South Australia has put its hand up as a potential surrogate host for the 2021 Australian Grand Prix should the ongoing coronavirus crisis force organisers to cancel a second consecutive F1 race at Melbourne’s Albert Park.

SA premier Steven Marshall said the state doesn’t have ‘buckets of cash’ to pour into the event, but if hosting Formula One in 2021 made commercial sense then the they would look at it.

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Marshall explained that The Bend Motorsport Park east of Adelaide was a perfect venue to host a Formula One grand prix event, and spruiked the two-year-old track as “one of the very best racing circuits globally”.

Rumours that Adelaide has been planning to snatch back the rights to host the iconic race have from Melbourne have been circulating for years, but the premier was quick to point out that the arrangement would only be a one-off.

“We’re not going over to poach, but we stand ready with a fantastic track in South Australia,” Marshall said.

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“We don’t have the ability to put together a street circuit which would be suitable for Formula One, so the only option for the grand prix to come to South Australia would be at The Bend.

“To bring quality events to South Australia that promote economic activity and get our economy moving again, is exactly what we’re looking at.”

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The premier’s comments follow a recent push for the state to host more sporting events including yesterday’s announcement that two rounds of the 2020 Supercars Championship will be hosted at The Bend in September, and South Australia is awaiting confirmation of its bid to host the AFL grand final.

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The state is also keen to host the Boxing Day Test, if it cannot be held at the MCG, and The Bend’s owners, the Shahin family, are equally keen to host the Australian Grand Prix.

Some adjustments would have to be made to the track to accommodate F1’s incredible speed, but the track’s managing director Sam Shahin said the track was capable of catering for all F1 demands.

“The answer is we will throw our hat in the ring and throw it again and again and again until there is a real opportunity,” Shahin said.

The Australian Grand Prix was formerly held in South Australia on the Adelaide street circuit between 1985 and 1995, before moving to Melbourne for the end of the 1996 season.

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Coronavirus notwithstanding, the Victorian government holds a contract with Formula One to host the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne until 2025.

That said, coronavirus has spoiled a lot of plans particularly in motorsport spheres so who knows where the 2021 Australian Grand Prix will end up?

What stands out?

Tiny dimensions make the fun-driving Suzuki Ignis exceptionally handy in the city, and its lightweight body helps it get along very nicely out on the open road – and without using much petrol.

The relatively tall, SUV-style body also means more headroom and legroom than you might expect, and for such an inexpensive car. The Ignis is well-equipped though it does lack safety aids such as autonomous emergency braking.

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What might bug me?

Maybe, just maybe, the way the engine works when you accelerate hard in an auto Ignis. First, the engine speeds up, and then the CVT auto smoothly speeds up the car. It’s more effective, but some people prefer the feel of a traditional auto with distinct ratio steps.

The lack of active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, which has become the exception among new cars,Otherwise, nothing that you wouldn’t notice in the showroom. What you see is about what you get, in an Ignis.

What body styles are there?

Five-door SUV-style wagon only. Ignis GLs seat up to five, while the more expensive GLX seats four.Every Ignis drives only its front wheels.The Ignis is classed as a light SUV, lower priced.

What features does every Ignis have?

• 7.0-inch central colour touchscreen.
• An MP3 compatible sound system with a USB input, Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming, and at least four speakers.
• Reversing camera.
• Satellite navigation.
• Support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so that you can display some phone apps on the touchscreen and control them from there (or by voice).

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• Air-conditioning.
• Cruise control.
• Fog-lights.
• A leather-wrapped steering wheel, from which you can operate the cruise control, the audio system, and your phone via Bluetooth.
• Cloth-covered seats.
• A space-saver spare tyre (with speed and distance restrictions).
• Electronic traction control, which inhibits wheelspin on slippery roads.
• Electronic stability control, which can help bring a skidding car back under control. All new cars must have this feature.
• Six airbags: two directly in front of the driver and front-seat passenger; one alongside each front occupant to protect the upper body; and a curtain airbag down each side of the car to protect heads from side impacts.

Which engine uses least fuel, and why wouldn’t I choose it?

