Future cars

The 2026 Audi Q3 will take the battle to the BMW X1 and other luxurious compact SUVs with recent expertise that involves micro-LED exterior lights and a parking system that would additionally be taught utterly different manoeuvres.

Audi has published its third-generation Q3 overnight, sooner than the mannequin’s European initiating in September and its later arrival in Australia one day in 2026.

The Q3 was once Audi’s largest-promoting automobile domestically in 2024, where it performed 2nd to the larger Q5 in worldwide sales.

Rivals consist of the aforementioned X1, Mercedes GLA, Mini Countryman, Volkswagen T-Roc, and Volvo XC40.

Here’s Chasing Autos’ rapid manual to the recent Audi Q3…

Exterior procedure with micro-LED lights

The 2026 Q3 will be offered with Matrix digital headlights that comprises micro-LED expertise that bring lights capabilities tied to driver support systems. First viewed within the A8 limo, the headlight modules incorporate extra than 25,000 micro LEDs which are half the thickness of a hair follicle.

Following one other car vogue, the headlights sit down below daylight working lights – which are also now digital, that comprises 23 segments that would additionally be configured into utterly different shows by the cabin’s infotainment conceal.

Digital OLED tail-lights (and 4-ring label) can even be optionally accessible, with a plump-width slender mild strip customary across gadgets.

The front reside takes some inspiration from the emblem’s electrical big SUV, the Q6 E-Tron, even supposing the Q3’s grille remains very principal open in appreciate to its vary of combustion engines.

There’s a greatly extra athletic procedure for the most trendy Q3, that comprises blistered wheelarches, a substantial wider grille, and a customarily sportier stance that’s complemented by wider tyres than the outgoing mannequin.

The professional pictures showcase a Q3 in a recent Chronicle Inexperienced exterior paint along side an optionally accessible S Line sad exterior bundle.

Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 20 inches, with alternatives in conjunction with aerodynamic rims and Audi Sport rims.

Audi has launched pictures of the Q3 ‘SUV’ handiest for now, with a extra coupe-esteem Sportback variant to affix the road-up once extra.

The German label hasn’t supplied details yet on the recent Q3’s dimensions.

Interior

The 2026 Audi Q3 cabin is dominated by a sad upper-drag structure that contains an 11.9-roam digital instrument cluster straight sooner than the driver, and further centrally a 12.8-roam infotainment display.

As with the present Q3, the infotainment touchscreen is angled in direction of the driver. Audi references a head-up display, even supposing it’s unclear if this could perhaps be customary on all gadgets.

Bodily local climate regulate actions carry out manner for digital buttons at the underside of the touchscreen.

Transmission option also switches from a veteran gearlever to a stalk on the correct facet of the steering wheel.

This creates a cleaner, flatter centre console procedure that contains engine initiating up-halt button, audio volume and song controller, cupholders, and a sliding conceal that hides a 15-watt smartphone charging tray.

Alternatives consist of a 420-watt Sonos audio system and an illuminated fabric door panel that expands the cabin’s ambient lights.

Audi says nine within programs are on hand, with the Q3 cabin adopting elevated utilize of sustainable materials.

The flat-topped and flat-bottomed steering wheel with S label and semi-perforated leather-primarily based utterly wrapping, plus neatly bolstered fabric front seats, facets to an S Line within.

The Q3’s 2nd row of seating will again dart fore-aft to allow owners to balance passenger dwelling and boot capability.

Nonetheless, boot dwelling drops for the recent-generation mannequin. Whereas the present Q3 affords between 530 and 675 litres searching on situation of the rear seatbacks, the change mannequin’s vary is 488 to 575 litres.

Drivetrains

Will Audi Australia import the following Q3 with the headline trot-in hybrid powertrain? The approaching Fresh Vehicle Emissions Plot (NVES) could perhaps instructed the inclusion of a drivetrain that now brings a 19.7kWh battery that’s almost twice the dimensions and will increase the Q3 PHEV’s electrical vary from 51km to 120km (WLTP).

Far extra certain are a kind of petrol engines, with alternatives in conjunction with a 110kW front-force procedure, a 150kW/320Nm ‘quattrol’ all-wheel force, and a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder all-wheel force.

Europe can even maintain get staunch of entry to to a 110kW front-force diesel Q3, even supposing this appears not truly for Australia taking into account the present mannequin specializes in petrol handiest.

There’s no news yet on whether the vary will in the end be again topped by a flagship RSQ3.

Driver assistance

The 2026 Q3 adds the power for the owner to educate the automobile to carry out up to 5 utterly different parking manoeuvres, up to a maximum distance of 50 metres. Audi uses the examples of sophisticated-to-get staunch of entry to garages or automobile ports, and says the driver can jump out and simply see.

Emergency assistance has been upgraded to maintain the power to force the Q3 autonomously to a stable halt at the facet of the road if there’s no response from the driver.

