Future cars

Ford Australia started taking orders on the present time (August 19) for the MY26 Mustang, which has had its core four-variant line-up confirmed for 2026 – Ecoboost Fastback auto, GT Fastback handbook and auto, GT Convertible auto.

A peculiar flee of the little-version Mustang Murky Horse Fastback – to be provided totally with a Tremec six-tempo handbook in Australia for MY26, if Chasing Vehicles’ crystal ball is reading precisely – is anticipated to be announced within the approaching months.

While the Murky Horse remains to be an in-quiz, paunchy-time variant in Ford’s US Mustang line-up, it would over again be provided as a little version in Australia due to production availability and build complexities.

When first announced in 2022, the outdated Murky Horse provided out nearly straight away, even earlier than Aussie customers knew the volume restrict would be capped at 1000 items for the MY24 Murky Horse.

When it does obtain officially announced, the MY26 Murky Horse is doubtless to face same volume restrictions, though no restrict has to this level been communicated.

The MY26 Mustang is most effortlessly identified by the introduction of two unusual colours, Orange Fury tri-coat metallic and Adriatic Blue metallic (both replacing Intense Lime Yellow metallic). But not just like the US mannequin, the Australian-market Mustang will continue with an Onyx Murky interior as the handiest offering, even when fitted with optional Recaro entrance buckets.

The People also accept as true with the preference of mild-colored Command Grey or rich Carmine Crimson seating inserts, every with suede-luxuriate in aspect bolstering, with or without the Recaros.

The Mustang GT’s 5.0-litre V8 drivetrain continues with 345kW and 550Nm, with both a Getrag six-tempo handbook or Ford’s 10-tempo computerized.

The Murky Horse bumps strength to 350kW while conserving the GT’s 550Nm torque output and will get a particular, shut-ratio Tremec six-tempo handbook transmission with a shorter remaining-drive ratio.

The MY26 Murky Horse also will get same outdated MagneRide adaptive damping and winged Recaro semi-electric entrance buckets, both of which stay alternatives on GT V8 Fastback.

Other changes for MY26 contain the removal of remote open from the keyfob (though this might peaceful be executed by the Ford Pass app) and the disappearance of an auto-dimming rear-survey contemplate (it’s now a handbook prismatic form). This follows the deletion of wireless charging from all global MY25 Mustang models.

While Ford Australia is but to officially blow their non-public horns pricing and alternatives for the Australian MY26 Mustang, all Ford sellers will accept as true with those limited print obtainable as of August 19.

Following a massive $5000 across-the-board mark upward thrust for all MY25 Mustangs on July 1, customers can seek files from an spectacular smaller amplify for the MY26 Mustang when its pricing is lastly announced.

Skoda has published a brief teaser video of its upcoming ‘Imaginative and prescient O’ conception car, which aspects swish ‘up to the moment stable’ styling cues and a production-ready form.

The teaser displays the silhouette of a mid-sized wagon, with a liftback-vogue tailgate adorning “SKODA”-lettered badging. Skoda claims the modest safe of the Imaginative and prescient O is a conception car that is ready ‘exhibiting up…in express of exhibiting off’.

Skoda’s ‘up to the moment stable’ safe language, which consists of aspects of contemporary and minimalist, prevails in the swish, aerodynamic form of the Imaginative and prescient O. The physique aspects a sloping roofline, smash up rear spoiler, and swish ‘T’ fashioned rear tail-lights.

Skoda says the Imaginative and prescient O will characteristic an EV powertrain, and will expose “the long term of Skoda in the property model segment.”

The safe and philosophy of the Imaginative and prescient O match the description of a nameless Skoda model teased earlier this year. Described by Skoda as a ‘gargantuan household car’, this model furthermore incorporates ‘up to the moment stable’ safe and ‘T’ fashioned rear lights. It is unconfirmed if this car is genuinely the Imaginative and prescient O.

The Imaginative and prescient O will premiere in Munich on September 8th.

Alternatives for sensible EV station wagons are scarce in Australia, with elongated homely-overs equivalent to the Volvo C40 and Polestar 3 typically filling the void. Top class options like Porsche’s Taycan 4 Despicable Turismo or BMW’s i5 Touring are extra ‘pure’, however come at a hefty place.

Project supervisor Daniel Edr claims the Skoda Imaginative and prescient O’s ‘functionality-first’ safe drew inspiration from early Skoda Octavia items. He went on to keep in touch about how the Imaginative and prescient O need to nonetheless embody the handy, work-centered values which surround an property physique form.

Exterior vogue designer Jounggeen Kim said that extra inspiration for the Imaginative and prescient O’s safe came from aspects of the Roomster and Yeti, particularly the bumpers and B-pillar.

