Celine Nolan

Toyota Motor Corporation has at last shown the contemporary Land Cruiser FJ, a shrunken model of its iconic nameplate.

The worthy-anticipated Land Cruiser FJ — veritably regularly known as the Mini LandCruiser — has been scorching property on-line. But Toyota Australia acknowledged the contemporary mannequin isn’t in its plans.

“Toyota Australia continuously explores alternatives to adapt our automobile line up, nonetheless we don’t desire any most modern plans to introduce the Mini LandCruiser to our market,” a spokesperson instructed Chasing Autos.

Measuring 4575mm long (at the side of spare tyre), 1875mm broad, 1960mm elephantine, the Land Cruiser FJ is relating to the same dimension as a RAV4 medium SUV, making it greater than a Suzuki Jimny or Renault Duster.

As predicted, the Land Cruiser FJ makes relate of Toyota’s IMV ladder frame chassis from the Hilux Champ offered in creating markets. Toyota says extra bracing and greater physique rigidity will lend the five-door, five-seat Land Cruiser FJ unbelievable ability.

Toyota claims the Land Cruiser FJ matches the 70 Sequence in the case of wheel articulation — so it’s a ways going to be a capable mountain goat.

With a 2580mm wheelbase (270mm shorter than Prado), the Land Cruiser FJ will change into the contemporary entry level into the long-lasting nameplate, below 250 Sequence, fat-dimension 300 Sequence and rough-and-tumble 70 Sequence.

Putrid news is that the contemporary automobile makes relate of the ‘2TR-FE’ 2.7-litre inline-four petrol engine, producing a measly 120kW and 246Nm — a a lot advise from even Prado’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel that makes 150kW and 500Nm.

This petrol-handiest offering (as a minimum on-show veil) is one of many key aspects that might possibly quit the Land Cruiser FJ selling in Australia. With a combination of stricter emissions standards and a treasure of towing, both a diesel or petrol-electric would be wanted to resonate with Australians.

One line in Toyota’s press liberate indicates a more ambiance pleasant Land Cruiser FJ, treasure the 300 Sequence hybrid, might possibly neatly be a future addition: “the Land Cruiser will continue to adapt to meet societal calls for”.

Quiet, off-boulevard ability appears to be like to be correct with portion-time, selectable four wheel drive (treasure a Hilux ute) within the Land Cruiser FJ hooked up to a six-velocity computerized transmission.

There’s not any mention of a low-fluctuate switch case in Toyota’s press provides, nonetheless photos show off an ‘L4’ mode, plus buttons to lock the rear differential and have interaction hill descent help a watch on.

Toyota claims the Land Cruiser FJ has passed by “broad off-boulevard sorting out”, all the procedure by which the corporate found out “aspects for enchancment to be obvious steady Land Cruiser-ness ― reliability, durability, and off-boulevard efficiency.”

Of all aspects, the Land Cruiser FJ’s styling has caught the most consideration. The compact, rugged and boxy four wheel drive comes with both crisp, horizontal LED headlights or retro round objects — lawful treasure Prado.

No longer everyone appears to be like to be convinced by the appears to be like to be, nonetheless, with a elephantine yet slim physique looking out a shrimp bit awkward from some angles.

The entrance and rear bumpers are segmented for easy elimination of individual parts — helpful if they’re damaged within the twin carriageway of responsibility.

Because the Land Cruiser FJ is smaller than your fashioned Toyota four wheel drive, consideration has been paid to exterior storage, at the side of ‘MOLLE’ panels to which homeowners can connect tools, such as shovels, lights, or extra cargo.

Interior, the cabin layout is equivalent to the Prado with a draw-identical steering wheel and digital instruments. An unlimited touchscreen sits within the centre as the predominant impart centre, and there’s a low beltline to help visibility.

No notice on pricing yet, but given the Land Cruiser Prado starts at $72,500, a petroleum-engined Land Cruiser FJ would ought to be pitched below $60K in Australia, if it comes here.

Even supposing the Land Cruiser FJ  is no longer confirmed for our market, Toyota Australia previously took the niche Prado-primarily based utterly mostly FJ Cruiser and has trademarked the Land Cruiser FJ nameplate domestically, so the tune might possibly alternate one day.

One other clue is the ARB — an Australian off-boulevard tools manufacturer — bashplate shown in one of Toyota’s photos

Fat facts, at the side of gas efficiency, baggage skill and pricing, will be confirmed at this month’s Tokyo Mobility Demonstrate, which Chasing Autos will be attending.

