Articles by John Law

Premcar and Nissan’s Warrior program has spawned a trio of capable, factory-backed off-roaders giving the Navara and Patrol nameplates some extra firepower as their eventual replacements approach. Left ungoverned by sensibilities like value and user-friendliness, though, the Parol Warrior could have been a very different beast. “For example, if Nissan came to us and said ‘we want to do 50 Patrols (and) we can charge $200,000 each’, that’s a totally different project. Then you’d supercharge it, put 37-inch tyres on and you’d homologate it in a totally different way,” says Bernie Quinn, Premcar Partner and Engineering Director.The finished product – although more capable, powerful and drool-worthy – would not have had such broad appeal without the Warrior’s bang for buck, Quinn describes more changes than the existing car as ‘diminishing returns’.“The very initial part of the program is called the affordable business case development, which is finding a balance between content versus cost versus volume, all of that stuff,” he said. There are products readily available to boost the Y62 Patrol’s power output. A Harrop supercharger kit adds around 100kW and 150Nm at the wheels yet costs over $13,0000 – and that’s before installation or ECU tuning. To retain its factory backing, the Warrior’s powertrain would then have to undergo some serious validation testing, which isn’t cheap. Add some supporting mods on top, like an enhanced cooling system, beefier brakes and stronger driveline and the price will only climb. The Warrior’s $104,160 (before on-road costs) price tag, however, gives it a leg up on newer rivals. Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport is probably the better all-rounder with a more modern interior and greater capability thanks to a trio of locking differentials, yet it costs over $40,000 more today.A circa-$100K price was no accident. “It’s part of this iterative development process and the affordable business case development”, explains Quinn.  “We’re working as partners to develop that: price point, volume, time to market, duration of the program. Then we put all of that into the mixing box and see what spits out the best set of numbers.”Like the Navara Warriors that came before, there was no power increase for the Patrol and Bernie Quinn answered this as he has before. “I would say definitely, it’s possible, it’s just hitting that sweet spot? There are so many elements to it.”With the next-gen Patrol confirmed as a twin-turbo V6, software-based tuning should be more affordable and achievable than it is with the naturally aspirated ‘VK56’ V8 engine, so watch this space.

Consigned to the history books when production for Australia ceased in 2017, it looks like Mitsubishi could breathe life into the Lancer badge again with a new electric car. Meanwhile, Montero was the Pajero’s name in the United States and Latin America as ‘pajero’ is a derogatory term in Spanish. New patent filings in the US (following Mitsubishi’s renewed interest in the market after strong sales), suggest the Lancer Sportback and Montero (Pajero) names could return.Don’t expect another Lancer Evolution, or necessarily a direct Pajero/Montero replacement. The Eclipse Cross was, after all, a decent small SUV but a rather mediocre tribute to the nameplate’s sporting heritage. Though there were no passenger cars previewed in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 teaser, the Lancer Sportback name could apply to one of the smaller SUVs pictured in the shadowy line-up.If the Lancer Sportback does come to fruition, it’s to do so as an electric car. With Mitsubishi and Nissan’s alliance partnership, there are rumours a 10th-gen Lancer could share a platform with the next-generation Leaf. First, though, the name will have to get past the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as the trademark was initially rejected in the country. Mitsubishi has since appealed. Next up it is the Montero nameplate, also recently patented in the United States. Rumours of a new Pajero as a halo for the brand have been running for a number of years now with the nameplate being retired following the closure of Mitsubishi's Sakahogi plant in March 2021.The most plausible option for the new Pajero is a platform shared with Nissan’s ‘Y63’ Patrol, which will be based heavily on the Infiniti QX80. Expect Mitsubishi’s take to be differentiated, potentially by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.Far from ignoring and dispelling rumours, Mitsubishi executives in Australia and Japan have gone on record saying they would love to see the Pajero again."I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product."For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here,” local CEO Shaun Westcott previously told CarsGuide. Along with the newly stoked Montero/Pajero and Lancer rumours, Mitsubishi is facing a large-scale product renewal in the coming years. A new pick-up truck larger than the Triton for the United States, potentially a global Delica off-road van, hardcore Outlander and more are expected.

