Celine Nolan

The CEO of Hyundai Motor Firm Australia (HMCA) Don Romano has confirmed the firm is for the time being engaged on growing two completely different-sized utes – an necessary, US-centered pick-up and a mid-sized Ford Ranger/Toyota Hilux rival – nevertheless handiest the “thoughts-blowing” smaller ute will possible be coming to Australia, possible by the kill of 2028.

“I’m now no longer leaving except I even earn a ute – and now no longer finest any ute,” stated Californian-born Romano, who turned HMCA’s CEO earlier this year (after a protracted stint at Hyundai Canada) and ought to silent proceed in that space except mid-2028.

He confirmed that sooner than he finishes his tenure in Australia he’ll be in a local to expose corpulent minute print of this needed, potentially game-altering original ute for HMCA.

“It’s a assured ‘Here’s the date, here’s the vehicle, here’s the differentiating aspects’. And if [Hyundai] produces what we’re talking about at this stage and what we’re engaged on, it’s going to be thoughts-blowing. It’s going to be great. And I in fact mean that,” stated Romano.

The evident different would be to restyle the Kia Tasman and a design a Hyundai model of this diesel dual-cab, even supposing HMCA is for the time being divesting itself of all its diesel powertrains in Australia.

As an different, Chasing Autos expects the forthcoming ute will characteristic Hyundai’s original EREV (Extended Range Electrical Automobile) expertise that became unveiled by firm CEO Jose Munoz at the 2025 CEO Investor Day in September, and which is ready to debut in future products from 2027.

Hyundai’s EREV expertise is supposed basically for increased autos, using a combustion engine as a unfold-extender to recharge the battery, with key minute print in conjunction with a target range of 1000km, an EV-cherish using expertise and reduced battery size in contrast to archaic EVs.

Referring to Hyundai’s forthcoming Ranger/Hilux rival, Mr Romano stated they might perchance presumably impartial’ve with out effort rebadged every other product “[but] that’s finest now no longer acceptable, especially now, with the competition persevering with to develop.”

“We’ve got to distinguish ourselves, and there are technologies that we’re for the time being growing which would be completely different from one thing else we’ve introduced to market,” he stated – alluding to the emblem’s forthcoming world roll-out of EREVs.

“I will’t accumulate into the first points, nevertheless [these technologies] will possible be coming out sooner than I fade, and we can spend it to accumulate definite that our ute and our autos one day are completely different than what China is for the time being producing.”

“I’m sure those brands are furthermore having a plan at completely different technologies as effectively. But we’re going to envision out to be first to market in a huge selection of areas,” he stated.

While the Kia Tasman is for the time being a diesel-handiest product, its all-original platform became future-proofed to be dazzling for electrification one day at some stage in its 10-15-year lifecycle.

Chasing Autos expects HMCA’s forthcoming ute to be a special product sharing its underpinnings and presumably its structural laborious aspects with the Tasman, nevertheless with an fully completely different plan and an EREV powertrain.

As for the proposed tie-up with General Motors in growing an necessary original-expertise ute, Mr Romano stated this vehicle gained’t be coming to Australia and stays unconfirmed as to whether this would be a shared product with GM or a special Hyundai vehicle.

“Final time we talked, we stated we are in a relationship with General Motors, and we’re having a plan to at that relationship, nevertheless it isn’t a done deal yet – we might perchance presumably impartial shuffle on our rep,” stated Romano.

“We did plan at, ‘will we portion a platform?’ And I gained’t rule it out as an option, nevertheless it completely would ought to silent be completely different than what they came to market with, because all as soon as more, it’s getting relief to the differentiation.

“I don’t mediate we’re going to portion a platform – I don’t imagine that’s an option. I even ought to circulate away it on the desk, finest in case one thing goes depraved, nevertheless that couldn’t be our most major goal,” stated Romano.

“Our most major goal is to build our rep Hyundai ute with our original expertise that’s unfamiliar from all the pieces that’s obtainable, nevertheless the size that we’re having a plan at would be within the Ranger/Hilux class [for Australia].

“So it’s now no longer a guarantee [the proposed development tie-up with GM]. We are having a plan at increased utes, nevertheless now no longer for this market,” stated Romano, confirming there are two completely different ute platforms being evaluated appropriate now, nevertheless handiest a vogue of is for Australia.

