Articles by Tim Gibson

Speeding fines have been increasing in Australia, but how do they stack up across the country?How much you pay differs between states and how severe the offence is.Fines increase the more severe the speeding offence, but some states and territories have significantly higher minimum penalties than others.Speeding offences are grouped into general segments of 10km/h and under, 11km/h to 20km/h, 21km/h to 30km/h, 31km/h to 45km/h and over 45km/h.New South Wales has contrasting approaches to both ends of its speeding scale.It holds the highest maximum speeding fine of $3300, while its $149 minimum is one of the lowest in the country. The next highest is South Australia that has a maximum fine of $2098 for offences of more than 45km/h, and a minimum penalty of $215.The ACT has the highest minimum speeding penalty of $394, followed by Queensland with $345. The pair are also pricey at the other end of the scale. Queensland can charge as much as $1986, while the ACT can fine up to $1891. Tasmania has the lowest minimum speeding fine of $102.50, with its maximum fine at $1178.75. The Northern Territory also has a low minimum penalty of $150, and has the lowest maximum fine of $1000.Western Australia has a maximum penalty of $1200, but its minimum fine is on the lower end at $200. Victoria is among the harshest for its driving bans, with speeding of more than 45km/h earning you nine months off the roads.A minor driving offence starts from $261, with a maximum penalty setting you back $1046. Tasmania has the lowest minimum penalty of $102.50, but its maximum penalty sits at $1178.75. The Northern Territory also has a comparatively cheap minimum fine of $150, while it has a maximum fine of $1000. 2027 speeding fines Australia 

Mazda has subjected its CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 large SUVs to a range-wide shake-up in Australia.These cars form part of Mazda's large-platform family SUV range, with many now significantly more affordable than before.The CX-60 and CX-70 feature two-rows of seating, while the CX-80 and CX-90 are three-row SUVs.All are available with 3.3-litre turbo six-cylinder engines in either petrol or diesel. The CX-60 is also available with a smaller G25 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, while the CX-60 and CX-80 are available with a P50e plug-in hybrid drivetrainDiesel-powered examples used to incur a small hike on their petrol-powered siblings.Mazda has now introduced price parity between petrol and diesel models across all grades of its family SUVs.A petrol CX-60 will now start from $51,640, before on-road costs, which is $900 more than it cost before.The base diesel variant is also offered at that price, representing a $1100 decrease.Next up, the CX-70 now comes in at a more accessible price point. It starts from $73,020, equating to a more than $3000 drop for the petrol and more than a $5000 drop for the diesel. Mazda has introduced a base diesel CX-80 variant to the line-up that will start from $56,100.Its petrol sibling will be offered at the same price, resulting in a $400 increase.The petrol CX-90 is more than $3000 cheaper, starting from $66,100, while the diesel has come down by more than $5000. Mazda also lowered the price of its plug-in hybrid CX-60 and CX-80 SUVs, reducing the gap to its petrol- and diesel-only siblings.The CX-60 PHEV now starts from $56,640, coming down from $63,790. The CX-80 PHEV starts from $68,100, having previously started from $75,750.The cheapest CX-60, powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine, has dropped by more than $5000, now starting from $45,640.Mazda is currently facing the highest New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines out of any brand in Australia, due to its petrol- and diesel-heavy line-up.More affordable PHEV offerings could be key to staving off the impacts of more stringent emissions rules.CX-60 and CX-90 variants now come with front cross traffic brake and Cruising Traffic Support (CTS) with Driver Emergency Assist, to mirror the CX-70.The CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 large platform range have proved to be slow selling models for the usually high-volume Mazda, in what has been an overall slower sales year for the brand in Australia.2027 Mazda CX-60 pricing (before on-road costs)2027 Mazda CX-70 pricing (before on-road costs)2027 Mazda CX-80 pricing (before on-road costs)2027 Mazda CX-90 pricing (before on-road costs)