Smart’s relaunch in Australia as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely is heating up with initial specifications revealed for its #1 and #3 – pronounced 'hashtag one' and 'hashtag three' – electric car range.The #1 small EV offers between 400-440km WLTP driving range from its 66kWh battery pack while the larger #3 is certified at up to 455km.Final pricing is yet to be determined but this semi-premium electric carmaker is targeting the BYD Atto 3, Renault Megane E-Tech and Volvo EX30 when it arrives in the third quarter (July-September) of this year. The Smart #1 uses the same Geely 'SEA2' platform as the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X, though its wheelbase (2750mm) is 100mm longer than the Volvo. It also features different battery capacity and motor outputs, making it more than an EX30 clone. Visually, the #1 shares little with Smart cars of the past but attempts to stand out with its ‘CyberSparks’ LED headlight design. The base Pro+ also features a ‘Smart Pilot Assist’ driver aid system and a panoramic sunroof. The Pro+ and Premium RWD share a rear-mounted 200kW motor and 64kWh (66kWh gross) NCM lithium-ion battery. The battery can recuperate at up to 150kW (DC) taking around 30 minutes from 10-80 per cent. Despite both having aero-design 19-inch alloy wheels, the #1 Premium’s standard heat pump ups WLTP range to 440km from 420km. The Premium also promises a Beats sound system and synthetic ‘Duo-leather’ upholstery. Both models have a BYD meets Mercedes-Benz design language inside, with a 12.8-inch touchscreen running Geely’s 'ECARX' operating system instead of the Zeekr and Volvo’s Android Automotive set-up. The line-up is headlined by a twin motor Brabus variant able to sprint from rest to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds – 2.8 seconds faster than the Pro and Premium. Think of this as an electric version of the Mercedes-AMG GLA45.Smart is expected to target a circa-$60,000 start price for the #1, pitting it directly against the Volvo EX30 (from $59,900, before on-road costs). It is a little longer than the Volvo with boxier proportions and a 313L boot. The #3 is bigger again, though the coupe-styled SUV is still smaller than a Tesla Model Y – these models are looking to hit the BYD Atto 3. The base grade Pro+ has a similar list of features to the #1, while the Premium adds unique alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights and a 10-inch head-up display. At the top of the tree, again, is the Brabus. This time the 315kW punch gets the #3 to 100km/h even faster, at 3.7 seconds (claimed) and it matches cabin equipment with heated and ventilated synthetic suede upholstered front seats. Larger 20-inch alloys make an appearance, too. Both models have been complied locally with a smaller 49kWh LFP battery pack, as well, though these models are not on the website. If they do arrive, a sub-$50K start price could be possible.In Australia, Smart vehicles will be imported by LSH Auto known for owning Mercedes-Benz dealerships locally. The vehicles will appear in 'Benz CBD dealerships in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, initially. 

New-vehicle manufacturing will never return to Australia – at least not as we knew it. Setting up full-scale production of a new car – as we saw with the Holden Commodore or Ford Territory – would be a $2 billion exercise today, says Engineering Director and Premcar partner Bernie Quinn. Having been involved with Ford’s FPV program and Premcar’s latest remanufacturing operation producing Australian-focused off-road capable Nissan Navara and Patrol Warriors, Quinn is intimately aware of the challenges.When CarsGuide asked about the viability of a full-on new-vehicle program, Quinn summed it up simply: “That’s not where the future lies. That would be awesome, but I just don’t think that’s going to happen.“What we are proposing – and what we’re doing – is secondary manufacturing. Taking global products which have been manufactured in low-cost countries, like Thailand, and adapting those to the Australian market. “There’s no reason why that can’t apply to EVs. And there’s no reason why that couldn’t apply to an EV conversion of a dual-cab ute, for example,” says Quinn.You might have spotted the ROEV project that had aspirations of taking HiLuxes and Rangers and converting them to electric vehicles – Premcar was involved on the engineering side. “We were working with ROEV but they’ve since changed their strategy and they’re not going to go ahead with that conversion.”ROEV has pivoted into artificial intelligence-driven software that can predict the most efficient vehicle type and powertrain for certain use cases. But Bernie still sees a future in localisation projects.“There’s 20,000 dual-cab utes in the Pilbara. The companies that work in the mining industry in the Pilbara have ESG requirements – corporate requirements – that are beyond government legislation.“So if they want to say ‘we’ve got to be all-electric by 2030’, well, there’s no vehicle that can do that. How would you service that market? Well, you might do an EV conversion. That’s what that project was all about,” explains Quinn. He notes that it would cost “a few million” to service that demand, far less than the $2 billion to engineer and produce a ground-up vehicle here. Only LDV offers a basic electric ute in Australia with manufacturers like Toyota and Ford dragging their heels on this type of vehicle. And when Australian vehicle manufacturing ended for good in October 2017 with the final Holden Commodore ‘VF II’ the people with knowledge didn’t necessarily disappear from the scene. Many remain here, now being employed by companies such as Premcar, Walkinshaw and RMA automotive to work on conversions, upgrades and localisation programs.Premcar has delivered 10,000 Warriors since 2018, while EV ute conversions have gone a little quiet, although SEA electric is still around.In simple terms, Australian manufacturing isn’t dead. The future just looks very different to Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons.