So arrive mid-to-leisurely 2028, what you would maybe presumably be ready to bigger than possible ask is a Kia Tasman-sized, Hyundai-designed dual-cab ute with a petroleum range-extender bolstering battery imprint, achieving “equal EV efficiency with now no longer as much as half the battery means, using a Hyundai-designed excessive-efficiency battery.”

Hyundai Worldwide, in partnership with Beijing Hyundai, has this day revealed its unusual midsize electrical SUV is known as the Elexio. The model, described by Hyundai as “In China, For China, To World” will on the muse open in China outdated to arriving in Australia in early 2026.

The Hyundai Elexio will probably cost higher than the compact Inster and little Kona Electrical EV SUVs, but lower than the Ioniq 5 midsized EV when it arrives early subsequent year, in a same construction to Kia’s EV5 positioning above the EV3, but beneath the EV6.

That skill an expected starting mark in the realm of $56,770 outdated to on-avenue costs, matching the inferior model Kia EV5 Air entrance-wheel power.

Aggressive pricing is mandatory for the Hyundai Elexio if it’s to contend with long-time duration world EV benchmark, the Tesla Mannequin Y. In inferior rear-wheel power trim, that vehicle begins from $58,900 outdated to on-avenue costs.

Just like the Kia EV5, the ace up Hyundai’s sleeve to verify that lop prices for its Elexio midsize SUV is Chinese manufacturing. This could presumably well merit Hyundai compete with the upper midsize $54,990 BYD Sealion 7 and $54,800 Xpeng G6, every in Australia and in China. Prices shown are outdated to on-roads.

Hyundai’s Elexio differs a bit from the leisure of its EV siblings. Its rounded entrance halt most effective compares to the pre-facelift Ioniq 6, where neither vehicle has a stable connection to Hyundai’s unusual “Artwork of Metal” design language.

Its midsize silhouette is same to the Hyundai Tucson, featuring narrow roof rails, modest-measurement alloy wheels and an understated rear spoiler. It moreover capabilities two-tone matte murky wheel arches and entrance and rear body-width strip-LED DRLs.

No matter aiming to open to Australia in as exiguous as two months, local technical specs for the Elexio are now not yet known. In China, the inferior entrance-driver Elexio capabilities a 160kW entrance electrical motor and 64.2kWh battery.

All-wheel power fashions originate a further 73kW rear electrical motor and higher 88.1kWh battery for a mixed output of 230kW. The vary topping battery will bring a WLTP vary of over 500km, says Hyundai, and can cost from 30-80% in 27 minutes.

For these following the Australian EV market, these specs must seem acquainted. Every resolve quoted above is a linked to the Australian-market EV5, and indeed, every automobiles moreover portion the identical 800-Volt ‘E-GMP’ platform.

They moreover portion external dimensions. The Hyundai Elexio measures 4615mm long, 1875mm wide, and 1673mm substantial, with a 2750mm wheelbase — the same to the EV5, bar a 42mm top distinction.

Inside of, the Elexio capabilities a expansive 27-rush infotainment conceal. It looks that the immense conceal moreover assumes the accountability of the instrument cluster, same to Tesla’s central conceal. This could indicate the driver has to study in the direction of the center console for driving files.

Fortunately, after all in China, a contemporary-equipment heads-up uncover eliminates this grievance.

The leisure of the inside of looks extra outdated – two wi-fi instrument chargers and four cup-holders in the center console, column shifter and the contemporary unfold of controls on the guidance wheel and column, and a acquainted five-seat layout.

Dolby Atmos immersive audio and an eight-speaker BOSE sound machine are moreover equipped as contemporary.

Boot dwelling is a a bit contemporary 506-litres, which will expand to 1540-litres with the 2d row folded.

Australian-particular little print, including energy outputs, vary figures, dimensions and pricing will be revealed by Hyundai closer to the Elexio’s local open early subsequent year.

Subaru has unveiled two irregular STI Notion autos at the Japan Mobility Demonstrate, identified as the Efficiency E STI and Efficiency B STI. Every fashions fuse make facets from quite so a lot of iconic Subaru fashions, most particularly the mid-2000s ‘GR’ ‘hawkeye’ WRX STI hatch and BRZ sportscar.

