Cars

China’s BYD has just given the Atto 3 small electric SUV a major update for the domestic market.

The hybrid LandCruiser variation we won't get.

The Ford Transit Custom Sport variants include both plug-in hybrid and full electric drivelines. Compared with the lower-spec Trend specification of the same vehicle, the Sports adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a body kit including a rear spoiler, external stripes, a 10-way powered driver’s seat and dual-zone climate control. The Sport PHEV costs $69,990 and the EV variant costs $79,990.Mechanically, the Sport is identical to the Trend versions, apart from a shorter wheelbase for a 400mm shorter overall length.The PHEV variant of the electrified Transit Custom comes with a 2.5-litre petrol engine teamed with an electric motor and an 11.8kW battery that gives up to 54km of EV-only running. Selectable modes allow the driver to generate or save battery power, but the EV range is poor compared with the competition. Power is 171kW and torque is 400Nm, but the PHEV Transit can’t use commercial fast-chargers. The PHEV Transit Custom is front-wheel-drive.The EV version, meanwhile, switches to rear-wheel drive with a single electric motor between the rear wheels and a 64kW battery under the floor.The cargo area is accessed by a single sliding door (with the option of double doors) and barn doors at the rear which open wide enough for fork-lift loading. The cargo bay walls are lined and a tough plastic mat covers the floor. There are tie-down points, LED lighting and an illuminated step and there’s also a space-save spare tyre.Six airbags including front, side and side curtain are standard and the Transit Custom PHEV also boasts the latest driver aids including auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, a 180-degree rear camera system and onboard tyre pressure monitoring.Servicing is every 12 months or 30,000km and the Transit is covered by Ford’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty as well as eight years/150,000 on the PHEV battery. Capped-price servicing is also offered.

Are you sitting on a future classic?

Why hybridisation might save your future diesel HiLux.

Chery boss says the brand would be mad not to launch in Australia with plug-in hybrid power.

Everything the new Mitsubishi Pajero will need to be a proper rival to the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, and Denza B5

Renault's new electric city hatch shapes up to rival the BYD Atto 1

XPeng goes full Tesla with robotaxis, robots, and drones.

Favourite Ford engine reaches its end.