Articles by John Mahoney

Chery's boss has confirmed the new Freelander brand has been locked in for a launch in Australia and New Zealand, with its arrival to be spearheaded by the new Freelander 8, which was unveiled at the Beijing motor show."The Freelander will be introduced to Australia and New Zealand," Yin Tongyue, Chery Auto chairman told Australian media at a round table event.Created as part of a joint venture between Chery and Land Rover, until now the Freelander's first model, the rugged Freelander 8, had only been announced that it would be produced in right-hand drive.Addressing rumours the Freelander 8 would be sold through Land Rover dealers, the Chery boss was quick to dismiss that idea."It will be an independent . It will have an independent network."Speaking to an insider later on, CarsGuide was told that behind the scenes Chery will work as hard as possible to separate its brands, with the Freelander brand joining both newly announced Lepas and Jetour to be sold, serviced and maintained via its own dealers, even in small markets like New Zealand.On sale in China in the second half of 2026, Chery's boss did not provide any time frame for the rollout of Freelander Down Under, but it's hotly tipped that right-hand drive production is scheduled to commence as soon as early 2027, suggesting the brand and the Freelander 8 could arrive as soon as next year.Created to be a capable off-roader, the Freelander brand will not be offered with pure-combustion engines; instead, it will only be available with pure-electric power or Chery's latest range-extender hybrid.The first of six SUVs to be launched in the next five years, in Beijing the fledgling brand revealed its first car – a mid-to-large six-seat SUV alternative to the hybrid Toyota Kluger that would come with powerful 800-volt electrics for ultra-fast DC charging.In Australia, it's likely range-extender hybrid (EREV), as well as the plug-in hybrids, are expected to be the most popular powertrains, with the former among the earliest adopters of CATL's latest Freevoy battery.Capable of 6C charging, the EREV version can handle a peak charge of up to 360kW, ensuring charging times a fraction of most plug-in hybrids currently on sale in Australia.With Land Rover responsible for the design in and out and reportedly tasked with ensuring it is as capable as any other Land Rover on or off-road, the Freelander 8 features an electronic limited-slip differential, which combines a virtual central locking differential, for maximum traction in all conditions.A height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension, meanwhile, should provide plenty of ground clearance for serious off-roading.Within, advanced new tech that has been sourced from its Chinese partner, includes a BMW iX3-style curved screen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar.Backed up by a large central floating infotainment, the Freelander is likely to appeal to Aussies fed up with having to operate everything through a touchscreen as both physical switches and a large rotary dial are present.Appealing to families, a 2+2+2 seating configuration is standard, with the second-row bagging a pair of Chery's 'zero-gravity' seats for enhanced comfort.Fresh tech includes extra-bright 8000-pixel projection headlamps, and Huawei's latest-gen 896-LiDAR that helps the Freelander SUV support the tech giant's new Qiankun ADS 4.1 driver assistance system, which provides Level 2+ driverless tech.The advanced autonomous driving aids benefit the Freelander 8 even when it's off-road, with the tech helping deliver up to nine driving modes, evolving Land Rover's famed traction-boosting terrain response tech.Designed and engineered to achieve the full five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests, the Freelander 8 is expected to be awarded top marks by ANCAP.Announcing the Freelander 8 will be built at Chery-Land Rover's current factory in Changshu, close to Shanghai, the Freelander production model does without both Chery or Land Rover badging – an early hint that the Freelander 8 would not leverage either parent when sales begin.No pricing has yet been released, but it's thought the Freelander 8 will be positioned as an even more rugged and capable alternative to the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990) that's currently on sale Down Under.

