Celine Nolan

The eighth-expertise Lexus ES has been printed with a if fact be told wide shake-as much as the enlarged luxury sedan’s powertrain strategy – with the hot model’s smartly-liked petrol hybrid expertise dwelling to be retained while pure-electric energy will moreover be made on hand at commence in 2026.

While it retains a used sedan boot, aesthetically the original ES apes the appearance of a fastback and if truth be told moves into the dimensional class above, with a 165mm stretch to overall measurement (80mm in the wheelbase) making this 5.14-metre four-door longer than a BMW 5 Series.

An unnamed original maintain language debuts on the original ES, which adopts thin and angular headlights above a front apron inspired by final twelve months’s LF- ZC Belief while a stout-width rear light bar contains ‘LEXUS’ lettering.

A hockey-stick detail embossed in the aspect profile partially distracts the gaze from the dramatic 110mm uplift in top, built into the automobile so as to accommodate the battery (of for the time being undisclosed skill) shared by the fully-electric grades that are yet 5mm taller yet again.

Inner, the organic traces of the outgoing model are substituted for a sq.-edged dashboard shelf motif incorporating a 14.0-experience touchscreen. A cowled digital instrument cluster is retained, as are like a flash shortcut controls temperature and a quantity roller are retained.

The enlarged dimensions accommodate a extra plentiful cabin with choices equivalent to a passenger seat ottoman and an executive rear seat kit with massage. Textured bamboo neat aspects extensively in the doors while interior colors comprise light grey, tan and a light inexperienced.

When the original ES lands domestically subsequent twelve months, Australian traders will be supplied as a minimum one hybrid and one electric powertrain need from the worldwide menu of four engines, with low- and high-energy tunes of every and every vitality form on hand.

The global powertrain slate kicks off with the 2 hybrids. The ES300h uses a brand original-to-ES 2.0-litre petrol-electric four-cylinder unit producing as much as 145kW with front-wheel power. This lower-output hybrid may possibly well be regarded as as to change the now-defunct, petrol-simplest ES250 that most no longer too lengthy ago retailed for $62,140 plus on-avenue prices in 2024.

Subsequent is the ES350h badge, which carries into the original ES an as much as this level model of the hot ES300h’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid now making 182kW (up 22kW). As before, mixed torque isn’t any longer disclosed.

While the ES350h stays front-wheel power as popular, an all-wheel power option is now on the menu – in two energy outputs of 148kW (ES300h AWD) or 182kW (ES350h AWD). ES350h pricing for the time being commences at $65,540 + ORC.

On the pure-electric aspect of the ledger, single- and twin-motor powertrains are on hand. Badged ES350e is a front-wheel power EV model making 165kW of energy, while the all-wheel power ES500e steps as much as 252kW.

Quickest of the dwelling is the ES500e, which claims a 5.9 2nd 0-100km/h time. The jog is otherwise carried out in as lengthy as 9.4 seconds (ES300h FWD), shedding to eight.9 sec (ES350e), 8.5 sec (ES300h AWD), 8.0 sec (ES350h FWD), and 7.8 sec (ES350h AWD) respectively.

Enabling the inclusion of battery-electric powertrains has been carried out by skill of major variations to the TNGA-K platform shared between Toyota and Lexus. The midsize, front-power ‘K’ chassis became as soon as utilised by the outgoing ‘XZ10’ ES which became as soon as variously on hand with hybrid and non-hybrid four-cylinder petrols and a V6 petrol in a foreign country.

While the e-TNGA platform utilised by the Lexus RZ, Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra cousins became as soon as a mechanical branch of TNGA-K, the pure ‘K’ chassis became as soon as to birth with designed to accept simplest miniature to midsize batteries allowing amble-in hybrid drivetrains equivalent to those seen domestically in the Lexus NX and RX PHEV variants.

