Future cars

Xpeng has confirmed a serious share of its MY26 product rollout, detailing initiating recordsdata for its next-gen G6 midsize electric SUV, X9 beautiful folk mover, and G9 – referred to in most modern media as the G9L – beautiful flagship SUV.

First on the slicing block will be the G6 midsize electric, for the time being on sale in Australia, that would merely reportedly be upgraded to a singular generation unhurried into the first quarter of 2026.

In China, the updated Xpeng is already readily accessible, with principal adjustments collectively with unique front and rear clip, wheel designs, somewhat of larger 10.25-lunge cluster, a 15.6-lunge infotainment display conceal conceal, and a bigger battery – now 68.5kWh.

A wide range of these enhancements will likely accumulate their come into the Australian market.

The ‘unique G6’ is already complied with Australian Create Rules, and has been spied by being examined on Australian roads. It’s some distance extra likely that the upcoming G6 is an change on the present mannequin, in desire to a unconditionally unique generation.

Next to come will be Xpeng’s seven-seat X9 folk-mover, slated to debut in the community in the second quarter of 2026.

Few local specs for the X9 are readily accessible, aside from a 23-speaker sound system, second row ‘captains chairs’ with electronic adjustment, rubdown and recline, customary-equipped rear-axle steering, and ‘XPNG’ driver aid performance.

In China, the X9 measures 5293mm lengthy, 1988mm wide, and 1785mm enormous, with a 3160mm wheelbase. It offers a lot of 84.5kWh LFP or 101.5kWh NMC battery, producing a WLTP vary of 500 or 590km respectively.

Rapidly 10-80 DC charging takes 20 minutes, peaking at both 283kW (85.4kWh) or 317kW (101.5kWh). AC charging peaks at 11kW for every battery sizes.

No matter battery preference, the X9 is front-wheel pressure, that comprises 800-volt electronic structure and a blended output of 235kW / 450Nm. Quiz local specs to be identical.

Final on Xpeng’s early Christmas wishlist is its beautiful G9 electric flagship SUV, space to initiating in next year’s fourth quarter. We tag that most modern reviews from Xpeng direct over with this car as ‘G9L’ — it’s presumed the two automobiles are one in the the same, with ‘L’ likely a designation for ‘lengthy wheelbase’.

Xpeng has teased some local specs for its G9/G9L earlier than its Q4 initiating, collectively with a WLTP vary of 570km, kind of rear or all-wheel pressure, a speedy 10-80 percent DC payment time of 20 minutes (with 300kW top), and air suspension for top rate excellent-grades.

Other local aspects to debut contain relaxed-shut doors, 22-speaker sound system, a series of driver security aids, electronic seat adjustment front and rear (with non-mandatory warmth and rubdown), and Nappa leather-primarily based interior excellent.

Also announced by Xpeng had been ‘two to just a few extra Xpeng automobiles’  likely for Australia. The for the time being unknown objects are space to come ‘in the very lengthy time length’.

Jason Clarke, CEO of TrueEV (Xpeng’s local importer) divulged; “These unique automobiles replicate XPENG’s lengthy-time length ambitions for the Australian market.”

Extra recordsdata on Xpeng’s unique objects, collectively with local market specification, is yet to be disclosed. An decent announcement from Xpeng referring to its X9 MPV is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, with one more for the G9 SUV to employ in the third quarter.

Chinese carmaker GAC arrives this month on Australian shores with two SUVs and a minivan, nonetheless it indubitably already has its sights residing firmly on some of the nation’s most lucrative segments: dual-cab utes.

Having published the brutalist, futuristic “PICKUP 01” idea on the 2025 Auto Shanghai motor present, fashion of the GAC ute is all of a sudden progressing in direction of what Chinese media has reported will seemingly be a 2027 birth date.

Now, GAC’s most senior executive for non-China markets has confirmed that the ute will utilise a hotfoot-in hybrid powertrain, and it would be backed with a petroleum — no longer diesel — engine.

“At the Shanghai Auto Uncover in April this year, GAC Neighborhood confirmed a hybrid pick-up as a idea automotive. We are making some preparations on this regard,” said Wayne Wei, president of GAC World — the division of the firm that contains 84 non-China markets.

“Now we non-public a cramped bit be taught about the prospects of introducing a ‘recent energy’ pick-up into the Australian market, to spy Australian customer demands and articulate the product,” Wei published.

