Car News

A camouflaged prototype of what appears to be the Genesis GV90 has been spied in Melbourne, Victoria ahead of its imminent global reveal.The forthcoming electric SUV flagship for the South Korean luxury carmaker was spied alongside a Hyundai Ioniq 9.It appears the GV90 is considerably longer than the Ioniq 9 which already measures in at over five metres.It also features Genesis’ signature ‘Two Lines’ design language as seen by the tail-lights.A vehicle registration search shows that this is a Genesis evaluation vehicle with a tare weight of 3151kg. This is 377kg more than the Ioniq 9.The GV90 was first previewed by the Neolun concept back in 2024 and was originally expected to be revealed in 2025. This date was pushed back.It’s understood that this new electric SUV from Genesis will be based on the Hyundai Group’s forthcoming eM platform, which is an iteration of the E-GMP platform that dates back to 2021.The eM platform is promised to offer more range, as well as a higher level semi-autonomous driving capabilities.No other official details about the GV90 have been confirmed yet.The original Neolun concept had coach-style rear doors that are hinged in the opposite direction.There have been sightings of GV90 prototypes with these types of rear doors, however this particular example that was spied in Australia appears to have typical rear doors.It’s unclear whether there are still plans to offer the coach-style rear doors in the production-specification GV90.Given the GV90 has been spied in Australia, it’s likely that a local launch is on the cards.Once it launches it will form as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo EX90, as well as the forthcoming Range Rover Electric.

XPeng has announced pricing and launch specification for its coupe-style L03 mid-size SUV in Europe, ahead of a likely Aussie arrival.The newcomer is offered initially as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), with a Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) version joining the line-up before the end of the year.Given order books are already open in China (where the car is called Mona L03) and examples have been spotted testing in Australia, the L03 is a likely 2027 arrival here, the Chinese maker already confirming it will “be available in 64 countries and regions”.With customer deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year and priced from €35,600 (~$58,250), the German L03 range consists of five models, two rear-wheel drive (RWD) single-motor BEVs, a pair of dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) electric variants and a single range-extender option.It would likely be cheaper in Australia due to our close proximity to China and the existence of a free trade agreement.The REEV version features a plug-in hybrid powertrain with the wheels driven exclusively by an electric motor, with a (70kW) 1.5-litre internal combustion engine (ICE) acting as a generator only to recharge the 37.3kWh LFP battery while driving. Claimed WLTP range is 1000km on a single tank of fuel and full battery charge, with a pure-electric range in excess of 200km.The single-motor, RWD version of the BEV is claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds with combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) energy consumption of 11.9kWh/100km.German pricing:  It’s important to note these German prices include 19 per cent VAT (Value Added Tax) and as with most Chinese new arrivals, you can generally expect the L03 to be significantly more affordable when it lands in Australia.The L03 is priced from between the equivalent of $31,000 to $34,000 in electric form in China (where there are nine models on offer) and a local entry-grade is likely to be more in line with base versions of the BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990), GAC Aion V (from $42,590) and Geely EX5 (from $41,990).Developed by a global team led by former Ferrari Head of Exterior Design Juanma López, the L03 measures 4.65 metres long, a fraction over 1.9m wide and 1.6m tall with a 2850mm wheelbase. Drag coefficient is a slippery 0.23.All Euro L03 grades feature full LED exterior lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels (20s on the flagship Ultra BEV), Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, electrically adjustable, folding, and heated exterior mirrors, nine-speaker audio (with two speakers integrated into the driver's seat), built-in navigation, dual-zone climate control, and three screen displays - an 8.9-inch digital instrument cluster, 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 26.8-inch head-up display.The boot boasts a decent 367-litre volume and there’s an 89-liter ‘frunk’ up front.Safety includes seven airbags and “more than 13 driver assistance systems” bundled under the name ‘XPILOT’, including AEB (Auto Emergency Braking), blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert adaptive cruise control and more.CarsGuide has contacted XPeng Australia for comment on the L03’s potential for local sale and likely arrival timing.

