Our most-read stories of 2021

2021 has been a big year for car content with so many launches, auctions and breaking news stories hitting the homepage.

The past 12 months have been highlighted by semiconductor shortages, production pauses and the on-going pursuit from manufacturers to bring electric vehicles to the market.

To look back over the last year, we've compiled our top-five list of stories which were read more than any others on the website.

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series dual-cab ute imagined

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The highly-anticipated launch of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series was mind-boggling, with four of the top six articles this year coming due to the fourbie's launch.

From its reveal in June to the pricing and specs being announced later in August, it seemed like the most popular car of the next few years would be the latest Landie.

However, in a market such as Australia, which loves a dual-cab, the combination of the two nearly broke the WhichCar internet, coming in as our top story this year.

Combined with how much interest people took in the new Toyota Tundra, we reckon the Japanese manufacturer would be able to give everyone million dollar bonuses if LandCruiser-related clicks were anything to go by.

Last-ever Highway Patrol XR6 Turbo sells at auction

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"Kick her in the guts, Barry."

"She's the lllast of the vvv.... oh wait."

Despite the boys in blue in the NSW Highway Patrol being just about the last thing any of us want to see, the final Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo to be owned by the plod going up for auction seemed to set tongues wagging.

An FG-X with the stonking Barra under the bonnet, the last-ever Highway Patrol XR6 Turbo was sold at auction for $94,500, more than the XR6 Turbo Sprint build #1, which took $92,500 in 2016.

Just 86,165 kilometres were amassed in its life on the force, serving around Surry Hills, Port Macquarie and the Victorian border, meaning the 270kW engine is probably only just starting to wear in.

While all cop-spec XR6 Turbos received FPV-spec, four-piston Brembo brakes, they also unfortunately inherited the basic 18-inch wheels from the original F6 Typhoon, partially to deal with the rough roads of Australia.

The XU-1 Torana auction record has been smashed again

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As with the aforementioned LandCruiser 300 Series, one bite of the Holden Torana cherry didn't suffice, with two auction stories rating highly.

In May, a 1972 LJ Torana GTR XU-1 broke the road-going model's auction record with a sale price of $295,000 at Burns & Co Auctions, more than $100,000 more than the previous best.

However, this was surpassed by $53,000 in August when a Purr Pull 1973 LJ GTR XU-1 set the new auction record at $348,000.

Starting out in life as a Holden engineering vehicle, the former test mule retained the original six-banger, close-ratio M21 four-speed and limited-slip diff it was fitted with once Holden sold it.

Despite having 91,710 miles on the clock, its documented history as one of the Lion and Stone's former test cars ensured its place in the year's auction highlights.

The 10 greatest 4x4s of all time

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"Yo dawg, we heard you like lists so we put a list in yo list!"

For a country as open and barren as Australia, it's no surprise 4x4s resonate strongly with the local population, all but selling the dreams of escaping the day-to-day grid.

Although some of the best fourbies on this list could be described by some as agricultural or utilitarian, there's a reason why they're successful – they won't let you down when you need them the most.

Perhaps it shouldn't be a shock that Australian buyers still flock towards 4x4 dual-cab utes and SUVs in droves, as modern technology bridges the gap between ruthless reliability and uncompromising comfort.

Fast and Furious Supra breaks record at auction

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There's only one thing that matters more than clicks... family.

No, not really, although the late Paul Walker's iconic Toyota Supra from the first Fast and Furious film grabbed your attention when it went up for auction in June.

Sold at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas auction for US$555,000, the car become the most-expensive Toyota Supra ever on account of it being used for multiple interior and exterior shots, backed by extensive documentation.

The twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE actually has a four-speed automatic behind it rather than the manual seen in the film, although with the popularity of Supras in drag racing, having the two-pedal would probably help this to become a 10-second car.