Chinese car giant Chery has confirmed its electrified off-road brand iCaur will launch in Australia in February 2027, with its recently introduced V27 and still-to-be-released V25 SUVs.Confirming that both new models will touch down early next year, an insider told media following the Beijing motor show, that the Suzuki Jimny wagon-rivalling V23 would also eventually join the line-up, but not until 2028 or 2029, following a mid-life makeover.Only introduced to the world back in 2023, iCaur, known in China as iCar, has already won fans with its combination of retro boxy-designed vehicles that combine either a range-extender hybrid or all-electric powertrains.In little more than two years the brand has gone on to sell more than 160,000 models globally, something that will ramp up rapidly in the next three years as the Land Rover or Toyota LandCruiser-rivalling brand races to enter 100 export countries.In Australia, it's expected the V27 will launch first, coming with a single range-extender hybrid powertrain.The largest model yet introduced by the iCaur, locally the V27 will be offered with either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and two different power outputs.Pinching design cues from the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-wagen, the V27 shares the same boxy shape with the 4x4 icons and bags similar circular headlamps.All Australian-spec models will also come with the externally-mounted full-size spare wheel, conventional door handles and a side-hinged tailgate.Measuring in at 4909mm long, 1976mm wide and 1855mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2910mm, the V27 is roughly the same size as a Land Rover Defender 110.Under the bonnet is a 105kW1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that is combined with both a 34.3kWh and a 20.6kWh battery pack.Maximum power is 335kW, with 0-100km/h taking 5.5 seconds.In China, thanks to the large powerpacks, the V27 can travel up to 210km on EV power alone and cover a total 1200km before it needs recharging; both of those figures are expected to fall under Euro WLTP test conditions.Longer ranges are expected for the light two-wheel drive versions.Full specifications have yet to be detailed for the Australian market, but it's thought our cars will drop the long-range LiDAR sensor Chinese-spec comes with which, combined with 27 sensors provides for a Level 2+ autonomous capability.Within, the iCaur comes with a 15.4-inch infotainment that runs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip for smoother, quicker responses. Below the big screen is a row of physical buttons that provide shortcuts for the climate control and more.Ahead of the driver is a slimline letterbox-style 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, while bathing the cabin in light is a four-pane segmented sunroof.Locally, the V27 is priced from just 200,000 Chinese yuan (A$40,000), it's not known what the range will kick off from but the insider told Carsguide that the new rugged-looking V27 will be positioned lower than the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990).Despite comparisons with the Denza, the same source said the V27 was not created for ultimate off-roading in mind and won't be as capable as a car like the Defender (from $96,255).Instead, the V27 is suited for light off-roading and can only tug up to 1600kg, some way off the 3000kg maximum towing weight claimed for the Denza B5.Other than testing, little is known about the new smaller mid-size V25 other than when it arrives in Australia after the V27 next year, it will come with both a range-extender hybrid and hybrid power.With spy shots confirming it won't deviate far from the classic 4x4 styling, it's thought the fresh Toyota RAV4 rival will share much with both the V27 and the smaller V23.For our market, it will also be offered with two power outputs and with or without all-wheel drive.Despite rumours that iCaur is secretly developing a ute based on all three of its models, an iCaur pick-up is unlikely to be offered in Australia, says the insider, following the decision to import the inbound dual-cab plug-in diesel hybrid Chery KP31 that's set for release in late 2026.

Fresh from confirming Lepas (Q4 2026), iCaur (Q2 2027) and Freelander (est 2027) would be landing in Australia in the near future, Chery Auto has been forced to defend its position of rolling out yet more sub-brands.Chery's response? The one-size-fits-all approach historically used by legacy car-makers is outdated.Zhang Guibing, President of Chery International, addressed complaints of potential customer confusion by comparing his carmaker to the fashion industry that has also spun off niche brands tailored for different consumers."When you look ten years ago at Toyota or Volkswagen, with one model they could sell many units. But today it is very difficult for one model to have the same meaning," said Chery's president."Today the customer is different. Even if the clothes are very beautiful, when too many people buy them, customers say they don't like to buy ."We are trying to use sub-brands to appeal to different customer groups," claimed Guibing, shortly after Chery announced that both the Lepas and Freelander brands would be introduced to Australia, where more than 68 different carmakers already operate.When asked if any of the Chery brands risked cannibalising each other’s sales, Guibing accepted there might be some overlap with Chery, Omoda or Jaecoo buyers but it was limited at best, because of the way the sub-brands were positioned."I couldn't say completely that there is no conflict."The brands understand the customers, their habits, the language they use and really understand what think. In this way we use the sub-brands to cover different customers," the Chery boss claimed, suggesting that each offering was unique, while the alternative price structures also helped prevent any poaching of sales within the group.Last year in Australia, sales of Chinese-made cars reached unprecedented highs after more than 250,000 were sold for the first time, ahead of Thai-built cars and utes, but despite some rival brands making bold statements of sales growth, Chery's regional boss Lewis Lu said that wouldn't be the Chinese carmaker's approach Down Under."Volume is not the first consideration," claimed Lu."We need to find a way to look after our customers, for a long-term perspective to help us get the right reputation."