This is BYD’s latest budget-friendly EV destined for Aussie shores. The hugely popular Chinese brand has opened expressions of interest for its Atto 3 Evo electric mid-size SUV in Australia. The Atto 3 Evo is an updated version of the Atto 3 that is currently in Australian showrooms. There is no official news on when we might see the Atto 3 Evo, but the local branch has been contacted for comment to learn of any launch plans. It has identical dimensions to the standard Atto 3, so it will continue to battle in close proximity to Chinese rivals like the MG S5 ($41,990, drive-away until 31 July 2026) and Leapmotor B10 ($38,990, drive-away until 30 September 2026). It will also be a size-up competitor to the Hyundai Kona Electric ($46,990, drive-away until 30 September 2026) and Kia EV3 ($47,600, before on-road costs).The Atto 3 Evo is already on sale in the United Kingdom, and its specification shows a big change underneath.It ditches the current version's front-wheel drive layout and is available with a single rear-wheel drive motor producing 230kW and 380Nm, or dual motors producing 330kW and 560Nm and all-wheel drive. This represents a solid boost on the current front-wheel drive Atto 3 that only produces 150kW and 310Nm.The Atto 3 Evo can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 200km/h.It boasts a 75kWh battery also representing a noticeable step up on the standard Atto 3. This increases driving range up to a maximum 510km, according to WLTP standards, which is nearly 100km more than its sibling.DC charging at 220kW from 10 to 80 per cent takes as little as 25 minutes. The Atto 3 Evo’s interior features a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display, along with a wireless phone charger.It is available with synthetic leather seats. Front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated. Expect pricing information closer to launch, but it is likely to sit above the $39,990 (before on-road costs) price tag of the current base Atto 3. The Atto 3 Evo replaced the Atto 3 in the UK this year, so a similar move could be on the cards in Australia in the future.The Atto 3 was BYD's first model to go on sale in Australia back in the mid-2022, and it continues to be a steady seller in its budget-focused lineup.

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to stave off the impending onslaught of China's large luxury SUVs by updating its range in Australia. The brand has shuffled around its GLE and GLS model lineup Down Under, introducing new engine choices and pricing.The GLS is the German giants’ flagship three-row SUV that directly competes with the BMW X7 in the ultra-luxury high-riding space.It will soon have some serious, and much cheaper, Chinese competition in Australia.The GLS is facing an impending battle against electrified rivals such as the XPeng GX and highly-anticipated Zeekr 8X and 9X duo, among others coming in the next months. These cars boast powerful fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups that will give the petrol- or diesel-powered GLS a run for its money. The GLS range now kicks off with a new petrol-powered 450 grade that starts from $181,900, before on-road costs. This makes it $7000 cheaper than its diesel-powered sibling that used to occupy the entry level position in the lineup.The GLS 450 has a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 280kW and 560Nm, representing more power but less torque than the diesel unit.The AMG 63 S high-performance grade has experienced a price hike of more than $6000, now starting from $313,900.The range-topping Maybach 680 has seen its price boosted by $5000, with a starting price of $424,900. Both variants receive a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine that pumps out 450kW and 850Nm.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS pricing Australia (before on-road costs)The smaller GLE two-row SUV has also undergone a reshuffle in Australia as it continues to take on the BMW X5.The range kicks off with a new, more expensive 350d grade, replacing the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a more powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder (210kW/650Nm) unit. It will cost nearly $6000 more than the outgoing 300d, starting from $142,300. Next up, the GLE 450 now costs $160,400, which is more than $3000 cheaper than it was before, but it will only be available with petrol power.The AMG 53 and V8-powered AMG 63 S have both increased in price by nearly $4000, with starting prices of $187,900 and $277,900, respectively. 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE pricing Australia (before on-road costs)These cars show-off the luscious and supremely comfortable interiors you'd expect for their price points, including Mercedes-Benz new 'Superscreen' multimedia system, comprising of three connected 12.3-inch displays.Pre-orders have opened for the GLE and GLS models, with the AMG range and the Maybach GLS expected to arrive early next year.

A new adventure-focused SUV is now available in right-hand drive.The Jetour T1 from Chery's off-road sub-brand has gone on sale in Malaysia, a common stepping stone for Chinese brands on the way to Australia. The T1 is on the larger end of the mid-size SUV segment, measuring at 4705mm long, 1967mm wide, 1840mm high, with a wheelbase of 2800mm.It is dimensionally similar to the GWM Tank 300 affordable off-roader that has been a confident seller in Australia so far. The T1 could take on a similar mantra to the Subaru Forester as a boxy SUV for urban or all-terrain activities.This version of the T1 is equipped with either a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 125kW/270Nm or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit, with 180kW/375Nm. It will be available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Both are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is a scaled down version of its bigger off-road-ready sibling that is powered by a hefty plug-in hybrid set-up. The smaller T1 also features an electrically upward swinging powered tailgate as opposed to a side-hinged one. Inside, there is a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 10.3-inch digital driver display as standard, along with an eight-speaker audio system and 50W wireless phone charger. The AWD variant upgrades cloth seats to synthetic leather and adds a panoramic sunroof.It also introduces a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.3-inch digital driver display, as well as a premium Sony nine-speaker audio system. The T1 has officially launched in Malaysia, but it is unclear whether it will make its way to Australia in the future. Jetour is scheduled to launch in Australia next year as its own operation. It will not be directly connected to the Chery Group set-up like Omoda Jaecoo and the incoming Lepas sub-brand.Its Malaysia arrival confirms it will be available in right-hand drive, which improves its chances of a local launch, but its petrol-only set-up could attract emissions fines.The PHEV T1 could be a better fit for our market.Expect more details on the T1’s potential Australian future in the next few months as Jetour gears up to tackle the market Down Under. 

