Articles by Tim Gibson

The Zeekr 7X has a renewed Australian rival.The updated XPeng G6 has been priced in Australia ahead of its arrival in showrooms next month.This model is only available through the factory-backed XPeng ANZ operation and has no connection to the previous distributor, True EV.True EV was appointed XPeng's exclusive importer, distributor, and retailer for Australia in 2024.True EV commenced legal action against XPeng in the Federal Court of Australia earlier this year, with hearings scheduled for October.  The new G6 will be priced from $51,800 (before on-road costs) for the rear-wheel drive, while the new all-wheel drive variant is available from $63,800. This means the range kicks off from $3000 less than it did previously.The G6 is now more than $6000 cheaper than the hugely popular Zeekr 7X ($57,900), and roughly $5000 cheaper than mainstream rivals like the Kia EV5 ($56,770).It will also be more affordable than the Tesla Model Y ($58,900) that is currently experiencing a huge sales surge in Australia.The RWD standard range has a single electric motor, producing 185kW and 440Nm, with the long range boosting power to 218kW/440Nm.The new AWD variants have dual electric motors pumping out 358kW and 660Nm. The base variant of the G6 has a 69kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a driving range of up to 480km, according to WLTP standards. All other variants have an 81kWh unit, with a maximum driving range of 525km, but AWD examples only have 510km.The G6 rides on an 800-volt platform, enabling DC fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes. On the inside, there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display, with two wireless phone chargers. The cabin also features an 18-speaker audio system, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come as standard.It can be optioned with synthetic leather seats that are heated, ventilated and have a massage function. The G6 also launches with the range-topping Black Edition. It adds 20-inch black wheels and brake callipers, and exclusive black exterior paint, with other black elements elsewhere.2026 XPeng G6 pricing Australia  

China could be about to take down the diesel ute for good. CATL has unveiled its new 8C battery specifically designed to charge light commercial EVs, including utes.The battery can charge from 20 to 80 per cent in less than seven minutes, with a full charge taking less than 10 minutes.High diesel fuel prices and increasingly stringent emissions standards are accelerating the diesel ute’s demise, particularly in Australia. The ute segment has declined more than 11 per cent so far in 2026, with almost all diesel models impacted.Electrified alternatives such as the BYD Shark 6 have provided a sneak peak into the future, but roadblocks to a full-scale uptake remain. The Shark 6’s plug-in hybrid set-up has been a revelation in Australia, but it only has an electric-only driving range of less than 100km - insufficient to be routinely used on just EV power.Its 30kWh battery takes around half-an-hour to fill from 30 to 80 per cent. Other brands have begun introducing fully-electric utes in Australia, including the KGM Musso EV, with the MG U9 EV coming soon. Toyota recently launched an electric version of its hugely popular HiLux ute.Its 59kWh battery has a total driving range of 315km, according to the more generous NEDC standards.A WLTP figure is more likely to sit in the mid-to-high 200km range. Charging from 10 to 80 per cent via DC takes 30 minutes - a figure not among the top scores in the EV space. EV driving range and charging remains a challenging combo to perfect.Diesel power has proven to be effective for utes, ensuring they can get through the heavy and constant work required.Weight and the necessary high amounts of power and torque pose a challenge to electric utes.CATL’s new battery could provide a big step towards the usability of them.Chinese brands BYD, Chery and Geely have developed fast charging batteries, but CATL's example is especially designed for commercial vehicles.It would mean these electric utes could be charged significantly faster, so even if range figures are not as high, the battery can be replenished quickly.CATL also said the battery can excel in extreme conditions, and it only takes an extra two-and-a-half minutes to charge at -20°C.Toyota has a global partnership with CATL and uses its batteries in key models, but not in the HiLux BEV currently.CATL's new battery could be a huge opportunity for Toyota to take its electric ute to the next level.The battery maker has been stepping up its EV fast charging game in recent months.It announced its third generation Shenxing battery earlier this year, capable of charging from 10 to 80 per cent in less than four minutes.

