Articles by Tim Nicholson

GWM’s much-hyped V8 engine is still not locked in for Australia as the company mulls how it will introduce such an engine when emissions regulations are starting to bite.The Chinese giant announced the existence of a new 4.0-litre V8 engine at last year’s Shanghai motor show, claiming that it has “solved problems overseas companies couldn’t solve” when it comes to higher capacity engines.The announcement was a shock given every other manufacturer is downsizing their internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains or moving to electrification.Speaking with journalists in Melbourne recently, GWM ANZ Chief Operating Officer John Kett said the newly developed V8 was still a chance for Australia, but the company has to determine how that will work with the New Vehicle efficiency Standard (NVES) now in play.“We'd love to turn that V8 story that we spoke about last year into something. We got visibility around certainly V8 ICE. Not sure if we can pay the NVES penalty, but we want to think about that too and how that would work. And we don't have anything more in our plug-in hybrid V8, but it's certainly still there.”Questioned on whether the V8 was guaranteed for Australia, Kett said:“I would say the technology is there. We haven't made a final decision.”He added GWM needs to keep pushing its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and EV models, including Ora, for the V8 to get over the line.Currently there are a number of PHEV models in GWM’s growing portfolio, including the H6 and H6 GT PHEV, the Tank 500 and soon-to-launch Tank 300, as well as the Cannon Alpha ute. A plug-iun version of the smaller Cannon ute has also been confirmed.Ora consists of just one niche hatchback model for now, but GWM confirmed two to three new Ora models to launch in 2026, including the Ora 5 crossover.The V8 could find its way under the bonnet of the Tank 700 SUV or the coming Tank 800 flagship, but that’s yet to be confirmed.Kett said he understands that messaging could get confusing for GWM which claims green credentials while planning a V8, but suggested there could be other ways to bring the big engine to market.“I'm not sure how we explain them in this world, that we're a green company and we have a V8, but I'm sure we'll work our way through that, right?“We certainly see in the upper-large segments what they're getting away with, and the opportunity for us. So if it ends up being a narrow build or a limitation on how many we bring in, but certainly in our portfolio, there's a car we could take. It's just the economics piece.”He said one option could be to introduce the engine in very limited numbers, but he would like it to be broader. Another option was to charge V8 customers for cost of NVES, but that too is far from a certainty.“So maybe it has to pay for it, maybe we just have to say outside of V8 will be neutral and a bit of credit, V8 customer are just going to have to pay for the tax that goes with that right? That economically makes sense. I'm not sure PR wise or corporate wise, whether they would like that. That's the economic side.”GWM ANZ Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver has faith that the company will be able to introduce the V8 in healthy numbers, but it comes down to economic sense.“If we can build a business case and there's demand there, we're not going to limit. We'll sell as many as we can get our hands on. And we're pretty confident we'll get support from the factory for us to do that.“We have to get that hybrid and plug-in hybrid and EV part of the portfolio right. And we think we've got today, a good setup of product technology to take us there. But again, knowing what's coming in the pipeline, we will add a significant number more plug-in hybrids, EVs into that space, and we're confident we'll grow that.“And if we can do that, it really firms up V8 for us. But we're still going to make the business case as we do with any new car coming up.”In other words, watch this space.

Nearly 35,000 examples of the current-generation Toyota Kluger are being recalled over an issue with the second seating row.According to the Federal Government’s vehicle recalls website, because of a design issue, the second-row seat recliner mechanism might not fully engage when adjusting the seat back. As a result, the seat back could move inadvertently.“In the event of an accident or hard braking, if the second-row seat recliner mechanism is not fully engaged and the seat back moves inadvertently, it could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants,” the recall notice says.All up, 34,370 examples of the 2021 to 2023 Kluger are being called in for a fix and it covers all model grades - GX, GXL and Grande in petrol front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive and hybrid.Toyota will contact owners of impacted vehicles in writing and encourage them to make an appointment at their local dealer for a fix that will be free of charge.Despite its age, the Current Kluger is still a popular model for family buyers. Last year it was the third best selling monocoque-based large SUV in Australia, with 8098 sales. But it was beaten by the Subaru Outback (8384) and Kia Sorento (8745).

