Articles by Andrew Chesterton

A mystery Hyundai trademark has surfaced in Australia, hinting at the brand's long-rumoured Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol rival finally surfacing.

Hot on the heels of global adulation over the (very good) Honda Civic Type R, reports have emerged in Japan that the the one performance powerhouse will next turn its attention to a two-seat sports car that harks back to the Honda S2000.

Cupra might have rejected the idea of creating its own ute based on the Volkswagen Amarok, but the new-to-Australia brand says it will make up for it in what could be a far more exciting way.

Here we go again. Like clockwork, just as soon as rumours of a new Toyota LandCruiser surface, demand for the outgoing model skyrockets.

The details of the Hyundai Kona Electric have been confirmed for Australia, with the all-electric SUV to deliver more than 480kms in driving range when it arrives Down Under towards the end of 2023.The Kona Electric range has expanded in this new-generation model, with the EV to be initially offered in two trim levels, with an N Line version to in 2024."The Kona is going to have an N Line version, and we'll start with the electric," says Hyundai USA boss, Jose Muñoz. "We're going to have different versions, and we've started from the beginning with the EV."Also new are the brace of battery sizes, with 48.6kWh and 64.8Kh available, with the latter expected to deliver a WLTP driving range in excess of 480kms on the WLTP cycle. Battery sizes in the outgoing model were 39.2kWh and 64.0kWh.The new Kona Electric is also bigger in every way than the model it replaces, with the new version 145mm longer, 25mm wider and 20mm taller, all while riding on a wheelbase that’s been increased by 60mm.Those gains are all about producing more space for passengers and their stuff, with rear leg room boosted by 77mm, and cargo space increased by 33 litres (with the rear seats in place), and a more signifiant 144 litres when the back seats are folded flat.The cabin tech has been upgraded too, with every model equipped with dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, thoroughly modernising the cabin experience and addressing one of the more old-school-feeling features of the outgoing model.The Kona EV will initially arrive in Australia in two trim levels, with Standard Range and Extended Range models to launch. An N Line version will touch down soon after, while a full-blown N model remains unconfirmed across the entire Kona and Kona Electric range.The Standard Range delivers 99kW and 255Nm, and should travel around 380kms on a single charge. The Extended Range version ups the power to 150kW and 255Nm, and should travel in excess of 480kms on a charge.We don’t know the full equipment list for Australia yet, but LED headlights and taillights, the dual screen system and dual-zone climate control will arrive as standard, as will the ability to download over the air updates. New safety equipment includes an in-car camera monitoring the driver’s attention level and a centre airbag.Hyundai is yet to confirm Australian pricing details, but we would expect the Kona Electric to start higher than the model it replaces, which started at $57,438 for the Elite, and $60,938 for the Highlander.

Ram has begun lifting the lid on the incoming Dakota mid-size ute, with the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival expected to offer ICE and electrified powertrains, and it could arrive in right-hand drive from the factory for Australia.Ram boss Mike Koval showed an all-electric concept to the brand’s US dealers in March, which drove suspicions that the long-awaited ute would be an EV only offering.But Mr Koval told Australian media that wouldn’t be the case, with an electric-only powertrain limiting the truck’s popularity in global markets. Instead, the model would be offered with a choice of engine or motor, with ICE and EV both on the table.When asked if, given ICE remains a core part of Ram’s strategy, the new ute would keep a foot in both powertrain camps, Mr Koval replied: “Yes, because I don't want to limit my opportunities.”“I would be doing the team a disservice if I didn’t (offer ICE). I want to be able to sell it in every market around the world."The Dakota - although that name is yet to be confirmed - would form a key plank in Ram’s new global strategy, in which the brand will dedicate more engineering space to markets outside America.And that could include producing the Dakota in left- and right-hand drive from the factory, foregoing the need for the successful remanufacturing process that currently takes place through Ram Trucks Australia and Walkinshaw in Melbourne.When asked if the Dakota would be offered in left- and right-hand drive from the factory, Mr Koval replied: “It would always be the idea”.“When I got to the brand in 2016, I would say 96 percent of the engineering focus was on North America. That’s changing. Every new vehicle, starting with the (Ram 1500 REV), and everything beyond it, I will make it international in scope. Or I’ll try to.”So, onto the name. While Dakota is reportedly firming, Mr Koval says no decision has been made on what the truck would be called. "Obviously the Dakota name carries a lot of heritage. It's very special to us. I'll say if and when, we'll see. At the moment it's not, because it's just in concept phase. But we'll see," Mr Koval says."I will say this - we've been talkling about it forever. This is the Ram leadership team that is going to execute. We will be the team that delivers it."

The Ram 1500 REV has been confirmed for Australia, with the all-electric pick-up truck to arrive in our market soon after the model's US launch in late 2024.

Hyundai’s tough ladder-frame rival for the LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol could spawn a luxury-soaked Genesis version, giving the Korean premium brand an answer to vehicles like the Lexus LX and the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.That’s the word from Genesis’ Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, who says he has sketches of a Genesis-badged off-roader ready to go, while at the same time hinting that a true Hyundai Group 4WD is coming by saying that he couldn’t talk about it “yet”.If and when that model appears, it will be on the table for a Genesis version, with Mr Donckerwolke saying “I don’t see why it wouldn’t fit the brand”.“I cannot talk about that yet” he said. “But it’s always the same thing — we make synergies within our group, and when we see that there is a potential to utilise (a vehicle), when this is inline with the brand values, why not?“I don’t see why it would not fit the brand. We have a defined line-up of vehicles, and whether there are extra satellites that will add to that, this is something to be discussed, but first we have to do the homework.”A ladder-frame 4WD has long been rumoured at Hyundai and Kia, with the work going into the latter’s dual-cab ute expected to be adopted into an off-road-focused SUV.And with Genesis on board, the model could be among the most powerful in Australia. Genesis uses a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline-six engine, good for a substantial 205kW and 588Nm, in its GV80, for example. And then there’s the not-so-small matter of that same model’s lusty twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6. That engine produces a significant 279kW and 530Nm, fed through an eight-speed auto and sent to all four wheels.The only question Mr Donckerwolke has to answer is whether the model would be the "right genetic fit" with the brand."If you have a G-Wagon, for example, then this car is justified because of its heritage, even more than because of its performance," he says."To plug something artificially into a brand could be a mistake if it does not have the right genetic fit with the brand. As a design? Yes? As a business opportunity, that’s another story."That said, the design guru says he has sketches of a Genesis 4WD ready to go so he'll "Will we see a Genesis answer to the Lexus LX? We'll have to wait and see.

Genesis has just revealed the vehicle that it hopes will take the fight to cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X6, with the GV80 Coupe expected to land in Australia in the first half of 2023.

The first step towards an all-new Y63 Nissan Patrol will reportedly be taken in June this years, when US dealers show off the New Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept, with the model to act as the first preview of the Nissan Group's replacement for its biggest and most powerful SUV.