We just got more details on Geely’s 830kW rugged 4WD.The Geely Galaxy Starship is a large plug-in hybrid SUV that is expected to launch in China towards the end of this year.The car's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and three electric motor set-up will produce 830kW, making more powerful than some of the biggest names on the 4WD scene.This put it into direct competition with the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Nissan Patrol and the incoming Mitsubishi Pajero. Geely has just released new interior pictures of the car on social media. It features plush seat coverings, with soft-touch materials everywhere in the cabin. It has a gear selection mechanism akin to one found in a jet airliner, with a single horizontal lever responsible for choosing the park, reverse, neutral and drive gears. There are also plenty of physical buttons on the steering wheel and centre console as opposed to the car’s functions being controlled from a touchscreen display.There is a large panoramic glass roof, and its large tablet-sized central touchscreen, complimented by a smaller display spanning the width of the dashboard. We don’t know exactly how big the car will be but images show it as a five-seater, so it won’t be among the biggest offerings in its segment. It should have a cheaper price tag than much of the competition if it ever gets to Australia, falling into a similar category as BYD’s Denza B5.Geely has demonstrated a methodical approach to the introduction of new models in Australia compared to other Chinese brands. We shouldn’t expect any news on the Galaxy Battleship this year, but it could form part of the brand’s lineup in 2027 or beyond. Geely has already confirmed it will launch in the United Kingdom, which could be a final step before it lands Down Under. A spokesperson for Geely Australia told CarsGuide at the start of this year they could not confirm the Galaxy Battleship as a future part of the brand’s lineup. 

China's budget SUV will get hybrid power in Australia.Chery has announced its C5 small SUV will now be available as a hybrid in Australia.Pricing starts from $31,999 (drive-away), so it’s a $2000 price jump on the base petrol variant. It is $6000 cheaper than the fully-electric E5.Chery is axing the range-topping petrol variant of the C5 in Australia to make room for the new hybrid version in its line-up. The brand will replace it with a top-grade hybrid at the same price, starting from $34,990. The brand has no plans to cut the remaining petrol C5, so it will continue as the entry level to the model. A hybrid C5 compliments the petrol and fully-electric (called the E5) offerings of the car already available.This C5 hybrid will take on other small hybrid SUVs like the Hyundai Kona ($36,950, before on-road costs) and the incoming hybrid-only Kia Seltos.Its new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up (165kW/295Nm) trumps the power of the petrol and electric variants of the car on offer. It also provides an improved fuel efficiency of 4.9L/100km compared to 6.9L/100km with the petrol variant. The C5 hybrid adopts much of the same exterior as its siblings, apart from a different wheel design.The cabin also features a seperate 12.3-inch digital driver display and central touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. It has synthetic leather seats as standard, with the front ones heated, as well as dual-zone automatic air conditioning. Top-grade examples add ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a wireless charger, along with a power sunroof and tailgate.The C5 and E5 have been steady sellers for Chery, but have been nowhere as successful as the smaller Tiggo 4 SUV. Chery finds itself as one of the top-selling brands in Australia, shifting more than 20,000 units up to June 2026. 2027 Chery C5 pricing Australia  

The Honda Civic Type R is back in stock, but it won't stick around for long.This new batch of the Japanese sports car will be priced from $85,000 drive-away, which is $500 cheaper than the previous allocation. There will be less than 100 (expected to be 98) units available, with deliveries expected in December.The Civic Type R is one of the most sought after sports cars on the market.It tackles hot hatch rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf R ($71,990, before on-road costs).It has not been available for mass order in Australia since August 2025, when it sold out in less than an hour.This latest batch will not be fitted with the carbon fibre spoiler as standard, with it instead available as a pricey $4100 option, which effectively makes it more expensive than the previous version once the spoiler is accounted for.The Civic Type R has been subject to several price increases during its time in Australia.It is now in excess of $12,000 more expensive compared to when it first went on sale.It will continue to be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, producing 235kW and 420Nm, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.  The brand was forced to axe the Civic Type R in Europe at the start of this year, due to tightening emissions standards. Honda is also facing emissions pressures Down Under, so it could have to make a similar move here at some point.The brand recently announced it will be investing heavily into hybrid models over the next few years.Honda has already added hybrid power to much of its range in Australia, including on its CR-V, HR-V and ZR-V SUVs.There are no plans for the Civic Type R to be given hybrid power at this stage.Bookings for the Civic Type R will open on Monday 6th of July at 12:00 pm at Honda dealers, and 3:00 pm online.Buyers will be required to place a $5000 to secure their order. 