Skoda published in a 2022 press liberate that three electric autos would rapidly be announced which would both incorporate ‘up to the moment stable’ safe and express beneath the Enyaq midsize electric in the model hierarchy.

The Skoda Elroq itsy-bitsy EV SUV, which was as soon as announced dull final year, indubitably suits this pledge, and so too need to nonetheless the Imaginative and prescient O. Which procedure pricing need to nonetheless fall between $50,000 and $80,000 outdated to on-street prices.

We await that the production model Imaginative and prescient O will characteristic a connected powertrain options as the Elroq, chiefly, a lithium ion battery with a nominal skill of round 80kWh, a WLTP vary between 500-600km, and rapid 10-80 p.c DC cost time of round half-hour.

Ask the Imaginative and prescient O vary to span as a minimum two items, with options of a performance dual-motor all-wheel power or long-vary single-motor rear driver. We await high strength outputs to repeat the Enyaq; 210kW/545Nm for the RWD, and 250kW/679Nm for the AWD.

As much less assailable main functions inaugurate as much as emerge in regards to the scale, weight and powertrain of the next-generation Mazda MX-5, Australian followers could perhaps well moreover make certain of one disclose: the ‘NE’ MX-5 will attain down below.

Asked whether or not Mazda Australia will bring the next-gen MX-5 to local shores, no matter its closing accomplish, managing director Vinesh Bhindi immediate Chasing Cars: “oh, certain!”

“Your entire company motivate in Japan has sturdy ambitions and desire [for] the MX-5 as our sports activities car and a super-attempting reflection of what Mazda is set by manner of Jinba Ittai and Zoom-Zoom,” mentioned Bhindi.

“Australia is not a gigantic market [for MX-5]; in markets love the US, Europe, and Japan, there are much extra [sales], but we intend to care for the MX-5 going.

“It’s with out a doubt one of my favourite autos,” Bhindi immediate Chasing Cars.

Small footprint remains with iconic SP-inspired fetch

Digital artist Theottle has imagined for Chasing Cars what the next-gen MX-5 will look love, with its straightforward surfacing, modernised lighting fixtures, taut proportions and minimal visual mass reflecting an evolutionary, in space of innovative, step.

The Chasing Cars renderings imagine the two-door roadster version of the ‘NE’ MX-5, which will proceed as the core offering, though an RF-vogue targa fastback version, well-purchased by traders, will potentially return later.

On the motivate of closed studio doorways, Mazda global fetch division overall supervisor Masashi Nakayama is overseeing the styling of the ‘NE’ MX-5, which modified into as soon as influenced by the Mazda Iconic SP belief that broke hide on the 2023 Japan Mobility Insist.

Skyactiv-Z engine upsized to 2.5-litres

Senior Mazda sources dangle already confirmed that the next MX-5 has thrilling dynamic targets.

A sub-4000mm size, sub-1000kg kerb weight, and a equally perky vitality-to-weight ratio to the hot version’s 126kW/tonne are on the playing cards.

In an April 2025 interview with US publication Street & Observe, Mazda chief technical officer Ryuichi Umeshita mentioned primarily the most main pattern priority modified into as soon as light weight.

Umeshita mentioned the original MX-5’s powertrain modified into as soon as likely to be upsized from 2.0-litres to a 2.5-litre unit to wait on out the ultimate lambda:1.0 air-gasoline combination in actuality required to lunge Euro 7 guidelines, promising a trim and ambiance pleasant gasoline burn to chop motivate emissions.

Reducing the richness of the MX-5’s air-gasoline combination in comparison with the present automobile will lead to a decrease vitality output — therefore Mazda’s solution to enhance displacement by 500cc to compensate for this.

Book stays, no hybrid or electrical MX-5 for now

That is typically main as the ‘NE’ is not expected to carry out a turbocharger, though makes an try to attach away with the manual transmission were staved off in the name of conserving followers pleased for as prolonged as that you must to perhaps well perhaps judge of.

The 2.5-litre engine is widely expected to be sourced from Mazda’s original-generation ‘Skyactiv-Z’ inside combustion (ICE) powertrain family, which could dangle peaceable and entire hybrid systems bolted onto it.

Nonetheless for now, the ‘NE’ MX-5 is belief to dangle resisted the need for even a peaceable hybrid plan, though advancing emissions guidelines in Europe (and Australia) could perhaps well necessitate such technology in future and the powertrain shall be in a position to this.

Mazda engineers did glance turning the MX-5 into a battery electrical automobile (BEV) but battery technology has not developed immediate sufficient to wait on surely light weight in this type of car.

Mazda has filed patents in the United States exhibiting a non-skateboard BEV platform for a two-door sports activities car that uses a T-shaped battery, plus a minute extra battery below the passenger seat, for superior weight distribution.

