Articles by Tim Nicholson

BMW snuck in a little teaser after revealing its all-important new iX3 late last week.BMW CEO Oliver Zipse introduced the second model from its Neue Klasse group, the i3 sedan. While it had been rumoured to adopt that name, this was the first time it was publicly acknowledged.Covered in camouflage, the production model looks to have toned down some elements from the Vision Neue Klasse concept from 2023, like the little spoiler lip on the boot, but if the iX3 is anything to go by, expect it to retain a number of elements from the concept.The i3 will be the next model from the Neue Klasse architecture, and it will arrive ahead of the next-generation 3 Series. They will eventually sell alongside each other, but the all-electric i3 will arrive first.Zipse said the model is coming in 2026, but given the European on-sale date is closer to quarter three next year, it may not reach Australian shores until early 2027.While the i3 is underpinned by the hugely significant Neue Klasse architecture, the next-generation 3 Series will ride on an evolution of BMW’s CLAR platform (CLAR II) that already forms the basis of the 5 Series, 7 Series, iX and more.The i3 name was used for BMW’s first mass-produced EV. It was a small, quirky, tallboy hatchback that was a niche offering until it was discontinued in 2022. The badge has also been used on a China-only electric version of the 3 Series. This new i3 is expected to be a much more mainstream offering from the German giant. A Touring wagon version is all but certain.BMW has not revealed any mechanical details but the freshly revealed iX3 holds many clues. The only grade to be confirmed so far for the new SUV is the iX3 50 xDrive which features an electric motor on each axle for total outputs of 345kW and 645Nm and a driving range of up to 805km.Neue Klasse will be rolled out to 40 new derivatives over the coming years and from 2027 it will have spread across the range. Derivatives means model variants as well as full model changes and it can also be rolled out to facelifts and updates too.As well as the Neue Klasse design language, technology from the platform including digital functions like the Panoramic Vision projection that runs the width of the windscreen, will find their way to these other derivatives. So while the 40 derivatives might not be full Neue Klasse models they will feature at least some of the design and tech.Six Neue Klasse models are coming within the next two years, but expect those to be more iX3 and i3 model grades.As for what’s coming beyond i3, it is highly likely to be a smaller model.Speaking with Australian journalists at the iX3 reveal in Munich, Mike Reichelt, Head of BMW Neue Klasse ruled out a sports car based on Neue Klasse, but added that the biggest opportunity for the brand is smaller models. “The start and the most relevant advantages are the compact and middle class. That in higher classes is not so relevant. The technology comes there. Is it a Neue Klasse model? Maybe not. But in the compact and middle class, the smallest car, It's really important to go to step…”When asked by CarsGuide if the next full Neue Klasse model will be a new-gen 1 Series hatch or iX1 SUV, Reichelt simply responded with, “It's possible.”

BMW is taking its electric car technology to the next level with the reveal of its new-generation iX3 EV.

GWM’s Haval H6 family sized SUV has been given a boost with the addition of two new model grades. The facelifted mid-sizer only just went on sale at the end of July, but the Chinese giant has already added a pair of variants.While the petrol grades remain as is, there’s a new flagship Ultra hybrid that’s the only hybrid grade available with all-wheel drive. That costs $47,490 drive-away, which is $3500 more than the front-drive Lux Hybrid.GWM has also introduced an entry-level plug-in hybrid. The H6 Lux PHEV is front-wheel drive and costs $44,990 drive-away. This undercuts the H6 Ultra PHEV by $3000. GWM says these new grades will be in local dealerships from mid-September.The 2026 GWM Haval H6 is available with three different powertrain, including a petrol engine, hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The new grades are hybrid and PHEV.The hybrid powertrain is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a hybrid setup with total system outputs of 179kW and 530Nm.GWM’s family SUV is available with two different PHEV powertrains. Both feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, but either one or two electric motors, depending on the configuration.Total system output for the H6 PHEV is 240kW/540Nm, while the H6 PHEV AWD is 268kW/760Nm.All Haval H6 PHEVs come with a 19.09kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Claimed electric range for the PHEV 2WD is 106km and the PHEV AWD is 100km, according to NEDC testing.Just some of the standard features in the Haval H6 Lux includes;14.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoBluetoothDAB+Eight speaker audioVoice command2 x front and 2 x rear USB outletsWireless phone chargerMicrofibre leather steering wheelSynthetic leather seatsDriver six-way electric adjustable seatFront passenger four-way manual adjustable seatDual zone climate control with rear ventsAuto-dimming rear-view mirror10.25-inch digital instrument clusterAutomatic rain-sensing front wipersPush-button startUltra grades add;Rear privacy glassPanoramic sunroofFront heated and ventilated seatsFront passenger four-way power adjustable seatFront stainless steel scuff platesEight-speaker audio (HEV Ultra)Nine-speaker audio (Petrol Ultra, PHEV Ultra)Driver seat memoryHead-up displayHeated steering wheelFront parking sensorsSafety features from Lux up include;Seven airbags – 2x front, 2x side, 2x curtain, 1x centre360-degree surround-view camera180-degree transparent chassisRear parking sensorsTyre pressure monitoring systemTrailer sway mitigationISOFIX child restraintsHill ascent / descent controlAdaptive cruise controlCollision MitigationAuto emergency braking junction assistTraffic sign recognitionFront collision warning (pedestrian and cyclist)Traffic jam assistEmergency signal system (indicators)Driver fatigue monitoring systemGWM guarantees its cars with a seven year/unlimited km warranty, which beats mainstream players Mazda, Toyota and Subaru and equals Kia, Mazda and Chery.All H6 variants are covered by a capped price servicing program for five years or 70,000km.