Changing currents in the automobile industry – growing popularity of fully-electric sedans in China, occurring simultaneously with lumpy quiz for stout EVs in Western markets – is believed to fill convinced Toyota to re-engineer the platform so as to accept worthy higher batteries.

The dimensions of that battery isn’t yet identified then yet again it appears the ES350e and ES500e variants utilise the the same pack. Riding differ is asserted to be 685km and 610km respectively on the optimistic Chinese language CLTC machine – equal to spherical 550km and 490km (WLTP). Top DC charging jog is 150kW during a 30 minute 10-80 p.c charging session.

Meanwhile, the hybrid versions may possibly well lift across a 50-litre gasoline tank.

Gasoline consumption for the incoming ES300h and ES350h has no longer yet been disclosed, then yet again it liable to be equal to the 4.8L/100km snort of the hot automobile – affording a theoretical gasoline differ of 1041km.

Learn our review of the hot Lexus ES300h hybrid.

Thanks for becoming a member of us this Thursday, April twenty fourth 2025. Significantly in automobile info at the present time: GWM’s Tank 300 Hooke is a laborious-core Jeep Wrangler Rubicon competitor while debuting a brand fresh twin-turbocharged V8, and MG guns for Land Rover with its electric all-terrain SUV called the Cyber X.

Browse this wretchedness:

• GWM Tank 300 Hooke is China’s laborious-core off-toll road Jeep Wrangler rival
• MG gunning for Land Rover with its electric Cyber X all-terrain SUV
• Details on GWM’s shock twin-turbocharged V8 boost
• Hyundai reveals more small print about next-generation 1.6L and a pair of.5L hybrid powertrain
• 2025 Audi S3 evaluation

GWM Tank 300 Hooke is China’s acknowledge to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

• GWM has unveiled a laborious-core off-toll road-enhanced model of its popular Tank 300 4×4 wagon called the Hooke, with specs that clearly aim the likes of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Ford Bronco Raptor.

• Debuting at this week’s Shanghai motor recount, the Tank 300 Hooke debuted alongside GWM’s shock 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with amble-in hybrid powertrain announcement, strongly suggesting (despite the incontrovertible reality that no longer confirming) that the fresh 4×4 wagon variant would possibly maybe well well moreover fit bent-eight PHEV motivation.

• Elsewhere, the most main Hooke upgrade is the fitment of (Wrangler-like) front and rear steady are dwelling axles, while also featuring a strengthened chassis and the obligatory upsized mud-kicking Cooper tyres with beadlocked rims.

• Named after the Hooke Crawl in China, the newcomer to the Tank 300 fold is handiest currently slated for liberate in its fatherland and it’s unconfirmed as as to if or no longer it’ll hit Australian showrooms. That stated, it’s a steady bet that – V8 or no longer – the Hooke will join the most modern petrol/hybrid/diesel line-up in the community in future.

MG gunning for Land Rover with its electric Cyber X all-terrain SUV

• MG has published their most modern theory automobile at the Shanghai motor recount, the Cyber X. It’s so fresh that it doesn’t even dangle an interior fitted yet, on the different hand MG administration  converse they’re assured it would possibly maybe well well moreover be put into production in a speedy time.

• MG’s father or mother firm, SAIC, explained from the recount that the Cyber X has been designed for a younger viewers in the hunt for a ‘ city adventure toy.’ So while it would possibly maybe well moreover seem Defender like, don’t inquire of the identical stage of off-toll road talents.

• Pop-up headlights are a key form characteristic, pairing with tender traces on the exterior which seems to be “like a circle or spherical square,” in step with head of form, Jozef Kaban.

• Measuring in at 4.3 metres in size, no longer handiest does the MG Cyber X exterior aesthetics gape to be impressed by the most modern model Land Rover Defender, it also shares the same dimensions to a Defender 90.

GWM debuts a brand fresh 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 PHEV powertrain

• GWM has bucked global mainstream convention with its shock debut of a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 amble-in hybrid powertrain at this week’s Shanghai motor recount.

