Celine Nolan

Mazda has tweaked the powertrain lineup for its BT-50 ute fluctuate in a pass designed to diminish gas consumption (and connected CO2 emissions) of the smartly-liked 3.0-litre engine and new 2.2-litre unit, the latter changing the outgoing 1.9-litre motor at the entry repeat the BT-50 line-up.

All variants of BT-50 sold in Australia survey enhancements in their legit gas economic system thanks to the adjustments, with the fitment of a brand new auto initiate-close machine for the 3.0-litre slashing gas exercise by as primary of 11 p.c on paper.

While that looks to be a modest commerce, it goes to originate a purposeful distinction to Mazda’s emissions penalties blueprint below Australia’s Contemporary Automobile Efficiency Customary (NVES) criminal guidelines which penalise carmakers that fail to offset gross sales of excessive-CO2 automobiles with EVs and hybrids.

Mazda’s adjustments attain now not design with out cost, on the opposite hand, with BT-50 prices adjusted upward by $450 to $1500 counting on variant while three low-close XS configurations fill been added attend into the fluctuate.

The BT-50, which is a badge-engineered cousin to the Isuzu D-Max, for the time being ranks sixth within the ute gross sales bustle in Australia for 2025, with 10,115 deliveries (2104 4×2 and 8011 4×4) to its name to the close of August. Isuzu, within the period in-between, has sold 18,730 D-Max devices this yr.

Small gas economic system gains originate a extensive distinction below NVES

Gasoline economic system for the lightest, most cost-effective BT-50 variant geared up with the brand new 2.2-litre engine (120kW/400Nm) is 6.9L/100km, producing 183g/km of CO2. This compares to the 2025 ‘headline restrict’ for utes of 210g/km—which ratchets all the device in which down to 180g/km in 2026.

That’s a modest enchancment of 0.1L/100km (1g/km) in comparison with the primitive 1.9-litre engine, nonetheless the two.2 makes 10kW/50Nm more thunder while also shuffling by technique of a more flexible eight-tempo torque converter computerized.

Meanwhile, the as a lot as the moment 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (which produces 140kW/450Nm) retains its six-tempo auto’ nonetheless its indolent-close machine sees it slash as primary as 0.9L/100km (or 20g/km) in comparison with BT-50s with out this tech.

Both the two.2-litre and 3.0-litre engines, sourced from Isuzu, may even be had with 4×2 (rear-wheel power) or section-time 4×4 drivelines.

Hybrid BT-50 doubtless in future, electrical version avoided for now

Mazda and Isuzu are understood to be exploring alternate choices for a future hybrid powertrain to be dilapidated within the BT-50 and D-Max cousins in a pronounce for NVES compliance.

Isuzu, which does not fill a low-CO2 passenger automobile lineup to offset diesel ute emissions, will import an 4×4 electrical D-Max to Australia with 1000kg payload, 3500kg towing, nonetheless with a small battery (to defend payload) limiting using fluctuate to approximately 260km.

Mazda is now not understood to be attracted to rebadging a version of the electrical D-Max to fabricate a BEV BT-50 with such specifications.

BT-50 gear: XS, XT, XTR, GT and SP

The new 2.2-litre diesel engine is more healthy on hand alongside with the entry-grade BT-50 XS variant (from $37,900 plus-on facet motorway prices). The XS grade may even be had in single or dual cab-chassis uncover components, or a dual cab make a selection-up form.

XS variations embody 17-crawl silver steel wheels, an eight-crawl touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, LED headlights, DAB+ digital radio, self sustaining emergency braking, adaptive cruise attend an eye on, blind self-discipline monitoring, and lane departure warning.

From the 2d-tier XT (from $40,400 + ORCs) upward, most sensible the 3.0-litre engine is on hand. The XT provides 17-crawl dark alloy wheels while make a selection-up variations also bag a reversing digicam. XT is also where the Freestyle cab becomes an probability.

Third-tier XTR (from $54,240 + ORCs) brings silver/dark alloys, dual-zone climate attend an eye on, a bigger nine-crawl touchscreen, integrated satellite navigation, keyless entry to the front doors, folding mirrors, facet steps, a leather-basically based completely steerage wheel/shifter and included tow bar into the mix.

