Electric Cars

It’s not the size that counts, it’s how you use it.I’m talking about electric vehicle batteries, of course, because I believe the time has come for us to re-think range. Car makers are racing to provide more and more driving range on a single charge, with anything less than 400km now seen as inadequate. But is that really the case?So-called ‘range anxiety’ has plagued EVs since they first arrived. And as someone who drove those early EVs, when there was little to no infrastructure to recharge them away from home, I can perfectly understand why 150-200km was not enough from a battery.But there have been some major changes since then that mean we need to collectively re-think exactly how much range does our next EV really need.Having more range is nice, of course, but not everyone drives a Toyota LandCruiser with a 1000km range because they don’t need it. And not everyone needs the long legged 108kWh battery in a BMW iX3 or the 100kWh unit in a Zeekr 7X.Many people buy smaller cars, with smaller fuel tanks and that’s perfectly acceptable, and we simply need to change our way of looking at the situation.I’ll give you a real-world example of what I’m talking about. My cousin recently purchased a Honda Super-One, the Japanese brand’s ultra-compact, urban-focused EV. At $36,900 drive-away it’s far from the cheapest EV he could have bought, but he likes the looks and Honda’s reputation.But, in part because of its compact size meaning only so many batteries can be fitted, it has a claimed driving range of ‘only’ 253km. That is a best-case scenario, so a real-world return closer to 200km is likely.I put the only in inverted commas because ever since the reveal of the Super-One the discussion within our industry has often centred on that seemingly limited range figure. For my cousin, 253km or even 200km, will be more than enough to handle his approximate 10km daily commute.And that is likely the case for so many EV buyers, their daily commute will not only be well below what any modern battery can manage, but even a week’s worth of driving around will likely be covered.At the other end of the spectrum, Chinese brand iM Motors, MG’s luxury spin-off, is working on a semi-solid state battery capable of 1000km of range (Skoda is also claiming four-digit range with its new Peaq flagship). On paper that seems like the perfect solution for range anxiety, but according to the executive I talked to about it back in 2025, the reality is very different.“I drive day and night and I’m exhausted but the battery’s still alive,” explained Stephen Xu, sales and marketing director for overseas markets at iM Motors.“Just from my point of view, the battery is, you know, to have long range is useless when you’re in the urban environment]. So that may not be the best choice. You put a very big battery but only use it in the city.”What Xu was saying was that a battery capable of 1000km isn’t a bad idea, but rather that such a battery is only a good idea for specific applications. My cousin, for example, doesn’t need 1000km of driving range to cover his 10km roundtrip.Like I said earlier, the time has come to re-think range. There are now EVs available with range stretching from 250km to approximately 800km, with plenty in between. So depending on what you need, you can choose an EV with a suitable range.You likely wouldn’t buy an eight-seat Kia Carnival if you’re a single person who always drives alone, right? Or you wouldn’t buy a ute capable of towing 4500kg if you live in the inner city and only ever put your supermarket shopping in the boot. Or try to buy a Ferrari if you hate driving above 80km/h and are embarrassed when people stare at you.Basically, we have to take a horses-for-courses approach to EVs and stop insisting that every example must have the longest range possible. If you do a lot of driving and enjoy a weekend road trip or similar, then something with 500km or more is probably best. But if you live in the city or suburbs and rarely go beyond that, 250km is probably fine.This is just another mindset change that we need to adapt to, and many already have judging by the sales success of smaller EVs like the Super-One and BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2. The days of demanding ever-increasing range from every new EV should be behind us, in my opinion.It’s not how big your battery is, it’s how you use your EV that really matters.

