Articles by John Law

The Y63 Nissan Patrol release is set for 2025 with the LandCruiser 300 Series rival gearing up to use a twin-turbo V6 and debut a hugely improved interior.

Polestar has announced a new entry-level variant of its 3 large SUV.It will pack a single rear-mounted motor developing 220kW/490Nm to complement the 910Nm twin-motor variants.The new Single Motor has been confirmed for Australia but pricing is yet to be locked in. Expect less than the current $132,720, before on-road costs, entry price.That should aid the new Polestar 3 against luxury rivals including the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX, Lexus RZ and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor uses the same 111 kWh battery pack. It is able to take on 250kW DC electricity, rushing from 10-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes.The additional efficiency of a single motor means the base Polestar 3 boasts 650km WLTP driving range from a full charge.It gets the same level of equipment as the dual motor such as a full panoramic glass roof, LED ambient lighting, retractable exterior door handles and 21-inch alloy wheels.The typically high-take up 'Plus Pack' adds a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, soft-closing doors and a head-up display.The Dual Motor models are faster to 100km/h with a claimed 5.0 second sprint (non Performance Pack) compared to the new Single Motor's 7.8-second claim.Polestar notes the Single Motor uses hydraulic bump stops and frequency selective passive dampers but does not specify if the Dual Motor's air suspension is fitted.Six paint colours, five interior trims, four wheel designs, the semi-autonomous 'Pilot Pack' and style-oriented 'Pro Pack' are all available.Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar said, “With the Long range Single Motor Polestar 3 we offer consumers a new entry-point for our flagship electric SUV."The rear-wheel drive configuration fits with our performance-focused driving dynamics that make the car stand out in the luxury SUV sector.”Originally slated for 2023 arrival, the Polestar 3's Australian release date has been pushed back to August this year.

The facelifted 2025 Suzuki Vitara has moved a step closer to Australian release after being approved for sale locally.The mild-hybrid-only Vitara is scheduled for a local release in the second quarter of next year, according to a Suzuki Australia spokesperson.However, that timing could change again as it was previously earmarked to land in the first quarter of 2025.The headline of the new Vitara is its 'Boosterjet K14D' 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with 48-volt mild-hybrid assist that will be a first for Australia.It replaces the 'K14C' turbo-petrol engine in the current Vitara and produces 95kW/235Nm. The new motor is paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.There is a 10kW/53Nm electric motor but it does not work like a Toyota hybrid system. The combined fuel economy in the WLTP cycle is listed between 5.3-5.6L/100km.Australia won't get the 'full hybrid' Vitara that is sold in Europe which combines a non-turbo combustion engine with 24.6kW electric motor.The documents show the Vitara will drop its base 1.6-litre petrol engine in facelift guise, too.Additionally, the current five-strong range will shrink to three. There are two variants listed – codenamed 'DD1S' and 'ED1S' – with the lower trim available in front-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic transmission.The higher-end model is available with or 'AllGrip' all-wheel drive and automatic only. Further specification details will be revealed closer to the Vitara's release.A new front bumper with a large grille protrusion, fresh headlights, bulkier tail-lights and all-new alloy wheel designs give the Vitara a nice freshen-up in the looks department.Inside, the technology is improved thanks to the addition of a bigger 9.0-inch touchscreen from the S-Cross with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Safety is enhanced – at least in Europe – with the Vitara scoring adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist and a driver monitoring system.Mild price increases as seen in Suzuki's Swift small car could be matched by the new Vitara. It could lift as little as $500 from the current $36,490 (before on-road costs) turbo model.That would still reflect a total $7000 increase over the start price of $29,990, however.Further details on Suzuki's Subaru Crosstrek, Mitsubishi ASX and GWM Haval Jolion rival will come closer to the Vitara's Q2 2025 Australian release.

