The week that was: One-star shock and Tesla woes

This week we saw a new era of partisanship begin in Canberra led by two blokes named ScoMo and Albo, who sound a bit like an FM breakfast show duo but with less credibility.

The former said his government will burn for Australians. We’re not sure if he meant as in pants on fire or if he’s taking a leaf from everyone at the WhichCar Network who have been absolutely sizzling this week in bringing you all the latest in motoring news, reviews and advice.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news with ANCAP announcing it was following Europe’s lead in awarding the long-waited Jeep Wrangler a pitiful one-star safety record, though that didn’t stop 4X4 Australia’s Justin Walker trying it out in Tasmania to pen his Wrangler first-drive review.

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Ouch!

Speaking of safety, most people are probably using baby car seats in a potentially dangerous manner, and drug testing of drivers is facing a legal challenge.

The Wrangler’s woes didn’t seem to have hampered FCA’s overtures to Renault for a 50/50 merger. The French carmaker seems quite keen to swipe right, but what will that mean for its other dalliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi?

There was mixed news for early-adopting Aussies who handed down a deposit a Tesla Model 3 back in 2016. Government documents confirm at least two Tesla Model 3 variants are coming to Australia possibly by the end of the year, but that’s if Elon’s company can stay afloat as its mainstream rivals play EV catch up – at least enough to resume buying toilet paper for its staff.

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The motoring circle of life was plain to see with Mazda ditching the excellent twin-turbo diesel from the Mazda 6 range and Audi confirming it’s killing the TT. Conversely, we welcomed the new BMW 1 Series, BMW X1, Volkswagen Polo Style, and learned Aussie pricing for the new Volvo S60/V60 mid-sizers.

Our hardworking video team can almost take a breather with the penultimate episode of Season 1 of WhichCar TV airing on Channel 10 this Sunday - you can also catch the last four episodes at a time that suits you by heading to TenPlay.

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This week on WhichCar TV ...

Completing our multi-media onslaught is Episode 21 of the WhichCar Weekly Podcast.

See what we mean by being on fire? But wait, there’s more with the WhichCar team finding time to review the 2019 BMW 3 Series range, Subaru BRZ Premium, and our long-term Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Ioniq, and, for the final time, our Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace – see ya big fella.

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Have a great weekend. Oh, if you’re anywhere near Sydney Motorsport Park on Sunday, be sure to come to Unique Car’s first-ever ‘Rolling 30’ cars and coffee event.