Articles by Tom White

Zeekr has confirmed plans to add fully electric versions of its much-anticipated 8X and 9X luxury hybrid SUVs in the near future.Originally debuting as plug-in hybrids, the two models use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine on top of massive batteries. Both use a hybrid transaxle system in the front mating the engine to powerful electric motors, while they have a fully independent electric rear motor (or two for the performance grade).The regular version of the 8X already produces an impressive 660kW/935Nm, according to Chinese specifications, while the high-performance tri-motor version produces up to 1030kW/1410Nm.Both cars ride on the flexible SEA-S platform, which supports both hybrid and fully electric layouts, and can wield a 900-volt electrical architecture for ultra-rapid charging and ultra-high power outputs.Zeekr Europe’s Chief Engineer for Mechanical Architecture, Kennet Pettersson, said both vehicles were originally designed as full battery-electric platforms, making the EV spin-offs “relatively straightforward".Adding to Pettersson’s comments, Zeekr Group Vice President, Mars Chen, said: “Over three years ago when we had big success with 001 and 009, in that moment we were sure about one thing especially when it comes to international models, and that one very important thing was that the world will not always be ICE (internal combustion engine) or BEV (battery electric vehicle).“We have to have the two in our family, so knowing the reality, the company decided to prepare some hybrid models, because you know Geely (Zeekr’s parent company), is coming from the ICE industry. So we realised that there are some models which are very successful in this segment - Li Auto, Aito using range extenders.”“It’s not something we simply wanted to replicate, so actually, our hybrid system which you see placed in the 9X and 8X today, it's not just a range extender or just a plug-in hybrid, it’s a mix.“The experience we want to give the customer is more electric, which means silent, huge torque, and without any latency.“But this car still has an engine, it still has the capacity, and for range, you don’t need to worry. So that’s why we made that decision for big cars.“I switched to a hybrid car, but frankly speaking, I want to go back to an EV because in my scenario, I only did more than 350km a day once in the last two years. I only need to charge once a week and that’s it.”“So, it’s not a technical choice, it's more of a commercial choice. But I’m very happy to share with you that the version is coming.”Mr Chen also shared that we’d see at least one battery electric version of either the 9X or 8X before the next Chinese auto show (roughly a year), but wouldn’t say which model. He confirmed any design changes between the hybrids set to launch in Australia imminently and the fully electric version would be minimal.As it is, the 8X is already set to cost in excess of $85,000 in Australia, with the 9X likely starting at around $100,000.Expect the fully electric versions to likely have similar, if not higher, power outputs, and with correspondingly larger batteries.Currently, even the hybrid version of the 8X has either a 55kWh battery allowing a 320km range, or a 70kWh battery allowing a 410km range. In fully electric format, expect at least a 90kWh battery, although it wouldn't be surprising to see the brand target one of the industry’s longest driving ranges for a five-meter-plus SUV.Zeekr has shot to the mainstream from relative obscurity in 2026 in Australia thanks almost entirely to its sharply priced and impressively specified 7X fully electric mid sizer which has shot to the top of the sales charts in its category.The brand will no doubt be hoping the 8X, due to arrive in 2027, will live up to the hype it is already generating.Expect to see the 9X hybrid SUV join the brand’s range before the end of the year, with the 7GT Euro-style electric wagon also slated for a late 2026 or early 2027 launch.The brand also showed an updated version of its 009 people mover with significant under-the-skin changes at the Beijing Motor Show.

