Celine Nolan

Cupra will proceed its native model offensive with the Cupra Raval – a compact hot hatch shaping as a lot as grow to be the battery electrical (BEV) equal to cult favourites fancy the Hyundai i20 N and Volkswagen Polo GTI.

A huge SUV is moreover situation to advance to Australia to sit down on the loads of cease of Cupra’s model spectrum.

The VW Community’s Spanish brand is aiming to withhold the accelerator planted on its Australian vary expansion, following most as a lot as the moment launches of the Terramar petrol/hybrid and Tavascan electrical midsize SUVs.

Spain’s electrical Mini Cooper locked in for Australia

With the Raval situation to be published in gradual 2025, with production kicking off at Cupra’s Martorell, Spain manufacturing facility, an Australian birth might perhaps perhaps squeeze into gradual 2026 even though early 2027 is extra seemingly.

“Raval is one thing we’re working very powerful to bring to Australia as like a flash as we will. There’ll be heaps of recordsdata against the cease of the year, and early 2026, at a world level and I’m able to’t wait to conception the closing remark,” Cupra Australia’s head of selling, Jeff Shafer, suggested Chasing Vehicles.

The electrical-finest Raval is in accordance with a lower-brand model of the Volkswagen Community’s MEB Entry platform. Cupra led the vogue of the front-wheel-pressure firecracker, that can allotment a production line with the Volkswagen ID.2 and Skoda Epiq.

The Raval is the production model of the Urban Insurrection conception. It would measure around 4036mm in dimension (on a 2600mm wheelbase) with height of about 1576mm, making it identical in dimension to the three-door Mini Cooper.

In Europe, two Spain-built batteries will be obtainable (of around 38kWh and 56kWh in usable capability) with the longest-vary model offering about 450km, even though primarily the most as a lot as this point high-efficiency tidy, which is asserted to beget 166kW of energy, can beget a little less vary.

Whereas BEVs sold in Australia beget tended to be aware of lengthy vary to allay purchaser anxieties, native Cupra executives judge Aussies will initiate as a lot as settle for that some BEVs can beget less vary than others, opening them as a lot as second-car discipline alongside one thing with a greater battery.

“We desire to present a replacement for purchasers who beget assorted wants of their commuting. There might perhaps perhaps perhaps be a car (of their storage) that is extra outdated as a predominant car, and therefore it wants to be a little extra of an all-rounder,” Shafer acknowledged.

“There are some autos that can perhaps perhaps be extra enraged by being the second car in a family, they normally on the total is a little extra city-focused and about that compact dimension that works properly within the city. Raval if truth be told has a home interior that framework.”

Massive Cupra SUV composed to advance despite The United States difficulties

On the lengthy-vary front, Cupra Australia’s assorted BEVs get the job done – the Tavascan midsize SUV offers 534km vary (WLTP) in Persistence tidy, while the Born hatch returns in 2026, in hotter VZ tidy, with 557km vary (WLTP). A smaller battery Born tidy will apply at a less dear brand.

On the loads of cease of the vary, Chasing Vehicles understands that vogue continues on an infinite Cupra SUV model despite the Spanish efficiency arm of the Volkswagen Community deferring its entry to the United States market attributable to tariffs and wobbling BEV search knowledge from there.

Understood to be a five-seater, in preference to a seven-seater, the massive SUV turn out to be intended to be electrical-finest and turn out to be described by then-Cupra chief executive Wayne Griffiths as “rather gargantuan for Europe [and] gargantuan ample for the US.”

Below the skin, the Cupra huge SUV is meant to use the Volkswagen Community’s SSP platform, which ought to be involving for production in 2028, even though extra delays to SSP might perhaps perhaps situation off a shift to the PPE platform utilised by the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 E-tron.

Whereas the deferral of US market entry might perhaps perhaps moreover delay the massive Cupra SUV, rising European preferences for crossovers – as properly as the outlet within the brand’s native lineup which is capped by the 4644mm-lengthy Tavascan midsizer – skill causes composed exist to head ahead.

“At Cupra we scrutinize product as very a lot a world narrate. It is not a brand that tends to construct product for Europe and [other] product for the leisure of the world [such as] the US,” acknowledged Shafer.

“In case you conception on the [Cupra Australia] vary, we provide the beefy spectrum right here. There are discussions about a greater SUV, which can perhaps be directed on the US market nonetheless obtainable to assorted markets fancy Australia. I tell there might perhaps be room for a product fancy that in our vary.”

Subsequent-gen Formentor progressing, Darkish Insurrection risky Whereas Cupra remains enraged about building a production model of the Darkish Insurrection supercar/shooting brake conception, headwinds exaggerated by global financial stipulations beget doubtlessly lowered its probability.

Work is moreover progressing on the second-generation of the Formentor little/midsize SUV, which is Cupra’s global simplest-vendor. Whereas the next-gen Formentor turn out to be moreover intended to use SSP as a BEV-finest model, it is now not identified whether or now not Cupra will withhold a combustion model alive lengthy-term.

For the time being, Cupra plans to tweak its Australian lineup to amplify the role performed by BEV objects, and paddle-in hybrid (PHEV) tidy grades, over time, alongside side in the end in high-efficiency grades that, fancy the Formentor VZx and Leon VZx, for the time being use non-hybrid turbo petrols.

“We’ll be taking a scrutinize at how (Cupra) engines evolve over time, so as that even engines on the (high) efficiency cease of the spectrum can make the most of assorted applied sciences being utilized,” Shafer acknowledged.

“We might perhaps perhaps be taking a scrutinize at what we will construct with our electrified car vary in terms of making obvious that we’re balancing out the portfolio – now we beget extra BEVs within the pipeline as properly.”

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.