Articles by James Cleary

BMW has used this year’s edition of the Le Mans 24 Hour sports car endurance race as the launch pad for its M Concept Neue Klasse, which the German maker says “showcases the new BMW M design language and sets a clear signal for the brand’s all-electric future".The BMW M Hybrid V8 racer may have finished second to Toyota in the gruelling round-the-clock race but the dramatic M Concept Neue Klasse, finished in a newly developed ‘Monza Red’ metallic paint finish, stole the show off-track.Introducing the car, Head of Design BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse and BMW M Oliver Heilmer said, “The new BMW M design language forms the expressive spearhead of the Neue Klasse – determined and purposeful.“At BMW M, form consistently follows function. Every detail serves performance. This project is truly special to me because it carries the BMW M character into a new era,” he said.Pumped guards over fat rubber evoke BMW M cars of old, while the pure-electric, quad-motor powertrain delivers a suitably powerful performance punch.Exterior design highlights include headlights and signature ‘kidney grille’ in a single unit, a “trimaran-style bumper” (influenced by the form of high-speed sailing boats) and competition-inspired M Yellow Lights which BMW said are “set to become a new signature feature of future BMW M automobiles”.A pronounced front splitter, monster ducktail rear spoiler and red-and-blue coded centre-lock wheels are focused on aero efficiency.Inside, four bucket seats incorporate structural elements made from natural fibre materials and are trimmed in ‘Bathurst Blue’ and ‘Berry Red’ with black nubuck leather on the steering wheel, door panels and roll bar.The floating dashboard is finished in black knit material and features M-specific hexagonal backlighting.BMW said the concept is based on its Neue Klasse ‘Gen6’ technology, developed specifically for all-electric BMW M models.It combines four electric motors with “integrated, wheel-specific control of the drivetrain and braking systems” and 800-volt electric architecture for long-range capability while the high-voltage battery is integrated with the front and rear axles to enhance driving dynamics.

The honour of placing a V8 engine under the bonnet of a production road car for the first time goes to none other than Rolls Royce.In 1905 a 3.5-litre, 90-degree, side-valve V8 powered the modestly titled ‘Landaulette par Excellence’ and the aptly named ‘Legalimit’, the latter famously governed so its driver couldn’t exceed Britain’s 20mph (32km/h) speed limit (although potential thrill-seekers were offered the option of a higher setting for a hair-raising 42km/h Vmax).Sadly, the Legalimit was an unqualified flop and only one was ever sold with the RR factory ultimately buying it back, anyway.But over the intervening 121 years the engine configuration it pioneered has proved to be anything but a failure and regular reports of its imminent demise have so far proved to be unfounded.After some tinkering by De Dion-Bouton in France and Cadillac in the USA it was everyone’s favourite automotive ground-breaker, Henry Ford, that really got things going with the iconic ‘Flathead’ V8 in the 1932 Model B.It remained in production for more than two decades and its compact packaging, and relatively light weight compared to straight-eight engines preceding it, set the template for the V8’s ongoing popularity.GM then took centre stage in 1955 with the evergreen small block V8, an amazing 113 million have since been produced.Back then, the average fuel price in the USA was around 29 cents a gallon (7.7 US cents a litre) and dinosaur juice was a seemingly limitless resource set to power the globe indefinitely.The mad muscle car era in America, Australia and elsewhere escalated to dizzying heights in the late 1960s and early ‘70s with 5.0-, 6.0-, 7.0- and even 8.0-litre engines in the nose of insanely powerful machines. But that all changed in 1973 when Arab members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) began flexing their political muscles, putting pressure on the US and other countries that supported the state of Israel.Oil production was progressively cut, which sent global prices through the roof and at the same time multiple western countries were recognising ‘The Environment’, in this context mainly air quality, as an important issue.Which led to one of the V8’s first obituaries being drafted.Downsizing of cars and engines was seen as a necessary evil and the V8 was widely written off as an out-dated, wasteful device best consigned to the history books.Some, like AMC, took a while to get the hang of it, however, producing the smaller Pacer (aka Wayne and Garth’s Mirthmobile) with a six-cylinder and optional V8 engine.