2020 Nissan Juke scores five-star safety

The 2021 Nissan Juke – the second generation of the small SUV – has earned a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) ahead of a mid 2020 showroom arrival. The Nissan Juke received a score of 83.25 per cent across adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection and safety assist tests. “The Nissan Juke is a good all-round safety performer,” an ANCAP spokesperson said in a statement.

Lamborghini resumes production, will unveil new model this week

Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has resumed production at its Sant’Agata Bolognese plant in Italy following COVID-19 lockdowns – and has announced it will unveil a new model later this week, on Thursday 7 May. Lamborghini restarted production after Italy’s prime minister said on 26 April that certain industries could resume work from May 4. “We are ready to restart with great energy, but also with strict protocols,” Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

Ford Ranger ute baby brother named Maverick – report

The Ford Ranger pick-up's smaller ute sibling in the US is expected to be called Maverick – the name of a Ford compact car sold in the US in the 1970s, and the badge given to the Ford version of the Nissan Patrol Y60 sold in Australia between 1988 and 1994. YouTube channel The Fast Lane Truck claims the above image of a tailgate reveals the Maverick name, with space for Ford's famous blue oval badge.

2021 BMW 4 Series review: Prototype test

Jos van As, BMW’s head of driving dynamics, is grasping an imaginary steering wheel as he enthusiastically details the character of the new 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe. “It’s more sporting in every way compared with the old model,” he says, rolling his wrists to mimic the action of steering it. “But we’ve managed to improve overall comfort as well.”

Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche extend Australian warranties during COVID-19

German brands Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche – members of the Volkswagen Auto Group – have extended new-car warranty periods by three months as part of a global initiative during COVID-19. The extension applies to new car warranties that have expired or will expire between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 – adding three months of warranty from the original expiration date. All Audi and Porsche models sold in Australia are eligible, with all Volkswagen passenger cars built in Europe included.

Escalating the chase – buying a car from Japan, part two

So, in part one, I explained my rather irrational logic as to why I felt it was a good idea to buy a car from Japan, sight-unseen, via photos only. Now, we’ll run through the process of getting the car here to Australia and into my garage. Later, in part three, we’ll finally introduce the car.

Remembering an electric trailblazer – the Mercedes-Benz 190E

The forthcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS might be at the forefront of electric vehicle design and implementation, but the electrified three-pointed star may have shone a little less brightly if it wasn’t for a pioneering EV test 30 years ago this week, featuring none other than the W201 190E.