Celine Nolan

BYD ATTO 2

Automobile form: Compact SUV, electrical
Launch ETA: Mannequin no longer but confirmed

BYD appears to be leading as much as the start of its smallest, perhaps cheapest electrical SUV in Australia.

The Atto 2 small electrical SUV has these days launched within the UK, and an Australian start would perhaps practice. The UK notorious model Atto 2 is powered by a single 130kW/280Nm electrical motor and 45kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery. Anticipated WLTP differ for the notorious is 312km, with a lengthy-differ variant furthering to 420km.

Count on the Atto 2 to cost around $35,000 (sooner than on-freeway costs), being priced barely increased than the Dolphin, and undercutting the higher Atto 3. In this bracket, the Atto 2 is poised to rob on rivals such because the MG4, Hyundai Kona EV, and Volvo EX30.

Chasing Vehicles irregular interview with EV Inform CEO David Smitherman

DENZA U8

Automobile form: Dazzling plug-in hybrid four wheel power
Launch ETA: Anticipated 2d half of 2025

BYD’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Land Rover Defender, and 300 sequence Toyota Landcruiser – the Yangwang U8 – has been rumoured for Australia for a whereas and is getting closer to affirmation.

Already attempting out on Australian roads – and caught by our spies! – besides to being showcased in a pair of BYD showrooms, the U8 will seemingly be imported from China by BYD itself in arrangement of standard importer EV Inform – and take a seat below the Denza luxurious sub-imprint owing to a value tag which might perhaps be tremendously increased than any BYD.

U8 capabilities a sturdy ladderframe chassis, packed with life suspension, and a posh electronically managed all-wheel-power system. The AWD system has the good thing about transferring energy to any one among the U8’s four hub-mounted electrical motors, providing amazing traction and a tank-turn celebration trick.

The U8 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as a generator, which, alongside the 49.08kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, produces 880kW and 1280Nm with a claimed total differ of 780km. Electrical-most attention-grabbing differ tops out at 124km (WLTP).

BYD U8 spied attempting out in Australia: Toyota LandCruiser hybrid rival gives strongest hint this would perhaps bound on sale within the community

BYD Tang

Automobile form: 7-seater bound-in hybrid SUV
Launch ETA: Mannequin no longer but confirmed

BYD importer EV Inform has confirmed a seven-seater SUV is a top priority, and it is seemingly to be the Tang bound-in hybrid SUV.

The 2d-know-how BYD Tang has been on hand to the Chinese market since 2018, and is supplied as a bound-in hybrid or fully electrical seven-seater SUV. It is anticipated the Australian market will accept the 2024 facelift of the Tang, with the same powertrain offerings. This mirrors the sales strategy of the Sealion 6 / 7.

The EV-most attention-grabbing Tang capabilities a 109kWh battery, all-wheel power, 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds, and a WLTP differ of 530km. There are loads of PHEV offerings for the Tang in China, however if sold in Australia, quiz BYD’s bread-and-butter 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder and 18.3kWh battery combination.

BYD charger promises 400km of differ in 5 minutes

BYD Seal 06 GT

Automobile form: Midsize sizzling-hatch
Launch ETA: Mannequin no longer but confirmed

The Seal 06 GT is the imprint’s first sizzling hatch, launched in China in later 2024. It is doable this affordable sizzling hatch will enter the Australian market to rival gadgets such because the Cupra Born VZ and MG4 X Energy, though it’s believed to be a lower priority to other gadgets featured on this article.

The Seal 06 GT utilises Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) know-how, with two battery configurations supplied: a 59.52kWh battery providing 505km of differ, and a 72.96kWh battery, providing 605km of differ. Masses of drivetrains are supplied, with the notorious variant producing 160kW and 310Nm.

BYD like alluded that the Seal 06 GT is now not any longer their top priority for 2025, as they watch to elongate their SUV and four wheel power offerings. Repeat the BYD Dolphin, though underwhelming in performance, does own the EV hatchback hole within the Australian BYD lineup.