The LDV D90 large off-road SUV has been on sale in Australia since 2017 and this week, a pair of new-look models wearing D90 badges were spotted by CarsGuide at local importer Ateco's Sydney headquarters, adding fuel to the fire that a new model is on the way.In China, the D90's replacement is known as the Maxus Territory – which, naturally, wouldn’t fly here – and was released back in 2022. It gives us an indication of what to expect from a new D90. An Ateco spokesperson declined to comment on whether there is a new model on the way. There have also been no updates for the LDV D90 registered in local compliance documents, either. However, the fact that three of the same model were parked together wearing full NSW registration suggests there is an update coming for the affordable Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Everest and Toyota Prado competitor. Compared to the current model, the new Maxus Territory has a larger, squared-off grille with individual black blocks – the brand refers to as ‘Warframe aesthetics’ on the related Interstellar ute – a jutting lower valance and chunkier wheel arches.There’s a lot more interesting detail with the graphics, certainly on some trims, and a black top section of the tailgate. The vehicles we spotted looked just like the Maxus, though had been 'LDV-ified' with the MAXUS and Territory badges replaced with LDV and D90 items for our market.Many of the oily bits appear to be unchanged for the new model including the eight-speed automatic. Like the current vehicle, it uses a 2.0-litre twin turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 160kW, though it is paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system in China and torque is quoted at 500Nm – up 20Nm. A part-time 4WD system is available and the vehicles we saw were badged '4WD'. In China, the Territory/D90 is available with front, rear and centre locking differentials and a roof-mounted ‘snorkel’ air intake in certain trims. A 2500kg tow rating is quoted – down 600kg on the current Executive model. The new model Maxus Territory measures 39mm longer and a little wider yet stands at almost the same height and rides on an unchanged 2950mm wheelbase from the existing D90. Inside, the LDV D90 was already quite a way ahead of many rivals with big touchscreens and lots of tech. The new Maxus model gets a new 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, digital driver’s display, navigation and an ‘intelligent car system’.Further details, including Australian confirmation, arrival timing and pricing are yet to be confirmed by LDV’s importer Ateco.

Kia’s next electric car has had its production start date delayed to March 2025, but it has been spied by Shorts Car in Korea ahead of its official release. The heavily camouflaged EV4 liftback looks an awful lot like the concept shown off by Kia in October 2023 – that’s nothing new for the design-forward Korean brand. It’s difficult to see any details of the body’s flanks but poking through is a twin rear spoiler, vertical LED lighting details at the rear and a dramatically sloping roofline. The liftback barely has a horizontal boot surface and is almost EV6-like. The unique aero alloy wheels with a tri-spoke polished face appear as though they may make production, too. The EV4 will be longer than the just-revealed EV3 but a little smaller overall than the EV5. Much like those two products, the Kia EV4 is pitched as a more affordable electric car for Kia. That means it will almost certainly use Kia’s front-wheel drive E-GMP variant with 400-volt architecture and smaller battery sizes than the flagship EV6 and EV9.The EV3 packs an 81.4kWh NCM battery in long range trim and a 58.3kWh battery in the standard range.Given it will share many parts with the EV3 and EV5, vehicles coming to Australia could be built in China and utilise more affordable and stable Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry as the EV5 will for local consumption. Kia Executive Vice President Woo Jeong Joo put a lot of pressure on the brand’s electric cars succeeding back in January.  “Electric vehicles are the biggest influence on Kia’s sales and profits. We plan to flexibly respond to market changes in the medium to long term,” he said.“The EV3, EV4, and EV5 will be launched sequentially, and we are determined to make these three models successful.”  Details like price are yet to be announced, however the Kia EV3’s starting price in its home market is 39.95 million won, equivalent to $43,200 here. An EV4 would be a little more expensive but could still start around the $50K mark.When production beings in 2025, the EV4 could be a very unique proposition as the only ‘small’ electric sedan. With the electric mid-size sedan segment proving popular here with the circa 4.8m-long BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, the EV4 could be set for success. CarsGuide has contacted Kia Australia for further information. We will know more closer to the EV4’s full release expected for the first half of 2025. 

Polestar has announced a mild update for its first mass-produced model, adding a smidge more driving range and streamlining options for the MY25 Polestar 2.

MG has returned to drive-away pricing for the 2024 MG3, effectively making the light car $1500 cheaper to buy.

Yet another ‘most powerful’ brand record is broken, this time by the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed plug-in hybrid. Although exciting, it marks a sad end to Bentley’s unique W12 engine configuration after production ceased at Crewe in April 2024. The revised cross-plane single-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine is allied to a 140kW/450Nm electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission. The system punches out 575kW and 1000Nm, enough to get the grand tourer from rest to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds. For the first time, the Continental GT hardtop is launched alongside its rag-top GTC relation – excitingly available with tweed as a material choice for the hood. Though visually similar to the car it replaces, Bentley's muscular fourth-generation Continental GT features 68 per cent all-new componentry. The Continental GT is the first mainstream non coach-built model since the 1959 S2 to feature single headlights; modern Matrix LED items, naturally. An active anti-roll system powered by the 48-volt electrical system, new ESC programming and a rear-axle active eLSD help harness all the punch. Mounted behind the rear wheel, the larger 25.9kWh battery allows 81km of electric-only driving range (WLTP) and can charge in two hours and 45 minutes at 11kW (AC). Bentley claims a ‘perfect’ 49:51 weight distribution for the all-wheel drive grand tourer. To show off the new powertrain’s capability, Bentley set a unique ‘underwater speed record’ using the world’s longest tunnel. The two-door hit 335km/h in the 14.4km long Ryfylke undersea road tunnel in Norway, running on renewable biofuel and green electricity. To haul up the Continental GT Speed, steel brakes are standard though Carbon-Silicon-Carbide brakes with 440mm front and 410mm rear rotors are optionally available. Inside, luxury and personalisation is the name of the game for the four-seater. The Continental GT has 20-way power-adjust seats with quilted leather upholstery, 'Auto Posture Adjust' and automatic heating plus ventilation.The Continental GT gets a 650-watt stereo as standard with both 16-speaker 1500W Bang & Olufsen or flagship 18-speaker 2200W Naim sound system with 'Active Bass Transducers' available. Australian pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed for Bentley’s Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin DB12 and Ferrari 12Cilindri rival.