Chery's latest sub-brand bound for Australia has unwrapped its most affordable electric car yet following the unveil of the Lepas L4 EV at the Beijing motor show.Previewing a more affordable Chinese take on premium European all-electric small SUVs like the BMW iX1, Volvo EX30 and inbound Mercedes GLA, the new L4 EV will be joined by a plug-in hybrid version and sit below the larger Toyota RAV4-rivalling L6 and L8, when sales start this October.Closely related to the new-generation Chery Tiggo 5, which has already been unveiled for China, while the PHEV and combustion versions looks near identical, the new EV version comes with a more aerodynamic snout, fresh alloy wheels and minor tweaks to the interior.Measuring in at around 4415mm long, 1817mm wide and standing 1630mm tall, the L4 EV has a relatively large 2700mm wheelbase, which is around 70mm longer than the Chery E5, providing more space.The Lepas L4 is the first vehicle to be built on Chery's new LEX platform that is highly rigid and allows the firm to fit its latest advanced tech. The platform also benefits from input from the Chinese car giant's R&D hub, which is why it gets a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.In the future, Chery says it wants to engineer its cars to both have a European-tuned suspension and, once that's achieved, it will go ahead and tailor the ride and handling for markets like Australia.Chery hopes the Lepas L4's more European look and higher-grade interiors will attract a more upmarket buyer, although when the brand arrives in the latter half of this year, we don't expect it to come with BMW or Benz-like pricing and for it to still undercut the X1 and GLA.From launch, we'll miss out on the base 80kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, or a punchier 108kW 1.5 turbo petrol, and instead be offered the new all-electric version unveiled in Beijing.Driven by a single 150kW front e-motor that will draw power from a 67kWh battery, that will blend brisk performance and a range of around 450km.A second plug-in hybrid will be available from launch that produces 205kW and 350Nm of torque with an undisclosed battery but will come with up to 90km of EV range on the WLTP test cycle.Inside, the Lepas L4 like the rest of the range comes with an 8.0-inch instrument cluster and a larger 9.9-inch infotainment screen.Standard kit includes a 360-degree camera view, parking sensors, auto headlamps and half-leather seats.High-grade models offered in some markets add roof rails, keyless go, a premium sound system, six-way power adjustable heated and ventilated seats and adaptive cruise.While the strategy is to position the Lepas brand eventually as a real BMW or Benz rival, for now insiders suggest the new Euro-inspired models will command a five per cent price premium over Omoda and Jaecoo models to ensure it builds up enough volume to sustain the brand.It's thought Lepas Australia will release full details of the inbound Lepas L4 EV and the larger L6 and L8 closer to launch, including details of what trims and powertrains Australians will be offered.