Chinese producers in overall take a look at with partial and fully-electrified automobiles as ‘recent energy’ — in self-discipline of pure combustion.

Toddle-in hybrid powertrain favoured for GAC ute

Wei, who has executive oversight over GAC in the Australian market, confirmed that the carmaker sees hybrid powertrains as the actual fit for the ute and fascinating SUV segments because of prospects can resolve to bustle in electric or gasoline-powered modes.

“Our be taught has proven that for fascinating-size automobiles, as an instance pick-americaand SUVs, per chance the hotfoot-in hybrid is a real different.”

Quizzed about whether or no longer a pick-up is one thing GAC wants in Australia, Wei agreed: “it is seemingly you’ll per chance per chance also be real.”

GAC sees the pick-up segment as a growth different. No matter dual-cabs accounting for handiest spherical one percent of China’s recent automotive market (mute a sizeable 400,000 objects), approximately six million pick-americaare sold globally per annum.

Chasing Automobiles understands that Australia, the Middle East, South The usa and Mexico will seemingly be the target markets for the manufacturing version of the GAC ute.

In the neighborhood, the BYD Shark 6 hotfoot-in hybrid ute has established itself strongly in the twin-cab segment this year, with more than 15,000 deliveries to the tip of October representing an 8.5 percent market fragment.

PICKUP 01 idea gives hints for manufacturing GAC ute

Cosmetically, the ute became as soon as foreshadowed by the PICKUP 01 idea, which — treasure the Tesla Cybertruck — has a stainless-steel exoskeleton.

While the eventual manufacturing GAC ute will seemingly be pared-wait on when put next with the idea, the Guangzhou-basically basically based carmaker has foreshadowed that the pick-up will seemingly be a top charge contender in desire to a piece truck.

The idea that, which is declared to sit down down on the GAC Adaptive Shimmering Structure (GAIA platform) has camera-told ‘shining’ adaptive suspension, a PHEV system and a reported 12,000Nm of torque on hand on the wheels.

BYD will rapidly commence a sprint-in hybrid (PHEV) model of the Atto 2 little SUV in Europe and the UK with 1020km of total riding vary, with Australia firming to obtain the hybrid model.

The PHEV would be an extended-vary and more inexpensive quite rather a lot of to the Atto 2 BEV that launched in Australia this week from $31,990 plus on-toll road prices, with 345km of electrical riding vary.

BYD Australia executives indulge in told Chasing Cars that they see principal doable in a hybrid little SUV — and that they are evaluating the Atto 2 PHEV and the plan in which it would fit into the native lineup.

The Atto 2 is being in-built China in both BEV and PHEV codecs and with a unfold of battery sizes — and if truth be told the entire Atto 2 menu is available within the market to BYD Australia product planners.

BYD Australia says there might be “monumental set a matter to” for hybrid little SUVs

BYD pulled the covers off the Atto 2 PHEV in gradual October at a rapid gross sales convention in Luxembourg, with first customer deliveries of the hybrid model set to take region in Europe in early 2026.

The European Union levies heavy tariffs on BEVs imported from China but PHEVs are exempt — so BYD has pulled laborious on the sprint-in hybrid lever for Europe, with Australia likely to moreover benefit.

“Is there a market right here for a automobile like [the Atto 2 PHEV?] Fully there might be,” BYD Australia chief product officer Sajid Hasan told Chasing Cars at the commence of the Atto 2 BEV.

“There is monumental, monumental set a matter to and gross sales volumes in ICE and hybrid [small SUV] powertrains. The compatible hybrids we obtain are PHEVs. I suspect the product we would potentially be introducing in that set would be a PHEV, and I’d fancy to detect one thing in that set.”

That sentiment turned into echoed by BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins.

“What puts us in a upright region is that we’ve got both [EV and PHEV powertrains] successfully-lined. The set we are able to, a chunk like the Atto 2 dialogue, where we are able to possibly indulge in both, we would indulge in both,” he acknowledged.

Atto 2 PHEV confirmed for Europe, Australia would be next

Enter the Atto 2 PHEV, which makes exercise of similar “DM-i” sprint-in tech to the BYD Sealion 6 midsize SUV, but in a decrease express of tune.

In Australia, BYD will increasingly promote models with both PHEV and BEV powertrains to cater for customers with varied requirements.

“Now we indulge in both powertrains available within the market, and we are able to detect to provide that for most of our automobiles,” acknowledged product boss Hasan.