Visitors impress recognition also adds extra indicators, in conjunction with animal crossings and railroad crossings.

Practically four years after its native inception, Toyota Australia has confirmed that a petrol hybrid 300 Sequence Land Cruiser will open within the main half of of 2026. The drivetrain will include a assortment-parallel hybrid, 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, and total-time four-wheel-pressure.

Toyota has not but confirmed the output of its new Land Cruiser hybrid, nonetheless claims this will doubtless presumably exceed the 227kW / 700Nm figure produced by the diesel.

We look ahead to the skill figure to match the 341kW and 790 Nm output produced by the UAE market Land Cruiser hybrid.

The introduction will bring the Toyota Land Cruiser’s powertrain providing to 2, both the new petrol-hybrid or the three.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6.

Toyota has not confirmed pricing for the 300 Sequence hybrid, nonetheless we demand it to incur a shrimp premium over the diesel.

Toyota has assured fans that intensive testing has been accomplished in rugged off-avenue environments, in conjunction with the mountains and deserts of the Heart East.

The Toyota Tundra also shares the identical powertrain in Australia and went through an intensive duration of native testing prior to its introduction.

Place apart a question to the Land Cruiser hybrid to match the 3500kg braked towing skill equipped by the diesel. Even supposing, something beyond that’s unclear and primarily the most up-to-date time.

Mahindra Head of Worldwide Operations, Sachin Arolkar, has published that an off-road SUV inspired by the present mannequin Thar diminutive SUV will be launching in Australia. What is now no longer but confirmed is the powertrain, styling, or Thar nameplate.

The outgoing Mahindra Thar is a retro-styled Jeep-esque off-roader that harkens support to Mahindra’s humble beginnings, when the firm was granted the rights to create the authentic Willys Jeep domestically in 1949.

The Thar, cherish the Jeep Wrangler and to a lesser extent the Suzuki Jimny, is a standard of living automobile. It’s on hand in India as either a two-door diminutive SUV with a 2+2 seating configuration and removable roof, or as a four-door mid-size SUV (Thar Roxx) with a extra old five-seat layout and stuck roof.

In spite of being on hand within the Indian marketplace for five years, the Thar has two predominant roadblocks which dangle averted it from coming to Oz. The principle of which is a consistent local market ask of which exceeds production capacity, and the 2nd is an ongoing factual battle with Stellantis over the Thar’s Jeep Wrangler-inspired styling.

Mahindra’s resolution is to ditch plans to carry the Thar to Oz, and as an alternative peddle a brand current mannequin in step with the Thar-e South African thought automobile. Arolkar acknowledged that “the (Thar-e) name could presumably well furthermore be assorted, but what you saw in South Africa, it’s possible you’ll presumably well presumably rating it in Australia…with ICE [rather than electric power]”.

Arolkar probed local journalists for opinions on an ‘off-road capable monocoque’, drawing inspiration from the Land Rover Defender and main to speculation surrounding future powertrains.

Being that the Thar-e thought is electric, and the mannequin we can rating is ICE, it’s extremely doubtless that this future automobile will be built on a modular platform, which will improve EV, hybrid, and ICE powerplants.

Largely, specification for the upcoming Mahindra off-roader is now no longer but known. Whether Mahindra decides to protect a Thar-primarily primarily based ladder-body chassis, manual gearbox chance, diesel engine or removable roof are four expansive questions which for now will remain unanswered.

We await nonetheless, that the future automobile will launch with a necessity of petrol-greatest combustion or hybrid energy, with a modular monocoque chassis, four doors, a fixed roof, and a disappointing ‘computerized greatest’ gearbox providing. Let’s hope Mahindra proves us spoiled.

Learn extra: Mahindra Thar 2024 overview: first off-road pressure

Two new models coming from BYD, the Atto 2 and Sealion 8, indicate the Chinese label has its finger on the heartbeat of the Australian market.

Before all the things making its debut in 2022 with the Atto 3, BYD has turn into something of an overnight success, outpacing many other Chinese challenger competitors with trusty sales results from its snappily-expanding and various showroom line-up.

And BYD’s two new models absolutely explore to hump the coattails of this success.

Each and each models are effectively packaged SUVs centered in the direction of Australian families, with promises to develop your bucks scuttle additional.

Sealion 8

The Sealion 8 is a astronomical seven-seater SUV that shares a striking resemblance both in styling and drivetrain to the emblem’s 2024 most efficient-vendor, the Sealion 6. It seems to head toe-to-toe with big name Aussie competitors esteem the Toyota Kluger hybrid, Hyundai Santa-fe hybrid, and Kia Sorento crawl-in.

It is miles equipped in China as the Tang L, measuring 5040mm long, 1996mm huge, 1760mm high, and runs on a wheelbase of 2950mm.