More than a quarter of a century since the Land Rover Freelander was pensioned off, the SUV nameplate has returned with the Freelander 8, a rugged SUV developed by both Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).The first of six SUVs to be launched in the next five years as part of the Anglo-Sino partnership, the new Freelander 8 has already been confirmed for right-hand-drive markets, opening the door to Australian sales.Sold under the new Freelander sub-brand, Freelander 8 sales will initially begin in China as soon as late this year, before export sales kick off later.Created to be an all-electric mid-to-large six-seat SUV rival for the Toyota Kluger, the Freelander 8 comes with powerful 800-volt electrics for ultra-fast DC charging.Later on, the Freelander 8 will adopt both a range-extender hybrid (REEV), as well as the plug-in hybrids more commonly found in Europe.Freelander has confirmed that the REEV will bag CATL's latest Freevoy battery, which is capable of 6C charging, that translates into rapid DC peak charging speeds of 360kW.Ensuring it is as capable as any other Land Rover, the Freelander 8 features an electronic limited-slip differential, which is combined with a virtual central locking differential, plus a height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension.Following on from the well-received Freelander Concept 97, the 8 borrows plenty visual cues from both the old Freelander and current Defender.While the Freelander 8 was styled by the British 4x4 brand, plenty of its advanced new tech has been sourced from its Chinese partner, including its curved screen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar.A large central floating infotainment is present, as well as a limited number of physical switches and a large rotary dial.Coming with a 2+2+2 seating configuration, the second row gets a pair of zero-gravity seats for a limo-like level of comfort.Fresh tech includes extra-bright 8000-pixel projection headlamps, and Huawei's latest-gen 896-LiDAR that helps the Freelander SUV support the tech giant's new Qiankun ADS 4.1 driver assistance system, which provides Level 2+ driverless tech.The same advanced autonomous driving aids are also thought to help boost the Freelander 8's capability off-road, offering up to nine terrain modes.When it lands in Europe, the Freelander 8 has been engineered to achieve the full five stars for protection in EuroNCAP crash tests, which bodes well for a decent showing in future evaluations by ANCAP.Built at a Chery-Land Rover plant in Changshu, close to Shanghai, the Freelander does without both Chery or Land Rover badging and will operate as an independent brand that is completely separate from Chery, Exeed, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, Luxeed or the iCaur (iCar).It's not yet known, when launched in markets like Europe or Australia, if the Freelander will be rebadged and sold through Land Rover dealers.

If you need a large family SUV, but lust after a more rugged and flexible dual-cab ute, the Chery Tiggo V that's just been unwrapped at the Beijing motor show might be the answer.Created to be "one vehicle for all scenarios", the Chery Tiggo V follows on from the T1TP show car that made its debut last year, with the concept updated for production for the Beijing motor show.Unlike the Chery Himla dual-cab ute it shares its looks with, the Tiggo V is based on a car-like monocoque but many buyers are expected to fall for the swappable rear canopy that can either be removed completely or swapped out for one of six different configurations, including a camper.Most will buy it because of its six or seven seats but if you're moving home or need more space Chery says you can switch out the station wagon rear end for a cargo van topper that allows the Tiggo V to haul 600 litres of luggage, with four anchor points and up to four partitions available to secure heavy loads.There's no word on the SUV-cum-ute's payload, but its car-based roots suggest in ute form, it won't come anywhere close to being able to carry up to 1000kg, the likes of proper utes such as the Ford Ranger can haul.The rear structure, meanwhile, is easy to remove thanks to its quick-release mechanism, although there's no indication how heavy each of the rear bodies are, nor whether or not some of the heavier toppers, like the optional camper will be, with the latter potentially a dealer-fit only.When converted to ute form, a variable partition behind the second sliding row of seats ensures the cabin is protected from the elements in the exposed bed.Measuring in at more than 5000mm long, the Tiggo V has a 2800mm wheelbase that provides plenty of legroom within, with space available for up to seven.A more luxurious six-seater is also available with a 2+2+2 configuration.Under the bonnet the Tiggo V is tipped to come with a development of Chery's Super Hybrid plug-in hybrid powertrain, which combines an ultra-efficient 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, an 18.5kWh battery and a dedicated hybrid transmission.Two variants will be available: the DHT160 that produces 160kW and 275Nm of torque and a higher-output DHT230 that produces 260kW and 330Nm of torque.Both versions should have an all-electric range of between 90-100km.A regular 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol will also be offered in some markets.Claimed to come with genuine off-road capability, the Tiggo V offers up to 220mm of ground clearance that enables the PHEV version to wade up to 700mm, while the combustion version can drive through water at depths of up to 650mm.Primed to enter production for Chinese buyers later this year, the transforming Chery Tiggo V has yet to be confirmed for Australia. Instead, the Chinese brand has announced the flagship SUV/ute that will sit above the Tiggo 5, 7,8 and 9, remains under consideration for Australia.

