Celine Nolan

Skoda has published a brief teaser video of its upcoming ‘Imaginative and prescient O’ conception car, which aspects swish ‘up to the moment stable’ styling cues and a production-ready form.

The teaser displays the silhouette of a mid-sized wagon, with a liftback-vogue tailgate adorning “SKODA”-lettered badging. Skoda claims the modest safe of the Imaginative and prescient O is a conception car that is ready ‘exhibiting up…in express of exhibiting off’.

Skoda’s ‘up to the moment stable’ safe language, which consists of aspects of contemporary and minimalist, prevails in the swish, aerodynamic form of the Imaginative and prescient O. The physique aspects a sloping roofline, smash up rear spoiler, and swish ‘T’ fashioned rear tail-lights.

Skoda says the Imaginative and prescient O will characteristic an EV powertrain, and will expose “the long term of Skoda in the property model segment.”

The safe and philosophy of the Imaginative and prescient O match the description of a nameless Skoda model teased earlier this year. Described by Skoda as a ‘gargantuan household car’, this model furthermore incorporates ‘up to the moment stable’ safe and ‘T’ fashioned rear lights. It is unconfirmed if this car is genuinely the Imaginative and prescient O.

The Imaginative and prescient O will premiere in Munich on September 8th.

Alternatives for sensible EV station wagons are scarce in Australia, with elongated homely-overs equivalent to the Volvo C40 and Polestar 3 typically filling the void. Top class options like Porsche’s Taycan 4 Despicable Turismo or BMW’s i5 Touring are extra ‘pure’, however come at a hefty place.

Project supervisor Daniel Edr claims the Skoda Imaginative and prescient O’s ‘functionality-first’ safe drew inspiration from early Skoda Octavia items. He went on to keep in touch about how the Imaginative and prescient O need to nonetheless embody the handy, work-centered values which surround an property physique form.

Exterior vogue designer Jounggeen Kim said that extra inspiration for the Imaginative and prescient O’s safe came from aspects of the Roomster and Yeti, particularly the bumpers and B-pillar.

Skoda published in a 2022 press liberate that three electric autos would rapidly be announced which would both incorporate ‘up to the moment stable’ safe and express beneath the Enyaq midsize electric in the model hierarchy.

The Skoda Elroq itsy-bitsy EV SUV, which was as soon as announced dull final year, indubitably suits this pledge, and so too need to nonetheless the Imaginative and prescient O. Which procedure pricing need to nonetheless fall between $50,000 and $80,000 outdated to on-street prices.

We await that the production model Imaginative and prescient O will characteristic a connected powertrain options as the Elroq, chiefly, a lithium ion battery with a nominal skill of round 80kWh, a WLTP vary between 500-600km, and rapid 10-80 p.c DC cost time of round half-hour.

Ask the Imaginative and prescient O vary to span as a minimum two items, with options of a performance dual-motor all-wheel power or long-vary single-motor rear driver. We await high strength outputs to repeat the Enyaq; 210kW/545Nm for the RWD, and 250kW/679Nm for the AWD.

As much less assailable main functions inaugurate as much as emerge in regards to the scale, weight and powertrain of the next-generation Mazda MX-5, Australian followers could perhaps well moreover make certain of one disclose: the ‘NE’ MX-5 will attain down below.

Asked whether or not Mazda Australia will bring the next-gen MX-5 to local shores, no matter its closing accomplish, managing director Vinesh Bhindi immediate Chasing Cars: “oh, certain!”

“Your entire company motivate in Japan has sturdy ambitions and desire [for] the MX-5 as our sports activities car and a super-attempting reflection of what Mazda is set by manner of Jinba Ittai and Zoom-Zoom,” mentioned Bhindi.

“Australia is not a gigantic market [for MX-5]; in markets love the US, Europe, and Japan, there are much extra [sales], but we intend to care for the MX-5 going.

“It’s with out a doubt one of my favourite autos,” Bhindi immediate Chasing Cars.

Small footprint remains with iconic SP-inspired fetch

Digital artist Theottle has imagined for Chasing Cars what the next-gen MX-5 will look love, with its straightforward surfacing, modernised lighting fixtures, taut proportions and minimal visual mass reflecting an evolutionary, in space of innovative, step.

The Chasing Cars renderings imagine the two-door roadster version of the ‘NE’ MX-5, which will proceed as the core offering, though an RF-vogue targa fastback version, well-purchased by traders, will potentially return later.

On the motivate of closed studio doorways, Mazda global fetch division overall supervisor Masashi Nakayama is overseeing the styling of the ‘NE’ MX-5, which modified into as soon as influenced by the Mazda Iconic SP belief that broke hide on the 2023 Japan Mobility Insist.

Skyactiv-Z engine upsized to 2.5-litres

Senior Mazda sources dangle already confirmed that the next MX-5 has thrilling dynamic targets.

A sub-4000mm size, sub-1000kg kerb weight, and a equally perky vitality-to-weight ratio to the hot version’s 126kW/tonne are on the playing cards.

