Articles by John Law

Volkswagen revealed the facelifted Touareg in May 2023 and the Australian arm swiftly confirmed the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) R performance model would headline the local range for the first time.

Volkswagen Australia has changed its tune on plug-in hybrids following the launch of its Touareg R large SUV, with the local arm looking to add hybrid models to the mix. 

The facelifted Volkswagen Touareg has finally arrived in Australia 12 months after its European debut. A tweaked four-strong range runs from $86,790 to $129,990 before on-road costs, and the tested 170TDI is the most affordable.

Toyota announced Australian 2025 Prado pricing and specifications earlier this week with a nearly blanket $10,000 increase over its predecessor, just as we predicted.

Cadillac has detailed its Optiq electric car, which becomes the US brand’s smallest EV SUV. 

Toyota has mentioned another likely sports car revival off the back of the company's renewed interest in combustion engines.The eighth generation Toyota Celica, another coupe, is expected to be shown at next year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, according to Japanese outlet BestCar.This rumour follows the mooted rebirth of MR2, Starlet Turbo and new sub-86 S-FR that are all set to join Toyota existing GR Supra, GR 86, Corolla and Yaris. What shape the new Celica will take, though, is less sure. The name has taken various forms throughout the years; those around in the 70s will remember it as a sleek rear-drive coupe colloquially known as the Japanese Mustang.Fans of the WRC and Group A era racing are more likely to remember the fourth, fifth and sixth generations that spawned Toyota’s infamous ‘3S-GTE’ powered Celica GT-Four rally car, codenamed either ST165, ST185 or ST205 depending on the model. Noughties kids might recall the angular front-drive seventh-gen coupe popular in the Fast & Furious and Need For Speed franchises. From the report, it seems Toyota is more likely to go down the WRC-era route for the new Celica’s revival. BestCar’s often reliable speculation points to the new Celica featuring the GR-Four active torque split all-wheel drive system found in the GR Yaris and Corolla.However, rather than just a coupe Corolla (as the fifth and sixth-gen Celica effectively were) it sounds like the new two-door will feature a bigger, 2.0-litre engine producing around 300kW that was announced last year and then confirmed this week by Toyota. This powertrain has reportedly been in development for some time and is ready for release, however there’s no car for it to currently sit in – a new Celica would fit the bill. It would also give the coupe a point-of-difference to the hardcore GR Corolla and Yaris. Positioning the new Celica as a luxury alternative to GR products would make sense. The GR 86 has taken the reins from where the old Celica sat and there’s a big gap up to the rear-drive $90K Supra.An all-wheel drive coupe with leather upholstery, 2+2 seating arrangement and the option of automatic or manual transmission for about $70K could prove a success. Only time will tell if Toyota puts the Celica into production – we’ll have more info by Tokyo Auto Salon 2025. 

Jeep has shown off its new electric large SUV, the Wagoneer S, that will become its first globally available electric car when it launches in the US joining the electric Jeep Avenger in Europe. 

The refreshed Volkswagen Touareg impresses across the range and proves plug-in hybrids have a place for large vehicles. Slick powertrain delivers decent electric range and 3500kg towing capability.

Locally known for its aquatically themed electric cars like the Seal sedan and Dolphin hatch, BYD is doubling down on plug-in hybrid technology, touting a new ultra-long-range powertrain.

Kia will not launch just one ute globally, with the Tasman to be followed by an electric car-based model in 2026. Spy shots unveil hints of EV9 and Hyundai Santa Cruz in its appearance.