Friday Pit Stop: Tesla sneaks in a six-seat Model Y, Mazda throws a cheeky legal jab at Ferrari, and GMA’s next V12 howls in the snow

Some Fridays arrive like an espresso shot. Today’s is more of a double. You’ve got a six-seat Tesla sliding quietly into showrooms down under,

Mazda reviving its toughest BT-50 grades while also sparring with Ferrari in the trademark ring, Gordon Murray’s next V12 prototype painting rooster tails in the Arctic, and Lamborghini flirting with more dirt. Oh—and George Russell put Mercedes on top in a one-and-done practice in Shanghai. Deep breath. Let’s go.

Tesla Model Y L: The six-seat EV families actually asked for

Tesla’s new Model Y L is officially on sale in Australia and New Zealand, and the headline is simple: six seats. Not seven. Six. It’s a smarter layout for the way people use crossovers—captain’s chairs in the second row, easier access to the third, and fewer elbows in the wrong places. I’ve juggled kids, backpacks, and a dog in countless three-row SUVs; a proper 2+2+2 avoids those “knees in the kidneys” arguments in row two.

• Six-seat configuration aimed at families who don’t want to step up to a Model X.
• On sale now in Australia and New Zealand; pricing and specs confirmed locally.
• Slots above the standard Model Y in the range, with the expected range/efficiency trade-offs from the extra seats and glass.
• Target audience: school runs, weekend sports, beach getaways—without the parking anxiety of a full-size SUV.

First impression? If Tesla has improved the second-row slide and tilt compared to earlier three-row experiments, that’ll make or break it for parents. I’ve fought more than a few sticky latches in supermarket car parks; a clean one-hand tilt-and-slide is worth its weight in sanity.

Quick look: Where the Model Y L fits

Model	Seating	Positioning	Best for
Tesla Model Y	5	Core compact EV SUV	Urban commuters, first EV households
Tesla Model Y L	6	New family-focused variant	Families wanting three rows without the size
Tesla Model X	5–7	Large luxury EV SUV	Long trips, max space, premium toys

Mazda’s busy day: BT-50 gets its swagger back, and a legal feint at Ferrari

BT-50 Thunder returns, “Boss” clocks on for 2026

Mazda’s BT-50—tough-as-nails twin to the Isuzu D-Max—welcomes back the Thunder grade and a new Boss variant for 2026. The ute market loves a special, and Mazda knows how to dress one.

I’ve pounded BT-50s along mine-site access roads and outback washboards; the bones are proven. What buyers want are the right factory add-ons and a warranty that covers the lot.

• Thunder: Think muscular styling, off-road-focused accessories, showroom-ready stance.
• Boss: A new, work-ready spec that sounds like it emphasizes practicality and kit that fleets and tradies actually use.
• Still underpinned by the Isuzu D-Max mechanicals—reliability by the pallet-load.
• Expect 4x4 availability, towing-friendly hardware, and dealer-fit accessories baked into the package.

Small gripe from the last BT-50 I lived with: the infotainment lagged on cold mornings and the USB ports were stingy. Fingers crossed Mazda’s listened, because the ute crowd notices the everyday stuff more than the brochure gloss.

Mazda moves to block Ferrari with a trademark filing

On the corporate chessboard, Mazda has lodged a trademark action that effectively challenges a Ferrari filing. It’s the kind of procedural jousting that happens more than you’d think—brands guarding names, badges, or design cues that might overlap. Practically speaking, it won’t change your next service appointment. But it does show Mazda’s intent to protect its identity, even when the opponent is wearing a prancing horse.

Gordon Murray’s next V12 supercar gets frosty—and feisty

Gordon Murray Automotive has been cold-weather testing its next V12 machine, and even under winter camo you can read the intent. Short overhangs, tidy proportions, and that restless idle you can almost hear through the photos. We’re talking a high-revving, naturally aspirated V12—the kind you blip at 5 a.m. just to hear it clean its throat. GMA remains one of the last true believers in low mass and driver-first ergonomics; when I drove the brand’s earlier cars, the purity of the controls stuck with me for weeks. If this mule is anything to go by, the recipe’s intact.

