Articles by Tim Gibson

Lotus is powering its way back into the supercar game with its new ballistic sports car, and it has just been confirmed for Australia.The codenamed Type 135 appeared in a teaser video ahead of its scheduled launch in 2028.It will be a V8-powered hybrid, producing at least 725kW, putting it up against high-profile supercars such as the V12-powered Lamborghini Revuelto plug-in hybrid. It would also be up against other V8 hybrids in the segment, such as the Lamborghini Temerario. Lotus Australia has confirmed the car will make its way to Aussie shores. It has already received several inquiries, with potential for it to land in Australia around 2030. There are limited other details available on the Type 135 at this stage, with an official name still to be revealed. There is speculation this car will revive the ‘Esprit’ name, given Lotus renewed the trademark three years ago.The Type 135 will be the first V8-powered car made by Lotus since the Esprit, which concluded production more than 20 years ago.The car matches a Lamborghini’s wide posture, with a poised stance to highlight its high-performance potential.  It has dual exhausts mounted halfway up the back of the car, giving it a striking presence. We do not see a front shot of the car in the teaser video, but expect it to be mid-engined like Lotus' other models.We should learn more about the Type 135 before the end of the year. The brand, which is now owned by Chinese giant Geely, currently sells its fully-electric Emeya and Eletre as well as the petrol-powered Emira Down Under. We can expect the Type 135 to be the most expensive model on sale when it gets here, eclipsing the range-topping Eletre’s price tag of $279,990 (before on-road costs). Lotus is shifting its focus towards PHEVs, with the Type 135 potentially the first model of this new direction. 

GWM is preparing to add more grunt to its tough Tank 300 4WD, with the Ford Everest now in its sights.A new V6-powered Tank 300 variant has just appeared in Chinese sale approval documents ahead of its full launch before the end of 2026.Its 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 265kW, which is a decent step up on the 2.0-litre unit's 162kW available in Australia. It has not been confirmed for Australia, and without hybrid power, it will have a tough time slipping under our emissions regulations.It is also expected to only be available in left-hand drive due to engineering restrictions. The V6 Tank 300 sports a different honeycomb front grille design to other variants, but it otherwise bears a similar resemblance to its siblings. It would continue to rival the diesel-powered Ford Everest and Toyota Prado, along with BYD sub-brand Denza’s new B5 plug-in hybrid SUV. GWM’s Australian approach could be more likely to include the diesel hybrid and plug-in hybrid set-ups planned for next year.The Tank 300 should receive these new engines, but it is unclear whether they will come Down Under.GWM has regularly tinkered with its Tank 300 lineup in Australia, which at one stage had petrol, diesel, hybrid and PHEV options.Having now cut the hybrid model, there could be room for the more powerful V6 in the range to accompany the soon-approaching 3.0-litre diesel.GWM also filed details of an updated 2.0-litre turbo-petrol version, boosting power from 162kW to 175kW.

Hyundai’s next Chinese-built car has just been revealed and it remains a possibility for Australia.The Ioniq V sedan has appeared in Chinese homologation documents for the first time, having made its official debut at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show last month.The Toyota Camry-sized sedan will have full-electric and range-extender variants when it goes on sale in China.It looks like the Ioniq V will be a China-exclusive model at this stage, with potential for a global launch in the future, meaning Australia has not been ruled out. “We make it our business to study all overseas models and look at their potential for Australia, however there are currently no plans to launch Ioniq V locally,” a spokesperson from Hyundai Australia told CarsGuide.Hyundai's global boss Jose Munoz said at the reveal of the Ioniq V that its Chinese cars will define global vehicles, which points to its future export potential.“With significant investments into Beijing Hyundai, 20 new models coming over the next five years, the official launch of our Ioniq brand in China and the unveiling of Ioniq V, this is the most committed, the most ambitious, and the most exciting chapter we have ever written in this market.“China is where the future of mobility is being defined, and Hyundai intends to help define it, In China, For China, and ultimately, for the world.”Hyundai is already introducing Chinese-built cars to Australia, with the Elexio mid-size SUV, opening the door for future China-sourced models Down Under.The brand has been boosting its EV push in Australia, eager wipe out the fines incurred in the 2025 New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) performance period. Supply (unsold and pre-built stock) of its Inster, Kona electric and Elexio SUVs all increased by at least 50 per cent between Q1 and Q2 of 2026, with more sales expected to follow. There are limited other details available for the Ioniq V, with more expected to be released closer to launch. We know the car will have an 800-volt platform, supporting super fast charging. It has a standout design, featuring a sloping bonnet and frameless windows. It has an angular light set-up with sharp creases along the body. On the inside, there is a 27-inch central touchscreen spanning much of the dashboard, along with a head-up display. The Ioniq V is the first of 20 new Chinese Hyundai models being planned in the next five years. 

