Articles by Jack Quick

Nissan has been without an electric vehicle (EV) in its local line-up ever since stock of the outgoing Leaf hatchback dried up, but that’s soon set to change. Five years after it was initially revealed, the Nissan Ariya electric SUV will launch in Australia this September. Orders are now open at Nissan dealers.

China’s Chery will unveil its next electrified off-roader from the iCar brand on August 1 at an event in Dubai, according to reports. As reported by Car News China, this new vehicle will be the iCar V27, which will be the sub-brand’s largest vehicle yet. It’ll sit above the existing Jeep Wrangler-sized iCar 03 and V23 SUVs. Measuring in at almost 5.0m long, or around the same size as a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, the iCar V27 will reportedly be powered by a range-extender (REEV) powertrain. Two configurations will reportedly be offered: one with a single, rear-mounted electric motor and another with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. Both will reportedly have a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that acts purely as a generator and at no point drives the wheels directly. The dual-motor version will reportedly have a total system output of 335kW of power and also have the ability to travel up to 200km on electric power alone. The V27 will reportedly build upon the blocky looks and silhouette of the V23. It’ll have square headlights with a circular running light design, multi-slat grille, vertical tail-lights, side-hinging tailgate and a decorative rear “backpack” where a spare wheel would typically go. Car News China reports the V27 is one of the first from the iCar brand to be fitted with a LiDAR sensor for more semi-autonomous driving functionality. Chinese domestic production of the iCar V27 is reportedly set to commence later this year, with LiDAR-equipped versions to follow in the fourth quarter of 2025. This unveiling event for the iCar V27 in Dubai will also reportedly mark the international launch of the iCaur name. Apple holds the trademark for iCar outside of China, so the brand has been forced to come up with a different name for international markets. At this stage it’s unclear the markets iCaur will launch in, but according to British reports earlier this year, it’ll launch in the UK in 2026. Given right-hand drive production is now more or less locked in, this makes it a chance for an Australian launch. Despite this, Chery Australia is still remaining quiet of the iCaur brand for now. “We’re certainly interested in the exciting product that was revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show. However, at this early stage there are no confirmed plans,” said a Chery Australia spokesperson in May this year. If iCaur does come to Australia it will add to the growing stable of Chery and its sub-brands. Chery currently offers a range of Tiggo SUVs (Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and soon the Tiggo 9), as well as the C5 and E5 (previously Omoda C5 and E5, respectively). Jaecoo also launched locally earlier this year with the J7 and J8 SUVs. It’s worth noting that Chery sells its iCar V23 as a Jaecoo model in other markets. Additionally, the standalone Omoda brand is launching locally in August with the Omoda 9 SHS, which is a plug-in hybrid alternative to the Jaecoo J8. Omoda and Jaecoo models will be sold together at dedicated Omoda Jaecoo dealers, not Chery dealers. This strategy follows what Chery has been rolling out globally.

China’s Zeekr has been in Australia for over a year and it already has two vehicles on sale in Australia, the X small electric SUV and 009 electric people mover.

Mercedes-AMG has detailed a number of new “performance-oriented” Edition R and Edition R+ models for Australia. Following the “strong reception” of the AMG C43 and GLC Edition R models, this time the brand has given its smallest passenger cars the treatment. These include Edition R versions of the AMG A35 and A45 S sedan and hatchback, as well as hotter Edition R+ versions of the AMG CLA35 and CLA45 S sedan. Pricing for the new AMG A35 Edition R hatch and sedan, as well as the AMG CLA35 Edition R is down by up to $4300 compared to the standard model it’s based on. They now start at $86,200 before on-road costs. With the hotter AMG A45 S Edition R+ and CLA45 S Edition R+, on the other hand, pricing is the same as the standard model it’s based on. This means a starting price of $122,500 before on-roads and $129,300 before on-roads, respectively. A table detailing the full pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG A-Class and CLA Edition R and Edition R+ line-up is at the bottom of this story. Despite being cheaper, the new AMG A-Class and CLA Edition R models pick up a wide range of exclusive kit. This includes the AMG Aerodynamics Package that features a large front splitter with additional flics, a high-gloss black diffuser blade, as well as an AMG rear wing for the A35 hatchback and an AMG rear spoiler for the A35 sedan and CLA35. These models also pick up 19-inch black AMG alloy wheels with red brake calipers, AMG aluminium interior trim, as well as synthetic leather and microfibre upholstery with red top stitching. Over the standard AMG A45 S and CLA45 S, Edition R+ versions of both pick up AMG performance seats. The CLA45 S Edition R+ also picks up a fixed AMG rear wing for the first time. Power for all A-Class and CLA Edition R and Edition R+ models remain unchanged. The A35 and CLA35 are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 48V mild-hybrid boost producing total system outputs of 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The A45 S and CLA45 S, however, are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine without any mild-hybrid assistance, but it produces 310kW and 500Nm. The current Mercedes-Benz CLA is reaching the end of its lifecycle and will be replaced by a new-generation model imminently that’s set to be offered in mild-hybrid and electric guises. The current A-Class is also nearing the end of its lifecycle and isn’t set to get a replacement. Production was meant to cease next year, though reports from Europe now state that it could continue until 2028.  