• In stark distinction to the likes of Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol downsizing from bent eights to 6-cylinder vitality, the fresh amble-in V8 powertrain will provide future Tank-branded 4×4 wagons a selected selling level in opposition to their rivals. GWM also plans to roll out the petrol-electric V8 in luxury automobile models sat below GWM’s top payment sub-brands.

• While unconfirmed, the fresh four-litre powertrain modified into unveiled alongside the fresh Tank 300 Hooke particular-edition off-roader that would possibly maybe well well moreover neatly fit the powertrain. Nonetheless, as reported in our standalone legend, the powertrain is liable to debut sooner or later Tank 700 upper shimmering 4×4 wagon model.

• While small print such as outputs are slim for the fresh powertrain, its so-called ‘P2’ form locates the electric motor between the engine and transmission. Observe from the Shanghai recount is that the fresh vitality unit is being strongly idea of for correct-hand-pressure markets such as Australia.

Hyundai’s next-gen twin-motor 1.6L and a pair of.5L hybrids detailed

• Hyundai has published more small print about its next-gen ‘twin-motor’ hybrid powertrains, first published with the unveiling of the 2.5L form in Palisade and now to be joined by a 1.6L iteration for designate fresh models sat in smaller/lighter-responsibility segments.

• Debuting on the 2.5L configuration (in Palisade), the most main update is the twin-electric motor application built-in into the all-fresh transmission, the effect a ‘P1’ motor “handles starting up, battery regeneration and vitality deployment” while a separate ‘P2’ motor is accountable for “propulsion and regenerative braking” functionality.

• Hyundai says that this fresh transmission can even be paired with a ramification of household engine devices and is slated to wait on configurations ranging from “73kW thru to 220kW” (despite the incontrovertible reality that, strangely, Palisade is rated at a increased 245kW – stare under).

• Within the fresh Palisade, the twin-motor hybrid produces blended outputs of 245kW and 460Nm while returning a disclose of 7.1L/100kms – or 19 percent more vitality and Forty five percent better gasoline efficiency by its maker’s reckoning. Within the interim, the lesser-detailed 1.6L hybrid guise, earmarked for future Tucson specifically, is declared to provide up to a 380Nm height.

Audi S3 2025 evaluation

• Chasing Autos Deputy Editor Curt Dupriez’s toll road take a look at of the 2025 Audi S3 modified into printed, along with his thoughts on the scoot-mercurial upgrades to the small all -rounder.

• Curt naturally most popular the extra vitality, as neatly as the truth Audi incorporated better brakes to handle stated extra vitality amplify. He also praised the more command handling characteristics and overall refinement of the model.

• Nonetheless, Dupriez did stare some room for enchancment. Namely about a powertrain gremlins which ground, the truth it merely seems to be as if an A3, and he didn’t stare payment in one of the considerable high payment alternate strategies. Like an utilize upgrade that can sting punters an extra $10,000.

• In his verdict, Curt praised Audi for giving petrolheads a factual S3 fanatic automobile. It’s faster than ever, yet serene mute in day-to-day life. Nonetheless, it comes at a payment. Coming in at around $90,000 with about a alternate strategies.

Read here: https://www.chasingcars.com.au/critiques/small-vehicles/audi-s3-2025-evaluation/

The following wretchedness of Vehicle News This day will almost definitely be printed on Monday twenty eighth April at 4.30pm Sydney time.

GWM’s lofty ambitions salvage scaled new heights as the Chinese language stamp revealed a mute twin-turbo petrol V8 destined for its flagship Tank off-roaders.

The 4.0-litre boosted crooked eight will seemingly be dilapidated with toddle-in hybrid skills to be obvious that the powertrain remains connected within the face of increasingly extra strict emissions regulations in its key markets, including Australia.

Whereas V8s salvage ceaselessly been dropped from most producers’ portfolios, right here’s a compelling energy play from GWM. Scurry-in hybrid V8s are currently the reserve of high-table producers and devices, such as BMW’s XM and M5, Bentley’s Continental GT and Ferrari’s SF90.