This fetch shall be extinct for a special Mazda sports activities car that is bigger than an MX-5 in the raze.

Timing could perhaps well interrogate ‘NE’ printed 2027 for 2028 initiating

Unknowns in regards to the ‘NE’ consist of its accurate vitality/torque outputs, RPM restrict, plus the sound and persona of the original engine. Questions exist in regards to the persona of its infotainment and ADAS instrument stack.

Australian Mazda boss Bhindi warned that the ‘NE’ is “not instantaneous” and that the fourth gen ‘ND’, which launched 10 years previously in 2015, is “right here to halt” in the in the meantime.

That’s partially because Mazda’s original hybrid Skyactiv-Z ICE engines are not yet ready for manufacturing, with prototypes of the CX-5 midsize SUV carrying ‘Z’ family powertrains unlikely to hit the avenue till 2026.

At this stage, the ‘NE’ MX-5 is expected to break hide in 2027 for a that you must to perhaps well perhaps judge of Australian initiating in 2028.

Seven versions of the ‘ND’ are supplied domestically, all utilising a 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder and both a six-skedaddle manual or automatic.

Pricing for the 3915mm-prolonged ‘ND’ ranges from $42,735 to $56,885.

Gross sales of the ‘ND’ in Australia dangle stabilised in recent years, bouncing motivate from their nadir of 495 units in 2022 to 653 (2023) and 662 (2025). The recent gen’s finest success modified into as soon as stumbled on straight away after initiating in 2016 (1577 gross sales) and 2017 (1459).

MG has confirmed this might perchance perhaps perhaps release a unique MG4 to the Australian market within the 2nd quarter of 2026 with a vastly assorted methodology to powertrain than essentially the most contemporary model.

No matter the title, the upcoming entrance-driven MG4 can bear nothing in frequent with essentially the most contemporary market AWD and RWD, which might perchance perchance perhaps perchance be acknowledged to dwell on sale alongside the FWD variations as ‘top class picks’.

MG claims that upon originate, the unique MG4 will be even more cost-effective than essentially the most contemporary model’s defective Excite 51 variant, which is priced at $37,990 driveaway. As it stands, the MG4 is already one amongst essentially the most more cost-effective and properly regarded tiny EVs within the marketplace.

A straight forward, entrance-driven MG4 with even sharper pricing might perchance perchance perhaps perchance set the likes of the $39,000 Hyundai Inster, $33,990* GWM Ora and even the $29,990 BYD Dolphin on their toes. All costs shown are earlier than on-road costs.

*Decide shown currently represents promotional driveaway imprint till September 30 2025.

MG is but to verify market-particular tiny print for its upcoming MG4 FWD, which has already long previous on sale in China. Chinese market FWDs before the entire lot launched with a different of two lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries and a beginning imprint of 73,800 yuan (~$AUD16,000).

The two LFP batteries are 43 kWh and 54 kWh, with differ figures of 437km and 530km respectively. Rapid DC charging from 30-80 percent takes 20 minutes, and moderate consumption is rated at 10.4kWh/100km. All figures quoted are measured on the lenient CLTC scale.

Extra lively, on the different hand, is the further Chinese MG4 originate slated to elevate station on September fifth. Guardian firm SAIC says the originate highlight is a semi-solid instruct battery – the essential of its form to characteristic in a production automobile.

It’s unclear which battery configuration is in all likelihood for Australia, nonetheless in accordance with MG’s endured proposition of cost, it is miles likely we can fail to mark the cutting edge tech.

MG has already confirmed that entrance-driven Australian model MG4’s will originate with a different of 43kWh or 54kWh batteries when they attain subsequent year, matching the Chinese LFP models.

Dimensionally, the FWD MG4 is swiftly bigger than its rear-driven counterpart, measuring over 100mm longer with measurements of 4395mm in length, 1842mm of width, and 1551mm of height. The wheelbase has additionally extended from 2705mm to 2750mm.

The upcoming entrance-driver is additionally much less extremely efficient than the local defective model Excite 51, outputting 120kW/250Nm to the Excite’s 125kW/250Nm. The two models are constructed on completely assorted platforms, with the FWD making employ of SAIC’s E3 ‘pure-EV’ platform.

Expected tech highlights encompass a 15.6-high-tail infotainment touch cloak and ventilated 50-watt wireless instrument charger.

MG has confirmed this might perchance perhaps perhaps soon elevate pricing of the total MG4 differ forward of the unique models release subsequent year. We dwell up for that the upcoming originate will coincide with updates, whether or now not that be cosmetic or technological, to essentially the most contemporary model.

Sizzling on the heels of the liberate of absorbing pricing for the Zeekr 7X battery electric (BEV) crossover—a Tesla Model Y rival—the Chinese language luxury carmaker is planning to amplify from BEVs to race-in hybrids (PHEVs) in Australia.

