Celine Nolan

Chery Australia has this day revealed its ‘KP31’ twin cab ute idea, with the prospect of two dash-in hybrid powertrains, and is determined to scurry on sale in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The KP31 will in the starting place roll-out with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel dash-in hybrid powertrain – a world first for twin-cabs – in this 300 and sixty five days’s fourth quarter, followed by a petrol PHEV variant early in 2027. The two drivetrains will target two various demographics, says Chery.

The place the KP31 dash-in diesel will be work and off-facet road focused, benchmarked in opposition to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, the dash-in petrol will market as a way of life ute, and key competitor to the BYD Shark 6.

Conceptualised off the inspire of a Chery World time out to Stradbroke Island (off the waft of Brisbane) the KP31 will be developed in partnership with Chery-Australia executives, who will present efficiency targets, technical benchmarks, and customary consultancy for the drawing near near twin-cab.

“We’re leading the map of the chassis for our ute,” acknowledged Lucas Harris,  Chief Working Officer of Chery Australia.

Lucas Harris confirmed to Chasing Autos that Chery’s off-facet road focussed R&D time out was as soon as weighted by “leading competitor merchandise”, which drove Chinese language executives thru “bushland, mud tracks, and water crossings” to demonstrate Australia’s titillating needs.

“I gain these types of experiences and map from key decision makers in the business scurry a lengthy manner,” acknowledged Harris, occurring to talk about the “bewilderment” of worldwide executives when watching Australia’s solid ties to succesful twin cabs.

In idea-invent, the KP31 measures 5610mm lengthy, 1920mm large and 1925mm large, with a wheelbase yet to be confirmed. Production model utes will be shorter, says Chery, with a dimension of 5450mm, that manner the KP31 is expounded in dimension to the Kia Tasman.

Visually, the KP31 idea car parts retro-styling paying homage to a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. It parts prominent, circular LED headlights, particular ‘CHERY’ lettering on the front and rear, A-pillar-hugging snorkel, and factory-match recovery tracks.

Flared wheel-arches frame stout, 285/70 R17 BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, which rob the ute’s already raised body even extra. The visible look of the production ute must aloof be “very terminate” to the belief that.

When asked about a Ford-Everest vogue SUV variant of KP31, Chery revealed that while the form isn’t at repeat being discussed, it hasn’t been ruled out, both.

3500kg towing capacity, 1000kg payload restrict and triple-locking differentials confirmed

Attending KP31’s worldwide demonstrate, Chery COO Lucas Harris told Chasing Autos that the Chinese language carmaker will for now be focusing R&D on its diesel-PHEV drivetrain. “[We have] one probability to level to [Chery’s] ability and credibility for off-facet road efficiency,” acknowledged Harris.

To originate this, diesel KP31 twin-cabs will feature a ladder-frame chassis and solid, leaf-sprung rear axle which supports a 3500kg braked towing capacity and one-tonne payload.

Three locking differentials — front, centre, and rear — must aloof extra KP31’s capabilities.

In incompatibility, petrol-powered KP31 twin cabs will gain train of an honest rear quit, likely cutting again payload and towing capacity in favour of on-facet road hasten and handling.

“We favor a extra compliant and gratified twin carriageway spherical city variant, which I gain the petrol is most life like most likely suited,” acknowledged Harris.

Upon its Q4 liberate, the KP31 will be sold solely in twin-cab, bathtub tray invent. Eliminating of the bathtub is most likely, and a cab-chassis variant could well maybe map later on.

Mixed efficiency, vitality outputs, EV battery sizes, fee instances and EV-utilizing figures for both powertrains are yet to be confirmed. Chery claims its diesel PHEV will be “10-p.c extra efficient” when when in contrast with the moderate diesel powertrain, and that EV-utilizing differ “would must aloof be in three figures”.

For reference, the BYD Shark 6 parts a 29.6 kWh battery to construct a utilizing differ of 100km, while the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV parts a elevated 37.1kWh battery to power as much as 115km. Every figures are NEDC.

Audi tonight pulled the covers off the all-sleek RS5 — its halo midsize performance automobile, and fans can breathe no longer decrease than a partial whisper of relief: the vaunted Porsche–Audi 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol has been retained.

No AMG-style four-cylinder faux pas right here. As a substitute, the sonorous six ekes out 15 percent vitality by itself — producing 375kW/600Nm — however total vitality for the sleek RS5 measures a mega 470kW/825Nm.

That is courtesy of a broadly expected and RS-explicit toddle-in hybrid gadget pairing a 130kW/460Nm electric motor with a 22kWh (usable) 400-volt battery.

Interior the broader A5 fluctuate, the 470kW/825Nm RS5 will contain an apex spot, sitting loftily above the gentle-hybrid S5 (270kW/550Nm) and standard A5 (up to 270kW/500Nm in PHEV layout).

Question pricing to take a seat effectively north of the S5 ($114,900 plus on-freeway costs). The outgoing RS5 Sportback price $168K ahead of on-roads.

