Hatchback News

Consigned to the history books when production for Australia ceased in 2017, it looks like Mitsubishi could breathe life into the Lancer badge again with a new electric car. Meanwhile, Montero was the Pajero’s name in the United States and Latin America as ‘pajero’ is a derogatory term in Spanish. New patent filings in the US (following Mitsubishi’s renewed interest in the market after strong sales), suggest the Lancer Sportback and Montero (Pajero) names could return.Don’t expect another Lancer Evolution, or necessarily a direct Pajero/Montero replacement. The Eclipse Cross was, after all, a decent small SUV but a rather mediocre tribute to the nameplate’s sporting heritage. Though there were no passenger cars previewed in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 teaser, the Lancer Sportback name could apply to one of the smaller SUVs pictured in the shadowy line-up.If the Lancer Sportback does come to fruition, it’s to do so as an electric car. With Mitsubishi and Nissan’s alliance partnership, there are rumours a 10th-gen Lancer could share a platform with the next-generation Leaf. First, though, the name will have to get past the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as the trademark was initially rejected in the country. Mitsubishi has since appealed. Next up it is the Montero nameplate, also recently patented in the United States. Rumours of a new Pajero as a halo for the brand have been running for a number of years now with the nameplate being retired following the closure of Mitsubishi's Sakahogi plant in March 2021.The most plausible option for the new Pajero is a platform shared with Nissan’s ‘Y63’ Patrol, which will be based heavily on the Infiniti QX80. Expect Mitsubishi’s take to be differentiated, potentially by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.Far from ignoring and dispelling rumours, Mitsubishi executives in Australia and Japan have gone on record saying they would love to see the Pajero again."I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product."For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here,” local CEO Shaun Westcott previously told CarsGuide. Along with the newly stoked Montero/Pajero and Lancer rumours, Mitsubishi is facing a large-scale product renewal in the coming years. A new pick-up truck larger than the Triton for the United States, potentially a global Delica off-road van, hardcore Outlander and more are expected.

Petrol cars are making a comeback in Europe as electric sales fall taking Teslas Model Y down

The cost of electric cars is coming down at last and it’s happening fast, too, with big brands slashing prices.

Alpine revives Renault Sport spirit with A290

Booming Chinese car brand BYD has slashed the price of its most affordable electric car.The Dolphin small hatchback is now $2000 cheaper, with prices starting at $38,890 (before on-road costs) for the base Dynamic and $42,890 for the Premium.Despite the price cut, the Dolphin has not regained its crown as the cheapest EV on sale in Australia. That title belongs to the GWM Ora, which is priced at $35,990 drive-away.The price cut follows the larger BYD Atto 3 scoring a $3000-plus price haircut last week, despite being an upgraded model with more standard equipment.The Dolphin Dynamic doesn't make the most compelling case on paper with its single electric motor making just 70kW and 180Nm and it's fed by a little 44.9kWh battery that delivers a driving range of up to 340km.The Premium peaks the interest a little more with a larger 60.5kWh battery powering a more potent 150kW and 310Nm electric motor. Driving range is boosted to 427km.They aren’t the fastest-charging EVs on sale: the Dynamic can absorb just 60kW and the Premium 80kW. This means they can both replenish their batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.Its stats are in line with the GWM Ora, but both are left in the dust by the more capable and expensive MG4 hatchback.The BYD Dolphin has been the slowest seller in the brand's line-up as buyers gravitate towards the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal sedan and the Atto3 compact SUV.BYD’s local importer, EV Direct, has declared there is some interest in bringing in an even cheaper model to sit under the Dolphin.That model is called either Seagull or Dolphin Mini in other markets, and EV Direct CEO David Smitherman previously told CarsGuide the company is looking to expand its range and that cheapie could be on the cards.“So, I've had a look at that car… and it's actually a really good proposition,” he said. “And it's actually bigger than you think. It's sub-Dolphin, but it's got the latest tech. It's a good size vehicle.“But I am not confirming that it's coming to us right now.“We're certainly wanting to grow the portfolio. Our intention is to broaden the product offering, but that it will just take time.”Australia is in the grip of an electric car price war as more and more carmakers are vying for a shrinking pool of new EV buyers.Peugeot cut the price of its e-2008 small electric SUV by more than $20,000 to $39,990 drive-away. Only a few days later the company had sold all its remaining stock and the car won’t be on sale until the updated version arrives early next year.Tesla has slashed the price of its Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan several times since the start of April to $55,900 (before on-road costs) and $54,900 respectively.An entry-level Model Y was $65,400, and the same Model 3 was $61,900 - meaning a $9,500 discount on the Model Y and a $7000 saving on the Model 3.Ford's Mustang Mach-E electric SUV range is between $7000 and $8000 cheaper after recent price cuts.Ford already lopped up to $7000 off the Mach-E before it went on sale in December last year.Established carmakers are now preparing to roll out an array of cheap, small EVs targeted at the everyday driver.Volkswagen is the latest brand to confirm it’ll build a circa-$30,000 EV with its coming ID.1 hatchback.That price puts it in the same ballpark as an entry-level Mazda3 or a fully-loaded Mazda2.Jeep and Citroen are rolling out little EVs at a similar price and Kia will launch the EV3 small electric SUV in Australia next month.Kia and Hyundai both have mini EV SUVs in the works with the EV2 and Inster.

