Audi S2 Reviews

Facing intense competition from emerging Chinese brands, the impact of US tariffs and increased manufacturing costs in Europe, the Volkswagen Group’s current financial trauma is well documented with a minimum cut of 50,000 jobs (likely 100,000) by 2030 and closure of four production plants in Germany already flagged.And now, as part of its Future Plan presentation, the Group’s executive board has said, “The (group) model lineup will be gradually concentrated on the most attractive market segments and streamlined by up to 50 percent; offering complexity will be reduced by up to 75 percent.”Which means key models currently sold by brands including Audi, Cupra, Skoda, Porsche and VW are set for early discontinuation, the latest by 2030, with the number of available options slashed by three quarters and annual production capacity dropping from 10 to nine million vehicles.Question is, which models are headed for the chop first and German publication Bild believes it has the inside scoop with a "concrete list” of 10 cars headed for extinction.Here’s the Bild VW Group product hit list.Audi: The Q5 Sportback and Q6 e-tron Sportback are unlikely to be replaced. And interestingly, even though the Porsche Taycan is marked for extinction (see below) its Audi e-tron GT twin under the skin isn’t.Cupra: The list marks the Cupra Raval (which hasn't even launched in Australia yet) as headed for the exit after a single generation.Porsche: In unsurprising news the underperforming Taycan is set to retire after the current model reaches the end of the road and the internal-combustion (ICE) Cayenne Coupe is gawn.Sadly for sports car devotees Bild’s mail is that even though Porsche’s ‘strategic realignment’ from late last year pointed to internal combustion power for flagship versions of the 718 Boxster and Cayman, that plan is kaput with the roadster and coupe again lining up as EV only.Skoda: The Bild report puts the Skoda Fabia small car on the chopping block, although there’s no mention of its closely-related Seat Ibiza and VW Polo siblings.Volkswagen: The Jetta compact sedan, now primarily sold in North America, and the Taos crossover-style SUV, currently offered in global markets including North America, South America and Russia (and marketed as the Tharu in China) look unlikely to make a next-gen iteration.No mention of Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini or Seat although Bentley has already shelved its plan to go pure-electric by 2035 and Lambo’s put production of its first EV firmly on the back burner.Bild estimates VW Group savings of up to €6.5 billion (~$10.7 billion) by 2031 by finishing up these 10 cars but even that’s far from a 50 per cent reduction in the across-the-board model count.Stay tuned for more VW Group model obituaries surely coming soon.

Volkswagen is about to make some big changes that could have knock-on effects for Australia.The brand is planning to cut up to half of its line-up across its brands.Auto News reports as many as 75 models could be ditched, which would reduce VW Group’s capacity from 10 million vehicle to nine million."The global situation has continued to deteriorate over the past twelve months," Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume said. "That is why we are ​acting now."There is no news yet on what models will be under threat, but Australia is unlikely to be immune from these changes.A spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia said this news will have no immediate impact on the local branch."As a next step, we will work closely with our headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, to assess what adjustments – if any – may be needed at the local level," they said.Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Lamborghini, Porsche and Skoda, as well as Volkswagen, all fall under the VW Group name, and the brand has a significant presence in Australia. VW alone has amassed more than 12,000 sales in Australia, but that figure represents a 16. per cent decline compared to June 2025.VW Group sales are declining globally as the brand grapples with soaring costs, including US tariffs, and increasingly competitive Chinese competition. Its profit margins were sliced in half between 2021 and 2025, according to Auto News.  Auto News is also reporting four German VW Group factories are in danger of seeing their doors closed for good, which are plants in Hanover, Emden, Zwickau and Neckarsulm.The brand is also planning to cut up to 100,000 jobs as part of its down-sizing. The proposed moves were subject to heavy protests from workers late last week.VW Group has deepened its ties to China recently, with CEO Blume suggesting the brand could export its China-only models to other markets. This could help cut down the costs for the brand to import cars to Australia. European-built models are often more expensive to produce and import than ones from China.