Chinese giant GWM has its sights set on another bumper year in Australia in 2026, and it has bold plans on how to achieve its next ambitious sales target.GWM hit a high of 52,809 sales in 2025 landing in seventh place on the overall sales tally, just 400 sales ahead of BYD, but a hefty 8400 units behind sixth-placed Mitsubishi (61,198).Just five years ago in 2020, GWM’s combined sales in Australia were just 2600. To say the rise has been meteoric is an understatement.But GWM Australia and New Zealand Chief Operating Officer John Kett understands how hard it’s been to get to 50,000-plus sales and how much more of a challenge it will be to grow with an eye on the top five.“So we weren't making any outlandish statements of 100k and our premium brand will be 10k,” he told journalists in Melbourne recently in a not so subtle dig at rival BYD.“We just want to get to 75. So we set ourselves a target of a ‘six’ in front of our number this year.”Hitting a figure of 60,000-plus sales could mean unseating Mitsubishi by the end of this year, but it’s going to be a bigger task to get into fifth place, which is currently held by Hyundai (77,208 sales last year).Kett knows he faces an uphill battle to hit the longer-term 75,000 unit sales target but he said the team has studied its mainstream rivals to see how they got to their positions in the market.“It's even harder to get to 75 (thousand). We're looking at the Hyundais of the world that built scale and are sort of stuck in the 75k zone and have got aspirations to grow. We're looking at Kia, another… well managed business, trying to get from that 75 to 85, you just can't do it with one product, because it doesn't work.“We certainly looked at the history of Mitsubishi and Nissan, the things they've done so well. We've looked at the incredible consumer metrics that Mazda has always got.”Kett outlined improvements to GWM’s aftersales and customer service, with more customer service operators and investigators helping to solve product and quality issues. There’s also a focus on sharpening up the dealer footprint and expanding some spaces.But growth will largely come from continued strong sales of popular models like the Haval H6 and Tank 300, as well as a laundry list of new and updated product.GWM has already confirmed a plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Ranger-rivalling Cannon ute is coming this year, while a new 3.0-litre turbo diesel will soon be offered in the larger Cannon Alpha ute and the related Tank 500 large SUV.A plug-in Tank 300 arrives shortly, and the EV and PHEV compact SUV subbed Haval Jolion Max will also land before the end of the year.The slow-selling Ora EV range will get a boost with at least two new models landing in 2026, including the Ora 5 crossover. And GWM will finally launch its Wey semi-premium sub brand this year, likely starting with the G9 people mover.Kett admitted the brand could be doing more to talk about the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in its line-up, especially in the Cannon ute stable.“I think with all the hybrids and super hybrids out there, we probably missed an opportunity to talk specifically about our confidence in Hi4-T (plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain). I mean Cannon Alpha is a ute, right? And we quietly let other brands beat us, and I totally respect that. But I feel like our Hi4-T story both in Cannon and Cannon Alpha will reveal itself as fit for purpose.”Combined sales of the Cannon and Cannon Alpha in the first two months of the year show GWM is ahead of the Mazda BT-50, Volkswagen Amarok, outgoing Nissan Navara and the LDV T60 for 4x4 pick-up sales.