BYD situation to originate MG4 XPower rival, the Seal 06 GT

Denza B5 and B8

Automobile form: Dazzling four wheel power and Upper-expansive four wheel power
Launch ETA: Mannequin(s) no longer but confirmed – however B5 extremely seemingly

BYD has admitted it has a four wheel power-sized hole in its lineup and the Fangchengbao Bao 5 or Bao 8 – which is ready to be badged Denza B5 and Denza B8 in in another country markets – every glance like correct alternate choices to patch it.

After the preliminary success of the BYD Shark 6, the expansive four wheel power B5 is seemingly to be the subsequent expansive PHEV shake-up in Australia, and a rival to the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.

The B5 is carefully linked to the Shark 6 ute. It’s constructed on the same physique-on-physique platform, with the same 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, dual electrical motors and 32kWh battery.

The Bao 5 is indubitably going to be a severe off-freeway contender with three diff locks and optionally accessible top-adjustable suspension.

The higher Bao 8 is seemingly to be correct as promising, with a more powerful drivetrain, top-adjustable air suspension, a ground clearance of as much as 310mm, and three automatic diff locks.

BYD 2025: Seven-seat SUV a top priority for BYD because it prepares to elongate its model differ, and double its sales in Australia

A3 and S3 (up so a long way devices)

Automotive variety: Top rate miniature vehicle
Launch: April

Audi’s luxury and sporty miniature vehicle combo are up so a long way for 2025.

Traditional equipment is bolstered with an S-line interior equipment that functions sports activities seats (with electric adjustment for the driver) and perforated leather-essentially based steering wheel (with ‘S’ logo) that modified into beforehand an possibility. The 35TFSI also positive aspects a elevated, 12.3-rush digital driver cluster.

Plot changes are in every other case delicate, with the A3 adopting sportier entrance and rear bumpers, and modern-explore four-rings logo. Both the A3 and S3 aim a re-profiled grille.

The S3 positive aspects extra power and torque for the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder – up 17kW and 20Nm to 245kW/420Nm. The S3 also positive aspects the torque splitter aim from the RS3 which can divert engine torque to whichever wheel has the final observe traction, plus elevated entrance brakes.

Pricing will enhance with fat miniature print in our Audi A3/S3 pricing and specs yarn below:
2025 Audi A3 and S3: pricing and specs

A5 and S5

Automotive variety: Midsize sedan and wagon
Launch ETA: First half of of 2025

In accordance with Audi’s modern “even numbers for EVs” naming conference, the combustion-powered A4 will now be identified as the A5.

The modern A5 and S5 are built on Audi’s PPC (Top rate Platform Combustion) platform, with gentle-hybrid powerplants on hand across the model vary. Improvements to steering, handling, braking and suspension are integral sides of the modern platform, says Audi.

The A5 presents the next powerplants: A 110kW or 150kW variant of the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, a 150kW 2.0-litre TDI diesel, and, for the vary-topping S5, a 270kW 3.0-litre TFSI Petrol engine. Prices are no longer yet confirmed, but query to pay about $80,000 for the defective model.

A serious step-up on interior tech is the 11.9-rush driver stamp, 14.5-rush essential display, and optional 10.9-rush passenger stamp.

2025 A5 / S5 international first drive

RSQ8 Efficiency

Automotive variety: Gigantic performance SUV-Coupe
Launch ETA: Second quarter 2025

Audi enters Formulation 1 in 2026 and it feeble this twelve months’s Australian Giant Prix to debut its strongest combustion model yet – the 471kW RSQ8 Efficiency.

Over the outgoing fashioned RSQ8, the twin-turbo petrol V8 positive aspects 30kW, with torque increasing from 800 to 850Nm. That in turn lowers the sporty SUV’s 0-100km/h speed means by two-tenths to about a.6 seconds.

The price tag is also beefed up, nonetheless, with the Audi RSQ8 Efficiency priced from $255,800 sooner than on-avenue prices – a $27,500 jump over the non-Efficiency model.

Audi RSQ8 news and experiences

E-Tron GT (up so a long way model)

Automotive variety: Luxury sports activities sedan (electric)
Launch ETA: 2nd quarter 2025

Audi will originate a revised e-Tron GT in mid-2025, with S, RS and RS Efficiency variants to be supplied.