‘Smog Systems’ began to be mandated in multiple jurisdictions, especially California, reducing emissions but strangling performance. Devices like EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valves, catalytic converters and charcoal canisters became de rigueur.When Cadillac introduced its 500 cubic-inch (8.2-litre) V8 in 1970 it was rated at 400hp (298kW) but by 1976 it was a shadow of its former self at just 190hp (141kW).    However, despite 1979’s Iranian Revolution again causing a significant drop in global oil supply, the V8 remained alive in the shadows while six, and most prominently, four-cylinder machines came to the fore.But by the early 1980s the Middle East had settled down and the V8 began to pop its head up above the parapet.Locally, Ford discontinued the XE Falcon V8 in 1982 to much outrage but it came back in 1991’s EB.Holden thought about dropping the V8 Commodore in 1984 but a public ‘V8s ‘til ‘98’ campaign quickly changed the board’s mind.A V8 death notice that looked ready for publication was once again withdrawn.   Exotic quad-cam designs in multiple models from Aston Martin, BMW and Ferrari and as well as Lamborghini, Lexus, Lotus and others moved the V8 game forward in terms of performance, efficiency and cleanliness.The technology trickle down effect meant even garden variety V8s were a viable option thanks to reduced emissions and acceptable fuel economy.But through the 1980s and ‘90s that environment thing started to gain extra momentum. Long-established scientific observations like a diminishing ozone layer, ‘The Greenhouse Effect’ and ‘Global Warming’, as well as a broader appreciation of human impact on the planet became headline issues.The car’s internal-combustion engine was marked as a high-profile target with the V8 often singled out as public enemy number one.      And as we moved into the current century, quirky, off-beat electric car experiments like the GM EV1, Honda EV Plus and Toyota RAV4 EV morphed into a more concerted battery-electric effort driven largely by Elon Musk buying into Tesla and ramping up its planet-saving aspirations.Fossil fuels were pigeon-holed as a limited, unsustainable resource and soon enough the Tesla Model S became the ‘it’ car of the 2010s.Following the S with the Model X large SUV, smaller Model 3 sedan, Model Y medium SUV and Cybertruck pick-up, Tesla grew into the global phenomenon we know today. Government mandates began to be applied at all points of the globe - ever-tightening emissions standards and target dates for the elimination of new internal-combustion models. Everyone from Ford and GM to Honda and Nissan, BMW and Mercedes-Benz hit the scramble alarm, terrified they were about to miss an EV boat which five minutes ago they didn’t even know was at the wharf.And the Chinese automotive giant began to wake up and push towards pure-electric propulsion.But then… that fundamental element, consumer demand, began to soften. Despite the current conflict in the Middle East, after an initial burst of enthusiasm, the global take up rate for EVs is well down on early predictions.The EU is currently mandating a 90 per cent reduction in average tailpipe emissions for new cars and vans by 2035, rather than a full ban on internal combustion engines (ICE).  The UK’s 2030 ‘ICE Ban’ has been shifted back five years and in the USA zero-emission mandates look to be headed for a more ‘gradual’ application while other countries are making similar moves towards regulatory relaxation.So, again the defibrillator paddles have been applied to the V8 engine’s chest and it continues to breathe in and out.Last year GM reiterated its ongoing commitment to V8 power with a US$918 million upgrade across four US facilities involved in V8 engine production with $US888 million also going to its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. And the latest, sixth-generation ‘LS6’ version of GM’s small block V8 has found its first home between the axles of Chevrolet's updated Corvette supercar, the all-alloy 6.7-litre (409ci) unit producing a sizable 400kW/705Nm.Mercedes-AMG has realised its customers don’t want four-cylinder turbos in its heavy-hitting models and the brand’s stupendous 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 lives on.Stunning supercars like the Lamborghini Temerario combine turbo V8 power with electric hybrid punch and its success has spawned the likelihood of a new-generation, V8-powered Audi R8. Bentley, BMW, Ford, Land Rover, McLaren, Porsche and others are also keeping the V8 dream alive. The GWM Tank 800 SUV, set for a mid-2027 Aussie touchdown, is powered by an all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, working in concert with multiple electric motors.And Formula 1 traditionalists are celebrating FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s determination to reinstall V8s in F1 cars from 2030.So, even though it’s been on death’s door for more than half a century, eight cylinders arranged in a vee continues to be the engine configuration of choice for a significant number of global carmakers.Will it be around in another 50 years? Who knows? Let’s make it a date to check back then.