So where would possibly perchance this new incandescent displacement donk pause up? Printed at the Shanghai motor show cowl, GWM teased it alongside its hardcore Tank 300 Hooke Path medium SUV; a completely different edition named after China’s premier off-avenue park.

With beefed-up chassis, suspension hang and all-terrain tyres, the Hooke Version would certainly be a hero mannequin with hybrid V8 energy, plugging a gap left by the demise of a V8 in Jeep’s Wrangler, or as a decrease-ticket AMG G-Wagen.

It’d most likely be taught about provider in Tank’s greater SUVs, as advised to Australian media by James Yang, GWM’s head of worldwide RHD markets and aftersales. “Presumably we would favor to birth it within the premium Tank 700 (incandescent SUV),” he talked about. “It’s an even bigger dimension, and for this automobile I salvage the V8 is gorgeous.”

Very most attention-grabbing the Tank 300 and 500 SUVs are currently on sale in Australia, nonetheless the 700, we were advised, remains into account for our market.

Mr Yang confirmed the V8 engine was as soon as “for sure something we’re excited by” for unbiased appropriate-hand-pressure sale, including Australia.

He lately visited Australia and talked about: “many of the buyer scenarios are fully completely different from China, such as towing. In China we seldom tow, nonetheless in Australia it’s very traditional. For GWM, within the waste, we’ll pay extra consideration to the local Australian buyer scenario.”

He explained a toddle-in hybrid V8 would well suit our market because it would possibly perchance perchance perchance fulfill NVES targets, show cowl economical for urban utilize working exclusively on battery energy, and the V8 petrol would provide differ and salvage the predominant torque for heavy responsibility work, such as towing.

“In 4×4 automobiles for towing and off-roading cases, it’s no longer colossal in case you utilize moral a pure electric motor,” Mr Yang talked about. Having a petrol-powered V8 also eradicates the differ apprehension inherent with pure EVs.

Requested if the V8 would possibly perchance very well be dilapidated in GWM’s pickups – the one-tonne Cannon and better Cannon Alpha – it was as soon as advised the Alpha can even be a candidate, whereas hinting the next pickup to rival Ford’s F-150 and RAM 1500 had been within the plans.

On the change hand, with the US being by far the globe’s ultimate market for such automobiles, constructing has seemingly stalled within the face of President Trump’s ongoing exchange tariff merry-slump-spherical.

Any other seemingly scenario would possibly perchance be the V8 toddle-in hybrid seeing provider in GWM’s rumoured incoming ultra luxurious automobiles, doubtlessly to take a seat above the neighborhood’s Wey premium stamp.

Scant tiny print were revealed on the V8 PHEV’s which you would possibly perchance take into consideration outputs, nonetheless a mannequin of the powertrain confirmed it was as soon as a “P2 hybrid” where the electrical motor sits between the interior combustion engine and transmission.

BMW has found 535kW and 1000Nm from its V8 PHEV setup within the M5 with 68km pure electric differ, nonetheless GWM would no longer in reality be chasing such supercar numbers with its effort.

That talked about, GWM’s presentation promised its “masterpiece of Chinese language incandescent-displacement engines” would possibly perchance be a “secret weapon in luxurious markets” and it would “anger the purest driving need.” Poetic, eh?

In China, a Tank 700 Hi4-T PHEV Launch Version, which allies a twin-turbo V6 petrol with an electrical motor, delivers a claimed 386kW and 850Nm.

The premise of a V8 change seeing provider in GWM’s off-roaders, pickups and luxurious automobiles is a compelling proposition for the power hungry.

Thanks for becoming a member of us this Wednesday, April 23th 2025. Notably in car news on the present time: Nissan’s Frontier Educated PHEV select-up will seemingly be the poke-in Navara, 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander ratings local suspension and guidance tune, Shanghai Worldwide Automobile Industry Exhibition kicks off and GWM adds more cost effective Top rate spec Cannon to ute line-up.

