Allow me to give you a glimpse into my internal monologue as I stepped onto the lawn at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. It was my first time at Lord March’s garden party and my thought process went something like this.

“Oh look, there’s Ken Block. Cool. And that’s Jackie Stewart, isn’t it? Wait … is that a Porsche 917? It is a Porsche 917! WOW! Hang on, there’s two of them. And there’s another one. And ano…” This went on for some time, until I realised I was standing, mouth agape, next to 11 examples of one of the world’s most iconic endurance racers. “But … Porsche only made 50…” I whispered to myself.

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They even had my favourite – the actual red and white Salzburg car that took Porsche’s first victory at Le Mans in 1970 – and as I hovered around it, mouth slowly opening and closing like a dumbfounded goldfish, the most brilliant thing happened.

With the confidence of men who’ve done this a thousand times before, three neatly dressed mechanics descended on the 917, whipped off the engine cover, clipped on some jumper leads and fired it up. The big flat-12 coughed, spluttered and then caught, dousing the swelling crowd of stunned onlookers in an enormous cloud of smoke. Collectively, we breathed deep.

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So there I was, barely five minutes in, and already thinking Goodwood might be the best motoring event I’d ever been to. Then I was strapped into the passenger seat of a Volcano Yellow McLaren P1, and as its driver, English GT racing hot-shoe Charlie Hollings, slid and skidded his way up the iconic hillclimb, I knew for sure that it was.

It’s the cars we’ve all come to see, obviously, though strangely, they aren’t what make Goodwood so special. It’s the access. Far from keeping punters at arm’s length, Goodwood encourages you to get as close to the priceless machinery as you dare. At one point I watched in sick fascination as a small boy dragged his smudgy mitts down the side of a Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe. He then tried to squeeze his fat little fingers into vents that ran along its bonnet. No one flinched.

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And it’s not only the metal that’s in close proximity. I literally bumped into Bruno Senna as I walked through the crowd, and not long after, I found myself chatting to Derek Bell, who was pretending to be interested in what I was saying as he reacquainted himself with the 917 he raced at Le Mans in 1971.

But the very best part was the people watching. Not the pop stars or the movie stars or the Instagrammers and YouTubers, but the mums and dads with kids perched on their shoulders. With eyes wide as cars flew by, you could see the next generation of petrolheads being formed.

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So predictably, Goodwood is brilliant. If it isn’t on your bucket list, it should be, though it does make you wonder if Australia could ever hold an event of similar magnificence. I asked Mark Webber that very question, and in typical Webber fashion, he didn’t hold back.

“Impossible in Australia, mate,” he grimaced. “Absolutely impossible. We just haven’t got the people. We haven’t got the cars. We don’t have the firepower down there.”

I nodded sagely, but I did wonder if he was being a little harsh. Australia does have events that capture parts of the Goodwood magic. The Phillip Island Classic is one. Motorclassica is another. And for a while there, it looked like Adelaide was onto something with its Motorsport Festival. Plus, there are rumblings that a Goodwood-style event is about to be added to the roster at Bathurst.

Until then, however, there is another way to get 90 percent of the Goodwood experience without the 24-hour flight. New Zealand’s Leadfoot Festival is said to be just like a mini Goodwood. Only

Honda has returned to Australia’s mainstream hybrid vehicle market with its all-new Honda Accord sedan.

The Honda NSX supercar aside, this 10th-generation Accord is the first hybrid in the Japanese car-maker’s local line-up since the 2016 Accord Sport Hybrid.

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Honda Australia Director Stephen Collins believes it is the right time to re-introduce an Accord hybrid to the local market.

“The Australian market and consumer preferences have evolved in that time, so it’s great to be able to give Honda customers that option once again.”

The electrified Honda Accord features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors to produce 158kW of power and 315Nm of torque.

Honda says it has an official combined fuel consumption rating of 4.3L/100km, which is considerably more frugal than second powertrain in the Accord range; the 140kW/260Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which consumes a still-respectable 6.5L/100km.

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The turbocharged petrol engine represents a significant improvement over the 129kW/225Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine under the bonnet of the outgoing model, including punchier performance and 20 percent more efficiency.