Nissan has revealed a sharp price for its newest performance-tuned electric car.The Leaf Nismo just hit Japanese showrooms as a performance grade of the strong-selling Leaf small electric car.Nissan relaunched the Leaf in January as an SUV, marking a shift from its two previous hatchback generations.Nismo is Nissan’s performance arm tasked will adding sporty credentials to its cars.The Leaf Nismo shapes up as a size-up rival to the MG4 XPower hatch.It carries 6.6 million yen (or roughly $60,000) price tag in Japan, which is about a 33 per cent hike on the standard Leaf.While the Leaf Nismo has the same 160kW/355Nm single electric motor front-wheel drive set-up as up-spec Leaf variants, it receives plenty of other technical improvements.Its rethought suspension system introduces new springs, stabilises and select member bushes to provide greater rigidity and improved steering response.The car has beefed up shock absorbers to reduce body roll during hard cornering in conjunction with a specialist-tuned chassis.It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, fitted with special Michelin tyres, aiding grip and control. The Leaf Nismo sits on the larger end of the small SUV scale, measuring up at 4415mm long, 1810mm wide, 1550mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2690mm.It weighs just under 2000kg.It also has up to 135mm of ground clearance. The Leaf Nismo’s is equipped with either a 52kWh or 75kWh battery, offering a driving range of more than 500km, according to WLTP standards.The new-generation Leaf is not currently in Nissan Australia's plans.The brand postponed its introduction after it failed to meet the business case.This means it is unlikely we will see the Leaf Nismo in Australia any time soon.However, with EVs forming more important parts of brands’ lineups, it is not entirely out of the question for a future launch.If it arrives in Australia it will likely be a touch pricier than the $60,000 equivalent Japanese starting point, coming in more expensive than the MG4 XPower.

Toyota is getting serious about off-roading for its big ute. The updated Toyota Tundra hybrid full-size ute has been revealed with a special 'Trailhunter' package to boost its adventuring capabilities in the US.With this package, the car rides on specialist Michelin trail tyres and premium upgraded suspension from 4WD brand ARB. Upgrades under the skin include new off-roading features such as multi-terrain select with traction support, a crawl control and a locking rear differential.The Tundra has sharpened up its look from the outside, with an aggressively-poised stance and front recovery hooks. It has a brighter grille-mounted LED light bar. The ute can be purchased with powerful fog lights to further increase visibility. The Tundra will continue to offer vehicle-to-load capabilities via a 2.4kW inverter, enabling appliances and devices to be powered directly from the car.  Headlining the technology buff inside the cabin is a bigger 14.0-inch central touchscreen.Enhanced software capabilities offer a more intuitive smartphone-like design.This includes customisable home screen widgets and an improved voice assistant. The update also add a built-in dash cam that can monitor and record incidents for up to 20 seconds. Full details of Toyota’s new Tundra will be announced in September ahead of its North American launch.There is no official news yet on its potential Australian future.A spokesperson for Toyota Australia said the brand is always look at global updates for its models, but there is nothing to announce on the Tundra front yet. The Tundra has been on sale in Australia since late 2024 as a rival to other American imports the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Ram 1500.The US-built undergoes an extensive remanufacturing process to convert it to right-hand drive for local roads, mirroring its competitors.The Tundra is an expensive choice in Australia, starting from $155,990, before on-road costs.It is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 plug-less hybrid set-up, producing 326kW and 790Nm.The Tundra has been subject to an aggressive advertising and pricing campaign over the past few months in Australia. It has experienced an improved 2026, with a near 50 per cent sales increase up to June 2026 compared to June 2025.