BYD’s hot-selling Shark 6 ute just got a little cheaper.

Peugeot has lifted the lid on its refreshed 308 small car range which benefits from a makeover and improved driving range for the fully electric version.The third-generation 308 made its debut back in 2021 so this update comes towards the back end of its life cycle.The biggest changes for the 308 are visual, with the already striking small car gaining a new front-end look with a fresh three-claw headlight signature, a redesigned grille and illuminated Peugeot badge. Higher grades get short vertical lights surrounding the vertical logo.It also comes with a new bumper and air intakes, new wheels and a new Lagoa Blue hue, while the rear end gets 3D lights across the board. Previously they were kept for the top-spec grades only.Inside the changes are less pronounced, with new fabrics and fresh instrument cluster graphics - 3D on some grades - while safety gets a small boost, too.In Europe the 308 is available with four powertrain options, including a 97kW 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, a 108kW mild hybrid turbo-petrol engine with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 145kW plug-in hybrid.The PHEV has a 17.2kWh battery offering an extra 20km of range, ensuring an EV driving range of 85km on the WLTP cycle.Finally the E-208 EV gains more driving range as part of the update. It has a 115kW/270Nm electric motor paired with a 58.4kWh battery. The new range is 450km (WLTP) which is a 34km boost compared to the previous version.CarsGuide has contacted Peugeot Australia to see if the updated 308 is set for a local launch.Expect the mild hybrid in hatchback guise to be the sole model offered Down Under.While the 308 remains a popular pick in regions like Europe and the United Kingdom, it has a much lower profile in Australia. Despite solid reviews, including from CarsGuide, the 308 is seen as a premium niche model here, which is reflected by its sales figures.To the end of July this year Peugeot has sold 57 examples of the 308, a 37 per cent drop off compared with the previous year. That makes it the slowest-selling model in Australia’s premium small-car segment.Peugeot Australia recently changed its model strategy, moving away from fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains - for now - to mild hybrid and hybrid offerings.The 308 shifted from PHEV and petrol power to a mild hybrid powertrain late last year, with Peugeot also taking the opportunity to drop the slow-selling wagon version at the same time.Pricing for the current MY25 308 GT Hybrid is $48,990 before on-road costs.A quick look at the Peugeot website reveals there’s still some stock of the MY24 petrol-powered 308 from $48,465 drive-away.Peugeot offered the all-electric E-308 hatch as part of a limited offer of just 14 examples last year, priced from $65,990 drive-away. Of that allocation it appears just one example of the E-208 is left, according to online classifieds.

If you need any proof that Australians are well and truly in favour of Chinese cars, just take a look around your local supermarket car park.

Brand loyalty is not dead and enduring carmakers such as Honda can still attract new buyers in the face of fresh competition from China, according to the company’s local boss.

Honda’s CR-V has been the brand’s global best seller for some time, but the brand admits the long-running nameplate could be doing better in Australia when it comes to sales.

Apple-loving Geely drivers rejoice! Your Geely EX5 electric SUV now has Apple CarPlay.

One of Australia’s most popular SUVs is gearing up for a new-generation changeover in the next 12 months, and now we have an idea of what it might look like.