Each powertrain comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels and offers manually-selectable Normal and Sport driving modes.

Variants and features

Choosing a powertrain and colour will be the only choices you’ll have to make with the 2020 Accord, which is available in just the one premium, VTi-LX spec level.

Pricing starts at $47,990 for the Accord VTi-LX 1.5-litre turbo, with the VTi-LX hybrid attracting a $2500 premium.

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Powertrain differences aside, both are identically equipped and feature a range of significant improvements including a stronger and lighter aluminium chassis, reduced noise/vibration/harshness levels and improved aerodynamics helped by a sleeker external design and active shutter grille.

It’s also bigger, with 55mm longer wheelbase resulting in additional legroom and 25 percent bigger boot that holds up to 570 litres.

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The 2020 Accord comes with the full suite of Honda Sensing driver assistance and active safety tech that includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control, auto high-beam, front and rear parking sensors, rear-collision mitigation, rear-cross traffic alert, driver attention monitor and surround view parking camera.

That’s all on top of a long list of other standard features, which include:

• 8.0-inch infotainment screen
• 6.0-inch head-up display (HUD)
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• Remote engine start/stop
• Audio system Internet connection using Wi-Fi
• Wireless phone charger
• Full LED lighting including headlights, DRLs, tail-lights and fog-lamps
• Digital gauge cluster
• Smart keyless entry
• Push-button start
• 12-way power adjusted driver’s seat
• Four-way power adjusted front passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Active noise control
• Rear-seat ventilation ducts and 2x USB sockets

The 2020 Honda Accord goes on sale throughout Australia next month and is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Collins concedes it won’t be a big seller, but said there is still room in the local Honda line-up for a premium-spec sedan.

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“In recreating Accord for its 10th generation, Honda’s designers and engineers sought to convey ‘absolute confidence’ in every element of design and performance,” said Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins.

“They have built upon the bedrock character of Accord over 43 years and nine generations, and while we don’t have large volumes in mind for this car, it is certainly one that is important to the Honda line-up.”

2020 Honda Accord retail pricing

• Accord VTi-LX 1.5L turbo – $47,990
• Accord VTi-LX 2.0L hybrid – $50,490

Mazda will launch its all-new CX-30 SUV in Australia early next year with a strong line-up that is packed with features, and sneaks in just below its bigger SUV siblings on price.

Sitting between the CX-3 and CX-5 in terms of size, the CX-30 is closer to its mid-size sibling for cost, with an eight-variant line-up starting at just under $30K.

Currently the CX-3 range starts at $22,710 and tops out at $40,350, while the cheapest CX-5 wears a $30,880 sticker price.

In keeping with Mazda’s new naming nomenclature, the G20 variants are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv-G engine.

The smaller of the two motors on offer, the G20 produces 114kW and 200Nm, which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined fuel consumption is claimed to be 6.5L/100km, while a 0-100km/h sprint takes 10.2 seconds, according to Mazda.

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The more expensive G25 variants have a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine under the bonnet, good for 139kW and 252Nm via a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine can be configured as an all-wheel drive, but Mazda expects just eight percent of customers to do so.

Thanks to the extra power, Mazda claims the G25 will sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 8.7 seconds as a FWD (9.1 seconds as a AWD), but fuel economy takes a hit, with the combined cycle efficiency listed as 6.8L/100km.

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Starting the CX-30 range is the G20 Pure FWD, which will cost $29,990.

The entry-level variant comes with 16-inch wheels, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and includes keyless start, blindspot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, forward obstruction warning, LED headlamps and tail-lights, and cloth seat trims as standard.

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Next in the range is the G20 Evolve, which starts at $31,490 and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, and a leather-wrapped gearshift knob and steering wheel. Stepping up into a G20 Touring ($34,990) brings advanced keyless entry, front parking sensors, black leather seat trim, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function. Top of the G20 offerings is the Astina variant at $38,990.

The cheapest G25 variant is the Touring, which costs $36,490 in FWD guise and $38,490 for an AWD. The G25 Touring and G20 Evolve share the same features.