There is only one engine available in an Ignis, a 1.2-litre petrol four-cylinder that uses no more than 4.9 litres/100km on the official government test (city and country combined).In the real world, the Ignis averages about 6.0 litres/100km – whether you choose a manual or an auto gearbox.

This small engine doesn’t produce much power. But because the Ignis is so light, it has more than enough performance to keep up with the traffic – both in town and on the open road.The Ignis comes with a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. A CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission, adjusts the gear ratio incrementally rather than in the fixed steps of a conventional auto. That lets the engine run more sweetly and efficiently more of the time (provided the CVT is tuned well).

What key features do I get if I spend more?

The entry-level Ignis GL comes with 15-inch painted steel wheels (with silver plastic covers), the manual gearbox, and the features on every Ignis. Spend more and you can have the CVT auto.

Spend more again for the Ignis GLX and auto transmission is standard. You also get:

• Keyless entry and push-button start.
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat.

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• Climate-control air-conditioning that maintains a selected cabin temperature automatically.
• Brighter LED headlamps use very bright that turn on automatically in low light.
• LED daytime running lamps.
• Bigger 16 inches wheels made from fancier looking polished aluminium alloy – which does not need plastic trim.

Does any upgrade have a down side?

The bigger wheels on the GLX use tyres with a correspondingly lower profile, which don’t ride as comfortably as the tyres on the GL. They also cause the steering of a GLX to fidget and twitch more on bumpy roads.The rear seat in a GLX accommodates only two people, and has only two child-seat tether points. (The GL can seat three in the back, and has three tether points.)White is the only standard colour. All other colours, even white with a black roof, cost extra.

How comfortable is the Ignis?

More than anything else, the Ignis is a tiny car. That said, there’s a touch of the Tardis about it: it seems bigger inside than it looks.The extensive use of white finish in the cabin (lower dash and door trims) helps give an impression of space. But there’s no getting away from just how narrow and short it is.

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You can adjust the steering wheel for height but not reach. Even so, it is easy to find a comfortable driving position. Short drivers will appreciate the ability to raise the seat in a GLX – you can’t in a GL, and its default position is quite low in relation to the window line.The dash on both models is dominated by a large and easy-to-use tablet-style touchscreen that controls all the ancillary functions aside from heating and ventilation.While the GL manual is easy to drive, thanks to its positive gearbox and light clutch, an automatic Ignis is easier still. The CVT helps get the most from the little engine and lets you keep up with traffic with less attention.Because the Ignis is so small, you can squeeze deftly through traffic and park in even the tightest spot.

What about safety in a Suzuki Ignis?

Every Ignis has six airbags, electronic stability control, and a reversing camera.However, the Ignis does not offer active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking – which can apply the brakes on its own, to help you avoid a frontal crash that you have failed to see coming.The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has not rated the Ignis.

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I like driving – will I enjoy this car?

You’ll probably be surprised just how much fun the Ignis is to drive – in the city and on trips into the countryside.That’s largely because it’s so light – only about two-thirds the weight of most other cars listed as small SUVs.The Ignis goes around corners like they are hardly there – whether it’s sharp city turns or more flowing country bends.

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On the open road its progress feels surprisingly effortless. You want to sustain 110km/h up a long, steep, freeway hill? No problem, and without the engine feeling like it is working very hard. That’s thanks in part to the help it gets from the CVT.

MORE: Suzuki Ignis GL manual reviewAlthough it’s a front-wheel-drive car designed with city use in mind – an SUV in name and shape only – the Ignis does ride an inch or so higher than more traditional city hatchbacks and it has a notably shorter expanse of body ahead of the front wheels.

That means there is less chance you’ll damage something if you venture onto bumpy and potholed country roads.

A word of warning however: You might not like the way a CVT adjusts the gear ratios seamlessly, rather than in steps like other automatics do. Some say it can feel like you’re in a manual car with a slipping clutch. When you demand a burst of speed – perhaps when overtaking a slow truck on the open road – the CVT allows the engine to spin hard almost immediately, holding it at a constant pitch as the transmission accelerates the car.

Doing things this way makes the Ignis quicker – but some people don’t like to feel the car changing speed while the engine is not.

How is life in the rear seats?

The rear seat is very narrow. Ignis GLs have a centre seatbelt and so can seat three, but all would have to be children.