Chinese brand Leapmotor will soon have bragging rights with confirmation that its new small SUV will be the cheapest electric SUV available in Australia.The B03X will kick off from about $30,000 drive-away when it lands in the fourth quarter of this year and it will be offered in two model grades.Full pricing and Australian specification won’t be revealed until closer to launch but this indicative pricing is a warning shot to its mostly Chinese rivals that Leapmotor is about to ramp up.The B03X is slightly shorter in length, but roughly the same width and height as a BYD Atto 2 and Jaecoo J5 EV.Currently the BYD kicks off from $31,990 before on-road costs, while the Jaecoo is $36,990 drive-away.Other potential rivals include the Chery E5 ($37,990 d/a) and the new GWM Ora 5 (from $33,990 d/a), while other small electric SUVs like the MG S6, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV3 all start from in the $40,000 bracket.Leapmotor’s other small SUV, the larger B10, kicks off from $37,888 before on-road costs, leaving plenty of space for the B03X as an entry point to the Stellantis-backed carmaker’s line-up.Buyers might also look at small electric hatchbacks like the Geely EX2, BYD Atto 1 and Dolphin, which all undercut the B03X SUV.From launch the B03X is EV only, but Leapmotor International Vice President Commercial Operations Europe Danilo Annese, told Australian journalists the brand has not ruled developing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or range extender electric vehicle (REEV) version of the B03X, if there is sufficient global demand.Annese said a number of European countries have requested a hybrid version, adding there were no limitations on the new front-wheel-drive B platform.He said the company could justify the investment if demand came from outside Europe.“Potentially, yes. It's not a measure. We hope that the countries outside Europe will be in the position to justify an investment. This is what we really look forward. If Brazil, if Australia, if Mexico will be on the projected size to justify an investment, why not?“So it does not exclude that we will look into that and try to bring something on a decent timescale. I don't know how long,” he said.Leapmotor offers both battery electric and REEV versions of the C10 mid-size SUV and B10 small SUV, but the incoming B05 hatch is EV only.A further development of the platform is expected with Leapmotor confirming at the B03X launch that it would reveal the international version of the B03 at this year’s Paris motor show in October.Dubbed A05 in China, the B03 is a light b-segment hatchback related to the B03X that will sit under the B05 hatch in its international line-up.However, CarsGuide understands the B03 is unlikely to make it to Australia given the challenges of the light hatch segment.

Audi has slashed the price on one of its EVs in Australia, in a win for buyers. The Audi Q6 e-tron electric mid-size SUV now starts from $89,900 (before on-road costs) - $10,000 reduction on the previous model.That means the base version is now eligible for the full FBT exemption until April 1 next year, when it reduces to just a 25 per cent FBT exemption. It also skirts under the Luxury Car Tax threshold.The SQ6 e-tron performance SUV has seen an even steeper price drop of more than $20,000, with it now starting from $129,900, compared to $151,400. Coupe variants are available from $134,900, down from $156,400, which is a $21,500 reduction as well. Updated pricing sees the 2027 Q6 e-tron priced from the same as the BMW iX3 ($89,900) and substantially cheaper than the Porsche Macan ($129,800). A sport edition variant of the currently 2026 model Q6 e-tron is available from $95,900 (drive-away) on cars ordered until October 2026. The sport edition variant is available from now until October 2026, with deliveries on the new Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron beginning in 2027. The Audi Q6 e-tron comes with a single electric motor, producing up to 215kW and 450Nm to the rear wheels.It’s equipped with an 83kWh battery, offering a driving range of up to 485km, according to WLTP standards. The SQ6 e-tron adds another electric motor and all-wheel drive, boosting performance to 380kW and 855Nm, meaning the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds. The car uses a bigger 100kWh battery to offer a driving range of 586km (WLTP). Both variants are capable of DC charging at more than 200kW, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking roughly 20 minutes. The Q6 can charge at 225kW, while the SQ6 can charge at 270kW.Both variants get an 11.9-inch digital driver display and 14.5-inch curved central touchscreen, along with a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen as standard.All variants ride on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the SQ6 e-tron shows off 21-inch examples. The car is fitted with sports seats wrapped in leather-appointed upholstery, with the front ones electrically adjustable and heated. It comes as standard with a 10-speaker audio system that is upgraded to a 16-speaker unit in the SQ6 e-tron that also adds a head-up display. The Q6 e-tron features a black exterior styling package as standard that sees front and rear bumpers painted in black. All variants are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturers warranty, as well as a 12-year warranty against corrosion perforation.  