It may have only been in existence since 2003 but the current Chairman of BYD Auto, Wang Chuanfu, has told shareholders at the Chinese giant’s annual general meeting the company will be the world's biggest automaker in five years.Speaking to around 1000 investors at the BYD Conference Centre in Shenzhen, Wang said, “BYD will truly become the number one automaker globally in terms of ​scale in five years" and forecast a rapid increase in second-generation ‘Blade’ battery production, which according to a source in the room referenced by Shanghai Securities News, he identified ​as a key growth bottleneck.BYD ranked sixth in global sales in 2025, with 4.6 million of its vehicles finding homes in the calendar year, but the Chairman’s bold prediction comes as BYD’s domestic sales continue to struggle in 2026.The Chinese maker is widely perceived as the instigator of an intense price war in its home market, designed to apply pressure to newer, more vulnerable players.But BYD’s aggressive strategy has impacted its own results with year-on-year sales in China down close to 8.0 per cent. Net profit fell ¥33 billion (~$6.8 billion) in the financial year to December 31, 2025 and the company’s net profit margin shrank to 4.1 per cent compared to 5.2 per cent in 2024.For reference, China’s total automobile production and sales in 2025 reached a staggering 34.53 million and 34.40 million units, representing year-on-year increases of 10.4 per cent and 9.4 per cent, respectively.And surely Mr Wang’s confidence is designed in part to convince analysts the business has strong prospects as BYD shares have dropped more than 45 per cent from their peak on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange over the last 12 months and around 33 per cent on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.To hit the number one spot BYD would have to increase its global result by close to 130 per cent, with current global industry leader Toyota having sold 10.5 million vehicles (including Lexus) in 2025.BYD global production year-to-date May, 2026 is down just over 20 per cent to 1.41 million units, compared to 1.76 million vehicles at the same point in 2025.In Australia, however, BYD sales are still going through the roof with registrations up 120 per cent year-on-year to the end of May - 33,454 units in 2026, up from 15,199 for the first five months of 2025. 

Audi has released images and Euro specification of its all-new, third-generation Q7 large SUV with a launch mild-hybrid powertrain combining a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, featuring an electrically-powered supercharger, with an upgraded alternator starter and ‘powertrain generator’.Two versions will be offered initially, rated at 180kW/500Nm and 220kW/630Nm, respectively, both driving all four wheels via an eight-speed ‘Tiptronic’ auto transmission and Audi’s ‘quattro’ permanent all-wheel drive system with a new limited-slip centre differential.Supported by a compact lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the powertrain generator “enables short periods of partially electric driving” at slower speeds, adding 18kW/370Nm to the mix.Available in Germany with five, six, or seven seats, the latter offers up to 722 litres of boot space with the third row folded and a maximum volume of 1980 litres with the third and second row down.The six-seat option is a first for the Q7, including adjustable captain’s chairs in the second row for a “business class feel”.Standard suspension is conventional steel with an adaptive air set-up optionally available.Equipment highlights include an illuminated panoramic sunroof with switchable transparency on the flagship seven-seat version, Bang & Olufsen premium audio, multiple digital instrument and media screens in the ‘Audi MMI panoramic display’, optional digital matrix LED headlights, digital OLED tail-lights, alloy rims ranging from 20- to 22-inch diameter and a stylized turn signal projected onto the ground in sync with the dynamic indicators (front and rear) to alert other road users, such as cyclists, to a lane change or turn.Unveiling the new Q7, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said, “For more than 20 years, the Audi Q7 has represented the perfect premium SUV. With its new generation, we carry this mission forward.“It combines a sporty, powerful design with a highly versatile interior, first-class materials, and a wide range of technologies,” he said.Q7 production continues in Bratislava, Slovakia with orders opening in Germany in June 2026, with deliveries commencing in September.An Audi Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, “The all-new Q7 will likely reach Australia in H1 of 2027. “Price and spec will be announced closer to then, as this is currently in the works but won’t be finalised until later this year,” they said. For reference, the new 180kW Q7 starts at €87,900 (~$140,000) in Germany with the 220kW version available from €90,500 (~$149,000).Current Aussie starting price for the out-going second-gen Q7 is $108,815, before on-road costs, for the 45TFSI quattro.