The GLX accommodates only two in the back but it does so surprisingly well, thanks to the relatively tall cabin’s good headroom and decent legroom. Its rear seat (but not the GL’s) has fore and aft adjustment so that the legroom can be extended for tall passengers.With either rear seat arrangement, there are two ISOFIX child-seat anchor points and at least two standard child-seat tether points. The GL has a third standard tether.The Ignis is a good height for getting children in and out of car seats, and the rear door aperture is big for such a small car.

How is it for carrying stuff?

Let’s just say you can’t carry much stuff with all seats occupied. One small suitcase or a couple of soft overnight bags would fill the boot.In a GLX you can add about 150mm to the boot floor (compared with a GL) by sliding the rear seat fully forward – provided you don’t need much rear legroom.

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The rear seats in the GLX fold 50/50, while those in the GL fold 60/40. Neither folds flat, so the load space has two levels once the seats are folded. But you can squeeze in a fair bit more gear this way, for trips with fewer than four people.Suzuki quotes a cargo volume of about 500 litres with both rear seats folded, loaded to the window line. That’s about the size of a big boot in a family sedan.The Ignis has a one-piece tailgate and a low loading lip, which makes it easy to get luggage in and out.

Where does Suzuki make the Ignis?

The Ignis is made in Japan.

What might I miss that similar cars have?

That depends on what you think is similar. If you see the Ignis as a light SUV than its main rival is the Hyundai Venue, which comes with a suite of active safety features and broader range. The SUV-inspired Kia Picanto X-Line is similarly equipped to the venue and has similar visual appeal to the Ignis.

Another alternative would be Suzuki’s more expensive Jimny, which unlike the Ignis drives all four wheels, has dual-range gearing and can tackle very rough tracks off-road. But the Ignis is much better to drive on bitumen.

I like this car, but I can’t choose which version. Can you help?

With its extra seat, more comfortable ride and nicer steering on bumpy roads, the GL is a better buy than the GLX. Much cheaper too. While some drivers might prefer the manual gearbox, the CVT does let you get the best from the engine with less effort.

Are there plans to update the Ignis soon?

The Ignis arrived in January 2017 as a new design.

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The Series II update arrived in the middle of 2020 added nothing by way of equipment changes but brought a fresh look with a newly designed front bumper, rear bumper and front grille. Three new colours, Ivory, Khaki and Black, were also introduced.

Don’t expect a new-generation Ignis before 2023.

We’re already getting the distinct impression that Ford’s latest Fiesta ST is shaping up as a potential hot hatch Hall of Famer, but can a 147kW front-drive tot really represent a viable alternative to 240kW of straight-six rear-drive M-badged mumbo from Munich?

Spoiler alert: yes.

Both are hugely entertaining on a good road and the Fiesta might even have the edge on interior packaging. There’s also the fact that the BMW is a couple of years out of warranty.

Also be aware that 2015 was the year BMW applied the facelift to the F20 1 Series, which brought adaptive LED headlights, wider kidney grilles, revised front and rear bumpers and more eye-catching tail-lights. The BMW’s variable steering isn’t for everyone and only one of these cars is fitted with a proper mechanical LSD as standard – and it’s not the BMW.

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But that said, the 3.0-litre straight six in the BMW really is a lovely engine to work hard, and it relishes the climb from around 4000rpm to its redline at 6000rpm.

The Fiesta’s turbo triple, on the other hand, has a neat character totally in keeping with the feisty hatch theme, but is clearly outclassed by the smoothness and sophistication of that German-built six.

More New Vs Used

• Toyota Supra vs Nissan GT-R
• Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S
• Hyundai i30N vs Ford Focus RS

Offsetting this to a certain degree are the two car’s respective weights. At 1430kg, the BMW is around 220kg heavier than the 1208kg Fiesta, which goes a long way to contributing to the little Ford’s chuckablity and outright fun factor.

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You’ll pay more to service the M135i, and its oil consumption is high, with BMW deeming a litre per 1000km acceptable. And if you do take the used option in this scenario, check the spec of any prospective car closely, as there were several popular option packs available, and exclusion of these will impact values.