Three months with the MY26 Skoda Elroq Select 60 have come and gone in the blink of an eye.The segment-straddling, fully-electric SUV has been a pleasure to ‘own’ because of its city-friendly size that would surely make Goldilocks blush.But there is more to the Elroq story than its practicality, as its European nature should mean it is also one for the keen drivers. But is it?That is what we are going to find out in this third instalment of our long-term review of the entry-level Select 60.In part one we detailed its relatively keen pricing and surprisingly high specification, while the second explored its Euro design and aforementioned practicality. To find out more click the links directly below.Now, it is time to go for a drive before I deliver my overall verdict on the Elroq. Let’s go!Simply put, the Elroq is a joy to drive.A lot of EVs these days are not particularly engaging behind the wheel, but this Czech model flips the script with its well-balanced ride and handling.The Elroq Select 60 may lack adaptive dampers, but its MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension delivers a level of suppleness over potholes and speed bumps – without being too soft like a lot of its new Chinese competitors. Some would say it is firm, but it is definitely not jarring.At the same time the Elroq maintains good body control when pushed hard through your favourite set of corners, enough that you will want to drive around them again.Handling in general is strong, offering plenty of confidence, with grip plentiful despite the rear-wheel drive set-up, which is a rarity in the small-car segment.RWD is much more fun than front-wheel drive, as you’re pushed out of corners rather than pulled, plus there is, generally, the benefit of a tighter turning circle, which is perfect for the city.The electric power steering is nice and direct, albeit on the lighter side when it comes to weighting, but I don't mind it around town, where it makes low-speed manoeuvres, like parking, much easier to execute.The steering wheel is a little too thin for my liking, but I got used to it quickly enough.The MY26 Select 60 on test here only produces 150kW and 310Nm from its single electric motor, which is a significant 60kW/235Nm short of other Elroq variants.As a result, the Select 60’s 0-100km/h sprint time of eight seconds flat is 1.4 seconds slower than the other Elroq variants, which you will certainly notice when merging onto or overtaking on the highway.But the reality is most of your acceleration in the Select 60 will be to 40-60km/h and in those instances it will feel very spritely, as most EVs do.Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels are predictably good, given the Elroq is an EV that operates almost silently.Some road and tyre noise can be heard at higher speeds, but it thankfully never drones.Where the MY26 Elroq disappoints, though, is with its regenerative braking.Two levels are on offer, with the default the equivalent to engine braking in an internal-combustion model, while the B mode for the single-speed automatic transmission offers stronger energy recuperation.That said, the B mode is still not the equivalent of one-pedal driving, which is an EV signature I have sorely missed over the past three months.Thankfully, Skoda Australia has confirmed the Elroq’s MY27 update introduces a one-pedal option, meaning new owners will be able to drive by just modulating the accelerator pedal.The performance of the friction brakes is strong, should you need to properly use the left pedal.However, the blending between the regenerative and friction braking could be better.Also, the friction brakes start to bite when the right pedal is partly depressed, which takes some getting used to.In what seems to be a shock these days, the Elroq’s advanced driver-assist systems are rather pleasant in the real world.The lane-keep and steering assist functions are relatively well measured, while the adaptive cruise control is nicely calibrated – although it is not particularly energy efficient if you are trying to maximise your driving range (more on that in a moment).There are also no incessant over-speed or driver-attention warnings to combat – hooray!That