Browse this distress:

• Nissan’s Frontier Educated PHEV would possibly per chance wisely be the petrol-electrical Navara
• 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander ratings local suspension and guidance tune
• GWM adds more cost effective Top rate spec Cannon to ute line-up
• Chinese language made Mazda EZ-60 EV SUV interior runt print published
• 2025 Haval H6 GT PHEV review

Nissan’s poke-in ute debuts in China and would possibly per chance additionally turn out to be our Navara PHEV

• Nissan has unveiled its Frontier Educated poke-in petrol-electrical ute on the Shanghai motor snort in what would possibly per chance would possibly be found in Australia as a ‘Navara Educated’ to clutch on the likes of Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark 6.

• Co-developed with Dongfeng, the Frontier Educated – because it will seemingly be known as within the Chinese language and other world markets – aspects contemporary Nissan-penned styling atop a ladder-frame structure in step with the Dongfeng Z9.

• Vitality comes through a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine blended with electrical drive through a 33kWh battery. While outputs dangle not been published, it’s claimed the Frontier Educated has an electrical simplest vary of up to 135 kilometres.

• Talking to Chasing Vehicles in Shanghai, Nissan has simplest confirmed left-hand-drive manufacturing even though it’s “brooding about” RHD for what is a world liberate. An Aussie extrapolation would possibly per chance wisely be marketed within the neighborhood beneath the Navara Educated nameplate.

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander ratings local suspension and guidance tune

• Expected to would possibly be found in showrooms the third quarter of 2025, is the updated MY25 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV.

• Predominant speaking sides for this substitute is what Mitsubishi has described as an Australian suspension and guidance tune, so as to strengthen occupant comfort as wisely as a more engaged riding abilities.

• Among the finest Exceed Tourer spec additionally beneficial properties a Dynamic Sound Yamaha Final audio design, while all other specs receive an ‘Dynamic Sound Yamaha Top rate design. These are mated to a 12.3-dash infotainment design that’s Apply CarPlay and Android Auto wisely matched.

• Exterior and interior styling revisions are additionally on the cards for the updated Mitsubishi Outlander, that will seemingly be readily available in entrance- or all-wheel drive variants, with a different of five- or seven-seat configurations.

GWM adds more cost effective Top rate spec Cannon to ute line-up

• Mighty Wall Motors has correct incorporated a brand fresh entry-level Cannon ute to its line-up, with the introduction of the Top rate variant.

• The Cannon Top rate will aim a smaller-capability 2.0L turbo-diesel engine, which produces a claimed 120kW and 400Nm. This is matched to an eight-run computerized transmission.

• Cannon Top rate will seemingly be readily available in single-cab rear-wheel-drive layout, which is a fundamental for GWM in Australia, as wisely as a more old twin-cab 4×4 with electronically operated rear differential lock.

• Pricing for the Cannon Top rate starts from $35,490 for the single-cab RWD entry point, and climbs to $39,490 for the twin-cab four-wheel drive. These are drive-away costs, too.

Chinese language made Mazda EZ-60 EV SUV interior runt print published

• Mazda has been teasing files on the upcoming EZ-60 EV SUV. Lately we saw what the begin air would think fancy, and now we’ve been given a sneak high inside of the auto.

• The strikingly evident addition to the within Mazda’s Chinese language-manufactured electrical automobile is the crimson and cream color selections, which is a mettlesome transfer styling clever.

• Technology clever, Mazda has incorporated a simply huge 26.Forty five-dash media cloak cloak that will build an eye fixed on truly the entirety within the auto for both the driver and passenger. There would possibly be never any such thing as a instrument cluster, moderately a head-up snort is former to dispute run.