BYD has no longer published energy outputs and battery sizes, but the Atto 2 PHEV will nearly undoubtedly combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a front electrical motor and an LFP ‘Blade’ battery with around 19kWh skill.

The four-cylinder combustion engine acts basically as a generator for the battery — meaning the Atto 2 PHEV will power akin to the BEV more ceaselessly than no longer — although the petrol mill can power the front wheels straight away at motorway speeds.

Total riding vary for the Atto 2 PHEV has been confirmed by BYD to be 1020km with electrical-supreme operating of 90km. Both AC and DC charging are likely to be supported for the battery while long-distance riding is eased by the flexibility to occupy up with petrol.

The Atto 2 hybrid would likely be more inexpensive than the electrical model

Pricewise, Chasing Cars predicts that the Atto 2 PHEV would be around five per cent more inexpensive than the BEV, with a that you simply’re going to be ready to think of beginning price of $29,990 plus on-toll road prices, when put next with $31,990 + ORCs for the BEV.

That more or much less pricing would obtain the Atto 2 PHEV a little bit costlier than the (plugless) Chery Tiggo 4 HEV ($29,990 driveaway) but likely more inexpensive than the MG ZS hybrid ($33,990 driveaway).

A critical pronounce is that size of the Atto 2 PHEV’s battery is around 10 events better than these ancient by the Chery and MG.

Visual tweaks will likely be made to the Atto 2 in PHEV safe. It rankings differentiated 17-high-tail alloys, a new ‘Center of the night Blue’ paint colour, enlarged front grille for extra cooling and hybrid-particular badgework.

Exterior dimensions are akin to the BEV with length of 4310mm, width of 1830mm, prime of 1675mm and a wheelbase of 2620mm.

BYD Atto 2 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are sooner than on-toll road prices.

• Dynamic (51kWh electrical): $31,990
• Top class (51kWh electrical): $35,990

The popular Ford Everest wide SUV has attain in for a sequence of mid-life changes, on hand to expose from December, with out a predominant model changes.

Tech has been lifted internal, the controversial ‘moist’ belt bi-turbo diesel engine has been deleted, and there’s more shadowy open air. Deliveries will initiate in mid-2026 after current ‘MY25.25’ stock clears out.

Ford has removed the Ambiente and Pattern grades from its Everest line up, changing them with a brand fresh Active entry effectively-organized for $58,990, sooner than on-avenue charges — $500 less expensive than the used bi-turbo Ambiente 4×4, but up $4500 on the outgoing rear-pressure entry point.

Arriving traditional with the revised single-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (125kW/405Nm), Ford will additionally provide its 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 on the fresh Active – a first for entry grade Everest devices.

Inner, the Everest Active aspects leather-essentially essentially based completely-accented seats, a 12-gallop infotainment display masks masks, 18-gallop alloy wheels, privacy glass, tyre pressure monitoring machine (TPMS), LED headlamps, and five seats. A seven-seat layout is elective, to the tune of $1350.

The Everest Active will predominantly rival Toyota’s LandCruiser Prado GX, priced from $72,500, and the Isuzu MU-X LS-M, which begins from $49,900.

Everest Sport, Tremor and Platinum effectively-organized grades will dwell on hand. The Sport and Tremor attain a protracted-established tools 360-stage digicam, while the Sport additionally good points a TPMS.

The Everest Tremor good points its ‘top class seat pack’ as traditional tools, adding heated, ventilated, vitality-alter front seats, as well to the no-model probability to delete the third row.

No changes are slated for the diversity topping Ranger Platinum.

Ford Everest 2026: Australian pricing

All costs listed are sooner than on-avenue charges.

• Active 2.0L Turbo: $58,990
• Active 3.0L V6: $66,990
• Sport 2.0L Turbo: $68,990
• Sport 3.0L V6: $76,990
• Tremor 3.0L V6: $seventy nine,990
• Platinum 3.0L V6: $83,490

Ford Australia has confirmed a string of updates for its easiest promoting Ranger ute, which embody pricing tweaks, driveline changes, styling updates, inner tech upgrades, and model variant changes.

The up to this level ‘MY26.5’ Rangers replace the outgoing ‘MY25.25’ hasty, and will most definitely be on hand to articulate from December 2025. Deliveries originate in mid-2026 with pricing unchanged for now.