said, it is a shame surround-view cameras are unavailable in the MY26 Select 60, even as an option.And the reversing camera you do get is shockingly low-resolution, which should not be a thing in 2026.The front parking sensors are also intermittently a little too sensitive in traffic, but it is by no means a deal-breaker.In my third and final month behind the wheel of the MY26 Elroq Select 60 my average energy consumption was 15.8kWh/100km over 1068km, a slightly higher proportion of which was in the city.This more efficient environment meant that result was 0.1kWh/100km and 0.3kWh/100km better than I managed in months one and three.My three-month average was 15.9kWh/100km over 2797km, which equates to a real-world driving range of 371km, based on the MY26 Select 60’s useable battery capacity of 59kWh.That is just 24km short of the MY26 claim and still good enough for a regular urban commuter, but I would personally be paying the premium for the long-range MY26 Elroq, which promises up to 529km between charges.Acquired: May 6, 2026Distance travelled this month: 1068kmOdometer: 3755kmAverage energy consumption this month: 15.8kWh/100km

Omoda is getting serious in Australia.The Chery sub-brand has announced it will reveal its Omoda 4 and Omoda 7 SUVs on the 18th of September 2026 at the Everything Electric event in Sydney.The Omoda 4 is a small SUV that will sit at the bottom of the brand’s Australian line-up, while the Omoda 7 is a mid-size SUV, still sitting under the Omoda 9 large SUV on sale here.The Omoda 9 is currently the only model sporting an Omoda badge in Australia, but that's all about to change.This news comes after Omoda Jaecoo Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz confirmed to CarsGuide the brand was forced to push back its plans for Omoda 7 in Australia, with the car initially expected to arrive in 2026.“We’ll definitely be focusing more on the Omoda brand later this year and into early next year ,” Munoz told CarsGuide in June 2026.“Right now our focus is on building the Jaecoo brand, building awareness and building confidence in the market with that, but Omoda will be following suit shortly.”The Omoda 4 is just gearing up for its global launch, so official details are scarce at this stage.Omoda’s small SUV will take on the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross in Australia, adding a new hybrid rival to the very competitive segment.The Omoda 4 measures up on the larger side of the small SUV scale.In the UK, it is expected to use a conventional hybrid set-up with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor. A fully-electric variant will follow after that.The Omoda 4 EV is currently under consideration for Australia. The Omoda 7 provides direct competition for established mid-sized SUVs, including the segment-leading Toyota RAV4 as well as the Hyundai Tucson.It will face internal rivalry from other Chery group models the Chery Tiggo 7 and Jaecoo J7, but could be more expensive than both of those models.The Omoda 7 is already available in the United Kingdom, where it is offered with the choice of petrol or plug-in hybrid power.This should provide an indication of what to expect with the car in Australia.PHEV variants employ a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up, making 150kW/365Nm, while the petrol set-up uses a 1.6-litre turbo-charged engine, producing 108kW/275Nm.The petrol-powered variant will not be offered in Australia. Inside, there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 8.88-inch digital driver display, along with wireless 50W phone charging.Omoda has confirmed that both cars will arrive in the first half of 2027, with official pricing and specification arriving closer to its launch date.Both the Omoda 4 and the Omoda 7 will be cheaper than the Omoda 9 that starts from $61,990 (before on-road costs) in Australia.The Omoda 7 PHEV starts from 29,965 pounds or roughly $56,000, but cars in the UK are substantially more expensive than their Australian equivalent.It is more likely to be available from the low-to-mid $40,000 bracket.The Omoda 4 will be cheaper than the Omoda 7, placing it in a similar spot to the Jaecoo J5 hybrid ($34,990, drive-away).

