Articles by Jack Quick

Isuzu has revealed a new bi-turbo-diesel engine in Thailand that features in both the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV. This 2.2-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo-diesel engine produces 150kW and 500Nm which is 10kW and 50Nm more than the current 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that’s available in Australia. It also produces 30kW and 100Nm more than the standard single-turbo 2.2-litre diesel engine that’s also offered in Australia and replaced the 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel in 2025. Isuzu claims this 2.2-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine is five per cent faster in the 0-100km/h sprint and eight per cent more fuel efficient than the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel under highway conditions. At this stage Isuzu Ute Australia has said this new 2.2-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine isn’t for Australia, but this may change in the future. “The newly announced 2.2L Bi-Turbo engine is currently specific to the Thai market,” said an Isuzu Ute Australia spokesperson. “Isuzu Ute Australia continually considers future product opportunities based on local customer needs, market conditions and regulatory requirements; however, we have no announcements to make regarding this powertrain for Australia at this time.” Isuzu only introduced the single-turbo version of the 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel in 2025, but this new bi-turbo version may replace the ageing 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and it’s not only more powerful, but claimed to be more fuel efficient. Last year, Isuzu Ute Australia received credits with the Australian Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), however it’s unclear whether it’ll do the same in 2026. Isuzu currently only sells diesel-powered vehicles in Australia with no electrification whatsoever. The company recently shelved plans to introduce the D-Max EV and has not announced any intentions to bring the mild-hybrid engine options available in other markets. In 2026 the CO2 emissions target for Type 2 vehicles, which includes both the D-Max and MU-X, under the NVES is 180g/km. This is set to reduce to 150g/km in 2027. The D-Max 3.0-litre is claimed to emit 204g/km, whereas the 2.2-litre single-turbo is claimed to emit 188g/km, both according to combined cycle testing. These are both above the 2026 threshold and will attract fines of $1200 and $192, respectively, for each vehicle imported. The brand has previously said it's looking to trade NVES credits with other manufacturers and attempt to share the extra cost between dealers, without increasing the asking price of its diesel-powered D-Max and MU-X.

Tesla has officially confirmed the Cybertruck electric pick-up will not be coming to Australia. The US electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer sent out emails earlier this morning to Australians who currently hold a deposit on the Tesla Cybertruck. “After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued,” reads the email. “As a result, we’re unable to fulfil your reservation and it will be cancelled.” In addition to a refund of the deposit, Tesla is offering Australian Cybertruck reservation holders one year of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) if they order a new Model 3 or Model Y. While Tesla claimed back in mid-2025 that it was briefed on changes required to allow the Cybertruck to be approved for local sale, it appears the business case didn’t stack up. The Tesla Cybertruck was first revealed in prototype form in 2019 and after many delays, production began in 2023. At the time, the Cybertruck went up against the likes of the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T, among others. Demand for large electric pick-ups has since cooled, especially in North America. After intense initial demand for the Cybertruck, sales quickly dropped off. As it stands, Tesla still only offers two vehicles in Australia, the Model 3 and Model Y. The latter is firmly Australia’s best-selling EV and was the best-selling car overall for a few months earlier in 2026. Both the Model 3 and Model Y are offered with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology which allows it to drive to virtually any location itself, provided the driver is paying attention and is ready to take over at any point. Globally Tesla is still developing its Cybercab robotaxi fleet and most recently showed off its new Roadster which is capable of aerial acrobatics thanks to cold-gas thrusters. At this stage it’s unclear whether the Cybercab, nor the new Roadster will ever make their way to Australian shores, just like the Cybertruck.

