Celine Nolan

Audi chief executive officer Gernot Döllner is on a mission to reinvigorate the four-ringed brand’s skill to compete, and his plans encompass pushing the head rate Volkswagen Community marque into weird and wonderful contemporary segments.

Speaking with Chasing Cars, Döllner acknowledged the logo modified into mad by a rugged, physique-on-frame four-wheel-drive mannequin as phase of the unconventional transformation belief.

Chasing Cars artists procure imagined a production version of the Audi off-roader.

Presumably known as the Q Extreme, the 4wd would build apart on the ‘Radical Simplicity’ form language Audi will introduce in 2027 with a production version of the Notion C sports automobile.

CEO says Audi brand can toughen an off-aspect toll road mannequin

“Practically every section is thinkable for the Audi brand,” acknowledged Döllner.

“The unfold from an entry, low-floor A-section to a D-section or an off-aspect toll road automobile — that is all possible with the Audi brand, which reveals how solid that brand is.”

An enticing quirk of Döllner, a platforms expert who managed the Porsche 718 hypercar project, is that he slightly likes to be interviewed whereas the journalist drives one of his creations.

Our discussion about an Audi off-roader took space on a twisting route in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, end to the place Audi campaigned the RS Q e-tron in 2023’s Rallye du Maroc.

Audi requires a pre-existing platform, and Scout Motors has one

Döllner is a automobile fanatic nonetheless he is identified for rational product planning choices that ranking deliver of pre-existing platforms, slashing building time and charges for the logo.

Potentially the best trendy ladder-frame platform inner the Volkswagen Community for the time being is the electrified 4wd chassis developed by Scout Motors in North The United States.

The utilization of this platform would give Audi a rival to excessive-margin 4WDs such because the Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus GX and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, besides as Chinese language rookies such because the Denza B8.

So, would the Scout platform be the premise of a rugged Audi off-aspect toll road mannequin?

“If we might end something enjoy [the ladder-frame 4WD], it is miles simplest thinkable to end it on a platform that is already there,” Döllner agreed.

“All I will relate is that after all Volkswagen Community has big opportunities for a variety of brands, especially for Audi as we, as I acknowledged, are ready to behave in so many segments.”

Pushed on the space of a probable 4wd project, Döllner provided us with simplest hints.

“Sure, after all — we’re desirous about something enjoy that, nonetheless no decision has been taken but, nonetheless it completely is undoubtedly in the framework that we’re desirous about.”

Authenticity key to competing in the section

Scout Motors is on the purpose of launch two American-constructed objects — the Traveler wagon-bodied SUV, and the Terra opt-up — in the US in slack 2027.

At the coronary heart of the Traveler and Terra is a brand-contemporary ladder frame with electrified entrance and rear axles.

The Scout pair is fully electric by default with round 550km fluctuate.

Nonetheless, a ‘Harvester’ fluctuate-extender hybrid powertrain will even be on hand, stretching total fluctuate to about 800km.

Claimed capabilities are worthy. Scout says the off-roaders will have the chance to towing as a lot as 4500kg in BEV originate, though the fluctuate-extender slashes this to appropriate 2270kg.

Ground clearance is alleged to be more than 300mm with wading depth of round 900mm.

Döllner stressed out that serious skill would be a pre-requisite for entering the section.

“You wish a platform that is respectable on this section — in some other case it would now not ranking sense,” he acknowledged.

Chery Australia has revealed it is stress testing two Chinese language-market autos on the merciless, red grime roads of New South Wales, with every under consideration for a local open.

The two autos, recognized by their international monikers A9L and QQ3, beget two vastly assorted however equally niche markets.

The Chery Fulwin A9L is a mountainous poke-in hybrid sedan that fills a segment in most cases reserved for upmarket autos fancy the Mercedes-Benz C 350e PHEV and Audi A5 Avant e-Hybrid.

