Articles by Tim Gibson

The BMW 1 Series hatch is about to get a huge shake-up, with its new generation ditching pure petrol power from 2028.It will be only available with electric and hybrid set-ups as part of the brand's increased EV focus under the Neue Klasse philosophy, which has already spawned the iX3 SUV and i3 sedan.This likely signals a big price jump for the brand's cheapest model.Overseas reports suggest the car will be offered with plug-in hybrid and fully-electric set-ups, but other details remain light at this stage.This decision marks a direction change for BMW, after it was thought the brand would wind up production of entry-level cars such as the 1 Series. This mirrors a similar shift from rival German brand Mercedes-Benz, now backtracking from dropping its A-Class hatch.The 1 Series will continue to be a direct rival to the new A-Class when the pair launch in 2028.BMW’s Head of Product Bernd Korber said the 1 Series remained an important part of the brand’s lineup, and will attempt to broaden its target market with the new generation. "If you want to keep the brand young, if you want to develop customers within your portfolio, the 1 Series is very important,” Korber told AutoCar. It has not been confirmed at this stage whether the new BMW 1 Series will launch in Australia or whether it will arrive with the PHEV set-up as well as the electric one.BMW Australia said there was nothing to confirm yet about the new-generation 1 Series. The 1 Series is currently on sale in Australia in 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, producing up to 150kW and 300Nm. There is also a high-performance version of the car, producing 233kW and 400Nm.It is a modest seller for the brand down under, with the propped up X1 SUV a bigger hit with buyers. 

There is a big boost coming for a popular budget plug-in hybrid SUV, with Geely revealing the pricing and specifications for its updated Starray EM-i.The mid-size Starray will continue to start from $37,490 (before on-road costs), but the top-spec model will now cost $1500 more, starting at $41,490.The main change for the car is the addition of a significantly bigger battery in the range-topping model.The new 30kWh unit is up from 18kWh, boosting total driving range by 53km to 996km. Electric-only driving range has also increased from 83km to 136km. This battery comes with improved charging times at 60kW, enabling DC charging from 30-80 per cent in 16 minutes. It also has better fuel efficiency when the battery is charged, now offering 1.4L/100km, down from 2.4L/100km. There have been other minor upgrades to the car, such as massaging front seats and towing enhacements.The updated Starray EM-i will continue to take on other Chinese PHEV rivals such as the more expensive BYD Sealion 6 and similarly priced Chery Tiggo 7, as well as the MG HS and the GWM Haval H6. It still gets the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and dual electric motor set-up, producing 160kW and 262Nm as on the previous model.It keeps a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital display, along with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The top-spec model receives a 13.6-inch head-up display and wireless phone charging functionality.The car will be available in dealerships from the end of this month.  It comes at a time when Geely continues to grow its lineup Down Under, with the budget-focused EX2 electric hatchback and the Toyota Camry-rivalling Emgrand PHEV sedan coming soon. 2027 Geely Starray EM-i pricing Australia

Land Rover has hinted at a radical direction change for its next-generation Discovery SUV. The Discovery has been experiencing a sales downturn in Australia, which reflects a global trend for the previously popular name. The Discovery has found itself in a changing environment, which has contributed to the fact it has sold the least number of units in Australia out of any model in the Land Rover lineup so far this year.The Defender SUV's successful introduction in 2021 has seen it become a big seller. It has arguably come at the expense of other models, such as the Discovery, but a spokesperson for Land Rover Australia said there remained separate customer bases for the Defender and the Discovery.  SUV alternatives have blown out in the past few years as well, with rivals introducing cheaper and similarly specified vehicles. Freelander is likely to be a direct rival for the Discovery, adding to its mounting task to recapture sales. Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer P.B. Balaji has confirmed the brand will take drastic action to rectify the model's decline. “Discovery is very much part of our ‘House of Brands’. an important part of our offering to the customers, and where the customer is able to access the brand, and the entire JLR franchise, at much more affordable prices,” Balaji told United Kingdom outlet Auto Express.“At the same time, it needs to be uniquely differentiated. Some customers have indeed migrated to a Defender. 
And therefore, that is the work that we are currently on to.“You should expect to hear from us, future plans on Discovery, sooner rather than later. We are as committed to the Discovery as any of our other brands.”The Discovery will also have to fight off competition from the incoming Chery sub-brand Freelander Down Under, which is part of a joint venture between JLR and Chery. It is unclear when this new Discovery model will be announced, but it appears to be one of Land Rover’s immediate priorities. A spokesperson for Land Rover said they could not confirm any details about the new Discovery model in the works or its potential arrival in Australia. The Discovery is currently in Australia as a petrol-only model, starting from $73,595 (before on-road costs), making it the cheapest model in the brand’s lineup. It is mainly powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing up to 184kW and 365Nm, but there is a limited edition version of the car, which comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.

