Celine Nolan

Recordsdata continues to trickle out slowly on Hyundai’s now-confirmed first-ever body-on-frame ute, though currently appointed Hyundai Motor Firm Australia chief executive officer, Dom Romano, continues to quash hopes that current diesel energy will seemingly be an option at desirous about Aussie investors.

“[The future ute model] can’t be yet any other diesel,” Romano if truth be told useful Chasing Autos at a most up-to-date media event. “I don’t take into accout Australia wants yet any other diesel [ute]. Within the event you detect at utes [in terms of sales] total, you’re going to undercover agent a decline in quantity this three hundred and sixty five days.”

“And I don’t take into accout the sector wants yet any other diesel ute.”

What’s changing into clear is that Hyundai’s ute is a world fashion.

And whatever form it takes, Hyundai Australia will tranquil wish to marketing campaign head office in Korea for its inclusion into the local market, the utilization of a powertrain that easiest suits both buyer trends and the affect of the rollout of the Australian federal executive’s Recent Autos Effectivity Standards.

“Australia is a large section of this, nonetheless [Hyundai Motor Company] also has loads of other markets. And in inequity to Kia Tasman…we would portion this truck with the US because Tasman doesn’t journey to the States,” Romano outlined.

“I will’t acknowledge [about diesel viability] from an R&D perspective on a world foundation nonetheless…our space right here in Australia is that we don’t need yet any other diesel.”

“Pondering about what [Hyundai globally does] and what we attain completely, now we want to search out at [the] options. And I will’t reveal you whether that’s a PHEV (dawdle-in hybrid), an HEV (hybrid) or BEV [fully electric], nonetheless these are the selections that wish to be practical as…these are the areas that give us opportunity.”

Moreover, adopting ICE or hybrid powertrain solution(s) easiest fit for world consumption, in particular for key North American and Asia Pacific markets the set up the ute would possibly presumably be equipped, would completely fabricate Hyundai Australia’s swap case to Korea more streamlined and ease rigidity on the set up’s suggestions around future NVES targets.

Unique gross sales success for BYD’s petrol-electrical Shark 6 ute can be very grand on Hyundai Australia’s radar.

“We’re observing very intently – you can additionally undercover agent what the Shark has performed,” Romano said.

“Search for at what [BYD] has equipped within the closing three months, after which detect at how Hilux and Ranger personal near down within the closing three months – it’s virtually unit for unit. It does exclaim that there’s a market for a optimistic expertise [to diesel] obtainable.”

Hyundai is cheering on Kia Tasman to success

Asked as to whether the rising gross sales fortunes of the newly launched Kia Tasman would possibly presumably additionally have an effect on any push for diesel energy in Hyundai’s ute, Romano spoke back “no, I don’t take into accout so”.

On the alternative hand, Hyundai Australia admitted that this can additionally be keenly observing the fortunes of the Tasman ute on the alternative hand, and hoping for success for its company cousin from the sidelines.

“We attain desire [rival] Kia to reach success [with Tasman] because shapely now we undercover agent a decline in total gross sales [utes],” Romano printed. “It’s a segment we desire to be in [and] we desire so as to disguise our sister firm [to Hyundai Motor Company in Korea] to claim ‘detect on the success they had’.”

Would possibly perchance well well tariffs railroad Hyundai’s new ute timing?

As reported by Chasing Autos months lend a hand, Romano had confirmed that the resolution to refit Tasman or journey alongside with GM product would possibly presumably be made by the cease of this three hundred and sixty five days. Either manner, Romano confirms this can additionally be “mid-measurement” – aka, Ranger, Tasman, Shark 6 measurement – and “one tonne”.

On the alternative hand, timing for a release, Romano outlined, is a provocative target.

“The ideal lengthen shapely now that now we personal is no longer snappily-witted what’s going on with the [shifting global trade] tariffs,” Romano said, including weight to the yarn that Hyundai’s ute fortunes locally are intrinsically tied to those globally.