On the plus side, the M135i has weathered the steepest part of its depreciation curve, so find a low mileage one and it shouldn’t cost a fortune to run. The car was priced around $63,000 plus on-roads when new; we found one mint example for private sale in Sydney with 60,000km on the clock for $31,000.

Look out for insurance bills, though. We were quoted $1932 per year for the BMW versus a mere $880 for the Fiesta.

Specs

Model 2015 BMW M135i

Engine 2994cc 6cyl, dohc, 24v Max power 240kW @ 6000rpm Max torque 450Nm @ 1300-4500rpm Transmission 8-speed automatic Weight 1430kg 0-100km/h 4.9sec (Wheels tested) Economy 8.0L/100km Price $62,900 (new) $31,000 now, approximate

Model 2020 Ford Fiesta ST

Engine 1497cc 3cyl, dohc,1 2v, turbo Max power 147kW @ 6000rpm Max torque 290Nm @ 1900-5000rpm Transmission 6-speed manual Weight 1208kg 0-100km/h 6.7sec (Wheels tested) Economy 6.3L/100km Price $32,290

Garry Rogers Motorsport is entering two Holden Monaro 427s in the 2020 Bathurst Revival at the Bathurst International.

While one of the cars is from the era of the Nations Cup series, also running in the 2002 and 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour, the other will be a new car built to original specifications.

“When COVID-19 first hit, we were looking for some work to keep our guys busy, and there were containers out the back with quite a bit of stuff for the Monaro in there, including a body shell,” team owner and Garry’s brother Barry Rogers says.

“With Holden leaving Australia, we felt this was a great way to say thanks and farewell, and it will most likely be the last Holden ever built in Australia. For our team, we feel that is quite special.”

“The Bathurst International event is going to the perfect way for GRM to salute Holden and the recognise the massive role it has played in Australian motorsport and our team.”

When the announcement was made that GRM would be building a continuation Monaro, Barry Rogers told MOTOR the idea of getting back into a car was something Garry had been considering since the original two Monaros were built… an idea planted by Peter Brock.

“Brock and Garry were racing against each other through the ‘70s and into the ‘80s, and Brock would later [in the Nation’s Cup years] often say to Garry: “You need to get one of these so we can race each other again.”

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Garry Rogers

“It was sort of a half-joke but Garry took the idea and it sat in the back of his mind as a plan to build one. When we found all the gear here, we thought we could nearly build a car with what we’ve got.”

Brock Monaro racer auctioned by Gray’s Online this year.

While most of the car is able to be constructed in-house, GRM needs help from a couple of outside mates, including Ron Harrop.

“Ron Harrop had quite a bit to do with the original, and he is building uprights and a bunch of other bits for it. He is semi-retired now and works in his own shed in country Victoria. He has sourced and retained all of the IP to produce those components.

GRM’s engine guru, Jeff Marshall a.k.a ‘Gypsy’, is also keeping busy.

“Gypsy is currently rebuilding the 427 engine that we proudly displayed in our boardroom. Thankfully we retained that engine after all of these years.

Driving the road car: Holden’s Monaro HRT 427

“We can’t wait to get both of them to Bathurst and get them around the track.”

The two original Monaro 427s

The livery is yet to be revealed, though Barry Rogers tells us Holden Motorsport designer Peter Hughes is working on a design with them.

“Garry’s very first race car was in Magenta, so we wouldn’t mind having a bit of Magenta on the car. If his first and last cars share that there’s some bookend significance to it.”

The Bathurst International is set to be held over November 12 to 15.

ANDROID USERS often get to be a bit superior about their hardware. Android phones were offering OLED screen technology for eight years before Apple jumped on the bandwagon. Likewise, you could wirelessly charge selected ‘droids in 2013, with Apple requiring another four years to bring that tech fully to market in 2017.

But when it comes to seamlessly connecting your phone with your car, Apple has done a pretty comprehensive number on Android. Since iOS9 was introduced in 2015, Apple has supported wireless CarPlay implementations. BMW was an early adopter, with Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen following suit. Ford’s now offering it on the new SYNC4 architecture first seen in the Mustang Mach-E, Chrysler’s delivering it with Uconnect 5 and GM is rolling it out for 2021.