It feels like Audi’s Q3 has been with us since the dawn of automotive time, but it’s only 15 years since the compact five-door SUV began following in the wheel tracks of its larger Q7 and Q5 siblings.And this Sportback TFSI quattro 195kW is the current flagship of the third-gen version above the front-wheel-drive TFSI 110kW and mid-range AWD TFSI quattro 150kW.At $84,400, before on-road costs, it lines up against upper grades of its traditional German ‘Big Three’ rivals, the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA as well as other premium contenders like the Lexus UX and Volvo XC40.For that kind of money it’s fair to expect a healthy list of included features and this Q3 tips in 20-inch Audi Sport alloy rims, an ‘S line’ exterior styling package, keyless entry and start, three-zone climate control, all LED exterior lighting, a big panoramic glass sunroof, a power tailgate, heated electric sports front seats and leather-appointed seat trim.There’s also multi-colour interior ambient lighting, a heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, 12-speaker 420W Sonos audio, an 11.9-inch digital instrument display, central 12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen, built-in nav, a head-up display, adaptive cruise, a 360-degree camera view and more, including exterior mirrors that do everything except sit up and beg, suspension with damper control and privacy glass.That’s a huge wodge of standard equipment for the category and to top it all our test car featured Madeira Brown matt effect paint for $6370, an Advanced lighting package (Digital Matrix LED headlights with selectable light signatures and animations) at $4225, a Black Exterior package ($2080) and different S design 20-inch alloys ($650). All up, $97,725, including GST.It may be a product of latent colour-blindness but I see this Q3’s eye-catching matt finish as a charcoal grey rather than brown. But either way, when combined with the angular slimline headlights, sweeping coupe-style profile and jagged tail-lights it gives the car a distinctive, borderline menacing personality.The standard S line treatment includes specific front and rear bumpers while a thin red light strip across the rear and illuminated four rings logo on the tailgate add a vibrant after-dark lighting signature.The cabin is clean, contemporary and brilliantly functional. A widescreen dashtop array houses the configurable digital instrument cluster and media display touchscreen. Ventilation control is via the screen but in typical Audi style there’s a physical dial for audio volume and other functions including the ‘drive select’ system.The steering wheel is flat on the top and bottom and the controls for indicators on the left and gear position on the right are more flat paddles than conventional stalks. A (successful) space-saving measure, it takes some getting used to but quickly becomes second-nature.Partial leather trim looks and feels quality, the sports front seats are top shelf and details like semi-floating armrests are a cool design touch while making it easier to close the doors.The Q3 measures just over 4.5m long but there’s plenty of room in the front and (for me at 183cm) a surprising amount in the rear. Lots of storage options around the cabin for cups, bottles and other bits and pieces with power and connectivity including a pair of USB-C sockets in the front and another pair in the rear.The boot holds a handy 488 litres with the 40/20/40 split rear seat upright, increasing to 1289L when folded. Not only that but the reclining rear seat slides for extra load flexibility.It’s also worth noting the Q3 can tow a 2.1-tonne braked trailer, which is pretty handy and a physical temporary spare is a much better option than the increasingly common repair/inflator kit.As its name implies, the Q3 Sportback TFSI quattro 195kW is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine sending 195kW/400Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission and Audi’s quattro permanent AWD system. There’s no electrical assistance for the engine.Claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration time is an impressively rapid 5.7 seconds. Which not only sounds good on paper but feels great in reality.Maximum torque is available from just 1650rpm through to 4350rpm and mid-range grunt is not only healthy but delivered in smooth, linear fashion.The dual-clutch auto is sharp (in a good way) with rapid manual shifts available via wheel-mounted paddles if you’re in the mood to swap ratios through your favourite set of corners.Overall refinement is excellent and even riding on the big 20-inch rims (shod with 255/40 Continental EcoContact 6 tyres) the Q3 handles urban bumps and thumps well thanks in no small part to the damper control suspension.The system reacts to the road profile factoring in parameters including steering, braking and acceleration to continuously adjust damping for each wheel. Steering feel and response are spot-on, as are the brakes.  Claimed combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel economy is 8.2L/100km and over 300km of city, suburban and highway running we saw an on-test figure of 10.1L/100km which is okay for a car with this kind of performance potential.All the active (crash-avoidance) safety features you’d want and expect in a car in this part of the market are onboard and work subtly. But if a crash is unavoidable there are seven airbags, including a front centre bag.A five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty matches key rivals like BMW, Genesis, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes and Volvo but it’s worth noting an increasing number of brands in the mainstream market are stepping up to longer seven, eight and even 10-year cover.Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km and a five-year plan will set you back $3330 or $666 per workshop visit, which isn’t out of order for the class. There are around 50 Audi dealers covering all states and territories including key rural centres.