Ingolstadt has resorted to PHEV vitality basically to hurry the RS5 via phenomenal European (and Australian) CO2 emissions regulations however it absolutely’s a case of making lemons out of lemonade.

The RS5 may well perchance perhaps weigh in at a (Euro) kerb weight of around 2350kg however it absolutely deploys its full of life-cooled battery and snappy-reacting e-motor to devastating enact in ‘RS Torque Rear’ — a euphemism for lunge in conjunction with the drift mode.

If the conception that of Audi leaning into vitality oversteer in a midsize automobile wasn’t ample of a shock, put collectively for the return of the RS5 sedan…of kinds.

The RS5 is the non secular successor to the RS4, which is mostly obtainable only as an Avant, or spot wagon.

Audi has fussed with mannequin naming programs for years and there is now advise of the RS5 — and the underlying A5 and S5 — being renamed A4, S4 and RS4 in a mid-lifestyles update.

But no longer only will an RS5 Avant be offered, however this may well perchance very effectively be joined by what Audi is calling the RS5 sedan. Level-headed, that product is truly a Sportback, with a hatchback-style tailgate.

No matter the physique style, the RS5 picks up exaggerated haunches and the physique is a nine centimetres wider than a standard A5.

With non-obligatory carbon mask trimming, indispensable grey or gloomy 20- or 21-scramble wheels, large matte grey oval tailpipes and aero aplenty, there is rarely this form of thing as a missing the RS5.

The general form is pleasantly comely and there is small doubt that Audi hopes to scoop up some displaced AMG clients as unhealthy-country rival Mercedes makes an try to transform its performance automobile plans.

A key rival to the RS5, the Mercedes-AMG C63 sensationally dropped its V8 engine for a toddle-in hybrid four-cylinder, though Benz is now reversing direction with a six-pot, non-hybrid C53.

Each Audi and BMW decided to preserve away from that quagmire. Whereas the RS5 retains its six and picks up PHEV tech, the next (petrol) M3 is anticipated to be a gentle hybrid six-cylinder.

Befriend to the RS5: inner, sport seating comes standard with cloth/Dinamica (no longer decrease than in Europe) with leather-basically based mostly more seemingly the default risk in Australia, in gloomy or grey.

The A5’s traditional 14.5-scramble OLED touchscreen carries over with RS-explicit whisper including detailed racetrack evaluation.

That repeat furthermore permits for careful witness of lunge in conjunction with the drift accuracy when the utilization of RS Torque Rear mode.

Stepping out the rear is more seemingly to be more easy thanks to an all-sleek transaxle with electromechanical torque vectoring taking into fable terribly quickly (5ms) torque transfer between the 2 rear wheels.

An updated Quattro centre differential is constantly partially locked and permits up to 85 percent of total torque — or a staggering 700Nm — to be sent to the rear wheels.

Driven delicately, the RS5 V6 PHEV can arrange 84km electric fluctuate ahead of delivering gasoline economy of about 10L/100km on a depleted battery.

Engage both of the automobile’s sportiest modes, though, and effectivity is thrown to the wind with the petrol engine put to quickly price the battery to 90 percent in repeat to direct max vitality constantly.

Stopping all that momentum is a job for standard metal brakes (with 420mm discs on the entrance) or non-obligatory carbon ceramics with 440mm entrance and 410mm rear discs.

European deliveries kick off in mid-2026, and Chasing Autos is utilizing the RS5 imminently. Stand by for a full first force portray.

Swedish Tesla rival Polestar will extra than double its most modern showroom line-up by 2028 by alongside side a Polestar 7 minute SUV, a 2d-technology Polestar 2 sedan, a extra life like version of the Polestar 4, to boot to this year’s Polestar 5 powerful tourer.

All four automobiles may perchance be battery electrical, with Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller telling Autocar that Polestar “[isn’t] even alive to about” alongside side internal combustion automobiles to its differ. “No, we is no longer going to live a hybrid”, he talked about.

Chronologically, the offensive has already begun, starting with the enviornment starting up of the five-metre-lengthy Polestar 5 fastback that may perchance change into a Porsche Taycan rival. That car turn into accessible to repeat in December final year, launching with two mannequin grades and a starting mark of $171,100 earlier than on-road charges.

Deliveries of the Polestar 5 are anticipated to open by mid-year. Extra on that car here.

Subsequent to reach from the Chinese language-owned (by Geely), Swedish-operated EV specialist is a brand original variant of Polestar 4 – Polestar’s world most productive-seller. Few technical minute print are known in relation to the original variant, though Polestar claims this could “target a powerful wider customer pass by providing extra versatility”.

A teaser direct released by Polestar shows its original ‘4’ will debut an all original wagon-model body form, this time with rear glass, so as to combine “the placement of an property… the versatility of an SUV [and]… the dynamic performance that is Polestar”. The most modern Polestar 4 ‘coupe’ makes employ of a digital rear-stare camera in lieu of a rear window.