• The newcomer is anticipated to head on sale in markets begin air of China because the CX-6e. Ethical-hand-drive items will seemingly be manufactured, alternatively on the time of newsletter Mazda has yet to substantiate aspirations for local gross sales.

Haval H6 GT PHEV 2025 review

• Chasing Vehicles road take a look at editor John Guidelines’s road take a look at of the 2025 Haval H6 GT used to be printed, including his ideas on its impressive electrical-simplest vary and the harsh competition the poke-in SUV will face within the neighborhood.

• Guidelines unearths that H6 GT additionally brings impressive sub-five-second 0-100km/h performance, and reckons that the newcomer brings loads of equipment for what’s a solid value-for-cash proposition.

• Alternatively, Guidelines isn’t partial to the underbaked cabin tech and the paltry boot station for a mid-size SUV, while additionally criticising some of its moderate accelerate, handling and guidance qualities.

• In verdict, the advice is seemingly to be to relief off for the facelifted H6 PHEV wagon, which ought to give an improved interior quality and utility, along with slated localised upgrades to the accelerate and handling kit.

READ HERE

The subsequent distress of Vehicle Info This day will seemingly be printed on Thursday Twenty fourth April at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Nissan dropped a bombshell at Auto Shanghai, revealing a hurry-in hybrid Navara-sized ute.

The twist is that the Frontier Knowledgeable, as this might perhaps occasionally also be known in China when it goes on sale later this 300 and sixty five days, has nothing to enact with Mitsubishi. As an more than a few, it uses Chinese carmaker Dongfeng’s Z9 ute as a unfortunate.

And don’t direct here is a China-market simplest play, with Nissan executives telling Chasing Autos the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger rival will lunge world, and never ruling out it will be known as the Navara if it were to come in in Australia.

Rotund engine significant ingredients are yet to be confirmed, nevertheless the Frontier Knowledgeable is asserted to employ a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and 33kWh battery.

Electrical-simplest fluctuate is asserted to be 135km from a designate, with mixed petrol-electrical fluctuate over 1000km. Outputs usually are no longer confirmed nevertheless Nissan has hinted at more than 300kW and 800Nm.

The Frontier Knowledgeable uses a ladder frame chassis, with the engine mounted longitudinally and a five-link rear axle.

It’s miles no longer connected in any formulation to the existing Navara or Mitsubishi Triton and will be constructed completely in China.

The Jap stamp told Chasing Autos it is some distance “progressing [the Frontier Pro] to meet Nissan Standards”. It also a lot other non-Chinese manufacturers, equivalent to Kia with the EV5, web vehicles for Australia in the nation.

South Africa — one more ute-loving trusty-hand power market — is asserted to also be in line for the brand new Nissan ute.

We’re no longer making an are attempting ahead to this China-constructed Nissan ute to exchange the subsequent-gen Navara, although. Its construct, with vertical LED tail lights and elephantine-width lightbar, is terribly diverse to the brand new-gen ute teased by Nissan late final 300 and sixty five days.

Demand Mitsubishi’s Triton to compose the unfortunate of Nissan’s core new Navara — with an Australian beginning penciled in for pre-2027 — nevertheless Nissan has promised its model will be very differentiated.

The Frontier Knowledgeable might additionally close up being provided in Australia, although as a separate line concentrating on everyday life-oriented utes fancy the BYD Shark 6, doubtlessly with a lower payload and better-close cabin.

Pictures taken by Chasing Autos contributor Iain Curry repeat a luxurious, two-tone beige and lemon leather-appointed cabin with a 14.6-lunge floating touchscreen in the centre — a work ute the Frontier Knowledgeable is no longer. Nissan has promised 3500kg braked towing ability, nevertheless.

Building in China will be advantageous for Nissan, with lower production and transport prices helping the Frontier Knowledgeable web closer to the BYD Shark 6 ($57,900, outdated to on-avenue prices) and GWM Cannon Alpha ($63,990, driveaway) intelligent pricing.