Audi has confirmed that it is working on cheaper and faster versions of its recently facelifted 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron, with new additions primed to arrive on sale within 12 months.According to Audi product planner Herman Verbeek, speaking to Carsguide, the upgraded all-electric compact SUV will be continually improved from its introduction in Australia late this year as part of plans to extend the model's lifespan into 2030.Originally, the Q4 e-tron was supposed to have been replaced around 2028 by an all-new model that will sit on the Volkswagen Group's Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which has now been pushed back until early 2030 over software challenges within VW's in-house Cariad division.Verbeek said the first model to arrive is likely to be a more powerful version of the Q4 e-tron that has been designed to sit above the current 250kW quattro performance.The product boss didn't disclose how much power the flagship Q4 would produce, but said that the new model wouldn't be badged either an S Q4 e-tron or RS Q4 e-tron, as neither model would offer the "agility or driving dynamics worthy of an Audi Sport model".The extra power will come from existing hardware, with the newly released APP 350 (up to 170kW) and existing APP 550 motor (210kW) will both be wound up to produce more power, while the front-mounted asynchronous electric motor (ASM) will have total output boosted from 80kW to more than 110kW.More good news for those on the hunt for a more affordable take on the Q4 e-tron, Verbeek said his team were working on two new batteries that would replace the current car's nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, with today's entry 59kWh power pack set to be superseded by a new lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that will be shared with the new inbound A2 e-tron crossover that will be released later this year.The cheaper LFP battery, which is expected to bring a 30 per cent cost saving over NMC cells, was originally destined to arrive earlier in the Q4 but was pushed back as Audi waited for the more energy-dense chemistry being developed by the VW Group's partner. The reason for the delay was that Audi was keen for the entry Q4 e-tron to weigh less than 2000kg, as some European underground car parks have strict weight limits that forbid any cars heavier than two tonnes from entering.The same weight limit is also applied to automated stackers, car lifts, ramps and car turntables.Verbeek did not confirm when the new batteries would arrive, but the senior Audi boss did rule out upgrading the current car's 400-volt electrics to 800-volts over the huge cost."We can't do it, we'd need to change everything, the battery, motors, inverters, control units, even the air conditioner condenser."The Q4 e-tron's MEB platform means current charging rates are limited at between 160-185kW, a long way off the 320kW the latest similarly-sized all-electric Mercedes GLA will be capable of, with the Audi taking around 27 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up, around 5 minutes slower than rivals with the more powerful electrics.

The latest all-new third-generation Audi Q7 large SUV underwent a dramatic redesign ahead of its official launch earlier this month.Speaking to Carsguide, a source working closely with the German car-maker confirmed that the Q7 was originally set to adopt wing grip door releases in place of conventional door handles, but that decision was reversed at the very last minute over safety concerns.In what's thought to be an unprecedented move on a car that was believed to have already been homologated for production, the flush, power-operated wing grip or shark-fin style exterior door releases were dropped following new regulations being rolled out next year in China, with senior Audi execs expecting a similar response from European legislators.Attracting designers and engineers to embrace hidden, pop-out or wing grip power-operated door releases was the intense pressure to create the most aerodynamic shape possible, in a bid to maximise an EV's range, or boost efficiency.According to reports, by deleting traditional door pulls, on average a vehicle's drag coefficient falls by up to 0.01Cd, which can equate to more than 3km of range under the European WLTP test cycle.The smoother, cleaner, unbroken lines are also seen as another benefit by designers, but now Audi has abandoned them with wider implications for the Volkswagen Group as a whole.Triggering the rethink has been multiple high-profile accidents that saw either occupants trapped within a car with failing door releases, or first responders struggling to gain access to a cabin in the event of an accident or fire.From January 1, 2027, new Chinese regulations dictate that power-operated door handles will now have to include a physical release for the first time, plus a range of other measures designed to boost safety.Since the new regs require an easily grabbable mechanical door release both inside and out, early indications hinting many Chinese brands are abandoning power-operated releases altogether, rather than adapting or evolving current designs, signalling a return to proper door handles.With a growing debate on the safety of electronic door releases already underway in regions like Europe, it's been hotly tipped that EU regulators and crash safety body EuroNCAP are also racing to implement new measures, or roll out new legislation.If that's not enough to put the likes of Audi off, last year the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it too was investigating Tesla's pop-out door releases over safety concerns.A change in the rules could be costly for car-makers like Volvo who have recently gone ahead and introduced vehicles with the tech.To help circumvent the new rules, the Swedish brand introduced a mechanical override that incorporated a physical release.Should a crash or power failure occur, there's an internal power source that ensures the door release still operates.As well as safety, some owners have also reported reliability issues with power-operated door handles prone to fail in icy conditions when the mechanism can freeze over.The Audi insider did not state how much money it would cost to re-engineer the Q7 doors at such a late stage of development, but it's thought adding back conventional door handles will have cost the car-maker many millions of dollars, but will still be only a fraction of the cost of having to reintroduce them later on during the large SUV's model life.It's thought that instead of reverting to a set of conventional door handles, the new door levers still operate via a power-operated catches, as the large BMW X5-rival adopts some Rolls-Royce-style automatic doors that swing open via a touch of a button on the key fob.