Two powertrains will be on hand for the Sealion 8 on birth: the ‘DM-i’, which uses a 19kWh blade battery, and ‘DM-p’, which employs a 35.6kWh blade battery.

Each and each grades reveal a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, and front mounted 200kW/315Nm electric motor. The DM-p furthermore beneficial properties a rear-mounted 141kW/360Nm electric motor — meaning the DM-p will be all-wheel force, with claims of a 4.9 2nd 0-100km/h time.

The Sealion 8 DM-p boasts around 200km of EV-handiest riding vary (CLTC), a combined gasoline consumption of 5.6L/100km (NEDC), and claims a combined riding vary which surpasses 1000km. No longer homely for over 2500kg of steel.

We request pricing of around $50-60,000 for the Sealion 8, which is slated for a Q1 2026 birth.

Atto 2

Aussies are initiating to respect the establish in a shrimp, dedicated electric metropolis automobile. BYD has two: The new cheapest in the marketplace Dolphin, and effectively established Atto 3. The now confirmed Atto 2 slots neatly between these models as a promise of extra diversity.

It measures 4310mm long, 1830mm huge (other than mirrors), 1675mm sizable and runs on a wheelbase of 2620mm. Chief competitors consist of the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia EV3, and the newly launched MG S5.

The Atto 2 is constructed on the BYD e-Platform 3.0. This will likely birth in two neat ranges, Crucial and Top charge, and facets a 51kWh Blade battery and 130kW/290Nm front-mounted electric motor.

In China, the Atto 2 claims a combined vary of 312km (WLTP), 10-80 p.c establish time of 40 minutes, and a top DC establish charge of 65kW.

Within, the Atto 2 uses a 8.8-crawl digital dashboard, adaptive cruise serve an eye on, and 10.1-crawl infotainment conceal. (Top charge neat beneficial properties a 12.8-crawl infotainment).

The Atto 2 need to reach by the stop of this 365 days, with pricing in the realm of $30-40,000.

Read our global first force of the Atto 2 here.

Extra on BYD

Since its Australia inception in 2022, BYD has laid claim to several spectacular titles. It has developed a trusty foothold in the Australian market, largely owing to a various, no nonsense vary of vehicles with grand allure. Currently, BYD affords the Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and Shark 6.

The Dolphin compact metropolis automobile for the time being holds the title as Australia’s cheapest EV, whereas the Sealion 6 midsize crawl-in claims the title of Australia’s cheapest crawl-in hybrid.

On the identical time as, the Sealion 7 midsize EV SUV poses as a real rival to the more pricey and established Tesla Mannequin Y, with resounding affect quality, a good vary offering and trusty dynamics.

BYD also presents a staunch rival to the Tesla Mannequin 3. The Seal EV sedan all as soon as more undercuts its extra established American rival, bringing inviting styling, excellent electric riding vary, and trendy EV architectural underpinnings.

The most contemporary mannequin on the BYD cutting block all as soon as more pertains strongly to Australian patrons. The Shark 6 is a newly launched crawl-in hybrid ute, which has sparked deal of four-wheel riding debates on-line — and has equipped in the thousands.

Over 7000 Sharks relish equipped thus a long way in 2025 (YTD to 1 June). But BYD isn’t happy with true one off-avenue centered mannequin… Read our unfamiliar describe of the upcoming BYD/Denza B5 mid-size four-wheel force here.

From an totally unknown title in August 2022 when it launched its first mannequin, the Atto 3, BYD has skilled broad gross sales increase.

Basically the most novel bump in success comes from the Shark 6 ute, which has been a sport-changer within the truest sense. That mentioned, it’s no longer perfect. Basically in relation to off-avenue potential, where the Shark 6’s lack of locking differentials, low vary and solid traction administration procure let it down.

Now to no longer be became off, BYD has confirmed to Chasing Autos that this can bring a Toyota Prado and Ford Everest rivalling 4×4 wagon to Australia, doubtless within the fourth quarter of this One year. Even supposing a title is no longer formally confirmed, we understand this mannequin will seemingly be known as the Denza B5.

Talking to BYD Australia senior product manager Sajid Hasan, we had been advised “the B5 could be the principal mannequin…I’m confirming it now.”

Hasan moreover went on to claim more devices are on the wishlist, together with the Bao 8 4×4, Denza N9 broad SUV, Z9 GT sports wagon, and D9 luxurious of us mover, all of which we had a steer in.

What’s the Denza B5?

Identified in its China home market as the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard Bao 5 — slightly the mouthful — the B5 is a proceed-in hybrid 4×4 wagon measuring 4890mm long, 1970mm wide, 1920mm big and utilizing on a 2800mm wheelbase.

Even supposing a minute bit smaller and with easiest five seats, the B5 is effectively a rival for the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and GWM’s Tank vary, together with the smaller 300 and bigger Tank 500.