As well to the Frontier Knowledgeable, Nissan showed the N7 mid-sized sedan, one more JV with Dongfeng that guarantees Tesla Model 3-rivalling 635km (CLTC) riding fluctuate.

Additional significant ingredients on the Frontier Knowledgeable, alongside side its doable for the Australian market, will be revealed in time.

With extra reporting from Iain Curry.

The flagship Zeekr 9X tall luxurious SUV will crown the head class Chinese manufacturer’s lineup in China—and the hybrid-powered BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS rival is firming for an Australian unencumber in 2026.

The Zeekr worth, which is the Chinese “fresh luxurious” worth of Volvo-owning conglomerate Geely Car, launched with two fully electric models in Australia earlier this Twelve months.

Zeekr has already launched two models in Australia—the X tiny luxurious SUV (from $49,900 plus on-road prices) and the avantgarde 009 minivan (from $135,900 + ORC). A third model, the 7X midsize SUV, has been confirmed for Australian unencumber by the smash of 2025.

Now, attention turns to the 9X as the worth’s flagship SUV, situation to be the halo model of the fluctuate—and it is below end consideration to be the fourth Zeekr model launched in Australia. The exchange contender is an as-but unannounced, upper-midsize SUV model.

“The 009 (minivan) is the tall brother within the family,” Mars Chen, head of Zeekr World, suggested Chasing Vehicles. “Seemingly the 9X may perhaps be the tall sister.” However Australian customers will no longer obtain each the 9X and the upper-midsize SUV. “No longer each—I believe to be functional,” said Chen.

READ: Zeekr X AWD 2025 review

Within the beginning, the Zeekr worth concentrated heavily on paunchy EVs, nonetheless reflecting the resurgence in person query for hybrid autos, it has tailored the SEA platform that it shares with Volvo and Polestar for hybrid powertrains.

Whereas a actually electric version may perhaps perchance well well attain later, the 9X luxurious SUV will open with a hybrid powertrain situation to be unveiled at this week’s Auto Shanghai 2025 tournament in China. We’ll add vitality, torque, riding fluctuate and other facts when they’re known.

Dubbed the “Huge Electric Hybrid”, the powertrain is known to be an adaptation of the Geely Leishen EM-I trudge-in hybrid engine that mixes a petroleum engine, just a few electric motors, a silicon carbide vitality module, integrated vehicle, transmission and vitality distribution adjust devices.

READ: Zeekr 009 2025 review

Geely’s version of the system is primarily based fully round a 1.5-litre petrol engine which can generate vitality to charge batteries sized between 19-30kWh.

Zeekr claims the 9X will rush from 0-100km/h in between three and 4 seconds, implying that Zeekr’s adaptation of the Geely system will design severely extra than the latter’s 160kW of vitality.

The 9X will utilise a brand fresh Nvidia Thor autonomous riding chipset knowledgeable by five lidar devices (one long fluctuate, and 4 rapid fluctuate), with Zeekr claiming the SUV has four layers of 360-level notion.

Stylistically, the 5290mm-long Zeekr 9X is an spectacular SUV that blends aspects of Zeekr’s 009 luxurious minivan (supplied in Australia) with extra than a splash of Rolls-Royce Cullinan—with Chinese car followers nicknaming the 9X the Hangzhou Bay Cullinan in reference to Zeekr’s state of birth.

The Chinese worth is so confident within the looks of the 9X that head of Zeekr invent Stefan Sielaff suggested Chasing Vehicles and other media that “the 9X is the larger Cullinan.”

“Don’t obtain me wrong—I am no longer arrogant. I believe to be humble. The 9X is most efficient the first member of a brand fresh family of luxurious autos we are going to demonstrate in future. I believe it’s extremely, very lawful.”

Befitting its flagship field, it is anticipated that the Zeekr 9X would be mighty extra pricey than the 009 minivan if an Australian open is confirmed—with a seemingly starting ticket above $150,000 plus on-road prices.