Volkswagen's iconic badge has just been changed forever, with its new ID. Polo GTI hot hatch going electric-only.There is no official news on whether the ID. Polo GTI will launch in Australia, but it is likely to be on the brand’s radar, particularly in light of increasing New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) penalties. Volkswagen Australia has been contacted for comment. It will start from the equivalent of around $65,000 in Germany, but expect it to be more expensive than that figure Down Under. It is about $15,000 more expensive than the standard ID. Polo recently unveiled in Europe. The car’s electric motor setup produces 166kW and 290Nm, enabling it to shift from 0-100km/h in less than seven seconds. This is more power than the outgoing petrol-powered Polo GTI, which produces 147kW and 320Nm.It is equipped with a 52kWh battery, offering a driving range of up to 424km, according to WLTP standards. This is the same unit found in the range-topping ID. Polo, offering 30km less range than in that car. It is capable of charging at 105kW via a DC charger, meaning 10-to-80 per cent fill-ups take roughly 24 minutes.The car adheres to VW's new design philosophy, with more physical buttons located on the steering wheel and centre console. The brand has included several interior elements to maintain a GTI feel for the car, despite its lack of internal combustion power. There is a 10.25-inch digital driver display, which can be changed into the style of the Mk 1 Golf in a nod to the first generation of the car. Elsewhere in the cabin is a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, which also gets the Mk 1 Golf retro add-onsThe news comes after the brand launched the standard version of its ID. Polo late last month, with the GTI going on sale later this year.

Honda has made a transformative global u-turn ditching its electric-car strategy to gamble on hybrids and it could have huge implications in Australia. The brand said it will reallocate resources towards a new hybrid strategy beginning in 2027. It will see 15 new hybrid models launched globally by 2030, with the North American market a priority. This does not necessarily mean other, smaller markets such as Australia will be ruled out from receiving these models down the track.This hybrid push could be timely for Honda Down Under as the brand grapples with New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines. The brand has already introduced several new hybrid models to combat NVES, including beefed up and more affordable hybrid lineups for the CR-V and ZR-V SUVs. EVs are still an area of interest for Honda, with the Super One city car launching soon.Honda will abandon the majority of ‘0 series’ EV plans globally, which were expected to get underway this year as part of its hybrid switch-up. While plans for the 0 Series mid-size SUV and Saloon EV concepts have been torn up, the local branch has not dismissed the remaining Alpha small SUV scheduled for launch next year.Honda has unveiled two concept models that will form the basis for its revamped hybrid strategy. A sedan and Acura SUV prototype. These cars will sit on an all-new platform and feature an electric all-wheel drive set-up. The brand hopes these models will cost 30 per cent less than the current generation of Honda hybrids. It is also aiming to improve fuel economy by more than 10 per cent.This substantial shift for Honda will require the Japanese giant to reconfigure its existing infrastructure to develop parts for the new hybrid vehicles. Its joint venture partnership with leading electronics manufacturer LG will now shift focus from EV battery production to hybrid battery production. Honda also said it will lean further into cost competitiveness opportunities from Chinese manufacturing - something many brands have embraced in an increasingly competitive market.