Romano explains that whereas tariff outcomes between the US and Japan, and the US and Europe, seem to be resolved, “we attain no longer personal an agreement [between] South Korea and the US [yet].” (It’s reported that the US and South Korea arrived at a 15 p.c tariff ‘swap deal’ days after this interview.)

“That’s going to personal ripple effects across the globe for [Hyundai Motor Company]…so there are loads of complications at play shapely now with our firm on a world foundation… Let’s hope [global tariffs resolution] all gets resolved soon and I will rep lend a hand to you and exclaim, k, right here’s the set up we’re at [with timing].”

“We’re working [on the ute] at corpulent hotfoot…[but]…if it takes a further three hundred and sixty five days, it’s charge the time.”

Kia is planning a Tasman SUV mannequin to purpose Toyota Prado and Ford Everest investors in Australia, with negotiations going on all the draw by the Kia industry to invent definite sufficient world demand to inexperienced-light the 4wd wagon.

Early development work is identified to relish already been completed on the Tasman SUV. The resolution to identify such automobile modified into once made in expose to maximise the commercial success of the logo-recent ladder physique designed exclusively for the Tasman ute at extensive expense.

For Kia Australia, the Tasman SUV will be a fabricated from necessity. A years-prolonged effort to lobby impress headquarters in Seoul to import the US-built Telluride three-row SUV to Australia has failed, with local Kia chiefs now writing off the chance the Telluride will ever attain to Australia.

Australia has voted “yes” to the Tasman SUV, and a diplomatic effort is now underway to acquire the back of Kia distributors in South Africa, the Middle East and South The United States to conform to promote a sufficient volume of the Isuzu MU-X rival to justify ending development of the wagon.

“The industry case would [then] solidify, and I deem [Tasman SUV] would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps presumably be the subsequent thing you’d glimpse coming our manner,” Kia approved manager of product planning Roland Rivero told Chasing Cars.

Tasman SUV seen as extensive opportunity in Australia

Whereas the Telluride is a unibody, automobile-essentially essentially essentially based SUV and would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps additionally be described as a cousin of the Hyundai Palisade (which is provided in Australia), the Tasman SUV would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps presumably be a with out a doubt rugged four-wheel drive with the an analogous physique-on-physique gather as a Tasman. It can presumably perhaps presumably be a Prado rival right here.

“[Tasman SUV] would relish an enormous goal to play,” acknowledged Rivero.

“The extensive SUV class would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps be divided into monocoque versus ladder physique, and there’s a chunk of overlap in between, nonetheless to a extensive extent potentialities buying ladder physique SUVs relish a definitive need. They need in explain to tow, traipse off-highway, a chunk extra than the college high-tail.”

Kia planners are no longer interested by cannibalisation of sales of the smaller Sorento seven-seat SUV in Australia which would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps presumably be anticipated to continue available in the market even supposing the Tasman SUV eventuates, specifically as a result of Sorento will increasingly be provided with hybrid powertrains.

Additional, the recent Kia Tasman ute, which launches in Australia this week, is attracting potentialities intending to use that automobile for both work and play whereas a Tasman SUV would essentially be a family wagon capable of off-roading.

“We would glimpse it as largely incremental industry [on top of Sorento and Tasman],” acknowledged Rivero.

Kia rejected Australia’s demand for Telluride SUV

Meanwhile, Kia is inserting the ending touches on the 2d-expertise Telluride, that can traipse into production in Georgia, USA later this yr. The inaugural Telluride, which measured 5000mm prolonged, met with wild reputation in the US market.

“If I modified into once going to identify my cash on which one would glimpse the sunshine of day for Australia, I’d be leaning towards a Tasman SUV,” acknowledged Rivero.

While Rivero and rather a few senior Kia Australia workers entreated head place of job in Seoul to either allocate some US production of the Telluride to Australia—or to assemble the Telluride in Korea, because the Hyundai Palisade is—Kia has made a last resolution to back Telluride for The United States.