Following Chery’s repute for cheap prices, the A9L’s closest opponents in most cases have a tendency to be the $39,990 Toyota Camry plugless hybrid and $46,990 BYD Seal devoted EV (every prices are earlier than on-road prices).

Conversely, the Chery QQ3 is a cute, compact electric SUV that promises city-friendly packaging on the open air and family-friendly seating on the within. At correct 4195mm long, this can delight in few opponents, led by the new-confronted $31,990 BYD Atto 2 and whisker bigger $38,990 MG4.

Each Chery fashions had been released to the Chinese language market in the leisure six months, ranging from 149,900 yuan (~$AUD 30,500) for the A9L, and proper 29,900 yuan (~$AUD 6150) for the QQ3.

In China, the A9L is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 33.67kWh LFP battery and single electric motor to send a mixed output of 270kW and 530Nm to the front wheels. Combined fluctuate is quoted to exceed 2500km (CLTC).

The addition of a rear-electric motor grants the A9L with an all-wheel-drive option, one identical in layout to the upcoming Toyota RAV4 PHEV. In AWD guise, the A9L claims a mixed output of 470kW/854Nm to scuttle from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds. EV utilizing fluctuate is linked to be 200km (CLTC).

The more affordable, more modest QQ3 points a rear-drive, rear electric motor which produces 58kW in crude-easy and as much as 90kW in increased specs. Battery sizes are but to be positive, alternatively, there are at the very least two LFP devices in the works, with fluctuate claims between 280 and 401km. High fade is quoted as 125km/h.

The Chery Fulwin A9L measures 5018mm long, 1965mm extensive, and 1500mm grand, while the Chery QQ3 sizes up at 4195mm long, 1811mm extensive, and 1569mm grand. Wheelbases are 3000mm and 2700mm respectively.

It is at the moment unclear whether the Australian market will receive identical automobile specs to those offered in China. The QQ3 can also receive a more noteworthy electric motor if it is to debut in the neighborhood, while the A9L can also debut the 260kW/330Nm ‘DHT 230’ PHEV drivetrain only in the near previous detailed by Chery’s local arm.

GWM has confirmed its Cannon ute will join a rising arsenal of dawdle-in hybrid alternate solutions internal its lineup by the center of 2026, with a imprint that might possibly most certainly additionally undercut the gross sales-leading BYD Shark 6.

The Hi4-T system, which retains a mechanical driveline on the total better suited to rugged off-road and towing tasks, with the latter rated at the same 3.5-tonne capability as the remainder of the mannequin range.

Unlike the higher and more top price-focused Cannon Alpha, the Cannon is no longer going to must migrate its pudgy-dimension spare wheel to the tray to crash system for the battery pack.

Cannon PHEV electrical range and outputs restful unknown

Right specs non-public no longer but been confirmed, though Automobile Recordsdata China reported on Chinese language authorities filings earlier this month that indicated the Cannon PHEV would utilise a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, though the capability used to be no longer acknowledged.

It’s likely the Cannon PHEV will most certainly be fitted with the same 2.0L turbo-petrol dawdle-in setup as the Cannon Alpha, Tank 500 and Tank 300, which all feature a entire system output of 300kW and 750Nm.

If stories out of China show to be inspiring, the Cannon might possibly most certainly additionally differentiate itself from its siblings by having an LFP battery, in place of abode of the gigantic 37.11kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt unit stumbled on across the diversity. A smaller LFP battery might possibly most certainly additionally support with becoming an underslug spare tyre, though likely reach with reduced range.

On the upside, an LFP battery might possibly maybe be better suited to charging up to 100% with out compromising longevity.

How mighty will the Cannon PHEV imprint?

The utilization of the Cannon Alpha as a recordsdata, the Cannon PHEV is at threat of price between $9500 and $10,500 more than its identical diesel variant.