Meanwhile, those who prefer their Android phones have pretty much been forced to plug a cable into their handsets in order to access Android Auto. Google put a toe in the water with wireless mode back in 2018, but it garnered little support from automakers, not helped by the fact that only Google Pixel and Nexus owners could use it. Samsung released an update last year that gave its flagship Galaxy devices the capability, but only Ford and BMW seem to have got behind the move to offer wireless Android Auto support.

Android 11 could well change all that. Due for a full launch in October, the the list of phones that can use wireless Android Auto will swell enormously. Almost all handsets running Android 11 will get the capability to connect to compatible in-car entertainment systems without a cable. You’ll need a 5GHz WiFi link for the handshake to occur, which isn’t a problem with the sort of newer devices that will be able to run Android 11.

Perhaps somebody still needs to tell Porsche, Bentley, Ferrari and Tesla; companies which still don’t offer any sort of Android Auto compatibility with their cars.

Smartphone mirroring in cars has gone from a coveted luxury found only in the flagship models of the most prestigious car makers, to a feature many mainstream brands offer today as standard.

Such is the proliferation, that one-tonne utes – once the epitome of no-frills function – are gaining the technology along with almost every other vehicle class. If you’re thinking of joining thousands of Aussies and putting a new dual-cab on your driveway, the availability of Android Auto and/or Apple CarPlay could be a deal-sweetener or a deal-breaker.

Here are all the dual-cab ute models (and some smaller cab versions) that include the popular technology and exactly which variant you’ll need to focus on to make it yours. You might be surprised at the ones that miss out.

INCLUDED RANGE-WIDE

Isuzu D-Max

Until the introduction of the all-new 2020 D-Max, Isuzu’s dual-cab offering languished at the bottom of the pack without any mirroring options regardless of the specification but, as part of the significant model evolution and improvement, the new version now offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for all variants.

Toyota Hilux

Toyota’s ever popular dual-cab has mimicked the D-Max’s strategy. In the previous generation, the Toyota offered no smartphone mirroring but, in response to a surge of consumer demand, the updated version now has Android and Apple device compatibility across the board. Even at the base Workmate level, the Toyota includes the technology as standard. That’s quite a U-turn.

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Holden Colorado

You don’t have long left to snap up your own example of Holden’s excellent one-tonner, but if you can find one, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are offered with every Holden Colorado variant, even entry-level versions, and it’s the same story for the closely related HSV Sportscat at the top end of the range before they went out to pasture.

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Mazda BT-50

Like the Colorado, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are offered as standard fare with every version of the second-generation BT-50, which launched in 2012 including the sub-dual-cab range. However, there’s a new third-gen BT-50 landing imminently and, while only two variants have yet been confirmed, both will continue the tech via a new 9.0-inch screen.

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Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi’s ‘Smartphone Link Display Audio’ feature allows the mirroring of both Apple and Android devices and is included on all dual-cab and ‘club’ cab versions. It was introduced as part of a significant update in 2019.

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Volkswagen Amarok

As you might expect from one of the most car-like utes on the market, Volkswagen’s offering comes with heaps of tech including its proprietary App-Connect system for V6 and four-cylinder models, which allows the mirroring of both Android and Apple devices.

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Ram

In the case of Ram’s ‘smallest’ 1500 model, only the Laramie highest-spec version is equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Step up to the massive 2500, and the feature is offered with all three variants of the model.

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HSV Silverado

And the same goes for the RAM’s arch rival. All versions of the freshly introduced ‘small’ Silverado 1500 and its larger 2500 sibling have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay availability.

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Jeep Gladiator

Speaking of newcomers, Jeep’s dual-cab foray – the Gladiator – continues the theme with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as part of the deal on both its variants. Smartphone mirroring is via the new model’s 8.4-inch touchscreen.

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LDV T60

Even budget ute makers are proving that Smartphone mirroring makes good business sense in affordable utes, including Chinese-owned British brand LDV, which offers Android and Apple device support for its complete T60 range of Dual Cab, Mega Tub and Trailrider variants.

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Ford Ranger

Until recently, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were only supported at the pointy end of the Ranger range, but a 2020 update has now included the feature as part of Ford’s range-wide SYNC3 system. That includes the halo Raptor and returning Wildtrak X variants as well as entry level options.

