Inside Ferrari’s revved-up profit machine
Ferrari has proved that you don’t actually need to make a lot of cars to become one of the world’s most profitable carmakers. Here’s how Maranello does it.
Motoring
‘Unfair! Excessive! Dystopian!’: my teen reviews Mazda’s babysitting software
Through the MyMazda app, these cars allow you to monitor your teenager’s driving, set them speed limits, curfews and no-go zones — they’ll hate it and resent you forever. I had a different view.
This can’t be a supercar — it’s far too easy for a tall, fat bloke to get in
Driving a supercar was once akin to taking control of a monster that runs on a combination of molten lava and absinthe. In this McLaren Artura Spider, it all feels a bit too accessible.
Sound the alarm on this EV’s outrageously stupid problem
Chinese newcomer Zeekr X has hit the market with a classy, powerful and reasonably priced vehicle. What a shame I’m not writing about that – instead, I’m asking why anybody would want a car which neighs like a horse.
This EV sports car hits 100km/h in just 2.4 seconds
This is quite possibly the fastest car I’ve ever driven – at least in a straight line – which makes it a useful tool for impressing and occasionally terrifying other people. But it does not make it my favourite vehicle ever.
Should you buy an EV now or wait … 30 years?
There’s (green) blood in the streets, but you’re still thinking of buying an EV. Well, here are five sensible hybrids and a fancy one for those who like to fox around in flash cars.
It’s a looker, but can this LandCruiser carry a dead sheep?
If you’re looking for a proper off-road vehicle, the options are limited. So no wonder there’s a buzz around the new Toyota LandCruiser.
The five most expensive cars ever sold (at auction)
How much would you pay for a used car if you really wanted it? To see if you qualify as a buyer of the world’s most expensive vehicles, first answer these five questions.
‘If engines could have orgasms, they would sound like this’
The 718 Spyder RS is a two-seater slice of Porsche history: the last ever mid-engined, naturally aspirated convertible masterpiece it will ever make.
Year of the lemon: The five worst cars to buy in 2025
Don’t get bitten by a bad car this year of the wood snake. Here are the five worst cars that you could possibly buy in 2025.
Louis Vuitton named official title partner for 2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
The driver who wins the first race of the 2025 Formula 1 season won’t just take home glory – he’ll be delivered a trophy in a monogrammed trunk, courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
‘Going this fast in an MG is like bungee jumping using old shoelaces’
This latest creation from the Chinese carmaker leaves me feeling like the cartoon character Wile E Coyote. I can picture myself taking off at great speed and the panels, doors and windows all flying off to leave me hugging an ACME rocket.
Who comes out on top in the battle of the mini-vans?
Between the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria there can only be one winner – and by ‘winner’ I mean one which I hated significantly less than I expected to.
Is Cybertruck maker Tesla losing its buzz?
Tesla’s Cybertruck has become America’s fifth most popular electric vehicle but overall 2024 was a disappointing year for the Elon Musk-helmed company.
What happens when Ferrari makes a car to suit Greta Thunberg?
I can only liken this Ferrari 296 GTS – a plug-in hybrid – to what happens when you ask the world’s best chef to make supper using only a turnip and dog food.
Here’s an election winner for you Albo
Great Wall Motors or as we call it here, GWM, had a less than stellar start in Australia with its hybrid EVs. No wonder once he took over, Trump immediately cancelled EVs.
Electrifyingly alarming list if you’re an EV buyer
Of the 10 new cars that collapsed in price last year, all were EVs bar one. Well, there’s a shock!
An EV that is actually value for money? This one could be it
This Kia EV5 is worth the hefty price tag in part because its interior feels far more premium than Kias ever used to — and about 100 times more premium than a Tesla.
‘It’s like liquid Viagra is flowing through the fuel lines’
For years I’ve pretended to dislike the Porsche 911, if only to wind up my Top Gear colleagues. But now I’m coming clean.
There’s nothing like a Dane, eh, Mr Trump?
Trumpy is right. Of course the land of the free should take back the Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland.
Move over Tesla, Chinese-built BYD now Australia’s preferred EV
Chinese manufacturer BYD, which entered the Australian car market just two years ago, has taken over from Tesla as the vehicle EV buyers are most likely to consider.
Holden owners may get compo as GM sued over alleged fault
Hundreds of thousands of Holden owners could be eligible for compensation from GM after a class action was launched over alleged faulty transmission systems. Does your car have one?
Haunting tales from the unencrypted VW data
Just when you thought driving silently meant you were safe, German newspaper Der Spiegel has revealed that leaked data shows the precise locations of about 800,000 VW electric vehicles.
All hail to the king McQueen as motoring crown jewel auctioned
Women wanted him and men wanted to be him, and now they can buy a piece of Steve McQueen’s motoring legacy – or for those of a more tender age, the car was also owned by Jerry Seinfeld.
When being of good cheer means shifting through the gears
Whatever way you’re celebrating the festive season, let’s reflect on those less fortunate in Brunei, where it will be Christmas-less but at least you can spend the day admiring the Sultan’s cars.
When you have more money than sense, try a Pagani Zonda
It’s reputedly got the same power as a turbo-prop aircraft and probably flies faster when it leaves the road and buries itself in a tunnel wall. Life flashes by quickly behind the wheel of a Pagani.
Why investing in collectable cars should be for pleasure
Older Australians are keeping the classic car market motoring but the buyers are getting very selective, and the growth of EV and potential of hydrogen vehicles could undermine their value.
This Dark Horse is one of the cars of the year
This muscular Mustang and its six-speed manual gearbox stands out among the crowd of EVs and hybrids and reminds us all what it’s like to have fun behind the wheel.
When it comes to recalls, fired-up Jag sets an electric pace
Jaguar’s a name synonymous with great looking but unreliable British marques and it seems the company’s Indian owner has even managed to take that dubious reputation a step too far.
No rear window, no worries
A bold design decision translates to maximum comfort for rear seat passengers in the Polestar 4. But why would any car buyer care so much about the comfort of their passengers?
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/motoring/page/9