BYD’s latest car exposes a huge issue that is headed for Australia. Driving range is the new point of difference for Chinese carmakers, and BYD is fully participating, but it has a sinister side.The BYD Seal 08 was unveiled in China as a Mercedes S-Class size sedan, with fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups.The EV offers a driving range of up to more than 900km, according to generous CLTC standards, but its PHEV sibling steals the show. Its petrol tank and 45kWh battery combine to deliver a total driving range of 1660km, with an electric-only range of 400km.This is the same size as the battery BYD puts in its fully-electric Dolphin hatchback.Big hitting electrified set-ups boasting driving ranges approaching the 2000km range mark have grown in quantity, but authorities are starting to push back, according to reports. These large range-carrying set-ups substantially increase a car's weight, with batteries accounting for the bulk of the weight. Heavier cars require more energy to run, making them less efficient. They also contribute to an increased amount of wear and tear on the roads, requiring more frequent work.The Chinese government could be about to start imposing penalties on carmakers for producing electrified cars that are more than a certain weight. The BYD Seal 08 PHEV battery weighs more than 330kg, contributing to a total weight likely to be around 2000kg, with its EV sibling exceeding that figure.Australia’s current best-selling electric car and model generally, the Tesla Model Y also weighs around the 2000kg mark.Vehicles above 4500kg incur the Heavy User Road Tax on every litre of fuel used in Australia to pay for the wear and tear caused by them.External factors such as the Iran War and subsequent fuel price increase has accelerated the uptake of electrified cars globally, including Australia. With so many heavy EVs and PHEVs hitting the roads in Australia, there could be a need to follow China’s lead to protect the country’s road network from increased damage.Innovations in technology such as solid-state batteries could provide the key to offering huge driving ranges in smaller, lighter packages.Chinese brands have driving forwards in their pursuit of such technologies, with BYD and Chery, among others working on solutions in 2027.

Geely might be about to take on the ute market, but not in the way you'd think.Geely commercial sub-brand Farizon has announced pricing for its F3E small electric truck.It will start from $48,990 (before on-road costs) for cab chassis, with a tray adding an extra $2000 at $50,990, while the enclosed cargo box pushes the price up to $53,490.It lines up as a rival to Hyundai Mighty Electric, in a diesel-dominated market, with models like the Isuzu N-Series.Geely said its new truck is designed for urban delivery, light freight and service fleets.These smaller trucks are also seen as an arguably more practical alternatives to utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, offering greater and more convenient carrying capacity.It also has a fully-electric set-up, with a substantial payload, something electric utes have struggled to achieve.The two-seater F3E is powered by a single electric motor, producing 110kW and 260Nm to rear wheels, with a top speed of 90km. It offers a payload of 1,705kg on the cab-chassis, which is reduced to 1440kg with the tray and 1190kg with the cargo box. The cargo box variant gains the advantage of rear barn doors to aid loading practicality. The F3E has a 73kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery from major Chinese manufacturer CATL, offering a driving range of up to 314km, according to WLTP standards.The driving range drops to 250km when the truck is fitted with the cargo box. It also offers DC fast charging capacity at 100kW, with a charge from 20 to 80 per cent taking roughly half an hour. A 240V vehicle-to-load system can power appliances and tools directly from the truck.The F3E’s interior features fabric seats that are manually adjustable, with the driver seat boasting heating and ventilating functionality.There is a heated steering wheel, with keyless entry and start also standard. It is fitted with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 7.0 digital driver display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto installed. The truck gets some neat safety equipment like rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, auto emergency braking and a reversing camera. 2027 Farizon F3E pricing Australia 