A top-seller in France, Germany and in the UK, Audi Q4 e-tron volumes have never quite made an impact Down Under.It's not exactly hard to work out why.First introduced back in 2021 in Europe, Audi Australia waited until 2024 before it rolled the Q4 e-tron SUV and swoopier Sportback variant out locally. When it arrived, the premium all-electric compact SUV attempted to woo buyers with its stylish looks and upmarket cabin but its high price ruled out a challenge to the high-grade Tesla Model Ys that still account for most EV sales.Originally ripe for a replacement in 2027, Audi has recently admitted delays to the next-generation platform that should underpin the sequel to the small EV have meant that its current Q4 e-tron will have to soldier on until 2030.Later this year, the Q4 e-tron will be joined by the new A2 e-tron, yet another small crossover that is similar in size but be positioned under the entry Audi SUV.To keep the Q4 fresh, Audi will continually update Q4 e-tron from now on, with faster and cheaper variants already in the pipeline but the latest facelift is one of the biggest model upgrades yet carried out to any Audi, says its maker.Not that many will spot the body-coloured single-frame grille, revised lower bumper design, or even the fresh digital LED headlamps.At the rear, another new bumper and rear OLED tail-lights smarten up the Q4, but it's inside where designers and engineers blew the development budget.Climb in and you're now greeted by the same 'digital stage' hardware as the bigger, pricier Q6 e-tron.You'll love the new 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster that lives behind a single piece of glass alongside a 12.8-inch multimedia setup, and admire how smooth and intuitive all the tech is and appreciate the augmented reality head-up display.For the first time there's even the option of a 12-inch passenger display, which is unheard of in its class, Audi says.Sadly, you'll probably hate that designers have deleted the physical controls for the climate control, but to help compensate, there's a new round steering wheel that replaces the old car's squared-off tiller, and it features proper buttons and rotary controllers to help control some of the tech without having to dive into sub-menus.All the new tech runs the brand's latest Android Automotive operating system that introduces a ChatGPT-powered personal assistant.Under the skin, engineers have added a vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability, that allow owners to charge laptops, or an e-bike via a power socket in the rear boot, plus a vehicle-to-home (V2H) feature that can see the Q4 e-tron sell energy back to the grid, power your home, or be topped up using solar.In a bid to boost efficiency, the Audi Q4 e-tron is among the first VW Group vehicles to come with its latest APP350 e-motor that is lighter, features less internal friction and is blended with a trick silicon carbide inverter, new power electronics and fresh software that slashes energy use by 10 per cent.For now, it powers a new 150kW entry version that is paired with a 59kWh battery that provides for a 440km range for the wagon shape and an 8.1 second 0-100km/h sprint.A better bet for Australians is the Q4 e-tron Performance that misses out on the eco-donk but gets a single 210kW rear-mounted e-motor and a larger 77kWh battery for the longer 592km range that is combined with a brisk 6.6-second 0-100km/h dash.Also available will be the fast all-wheel-drive Q4 e-tron Performance that produces 250kW and sees the small Q4 e-tron launch from 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds, although the distance it can travel on a single charge falls to 554km.When it comes to charging speeds, the entry and mid-spec Q4 e-tron can only be topped up at 160-165kW, while the all-wheel-drive flagship can now handle a top-up of up to 185kW.All take around 27 minutes for a 10-80 per cent top-up, which means the Q4 e-tron is about to be humbled by the inbound Mercedes-Benz GLA that arrives later this year, which should match the bigger GLB's maximum 320kW rate and 16-minute recharge.At least the Q4 e-tron is quicker than the older BMW iX1 that takes more than 29 minutes (130kW) but that car is also set to be superseded by a new model late next year.The good news is, when it comes to its 4.6m-long footprint, Audi says the Q4 e-tron still leads the small electric SUV class for interior space, with a surprising amount of rear leg- and headroom and a large 515-litre boot in the SUV/wagon versions.As part of the cabin overhaul there's said to be up to 25 litres of storage within, including a large 4.7-litre Jumbo Box between the driver and passenger.Dual air-cooled wireless charging pads have been added, which sit ahead of two new and improved cupholders.Behind the wheel, engineers have not been tempted to inject any extra spice to the driving experience. That means the Q4 e-tron still offers a smooth, quiet and refined driving experience, with low levels of wind, tyre and road noise.The two cars we drove rode on 20-inch alloy wheels, but it was the single-motor 210kW version delivering better levels of ride quality, compared to the quicker 250kW all-wheel-drive quattro version.Efficiency also seemed impressive with the single-motor version averaging a better-than-claimed 14.8kWh/100km on a mixture of driving.What's missing is the Audi is neither fun or engaging