Articles by Samuel Irvine

Isuzu has launched its D-Max ute and MU-X SUV in Thailand with a brand new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.It will go on sale in Thailand – where both models are built for Australia – on November 28. The new engine, dubbed the RZ4F, is an advancement on the 1.9-litre R4ZE-TC engine sold in Australia and a likely successor to the more powerful 3.0-litre 4JJ3-TCX.According to an international Isuzu media release, “the new powerful RZ4F engine combined with 8-speed automatic transmission brings significant improvements to start-up capability, acceleration, and fuel efficiency compared to existing models.”It also adds 10kW/50Nm over the 1.9-litre unit it is based on for a total power output of 120kW/400Nm. It is 20kW/50Nm less potent than the 3.0-litre unit it is poised to replace, though.Those outputs put the new motor bang on with the current output of the GWM Ute (120kW/400Nm) and in the ballpark of the Jac T9 (120kW/410Nm) and KGM Ssangyong Musso (133kW/400-420Nm).It also shares the same 2.2-litre displacement as the brand new Kia Tasman, though the Tasman is capable of a greater 154kW/440Nm.Isuzu is yet to report fuel economy figures or carbon dioxide emissions, but it has stated there will be a considerable improvement in both of these metrics over the 3.0-litre engine, which uses 8.0L/100km and produces 207 grams of carbon per kilometre.The current 1.9-litre unit uses 7.0L/100km and produces 186 grams of carbon per km on the entry-level SX variant, which already makes it one of the better performers in the diesel ute and ute-based SUV segment compared to its four-cylinder rivals.For comparison, the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Ford Ranger Hi-Rider uses 7.6L/100km and produces 199 grams of carbon per km, while the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel Toyota HiLux turbo-diesel Workmate uses 7.4-litres and produces 188 grams of carbon.Improved fuel economy is expected thanks to the brand’s new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, which will replace the current six-speed transmission.Isuzu said of the transmission: “The wider gear range, optimised torque, high performance lockup dampers, and gear shift map settings tailored to the RZ4F engine enables improved start-up capability, acceleration, fuel economy and overall performance.”At this stage it is unclear exactly when we will see the new engine option arrive in Australia, with an Isuzu spokesperson telling CarsGuide last week that it was “not in a position to comment on future product plans”.Isuzu Australia said that it was “monitoring reception to the news to ensure any product updates to our local range meet the unique requirements of our local market before introducing any change locally.”As Isuzu’s largest export market, the new 2.2-litre engine is expected to play an important role for the brand locally moving forward, particularly with impending National Vehicle Emission Standards (NVES) set to kick off from January 1 2025.That will see the level of carbon emissions per km capped at 210 grams from next year for light commercial vehicles – which both engines currently on sale fit under – before dropping to 180 grams in 2026.According to the NVES scheme, each gram exceeded on each vehicle over the limit can incur a $100 fine, but car manufacturers can avoid fines by accruing carbon credits for every zero emissions vehicle sold.Isuzu is currently without one in its local lineup, but an electric version of the D-Max has been confirmed for sale in Australia from late-2025 after a production-ready version made an appearance at the Bangkok International motor show earlier this year.Isuzu also employs the 1.9-litre engine with mild-hybrid technology in Thailand, which delivers improved fuel efficiency over the non-hybrid engine.The mild-hybrid version hasn’t been confirmed for Australia yet, but both electrified models could theoretically lower the brand’s fuel emissions average and allow it to continue selling a diesel-powered variant in the form of the new 2.2-litre diesel without passing higher costs onto consumers.

Jeep announced plans at the Los Angles motor show last week to add a brand-new hybrid model to its lineup for 2025.

LDV has confirmed local testing is underway for electric and diesel versions of the brand-new Terron 9 ute ahead of their arrival in Australian showrooms mid next year.

Kia announced the first details of its much-anticipated EV9 GT model at this year's Los Angeles motor show.

Lotus has announced it will adopt hybrid technology as the brand joins a growing list of automakers in watering down its plans to go fully electric.

Lucid’s CEO Peter Rawlinson has trashed the idea of Lucid producing a budget electric car, but he said the brand could one day lease its technology to other carmakers planning on doing so.