The Volvo XC40 and EX40 have no right to look this good.After all, the small SUV, built to rival the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Lexus UX, first went on sale as far back as 2017, which makes it ancient.Most car models live for seven- or eight years before pensioned off, but the Volvo XC40 bucks that trend by quite a margin.Helping it outlive the opposition is a big 2027 facelift that freshen up its already timeless looks ahead of its launch in Australian showrooms next year.Full costs have yet to be announced, but a new entry B3 variant should make the combustion-powered version even more attractive with a price of entry to around $50,000 (plus on-roads) – $5000 less than the B4.Last refreshed back in 2022, the latest updates are the biggest yet.Drawing plenty from the all-new EX60 mid-size electric SUV, the trio of small Volvos sports an all-new front end that adds a fresh bonnet, fenders and front bumper that's claimed to simplify, modernise and package a pair of all-new matrix LED lamps that display a sharper take on the firm's 'Thor's Hammer' graphic.With a narrower front grille and revised air intakes, the combustion version mimics the more closed-off EX60's snout while looking lower.Along its flanks there have been few changes other than the addition of a set of handsome solid diamond-cut 20-inch alloy wheels that feature a triple two-spoke 'V' graphic.The combustion and all-electric versions score a new tailgate, a pair of restyled lamps and a fresh bumper that are said to create the illusion of a wider SUV.Inside, there's no disguising the small Volvo's advanced years, even with the addition of upgraded ambient lighting and more premium materials.What has improved the cabin is the introduction of a larger 11.2-inch centrally mounted infotainment system that replaces the old 9.0-inch version that runs the Swedish firm's latest operating system and embeds Google's Gemini that features an AI-powered assistant that you can have a natural conversation with.More unseen tech includes replacing the small SUV's radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors for more sophisticated driver assist experience, that now includes lane change assist and a 360-degree camera view.Under the bonnet there's little change, with either the mild-hybrid or all-electric powertrains currently offered in the range – with one exception. When sales start next year Volvo Cars Australia says it will sell the entry B3, sold in Europe, that will lower the price of entry to the XC40 range.Powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid as the 145kW/300Nm B4, the base XC40 produces 120kW of power and 265Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h dash of 8.6 seconds (1.0 second slower).Fuel consumption is identical to the punchier B4 at 6.5L/100km on the WLTP test cycle.Prefer battery power and the EX40 comes with the upgraded all-electric powertrains introduced last year.That means in Australia the most affordable Volvo EV will be kitted out with a single rear motor that pumps out 175kW/420Nm and is combined with a 79kWh battery (usable) for a range of around 520km.A second dual-motor version produces 300kW and 600Nm with the 79kWh that still covers up to 500km on a charge.The drawback is DC charging is limited to 205kW, with a 10-80 per cent top-up taking 28 minutes, versus the 22 minutes the all-new Mercedes GLA 350 4MATIC takes.It's thought the Volvo XC40, all-electric EX40 were not supposed to live this long, but the global slowing transition to EVs has thrown it a lifeline and the current small SUV might now live beyond 2030.Despite elderly, last year out of the 7239 cars Volvo sold Down Under the XC40 was easily the Geely-owned brand's best-selling car with 2630 finding homes, although that number was 16.3 per cent down on the year before.In second place was the current XC60, with 2067 deliveries.Originally, the mid-size Volvo SUV was supposed to be replaced by the battery-electric EX60 but the near ten-year-old XC60 will now also be facelifted one final time.

We now know the truth about how long a car battery will last.Austrian battery diagnostics specialist Aviloo has worked out which vehicles perform best when it comes to an EV battery’s state of health (SoH) over time and distance.In its 2026 Certified EV Battery Report the company has analysed more than 500,000 Aviloo ‘Flash Test’ results from 2022 to 2026 across 20 high-volume electric car models in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia to determine the best performers.The flash test is a three-minute diagnostic check that assesses the health and performance of an electric vehicle's high-voltage traction battery.Rather than registering a value reported by the car's on-board battery management system, the flash test “independently calculates SoH using a statistical model trained on hundreds of thousands of comparable used vehicles, factoring in mileage, age, (charge) cycle count, cell voltage spread, energy counters and other diagnostic signals.”In releasing its results Aviloo made the point that, buyers of used internal-combustion cars rely on odometer readings and service records, but was not the most accurate way to tell an EV battery's state. “The battery is the single most expensive component of an electric car, and the one with the widest variation from vehicle to vehicle.