In an April 2025 interview with US publication Street & Observe, Mazda chief technical officer Ryuichi Umeshita mentioned primarily the most main pattern priority modified into as soon as light weight.

Umeshita mentioned the original MX-5’s powertrain modified into as soon as likely to be upsized from 2.0-litres to a 2.5-litre unit to wait on out the ultimate lambda:1.0 air-gasoline combination in actuality required to lunge Euro 7 guidelines, promising a trim and ambiance pleasant gasoline burn to chop motivate emissions.

Reducing the richness of the MX-5’s air-gasoline combination in comparison with the present automobile will lead to a decrease vitality output — therefore Mazda’s solution to enhance displacement by 500cc to compensate for this.

Book stays, no hybrid or electrical MX-5 for now

That is typically main as the ‘NE’ is not expected to carry out a turbocharger, though makes an try to attach away with the manual transmission were staved off in the name of conserving followers pleased for as prolonged as that you must to perhaps well perhaps judge of.

The 2.5-litre engine is widely expected to be sourced from Mazda’s original-generation ‘Skyactiv-Z’ inside combustion (ICE) powertrain family, which could dangle peaceable and entire hybrid systems bolted onto it.

Nonetheless for now, the ‘NE’ MX-5 is belief to dangle resisted the need for even a peaceable hybrid plan, though advancing emissions guidelines in Europe (and Australia) could perhaps well necessitate such technology in future and the powertrain shall be in a position to this.

Mazda engineers did glance turning the MX-5 into a battery electrical automobile (BEV) but battery technology has not developed immediate sufficient to wait on surely light weight in this type of car.

Mazda has filed patents in the United States exhibiting a non-skateboard BEV platform for a two-door sports activities car that uses a T-shaped battery, plus a minute extra battery below the passenger seat, for superior weight distribution.

This fetch shall be extinct for a special Mazda sports activities car that is bigger than an MX-5 in the raze.

Timing could perhaps well interrogate ‘NE’ printed 2027 for 2028 initiating

Unknowns in regards to the ‘NE’ consist of its accurate vitality/torque outputs, RPM restrict, plus the sound and persona of the original engine. Questions exist in regards to the persona of its infotainment and ADAS instrument stack.

Australian Mazda boss Bhindi warned that the ‘NE’ is “not instantaneous” and that the fourth gen ‘ND’, which launched 10 years previously in 2015, is “right here to halt” in the in the meantime.

That’s partially because Mazda’s original hybrid Skyactiv-Z ICE engines are not yet ready for manufacturing, with prototypes of the CX-5 midsize SUV carrying ‘Z’ family powertrains unlikely to hit the avenue till 2026.

At this stage, the ‘NE’ MX-5 is expected to break hide in 2027 for a that you must to perhaps well perhaps judge of Australian initiating in 2028.

Seven versions of the ‘ND’ are supplied domestically, all utilising a 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder and both a six-skedaddle manual or automatic.

Pricing for the 3915mm-prolonged ‘ND’ ranges from $42,735 to $56,885.

Gross sales of the ‘ND’ in Australia dangle stabilised in recent years, bouncing motivate from their nadir of 495 units in 2022 to 653 (2023) and 662 (2025). The recent gen’s finest success modified into as soon as stumbled on straight away after initiating in 2016 (1577 gross sales) and 2017 (1459).

MG has confirmed this might perchance perhaps perhaps release a unique MG4 to the Australian market within the 2nd quarter of 2026 with a vastly assorted methodology to powertrain than essentially the most contemporary model.

No matter the title, the upcoming entrance-driven MG4 can bear nothing in frequent with essentially the most contemporary market AWD and RWD, which might perchance perchance perhaps perchance be acknowledged to dwell on sale alongside the FWD variations as ‘top class picks’.

MG claims that upon originate, the unique MG4 will be even more cost-effective than essentially the most contemporary model’s defective Excite 51 variant, which is priced at $37,990 driveaway. As it stands, the MG4 is already one amongst essentially the most more cost-effective and properly regarded tiny EVs within the marketplace.

A straight forward, entrance-driven MG4 with even sharper pricing might perchance perchance perhaps perchance set the likes of the $39,000 Hyundai Inster, $33,990* GWM Ora and even the $29,990 BYD Dolphin on their toes. All costs shown are earlier than on-road costs.

*Decide shown currently represents promotional driveaway imprint till September 30 2025.

MG is but to verify market-particular tiny print for its upcoming MG4 FWD, which has already long previous on sale in China. Chinese market FWDs before the entire lot launched with a different of two lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries and a beginning imprint of 73,800 yuan (~$AUD16,000).

The two LFP batteries are 43 kWh and 54 kWh, with differ figures of 437km and 530km respectively. Rapid DC charging from 30-80 percent takes 20 minutes, and moderate consumption is rated at 10.4kWh/100km. All figures quoted are measured on the lenient CLTC scale.

Extra lively, on the different hand, is the further Chinese MG4 originate slated to elevate station on September fifth. Guardian firm SAIC says the originate highlight is a semi-solid instruct battery – the essential of its form to characteristic in a production automobile.