Hatchbacks are experiencing a renaissance in Australia, with a flood of new models hitting our shores, mostly from brands you might not be familiar with.It’s a market segment that's been increasingly abandoned by legacy brands, with nameplates like the Nissan Pulsar, Ford Focus and Suzuki Baleno disappearing to make way for lesser known models like GAC Aion UT, GWM Ora and MG4, and the car we’re looking at for this quick drive, the Geely EX2.These new challengers share a lot in common. They’re fully electric and ultra-affordable, opening up a world of low-running-cost opportunity, but where does Geely’s EX2 fit in? Let’s take a look.We tested the EX2 at a Geely drive event in China where we had limited time with the vehicle, and little information on Australian specification. But we got a little wheel time for a first impression.We know it will arrive in the third quarter of 2026, although we’re not sure how much it will cost. At this stage, we understand it is likely it will come in at least two battery sizesIn China, where it's known as the Geome, the EX2 is is smaller and priced lower than the GAC Aion UT (from $31,990 before on-road costs), but it's priced higher and is a size up from the BYD Atto 1 (from $23,990 BOC).With its bubbly styling, it will also fill a gap left by the departure of the GWM Ora hatch (from $35,990) later this year. Chinese prices range from the equivalent of $A14,121 to $20,276. It opens the possibility of sub-$30k starting price.The two battery sizes currently offered in China are a 30.1kWh unit, providing 310km or a 40.2kWh unit providing up to 410km range, although these are to the more lenient CLTC cycle.While this isn’t confidence inspiring for the kinds of ranges some of its rivals might be capable of, the CATL-sourced LFP batteries are at least water cooled in all spec levels, unlike the BYD Atto 1, which is good for maintaining range in cold or hot days, as well as the longevity of the battery. Charging speed is quoted from 30-80 per cent in 21 minutes, which suggests a slow but appropriate charge speed between 50 and 80kW. We hope Australian-delivered vehicles come with at least 6.6kW AC charging, meanwhile the China-delivered EX2 gets 6.6kW vehicle-to-load, too.Inside, this little car is quite clever in how space efficient it is. The front seat is an unmistakably small car, but offers enough adjustability for me to find a comfortable seating position at 182cm tall. The same goes for the back seat, which benefits from an EV-first platform and a nice flat floor, giving the EX2 above average space for a car in this category.There’s also lots of clever storage areas. It has a 70-litre frunk, which is a good starting point, as well as a 375-litre boot, and there's storage in the pass-through underneath the centre console. The console itself will look a little different in Aussie-delivered cars, as we understand it, because our right-hand-drive models will get a stalk shifter rather than the digital shifter on the left-hand drive versions we tested. A large storage bay up front makes the mistake of orienting the wireless charger right in the middle, wasting otherwise useful space.The 14.6-inch screen in our test cars looks good for a small vehicle, but I hope there’s been some significant software improvements to the brand’s ‘Flyme Auto’ software, which was a bit befuddling in the EX5 I drove in Australia recently. As usual, a lack of physical controls isn’t promising either.Things are good on the driving front though. This cute little hatch has a bit of attitude. It has two motor options, either a 58kW/130Nm, or 85kW/150Nm unit, both of which drive the rear axle rather than the front.This combines with a relatively light weight from the small battery capacities to make for an easily chuckable and cheeky little car.The steering wheel is even ultra compact, making it feel sharp to steer. The heavily electrically assisted rack isn’t as disconnected as the EX5, for example, making this car a sweet little thing to throw around the obstacle course set in front of us.Grip from the factory LingLong tyres wasn’t great (this made it extra fun to slide about in tight corners, but maybe not so great in every day scenarios where you actually want grip) which is something the local division might have some sway over before the car is delivered to Australia.The fully independent suspension front and rear no doubt helps with the handling, and the EX2 felt a little firmer than some of its competitors in our limited time with it.In terms of the drive experience, how nice this car is on the road will depend heavily on how invasive its safety kit is. We will hold off on judging that until we get to drive it on Australian roads.