Zeekr Australia’s fresh managing director, Frank Li, who simultaneously holds the appointment of vp of Zeekr World, has been dispatched to bustle the native outfit from Sydney.

Li’s first gargantuan pass as chief may perchance be to enhance the Zeekr lineup from three BEVs to no longer decrease than one ‘Huge Hybrid’ PHEV in 2026. This may perchance increasingly also merely nearly with out a doubt be the as-but unrevealed Zeekr 8X midsize to very massive SUV.

Additionally excessive on Zeekr’s consideration listing is the 007GT BEV site wagon, a distinct section mannequin that can perchance well allure to at the new time’s BMW 330i Touring or Audi A4 Avant clients who can’t stretch to a Porsche Taycan Disagreeable Turismo.

Li is additionally desirous about making a brash assertion by bringing the Zeekr 9X to Australia. The 9X is China’s 5239mm-long reply to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, costing about AUD$150,000 in the Chinese language market.

Nonetheless, Li and diverse Zeekr executives are keenly mindful that there are worthy more clients attempting in the sub-$100,000 midsize and enormous SUV segments, which is the achieve the 8X will play.

Zeekr 8X PHEV corporations as attach’s first hybrid for Australia

The 8X is decided to be published in humdrum 2025 for an early 2026 initiate, with notice shots revealing a boxy form and the opportunity of six seats. BEV and PHEV powertrains are deliberate for the fresh mannequin.

“I may bring some demo autos to Australia to let media and clients evaluate,” Frank Li, Zeekr Australia managing director (and head of Zeekr World) suggested Chasing Autos.

Renders of the Zeekr 8X had been sourced via Chinese language social media site ‘Weibo’ via the individual ‘SugarDesigns‘.

“A 007 GT is on the methodology. We’re going to eavesdrop on clients [and ask], if this automobile comes, will you pick out it? Are any adjustments wished? I may enact the the same part for the 8X and the 9X as wisely, and then we can originate a resolution consistent with buyer feedback,” stated Li.

The 8X PHEV mannequin would take a seat straight above the fresh 7X BEV, which has been priced from $57,900 plus on-boulevard costs to straight goal the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Volkswagen ID.4 and IM6.

8X more seemingly than 9X, but both below finish consideration

Pressed on whether or no longer the 8X modified into once the more seemingly Huge Hybrid PHEV to come to Australia, when when in contrast with the extremely gigantic 9X (which is decided to cost spherical $150,000 in China), Zeekr boss Li agreed.

“Referring to the quantity standpoint, the 8X no doubt may perchance perchance well maintain more [sales] quantity than 9X.

“9X is an higher-massive SUV. But referring to attach positioning, 9X is a product that reveals what luxury is—like a halo automobile, like our 009 Sizable. Both [9X and 8X] are gargantuan. It is miles tough to resolve,” Li stated.

A 2026 liberate window for the first hybrid modified into once confirmed by Zeekr Australia’s head of possession abilities Matt McCroarey, who beforehand worked at Polestar.

“Will we herald Huge Hybrids, which Zeekr already has? We’re going to guarantee there may perchance be something that comes subsequent year,” McCroarey suggested Chasing Autos.

Huge Hybrid has change into something of a generic commerce title for race-in hybrid (PHEV) autos with fluctuate exceeding 100km or thereabouts.

Whereas the 9X would require heavy re-engineering in uncover for it to be inbuilt lawful-hand force (RHD), the 8X is continuously ready to pass from the originate. Like the 7X BEV, RHD is known to had been section of the 8X belief.

It’s official: Hyundai is producing a ute, however don’t ask a Kia Tasman clone, on account of the Korean set apart is coming into into with American firm General Motors (GM).

And furthermore don’t ask it to be a shoe-in here, on account of the collaboration is ready breaking into the Central and South American markets, as smartly as North The United States.

GM will take the lead on surroundings up the joint project’s ‘mid-size’ (which approach one-tonne Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger competitor) pick-up ute platform. The car will originate in 2028 as previously reported.

Additionally spawning from the tie-up shall be a mid-size SUV, a passenger automobile, and automobile-primarily based fully ute — presumably a note-up of Hyundai’s a success Santa Cruz.

Hyundai and GM command these autos shall be ready for internal combustion and hybrid powertrains, with no mention of pure electric energy.

President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company José Muñoz stated “Hyundai’s strategic collaboration with GM will abet us continue to bring fee and approach to our customers throughout a couple of automobile segments and markets.”

Hyundai’s ute received’t be a Tasman clone

The partnership between GM and Hyundai will abet Hyundai dwell a ways off from tariffs in the US in conjunction with promote GM’s growth into Central and South The United States.