BMW claims the facelift of its seventh-generation BMW 7 Series is the most comprehensive makeover ever undertaken in the 110 years since it was founded.Not that you can really tell in the flesh. Few will be likely to spot the under-the-radar tweaks when the 7 Series and its all-electric i7 counterpart land in Australia in the final three months of this year, but look closely and there are plenty of tell-tale signs.Easiest to spot are the split headlamps that now feature sparkly crystals in the upper elements. A revised front bumper, meanwhile, aims to maximise the Mercedes S-Class-rival's blocky monolithic look for extra road presence.It's a similar story for the striking glowing kidney grille and option of larger 22-inch wheels, plus the fresh new rear light bar and redesigned bumper. All contribute to ensuring the big BMW makes an equally sizeable statement.A new customisable welcome or farewell light sequence adds some theatre to the ownership experience but it's within where some of the biggest changes are found.Embracing BMW's latest Neue Klasse technology, the petrol and all-electric versions of the 7 Series now gain the firm's configurable Panoramic Vision full-width display that stretches from pillar to pillar along the leading edge of the windscreen.There's also a large 3D head-up display that eliminates the need to take your eyes off the road.Other new tech lifted from the all-new iX3 SUV and i3 sedan includes a large 17.9-inch touchscreen infotainment which integrates a dedicated passenger display for the first time.All the screens run BMW's next-generation X operating system.In the posh seats in the second row, the good news is the current car's full-width 31.3-inch cinema-grade touchscreen carries over and is improved with the facelift.There's now a camera and microphone for video conferencing, while the multiplex experience is enhanced by the addition of a fresh 36-speaker 4D Bowers & Wilkins sound system that has a Dolby Atmos capability.Airline-style executive seats remain available, while the German carmaker claims the first-class experience continues with an ambient light system that is said to provide its own immersive experience.Like before, both models come with automatic soft-close doors but now engineers have added more precise radar sensors, allowing for a smoother, more graceful ingress and egress.Both a panoramic sunroof and four-zone climate control are now standard in all markets.Beneath the skin, the major changes continue, especially if you choose the all-electric Mercedes EQS- and Genesis Electrified G80-rivalling i7.Thanks to a partnership with Croatian hypercar-maker Rimac, BMW has managed to shoehorn its most advanced sixth-gen battery tech into the i7.The all-new 112.5kWh power pack comprises of 4695 cylindrical lithium-ion cells that deliver 20 per cent more energy density than before, despite inhabiting the same space beneath the floor.Compared to the previous prismatic cells, which provided a range of up to 625km, the new i7 can now travel beyond 708km before it needs plugging in.That figure is some way off the incredible 926km range Mercedes boasts for its latest facelifted EQS, but it's worth pointing out the long-legged Benz produces less power (300kW) and is rear-wheel drive, compared to the punchier all-wheel-drive 335kW i7 50 xDrive.Unfortunately for BMW, even with all-wheel drive, the EQS goes further on a full charge than any i7 in the range, with even the fastest 430kW EQS580 4MATIC capable of driving up to 876km before needing to be plugged in versus the 707km the 400kW i7 60 xDrive and 650km the 500kW i7 M70 xDrive can travel.At least the latter flagship M70 blends its lesser range with a punchy 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.8 seconds.There's more bad news for the battery-powered 7 Series when it comes to charging.Lack of space meant there wasn't enough room to squeeze in the carmaker's most powerful 800-volt electrics that are used on both the smaller i3 sedan and iX3 SUV.The result is BMW and Rimac were only able to raise peak charging from 200kW to around 250kW – a long way off the EQS' 350kW peak rate.In the big Benz that translates into being able to add as much as 320km of range in little more than ten minutes, in the same time BMW owners will have only managed to squeeze in no more than 205km-worth of charge.A 10-80 per cent top-up, meanwhile, takes 29 minutes, although the German carmaker says the combination of optimised route planning and predictive heat management unlocks faster real-world charging.On the combustion side, there's a new entry 740 that gains 48-volt mild hybrid tech.The 740i-replacing electrified twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder musters an additional 14kW more power (294kW) but is no quicker from 0-100km/h (5.4 seconds) and is only fractionally less thirsty than before (7.7L/100km v 7.9L/100km).A 230kW 740d xDrive and a plug-in hybrid 750e and M760e both arrive later on in November 2026 but are uncertain for Australia.The most powerful M760e M Performance could prove an enticing proposition for limo buyers, combining 450kW/800Nm, a 0-100km/h dash of 4.2 seconds, and up to 80km of EV range, fuel use is commendably low at 3.5L/100km.Later on, a powerful V8-powered M Performance version will also follow, but there's still no sign of BMW M ever launching a full-fat M7. Instead, an overhauled Alpina variant will provide supercar levels of thrust with little compromise to comfort or refinement.New driverless tech includes a hands-free adaptive cruise control that works up to 130km/h and a new 'City Assistant' that uses AI and accurate digital mapping to support the driver in stress-inducing urban environments. A new remote parking aid is also available.Despite being locked in for a launch Down Under in Q4 of 2026, BMW Australia has yet to provide timings or pricing for the refreshed BMW 7 Series and the heavily updated i7.Currently, the luxury limo is priced from around $270,000 (plus on-road costs) for the entry 740i and around $300,000 (plus ORCs) for the battery-electric i7 flagship.