Mercedes-Benz has detailed the latest edition of its AMG G 63 ‘G-Wagon’ with new powertrain, off-road and interior features ahead of its arrival at Mercedes-AMG dealers later this month.Starting at $368,400 before on-road costs, the new G 63 now boasts mild-hybrid technology, though Mercedes says it’s for the sake of faster acceleration rather than improved fuel economy.The 4.0-litre bi-turbo petrol V8 boasts 430kW/850Nm, the same output as its predecessor, though the 48-volt electrical system can boost with 15kW and 200Nm when activated in race mode as part of the optional AMG Performance Package.That means it can deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.3 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than its predecessor.As standard, the G 63 gets upgraded AMG Ride Control Suspension which includes adaptive adjustable damping at each wheel which the car automatically adjusts to its owner’s driving style, road conditions and the selected suspension level. There are a trio of differential lock options as well as underbody skid plates.Off-road performance can also be improved through the optional AMG Active Ride Control Suspension package, which adds active hydraulic stabilisers to compensate for body roll movements on off-road terrain.Mercedes says it also increases the G 63’s climbing ability and improves general ride comfort and handling.Inside, the G 63 sports a brand-new multimedia system, headlined by a new satellite navigation system with an augmented reality (AR) head-up display. It utilises a front-facing camera to display the road ahead with windscreen graphics to point out directions to the driver.A new transparent bonnet feature similarly uses inbuilt cameras to provide a virtual projection of the ground conditions beneath and in front of the vehicle to help drivers avoid obstacles in off-road and urban environments.There is a 12.0-inch digital driver’s display which can be customised according to a number of themes, such as Supersport, which adds a central tachometer with horizontal displays on the right and left.It sits next to a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.There’s a new touchpad for controls in the centre console as well as a haptic controller on G 63’s latest-generation AMG Performance steering wheel, which comes clad in Nappa leather. It also carries a rotary controller, allowing the driver to flick through five on-road and three off-road drive modes.Additional standard interior features include Nappa leather upholstered seats, a premium Burmester 3D surround sound system, a sliding glass sunroof, a microfibre roof liner and black flamed open pore ash wood and piano black lacquer trims.Changes to the G 63’s exterior design are relatively minimal and include revised air intakes on the front bumper, a new badge featuring the AMG crest on the bonnet, new A-pillar cladding, a small spoiler lip on the roof’s rear edge and a chrome fuel cap with the AMG logo.Standard wheel size has been increased to 22 inches, coming in the form of AMG cross-spoked forged alloy rims in a matte black and high-sheen finish.Also standard is the AMG Night Package which adds dark design elements across the vehicle’s body, such as the radiator shell, bumper inserts, mirror housings, underguards, headlight units and exterior trim strips. AMG brake callipers come standard in red but can be painted in black at no additional cost.Standard safety features include a surround-view camera, blind-spot assist, active distance assist and active steering assist. There's also Mercedes' PRE-SAFE accident preparation system which uses the car's sensors to protect drivers in the case of an incident through measures such as automatically tightening the seat belts and adjusting the front head rests.As always there is a myriad of optional packages on the G 63, with Mercedes offering up to 21 different leather upholsteries, four alloy wheel options, five interior trims and three seatbelt colours. There are also 28 external paint colours to choose from.“The G-Class is an automotive icon, and the Mercedes-AMG G 63 has been the most popular model for many years. This is both an obligation and an incentive for us,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Head of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class business unit.“Our aim was therefore to make the enhanced performance even more tangible – both on and off road. One of the ways we have achieved this is through improvements to the V8 engine and our new AMG suspension, which combines agility, driving dynamics and comfort. We are thus catering even more to our customers’ wishes. The new G 63 is more AMG than ever before.”Pricing for Mercedes-AMG G 63 option packagesPricing is at before on-road costs 

Just two months after celebrating production of its nine millionth vehicle (and 15 months after celebrating its five millionth) BYD has gone and shocked the automotive world again – and broke its own record in the process.

Following Toyota’s decision to cease production of the iconic V8 LandCruiser 70 Series this year, rumours about whether the model might soon be on the chopping block altogether have circulated online.These rumours have caught the attention of BestCar, a Japanese automotive publication with close ties to industry sources.The publication recently identified one rumour, which has done the rounds on X and YouTube, from a LandCruiser enthusiast account in Japan called MIDDELED5.A video posted by the account — translated to English — suggests Toyota will cease sales of the 70 Series in Japan once all current domestic orders are fulfilled, citing information obtained by the author from a local sales executive.In Japan — one of the vehicle's few right-hand drive markets outside of Australia — the sales backlog for a 70 Series is reportedly well into 2026, according to BestCar, which means if the rumours are true local sales could come to a close that same year.The 70 Series is also no longer available for lease in Japan through KINTO, Toyota's vehicle subscription service, with its name being wiped from the line-up of available Toyota vehicles to rent.Toyota previously the announced the 70 Series would be available for rent through KINTO when the brand announced its reintroduction into the Japanese market last November, with 400 units allocated for domestic sale per month.That said, there has been no official confirmation from Toyota that it plans to discontinue the 70 Series anytime soon. The end of production could just impact the Japanese market, but BestCar also found no evidence of this upon contacting local dealers.CarsGuide similarly canvassed Toyota dealers across Australia who acknowledged wait times of up to 18 months for the new four-cylinder variant, though none suggested that they had received any word of production ending.In a statement, a Toyota spokesperson said to CarsGuide: "The LandCruiser 70 Series remains the go-to vehicle for anyone that needs serious off-road capability and heavy-duty payload and towing capacity. We are confident it will be a vital part of our model line-up for years to come."The current-generation LandCruiser was unveiled in Australia last year when Toyota announced the introduction of a four-cylinder powertrain, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, for the first time in the 70 series’ history.In July, Toyota announced production of the iconic V8 70 Series would cease, while simultaneously announcing it would introduce a five-speed manual transmission option across the four-cylinder range in an attempt to allay consumer backlash.It has remained extremely popular despite going four-cylinder-only, but as the oldest vehicle in Toyota’s line-up the 70 Series is bound to have an expiry date in the not-so-distant future, particularly as New Vehicle Emission Standards come into effect next year.But when exactly that will occur remains just rumours — at least for now.

BMW’s next-generation iX3, the first vehicle expected to adopt the brand’s ‘Neue Klasse’ platform, has been revealed in leaked patent drawings.