Toyota has slashed the price on some of its Tundra full-size pick-up models in Australia. The brand is offering its Tundra units from the 2025 model year without on-road costs and as well as a $10,000 cashback offer. Before on-road costs pricing for the Tundra starts from $155,900, with the top grade variant costing $172,990, so this deal represents a sizeable drop. The deal lasts until the 30th of June this year. The brand is looking to clear out stock of its older Tundra units, with the 2026 Tundra model now in showrooms. Ford is also offering a stock-clearing deal on its rival F-150 pick-up. Its 2024 model year stock is available from $115,000 (drive-away), which essentially cuts out the on-road costs.The Tundra has had a tough battle up against its rivals such as the F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram pick-ups, trailing all three in the sales charts. This latest price cut is part of a broader plan from the brand to increase its competitiveness in the market. The Tundra has been subject to several big advertising campaigns in the past few months, and the brand told CarsGuide last month it remained confident of making inroads in the segment. “The Tundra is a great truck. I get a lot of feedback from reviewers or customers about the performance of the vehicle,” Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing John Pappas said.  “The fact is that we need to get the awareness out there, and that's really our prime motive right now. And then we're very confident that once people are aware of it and they test drive it, then we're confident that it will be successful.”The Tundra has a 3.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor as part of a plugless hybrid set-up, producing 326kW and 790Nm. This is a similar set-up to the one introduced on the recently-unveiled hybrid LandCruiser.  

Kia has unveiled a new generation of a car that Australia will never see. The next-gen Kia XCeed is a compact SUV expected to arrive in Europe towards the end of the year.It is a jacked up version of the Ceed hatch, which is a rival to the Toyota Corolla and the Volkswagen Golf.The car has already been officially ruled out for Australia, with several issues at play for the European-focused SUV. XCeed is built in Kia’s Slovakia Factory, which makes it expensive for the brand to import to Australia.It is the same factory where the EV2 hatchback is being built, which Kia Australia is keen on brining to Australia if it can it at a competitive price.There are currently no European built models on sale in Australia.Unlike the EV2, the XCeed does not fit neatly into the brand’s lineup either, with it treading on the toes of the petrol-powered Stonic and the new hybrid-only Seltos.The EV2 remains the most likely European-built vehicle to come to Australia, but its feasibility for sale remains up in the air.In Europe, it costs the equivalent of $30,000, which would put it up against the Mazda CX-30 in Australia.The XCeed is available with petrol and mild hybrid power in Europe.These set-ups also mean the car is not ideal from a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) standpoint.NVES is something Kia has been paying increasing attention to, with the emissions regulations forming a key part of the brand’s product thinking in Australia. With the car a while away from an official launch, there are limited details available, currently.   On the inside, there is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen, giving a car a revamped modern feel. Production on the new-generation XCeed will begin at the end of this month. 