The second most popular Chinese ute in Australia is about to get a serious boost.GWM’s Cannon ute will gain a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain before the end of the first half of this year, giving the brand a second PHEV ute alongside its larger Cannon Alpha PHEV stablemate.The PHEV Cannon was revealed in Chinese government findings in February, but details like electric driving range are scarce. The Australian launch was confirmed by GWM Australia Chief Operating Officer John Kett at a media briefing in Melbourne.The Cannon PHEV’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and electric motor will produce 185kW (torque hasn’t been confirmed), which is off the pace of the popular BYD Shark 6 (321kW) as well as the Cannon Alpha PHEV (300kW).In good news for Aussie ute fans, the new Cannon PHEV won’t lose any of its towing capacity. It will retain the segment-standard 3500kg figure of the diesel-powered versions. This is in part due to the inclusion of GWM’s off-road capable Hi4-T four-wheel drive system found in the Cannon Alpha.The updated Cannon will also ditch one of the Cannon Alpha’s most contentious features - the tub-mounted spare wheel. GWM Australia has confirmed the Cannon PHEV will feature a spare wheel housed under the rear tub.Exact timing is yet to be locked in but expect the plug-in Cannon in showrooms before the end of June.Grades and pricing is a mystery for now, but you can guarantee it will carry a premium over the respective diesel grades. At the moment, PHEV versions of the Cannon Alpha cost $10,000 more than the equivalent diesel grade.The most affordable Cannon Alpha PHEV is the Lux from $61,490 drive-away and the Ultra is $67,990. The Cannon PHEV shouldn’t reach those levels given its smaller size and overall positioning.By comparison, the only other PHEV utes are the BYD Shark 6 PHEV, which is still only offered in one model grade (for now) from $57,900 before on-road costs, and the Ford Ranger PHEV that runs from $71,990 BOC to a hefty $86,990.Some more good news for GWM ute fans is the arrival of the much hyped new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine for the Cannon Alpha and the related Tank 500 SUV. The Chinese carmaker says the 3.0L Cannon Alpha will go on sale in Australia in the second half of 2026, but specific timing is yet to be locked in.Outputs for the four-cylinder internal combustion 3.0L diesel haven't been revealed by GWM but it is set to hit similar figures to the 3.0-litre V6 diesel in Ford’s Ranger ute and Everest SUV siblings, and that’s 154kW of power and 600Nm of torque.

It takes a brave carmaker to launch a new sedan variant into the market, given Australia’s obsession with SUVs.Kudos to Audi for expanding its A3 small sedan and hatch line-up with a new grade that sits at the top of the tree, before you get into S3 and RS3 performance car territory.The key difference with this new grade - called the A3 TFSI quattro 150kW S line - is an upgrade from the 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol unit found in the A3 35TFSI, to a punchy 150kW four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.You also get an extra helping of standard gear, different wheel designs and more premium options.The new TFSI 150kW grade is offered in Sportback hatch guise for $62,800, before on-road costs, and the sedan we tested from $65,800.Focusing on the sedan, that price is an $8000 bump from the entry-grade 35TFSI. On the flipside, it represents a $16,000 saving compared with the spicy S3 sedan, and you get a nice dollop of performance with the 150kW engine. More on that later.If you’re considering other small premium sedans, there are really only two - the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe in 220 M Sport guise at $63,400 and the Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic from $75,400. However, Mercedes recently dropped the A-Class sedan from its line-up so you’d be looking at whatever’s left in dealer stock.The Audi is $2400 dearer than the BMW. Their performance figures are similar, although the Audi gets 20Nm more torque and it’s one second quicker to 100km/h. Standard gear wise they line up pretty well.Equipment highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, S line styling, keyless entry and start, heated electric folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, three-zone air-con, ‘MMI navigation plus’, digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker audio and a solid list of standard safety gear.Our test car came fitted with a panoramic sunroof ($2000), metallic paint ($1350), black exterior styling package ($1200) and the 'Premium plus package' ($1990) that adds a head-up display, privacy glass and Sonos sound system. That brings the price to $72,340.The current-generation Audi A3 landed