Electric car buyers in Australia are facing a new concern.There are demands for increased responsibilities for car manufacturers to correctly state how long EV batteries should last, according to a report from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA). The report warns that buyers could face a “wave of litigation” when EV batteries need replacement outside of warranty as their cost could exceed the vehicle’s remaining value.One particular dealer said Chinese-built cars are “not holding their charge” or are “blowing up on fire”.The report suggests manufacturers should be required to define acceptable battery thresholds or disclose the expected degradation of a unit. Most batteries carry an eight-year or 160,000km manufacturer warranty, but dealers are looking for greater clarity on what this means.The new initiative would require manufacturers to provide clear indicators of acceptable battery performance.A battery would be considered to be performing at an acceptable level if it has at least 70 per cent of its total capacity remaining after more than eight years, for example. The EV driving range debate continues to rage on and it remains a substantial roadblock for buyers considering switching from petrol- and diesel-powered cars. Many EVs now boast more than 500km of driving range, but people have also started to recognise that most journeys do not require significant amounts of driving. The convenience and accessibility to home and public charging have also increased the convenience of EVs. Reported driving range figures on a particular car can vary greatly depending on the testing cycle used. The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is viewed as the most accurate standard available. Its testing figures often come in noticeably lower than the older New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the even more generous China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).As much as these systems do their best to mirror real-world driving, they can never be truly accurate because of the different ways people use their cars.Consumers often experience range anxiety or disappointment when EVs fail to achieve the range advertised in brochures, according to AADA. AADA has put forward a series of reforms for the Australian Consumer Law to adopt, but it remains to be seen whether any of these will make their way into legislation. 

A camouflaged prototype version of what appears to be the XPeng G9L has been spotted in Melbourne.Only one photo of this spied prototype was captured and it shows the rear of the vehicle. It’s clearly an SUV and the ‘EV’ badge on the license plate indicates that it has an electrified powertrain.The XPeng G9L hasn’t been revealed yet globally and it will be a long-wheelbase version of the existing G9, which dates back to 2021.According to a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing from earlier this year, the G9L measures in at 5120mm long, 1999mm wide and 1795mm tall, with a 3100mm wheelbase. This makes it 100mm longer than the Kia EV9.Compared to the regular G9, the G9L has a slightly different tailgate cutout and a rear LED light bar. It’s more in line with the larger GX.Globally the G9L will be available with battery electric (BEV) and range-extender (REEV) powertrains. It’s unclear which will be coming to Australia.The G9L BEV is available with single- or dual-electric motor set-ups. Power outputs are yet to be determined.The G9L REEV, on the other hand, will feature a 1.5-litre petrol engine that acts purely as a generator to top up the battery pack. Power outputs are yet to be determined.At this stage no battery or range details have been confirmed.No interior imagery or details have been confirmed yet, so it's unclear whether the G9L offers three rows of seating. The standard G9 only offers two rows.XPeng’s previous distributor in Australia, TrueEV, confirmed the G9L would launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.Given XPeng now has a factory-backed operation locally, it’s unclear whether this launch timing is still accurate.On XPeng’s new Australian website, the only new vehicle besides the updated G6 that currently features is the X9 people mover.This spied G9L isn’t the only recent camouflaged XPeng prototype to be spied in Australia. Examples of the Mona L03 ‘coupe’ SUV and the forthcoming L05 SUV were spied in Victoria.It’s understood that the former is due to launch in Australia in 2027, while the latter is still undergoing validation testing for the Australian market.

