Today in Cars: Yellow BRZs, Carbon Alfas, and a Tesla Subscription You Can’t Ignore

I spent the morning bouncing between group chats and dealer calls, and the news cycle reads like a greatest hits playlist: limited-run specials, family hybrids lining up for Australia, and a tech subscription you’ll love (or loathe). Here’s what matters—and what it’ll feel like to live with.

Performance and Specials: The Fun Stuff

Subaru BRZ goes highlighter yellow—briefly

Subaru’s cooking up a bright yellow BRZ special edition with limited numbers earmarked for Australia. The color is the headline, obviously, but these runs typically fold in a few tasty extras—think trim tweaks, maybe wheels, sometimes a badge that makes owners nod knowingly at Cars & Coffee.

I know the BRZ chassis well; it’s one of those cars that makes a damp backroad feel like a private track day. On rough chipseal, the damping keeps it playful without going crashy, and the manual’s throw is still one of the most honest in the game. If you’ve been circling a BRZ, this might be the one the valet remembers by color alone.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Estrema: more carbon, same gorgeous menace

Alfa’s dialing up the drama with the 2026 Giulia Quadrifoglio Estrema for Australia. Expect carbon sprinkled where your eyes fall first—mirrors, lip, maybe interior trim—layered onto the already brilliant Quadrifoglio recipe: a twin-turbo V6, rear-drive theater, steering that reads the road like braille. I’ve yet to meet a Giulia Q that doesn’t make you look back over your shoulder after you park it. The Estrema should only deepen that effect—and yes, it’s priced for our market.

This “Trick” Mustang restomod packs 700 hp—and supercar pricing

File under delightfully excessive: a classic-flavored Mustang with around 700 horsepower and a price tag that would make a Ferrari finance manager blink. The build blends retro GT350 vibes with modern hardware, which is exactly how you keep 700 horses from turning wide tires into abstract art.

• Approx. 700 hp headline figure
• Classic looks, modern brakes and suspension (thankfully)
• Wallet weight reduction: extreme

I’ve driven enough vintage Mustangs to know: you want the modern chassis bits. Trust me—charm is good; stopping is better.

Hybrids and PHEVs Queue Up for Australia

Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid: three-row value play

Chery’s Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid is angling to be the family SUV deal that makes spreadsheets squeal. Think space, a generous features list, and hybrid efficiency aimed squarely at school runs and highway summer escapes.

• Three-row seating for family and friends
• Hybrid powertrain for lower fuel bills
• Big-screen infotainment and the usual ADAS suite

I chatted with a couple of recent Chery owners last month—what sold them was the kit-for-cash equation and a surprisingly calm ride at suburban speeds. If Chery nails cabin quietness and software smoothness here, the Tiggo 9 becomes a very real alternative to mainstream badges.

BYD Seal 6 PHEV: Camry/Octavia rival moves closer

BYD’s Seal 6 plug-in hybrid is edging toward an Australian launch, pitched at stalwarts like Toyota’s Camry and Skoda’s Octavia. A PHEV sedan that can knock off the daily commute on electrons, then sip petrol on weekends? That’s exactly what a lot of buyers keep asking me for after their first taste of EV life.

Consider this if you want EV serenity without the road-trip planning. The usual BYD playbook—sharp pricing and generous spec—would make it a proper disruptor.

Quick compare: family-friendly hybrid newcomers

Business & Market: Who’s Up, Who’s Diversifying

Mahindra Australia says the quiet part out loud: it’s growing

After a strong 2025 where it outpaced the market, Mahindra has finally put numbers behind the headlines. No shock there; the Scorpio and the workhorse ute have built a quiet fanbase who like rugged basics and honest pricing. I spoke to a regional dealer last quarter who said trade buyers are the backbone—simple spec, reliable tow, and spares that don’t break the budget.

Mercedes’ newest product? Thousands of Dubai condos

While premium brands ride out choppy demand, Mercedes is leaning harder into lifestyle with branded residences in Dubai. It’s the “own the driveway and the address” strategy: sell the car, sell the ambience, sell the story. If you’ve been inside recent Mercedes flagships, you’ll recognize the move—sensorial lighting, curated materials, the whole hospitality playbook.

Tech & Ownership: Subscriptions and Safety

Tesla’s hands-free feature becomes a monthly bill

Tesla has shifted its advanced driver-assist to a subscription-first proposition, turning what used to be a big one-off decision into a try-it-and-see monthly. On my last long freeway slog, these systems took the edge off the drudgery—but I still treat them like an extra set of eyes, not a chauffeur.

Pros? Lower upfront cost and the freedom to pause if your driving routine changes. Cons? Yet another subscription nibbling at the budget. If you road-trip often, the math might work; if your commute is ten minutes, less so.

Recall watch: Mercedes-AMG E53

A recall has been issued for the Mercedes-AMG E53 in Australia. If you own one, check your VIN and book a dealer visit—the fix will be performed free of charge as usual. I always tell performance owners: don’t sit on recalls. Small software gremlins can become big headaches if ignored.

Wildcard of the Day: The Minivan That Cosplays as a Land Cruiser

Somewhere out there, a Toyota minivan has been dressed in off-road clobber—lift, chunky rubber, protective bits—the whole “school run via Simpson Desert” aesthetic. As a one-vehicle garage solution, the idea weirdly works: seven seats during the week, campsite hero on Saturday. Just remember, approach angles don’t care how many cupholders you have.

Conclusion

From neon BRZs to carbon-clad Alfas, from value-packed family hybrids to a Tesla subscription that’ll spark dinner-table debates, today’s sheet metal covers every mood. If you’re shopping, the takeaway is simple: great choices are coming, but the best buys will be the ones that fit your life—driveway, kids, hobbies, and yes, your tolerance for yet another monthly fee.

FAQ

• How many yellow Subaru BRZ special editions are coming?
  Limited numbers are planned for Australia; check with local dealers for allocation details and timing.
• When will the BYD Seal 6 PHEV launch in Australia?
  It’s a step closer, with local plans progressing. Expect timing and spec to be confirmed soon.
• Is Tesla’s hands-free system now subscription-only?
  Tesla has moved to a monthly subscription approach for its advanced driver-assist. It’s designed so owners can try it without a big upfront commitment.
• What’s special about the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Estrema?
  Added carbon-fiber flair and a focused spec layered onto the Quadrifoglio’s twin-turbo V6 and engaging dynamics, priced for Australia.
• I own a Mercedes-AMG E53—what should I do about the recall?
  Contact your dealer with your VIN to confirm involvement. Any rectification will be performed at no cost.