We know the next-gen Mazda CX-5 is coming. What it will be called, its powertrain offering and underpinnings remain a mystery, though. 

Hyundai has added rain sensing wipers and Bluelink connected services to its 2025 Staria van and people mover range.Bluelink gives owners the ability to geo-fence their car, adds voice recognition, live weather info, remote control of the HVAC system, send-to-car navigation directions and more.Staria Elite and Highlander people mover trims, along with the Premium van, also benefit from a new key fob.All Staria Loads now get aluminium badging and extra USB-C charging ports with a $500 price increase across the board. The Hyundai Staria and Staria Load range now spans $49,500 to $67,500 before on-road costs.Also changed is the blind-spot safety, with the Korean brand introducing a new system with audio and visual warnings for the five-star ANCAP rated people mover.A front-wheel drive 3.5-litre V6 petrol making 300kW and 331Nm is available on all three people mover trims. There is no update on the Staria hybrid for Australia at this time.The basic Staria people mover is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the Staria Elite adds power sliding doors, larger 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, push-button start and leather-appointed seats.The top-spec Highlander gets a larger digital driver's display, heated and ventilated seats, premium cabin trims and a dual-pane sunroof.Meanwhile, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (130kW/430Nm) paired with all-wheel drive is a $3000 option. This is the only engine choice for the Staria Load van.The Load is offered in two and five-seat configurations, with the Premium van equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights to distinguish it from the base model.Hyundai's van has a wide range of rivals, which include the Kia Carnival, LDV Mifa, Volkswagen Caravelle, Ford Transit Custom and Toyota Hiace.“2025 Staria and Staria Load bring enhanced convenience and style while continuing to give customers a range of spacious and comfortable vans and people-movers with class-leading standard safety features,” said Hyundai Australia CEO Ted Lee.2025 Hyundai Staria pricingAll prices are before on-road costs.2025 Hyundai Staria Load pricingAll prices are before on-road costs.

Alfa Romeo has revised details of the Veloce version of its Junior small SUV.It is the new pure electric halo for the Audi Q2, Mercedes-Benz EQA, BMW X2 and Lexus LBX rival.The Italian marque has upped power from an initial 180kW rating to 207kW while torque sits at 345Nm from the single front-mounted electric motor.Choosing the 207kW figure was no accident, with the Junior small SUV's outputs then matching Veloce versions of the Giulia sedan and Stelvio medium SUV.Along with 27kW more power, Alfa has retuned the Junior Veloce's chassis, adding sharper steering, 25mm lower springs and firmer anti-roll bars.No stopping there. The Veloce also features larger 380mm front brake rotors clamped by four-piston brake calipers, a Torsen locking differential OEM-tweaked tyres fitted to 20-inch alloy wheels.Alfa says the same teams that worked on the Audi RS4, BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63-rivalling Giulia Quadrifoglio sports sedan have been involved in the process.This is not a full-fat Quadrifoglio version of the Junior, though. There have been no announcements of that nature.Underneath the Junior's sharply-styled bodywork sits a 54kWh battery pack – identical to the Peugeot E-2008 and Jeep Avenger with which it shares its 'Common Modular Platform' (CMP) – giving it a circa-410km driving range.Fast-charging is capped at 100kW (DC) for sub-30 minute 10-80 per cent recuperation.A petrol-electric hybrid version producing 100kW is also part of the range along with a detuned 116kW electric version.The Junior – previously known as Milano – is expected in Australia in the second half of 2025. Full pricing and detailed specifications will become available closer to the Junior's release.

