Articles by Chris Thompson

Honda has finally confirmed details of its much anticipated next-gen Prelude, which is already confirmed for an Australian launch next year.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has published ratings for several new cars after crash testing new SUVs, a ute and a sedan.

The Volkswagen Polo name will live on, rather than be sidelined by the incoming production version of the brand’s ID.2all concept car.

Chery’s new ute brand has only just debuted a model that looks set to head to Australia, but one company executive has told media he expects the Rely P3X will be competitive with mainstream sales stars the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.Following its reveal at this week's Chengdu Auto Show, General Manager of Chery’s Rely sub-brand, Zhang Jiaming, told Chinese motoring outlet Autohome the Rely P3X is the brand’s “future product” designed to “compete with Toyota and Ford in the global mainstream market”.Chery’s Australian boss Lucas Harris has previously told CarsGuide the model would be his preferred option for a model to bring to Australia.The Rely P3X, which could wear a different badge if it comes to Australia, is a diesel plug-in hybrid, ladder-frame ute with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine and electric motors. More details, like outputs and capabilities, are yet to be confirmed, but the brand is reportedly aiming for a 1500kg payload.If the P3X is to come to Australia, it will launch in the second half of next year, according to Harris.It would make sense for the P3X to be the model selected to launch in Australia, as Zhang Jiaming says it’s “arguably most prominent product”.“We aim to truly enter the core mainstream segment of the global market, such as Toyota and Ford. Current products can't penetrate this market, and we can't compete on brand and mechanical performance,” he told Autohome.“However, with the P3X, Rely has a chance to seize this position. First, the Rely P3X offers excellent safety, second, it offers better economical efficiency, and third, it boasts exceptional intelligence, enabling various scenario-based innovations. Therefore, I believe the Rely P3X can fully compete with these competitors.”

GWM Australia has confirmed the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system seen on the Cannon Alpha PHEV ute will make its way to the brand’s Tank 500 4WD.The 2026 GWM Tank 500 PHEV will launch before the end of the year and will feature a large battery and electric motors with plenty of power and an impressive driving range. Importantly, the Tank 500 PHEV will be a five-seater to accommodate the battery.GWM is yet to confirm pricing for the Tank 500 PHEV, but the pricing difference between traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrids in the same trim level is typically less than $5000 for the brand. The standard hybrid Tank 500 starts from $73,990 drive-away.GWM says much of the powertrain, which it calls ‘Hi4 plug-in hybrid technology’, will be the same as found in the Cannon Alpha PHEV ute, including the 300kW total power output and hefty 750Nm of torque on tap. A claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds is relatively handy for a full-size family 4WD.This comes thanks to the combination of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 120kW electric motor, which put power to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.Importantly, the GWM Tank 500 PHEV is rated for 3000kg of braked towing capacity, has 213mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 800mm. It has an approach angle of 30 degrees, breakover of 22.5 degrees and departure angle of 24 degrees.GWM claims 120km of electric driving range thanks to its 37.1kWh battery, but that’s tested via NEDC methods that tend to be more generous than more accurate WLTP testing. The brand also claims fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km, also not likely reflective of full-time real-world efficiency.Charging at 50kW on DC means a claimed 30 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes, or AC charging at 6kW should result in about 6.5 hours of charging.Instead of the third row, a more spacious second row will include heated, ventilated and massaging seats, with a touchscreen for rear passengers to control climate, lighting, media and comfort settings.The front of the cabin will have a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, three-zone climate control, LED lighting and a suite of safety kit including a surround-view parking monitor.GWM says pricing will be confirmed in the coming weeks as the Tank 500 PHEV’s launch approaches. A page for customers to register interest is live on the brand’s website.

China’s JAC is set to bring a new plug-in hybrid version of its T9 ute to Australia, according to documents seen by CarsGuide.

BMW's M5 is available as a Touring wagon again for the first time in more than a decade, but the long roof isn't the only thing adding weight. Is the M5's plug-in hybrid powertrain worth the added complexity?

Volkswagen is reportedly planning to lob the five-cylinder engine from sibling brand Audi’s RS3 into its halo hot hatch, the VW Golf R.The plan involves the 25th anniversary of the VW Golf R being marked with a special edition powered by the Audi RS3’s turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, Autocar reports.The UK outlet says the RS3-powered Golf R should arrive in 2027, though hasn’t quoted a source. It’s expected the five-pot hot hatch will be the most powerful Golf yet.This means it would need to outgun the current Golf R that makes 245kW thanks to a wicked-up version of Volkswagen’s omnipresent EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.In the RS3, Audi’s EA855 five-cylinder makes 294kW of power and 500Nm of torque, but Autocar has previously been told by former Managing Director of Audi Sport Sebastian Grams there’s more to be wrung out of the engine.If it comes to fruition, it won’t be the first time VW has slotted a bigger engine into the Golf.During the model’s third generation in the 1990s, the Golf VR6 became somewhat of an oddity in the hot hatch world with a six-cylinder engine living under the bonnet. The Mk3 VR6’s engine, a 2.8-litre narrow-V that straddled the line between V6 and inline-six, was followed by a 3.2-litre version of the engine in the fourth-generation Golf’s R32 variant in 2002.It’s the Mk4 Golf R32 that Volkswagen will be marking 25 years since with the introduction of its five-cylinder Golf R in 2027.

Volvo Australia has confirmed local pricing for its incoming segment-treading electric car, the ES90.

If you like the GWM Haval H6 but want something that at least looks like it can go off road, say hello to the Haval H7. A family mid-size hybrid SUV with boxy looks and a packed features list.