Adore its Shark 6 relation, the B5 sits on a ladder frame chassis and employs a ‘DMO’ proceed-in hybrid powertrain that functions an electric motor on every the entrance and rear axle. They plot energy from a 31.8kWh Blade battery for 100km of electrical-easiest utilizing vary.

A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder works as a generator a lot of the time, despite the true fact that it could perchance perchance kick in and drive the entrance axle in obvious scenarios. The B5 has even more punch than the Shark 6, with a marvelous 505kW and 760Nm for 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

On prime of that, the B5’s rear motor is more extremely efficient (285kW vs entrance 200kW) for a more super split between the axles. It moreover functions a digital locking centre differential and a simulated four-low mode along with electronically controlled locking differentials entrance and rear.

Off-avenue credentials are solid, then, with method, departure, and breakover angles of, 35, 32, and 20 degrees, respectively, plus 700mm wading depth and adaptive dampers.

Internal, the cabin of the auto we sat in used to be prime quality with leather-based totally mostly upholstery and many of abilities together with a pleasant 15.6-walk rotating touchscreen.

Denza B5 pricing is yet to be locked in for Australia, however don’t count on Shark 6-stage entry mark. Being the lush stamp, count on the B5 to punch up beyond $80,000, given its intensive equipment and nice outputs.

Will the B5 be worth it? We’ll must wait on and seek.

Are there any varied devices within the works for BYD and Denza?

The subsequent most definitely is the Bao 5’s bigger brother, the Bao 8 which would potentially be acknowledged as the Denza B8. It’s in accordance to the same underpinnings however with a protracted wheelbase (2920mm) and bigger general length (5195mm).

In its put of adaptive dampers, the B8 gets trick energetic prime-adjustable suspension, more inform (550kW), more leather-based totally mostly interior and the choice of seven seats. Kerb weight spikes by 500kg, despite the true fact that, to 3305kg.

On the four wheel drive aspect of issues, BYD’s Denza is moreover taking into account about a version of the tank-turning, quad electric motor powered Yangwang U8, despite the true fact that it’s extra down the be aware.

In its put, Aussies are more doubtless are the Denza N9 — a tri-motor proceed-in hybrid with the Differ Rover in its sights — added to the vary sooner. That mentioned, we’re speaking 2026 and beyond, here.

Denza could perchance moreover play a Porsche Taycan rivalling shooting brake Z9 GT, with up to 710kW blended. But every other choice would be a Zeekr 009-challengine D9 luxurious of us mover.

BYD itself is moreover having a overview to amplify, first with a new Atto 2 cheap crossover, then with varied devices within the pipeline. Now we procure a separate fable for those vehicles coming.

Chinese language carmaker Chery has been expanding in suits and bursts. Its first mannequin, the Omoda 5, used to be plagued with some security support annoyances, nonetheless the lower-trace Tiggo 4 Legitimate is discovering a range of success.

The subsequent step for Chery to interrupt top-10 new automobile sellers in Australia will likely be a twin-cab ute, and be aware from Australian managing director Lucas Harris is that a diesel-based fully breeze-in hybrid is likely.

Add to that a one-tonne payload and allegedly more challenging appears to be like than the left-hand-pressure-finest Himla published at Auto Shanghai 2025, and Chery may perchance own a hot potato on its fingers with the flexibility to bother the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, BYD Shark 6 and further.

Chasing Vehicles has commissioned distinctive renders from digital artist Theottle of the doable future Chery twin-cab ute. You’ll furthermore stare them above, nonetheless extra on the appears to be like below.

Harris advised Chasing Vehicles that there’s a range of interest from Chery’s world chairman.

“We had the chairman out, we [told] him: We genuinely strongly wish to own enter to that ute, and own the engineers reach out right here so that we are succesful of utilize time with them. Per week later, we’re being sent toughen requests to assist six engineers rep visas,” acknowledged Harris.

While there’s admiration for Australian engineering groups, Harris acknowledged not to write off the cost’s in-condo R&D boffins, noting their hunger for competition in a extraordinarily hot segment.

“I trust rather a pair of the utes on the market are immense products … I trust that’s an though-provoking project because you’ve bought a hyper aggressive segment which is popping into noteworthy extra aggressive with genuinely immense products.

“I trust that presents us some gasoline within the fireplace — how will we push the envelope and how can we produce the finest thing that we are succesful of so that we are succesful of compete,” acknowledged Harris.

But how will Chery’s new ute form up? Chery doesn’t own any body-on-frame products in Australia for the time being, finest monocoque vehicles.

At Auto Shanghai 2025 the cost did demonstrate a pair of utes, the shut to-manufacturing Himla and further out-there Jetour F700.

The passe is centered at China and Latin The united states and will likely be built finest in left-hand pressure. The latter, though, is extra likely as a luxurious, lifestyles-model rival to the BYD Shark 6, nonetheless apparently there are rather a pair of extra decide-united states of americain the pipeline.

