Articles by Tim Gibson

A new hybrid SUV is headed to Australian shores. KGM’s (formerly known as SsangYong) Torres Hybrid has just launched in the United Kingdom and could blow open the hybrid SUV market when it arrives this year. The Torres Hybrid will start from £35,995 in the UK (around $75,000), but it won't be that pricey in Australia. It is believed the Torres hybrid will arrive next year in two variants, priced at less than $50,000. It is powered by BYD’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid system that produces 130kW and 300Nm, with a combined fuel use of 6.1L/100km KGM has been selling Torres petrol variants in Australia since 2024, with a drive-away price of $38,000 for the entry-level model, although it has only mustered 248 sales in 2025. Australian buyers are increasingly gravitating towards hybrid vehicles, with sales up more than 10 per cent this year. Sales of hybrid vehicles account for more than 15 per cent of all new cars sold through the first nine months of 2025.Carmakers are responding to this demand with a dramatic increase in options in the past two years.MG recently launched the HS Hybrid+, which will be a direct rival to Torres Hybrid in Australia, starting from $40,990 (before on-road costs). The Torres will also have to battle for market share with the Cherry Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid that has a drive-away price of $39,990 and the Haval H6 Lux hybrid at $38,990 drive-away. These options are in addition to the popular Toyota RAV4 that leads the SUV sales, with more than 2500 sold up to September 2025. According to a KGM Australia spokesperson, the hybrid Torres will be joined by an all-electric variant this year, too.KGM also confirmed its all-electric Musso ute will launch before the end of 2025. 

Hyundai's N division has been cooking up something special.

Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz Pro all-electric people mover has had its price slashed by almost $15,000.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a flamboyant new design as part of its Vision Iconic series. The design intends to showcase the reimagining of the traditional grille that appeared on models from the 1920s and 1930s.Models included the W 108, W 111 and 600 Pullman, where the grille and three-pointed star on the bonnet distinguished the cars.The grille features a wide chromed frame and smoked-glass lattice structure, with a modern twist of integrated contour lighting to illuminate the grille and front-mounted star. This new design philosophy was brought to life by the all-electric GLC last month, which was revealed at the recent Munich motor show and will hit Australian showrooms later next year. The vintage-modern crossover continues inside the car, with metallic-style steering wheel and lounge-like seating, contrasting further futuristic illumination throughout the cabin. The design does not feature an obvious gear selector or litany of dials and instruments. Mercedes' bold new interior emphasises the carmaker’s focus on the evolving role for design inside the car, with automated driving getting closer to use.According to Mercedes, the Iconic Vision comes with a Level 2 automatic driving system that has point-to-point urban capabilities. This is a two steps below its Level 4 highly automated driving system that would allow the driver to take their hands off the wheel entirely. The sleek exterior of the concept car also speculates on the potential of solar power in the future. Mercedes-Benz is researching the application of solar modules to the bodywork of electric vehicles, similar to a wafer thin paste. It claims this would harness additional range from the sun, and in ideal conditions offer an extra 12,000km of range per year. The solar coating also contains no rare earth metals or silicon and is easily recyclable, according to Mercedes-Benz.As part of this technological overhaul, Mercedes has also speculated on the use of more advanced computing to increase energy efficiency exponentially. 

Kia has added more accessible hybrid options to its SUV line-up for 2026.

Pricing and specifications for MG's latest hybrid SUV have been announced. The 2026 MG HS Hybrid+ offers a more affordable plugless hybrid alternative to the range-topping Super Hybrid PHEV. It starts from $40,990 (before on-road costs) for the entry level Excite variant, while the Essence variant starts at $44,990.Hybrid+ versions of the HS use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol hybrid set-up that delivers 165kW and 340Nm to the front wheels, via a two-speed hybrid transmission. The hybrid set-up gives the HS Hybrid+ a combined fuel consumption of 5.2L/100km, which is significantly better than the 6.9L/100km in the turbo-petrol powered HS variant. It also produces more power than the HS, but the hybrid+ comes with a $4,000 price hike on the base model. The Hybrid+ will face competition in a now hotly contested hybrid mid-size SUV market.19-inch alloy wheelsLeather gear shifterSatellite navigationKeyless entry and start12.3-inch touchscreen display12.3-inch driver information displayApple CarPlay and Android AutoReverse camera6-speaker audio systemFront fog lightsSunglasses boxPanoramic sunroofFront parking sensorsHeated side mirrorsHeated front seatsPower and sensor operated tailgate8-speaker audio system360-degree cameraWireless phone chargerDual zone climate control The 2026 MG HS Hybrid+ is yet to be crash tested. Standard safety features on Excite grade: 7 airbagsLane change assistLane keep assistEmergency auto brakingAdaptive cruise controlBlind spot detectionLane departure warningSpeed limit assistPedestrian warning assistThe 2026 MG HS Hybrid+ comes with a 10-year warranty, conditional on servicing at MG dealerships, with roadside assist also topped up with each visit.

Australia’s cheapest car just got more expensive.

Two European SUVs and a new Chinese ute have learned their safety fate from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

A revamped all-electric luxury sedan will hit the Aussie market before the end of this year.

US manufacturers have poured cold water on a promising battery technology.Chinese researchers recently revealed that solid-state batteries could revolutionise the electric vehicle game.However, US manufacturers are yet to be caught up in the excitement of the innovative system, citing its underdevelopment.General Motors Vice President - Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability Kurt Kelty told Detroit's Automotive News that GM has no plans to adopt solid-state batteries.“Solid state is still years away,” Kelty said.“But we are definitely looking at solid state because we can’t ignore it.“If the technology does show promise, then we are going to invest in getting those in our vehicles quickly,” he said.Solid-state batteries use a different mechanical separator and ion conductor between the anode and cathode. This contrasts many conventional batteries that contain a liquid or gel electrolyte.Better energy density stores more electricity to provide significantly longer range for vehicles. Solid-state could also be safer by reducing the risk of cell-failure induced fires for batteries and offer a longer lifespan than conventional lithium ion packs.GM has taken a different three-pronged battery approach to account for its diverse range of EVs. GM’s EVs range from the small hatchback Chevrolet Bolt to the powerful GMC Hummer ute.Its battery line-up includes lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, but the majority of GM’s fleet will utilise a lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery.GM has just launched its electric range of Cadillacs in Australia.According to Kelty, LMR batteries currently provide better chemistry and performance, while being more cost-effective.Ford has taken a similarly cautious approach to solid-state batteries, not committing to using the technology just yet.“It’s a possible future technology,” Ford Battery Research Manager Alvaro Masias told Automotive News.Other car companies have been investigating solid-state batteries. German powerhouses BMW and Mercedes-Benz have fitted prototypes, while Honda, Nissan and Toyota are also working on solid-state options. But the technology remains in its infancy.With solid-state batteries still several years away from serious consideration for manufacturers, GM has been looking into silicon alternatives.Silicon graphite blend batteries can store more lithium ions to achieve greater battery density.“Silicon, to me, is the closer technology that’s going to be commercialised,” Kelty said.“Combinations of silicon graphite blend will achieve similar results to solid state technology but at lower cost and using existing manufacturing equipment,” he said.