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The Toyota Celica could be revived with a hybrid set-up.The Celica revival project at Toyota began in 2024, when it was announced by now former Vice President Yuki Nakajima. It has now been confirmed the car is likely to utilise a hybrid set-up, which could be either plug-less or plug-in, and it will have four-wheel drive, according to UK publication Autocar.It has been rumoured this hybrid set-up could deliver a whopping 300kW.Gazoo Racing marketing manager Mikio Hayashi said there are still many variables at play as the Celica crawls towards launch.“The displacement size of 1.6 litres , for example, cannot meet emission regulations. So we have to consider the possibility of a 2.0-litre,” Hayashi told AutoCar."We are thinking about various sizes, but we are not at a stage where we can tell you exactly what size it is. Nothing has been decided yet about whether it will be a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid.”It seems like the 2.0-litre engine could be winning the race at the moment, with progress being made according to Hayashi. “We are continuing to develop that. We have high expectations,” he said. "We cannot point to a timeline but can say we are making steady progress.”The news comes after Toyota’s potential entrant for the 2027 World Rally Championship was spotted undergoing testing, featuring in a Celica-style shape. This appears to be a clear indication of the brand moving away from the GR Yaris for its rallying competition.It also improves the chances we will see the return of two iconic Toyota names, with the MR2 also seemingly nearing a return. The brand has filed intellectual property filings in both Australia and Japan for ‘MR2’ and ‘GR MR2’, respectively. It has been confirmed this car will also feature a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol hybrid all-wheel drive set-up and is rumoured to produce 370kW and 550Nm.Despite these details, it still looks like the Celica and the MR2 remain several years away from production.

An incoming Chinese brand says legacy car makers in Australia have been taking their customers for granted, creating the window for China's car makers to scoop up new customers. 

Toyota has taken the covers off the next version of its critically-acclaimed GR Yaris hot hatch, dubbed the Type 26.This GR Yaris upgrade will hit dealers imminently in Japan and carries with it a host of tweaks, which Toyota says come directly from the car being used in motorsport applications. CarsGuide understands this suite of upgrades will be phased into the current model later in 2026 for export markets like Australia.The 2026 versions of the car include a completely new steering wheel, which Toyota says was developed by professional race drivers. It replaces the standard steering wheel that is simply a tweaked version of the mainstream Yaris steering wheel.The upgraded version makes a special point of moving the buttons closer to the centre of the wheel to make them easier to use with less chance of accidentally pressing a in motorsport scenarios. It also separates the functions out into separate buttons and adds illumination for easier usability in a variety of scenarios. It also has an overall reduced diameter.The power steering has also been tweaked alongside changes to torsion bar rigidity for better response with high-grip tyres, under braking, and when engaging in high-load cornering. The torque detection range has also increased to add assistance when cornering.Higher grade versions of the car have also had specially-developed Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres added to the car as standard which are said to improve control, stability, and performance. Toyota said it has also made optimisation tweaks to both the front and rear shock absorbers to maximise tyre performance.In addition, seat heating and steering wheel heating can now be optionally chosen on cars when selecting the vertical parking brake interior.The Type 26 maintains the same three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (224kW/400Nm) with either a six-speed manual transmission or the GR-specific eight-speed automatic transmission. It features both front and rear limited slip differentials to go with its all-wheel drive system and BBS-developed forged aluminium wheels.The current car costs from $55,490 for the GT manual with a six-speed manual, and reaches to $62,990 for the GTS Auto.The four-seater hot hatch received its last update as recently as 2025 in Australia, where it scored an aero package and overhauled interior layout also based on driver feedback, which further diverged it from the mainline Yaris hatch.Expect more information about when the GR Yaris updates will hit Australia later in the year.