As reported by Chasing Vehicles, the bi-turbo engine has been phased out in favour of a revised single turbo 2.0-litre for MY26 which has exchanged the controversial ‘wet’ timing belt for a timing chain. The up to this level engine produces an unchanged 125kW/405Nm.

Ford will moreover magnify the provision of its 184kW/600Nm 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel, now offered as a brand option on unsuitable grade Ranger XL.

The six-tempo computerized can even exit for MY26.5, exchanged for the 10-tempo auto once reserved for greater model grades, or as an option. As a consequence, All Ranger devices now provide a 3500kg braked towing skill, providing the auto is supplied with a correct tow pack.

Out of doors, Ranger devices will trade chrome natty and highlights for either gloss or matte dim accents, while inner, all autos now characteristic a 12.0-accelerate infotainment masks. The same tweaks are applied to the associated Everest SUV.

Ford Ranger 2026: Pricing and model grade changes

There are no brand changes for Ranger or Everest no topic Ford phasing out each and every the bi-turbo ‘wet-belt’ diesel and six-tempo computerized transmission.

The unsuitable model Ford Ranger XL 4×2 twin-cab, now with 10-tempo auto, will remain at $43,530 sooner than on-avenue costs, while the vary topping V6 diesel-powered Raptor remains from $90,690.

The unsuitable XL features extra equipment for MY26, including the next 12-accelerate infotainment masks (became 10.1-inches) and twin-zone AC with rear passenger vents. In V6 guise, the XL features 17-accelerate metal rims with all-terrain tyres, rear disc brakes, e-shifter and pressure modes.

Every the Ranger XL and XLT crew-cab also glean increased safety in the produce of Ford’s ‘Driver Back Expertise bar’ changing into accepted. This adds blind self-discipline monitoring, execrable-visitors alert, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and lane trade warnings to the alloy-tray devices for the first time.

The forthcoming Ranger will rival the soon-to-start ninth-technology Toyota Hilux, which begins at $47,990 for unsuitable Workmate twin-cab computerized, as well to the lately revised Isuzu D-Max SX twin-cab, priced from $44,200.

The Ford Ranger model vary will gather just a few tweaks for 2026. Most notably, the Ranger Sport will likely be phased out mid-one year, while the Black Version and Tremor will became completely on hand, priced from $53,490 and $75,090, respectively.

The Ranger Black Version is positioned between the XLS and XLT, while the Tremor is positioned between a original ‘Wolftrak’ natty grade and the present Wildtrak.

The V6-easiest Wolftrak succeeds the Ranger Sport to sit between the Ranger XLT and Tremor. It’ll originate from $70,990 – a $600 decrease over its V6 Ranger Sport predecessor.

Valuable aspects of the Ranger Wolftrak embody a restyled front grille, sports actions bar, LED headlights, 17-accelerate alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres, vinyl ‘WOLFTRAK’ embroidered front seats, and two extra pressure modes – Mud / Rut and Sand.

Entering the original Tremor grants off-avenue focused Bilstein suspension, 17-accelerate wheels with all-terrain tyres, underbody safety, 30mm increased be aware, 26mm extra ground clearance, off-avenue driver support aspects, and Tremor-particular styling.

Stepping up again in model grade is the Ranger Wildtrak. MY26-particular equipment changes embody original 18-accelerate wheels, Matrix LED headlamps, and a 10-speaker B&O sound system. Else, the Wildtrak will contend with the the same equipment from MY25.

Ford did now no longer indicate PHEV variants in its literature, but the fetch quandary nonetheless lists the electrified BYD Shark 6 rival as on hand.

Ford Ranger 2026: Australian pricing

All costs listed are sooner than on-avenue costs. Ranger Twin-cab rep costs confirmed until acknowledged otherwise.

• 4×2 XL 2.0L Turbo: $43,530
• 4×2 XLT 2.0L Turbo: $52,990
• 4×4 XL 2.0L Turbo: $51,400
• four wheel pressure XL 3.0L V6: $57,900
• four wheel pressure XLS Double Crew Cab 3.0L V6: $58,450
• 4×4 Black Version 2.0L Turbo: $53,490
• four wheel pressure Black Version 3.0L V6: $59,990
• four wheel pressure XLT 3.0L V6: $67,990
• four wheel pressure Wolftrak 3.0L V6: $70,990
• four wheel pressure Tremor 3.0L V6: $75,090
• four wheel pressure Wildtrak 3.0L V6: $75,090
• four wheel pressure Platinum 3.0L V6: $80,890
• Raptor 3.0L V6 EcoBoost: $90,690

Genesis has published its freshest GV60 to this point, premiering its novel excessive-efficiency Magma model on the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France.