in Australia in early 2022 but it benefited from a mid-life facelift in early 2025.Whether you opt for a sedan or hatch will depend on your own preferences and needs. I prefer the hatch design but the sedan tested here is handsome, if a little conservative. The optional black exterior styling package adds a sinister vibe. It’s sleek enough and the current Audi lighting design looks good, but it’s not breaking any rules.The A3’s interior is a mixed bag. The leather-appointed front sports seats look schmick and offer excellent support and comfort, while the three-spoke ‘S’ perforated leather steering wheel looks and feels perfect.I’m not sold on Audi’s current interior design. Angling the multimedia and central controls towards the driver is a good thing, but it creates this pointy centre element to the dash that results in a feeling of being hemmed in as a front passenger. The air vents have an appealing shape but there’s a lack of cohesion to the overall layout.The console design is functional with two cupholders, a small central bin, wireless charger and two USB-C ports, but the electronic park brake lives on a different panel to the gear shifter. BMW’s current set-up of having everything housed in the same section feels more considered.Audi gets a massive tick for keeping physical controls and buttons. The air-conditioning controls are housed conveniently just under the central screen and they are easy to use. Below that are buttons for hazard lights, the 'Drive Select' drive modes, auto parking and the idle stop function. Thank goodness you don’t have to trawl through a series of sub-menus to turn that off.The 10.1-inch multimedia screen looks small by today’s standards, but the system is mostly logical and easy to navigate. When Apple CarPlay is active, the Apple menu is displayed on the right of the screen, next to Audi’s in-house menu. It doesn’t take much to accidentally press the far right screen and end up in the wrong menu.Audi’s 12.3-inch ‘Virtual cockpit’ digital driver display is excellent and has for many years been one of the best in the business.One final gripe from the driver’s seat is the cruise control stalk on the steering column. It feels like an afterthought and it’s hard to see. Surely those controls would fit on the steering wheel?Rear-seat legroom is decent without being generous and there’s more than enough headroom for this 183cm (6.0') tall reviewer. Space across is okay but you wouldn’t want three adults back there.There are two more USB-C ports in the rear plus adjustable lower air vents and two map pockets. A fold-down centre armrest features two cupholders, while only narrow bottles will fit in the rear doors.The boot can swallow 425 litres and that increases when you lower the 40/20/40 split-fold rear seats. The boot is long but has a high floor. There’s a temporary spare wheel hiding under that floor.On the road is where the little Audi sedan shines. For the most part.The new grade is powered by VW Group’s excellent 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission and drives all four wheels via Audi’s 'quattro' all-wheel drive set-up.There’s a lot to like about this powertrain, including the engine note. It sounds pitch perfect when pushed.Turbo lag is evident on take off and sometimes it’s more noticeable than others. But when you accelerate already on the move, it picks up speed rapidly. It’s so responsive.Sure, it’s not as punchy as an S3 or RS3, but for a non-performance grade, this 150kW A3 is plenty quick.Steering response is excellent. The A3 changes direction without hesitation, which is something of an Audi trait.The brakes are strong and the seven-speed transmission changes gears at just the right moment, although if you switch from 'Comfort' to 'Dynamic' mode, the transmission occasionally holds gears a little too long.Dynamic mode also improves response and makes the engine note a little shoutier.The A3 150kW TFSI sedan offers loads of grip which comes in handy in corners. It remains flat in tight bends and feels infinitely chuckable.The payoff is the ride quality which is firm, meaning you feel potholes, road joins and everything in between. It’s not busy, however. And it’s not so sharp that it’s a turnoff. Simply something to be aware of if you value comfort above all else.The grippy but low-profile Nexen 225/40/R18 tyres are partly to blame for this, as is the sportier suspension tune.It’s not the quietest cabin with some exterior noise like coarse chip road surfaces making their presence felt.On the plus side, the advanced driver assist tech is unobtrusive for the most part.My final fuel economy figure according to the trip computer was 7.7 litres per 100km, which is more than the 6.6L/100km official claim. In fairness, I could’ve reduced that figure if the A3 wasn’t so much fun to drive.