Geely has confirmed it will add the Emgrand sedan to its roster of cars in Australia, following the EX2 electric SUV Q3 arrival.The Emgrand will go into battle with the segment dominant Toyota Camry, as well as existing favourites like the Kia K4 and newcomers like the BYD Seal 6 PHEV.Measuring 4806mm long 1886mm wide and 1490mm tall, the fifth-generation Emgrand is in the mid-size sedan category, although sits in the space between the larger Camry and smaller Kia K4.Like the Seal 6, the Emgrand will launch into Australia as a plug-in hybrid initially. A plugless hybrid version is also on the cards, according to Geely’s Australian CEO Alex Gu.CarsGuide understands the Emgrand will launch in 2027, with its EM-i plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors inside a hybrid transmission.The engine produces 82kW/136Nm, while the electric motor provides 120kW/210Nm. This is backed by the choice of two battery capacities, either a 8.5kWh unit or a 17kWh unit for either 60km or 125km of driving range.These ranges are to the CLTC standard, so expect slightly less once it arrives here. It is likely only the larger battery capacity version will be offered. All versions of the car sold in China are able to provide 3kW of external power via the vehicle-to-load system.Geely says the Emgrand will consume 2.9L/100km even when the battery is depleted to the reserve level, and it manages to maintain a 52-litre fuel tank despite making room for its battery underneath the cabin.Maximum fast charging speed is 35kW, allowing a 30 - 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes, according to the brand.The Emgrand rides on the same GEA platform as the EX5 and Starray, which is a spin-off of Volvo’s CMA architecture for the purposes of Geely’s more mass-market hybrid and electric models.On the inside, it gets a similar steering wheel to the EX5 or Starray, and a console with a multimedia dial and shortcut buttons, the shifter is on the steering column. It also has a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen running Geely’s Flyme Auto software and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.A 50W wireless charger exists in the centre console, while boot space measures 609 litres.Pricing in China is up to the equivalent of $24,600, suggesting a starting price in Australia of $30,000 or less. The newcomer from Geely will have to establish itself against the just-announced Kia K4 hybrid (from $32,090), BYD Seal 6 (from $34,990), and the segment-dominating Toyota Camry (from $39,990).Expect to learn more about the Emgrand ahead of its launch in 2027. It will form part of a slowly-but-surely product roll-out from Geely, which is likely to include both the Monjaro mid-size SUV and M9 three-row plug-in hybrid.Geely has had a reasonable start in Australia, with its EX5 and Starray EM-i amassing 1437 and 1384 units respectively, capturing close to five per cent of the mainstream mid-size SUV category.

Geely has revealed several concepts at the Beijing motor show, as well as crucial details on its upcoming Toyota Prado-rivalling hybrid off-road SUV.The brand’s major reveals were for two prototypes previewing the company’s future direction for passenger cars and tech.The Galaxy Light concept, a large luxury sedan, was shown with key design elements (dubbed “ripple aesthetics”) which Geely says will roll out across its range in the future.While the sedan format may be waning in popularity across the globe, elements of this flagship concept, including its imposing “waterfall” grille, high beltline, “blade” style headlight fittings, and completely new interior design direction will inform future Geely production cars.Importantly, the interior also features an array of physical buttons to go with its somewhat toned-down screens, in what Geely says is a move to be more “human-centric.”Geely says a significant part of the Galaxy Light concept was inspired by the Hangzhou West Lake, an iconic destination in its home province of Zhejiang, leaning into an unapologetically “Eastern aesthetic".The brand also said that the key elements of its new design language are specifically to “make no distinction between ICE, hybrid, or EVs,” suggesting that Geely products will unify in design in the future regardless of powertrain.Geely has also teased an upcoming boxy off-roader in much the same vein as the Denza B5. Teased in concept form at last year’s Shanghai Motor Show, the upcoming Geely Battleship 700 as it’s known in China wasn’t shown in production form at Beijing.Instead, the brand showed off its new off-road platform which will underpin this, as well as other off-road vehicles into the future.The new platform has several key elements. Firstly it places a large battery pack between the front and rear axles and frame rails, leaving no room for a mechanical propshaft connection. This means the platform will work more like the Denza B5 or BYD Shark 6 than GWM’s Tank 500 or Cannon Alpha.Geely says this design also helps strike a balance between off-road capability and urban comfort, thanks to this layout maximising cabin and cargo space, as