This approach that the physique-on-physique mid-size ute produced in collaboration will no longer be inbuilt Korea, on the least for North The United States. Transport prices and inquire for the ute come its manufacturing dwelling would likely create it fee prohibitive for Australia.

Nevertheless Hyundai Australia CEO Don Romano restful has his hand up for a ute.

That stated, it’s unlikely to be an instantaneous rival to the established Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and fresh Kia Tasman.

“[The future ute model] can’t be one other diesel… I don’t think Australia wants one other diesel [ute]. In case you behold at utes [in terms of sales] total, you’re going to undercover agent a decline in volume this yr,” cautioned Romano talking to Chasing Cars.

“Australia is a magnificent portion of this, however [Hyundai Motor Company] furthermore has somewhat heaps of assorted markets. And in disagreement to Kia Tasman…we would part this truck with the US on account of Tasman doesn’t sprint to the States,” Romano explained.

Chasing Cars understands the Kia Tasman has been designed with electrification in thoughts, though it’s more likely to be hybrid in set apart of battery electric (BEV) with unstable inquire for that selection of powertrain.

Being later to market than Kia will give Hyundai a giant gamble to restful down and behold what happens, with fresh names love the BYD Shark 6 stride-in hybrid proving popular — on the least at first — Hyundai’s fresh ute might possibly possibly comprise elevated electrification.

Cupra will proceed its native model offensive with the Cupra Raval – a compact hot hatch shaping as a lot as grow to be the battery electrical (BEV) equal to cult favourites fancy the Hyundai i20 N and Volkswagen Polo GTI.

A huge SUV is moreover situation to advance to Australia to sit down on the loads of cease of Cupra’s model spectrum.

The VW Community’s Spanish brand is aiming to withhold the accelerator planted on its Australian vary expansion, following most as a lot as the moment launches of the Terramar petrol/hybrid and Tavascan electrical midsize SUVs.

Spain’s electrical Mini Cooper locked in for Australia

With the Raval situation to be published in gradual 2025, with production kicking off at Cupra’s Martorell, Spain manufacturing facility, an Australian birth might perhaps perhaps squeeze into gradual 2026 even though early 2027 is extra seemingly.

“Raval is one thing we’re working very powerful to bring to Australia as like a flash as we will. There’ll be heaps of recordsdata against the cease of the year, and early 2026, at a world level and I’m able to’t wait to conception the closing remark,” Cupra Australia’s head of selling, Jeff Shafer, suggested Chasing Vehicles.

The electrical-finest Raval is in accordance with a lower-brand model of the Volkswagen Community’s MEB Entry platform. Cupra led the vogue of the front-wheel-pressure firecracker, that can allotment a production line with the Volkswagen ID.2 and Skoda Epiq.

The Raval is the production model of the Urban Insurrection conception. It would measure around 4036mm in dimension (on a 2600mm wheelbase) with height of about 1576mm, making it identical in dimension to the three-door Mini Cooper.

In Europe, two Spain-built batteries will be obtainable (of around 38kWh and 56kWh in usable capability) with the longest-vary model offering about 450km, even though primarily the most as a lot as this point high-efficiency tidy, which is asserted to beget 166kW of energy, can beget a little less vary.

Whereas BEVs sold in Australia beget tended to be aware of lengthy vary to allay purchaser anxieties, native Cupra executives judge Aussies will initiate as a lot as settle for that some BEVs can beget less vary than others, opening them as a lot as second-car discipline alongside one thing with a greater battery.

“We desire to present a replacement for purchasers who beget assorted wants of their commuting. There might perhaps perhaps perhaps be a car (of their storage) that is extra outdated as a predominant car, and therefore it wants to be a little extra of an all-rounder,” Shafer acknowledged.

“There are some autos that can perhaps perhaps be extra enraged by being the second car in a family, they normally on the total is a little extra city-focused and about that compact dimension that works properly within the city. Raval if truth be told has a home interior that framework.”

Massive Cupra SUV composed to advance despite The United States difficulties

On the lengthy-vary front, Cupra Australia’s assorted BEVs get the job done – the Tavascan midsize SUV offers 534km vary (WLTP) in Persistence tidy, while the Born hatch returns in 2026, in hotter VZ tidy, with 557km vary (WLTP). A smaller battery Born tidy will apply at a less dear brand.

On the loads of cease of the vary, Chasing Vehicles understands that vogue continues on an infinite Cupra SUV model despite the Spanish efficiency arm of the Volkswagen Community deferring its entry to the United States market attributable to tariffs and wobbling BEV search knowledge from there.

Understood to be a five-seater, in preference to a seven-seater, the massive SUV turn out to be intended to be electrical-finest and turn out to be described by then-Cupra chief executive Wayne Griffiths as “rather gargantuan for Europe [and] gargantuan ample for the US.”