“The decide-up that used to be announced at the Shanghai Motor Uncover, the Himla, we gained’t rep that on this market. That’s a left-hand pressure finest product,” defined Harris.

“The ute that we can rep — we’ll rep a pair of, there’s genuinely a pair of different ones, which is though-provoking — the first one which goes to be genuinely essential for us is the one-tonne payload ute,” he persisted.

Describing the appears to be like, Harris acknowledged Chery’s Ranger and Hilux rival will likely be “noteworthy better taking a explore” than the Himla, with much less former styling.

That acknowledged, we’ve feeble the Himla as a execrable for our advent nonetheless with different proportions — an extended wheelbase and broader stance, for a launch. It furthermore sports actions a different, extra aggressive entrance grille alongside with some up-spec, off-road centered essential aspects.

These encompass huge-offset wheels for increased song and fender flares to own up them legal. Also fitted are all-terrain tyres — we imagine this as a doable Toyota Hilux GR Sport and Ford Ranger Wildtrak X rival.

As for what’s riding the brand new Chery ute, that stays within the air, nonetheless there’s one risk that stands out to the Aussie MD.

“There’s a minute of talk all over the powertrain for the time being, it’s not fully locked in. One of the essential choices that has reach up, which I trust is personally genuinely attention-grabbing, is a diesel breeze-in hybrid.

“It’s one of these different proposition … I trust it would be a immense level of difference if shall we manufacture that, as an risk,” acknowledged Harris.

Given the breeze-in hybrid is aloof in vogue, there must not any sure outputs or figures to work with. The 2 petrol-based fully PHEV utes on sale for the time being own blended NEDC riding ranges of 800km (Shark 6) and 880km (GWM Cannon Alpha).

With a diesel four-cylinder that’s extra efficient when cruising at low RPMs on the motorway, Chery’s diesel breeze-in twin-cab has the doable to present nearer to 1000km of riding range — spectacular.

Outright energy is likely to be lower than the different two’s substantial 300kW-plus figures, nonetheless diesel-electrical torque may perchance perhaps form up for this within the towing stakes.

“I accurate think it would be an though-provoking level of difference so that you just can bring that to the market,” says Harris, furthermore hinting that a diesel PHEV wouldn’t be the appropriate powertrain. A extra former diesel engine, by myself, may perchance perhaps furthermore be provided.

With Chery’s entry, the ute segment in Australia will grow all over again. It’s already been heavily shaken up by the BYD Shark 6 alongside with GWM’s Cannon and Cannon Alpha, and that can finest proceed with the Kia Tasman, new LDV and MG utes, and further.

Chery has confirmed its Omoda 9 mid-dimension SUV will assemble its Australian debut in the third quarter of 2025.

The trip-in five-seater currently launched as an moral-hand driver in the UK — approximately one three hundred and sixty five days after its March 2024 Chinese launch, the set apart apart it sells below the catchy title of Exceed Xingtu Yaoguang C-DM.

The launch of the Omoda 9 coincides with father or mother company Chery’s resolution to fall the ‘Chery’ prefix to future Omoda merchandise, with an Aussie naming rollout slated to beginning up imminently in the mid-three hundred and sixty five days.

Expected to launch as a trip-in hybrid, the Omoda 9 will rival the upcoming Toyota RAV4 PHEV and outgoing Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which is made up our minds to receive a mid-lifestyles exchange by the head of this three hundred and sixty five days. Competitors from China consist of the Haval H6GT PHEV and BYD Sealion 6.

The Omoda 9 measures 4775mm lengthy, 1920mm huge (other than mirrors), 1671mm grand, and runs on a wheelbase of 2800mm, making it for sure midsize, and nearly dimensionally a similar to the Sealion 6.

We predict that the Ozmarket Omoda 9 will debut with the a similar, single tidy providing which headlined its UK launch. The ‘one dimension fits all’ Noble tidy package is headlined by an extremely grand trip-in hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain, which claims a blended output of 330kW/700Nm.

The high-output drivetrain combines a 105kW 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with three electric motors. Two are mounted for the length of the three-tempo hybrid transmission, setting up 75kW and 90kW, and a closing 120kW electric motor is mounted correct now to the rear axle.

Omoda claims a blended EV-simplest using fluctuate of 145km (WLTP) – impressive for a PHEV, and attributed to a limiteless 34kWh battery. The hybrid powertrain, alongside with a 70-litre gasoline tank, manner the car can inch up to 1127km. As for charging, an 80kW snappy DC payment from 30 to 80 percent will grab 28 minutes.

RRP starts at £36,937.50, which equates to around $AUD 77,000. Chasing Autos understands the retail label of the Omoda 9 is more doubtless to commerce for our market, with a more cheap pick around the $60,000 label.

This would level-headed expose a $15,000+ top class over the outgoing BYD Sealion 6 — arguably the Omoda 9’s closest competitor, and priced at $Forty five,524 driveaway.