Hyundai has sounded the alarm about what will happen to customer warranties, and who will hold the liability, when car companies inevitably fail in Australia's increasingly crowded and competitive market.That's the stark warning from Hyundai Australia CEO, Don Romano, who said the industry consensus was that some brands, legacy and newcomer alike, would fail in Australia's cut-throat car market, with the senior executive warning that honouring warranties could then become a question mark for owners."The question is are all of these brands going to survive? And I think the general consensus from every manufacturer is no," Mr Romano says."The question then becomes when they leave, who holds the warranty liability? And I think that's an issue that doesn't get too much press, but I think it's a worry that some of the big dealer groups that are holding onto a number of brands that may or may not be around – and I'm not talking Chinese brands, it could be any brand."I've been involved with brands that have left North America, but they still have the resources in their global business to protect the warranty. I wonder sometimes about some of the new brands – is the government looking at that? Do they realise that if they leave, some of these dealers are going to have to take care of the customers out of their own pocket?What happens to a customer's warranty in Australia appears to largely depend on the infrastructure left behind. When Opel failed in Australia, Holden honoured remaining warranty. Same too for Holden, which was covered by General Motors. Customers of Citroen and, most recently, Peugeot will have their warranties covered by the broader Inchcape Group, which was the importer for both of the French brands.But if no infrastructure remains, then it would appear to be the distributor, and then the dealer group, left holding the liability."I think that's a concern because a lot of those dealer groups own our facilities and represent us, so you know this could have implications beyond just the brands that may leave, but even the stronger brands because they're all tied together," Mr Romano says.It's a thought echoed by the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), which has today released a response to a major review into Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct.The wide-ranging review, conducted by Emeritus Professor Jenny Buchan and commissioned by the AADA, identified five key themes, including "a growing disconnect between legal responsibility and operational control in the resolution of manufacturing defect claims, practical shortcomings in the operation of manufacturer indemnification arrangements, uncertainty surrounding the application of key ACL concepts, inefficiencies within existing dispute resolution processes, and limitations in the Franchising Code’s ability to address power imbalances.The review also specifically explored brands exiting the Australian market, and calls for a policy framework that demands OEMs honour warranty, repair, parts and buy-backs for a defined period, lasting as long as the warranty on the last-sold vehicle. It also calls for EV-specific funding for wound-up companies, as well as regulatory approval before an OEM can exit the market.“For most Australians, purchasing a car is the second-largest financial commitment they will make. Consumers have every right to expect a fair, timely and efficient process when faults arise,” says James Voortman, CEO of the AADA.“Multinational manufacturers must take greater responsibility for the products they import in Australia and be active participants in resolving consumer disputes.”

Until the late 1970s, when a car’s fuel needle began to slip towards empty, Aussies were still pulling into a service station to receive just that… service.An attendant would approach the driver’s window and ask how much fuel a customer wanted, the most common reply being, fill ‘er up!That helpful person duly filled the car, checked the oil and water, cleaned the windscreen, received the appropriate amount of cash, brought back the change and waved a happy motorist on their way.But then, the dominance of that wholesome exchange was blown away by the arrival of self-service petrol stations.All of a sudden the forecourt attendant was unceremoniously kicked to the kerb and a ripple of nervous trauma passed through the broader populace.The onus was on drivers to pull up and fill the car themselves. Second nature now, a revolution then.And with the rising popularity of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) we’re facing a similarly unsettling scenario with the switch from the familiar petrol bowser to intimidating charge pylons.No hose and nozzle, rather a thick cable and bulky connector plug. No panel operator to process your purchase, you’re on your own with a smartphone app or swipe card to get the job done.And arguably an even bigger shift is the ability to top up your car at home and/or where you work. It’s still unfamiliar territory for many, so for the EV curious worried about the process of charging an electric vehicle, never fear CarsGuide is here with a pre-flight checklist to help you get to grips with the brave new world of public or home charging. The first thing we’d recommend is a subtle mindset shift. Don’t think of an EV as you would a car powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). Think of it more like your phone; a case of top-up rather than fill-up.The current crop of high-voltage lithium-ion EV drive batteries respond best to being kept between 20 and 80 per cent charged.Keeping that 20 per cent minimum in mind is helpful because driving an EV until the battery is close to depletion means you run the risk of failing to proceed before you can reach a charge point. Who needs the strain of pushing into the range anxiety zone?That mid-range charge band