Technology & Infotainment

Kia is launching an AI chatbot... Do we want that?
Welcome to 2023, where nobody is safe from AI – but Kia is keen to make it more a blessing than a curse

Mazda Connected Services confirmed for Australia
Mazda Australia to follow Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and Honda with in-vehicle connectivity in 2024

What are sodium-ion electric car batteries?
Lithium-ion battery costs have risen, proving a headache for cheaper EVs. But, sodium-ion tech is emerging as a potential solution

Australians want more tech and safety features in new cars, study finds
An Australian survey has found buyers want more tech and safety, affirming the move from most carmakers to include more standard features for a higher price

Tesla’s value predicted to boost from new Dojo self-driving supercomputer
Tesla’s new image-based Dojo supercomputer could spark potential, according to analysts

Carmakers can sell your data – even your sex life
Shocking new research into the largely unregulated world of vehicle data collection shows how exposed the average consumer is

Tesla significantly expands Superchargers to all EVs in Australia, but...
All EVs can now access more Tesla Superchargers in Australia – if you’re willing to pay

400km in 10 minutes? New fast-charging EV batteries due in 2024
The world’s largest EV battery supplier has announced a new LFP battery. Is this the closest ‘official’ hint of an imminent Model 3 update launch to date?

Dud Google Maps directions leave woman stranded in the desert
Police urge drivers to use caution when using navigation directions in remote locations

How a Tesla write-off from the US landed in Ukraine – with the previous owner still logged in
In a lesson of vehicle data privacy, an American journalists’ former Tesla started using his online accounts – from nearly 8000 kilometres overseas and almost a year later

Why aren’t people learning to drive a manual car?
Manual cars are almost dead. So, this might be your last chance to enjoy them.

LS engine family part 1: Gen III + Gen IV
The LS engine has been in production for over a quarter-century, and there are literally dozens of variants to play with. Here's the skinny on the whole bunch!

Mini is slapping a smartwatch on the dash of its new Cooper, and I'm into it
BMW's 'budget' brand, Mini, is doubling down on the iconic round display with a fully frisbee'd screen and graphics that look like they've come straight from my Samsung Galaxy Watch.

Eco-friendly Google Maps routes have dramatically cut vehicle pollution
Google claims its Maps eco-friendly route suggestions have saved more than a million tonnes of vehicle CO2 emissions in a year

Race safety: How to prepare your car before you head to the track
Arby provides some pointers for readying your race car for a tech inspection

MG: future 600kW EVs will recharge in ‘10 minutes’
Half-solid-state batteries coming next year; SAIC confirms its working on a battery even cheaper than LFP

MG: EVs now priced to rival petrol cars
MG battery boss says some EVs have reached price parity with ICEs – and are only going to get cheaper
Four-day XP Falcon wagon thrash build
An Easter long-weekend thrash by a bunch of good mates brings a languishing project to fruition

Subaru WRX, BRZ manuals to receive AEB; Toyota GR86 likely to follow
Potentially life-saving autonomous emergency braking tech – mandated in Australia from 2025 – will be added to manual Subaru BRZ and WRX sports cars

The new Volvo EX30 appears to have taken some notes from Tesla
The new baby electric SUV sweeps its functions into a central portrait screen – but with research to back up the decision

Apple Vision Pro: Is it legal to drive when wearing VR or AR glasses?
Apple’s new Vision Pro headset might have you wondering if it is legal to use augmented reality devices when driving in Australia

XP Falcon coupe body swap onto an EL Falcon chassis
How to turn two rusty Ford Falcons into a low-buck fun machine over a four-day long weekend

BYD Atto 3 software update brings Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay
The BYD Atto 3 has received Android Auto via an over-the-air update, after Apple CarPlay was added to the electric SUV in January

Toyota confirms some Australian owners affected in unprotected data event
Toyota and Lexus owners in Japan have had their vehicle data publicly available for the past decade, with some Australian Toyota customers impacted.