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INCLUDED ON SELECTED VARIANTS

Nissan Navara

Like the Ford Ranger, smartphone mirroring for Android and Apple devices is only available for the more premium variants. Android Auto and CarPlay is included as standard from the Navara SL and ST as well as the range-topping ST-X and N-Trek and flagship N-Trek Warrior.

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SsangYong Musso

Despite its budget price tag, the South Korean ute includes both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard with the ELX and Ultimate versions of the Musso. Only the entry-level EX misses out.

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NOT INCLUDED

Toyota Landcruiser 70

And it’s the same story for the venerable 70 series LandCruiser. Although in its case, it’s probably even further down the list of Toyotas to be upgraded to smartphone mirroring, if it ever gets it at all.

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Mercedes X-Class

Just as surprising is the Mercedes X-Class. The brand is typically associated with impressive levels of technology and convenience features, but its foray in the ute arena does not offer smartphone mirroring for now. The German brand has announced it will pull the model from production and it’s unlikely the X-Class will get an update before it’s withdrawn from sale.

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Is smartphone mirroring a ‘nice to have’ ute feature or something you won’t do without? Tell us in the comments below.

It seems like there’s no end to the number of drivers taking Tesla’s Autopilot at its word, with two drivers crashing in the space of a month in the US while using the semi-autonomous driving software.

The most recent crash involved a driver watching a movie while driving, who subsequently drove straight into a highway patrol car that was stationary on the side of a North Carolina highway.

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A county deputy and trooper were already responding to a crash on the highway just before midnight when the Tesla slammed into the patrol car.

The impact sent both the deputy and trooper to the ground, but miraculously no one was seriously injured.

Surprisingly, the driver of the Tesla was only charged with ‘move over law’ and ‘location of television’ violations. Do something similar in Australia and you’d likely be sent home without a licence and facing possible jail time.

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This is the second time this specific crash has happened in the US within a month. In late July, an Arizona state trooper’s cruiser was taken out by a Tesla which was running on Autopilot. The driver of that car was reportedly intoxicated.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (America’s traffic accident regulatory body) commissioned an investigation into the efficacy and effectiveness of driver assistance systems in 2019 which found people are generally confused about how they work.

“What they name the system has implications for what a driver understands,” said IIHS president David Harkey.

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According to the survey of 2000 drivers, results found that names like ‘autopilot’ create misconceptions.

“Almost half of the survey respondents indicated they would take their hands off the steering wheel, and almost six percent thought they could take a nap while the system was in autopilot,” said Harkey.

These recent traffic accidents involving the police have renewed calls for the creators of autonomous driving tech, like Tesla, to rethink their naming strategies.

If you’re looking to make the leap from using Gran Turismo sitting on the floor with a game controller to hitting the big leagues with iRacing and Assetto Corsa, then you’ll need a racing steering wheel and pedal set – and renowned peripheral maker Logitech has long been at the forefront of the affordable sim wheel set-up game.

Logitech’s recently revealed G923 racing wheel and pedal set supersedes the popular entry-level G920 (G29 for Playstation), which is now five years old, and it promises to deliver its most complex force feedback system yet.

The company says its new proprietary force feedback system, known as Trueforce, is able to dial directly into a game’s physics and audio engine to deliver the most realistic experience possible.

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Popular Twitch streamer, iRacing pundit and real-life McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris has been involved in the development of the wheelset, which forms an important bridge between the ultra-expensive direct-drive style of wheel and arcade gamepads.

“The new Logitech G923 wheel with Trueforce gives drivers an authentic experience behind the wheel and simulates the details we feel as racing drivers. I can feel if the rear of the car loses grip or if I’m about to spin, which gives me the best chance to quickly correct it, and stay ahead of the competition,” reckons Norris.

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Logitech still works on a gear-driven system, which typifies more affordable entry-level units compared to more costly belt-driven or direct-drive hubs.

However, Logitech claims the new system’s best trick is the ability to connect directly into in-game engines to deliver real-world feedback such as tyre traction and terrain changes through the wheel, at a processing rate of up to 4000 times per second.