Toyota has confirmed it will introduce a first-ever fully-electric Yaris hatch alongside the hybrid and petrol versions. Toyota’s European Vice President of Strategy and Marketing Andrea Carlucci said in an overseas interview the brand will look to embrace electrification in the segment.“If electrification is the direction, I think we cannot avoid having a fully electrified version ,” Carlucci told Auto Express.“The ideal path is to offer a platform where we have multi-energy options, so delivering different powertrains that are the right solution for every customer. “Let me put it to you this way: a multi-energy approach isn’t just one solution. It has to be the solution.”There is no official news yet on whether we will see the electric Yaris in Australia, but it could be a welcome addition for the brand. Toyota currently has only one all-electric vehicle on sale, which is the bZ4X, while an electric HiLux is also on the way. An electric Yaris gives Toyota a competitor in the growing electric hatch segment, and would be expected to be the brand’s cheapest EV. It would take on the likes of the recently-unveiled Volkswagen ID. Polo,  which could be on the cards for Australia, as well as Chinese rivals such as the BYD Atto 1.Toyota Australia said it was not able to confirm the arrival of the electric Yaris yet. Starting at under $30,000, the current hybrid-only Yaris is the cheapest car for Toyota in Australia, but any electric version is expected to be a decent step up in price.One potential roadblock for the Yaris EV getting to Australia is where it will be sourced.It will first launch in Europe and will likely be sourced from Toyota's factory in France. European budget car imports to Australia are often prohibitive due to high costs of shipment and other applicable tariffsThe Yaris currently available in Australia is sourced from Japan, which usually does not incur the same shipping costs as from Europe, meaning it can be offered at an affordable price point. Any new Yaris is not expected until 2027, when the new-generation hybrid will launch, with the electric version potentially not arriving until 2028.

A new luxury electric family SUV has broken cover, and it could be on the cards for AustraliaThe new Lexus TZ remains a possibility for Australia as the brand is currently considering its prospects Down Under. “Lexus Australia continually reviews opportunities to enhance our local line up and is currently assessing the TZ for potential introduction,” a spokesperson said. This contrasts the statement from Toyota Australia following the announcement of the Highlander three-row SUV, which the TZ is based on.The brand has already ruled out the Highlander for now, which would have been expected to wear a Kluger badge Down Under.The TZ is a luxury version of the Highlander, with it likely to be targeted at the North American market, before launching globally. The TZ will launch in Japan around winter 2026, although the exact timing is still to be confirmed, according to Lexus.This adds further fuel it'll come to Australia, as Japan is another right-hand drive market.The TZ shapes up as a competitor to Korean three-row EVs such as the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 9. Both have price tags around the $100K+ mark, so expect something similar from the TZ if it gets here. It will have a dual electric motor set-up, producing a total system output of 300kW, with a sprightly 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds. The car will come with an all-wheel drive system as standard. It has also been given a monster 96kWh battery, offering a driving range of 530km (WLTP).DC charging from 10-80 per cent at 150kW takes roughly 35 minutes.Measuring at 5100mm long, it is noticeably longer than the current Kluger on sale in Australia. The TZ comes with plenty of luxury features as standard, such as a panoramic glass sunroof. Seats are configured in what looks to be a 2-2-3 layout, with captain’s chairs in the second row and three-abreast seating in the back row, but there is also expected to be a six-seater option.Pictures also show the car has a large tablet-like central touchscreen, with a digital driver display as well.This could be the same 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver display as on the new Highlander.

Audi's new all-terrain family wagon is making a glorious comeback in Australia.The new Audi A6 Allroad wagon has appeared government homologation documents, which have approved it for sale.Audi Australia has been contacted for comment to get a firm date for when the car will arrive in showrooms. There is no indication on the price of the A6 Allroad, but it is likely to be above the $123,600 (before on-road costs) tag attached to the current A6 on sale Down Under. The A6 Allroad does not have any direct competition from its European rivals, with neither BMW nor Mercedes-Benz putting a similar car in market.It may have to battle for attention from the recently-released BYD Seal 6, which is a plug-in hybrid and would be a substantially cheaper option at under $40K. The documents reveal it will be car will be available as a hybrid with the petrol engine and electric motor combining for 270kW. The documents state the engine makes 185kW, which leaves 85kW for the electric motor. We can also expect the new A6 Allroad to come with all-wheel drive as standard, like on previous models. Allroad models tend to sit higher than other wagons in the Audi lineup, highlighting increased all-terrain ability.Overseas versions of the A6 wagon have a 26kWh battery, offering an all-electric driving range of around 100km, but Aussie figures are yet to be released.The hybrid set-up looks to be the same as the one on the Q5 plug-in, which has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor, with a torque figure of 500Nm.Both these figures are a step up on the previous generation which had a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 160kW and 500Nm. The car was last on sale in 2024.The only variant of the A6 on sale currently comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 180kW and 370Nm.