Mitsubishi Motors North The USA has confirmed this would well debut an ‘off-avenue focused’ variant of its upcoming Outlander gentle-hybrid mid subsequent year. Despite being a step-up from the gift US-grade Plug Edition, this almost at the moment-to-start out-roader leaves many wishing for added.

Three years ago, there had been murmurs of a rally-bred, 285kW, tri-motor Ralliart model. It’s tranquil yet to look, even supposing sorting out became confirmed and a spokesperson suggested Chasing Autos in 2023 “we in actual fact desire to assemble that roughly skills for manufacturing vehicles.”

One can imprint our disappointment then, when the truth of a recent off-avenue mannequin sets in. Largely, the indisputable truth that this would well exercise the identical 135kW/245Nm 1.5-litre gentle-hybrid as the rest of the U.S. Outlander vary.

Further small print are yet to be confirmed however the as-yet unnamed variant will feature recent, off-avenue particular bodywork (perchance reprofiled bumpers and dim wheel arch mouldings), and an upgraded model of the Outlander’s ‘S-AWC’ all-wheel force blueprint.

As for Australian plans for Mitsubishi‘s Toyota RAV4 Edge, Subaru Forester Desolate tract and Nissan X-Plug N-Crawl rival, a spokesperson suggested Chasing Autos:

“We imprint there is Aussie buyer ardour in this kind of automobile and we’re evaluating how a extra adventure-focused Outlander may perchance well ogle in due course, for our market. Nonetheless, no plans are confirmed at this moment.”

The recent US-certain off-avenue Outlander builds upon the recently released Outlander Plug Edition, also abnormal to US markets. That mannequin starts from US$39,295.

In Australia, that tag would translate to around $60,500 sooner than on-avenue prices — roughly the tag of an Outlander Exceed Tourer.

US-market Plug Edition Outlander fashions form upon the middle-grade SE, equal to our ‘LS’, including 18-inch wheels, exterior physique protectors, roof-rails, mud flaps, and blacked-out suggestions including a bonnet decal, door handles, mirrors and grille-neat.

US-market 2026 mannequin Outlanders will transition from exercise of a 135kW/244Nm 2.5-litre engine (the accurate same unit offered in Australia) for a 135kW/245Nm 1.5-litre gentle-hybrid, marketed alongside an updated Outlander toddle-in hybrid blueprint.

Talking to Mitsubishi Australia, it became confirmed that an improved toddle-in hybrid Outlander will reach in January, however the likelihood of a gentle-hybrid stays off the desk for now. More on those powertrains right here.

Jaecoo Australia has confirmed its unique J5 minute SUV will delivery within the community in February next year.

The Jaecoo J5 is successfully an upmarket model of the Chery Tiggo 4, within the within the period in-between Australia’s cheapest and preferred minute SUV.

With the Tiggo 4 starting at $23,990 driveaway, we watch for its ritzier relation to enter at round $28,000 mirroring the Jaecoo J7’s step up from its linked Chery Tiggo 7 excessive automotive.

The Jaecoo J5 will gain the the same petrol and hybrid powertrains of the Tiggo 4, which implies a 108kW/210Nm 1.5L turbo-petrol four-cylinder using the entrance wheels, or a more atmosphere friendly hybrid model essentially essentially essentially based round a non-turbo four-cylinder with round 150kW.

A battery electric (BEV) model of the J5 has additionally been confirmed. No minute print were published for this model past a using vary of 402km (WLTP).

We watch for the BEV J5 to be closely linked to the Chery E5 minute SUV. That automotive produces a most of 155kW, drives the entrance wheels, has a spread of 430km (WLTP) and charges from 30-80 percent in 28 minutes. E5 pricing begins from $38,990 pressure-away.

Unlike the Tiggo 4 which  touts all-out price as a diversified promoting level in opposition to competitors, the ‘budget luxurious’ Jaecoo J5 will wish to switch past the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS.

As a replacement, Jaecoo will wish to deal with the Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen T-Roc and Toyota Corolla Spoiled.

In South Africa, the J5 measures 4380mm prolonged, 1860mm huge and 1650mm tall — 73mm longer and 35mm wider than the Tiggo 4, with a 10mm longer wheelbase. Dimensions are but to be confirmed for Australia.

Resultantly, the J5 boasts more cabin dwelling, with chuffed seating for five adults, says Chery. Boot dwelling additionally increases, up from 380 litres within the Tiggo 4 to 480 litres.

Whereas the J5’s touchscreen is bigger, measuring 13.2 inches, and the speaker depend is six as commonplace, the 8.0-tear digital driver’s show cloak is smaller than the Tiggo 4’s 10.25-tear item.