Physically, the new G923 looks very similar to the brand’s G29 and G920 units, with the same unit design, button layout, and a very familiar-looking pedal box whose looks date back to the even older G25 and G27, but there are a number of changes worth noting.

A programmable dual-clutch launch control feature allows players to make standing starts cleaner and faster, while the pedal box now features new progressive springs for an improved pedal response.

Aftermarket spring modifications to the older Logitech G27 pedals aren’t uncommon, but the new G923 does away for the need to break open your pedal box.

The wheel itself now features a new rotary dial and in-built RPM shift lights, which were previously only found on the PlayStation’s version of the old G29.

The new Logitech G923 racing wheel and pedal set is currently available for PC and Xbox One, and will be compatible with the next-generation Xbox Series X when it arrives in Q4 of this year.

Australian suggested retail pricing is $599.99.

It seems as though picking a gift becomes exponentially more difficult as time runs out, and increased pressure leads to desperation – which results in underwhelming, last-minute gifts.

But you needn’t worry, as we’ve been stuck in the same situation before and have used that experience to compile a list of our favourite automotive-related presents. Stress not!

Under $40

Lego

Humble price points have plenty to offer, and LEGO is as good a place to start as any. LEGO’s Speed Champions range of car kits transforms licensed cars into brick-based creations, and generally cost $25 for a set.

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There’s plenty to choose from, and coincidentally LEGO recently released this rather tidy-looking 1974 911 Turbo.

Good reads

Whether it’s just the one-off or you want to give someone the gift that keeps giving, a car magazine subscription is an awesome way to keep up to date with everything automotive. A Wheels, MOTOR or 4×4 Australia magazine subscription costs less than one coffee per fortnight.

Car threads

Is your dad tired of the same old socks and jocks routine? Get them some clothing they’ll actually want to wear from the range produced by Blipshift, Cure Collection or DNBK/Nowhere Fast. The range continually stocks limited runs, so there are always fresh new items popping up.

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Clean up

Anyone who’s ever washed a car knows the real pain starts when you get to the wheels. Use this handy wheel cleaner with combination hose/brush head to save time and effort – can’t really go wrong for $10 too!

HSV Merch

HSV will become GMSV soon so there’s no better time to visit the HSV Official Merchandise Store if you want products like caps, cups or stubby holders with an H on them. They will become collector’s items.

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Show it off

We’re forever snapping pics of cool cars, and here’s a great way to give your favourite car nut something a bit personal. A canvas print of their favourite car is surprisingly affordable, and it’s dead easy to do – even from a shot taken with a phone.

Make sure you use a shot with the car dead in the middle of the frame with a bit of room.

Under $75

Car love

While some tend to leave it to the professionals at a hand car wash, some blokes love to detail their pride and joy themselves. Make their task that little easier by shelling out for some quality car care products. Auto parts stores can sell car care kits that include everything from soap to waxes and towels, so shop around to find something your car lover will appreciate. Try and figure out if they have a brand preference beforehand though, lest your well-intentioned tin of Turtle Wax simply gets left on the shelf by its recipient.

For the post-Covid world

If our story about how to take your car overseas has got you thinking, you’ll love this guide to the world’s greatest drives from an undisputed travel authority. Lonely Planet’s Epic Drives of the World includes a few gems from our own shores, but if you’ve already exhausted the best local blasts, grab a copy and book a ticket for you and your car.

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Safe mounting

This one is more practical than fun, but a car phone mount will ensure your loved one can stay connected while also staying attentive to the road. It’s also a handy way of passive-aggressively telling a loved one that they fiddle with their phone too much while driving. Not only will you receive a ginormous fine for holding your mobile phone in-car, it’s simply unsafe.

Under $150

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Forza dad with everything

Gaming is a great way to blow off steam (and can sneakily be shared between giftee and gifter), so why not pick up the latest edition of the Forza series of racing games. Whether it is the open-world arcade-style Forza Horizon 4 or the classic Forza Motorsport, both versions supply endless hours of unproductivity (which, as we’ve learned this year, is sometimes a good thing).

No more lost keys

Does your dad launch into expletive-laden tirades when he loses his car keys? Put an end to the tantrums with a Bluetooth key finder tile that’ll ensure never misplaces his keys again.