Audi RS5: Ready to enter the German ‘Big Three’ performance octagon with the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63S, the new Audi RS5, offered as a sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon, is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a powerful single electric motor for outputs of 470kW/825Nm. Pricing is already confirmed from $179,900, before on-road costs. Read moreBentley Bentayga Speed: Swapping out the British brand’s epic (but emissions constrained) 6.0L W12 for a fearsome 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has made this luxurious SUV even faster and louder. How about 478kW/850Nm and $525,000, before on-road costs, when it arrives here in the next couple of months?Read moreBMW iX3: Arriving in early July, BMW’s much-anticipated 'Neue Klasse' iX3 is an ultra-modern mid-size five-door SUV with a pure-electric powertrain initially launching with one model, the 345kW/645Nm 50 xDrive (109,900, before on-road costs). The 235kW/500Nm iX3 40 ($89,900, BOC), which slips under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, will follow in Q4.  Read moreBMW M2 xDrive: New compact muscle coupe variant picks up all-wheel drive to put the 353kW/600Nm produced by its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder on the ground. Zero to 100km/h in 3.7sec with cost-of-entry at $172,900, before on-road costs when it arrives in Q4.Read moreBYD Atto 3 Evo: Prior to the all-new next-gen Atto 3 likely hitting Aussie showrooms sometime in 2027, the Evo version of the current model gives it rear-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive flagship with 330kW available. Likely local touchdown in Q3.Read moreChery KP31: And you thought there wasn’t room for another ute in the Aussie market. The subject of a local naming contest (Orca is looking likely, as it tops BYD Shark) the Chery ‘KP31’ is scheduled for a Q4 launch, featuring a ladder chassis and a segment-first 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and electric motor hybrid powertrain. A petrol-electric hybrid will arrive in 2027.Read moreCupra VZ5: Fire-breathing mid-size SUV variant powered by an Audi RS3-sourced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine sending 287kW/480Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 4.2 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than the 228kW VZx, making it one of the fastest combustion-powered SUVs out there. Read moreDeepal S05: The Deepal S05 small-medium SUV joins the S07 mid-size SUV, likely offered in range-extender hybrid and/or pure-electric form. ADR compliance is locked in and pre-orders are open on the brand’s Aussie website.Read moreFerrari 849 Testarossa: Okay, the shopping list - milk, bread, eggs and a $932,648 Ferrari 849 Testarossa. Not for everyone, then. But what a car! Zero to 100km/h in 2.3sec courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain sending 611kW/842Nm to all four wheels. Coupe in Q4, with the roofless Spider arring in early ‘27.  Read moreGeely EX2: Set to arrive in the third quarter, this budget-focused electric compact SUV could start under $30K, before on-road costs. It has a single motor driving the rear wheels and two battery sizes are offered in China, providing 310km or 410km of range, respectively. Read moreGenesis GV60 Magma: Part of the upcoming next-gen GV60 line-up, the Magma is a performance-focused pure-electric powerhouse SUV riding on the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Dual electric motors for 478kW/790Nm, 0-200km/h in 10.9sec and maximum velocity of 264km/h. Arrives in July.Read moreGWM Wey G9: The Wey G9 (name yet to be confirmed for Australia) is a luxury plug-in hybrid people mover scheduled for Q4 with the V9X PHEV SUV spilling over into 2027. Its chunky 44.2 kWh battery provides a claimed pure-electric driving range of up to 170 km with a combined range of more than 1000km. Read moreHonda Super One: Super by name, super by nature, this pure-electric ‘kei’ car is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with a likely Aussie starting price around $35,000. A front-mounted electric motor produces 70kW/162Nm and Honda claims up to 274km of range.  