Nissan’s snappy sports car has been updated and will now be available in sought-after Nismo form with a six-speed manual transmission in Australia.The Nissan Z Nismo is the higher-performance grade of the brand's rear-wheel drive coupe.The new manual Z Nismo will be priced from $95,000, before on-road costs, making it a near $20,000 jump over the standard Z manual.Nissan’s announcement also confirms the automatic Z Nismo is just less than a $1000 more expensive as part of this update, starting at the same $95,000 price tag.Meanwhile, the standard Z coupe starts from $76,800, which is $640 more than it was before. The updated Z range will be available for order from this month, with deliveries beginning in September.It competes in the hotly contested sports car segment against the likes of the Ford Mustang (from $72,990).The Mustang remains the dominant player of the segment, with the Nissan Z trailing its competitors currently.The Z Nismo continues to be powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 309kW and 520Nm, representing an 11kW and 45Nm increase over the standard car. The Z has also received some tweaks as part of the updated range.There are new two-piece front brake rotors, resulting in a 9kg weight reduction. A redesigned front bumper adds 30mm to the car’s length to reduce front lift by 3.3 per cent and drag by 1.0 per cent. There is also a new wireless phone charger standard across all variants, along with a frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror.The new Z range was first revealed at the start of January as part of global preview even at the 2026 Toyota Auto Salon.The car went on sale in Japan recently, ahead of its arrival on Aussie shores. 2027 Nissan Z pricing (before on-road costs - manual a no-cost option)

A new performance electric car is coming soon.The Geely Galaxy TT has opened for pre-sale in China, and will be the latest four-door electric sports coupe to hit showrooms.Coupe-style sports cars out of China are surging in popularity as cheaper alternatives to the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT off the back of the smash-hit success of the Xiaomi SU7.The Geely Galaxy TT has a front-mounted 180kW motor and a rear-mounted 245kW motor that combine for a total of 425kW.It has a one-button boost mechanism that offers an increased power output for up to 20 seconds. The Galaxy TT can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 210km/h. It is equipped with a 75kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that has a 650km driving range, according to more generous CLTC standards. The car rides on an 800-volt platform, meaning it can DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 12 minutes. It measures up at 4999mm long, 1919mm wide, 1479mm high, with a wheelbase of  2920mm, so it is a little bigger than a Toyota Camry. The exterior is similar to many of its rivals, showing off a sleek body shape and frameless windows. It comes with 19-inch wheels as standard. The TT’s interior features a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital driver display, along with a 25.6-inch panoramic head-up display. It also includes is also a 50W wireless phone charger and 23-speaker sound system. The Galaxy TT will be a direct competitor to the seriously popular Xiaomi SU7 which sold its first 15,000 units in roughly half an hour earlier this year.The Denza Z9 S electric sedan will provide further competition, with its wagon variant due in Australia before the end of the year. The Galaxy TT is not in Geely’s Australia schedule in the short term, but the brand has demonstrated a methodical approach to introducing models rather than the explosive range expansions of some of its rivals.The TT is priced from 200,000 yuan in China, which is roughly A$42,000. Most Chinese cars carry a roughly 20 per cent premium by the time they arrive in Australia in right-hand drive, making a potential local price somewhere just north of $50,000.This would make it slightly more affordable than the Zeekr 7GT and significantly more affordable than the Denza Z9.The Xiaomi SU7 which it is seemingly designed to target is not headed to Australia in the short term, with the Chinese tech company overwhelmed by demand in its home market.

A new plug-in hybrid ute is about to hit the market.The Jetour Zongheng F700 pick-up style ute has just been offered for pre-sale in China,Jetour Zongheng is a Chery sub-brand specifically focused on off-roading and lifestyle vehicles.The F700 presents as an off-road-ready electrified ute.It boasts a plug-in hybrid set-up like the BYD Shark 6 and Australia-bound Chery Stockman. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors combine to produce 665kW and 1135Nm.  Jetour has given its ute plenty of go-anywhere potential.This includes a four-wheel drive system, front and rear locking differentials and a wading depth of 900mm.The car has a total driving range of 1300km, and up to 150km on electric-only power, according to more generous CLTC standards. It can DC fast charge from 20 to 80 per cent in 10 minutes, courtesy of its 800-volt platform.The F700’s interior features a 35.4-inch digital screen spanning the dashboard and 15.6-inch central touchscreen. It measures in at 5495mm long, 2050mm wide, 1985mm high and has a wheelbase of 3350mm.This makes it a step up on diesel-only rivals like the Toyota HiLux.It offers a direct threat to BYD's hugely successful Shark 6 and the incoming Chery Stockman.The Stockman has become one of the most talked about upcoming utes.It will launch with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine and electric motor PHEV set-up - the first of its kind in the Australian ute segment.Chery recently confirmed this set-up would produce 350kW and 800Nm.Chery has promised a petrol PHEV variant of the Stockman next year, and it could rely on the same set-up as the F700.It is unclear whether the F700 will make its way to Australia, but Jetour is expected to launch Down Under in early 2027.Jetour won’t fall under the Chery Group banner, and will be its own operation. The F700 would look to leverage the success of the Shark 6, providing an alternative to traditional diesel-only competition.It is priced in China from 364,900 yuan, which is the equivalent of more than $75,000, so it is on the premium end of the ute market.