in a way we expect the next BMW iX1 to be as it will share much with the excellent iX3.Audi Australia has yet to confirm official pricing or spec for the Q4 e-tron, but the German brand has announced that all models will come with more kit than before. That includes standard sport seats, the Digital Stage dash, the dual inductive chargers we mentioned earlier, ambient lighting and a new air conditioner that can work while parked.Extras will include matrix LED front lamps, the passenger display, the augmented reality head-up display, three-zone climate control, adaptive dampers, a heated front windscreen, acoustic glass, a panoramic sunroof and a powerful Sonos sound system.Back in 2021 the Q4 e-tron was awarded the full five stars for safety thanks to up to seven airbags and a long list of driver assist tech, although that rating will be up for review as soon as next year.Like every other Audi, the updated Q4 e-tron should come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with a further eight-year/160,000km protection for the high-voltage batteries.The Q4 e-tron gets capped-price servicing package, with service intervals primed to be every 24 months or 30,000km.There's no word on pricing yet, but expect a big adjustment over the current car, which is priced from $84,900 (plus on-roads) for the most basic wagon and stretches to $107,900 for the quickest all-wheel-drive Sportback quattro.

Fuel prices in Australia are about to rise again. The federal government has announced the Fuel Excise cut will continue at a lower rate until the start of August.The original 50 per cent discount equated to 32 cents per litre off fuel prices, but this was due to end on the 30th of June.The government will now extend a smaller discount of 16 cents per litre until the 2nd of August. This announcement means fuel prices will increase across the board in addition to any other fluctuations from external factors. A 16 cent increase will see diesel fuel prices increase back above the $2 per litre mark across the country, having been more than $3 per litre at times over the past few months. The diesel-powered Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes remain two of the best-selling cars in Australia.E10 petrol will also creep up towards the $2 point as a result of this decreased discount. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not ruled out further extensions to the Fuel Excise discount in the future if circumstances require it. "Of course we do live in a volatile world. Were there to be a massive global shock, my government will always respond,” Mr Albanese told Sky News. The news comes as rumours of an end to the Iran war heat up, with the conflict being the key driver of high fuel prices. There is still no freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz - the key gateway for many ships carrying oil globally.It has seen electric vehicle uptake in Australia soar, with budget Chinese options like the Jaecoo J5 EV and Geely EX5 growing by more than 200 per cent between May and June 2026. Tesla experienced a record-breaking month in May, shifting 6433 units - its highest sales number since the Electric Vehicle Council started collecting data. The government will also increase the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to 16 cents per litre, with it being free since April. 

The return of an Audi wagon favourite is on the cards for Australia.The Audi A6 Allroad could return to the brand’s Aussie showrooms for the first time since 2024.The A6 Allroad remains a strong prospect for Australia, but the local branch was unable to confirm its arrival just yet."This model is currently under evaluation for the Australian market," a spokesperson for Audi Australia said."This model is highly appealing, and we would welcome it for Australia."It comes after the car appeared in Australian sales approval documents earlier this year, hinting a confirmation is not too far away.There is potential for A6 Allroad to launch as soon as the end of this year.It will again be available with a V6 diesel engine, but Audi has also introduced a plug-in hybrid set-up to the range for the first time. The A6 Allroad doesn't have any direct rivals in Australia.It will have to compete with the much cheaper BYD Seal 6 Touring PHEV wagon, starting from $34,990 (before on-road costs).Pricing details have not been revealed yet, but it is expected to sit above the sedan variant currently on sale, starting from $123,600 (before on-road costs). The A6 Allroad's 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel has more power than its predecessor, boasting 220kW and 580Nm , while the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol PHEV set-up boosts power to 270kW and 500Nm. The diesel variant is marginally faster from 0-100km/h than the PHEV at 5.4 seconds. Audi said the PHEV has an all-electric driving range of 95km from its 26kWh battery. It offers fuel consumption of as little as 2.6L/100km, when the battery is fully charged. The car does not have DC charging capabilities, but AC charging at 11kW takes around 2.5 hours. All A6 Allroad models come with all-wheel drive as standard. On the inside, there is an 11.9-inch digital driver display and 14.5-inch central touchscreen, along with four-zone automatic air conditioning. There is also a panoramic sunroof available with a dimmable setting as opposed to a conventional shade. 

