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Decoding Oracle's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders voted to elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call an early election. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggested the country could be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. “My expectation is like, something new going to happen, hopefully," said Hörður Guðjónsson, voting in the capital, Reykjavik. “We always have had these old parties taking care of things. I hope we see the light now to come in with a younger people, new ideas.” Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Fierce weather in the sub-Arctic nation threatened to hamper some voters getting to polling stations on Saturday, with heavy snow blocking roads in many areas. The weather could also delay the delivery of ballot boxes to counting centers after polls close at 10 p.m. (2200GMT). Voters are choosing 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But Benediktsson decided on Oct. 13 that his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnason a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Despite the electoral headwinds, Benediktsson expressed confidence that his Independence Party could emerge on top. “It was an uphill battle for my party, initially, but as we moved on into the election campaign, I think things started to turn our way and I feel that this will be a very exciting election day,” he said. The splintering of Iceland's political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after the country's debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,'' she said. Danica Kirka reported from London. Jill Lawless contributed to this report from London.NoneBringing holiday cheer to Lodi kids
Your Future Just Got Creepier. Robots That Feel
HELENA — Kalispell Glacier's journey to the 2024 Class AA state championship game started at the end of the 2023 championship game. That was a loss on the road to Bozeman. But from that moment, the Wolfpack vowed to get back, with another result in mind. However, the journey wasn't entirely smooth. It got bumpy against Helena Capital when the Bruins knocked off the Wolfpack 35-14. That sent Glacier on the road last week, instead of playing at home. It meant that the Wolfpack would need to do something they've never done — win a Class AA semifinal playoff game on the road. And thanks to a 46-27 win over Gallatin, the trip back for another state championship will be complete as the Wolfpack will return to Vigilante Stadium in Helena to play the Capital Bruins for the Class AA state championship. "It was pretty cool to see these seniors, after that tough, hard-fought loss say, you know what, we are getting back and we are going to finish it," Glacier head coach Grady Bennett said. "It's been fun watching them go on that journey for that one year. All the commitment. All the dedication to get back and it's hard. It's hard to get to state championship games. It's hard to win championships and to watch them grind all year with that goal in mind, and pull it off and get back to the big show, it's special." Glacier is back in the state championship for the second year in a row and they'll have the same starting quarterback, Jackson Presley. The Boise State commitment accounted for six touchdowns (3 rushing) and 325 total yards (107 rushing) last week during a snow game in Bozeman. "Friday night, Jackson Presley showed who he is and what he is," Bennett said of the Gallatin game. "He was the real deal. He competed. He led our team. His energy and his enthusiasm — it was just amazing. He was everything that he's built to be." Presley is known for his arm but carried the ball 20 times last week up from just four per game during the regular season. "If we wanted to, we could run Jackson 20 plus time per game," Bennett said. "We haven't really needed to and we don't really want to. When you have Kobe (Dorcheus) back there having so much success, we just decided not to (run with Presley). But, you get to the semifinals and the (state) championship and it's all on the table." Behind Presley and Kobe Dorcheus, Glacier ran 249 yards against Gallatin last week, an effort that included four rushing touchdowns. Dorcheus, a senior running back, actually set the Wolfpack season record last week as the 142 yards he gained pushed his season total to 1,538. Kalispell Glacier running back Kobe Dorcheus runs in a touchdown against Gallatin on Friday at Van Winkle Stadium. "Talk about a kid to be proud of," Bennett said about Dorcheus. "His development from his freshman year to the young man he is now and the leader he is now, it's incredible. I could talk about Kobe forever. He's worked so hard to be our guy and at the beginning of the year we decided we were going to feed him the rock. We know we have Jackson back there and we can always go to that, but it was nice (this season) to give the ball to Kobe and let our O-line do their work." Glacier has run the ball well this season and is 9-1 when the Wolfpack outrush their opponent. Capital just so happens to be 10-0 when it gains more rushing yards than their opponent. So if there's a game within the game, that might be it since the Bruins out-rushed the Wolfpack 254-41 in the previous matchup. "We were running the ball pretty well early," Bennett said. "We were establishing it pretty well but once we unraveled a bit and got behind, we might have gone away from it a bit too early especially with the wind blowing like it was. It's going to be a huge key but I think we'll be a lot more patient. We were last week." Bennett said the win over Gallatin reminded him a lot of the Capital game. The Wolfpack led the Bruins by two scores before allowing 35 unanswered points. Against Gallatin, Glacier jumped ahead 20-7, before surrendered two touchdowns in the last few minutes of the first half, allowing the game to be tied. "Last Friday night was almost identical (to Capital)," Bennett said. "But there was a totally different attitude in the locker room. It was we're fine. We got this. You could see the kids determination. So I was proud of how far they have come. After the third quarter, it was 27-27, and we just kept with what we are. Our mindset was so perfect and put it away in the fourth quarter — on our way to the state championship." "I love how far this team has come." For tips, email: chris.peterson@406mtsports.com or text/call: 406-475-4292. Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Tariffs, sanctions or bans? What will Trump really achieve when the US says ‘no’