That might possibly most certainly imply the Cannon PHEV might possibly most certainly additionally birth from $51,000 driveaway – a imprint that might possibly maybe watch it undercut the BYD Shark 6 (at $57,990 driveaway). Equally, the Extremely might possibly maybe be priced at $54,990 driveaway.

Presently, driveaway offers on the Cannon Alpha PHEV watch costs reduced even additional, to $51,490, suggesting the more junior Cannon PHEV might possibly most certainly additionally inch even decrease.

The more mainstream Ford Ranger PHEV within the meantime begins at $Seventy nine,160 driveaway in NSW.

Chery Australia has confirmed one other facelift for its Tiggo 4 runt SUV by the pause of 2026 —  nonetheless these preliminary modifications are liable to be much less-than skin deep.

“You’ll watch a facelift this one year”, Chery Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris published to Chasing Autos. Though he clarified it’s a mannequin one year update, likely restricted to visual modifications.

Later, though, there will likely be an all-original runt SUV to change the Tiggo 4, sounding love this could also originate in Australia by 2027.

Dialogue of a Tiggo 4 facelift and subsequent change comes within the wake of acknowledgements from Chery that its product confronted a form of custom shock when transitioning from the tender roads of China to the rapid-driving, pot-holed truth of Australia.

Harris defined that Chery engineers from China “couldn’t realize” Australian dual carriageway and driving stipulations, specifically their ever-altering dual carriageway surfaces, un-repaired potholes, and sooner-than-China stagger limits.

“[They] couldn’t specialize in it,” he talked about, “It’s correct beyond comprehension… ‘Why is the dual carriageway no longer uniform?’” He talked about.

Whereas unconfirmed, there is a risk that Tiggo 4’s facelift will include European suspension tweaks, adjustments to the steering calibration, and even tweaks to the braking system, following fresh remarks from Chery executives.

Equally, though, these enormous modifications will likely be reserved for a subsequent-technology automobile —The fresh Tiggo 4 all people knows launched in a foreign nation in 2017 as the Tiggo 5X, making it nine years vulnerable.

Chery Chief Engineer for Global Programs Peter Matkin admitted the Tiggo 4 is out of its depth in Australian stipulations.

“Allotment of [Chery’s] trade mannequin was to promote the Chinese language-market specification internationally, finest altering it for regulation,” he defined, “nonetheless now for this market, we’re altering, with a checklist of requirements to make certain we are succesful of fulfill the [required] ability.”

“[For future product], we’re editing anti-roll bars, springs, dampers, bush rankings… we’re re-tuning the steering, and altering brake-pad subject topic, in most cases upsizing the discs.”

Chasing Autos has criticised the original Chery Tiggo 4 for its driving dynamics, steering and refinement.

Soon to look at the Tiggo 4 updates will likely be two jog-in hybrid drivetrains — expected to debut in 2027 — which Chery says will possess two huge segments, both benchmarked with a blended vary target “exceeding 2000km.”

First will likely be a jog-in hybrid, four-cylinder drivetrain producing 160kW and 275Nm. The drivetrain, codenamed ‘DHT 160’ will likely be ‘valid for autos between 1.5 and 2.0 tonnes.’

2d is a bigger 260kW/330Nm ‘DHT 230’ drivetrain suited ‘for autos above two tonnes.’ That platform will likely be expected to be a four-cylinder.

Every inbound jog-in drivetrains are tipped to feature bigger 18.46kWh LFP batteries smartly suited with up to 1200V charging structure. Chery says its original ‘DHT’ platforms will likely be both 268-percent extra vitality dense and 30-percent lighter.

Chery has already ruled out the utilization of either platform in its original runt SUV, as with its soon-to-originate ‘KP31’ ute thought, expected to head into manufacturing on this one year’s fourth quarter.

BYD’s four year-aged Atto 3 midsize electric SUV has gained a large checklist of wild technical adjustments alongside puny styling tweaks.