Technically equivalent to Hyundai’s mighty Ioniq 5 N, the novel twin-motor Magma boasts 448kW and 740Nm, trumping the sizzling flagship GV60 Efficiency Lux’s 360kW/700Nm. Within the neighborhood, the debut Magma mannequin would without problems be basically the most extremely effective Genesis automobile supplied in Australia.

The Genesis GV60 Magma can additional its energy output to 478kW/790Nm with ‘Boost Mode’ activated, for a burst of up to 15 seconds. With the added efficiency of ‘Boost Mode’, the GV60 Magma can slump from 0 to 200km/h in 10.9 seconds.

No longer ideally suited are these identical outputs to sister firm Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, the 2 autos are significant the identical below the pores and skin, utilising the identical Hyundai-sourced 800-volt Electrical-Global Modular Platform.

While local specs for the GV60 Magma are no longer but readily accessible, we await specs will most likely be significant just like the Ioniq 5 N, the converse of an 84kWh battery and a combined vary of spherical 448km (WLTP).

Hyundai claims a hastily DC fee from 10-80 percent takes 16 minutes, peaking at 350kW, whereas three-phase 11kW AC charging from 0-100% is acknowledged to rob spherical eight hours.

Exterior enhancements confirmed for the GV60 Magma encompass a significant wider stance, 20mm lower scoot top, novel side skirts, revised entrance and rear bumpers, a hover and a diffuser, just a few gloss sunless external touch-ups, and ‘Magma’ 21-dawdle solid wheels carrying 275mm tyres.

The GV60 Magma additionally gains a rear digital diminutive-plug differential, three force modes, efficiency-tuned suspension with Electronic Management, better brake rotors paired with entrance monoblock calipers and efficiency pads, waft mode, and on-request simulated equipment changes.

Interior, the GV60 Magma sports activities Chamude (described by Genesis as a ‘top class suede-take care of topic fabric’) on the seats, doorways and centre console, a head-up display, signature orange and grey stitching and seatbelts, revised gloss sunless switchgear, and a Magma-engrossing sports activities guidance wheel.

The novel, extra-extremely effective GV60 will roll out to Korean markets by the stop of 2025, with European and North American deliveries to follow in early 2026. It’s anticipated that the GV60 Magma will near within the community in 2026.

Quiz the impending Aussie Magma to recount a greater notice than the $113,384 and $114,383 sooner than on-road notice benchmarks station by the sizzling vary topper Genesis GV60 Efficiency Lux DSM and twin-below-the-pores and skin Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Debuting the Genesis GV60 Magma in Australia may perhaps aid the Korean flagship value stable significant crucial GV60 sales over opponents Mercedes-AMG EQE and better BMW iX M60, serving to to put the 10-300 and sixty five days-feeble value on equal footing with heritage Germans.

Final 300 and sixty five days, Genesis supplied right 70 GV60s, whereas 300 and sixty five days-to-date in 2025, ideally suited 15 GV60’s beget been delivered.

Whereas the standing of midsize sedans in Australia has gradually fallen over time, the evergreen Toyota Camry has remained the fully dominant player in the affordable four-door segment — but now China’s BYD is on the brink of enter.

BYD does bask in already purchased an entrant in the midsize sedan class with the battery electric Seal, but the Seal is for the time being too costly to clutch down the Camry.

Priced between $46,990 to $61,990 plus on-aspect toll road costs, the electric Seal is upright worth in its have real, but most Toyota Camry examples delivered in Australia are the $39,990 Ascent and $42,990 Ascent Sport — in other phrases, these supplied by rideshare and taxi fleets.

BYD sees ability in the midsize sedan segment

Talking with Chasing Automobiles, BYD Australia chief product officer Sajid Hasan acknowledged that while the scale of the midsize automobile segment has fallen, it remains standard in China and which potential that, BYD develops automobiles that might perhaps properly be factual.

Mr Hasan beforehand worked as a product planning and pricing supervisor for Toyota Motor Firm Australia between 2010 and the raze of 2023.

“Now we bask in about a products in that region that might perhaps properly be a factual competitor for [the Camry],” acknowledged Hasan.