More than 30,000 Jaguar Land Rover SUVs have been subject to urgent recalls in Australia, according to notices from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts. The largest of these recalls concerns 23,313 Land Rover Defender, Discovery and Range Rover SUVs for the model years 2019 to 2026.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the connection to the driver’s airbag clock spring may corrode over time and lead to an increased resistance in the airbag circuit,” the notice stated.“As a result, the airbag may fail to deploy in the event of an accident.“In the event of an accident, the airbag not deploying as intended could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants.”The second issue relates to the Jaguar F-Pace SUV, Land Rover Defender and Discovery, as well as Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Velar models.It impacts 7152 units from the 2024 to 2026 model years.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the front-end auxiliary drive belt idler pulley may over rotate and cause damage to the oil pressure and temperature sensor,” the notice stated."This may lead to an oil leak and engine stalling resulting in a loss of motive power whilst driving.“An engine stall or sudden loss of motive power could increase the risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.”The brand will contact the affected owners of all affected vehicles asking them to contact a dealer and have the work to fix the issue carried out, free of charge. A spokesperson Jaguar Land Rover said these are recalls are a part of a global recall and there have not been any reported incidents of the issue occurring in Australia. 

A huge change to speed limits in New South Wales has just come into force. Roadwork speed limits in NSW will no longer apply during non-work hours on-site, when it is safe to do so.Speed limits signs must be removed when there are no workers on site and it is out of work hours.Speed limits will return to the normal signed range, as long as it is safe for drivers and pedestrians.“Protecting construction workers and motorists around worksites is critical. We are not changing or weakening any rules around safety,” Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said. “But as everyone has experienced, leaving speed restrictions in place outside of construction hours often slows down traffic movement. "This change will help traffic keep moving, reduce frustration for motorists and make journeys across the state more efficient."Previously, drivers were required to slow down to the signed roadwork limit regardless of whether there were any workers present.Roadwork limits meant speeds were dropped to 80km/h, 60km/h and 40km/h, including on major highways. Speed limits can incrementally decrease from 110km/h to 40km/h as drivers get closer to the location of the roadworks. This created unnecessary delays, where road roadwork speed limit signs were left out even after workers had left the site.This will now be illegal under the NSW Government's new legislation. Roadwork speeds are monitored by mobile speed cameras, as well as fixed mobile phone detection cameras. Fines, including double demerits, are applicable. The Chris Minns' government first promised to address roadwork speed limits ahead of the 2023 election.This move marks its fulfilment ahead of the March 2027 election. 

BYD’s latest luxury hybrid SUV could have one trick up its sleeve its rivals don’t.The incoming FangChengBao Titanium 9, or BYD Ti9 as it is likely to be known in export markets, is a three-row plug-in hybrid SUV that is a size-up on family favourites like the Toyota Kluger.It is 5300mm long and has a wheelbase of 3120mm, so it will be a shape up in the increasingly popular large SUV segment in China.It will be similarly sized to the Zeekr 9X which is due in Australia in the next 18 months,.AutoHome has reported the Ti9 will boast a driving range of more than 2300km, substantially more than most cars on the market.There is no news on how big the fuel tank and battery will be to achieve this, but expect it to be a cut above many of its rivals. Chinese media has been suggesting it will be powered by a dual electric motor plug-in hybrid set-up, with power and torque figures still to be revealed, but possibly shared with other recent BYD models. Its smaller Ti7 sibling has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and two electric motors, producing 358 kW and 630 Nm.This could provide an indication for what powers the Ti9. It will be available in six-seat and seven-seat configurations, and is designed for urban and light off-roading environments.The large SUV is likely to be be unveiled in the second half of this year, and go on sale early next year.There is potential for this model to come to Australia, with its smaller Titanium 7 (or Ti7) sibling going on sale in the United Kingdom soon.FangChengBao, or Formula Leopard, is one of BYD’s off-roading sub-brands, but its models do not fall under that name overseas.The Ti7 in the UK will have a BYD badge on it, as might be the case in Australia, while its larger Leopard 5 is sold locally as the Denza B5.There is no official news on whether models like the Ti7 and Ti9 will launch Down Under.The UK launch means they are being built in right-hand drive, so there is a good chance they will eventually make their way over here, as almost every BYD product available in the UK has come to Australia.BYD Australia has previously told CarsGuide the Ti7 is not on its radar, but the brand has demonstrated previously that plans can change quickly.