2016-18 Porsche Panamera recalled

Porsche Australia has issued a recall notice for the 2016-18 Panamera sedan over concerns a software fault could lead to a loss of power steering. The German marque reports power steering assistance may "become unavailable sporadically" as a result of the programming error, which will require "greater force" to turn the steering wheel. Owners can switch the ignition off and then on again as a temporarily fix, though the condition still poses an increased risk of an accident.

2018 Ram 1500 recalled

American Special Vehicles has issued a recall for the Ram 1500 over concerns a loose cable could cause the parking brake to become "difficult to operate". The conversion firm reports the outer cable sheath for the park brake may have slipped through the end fitting. If the condition occurs, the park brake could also fail, meaning the vehicle is unable to be secured. This increases the risk of an accident, and also poses an injury risk to the vehicle's occupants and other road users.

Mazda MX-5 30th Anniversary Edition teased

Mazda has previewed the MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary Edition with a blurry image (above) this week, ahead of its official reveal at the Chicago motor show early next month. The Japanese roadster turns 30 this year, and Mazda is debuting the limited-run special at the same place the original MX-5 did in 1989. Not much else has been revealed about the special edition, though it looks like a bright orange or red colour option will be offered going by the teaser image.

Mercedes-Benz: Autonomous cars to be region-specific

Mercedes-Benz says that the use of full autonomous cars in the future will likely be region specific, meaning certain cars will be designed and engineered for certain areas, which will see them unable to operate autonomously in other regions.

2019 Nissan Leaf e+ revealed, not for Oz yet

Nissan has revealed the Leaf e+ this week, a more powerful version of its popular electric vehicle that also offers more range per charge. Scheduled to hit the Japanese market this month ahead of US and European releases later this year, the Leaf e+ claims to offer 40 per cent more range than the standard version, rated at 458km on Japan's WLTC cycle – by comparison, the regular Leaf claims 322km on the same test method.

The dangerous road rule that could kill you these holidays

Would you do 195km/h in a 110km/h zone? I know I wouldn't; so why are people happy to do 110km/h in a 25 or 40km/h zone? Poorly advertised new laws in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia now put your life and mine at risk each time we approach an emergency vehicle pulled over on the side of the road.

Mercedes-Benz: V8 and V12 “will survive” for now

Despite stating at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that the ‘future is definitely electric’, Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed that its V12 and V8 engines, which are used in ‘600’, ‘650’ or ‘AMG 65’ (plus by Pagani) and ‘500’, ‘550’ or ‘AMG 63’ models respectively, will survive for another generation.