Celine Nolan

Fresh-child Chinese forte ute price JAC has confirmed this is in a position to also merely lengthen the native differ of its sole T9 twin-cab mannequin with the introduction of a variety-topping Osprey grade and two trim ranges of an all-modern cab-chassis physique.

The cab-chassis physique, a first-rate for JAC, will protect the four door twin-cab physique seen on existing T9 units, however will substitute its used bath with a flat alloy tray, which JAC says can pork up a payload of 1165kg (rather than the load of the tray).

So far, JAC has confirmed two mannequin variants of T9 cab-chassis; the snide Tradepro and as soon as-snide Oasis, which stays the lowest specification for bath-trayed T9 units.

It’s unclear whether or not the flat tray, pictured in JAC’s marketing topic cloth, is incorporated with the T9 cab-chassis, with JAC pitching the physique as a ‘smooth canvas’ ideal for a fitout of ‘a provider physique, personalized toolboxes, or a specialised equipment’ fitout.

Introducing more kind to the T9 mannequin differ will absolute self belief drive sales of the mannequin, particularly within the hasty market, helping the twin-cab newcomer to search out a footing in opposition to a frequently growing list of low-cost competitors.

That growing list is headlined by China’s $forty five,253 LDV T60, $34,490 GWM Cannon, and quickly-to-originate $39,990 Foton Tunland, while Korea affords a lower-mark KGM Musso for $40,140. All costs listed are sooner than on-boulevard charges.

To add gas to the fire, JAC is furthermore offering diminished-mark drive-away offers on its present MY24 stock of Oasis and Haven T9s up to October Thirty first. Those units have been dropped from $42,662 and $forty five,630 sooner than on-roads to $39,990 and $43,990 drive-away, respectively.

Meanwhile, at the different end of the size, JAC’s modern Osprey grade adds additional equipment over the as soon as flagship T9 Haven. Predominant enhancements embrace a energy sunroof and a ‘top price suspension tune’ – what that entails is not yet known.

Optioning additional to the Osprey X will furthermore add blacked-out functions on its exterior, darkening the form of the front badge, wheels, roof bars, cruise mirrors, door handles and facet-vent surrounds.

Top price, yet cheap, competitors to the T9 Osprey embrace the quickly-to-liberate $52,990 MG U9, $53,674 LDV Terron 9, and the quirky $64,900 Deepal E07 Multitruck.

JAC claims the Osprey’s 980kg payload restrict has been intentionally engineered to protect it below the one-tonne novated leasing ceiling – a well-known component for horny hasty investors.

No topic trim level or physique, all T9 units will continue to be powered by a125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated to a mature eight-velocity automated and competent four-wheel-drive intention.

Pricing and additional specifications for each and every cab-chassis T9 units, as nicely as the differ topping bath-trayed Osprey grade, are yet to be revealed. JAC claims these critical points will be revealed nearer to the originate date of the units, which is one month away.

Cupra has launched the return of its five-cylinder powered Formentor VZ5 performance SUV — and this time it’s traipse for Australia.

Borrowing Audi’s renowned 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol from the RS3 to originate something without a doubt particular, the fresh VZ5 produces 287kW and 480Nm — about the the same as earlier than.

Restricted to factual 4000 units globally, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 additionally boasts wider wheel arches, grade-explicit bumper and splitter front and rear, copper-trimmed diagonal use tricks, and 20-creep copper-colored alloy wheels.

More bright is the proven truth that Cupra’s freshest Formentor to this level is confirmed for Australia, though factual how many units will reach our shores is but to be finalised.

Aussies missed out on the first generation VZ5 when it debuted in 2021, and needed to draw raise out with the admittedly rather excellent 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder powered VZx, rising 228kW and 400Nm.

Cupra Australia confirmed that the Formentor VZ5 will enter production within the first quarter of subsequent one year, with local arrivals slated for ‘later within the one year’.

Tentatively set apart that as early into Q4 2026.

Audi fans is commonly familiar with the 2.5-litre five cylinder ‘TSI’ turbo petrol engine below the bonnet of the VZ5 – a longstanding staple show in numerous performance Audi units.

It produces a wholesome claimed 287kW and 480Nm, nearly about the same to the outgoing Audi RSQ3, and delivers vitality to all four wheels by job of a seven-velocity twin grab computerized and trick built-in torque splitter with lateral torque encourage an eye on.

The principle iteration of VZ5 modified into able to sprinting 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds.

The vitality output of the Formentor VZ5 is over 50kW and 80Nm earlier than the competition, making light work of the $ninety 9,000 Mercedes AMG GLA, which produces 225kW and 400Nm, and BMW’s $92,900 X1 M35i xDrive, which pushes out 233kW/400Nm.

Pricing for Cupra’s restricted numbers Formentor has no longer but been confirmed. Anticipate a sticker somewhere between $90,000-105,000, focused on the extremely the same Audi RSQ3 began at $104,215 earlier than it modified into discontinued earlier this one year. All prices above are earlier than on-freeway prices.

Extra facets for the Cupra Formentor VZ5 include ‘Cupra’ branding, ambient lighting, and bucket seats on the inner, and a ramification of 5 paint colours in both matte or gloss on the skin.