A homage to the core fundamentals of Subaru and STI, the Efficiency B STI thought blends collectively iconic mechanical facets in a neatly-identified, refined bundle.

The model parts a six-velocity manual transmission, turbocharged ‘boxer’ four-cylinder engine, and Subaru’s staple symmetrical all-wheel-force system. Efficiency is furthered by claims of a ‘gentle-weight, compact body’ and ‘low centre of gravity.’

Power outputs, exterior dimensions, and kerb weight are yet to be confirmed for the Efficiency B STI, but we request specs not too dissimilar to the current WRX tS Spec B. That model produces 202kW and 350Nm, and has a kerb weight of 1522kg.

Visually, the entrance end of Subaru’s B STI thought better represents the pre-facelifted ‘VA’ WRX moderately than the present ‘VB’ efficiency sedan. Its hatchback body, flared arches and general silhouette are very corresponding to that of the ‘GR’ WRX STI hatchback, continually identified as the ‘hawkeye’.

At the rear, the B STI borrows extra make cues, this time from the Subaru Crosstrek, while the big rear wing takes inventive liberty from the first technology ‘GC8’ WRX STI.

Inside, the B STI’s inside sports a huge portrait-oriented infotainment masks, STI sports guidance wheel, stripped assist door trims with carbon-fibre inserts, and a ‘no-frills’ centre console with crimson stitching, a pronounced manual gearstick and physical handbrake.

The assign the Efficiency B leans heavily on Subaru’s historical previous, the Efficiency E STI thought sports a less extinct, contemporary, angular make which Subaru claims will “spearhead Subaru’s new technology” of efficiency autos.

Electro-mechanical specs for the E STI thought are vague. Subaru claims the model has supreme aerodynamics, reducing-edge technology, and all-wheel force, on the different hand battery dimension, different of electric motors, and efficiency figures are not identified.

Visually, the engrossing, angular entrance end of the E STI appears to be like corresponding to the brand new-technology Subaru BRZ, while its slim, lowslung hatchback body is impressed by the 2016 Toyota 86 Taking pictures Brake Notion.

The Efficiency E STI thought adorns gentle-weight wheels, with a probable aerodynamic, sand-colored disc attached, finest described as ‘circular-noticed-care for’. At the rear, the E STI appears to be like extra Skoda than Subaru, with a body-dimension rear tail-gentle and huge rear diffuser.

At the time of writing, the E STI’s inside used to be not in the market for viewing. We can update this text as extra predominant parts plan to gentle.

Subaru currently offers factual one electric automobile, the Toyota BZ4x-derived Solterra, but claims to present eight irregular fashions by 2028. Whether or not a producing model of the E STI thought shall be a form of eight remains unconfirmed.

The assign the E STI thought has some doubtless for future manufacturing, it’s far unlikely that the combustion-powered B STI thought will ever plan to fruition, as global emissions laws continue to punish manufacturers for efficiency autos with high CO2 outputs.

Mitsubishi has printed a probable seek into the plot forward for its long-working Pajero with its original Elevance inch-in hybrid idea SUV detailed on the Japan Motor Show.

The Mitsubishi Elevance employs a stoic ‘Dynamic Shield’ make language, with rugged, boxy physique traces, an illuminated entrance grille, four doors which toughen a physique-coloured “rib bone” half of-crescent make, and enormous aerodynamic wheels.

The entrance terminate, which Mitsubishi says ‘expresses highly efficient efficiency and a skill of security’, is the same in appearance to Chasing Autos distinctive renders of the next-generation Mitsubishi Pajero.

The 2 autos set up identical guarantees of all-wheel drive, hybridisation and rugged off-toll road skill, and we depend upon the Elevance to preview plot of the production-mannequin Pajero, slated to beginning in 2027.

Mitsubishi has confirmed its original Elevance idea is an off-toll road focused inch-in hybrid, which utilises the three-diamond mark’s signature Natty-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive arrangement, very like the soon-to-beginning Outlander facelift.

How it differs from the Outlander is by plot of four electrical motors – two nested internal the entrance wheels, and a extra passe dual-motor living-up within the rear with active yaw preserve an eye fixed on.