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Topping the CX-30 range is the G25 Astina, which costs $41,490 as FWD and $43,490 as AWD. This grade adds a 360-degree camera, cruising and traffic support, driver monitoring, and front cross-traffic alert. Leather trim for the seats is also optional. Unlike its G20 sibling, the G25 Astina comes with a powered glass sunroof.

Mazda expects the 2.0-litre engine to account for 75 percent of CX-30 sales, with 92 percent of all CX-30 buyers opting for a front-drive layout.

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2020 Mazda CX-30 range and pricing:

Want 746kW of Mustangfor $73,909? Well you’d better move to the States, because that’s where a Ford dealer is offering ‘1000hp Mustangs for USD$50,000’.

To us in Oz, that’s about the base price for a non-supercharged Ford Mustang Bullitt with 345kW.

The dealer, Lebanon Ford Performance, says its program is called ‘Project M’ and allows customers to buy Mustang GTs with a manual gearbox and a Whipple or Procharger Supercharger, all for USD$49,995.

Of course, it recommends a Mustang GT with 10-speed auto and Ford’s Performance Pack 1 which adds 6-piston brakes at the front, an upgraded radiator, and more chassis bracing, to make the kit even sweeter, which brings the price to USD$54,995.

However, Lebanon Ford includes some fine print in its explanation of the package.

“LFP has always been known for offering warranty backed street cars, however this is not a basic street car with 700HP. This is a car for the person who wants to buy a turn-key 1000HP car that can also be driven on the street. This car is sold as-is, with no warranty from Lebanon Ford.”

And that’s a worry for the uninitiated, as the 746kW upgrade doesn’t include any engine upgrades to allow the 5.0-litre V8 to cope with the extra grunt.

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The dealer even states in its list of extra options a ‘protection package’ which adds billet oil pump gears and halfshafts capable of dealing with around 1500kW.

“Eliminate the two weakest links of the Mustang GT in one shot. Trust us, you need them.”

It even says ‘90% of customers’ opt for this pack, which costs an additional USD$3999.

So, is this really a USD$50K Mustang with 746kW? Well, yes. But you’re not going to be driving it for long. Suddenly Ford Australia’s R-Spec is looking an even better deal.

Renowned BMW tuner AC Schnitzer, has become the latest name to step into the Toyota GR Supra tuning scene with a range of performance and visual upgrades, though that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering the Japanese coupe’s connection with BMW.

On the performance front, AC Schnitzer has developed a new plug-and-play control unit for the range-topping 3-litre inline-six turbo, which unlocks an additional 34kW and 100Nm over the GR Supra’s standard 250kW/500Nm output.

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Modest gains, but the German tuner claims that the unit has been developed with reliability in mind. To that end, the control unit is programmed to kick in when the engine oil temperature goes above 80°C and deactivates itself once the water temperature breaches 115°C, and is backed up with a 3-year warranty.

As for powertrain tweaks, the only upgrade part available comes in the form of a stainless steel muffler that is said to deliver better acoustics, with its black exhaust tips blending in better with the car’s rear apron.

When it comes to suspension tuning, like any big German tuner, AC Schnitzer took to the North Loop of the Nürburgring to develop its own set of adjustable suspension and spring kits, despite the GR Supra being honed there.

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Both the adjustable suspension and spring kits are said to improve the GR Supra’s driving dynamics and comfort, with the former lowering the ride height by around 25mm and the spring kit bringing the ride 15mm closer to the ground.

Performance and handling tweaks aside, AC Schnitzer has a range of aftermarket parts to gussy up the GR Supra’s appearance, in the form of a front splitter, carbon fibre rear wing, 20-inch wheels, interior aluminium trim, and functional bonnet vents.

Volkswagen’s Touareg could soon get down and dirty.

The focus for the large SUV so far has been on luxury, but it could soon welcome a more capable off-road model to take advantage of increasing demand for capable four-wheel drives – and it’s grey nomads tearing around the country with caravans in tow that are one of the key target markets.

Speaking at the launch of the latest additions to the Touareg range – the 190TDI and 190TDI Premium – Volkswagen product marketing manager Jeff Shafer said a more rugged model was being considered.