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4X4 = gifts

Know someone into their 4x4s? Our mates at 4×4 Australia compiled this neat gift guide catalogue with a bunch of adventurous gear from car accessories to camping gear, from across the price spectrum.

In Gear: Our pick of awesome gadgets

Under $300

$$$ Lego

Larger spends can land you in the upper echelons of LEGO, which offers a number of intricate kits like the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 or Ferrari F40. Both cost around $200 and will see that whoever you give it to is occupied for at least a day.

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Not a toy

If you want something like LEGO that’s socially acceptable to play with after it’s built, a Tamiya remote-controlled car is still one of the best options for kids and grownups alike, and is sturdy enough that it won’t fall apart after one crash.

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Gloving it

A nice pair of driving gloves that don’t make you look like a try-hard are hard to find, but Autodromo has been making these quality Stringback Driving gloves for a number of years now and they’re actually something you could wear in public without being embarrassed… maybe.

Watch out

Cars and watches tend to go hand in hand, and if your recipient doesn’t have a nice timepiece then a watch is a great gift that’ll be useful every day. Seiko Watches sell a number of affordable timepieces that you can buy for less than $300, but if you want to go all-out, Guards Red design creates a bunch of cool watches that resemble tachometer dials.

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Still not satisfied?

There are a number of experiential gifts you can extend to your friends and family, and Adrenaline.com.au makes it easy to pick the right one with their interactive Gift Matching Generator. Simply plug in your car lover’s details and you’ll be connected with a number of tailored experiences that you can book through the website, making it a breeze.

We know finding the perfect gift for a car lover can be hard, but if you’re still having trouble then click through the gallery at the top for a few more ideas. If you have any good suggestions for a cool car-related gift, throw them in the comments section below.

We’ll begin with a congratulations. If you’re reading this then there’s a high chance you’re considering a wagon, and not an SUV, as your next purchase. Kudos.

Take that as a win for common sense and for understanding that a lower centre of gravity and tidier handling should always trump a high driving position.

But while that decision seems obvious, choosing between this pairing is actually quite tricky. Principally because they’re fundamentally quite different.

The Subaru Outback we’re talking about here isn’t the car currently sitting in Subaru showrooms. This is the all-new sixth-generation model due to arrive Down Under either late this year or early 2021, depending on our production slot for right-hand-drive versions.

Built on the Subaru Global Platform (which also underpins the Forester, Impreza and XV), the new Outback is larger than before and has greater ground clearance and off-road cred, making it the clear choice if your family enjoys heading bush.

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It’s also armed with Subaru’s full suite of EyeSight safety systems and, of course, it brings the peace of mind of having a five-year/unlimited km warranty.

Aussie details around engines (a 2.4-litre turbo four cylinder petrol and non-turbo 2.5-litre donk are offered in the US) and pricing are yet to be confirmed, so keep your eye out.

If, however, you’re a keen driver or you simply can’t afford to wait, then the Audi offers a tempting alternative.

The S4 was the sweet spot in the B8 A4 range and it remains a wicked sleeper thanks to a supercharged V6 with 245kW/440Nm.

The Avant was only offered for 2012-13 meaning good used examples are hard to find.

Expect around 65,000km on the clock and given we’re well out of warranty be sure to have the seven-speed DSG checked by a professional.

A full service history should also be a priority. Grumbly brakes due to problematic calliper seals are common, so watch out for those, and insurance costs are high.

You’ll fork out $3750 a year to insure performance-focused the S4, compared to around $1350 for the Subaru. Servicing costs are almost double for the Audi, too. Ouch.

2021 SUBARU OUTBACK SPECS

Engine: 2498cc flat-4, dohc, 16v

Max power: 135kW @ 5800rpm

Max torque: 238Nm @4400rpm

Transmission: CVT automatic

Weight: 1650kg (estimated)

0-100km/h: 8.5sec (estimated)

Economy: 7.4L/100km (estimated)

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2013 AUDI S4 AVANT QUATTRO SPECS

Engine: 2995cc V6, dohc, 36v, supercharged

Max power: 245kW @ 5500-7000rpm

Max torque: 440Nm @ 2900-5300rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch

Weight: 1750kg

0-100km/h: 5.1sec (claimed)

Economy: 9.4L/100km

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