Coming into into the GT (from $64,520 + ORCs) provides extra luxuries within the uncover of trusty leather-basically based completely orderly, heated front seats, eight-manner energy-adjustable driver’s seat, far flung engine initiate, front parking sensors, and heated mirrors and front parking sensors.

The final BT-50 spec, the SP, prices $71,950 + ORCs in dual cab make a selection-up structure most sensible. SP gains irregular dark alloys, dark/terracotta vinyl/suede seat upholstery, an exterior dark pack (roof rails, facet steps, door handles, scoot plane sports bar and grille), and a curler tonneau duvet.

Mazda BT-50 2025 Australian pricing

All prices are ahead of on-facet motorway prices

BT-50 XS orderly grade

• XS single cab-chassis (4×2 2.2L): $37,900 (+$1500)
• XS dual cab make a selection-up (4×2 2.2L): $46,710 (new)
• XS dual cab-chassis (4×4 2.2L): $Fifty three,120 (new)
• XS dual cab make a selection-up (4×4 2.2L): $54,720 (new)

BT-50 XT orderly grade

• XT single cab-chassis (4×2 3.0L): $40,400 (+$1000)
• XT Freestyle cab-chassis (4×2 3.0L): $44,000 (+$1000)
• XT dual cab-chassis (4×2 3.0L) $47,610 (+$1000)
• XT single cab-chassis (4×4 3.0L): $forty eight,250 (+$1000)
• XT dual-cab make a selection-up (4×2 3.0L): $49,210 (+$1000)
• XT Freestyle cab-chassis (4×4 3.0L): $52,000 (+$1000)
• XT dual cab-chassis (4×4 3.0L): $55,620 (+$1000)
• XT dual cab make a selection-up (4×4 3.0L): $57,220 (+$1000)

BT-50 XTR orderly grade

• XTR dual-cab make a selection-up (4×2 3.0L): $54,240 (+$450)
• XTR dual cab-chassis (4×4 3.0L): $61,100 (+$1450)
• XTR dual cab make a selection-up (4×4 3.0L): $63,200 (+$450)

BT-50 GT orderly grade

• GT dual cab-chassis (4×4 30L): $64,520 (+$1450)
• GT dual cab make a selection-up (4×4 3.0L): $66,620 (+$450)

BT-50 SP orderly grade

• SP dual cab make a selection-up (4×4 3.0L): $71,950 (+$450)

Geely Australia chief govt Lei Li has confirmed that the Chinese language mark remains dedicated to its notion to be capable to add four extra devices to its local showrooms by the tip of 2027, to be part of the electrical (BEV) EX5 and scamper-in hybrid (PHEV) Starray EM-i midsize SUV devices.

Talking with Chasing Cars, Li offered foremost aspects on the next segments Geely Australia plans to enter now that its medium SUV push is substantially full.

“We have got limited SUVs, hatchbacks and big SUVs to make your mind up (from),” Li talked about.

“We’re going to fulfil these segments in the next couple of years to fabricate positive that we are competitive in the (Australian) market in phrases of the product line.”

Geely ute mannequin with heavy towing and payload on the agenda

Requested whether a ute factored into Geely’s ‘six devices in three years’ technique, Li confirmed that the producer is for the time being investigating suggestions about how to bring a ute with adequate heavy-responsibility skill to Australia—hinting that this normally is a subsequent-know-how Geely Radar decide-up.

“We note that Australians like utes, and the ute (section) is largely one of the foremost segments available in the market,” Li told Chasing Cars.

“If we decide to be a huge player available in the market, positively we would prefer (a ute). We desire a product to slot in the section… lengthy driving fluctuate, towing capability, loading capability (payload), and off-roading, that is totally the demand from my level of deem about,” he talked about.

Even supposing Geely Australia has immediate entry to the Geely Radar RD6 ute (called the Riddara 6 in some markets), this mannequin is a BEV with approximately 420km fluctuate with restricted towing and payload rankings.

“Riddara, at this second, is now now not our technique,” Li printed. “The novel mannequin is now now not our technique for the Australian market for the time being.”

“We would like to bring the ideal and finest-price ute to the market. Here’s below investigation.”