Within the UK, the Omoda 9 runs on 20-scramble wheels, and offers five irregular paint colours: a free of payment ‘Quartz White’, top class ‘Hawk’s Glance Grey’ for £1000(~$AUD 2085), and Andesite Grey, Peridot Inexperienced, and Onyx Dim, all priced at £750 (~$AUD 1565).

Omoda 9 Noble highlighted parts:

• 12.3″ Central LCD Existing
• Wireless cell phone charging – 50w ability, cooled
• Wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay
• APA Automated Parking (self park honest)
• 540° Panoramic Leer Digicam with clear survey
• Driver seat 6 methodology electric adjustment
• Passenger seat 4 methodology electric adjustment
• Energy Panoramic Sunroof (Opening)
• SONY 14 speaker audio system
• Head-Up Existing (HUD)
• Air-conditioning with 2d row outlet

Ford, a staple trace within the Australian market, has a unfold of updates and original variants on the formulation for 2025 and 2026, including the E-Transit Custom, Ranger PHEV, Ranger Worthy Responsibility, F-150 Lightning, and most doubtless a RHD Bronco.

E-Transit Custom and PHEV

Automobile form: Commercial van

Open: July/August

Ford Australia has confirmed the Ford E-Transit Custom will doubtless be arriving between July and August starting at $77,590, earlier than on-road charges, for the Pattern LWB. A tricked-up Sport SWB charges $seventy nine,990.

The Transit E-Custom fills an even space within the industrial van market as a mid-dimension elephantine-electrical workhorse. Main rivals could per chance be the upmarket $98,951 (RRP) Mercedes-Benz eVito and $59,990 LDV eDeliver 7.

The Transit E-Custom is powered by a single rear-mounted electrical motor, which produces 160kW and 415Nm. Energy is disbursed to the rear wheels by a single trip transmission.

WLTP differ of the Transit E-Custom is quoted as 337km, even when this could per chance rely upon the wheelbase, quantity of seats, and desired wheel dimension. It aspects a 64kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) lithium-ion battery with an estimated 10-80% price time of 32 minutes. On AC energy, the 11kw procedure completes a elephantine price in around 6.7 hours.

Scamper-in hybrid versions are readily available, too, from $67,590, earlier than on-road charges.

Read extra: Ford E-Transit Custom electrical van 2024 review

Ranger PHEV

Automobile form: Dual-cab Ute

Open: June 2025

Ford is bringing a hybrid variant of the most standard Ranger twin cab ute to the Australian market in mid-2025. The Ranger PHEV will doubtless be offered in four variants, starting with the $71,990 XLT and scaling to the $86,990 Stormtrak.

The PHEV twin cab ute market is ripe in Australia, with most moving two varied manufacturers plating within the gap.

The 2 valuable rivals of the Ranger PHEV could per chance be the competitively priced $57,900 BYD Shark 6, and 4 wheel force succesful GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, priced from $63,990 force-away.

The Ranger PHEV is powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and single electrical motor, with a mixed output of 207kW / 697Nm.

The electrical motor is mounted between the engine and 10-trip old computerized, and aids in sending energy to the elephantine-time 4 wheel force procedure.

Ford has quoted an electrical using differ of 49km (WLTP) for the Ranger PHEV. Combined gas consumption is presupposed to be 2.9L/100km, with a 70L gas tank and 11.8kWh battery.

Now not like its rivals, the Ranger PHEV most moving supports AC charging, with a peak AC price price of 3.5kW. This means a elephantine price on AC energy takes around 4.5 hours.

Read extra: Scamper-in hybrid twin-cabs when in contrast on paper! How does the 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV stand up towards BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha?

Ranger Worthy Responsibility

Automobile form: Commercial/heavy responsibility ute

Open: 2026

Ford Australia will free up a industrial and mercurial centered Ranger Worthy Responsibility some time in 2026. The price is but to be disclosed, but quiz to pay between $90,000 and $110,000 (Sooner than on-road charges).

The dear rivals of the Ranger Worthy Responsibility could per chance be the $119,950 (RRP) Ram 1500 and the $130,500 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium.

The Ranger Worthy Responsibility sports activities 18-stride metal wheels wrapped in 33-stride tyres and affixed to eight lugs — a heavy responsibility choice from Ford. Moreover, the Ranger Worthy Responsibility has a 4500kg GVM, 4500kg towing capability and an 8000kg GCM.

Ford has vocalised its prioritisation of designing a succesful, work and off-road centered ute aligned with what mercurial merchants are searching for. Present see footage test this ute will doubtless be even extra industrial-centered than the present Ranger.

The Worthy Responsibility will procedure in single and twin cab variants, with metal tray, leaf sprung rear, and element-fitted snorkel.