Hyundai plans to make the humble hatch great again next year with the arrival of its all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 3.Hyundai's local sales boss David Rodda has locked in a 2027 launch date for the new EV Down Under.“Our existing EV lineup already covers 85 per cent of the market, and with the introduction of the STARIA Commercial Van later this year and Ioniq 3 hatch early next year, we expect to reach 96 per cent overall EV market coverage," he said.The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is actually officially dubbed an 'aero hatch' by the Korean brand, as the BYD Dolphin or MG4 rival has an ultra-low, class-leading 0.26Cd drag coefficient, which helps unlock a range of up to 500km.The new Ioniq 3 will serve as an indirect replacement for the old i30 hatch that was axed in Australia over the high costs involved with sourcing it from Europe.The first Hyundai to be designed under the brand's Art of Steel design language, the Ioniq 3 blends a sleek front end, rakish lines and some unashamed classic Alfa Romeo styling elements at the rear.The version we saw in the flesh was the sporty N Line variant that added larger 19-inch alloy wheels, a more prominent ducktail rear spoiler, diffuser, side skirts and aggressive front bumper that are all finished in gloss black.The four LED light elements within the slimline grille, meanwhile, are said to signify an 'H' in morse code.All future Hyundais will draw plenty from the Ioniq 3's styling that when applied to a small hatch handily also provide plenty of space within.Built on the Korean car giant's 400-volt E-GMP platform, the small Hyundai measures in at 4155mm long (4170mm for the N Line), 1800mm wide and stands 1505mm tall with a 2680mm wheelbase that delivers head- and legroom on par with the old larger i30 hatch, while in the rear boot there's up to 441 litres of luggage-swallowing potential.Inside, the good news continues as there is a either a large 12.9-inch or even more generous 14.6-inch infotainment that runs the brand's latest Android-based software.High grade material, tactile physical buttons, plus general high levels of attention detail all shame budget rivals.Comfort within is boosted by the firm's heated and ventilated 'Relaxation Seats, which said to employ fabric inspired by 1970s Italian furniture that is recycled and said to be bio-based. There's also a powerful Bose premium sound system, dual-zone climate control and ambient LED lighting.When it lands in Australia, the Ioniq 3 is expected to come with either a 42kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery that provides for more than 335km of range or a bigger 61kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) that engineers are confident will see the Dolphin rival travel up to 500km on the Euro WLTP test cycle.Plug into a DC fast-charger and Hyundai says the Ioniq 3's standard battery takes 29 minutes for a 10-80 per cent refill, with 30 minutes for the same charge on the long-range NMC battery.AC charging is limited to 11kW, but a 22kW capability will be offered as an option from launch. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is standard on all models, allowing the Hyundai to charge laptops or e-bikes.Whichever Ioniq 3 you plump for, the small battery-powered hatch comes with a single e-motor that drives the front wheels and produces either 108kW or 99kW in the long-range version.Both produce 250Nm of torque, with the entry Ioniq 3 accelerating from 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds, while the heavier less powerful long-range variant takes 9.6 seconds to reach the same benchmark. Top speed is limited to 165km/h.Designed to achieve a five-star ANCAP rating, all versions of the new EV hatch comes with bright LED headlamps, seven airbags, a blind-spot monitor, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and remote auto parking.Available with the choice of eight exterior paints and four interior colour combinations, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 has yet to be officially locked in for a launch Down Under, but once confirmed, expect the striking all-electric hatch to be priced from around $42,000 plus on-roads when sales start in Q1 of 2027.