“Now we bask in about a alternatives that lets starting up in that region. Now we bask in a PHEV, as properly as an EV. We’re evaluating which is the real one to fall in and seeing how that suits with our total product strategy.

“Perchance we can bask in one thing — in the with regards to future — to remark.”

With the BEV-powered Seal already decrease to the bone in nasty Dynamic 150kW interesting, BYD Australia has confirmed that it is some distance evaluating two more affordable midsize automobiles to fit into its native lineup under the Seal sedan — in justify to compete without prolong with Camry.

The stir will be a continuation of BYD Australia’s strategy of expanding its mannequin lineup into arena of interest classes and worth segments.

Including a sub-Seal mannequin to contest the Camry segment would replicate a identical decision by BYD to carry the Sealion 5 PHEV crossover to Australia to sit down correct beneath the Sealion 6 hybrid in justify to ward off more affordable competitors.

Yr-to-date, Toyota has delivered 8508 Camry examples in Australia, compared to 3214 for the BYD Seal, 843 for the discontinued Mazda 6 and 617 for the Skoda Octavia.

Seal 06 and Qin L items seemingly being regarded as for Australia

BYD’s mooted Camry rival for Australia is liable to be either the BYD Seal 06 or BYD Qin L. Whereas both items differ somewhat in dimension and look—with the Qin carrying extra frail styling—both are readily out there in PHEV or BEV versions.

The Seal 06 will rapidly enter the European market where this will be supplied as a rival to key European taxi snappy items esteem the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf wagon.

It’s miles mercurial out there as a 1.5-litre petrol PHEV with 10kWh or 15kWh LFP batteries, and curiously, the Seal 06 hybrid can even be ordered as a sedan or a region wagon.

Excellent-hand drive production for the Seal 06 has already kicked off for Thailand, potentially making it simpler for BYD Australia to import the ‘Ocean Collection’ mannequin right here.

A sedan-most effective BEV version of the Seal 06 is furthermore readily out there as a more cost-effective and much less great replacement to the ‘fleshy fats’ BYD Seal already supplied in Australia. The electrical Seal 06 uses 46kWh or 56kWh battery packs and produces 110-160kW.

The state is of path the same for the BYD Qin L, with PHEV and BEV choices with the same vitality outputs and battery sizes because the carefully-connected Seal 06, but with utterly different styling cues — and no region wagon version.

No real-hand drive market is for the time being understood to import the Qin L, though Malaysian sources justify that the mannequin will be on its design to that real-hook nation.

BYD’s most senior executive within the Asia-Pacific voice has in point of fact helpful Chasing Vehicles that the tag will reply to customers in search of elevated off-roading capability from the Shark 6 poke-in hybrid (PHEV) ute.

Talking with this masthead first and important of the Atto 2 itsy-bitsy SUV, Liu Xueling, BYD Asia-Pacific automotive total supervisor, talked about the tag has deliberate improvements to the Shark 6 within the product pipeline.

“All of us know that customers win some complaints about the [Shark 6] product, but we can absolutely preserve on bettering and [will respond] to the purchasers,” Liu talked about, through interpreter.

As a PHEV ute, the BYD Shark 6 depends on its twin electric motors for electrified all-wheel pressure rather than used mechanical four-wheel pressure. While electric AWD affords the Shark 6 technically proper motor preserve watch over, the electronic structure has got criticism.

Currently lacking locking entrance and rear differentials, the Shark 6 depends on traction preserve watch over to brake spinning wheels below load, equivalent to while hiking slippery trails. As is same old for electric AWD, there is never always a low vary, either simulated or steady.

Concerns had been raised regarding restricted articulation, as well as the Shark 6’s moderately restricted 2500kg braked towing ability.

BYD Australia has already acknowledged that this would possibly perchance perchance simply replace the Shark 6 with industry-same old 3500kg braked towing capability within the arriving months.

However, Chasing Vehicles understands that superior off-roading expertise developed for BYD’s luxury tag, Denza — and particularly for the Denza B5 4 wheel pressure which shares a platform with the BYD Shark 6 — can also simply soon trickle the total method down to the ute.

The Denza B5, which involves Australia subsequent week, beneficial properties entrance and rear locking diffs, a simulated low-vary gearbox for crawling, adjustable suspension for additional floor clearance, and even more vitality and torque (425kW/760Nm vs 321kW/650Nm) for more performance.