Raghupathy Honored for Work as PNT Technology Pioneer and Industry Innovator RESTON, Va., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arun Raghupathy, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, has been recognized by the University of Maryland's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) as a recipient of this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards. "I'm deeply grateful to my mentors and colleagues from the University of Maryland. Their support laid the foundation for my career and my work at NextNav,” Raghupathy said. "This recognition reinforces my commitment to pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve.” The faculty at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering selected Raghupathy as an awardee for his outstanding achievements in his industry, and he was recognized in a recent ceremony that brought together industry leaders, faculty, and family to celebrate recipients' accomplishments. As CTO of NextNav, Raghupathy has spearheaded groundbreaking work, playing an instrumental role in the development and design of the company's technologies and innovative solutions. He oversees Systems, Algorithms, Hardware, Firmware and Software domains as head of Engineering, and his research has contributed to critical IP and system design for NextNav's suite of solutions with more than 50 issued patents. Prior to co-founding NextNav, he spent more than 10 years as a technology leader developing innovative ideas and helping produce commercial products at multiple technology companies. He was involved in technology development for cellular modems at Qualcomm, making key contributions to transmitter design, and he led the GPS Systems Team at Texas Instruments as a systems architect, where he created GPS measurement and positioning techniques used in multiple generations of smartphone multi-radio chipsets. Raghupathy attained his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park with specialization in signal processing and communications. He was a member of nominator Dr. Ray Liu's Signal Processing Group, where he studied VLSI for signal processing and communications. Previously, he obtained a Bachelors of Technology in Electronics Engineering and Communications from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. About NextNav NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), enabling a whole new ecosystem of applications and services that rely upon 3D geolocation and PNT technology. Powered by low-band licensed spectrum, NextNav's positioning and timing technologies deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solutions for critical infrastructure, GPS resiliency and commercial use cases. For more information, please visit https://nextnav.com/ or follow NextNav on X or LinkedIn . Source: NN-FIN Media Contact: Howard Waterman [email protected] 917-359-5505Five months after leaving his job as England manager, Gareth Southgate has said his next career move could be outside the football industry. In a long post on social media platform LinkedIn, Southgate said he is searching for his next "purpose" in life after his time as the coach of the England men's national team from 2016-2024. "This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate," Southgate wrote Tuesday. Editor's Picks Sources: Tuchel hires Hilario as England GK coach 5d James Olley How Gravenberch became Liverpool's answer to Bellingham 13h Beth Lindop The cold, hard numbers behind Kylian Mbappé's malaise at Real Madrid 6h Alex Kirkland "It's why I'm not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach." Southgate, who left the England job after losing the European Championship final in July, was linked with Manchester United , but the team chose to hire Ruben Amorim after firing Erik ten Hag in October. Otherwise, Southgate has slipped out of the limelight, with England having moved on -- initially with an interim coach in Lee Carsley and, from Jan. 1, with a full-time replacement in Thomas Tuchel. Southgate said much of his focus has been on his chosen charities. "After eight years serving in one of the highest-profile roles in world football, I'm consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next," he wrote. "I'm comfortable with this period of 'exploration' and not having all the answers. I'm following the advice I would give to any young person, without a clear career vision. "Keep learning, build or explore your network, seek different life experiences and when you decide what's next, there will be no right or wrong, just one path or another."What Dabo Swinney said after Clemson’s rivalry game loss to South Carolina