That can perchance well well silent be a tiny more reasonably priced than a BMW X7 (from $171,300 + ORC), although severely increased than the marginally smaller Audi Q7 (from $108,815 + ORC).

Kia has confirmed pricing for its first ever challenger to the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, whereas also releasing the predominant legitimate photos of its Tasman ute that comprises body-colour fenders.

The Kia Tasman twin-cab ute will seemingly be priced from $42,990 before on-facet twin carriageway prices for the deplorable 4×2 model, with 4×4 variants ranging from $49,990 RRP.

Five grades jog from S, SX, SX+, X-Line as much as the flagship, off-facet twin carriageway-focused X-Skilled that prices from $74,990.

Eight exterior colours are equipped, with Tan Beige and Sure White adopting body-colored fender flares as every other of the dark-gray flares that contributed to a polarising response to the Tasman’s world mark closing twelve months.

The beige Tasman with matching fender flares used to be previewed by the Weekender thought confirmed now not too prolonged ago on the Seoul motor mark.

The six other available exterior colours follow dark fender flares. The body-colour flares fail to see the rear fender storage now not contemporary on X-Line and X-Skilled models.

Kia Australia hasn’t ruled out further exterior colours being equipped with the matching fender flares.

Pricing for twin-cab chassis and single-cab chassis Tasman variants will seemingly be announced later, arriving in August and gradual 2025, respectively.

All Tasmans are powered by a 154kW/440Nm four-cylinder turbo diesel engine with eight-bustle auto, and all characteristic a 3500kg braked towing ability supported by an Constructed-in Trailer Brake Controller.

S, SX, SX+ and X-Line models adopt a mechanical locking rear differential, whereas the X-Skilled aspects an electronically managed locking diff.

Payload exceeds one tonne for all models, although the Tasman is obtainable with decrease payload alternate choices to fulfill novated-rent requirements.

Key aspects for every Kia Tasman twin-cab pleasing grade are as follows:

Tasman S

17-slip metal wheels (elephantine-dimension spare)
Front and rear sensors
LED (MFR) headlights
Adaptive cruise retain watch over
Keyless entry and commence
Rear bumper steps
Constructed-in Trailer Brake Controller
Trailer Sway Regulate
Mechanical rear diff lock
Tailgate with steal assistance
Panoramic Point out: 12.3-slip infotainment touchscreen, 5-slip native weather panel, 12.3-slip digital driver cluster
Wireless smartphone integration
Kia Join with over-the-air (OTA) updates
Cloth seats
Dual-zone native weather retain watch over

Tasman SX (key beneficial properties over S)

17-slip alloy wheels
Terrain modes (Snow, Sand, Mud)
Constructed-in navigation (inc nav-basically based completely mostly adaptive cruise)
Electrical folding facet mirrors

Tasman SX+ (key beneficial properties over SX)

18-slip alloy wheels
LED foglights
Bedliner
Cloth/pleather seats
Rear air vents
Wireless charging pad
240V outlets x 2 (bathtub and rear centre console)

Tasman X-Line (key beneficial properties over SX+)

LED projector headlights
Privateness glass
Bridge-kind roof rails
Column-kind transmission shifter (plus sail shifters)
Surround glimpse
Parking Collision Avoidance Attend
Blind-blueprint Quiz Video display
Artificial leather appointed seats
Electrical driver’s seat
Heated entrance seats
Scuttle/recline second-row seats
2nd-row armrest
Dual wi-fi charging pads

Tasman X-Skilled (key beneficial properties over X-Line)

17-slip shaded alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
Electronic rear locking differential
X-High-tail mode
Terrain modes (Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock)
Ground Quiz Video display
Gas tank undercover security
Off-Boulevard Page (steering direction, steering attitude, oil levels and more)
Sunroof
Electrical entrance seats with memory
Ventilated entrance seats
Heated steering wheel
Harman Kardon audio blueprint
Ambient temper lighting fixtures