We requested BYD Asia-Pacific boss Liu Xueliang whether or no longer the Denza B5’s new off-toll road parts would be transferred to the Shark 6 in 2026.

“It is appropriate that we would perchance be migrating your total winning technologies to every of our fashions,” Liu answered.

“In conjunction with your total feedback [having been received], we are positively assured [that we will] win our product higher and higher. That you would possibly perchance perchance squawk that the Shark 6 isn’t any longer the tip of our pick-up sequence — it’s handiest the originate,” he talked about.

BYD Australia chief product officer Sajid Hasan shed moderately of more light regarding future updates for Shark 6.

“We’ve got an replace to Shark 6 deliberate for 2026. We are in a position to’t squawk when but that will seemingly be, but 3.5 tonne towing ability is in point of fact appropriate one of many updates. We’ve got a pair of rather a pair of issues as well deliberate for that model,” he talked about.

The poke-in Shark has been the important success yarn of the ute segment in Australia in 2025 and a standout in a segment that has barely grown this year (up 3.5 percent).

BYD has delivered 15,181 examples of the Shark 6 to this level in 2025, seizing a for dash intensive 8.5 percent market part. Within the identical duration, volume has fallen for both the Ford Ranger (down 10.4 percent) and Toyota HiLux (down 5.1 percent).

Meanwhile, Chinese language tag GWM has delivered 2053 gadgets of its win PHEV ute — the Cannon Alpha.

Nissan has globally printed its novel fifth-generation Navara ute, designated D27, full with facts for the arrival near near Australian lineup that is confirmed to hit local showrooms in Q1 2026.

As anticipated, the Navara is all-novel (for Nissan) in that it is heavily in accordance to the most contemporary sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton, sharing the same “alliance” ladderframe chassis and structure, the same 2.4-litre turbodiesel four-primarily primarily based powertrain and some distance of its exterior physique work.

On that, evidently very dinky of the Navara’s exterior metalwork varies from that of the Triton aside from the novel entrance fascia, the tailgate shell and chosen exterior garnish. Nissan Australia has no longer confirmed precisely how worthy exterior commonality the D27 Navara has with its Mitsubishi twin.

The novel Navara face capabilities a “bull bar impressed” V-strut defend grille dovetailed with standard-encounter C-formed headlights. Wheel designs for the vary are uncommon to Nissan’s line-up.

Nissan Australia has confirmed, despite the fact that, that the D27 will finest be supplied as a twin-cab, provided that “90 p.c of potentialities for the outgoing D23 [selected] a double cab paired with an automatic transmission”.

The consolidation of the Navara way that there will likely be no 4x2s, no cab-chassis or king/extended cab physique kinds, and no handbook transmission alternatives in this novel D27 generation.

It’s been confirmed that vitality comes from the shared twin-turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel four outputting the same 150kW and 470Nm because the Triton unit, which to 10kW and 20Nm as a lot as the outgoing 2.3-litre oiler. The outgoing N23 seven-poke automatic is replaced by a six-poke auto.

Mixed consumption beneath “preliminary specification” is quoted as 7.7L/100km, while all variants match a 75-litre tank (with AdBlue required in its score 17-litre tank). That makes for a theoretical mixed-cycle vary of spherical 974 kilometres claimed.

The contemporary D23 variant line-up carries over into the D27 generation, with the but-unconfirmed lower-grade trims – capacity SL and ST reboots – being supplied with what’s known as ‘Uncomplicated 4wd’, an on-request 4×4 system that makes use of electronic (by brake) LSD originate on the rear axle.

Each the ST-X and Legitimate-4X (or P4X for short) feature the ‘Huge 4wd’ driveline structure, which brings pudgy-time high-vary 4×4 and a Torsen-kind mechanical rear restricted sprint differential. The increased-grade versions also carry a broader series of (seven) terrain pressure modes: Long-established, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock.

The Navara Legitimate-4X Warrior is ”beneath pattern” by Premcar and no longer anticipated to be readily available in Q1 2026 with the broader Navara vary.

Nissan Australia printed on the local preview pressure of the novel D27 Navara that three suspension tunes will likely be readily available, presumably devoted calibrations for lower and increased grades, as successfully as a bespoke space-up for the Warrior.

The uncommon, tuned-by-Premcar Australian suspension calibrations are said to score benefitted from 365 days and spherical 18,000 kilometres of localised testing across a diversity of terrains. Energy steering is electrical, while brakes are entrance discs and rear drums.

