Celine Nolan

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.

Chinese language carmaking conglomerate GWM is making ready for a wide uptick in count on for petrol-electric hybrid powertrains in Australia, predicting that at the least 60 p.c of Haval H6 midsized SUV will resolve either a full hybrid (HEV) and trail-in hybrid (PHEV) engine by the slay of 2026.

For the previous couple of years, GWM sub-value Haval has experimented with diversified hybrid powertrains in the H6 lineup, which comprises the outmoded H6 (which has been on hand with turbo petrol or HEV alternatives) and the coupe-style H6 GT (turbo petrol or PHEV).

A facelifted model of the favored H6 arrives in Australia this month in HEV possess. Subsequent month, the non-hybrid joins the up so a long way H6 lineup and from September, an all-recent Hi4 PHEV machine will possess the wagon-bodied H6’s range-topper.

Hybrid and recent PHEV anticipated to grab 60% part of H6 gross sales

A non-hybrid 170kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol stays the most price-effective H6 (from $35,990 driveaway), the mid-tier powertrain is a carryover 179kW/350Nm 1.5-litre turbo HEV that starts at $40,990 (da) and delivers a 30 p.c gas saving over the two.0T. Both are entrance-drivers.

The pinnacle price powertrain will now be the PHEV, which mixes a identical 1.5T to the HEV with a 19kWh battery and one or two electric motors for outputs of 240kW/520Nm (FWD) or 268kW/760Nm (AWD), both in up-spec Ultra guise easiest for $47,990 and $50,990 (da) respectively.

The recent H6 PHEV marks the debut of GWM’s vaunted Hi4 trail-in tech in its avenue-targeted SUVs. Electrical range is round 80km (WLTP estimated) whereas ‘dumb battery’ gas consumption looks to be pretty spectacular for a PHEV at between 6.3-6.7L/100km (WLTP estimated).

Seek information from to stare the staunch gas consumption of PHEVs when their traction battery is exhausted change into a staunch battleground in Australia in future years, and GWM claims its Hi4 PHEV tech is solid in this regard.

GWM executives told Chasing Automobiles first and essential of the facelifted H6 that, despite no longer utilizing relate reductions or incentives, round 50 p.c of the 6909 H6 SUVs bought in Australia this year accumulate been hybrids—and by the tip of the year, non-hybrid merchants will most definitely be firmly in the minority.

In actual fact, in 2026, GWM “conservatively” expects the recent PHEV to story for a excellent 20 p.c of gross sales, with the HEV accounting for 40 p.c and the non-hybrid petrol an additional 40 p.c. The staunch mix may well maybe possibly be even richer for hybrid.

GWM charts extra than 15,000 total gross sales for the H6 in 2025, and with the firm desiring to develop total quantity by a additional 50 p.c to hit its purpose of turning valid into a high-five carmaker in Australia, the raw desire of anticipated H6 hybrid deliveries is appreciable.

PHEV will get irregular aspects over and above the HEV

Convincing 20 p.c of H6 potentialities to segment with $50K or so for a PHEV looks no longer easy, but GWM executives are lifting the veil on a crack thought to originate PHEV extremely spirited—by technique of a aggregate of energy, ease, and correct form gas financial system (whether or no longer or no longer the battery is charged).

But that’s no longer all: the H6 PHEV also will get a unfold of irregular aspects, plus an upgraded interior, that Australian merchants simply cannot accumulate with the turbo petrol or the HEV, providing additional alternatives for GWM dealers to stroll hybrid potentialities as a lot as the low CO2-essential person PHEV.

The PHEV may be the one real H6 in Australia to accumulate linked automobile aspects appreciate over-the-air updates and a partner smartphone app allowing a long way off locking/unlocking/air-con. It also rankings newer and better infotainment, plus a PHEV-irregular steerage wheel to manipulate it.

Nonetheless, the PHEV will face an an increasing selection of congested competitive house, anticipated to launch with the drawing shut Geely Starray EM-I (from round $40,000 sooner than on-avenue charges), whereas arch-rival Toyota will enter the segment with the RAV4 PHEV subsequent year.

H6 PHEV to relief GWM’s very staunch NVES intention

Growing recognition of hybrids with H6 merchants is correct form information for GWM in gentle of Australia’s NVES emissions approved pointers that kicked in on 1 July and penalise (or reward) carmakers on whether or no longer the moderate CO2 emissions of the autos they promote are above or beneath a authorities-mandated yearly limit.