“I’ll be excellent, I love the Telluride,” acknowledged Rivero. “The recent expertise, which I’ve seen in the flesh and in clay mannequin, appears fabulous. I deem it would possibly perhaps perhaps perhaps presumably perhaps presumably promote very correctly, worthy relish the Palisade is doing for Hyundai.

“But as worthy as we relish asked for it, the Georgia factory can no longer back up with North American demand and it would possibly perhaps perhaps perhaps presumably perhaps presumably invent no industry sense for them in an effort to add complexity to the production line for actual-hand drive after they’re struggling to meet demand of their relish.

“Sadly, I don’t glimpse Telluride ever making its manner to Australia,” Rivero acknowledged.

Hyundai and Kia are sister brands all the draw by the Hyundai Motor Company, and the head marque is at the 2d playing a transparent high-tail in the gigantic three-row SUV set in the neighborhood. The Palisade, that can imminently get replaced with a 2d-gen version, amassed 3062 local sales in 2024.

Quiet, the smaller Kia Sorento managed 9791 deliveries in the an analogous duration.

The chance is even greater for a Tasman SUV-style rugged four-wheel drive, alternatively. Within the first six months of 2025, Toyota has provided 15,583 Prados in Australia, trailed by the Ford Everest’s 12,294 deliveries.

Honda has confirmed the Prelude will approach in Australia in mid-2026, returning the coupe body style to the native lineup for the first time because the NSX left in 2020.

Unveiled in principle maintain final 365 days, the sixth-period Prelude sits on the identical platform as the Civic and is expected to be equipped with a identical ‘e:HEV’ hybrid system as the in the neighborhood equipped hatch.

That contains a 2+2 setup, the Prelude is expected to be a more cheap replacement to sports activities vehicles similar to the Ford Mustang (from $71,990 earlier than on-roads) and BMW 2 Assortment coupe (from $seventy nine,100), though it is going to probably attract a elevated trace than the likes of the Mazda MX-5 (from$42,140) or Subaru BRZ (from $44,290).

Historically, the Prelude change into seen as an approachable sports activities car in Honda’s lineup that appealed to better than correct gear heads; one thing native Honda executives had been desirous to stress with the most up-to-date period, per chance unsurprisingly, on condition that gross sales of two-door coupes continue to dawdle globally.

With a sturdy point of interest on softer ranking and a frugal hybrid system, the Prelude looks to be a undeniable solution to efficiency vehicles than what we’ve seen from the Civic Kind R, or its more luxurious sibling in the Acura Integra Kind S equipped in North The US.

Prelude to feature proper Kind R DNA

While a Kind R variant has no longer been confirmed, Honda published final week that the Prelude will probably be geared up with the identical dual-axis suspension, wider front and rear song and Brembo brake bundle as the Civic hot hatch.

The intent is to supply sharper facing and driver engagement befitting of a coupe-style car – one thing Honda showed off when the Prelude made an look on the Goodwood Competition of Bustle earlier this 365 days.

Rumours be pleased swirled spherical a Kind S or even Kind R-badged version, though early whispers imply this is in a position to probably feature a modified hybrid drivetrain with ‘simulated’ gears, fairly than the 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder linked to a six-velocity handbook transmission, as conceal in the flagship Civic.

What’s under the bonnet?

At launch, Honda will solely provide its e:HEV assortment-parallel or ‘plod-less’ hybrid system in the Prelude, probably the identical unit as what’s conceal in the present Civic.

That system employs a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 105kW at 6000rpm and 186Nm at 4500rpm; connected to a twin electric motor step with one largely tasked as a generator to top up the 1.05kWh battery, and the replacement sending 135kW/315Nm to the front wheels at low speeds.

The hybrid system, also learned on the CR-V midsize SUV, locks the petrol engine straight away to the front wheels at toll road speeds to make better effectivity.

Just like Toyota, Honda employs a planetary gearset, functioning equally to a CVT transmission, for the automatic transmission.

The terminate consequence’s a fairly spectacular combined fuel financial system claim of 4.2L/100km in the hybrid Civic.