well as having crash safety benefits.In addition, the platform is equipped with a combustion engine mated to a hybrid transmission driving the front axle, with dual electric motors driving the rear axle. Geely says this system can support up to 1000 horsepower (745kW) and features “AI-driven” torque distribution. Off-road pundits disappointed with the Shark 6’s off-road systems will be pleased to know the concept was also equipped with a rear differential lock.Finally, the brand also revealed its EVA Cab, a purpose-built fully autonomous ride-hailing vehicle. Taking the form-factor of a people mover, Geely says this concept is an “industry first purpose-built robotaxi prototype.”To support a theoretical fleet of EVA Cabs, Geely said it would continue to invest in a technological ecosystem, which includes a Geely-owned and operated satellite constellation, a “world-first full-stack AI model for the automotive industry” and a new onboard AI assistant, which will also debut on Zeekr’s range of passenger cars in the near future.Other curious from Geely’s stand included its new i-HEV plugless hybrid system, which will debut on the updated Preface sedan and Monjaro mid-size SUV.This system, claimed to be one of the most efficient engines in the world with a 48.4 per cent thermal efficiency, can be paired with either a 1.5- or 2.0-litre engine with or without turbocharging. The hybrid transmission these engines are paired with use new-generation electric motors which can provide up to 230kW of power and up to 80 per cent electric drive.The brand says it has certified fuel consumption as low as 2.22L/100km in test conditions, but will use less than 4L/100km in the Preface sedan, and less than 5L/100km in the Monjaro SUV.Expect to learn more about Geely’s roll-out plans in Australia for these technologies, with the brand gearing up for an expansive model roll-out for the rest of 2026 and throughout 2027.

The Chinese domestic version of the Atto 3, dubbed the Yuan Plus, will debut at the Beijing Motor Show later this week, and the company has now shared some core details after its completely overhauled interior was leaked recently.The new-generation car grows significantly in dimensions, from 4455mm long to 4665mm long, essentially making it closer to a mid-size SUV than a small one. It is also taller and wider, with a longer wheelbase than before.Many more significant changes are hidden beneath, swapping from a front-drive architecture to a rear-wheel drive one, with a more powerful motor and larger batteries than before.Its newly-upgraded electrical architecture allows the car to be compatible with BYD’s much-anticipated new ‘flash charging’ technology, which the brand says allows it to charge from 10 - 70 per cent in five minutes.It also gets two new battery sizes, either a 57.54kWh unit or a 68.55kWh unit (up from the current 50kWh and 60kWh options) with correspondingly higher driving range (either 540km or 630km compared to the current 410km/430km).Design-wise the new-generation car shares some of its motifs with the newer Sealion 8, with new wheel designs and sunken doorhandles, while maintaining the overall visage of BYD’s ‘Dynasty’ design language. The leaked interior shows an even deeper departure, debuting a new two-spoke steering wheel, larger non-rotating touchscreen panel, new digital dash and a more minimalistic approach to the cabin overall. It swaps the dumbbell vent designs for more traditional slot-type ones, while even the doorhandles are more traditional.Although this completely new-generation offering may seem like a good fit for our market, to capitalise on BYD’s exploding electric vehicle popularity, CarsGuide understands it is more likely we will instead receive a more heavily updated version of the current Atto 3, which has just debuted in the UK.Dubbed the Atto 3 Evo, this deeply facelifted model shares the current car’s dimensions and overall styling, with a mild nip-and-tuck to its front and rear bumpers, but unseen changes also make this version of the car a significant departure.Underneath, it also swaps to be primarily rear-driven instead of front-wheel drive, for the first time offers an all-wheel drive variant, and also features a larger 74.8kWh battery with an 800-volt architecture.This unlocks up to 510km of driving range, and DC charging at up to 220kW, a huge improvement over the current car’s 88kW.Inside, the Atto 3 Evo also gets an overhaul, but not as dramatic as it is for the Chinese-market version.The dumbbell-style vents are maintained, as are the odd rotary doorhandles and even the guitar strings for the doorcard bottle holders, but the rest of the interior gets an upgrade, with a new steering wheel, simplified centre console, upgraded door trims, and a larger digital instrument cluster.The fellow right-hand drive UK market gets almost entirely the same line-up as in Australia, just without the Shark 6 and Sealion 8, giving the Evo a much stronger chance to head Down Under.Expect to learn more about the future of the Atto 3 and more details on BYD’s future plans at the Beijing Motor Show imminently.