Toyota recently announced it’s planning to ramp up sales of its zero- and low-emissions vehicles in Australia, but Polestar claims it’s still aiming to be under the average. The Japanese carmaker is aiming to have 30 per cent of its local sales be battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) by the end of 2030. “Surely that’s a conservative view, given that we’re at 25 per cent now,” said Polestar Australia Managing Director Scott Maynard. “So by the end of the decade, if you’re building 30 per cent, I would expect the market could well be running ahead of that. “So you’re still aiming to be behind.” Until the end of September this year, sales of EVs, PHEVs and FCEVs made up 27.8 per cent of the overall market share. A total of 265,870 were sold until the end of September, which is up 132.2 per cent year-on-year. There are a number of key drivers for this increase in zero- and low-emissions vehicles sales including the increase in fuel prices, more options from new brands at lucrative price points, as well as the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for EVs, among others. The Tesla Model Y stands out as a major reason for why sales of zero- and low-emissions vehicles have grown so much. A total of 35,930 examples have been sold until the end of September, which is up 108.4 per cent year-on-year. This firmly makes it Australia’s best-selling EV. In fact it was the best-selling car overall during May, June and August this year, beating the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Toyota RAV4. With the launch of the facelifted bZ4X earlier this year and the recent addition of the new bZ4X Touring, Toyota is currently experiencing record sales of its EV. They’re almost five times more than the same point in 2025. Toyota also already has the fleet-oriented and low-volume HiLux BEV and in mid-2027 will launch the C-HR BEV as a smaller electric SUV. While 100 per cent of Polestar’s vehicles are EVs, local sales are down 10 per cent year-on-year. A total of 1681 vehicles were sold until the end of September. Polestar’s best-seller has been the Polestar 4 for a considerable period now and it’s soon gaining an SUV body style with an actual rear window. This should see sales for this model increase further.

Mazda has seemingly confirmed its new-generation CX-3 small SUV will feature a mild-hybrid powertrain. This comes as the Japanese carmaker released its latest report outlining initiatives for the medium-to-long term. On a slide indicating the rollout of new Mazda models, the new-generation CX-3 is in the column for mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrid (PHEVs). It’s specifically not in the Skyactiv-Z column, which is Mazda’s forthcoming in-house-developed hybrid powertrain. No details about this mild-hybrid powertrain have been confirmed yet. It’s unclear if the new CX-3 will be mild-hybrid only, but it’s likely pure petrol engines will also be available. Mazda has previously confirmed it will build the new-generation CX-3 exclusively in Thailand. The outgoing model is already produced there, as well as in Japan and Mexico. According to the report, the new CX-3 is in the ‘Phase 2’ section of Mazda’s product roll-out, which is set between 2025 and 2027. This likely means it will be revealed in 2027, given 2026 is almost over. The new CX-3 will reportedly become Mazda’s new entry-level model, replacing the Mazda2. This will likely elevate the entry price to the Mazda line-up. In Australia it’s currently $27,290, before on-road costs for the entry-level Mazda2 G15 Evolve hatchback. The Mazda CX-3 is currently one of the Japanese carmaker’s oldest vehicles and when it’s replaced with the new-generation model it will be 12-years old. Mazda revealed the Vision X Compact concept at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show and it gave some indications of what the new CX-3 will look like. There are elements that are reminiscent of the Chinese-produced Mazda 6e and CX-6e, plus the slab-like body cladding looks like an iteration of the current Mazda 3, CX-30 and CX-5. We’re yet to get an indication of what the new-generation CX-3 will look like, but a number of digital renders have been created.

Polestar Australia Managing Director Scott Maynard has hit out at brands that aren’t electrifying their line-ups, saying they are now rightfully paying the price. “It’s a decision that every brand has had to face in the last five years and we have to be a little bit sympathetic to what must go on in those boardrooms when they consider the costs of R&D (research and development),” said Maynard to CarsGuide. “Do you invest billions of dollars in developing a new petrol engine, or do they commit to electrification? “Brave brands have dedicated themselves to electrification, or at least fast-paced or fast-tracked its development. “Some have chosen not to do that … and now sadly they’re paying the price for it. And many would argue it’s a price they deserve to pay.” “If looking to invest at the pace that others have … then they’ll be handing money to those brands via the NVES scheme,” said Maynard. The Australian Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is helping to reward carmakers that are electrifying their line-ups, granting credits that can be held, traded or sold to brands that currently have fines for being above the targets. Polestar, along with Tesla, have fully electric line-ups in Australia and therefore plenty of NVES credits. As of 2025, the brands with the highest amount of NVES fines include Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, as well as Hyundai and Genesis. It’s worth noting all of these brands have ramped up their electrified vehicle line-ups in 2026. However, certain brands like Mahindra, Isuzu and Ineos currently don’t offer any electric vehicles (EV) or hybrids in Australia. “We’re also about to enter into a review of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard,” said Maynard. “And equally, we’re really keen to see just how that rounds out, how it’s taken. “It doesn’t look like there’s going to be any fundamental changes made to the program, such as the targets. However, how it’s triggered and how some of the timings work might get moved around. “We’re looking to ensure that program remains intact and as it was intended because we consider that it’s been a roaring success to date.”

