A wrap would have been easier, but Rolls-Royce opted for a hi-tech, laser-etched paint job for this one-off Phantom Arabesque. The inspiration for the design comes from Middle Eastern architecture in the form of traditional mashrabiya latticework. The mashrabiya pattern is reinterpreted in various ways: a laser-engraved bonnet, intricate Blackwood and Bolivar marquetry Gallery artwork a suite of Bespoke motifs subtly placed throughout the car. In an architectural setting, mashrabiya is built using intricately carved wooden screens that create privacy, allowing those inside to look out without being seen. The… Read more

Suzuki is preparing to launch its first fully-electric vehicle in Australia. The all-new e Vitara is expected in showrooms from June, but there’s no word on the price yet. It follows close on the heels of the dismissal one-star result achieved by Fronx in safety tests conducted by ANCAP. This at a time when Suzuki sales are down almost 30 per cent across the board year on year. The compact, five-seat e Vitara will be available in two variants, Motion and Ultra. The first is front-wheel drive, with a 49… Read more

Just like electric cars, hybrids have been around a lot longer than you might think. In fact, the first hybrid predates the Prius by 20 years and, believe it not, was built by Briggs & Stratton — the same Briggs & Stratton that makes engines for lawnmowers. The year was 1979 and it came at the tail end of the then oil crisis which had car makers looking to low fuel consumption alternatives. Keen to promote its new air-cooled, horizontally opposed two-cylinder engine, the company set out to develop a… Read more

Audi is scaling up the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into large-scale series production . For example, in German assembly plants, workers are increasingly being controlled centrally from the cloud. They receive information such as vehicles’ specifications or regional versions from a central source in real time. The move to the cloud has already eliminated the need for more than 1000 industrial PCs (no word on its workforce yet). In doing so, the company is setting the next benchmark in fully networked factory automation and at the same time laying… Read more

Mahindra has confirmed the new Scorpio SUV will see the introduction of Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The inclusion of ADAS brings a comprehensive suite of intelligent driver-assistance features to Mahindra’s flagship off-road-capable SUV. This initiative underscores Mahindra’s commitment to providing safe, world-class vehicles to Australian families, adventurers, and fleet operators. The updated MY26 Scorpio features Level 2 ADAS, adding an advanced range of safety and driver-support features designed for Australian roads and conditions, including: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) – Detects vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians ahead, and automatically… Read more

Strictly limited to just 19 examples in Australia, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Estrema is a true gem. Arriving in February, the Estrema (Italian for extreme), showcases the very best of Alfa Romeo’s performance engineering. With a 2.9-litre turbocharged petrol V6, it delivers 382kW of power and 606Nm of torque, with a world-renowned Akrapovič exhaust, active-valve lightweight titanium system with carbon-fibre finishers. There’s also a mechanical limited slip rear differential, Alfa DNA Pro drive mode selector with active suspension, 50/50 weight distribution and carbon-fibre active aero splitter and driveshaft. Impressive… Read more