Cars

Mazda shrugs off challenges to its top-three placing in Australia, saying it is the least of its concerns.

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The Foton Tunland V9-L 4x4, which starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, is the mid-grade version of the Chinese medium-sized ute, with the L standing for “Luxury”.You can spot the difference between the Tunland V7 and V9 models very easily. Up front, the V9-L and flagship V9-S have horizontal styling themes for the LED lighting that is very similar to the Ram 1500. In contrast, the entry-level and fleet-focused V7-C has a Ford F-150-esque nose cone.Both looks are not only homages to the American full-sized trucks, they inform the up-sized dimensions of the Tunland, meaning they sit half-way between, say, a Toyota HiLux and Toyota Tundra. And all for similar money or less than the established utes.Being a more-lifestyle orientated pick-up, the Tunland V9-L ditches the V7-C’s leaf spring rear suspension for a coil-sprung multi-link design, in the pursuit of greater comfort and dynamic control.Consequently, payload slips to 995kg.Being a luxury proposition, the V9-L gains wheel-arch extension cladding, side steps, a sports bar, vehicle-to-load power socket, heated and powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, heated/folding mirrors, extra USB ports, additional speakers and a wireless charger. Four-wheel drive is also standard, along with high-and-low ratio gearing, a rear differential lock, all-terrain tyres and various off-road driving modes.These come on top of the V7-C’s 12.3-inch electronic instrumentation display, 14.6-inch centre touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera with transparent-road-down-below views, a dash cam, front/rear parking sensors and ADAS advanced driver-assist systems including AEB.However, the V9-L does not gain any more performance, meaning it retains the lesser version’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit.Pumping out 120kW of power at 3600rpm and 450Nm of torque between 1500-2400rpm, drive is sent to all four wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The 0-100km/h sprint-time is under 11 seconds, and top speed is 160km/h.Finally, the Tunland V9-L’s official combined-cycle fuel consumption figure is 8.0 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide rating of 211g/km. Over 935km of range is possible between refills of the 75-litre tank as a result.

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Chery has launched a new range-extender hybrid in China, with 1400km total range and a proper living room-sized screen in the front row.And that’s before you get to the second and third row of the 2026 Chery Fulwin T11, which has just launched in China.Images of the Fulwin T11 already leaked months ago, but now Chery has revealed official pics of the exterior and detailed the large SUV’s interior.The 5150mm-long SUV has an impressive wheelbase of 3120mm, so there’s plenty of room inside for all its amenities. And there are plenty.Putting aside its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and either one or two electric motors, depending on the grade, the Fulwin T11 is available with a huge 30-inch 6K touchscreen in the front row, with a small-by-comparison 10.25-inch driver display.A drop-down 17.3-inch rear entertainment screen takes media duties in the second row, as long as you don’t cheap out and opt for the entry-grade, while there’s a 9.2L fridge and series of foldable tables.Essentially, the Fulwin T11 is a first-class cabin on wheels.Its six-seat layout means passengers don’t rub shoulders, and there’s a 23-speaker sound system so no one is missing out on any quiet movie dialogue.There’s even ports for 66W fast charging in the third-row.The Chery Fulwin T11 is capable of 220km of EV driving under China's lenient CLTC testing, while its total 1400km range with a full tank and battery is tested the same way. Charging from 30 to 80 per cent takes just 15 minutes, Chery says.Given it just launched in China, it's currently unclear if it will come to Australia, but CarsGuide has reached out to Chery Australia to find out.

We’ve waited years for a smaller LandCruiser to be revealed and now that it has, the little off-roader has been ruled out for an Australian launch in its current form.The Toyota LandCruiser FJ was revealed a week ago and made its public debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.Speaking to Australian media, Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley admitted the reason it’s not launching in Australia is due to its 2.7-litre petrol engine which only adheres to Euro 5 emissions regulations.“The LandCruiser name in Australia would be very appealing, but the hardcore reality is we are facing in our country… variable regulations, new criterias, new vehicle efficiency standards,” said Hanley.“We have to look very carefully at our product portfolio. What do we think we’re going to need? What are we going to sell in numbers? What do customers want and need?“Customers need that bigger LandCruiser. Customers need that LandCruiser ute. Customers need that HiLux."“So we’ve got to be very carefully planned on our product portfolio moving forward.”Hanley also noted that the recently imposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in Australia isn’t the reason why it’s not launching locally.“It’s not about NVES, it’s just about regulations,” said Hanley.“We’re moving to Euro 6 emissions standards. That’s the reality.”The Australia Federal Government is set to enforce that all new vehicles sold from December 2025 must comply with Euro 6d emissions standards. This replaces the existing Euro 5 measures.The LandCruiser FJ is powered by a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that’s rated as a Euro 5 engine.It also features in the entry-level versions of the current-generation HiLux ute.Hanley said if the LandCruiser FJ’s engine was rated to Euro 6 standards, he would be considering it for an Australian launch.“If it was Euro 6, I would reconsider it,” said Hanley.“If it does turn out to be a Euro 6 engine, and if it does turn out to be that way, which it could … then that’s something we could re-examine.”The Toyota LandCruiser FJ is built on the company’s IMV platform which already underpins the likes of the HiLux Champ ute that’s offered in South East Asia.It measures in at 4575mm long, 1855mm wide, 1960mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2580mm, which is around the same size as a RAV4.At this stage the LandCruiser FJ is set to launch in certain markets, including Japan, in 2026.

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Alfa Romeo says its quality and reliabilty on the Tonale small SUV is "far ahead" of its German rivals in BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

The Foton Tunland V7-C is the entry-level version of the Chinese mid-sized ute.Kicking off from $39,990 before on-road costs for the 4x2 version and $42,990 before on-road costs for the 4x4, this is the workhorse model aimed at fleet buyers and such, with the C standing for 'Core'.As a result, along with double-wishbone front suspension, the rear suspension comprises of leaf springs for superior carrying and towing capacities. To that end, the V7-C’s payload is 1115kg in the 4x2 and 1050kg in the heavier 4x4.The V7-C is also the only Tunland with the stacked LED lighting treatment that is very reminiscent of the Ford F-150 pick-up truck.Speaking of which, dimensionally the Tunland sits somewhere between a mid-sized ute like the Ford Ranger and full-sized ute like the F-150.Standard kit includes a 14.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera with transparent-road-below views, a dash cam, front/rear parking sensors and auto emergency braking (AEB) as part of a range of advanced driver-assist systems. But there’s no lockable tailgate for now, or a digital radio.The V7-C 4x4 adds high-and-low ratio gearing, a rear differential lock, all-terrain tyres and various off-road driving modes.For now, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit is the only engine choice on offer across the Tunland range, sending drive via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.Power is rated at 120kW at 3600rpm and torque at 450Nm between 1500-2400rpm. The 0-100km/h sprint-time is under 11 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 160km/h.The 4x4’s 4WD system, by the way, consists of 2WD-High, 4WD-High and 4WD-Low settings, a mechanical rear diff lock and several off-road modes, but also has a 4A Auto setting.Finally, the Tunland V7-C’s official combined fuel consumption figure is 8.0 litres per 100km (for a carbon dioxide rating of 211g/km). Brimming the 75-litre tank with diesel can mean over 930km between refills is possible.

With Subaru having shown off its new Performance-E and Performance-B STI concepts at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, its five-model showcase appears to now represent something of a future outlook for the brand.