reduces the heat stress on a pack’s individual cells, which can accelerate chemical degradation and impact the battery’s effectiveness and longevity.To that end, DC fast-charging slows to a snail’s pace once the battery hits 80 per cent, anyway. So, better to save time and unplug at that point.That’s why so many car manufacturers quote a 10-80 or 20-80 per cent DC charge time for the EVs they’re hoping to land in your driveway. If you need every last kilometre of potential range for a road trip, by all means go to 100 percent on DC, but best not to make it a habit.If you’d like to dig deeper into the characteristics of different EV battery types, and there are several, we’ve got you covered here.But what about those two letters - DC, not to mention their related cousins - AC?If you were paying more attention than I was in high school physics you’ll know they stand for Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC).Without getting into the weeds on the differences, the main things you need to know are DC is high-voltage while AC is generally lower output as found in typical household three-pin outlets.  And rechargeable EV batteries can only store DC electricity, which means they need an onboard charger to convert AC to DC. It’s a long way to the top if you want to charge a car.Home or work charging is by far the most common means of juicing up an electric vehicle with AC the dominant form.The highest output you’ll find in a home charger currently in Australia is 22kW, which matches the AC capacity of the Porsche Taycan, its Audi e-tron GT corporate sibling and several others.This will require a three-phase upgrade, as will a slightly lesser 11kW charger, which is why many EV owners opt for a 7.2kW (single-phase) set-up. You’ll still need a registered sparky for the installation and charge times will be longer but you don’t run into the heat-related issues fast-DC charging brings, plus there’s less fuss and expense. And if you have solar and a storage battery, you're laughing.Or, simplest of all, use an adaptor cable that plugs straight into house power. Charging takes an age but that might be fine for you.There are a multitude of home wallbox-style chargers available. Even that massive hardware chain with the local primary school sausage sizzle out the front has multiple options available.You may have also noted council-provided AC chargers on a nearby telegraph pole. Free to use, they will range from 7.2 to 22kW output.The Australian Federal Government, as well as several state governments continue to invest in EV charging infrastructure, so the number of public chargers is set to continue growing steadily in years to come.  And it’s worth noting an EV can only take in as much energy as its AC/DC convertor will allow. Plug 22kW AC into a 7.2kW car and your maximum charge rate is… 7.2kW.When it comes to plugging in, that’s the process. Open the flap to the EV’s charge port, push the cable into the connector and press go on your charging device of choice.Only a few years ago there was VHS vs Betamax (for younger readers, they were competing video tape formats) style confusion over Type 2 and CHAdeMO connectors.Happily, the Type 2 style appears to have won the arm wrestle, which keeps things simple at home or when using a public charger.The car will indicate its battery’s state of charge as the electricity goes in, as will a readout on the charging cable, wall box or public pylon.Keep an eye on the number if you’re fast-charging but you can set-and-forget for a low-output overnight AC charge (potentially taking advantage of off-peak energy rates in the process). Simply switch off and uncouple when you’ve reached your desired level.To give you an example on time and charge rates, the pure-electric Renault Megane E-Tech is fitted with a 60kWh (kilowatt hour) lithium-ion battery, which Renault says will charge from 15-80 per cent, on a 130kW DC fast charger, in around 30 minutes.Switch to AC and the Megane’s 7.4kW capacity means you’re looking at a little over nine hours for a full (0-100 per cent) charge.   Using domestic 10-amp, single-phase power the wait time is 30.5 hours for a full charge.PHEVs are quicker to charge given their smaller batteries and ICE power onboard.   If you want to fast charge on a public DC pylon from providers like Chargefox and Evie Charging, one of the motoring clubs like RACV or NRMA or the Tesla Supercharger network, here’s how it goes.For reference, DC EV charge pylons in Australia will typically range from 50kW to 350kW output with a handful of 400kW Ampol Amplify sites now in place. Best to start by downloading the relevant app and setting up an account for the option that works best for you.Once that’s in place, using Evie as an example, the app has a location map showing where your nearest charging site is, how many plugs are available, $/kWh (dollars per kilowatt hour) rate, the maximum power of the charger and more.As you would at home, extract the (in this case, hefty) cable from the pylon, open the car’s charge port door and plug in. The pylon readout screen will tell you a connection has been made and encourage you to press start.A swipe card to use on the pylon’s payment mat is another option to get things underway.Once the charge has started the pylon will keep you updated on the rate of charge and the battery filling up can be monitored in the same way you would at home.Press stop when you’re ready, the charge will subside and the machine will allow you to take out the connector cable and replace the plug. Job done.And if you’re wondering how much it costs to charge your EV at home versus a public outlet, we’re recently done the arithmetic here.That’s about it. Good luck on your EV charging adventure.Drop questions in the comments section below. And EV old-hands, feel free to add your two bob’s worth in the comments, as well.