Extra specifications and minute print of the upcoming Jaecoo J5 minute SUV will be published nearer to its February 2026 delivery. We watch for pricing to delivery from $27,990 driveaway.

Right this moment, Nissan confirmed that the next period of Navara will doubtless be publicly published to global markets on the nineteenth of November. The Japanese automaker furthermore confirmed that Aussies and Kiwis will doubtless be ready to characterize a fifth-period Navara by mid-2025.

The announcement became as soon as paired with a transient teaser video, which exiguous print the history of Nissan utes in Australia, and claims the next-period model will ‘defy customary’.

What’s been promised is a motive-constructed ute for the Australian market, one which builds on the aptitude and robustness of old generations, its maker claims. What each person is conscious of is that the contemporary Navara will doubtless be largely per the most contemporary-period Mitsubishi Triton.

Already confirmed for the next period of Navara is a one-tonne payload functionality, a recent contemporary face, a recent “enhanced” infotainment system, and a collection of latest driver assistance solutions no longer supplied in the most contemporary period.

That’s a gross sales pitch we’ve heard before, with Toyota’s hotly anticipated next-period Hilux furthermore having a stumble on to be a comprehensive facelift in want to a wholly contemporary beast.

Both of these cherished Japanese utes will should always expose themselves in opposition to competent contemporary-blood rivals Ford Ranger, Kia Tasman, and the BYD Shark 6, which is able to develop to be increasingly more relevant as a PHEV ute benchmark following tighter emission authorized guidelines.

We are in a position to picture from the silhouette that the next-gen Navara will proceed to market as a dual-cab, bath-tray, fleshy-dimension ute, and we’re having a wager on either Mitsubishi’s upmarket 150kW/470Nm ‘four or Nissan’s 140kW/450Nm ‘four to be below the bonnet. Both engines are turbo-diesels.

Nissan hasn’t published which gearbox will prevail in the next-period Navara. Across Mitsubishi and Nissan, there’s a collection of six- or seven-roam automatics, or a six-roam handbook. Quiz on hand solutions to be paired with a rugged four-wheel-drive system, naturally.

Both the Navara and Triton have been toying with the concept that of tear-in energy, and a next-period is also the kick in the pants to see this thought reach to mild. We’ve already seen an completely operational Nissan PHEV ute on expose at Auto Shanghai.

That ute, assuredly known as the Frontier Professional, has no ties to Mitsubishi, and as an different looks a competent re-modelling of China’s Dongfeng Z9. We’ll soon stumble on if this powerplant is on the playing cards.

In Mitsubishi’s case, the Triton PHEV is an thought that has been publicly acknowledged, with a Mitsubishi spokesperson telling Chasing Cars closing year that “PHEV and utterly different kinds of hybridisation are below see for Triton”.

Chasing Cars anticipates that many powertrain, styling, and automobile dynamics questions will doubtless be answered when the Navara is formally published on the nineteenth of November this year.

Three models from one other original Chinese language price will hit Australian roads next month, with GAC — short for Guangzhou Automotive Crew Firm — field for a November 2025 launch.

Folk that know their Chinese language-market brands might maybe perchance perchance additionally recall GAC as a primary three device partnership accomplice of Toyota and Honda, however the producer has its absorb vary of sub-brands.

Below the GAC head price, Australia will originally accept three models in total, sourced from Chinese language sub-brands Trumpchi and Aion, with the head price Hyptec badge off the cards for now.

Specifics take care of pricing, retail areas, guarantee and servicing arrangements absorb no longer been printed this day but are expected to be announced within the coming weeks — with simplest a temporary turnaround between now and the expected price launch date.

Curiously, GAC’s launch vary will consist no longer simplest of three models but additionally three definite powertrain styles.

Smallest — and slither most fee-effective — of the launch field is the Emzoom tiny SUV. Known in China as the Trumpchi GS3, the Emzoom is a Haval Jolion, Omoda 5, Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Inferior rival.

Measuring 4410mm lengthy, 1850mm huge and 1600mm high, the Emzoom is pure-petrol, with its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 130kW/270Nm, paired with entrance-wheel force and a seven-trot wet-variety twin-grab computerized.

The Emzoom has a 10.25-lumber touchscreen internal, besides to an on hand panoramic sunroof. Below the skin, it uses a torsion beam rear suspension — despite the truth that some markets ranking a superior multi-hyperlink self reliant rear.

From the Emzoom, it’s a step into the more top price Aion V midsize SUV — which, as the title suggests, hails from GAC’s dedicated EV sub-price Aion.