Read extra: Ford Ranger Worthy Responsibility 2025: first thought at the massive Aussie-developed 4×4 ute

Bronco / Bronco Raptor

Automobile form: Off-roader

Open: One day, we hope…

World boss of Ford Jim Farley thinks “an exact-hand force Bronco is price a are attempting”. Admittedly, this became once in step with introducing the Bronco to the UK, but Australia could maybe vastly steal pleasure in a UK Bronco beginning regardless.

The Bronco — which shares its underpinnings with the Ranger ute — has been spied in Australia on multiple cases as it became once in part developed right here.

If the Bronco were to be offered in Australia, it would rival the $75,950 (RRP) Jeep Wrangler, $30,490 Suzuki Jimny, $105,000 Ineos Grenadier and $92,402 Land-Rover Defender. The Bronco has arguably been as culturally foremost within the united states as the Mustang.

No Australian puny print exist for the Bronco. On the opposite hand, it’s offered within the US with three powertrain choices: a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, a 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 petrol, or a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol. All three engine variants are mated to a 10-trip old auto. A six-trip manual is optioned with the four cylinder.

Read extra: Is It Better Than A Ranger Raptor? (Ford Bronco Raptor 2023 Evaluation)

Sportage (facelift)

Vehicle form: Mid-measurement SUV
Launch: July

The Kia Sportage has criminal launched its mid-existence facelift, that includes revised styling interior and out, added tech and safety parts, a preference of all-wheel pressure for hybrid variants and revisions to the turbo petrol powertrain.

Starting with styling, the Sportage is receiving a new-behold grille and updates to the rear bar, promising to present a “Sorento-impressed” behold. Vertically stacked ‘well-known person intention’ LED headlights, new alloy wheel designs, and two new paint colours will also carry out their debut within the upcoming mid-300 and sixty five days release.

Interior, the Sportage positive aspects a redesigned two-spoke steering wheel and a 12.3-jog multimedia imprint, which now entails Kia’s Linked Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) linked services.

The hybrid Sportage will maintain a six-velocity venerable automatic, whereas petrol variants descend Kia’s seven-velocity DCT in favor of the the same eight-velocity automatic bizarre by the diesel.

Kia has announced the initiating heed of the soon-to-release Sportage as $37,990 sooner than on-toll road prices – a $3000 top rate over the new $34,995 introductory ticket.

Pricing will increase with paunchy small print in our Kia Sportage pricing and specs chronicle under:

2026 Kia Sportage expands hybrid technique to field Toyota RAV4 more sturdy

EV6 GT (Facelift)

Vehicle form: Mid-measurement SUV
Launch: Q2 2025

A spread of updates is anticipated to shall be found in Australia for the 2025 Kia EV6 GT.

High energy has risen from 430kW and 740Nm to 478kW and 770Nm when the “originate adjust” pressure-mode is chosen. Utilizing fluctuate has increased from 342km to 355km, and it is a long way urged that the facelift EV6 will payment sooner.

Scurry, going thru and safety characteristics had been extra improved with a new belt-pressure steering column and a bolstered chassis.

Exterior adjustments hang occurred, with new entrance and rear bumpers, redesigned headlights, revised 21-jog alloy wheels and charming green brake calipers.

Pricing appears to be like to be to be unchanged in South Korea, giving hope that the Australian pricing of $ninety nine,950 (plus on-toll road prices) could well per chance remain unchanged.

Kia EV6 GT 2023 overview

EV9 GT

Vehicle form: Flagship Huge SUV
Launch: Mid-300 and sixty five days 2025

Kia’s three-row immense electrical SUV, the EV9, is receiving a new GT variant which boasts a further 91kW over the prevailing GT-Line.

The EV9 GT will in finding an Australian-bizarre suspension tune, upgraded brakes with neon green calipers, an electronic restricted-scurry differential, and Kia’s Virtual Instruments Shift, which emulates an eight-velocity automatic.

Cosmetically, the GT receives 21-jog alloy wheels with 285/45R21 Continental tyres, a new grille, and re-designed entrance and rear bumpers. Interior, the EV9 GT could be a six-seat configuration, total with Alcantara-accents.

The value of an EV9 GT will in fact exceed the $121,000 ticket of the prevailing EV9 GT-Line.

Wow: The EV9 Is Severely Correct, But No longer Low-value! (Kia EV9 2024 Review)

Vehicle form: Ute
Launch: July – August

Kia’s unparalleled hyped Tasman ute has been slated for a July originate to raise on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. The Tasman is packed with tech, a happy and properly-realizing-out interior, and serious off-toll road ability.

The Tasman parts criminal one powertrain offering: a 154kW/441Nm 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel mated to a venerable eight-velocity automatic. Both 4×2 and 4×4 variants of the Kia Tasman could be obtainable upon originate.

