Articles by Samuel Irvine

Mazda has recalled a total of 7870 examples of its Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 vehicles in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid guises, built between 2023 and 2024, due to malfunctioning software that may impact the cars' critical driving functions.According to a recall notice published by the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, 5331 petrol and diesel mild-hybrid variants of the CX-60 and CX-90 have been affected.The notice read: “Due to a software issue, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) may impact the hybrid battery assist function. As a result, the engine may not automatically restart after entering idle stop (i-stop).“In addition, due to a software issue with the Dash Electronic Supply Unit (Dash-ESU), when the hybrid system is powered on, multiple warning messages may display in the instrument cluster.“The engine warning light may illuminate; the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual and audible seat belt warnings; and the 360° view camera functions may not operate as intended to assist the driver to detect nearby obstacles or driver errors,” the notice read.Unique to the diesel variant, the notice said: “The clutch connecting motor and engine may not engage with appropriate timing when restarting the engine during EV-driving and/or; the engine may restart immediately after the transition from engine-driving to EV driving.“In this condition, the engine RPM may not increase, and the engine may fail to restart. The engine can be restarted by pressing the ‘push start button’.”In the worst case scenario, the notice said: “A loss of EV drive mode and a loss of safety systems such as camera functions and seat belt warnings could increase the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.”The software issue impacting 2539 examples of the plug-in hybrid CX-60 is slightly different and only pertains to the vehicle’s Dash-ESU, which may also cause several warning messages to illuminate or systems to malfunction due to improper programming.The notice said: “the engine warning light may illuminate; the PHEV high-voltage battery cooling system may not operate as intended.“As a result, EV drive mode may not be available; the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual and audible seat belt warnings; and the 360° view camera functions may not operate as intended to assist the driver to detect nearby obstacles or driver errors.”As with the petrol and diesel variants, in the worst case scenario, there are concerns a loss of EV drive mode and safety camera system functions and seatbelt warning malfunctioning could lead to serious injury or death.Owners of the petrol Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 built between 2023 and 2024 can check if their vehicle is affected here, while owners of diesel variants can check here.Plug-in hybrid owners can check here.All owners will be contacted by Mazda Australia imminently to arrange a time to have either vehicle’s PCM or Dash-ESU systems, or both, recalibrated free of charge.

Geely’s premium car brand Zeekr will reportedly launch its first hybrid model in China next year at the Shanghai auto show.

Chinese technology company turned electric carmaker Xiaomi has released details of the brand’s next-generation EV platform for its SU7 electric sedan.

Honda has unveiled its most “off-road capable” SUV ever in the US, the fourth-generation Passport, but sadly there are no plans to launch it Down Under.

Australia’s independent assessor of vehicle safety, ANCAP, has awarded a maximum five star rating to the MG HS and electric Chery Omoda E5.ANCAP said the MG HS was tested according to the body’s latest safety protocols, while the five-star rating of the existing Chery Omoda 5 – which is according to 2022 Protocols – was extended to cover the electric variant.The MG HS’ strongest test results were found in the Adult Occupant Protection category, where it scored a 90 per cent rating. This was achieved by full points awarded in the side impact, oblique pole, whiplash protection and far-side impact tests.A score of 87 per cent was also achieved for Child Occupant Protection with protection of critical body regions rated as ‘Good’.The HS’ performance in Vulnerable Road User Protection also scored well, achieving an 83 per cent score that was backed up by well-performing advanced driver assistance systems in car-to-motorcycle crash scenarios, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB).Having said that, the performance of AEB back over, the system that detects pedestrians when reversing, was rated as ‘Marginal’, with the 'Driver Assist' category delivering the HS' lowest score out of the four testing categories of 73 per cent.ANCAP’s CEO, Carla Hoorweg, said MG was continuing to showcase its safety credentials.“The previous generation MG HS achieved a five-star result against 2019 criteria. Our protocols have been upgraded twice since then, so it is positive to see MG continue to invest in the safety of the HS”, said Hoorweg.While carrying over the petrol Omoda 5’s five-star rating, the Chery Omoda E5 stood up under some additional testing – such as front offset and oblique pole crash tests – to confirm its safety performance as well as the integrity of its high-voltage battery in a crash scenario.“This five-star rating for the Omoda E5 will be a welcome addition to the shopping lists of consumers and fleets in the market for a five-star EV,” said Hoorweg.Interested buyers can check out the full details of the safety report on the MG HS and Chery Omoda E5 at ANCAP’s website here.