A affluent part of hybrid gross sales across varied GWM product lines—including the H6, but additionally the Jolion exiguous SUV, Tank 300 four-wheel pressure and Cannon Alpha impartial ute—has keep GWM ready the build it may possibly maybe maybe simply even accrue a credit in 2025, but NVES limits accumulate grand more challenging from 2026.

It’s all relating to the first price CO2 outputs of the powertrains on offer.  For the H6, the non-hybrid 2.0T’s 170g/km is a effort, being successfully above this year’s 140g/km limit. The HEV’s 120g/km is rosier (even though no longer prominent), but the PHEV’s 22-25g/km consequence locations GWM map ahead.

If GWM’s predicted 20 p.c PHEV / 40 p.c HEV / 40 p.c petrol mix were to come correct, that can maybe maybe originate the H6’s moderate CO2 emissions 120g/km in 2026—a cramped bit of above the 118g/km CO2 emissions limit that can apply to autos appreciate the H6 in 2026.

That is bang on GWM’s purpose in relation to NVES, which chief working officer John Kett says is to steer obvious of paying penalties—but additionally to steer obvious of generating credit. GWM intends to be correct on the line of compliance so that it may possibly maybe maybe promote as many ICE autos as most likely without being penalised.

“We desire to be at the reducing edge of (PHEV and EV) adoption charges of patrons, no longer at the modern of bringing tech in and having to good deal it, and push it (to potentialities),” Kett told Chasing Automobiles. The enterprise extinct used to be previously responsible of operations at Hyundai.

The ruggedly styled GWM Haval H7 midsize SUV will most definitely be released in Australia in August 2025 in a single excessive-specification hybrid orderly grade at initiating, even if a 2026 differ growth is all however confirmed.

With nationwide driveaway pricing of $46,990, the entrance-wheel drive Haval H7 Ultra HEV is genuinely a reskinned version of the more softly-styled Haval H6 that landed in Australia in facelifted make this month.

Whereas assorted powertrains are readily accessible in a international country, Australian original car investors will handiest be ready to aquire the H7 with the 179kW/530Nm ‘plugless’ paunchy hybrid (HEV) petrol-electric engine furthermore seen in the H6.

The updated version of the closely-linked H6 can furthermore be had with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine (from $35,990 driveaway) or a whisk-in hybrid powertrain in either entrance-wheel drive ($47,990 d/a) or Hi4 all-wheel drive ($50,990 d/a).

Selecting the squared-off H7 Ultra HEV over the same tier of H6 attracts a $3000 top rate however normal equipment is anticipated to be normal to the pair.

That will mean the H7 entails conveniences like heated/cooled entrance seats, a panoramic sunroof, eight-speaker stereo, 14-crawl touchscreen, wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a paunchy suite of adaptive safety elements.

“We made the name [to import only the H7 HEV] given the richness of the [sales] mix we are seeing in hybrid magnificent now, with one peep on NVES [emissions laws] as smartly,” said GWM head of promoting Steve Maciver.

“There is a longer-duration of time story we can’t genuinely inch into however the H7 lineup will evolve and change precise into a mainstay of the Haval lineup,” said Maciver. “There are more traits to reach with regards to a original powertrain.”

That original powertrain, anticipated to be added to the Haval H7 lineup in 2026, is GWM’s next-generation plugless HEV system that borrows tech from the manufacturer’s original Hi4 PHEV devices.

That must aloof mean more smoothness and sophistication and lower gas exhaust than the H7 that will near at the initiating in Australia.

In China, the H7 (where it is miles identified as the Haval Mammoth Dogs) is furthermore readily accessible with a PHEV powertrain, even if here is furthermore anticipated to be upgraded to a original-gen Hi4 PHEV system sooner than it could most likely well be thought of as for Australia.

“The H7 will entice possibilities wanting for more individuality with an adventurous spirit,” Maciver said “We’re confident, having spoken to our dealers—they’re very bullish that they might be able to promote it.”

For GWM, which intends to enhance entire sales by goal about 17 p.c this year to 50,000 (from 42,782 in 2024), adding the H7 is a an vital element to broadening sub-mark Haval’s SUV choices alongside the facelifted H6 and original H6 GT coupe-SUV.

“We can beget choices for purchasers at some stage in assorted brand brackets, drivetrains and sizes,” said Maciver. “Protect in mind the H7 will most definitely be on high [of H6]. We’re certain that we need six p.c segment share.”

In 2024, the H6 and H6 GT held a 5.2 p.c share of the midsize SUV market in Australia, with the pair sitting at a 5.8 p.c share for the foremost six months of 2025.