A higher, subsequent-know-how Geely Radar ute is rumoured to herald an excellent all-wheel drive PHEV powertrain for closer to 1000km complete fluctuate, whereas additionally unlocking the 3500kg braked towing capability anticipated in the Australian market.

This is also the ute mannequin on Li’s radar to be capable to add to the Geely Australia lineup by the tip of 2027.

Contemporary limited SUV and natty SUV devices for Geely Australia

While the specifics of the Geely ute mannequin remain “below investigation”, the local crew is for the time being making final arrangements to bring no now now not as much as one limited SUV, and one natty SUV mannequin, to Australia in 2026.

With the September 2025 Australian commence of the Geely Starray EM-i now full, the marque is anticipated to clutch a breather on recent releases unless early 2026, with the Geely Australia boss citing that February to October is the precise time to commence recent devices.

“We have got limited SUVs, hatchbacks and big SUVs for us to make your mind up (from),” Li talked about. “At different timings, we can place different devices (into the market). Let’s stare subsequent twelve months.”

Li one after the other confirmed that his crew can decide from Geely devices offered below several different ‘umbrella producers’ in China. These comprise no now now not as much as Geely Auto (which sells ICE and hybrid devices), Geely Galaxy (which specialises in BEVs and PHEVs), and Radar (utes).

Geely Australia is liable to be bearing in mind 2 different limited SUV alternate solutions.

These encompass the Geely Auto Cowboy, which measures 4350mm lengthy and is available with a Forty eight-volt gathered-hybrid turbo petrol engine producing 140kW/300Nm.

One other different is the Geely Auto Cityray, which is an upper-limited SUV measuring 4510mm in size. The Cityray uses a non-hybrid 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine producing 135kW/290Nm.

On the natty SUV entrance, the obtrusive contender is the Geely Galaxy M9 which may per chance per chance even come to Australia because the Geely Starship EM-P. Love the existing Geely Australia merchandise — the EX5 and Starray — the M9 comes from Geely’s Galaxy ‘recent energy’ vehicle sub-mark.

The Starship is a 5205mm-lengthy, three-row SUV that uses the upmarket Thor EM-P PHEV device producing as much as 650kW of energy with all-wheel drive with around 170km electrical fluctuate and around 1200km complete fluctuate.

Plugless hybrids and even a hatchback are on the cards

While Geely Australia has focussed its energy handiest on ‘recent energy’ devices up to now (which it defines as BEVs and ‘huge hybrid’ PHEVs), the marque is commence to importing plugless hybrids to Australia.

“If Geely desires to be a huge player available in the market, now we decide to cloak your total ranges and segments,” Li told Chasing Cars.

“Eventually, we can come with more merchandise to cloak the different segments, and basically level of interest on recent energy vehicles—EVs, PHEVs, and per chance (in vogue) hybrids.”

Surprisingly, this lineup is additionally liable to encompass a hatchback mannequin — per chance the Geely Auto Starwish, a compact BEV hach that measures 4135mm in size (equivalent to a Volkswagen Polo) and is available with 30kWh and 40kWh LFP batteries offering as much as 330km fluctuate.

As soon as the limited, midsize and natty SUV segments — plus a ute and hatchback — are on sale in Australia Li retains aspirations of bringing a Geely sedan to Australia, too.

“Sedans calm have about 10 percent market piece in Australia, which is now now not limited,” he talked about.

Chinese carmaker Chery has confirmed this would possibly well debut its newest sub-ticket, is believed as Lepas, into the Australian market next year.

A portmanteau of the words ‘soar’ and ‘passion’, Lepas (presumably pronounced “Jump-ride”) will modified into Chery’s fourth sub-ticket actively trading in Australia, following behind Chery Australia, Omoda, and Jaecoo.

Other Chery sub-brands in contention for Australia encompass iCaur (is believed as iCar in China), a everyday life offroad EV ticket, and Jetour, which fills a comparable enviornment of interest.

Lepas has to date confirmed unprejudiced one flagship model for its local debut, is believed as the Lepas L8. It appears to be a rival to the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, presenting as a diminutive elevated than midsize nevertheless aloof a five-seater. No longer no longer like its Omoda 9 stablemate.