Constructed on a ladder-body chassis, the Tasman can carry a payload over one tonne (1124kg) and could well per chance tow a braked load of up to 3500kg. Within the Tasman, you’ll safe an electronic trailer brake controller, automatic rear locking differential, and pressure selector for RWD, 4wd, and 4LOW.

Pricing of the Tasman starts at $42,990 sooner than on-toll road prices for the rotten 4×2 version, with 4×4 variants starting from $49,990 RRP. 5 grades rush from S, SX, SX+, X-Line up to the flagship, off-toll road-centered X-Official that prices from $74,990.

Kia Tasman 2025: Australian first pressure

EV4

Vehicle form: Fastback sedan
Launch: 2026

As a consequence of shall be found in 2026, Kia’s electrical EV4 is determined out to raise on the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, and is styled esteem a fastback sedan with pumped-up SUV undertones. A hatchback version is being produced and released in Europe, making it highly unlikely to behold Australian soil on account of increased logistics prices.

On preliminary release, the EV4 could be offered in two configurations: A rotten mannequin with 58.3kWh battery and 430km (WLTP) of fluctuate, and long fluctuate mannequin with 81.4kWh battery and 630km (WLTP) fluctuate.

Both EV4 variants exercise Kia’s 400V e-GMP electrical car chassis, headlined by preference of both a 150kW single entrance-mounted electrical motor, or dual-motor AWD that adds a 70kW rear-mounted electrical motor. This platform supports a 10-80 percent DC payment time of 29 minutes for the rotten mannequin, and 31 minutes for the long fluctuate.

Kia is lining up to originate the Slovakian-constructed EV4 hatchback into the European market soon, with legit correspondence claiming a mid-300 and sixty five days release. Manufacturing of the fastback EV4 started in South Korea in mid-March, with six variants officially on sale rapidly afterwards. Quiz the EV4 to kick off within the neighborhood at spherical $50,000.

Kia EV4 electrical sedan could be released in 2025, thought previews compose

EV2 – European Domestic Market

Vehicle form: Compact city SUV
Launch: European release 2026

Kia has confirmed a European release of the EV2, an all electrical compact SUV designed to address the narrowest of city infrastructure. The EV2 is the smallest EV produced by Kia, positioned below the newly released EV3. It is marketed as an all electrical different to the properly established Kia Stonic.

Kia Australia chief product planner, Roland Rivero, published to Chasing Automobiles that “[Kia Australia] has purchased its hand up for as many EV products below the world planning technique. But the EV2 shall be no doubt one of the most more sturdy ones [to secure for local release].”

The EV2 is produced in Slovakia to serve with conserving logistics prices as low as capacity for the European market. Without a free replace settlement between Australia and Slovakia, the EV2 is field to a five percent import tariff, plus unparalleled logistics prices to ship the vehicles to Australian shores.

Kia EV2 and EV3 confirmed in two-solid small EV SUV attack

Worldwide car enormous Geely has printed the first reliable shots of its upcoming hybrid sedan, dubbed the Galaxy A7. The four shots debuted publicly on the in style Chinese language social media platform Weibo.

Geely claims the Galaxy A7 shall be “a brand contemporary benchmark for family sedans”. This can even merely certainly rival the Toyota Camry and can merely doubtless be identical in measurement.

Currently, the exclusively reliable measurement of the A7 is its 2845mm wheelbase, or 20mm longer than its key Jap rival.

Chasing Autos reached out to Geely Australia for added remark on the Galaxy A7 and its viability for birth in the Australian market. “We won’t verify any additions to the Geely Auto Australia differ at this time,” a Geely spokesperson answered.

Alongside the reliable wheelbase measurement, Geely has posted some impressive differ and consumption figures. The claimed blended gasoline consumption of honest 2L/100km unearths the whisk-in format, backed up by a blended differ claim of 2100km.

No metric is posted alongside the figures, even though it is doubtless to be the notoriously lenient CLTC long-established.

It is no longer yet confirmed which Geely-derived PHEV plot will energy the A7, although Chasing Autos speculates this may per chance occasionally portion the twin whisk-in powerplant choices of the outgoing Geely L7 crossover SUV.

This may per chance point out one in every of two ‘Thor PHEV’ powerplants. One is the differ-topping 3DHT/EM-P plot, which combines the output of a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder, a front-mounted electric motor and three-speed hybrid transmission.

The plenty of is the intro-grade EM-i plot, which uses a much less famous 1.5-litre petrol-four, front-mounted electric motor, and single-speed hybrid transmission.

Within the Geely L7, the differ-topping powerplant moreover good points a rear-mounted electric motor, resulting in a blended output of 492kW. The detrimental model L7 ‘makes develop’ with 242kW.

We take a seat up for the identical engine, transmission, and front/all-wheel pressure choices shall be accessible in the upcoming A7.

Request the whisk-in hybrid plot to derive use of an 18.4kWh or 18.7kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, and EV-exclusively utilizing differ between 80-200km (CLTC).