Less is more with the freshly revealed Ferrari Amalfi Spider, claims the Italian supercar-maker.That's because, by removing the Amalfi coupe's roof, you remove the barrier to one of motoring's most intoxicating experiences – the sound of a V8 roadster in full song – or at least that's what its designer told CarsGuide at the recent Ferrari roadster's official launch.Created to beat the likes of the Aston Martin Roadster, Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet and even bigger drop-tops like the Bentley Continental GTC, the true beauty of the new Amalfi Spider is with its roof up it looks identical to the drop-dead gorgeous coupe.Not an easy task, say designers, but one accomplished to such an extent in a wind tunnel the Amalfi roadster replicates the same air-bending prowess as its hardtop sibling.The Ferrari drop-top also possesses the same advanced aero that includes neat front headlamp air intakes, underbody vortex generators, large functional side skirts and larger-still rear diffuser and, its pièce de résistance, a three-stage rear spoiler.Roof up, and the Amalfi's five-layer 220mm-thick hood also offers the same sound and heat insulation as the retractable hardtop favoured by the former Portofino, bringing enhanced levels of refinement on a cruise.Lowering the ragtop at speeds of up to 60km/h is a process that takes just 13.5 seconds.Aside from shrinking luggage space from 255 litres to 172 litres – the good news continues with the promise of class-best roof down comfort.Recruiting an aerodynamicist from Ferrari's F1 team, the Amalfi rear seats' backrest raises by 90 degrees at speeds of up to 170km/h reducing buffeting and boominess other convertibles suffer with at high speed.Ferrari only refers to its latest Amalfi as a '2+', as the rear seats don't quite justify '2+2' status, with limited legroom suited only for very small kids.Not that you'd buy the entry Ferrari for doing the school run, instead you'd pick the fast supercar because of its performance and the way it rewards behind the wheel.The good news is despite the addition of an electric motor for the roof and all the extra bracing needed the kerbweight has only increased by 86kg to a still lithe 1556kg without fluids.Mounted mid-ship under the bonnet is the coupe's sublime twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 that produces an identical 471kW of power and a thumping 760Nm of torque.Off the line, with only the modest increase in mass, Ferrari claims the roofless version of the coupe matches the 3.3 seconds the standard coupe takes to launch from 0-100km/h.Top speed remains a very blustery 320km/h.Coping with a slight change in weight distribution from 50:50 to 48:52, engineers have given the Amalfi Spider new springs and dampers that help it dynamically match the fine ride/handling balance as the coupe.Ensuring it should be fun behind the wheel the Ferrari scores the same ABS Evo brake-by-wire braking, advanced 6D sensors and latest 6.1 version of its Side Slip Control (SSC) that have all been honed by the carmaker's F80 hypercar and should ensure it will be fast, engaging and prove wildly entertaining behind the wheel.Speaking of which, like the coupe unveiled back in 2025 the new Amalfi Spider comes with a new steering wheel design that brings back physical buttons and features an anodised aluminium start button.Within there's also a large 15.6-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch multimedia screen and further 8.8-inch display that can broadcast the g-force, revs and high speeds to your terrified passenger, with all three working with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.Offered with three different comfort seats tailored to your size, the new pews come with 10 different air chambers and provide for a massage function.There's even the option of a powerful 14-speaker 1200-watt Burmester sound system should you ever tire of the twin-turbo V8 soundtrack.Set to land in Australia in around quarter three (July-Sept) of 2027, the Ferrari Amalfi Spider is likely to command a price premium of around $70,000 over the already-hefty $503,261 (before on-road costs) charged for the coupe version.That means it will command a significant premium over the two-seat Aston Martin Vantage Roadster ($435,000) and the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible ($452,670) but could be priced on par with the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet that is yet to be costed for our market.