Zeekr is well and truly on the map after a slow start in Australia, largely thanks to its award-winning 7X , and the premium arm of Geely is no doubt hoping to double down on that success with its next product, the 8X.The 8X is an upper mid-sized luxury SUV that leans more into the grandiose styling of the 009 people mover than the futuristic and sleek 7X.With lofty ambitions and impressive specs, expect the Zeekr 8X to take aim at five-seat SUV rivals like the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q8, and Lexus RX, but perhaps not at the same lofty price points.With Zeekr keen to capitalise on the success of the 7X, does the 8X deserve the same hype? Take a look at what we know so far.How big is the Zeekr 8X and what will it compete with?The Zeekr 8X is a large five-seat SUV. It measures 5100mm long, 1998mm wide and 1780mm tall. This makes it slightly larger than a Range Rover Sport, Lexus RX, or Audi Q8, and firmly in the large SUV category with five seats.In Zeekr’s range it will sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X, but below the flagship three-row 9X. It forms part of a larger trend of big luxury SUVs launching from Chinese brands. Other options in this space include the Denza B5 and Jaecoo J8, but expect to see more before long.The 8X will move Zeekr into hybrid territorySo far, Zeekr’s offerings in Australia have been purely electric, including the X small SUV, 009 people mover and the 7X mid-sizer.The 8X is unique in the range thanks to its headline-grabbing plug-in hybrid set-up.Pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (205kW/410Nm) to dual electric motors on each axle, Zeekr claims the standard versions of the 8X produce a combined 660kW/935Nm and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds, making it faster and more powerful than the equivalent PHEV versions of the Range Rover Sport and Audi Q8.That’s not to mention the tri-motor flagship performance version, which produces a combined 1030kW/1410Nm thanks to double the output on the rear axle, allowing an even lower 0-100km/h sprint time of just three seconds.In addition, the 8X is equipped with either a 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allowing ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range respectively (according to China's lenient CLTC testing procedure).Expect a pricey SUV, but it will still represent solid value compared to rivalsWe don’t know which variants of the 8X will land in Australia at this stage, nor do we know how much the large SUV will cost. We can speculate, however, based on information we know.Expect it to start north of the 7X, which currently ranges from $57,900 before on-road costs for the most affordable base variant, to $72,900 for the top-spec Performance grade.It could be significantly more expensive, too. For reference, the Chinese-market 8X starts from the equivalent of A$77,420, stretching to the equivalent of A$106,183, suggesting starting prices locally north of $90,000 for an entry-level 55kWh dual-motor version.This would well and truly move Zeekr into premium pricing territory, but even then, with at least double the electric driving range and double the power of its most direct rivals from Europe and Japan, there’s an argument for value.The new styling comes with new featuresThe 8X moves Zeekr’s interior design up a notch, with a plush leather-clad interior covered in digital tech.The digital instrument cluster measures 13.02-inches, while there are dual screens spanning the centre and passenger side of the dash for the multimedia functions.It features a 44-inch holographic head-up display for the driver, and an 8.0-inch screen on the centre console for adjustment of rear climate features and seat controls. Some variants are also equipped with a roof-mounted 17-inch rear entertainment screen.Wheels are enormous, measuring from 20- to 22-inches, and the rear seats have electronic adjustment with footrests on the outboard positions. It also has a 9.5-litre drawer, which can either be a heating compartment or refrigerator, with a range between -6 degrees and 50 degrees.It is due in Australia during 2027 and is expected to be the brand’s next big volume sellerSpeaking to CarsGuide recently, the brand’s local Managing Director Frank Li said the 8X would be one of a slew of new models headed to our market in 2027, which is also set to include the Euro-flavoured 7GT electric station wagon and 9X flagship three-row SUV.He said the local division hadn’t received confirmation on when each of these new cars will arrive and in what order, but brands like Zeekr are quick to move on right-hand drive production once the Australian arm locks in its business case.Plus, Australia has been earmarked as an important stepping stone for Zeekr’s global ambitions.At any rate, we expect to learn more imminently, as the brand is expected to make more announcements around the Beijing Motor Show at the end of April.