Kia has revealed pricing for what is the Korean brand’s most expensive model yet.The EV9 GT will land in Australia imminently to take its place as the flagship of the EV9 range and Kia’s model line-up generally.Pricing for the big performance-honed electric SUV is set at $129,250, before on-road costs. Kia has not increased the pricing for any of the other model year 2026 EV9 grades.The EV9 range continues to kick off from $97,000 for the single-motor rear-wheel drive Air, rising to $106,500 for the dual-motor all-wheel drive Earth and $121,000 for the dual-motor AWD GT-Line.The new spicy GT grade costs $8250 more than the GT-Line. It is also nearly $10K more than the mechanically related Hyundai Ioniq 9 SUV ($119,750), although it gets more power and torque than that model.The EV9 pumps out a significant 374kW of power and 740Nm of torque, driving all four wheels. Top speed is set at 220km/h and the hulking SUV can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. An impressive feat for a 2600kg-plus vehicle.It is fitted with the same 99.8kWh battery in the other long-range EV9 grades and Kia says that makes for a driving range of 510km. It can accept a max charge rate of 350kW via a rapid DC fast charger.The EV9 comes standard with Electronic Controlled Suspension and Kia says the electric family hauler has benefited from a localised ride and handling tune to ensure it copes better with Australia’s average road conditions.Kia’s not confirmed spec just yet but some standard gear highlights include unique gloss black 21-inch alloy wheels, a digital LED grille featuring Kia’s ‘Star Map’ lighting, and a bespoke interior with second-row relaxation seats.There are still very few seven-seat fully-electric SUVs this size available in Australia, aside from the single-grade Hyundai Ioniq 9 or the Volvo EX90 (from $124,990). A number of Chinese brands are planning large electric or plug-in hybrid SUVs so expect this segment to grow.Kia is yet to detail what, if any changes there are for the other EV9 grades as part of the model year update.2026 Kia EV9 pricing before on-road costs 

The rise and rise of Chinese car brands in Australia is testing the legacy brands like never before.Relative newbies like BYD, Chery, GWM and MG are eating away at sales of carmakers with long histories in Australia.What will 2026 bring for those historic brands in Australia? For some it will be a make or break year. The Federal Government’s emissions reduction scheme is also expected to start having more of an impact this year.We make some predictions about what sort of year the non-Chinese brands in Australia’s top 10 will have in 2026.Toyota may have stumbled in the January sales figures, down 22.3 per cent year on year, but the company put that down to stock irregularities with the changeover to new HiLux and low stock of outgoing RAV4.Don’t expect too many more stumbles in 2026 from Brand T. A new RAV4 is just around the corner and from what we’ve heard, there’s quite the order bank for the family-friendly hybrid SUV for the coming months.There’s not a lot of new product coming in 2026, but the hybrid LandCruiser 300 Series might give the off-roader a boost. Either way, expect Toyota to remain number one by a comfy margin come the end of the year.Mazda is in an interesting position. The Japanese carmaker has had mixed sales success with its range of large rear- and all-wheel drive SUVs. The BT-50 ute remains a steady seller, and ageing models like the Mazda3, CX-3 and CX-30 continue to enjoy strong interest, despite a raft of new challengers, largely from China.It will finally launch a couple of proper EVs in 2026, the Mazda6e sedan and CX-6e SUV, which are built in China through its local partner Changan. They’re not expected to add significant volume to Mazda’s tally. A new-gen CX-5 should give Mazda a leg up in 2026, but the much-needed hybrid won‘t arrive until 2027, which will likely blunt sales in the coming 12 months.Ford will continue to rely almost exclusively on its Ranger and Everest twins for sales volume this year. The Ranger was Australia’s top-selling vehicle in 2025 (56,555 units) and the Everest was the most popular large SUV (26,161).Beyond solid sales for the Transit Custom van and Mustang sports car, it’s unclear if Ford will be able to draw volume from anywhere else. As reported, the Blue Oval is expected to offer a China-sourced Bronco ‘New Energy’ medium SUV as a rugged looking alternative to the BYD Sealion 6. But we can’t see Ford increasing its sales by much in 2026.The two Korean giants, Hyundai and Kia, will continue to battle each other this year. In 2025 Kia just edged its sister brand by 5000 sales and it managed third place in January this year. A continued EV push with the EV4 and updated EV6 will add incremental volume, but the new-gen Seltos small SUV won’t land until later this year.There’s still life in the Sportage and Sorento, with new versions not expected until 2027. Both models continue to be strong sellers so expect Kia to either tread water or do a little better than last year.Hyundai has a solid model range, including CarsGuide’s overall 2026 Car of the Year, the Santa Fe and the best Medium SUV under $130K, the Ioniq 5. In terms of new metal, the biggest addition will be the Elexio EV. A mid-size SUV, it will be priced keenly and take on the related Kia EV5, as well as the BYD Sealion 7.New-gen versions of the popular Tucson medium SUV and i30 sedan are not due until next year, but we could see a facelift to the Santa Fe soon. But Hyundai should remain steady overall in 2026.The other non-Chinese top 10 brand is Mitsubishi. The Japanese carmaker is in a period of flux, having just launched the more expensive new-gen ASX, but losing the Pajero Sport and Eclipse Cross.The big news is the return of Pajero (or Pajero Sport), which has already been spied testing in Australia, by none other than CarsGuide’s own Production Editor, Jack Quick.Timing for this is unclear and it might not land until next year, leaving Mitsubishi to battle the Chinese giants for another challenging year.