The E-Tron GT lineup will likely be sooner than ever, with the S, RS, and RS Efficiency boasting power figures of 500kW/740Nm, 630kW/865Nm, and 680kW/1027Nm respectively. In its strongest configuration, the E-Tron GT can shift from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds.

Prestige within the Audi E-Tron strikes beyond the Audi mark, with Porsche aiding in suspension create: Adaptive dual-chamber air suspension with dual-valve dampers will lean and pitch the vehicle by an inner computer to give the driver optimum suspension geometry in any prerequisites.

Audi E-Tron GT news and experiences

Q5 and SQ5

Automotive variety: Midsize luxury SUV
Launch ETA: Third quarter (slack 2025 for Sportback and SQ5)

The Q5 is Audi’s simplest-promoting model is Audi Australia’s biggest originate of the twelve months. Why? Audi Australia has confirmed that the modern 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback and SQ5 will draw on sale in slack 2025. Built on the PPC (Top rate Platform Combustion) platform, the modern Q5 vary will aim all-modern interior and exterior appointments, as smartly as hybrid functionality.

The modern Q5 vary is already on sale in international markets, with L4 and V6 petrol or diesel powerplants with gentle-hybrid fortify. Even if the defective-model tag for Australia is currently unknown, we glance forward to it to be around $70,000 sooner than on-avenue prices.

Across the vary, the third-period Q5 positive aspects more head and legroom for occupants, angular stylish styled entrance and rear bumpers, and a “human centric” interior with 11.9-rush Audi digital cockpit,14.5-rush MMI contact stamp, and optional 10.9-rush MMI Passenger Expose.

Audi Q5 news and experiences

A6 and S6 E-Tron

Automotive variety: Gigantic vehicle, electric
Launch ETA: Mid 2025

Changing the outgoing petrol and diesel A6 vary, Audi’s A6 e-tron vary will rapidly be on hand in Australia. The A6 e-tron will likely be supplied as either a ‘Sportback’ body vogue or wagon.

The modern period EV A6 will likely be on hand in four variants with diversified battery sizes, performance, and vary figures.

A rear-drive A6 Efficiency will provide the longest WLTP vary of 750km, whereas the sporty, all-wheel-drive S6 naturally delivers the most power with 405kW.

Built on Audi’s modern Top rate Platform Electrical (PPE) Platform, all variants will fortify fleet DC charging, 800V architecture, lower complete weights and better effectivity when put next to earlier Audi EV’s.

Audi A6 & S6 news and experiences

2026 Audi Q3

Automotive variety: Top rate miniature SUV
Launch: TBC

Audi’s third-period Q3 compact luxury SUV will likely be published later in 2025, sooner than an expected originate in Australia in 2026.

The eighth-generation Toyota HiLux was launched to Australia 10 years ago and has passed by procedure of a few predominant updates, facelifts and engine adjustments since 2015.

A brand novel HiLux is anticipated to launch next year, even though fairly than a ground-up ute, Toyota’s likely to introduce a deep facelift for the ninth-generation model.

Will a facelift be ample for HiLux which has been at the back of the Ford Ranger for outright reputation since 2023? Contemporary rivals from China such as the GWM Cannon Alpha and BYD Shark 6 receive crushed Toyota to the electrified ute punch, too, softening the paunchy T’s allure.

Toyota Australia vice president gross sales and advertising and marketing Sean Hanley has already predicted 2025 will likely be the year of the SUV, and that appears likely following RAV4’s early YTD gross sales success — but absolutely Toyota is alive to to fetch back on high with a brand novel HiLux?

We’ve commissioned a residing of renders from digital artist Theottle to display the novel HiLux’s future in off-street focused GR Sport guise with beefed up suspension and safety.

When will the novel Toyota HiLux be launched?

Toyota is remaining tight-lipped about the novel HiLux but judge shots of a test vehicle — courtesy of Thai outlet Headlight Mag — made the rounds in January, suggesting a launch is terminate to.

Stories as much as now are pointing to a degree to in late 2025, that methodology first examples will launch hitting the roads in 2026.

The latest HiLux launched similtaneously in Bangkok and Sydney, so given the significance of the ute in Australia Toyota could perchance as soon as extra tread this course.