The writing has been on the wall for a number of years now but Volvo has officially axed its remaining sedan and wagon line-up in Australia. While Volvo still may have examples of the S60 and V60 Cross Country left in its dealer network, both of these passenger cars have been axed locally. No more shipments of either are coming. It follows the larger S90 getting discontinued locally in 2019 and the flagship V90 Cross Country getting the axe locally in 2021. The Sino-Swedish brand now doesn’t have any passenger car in its line-up until the flagship ES90 electric sedan arrives. This is currently earmarked for an Australian launch in late 2025. As a result, the Volvo Cars Australia current line-up only consists of the EX30, EX40, XC40, XC60, XC90 and EX90. The C40 electric SUV was axed locally earlier this year. The Volvo S60 sedan has lived through three generations, with the latest version being first revealed in 2018 and launching locally in 2019. Third-generation S60 models were initially sourced from the United States, but in 2022 a minor update saw production shift to China. The V60 wagon launched locally in 2019 and was replaced by the higher-riding V60 Cross Country in 2021. The latter was always sourced from Belgium. It remains unclear whether Volvo is working on successors to the S60 and V60, especially given it has dropped its plan to only sell EVs from 2030. In the first six months of 2025 Volvo sold a total of 37 S60 examples and 78 V60 Cross Country examples, which is a drop of 56.5 per cent and 4.9 per cent, respectively. The brand’s top-seller continues to be the XC40 small SUV. A total of 1287 examples were sold in the first half of 2025, which is down 24.1 per cent year-on-year. In fact, Volvo as a brand has been experiencing a slump in sales locally. 3597 new vehicles have been sold year-to-date, which is down 24.1 per cent year-on-year. Looking to the future, Volvo is planning to launch the aforementioned ES90 electric sedan later this year. It will also launch the EX30 Cross Country, which is a jacked-up version of the EX30 small electric SUV.

Fiat has detailed some wild drive-away pricing deals for its regular 500e and hot Abarth 500e electric hatches to stimulate sales and clear out existing stock. The Italian carmaker is still selling model year 2023 (MY23) versions of both the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e. Until September 30 or until stock runs out, the Fiat 500e La Prima is now priced from $38,990 drive-away and the Abarth 500e Scorpionissima is priced from $43,990 drive-away. Typically the Fiat 500e La Prima is $52,500 before on-road costs and the Abarth 500e Scorpionissima is $60,500 before on-road costs. This is a saving over $15,000, depending on the model. This new drive-away pricing puts it closer to the more affordable EVs on sale in Australia. These include the BYD Dolphin ($29,990 before on-roads), GWM Ora ($33,990 drive-away) and MG4 ($37,990 drive-away). This isn’t the first time a car brand has had to slash the asking price of its electric vehicles (EVs) to clear out stock. Notable examples include the Peugeot e-2008 in 2024 and the Jeep Avenger Longitude earlier this year. The Fiat 500e launched in Australia in 2023 exclusively as a top-spec La Prima hatchback. It’s powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 87kW of power and 220Nm of torque. This is fed by a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Fiat claims the 500e La Prima can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.0 seconds and it has a claimed range of 311km according to WLTP testing. The Abarth 500e, on the other hand, launched in Australia in late 2023 in Scorpionissima trim. A Turismo trim arrived in 2024. It’s powered by a more powerful single, front-mounted electric motor producing 114kW of power and 235Nm of torque. This is fed by a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Abarth claims the 500e Scorpionissima can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.0 seconds and it has a claimed range of 253km according to WLTP testing. Fiat doesn’t split out sales data between its petrol and electric 500/500e/695 models. In the first six months of 2025 it has sold 207 examples of the 500/500e/695, which is down 28.6 per cent year-on-year.