It’s unclear which battery configuration is in all likelihood for Australia, nonetheless in accordance with MG’s endured proposition of cost, it is miles likely we can fail to mark the cutting edge tech.

MG has already confirmed that entrance-driven Australian model MG4’s will originate with a different of 43kWh or 54kWh batteries when they attain subsequent year, matching the Chinese LFP models.

Dimensionally, the FWD MG4 is swiftly bigger than its rear-driven counterpart, measuring over 100mm longer with measurements of 4395mm in length, 1842mm of width, and 1551mm of height. The wheelbase has additionally extended from 2705mm to 2750mm.

The upcoming entrance-driver is additionally much less extremely efficient than the local defective model Excite 51, outputting 120kW/250Nm to the Excite’s 125kW/250Nm. The two models are constructed on completely assorted platforms, with the FWD making employ of SAIC’s E3 ‘pure-EV’ platform.

Expected tech highlights encompass a 15.6-high-tail infotainment touch cloak and ventilated 50-watt wireless instrument charger.

MG has confirmed this might perchance perhaps perhaps soon elevate pricing of the total MG4 differ forward of the unique models release subsequent year. We dwell up for that the upcoming originate will coincide with updates, whether or now not that be cosmetic or technological, to essentially the most contemporary model.

Sizzling on the heels of the liberate of absorbing pricing for the Zeekr 7X battery electric (BEV) crossover—a Tesla Model Y rival—the Chinese language luxury carmaker is planning to amplify from BEVs to race-in hybrids (PHEVs) in Australia.

Zeekr Australia’s fresh managing director, Frank Li, who simultaneously holds the appointment of vp of Zeekr World, has been dispatched to bustle the native outfit from Sydney.

Li’s first gargantuan pass as chief may perchance be to enhance the Zeekr lineup from three BEVs to no longer decrease than one ‘Huge Hybrid’ PHEV in 2026. This may perchance increasingly also merely nearly with out a doubt be the as-but unrevealed Zeekr 8X midsize to very massive SUV.

Additionally excessive on Zeekr’s consideration listing is the 007GT BEV site wagon, a distinct section mannequin that can perchance well allure to at the new time’s BMW 330i Touring or Audi A4 Avant clients who can’t stretch to a Porsche Taycan Disagreeable Turismo.

Li is additionally desirous about making a brash assertion by bringing the Zeekr 9X to Australia. The 9X is China’s 5239mm-long reply to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, costing about AUD$150,000 in the Chinese language market.

Nonetheless, Li and diverse Zeekr executives are keenly mindful that there are worthy more clients attempting in the sub-$100,000 midsize and enormous SUV segments, which is the achieve the 8X will play.

Zeekr 8X PHEV corporations as attach’s first hybrid for Australia

The 8X is decided to be published in humdrum 2025 for an early 2026 initiate, with notice shots revealing a boxy form and the opportunity of six seats. BEV and PHEV powertrains are deliberate for the fresh mannequin.

“I may bring some demo autos to Australia to let media and clients evaluate,” Frank Li, Zeekr Australia managing director (and head of Zeekr World) suggested Chasing Autos.

Renders of the Zeekr 8X had been sourced via Chinese language social media site ‘Weibo’ via the individual ‘SugarDesigns‘.

“A 007 GT is on the methodology. We’re going to eavesdrop on clients [and ask], if this automobile comes, will you pick out it? Are any adjustments wished? I may enact the the same part for the 8X and the 9X as wisely, and then we can originate a resolution consistent with buyer feedback,” stated Li.

The 8X PHEV mannequin would take a seat straight above the fresh 7X BEV, which has been priced from $57,900 plus on-boulevard costs to straight goal the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Volkswagen ID.4 and IM6.

8X more seemingly than 9X, but both below finish consideration

Pressed on whether or no longer the 8X modified into once the more seemingly Huge Hybrid PHEV to come to Australia, when when in contrast with the extremely gigantic 9X (which is decided to cost spherical $150,000 in China), Zeekr boss Li agreed.

“Referring to the quantity standpoint, the 8X no doubt may perchance perchance well maintain more [sales] quantity than 9X.

“9X is an higher-massive SUV. But referring to attach positioning, 9X is a product that reveals what luxury is—like a halo automobile, like our 009 Sizable. Both [9X and 8X] are gargantuan. It is miles tough to resolve,” Li stated.

A 2026 liberate window for the first hybrid modified into once confirmed by Zeekr Australia’s head of possession abilities Matt McCroarey, who beforehand worked at Polestar.

“Will we herald Huge Hybrids, which Zeekr already has? We’re going to guarantee there may perchance be something that comes subsequent year,” McCroarey suggested Chasing Autos.

Huge Hybrid has change into something of a generic commerce title for race-in hybrid (PHEV) autos with fluctuate exceeding 100km or thereabouts.

Whereas the 9X would require heavy re-engineering in uncover for it to be inbuilt lawful-hand force (RHD), the 8X is continuously ready to pass from the originate. Like the 7X BEV, RHD is known to had been section of the 8X belief.