The partnership between Nissan and Premcar started in 2018 birthing the first Navara N-Trek Warrior by October the next year. This project was followed up by a new Navara Warrior, based on the facelifted Pro-4X, which blossomed into the three-strong Warrior range available today.Far from Ford’s in-house Ranger Raptor program and Toyota’s Australian-focused – but not executed – HiLux GR Sport, Premcar’s take on tough off-roaders is keeping Australian manufacturing alive.We’ve been invited down to Premcar’s Epping manufacturing facility where Navaras and Patrols are stripped back and turned into Warrior products to see how this – now rare – Australian remanufacturing plant operates.So far, the partnership has produced a little more than 10,000 vehicles – 1500 N-Trek Warriors, 2000 Patrols and a combined 6500 Navara Pro-4X and SL Warriors. This is ongoing with 15-16 more examples rolling out of the doors each day.“It's been a very successful program for us, for Nissan, for the customers, for the dealer,” says Engineering Director and Premcar partner Bernie Quinn.  “It’s not often you get win-win-win-win, so that has been really good and a really good company to work with.“One of the objectives of the program was to lift from being regarded as a challenger into more of a genuine competitor for the likes of Ranger and HiLux that are very well regarded in the market,” he said. A similar treatment has been carried out for the Patrol to make it a rival for the LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport though it’s not as simple as ripping OEM parts off, binning them and buying new. There is careful planning to minimise excess spend and waste.The first step in the transformation of the Patrol starts in the cabin. Mottled wood-look trim pieces, the factory multimedia system and leather accents are all removed.The trims are refinished in gloss black, the accents swapped for ‘Warrior’ embossed Alcantara pieces and it gets the MY24 multimedia touchscreen. These tweaked parts are installed at the end of the production line.Next it’s wheels and tyres are swapped out for Premcar’s alloys and knobbly all-terrain rubber. The Navara SL’s standard steelies become dealer spare parts, the Pro-4X’s alloys are offered as dealer upgrades on regular SLs and the Patrol’s alloys go to the Middle East as spares. The suspension is where Premcar works most of its magic. The Patrol’s springs are sent to be recycle and replaced by heavy-duty front and triple-rate rear items increasing GVM by 120kg and improving road holding. Navaras get new dampers but Patrols keep their factory items. What does change is the Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC). The fluid is dropped, newly-machined parts are attached to the head of the shocks and the reserved oil is then used to top the re-engineered system back off. To oblige the 21mm wheel/tyre lift, Premcar needs different arch liners. Again, instead of buying fresh items the originals are cut up, reshaped and put back to use to minimise waste and cost. Improving capability further is a modified front bumper – one of the key reasons the Warrior is based on the lower spec Ti – that improves approach angle to 40º. A signature red 'WARRIOR' insignia bashplate and two recovery points completes the package.The patrol Warrior’s pièce de résistance is the bi-modal exhaust with side-exit tips. The guts of the exhaust remain the same with the OEM system simply having a new valved pipe added locally. A made-in-Australia exhaust controller is fitted at the same time.It passes stringent drive-by noise tests, naturally, and while there's no button to force the flap open it will always give full noise in the seven-speed automatic's tiptronic mode. Sadly, there's no extra power yet – perhaps one day, says Premcar.This level of compliance, re-use of materials and factory five-year warranty is what makes the Warrior unique. These modifications could be fitted in the aftermarket but if you’re paying for labour the costs will be much higher. Additionally, a non-compliant aftermarket exhaust can land you in hot water with the constabulary.Within the production facility the quality control standards are equivalent to that of an OEM line with spot inspections and torque checks on fasteners. Of the 10,000 Warriors on the road, only two have had warranty claims according to Bernie, both for leaky dampers. The thing is, the Navara and Patrol are entering the end of their sales lives. The Warrior project has elevated Nissan’s standing in the ute and 4x4 segments yet replacements are on the way and negotiations will need to happen. Regardless of the next steps, Bernie and Nissan are excited by their achievements. “As soon as we started getting mentioned in headlines ‘Nissan’s Raptor competitor’, or ‘Nissan’s Rugged X competitor’ we’d ticked that box.“That was part of that objective; get it in the mind of those customers.”With the next generation Patrol and Navara, Nismo versions have already been confirmed by Nissan’s Vice president, Product Strategy & Planning Ivan Espinoza. He told CarsGuide that "Patrol Nismo is something we will keep building on. It was really well received," noting that the nameplate is likely to go beyond the Middle East this time around. Nissan’s newly appointed Managing Director of Oceania Andrew Humberstone was quick to say a Nismo would not be the end of Nissan AU’s relationship with Premcar.“The relationship we have is a solid one. When it comes to future product, it is not something we talk about openly, with full transparency , but we are in discussions with Bernie and the team about what we can do with future products,” says Mr Humberstone. “Nismo? I wouldn’t say . We’re looking at the Australian component and I think of the relationship we have with Bernie and Premcar, it’s the ‘made in Australia’ component that’s more important to us,” he added. It’s a sentiment echoed by Bernie. When asked if he thinks Premcar will be involved in next-gen product development, he said: “I not only hope so, I expect so. Because this has worked for everyone.“The counter to that is, if we get it wrong, then the whole thing can fall apart. So we’re doing everything within our control to make it as successful as possible so that we keep on doing it,” he said. The new gen Y63 Patrol and Navara were included in a teaser video announcing a 30 new models by the 2026 Japanese fiscal year, with the new Patrol and Navara expected sooner, by 2025. We will have to wait and see if Premcar and Nissan’s partnership continues in the new models but on the face of it, things look positive for more Warriors.