All versions of the Navara will reach with 3500kg of braked towing functionality, with 350kg of towball download. “Preliminary specifications” score mainline (non-Warrior) variants at 2120-2140kg kerb, with a GVM of 3190kg and GCM of 6250kg.

Payloads for the twin-cab finest lineup is between 950kg and 1047kg reckoning on the variant.

Internal wise, worthy the exterior, the Navara ports rather a few Mitsubishi DNA – critically the sail fascia – despite the fact that the Nissan suits a explicit wheel attach.

Media wise, a 9.0-inch touchscreen unit is fitted across the vary that capabilities DAB+ and encompass glance digicam system, while phone connectivity is wireless Apple CarPlay with wired Android Auto. Elsewhere, the instrument cluster is a 7.0-inch TFT attach, while wireless phone charging is strange on the ST-X and P4X grades.

Security wise, the Navara suits eight airbags, ahead self ample emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane back, blind quandary monitoring, lane substitute back, entrance and rear defective traffic signals, driver monitoring, adaptive cruise preserve an eye on and emergency back for pedal misapplication, combating unintended acceleration.

More definitive Australian specifications and pricing will reach to light nearer to the D27 Navara’s local launch in Q1 subsequent 365 days and preserve tuned for pudgy pressure of the novel-gen ute soon.

Toyota will inaugurate as a lot as grow its family of battery electric autos (BEVs) in Australia next twelve months with the introduction of the European-market C-HR+ crossover.

Position to be badged simply C-HR BEV for Australia, the entirely-electric version of the second-generation ‘Coupe-High Rider’ is definitely an even automobile below the skin to the hybrid-powered version already on sale within the Australian market.

Australians will likely be supplied the C-HR no longer as a lot as twelve months after the mannequin’s European market inaugurate, with Toyota Australia initiating to develop its response to the Unusual Automobile Efficiency Similar outdated (NVES) regime that incentivises sales of BEV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) units in step with their official CO2 emissions.

While the favorite petrol-electric C-HR is a upright runt SUV, measuring in at 4360mm in length, the pudgy-electric C-HR+ is considerably longer at 4520mm.

Pricing for the hybrid version of the C-HR is pitched at a barely premium level, spanning $Forty five,440 to $57,390 forward of on-avenue prices.

Fancy the increased bZ4X entirely electric medium SUV, which is in a position to rapidly be facelifted and up thus some distance with a increased battery for the Australian market, the C-HR+ uses the adapted e-TNGA BEV chassis below the skin.

This electric SUV is one other joint mission with fellow Eastern carmaker Subaru, which sells a version of the bZ4x identified within the community because the Solterra. Subaru has no longer but announced whether or no longer its adaptation of the C-HR+, known as ‘Uncharted‘, will almost about Australia.

Toyota first previewed the C-HR+ in 2022 because the bZ Compact SUV conception automobile but the emblem is involving in direction of more ‘favorite’ badging of its electric autos.

In one other country, the C-HR+ is supplied in entrance-wheel power (123kW to 165kW) codecs or with eAxle all-wheel power with a colossal 252kW. The CH-R+ AWD can flee from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.2 seconds.

Some markets receive a preference of 57.7kWh or 77.0kWh batteries promising a fluctuate from 455km to 525km. Charging is as a lot as 22kW AC or 150kW DC.

“This mannequin will likely be a part of the existing C-HR hybrid fluctuate, offering prospects one other preference of powertrain for those whose needs can even be met by a pudgy battery electric automobile,” talked about Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley.

Hanley talked about the time used to be true to expand Toyota’s BEV family in Australia.

“As they are saying, the first mouse smelt the cheese, but the second mouse obtained the cheese. You obtained that? We’ve been accused of being unhurried on BEVs for years. Successfully, perhaps we upright obtained it true. Per chance this is the market actuality,” he talked about.

Similar outdated equipment on the C-HR BEV for Australia is but to be confirmed, but globally, all versions will receive a 14-crawl touchscreen, blind space monitoring, adaptive headlights, and online connectivity.

High-grade units in a single other country are space to receive 20-crawl wheels and a 360-degree digital camera.

Toyota C-HR 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are forward of on-avenue prices.

• C-HR Hybrid GXL: $Forty five,440
• C-HR Hybrid Koba: $52,390
• C-HR Hybrid GR Sport AWD: $57,390
• C-HR BEV: tag TBA