Offering unprejudiced five seats also opens the L8 to ‘correct midsize’ opponents similar to the Geely Starray and MG HS ‘Expansive Hybrid’.

Lepas is searching out a younger, vogue conscious demographic, and the L8 therefore has involving, sporty styling, intellectual colours and a light-colored within. In in one other country markets, Lepas describes its create language as “Leopard Beautiful”.

Interior, the L8 aspects perforated leather-based, vinyl, brushed-construct steel speaker grilles, a digital instrument cluster — likely 10.25-inches — and a portrait orientation infotainment display conceal, likely 13.2-inch or 14.8-inches, and borrowed from the Jaecoo J7.

No technical info or measurements bear but been confirmed for the L8, which would possibly well perhaps be on sale in as diminutive as four months. Preliminary press pictures expose that the vehicle is a plod-in hybrid, presenting dual gas doors and a colossal front grille presumably for ICE engine cooling.

That would possibly well perhaps imply the L8 is probably going to be based upon the Chery Tiggo 8 plod-in, which measures 4720mm lengthy, 1862mm vast, 1705mm sizable, and runs on a 2710mm wheelbase.

Weight would possibly well perhaps aloof be in the realm of 1884kg (tare).

Beneath the bonnet, Chery would possibly well perhaps utilize its tried and tested PHEV powertrain, which combines a 105kW / 215Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, and 18.4kWh LFP battery with a 150kW / 310Nm electric motor to energy the front wheels.

Within the Tiggo 8 PHEV, this hybrid system delivers an electrical-most effective driving fluctuate of 95km, mixed fluctuate of 1200km, and mixed gas consumption of 1.3L/100km. All figures confirmed are NEDC checking out standards.

While unconfirmed, we question Lepas to soon bolster its L8 providing with the announcement of its L6 minute SUV and L4 compact SUV. More info for those would possibly well perhaps aloof soon reach to light for global markets.

The Australian debut of Lepas, which came into existence unprejudiced five months ago, is a extraordinary one. Chery already has several highly comparable products to the L8, and it remains to be seen how the L8 will differentiate from units similar to the Jaecoo J7, Chery Tiggo 8 and Omoda 9 PHEVs.

Chery already has a sturdy proposition of ticket via its predominant namesake, providing several combustion and hybrid SUVs including the Tiggo 4 minute SUV, at expose Australia’s most rate-effective SUV, and Tiggo 7 SHS, Australia’s most rate-effective PHEV.

It additionally has an array of top rate mid-measurement SUVs, including the Jaecoo J7, Jaecoo J8, Chery C5 and Omoda 9. We are alive to to gape how the L8 suits into this crowded home.

The 2d-technology Hyundai Palisade is determined to hit the Australian market in the remaining quarter of this year, and here at Chasing Vehicles, we mediate the brand new see Palisade is terribly gorgeous – but are its abilities neutral skin deep?

Senior contributor, Nathan Ponchard, sampled a pre-production model of the Palisade at our test display screen forward of the legitimate Australian delivery and shared his solutions in our legitimate overview, which you can be in a set of residing to appear for here.

The new Palisade will impress you an attractive penny, stretching a further $11k bigger than its predecessor, reaching roughly around $90,000 forward of on facet road costs – and with simplest one on supply at delivery, the pause spec Calligraphy, there received’t be a extra inexpensive choice till 2026.

One part we all admire to listen to in the Chasing Vehicles office, is ‘Australian tuning’ … and trudge, Hyundai delight in tuned the dampers and steering for the harmful Australian roads.

Whereas Nathan simplest got to power the Palisade on our test display screen, it is composed a telling stretch of bitumen, and the trip comfort didn’t disappoint up to now.

The interior styling, obtain quality and tech that is throughout the cabin is additionally unbelievable, with a powered adjusted steering wheel, heated seats in the 2d and third row, and a one contact button to fold down the 2d and third row from the boot. It’s going to additionally comfortably fit six adults.

Whereas Nathan’s first impressions had been total sure, he did pronounce that having a V6 powertrain and two extra gears for the transmission would be extra desirable.

But there used to be composed plenty of strength coming from the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid, four-cylinder all-wheel power, six-velocity automatic, producing 245kW/460Nm.