Below the skin, the Cupra huge SUV is meant to use the Volkswagen Community’s SSP platform, which ought to be involving for production in 2028, even though extra delays to SSP might perhaps perhaps situation off a shift to the PPE platform utilised by the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 E-tron.

Whereas the deferral of US market entry might perhaps perhaps moreover delay the massive Cupra SUV, rising European preferences for crossovers – as properly as the outlet within the brand’s native lineup which is capped by the 4644mm-lengthy Tavascan midsizer – skill causes composed exist to head ahead.

“At Cupra we scrutinize product as very a lot a world narrate. It is not a brand that tends to construct product for Europe and [other] product for the leisure of the world [such as] the US,” acknowledged Shafer.

“In case you conception on the [Cupra Australia] vary, we provide the beefy spectrum right here. There are discussions about a greater SUV, which can perhaps be directed on the US market nonetheless obtainable to assorted markets fancy Australia. I tell there might perhaps be room for a product fancy that in our vary.”

Subsequent-gen Formentor progressing, Darkish Insurrection risky Whereas Cupra remains enraged about building a production model of the Darkish Insurrection supercar/shooting brake conception, headwinds exaggerated by global financial stipulations beget doubtlessly lowered its probability.

Work is moreover progressing on the second-generation of the Formentor little/midsize SUV, which is Cupra’s global simplest-vendor. Whereas the next-gen Formentor turn out to be moreover intended to use SSP as a BEV-finest model, it is now not identified whether or now not Cupra will withhold a combustion model alive lengthy-term.

For the time being, Cupra plans to tweak its Australian lineup to amplify the role performed by BEV objects, and paddle-in hybrid (PHEV) tidy grades, over time, alongside side in the end in high-efficiency grades that, fancy the Formentor VZx and Leon VZx, for the time being use non-hybrid turbo petrols.

“We’ll be taking a scrutinize at how (Cupra) engines evolve over time, so as that even engines on the (high) efficiency cease of the spectrum can make the most of assorted applied sciences being utilized,” Shafer acknowledged.

“We might perhaps perhaps be taking a scrutinize at what we will construct with our electrified car vary in terms of making obvious that we’re balancing out the portfolio – now we beget extra BEVs within the pipeline as properly.”

Recordsdata continues to trickle out slowly on Hyundai’s now-confirmed first-ever body-on-frame ute, though currently appointed Hyundai Motor Firm Australia chief executive officer, Dom Romano, continues to quash hopes that current diesel energy will seemingly be an option at desirous about Aussie investors.

“[The future ute model] can’t be yet any other diesel,” Romano if truth be told useful Chasing Autos at a most up-to-date media event. “I don’t take into accout Australia wants yet any other diesel [ute]. Within the event you detect at utes [in terms of sales] total, you’re going to undercover agent a decline in quantity this three hundred and sixty five days.”

“And I don’t take into accout the sector wants yet any other diesel ute.”

What’s changing into clear is that Hyundai’s ute is a world fashion.

And whatever form it takes, Hyundai Australia will tranquil wish to marketing campaign head office in Korea for its inclusion into the local market, the utilization of a powertrain that easiest suits both buyer trends and the affect of the rollout of the Australian federal executive’s Recent Autos Effectivity Standards.

“Australia is a large section of this, nonetheless [Hyundai Motor Company] also has loads of other markets. And in inequity to Kia Tasman…we would portion this truck with the US because Tasman doesn’t journey to the States,” Romano outlined.

“I will’t acknowledge [about diesel viability] from an R&D perspective on a world foundation nonetheless…our space right here in Australia is that we don’t need yet any other diesel.”

“Pondering about what [Hyundai globally does] and what we attain completely, now we want to search out at [the] options. And I will’t reveal you whether that’s a PHEV (dawdle-in hybrid), an HEV (hybrid) or BEV [fully electric], nonetheless these are the selections that wish to be practical as…these are the areas that give us opportunity.”

Moreover, adopting ICE or hybrid powertrain solution(s) easiest fit for world consumption, in particular for key North American and Asia Pacific markets the set up the ute would possibly presumably be equipped, would completely fabricate Hyundai Australia’s swap case to Korea more streamlined and ease rigidity on the set up’s suggestions around future NVES targets.

Unique gross sales success for BYD’s petrol-electrical Shark 6 ute can be very grand on Hyundai Australia’s radar.

“We’re observing very intently – you can additionally undercover agent what the Shark has performed,” Romano said.

“Search for at what [BYD] has equipped within the closing three months, after which detect at how Hilux and Ranger personal near down within the closing three months – it’s virtually unit for unit. It does exclaim that there’s a market for a optimistic expertise [to diesel] obtainable.”