V8 engines in Australia have been on the decline with increasingly stringent emissions requirements and changes in production and demand.It has seen the recent departure of V8 favourites such as the 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel found in the Toyota LandCruiser.The options are continuing to fade with the next-generation Nissan Patrol ditching its 5.6-litre diesel V8, in favour of a twin-turbo six-cylinder set-up.For those wondering though, here are all the new cars still on sale in 2026 with a V8 engine.  Aston Martin  Aston Martin uses the Mercedes-AMG tuned 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 across most of its range. This includes the Vantage coupe and convertible models, producing 489kW and 800Nm. The engine is also found in the DB12, which is a V8-exclusive model. Previous DB generations have had the 5.9-litre V12, such as the DB9 and DB11.The DB12’s V8 produces slightly more power than the Vantage at 500kW, and has the same 800Nm.Aston Martin’s DBX SUV is the other model to house a V8 engine, which produces 405kW and 700Nm. The juiced up DBX 707 has 520kW and 700Nm. Audi Audi has a petrol V8 in four models, across both its sedan and SUV range. The top-spec limited edition RS6 Avant GT is the most expensive Audi model on sale in Australia, starting from nearly $400,000 (before on-road costs), although even the regular RS6 is a smidge over $250,000.Its 4.0-litre V8 engine produces 463kW and 850Nm, which is the same as in the related RS7.The standard versions of the SQ7 and SQ8 SUVs have lesser power outputs at 441kW/800Nm, while the range-topping RSQ8 Performance produces 471kW/850Nm.  FordFord has three V8 models on sale for its Mustang GT sports car, which all employ 5.0-litre unit, producing up to 347kW and 550Nm.  Bentley  The Flying Spur and Continental GT luxury grand tourers both have V8 power, with the Continental GT, a V8-exclusive. Bentley’s VW-group sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been given some hybrid assistance in the top-end version of the Continental GT, boosting performance to 575kW and 1000Nm.The ultra high-end Bentayga SUV meanwhile shares its powerplant with the aforementioned Audi models, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo without plug-in assistance producing 478kW/850Nm.BMWBMW has one V8 petrol engine which features in five models on sale in Australia. The M5 adds a plug-in hybrid set-up to its V8, producing 535kW and 1000Nm. The M8 uses the same 4.4-litre engine, but it does not have an electrification, so it 'only' produces 460kW and 750Nm. This V8 is also found in several performance-oriented SUVs from BMW’s line-up, such as the X5, X6 and X7, as well as the full-size XM, which also employs a plug-in hybrid set-up. It was recently reported BMW has plans to continue its production of V8 engines in the carmaker’s Hams Hall facility in the United Kingdom, with North American demand continuing to be strong despite emissions laws closing in around the world. Mercedes-Benz The 4.0-litre V8 engine continues to be available on several Mercedes-Benz models, such as its luxury limousine S-Class and Maybach. It gets a plug-in hybrid twist on the ballistic GT63 SE, taking figures to a staggering 620kW and 1400Nm. The petrol-only GT63 has the same 4.0-litre engine, producing up to 450kW and 800Nm.Mercedes’ latest generation C63 sedan only features a twin-turbo hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder set-up, which has proved an unpopular swap compared to the previous V8. Like BMW, Mercedes also employs its V8 across high-end variants in its SUV range. Land Rover Land Rover installs two V8 engines, which feature as part of its Defender and Range Rover line-ups. The biggest V8 on offer is a 5.0-litre example, producing up to 368kW and 610Nm in the top-spec Defender model. There is also a 4.4-litre hybrid unit found on many of the P-Series and Sport Range Rover variants, with a maximum of 467kW and 750Nm. Lamborghini Lamborghini has one V8 engine, which is available on its Temerario coupe and its Urus SUV. It is a 4.0-litre example, producing up to 588kW and 950Nm. Ferrari  Ferrari offers a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine on its Roma and Roma Spider two-door sports cars. Both cars have 456kW and 760Nm.The SF90 Stradale has a bigger 4.0-litre unit, which gets the assistance of a plug-in hybrid system to produce 574kW and 800Nm.Nissan The Nissan Patrol 4WD currently on sale in Australia comes with a 5.6-litre V8 (298kW/560Nm), but that is about to change with the next-generation model.The incoming Patrol will launch in late 2026 with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 replacing the V8. 