BMW has confirmed it’s introducing the new limited-run X5 Shadow Edition to Australia that’s now available for delivery at dealers. This new X5 special edition is the latest in the line of Shadow Edition models. There was a 3 Series version in 2017, a 1 Series version in 2019 and an X7 version in 2020.

The Kia Tasman ute has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on the current 2023-2025 testing protocols. It achieved 85 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 85 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 74 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 80 per cent for Safety Assist. It’s worth noting the Tasman’s five-star rating only applies to certain 4x4 dual-cab pick-up variants. The X-Line and X-Pro, as well as the entry-level S 4x2 dual-cab pick-up remain unrated. This also applies to the forthcoming single-cab and dual-cab chassis variants that are due to arrive later this year. ANCAP noted the Tasman “performed well” across the crash protection and collision avoidance tests. Specifically, high scores were achieved for the low risk of injury the adult and child dummy occupants received during the frontal offset crash test. The safety authority also noted the Tasman has a “moderately low” crash compatibility risk, which for its size and mass it did “very well”. This test assesses the risk the test vehicle has to potential crash partner vehicles and their occupants. A penalty was applied, however, in the full width frontal crash test when the pelvis of the driver dummy slipped beneath the lap section of the seatbelt. “Fleet buyers and potential Tasman customers across the country have been eagerly awaiting the Tasman’s safety rating, and this five-star result will be welcome news,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg. “With such strong market presence and consumer demand, it’s pleasing to see manufacturers continuing to prioritise safety in this segment. “The dual-cab shopping list is already healthy, and we expect to see it grow further with other new contenders entering the market in the coming months. “Consumers and fleets should check the ANCAP website regularly to ensure they have all the information they need to make an informed, and safe, purchasing decision.” As standard the Kia Tasman receives safety features like seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention monitoring, reversing camera, as well as front and rear parking sensors. All models also receive an emergency SOS calling function. Stepping up to the SX gets you Highway Drive Assist 2 which combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring. It also includes an assisted lane change function. Opting for the X-Line and above gets you additional features like reverse AEB, a surround-view camera and side parking sensors. The flagship X-Pro variant also gains a Ground View Monitor, which is helpful to see under the car when off-roading. It’s worth noting that all Tasman variants also have ISOFIX points and top-tether child seat anchorages on both outboard rear seats. There’s no top-tether point on the middle rear seat, so ANCAP doesn’t recommend installing child seats in this position.

Jeep has detailed the pricing and specifications of its updated Gladiator ute ahead of examples arriving at local dealers this month.

Geely has detailed an updated version of its EX5 electric SUV over in China that comes with the option of a larger battery pack. As reported by Car News China, presales of this long-range Geely EX5 are set to start on July 24. In the Chinese domestic market this electric SUV is called the Geely Galaxy E5. Highlighting this update is the availability of a larger 68.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that’s claimed to offer 610km of range according to lenient CLTC testing. This bolsters the existing 49.5kWh and 60.2kWh LFP battery pack options. Only the latter is offered in Australia and it offers up to 440km of range according to WLTP testing. All versions of the EX5 are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 160kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Beyond the larger battery pack, there are also two new exterior paint colours. They’re called ‘Dawn Blue’ and ‘Evening Forest Green’. In Australia there are five exterior paint colours offered. They’re called ‘Arctic White’, ‘Shadow Black’, ‘Volcanic Grey’, ‘Moonlit Silver’ and ‘Aquatic Green’. At this stage it’s unclear whether this updated Geely EX5 with the larger battery option will ever be offered outside of China. “While we cannot confirm any additions to the Geely Auto Australia range at this time, we are continuously monitoring market trends and consumer behaviours to ensure our product range aligns with the preferences of local customers,” said a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson. The Geely EX5 launched in Australia earlier this year in two trim levels - Complete and Inspire - as a cut-price rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5. It starts at $40,990 before on-road costs. The Chinese carmaker has just opened a register your interest portal on its website for its next vehicle, the Starray EM-i, which is essentially a plug-in hybrid version of the EX5. It’s set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2025 and be a rival to the likes of the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.