Read moreHyundai Palisade XRT Pro: A tough looking Toyota LandCruiser rival with twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks as well as more ground clearance for useful approach, departure and breakover angles. Add a rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow. Read moreIsuzu D-Max EV: One of the most popular utes in the county could get a pure-electric option powered by front- and rear-mounted electric motors, producing 140kW, with front motor torque at 108Nm and rear motor torque at 217Nm for a maximum 325Nm and full-time 4WD. A 67kWh battery offers a driving range of 263km (WLTP). No launch confirmation yet, but Isuzu Ute Australia says “it will continue to monitor local needs and evaluate the reception of BEVs”. Read moreJeep Compass: Potentially a Q4 arrival, the new Compass rides on the same ‘STLA Medium’ platform as Stellantis stablemates such as the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. It will join the smaller Avenger in Jeep’s electrified line-up. There should be a choice of 106kW 48V eHybrid and 145kW plug-in hybrid powertrains, both likely based on the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine carried over from the current-generation. Read moreKGM Musso Q300: Dual-cab only, powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW/441Nm mated to a six-speed torque-converter auto transmission with 4WD and a locking rear differential. Coil- or leaf-spring rear suspension options with a payload of 500kg for the former and 700kg for the latter. Features a 12.3-inch digital dash and matching multimedia touchscreen.   Read moreKia Seltos: Coming in Q4, We’re expecting a front-wheel drive version with outputs to be approximately 113kW/265Nm, plus an all-wheel drive with 131kW, though its rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor and not mechanically connected to the front wheels. The all-new Seltos should start around $30K, before on-road costs. A specific Australian suspension tune is already in the works.  Read moreLeapmotor B05: Lobbing in Q4, the Leapmotor B05 is a five-door, electric, rear-wheel drive, hot-ish hatch with 180kW/320Nm in the flagship Ultra variant. A choice of 56.2kWh or 67.1kWh battery, delivers a range of 500km or 600km (CLTC) and we’d be shocked if it wasn't among the cheapest warmed-over hatch offerings in the local market.   Read moreLexus ES: Electric versions of the striking all-new Lexus ES have been approved for Australian sale, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive ES500e flagship producing 252kW. The ES350e is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 170kW. However, the brand has confirmed hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered locally.  Read moreMazda CX-6e: Set to challenge the Tesla Model Y on price, the Mazda CX-6e is likely to land with a starting price around $54K. A 78kWh battery delivers a 450km (WLTP) range, the rear-mounted 190kW/290Nm electric motor drives the rear wheels and 0-100km/h comes up in 7.9sec. Its 195kW DC charging capacity is good for a 10-80 per cent top-up in under 25 minutes.Read moreMercedes-Benz GLB: Launch line-up of the pure-electric small SUV will be single-motor rear-wheel drive (200kW/335Nm) GLB250+ or dual-motor all-wheel drive (260kW/515Nm) GLB350. Its 800-volt architecture allows an ultra-rapid DC charging rate of up to 320kW. Three hybrid powertrains will be added later in front- or all-wheel drive all using a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt assistance. Read moreMG QS PHEV: Launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with an Aussie introduction likely this year. Plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor for around 220kW combined. A 24.7kWh battery pack grants it a WLTP-certified electric range of 100km.Read moreMitsubishi Pajero: One of the year’s most significant arrivals comes with the return of the Mitsubishi Pajero, with sights set on the upcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol and current Toyota LandCruiser 300. Most likely powertrain is an updated version of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powering the current Triton range (150kW/470Nm). Looking like a Q4 launch.Read moreNissan Patrol: Nissan Australia has confirmed orders for the new ‘Y63’ Patrol will “open in coming months” with vehicles on the ground at the end of the year or very early next. Its 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine is derived from GT-R’s and produces 317kW/700Nm, dwarfing