It comes down to this. Seven category winners, seven exceptional cars. But only one can take the crown of CarsGuide’s 2026 overall Car of the Year.The final shortlist for the overall Car of the Year award is made up of the winners of each of our seven categories.This impressive list includes high-end performance SUVs from Germany, new contenders from China, a game-changing ute, family friendly hybrids and top-notch EVs.As a reminder, here are the category winners that make up this final shortlist.Best Small Car Starting Under $50,000 - Kia EV3The Kia EV3 proves small EVs don’t have to be boring. A striking design combined with an engaging drive experience, visually appealing and surprisingly spacious cabin and high levels of standard equipment make for a winning package.Best Small Car Starting Under $80,000 - BMW X1It might not be the newest model on this list, but punchy petrol powertrains and a well-calibrated electric version elevate the BMW X1 above all of its premium small car rivals.Best Medium SUV Starting Under $60,000 - Zeekr 7XThe newest car on this list, the long-awaited Zeekr 7X is a deeply impressive electric family SUV in all grades and proves Zeekr means business.Best Medium SUV Starting Under $130,000 - Hyundai Ioniq 5Perhaps a surprising win against some impressive premium players, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 deserves this award as it remains one of the most impressive electric medium SUVs money can buy.Best Large SUV Starting Under $100,000 - Hyundai Santa FeA massive step up from the previous model, the new Hyundai Santa Fe has a bold design and a spacious and flexible interior with the choice of two excellent powertrains.Best Large SUV Starting Under $220,000 - Porsche CayenneOutpacing a range of mostly German rivals, the Porsche Cayenne has the performance and prestige to make it the clear standout in the category.Best Ute Under $85,000 - BYD Shark 6A truly game-changing ute, the BYD Shark 6 has brought plug-in hybrid power to the masses in a big way.Such a solid list of winners means the car that took the crown is a special vehicle indeed.Without further ado, the winner of CarsGuide’s overall 2026 Car of the Year award is… the Hyundai Santa Fe!The Santa Fe won over the CarsGuide Car of the Year judges for a variety of reasons.The six- or seven-seat large SUV is hard to fault. It’s a phenomenal family car with acres of occupant space across all three rows and decent cargo space as well. There’s also enough to keep kids occupied in the rear two rows while offering high levels of comfort and refinement up front.Interior design and layout is modern, with a retro twist, and the materials used throughout are second to none. Hyundai has used eye-catching seat materials, while the various touchpoints look and feel like they belong in the premium segment.A Santa Fe highlight is the fact that even the entry grade (simply called ‘Santa Fe’) feels nothing like a base model. In fact, it feels more high-end than top-spec versions of many of its rivals.The availability of two excellent powertrains further boosts the Santa Fe. The 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid is not just the best choice for efficiency and refinement, it’s also a punchy, engaging engine. But the 2.5L four-cylinder turbo-petrol version is also an absolute hoot.Both are available in front and all-wheel drive, and they come with a full-size spare wheel. Not something every hybrid can claim.Value for money was also a one of the Santa Fe’s biggest strengths. Pricing ranges from around $54,000 for the entry petrol grade and it tops out at $77,000 for the fully kitted out Calligraphy hybrid. Even at the entry point, the Sant Fe is packed with comfort and safety features.Finally, while its exterior design is undoubtedly polarising, the judges agree that it’s a standout among a largely vanilla bunch of family SUV rivals.Not only is the Hyundai Santa Fe CarsGuide’s top pick for a family car in 2026, but we reckon it’s the best car money can buy.A well deserved win for a brilliantly executed car.