If there’s one thing you can’t complain about in 2026 it’s a lack of affordable electric vehicles. There are now plenty of zero-emissions options and they’re not the kind of short-range hatchbacks you might be imagining either.Cars like the Leapmotor B10 we’re testing here are cleverly-sized small SUVs with all the ingredients to set them up for success (and to keep away those ever-higher fuel bills).There are also options in this class and at this price-point from BYD, Chery and Jaecoo. But what sets this Leapmotor apart? Let’s take a look.For this review we’ve got a top-spec Leapmotor B10 Design. To get into one of these, you’re looking at a before on-roads cost of $40,888, which puts it in a similar league to the BYD Atto 3, Chery E5, Jaecoo J5 and MG S5.All of these rivals land in a very close price radius, with most of them being more affordable than our top-spec Leapmotor, but one key difference is its significant driving range.At a WLTP-certified 434km from its 67.1kWh battery pack, it should out-drive the Chery E5 (430km), Atto 3 (345km), and Jaecoo J5 (402km) to the same measure, and you’ll have to spend several thousand dollars more to get into the longer range versions of the Atto 3 or MG S5, at which point you may as well buy a Geely EX5 or GAC Aion V which have more range and are in a full size-category up.So, in some ways, the B10 Design is the ideal blend of spec, price and driving range in this entry-level part of the market.Like all Chinese cars, this Leapmotor small SUV is value-packed with highlights of its spec including generous synthetic leather interior trim, heated and ventilated seats, a 12-speaker audio system, panoramic sunroof (with powered shade, no less!), a 14.6-inch central multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Most importantly (aside from the aforementioned driving range) the brand has responded to negative feedback on the safety suite of its larger C10 SUV by adding a custom settings shortcut to the steering wheel of the B10, allowing you to pre-set a driving profile and activate it with the double-tap of a button.It’s also very much right-sized for city slickers. It’s a small SUV which is narrow enough to dart down laneways and easily fit in parking lots, with a big enough interior space for a growing family. At 182cm tall, I fit comfortably in all five seating positions.Drawbacks? There’s no key? More accurately, the brand expects you to use your phone as the key, with the only back-up being a credit card thing.You tap it on the mirror to unlock, and have to place it on the wireless phone charger to start the car. It’s weird and annoying and makes me wonder what would be so hard about having an actual remote with buttons.On the topic of buttons, the B10 hardly has any on the inside for controlling key functions. Almost everything has to be done through the central screen which is inconvenient at best and dangerous while you're trying to drive at worst.In addition, the strange flip-down cupholders are useless for holding anything which isn’t the right-sized bottle. So, get used to putting things in the armrest box or listening to them slide around in the tray below.For a car so focused on software, what’s on offer here is only just fine. It’s better than some of its rivals in that the menus and shortcuts are at least logically located, but it’s never fun scrolling through menus to find a setting which should have been a button in the first place.And the Leapmotor B10 drives surprisingly well. Like other cars in this class it’s got soft and spongy suspension, which makes it very comfortable but means it lacks body control in the corners. It’s not as overtly soft as the GAC Aion UT I drove recently, so there’s at least something to be said for it in the handling department. Doubly so, since the B10 is rear-wheel drive - an oddity in this small SUV segment.The steering is heavily electrically assisted and very light as a result, although it maintains a bit of feel to the front wheels.I’m sorry to report its rear-driven nature doesn’t exactly make it feel like a sports car. Cleverly-tuned traction systems make sure the 160kW/240Nm is strong but not wild enough to overwhelm the LingLong factory tyres.Sporty machine, this is not, but I walked away relatively impressed with how quiet, comfortable, and smooth it is. With the car set to my custom safety settings, it has no dealbreakers from behind the wheel.I drove mine in mainly commuter scenarios and beat the official energy consumption handily. My car was reporting an amazing 12.7kWh/100km in my travels. When I subtract the distance I travelled from the remaining range it landed at about 480km which is a lot more than the WLTP 434km official figure.Confusing things further, the trip computer has two methods for calculating range, static or dynamic, and both were way off. The static one reported the less accurate NEDC range pro-rata, and the dynamic computer consistently and drastically underestimated the remaining range. Very strange.This longer-range version of the B10 can charge at a maximum speed of 168kW on a fast DC charger which is plenty. Officially the charge time is around half an hour, and on a 75kW unit, mine charged from 10-90 per cent in around 40 minutes.

