r/carslife

The 1983 Holden Commodore VH SS Group 3 is a true Australian muscle sedan, often referred to as the local counterpart to the Opel Rekord E.

It was developed by the Holden Dealer Team—Holden’s semi-official racing team, which operated from 1969 to 1986.

The main focus was on the Australian Touring Car Championship, although the team also competed in rally and rallycross.

In the early 1980s, the team—now owned by legendary racer Peter Brock—established the HDT Special Vehicles division, which produced modified road-going versions of Holden cars.

HDT models based on the Commodore VC, VH, VK, and VL series, as well as the Statesman WB, quickly achieved cult status among fans of the brand.

Some versions were created as homologation special editions for participation in Group C and Group A racing.

Each HDT car was assigned its own unique number, and the total production run of all vehicles amounted to just 4,246 units.

Thanks to their close ties to motorsports, limited production, and the name of Peter Brock, original HDT Commodores are now considered an important part of Australian automotive history and are highly prized by collectors.

After Brock’s death in 2006, interest in these cars grew even further.

Mercedes-AMG has officially unveiled the production-ready all-electric AMG GT 4-Door Coupe—the successor to the previous V8-powered four-door AMG GT.

The new model is built on the AMG.EA platform and is designed to compete with the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.

The production version’s design is inspired by the AMG GT XX concept, but it certainly looks absolutely hideous.

The flagship AMG GT 63 4Matic+ features three electric motors with a combined output of 1,153 hp and up to 2,000 Nm of torque in launch mode, as well as a 106 kWh battery.

Acceleration to 100 km/h takes just 2.1 seconds, and the top speed reaches 300 km/h with the Driver’s Package. The simpler GT 55 version delivers 805 hp.

The electric car supports charging at up to 600 kW: recharging the battery from 10% to 80% takes about 11 minutes. The range reaches 700 km on the WLTP cycle.

To preserve the AMG character, the car features a synthetic V8 sound system and simulated gear shifts, similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Also available are nine levels of traction control, seven driving modes, a fully controllable chassis, and AMG Active Ride Control.

The interior features a 14-inch multimedia screen, a digital instrument cluster, an optional passenger display, carbon fiber trim, and a Sky Control panoramic roof with adjustable transparency and lighting.

Prices have not yet been disclosed, but Mercedes-AMG promises to align them with the cost of previous gasoline models.

Skoda has unveiled the Epiq, its production electric crossover—the brand’s most affordable model, which could become more popular than the Enyaq and Elroq.

The new model is built on the VW Group’s MEB+ platform and will be available in three versions: 35, 40, and 55.

The base Epiq 35 and 40 models feature a 37 kWh battery and front-wheel drive with motors producing 114 or 133 hp. The range is up to 306 km.

They differ mainly in charging speed: 50 kW for the 35 version and 90 kW for the 40.

The top-of-the-line Epiq 55 is equipped with a 52 kWh battery and a 208 hp motor. The range reaches 438 km, and charging from 10% to 80% takes about 25 minutes.

For the first time in an electric Skoda, full one-pedal driving is available. The drag coefficient is 0.275.

Externally, the Epiq stands out noticeably from the brand’s other models: an aggressive front end, black plastic body kit, and six color options give it a bolder, more “youthful” look.

The interior is designed in the familiar Skoda style—with a 13-inch multimedia screen, a two-spoke steering wheel, and several physical buttons. The brand’s signature umbrellas in the doors have also been retained.

The main advantage is the price. In Europe, the base Epiq starts at €25,900, which is roughly the same as the gasoline-powered Kamiq.

Volkswagen has unveiled its first electric GTI—the new ID. Polo GTI. The car made its debut at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race.

The hot hatch is equipped with a single electric motor on the front axle producing 226 hp and 290 Nm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 175 km/h. The gasoline-powered Golf GTI, by the way, is faster.

The model features an electronic differential lock, adaptive DCC suspension, GTI sport mode, 19-inch wheels, and a simulated engine sound.

Inside, there are checkered seats in the style of classic GTIs, physical buttons, and a retro dashboard mode reminiscent of older Golfs.

Despite being a compact car, the ID. Polo GTI is very practical: its 441-liter trunk is even larger than the Golf’s. Options include a panoramic sunroof, seat massage, and a Harman Kardon audio system.

Prices start at around €39,000. Its main competitors will be the Alpine A290 and the electric Mini JCW.

We are students at Halmstad University studying Digital Design.

As part of a design project in collaboration with a car company, we are exploring digital interactions for rear-seat passengers in premium cars, and we’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Digital technology in cars has advanced rapidly in recent years and is increasingly expanding beyond the driver’s experience to include passengers as well. This raises some interesting questions:

• How can new technology improve the rear-seat passenger experience?
• Can it make daily life easier, more productive, or more enjoyable during travel?
• What features or interactions would you personally find valuable?

Feel free to think outside the box — even futuristic ideas are welcome. The concepts we explore could realistically become possible within the next 0–5 years.

You can answer our questionnaire here or share your thoughts directly in the comments:

Questionnaire form

Thank you for helping us with our research!

The Toyota NCSV (New Concept Sedan/Savvy) was a 1999 concept car unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.

It was designed for young drivers and combined the features of a coupe, a station wagon, and a sedan.

The car was notable for its three-door station wagon-style body, a futuristic interior with multiple displays, and a focus on versatility for a modern lifestyle.

Toyota described the model with the phrase “not quite a coupe, not quite a station wagon, not quite a sedan,” emphasizing its desire to go beyond conventional automotive forms for buyers in their 20s and 30s.