The people mover segment in Australia is about to be shaken up again, with the XPeng X9 approved for sale in Australia.The X9 has been on the cards for sometime Down Under, but this latest news confirms it is not far away. A spokesperson for XPeng Australia said the brand is still working through logistics and timings, but will share updated information as soon as it's accurate.In addition to the hugely popular Kia Carnival, the electric-only X9 will take on Zeekr’s 009 and the Denza D9, along with the Hyundai Staria, which could also be getting an all-electric set-up. It will arrive in two-wheel and all-wheel drive variants, but only with full electric power, meaning the range-extender version available in China will not launch in Australia.The car comes with a single front-mounted electric motor, producing 255kW, or a dual electric motor set-up, which adds a rear motor to produce a combined 395kW. This is slightly more power than the models currently on sale in China. It measures 5316mm long, 1988mm wide, 1885mm tall and has a wheelbase of 3160mm, making it longer and taller than the Carnival. The car comes with 20-inch wheels, but other specification details remain scarce at this stage.It is expected to have a battery holding around 100kWh, with an electric driving range of more than 700km, according to more generous CLTC standards. Official pricing details have not been revealed yet. It starts in China from ¥360,000 (~$70,000) but expect this figure to be higher in Australia.Using before on-road costs pricing, the Denza D9 starts from $85,990, while the premium-pitched Zeekr 009 is more expensive at $115,900.This will be the XPeng’s first model put on sale following its separation from, and ongoing legal proceedings against, distributor TrueEV, which has scheduled court dates for October.The brand is also planning to bring across an updated version of its G6 mid-size SUV as well as the GX luxury large SUV.

A new rapid hybrid variant of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has just been revealed as part of two new sleek limited edition models for the large sedan in Australia.The Mercedes-AMG E53 Dark Carbon will start from $206,900 (before on-road costs), shooting it up to the top of the E-Class range Down Under. It features several blacked out elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels, mirror housings, badging and grille. There is also a suite of carbon fibre, including in the centre console and other trim areas. It gets the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and plug-in hybrid set-up, which produces 450kW and 750Nm, as on the standard E53. Along with an all-wheel drive system, it an accelerate from 0-100km/h in under four seconds. This is 300kW and 430Nm more than the base E-Class. This car lines up as a rival to the V8-powered plug-in hybrid BMW M5, which starts from over $50,000 more (before on-road costs), but boasts 535kW and 1000Nm. Mercedes-Benz also unveiled another limited edition model as part of its announcement called the E300 AMG Night, priced from $129,400 (before on-road costs). It is roughly $3000 cheaper than the standard E300, but a more than $10,000 bump on the base E200. It features dark and blacked-out elements on the exterior and has 21-inch wheels made from a light-alloy material, which are finished in a black paint. This edition is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and mild hybrid set-up, producing 190kW and 400Nm, as in the standard E300. Along with the 14.4-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch passenger display, there is an 'Edition' badge exclusive to this model. It will continue to rival the BMW 5-Series, which is priced from $116,900, with prices rising up to $136,900 (before on-road costs).Both new E-Class variants have just entered into Aussie showrooms. 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing Australia 

A game-changing ute from Toyota might be back on the cards, according to the latest reports out of the United States. The ute rumoured to be in the works is based on the best-selling RAV4 small SUV, putting it up against the hugely popular Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz in the US. This new ute has been considered by Toyota for some time now, with several senior executives hinting at its development. A lifestyle concept ute was unveiled from the brand in 2023, which was said to be hybrid-powered. The most recent news indicated it remains a while away from entering production, with the brand waiting for the right moment to strike in the segment. Timing has been a key theme from executive comments on the ute, with other global factors such as trade deals and tariffs also impacting its viability. It now appears the right time might be approaching, as Toyota’s North American Chief Executive Officer Tetsuo Ogawa provided more details on the ute. This included the RAV4 forming the basis for it. “But for the compact truck? Definitely, we have such demand,” Ogawa said in an interview with Auto News. “A RAV4-based pickup is an opportunity for us, and the dealers are waiting. “Maybe they say we need today or tomorrow, but it takes time.”This latest update confirms the ute is on the radar and even potentially in development, but it looks to still be several years away from becoming official. It also confirms the ute would be built on the RAV4’s monocoque chassis, differing from other Toyota utes such as the HiLux built on a ladder frame. It remains too far away to ponder an Australian future for it. Expect it to be primarily built in left-hand drive given North America is the target market at this stage.