The Aion V is 4605mm lengthy, 1876mm huge, and 1686mm high, using atop the AEP 3.0 platform. It is on hand with a unfold of CATL ‘Journal’ batteries, mentioned to forestall the unfold of thermal runaway.

In China, 62kW, 64.5kWh and 75kWh lithium iron phosphate battery sizes are equipped, in conjunction with a longer-vary 90kWh nickel manganese cobalt pack, with the 64.5 and 75kWh LFP models expected to be equipped in Australia with spherical 500km (WLTP) vary.

Inner, a 14.6-lumber rectangular touchscreen sits apart an 8.8-lumber digital instrument cluster. In some markets, a warmth pump and cooled and heated refrigerator are on hand, with the Kia EV5 shaping as much as be a key rival.

Within the kill, GAC will become one other contender within the burgeoning luxurious minivan location by approach of the GAC M8 folk-mover, identified as the Trumpchi E9 in its dwelling market.

Measuring an infinite 5212mm lengthy, 1893mm huge and 1823mm high (on a lengthy 3070mm wheelbase), the M8 packages twin powered sliding doors and 2nd-row captain’s chairs with rub down, heating, cooling and vitality ottomans.

The M8 might maybe perchance perchance be essentially the most attention-grabbing hybrid within the vary at launch, teaming a 140kW/330Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine to a 134kW/300Nm entrance electrical motor and two-trot hybrid transmission.

Machine outputs are mentioned to be spherical 278kW/630Nm, with a 25.5kWh traction battery offering spherical 85km electrical vary (WLTP estimate), with a whole using vary of spherical 825km.

Competition to the M8 will be within the construct of autos take care of the Kia Carnival, Lexus LM, Zeekr 009 and, most straight away, the coming near near Wey G8 lunge-in hybrid from rival conglomerate GWM.

Fresh-child Chinese forte ute price JAC has confirmed this is in a position to also merely lengthen the native differ of its sole T9 twin-cab mannequin with the introduction of a variety-topping Osprey grade and two trim ranges of an all-modern cab-chassis physique.

The cab-chassis physique, a first-rate for JAC, will protect the four door twin-cab physique seen on existing T9 units, however will substitute its used bath with a flat alloy tray, which JAC says can pork up a payload of 1165kg (rather than the load of the tray).

So far, JAC has confirmed two mannequin variants of T9 cab-chassis; the snide Tradepro and as soon as-snide Oasis, which stays the lowest specification for bath-trayed T9 units.

It’s unclear whether or not the flat tray, pictured in JAC’s marketing topic cloth, is incorporated with the T9 cab-chassis, with JAC pitching the physique as a ‘smooth canvas’ ideal for a fitout of ‘a provider physique, personalized toolboxes, or a specialised equipment’ fitout.

Introducing more kind to the T9 mannequin differ will absolute self belief drive sales of the mannequin, particularly within the hasty market, helping the twin-cab newcomer to search out a footing in opposition to a frequently growing list of low-cost competitors.

That growing list is headlined by China’s $forty five,253 LDV T60, $34,490 GWM Cannon, and quickly-to-originate $39,990 Foton Tunland, while Korea affords a lower-mark KGM Musso for $40,140. All costs listed are sooner than on-boulevard charges.

To add gas to the fire, JAC is furthermore offering diminished-mark drive-away offers on its present MY24 stock of Oasis and Haven T9s up to October Thirty first. Those units have been dropped from $42,662 and $forty five,630 sooner than on-roads to $39,990 and $43,990 drive-away, respectively.

Meanwhile, at the different end of the size, JAC’s modern Osprey grade adds additional equipment over the as soon as flagship T9 Haven. Predominant enhancements embrace a energy sunroof and a ‘top price suspension tune’ – what that entails is not yet known.

Optioning additional to the Osprey X will furthermore add blacked-out functions on its exterior, darkening the form of the front badge, wheels, roof bars, cruise mirrors, door handles and facet-vent surrounds.

Top price, yet cheap, competitors to the T9 Osprey embrace the quickly-to-liberate $52,990 MG U9, $53,674 LDV Terron 9, and the quirky $64,900 Deepal E07 Multitruck.

JAC claims the Osprey’s 980kg payload restrict has been intentionally engineered to protect it below the one-tonne novated leasing ceiling – a well-known component for horny hasty investors.

No topic trim level or physique, all T9 units will continue to be powered by a125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated to a mature eight-velocity automated and competent four-wheel-drive intention.

Pricing and additional specifications for each and every cab-chassis T9 units, as nicely as the differ topping bath-trayed Osprey grade, are yet to be revealed. JAC claims these critical points will be revealed nearer to the originate date of the units, which is one month away.