Articles by Jake Williams

Aston Martin has teased its latest dream machine, which it is labelling 'Project 003'. Project 003 is a new mid-engined hypercar that features technology showcased in the Valkyrie, which is the company’s current hypercar product. It is set to arrive in late 2021.According to Aston Martin, the Project 003 will have its DNA deeply rooted in concepts and technology being developed for road and track-only products, including a lightweight structure and a turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain. Fully homologated for both left- and right-hand drive markets, just 500 units of the Project 003 will be commence production in two-and-a-half years time. It will be more practical than the Valkyrie however, having been designed and engineered to offer more practical uses to customers and even space for luggage, which is rare in most hypercar products.The company has said the Valkyrie was always going to be a one-off, once-in-a-lifetime project, but it was important that it set the precedent for Aston Martin products launched afterwards.If launched in Australia, expect the Aston Martin Project 003 to launch sometime in 2022, with local pricing and specifications to be confirmed at the time of launch. 

Hyundai is rumored to debut a new sub-Kona SUV at April’s New York motor show, which may be called Styx. Aimed mostly at North America and Australia, the Styx has been confirmed for local release in the second half of 2019. Rumoured to be under 4.0 metres in length and offered in front-wheel drive only, the Styx will be priced below the Kona, which lists from $23,500 before on-road costs in Australia.Not much else is known about the Styx at this time, though its model codename is QX and that could potentially be its name in Australia. It’s likely to take its styling cues from the HND-14 'Carlino' concept car that debuted at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo, which featured a boxy body and details such as small LED tail-lights and a large glasshouse. Competing at the entry-point to the small SUV class, the Styx has been developed with cars such as the Ford EcoSport and overseas Nissan Kicks in mind. It’s likely to use the same platform as the overseas Hyundai i20, and will likely serve as the basis for a Kia equivalent within time. Internationally, a wide range of engines will be offered with the Styx, including a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. Within a few years of the Styx’s release, an electric version is expected as well. Down Under, we expect just the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol to be offered, though the electric version could be sold here too.Hyundai Australia has confirmed the Styx will be launched locally with public relations specialist Tatiana Suchecki explaining: “Yes, the ‘QX’ will be available locally in the second half of 2019.”While the Styx will be made in markets such as India, we expect Australian-spec Styx models to come from South Korea, and feature a higher level of equipment and safety features than the Indian model. 

GMC has unveiled a mid-life facelift for the US-spec Acadia large SUV, which is a strong hint at what's in store for the Australian version, which wears Holden badges.

Ford has revealed its fourth generation Focus ST, scheduled to go on sale in Australia in early 2020.

Created by Jaguar Land Rover’s skunkworks department, Special Vehicles Operations (SVO), the Land Rover Discovery SVX and Range Rover SV Coupe have been cancelled.Due to a lack of resources within the SVO company and multi-$billion losses in the fourth quarter of 2018, both super niche products have been canned, leaving those dreaming of a high performance off-road Discovery and super luxurious coupe Range Rover disappointed.Revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Discovery SVX was due to be on sale in Australia by late 2018.It was powered by a 386kW/625Nm supercharged petrol 5.0-litre V8 engine, and featured many off-road aids, including larger wheels with off-road tyres, a suspension lift kit, active hydraulic roll control and active centre and electronic rear locking differentials.On the other hand, the Range Rover SV Coupe was a super luxurious version of the Range Rover due to cost upwards of $500,000 in Australia and only a small number of units were destined to arrive locally.Featuring a redesigned body with three doors instead of the usual five, as well as a four-seat layout with second row captain’s chairs, the SV Coupe was to be positioned as the most luxurious Range Rover ever produced.Speaking about the decision to cut the Range Rover SV Coupe from production, the company said: “We have taken the difficult decision to inform our customers that the Range Rover SV Coupé will not proceed into production. Instead, Land Rover is focusing its resources and investment on the next generation of world-class products.“With exciting plans for electrification, enhanced craftsmanship, innovation and technology we are working to ensure that we continue to offer our customers a choice of world leading SUVs.Jaguar Land Rover posted a AUD$6.2 billion loss for the fourth quarter of 2018, thanks to lower demand for diesel engines and sluggish sales in China. The company plans to slash around 10 percent of its workforce, as well as slash products such as the Discovery SVX and Range Rover SV Coupe, to help stem the cash loss. Both SVO-developed products were set to be on sale in Australia by now, with pricing expected to start at around $200,000 for the Discovery SVX and $500,000 for the Range Rover SV Coupe.

Honda Australia has launched a new limited edition variant of its 2019 HR-V range called the +Luxe. Bringing more luxurious features to less expensive HR-V variants, the +Luxe is priced at $29,990 plus on-road costs.Based on the second-tier HR-V VTi-S, the HR-V +Luxe adds black leather upholstery with heated front seats, premium paint and +Luxe badging. That’s in addition to the standard features the HR-V VTi-S offers, including automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, climate control, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors, a blind-spot camera, satellite navigation and city-speed automatic emergency braking. Standard on all HR-V models is a 105kW/172Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that uses a claimed 6.9L/100km of fuel on a combined cycle.Like all HR-V models, a CVT auto is standard on the +Luxe. Featuring a 437-litre boot, the HR-V is one of the most practical cars in the small SUV segment, in which it competes with the Mazda CX-3, Toyota C-HR, Nissan Qashqai and Subaru XV. Four colours will be available on the HR-V +Luxe, with ‘Brilliant Sporty Blue’, ‘Lunar Silver’, ‘Modern Steel’ and ‘White Orchid’ available at no extra cost.

Renault Australia has added a new 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine to its Captur small SUV range for 2019, with new equipment too.

Suzuki Australia has launched the 2019 model year Baleno range, which continues to be priced from $15,990 plus on-road costs.

Volkswagen Australia has introduced revised drive-away pricing for the 2019 model year Golf GTI.

Bentley has launched what it claims is the world’s fastest SUV: the 2019 Bentley Bentayga Speed. Featuring an up-rated twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine, the Bentayga Speed is due in Australia in October, priced from $481,400 plus on-road costs.