Ford will upsize the V6 engine the regular Ranger receives in the USA, though it won't be coming to Australia. As reported by Autoblog, the standard, non-Raptor version of the Ford Ranger will be gaining a larger and more powerful 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine. This will reportedly replace the 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine that’s optional on certain Ranger grades in the USA. A Ford Australia spokesperson has confirmed the core Ranger line-up will remain diesel-only in Australia, excluding the Ranger Hybrid and Ranger Raptor. The US-specification Ford Ranger is produced domestically, whereas the Australian-specification models are produced in Thailand. In the US this standard Ford Ranger with the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine will be paired exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. This mirrors the Ranger Raptor. The exact power and torque figures haven’t been confirmed yet. It’s unclear whether they will remain unchanged from the Ranger Raptor, or if the engine will be detuned. For reference, the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine produces 292kW and 583Nm in the Ranger Raptor. The standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is set to continue in the US, especially in the entry-level XLT trim. No turbo-diesel or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain is offered in the US, like it is in Australia. In the US the Ford Ranger receives a few other specification changes for the new model year. These include blue badging instead of black, updated alloy wheel options, revised front and rear fascias, new exterior paint colours, the availability of a power-sliding rear window and tweaks to the off-road-oriented FX4 package. It’s unclear whether any of these changes will inform future updates for Australian-specification Ranger. Some of the aesthetic changes may eventually come. The Ford Ranger has been Australia’s best-selling car for the last three consecutive years and it appears to be on track to achieve this again in 2026. A total of 37,858 have been sold until the end of September this year, which is narrowly ahead of the Toyota HiLux (36,616).

The Porsche Taycan officially has hot competition in the form of the Polestar 5 electric grand tourer. Essentially a concept car come to life, read on to see how it performs on Aussie roads.

Jaecoo is axing the regular, petrol-only versions of its J8 large SUV in Australia as it prioritises zero and low-emission vehicles. With this change, only a single, range-topping plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Jaecoo J8 will remain on sale. It’s priced from $59,990, before on-road costs. This effectively raises the entry asking price for the Jaecoo J8 by $10,000. Demonstrator versions of the Jaecoo J8 petrol grades are still available at dealers, but only while stock lasts. The Jaecoo J8 first launched in Australia in 2025 as a larger stablemate to the mid-size J7 SUV. The two petrol-only trim levels were powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It produces 180kW and 385Nm and, depending on the trim level, was front- or all-wheel drive. The petrol-only versions of the J8 notably only had five seats. This changed when the PHEV with seven seats launched earlier this year. The Jaecoo J8 SHS-P has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors for a total system output of 315kW. It also has a 34kWh lithium-ion battery pack allowing for a claimed electric range of 169km. The main driver for Jaecoo discontinuing the petrol-only J8 grades in Australia is seemingly the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). Carmakers are being pushed to introduce more low or zero emission models as the fleet CO2 targets get lower with every year. Jaecoo is far from the only brand to be pivoting to hybrid-only model line-ups. For example, a number of Toyota models, including the Yaris, Corolla, C-HR, Camry, RAV4 and Kluger are hybrid only, as is the Nissan Qashqai and forthcoming, next-generation Kia Seltos. While Jaecoo still offers petrol powertrains in the smaller J5 and J7 SUVs, both of these models come with hybrid, PHEV or electric powertrains.