• Arctic testing suggests cooling, traction, and calibration work is well underway.
• Expect a screaming, high-rpm V12 and manual-style tactility—GMA’s calling cards.
• Design reads as clean and functional rather than trend-chasing.

Lamborghini eyes another go at the dirt-ready supercar

Remember the Huracán Sterrato? The lifted stance, rally tires, and the way it turned gravel into performance theater? Lamborghini is reportedly exploring a follow-up with its next-generation junior supercar. It makes sense: the formula was outrageous on paper and delicious in practice, especially on fast, flowing dirt where a little slip angle went a long way toward euphoria.

• Raised ride height, bespoke suspension tuning, and all-terrain rubber likely return.
• Think: a weekend at the ranch without sacrificing weekday road manners.
• The brand knows limited-run specials sell—especially when they photograph like a Dakar stage.

China auto market: sales down 34%, exports up 58%

China’s February numbers are a tale of two charts. Domestic sales tumbled 34%—seasonality and shifting incentives will take some blame—while exports surged 58%. If you’re shopping in Australia, Europe, or Latin America, you’re already seeing the effect: more Chinese badges, more choice, more pressure on pricing.

• Sales: -34% YoY in February.
• Exports: +58% YoY, keeping factories humming.
• Why it matters: pricing dynamics, supply, and model cadence outside China all feel this ripple.

F1 Chinese GP: Russell tops the lone practice

Sprint weekends are ruthless—one practice and straight into the deep end. George Russell put Mercedes on top in the sole session, while Carlos Sainz and Lindblad hit snags. Shanghai rewards rhythm; miss your window today and you’re chasing your tail all weekend. I’ve watched enough parc fermé scrambles to know: the team that keeps its head now cashes in on Sunday.

• Russell quickest in the only practice session.
• Sainz and Lindblad encountered issues, trimming valuable setup time.
• Sprint qualifying next—expect tight margins and short tempers.

Today’s biggest moves at a glance

Category	Story	Key takeaway
EVs	Tesla Model Y L launches as a six-seater in AU/NZ	Family-friendly layout without going full-size
Utes	Mazda BT-50 Thunder returns, new Boss variant arrives	Factory-tough spec for tradies and tourers
Brand Watch	Mazda files to block a Ferrari trademark	IP skirmish underscores brand-protection tactics
Supercars	GMA’s next V12 spied in Arctic testing	Old-school thrills, modern development grind
Rally-ish	Lamborghini mulls another off-road supercar	Sterrato spirit likely to live on
Market	China: sales -34%, exports +58%	Global pricing and supply feel the swing
F1	Chinese GP: Russell fastest in sole practice	Sprint weekend pressure cooker begins

Final lap

Tesla just gave families a practical EV in the right size, Mazda put fresh boots on its workhorse, and the supercar world is split between snow and sand. Meanwhile, China’s export engine is revving, and F1 is already at full boil in Shanghai. If your weekend plans don’t involve a long drive, at least find a good road and a reason.

FAQ

What is the Tesla Model Y L?
It’s a new six-seat variant of the Model Y aimed at families who want three rows without stepping up to the larger Model X. It’s on sale now in Australia and New Zealand.

How is the 2026 Mazda BT-50 changing?
Mazda is bringing back the Thunder grade and introducing a new Boss variant, adding factory-fit styling and work-focused equipment on top of the proven D-Max-based platform.

Is Lamborghini really making another off-road supercar?
The brand is reportedly exploring a follow-up to the Huracán Sterrato concept, applying the lifted, rally-inspired formula to its next-generation junior supercar.

What’s up with Mazda and Ferrari’s trademark dispute?
Mazda has filed to block a Ferrari trademark as part of routine brand-protection moves. It’s a legal process that doesn’t affect current owners but shows how carefully automakers guard their identities.

Who led F1 practice in China?
George Russell topped the only practice session of the Sprint weekend, with Carlos Sainz and Lindblad encountering issues that cut into their setup time.