“I think there’s certainly scope to look at a special edition,” Shafer said when asked about the possibility of a more off-road-focused Touareg, something that would not appear before late 2020.

He nominated the Adventure model that was created for the previous generation Touareg as a possible inspiration for a modern variant.

That car had features such as a tow pack and roof racks as well as subtle styling tweaks, all things that would be on the cards for a new version.

It would also pick up a larger 90-litre fuel tank that is currently offered as an option to extend the touring range between refills.

Volkswagen premiered the Touareg in Morocco using similar specifications.

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Shafer also suggested tyres could be downsized and fitted with hardier tyres for dirt road driving.

Currently, the new Touareg is fitted with low-profile 19- or 20-inch tyres as standard, depending on the model, with 21-inch wheels also an option.

But Volkswagen has also certified 18-inch wheels with higher profile tyres for the Touareg; something that would be better suited to off-roading.

While one of the Touareg’s negatives for many family buyers is a lack of third-row seats – it only accommodates five people – the large boot and lack of bulky seats soaking up load space are more appealing for couples and small families hitting the road for big trips.

“They’re looking for good cruising ability, towing capability, [and] the big boot is a benefit,” said Shafer.

“One of the larger customer groups for Touareg is the grey nomad customer.”

Obvious targets for a more off-road-focused Touareg include the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery.

But Shafer also nominates the Toyota Prado as another contender.

• Koleos gains new ‘muscular’ styling
• Diesel version dropped
• Now available with capped-priced servicing and free roadside assist
• Entry-level pricing jumps to $32,490

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Each of the four variants is powered exclusively by the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s shared with the Nissan X Trail.

The 2020 Renault Koleos features a restyled grille and rear-end, additional chrome bling, broader skid plates along the sides, LED fog-lights, and new ‘Black Diamond’ 19-inch alloy wheel design for the Intens.

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Six premium paint options are available for an extra $900 including an all-new hue called Millesun Red (pictured), with Solid White the only hue included with the price.

There are few changes including the addition of ambient lighting with five colour choices, and Apple CarPlay users will notice the interface now takes up the entire portrait screen. As before Android Auto is included, but is still displayed as landscape in the middle of the screen.

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Perhaps the biggest change to the Koleos range is with its after-market support. Renault Australia is using the MY20 Koleos to pioneer its ‘5:5:5 Easy Life Ownership Program’ that includes a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, five-year/150,000 capped price servicing and five years’ roadside assistance.

The five-year warranty is an improvement over the Koleos’ initial three-year warranty, though two years less than the seven-year deal available with the MY19 model as a run-out sweetener.

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The capped-price servicing is based around the convenient 30,000km or 12-month service intervals, with all five visits to the service centre during the warranty period priced at $429. The standard service price includes air filter, pollen filter, accessory drive belt, coolant replacement, spark plug replacement and brake fluid replacement.

The free roadside assistance is only honoured if the Koleos is serviced under the capped-priced plan at an approved service centre.

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The Renault Koleos comes with high-speed autonomous emergency braking as standard along with forward collision warning and lane-departure warning. The Zen and Intens variants have 360 degree parking sensors, and blind spot warning (BSW), with the Intens also gaining automatic high/low beam headlights, and easy park assist that automatically steers it into parking spots.

The 2020 Renault Koleos is now available in showrooms.

2020 Renault Koleos recommended retail pricing

• Koleos Life FWD – $32,490
• Koleos Zen FWD – $35,990
• Koleos Intens FWD – $42,990
• Koleos Intens AWD – $45,490

Ever wanted to feel like Batman at the start and end of your daily commute? Well, we have the perfect house for you.

Located at 7 Ottawa Road, Toorak, in Victoria, the 743 square meter property has one of the coolest garages we have seen in a while.

According to the listing by real estate agency Kay & Burton, it can fit six to eight vehicles, but from the pictures it looks like there is ample room in the basement space.

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Surprisingly, the real estate blurb doesn’t mention the ultra-cool entrance to the garage, but the pictures provide all you need to know.

Instead of a traditional garage door, a piece of the courtyard raises to reveal the secret entrance. Pointless? Maybe. Ultra-cool? Definitely.