the 298kW/560Nm outputs of the soon-to-be-defunct V8 of the Y62 Patrol. Read moreOmoda 4: New entry-level model for the brand with edgy, angular looks and a choice of internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power in the domestic Chinese market. Riding on Chery’s ‘T1X’ platform, the Omoda 4 is a likely Toyota Corolla Cross competitor.Read morePolestar 5: Headed our way in Q3, the 5.1m long ultra-slippery (Cd 0.24) Polestar 5 offers the performance, comfort and touring ability of the Porsche Taycan and its Audi e-tron GT sibling at an appreciably lower price. Two versions coming, both powered by dual motors - the Dual Motor (550kW/812Nm) at $171,100 and the Performance (650kW/1015Nm) at $193,100 (both before on-road costs).Read morePorsche Cayenne Electric: Dropping in Q3, as the name implies, this is a pure-electric beast with even the entry-grade (of three) Cayenne Electric ($167,800, before on-road costs) featuring dual motors, all-wheel drive and producing 325kW. The flagship Turbo accelerates from 0-100km/h in hypercar-equalling 2.5sec thanks to its stonking 850kW/1500Nm outputs.  Read moreRenault Symbioz: On course for a July touchdown, the Symbioz is a Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross rival with an entry-level mild-hybrid 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powertrain producing 104kW/245Nm. A 1.8L full-hybrid boosts that to 116kW/265Nm. Pricing starts from $36,990. Read moreSmart #5: It’s been a long time in the offing but the Smart #5 plug-in hybrid SUV is a likely Aussie arrival in the second half of the year. It offers up to 252km of pure-electric range and up to 320kW of total power from its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine and three-speed hybrid transaxle motor powertrain. Claimed fuel economy is as low as 4.4L/100km (when its battery is depleted). Read moreToyota RAV4 PHEV: Another significant new entry. FWD variants of the RAV4 PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and front-mounted electric motor, producing 201kW. AWD variants add a rear-mounted motor, increasing power to 227kW. Pricing will start from $58,840, before on-road costs, making it roughly $15K more expensive than the car's base standard hybrid variant ($45,990).  Read moreVolkswagen T-Roc: Sleeker looking and bigger, with a more premium vibe, VW’s small SUV also features new powertrains. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid in two states of tune (85kW and 110kW) for FWD versions and a more powerful 2.0L mild-hybrid arriving later. A T-Roc R is confirmed to follow, too.  Read moreXPeng G9: As the legal cage fight between previous XPeng importer True EV and the XPeng factory continues, the priority is getting G6s back into showrooms. But the luxury G9 electric SUV is a possible addition. Rear- or all-wheel drive with two battery options, a driving range of up to 680km and loads of included features for an estimated starting price in the region of $70K.Read moreZeekr 8X: Upper mid-sized, plug-in hybrid luxury SUV to sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X and below the flagship three-row 9X. Pairs a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine (205kW/410Nm) with dual electric motors for a combined 660kW/935Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds. A 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allows ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range. Probable starting price in the $80K band.Read moreZeekr 9X: Ultra-luxury, upper-large, three-row SUV offering a dual- or tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, backed by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a massive battery pack. The result is either 660kW/935Nm of combined power for the two lower variants, or 1030kW/1410Nm for the top-spec car, as well as between 300 and 380km of fully electric driving range. Standard equipment and features are suitably extensive. Expect a starting price just over $100K.Read more

For decades Volkswagen Golf has been the generic term for high-quality small hatchback. And as much as the high-riding SUV configuration has become the new car default for compact car buyers this VW still attracts devoted fans. They say quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten but does this modern classic's value equation stack up?