After its backflip on the announcement it would go all-electric by 2030, Volvo seems set to reverse another trend it has been following of late: the shift to SUVs.Reports from the US reveal internal discussions around a sedan and wagon being reintroduced to the North American market, with insiders saying the target models are already being developed for Europe.While the report is focused on the US, comments from Volvo Australia’s top brass in the past mean Aussie fans of the Swedish brand’s wagons have reason to be optimistic.The sedan and wagon, both to be electric, would bring some traditional styles back to the Volvo line-up, which as it stands only includes the large, high-riding ES90 as anything resembling a sedan.The return of a wagon has been reported by Automotive News in the US, with apparent insider information pointing to Volvo using ‘60’ or ‘70’ badged cars similar to the S60/V60 or S70/V70 badges used for sedans (S) and wagons (V) in the past.According to the report, the models will be built in Europe, with a Cross Country version of the wagon also on the cards as has been Volvo’s tradition.Set to be built on the same SPA3 platform as the new EX60, the new models would also incorporate 800-volt electrical architecture for super-fast charging and options in terms of battery sizing.While the news comes very soon after the US discontinued the V60 and V90 wagons, it might not be hugely surprising to those aware of Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s comments early this year on the industry’s global push for more SUVs.“We are looking into that,” Samuelsson said, “I think we will not only have SUVs five years from now.”The comments are similar to those from Volvo Cars Australia’s Managing Director, Stephen Connor, who in 2022 said Volvo wouldn’t go ‘all-SUV’.“Absolutely, we can have other models,” said Connor. “We’ve seen a big move toward SUVs in the last few years, now electrification will broaden that range. I think there’s a desire now for new shapes that aren’t just what we would consider an SUV. Electric cars let us experiment with new shapes and new ideas.”The brand’s local head of PR and Communications Greg Bosnich added at the time that if an electric version of the V60 came along, Australia would have its hand up for it.“There is still demand in Australia for a car like the V60, and if an electric model comes, we’ll be getting it.“The wagon is part of our story, isn’t it? I think HQ is conscious of that and I think that emotional connection is still there.”If you were disappointed to see the V60 disappear from Australian showrooms, stay tuned.

Many electric vehicles (EVs) are ridiculously rapid from a standstill but offer no emotion beyond being electric and fast in a straight line.However, one particular feature altered my perspective on this and how I engage with sporty EVs.This is the fake gear shifter. I experienced it for the first time in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N back in 2024 and felt so overwhelmed with all of the other new tech and customisation in the car that I didn’t get to properly test it out.However, I was recently handed the keys to an Ioniq 6 N and finally sunk my teeth into the simulated gear shifting, which Hyundai calls N e-Shift.Getting the boring stuff out of the way first, it essentially simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’ll replicate slight jerks when shifting gears and if you take control using the paddle shifters, it can bounce off the rev limiter.There are also numerous sound profiles you can select from, but my personal favourite is the classic one that simulates a combustion engine.It sounds comical when written down, but experiencing this first hand does dramatically change how you engage with the car.Rather than just planting the accelerator and silently getting to the speed limit, you get auditory and physical feedback that brings a smile to my face every time.It’s so thrilling watching the rev counter go up and to hear the ‘engine’ getting louder. Then it reaches the next level when it snaps into the next gear.It’s even fun just cruising around with the mode on as it’ll shuffle through the gears.One of the few things that get old in the Hyundai version of this technology is the idle sound. It can be a little drony, which grates after a while.I can see the irony in how these sensations mirror what’s already offered in internal combustion-powered sports cars, but every sporty EV needs a feature like this.Beyond Hyundai, a number of other carmakers already have technology that’s similar to this.Dodge introduced the so-called ‘Fratzonic Chambered’ exhaust on the electric Charger Daytona, which uses speakers and vibration motors to create a note that comes out of an exhaust pipe.Additionally, Porsche is now introducing simulated gear shifts and engine sounds in the Taycan and the new Cayenne Electric. The German carmaker had previously been against introducing this tech.