Despite the real fact that the Prelude change into famously the first production car to supply all-wheel steering, it’s unclear if this feature will make a return for the new period.

Chery Australia subdivision Omoda Jaecoo has scheduled its fresh midsize toddle-in hybrid SUV, is understood as the Omoda 9, for an August debut.

Priced at $61,990 ahead of on-aspect road charges, the fresh Omoda 9 takes the title of Chery / Omoda / Jaecoo’s costliest product in Australia, with out train toppling the once-flagship Jaecoo J8 Ridge, which is priced at $54,990 drive-away.

The Omoda 9 will starting up in a single fluctuate-topping trim level, Advantage, and competitors Australia’s fresh most effective promoting PHEVs, the $52,990 BYD Sealion 6 Top price, and $69,290 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed. Prices confirmed are ahead of on-aspect road charges.

Significant just like the longstanding phase leaders, the Omoda 9 is a minute higher than most midsized SUVs. It measures 4775mm prolonged, 1920mm wide, 1671mm great with a 2800mm wheelbase.

These specs are almost identical dimensionally to the Sealion 6, however manufacture 50mm in length and width when compared to an Outlander PHEV.

Stand-out instruments on the Omoda 9 Advantage entails:

• 360-level surround are waiting for camera
• In-built dashcam
• 8-contrivance energy-alter driver’s seat
• Heated and ventilated leather front and rear seats
• Heated steerage wheel
• Dual 12.3-walk LCD screens (cluster and infotainment)
• 14-speaker Sony sound machine
• Heads-up camouflage
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired + wireless)
• Wireless phone charger
• Panoramic sunroof
• Powered bootlid
• LED brightwork inc. headlights, DRLs and rear lights
• 20-walk alloy wheels

The Omoda 9 will doubtless be on hand in four colours upon starting up: Silk White, Dove Grey, Shadow Grey (matte) and Ink Shaded. Irrespective of colour, the Omoda 9 comes with an eight-one year, unlimited kilometre warranty for both the automobile and batteries, as smartly eight-one year capped sign servicing and roadside assistance.

Omoda Enormous Hybrid System

The Omoda 9 ‘Advantage’ will doubtless be completely on hand as a ‘Enormous Hybrid System’ (SHS) toddle-in, with a claimed EV-most effective fluctuate of up to 169km (NEDC).

The Chery-derived toddle-in hybrid machine makes exercise of an increasingly more acquainted 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four which furthermore facets within the Jaecoo J7 SHS, Chery Tiggo 7 SHS and Chery Tiggo 8 SHS.

No longer so acquainted is a brand fresh three-hurry hybrid transmission, three electrical motors and the probability of all-wheel drive. Two electrical motors characteristic on the front of the automobile, with a closer single unit featuring on the lend a hand.

The hybrid machine claims a combined output of 395kW – a figure within the ballpark of BMW’s M3 Competitors (390kW) or Porsche’s 911 Carrera GTS (398kW). At elephantine pelt, the 2570kg (GVM) Omoda 9 will meander from 0-100km/hr in 4.9 seconds.

Omoda’s flagship powertrain furthermore introduces a closer 34kWh NMC battery, in preference to the 18.3kWh LFP unit considered within the Jaecoo and Chery SHS items.

AC charging peaks at 6.6kW, meaning a 30-100% sign time of 5.5 hours, while DC charging peaks at 70kW, replenishing sign from 30-80 p.c in 25 minutes.

Mixed gas consumption is quoted as 1.4L/100km, matching the economy figure claimed by the lighter, less extremely effective Chery Tiggo 7 SHS. Omoda Jaecoo furthermore claims the Omoda 9 can stop a total combined driving fluctuate of 1100km.

The Omoda 9 joins the ranks of a rising selection of toddle-in hybrid automobiles which market as ‘gigantic hybrids’, including the Jaecoo J7 SHS, Chery Tiggo 7, 8, and upcoming 9 SHS, the MG HS Enormous Hybrid, and the soon to starting up Geely Starray EM-i.