GWM’s Haval SUV division has officially named its new boxy flagship off-road SUV ahead of its public debut at next week's Beijing Motor Show.Now called the GWM Haval H10, more details have come to light about the model thanks to its filing with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.These details confirm the H10 will be available with two plug-in hybrid powertrains based on either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine. EV driving range sits at around 180km on the more lenient CLTC cycle.In addition, the H10 will be available in two lengths; 5138mm long for the five-seat version or 5299mm long for a three-row six-seater, with additional space added to the very rear of the SUV’s body rather than an increase in wheelbase.Some off-road specs have also appeared, with the boxy off-roader having an approach angle of 24 degrees and departure angle of 30 degrees for the five-seater version.This new large SUV will ride on the brand’s new 'GWM One' platform, which also underpins the incoming Wey V9X luxury SUV and the as-yet-unseen Tank 900 to round out the company’s three main passenger car brands.While trim-by-trim specs are yet to be revealed, expect this new SUV to use an 800-volt battery architecture for ultra-rapid chargingWhile the H10 may look like a stark departure from the Haval SUVs available in Australia, it builds on the blocky appearance of other models offered in China like the H5 mid-sizer, H9 large SUV and Raptor off-roader.GWM’s local division has said the Haval brand is aimed more at the passenger car side of the market, with some models, like the Raptor or H9 likely having too much crossover with the Tank range to make sense locally.This could mean the H10 may never see Australian shores, with more likely GWM One candidates being the V9X as a luxury flagship, or the Tank 900 as the brand’s most aspirational and capable off-roader.Expect to learn more about GWM’s future new model plans for the Australian market after the Beijing Motor Show before the end of April.For now, we know the brand is planning the launch of its luxury Wey arm later in 2026, and will launch the Ora 5 small SUV to bolster its electrified offerings.The brand has also suggested its incoming 4.0-litre V8 hybrid powertrain would be the perfect fit for towing and off-roading in Australia, but the launch product for it is yet to be determined.The Haval H10 arrives to help GWM defend its reputation as one of China’s favourite off-road brands.It is facing intense competition in this boxy hybrid 4x4 space from the likes of the Denza B5 and B8, Chery with its Jetour range and upcoming diesel hybrid ute as well as new offerings from Geely and GAC which have been teased in recent weeks.

Nissan has teased a new off-road SUV to be built in China as a new global model, essentially confirming an SUV version of its well-received Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute.

