Articles by Byron Mathioudakis

Australians may have to wait up to another year before they can get their hands on the promising new Fronx, as supply and specification questions hang over its head.Additionally, far from rivalling the best-selling MG ZS at the bottom end of the small SUV segment as some reports have previously speculated, a source close to the company says that the high-riding compact crossover will now be “expensive”, suggesting that it might kick off closer to – or even breach – the $30,000 threshold when sales commence later in 2024.As an indirect replacement for the popular Baleno light car in the sub-$20,000 field, it had been anticipated that the Fronx would launch in Australia sometime in the first half of next year, as a more-affordable alternative to the Toyota Yaris Cross, GWM Haval Jolion and Mazda CX-3.Asked for a timing update for Fronx at the launch of the long-awaited Jimny XL in Sydney last week, Suzuki Australia General Manager, Michael Pachota, revealed to CarsGuide that access to Australian-bound models have been pushed back, due to strong international demand pushing the release date back.“We've confirmed it for Australia in terms of the green light for export to this country,” he said.“But at the moment it's doing so well from a global perspective in terms of the markets it's already been introduced in. So, there's a question as to exactly when production will start for us and I think we just have to wait a little bit longer to understand exactly what that time frame is.”Unveiled back in January this year and built in conjunction with subsidiary Maruti in India, the Fronx measures in at a tad under four metres long, 1.8m wide and 1.55m tall, and sits on the old Baleno’s 2520mm wheelbase.The latter highlights the “Heartect” architecture underneath that also underpins the Ignis light SUV/crossover as well as the current Swift supermini. Note, however, that the Fronx’s ground clearance jumps from the Baleno’s 120mm to a handier 190mm in its Indian home market.Unsurprisingly, the newcomer’s petrol engine choices should be familiar to drivers of all those Suzuki models and others, and includes the Japanese brand’s acclaimed 74kW/148Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo unit dubbed Boosterjet, powering the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.A 66kW/113Nm 1.2-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated version is also available as an entry-level powertrain proposition, but for the time being is limited by a five-speed automated manual option known as AGS in Suzuki speak, which would not be suitable for Australian consumer tastes.Plus, South Africa scores a Fronx fitted with a 77kW/138Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine related to the one found in the Jimny. And just like the iconic off-roader, this one offers either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual opener.Finally, mild-hybrid versions are also produced for some markets, though whether they make it to Australia remains to be seen. And, speaking of advanced tech, so far there seems to be no autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in the mix, though this may change by the end of 2024.This, along with the lack of an appropriate 1.2-litre auto entry-level Fronx, may be behind the delays as well as higher-than-expected pricing that our source suggests.Pachota promised more information will be revealed in the near future.“We'll be announcing (details about Fronx) sometime early next year," he added.Finally, as a portmanteau of 'Frontier next', will Australians embrace the name Fronx?While we understand that some dealers have been pushing for a less controversial name, including Baleno X or Baleno Crossover to build upon the consumer recognition of a long-lived badge (the original Baleno was released in the mid-1990s), Pachota rebuffed such notions, believing instead that it sets the small SUV apart in a crowded class."Incorrect. We love it, we love it,” he reiterated. “Anything against the grain we're all for."Should Suzuki Australia stick with the global Fronx nomenclature or go with Baleno X? Let us know in the comments below.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has confirmed that an announcement on the replacement of one of its most popular models – the venerable ASX – is likely now only weeks away. Furthermore, it might involve a two-pronged strategy, requiring the staggered launch of a pair of unrelated small SUVs.

General Motors (GM) has revealed that Australia played an important role during the planning stages of its latest BEV3 electric vehicle (EV) architecture.

Renault importer Ateco Automotive is finally set to launch the massively-popular Dacia Duster series in Australia later in 2025, with the order books scheduled to open sometime in the final quarter of next year.

Mitsubishi’s radical new Delica Crossover is shaping up as a strong contender for Australia, with the Australian management pushing to get the business case over the line.

Larger, stronger, roomier, safer and more comfortable, the sixth-gen Triton for 2024 elevates Mitsubishi's mid-size ute to fresh heights for the brand. And while its lack of V6 diesel and/or hybrid availability is disappointing, the all-new chassis's Australian-specific tune is a big step forward. We won't know how it behaves on-road, but a stint off-road shows how far this ute has come.

Ford has taken the unusual step of slashing Mustang Mach-E pricing even before customer deliveries commence in Australia. Cut by up to $7000 according to grade, it means that the least-expensive version of the company’s first passenger electric vehicle (EV) in Australia now kicks off from $72,990 (all prices are before on-road costs), down from $79,990.

Toyota has just unveiled what may be its most significant electric vehicle (EV) to date – the Urban SUV Concept. To debut in production form in the first half of next year, the battery-powered small SUV is set to be one of the company’s bestselling EVs globally, with Australia likely in the mix as well.

Toyota has revealed that it is on track to release hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to the Australian genera; public from 2025.

Now half a decade old, the current Mazda 3 range has not only aged well, but has undergone a consistent stream of improvements to help keep the Japanese small car stalwart fresh. Key changes for 2024 include updated multimedia and functionality upgrades, but the real story is just how competitive - as well as premium - the higher-end grades like the G25 Evolve SP feel. Premium sums it up nicely.