Toyota will reportedly begin producing the next-generation Corolla in China in 2028. As reported by Nikkei Asia, this version of the new Toyota Corolla will be built by FAW Toyota Motor, which is an existing joint-venture company between Toyota and FAW Group. At this stage it’s unclear whether this Chinese-specification version of the new Corolla will be the same or different from the Japanese version. Historically there have been some differences, most notably with design. Nikkei Asia does note this new Corolla will feature multiple powertrain options. These are reported to include not only petrol and hybrid options, but also plug-in hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains. At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Toyota revealed the Corolla concept, which previewed what the next-generation model may look like. The exterior design isn’t too far from the current Prius hatchback and it features front and rear LED light bars, large 21-inch alloy wheels, a small display showing how charged the battery is, as well as a small rear spoiler. It’s unclear how many of the features shown on the concept will make their way into the production version. Although it’s almost been 12 months since the reveal of this concept, Toyota still hasn’t provided any information regarding when we may see the production-ready, next-generation Corolla. Toyota still hasn’t provided a timeline of when the next-generation Corolla will launch, the existing 12th-generation model continues to get older. This version of the Corolla was first revealed and launched locally in 2018. A facelift launched in 2022, then the high-performance GR Corolla launched in 2023. In Australia both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Corolla are offered and they’re all produced in Japan. Despite its age, the Corolla continues to be the small car segment-leader. Until the end of September, a total of 10,182 examples were sold, which is down 28.7 per cent year-on-year.

Nissan has confirmed the new-generation X-Trail mid-size SUV will launch locally late next year. This means that the Australian launch of the new-generation Nissan X-Trail will follow about 12 months after the US launch of the Rogue, which is the same car but with a different name. “This current generation that we’re in, I think we were two model years after the launch of the first left-hand drive ,” said Nissan Australian Managing Director Steve Milette to CarsGuide. “With the way the platform principles are now working at the global level from a product development , between the first left-hand drive and first right-hand drive, it’s been condensed quite significantly. “It’ll be a year or less, which is good news.” In contrast Nissan has taken more than two years to bring the Patrol to Australia after it went on sale in left-hand drive markets. Nissan already offers one e-Power hybrid-only model in Australia, the Qashqai small SUV, and it’s unclear whether the brand will expand this to include the X-Trail to further reduce the fleet CO2 emissions. “It’s a possibility,” said Milette when posed with the question. “I can’t confirm that that is definitely going to happen, but we know that the hybrid market has expanded globally, but especially here. “I would say even in our current-generation X-Trail, we’ve gone from very low percentages to now 33 per cent is e-Power, and by the end of December, it’ll be closer to 50 per cent.” At this stage Nissan Australia hasn’t confirmed the local specifications for the next-generation X-Trail, however the new US-specification Rogue gives an indication of what to expect. There’s a new e-Power hybrid powertrain that’s claimed to be quieter and more efficient. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive e-Power is also 11kW more powerful than the current version, with a total system output of 168kW. A 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine will also be offered as a pure-combustion engine option in the US. A version of this engine is already offered in the outgoing model. In addition to the e-Power hybrid all-wheel drive, the current, outgoing X-Trail is offered with a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine in Australia, as well as a new front-wheel drive e-Power hybrid powertrain. Nissan Corporate Executive of Family, Products & Components Strategy Richard Candler previously told CarsGuide there is a “very large amount of new”, despite still being underpinned by an iteration of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-CD platform the current model rides on, For example, the structure is claimed to be completely different and much stiffer than before. Additionally, there is a fresh design and a reworked strut front, multi-link rear suspension set-up with a wider track width. All Rogue trims feature 90-degree opening doors, LED headlights, dual 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia system (14.3-inch on higher grades), a wireless charger, 64-colour interior ambient lighting, as well as multi-zone climate control.