Subaru just got serious about its EV game in Australia, with pricing for its new Uncharted small SUV released. It will start from $59,990, making it $2000 cheaper than its mid-size Solterra electric sibling. The Uncharted will take on popular, but cheaper rivals in the segment such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia EV3. The Uncharted comes as standard with an all-wheel drive system as opposed to the front-wheel drive exclusive Kona and EV3. The 211mm of ground clearance on the Subaru aids the car’s all-terrain capabilities further. Its dual electric motor set-up produces 252kW to offer a sharp 0-100km/h time of five seconds. It is equipped with a 75kWh battery and a total driving range of 522km, according to WLTP standards. It takes roughly half-an-hour to charge from 10-80 per cent at DC speeds. It also supports vehicle-to-load, allowing for external appliances to be powered through the car’s battery.The car’s interior boasts a 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver display, along with dual wireless phone chargers. The Uncharted is the latest in a sustained EV push from Subaru with the Trailseeker large SUV also on sale.  More EVs will help the brand fight off potential fines, following the first performance period of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), where Subaru incurred the third-most penalties of any brand. Pre-orders on the Uncharted are now open, ahead of its official launch in the coming weeks, with customer deliveries beginning in July. 2027 Subaru Uncharted pricing Australia 2027 Subaru Uncharted motor and efficiency  2027 Subaru Uncharted standard features Other standard features include: Power adjustable front seatsMemory driver seatHeated front and rear outboard seatsReclining rear seatsHeated steering wheelDigital rearview mirrorPowered tailgateOptions packages 2027 Subaru Uncharted safetyThe Subaru Uncharted does not have an ANCAP rating yet, with testing and results still in progress. Standard safety features: Front and rear parking sensorsBlind spot monitoringRear cross traffic alertAdaptive high beamSafe exit assist360-degree camera2027 Subaru Uncharted warranty and servicingThe Subaru Uncharted is covered with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. There is an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty for the high-voltage battery.There is five-year capped price servicing available on the car, with intervals every 15,000km or 12 months. 

A new budget hybrid SUV from Mitsubishi has just arrived in New Zealand, but do not expect to see it in Australia any time soon. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, known as the Xforce elsewhere, is a popular option in the small SUV segment and is a rival for the Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V. The Xforce was not on the radar for Australia due to design regulations, but its New Zealand announcement reignites rumours for an Aussie future.It could have significant benefits for Mitsubishi in Australia. Its hybrid status would ease potential future New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines for the brand. The hybrid Xforce would compliment the petrol-only ASX in Australia.Mitsubishi’s Australian lineup is almost exclusively made up of petrol- and diesel-powered models, with the plug-in hybrid Outlander mid-size SUV the only exception.The brand only has plans for one fully-electric model at this stage, which is a joint-venture compact SUV with iPhone manufacturer Foxtron.The Xforce faces regulatory challenges to its launch in Australia, with it unlikely to meet the more stringent design rules, which forced the previous ASX model to be dumped.A spokesperson for Mitsubishi Australia said the brand expressed interest in bringing the Xforce to Australia, but design rules restrictions prevented it from launching. The New Zealand Outlander Sport is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor, producing 85kW and 255Nm in overseas examples.There is a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and digital driver display in the cabin, along with wireless phone charging and a panoramic glass roof as standard. It will arrive in showrooms in the third quarter of 2026.