With a driveway like that, you’ll be feeling like Bruce Wayne every time you leave the house, which is a damn fine way to start the day by us.

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The listing states the property has three bedrooms and an equivalent number of bathrooms, but you don’t really care about that, do you?

The property is listed as open for expressions of interest, while the indicative selling price is between $11.2 million and $12 million. Yes, that’s a frankly obscene amount of money, but for the ultra-rich that can afford it, it’d make a damn fine indulgence.

Expressions of interest for the property close December 10 at 5pm, so if you want to make a (significant) purchase, you’d better get in quick.

What cars would you put in this mega cool garage?

It’s not hard to spot a Koenigsegg if one’s nearby, especially if it’s a bright orange roadster, but one of Australia’s only super Swedes has spent the better part of the last couple of years in showrooms.

The 2008 Koenigsegg CCX that’s been passed back and forth between luxury car dealers Lorbek and Dutton Garage has made its way back to the former’s Port Melbourne facility, where it waits patiently for a new owner in the same building as Australia’s only official ‘Egg dealership.

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We discovered the Koenigsegg’s new location through a sale listing on our sister site Unique Cars’ classifieds.

The next owner of this Koenigsegg CCX will be its second private owner, with the two dealerships being its only other custodians since it was relinquished by its first owner.

Now in the hands of Lorbek, the CCX also has a listed price for the first time in recent history – at a fairly significant $2,699,990. For that, a supercharged 4.7-litre V8-powered roadster in bright orange could be yours, complete with a manual gearbox and in right-hand drive to make it one of only two like it in the world. The other reportedly was delivered to South Africa.

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Since departing Dutton Garage, it seems a few more kays have been added to the CCX’s odometer, now reading 1740km rather than 1600km.

Before the CCX’s tenure at Dutton it was used as a promotional car, alongside the only factory-built right-hook CCR, for the opening of Lorbek’s Koenigsegg dealership. The CCR also ended up for sale at Dutton at the same time.

As proof that persistence pays off, Toyota’s hybrid-electric technology is not only a big part of the car maker’s immediate future, but it’s finally resonating with buyers in droves. Oh, what a feeling indeed.

The original Prius debuted in Australia as an obscure stand-alone model in October 2001, generating just 137 sales. However, with the addition of the electrified Corolla sedan and C-HR variants, Toyota’s hybrid range now comprises eight models (with the Yaris due in 2020).

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Toyota is potentially eyeing more than 25,000 hybrid sales in Australia for 2019 – smashing all previous records. It’s an impressive feat given around 100,000 hybrids in total have been sold since the inception of the Prius 18 years ago.

Speaking at the Corolla sedan and C-HR launch, Toyota Australia Vice-President Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, said that the seemingly overnight success of the hybrid range comes down to affordability.

“I think that’s the key here. With any alternative powertrain, clearly the Australian market is saying, you know what, we’ll accept change, but it has to be affordable and it has to be practical.

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“Hybrid-electric right now is that practical solution to reducing CO2 … it performs well and there’s no infrastructure. It is a practical outcome with lower emissions and lower fuel consumption.”

However, it’s not monetary factors alone that are generating the leap in sales figures, with Hanley stating that offering the technology in more than one model is generating big benefits.

“Hybrid demand is running at close to 40 percent for Corolla [without the sedan] and RAV4, and above 50 percent for Camry.

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“At some point next year I remain confident that hybrid-electric will reach 20 percent of Toyota’s total monthly sales.

“If we had free supply, I have no doubt we’d be selling even more.”

Both of the latest additions are firsts for Toyota. However, the cost to trade up to hybrid differs between the Corolla sedan ($24,835 and $28,235 respectively in Ascent Sport and SX sedan petrol grades) and the top-spec petrol C-HR Koba ($33,940 ). The former garners a $1500 premium, whereas it will cost you an extra $2500 to step from the petrol Koba to the $36,440 Koba hybrid.

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The Corolla sedan hybrid also gains added standard equipment over its petrol-only equivalent.

In addition to the hybrid application, the updated C-HR is enhanced with angular styling tweaks and a new infotainment system. Like the Corolla, the compact SUV gains an 8.0-inch touchscreen (increased from 6.1-inch) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.