“Two used electric cars with 50,000 kilometres on the odometer might present in what appears to be identical condition but can differ by up to 10 percentage points in battery SoH,” it said.The data reflects three mileage milestones (50,000, 100,000 and 150,000 kilometres), identifying the SoH range covering 99 percent of all independently tested vehicles of that model. The company made the point, “Battery health varied within each of the 20 models tested, between models and, above all, between individual vehicles of the same model. An average per model therefore says little about a specific car."SoH can vary by up to 13.5 percentage points between the best and weakest examples of the same model,” it said.As a result the median serves as the reference point in each case.The spread across the 20 models tested was already clear at the 50,000km mark with four examples highlighted for more detailed analysis in line with their different sizes, typical use and battery types.Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 had the best SoH of the four models, with range barely falling from 335 to 321km and a spread of 37 kilometres between the extremes recorded.As one of Europe’s best-selling EVs, the VW ID.4’s potential range fell from 373 to 355km, with up to 44km between the best and the weakest vehicle at 150,000km.The Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling car for the last three years, saw its real-world range fall from 379 to 361km at 150,000km, with a 46-kilometre difference between the best and the weakest example tested.The Nissan Nissan Leaf ZE1, with the smallest (40kWh) battery of the four models highlighted the finding that smaller batteries with more frequent charging cycles age faster on average. Across all three mileage levels analysed, the Nissan had the lowest SoH of the four models examined in detail, with its real-world range dropping from 195 to 185km.Other models that performed well after 150,000km travelled were the Mercedes-Benz EQA (93.97 SoH), BMW i4 (93.62), Hyundai Kona EV (92.95), Volvo XC40 Recharge (92.79), Ford Mustang Mach-E (92.53) and Polestar 2 (92.46).Some that didn't fare as well were the Renault Zoe (87.33) and Tesla Model 3 (88.94).Commenting on the report Aviloo CEO Dr. Marcus Berger said, “The truth in this data is that averages hide a lot. “Yes, electric car batteries age better than the myth of rapid wear suggests, but that is not the most important finding. “What matters is that battery health varies widely between models, and even more widely between individual vehicles of the same model,” he said.The Aviloo Certified EV Battery Report will now be published twice a year, drawing on the company’s global diagnostics database, which holds more than one million independent tests. 

It has never been cheaper for buyers considering an EV in Australia. Increased demand and more efficient development processes have reduced the prices of electric cars in Australia significantly. Carmakers continue to battle it out to go cheaper than their rivals, with options now appearing below the $30,000 mark.Some affordable EVs are even cheaper than traditional petrol-powered budget examples. The BYD Atto 1 has maintained its title as the cheapest electric car in Australia.The compact SUV started from $23,990, with top-spec models costing $27,990, both before on-road costs. The Atto 1’s single electric motor only produces 65kW and 175Nm as standard, while its 30kWh battery is good for more than 200km of driving range (WLTP). The newest member of the below $30,000 club is the Geely EX2, which has already surged towards the top of the sales charts in Australia. The rear-wheel drive EX2 starts from $26,490, with the range-topping variant priced from $30,990, both before on-road costs. The base variant has 60kW and 150Nm from a single electric motor, along with a 35kWh battery offering 252km.GAC will launch a short-range version of its Aion UT in late 2026 that is expected to be less than $30,000, as well. The Atto 1 and Geely EX2 use before on-road costs pricing, so buyers will have to spend an extra up to $5000 on registration and other costs to drive it out of the showroom. The MG4 Urban is the cheaper front-wheel drive sibling of the MG4, available with a sharp drive-away price of $31,990.Its 110kW and 250Nm as standard bests its cheaper competition, while its more than 316km of driving range is hard to look past at its price point. While GAC’s short-range Aion UT is not here yet, the current ‘Premium’ grade starts from $31,990 (drive-away). The Aion UT boasts an electric motor that makes 150kW and 210Nm, besting the MG4 Urban with a quoted riving range of more than 400km from its 60kWh battery.The GWM Ora 5 SUV is available from $33,990, drive-away, as a new cheaper replacement for the Ora hatch.The Ora 5 makes 150kW and 260Nm from its single electric motor.BYD’s affordable EVs continue down the list, with the Dolphin hatchback ($29,990) and the bigger Atto 2 small SUV ($31,990), both before on-road costs. Leapmotor’s B05 is the brand’s cheapest car on sale, and currently is available with a $35,990, drive-away price until 30 September 2026. The B05 is a smaller SUV compared to mid-sized Leapmotor’s B10 with its fully-electric variant kicking off from $38,990, drive-away, also until 30 September 2026. The Jaecoo J5's proportions are on the larger end of the small SUV scale, making it a compelling proposition at $36,990, drive-away. The J5 has had a strong start to life in Australia, and the best-selling small SUV for May 2026. 