BMW has finally revealed initial details of its first fully electric M car and it will be a full-on performance sedan with simulated gear shifts and powertrain sound, brutal straight-line performance and decent driving range.Based on the BMW i3 sedan that’s expected to be revealed in the coming months, the new electric M3 will be sold alongside a new-generation version of the internal combustion engine (ICE) M3.The next-gen ICE 3 Series is yet to be unveiled but it is expected to have a closer relationship design wise with the i3 than the new iX3 has with the regular X3.BMW has not yet uttered the name of the electric performance sedan, but expect something along the lines of ‘i3 M’. For now BMW is calling it the M Neue Klasse and it’s will hit showrooms from 2027.Head of Project BMW M Neue Klasse, Philipp Brunn, talked up the significance of the new electric M models.“So in a nutshell, the next generation of fully electric BMW M models will lead the way into the new era for high-performance cars. We will set a new benchmark regarding driving dynamics, performance and overall driving experience,” he said.Based on BMW's multi-billion-dollar Neue Klasse architecture, the new electric M3 benefits from some of the innovations of the iX3 and coming i3, including a reduction in the complexity of the car’s electronic systems, making for “faster data transfer between the control units, leading to clear performance gains”, according to Brunn.The ‘Heart of Joy’ - which is Neue Klasse’s central computing system that integrates the drivetrain and driving dynamics into one, rather than having separate algorithms for accelerating and braking - has been tailored for the specific needs of M customers, said Brunn.“First, our fully electric models will feature four electric motors allowing fully independent and fast wheel control. Every wheel we can do whatever we like at very, very fast speed.“Second, the car's overall output, horsepower, torque, acceleration will reach new heights, and therefore needs to be managed accordingly with such important system. And finally, the overall system management will prioritise sustainable peak performance over efficiency and range, supporting driving excitement and track focus typical for BMW M models.”That means the M version of the i3 will have a slightly lower electric driving range to the regular i3. That figure is yet to be confirmed but expect the regular i3 sedan to have EV range a little beyond the quoted figure for the iX3 50xDrive SUV, which is 805km.“We have a precise control of torque and power of each wheel, so we can fully utilise the performance potential of our tyres. And this can be done on all friction surfaces, so from low friction to high friction, snow, rain and so on," Brunn continued.“We can blend the torque between electro-hydraulic brakes and the e-motors. So we can, again, do whatever is necessary from braking or energy recovery. The energy recovery is possible to the limit of tyre friction, so we can, if we like or not, use recovery, or we can shift between brain and the motors, and the design is very compact, so we have high efficiency and also high power density, which also helps integrating the powerful motors into the car.”Brunn added that M engineers had to “push the limits of the battery” used in the base Neue Klasse (a 108kWh lithium-ion battery pack housed under the floor with cylindrical cells).Additional cooling, a different cell layout and slightly altered cells ensure “higher sustainable power, and faster charging compared to the other Neue Klasse models”, Brunn said.Additional connections from the battery to the vehicle and the suspension system helps stiffen the vehicle in a bid to enhance vehicle dynamics.The new M car will use a number of sustainable and lightweight materials, including a less carbon intensive version of carbon fibre.To help keep the BMW M DNA alive, the M car will feature performance driving modes, synthetic gear shifting and BMW M specific sounds that also relate to the gear shifting.The synthetic driving sound was revealed at the end of a BMW M Electrified Youtube video, from about 7:40.The audio in the video reveals subtle burbling, and what sounds like a cross between a high-powered four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a jet engine.The significant investment into electric M opens the door to more models, with a full fat iX3 M expected to be the next candidate.BMW is yet to officially announce that but Head of BMW Neue Klasse, Mike Reichelt, previously hinted it was on the cards.“When we go on the M side in such a big step, and we have such a high number of common parts communality, it has a logic to say we have the technology, we have the cars, we combine it. But I can't… confirm it today, but it has a logic way,” he said at the iX3 reveal in September.

It will come as no surprise that 2025 was a massive year for new-model launches. The sheer number of new cars arriving in Australian showrooms has been unprecedented.