch. It will have a bubble-like exterior design, including a pixelated front headlight design. There will be a rear roof spoiler and the rear headlight design is split into four quarters. It lines up as a direct threat to the BYD Atto 1 that currently holds the title for the cheapest EV in Australia, starting from $23,990 (before on-road costs). MG’s cheapest EV in Australia is the recently-launched MG4 Urban, with a starting price of $31,990 (drive-away), so this incoming hatch could be the budget rival MG needs. We will get a closer look at the new hatch early next month. MG’s cheap small cars remain the most popular of the brand’s offerings as it holds onto a place in the top 10 best-selling brands Down Under. Its ZS small SUV is the brand’s best-selling model, followed by the MG3 hatch. Together they contribute nearly half of MG’s sales in Australia. 

GWM has just stepped up its budget EV game in Australia, unveiling the Ora 5 hatchback.There is no official news on a launch for the Ora 5 hatchback, but there is a good chance it will hit showrooms before the end of the year, with deliveries of the SUV variant already beginning.GWM Australia has been contacted for comment to find out launch plans for the car. The Ora 5 hatch shares much of the same design and set-up as its SUV sibling, but it has been given a lower and sportier stance, according to GWM. It differs from the SUV as it does not featuring roof rails. It keeps the same bubble headlight design and general exterior look. GWM also confirmed it has the same 58kWh battery with a driving range of 435km on WLTP standards. The brand did not confirm what will power the hatch, but given it is so similar to the SUV, it is expected to have the same single electric motor producing 150kW and 260Nm. Pricing remains unknown at this stage, but there is potential for it to be priced under the SUV, which starts from $33,990 (drive-away).The news comes after the brand ditched its Ora hatch Down Under earlier this year to make way for the Ora 5 SUV. The Ora faced serious budget competition from other Chinese rivals such as the BYD Dolphin that is priced from under $30,000 (before on-road costs), while the Ora was priced from $35,990 (drive-away).Competition in the EV hatch space has increased significantly, including the arrival of the GAC Aion UT ($31,990, before on-road costs). The Ora 5 is generally bigger than many of these EV hatch rivals.It joins at a time when GWM continues to grow on the sales front and chase down legacy brands in Australia.Chinese competitors such as BYD and Chery have experienced more growth than GWM in 2026, with the affordability proving a key selling point.

This car will change everything you thought about the humble Toyota Corolla.On the eve of the Corolla’s 60th birthday, the Japanese giant has confirmed the GRMN Corolla is headed Down Under.Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said the new GRMN Corolla is the best of both worlds.“This is truly our GR philosophy in action, and has produced an astonishing high-performance driver’s car that is as at home on the racetrack as it is on the road,” he said.It takes the already red-hot GR Corolla hot hatch, and turns the dial all the way up.Spawned from Japan’s Super Taikyu race series and tuned and tweaked at the Nurburgring race track in Germany — dubbed the Green Hell — the GRMN is the brand’s most driver-focused Corolla of all time.The GRMN has just two seats and a rocket of a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 221kW and 408Nm.It has upgraded front and rear suspension and fatter Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber for improved performance on track.Toyota has optimised the all-wheel drive set-up for improved torque delivery and tweaked the power steering to give more feedback during high speed cornering.The Corolla GRMN is leaner than the standard manual GR Corolla, having lost 40kg. There is also a unique instrument panel for greater driver concentration and GRMN design touches throughout.Exterior updates include bonnet and fender ducts for increased ventilation, front side spoiler and large rear wing with five step adjustment for increased aerodynamics.It is only available in two colours: matt black or khaki.Toyota Australia said the Corolla GRMN will arrive in limited numbers from 2027.

Mazda has taken more steps away from electric cars, announcing a trial for its biodiesel fuel in Japan, and it could be a game-changer in Australia.Biodiesel is considered a renewable fuel made up of vegetable and used cooking oils, among other organic materials.The trial will take place towards the end of 2026.It will be conducted between the brand’s Hofu, Nishinoura district plant and Nakanoseki finished vehicle yard - a distance of 12km.It will assess fuel efficiency, performance and operational challenges to collect insights with a view to further expansion. The transport trailers used in the trial will operate under conditions equivalent to conventional diesel fuel, which includes maintenance and inspection practices. Mazda is already considering the logistics of a full integration for the fuel system, working with distributors in Japan to develop supply systems and infrastructure. It said it is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality across its range by 2050, with these plans coming at an important time for the brand in Australia.The brand finds itself behind in the electrified vehicle race, which has seen it on the cusp of copping substantial emissions-related fines.It has sought to rectify this with the introduction of the fully-electric Mazda 6e sedan and Mazda CX-6e SUV Down Under.This biodiesel fuel push is further evidence of Mazda's recent venture into non-EV clean emissions alternatives.It recently confirmed the push back of its own electric car plans in favour of hybrids.It is too early to tell whether biodiesel will become an established part of Mazda's lineup, but a trial shows there is potential.Mazda Australia has been contacted for comment to see if there are any plans for biodiesel technology to be introduced and what impact this could have on EVs. Mazda currently offers diesel set-ups in some of its bigger SUVs such as the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90, as well as the BT-50 ute. A fully-integrated biodiesel-powered BT-50 could give Mazda the edge over conventional diesel rivals. These diesel powerhouses have experienced challenges in maintaining towing and carrying capacities with cleaner set-ups.Ford recently announced its Ranger utes have biodiesel capacity, including a fleet of units that run on this fuel at Melbourne Airport. The Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid has had a tepid sales response with its lesser payload, while the incoming Hilux EV will only have a driving range of less than 300km

The first arrival of a BYD-owned shipping vessel to Australia has caused a stir as the brand’s top brass is confident troubles with supply in its home nation won’t affect Australian demand.The BYD Zhengzhou docked at the Port of Melbourne carrying 4809 BYD vehicles destined for Australian customers, part of a promise to deliver 30,000 new cars in the second quarter of 2026.BYD has already more than doubled its sales in the first quarter of 2026 compared to Q1, 2025, and if 30,000 vehicles are added to the existing count before halfway through the year, BYD will finish the first half with a remarkable 55,000 new cars sold in Australia.But on the morning media were given a tour of the BYD Zhengzhou in what could arguably be called a fanfare event, Toyota Australia announced it “has secured an additional 10,000 vehicles for local customers in 2026”.Toyota sold 59,675 cars in Q1 to BYD’s 25,243. BYD also remains behind Mazda, Kia, and Ford.The timing suggests Toyota wanted to remind Australian buyers who is number one in the sales race, but BYD’s commitment to meeting demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) is clear, and the brand’s top brass didn’t hesitate to say as such.Liu Xueliang, Group Vice President of BYD and General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, told Australian media during a conference in Port Melbourne that despite battery supply challenges in the brand’s home market, BYD would meet demand in Australia.Via interpreter, Mr Liu told CarsGuide that even at home in an EV-saturated market, BYD’s outlook is optimistic.“Sales in China have begun to recover in Q2, we achieved 380,000 units sold in May just past. “Growth has tightened a bit, but that does not affect supply to markets including Australia.“This is just one of our ships, but we’ve got many other ships that are arriving in Australia.”While Mr Liu wouldn’t be drawn on Toyota’s announcement, the theme that returned many times during the conference was BYD’s ownership of its own supply chain, and the control that grants.Given Australia’s demand for plug-in hybrids and EVs in 2026 is higher than it has been by huge margins, Liu Xueliang said this wouldn’t be the first time a BYD-owned ship would be seen in an Australian port.