The higher of two pure-electric Mercedes CLA models, and the flagship of the five-model line-up is the CLA350 4Matic electric, priced at $91,300, before on-road costs.

At 04:50 on the morning of Sunday, September 3, 1967 Sweden officially went nuts.Anyone on the road at that time had been told to pull over and stop. Then, 10 minutes later, led by a radio countdown, the government instruction was to start driving on the other side of the road.Yep, until then Swedes drove on the left despite sharing land borders with Norway and Finland, both of which, then and now, drive on the right-hand side of the road.It was 'Dagen H', short for Dagen Högertrafikomläggningen (Right-hand traffic diversion day) and the crazy part was, almost all vehicles on Swedish roads at the time were left-hand drive anyway, making overtaking frighteningly dodgy.An increase in fatal crashes in Sweden was cited as a key motivation for the change. Even Volvo had made the call to produce LHD models for domestic consumption because the rest of Europe and most of the automotive world was left-hand drive.Despite ongoing public reluctance, the Swedish Parliament voted almost six to one in favour of making the switch, largely because the population and number of cars on the road were increasing rapidly in the early 1960s and it was looking like a case of now or never. So, for multiple good reasons it made sense to make the switch and despite fears of automotive armageddon, it went surprisingly smoothly with fewer crashes recorded on Dagen H than the typical daily average.Then Swedish Minister of Communication (later Prime Minister) Olof Palme told a national radio audience the move represented “a very large change in our daily existence, our everyday life".“Never before has a country invested so much personal labour and money to achieve uniform international traffic rules,” he said.Which is all very interesting, but why is it even remotely relevant to Australian drivers?Well, imagine for a second that we followed suit and engineered our own ‘Chuck a U-ey’ day where we moved to become a left-hand car, right-hand road driving country.All the new models so often denied us because we’re a small-volume, right-hand drive market would immediately be on the table.The Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport as well as the new Dodge Charger from the USA. Easy entry for the ultra-cool new Renault 4 and 5 E-Tech? Not to mention any number of derivatives of models that do come here but we don’t see because right-hand drive is a no-go. Acura Integra Type S out of the States, anyone? But, what would it take? If Sweden can do it, why can’t we? Okay, let’s dive in. Here are the headline issues the National Chuck a U-ey Commission would need to address. Planning studies: To set milestone goals, delegate authority, identify potential problems and guide roll-out.Budget: Local, state and federal governments chipping in the hundreds of millions (if not multiple billions) of dollars required to fund the initiative with the cooperation of their relevant public service departments. Easy.Public education: Sweden started its education campaign four years out from Dagen H. The who, what, when, where, why and how of the program, delivered in stages, using multiple communication channels to get the entire country onboard and ready.The Dagen H logo became a fixture on everything from TV and billboards to buses and milk cartons. Schools set up special traffic classes and there was a contest to decide on a theme song to support the switch, ‘Håll dig till höger, Svensson’ by The Telstars reaching number five on the Swedish charts. Logistics: Armies of thoroughly educated and carefully trained personnel (paid and volunteer) to manage and execute tasks in the lead up to change-over, all potential eventualities on the day and issues emerging afterwards. Roads: Assessing appropriate speed limits, changing kerbs, modifying islands and applying new pedestrian and cyclist markings.Road markings: Potentially a multi-stage process impacting city, urban and suburban roads as well as highways and freeways. For Dagen H, a duplicate set of lines was painted on the roads then covered until the changeover day.  Road signs: From speed and parking to direction and destination, hundreds of thousands of them would need to be reoriented or replaced. Installed ahead of time, they’d be wrapped ready for unveiling on Chuck a U-ey.Switchable lane hardware: Interchanges on roads subject to peak and non-peak hour positioning would need to be reconfigured and reprogrammed. Traffic lights: Relocation or replacement. That’s right… all of them. Intersections: Reconfiguring intersections of every type and angle would include new line markings, kerbing and signage.Off- and on-ramps: While some could morph from one role to the other, the majority would require reengineering including geotechnical assessment, as well as possible earthworks and new blacktop. Bus stops: The majority would need to be moved. And here’s the kicker, existing buses would need to be remanufactured to place entry/exit doors on the right. Who pays for that?!Headlights: Vehicles would need to swap out left-hand headlights with right-hand appropriate units.  