There are extra markets than true Thailand and Australia within the latest HiLux, even though, with Latin The US — the HiLux is constructed in Argentina — and South Africa also big HiLux patrons.

Contemporary 2026 HiLux: Platform and invent

All stories existing the novel HiLux keeping its existing IMV ladder physique platform, also venerable on the HiLux Champ in South East Asian markets.

Toyota will plug additional than simply drape a brand novel skin over the existing HiLux, even though. The latest Camry — a deep facelift of the outdated vehicle — proved there was plenty left on the table of an already apt vehicle.

The novel HiLux is likely to receive additional chassis reinforcement for improved rigidity, and revised suspension. The novel GR Sport shown right here will nearly absolutely retain its rear disc brakes, while judge shots display neatly-liked slender-tune HiLux items are also likely to ditch drums at the back — as a minimal on high-spec items.

Otherwise, laborious aspects such as the wheelbase received’t swap basic from the latest 3085mm dimension, despite the very fact that size (5325mm for double cab) and width (1855mm for SR5, 2020mm GR Sport) measurements swap a small quantity.

The pinnacle result’s the HiLux is likely to continue to be one of the most less family-pleasant utes within the marketplace due to a small cabin. More moderen rivals such as the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max receive all made paunchy leaps in this division.

Interior skills will fetch a boost, even though, with a bigger touchscreen running Toyota’s latest tool that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside with faraway phone control for native climate and a form of functions, true fancy Camry.

The exterior shown right here in our render is in accordance to judge shots and reveals novel, slender headlights residing high on the fascia. A a form of, extra futuristic grille sits below the smaller ‘TOYOTA’ emblem and the bonnet has been reprofiled.

On the back, a tidier tailgate invent and a form of taillight clusters complete the transformation. There will now not be any wholesale adjustments to the center of the HiLux’s physique, which is anticipated to dwell basic the same.

Contemporary 2026 HiLux: Engine and powertrain

While drag-in hybrids are the general rage within the ute world, it appears Toyota will continue with its latest 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder dominated line-up, as a minimal in Australia.

Sticking to the existing IMV platform pours frigid water on a HiLux GR Sport scoring a Ranger and Amarok V6-beating engine from a GA-F vehicle such as the 300 Sequence Land Cruiser or Tundra pick-up — as a minimal with out basic re-engineering.

Eastern stories existing using a novel 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which can give a HiLux GR Sport rather extra pep but don’t retain your breath — in particular no longer at launch. It’s likely to preserve the 165kW/550Nm tune of the existing diesel.

The V-Active forty eight-volt electrical boost system arrived in March 2024. Toyota claims V-Active lowers gas consumption roughly 10 per cent, and it’s likely this can change into accessible at some stage in a broader vary of variants within the novel HiLux.

On the lower dwell, demand the 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel and a pair of.7-litre petrol four-cylinder (122kW/245Nm) to loiter spherical. The lack of hybrid and drag-in hybrid ute could perchance produce Toyota’s existence difficult below incoming novel vehicle efficiency requirements (NVES).

How basic will the 2026 Toyota HiLux cost?

No topic its evolved age, the Toyota HiLux isn’t any discount ute, unless the predominant Workmate petrol cab chassis ($27,730) is what you would prefer to receive.

Essentially the most reasonable 4×4 dual cab is $50,420, sooner than on-street costs and the neatly-liked SR5 V-Active lists at $63,260. Meanwhile, the flagship GR Sport costs $74,310, sooner than on-street costs.

The HiLux’s trace has no longer stayed static since 2015, needless to claim, and phase of this slow magnify is to preserve tempo with rival utes such as Ranger and Triton, as neatly as minimising trace shock for a brand novel model.

The novel 2026 Toyota HiLux will likely be extra costly but it would be a shock if the dual-cab Workmate was extra than $55,000. Likewise, the SR5 will dwell terminate to $65,000 and the GR Sport received’t climb beyond $80,000.

More small print will reach to gentle as we manner the 2026 Toyota HiLux’s free up in late 2025 or early 2026.