The Cupra Raval has been created to be the small electric car you'll actually love to drive when it arrives in Australia in 2027.The first of four battery-powered small cars developed by the Volkswagen Group, the pint-sized Cupra Raval shares its MEB+ platform with the Volkswagen ID. Polo, ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq, with all four to be manufactured in plants in Spain.Built to battle the Mini Cooper Electric and Renault 5 EV available in Europe and coming Chinese small EVs such as the Geely EX2 and Nio Firefly, Cupra has priced the unashamedly sporty Raval from €26,000 (A$43,400), which means it will command a big five-figure premium over some of the cheapest Chinese EVs Down Under.The Spanish brand hopes you'll think it will be a price worth paying, with the small EV adopting features and levels of personalisation normally associated with more expensive premium offerings. Most will be attracted by the baby Cupra's striking looks, which were previewed by the 2021 UrbanRebel concept.Matching the show car's muscular proportions, the small Cupra's trademark shark nose front end, along with hidden door handles, front air curtains, active grille shutters and a rear spoiler and diffuser, all bless the Raval with best-in-class aerodynamics.Measuring in at 4046mm long, 1784mm wide and 1518mm tall with a 2600mm wheelbase, despite its small footprint, space is impressive within, with rear adults able to squeeze themselves behind the driver in the second row although the 430-litre boot is only average for a highly competitive segment.Behind the wheel, Cupra says the Raval will drive like nothing else in the segment and, to ensure it has the edge over the pair of Volkswagen and Skoda stablemates, the Raval comes with the firm's 'progressive' variable ratio steering, special wheel carriers, front and rear brake discs, and a wider front axle, for a sharper, grippier drive more akin to a hot hatch.Driving the front wheels is the choice of either an 85kW or 98kW e-motor that is combined with a modest 37kWh battery for a 300km range.Faster versions bag 155kW and a larger 52kWh battery that boosts the range to 400km, while the most powerful 166kW motor is reserved for the sportiest Raval VZ that gets large 19-inch alloy wheels electronic limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers and is claimed to launch from 0-100km/h in less than seven seconds.The sportiest suspension set-up sees the Raval sit 15mm lower, with a further 10mm wider front and rear track, while the adaptive dampers sharpen up handling further.New tech includes a brake-by-wire e-brake system that is said to herald improved feel and enhanced regeneration when slowing.If that doesn't sound sporty enough, an insider told Carsguide that the MEB+ has been engineered to swap out its rear torsion beam suspension for a multi-link set-up that makes room for a second motor, adding extra power and all-wheel drive.Expect the more powerful Raval to pump out more than 250kW and share its dual-motor powertrain with the rumoured ID. Polo R, which means it should sprint from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.Relying on 400-volt electrics means charging speeds for the 37kWh power pack is limited to 90kW, with a 10 to 80 per cent top-up taking 27 minutes. The bigger battery, meanwhile, accepts a 130kW charge for a brisker 23-minute 10-80 per cent refill.Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available allowing you to power small domestic appliances on the move.The first Cupra to come with an Android-powered operating system, the Raval combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a larger 12.9-inch infotainment that launches with apps for YouTube, Spotify and other streaming services.As standard, the Raval comes with seven speakers, with the option of a more powerful 475W 12-speaker premium Sennheiser sound system.Elsewhere equipment levels are high. All models come with a 15W wireless phone charger and high-speed USB-C chargers, including in the rear, that top up at up to 90W.Dual-zone climate control, trick ambient lighting, remote park assist, rear traffic alert, 360-degree surround view and loads of standard safety kit, that includes seven airbags, adaptive seatbelts and interior cameras monitoring driver fatigue, should ensure a full five-star ANCAP rating.New safety tech includes a pre-crash function, that prepares the car for impact by closing windows and sunroof while activating hazard warning lights and tensioning the front seatbelts will also be offered for the first time.There's even onboard tech that can detect if you confuse the accelerator with the brake pedal at low speed and prevent a nasty impact.More big car tech includes adaptive cruise that works without painted roads, that slow the cars for speed bumps and even detects traffic lights.Available in seven exterior colours, including matte finishes, as well as a new iridescent paint finish, along with the option of a black or grey roof and up to eight different alloy wheel choices, Cupra says the Raval will get levels of personalisation well beyond any of its rivals.Lowering insurance costs is an ECU and data recorder that can estimate the severity of damage and make a workshop call to streamline the repair process, while deformable elements in the front and rear bumpers lower the cost of repair.Confirmed for an arrival in Australia, full timings and specification of the Cupra Raval we'll get will be locked in closer to its expected 2027 introduction in our market.