Ukraine says war has damaged most of its civilian airportsLeo natives can expect a fulfilling day filled with confidence and success. Whether it’s academic achievements, professional progress, or a vibrant social life, the stars favor you. Joy and enthusiasm will drive your actions, making the day productive and enjoyable. Love and Relationship: Relationships blossom under today’s energies. If you’re in a relationship, your partner’s understanding and warmth will bring comfort and joy. Singles may find themselves catching the attention of someone special during a social event. Family interactions will be pleasant, and old disputes, if any, might find resolution. Education and Career: For students, this is an excellent day to meet educational goals. You’ll feel motivated and focused, which will enhance your performance. Working professionals will handle their responsibilities with ease, potentially gaining recognition or a promotion. Entrepreneurs may embark on journeys to expand their business networks. Money and Finance: Financially, the day is stable. You might experience moderate gains, particularly if you’ve been working on long-term investments or deals. Avoid impulsive purchases and focus on savings to secure your future. Health and Well-being: Your physical and mental health will be in good shape. The positivity you feel will translate into increased energy levels and a desire to be active. To sustain this vitality, continue practicing healthy habits and engaging in physical activities that you enjoy. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Why are so many royals podcasting? And is anyone listening?Just how little can you spend and still get a new car with a three-pointed star, spinning propeller or four rings on the grille? At just over $36,000 before on-road costs, the most affordable Audi – the A1 30 TFSI – is around $20,000 cheaper than the least expensive BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Volvo. That makes it the most affordable vehicle from the 12 luxury brands operating in Australia. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today For this exercise, we’re drawing a distinction between luxury brands like Audi and ultra-luxury or exotic brands like Aston Martin, where the most affordable models are deep in six-digit territory. Of the 12 vehicles here, all bar two have a base price under $100,000 before on-road costs. Click on a car’s name above to jump directly to its information on this page, or continue scrolling for the full list. Alfa Romeo Tonale Ti The Alfa Romeo Tonale range opens at $50,900 before on-road costs. That makes it $4910 more expensive than the most affordable version of the Jeep Compass , which the Tonale is related to. Standard equipment includes matrix LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The front seats are manually adjustable as standard, though there’s power lumbar for the driver’s seat. Upholstery is a mix of cloth and leatherette. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition; features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the Ti and standard on the Veloce. The Tonale Ti and Veloce use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The engine produces 118kW and 240Nm, while the electric motor produces 15kW and 55Nm; claimed fuel economy is 5.6L/100km. It’s front-wheel drive and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though Alfa Romeo offers a flagship Veloce PHEV Q4 that features a 1.3-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with 208kW of power and all-wheel drive. The Tonale can run on pure electric power at low speeds, much like a conventional hybrid. Those seeking pure electric power to last their commute, however, will need to step up to the PHEV which offers 60.5km of WLTP range. Launched in 2023, the Tonale has quickly become Alfa Romeo’s best seller in Australia – though not by a huge margin. To the end of October, Alfa Romeo has sold 224 Tonales this year, making it marginally more popular than the Giulia (176 sales). It won’t be Alfa Romeo’s smallest model for long, with the Junior arriving in 2025 as a new entry-level SUV for the Italian brand. It may also become Alfa Romeo’s most affordable model here. Interested in buying an Alfa Romeo Tonale? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Tonale Audi A1 30 TFSI The Audi A1 is an upscale cousin to the Volkswagen Polo , and has no direct competition from BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Its days are numbered, with Audi having previously confirmed it won’t be replaced. The entry-level 30 TFSI, priced at $36,200 before on-road costs, features a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine producing 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – the same powertrain found in the Polo. Claimed fuel economy is 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle. More expensive A1s offer 110kW/250Nm and 147kW/320Nm turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The base 30 TFSI isn’t flashy, riding on 16-inch alloy wheels and featuring halogen headlights. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Inside, there are manually adjustable front seats with cloth upholstery. There’s manual air-conditioning and a basic 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, though you can upgrade your base A1 with packages that bring Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels. Though it’s the most affordable Audi in Australia, it’s far from being the most popular. To the end of October, Audi has sold more than 10 times as many A3s as it has A1s, with just 174 examples of the light hatch being delivered. Interested in buying an Audi A1? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Audi A1 BMW 118 BMW has just launched its new-generation 1 Series hatchback, which in base 118 guise is priced at $56,500 before on-roads. This model uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 115kW and 230Nm, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Claimed fuel economy is 6.4L/100km, though you’ll need to fill the 118 up with 98-octane premium unleaded fuel. Even this most affordable 1 Series gets adaptive suspension, as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and leatherette-upholstered seats that are heated up front. Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert. If you want more power, you can step up to the all-wheel drive M135 xDrive with its 233kW/400Nm turbo 2.0-litre four. It’s a big jump, however, with the M135 xDrive priced at $82,500 before on-roads. Interested in buying a BMW 1 Series? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything BMW 1 Series Cadillac Lyriq Luxury Cadillac is in the process of returning to Australia. It has opened its first retail location and is planning first customer deliveries in the first quarter of 2025. Thus far, it has confirmed only the Lyriq electric SUV for our market, which opens at $117,000 before on-road costs – certainly more expensive than an entry-level BMW 1 Series, but undercutting the more comparable BMW iX . Cadillac offers more affordable vehicles overseas like the slightly smaller Optiq electric SUV, which could make its way here, as well as combustion-powered vehicles like the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe -rivalling CT4 and Audi Q3 -rivalling XT4, both of which have been ruled out for Australia. All Lyriqs for now feature a 388kW/610Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, with a 102kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery affording 530km of electric range. Standard equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, and semi-automatic parking assist. There’s also a 33-inch display incorporating the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, while standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist and a surround-view camera. Interested in buying a Cadillac Lyriq? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Cadillac Lyriq Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced The GV70 isn’t Genesis’ smallest SUV – that’s the electric GV60 . It also isn’t the Hyundai premium brand’s smallest vehicle overall, as there’s still the G70 sedan and Shooting Brake . However, the GV60 carries a premium as electric vehicles often do, while the G70’s model lineup was recently pared-back. Given the GV70 is by far Genesis’ best-seller in Australia, the Korean luxury brand has maintained a wide range of variants with its recent update, though you can no longer buy a diesel. The former entry-level rear-wheel drive model was axed with the update, but there’s still a range of five variants opening with the Advanced 2.5T, priced at $78,500 before on-roads. For that money you get a 224kW/422Nm turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated with an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is a claimed 10.3L/100km. Even this entry-level GV70 offers a 27-inch display incorporating the digital instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof. The list of standard safety equipment is similarly exhaustive, with blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, lane centring, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and the company’s Blind-Spot View Monitor that shows camera footage from the car’s blind-spot. The GV70 doesn’t sell anywhere near as well as rivals like the Lexus NX and BMW X3 , but Genesis has sold 707 to the end of October. That’s more than the rest of the Genesis lineup combined, and more than rivals like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Maserati Grecale. Interested in buying a Genesis GV70? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Genesis GV70 Jaguar E-Pace P250 R-Dynamic SE The E-Pace is still on Jaguar’s price lists, but its days are numbered. Jaguar is ditching its entire current model range ahead of a switch to a more exclusive, electric-only lineup, with only the F-Pace reported to be continuing beyond next year. The Austrian-built small SUV, related to the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque , opens at $76,773 before on-roads for the P250 R-Dynamic SE. All E-Pace models in Australia are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 184kW and 365Nm, mated with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Claimed fuel economy is 8.0L/100km. LED headlights and a power tailgate are standard, while inside there’s a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 10-way power adjustment for the passenger seat – both heated and finished in DuoLeather upholstery – as well as an 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless phone charger. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Jaguar has sold just 141 E-Paces this year, but that’s more than three times as many as it shifted in Australia last year. Unfortunately for the baby cat, it’s the second lowest-volume vehicle in its segment, ahead of only the Genesis GV60. Interested in buying a Jaguar E-Pace? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Jaguar E-Pace Land Rover Discovery Sport P200 S The Discovery Sport is a more conservative and practical alternative to the related Range Rover Evoque, and has a base price that undercuts its sleeker sibling. The range opens at $73,504 before on-roads for the P200 S, which comes standard with a LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a power tailgate. Inside, there’s a digital instrument cluster, an 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DuoLeather upholstery and a wireless phone charger. Standard safety kit includes blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147kW of power and 320Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel economy of 8.4L/100km. It’s mated with a nine-speed auto and all-wheel drive. Though you can get the Discovery Sport with a third row of seating, its sleeker Range Rover Evoque sibling outsells it. A total of 287 have been sold to the end of October compared to 498 Evoques, making it the worst-selling vehicle among JLR’s Discovery, Defender and Range Rover SUVs. Interested in buying a Land Rover Discovery Sport? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Land Rover Discovery Sport Lexus LBX Luxury Lexus introduced the LBX this year as its smallest SUV yet, slotting in under the UX . The range opens at $47,550 before on-roads for the base front-wheel drive Luxury, which features a 100kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid powertrain with an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). Claimed fuel economy is 3.8L/100km. The LBX features LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, plus a power tailgate and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless phone charger. The seats are upholstered in NuLux leatherette, with those up front being heated and the driver’s seat featuring 10-wya power adjustment and memory. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, and a surround-view camera. There’s a posher Sports Luxury above the Luxury, available with either front- or all-wheel drive, while a hot turbocharged Morizo RR is coming in 2025. The LBX is only new to the Lexus lineup but it has already become the brand’s third best-selling model, with 1227 deliveries this year putting it behind only the NX and RX crossovers. Interested in buying a Lexus LBX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Lexus LBX Maserati Grecale GT With the Grecale , a more upscale cousin to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio , owning a Maserati has become more attainable. At $122,500 before on-road costs, the base Grecale GT is more than $20,000 cheaper than the outgoing Levante and Ghibli that used to be the most affordable models from the trident brand. For that outlay, you get a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, with total system outputs of 220kW and 450Nm. The GT features an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, and claimed fuel consumption figures of 8.7L-9.2L/100km under European testing. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights and a hands-free power tailgate. Inside, there are 10-way power-adjustable front seats with driver’s memory, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While the Grecale has brought the cost of entry to the Maserati lineup down, its sales are down 39.9 per cent year-to-date to 253 units. That’s more than twice as many units as the related (and more affordable) Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but well below the likes of the Porsche Macan (2614 sales). Interested in buying a Maserati Grecale? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Maserati Grecale Mercedes-Benz A200 The A-Class is another vehicle on this list not set to be replaced, with Mercedes-Benz paring back its range of ‘Entry Luxury’ models. For now, though, it’s the most affordable Mercedes-Benz, with the base A200 hatchback now priced at $56,900 before on-roads following a recent $6000 price cut. It’s powered by a 120kW/270Nm turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Fuel use is a claimed 6.6L/100km. There are standard 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, while inside there’s a standard 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and power-adjustable and heated front seats. Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and a surround-view camera. To the end of October, Mercedes-Benz has sold 1749 A-Class hatchbacks and sedans this year, putting it behind the rival Audi A3 (2298 sales). Nevertheless, it’s among the three-pointed star brand’s best-selling vehicles, behind only the C-Class , GLA and GLC . Interested in buying a Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz A-Class Porsche Macan While there’s a new electric Macan on the scene, the outgoing petrol-powered model is still on Porsche’s price lists. That’s good news for buyers wanting a more affordable Porsche, as at $95,100 before on-roads it’s $33,300 cheaper than the cheapest Macan Electric. The base Macan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 195kW and 400Nm, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.3L/100km. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights, where the main headlights swivel based on the steering angle and speed. A power tailgate is also standard. Inside, there’s a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, as well as a 4.8-inch instrument cluster screen and 14-way power-adjustable and heated front seats with memory. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera. The Macan is easily Porsche’s best-selling vehicle, with 2614 sales to the end of October. Interested in buying a Porsche Macan? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Porsche Macan Volvo XC40 Plus B4 Volvo’s smallest vehicle, the electric EX30 , isn’t its cheapest. That title goes to the entry-level version of the combustion-powered XC40 range, the mild-hybrid Plus B4, which is priced at $54,990 before on-roads. The front-wheel drive Plus B4 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 145kW and 300Nm, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It uses a claimed 6.9L/100km. It features LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a power tailgate. Inside, there’s ‘textile’ upholstery, though the front seats still feature power adjustment (including memory for the driver), while there’s a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in and Apple CarPlay. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition. A surround-view camera is optional, along with luxury items like a panoramic roof and Harman Kardon sound system. The XC40 is by far Volvo’s best-selling vehicle, with 2726 sold to the end of October. However, sales are down by 44.3 per cent as the EX30 makes a dent in XC40 volumes, so much so that the larger SUV this year lost its title as Australia’s best-selling small premium SUV. Interested in buying a Volvo XC40? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here . MORE: Everything Volvo XC40