The Zeekr 7X could be about to get a new addition to its Australian line-up, with reports of an 85kWh fast charging battery variant being added to the range.The news comes fresh out of China where government regulations require carmakers to publicly publish the specifications of upcoming vehicles. Zeekr’s published filing details an upcoming rear-wheel drive 7X that is the same in every way to the current model, but will have a bigger 85kWh battery. It offers quick charging and impressive range, while keeping weight and cost down.The new 85kWh battery for the Zeekr 7X is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, up from the 75kWh unit in the current base 7X in Australia.Currently the 7X line-up consists of a 75kWh LFP battery variant and a 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery variant. NMC batteries are more energy dense and heavy, but offer long ranges and more power. LFP on the other hand are more thermally stable, can handle being charged more often to 100 per cent and are cheaper as they do without certain rare metals such as cobalt.Zeekr hasn’t disclosed the range of the 85kWh battery, but it will fall between the 480km (WLPT) range of the 75kWh unit and the 615km (WLPT) of the 100kWh NMC battery.An electric vehicle with more than 500km of real world driving range is a preferable choice and the 85kWh battery is likely to offer this extra distance over the 75kWh variant.CarsGuide has reached out to Zeekr Australia to find out if and when the 85kWh variant will join the 7X line-up, but the company has yet to respond.As for the price Australians could expect this to fall between the $57,900 list price of the  75kWh 7X and the $63,900 of the 100kWh 7X.

A new affordable hot hatch had been detailed in China ahead of its expected Australian arrival.The Ora 5 GT shapes up as a cut-price rival to the Suzuki Swift Sport, Volkswagen Polo GTI, and soon-to-be phased out petrol-powered Hyundai i20 N ($37,500).Unlike the previous Ora GT, which was simply a trim level of the Ora 5 hatchback's predecessor, the Ora 5 GT looks to add genuine performance enhancements this time around.It is the latest addition to GWM’s Ora 5 line-up that consists of hatchback, SUV, sedan and wagon variants, with petrol, conventional hybrid and fully-electric set-ups available. Like the rest of the Ora 5 line-up, the GT is available in all three powertrains, petrol, hybrid and EV.The hybrid set-up is the most powerful of three, making 166kW and 476Nm from its 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor.GWM said the car is fitted with a European-tuned chassis, and has a top speed of 193km/h, proving its pedigree as a more serious performance option. From the outside, the Ora 5 GT has two sharp creases either side of a central bonnet strip for a striking look to differentiate from other variants. It is available in a bright yellow or black exterior paint, with blacked out elements, including side mirrors and a big roof-mounted rear spoiler.On the inside, there is a small pop-out digital driver display and larger tablet-sized central touchscreen, with sporty bucket-style seats.Petrol variants of the Ora 5 GT start from 99,800 yuan, which is roughly A$20,000, while hybrid variants start from 109,800 yuan, or about A$22,500.Fully-electric variants are the most expensive in the range, starting from 129,800 yuan, or almost A$27,000.When Chinese cars are imported into Australia, they are usually incur a 20 to 30 per cent increase, so expect the Ora 5 GT to be a in excess of $30,000 by the time it gets here.The pure combustion version is also the least likely of the three variants to make it to Australia, given our country's new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) are cracking down non-hybrid or electric powertrains into the future.In addition, GWM's Australian division has previously earmarked the Ora sub-brand as an important emissions-reducing part of its fleet going forward.The local branch confirmed the Ora 5 electric hatch is on its way here, indicating there is strong potential for this high-performance example to arrive as well.The Ora 5 hatch is scheduled for a late 2026 arrival, but it could stretch into early 2027, so expect the GT to arrive at a later date.The Ora 5 SUV went on sale in mid-2026, and has already registered more than 1000 sales in the few months since. GWM Australia is keen to make the most of the Ora 5 line-up Down Under, with a spokesperson confirming the recently-revealed wagon variant is also under consideration for local launch.