The new Audi RS3 Competition Limited is one of the hottest hatchbacks of all time and it's just been locked in for a 2027 launch in Australia.Sadly, the fire-breathing RS3 is also primed to be one of the most expensive hot hatches ever, as Audi plans to make just 750 cars globally, with only a small batch of 18 Sportback hatches and eight sedans expected to land Down Under.All RS3 Competitions will bag a trick coilover suspension, extra air bending aids and get the option of a special Malachite Green paint that was originally offered on the legendary short-wheelbase Audi Sport quattro (1984-1985).Supposedly built to celebrate 50 years of road and rally Audis powered by five-cylinder engines, the real reason the new RS3 Competition has been rolled out is to farewell the turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder that will be killed off, along with the current RS3 itself, because they do not meet upcoming Euro 7 emissions.Helping the RS3 special stand out from lesser models, the Competition gains a pair of new canards at each corner of the front bumper that is combined with a new split front lip that is finished in a fetching matt carbon.The same lightweight composite is used for the mirror caps, side skirts and rear spoiler, plus more carbon dressing around the large rear diffuser.All the aero tweaks are said to work following more wind tunnel testing with lift reduced over the front axle.Further goodies include 19-inch ten-spoke gold matt rims and, for the real engineering geeks out there, a set of darkened matrix LED headlamps that have a welcome or farewell illumination sequence that matches the 1-2-4-5-3 five-cylinder firing order.Just three hues are available – the popular Daytona Grey already chosen by many RS3 buyers, plus a new Glacier White matt and the aforementioned exclusive Malachite Green finish.Inside, the swansong for the RS3 gains a cabin that embraces black, gold and ginger white colours. The RS bucket seats gain black bolsters and yellowy-gold inserts and ginger white belts. It all sounds awful, but it works.RS3 Competition Limited graphics for the puddle lamps and a serial number mounted neatly on the front of the gear shifter complete the upgrades.One final Easter egg for the run-out RS3 is the digital instrument cluster that bags exclusive white instrument dials that pay tribute to the original 1994 RS2, that also featured a powerful five-cylinder turbo, and was the world's fastest wagon when it launched.Under the bonnet, pesky emissions regs mean that the turbo-five-cylinder produces no more power, carrying over the same 294kW and 500Nm of torque as before – although few would gripe with a blistering 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.8 second dash and claimed 290km/h top speed.The big news is, for the first time, the RS3 gains a new coilover suspension that has been developed exclusively by Audi Sport for Audi's hyper hatch.Featuring twin-tube dampers, with remote reservoir up front, engineers have also fitted a stiffer rear sway bar to curb body roll.Boasting extensive tuning, the three-way adjustable dampers and further adjustment for the rebound and compression are unique to the hot hatch segment and more akin to expensive track-focused supercars.The result is a car that can be tailored to your individual driving style or track you're about to attack. Alternatively, Audi said you can also tweak the RS3 for maximum comfort, while lowering its ride by up to 10mm compared to the standard car.The catch? Like the RS5 and RS4 Competition special editions adjusting the suspension needs manual tools and requires wheel-off fettling if you're raising or lowering the ride height.Helping offset an inevitable towering price tag, the RS3 Competition Limited edition comes standard with sticky Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tyres, the RS sports exhaust, a set of lighter carbon ceramic brakes that, alone, cost $10,800 on the standard car.Factor in its trick suspension, high level of standard kit and relative rarity and, in Europe, it is no surprise that Audi charges a huge premium for its last-ever five-cylinder RS model.In Germany, the RS3 Competition Limited costs a whopping 30 per cent more than the high-grade version it's based on.With that in mind, when pricing is announced the Audi RS3 could cost more than $140,000, surpassing the 2019 Renault Megane RS Trophy-R ($108,000) and the more current $111,000 battery-powered Hyundai Ioniq 5 N as one of the most expensive hot hatches ever to be sold in Australia.