The facelift, identified as ‘Evo’ internationally, leaves nearly no most modern Atto 3 under the pores and skin. Most prolific is the shift from front- to rear-force for imperfect model cars, with the already launched UK flagship ‘Excellence’ gaining twin-motor all-wheel force and 330kW.

It’s the reverse to what MG has performed with its 4 puny vehicle, that might well perchance scuttle front-wheel force later this year.

No topic BYD’s native arm now not confirming the ‘Evo’, a attain-an identical-to-Evo Atto 3 facelift has already been licensed within the marketplace by Australia’s twin carriageway vehicle regulator (ROVER).

Australia is anticipated to envision the Atto 3 Evo within the next six months, though the title will likely alternate.

Two recent Atto 3 variants headline BYD’s 26-page approval doc: A 230kW rear-wheel force imperfect model and 330kW all-wheel force vary topper, constant with the UK’s recent choices.

Native battery sizes are but to make certain. On the opposite hand, UK cars originate a elevated 74.8kWh BYD Blade unit correct for using ranges of 510km (RWD) and 470km (AWD), both WLTP figures.

This should always aid the Atto 3 in an increasingly competitive market, towards the longer vary Kia EV3, MG S5 and others.

Additionally in BYD’s recent approval documents are facelifted versions of the 2 recent front-driven Atto 3 variants: Presumably the most important and Top class. Both cars create 150kW, and appear to fragment a 60kWh battery (displayed as 150ah), likely the same LFP unit from the recent Top class.

Price time and vary for those cars aren’t at risk of alternate, nevertheless the forthcoming RWD and AWD Atto 3’s might well perchance originate 800V structure to fortify 220kW DC charging, as considered in international markets. This would consequence in a 10-80 p.c fee time of 25 minutes.

Other adjustments to the Atto 3 Evo embrace the addition of a 101-litre frunk, an extra 50-litres of rear boot home (now 490-litres), a revised 8.8-breeze digital instrument cluster, recent column-shift equipment selector, and a tweaked, Google-integrated 15.6-breeze touchscreen.

And yes, the recent Atto 3 will continue to feature guitar strings on the door cards.

Pricing is but to be printed, but with extra than twice the energy accessible, complete recent powertrain and 25 p.c elevated battery we’d demand an enlarge to basically the most modern $44,990 sooner than on-twin carriageway costs label of the pinnacle-spec Atto 3 Top class.

A newly uncovered approval from Australia’s Avenue Automobile Standards (RVS) legislation (ROVER) has confirmed that the extremely anticipated six-seater Tesla Model Y has been licensed for local sale, boosting hypothesis that the emblem’s aloof, higher SUV might perchance presumably well originate in a subject of months.

The extended physique ‘Y’ will feature three-row seating when it arrives in Aussie showrooms, offering 2d row ‘captains chairs’ along some 200mm of extra physique length, 50mm of extra top, and a protracted 3040mm wheelbase (up 150mm) over existing Model Y variants.

The arrival near ‘Y’ will also be Tesla’s heaviest but, tipping the scales with a tare weight of 2088kg (up 60kg).

Chasing Vehicles previously reported on the Chinese language-market Model Y L and its likelihood for Australia. At that time, we translated the Chinese language-market mark to equate to roughly $87,000 earlier than on-facet twin carriageway costs in our market.

Whereas the six-seat Model Y’s powertrain is but to be confirmed, this might perchance perchance presumably well probably replicate the specification offered within the Chinese language market – Australian autos are assembled within the equivalent Chinese language facility as CDM variations.

If this is correct, the three-row Model Y must aloof originate in a twin-motor configuration, producing front and rear motor outputs of 142kW and 198kW respectively.

Energy will probably come from an 82kWh battery developed in South Korea.

In China, the six-seater ‘Y’ produces a utilizing vary of as a lot as 751km (held to lenient CLTC requirements), and can tempo up from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds.

Extra data on China’s Tesla Model Y ‘L’ might perchance presumably well moreover be chanced on right here.