Mitsubishi claims its four-motor PHEV arrangement will dangle adequate EV vitality for overnight V2L spend when camping, and ‘EV-like’ soundless, shipshape efficiency for on a common basis commuting. Details for combined arrangement output, gas tank dimension, exterior dimensions and battery dimension are no longer but confirmed.

Interior, Mitsubishi’s off-the-wall tips fully accumulate zanier. The mannequin previews an ‘AI Co-Driver’, which is in a position to “relieve exploration into the unknown by suggesting locations tailor-made to the motive force’s lifestyle”.

The Ai Co-Driver is displayed on an LCD show embedded within the steering wheel, as well to the dashboard-dimension instrument panel. The Elevance additionally points a three-row, six-seat ‘captains chairs’ layout, corresponding to the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy.

Mitsubishi’s Elevance wasn’t the fully three-diamond off-toll road focused mannequin detailed on the Japan Motor Show. Details surrounding a prototype Delica D-5 off-toll road van and facelifted ‘Kei’ sized Delica Mini dangle additionally been printed.

The Delica D5 additionally points S-AWC, boxy styling, gripping physique traces and a highlight on a ‘rugged lifestyle’. The D5 is already on hand to pre-repeat, solely in Japan.

Within the intervening time, the smaller Delica Mini facelift points a disproportionately excessive roof for its compact dimension.

It too demonstrates an ‘outdoorsy make’, now with anthropomorphic styling cues over its predecessor which Mitsubishi says makes the mannequin “reborn, cuter and more difficult… Natty fleet, immense convenient,[and] immense fully overjoyed!”

The facelifted Delica Mini, like the Delica D5, remains distinctive to Japan for now.

It’s far unclear whether or no longer the Elevance will likely be shifted into production, and if that is the case, for which markets. Australia has long been a disproportionately gigantic particular person of gigantic off-roaders comparative to its small inhabitants.

Mazda unveiled a thought previewing a brand recent rotary fluctuate extender hybrid hero at the 2025 Japan Mobility Repeat.

Known as the Vision-X Coupe — ‘X’ being pronounced ‘substandard’ — the slinky four-door mammoth tourer guarantees 375kW paired with 160km of EV-handiest driving fluctuate, for an 800km total within the loyal world.

It’s no longer yet constructive if this thought is a straight away preview of a brand recent Mazda production car, which will be positioned as the emblem’s halo above the Iconic SP sports car, or simply a fabricate and technology showcase.

If the Vision-X went into production, it will be the first time since the Eunos Cosmo (1990-1996) that Mazda has a legitimate, coupe-esteem flagship within the fluctuate to sit down down alongside the most modern CX-90 immense SUV.

Measuring 5.05 metres lengthy and virtually about two metres broad, the low 1480mm roofline and stretched 3080mm wheelbase give the cab-rearward Vision-X Thought calm, sporty proportions.

The thought that presentations Mazda’s ‘Kodo Soul’ fabricate language with illuminated grille element, no longer now not just like the Changan-constructed Mazda 6e sedan, with an virtually Ferrari F12 Berlinetta silhouette, though with four doors, digital mirrors and 4 seats internal.

Curiously, Mazda has fought lend a hand towards video display overload internal with three analogue, scrutinize-face esteem dials build of dwelling above the skinny-rimmed steering wheel, and touchscreen off to the aspect.

Inside of, the Vision-X Coupe’s theme involves subtle inexperienced cabin materials off-build of dwelling with heat wood smooth — it’s virtually Aston Martin.

This thought is clearly a press start, but Mazda has shocked us within the previous with its dedication when carrying over designs to production. Remember the gape-catching 2017 Mazda Kai thought? That went on to turn out to be the 2019 Mazda 3 with minimal styling compromise.

One other fascinating element is the stitched computerized equipment selector on the centre console, which has worn ‘P-R-N-D’ lettering alongside with a handbook sports mode.

Mazda says the Vision-X Coupe makes exhaust of a rotary fluctuate-extender powertrain, likely a crawl-in hybrid and powering all four wheels by twin electrical motors, so the shifter may possibly point out simulated equipment ratios.

These are your total rage for electrified autos magnificent now, at the side of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and more currently Honda Prelude.

As segment of the Vision-X thought, Mazda sees it as a testbed for Cellular Carbon Take dangle of technology, which will be constructed into the car that theoretically runs on Algae-derived sustainable fuels.