Cupra is gearing up for a famous 2025 with fresh nameplates and original faces for present ones, nonetheless it in actual fact isn’t occurring as speedy as we expected.

Leading the payment are two fresh names which is ready to enter Australia’s most customary market section. Tavascan is the swoopy-roofed electrical medium SUV and Terramar is a extra mature family SUV that makes utilize of turbo-petrol or stride-in hybrid strength.

Following these are facelifts of Cupra’s first standalone automobile, the Formentor, alongside with Leon sizzling hatch and a original Sportstourer wagon variant.

Cupra had originally announced these fresh objects would reach earlier than the 2d half of of the one year, nonetheless Cupra head of product Jeff Shafer told Chasing Vehicles delaying the launches used to be a strategic decision.

“I judge we’ve had a stare on the 2025 launch actions and we desire to make certain that that we bear justice to every model, give it time to launch, make sure that the network is bringing them into the showroom with ample level of interest.

“Tavascan and Terramar are two of the famous pillars within the growth of the emblem — in particular in pushing to a rather bigger SUV than we’ve had within the medium SUV differ,” mentioned Shafer.

It’s also price noting that other Volkswagen Neighborhood brands alongside with Skoda and VW possess busy launch schedules this one year, with a bunch of fresh electrical and combustion-engined autos arriving imminently

The Polestar 2-love Tavascan is arriving in Cupra garages rapidly with a rear-pressure Patience variant packing 210kW and 534km using differ from $60,990, earlier than on-avenue prices.

Cupra is expecting the majority of traders to make a alternative the Inner Pack with a extra great stereo and higher 20-crawl alloys ($65,490) or circulate as much as the AWD VZ with 250kW and adaptive dampers for $74,990, earlier than on-avenue prices.

The emblem didn’t pronounce about gross sales volumes for the Tavascan, though stock is anticipated to be a limited tight at launch, in accordance with Shafer.

Following the Tavascan is one other fresh nameplate for Cupra, the Terramar. Arriving in July, the Terramar makes utilize of the same MQB Evo platform as the fresh Volkswagen Tiguan.

Limited print are but to be confirmed, nonetheless question a pair of spruce phases — likely called V, VZ and VZx — to utilize diversified tunes of the VW Neighborhood’s ubiquitous 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder.

A brand fresh tune as viewed within the Skoda Kodiaq RS outputs 195kW and 400Nm.

A performance-oriented stride-in hybrid will likely be on the desk, likely badged VZe, which punches out 200kW and enables around 100km of EV using differ (WLTP). Set a question to an entry variant from about $55,000 and for the Terramar to be Cupra’s ideal vendor in Australia.

Previously pigeon-holed for April or Could well well, the facelifted Leon sizzling hatch and Formentor sports activities SUV possess each and each been bumped again to the third quarter of 2025 with pricing and closing specification to be launched.

New stare sheet steel and revamped inner know-how will likely bring in a brand fresh entry-stage 110kW Leon, alongside with a revised 200kW stride-in hybrid variant and the VZx headline sizzling hatch retains the same 221kW output.

The fresh, all-wheel pressure Leon Sportstourer VZx wagon and Formentor procure bumps to 245kW and 420Nm in Europe, alongside with the trick torque splitting rear differential from the VW Golf R.

Rounding out 2025 will likely be the upgraded Born electrical sizzling hatch, which is ready to reach in punchier 240kW rear-pressure VZ guise, alongside with some additional level of interest to Cupra’s first battery-electrical nameplate. A bigger battery (now 79kWh) improves differ, too.

Cupra Australia director Ben Wilks mentioned the fresh nameplates and revamped Leon and Formentor will bolster the 2d share of the emblem’s enhance in Australia.

“So we’ve received a pathway now for our first possibilities to graduate towards and we’ve received something to whisper some fresh other folks to the emblem who most customary what we were doing nonetheless appropriate didn’t slot within the scale section that we had,” Wilks told Chasing Vehicles.

Having a stare additional forward, Cupra can help proper in 2026 with the differ as above. Then it’s about fresh product again, the Polo-sized Raval electrical automobile having a stare likely for unhurried subsequent one year or early 2027 release, adopted by one other fresh nameplate — a mammoth SUV, due in 2027.