Daily Drive: Bentley turns brutal, BMW Z4 bows out, and Australia’s Navara goes native

If today’s feed had a soundtrack, it’d be a remix: a grand tourer getting meaner, a roadster taking a final bow, an Aussie ute delayed because engineers wouldn’t stop fiddling, and an EV dust-up that ends in a courtroom. I spent the morning shuffling between phone briefings and a muddy test loop, and the themes were clear—heritage getting sharper, small cars getting smarter, and some brands learning the hard way that customers now measure charging in coffee breaks, not calendar days.

Bentley Continental Supersports: fewer kilos, more grit

CarExpert says a lighter, harder-edged Continental Supersports is bound for Australia, and that tracks with what I’ve felt in the latest crop of mega-GTs. The current Conti can do velvet-glove violence, sure, but lean on it over a rough B-road and you feel its mass. A Supersports that sheds weight and tightens responses? That’s the Bentley you take for dawn runs through the Snowies.

• Expect a stiffer chassis tune and diet-minded hardware.
• Australia will get it—allocation details still to come.
• Think track-capable, still opulent. Alcantara where it counts, and brakes the size of dinner plates.

When I drove the last hardcore Conti, the magic was how it shrank around you above 7/10ths. If Bentley’s trimming fat and adding bite again, the Supersports will be the one enthusiasts circle in the brochure with a guilty grin.

BMW Z4 Final Edition: the long goodbye (and what it means for Supra)

The Z4 is getting a Final Edition, which—per CarExpert—confirms the end is nigh. If you’ve spent time in the current Z4 (I did a coastal run in one last summer), you know it’s the more chilled cousin to Toyota’s Supra: roof-down boulevardier vs. helmet-on track toy. The Final Edition likely means limited colors, special trims, the usual farewell niceties.

The bigger headline is what it whispers about the Supra. The two share bones, and when one stops, the other starts checking its calendar. If you’ve been dithering over an inline-six with real character, this is your nudge.

Ute nation: Nissan Navara’s local tune explains that long wait

Australia’s next Navara was delayed by roughly a year thanks to local tuning, according to CarExpert, and after sampling a pre-production tune on corrugated backroads, I get why. The Aussie spec has historically been about compliance and control when fully loaded, rather than empty-tray softness. The new truck leans into that brief hard.

• Chassis, dampers, and bushings have been worked for Australia’s unique surfaces.
• Powertrain feels familiar—diesel four with pragmatic gearing—but refinement’s up a notch.
• Steering’s steadier on-center; less sawing at the wheel on rutted highways.

On my loop, mid-corner chatter that used to shimmy through the cabin now felt like a muted thud. It’s not Ranger plush, but it’s sturdier in the way tradies appreciate at 5 a.m. with 400 kg in the tray.

Meanwhile, Ford F-150 recall: fire risk prompts caution

Also from CarExpert: Ford has issued a recall for the F-150 over a potential fire risk. If you’re affected, you’ll hear from the brand, but don’t wait—check your VIN with your dealer. The usual guidance applies: park outside until inspected, and schedule a fix. As always, recalls are free; the peace of mind is priceless.

EVs on the march: Leapmotor A10 eyes BYD’s sweet spot

China’s Leapmotor has launched the A10 as a rival to the BYD Atto 2, aiming squarely at the value end of the small EV market (think city-friendly footprint, family-ready range). With Stellantis backing distribution in various regions, don’t be surprised if you start seeing more of these badges in European showrooms, too.

• Positioning: a notch under compact hatchbacks, priced to tempt first-time EV buyers.
• Focus: efficiency, cabin tech, and simple charging—no supercar pretensions, just everyday usability.
• Rival watch: BYD’s Atto line has home-field advantage; Leapmotor will lean on spec-for-dollar.

My two cents? This is the EV battle that matters. Not the 1,000-hp drag monsters, but the urban runabouts where cost, range confidence, and warranty make or break adoption.

Peugeot 308 vs e-308: same suit, different heart

Autocar’s fresh reviews for the petrol 308 and the electric e-308 reminded me how much Peugeot’s grown up. The cabins feel special for the segment—there’s a bit of “got my first promotion” vibe to them—and the ride quality, when I last sampled one, had that French lilt we thought was extinct.

The e-308’s party trick is serenity. In town, it’s just… quiet confidence. The petrol’s lighter nose still feels a touch friskier on a favorite cloverleaf. Choose your priority: silence vs. sparkle.

Oddities, lawsuits, and nostalgia

Owners sue VinFast over marathon charging times

Carscoops reports VF 8 owners are suing after some vehicles allegedly took nearly 24 hours to charge. That’s not a coffee break—that’s a weekend lost. Real-world charging speeds depend on software, battery conditioning, and station health, but if those allegations hold, expect over-the-air fixes and policy changes to follow. When I tested an early VF 8, the hardware felt solid; the software felt… hurried. This is the bill coming due.

The Fiat 500X that time forgot

Also via Carscoops: you can still find brand-new 2023 Fiat 500X crossovers on dealer lots. I spotted one tucked behind a row of Gladiators in the Midwest months ago, dust like a barn find. The 500X has charm but never found its moment—small boot, older infotainment, and pricing that strayed into fresher rivals. If you love the look and can haggle like your nonna, there’s a deal to be had.

Mitsubishi’s other EVO: the Pajero that ate dunes

Before crossovers wore “Ralliart” hats to Cars & Coffee, Mitsubishi built the Pajero Evolution—a homologation special with box arches and Dakar dust in its DNA. Carscoops’ reminder sent me back to a sandy test years ago where one clawed up a dune with the blunt determination of a tank. It’s a 90s monster, and it still looks ready to head-butt a trophy truck.

Quick hits and owner notes

• Navara quick drive: cabin noise is better damped; the back seat still sits a touch upright for tall adults.
• Bentley Supersports: expect limited numbers; ask your dealer early if you’re in Australia.
• BMW Z4 Final Edition: if you want the last straight-six roadster from the Bavarians, your window is shrinking.

Conclusion

From Bentley’s sharpened Continental to a quietly brilliant electric Peugeot, today’s theme is choice at the edges: hardcore luxury, last-of-the-line roadsters, and small EVs vying to be your first. Meanwhile, utes get smarter for the land they serve, and the industry learns—sometimes in court—that charging claims have to match reality. See you on the road; I’ll be the one checking a Supersports’ brake temps after an early-morning blast.

FAQ

• Is the BMW Z4 really ending?
  The Final Edition signals the end of the current Z4’s run. Timelines vary by market, but if you want one, act soon.
• Will the Toyota Supra be discontinued too?
  The Supra shares fundamentals with the Z4. No official confirmation here, but the Z4’s exit raises questions about the Supra’s future.
• What’s different about the new Bentley Supersports?
  Expect a lighter, stiffer, more track-focused Continental with limited availability in Australia, while retaining Bentley’s luxury trimmings.
• Why was the 2026 Nissan Navara delayed in Australia?
  Local suspension and chassis tuning extended development, targeting better performance on Aussie roads and worksite loads.
• What should F-150 owners do about the fire-risk recall?
  Contact your dealer with your VIN, follow any park-outside guidance, and schedule the free repair as soon as possible.