Articles by Tom White

Ford has long suggested the future of its iconic Mustang muscle car would be hybridisation rather than electrification.A new report from Ford Authority, quotes “sources familiar with the matter” who said the current-generation S650 Mustang, which launched in Australia earlier this year, was in the process of being tested with a hybrid drivetrain.According to the report, a version of the S650 is already in testing what is referred to as a “Technology Prove-Out stage”, which means test mules are out on the roads in the US.Ford’s outspoken CEO, Jim Farley, has said the brand “will never make an all-electric Mustang” as long as it was able, although has hinted that hybrid power could be the right solution for more performance-oriented vehicles into the future.“I don’t know about 10 years from now, but for the 10 years we’re in now, a partial electrification is the perfect solution for high-performance customers” he said. “There’s going to be lots of grey degrees of partial electrification that’s still good for the planet."“You can still have that emotional experience. I think that’s where we’re going to be for a while.”He noted that those looking for an electrified take on the Mustang already have that demand fulfilled by the Mach-E coupe SUV.The company is yet to be any more specific on what the hybrid Mustang would look like, although many outlets have suggested it will be a plugless or self-charging hybrid model adding electric motors into the mix, possibly even adding all-wheel drive.In comparison, its closest rival on its American home turf is the Dodge Charger, which is either powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six engine, or fully electric power via dual traction motors on the front and rear axle. The Charger is also available in either two- or four-door form, as it is also the successor to the previous two-door-only Challenger. Ford has notably not ruled out a four-door Mustang.When will we find out more? According to Automotive News Ford is due to facelift the current S650 Mustang in late 2026, with a full model redesign due in 2029. Farley suggested combustion power will remain in the Mustang nameplate well into the 2030s, telling media the brand would keep building V8s “as long as God and the politicians let us”.Under Farley’s leadership Ford has effectively split its most famous nameplates into sub-brands. Mustang features the iconic combustion coupe and now the electric SUV, while an expansive range of Maverick monocoque utes has proliferated, including a successful plug-in hybrid.The Bronco marque of Jeep-style off-road SUVs has also found success overseas, while the brand plans to roll out a range of what it says will be revolutionary affordable vehicles on its recently-announced low-cost universal EV platform. It will spawn a small EV ute first, and is expected to expand to SUVs in a range of sizes.

According to a new report from Autocar, which quotes industry insiders, Mercedes won’t be discontinuing its affordable range of A-Class hatchbacks when the current model ends production.As part of a wider reversal of electric-only plans by Europe’s automakers, a new A-Class hatch will be built on the same new MMA platform, which underpins the upcoming CLA sedan that was revealed in March of 2025, and is due in Australia in 2026.It was previously thought the A-Class hatch would be discontinued purely in favour of a GLA replacement based on the CLA, as the brand had aspirations to head more upmarket, chasing profitability over its more mainstream range of cars.However, these plans appear to have been reversed as Mercedes (among other European automakers) face multiple challenges both when it comes to electrification, and the threat of new China-based manufacturers challenging them on their own home turf and abroad.The MMA platform, which is said to be electric-first, will also be key to the model, as it offers both electric and hybrid drivetrain options (as opposed to a dedicated EV platform), which will broaden the model’s appeal.Locally, the A-Class is Mercedes’ most attainable model starting at $57,500 (A200) and remains a reasonable seller for the brand, moving 1329 units so far and only outranked by its GLA small, GLC mid-size and GLE large SUVs.The hatchback is down 12 per cent in an environment where Mercedes is up 14 per cent year-on-year.The brand’s expansive range of electric offerings in Australia only count for a few hundred units each, which may be of concern for the brand which is facing stiff competition not just from BMW and its well executed EV strategy and an almost entirely new line-up from Audi, but also new challengers in the form of Zeekr and Denza, the latter from BYD is due before the end of the year.While nothing is known about the A-Class replacement so far, don’t expect it to stray too far from the comparatively conservative design of the recently-revealed CLA sedan, as Mercedes seemingly doubles down on its current design direction. The CLA is slightly larger in every dimension than its predecessor, so expect that to continue, while larger screens adorn the interior.The fully electric CLA features an 800-volt architecture with a long driving range (up to 792km) from an 85kWh battery, with a 200kW/335Nm rear-mounted motor in the RWD version, with an additional 80kW on the front axle for total outputs of 260kW/515Nm in the all-wheel drive version.Meanwhile the hybrid version features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, driving either the front or all four wheels.Stay tuned for more on Mercedes MMA-based roll-out plans in the near future.

Australians have a "strange love" for big wheels and option packs, according to Audi executives - and Ingolstadt is taking notice.

Chery's latest offering ticks a lot of boxes, but here's why it might not be the brand's strongest offering.

How this Korean brand plans to out-hybrid Chinese off-roaders

How this Japanese company is innovating on current battery technology to bring more range to EVs sooner.

Meet Geely's three-row plug-in hybrid SUV which is over five meters long!

Nissan Leaf production reportedly impacted by battery shortages ahead of its international roll-out.

Haval's Subaru-rivalling H7 soft-roader gets a significant upgrade overseas despite only just launching in Australia.

Leapmotor's upcoming large three-row SUV breaks cover in China - but will it change the brand's fortunes in Australia.