Polestar has confirmed pricing for its updated Polestar 2 liftback, now with more driving range and various hardware upgrades, however the previous entry-level Standard Range variant has been culled from the range, with starting prices jumping up as a result.The most affordable Polestar 2 is now the Long Range Single Motor, which starts from $66,400, stepping up significantly from the previous $62,400 Standard Range. See the full pricing table for the updated range below.The new Polestar 2 also faces increasingly stiff competition in the fully electric sedan and liftback segment, with the introduction of the keenly priced Mazda 6e and Kia EV4 (both from $49,990) joining its traditional rivals like the Tesla Model 3 (from $54,900) and BYD Seal from ($46,990).It represents a move into more premium territory, which Polestar has been telegraphing for its range for some time.This version of the Polestar 2 is the third update the model has received since its original launch, and the second minor range tweak with the current styling. A new-generation car said to be a significant overhaul due in 2027.2027 Polestar 2 priceThe Polestar 2 range consists of three variants, all of which share the same 82kWh battery, with the grades separated primarily by driven wheels and power outputs.2027 Polestar 2 powertrain and efficiencyThese model year updates to the Polestar 2 do not include significant changes to power output compared to the previous version of the car, aside from the slightly less powerful Standard Range being culled from the line-up. As the Polestar 2 is now only equipped with the Long Range battery, it has significantly longer range than many of the entry-level versions of its rivals.2027 Polestar 2 standard featuresThe base Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor comes equipped with:19-inch alloy wheelsLED headlights with auto high-beams12.3-inch digital instrument cluster11.2-inch central multimedia touchscreenAndroid Automotive operating system with OTA services and updates including Google Maps, Assistant, Spotify, YouTube, Waze, Internet Browser, Tidal, TuneIn radio and Prime VideoPolestar connect phone applicationWired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity250W eight-speaker audio systemTextile interior trimFront seat heatingKeyless entryPower tailgateHeated auto-folding auto dimming wing mirrorsRain sensing wipersDual-zone climateAmbient interior lighting360-degree parking cameraBlind spot monitoringRear cross traffic alertRear collision warning with auto brakingThe mid-grade Long Range Dual Motor addsSecond motor on front axleThe top-spec Performance adds20-inch Performance forged alloy wheels with Continental SportContact 6 tyresPerformance software upgradeOhlins adjustable dual-flow dampersBrembo brake packagePixel LED headlights‘MicroTech’ Charcoal interior trim with ‘Black Ash’ interior detailingGold accents for brake calipers, seatbelts, and valve capsPanoramic fixed sunroof600W Harmon Kardon 13-speaker premium Audio systemElectrically adjustable front seatsUpgraded ambient interior lightingLED fog lightsFoot sensor for the power tailgateAir quality sensorSmartphone digital keyUpgraded “lid-in-lid” boot lining2027 Polestar 2 optional featuresAs with previous iterations of the Polestar 2, there are a range of option packs which can significantly change the car, including the Plus Pack, Climate Pack and Pro Pack. The previous Pilot Pack which included additional safety equipment is standard on all Australian-delivered vehicles.The Plus pack ($4700 - included on Performance grade) adds:600W 13-speaker Harmon Kardon Audio systemPanoramic fixed sunroofMicroTech interior trim in Charcoal with Black Ash highlightsFully electrically adjustable front seatsUpgraded ambient interior lightingAir quality sensorDigital key via phone appLED fog lightsKick sensor for power tailgateUpgraded “lid-in-lid” boot liningThe Climate pack ($1500) adds:Heat pumpHeated rear seatsHeated steering wheelHeated wiper nozzlesThe Pro pack ($1900) adds:20-inch alloy wheelsGold and black contrast seat belt trimGold valve capsIn addition some items can be optioned separately, including:Pixel LED headlights ($1600)24 months of additional connected services ($340)Privacy glass ($500)Animal welfare leather trim with Zinc (white) with light ash interior trim ($4800)Animal welfare leather trim in Charcoal (black) with light ash interior trim ($4400)2027 Polestar 2 coloursThe Polestar 2 is available in six exterior colours, including two greys, beige, blue, white, and black. Only the base grey colour is included, with other colours costing $1500 aside from the pearl-effect white option, which costs $1800.2027 Polestar 2 safetyDespite once keeping safety features as part of an optional package, the Pilot Pack is now included on all Polestar 2s delivered to AustraliaAs such, safety kit across the range includes:Auto emergency brakingLane keep assist with lane departure warningBlind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alertRear auto brakingAdaptive cruise controlTraffic sign recognitionDriver attention alertAcoustic alert360-degree parking cameraAuto dimming mirrorsThe Polestar 2 is equipped with eight airbags and is rated a maximum ANCAP five-stars based on a test of the pre-facelift car in 2021.2027 Polestar 2 warranty and servicingThe Polestar 2 is covered by a five year and unlimited kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assist.Servicing is required only once every two years or 30,000km.2027 Polestar 2 dimensionsAll variants of the Polestar 2 measure 4606mm long, 1859mm wide, and 1477mm tall. It has a 2735mm wheelbase and has a 151mm ground clearance.The boot measures 407-litres with the second row up, or 1097L with the second row down. The Polestar 2 can tow 1500kg braked or 750kg unbraked.