An updated version of the Cupra Born has just been released overseas, with the all-electric hatchback undergoing a serious revamp.The Cupra Born was pulled from sale in Australia last year, with demand for the small EV limited, starting from sub-$60K.It is unclear at this stage whether the Born will make a return to Australia, given its recent exit. Cupra's local division, has been contacted for comment, but late last year, the brand told CarsGuide it was considering a return to sales for the electric hatchback.“Cupra is monitoring the timings and business case for the Born range to return to the market," a Cupra Australia spokesperson said at the time.“We are currently focused on the dual medium SUV strategy of Terramar ICE and PHEV range, and Tavascan BEV range.”If it does come Down Under, the hatch will resume its rivalry against the Polestar 2 and Renault Megane E-Tech. The Polestar 2 starts from a little more than $60,000, while the Megane E-Tech sits in the mid-$50K bracket.The exterior design of the Born has received a facelift to the front and rear bumpers giving it a sharper overall look, with the new version also coming with a choice of 19 or 20-inch wheels.In the cabin, there have been some big changes, including the introduction of physical buttons, while the digital driver display has almost doubled in size up to 10.25-inches. There is a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, along with a touch-sensitive climate control bar as well as a head-up display. The car comes with two electric motor set-ups. The entry-variant has a rear-mounted motor, which produces 139kW. It has a 58kWh battery with 450km of driving range according to the WLTP testing cycle.Meanwhile, the mid-grade long-range version of the Born gets a 79kWh battery and a power bump to 170kW offering a driving range of nearly 600km.Finally, the top-of-the-range Born VZ, which is positioned as an electric hot hatch, has 240kW of power to pull from.DC charging for all variants hits a claimed maximum speed of 180kW and takes no more than 30 minutes to get from 10 - 80 per cent. Both 79kWh battery variants also introduce a one-pedal drive mode. This increases the strength of the regenerative braking process to virtually alleviate the necessity of using the brake pedal at low speeds.Cupra amassed 2830 sales in 2025, up 21 per cent year-on-year, although the brand is no doubt hoping the addition of the Terramar will see its volume jump in 2026.Signs are looking positive for the sporty Spanish marque, with sales in the first two months of the year trending in the right direction.

Mercedes-Benz has released pricing for its Maybach SL680 luxury large convertible coupe. The SL680 will start in price from $463,900, before on-road costs, making it one of the most expensive cars in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. Maybach variants have usually been reserved for ultra-luxury limousines, such as the S680, but this takes a different line, focusing on a more sporty experience. It lines up as a direct rival to the Bentley Continental GT convertible, which also is powered by a V8, starting from $504,700, before on-road costs. It will also be an alternative to the electric-powered Rolls-Royce Spectre, starting from $800,000 (before on-roads). The SL680’s 4.0-litre V8 produces 430kW and 800Nm, which is more than the Continental GT.The car comes as standard with an all-wheel drive system and is capable of completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds. It gets a sweeping exterior design, and with 50 paint choices, as well as 21-inch wheels in two options, the second of which is a multi-spoke design costing $12,900.It has polished interior elements, including silver chrome trim and illuminated door sills, along with a wood and leather steering wheel. There are Napper leather seats, which are heated and ventilated, as well as a premium 17-speaker Burmester audio system, which can output 1220 watts. It also gets all the accessories you would expect as standard like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and wireless phone charging. It also features Mercedes’ augmented reality navigation system.As you would expect, this high-end Mercedes has some seriously pricey options aside from the aforementioned wheels.For $16,900, the car can be fitted with a Mercedes-Maybach pattern on the bonnet and for an extra $24,300 the whole car can be finished in an exclusive paint. The SL680 adds to the Mercedes Maybach range, which already includes versions of the S-Class limousine, as well as the EQS and GLS SUVs.2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 pricing Australia 2026 Mercedes-Benz SL680 engine and efficiency2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 standard featuresOther standard features include: Head-up display64-colour ambient lightingHeated wood and leather steering wheelSilver chrome trim elementsIlluminated door sillsHeated and ventilated front seats with massage function 2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 safetyThe Mercedes-Benz SL680 has not been crash tested by ANCAP.Standard safety features: Adaptive cruise controlLane keep assist360-degree cameraLane change assistSteer assistMemory parking assist2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach SL680 warranty All Mercedes-Benz models are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