Jeep has announced it remains committed to the Australian market despite posting some of the worst sales results in its modern history.Forced to address rumours that parent Stellantis was considering pulling the plug on the 4x4 brand's local operation, Jeep's Senior Vice President for Global Product Planning, Matt Nyquist, said the US SUV brand is staying and will invest in its future in Australia.Jeep has sold just 184 cars through the first three months of this year, a drop of more than 65 per cent.2025's sales data showed Jeep only managed to sell 1682 cars – its lowest annual sales total since sales data was first compiled back in 1997, and a considerable 31.5 per cent drop compared to what it shifted in 2024.If that doesn't sound bad enough, the most recent decline follows a 48.7 per cent fall in 2024, a 30.4 per cent drop in 2023 and a 14.2 per cent reduction in volumes in 2022, which is shocking from a brand that back in 2014 was selling more than 30,000 vehicles annually.It now has to deal with affordable Chinese models such as the Denza B5 and B8, and GWM's Tank 4WD range, muscling in on its territory.Dealers were reportedly spooked when the Grand Cherokee was axed from the line-up, despite being Jeep's best-seller, Nyquist was unequivocal when questioned on whether Jeep was about to up sticks and leave the region."There are no plans to withdraw Jeep from the market, we are committed to Australia," he told Carsguide at a recent Jeep event in the US."Australia is a great market for Jeep, it’s had its ups and downs, for sure, but the environments and landscapes that require 4x4 and capability means a good synergy between Jeep and the market."Nyquist was cautious about commenting about how Jeep will reboot the SUV maker locally, but acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the Australian region.Worryingly, for those hoping the brand in Australia would be bolstered (and saved) by a raft of new products, Nyquist refused to confirm that both the rugged all-electric Recon 4x4 and sporty road-biased Wagoneer S SUV were still on track to land in Australia later this year.Both were locked in for a local introduction back in 2022 by then-CEO, Christian Meunier, but now face a more uncertain fate Down Under, said the senior Jeep exec."We are always studying the evolution of the market. The industry has changed dramatically around those products (Recon, Wagoneer S), particularly in the US, but we’re always studying to ensure we have all the right products in the right place at the right price".When probed over whether or not both the most capable trail-rated EV and American Porsche Cayenne Electric rival might now be off the menu for right-hand drive markets, Nyquist was quick to correct us."We are committed to right-hand drive. Once you engineer a vehicle for right-hand drive, the rest – like regulations – are relatively straightforward."For all of our key products we want them to be available for right-hand drive."That suggests, instead of a lack of right-hand drive, it is the general slowing of EV sales that might curb the Stellantis-owned brand's appetite for exporting its two latest and shiniest models to markets like Australia.Meanwhile, Down Under, despite being one of the cheapest all-electric SUVs money can buy, before generous discounts, the Jeep Avenger struggles to make a dent on the sales charts.Other calamitous local decisions include a lack of V6 turbo-diesel availability on the once cheap but now ever more expensive Wrangler and Gladiator, sky-high pricing for the six-figure Grand Cherokee followed by massive $33,000 price cuts.Without the two flagship EVs imminently inbound, Jeep will have to bank on the success of the new-generation Compass and Cherokee to turn around the iconic 4x4 brand and make it sustainable again Down Under.