In light of all that, we checked in with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning for some current expert feedback and a spokesperson said, “Changing to driving on the right-hand side of the road is not something we are considering. “Doing so would be a costly exercise and one that requires national agreement,” they said. And aside from the vortex of political negotiation required to get things off the ground, they also raised the fact that, “All existing vehicles that are currently right-hand drive are not designed to be driven on the right-hand side of the road.“This will affect driver judgement and potentially increase the crash risk. This is to do with the position of the driver on the road in relation to oncoming traffic,” they added. Not only that. How about these zingers the department offered up for consideration?Vehicle standards (Australian design rules) would need to be updated. All road rules, driving education and tests would need to be updated. Safety considerations associated with necessary behavioural changes, such as pedestrians needing to look the other way first before crossing a road. So, yes, nothing major. Just allocating billions of dollars to a change most people wouldn’t want, that would potentially increase crash risk in the short to medium term and turn the local car business upside down.Putting those considerations to one side, though, clearly Chuck a U-ey is a hugely important, future-focused, nation-building initiative to benefit all Australians... …and the Ford Bronco would be in local showrooms. Let’s do it!

The first of two pure-electric Mercedes CLA models, the CLA200 electric kicks off at $72,200, before on-road costs.

The once-mighty Chrysler brand appears to be on the cusp of a product-led comeback with the appearance of an all-new mid-size SUV at last month’s Stellantis Investor Day.But the covers weren’t pulled off a physical car, rather the sharp-eyed enthusiasts at moparinsiders.com may have spotted one of the three new models scheduled to appear for the brand by 2030, hiding in plain sight within the presentation given by Stellantis Group CEO Antonio Filosa and Head of North American Brands Tim Kuniskis.The presentation confirmed Chrysler’s sole current model, the Pacifica people mover, would be joined by three new arrivals competing in “high-volume compact SUV segments”.Designed to reinvigorate the brand, they are set to “increase affordability with sub-$30K entry points” and “deliver multi-energy options for freedom of choice”.The goal? A 60 per cent growth in sales volume from 143,000 units last year to around 225,000 sales in 2030.And the car moparinsiders believes it has spotted is a production version of the two-row, five-seat Airflow crossover-style SUV scheduled to arrive in 2027.Appearing in a video supporting the powertrain section of the presentation, a Chrysler crossover was spotted and the publication believes it matches descriptions of the Airflow provided by journalists who recently attended a private preview inside Stellantis’ Product Design Dome in Auburn Hills, Michigan.Chrysler showed a pure-electric Airflow Concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in 2022. But this car appears to be a more upright and angular design rather than the organic, curvy look of the concept.The nose features vertical LED headlights, an 'illuminated wing' badge in the centre and a full-width LED lighting strip above with the rear end showing long vertical tail-lights on each corner.Chrysler has confirmed the Airflow will ride on Stellantis’ new scalable ‘STLA One’ platform, which opens up the possibility of multiple powertrain options and the video vehicle shows a front transversely-mounted internal-combustion engine .Moparinsiders has theorised it could be the turbo-petrol ‘Hurricane4’ engine already used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the group’s EP6-based turbo hybrid system and a pure-electric system also in prospect.The Stellantis Group’s ‘Fastlane 2030’ initiative includes introduction of more than 60 new or redesigned vehicles globally by 2030 (23 in North America). The emphasis on North America is a clear rebalancing of the corporate scales at Stellantis, with former CEO Carlos Tavares widely perceived to have favoured the group’s European brands including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroen, Opel and Peugeot, with his successor Filosa now leaning into its US nameplates - Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.Chrysler’s new positioning statement is “Practical, Reliable, Comfortable Mobility for Everyday Life”, the brand looking to target the 35 per cent of buyers it believes look first for these brand attributes.