A new version of the MG HS mid-size SUV has appeared in Australian government approval documents.We have been expecting a replacement for the existing 'AS23' launched here in 2019, providing a much-needed freshen up for MG's rival in Australia's most competitive segment.There is no word on a new MG HS hybrid yet. Instead, a turbocharged 1.5-litre with a dual-clutch auto and 2.0-litre with a regular nine-speed automatic are complied.“With new products coming through, especially really important products such as new HS and ZS, we definitely focused on providing those great offerings to the market," Senior Product and Strategy Manager Akshat Ahuja told CarsGuide.The new MG HS coming to Australia is distinct from the deep facelift revealed for the Thai market late last year.Expect the coming 'AS33' MG HS to be a re-engineered version of the China-market Roewe RX5 – launched in August 2022 – with a visual make-over tying it into the MG3 hatch's new look.A patent image lodged in China gives a pretty clear look at the new HS. A similar, but larger grille filters the air with headlights linked by a single bar in the middle.The rear end has a full-width LED light bar while the sloping roofline gives the China-made SUV a slicker look than the car it replaces.Inside, expect a new architecture based around a generously-sized touchscreen. Familial design details, including the MG4's hexagonal wheel and thin indicators, are expected to appear.The China-market Roewe RX5's 1.5-litre turbo-petrol develops 138kW and 300Nm and is paired-with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.The 2.0-litre turbo is yet to be detailed, but around 160kW will be needed to be competitive.It looks like the new plug-in hybrid system will have similar outputs, with 180kW rated in China's eRX5. A bump to 570Nm (over the MG HS+'s 370Nm figure) is likely, too.The eRX5 features a 21.4kWh battery for a 135km NEDC electric driving range rating. The plug-in hybrid HS is expected to arrive in Australia after the petrol-only models.Currently, there are three trim levels – COM, DEL, LUX – with the 1.5-litre complied for all three and the 2.0-litre reserved for DEL and LUX.The HS range currently starts at $29,990 drive-away, though expect the new model to follow the MG3's lead and jump significantly.A starting price around $35,000 would keep it under key rivals and give MG the ability to fit crucial safety technology for a respectable ANCAP score.MG's HS mid-size SUV needs a sales boost, with sales sitting at less than half of last year's result (1404 vs 3807). It was the brand's lowest selling model last month (279 registrations) a long way shy of segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 (5517) and Mitsubishi Outlander (2500).A local release of the new MG HS is expected before the end of 2024 followed by a new ZS small SUV. The brand is also investigating a larger seven-seat Kia Sorento rival.

Audi has revealed an updated version of its RS Q8 flagship SUV.The new RS Q8 Performance model is the most powerful combustion-engined Audi ever, producing 471kW from its twin-turbo V8 petrol in Performance trim.More grunt and chassis focus sees the RS Q8 displace the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT as the fastest SUV around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, completing a 7:36.698 minute time with Frank Stippler at the helm, though Audi is yet to share video footage.Launching imminently in Europe, the new model's Australian release and price is yet to be confirmed.The facelifted large SUV debuts a new grille with 3D honeycomb mesh, twin oval tailpipes and a rear diffuser split by reflector.Under the bonnet the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 develops 441kW and 800Nm in standard trim. This jumps to 471kW and 850Nm for the Performance, getting the big SUV to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds.It also makes the RS Q8 more powerful than the dearly departed Audi R8 V10 Plus (456kW), though less punchy than the 680kW e-tron GT RS electric car.Active air suspension active and adaptive dampers feature with the ability to change the height by 90mm. Active roll stabilisation using the 48V mild-hybrid system is optional.A centre diff can apportion up to 85 per cent of the AWD RS Q8's torque to the rear axle and the it rolls on 22-inch alloy wheels, but you can go one inch bigger and score a gold finish, should you please.Familiar Matrix LED headlights get upgraded to optional HD items with laser technology and selectable daytime running signatures.Inside, buyers can choose red grey or blue interior accents; the Performance pack is available with blue accents only.The layout with a 12.3-inch digital driver's display, centre multimedia touchscreen and touch HVAC controls located below remains.Australian details for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Lamborghini Urus rival will be revealed closer to the car's release.Expect a lift from the outgoing car's ($228,300 before on-road costs) price.