Safety ratings have been handed out for the hotly-anticipated Tesla Model Y L, BYD Seal 6 and other EVs, with a surprise for one family SUV.This latest batch of results were assessed using the Australasian New Car Assessment Program's (ANCAP) outdated 2023-2025 testing criteria, with the revamped 2026 criteria still to be officially brought in.The new testing protocols will have a greater focus on accident prevention, emphasising safe driving and crash avoidance, while crash protection remains an important factor.These vehicles are now able to hold a five star rating for six years."We can expect to see ratings assessed under 2023 to 2025 criteria for some time as they enter the Australian and New Zealand markets," ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said in a statement to CarsGuide. "The first vehicles rated against the new 2026 criteria are expected later this year.”The incoming six-seat Tesla Model Y L SUV has been awarded a five-star rating, which is based on the rating of the standard Model Y. The Model Y L is Tesla’s first three-row car on sale, with deliveries starting last week. ANCAP said there were additional tests undertaken on the car to ensure results were applicable to the Model Y L.While achieving a protection rating of 91 per cent for Adult Occupant, ANCAP noted there were difficulties in correctly installing child restraints. This resulted in an 11 per cent decrease to 84 per cent for Child Occupant protection compared to the standard Model Y.The incoming BYD Seal 6 also received a five-star rating, with the car arriving imminently in the Australia as a plug-in hybrid sedan or wagon. The Seal 6 received an overall adult protection rating of 92 per cent, with maximum points for side impact and oblique pole tests, with good protection generally offered on the frontal offset test.Elsewhere Child Occupant protection was at 90 per cent, while Vulnerable User Protection was 84 per cent. MG’s new MG4 Urban budget EV has also picked up a five-star rating, courtesy of protection ratings of 87 per cent for Adult Occupant and 86 per cent for Child Occupant.The MG4 was marked down for marginal protection of the driver’s legs due to upward pedal movement.The Skoda Octavia was also awarded five stars, following reassessment of vehicles built from July 2025.

Kia’s new generation Seltos small SUV will use only hybrid power, putting it on a collision course with big name petrol-electric SUVs such as the Toyota Corolla Cross.The Seltos is one of Kia’s best-selling models in Australia, with only the Sportage SUV and the Carnival people mover better sellers for the brand.Kia Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said other brands have paved the way for a hybrid-only strategy. “We’re pretty confident the hybrid-only strategy is going to be ok,” Meredith said.“The Australian market is very open to hybrid for obvious reasons with what Toyota have been able to do.” Toyota has gone hybrid-only on many of its key models, including the RAV4 SUV and the Corolla hatchback. The move brings the Seltos into direct competition with other hybrid SUVs in the segment such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona.According to Kia Australia Product Planning Manager Raymond Pok, the emissions benefits hybrid power’s growing popularity were contributors to the switch-up. General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato highlighted the impending fines on petrol models under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).“You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle," Norbiato said. “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.”Meredith said the brand is not concerned about losing potential sales on petrol Seltos.He said Kia is content with its current split of 40 per cent electric, 30 per cent hybrid and 30 per cent petrol. While the new generation Seltos will not have a petrol option, the brand will continue to offer other petrol options in its range.The likes of the budget hatch Picanto and the Stonic compact SUV, along with the K4 sedan will all remain petrol-only for the foreseeable future.