Articles by Samuel Irvine

The Land Rover Defender will gain more V8 options for the 2026 model year (MY26) as the British firm moves to rejuvenate the much-loved off-roader with design and tech updates.

Chinese battery giant CATL has announced a major battery breakthrough in its lithium metal battery (LMB) technology that surpasses the theoretical energy efficiency of some solid-state batteries.It is still in prototype phase, but CATL, which supplies the batteries that power electric cars from Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Hyundai and more, claims to have developed a LMB battery with an optimised energy efficiency of 500kWh/kg maintained over 483 charging cycles.That level of energy efficiency far exceeds anything currently available on the mainstream EV market, with most EV batteries currently residing between a peak of 150Wh/kg to 250Wh/kg over an approximate lifecyle of up to 1000 charging cycles.Better yet, it exceeds significant developments in solid-state battery technology, which is often touted as a silver bullet for EV technology due to its high energy density and long-range driving potential.BMW, one of the leaders in solid-state battery technology, has been targeting an efficiency of between 390Wh/kg and 550Wh/kg in its partnership with Solid Power, though it is yet to claim an achieved figure, despite recently testing one fitted to a BMW i7 prototype.Stellantis, which is also working on solid-state batteries with Factorial Energy, claims to have achieved an energy density of 375Wh/kg over 600 charging cycles on its solid-state batteries, which it aims to roll out on a demonstration fleet by next year.Unlike solid-state batteries, which use a solid electrolyte, CATL's LMB batteries use a liquid electrolyte, which could theoretically present fewer challenges in the development and manufacturing processes.CATL said it has maximised energy efficiency on its LMB batteries through quantitative mapping. In other words, by exploring more intensively why its LMB batteries would start to lose efficiency.It was found that by tweaking the battery’s electrolyte, it could make the LiFSI salt – a key component used to improve battery performance – last longer. By doing so, it doubled the number of charging cycles in its previous prototype to nearly 500.CATL is heralding the development as an exciting step forward for improving battery technologies in the commercial EV and aviation space, and one that could face fewer hurdles in upscaling the technology as solid-state batteries do.The company is the biggest battery manufacturer in the world and currently holds a 37 per cent market share of global lithium-ion battery supply.

The new Volvo XC70 has been leaked in homologation filings submitted in China, which show the reborn model will be sold exclusively as a plug-in hybrid SUV.

BMW is launching the M2 CS in Australia later this year, bringing with it improved performance and a more striking design.

BMW has strengthened its X1 line-up in Australia, announcing the arrival of the special-edition sDrive18i Sport Collection.

New details have emerged of XPeng’s next-generation P7 sedan, which is primed for a global debut in the third quarter of this year.

BYD will take full control of the import and distribution of its cars in Australia, cutting wait times and improving stock availability as the brand looks to extend its retail partnership with car retail giant Eagers Automotive.

Volvo has updated its seven-seat XC90 SUV with a suite of design and tech upgrades as it transitions from a three- to a two-variant line-up.On sale in Australia now, the line-up kicks off at $104,990 before on-road costs for the entry-grade Ultra B5 Bright, which is an increase of $5050 on last year’s prices.The Ultra B6 Bright is gone as a mid-range option, with the top-spec Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) now priced at $130,990 before on-road costs, an increase of $2600.In exchange for the price hikes, the XC90 sports a new look for 2025, emphasised by a new diagonally-striped grille, sharper LED headlight signatures, new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and alloy wheel designs.Inside, both variants gain a larger, higher resolution 11.2-inch central touchscreen with over-the-air software update capabilities.Volvo has also delivered additional storage space in the centre console, including an extra cupholder, thanks to a redesigned dashboard that is more horizontal than before. It comes clad in new-look decorative panels made from recycled materials.No changes have been made to the base Ultra B5 Bright’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol in-line four-cylinder engine, which comes paired to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that delivers 183kW/350Nm to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.Similarly, no changes have been made to the Ultra T8’s PHEV setup, which utilises the same petrol engine paired to a 107kW/309Nm electric motor and a 19kWh battery pack for total outputs of 340kW/709Nm.Total electric range is claimed at up to 77km, while fuel economy is claimed at 1.8L/100km, a fraction of the Ultra B5 Bright’s claimed 8.2L/100km.As standard, the Ultra B5 Bright carries new 21-inch multi-spoke Black Diamond-cut alloy wheels, keyless entry with a power tailgate, a 12.0-inch digital driver’s display, wireless charging, powered front seats with heating, cooling and memory functions, as well as a surround-view camera.The Ultra T8 PHEV adds new, larger 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity speaker system, active air suspension, tinted rear windows, roof rails in gloss black, fully-coloured sills and bumpers, and black rear-view mirror covers.Standard safety features on both models includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane centring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, park assist, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display.Volvo has sold 209 examples of the XC90 to April this year, a decline of 29.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. It remains outpaced by the BMW X5 (1103), Lexus RX (583) and the Volkswagen Touareg (330).

A long-range version of the Geely EX5 has leaked in homologation filings in its home market of China less than three months after the budget electric model launched in Australia.

Toyota Australia has recalled 831 examples of its Tundra pick up built between 2022 and 2024 over concerns the reverse lights may not function correctly.A recall notice published by Australia’s vehicle recall regulator reads: “Due to a manufacturing defect, moisture may enter the internal circuit board of the reverse lamps over time. As a result, the reverse lamps may not illuminate as intended. Also, the rear-view camera may become activated whilst driving.”In extreme cases, the notice said: “If the traffic behind is unable to identify if the vehicle is reversing, it could increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.”Once parts become available, owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by Toyota to book an appointment to have this issue rectified, free of charge.The issue is impacting all Tundras sold globally, with more than 440,000 cars in the US – where the Tundra is built – also recalled.Australians have bought 769 examples of the Toyota Tundra since it was first officially launched in Australia in November 2024, with all models presumed to be affected. The remaining impacted vehicles are likely to be individual imports purchased prior to its official release.