Mitsubishi’s first mainstream electric car for Australia is inching nearer to going into production in Taiwan, and native Mitsubishi engineers are being build to work to make certain the EV drives accurately on Aussie roads.

Expected to originate in Australia within the 2nd half of of 2026, the upcoming battery electric car (BEV) is being constructed in Taiwan by a subsidiary of tech giant Foxconn, with rebadging and restyling by Mitsubishi.

The as-but unnamed Mitsubishi EV is a tiny, lifted hatchback and is anticipated to take on the likes of the MG4, BYD Atto 3, and Kia EV3 within the Australian market.

Its unusual EV has a truly noteworthy feature to play in offsetting the emissions of Mitsubishi’s favorite devices, including the Triton diesel ute and petrol versions of the Outlander midsize SUV, which will be penalised below Australia’s Original Automobile Emissions Customary (NVES) criminal pointers.

MG4-rivalling specs anticipated for Mitsubishi EV

The electrical Mitsubishi is broadly anticipated to be in step with the Foxtron Mannequin B, which rides on a 2800mm wheelbase and is 4300mm long, 1865mm huge and, at 1530mm, is a little taller than an MG4 but no longer an outright SUV. Foxtron is a subsidiary of Foxconn.

If it’s in step with the Mannequin B, the Mitsubishi will trudge Foxtron’s 400-volt MIH skateboard with a single rear motor making 170kW, whereas an anticipated 60kWh LFP battery will provide 450km differ (WLTP) at consumption of spherical 13.3kWh/100km.

To stimulate question in an already-tight EV market in Australia, the Mitsubishi BEV will need no longer handiest first rate specs, but moreover a stamp near that of the favored MG4, which funds about $43,000 driveaway with its mid-tier 64kWh battery.

Position to play in offsetting NVES penalties for Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Australia chief govt Shaun Westcott instructed Chasing Automobiles at the originate of the facelifted Outlander that the Japanese ticket expects producers as a change to “cop significant penalties” below NVES, partially on story of Australian prospects are no longer having a ogle for ‘satisfactory’ EVs.

“It doesn’t topic who that you might presumably effectively be. Every ticket has to quilt the worth of the penalty to outlive. If prospects are handiest having a ogle for single-digit EV sales [under 10% of total car sales], which methodology the vast majority of oldsters within the market are having a ogle for either some create of PHEV or ICE engine,” Westcott said.

Quiet, despite that look for, Mitsubishi Australia silent needs to expand its piece of PHEV sales (basically by dating extra prospects to the Outlander PHEV) and BEV sales (currently zero) in uncover to protect far from mounting fines below NVES, which gets tougher from 2026.

Taiwan-constructed EV plot to be tuned in Australia

That’s where the Foxconn-sourced BEV comes into play for Mitsubishi.

“Now we had been engaged on the Foxconn car, the beefy EV out at the demolish of 2026,” said Bruce Hampel, MMAL’s frequent manager of product approach, confirming that Foxconn engineers had been making an try out a aggressive plot of BEVs on Australian roads and at the Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria.

That work has been led by Tony Dorrington, product approach manager at Mitsubishi Australia. At the initiative of Mitsubishi head attach of job in Japan, the ticket no longer too long within the past re-established its accelerate and handling tuning team that beforehand worked on 380s and Magnas.

As effectively as adjusting the suspension and guidance of the facelifted Outlander SUV, the team is now making ready to work on the BEV mannequin with Dorrington telling Chasing Automobiles prototypes will arrive in Australia for tuning work rapidly.

“Tony and the (Foxconn) team had been utilizing the aggressive plot at Lang Lang and spending all of this week getting a plan of Australian road prerequisites in as many locations as imaginable,” said Hampel.

At the attend of the scenes, Mitsubishi and Foxtron signed an settlement in May presumably perchance honest this year locking in upright-hand drive production of the BEV mannequin for Australia and Original Zealand. A originate in our market within the 2nd half of of 2026 used to be namely talked about within the doc.

“Now we possess a (BEV) product. We are in a position to raise it to market after we mediate the market is ready to red meat up that product,” Mitsubishi Australia chief Shaun Westcott said. “It needs to be financially viable and seemingly.”

It’s far imaginable Mitsubishi will gain skinny margins on the BEV in uncover to promote extra examples whereas banking an NVES credit score on every sale, helping Mitsubishi to continue selling extra diesel Tritons amongst assorted autos.