Audi has released images and Euro specification of its all-new, third-generation Q7 large SUV with a launch mild-hybrid powertrain combining a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, featuring an electrically-powered supercharger, with an upgraded alternator starter and ‘powertrain generator’.Two versions will be offered initially, rated at 180kW/500Nm and 220kW/630Nm, respectively, both driving all four wheels via an eight-speed ‘Tiptronic’ auto transmission and Audi’s ‘quattro’ permanent all-wheel drive system with a new limited-slip centre differential.Supported by a compact lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the powertrain generator “enables short periods of partially electric driving” at slower speeds, adding 18kW/370Nm to the mix.Available in Germany with five, six, or seven seats, the latter offers up to 722 litres of boot space with the third row folded and a maximum volume of 1980 litres with the third and second row down.The six-seat option is a first for the Q7, including adjustable captain’s chairs in the second row for a “business class feel”.Standard suspension is conventional steel with an adaptive air set-up optionally available.Equipment highlights include an illuminated panoramic sunroof with switchable transparency on the flagship seven-seat version, Bang & Olufsen premium audio, multiple digital instrument and media screens in the ‘Audi MMI panoramic display’, optional digital matrix LED headlights, digital OLED tail-lights, alloy rims ranging from 20- to 22-inch diameter and a stylized turn signal projected onto the ground in sync with the dynamic indicators (front and rear) to alert other road users, such as cyclists, to a lane change or turn.Unveiling the new Q7, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said, “For more than 20 years, the Audi Q7 has represented the perfect premium SUV. With its new generation, we carry this mission forward.“It combines a sporty, powerful design with a highly versatile interior, first-class materials, and a wide range of technologies,” he said.Q7 production continues in Bratislava, Slovakia with orders opening in Germany in June 2026, with deliveries commencing in September.An Audi Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, “The all-new Q7 will likely reach Australia in H1 of 2027. “Price and spec will be announced closer to then, as this is currently in the works but won’t be finalised until later this year,” they said. For reference, the new 180kW Q7 starts at €87,900 (~$140,000) in Germany with the 220kW version available from €90,500 (~$149,000).Current Aussie starting price for the out-going second-gen Q7 is $108,815, before on-road costs, for the 45TFSI quattro.

Audi RS5: Ready to enter the German ‘Big Three’ performance octagon with the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63S, the new Audi RS5, offered as a sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon, is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a powerful single electric motor for outputs of 470kW/825Nm. Pricing is already confirmed from $179,900, before on-road costs. Read moreBentley Bentayga Speed: Swapping out the British brand’s epic (but emissions constrained) 6.0L W12 for a fearsome 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has made this luxurious SUV even faster and louder. How about 478kW/850Nm and $525,000, before on-road costs, when it arrives here in the next couple of months?Read moreBMW iX3: Arriving in early July, BMW’s much-anticipated 'Neue Klasse' iX3 is an ultra-modern mid-size five-door SUV with a pure-electric powertrain initially launching with one model, the 345kW/645Nm 50 xDrive (109,900, before on-road costs). The 235kW/500Nm iX3 40 ($89,900, BOC), which slips under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, will follow in Q4.  Read moreBMW M2 xDrive: New compact muscle coupe variant picks up all-wheel drive to put the 353kW/600Nm produced by its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder on the ground. Zero to 100km/h in 3.7sec with cost-of-entry at $172,900, before on-road costs when it arrives in Q4.Read moreBYD Atto 3 Evo: Prior to the all-new next-gen Atto 3 likely hitting Aussie showrooms sometime in 2027, the Evo version of the current model gives it rear-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive flagship with 330kW available. Likely local touchdown in Q3.Read moreChery KP31: And you thought there wasn’t room for another ute in the Aussie market. The subject of a local naming contest (Orca is looking likely, as it tops BYD Shark) the Chery ‘KP31’ is scheduled for a Q4 launch, featuring a ladder chassis and a segment-first 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and electric motor hybrid powertrain. A petrol-electric hybrid will arrive in 2027.Read moreCupra VZ5: Fire-breathing mid-size SUV variant powered by an Audi RS3-sourced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine sending 287kW/480Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 4.2 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than the 228kW VZx, making it one of the fastest combustion-powered SUVs out there. Read moreDeepal S05: The Deepal S05 small-medium SUV joins the S07 mid-size SUV, likely offered in range-extender hybrid and/or pure-electric form. ADR compliance is locked in and pre-orders are open on the brand’s Aussie website.Read moreFerrari 849 Testarossa: Okay, the shopping list - milk, bread, eggs and a $932,648 Ferrari 849 Testarossa. Not for everyone, then. But what a car! Zero to 100km/h in 2.3sec courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain sending 611kW/842Nm to all four wheels. Coupe in Q4, with the roofless Spider arring in early ‘27.  