Peugeot has revealed pricing and specification for its new mild-hybrid hatchback, the 308 GT Hybrid, as the brand moves to scrap petrol and plug-in hybrid variants from the range, including the 308 wagon.Just one hybrid variant of the 308 will be available across the line-up once it arrives in Australia in early 2025, with pricing for the 308 GT Hybrid set to commence at $48,990 before on-road costs.That is $5000 more expensive than its outgoing petrol equivalent but more than $10,000 cheaper than the electric E-308, which is priced at $65,990 drive-away.Once drive-away pricing is calculated for the 308 GT Hybrid, it will likely be a few thousand cheaper than its key rival, the Honda Civic e:HEV LX, which starts at $55,000 drive-away.It will pack less power than the Civic, carrying a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder hybrid engine paired to an 0.9kWh battery pack and a single electric motor that delivers 100kW/230Nm combined to the front wheels via a six-speed electric dual-clutch gearbox.The hybrid Civic, on the other hand, carries a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor and a 1.05kWh battery pack to deliver 135kW/315Nm to the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission.Both vehicles share the same fuel consumption figure of 4.2L/100km, with the Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid emitting a fraction less carbon at 95g/km compared to the Civic hybrid’s 96g/km.It’s 1.1L/km more efficient than its petrol counterpart and produces 23g/km less carbon. It’s 3.1L/100km thirstier than its plug-in hybrid counterpart, which uses just 1.3L/100km.In terms of styling, the 308 GT Hybrid shares most of its design highlights with the rest of the Peugeot 308 range, using Peugeot's distinct fang-shaped LED daytime running lights and full-LED ‘claw-effect’ 3D lighting at the rear, which sits above twin chrome exhaust tips.As standard the Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and full-matrix LED headlights, automatic rain-sensing wipers, a heated rear windscreen and wiper blade, auto highbeam function and dusk-sensing headlights.Inside, there are twin 10-inch digital screens, one for a configurable driver’s display and the other for touchscreen multimedia functions, the latter is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.It also gets a multi-function steering wheel in full-grain leather with “Adamite” green stitching, Alcantara and synthetic leather upholstery, an air purifying system, a premium Hi-Fi speaker system, wireless charging and eight-colour ambient lighting, among other features.Advanced driver assistance systems include Autonomous Emergency Braking with low light pedestrian and cyclist detection, Long-range Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and front and rear parking sensors.Customers can spend an additional $690 for several metallic paint options or $1050 for ‘Elixir Red’ paint. The 308 GT Hybrid comes standard in Obsession Blue.The Peugeot 308 GT Hybrid comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, with interested customers encouraged to contact their local Peugeot dealer for pre-order.The outgoing 308 range has struggled on the sales charts this year, with sales down 41.7 per cent to just 140 sales to October this year as buyers increasingly favour cut-price Chinese rivals in the electrified hatchback segment, such as the MG MG4 and GWM Ora.Customers who are interested in purchasing a petrol 308 variant are encouraged to contact their local Peugeot dealer to secure one of the limited remaining vehicles.

Cadillac has unveiled the Vistiq in the US, a luxury three-row electric SUV that is a potential candidate for the Australian market as the iconic American brand looks to expand local operations.

An electric variant of the Kia Tasman has reportedly been seen testing under camouflage in the brand’s native South Korea.

The defining story of Australia’s new-car market in 2024 has been the unbridled flow of electric-only car brands that have either set up shop in Australia or announced plans to do so, with the vast majority hailing from China.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is reportedly working on an electric version of its mid-sized luxury SUV, the Range Rover Velar.