Some of the world’s biggest carmakers, engineering and petrol companies are joining forces to save petrol-powered cars.BMW and Toyota are running a pilot program with Spanish petrochemical company Repsol and German industrial giant Bosch to see if they can make 100 per cent renewable petrol work in the real world.The six-month long experiment will use about 20 BMW and Toyota vehicles powered by Repsol’s 100 per cent renewable petrol, dubbed Nexa 95.Bosch will be tracking the refuelling data to validate the experiment’s success.Nexa 95 is produced with European Union compliant feedstocks, which have to meet strict renewable targets.A feedstock is a raw material that is used to make the fuel, and Nexa 95 is derived from agricultural and forestry residues, used cooking oils and other sustainable organic waste.It isn’t carbon neutral but reduces net CO2 emissions by more than 70 per cent compared to conventional petrol-powered vehicles.It is fully compatible with petrol vehicles without the need for any modifications and can be delivered via the existing refuelling infrastructure, with the fuel already available in a number of Spanish petrol stations.The program is trying to work out if vehicles running on this fuel can be deployed at scale to help decarbonise transport.Electric vehicle sales are growing in Australia and in many other countries, but the majority of sales in Europe, the US, Australia and many other places still use petrol as their primary fuel source.A switch to a renewable fuel source could dramatically cut emissions without forcing drivers to switch to expensive battery-powered electric vehicles.Toyota Europe executive Pascal Ruch said this fuel could make a meaningful contribution to decarbonisation today, and can be applied to older vehicles.“We believe renewable fuels can play a key role alongside electrification in reducing CO₂ emissions,” said Ruch.“It is becoming clear that there is a growing risk that 100 per cent zero-emission vehicles by 2035 may not be fully achieved. In such a scenario, renewable fuels can help bridge the gap to deliver carbon neutrality, especially when combined with hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies,” he said.BMW and Toyota are two companies striving to find an alternative to battery-powered electric cars.The two have also teamed up in developing hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCEV), which are a different type of electric car.FCEVs turn hydrogen into electricity, which then powers an electric motor. Water is the only tailpipe emission.

Zeekr has given a glimpse inside one of the most anticipated new SUVs coming to Australia. Zeekr will introduce its flagship 9X large SUV to the Australian market this year, and will offer a seriously high-end experience for rear-seat passengers. The 9X is expected to carry a $100,000-plus price tag when it lands in Australia, giving the BMW X7 and top-spec Range Rover models a run for their money. It has been shown off in a plush five-seater configuration, with the seats covered in a supple maroon leather. It boasts up to 1.4m of legroom for rear-seat passengers, with seats also featuring reclining and zero-gravity.Physical control panels in the rear doors control functionality.The middle seat back folds down to provide a comfy armrest and reveal more rear cabin controls.There is a central tablet control panel to set the temperature and monitor other car features from the back.  The car has already launched in China, where it is also offered in a six-seater configuration. It is available with two powerful plug-in hybrid set-up choices.Both have a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, paired with either two or three electric motors, offering 660kW/935Nm or 1030kW/1410Nm.It can shift from 0-100km/h in roughly three seconds. The car has a fittingly huge battery of up to 70kWh, expected to offer an all-electric driving range of more than 300km. Zeekr will hope the 9X can build on the momentum of its cars already making waves in Australia. The 7X mid-size electric SUV has been a revelation for the brand.  It has quickly garnered significant attention from buyers as it looks to hunt down the record-breaking Tesla Model Y.Its smaller X sibling has also started to gain some traction Down Under, with a mass of new orders for its recently-updated model.