Those colours are Nighttime Shaded, Darkish Void, Magnetic Tech Matte, Century Bronze Matte, and Enceladus Grey Matte.

Having launched seven contemporary products this year, GWM is ready to assemble all of it again — confirming that it could per chance initiating “no longer much less than” seven extra contemporary items in Australia in 2026 throughout its five sub-brands.

GWM’s multi-tag showrooms are assign to change into so chocker-block with contemporary steel that the Chinese language conglomerate is seeking to persuade dealers to be a half of a brand contemporary “Upward thrust” program that can watch retail outlets and GWM co-invest in bigger retail sites.

Ultimate by becoming a member of “Upward thrust” will GWM dealers be allowed to promote no longer much less than two contemporary items that can attain to Australia in 2026 below the contemporary Wey luxurious sub-tag, with the Wey G9 minivan and Wey Blue Mountain gargantuan SUV locked and loaded for a native initiating.

Wey luxurious sub-tag to bring two PHEV items to Australia

“We will initiating the Wey tag, which is incredibly great tied into what we would like to assemble about our tag,” GWM Australia chief working officer John Kett told media alongside side Chasing Vehicles.

“There will seemingly be optimistic prerequisites below which dealers will fetch fetch admission to to the Wey tag. Upward thrust is a project where the dealers must always invest in bigger stores, so we are in a position to in truth showcase all of our brands and our portfolio.”

Both the Wey G9 and Wey Blue Mountain yell a identical all-wheel force 1.5-litre turbo petrol hunch-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with 358kW and 380kW of energy respectively. Both are anticipated to be priced below $100,000.

“We watch PHEVs as being the battleground in [Australia] over the impending years. If we are in a position to fetch with that tech, that allows us to dangle petrol and diesel going for longer,” stated GWM Australia head of promoting Steve Maciver.

Fresh PHEVs plus first EV option planned for Haval SUV fluctuate

The Haval tag will seemingly be revitalised in several recommendations in 2026. Whereas no longer a brand contemporary mannequin initiating, GWM’s most moving-vendor — the Haval H6 midsize SUV — will fetch pleasure from a complete Australian suspension/steering retune early next year.

“Now we own factual launched the H6 [facelift] as a PHEV, and the contemporary next-generation H7 will moreover be a [PHEV],” stated Kett.

Alongside the next-gen H7, which is predicted for initiating in 2026, Kett moreover confirmed that Haval will lengthen the Jolion puny SUV lineup with the Jolion Pro — a brand contemporary mannequin that can present PHEV and, in a predominant for Haval, a corpulent battery electrical (BEV) model.

But Haval is predicted to again skedaddle away out a gargantuan three-row SUV option in 2026. A scheme for the Wey Blue Mountain to place on Haval badges in the community has been abandoned in favour of positioning that crossover in top class territory.

Tank 500, Cannon Alpha to fetch higher pure-diesel engine option

The low-CO2 Wey luxurious PHEV items will support GWM attain emissions credits below Australia’s Fresh Vehicle Effectivity Fashioned (NVES) regime below which pure petrol/diesel autos are penalised.

These credits will backstop GWM’s planned rollout of a brand contemporary 3.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine for the Tank 500 gargantuan 4WD and Cannon Alpha gargantuan ute in 2026. Both of these items are really available with a PHEV alternative, giving traders powertrain alternatives.

GWM is moreover working on two different pure interior combustion tasks, but they are anticipated for initiating in 2027.

One is a brand contemporary tidy-succesful, prime-tier 4WD mannequin that has been confirmed to be pure ICE, while GWM is moreover setting up a 4.0-litre petrol V8 engine that has been tested in the Tank 300.

Ora EV sub-tag expanding into puny and presumably midsize SUVs

GWM’s hitherto smallest sub-tag, Ora, started lifestyles as a BEV-most moving specialist and in Australia, it at the moment affords most moving the eponymous “Ora” puny hatchback — one of the important nation’s most rate-effective BEVs and a automobile that is continually discounted.

But while GWM Australia has pivoted to listen on PHEVs — which can per chance presumably be compliant below NVES felony guidelines and considered as extra in an instant delicious to native traders — Ora’s BEV lineup will seemingly be expanded with one or two items, this time SUVs.

“In the puny SUV segment, we can unquestionably own an Ora SUV next year,” Kett stated. “We are restful pondering a midsize SUV coming out of the Ora lineup.”

That puny SUV continuously is the GWM Ora 5, which is similar in size to the BYD Atto 3. Battery sizes and driving fluctuate is no longer yet known but is predicted to sit around 500km (WLTP).

The upcoming midsize Ora SUV has no longer yet been printed — but it unquestionably is predicted to present both BEV and PHEV powertrain alternatives with GWM global chief skills officer Nicole Wu revealing to Australian media that Ora will pivot faraway from exclusively focussing on BEVs.

“After we launched the Ora tag, alternative consumers gave feedback to us that they cherished the scale, comfort and styling, but [that] they don’t desire a BEV — they wish hybrid or PHEV,” Wu stated.