Hyundai is cheering on Kia Tasman to success

Asked as to whether the rising gross sales fortunes of the newly launched Kia Tasman would possibly presumably additionally have an effect on any push for diesel energy in Hyundai’s ute, Romano spoke back “no, I don’t take into accout so”.

On the alternative hand, Hyundai Australia admitted that this can additionally be keenly observing the fortunes of the Tasman ute on the alternative hand, and hoping for success for its company cousin from the sidelines.

“We attain desire [rival] Kia to reach success [with Tasman] because shapely now we undercover agent a decline in total gross sales [utes],” Romano printed. “It’s a segment we desire to be in [and] we desire so as to disguise our sister firm [to Hyundai Motor Company in Korea] to claim ‘detect on the success they had’.”

Would possibly perchance well well tariffs railroad Hyundai’s new ute timing?

As reported by Chasing Autos months lend a hand, Romano had confirmed that the resolution to refit Tasman or journey alongside with GM product would possibly presumably be made by the cease of this three hundred and sixty five days. Either manner, Romano confirms this can additionally be “mid-measurement” – aka, Ranger, Tasman, Shark 6 measurement – and “one tonne”.

On the alternative hand, timing for a release, Romano outlined, is a provocative target.

“The ideal lengthen shapely now that now we personal is no longer snappily-witted what’s going on with the [shifting global trade] tariffs,” Romano said, including weight to the yarn that Hyundai’s ute fortunes locally are intrinsically tied to those globally.

Romano explains that whereas tariff outcomes between the US and Japan, and the US and Europe, seem to be resolved, “we attain no longer personal an agreement [between] South Korea and the US [yet].” (It’s reported that the US and South Korea arrived at a 15 p.c tariff ‘swap deal’ days after this interview.)

“That’s going to personal ripple effects across the globe for [Hyundai Motor Company]…so there are loads of complications at play shapely now with our firm on a world foundation… Let’s hope [global tariffs resolution] all gets resolved soon and I will rep lend a hand to you and exclaim, k, right here’s the set up we’re at [with timing].”

“We’re working [on the ute] at corpulent hotfoot…[but]…if it takes a further three hundred and sixty five days, it’s charge the time.”

Kia is planning a Tasman SUV mannequin to purpose Toyota Prado and Ford Everest investors in Australia, with negotiations going on all the draw by the Kia industry to invent definite sufficient world demand to inexperienced-light the 4wd wagon.

Early development work is identified to relish already been completed on the Tasman SUV. The resolution to identify such automobile modified into once made in expose to maximise the commercial success of the logo-recent ladder physique designed exclusively for the Tasman ute at extensive expense.

For Kia Australia, the Tasman SUV will be a fabricated from necessity. A years-prolonged effort to lobby impress headquarters in Seoul to import the US-built Telluride three-row SUV to Australia has failed, with local Kia chiefs now writing off the chance the Telluride will ever attain to Australia.

Australia has voted “yes” to the Tasman SUV, and a diplomatic effort is now underway to acquire the back of Kia distributors in South Africa, the Middle East and South The United States to conform to promote a sufficient volume of the Isuzu MU-X rival to justify ending development of the wagon.

“The industry case would [then] solidify, and I deem [Tasman SUV] would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps presumably be the subsequent thing you’d glimpse coming our manner,” Kia approved manager of product planning Roland Rivero told Chasing Cars.

Tasman SUV seen as extensive opportunity in Australia

Whereas the Telluride is a unibody, automobile-essentially essentially essentially based SUV and would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps additionally be described as a cousin of the Hyundai Palisade (which is provided in Australia), the Tasman SUV would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps presumably be a with out a doubt rugged four-wheel drive with the an analogous physique-on-physique gather as a Tasman. It can presumably perhaps presumably be a Prado rival right here.

“[Tasman SUV] would relish an enormous goal to play,” acknowledged Rivero.

“The extensive SUV class would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps be divided into monocoque versus ladder physique, and there’s a chunk of overlap in between, nonetheless to a extensive extent potentialities buying ladder physique SUVs relish a definitive need. They need in explain to tow, traipse off-highway, a chunk extra than the college high-tail.”

Kia planners are no longer interested by cannibalisation of sales of the smaller Sorento seven-seat SUV in Australia which would possibly perhaps presumably perhaps presumably be anticipated to continue available in the market even supposing the Tasman SUV eventuates, specifically as a result of Sorento will increasingly be provided with hybrid powertrains.

Additional, the recent Kia Tasman ute, which launches in Australia this week, is attracting potentialities intending to use that automobile for both work and play whereas a Tasman SUV would essentially be a family wagon capable of off-roading.

“We would glimpse it as largely incremental industry [on top of Sorento and Tasman],” acknowledged Rivero.