Porsche Cars Australia has used the four points of the compass as inspiration for a quartet of one-off, uniquely-themed vehicles to celebrate the iconic German brand’s 75 years in the local market.The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Macan 4S, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo and Cayenne S have been designed to reflect the country’s diverse colours and landscapes.The ‘Go North’ Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is finished in ‘Emerald Green Metallic’ to reflect the lush vegetation of Australia’s tropical north with 21-inch ‘Exclusive Design’ rims finished in ‘Neodyme’ (satin gold), and the car’s ‘Espresso’ leather interior representing the region’s contrasting earth tones.Next, the ‘Go East’ Taycan 4S Cross Turismo in ‘Ipanema Blue Metallic’ is a nod to the ocean and coastal surf culture, with 21-inch Exclusive Design wheels in ‘Crayon’ (soft grey) and two-tone black/Crayon leather interior (with ‘Speed Blue’ highlights) representing marine life, coral formations and sandy beaches.Then, the ‘Go South’ Macan 4S’ ‘Gold Bronze Metallic’ finish, 22-inch ‘Vesuvius Grey’ ‘RS Spyder Design’ wheels and black/Chalk extended leather interior reference South Australia’s Limestone Coast and the dolerite sea columns of Tasmania’s southern Tasman Peninsula.Finally, the ‘Go West Cayenne S’ in ‘Ipanema Brown’ with 22-inch ‘Black silk-gloss’ rims and ‘Bordeaux Red’ seat centres echo natural formations, indigenous artworks and the Outback’s deep red colours. Each commemorative car features bespoke items including a ‘75 Years of Porsche in Australia’ key painted to match its exterior colour, illuminated door sill guards customised with each vehicle’s directional theme as well as embossed floor mats. But these cars may not be unique for long because speaking at their unveiling during this year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix weekend, Porsche Cars Australia CEO and Managing Director Daniel Schmollinger said: “These four cars align timeless Porsche design with regional identity, culture, lifestyle and purpose.“And best of all, they are available for any of our customers to replicate using the Porsche online car configurator.” In marking 75 years in Australia, Porsche references a “chance encounter” when Australian Norman Hamilton, in Europe to investigate pump technology for the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, was overtaken by a silver sports car while driving across Austria‘s famously twisting Grossglockner Pass. The car was a Porsche development prototype driven by German race ace Richard von Frankenberg. Stopped at the same inn in the next village he and Hamilton struck up a conversation, which led to Hamilton meeting Ferdinand Porsche. A vehicle distribution deal followed with the first two Australian-market Porsche 356s shipped to Melbourne in 1951, one of the earliest export arrangements in the brand’s 78 years as a carmaker.

Denza is planning a new-model attack in Australia that will see five Denza-badged models rolling on Australian roads by early 2027, with one of the model's still billed as a "mystery".We have a fairly solid idea of four of those models – including the B5 and B8, obviously, as well as the expected introduction of the Z9 GT shooting brake, and the D9 electric people mover.But the fifth model remains something of a mystery, so we have done some detective work.Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mark Harland told CarsGuide: "There may be a fifth, but the fifth may or may not make it by the end of the year."The fifth one is probably 12 to 18 months (away) at the most."Typically, Denza export vehicles are launched in China first, before being rolled out in right-hand drive about 12 months later. That suggests our mystery vehicle is either on sale in China, or just about to be. One alluring option would be the new Mei-7 or Mei-9 Sedan, the former of which will launch in China shortly. Details remain under wraps for now, but international reports suggest it will offer a version of the Z9's ballistic EV and PHEV powertrains.In the Z9, the EV version is powered by a single electric motor producing 370kW, or offered as a tri-motor monster producing a combined 850kW. A plug-in hybrid variant also makes use of three electric motors, only this time paired with a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid, promising 600-plus kilowatts and an all-electric driving range of around 300kms on the WLTP cycle.Neither the Mei-7 or Mei-9 are currently confirmed for Australia, but Denza here is confident it can access any international models it wishes."I just don't want to overpromise, overcommit. If I took too many cars too quickly without having a dealer network set up, I would get myself in trouble because we wouldn't have the ability to deliver and service all the cars," Mr Harland says.Stay tuned for more as the brand continues to plot an aggressive roll-out as part of an emerging Chinese premium trend, which also includes its primary rival in Australia, Geely's Zeekr.