Early in 2027, Polestar will follow with a replacement for its Polestar 2 sedan, the firm’s most reasonable mannequin, its first ever world mannequin launched in 2020, and 2d most productive-seller in the neighborhood.

Polestar described the two as, “The automobile that we turn into known for [and] a key perform of our future success.” Count on this Tesla Mannequin 3 rival to retain a relatively reasonable entry point and lengthy differ / performance offerings when it’s miles up to this point next year.

Finishing in 2028, Polestar’s mannequin offensive will cease with the introduction of a brand original, compact SUV in most cases known because the Polestar 7.

The Polestar 7 is anticipated to market in the pinnacle fee minute SUV segment as a key rival to the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz EQA, which initiate from $80,600 and $80,700 respectively. Alternatively, remarks from Polestar counsel the ‘7’ may perchance be its cheapest car yet.

“We’re convinced that we are able to supply customers a revolutionary performance-pushed car for a surely resplendent mark point, in-built Europe.” A comment from a Polestar press starting up read.

The Polestar 7 is a the fundamental vehicle for Polestar globally, in particular in Europe, the assign the compact SUV market accounted for one-third of total electrical vehicle gross sales in 2025. For 2026, Polestar expects to issue “low double-digit retail quantity development” with the starting assign of its world rollout.

Geely-owned Polestar has struggled with financial difficulties in its early years however grew gross sales critically in 2025 – by 34 percent globally to appropriate over 60,000 items. In Australia, Polestar gross sales elevated by nearly 40 percent to 2373 items.

The fifth-abilities Hyundai Tucson mid-dimension SUV is readying for open, seemingly later this year.

Whereas undergoing sizzling weather durability testing in the Victorian High Country, Chasing Vehicles noticed a camouflaged model of the unique Tucson and an up so a long way Santa Fe SUV.

The Tucson is due for a brand unique abilities by subsequent year, having launched globally in 2021 and coming in for a facelift in 2024. We rely on the camouflaged Tucson to destroy quilt in production guise in slack 2026 or early 2027.

This automobile is an unprecedented extra dramatic commerce than the increased Santa Fe, being a brand unique abilities mannequin that wants to compete with Toyota’s refreshed RAV4, the incoming Mazda CX-5 and a host of unique names from China comparable to the BYD Sealion 6.

Like the Santa Fe, the overview automobile’s amount plate carries a affirmation it’s the unique ‘NX5’ Tucson (one of the up-to-date automobile’s code is ‘NX4’) and that it weighs 1797kg.

There modified into as soon as extra conceal obstructing the Tucson’s body traces, in conjunction with what perceived to be size gear on the rear window. The Tucson also has an unfinished-attempting employ protruding from the rear bumper.

Tremendous, graceful alloy wheels counsel the mannequin testing is a excessive-smooth example.

It is a transparent departure from the rounded, organic shapes of one of the up-to-date Tucson and a step in direction of squarer, bluffer styling following the hydrogen gasoline cell (FCEV) powered Nexo‘s produce language.

Under, the fifth-abilities Tucson will debut a brand unique, software program-defined architecture referred to as Pleos OS, primarily based fully on KoreanCarBlog, which will seemingly spy extra great processing at some stage in the cabin.

What’s no longer sure is if the unique Tucson will seemingly be made in brief and lengthy wheelbase guises for more than just a few markets. European-delivered Tucson objects measure 4500mm lengthy whereas Australian and North American examples are currently 4650mm from tip to tail.

The Tucson currently comes with a 2.0L four-cylinder petrol in inappropriate grades although a smartly-liked hybrid model, making 172kW, will seemingly be on hand. Quiz the electrified powertrain to continue in the unique automobile.

In in a abroad country markets the Tucson is equipped with a slip-in hybrid that might be on the playing cards for Australia. The expend of a little-ish 13.8kWh battery, North American-market Tucson PHEVs are rated to go about 50km on electric vitality in EPA testing.

If Hyundai is able to catch the worth correct, a slip-in hybrid Tucson might seemingly possibly be advantageous below Original Vehicle Emissions Requirements (NVES) to boot to providing a rival for the rising different of PHEV family SUVs, in conjunction with the Geely Starray EM-i, BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander and further.

We rely on the unique Hyundai Tucson to destroy quilt later in 2026.

Why is Hyundai testing cars in Australia?

Hyundai, along with linked companies Kia and Genesis, possess lengthy viewed impress in Australian accelerate and coping with tuning for their autos, however this is no longer that.

As an different, there is currently a expeditiously of 20 Hyundai, Kia and Genesis autos in Australia for summer season durability testing.

Chasing Vehicles understands the mix of excessive altitude and sizzling weather found in the Victorian alpine achieve of dwelling in summer season is of explicit ardour to Korean engineers when it involves turbo petrol engines.

Moreover, the Australian time zones line up better with South Korea than those in the US.