A short 15 years ago, the Hyundai Getz was available for as little as $12,990 drive-away, but the cheap end of the new-car market has nearly evaporated today. 

One of the most affordable and popular seven-seat family SUVs available in Australia is about to be pulled from the market.

Australia’s most affordable new car has gone through a dramatic makeover.The new MG3 hatchback features a fresh design, oodles of safety tech, an updated cabin and the choice of hybrid power.Those updates don’t come cheap and the MG3 loses its crown as Australia’s cheapest new car with prices now starting at $23,990 (before on-road costs), which is a significant jump over the outgoing model’s $18,990 drive-away starting point.MG Australia boss Peter Ciao, said the new MG3 updates were significant.“The MG3 has been redesigned from the ground up and sets a new standard for hybrid and small petrol vehicles in Australia. MG has brought together a brilliant mix of affordability, range and quality for Australian drivers in the all-new MG3 range,” said Ciao.The MG3 comes with the choice of two engines: a 81kW/142Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a hybrid set-up that uses the same petrol engine combined with an electric motor to make 155kW. No combined torque figure is provided for the hybrid.Petrol versions use a CVT automatic and the hybrid uses what MG calls a “Hybrid Transmission”.The hybrid set-up cuts fuel use from 6.0L/100km in the petrol-only versions to a miserly 4.3L/100km.For comparison the MG3 Hybrid’s main rival is the Toyota Yaris, which drinks a claimed 3.3L/100km and its hybrid tech makes a combined 85kW and 141Nm. The Yaris is significantly more expensive than the MG3, though.Petrol and hybrid models are available in two trim grades: Excite and Essence.The MG3 petrol Excite is priced from $23,990, adding hybrid power costs an extra $4000.Essence petrol buyers can expect to pay from $25,990, and hybrid power ups the price to $29,990. The biggest change to the new MG3 is the inclusion of a wide range of active safety tech as standard across the range.The outgoing MG3 had none, but the new version has auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane keep assist.All MG3s have 16-inch alloy wheels. Petrol versions have a space saver spare, but the hybrid makes do with a tyre repair kit.Excite variants have halogen lights, cloth seats, a synthetic leather wrapped steering wheel and a mix of cloth and synthetic leather trims on the doors and centre console.The Essence grade boosts this with synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, leather steering wheel and LED headlights.They also have a sunroof, rain sensing wipers, keyless entry, sat nav and digital radio that the Excite dies without.Every MG3 has a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is paired with a 7.0-inch digital driver display. 

A quick look at your local supermarket car park reveals that Chinese automotive brands have well and truly become mainstream in Australia.

Fiat has confirmed a hybrid version of the 500e electric car will be released in 2026 following slower than expected sales of the EV at home and abroad.The new hybrid city car, to be known as the 500e Ibrida, will be produced at Turin’s Mirafiori plant alongside the existing electric car.Unsurprisingly, there are political reasons surrounding the decision with a need to keep Fiat's Mirafiori plant flowing with production for the local market. Last year, only 64,244 500es found homes in Europe compared to 108,943 combustion models (which are built in Poland).To satiate some of this demand, the 500e Ibrida will use a 1.0-litre mild-hybrid three-cylinder ‘FireFly’ petrol engine as found in the Fiat Panda that develops 51kW and 92Nm.The new car will use the same platform as the 500e which is not the bespoke STLA small platform but an electric capable version of the Alfa MiTo’s SCCS architecture.The 500e hybrid will be highly Italian with its engine produced in Termoli, the exhaust in Napoli and gearbox at its home Mirafiori plant.“Italy serves as our foundation, our driving force and our future”, says CEO Olivier Francois.“And Mirafiori is one of our engines which represents Italy, its people, its values, its pride and the 500.“But today, 90 per cent of Mirafiori production goes abroad. To increase the number of 500s on the road in Italy and to answer the Italian customers, we have decided to produce the new 500 Ibrida”, he added.Naturally, the hybrid 500e will cost less than its electric counterpart which is dear in Australia at $52,500 for the La Prima. No Australian plans have been announced for the 500e Ibrida but it would be a unique option alongside the Kia Picanto, Suzuki Swift and MG3.The previous-gen combustion Fiat 500 is currently built at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland to satisfy the more affordable end of the European and overseas markets. It is understood this plant is where Leapmotor affordable electric cars will be built in the future.The Fiat 500 – that launched in 2008 on the Fiat Mini platform – won’t end its life just yet, though, with production expected to move to Algeria.