Read moreGeely EX2: Set to arrive in the third quarter, this budget-focused electric compact SUV could start under $30K, before on-road costs. It has a single motor driving the rear wheels and two battery sizes are offered in China, providing 310km or 410km of range, respectively. Read moreGenesis GV60 Magma: Part of the upcoming next-gen GV60 line-up, the Magma is a performance-focused pure-electric powerhouse SUV riding on the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Dual electric motors for 478kW/790Nm, 0-200km/h in 10.9sec and maximum velocity of 264km/h. Arrives in July.Read moreGWM Wey G9: The Wey G9 (name yet to be confirmed for Australia) is a luxury plug-in hybrid people mover scheduled for Q4 with the V9X PHEV SUV spilling over into 2027. Its chunky 44.2 kWh battery provides a claimed pure-electric driving range of up to 170 km with a combined range of more than 1000km. Read moreHonda Super One: Super by name, super by nature, this pure-electric ‘kei’ car is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with a likely Aussie starting price around $35,000. A front-mounted electric motor produces 70kW/162Nm and Honda claims up to 274km of range.  Read moreHyundai Palisade XRT Pro: A tough looking Toyota LandCruiser rival with twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks as well as more ground clearance for useful approach, departure and breakover angles. Add a rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow. Read moreIsuzu D-Max EV: One of the most popular utes in the county could get a pure-electric option powered by front- and rear-mounted electric motors, producing 140kW, with front motor torque at 108Nm and rear motor torque at 217Nm for a maximum 325Nm and full-time 4WD. A 67kWh battery offers a driving range of 263km (WLTP). No launch confirmation yet, but Isuzu Ute Australia says “it will continue to monitor local needs and evaluate the reception of BEVs”. Read moreJeep Compass: Potentially a Q4 arrival, the new Compass rides on the same ‘STLA Medium’ platform as Stellantis stablemates such as the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. It will join the smaller Avenger in Jeep’s electrified line-up. There should be a choice of 106kW 48V eHybrid and 145kW plug-in hybrid powertrains, both likely based on the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine carried over from the current-generation. Read moreKGM Musso Q300: Dual-cab only, powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW/441Nm mated to a six-speed torque-converter auto transmission with 4WD and a locking rear differential. Coil- or leaf-spring rear suspension options with a payload of 500kg for the former and 700kg for the latter. Features a 12.3-inch digital dash and matching multimedia touchscreen.   Read moreKia Seltos: Coming in Q4, We’re expecting a front-wheel drive version with outputs to be approximately 113kW/265Nm, plus an all-wheel drive with 131kW, though its rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor and not mechanically connected to the front wheels. The all-new Seltos should start around $30K, before on-road costs. A specific Australian suspension tune is already in the works.  Read moreLeapmotor B05: Lobbing in Q4, the Leapmotor B05 is a five-door, electric, rear-wheel drive, hot-ish hatch with 180kW/320Nm in the flagship Ultra variant. A choice of 56.2kWh or 67.1kWh battery, delivers a range of 500km or 600km (CLTC) and we’d be shocked if it wasn't among the cheapest warmed-over hatch offerings in the local market.   Read moreLexus ES: Electric versions of the striking all-new Lexus ES have been approved for Australian sale, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive ES500e flagship producing 252kW. The ES350e is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 170kW. However, the brand has confirmed hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered locally.  