Articles by James Cleary

Until recently it appeared certain an unstoppable EV wave was in the process of wiping out combustion-powered vehicles thanks to a combination of environmentally-focused consumer sentiment and government regulation driving carmaker product strategies.

The Volvo EX30 is instantly recognisable as a contemporary Volvo thanks to everything from the signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights to the chunky rear haunches, blocky indents along the flanks and characteristically curved bonnet give the game away.

The influx of full-size utes from the USA has been a controversial development, with WWII American GI-style sentiment along the lines of ‘over-sized, over-priced and over-here’ summing up the negative commentary.

Despite the lack of a traditional grille the Volvo EX30 is instantly recognisable as a contemporary Volvo and that’s down to more than a stylised version of the Swedish maker’s ‘Iron Mark’ logo on the nose. Everything from the signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights to the chunky rear haunches, blocky indents along the flanks and characteristically curved bonnet give the game away.

Volvo's taking big steps towards its imminent all-EV future and the latest addition to the Swedish brand's local line-up is the pure-electric EX30 small SUV. CarsGuide has driven this premium, city-sized five-seater in town, on the highway and everything in-between at its Australian launch.

Kia's top executive has confirmed key details relating to the much-anticipated high-performance GT version of the brand’s flagship EV9 electric SUV.

Lamborghini has unveiled a new plug-in hybrid version of its ultra-high-performance Urus SUV and in typical fashion, while claiming an 80 per cent reduction in tailpipe emissions, the legendary Italian brand has endowed it with no less than 588kW (788hp).

BMW has used China’s Beijing motor show as the launch pad for updated versions of its i4 medium EV sedan and combustion-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe four-door ‘coupe’ models.Scheduled to enter production in July this year at the BMW Group’s main plant in Munich, headline news is the new all-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 model producing 295kW/600Nm while delivering a range of up to 548 km (WLTP). All i4 and 4 Series variants feature a revised version of the brand’s iconic ‘kidney’ grille (“half enclosed” on the i4 EV) and new design LED headlights with adaptive function, matrix high beam, ‘urban lights’ (wider light distribution at speeds below 50 km/h) with ‘Laserlight’ tail-lights optionally available.On M Performance combustion models, and as part of the ‘M Sport’ option package, a black high-gloss diffuser and larger (100mm) tailpipes are added, with a carbon-rich ‘M Sport Package Pro’ also offered.Two new metallic colours, ‘Cape York’ (green) and ‘Fire Red’, have been added to the model range palette, while inside, a new flat-bottom steering wheel with illuminated multifunction buttons (plus gearshift paddles on combustion models) is now standard.Synthetic leather sports seats are standard, with ‘Vernasca’ leather trim available, new ‘Dark Graphite’ interior trim elements have been added and several ventilation and climate functions have been shifted to touch-sensitive controls on the central screen (also accessible via voice-command).Ambient lighting (with additional contour lighting around the central vents) is now standard on all models.For global markets the i4 range consists of four grades - eDrive35, eDrive40, the new xDrive40 and the M50 xDrive, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe line-up spans five models - 420i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, 420d and 430d xDrive.In response to a request for details on local specification, pricing and likely arrival timing BMW Australia told CarsGuide, “Any updates regarding model line-ups of the BMW i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupé for Australia will be announced in due course.” For reference, Australian pricing for the BMW i4 currently ranges between $85,900 (eDrive35) and $133,900 (M50 xDrive), before on-road costs, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe covers a spread from $83,500 (420i M Sport) to $129,000 (M440i xDrive).

For the first time in its 45-year history, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G-Series to its mates) features propulsion provided by something other than unburstable internal-combustion engines with the official reveal of the G580 pure-electric version of the iconic 4WD SUV at this year’s Beijing motor show.

The countdown to Kia unveiling its all-new Tasman ute continues at pace with the release of the first images of the game-changing newcomer wearing a unique camouflage wrap.