Articles by John Law

The Mitsubishi ASX has been on sale for 14 years, yet it is still an Australian favourite. We test the accessorised ES Street pack to see if there is any logic in buying Mitsubishi's ageing small SUV in an era where new feature-packed Chinese rivals are offering such excellent value for money.

The Zeekr X electric SUV has received type approval from the Australian Department of Infrastructure, effectively giving the Chinese electric car specialist the all-clear to start sales. 

With the US version of the Nissan Patrol, known as the Armada, gearing up to reach dealers by the end of 2024, the Y63's release is tantalisingly close.

Cupra confident various attributes, including design, driver feel and European heritage, will help keep its head above the water during an onslaught of new Chinese brands.

We had a sneaking suspicion that the standard Lexus LBX was just a little too much fun in the corners for the Morizo RR – revealed at Autosalon in January – not to become a reality.

Kia's facelifted Sportage has been spied testing near Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife ahead of its anticipated 2025 release.

Honda has announced an extended warranty.

Cupra has confirmed the arrival of its second electric car and it is likely to beat the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq electric cars to market. Sourced from China, the swoopy Tavascan has a seriously unique appearance next to VW or Skoda products despite using the same MEB electric-only underpinnings. Australian release is confirmed for the fourth quarter of this year and pricing is likely to kick off at $70,000 before on-road costs for the two-trim line-up. The electric SUV will come in a rear-wheel drive Endurance trim developing 210kW/545Nm and the VZ all-wheel drive brings grunt up to 250kW with no change to torque. Both will sit above the existing Formentor in the Cupra line-up and become the brand's second electric car after the Born's release.Although the Tavascan’s coupe-like silhouette isn’t groundbreaking next to the Volkswagen ID.5, Polestar 2 and Ford Capri, the details are where this Spanish car makes the difference. In images it’s difficult to tell, but in making room for the ‘bonnet bulge’, the panel has been dropped down with air flow coming through two nostrils next to the illuminated Cupra badges. Intricate LED lighting, naturally, makes an appearance. Cupra’s signature ‘helmet’ design motif with blacked-out A-pillars and a kicked up window line gives it a sporty character. Larger than a small SUV, the Tavascan measure 4644mm long, 1861mm wide, 1597mm tall and rides on a 2766mm wheelbase. Inside is Cupra’s new 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sitting proud of the car’s ‘floating’ dashboard. It is totally different from a VW electric car inside with a unique central spine textured like reptile scales, beneath it you will find practical storage and a wireless charging pad. A 12-speaker 425-watt Sennheiser sound system is available.Power is drawn from a 77kWh battery for both trims with the AWD VZ’s driving range rated at 521km and the Endurance 568km (both WLTP combined).Fast-charging is capped at 135kW (DC) meaning you can bring the car from 10-80 per cent in under 30 minutes and add up to 100km of driving range in seven minutes. Cupra Australia is yet to confirm exact pricing and final specification for the Tavascan. Product and Marketing Boss Jeff Shafer told CarsGuide the new electric SUV will be priced above the existing Formentor range.The unique SUV costs $65,790, before on-road costs, in top-spec VZx AWD trim, meaning the Tavascan Endurance is likely to start at $70,000 or just below and the twin-motor VZ will likely be just above that mark. Expect various luxury and leather packs as well as an optional sunroof. Because the Tavascan is being sourced from China, the car is earmarked to reach Cupra garages by December this year, at around the same time as European deliveries to come. Cupra’s range will continue to expand in 2025. The Tavascan will be followed by the facelifted Leon – including Sportstourer wagon – and Formentor before the Terramar plug-in hybrid SUV arrives before the year’s end. 

Smart has locked in pricing and release timing for the #1 and #3 – pronounced 'hashtag one' and 'hashtag three' – electric small SUVs for late 2024.Starting at $54,900, before on-road costs, and topping out at $67,900 for the flagship 315kW Brabus. The Smart models will be available to buy from select LSH Auto dealerships in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.The new Smart brand is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automotive giant Geely which also owns Volvo and Polestar.It is not imported by Mercedes-Benz, however. Rather LSH auto, an owner of many 'Benz dealer franchises.While the two Smarts aren't identical in dimensions, the wagon-styled #1 has only a 35mm shorter wheelbase than the coupe-like #3.Both are available in three trim levels – Pro+, Premium and Brabus – with a 66kWh battery. The #1's driving range varies between 400-440km (WLTP) and the #3 peaks at 455km in Premium trim.The Pro+ trim is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, wireless smartphone mirroring, a power tailgate and panoramic sunroof.A single rear-mounted 200kW/343Nm electric motor shared with the Premium sees the #1 hit 100km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the slipperier #3 completes the dash in 5.8 seconds.Moving up to the Premium ($58,900 or $61,900 for #3) adds a 640-watt Beats sound system, synthetic leather upholstery and a heat pump, gaining an extra 20km of WLTP driving range.Brabus variants get a second motor for 315kW and 543Nm with the #3 hitting 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.The Brabus does not have major chassis upgrades or adaptive dampers but adds red brake calipers, synthetic suede upholstery with red accents, different body styling and Brabus drive mode. For the #3, the Brabus gets 20-inch alloy wheels.The #1 and #3 are based on the same 'SEA2' underpinnings as the Volvo EX30 but share rather different dimensions, such as the Smart's 100mm longer wheelbase.“We are certain that the extensive and highly appealing smart range will build a unique position in the Australian market for those wishing to add electric mobility to their lifestyle," said LSH Auto Australia MD John Good.When the premium-pitched electric Smarts arrive, they will do battle with the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona electric and Renault Megane E-Tech.2024 Smart range pricingAll prices are before on-road costs

After ending British production of the XE, XF and F-Type passenger cars, Jaguar will further cull its production to just one model.