Concept Cars

Reports say Apple's car is delayed again - here's an abridged version of the story so far.

Mazda has a sporty sub-brand again with the Japanese carmaker showing off track-ready concept versions of its Mazda3 and MX-5 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, while announcing the creation of its factory-backed Spirit Racing team.The announcement comes as a welcome surprise given Mazda made it clear back in 2020 that it didn’t intend to revive its in-house Mazdaspeed high-performance division or MPS as it was known in Australia.The press conference at Tokyo Auto Salon saw Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro and chief designer Ikuo Maeda reveal the concepts and the intentions of the Mazda Spirit Racing division.“ As part of our branding we have created a sub brand called Mazda Spirit Racing and this time for the first time in 25 years since Mazdaspeed we have established a factory motorsports division,” Mr Moro said.Mazda has continued to participate in Motorsport over the past four years but Mazda Spirit Racing will provide a fully supported manufacturer-backed effort to enter cars in the Super Taikyu racing series in Japan.More than just a race team, Mazda Spirit Racing has an entire merchandising wing selling everything from watches to jackets and umbrellas, and then of course there’s the sporty production cars which were shown in concept form.It's unclear if it will be a full fledged sports sub-brand like Toyota's Gazoo Racing, or what Mitsubishi promises will be Ralliart again in the future.The Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept adds a savage aero kit complete with enormous front splitter and roof top-mounted wing to the small hatch. The upgrades are more than just for looks though.“Compared to the previous model, the new model aims to provide more control on the circuit and a high-quality ride in everyday life,” Mazda press statement reads. “We have refined the suspension and aerodynamics that we have cultivated through our Super Taikyu racing activities, as well as the interior and exterior appearance to match these developments.”Joining the high-performance Mazda3 was also the Mazda Spirit Racing RS Concept - a low slung and even more aggressive looking MX-5.As for what will power the high-performance version for the MX-5, we’re expecting a tuned version of the 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine used in the current roadster.The sporty Mazda3 will most likely use the turbocharged 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol unit found in some US-market grades.The 2013 Mazda3 MPS was the last car out of Mazda’s performance division for Australia and produced a whopping 190kW and 390Nm  - a big output even by today’s standards.

Honda will take its brand in a completely new electric direction in 2026 starting with a wedge-shaped four-door retro futuristic sports machine.

Toyota has just unveiled what may be its most significant electric vehicle (EV) to date – the Urban SUV Concept. To debut in production form in the first half of next year, the battery-powered small SUV is set to be one of the company’s bestselling EVs globally, with Australia likely in the mix as well.

As Volvo's rapid electrification plans unfold, its ties with its Geely parent company and its Zeekr premium sub-brand deepen. Is this new model our first look at a V60 sedan and wagon replacement?

Nissan has locked in its Sunderland factory in the UK to become an EV-only facility, with three models with familiar names confirmed as the trio of EVs that will make up its output.

We’ve all wanted to drive standing up before, right? And we’ve all given a go, haven’t we? Haven’t we? Okay, probably not. But Ford’s recent patent of a new invention that would allow people to drive their convertible SUV while fully upright had us thinking about the other ideas that car companies have come up with that are just plain wild, or actually quite good. It’s a fine line.

The vagaries of global supply chains and manufacturing capability have played havoc with the availability of numerous in-demand new car models in recent years, and French giant Renault is not alone in revising arrival timing for upcoming models heading for Australian showrooms.

Renault has used its 2023 Group Conference - Capital Market Day in Paris to launch a sleek pure-electric concept version of its iconic Twingo city car with production scheduled for 2026.

A strong Australian influence will permeate throughout Suzuki’s first global electric car, as the eVX concept was penned by a Melbourne-raised designer.