Kia rejected Australia’s demand for Telluride SUV

Meanwhile, Kia is inserting the ending touches on the 2d-expertise Telluride, that can traipse into production in Georgia, USA later this yr. The inaugural Telluride, which measured 5000mm prolonged, met with wild reputation in the US market.

“If I modified into once going to identify my cash on which one would glimpse the sunshine of day for Australia, I’d be leaning towards a Tasman SUV,” acknowledged Rivero.

While Rivero and rather a few senior Kia Australia workers entreated head place of job in Seoul to either allocate some US production of the Telluride to Australia—or to assemble the Telluride in Korea, because the Hyundai Palisade is—Kia has made a last resolution to back Telluride for The United States.

“I’ll be excellent, I love the Telluride,” acknowledged Rivero. “The recent expertise, which I’ve seen in the flesh and in clay mannequin, appears fabulous. I deem it would possibly perhaps perhaps perhaps presumably perhaps presumably promote very correctly, worthy relish the Palisade is doing for Hyundai.

“But as worthy as we relish asked for it, the Georgia factory can no longer back up with North American demand and it would possibly perhaps perhaps perhaps presumably perhaps presumably invent no industry sense for them in an effort to add complexity to the production line for actual-hand drive after they’re struggling to meet demand of their relish.

“Sadly, I don’t glimpse Telluride ever making its manner to Australia,” Rivero acknowledged.

Hyundai and Kia are sister brands all the draw by the Hyundai Motor Company, and the head marque is at the 2d playing a transparent high-tail in the gigantic three-row SUV set in the neighborhood. The Palisade, that can imminently get replaced with a 2d-gen version, amassed 3062 local sales in 2024.

Quiet, the smaller Kia Sorento managed 9791 deliveries in the an analogous duration.

The chance is even greater for a Tasman SUV-style rugged four-wheel drive, alternatively. Within the first six months of 2025, Toyota has provided 15,583 Prados in Australia, trailed by the Ford Everest’s 12,294 deliveries.

Honda has confirmed the Prelude will approach in Australia in mid-2026, returning the coupe body style to the native lineup for the first time because the NSX left in 2020.

Unveiled in principle maintain final 365 days, the sixth-period Prelude sits on the identical platform as the Civic and is expected to be equipped with a identical ‘e:HEV’ hybrid system as the in the neighborhood equipped hatch.

That contains a 2+2 setup, the Prelude is expected to be a more cheap replacement to sports activities vehicles similar to the Ford Mustang (from $71,990 earlier than on-roads) and BMW 2 Assortment coupe (from $seventy nine,100), though it is going to probably attract a elevated trace than the likes of the Mazda MX-5 (from$42,140) or Subaru BRZ (from $44,290).

Historically, the Prelude change into seen as an approachable sports activities car in Honda’s lineup that appealed to better than correct gear heads; one thing native Honda executives had been desirous to stress with the most up-to-date period, per chance unsurprisingly, on condition that gross sales of two-door coupes continue to dawdle globally.

With a sturdy point of interest on softer ranking and a frugal hybrid system, the Prelude looks to be a undeniable solution to efficiency vehicles than what we’ve seen from the Civic Kind R, or its more luxurious sibling in the Acura Integra Kind S equipped in North The US.

Prelude to feature proper Kind R DNA

While a Kind R variant has no longer been confirmed, Honda published final week that the Prelude will probably be geared up with the identical dual-axis suspension, wider front and rear song and Brembo brake bundle as the Civic hot hatch.

The intent is to supply sharper facing and driver engagement befitting of a coupe-style car – one thing Honda showed off when the Prelude made an look on the Goodwood Competition of Bustle earlier this 365 days.

Rumours be pleased swirled spherical a Kind S or even Kind R-badged version, though early whispers imply this is in a position to probably feature a modified hybrid drivetrain with ‘simulated’ gears, fairly than the 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder linked to a six-velocity handbook transmission, as conceal in the flagship Civic.

What’s under the bonnet?

At launch, Honda will solely provide its e:HEV assortment-parallel or ‘plod-less’ hybrid system in the Prelude, probably the identical unit as what’s conceal in the present Civic.

That system employs a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 105kW at 6000rpm and 186Nm at 4500rpm; connected to a twin electric motor step with one largely tasked as a generator to top up the 1.05kWh battery, and the replacement sending 135kW/315Nm to the front wheels at low speeds.

The hybrid system, also learned on the CR-V midsize SUV, locks the petrol engine straight away to the front wheels at toll road speeds to make better effectivity.

Just like Toyota, Honda employs a planetary gearset, functioning equally to a CVT transmission, for the automatic transmission.

The terminate consequence’s a fairly spectacular combined fuel financial system claim of 4.2L/100km in the hybrid Civic.

Despite the real fact that the Prelude change into famously the first production car to supply all-wheel steering, it’s unclear if this feature will make a return for the new period.