Read moreMazda CX-6e: Set to challenge the Tesla Model Y on price, the Mazda CX-6e is likely to land with a starting price around $54K. A 78kWh battery delivers a 450km (WLTP) range, the rear-mounted 190kW/290Nm electric motor drives the rear wheels and 0-100km/h comes up in 7.9sec. Its 195kW DC charging capacity is good for a 10-80 per cent top-up in under 25 minutes.Read moreMercedes-Benz GLB: Launch line-up of the pure-electric small SUV will be single-motor rear-wheel drive (200kW/335Nm) GLB250+ or dual-motor all-wheel drive (260kW/515Nm) GLB350. Its 800-volt architecture allows an ultra-rapid DC charging rate of up to 320kW. Three hybrid powertrains will be added later in front- or all-wheel drive all using a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt assistance. Read moreMG QS PHEV: Launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with an Aussie introduction likely this year. Plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor for around 220kW combined. A 24.7kWh battery pack grants it a WLTP-certified electric range of 100km.Read moreMitsubishi Pajero: One of the year’s most significant arrivals comes with the return of the Mitsubishi Pajero, with sights set on the upcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol and current Toyota LandCruiser 300. Most likely powertrain is an updated version of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powering the current Triton range (150kW/470Nm). Looking like a Q4 launch.Read moreNissan Patrol: Nissan Australia has confirmed orders for the new ‘Y63’ Patrol will “open in coming months” with vehicles on the ground at the end of the year or very early next. Its 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine is derived from GT-R’s and produces 317kW/700Nm, dwarfing the 298kW/560Nm outputs of the soon-to-be-defunct V8 of the Y62 Patrol. Read moreOmoda 4: New entry-level model for the brand with edgy, angular looks and a choice of internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power in the domestic Chinese market. Riding on Chery’s ‘T1X’ platform, the Omoda 4 is a likely Toyota Corolla Cross competitor.Read morePolestar 5: Headed our way in Q3, the 5.1m long ultra-slippery (Cd 0.24) Polestar 5 offers the performance, comfort and touring ability of the Porsche Taycan and its Audi e-tron GT sibling at an appreciably lower price. Two versions coming, both powered by dual motors - the Dual Motor (550kW/812Nm) at $171,100 and the Performance (650kW/1015Nm) at $193,100 (both before on-road costs).Read morePorsche Cayenne Electric: Dropping in Q3, as the name implies, this is a pure-electric beast with even the entry-grade (of three) Cayenne Electric ($167,800, before on-road costs) featuring dual motors, all-wheel drive and producing 325kW. The flagship Turbo accelerates from 0-100km/h in hypercar-equalling 2.5sec thanks to its stonking 850kW/1500Nm outputs.  Read moreRenault Symbioz: On course for a July touchdown, the Symbioz is a Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross rival with an entry-level mild-hybrid 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powertrain producing 104kW/245Nm. A 1.8L full-hybrid boosts that to 116kW/265Nm. Pricing starts from $36,990. Read moreSmart #5: It’s been a long time in the offing but the Smart #5 plug-in hybrid SUV is a likely Aussie arrival in the second half of the year. It offers up to 252km of pure-electric range and up to 320kW of total power from its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine and three-speed hybrid transaxle motor powertrain. Claimed fuel economy is as low as 4.4L/100km (when its battery is depleted). Read moreToyota RAV4 PHEV: Another significant new entry. FWD variants of the RAV4 PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and front-mounted electric motor, producing 201kW. AWD variants add a rear-mounted motor, increasing power to 227kW. Pricing will start from $58,840, before on-road costs, making it roughly $15K more expensive than the car's base standard hybrid variant ($45,990).  Read moreVolkswagen T-Roc: Sleeker looking and bigger, with a more premium vibe, VW’s small SUV also features new powertrains. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid in two states of tune (85kW and 110kW) for FWD versions and a more powerful 2.0L mild-hybrid arriving later. A T-Roc R is confirmed to follow, too.  Read moreXPeng G9: As the legal cage fight between previous XPeng importer True EV and the XPeng factory continues, the priority is getting G6s back into showrooms. But the luxury G9 electric SUV is a possible addition. Rear- or all-wheel drive with two battery options, a driving range of up to 680km and loads of included features for an estimated starting price in the region of $70K.Read moreZeekr 8X: Upper mid-sized, plug-in hybrid luxury SUV to sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X and below the flagship three-row 9X. Pairs a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine (205kW/410Nm) with dual electric motors for a combined 660kW/935Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds. A 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allows ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range. Probable starting price in the $80K band.Read moreZeekr 9X: Ultra-luxury, upper-large, three-row SUV offering a dual- or tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, backed by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a massive battery pack. The result is either 660kW/935Nm of combined power for the two lower variants, or 1030kW/1410Nm for the top-spec car, as well as between 300 and 380km of fully electric driving range. Standard equipment and features are suitably extensive. Expect a starting price just over $100K.Read more