Just as European, Chinese and American carmakers hurry to downsize engines, consolidate models and electrify everything, Japan looks set for a combustion-engined sports car resurgence. 

Peugeot has released final pricing and specification for its updated Partner small van from $39,990 before on-road costs.That's a $9000 lift over the previous Partner City manual which has been erased from the facelifted range.A rival for the Volkswagen Caddy and Renault Kangoo, the combustion-engined Partner models arrive first with no pricing or timing for an updated electric model.Like Peugeot did with the E-2008, the brand has current E-Partner models on discount with $10,000 off the MSRP. The Partner's new fascia closes off the upper grille, replacing it with a strip of body colour material that fades into the headlights.Inside, the cabin is updated with a new multi-function leather appointed steering wheel, 'e-Toggle' gear shift, and 10-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside connected services.Fabric upholstery remains as does the three-seat cabin configuration and under-seat 'MultiFlex' cabin storage.There is a fresh 10-inch digital instrument for the cluster and digital rear-view mirror in all Partner trims.On the safety front, the Partner receives improved AEB, cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, auto high beam, rain-sensing wipers and a 360-degree surround view camera.This is why pricing for the $39,990 (before on-road costs) Pro variant – the new entry grade – has climbed $2000. It is available in short (SWB) or long wheelbase (LWB) guise.The Premium adds keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, an extra 12V socket (two total), body coloured bumpers, 16-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights,The Partner's engine is an unchanged 1.2-litre three-cylinder 'Puretech' turbo petrol engine developing 96kW and 230Nm.It drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic. Payload is capped at 896kg for the SWB and 998kg for LWB models.In 2024, the Peugeot Partner has accounted for 43 per cent of sales in the small van segment, a long way ahead of the Renault Kangoo and just behind VW's Caddy.“We’re excited to unveil the new Peugeot Partner van, a highly capable workhorse that doesn’t compromise on comfort, safety and practicality," said Peugeot's General Manager, David Owen.“Championing Peugeot's bold new design ethos and an array of cutting-edge technologies, drivers of the new Peugeot Partner can enjoy intuitive control at their fingertips," he added.2024 Peugeot Partner pricingPrices are before on-road costs