Green Cars

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. 

Ford Australia has confirmed it will add a new member to its Transit van family in the form of the ‘City’ electric van, a product of its joint venture with Jiangling Motors (JMC) in China.The 2026 Ford Transit City is confirmed for an Australian launch in November this year, with a competitive drive-away price of just $50,000.Confirmed as part of an event the brand called ‘Ford Uncovered’ to announce this and two other new cars, the Bronco Basecamp and Mustang Dark Horse with T8 pack, the new Transit City will be covered by Ford’s new seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.Ford also confirmed the launch of its Ford Pro ‘ecosystem’ for businesses and business owners to manage their Ford commercial vehicles or fleets.While not specifically altered for Australia in any major sense, the Transit City has undergone Ford’s global testing and is already available in the UK and Europe.The 2026 Transit City comes in one specification, with a front-mounted 110kW electric motor drawing power from a 56kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery.Ford says a WLTP city range of 380km is enough to serve the Transit City’s intended purpose of urban and city work and transport. Its 254km combined WLTP range will seem underwhelming to some.The Transit City’s DC charging rate sits at 87kW, allowing a 33-minute charge from 10 to 80 per cent, though Ford says 10 minutes of charging adds up to 68km of range. 11kW AC charging means 5.5 hours to charge from 10 to 100 per cent.Ford quotes a payload capacity of 1085kg, and says its cargo space of 6.4m3 is enough to hold three Euro pallets or two Australian pallets.The Transit City also features an ADAS suite with AEB, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear camera, and adaptive cruise control with lane departure warning.Inside, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Ford has forgone optional extras to simplify the offering in terms of features.Ford also confirmed it’s launching the Ford Pro ‘ecosystem’ here in Australia, which allows Ford commercial vehicle owners and fleet operators to see data and manage servicing, finance and downtime using Ford’s software."Our seven-year warranty is a strong commitment to our retail and commercial customers that we've got their backs for longer," said Greg Davidson, Director of Ford’s Customer Service Division."That's a century of trust, earned one repair, one service, one honest conversation at a time, and Ford Pro builds on that legacy to keep our commercial customers' businesses moving.“Ultimately, this is about giving Ford owners real confidence, not just in the vehicle they've bought, but in the brand they've bought into."

Premium electrified people movers are growing in popularity, propelled by the VW ID. Buzz EV, as well as Chinese brands like Zeekr and Denza. The XPeng X9 is the latest, with comparatively keen pricing, a huge list of standard features and impressively advanced tech, including air suspension. Great on paper, but we have doubts on some fronts, given our experiences with the Performance AWD model.

Volkswagen appears to have a  monster hit on its hands, as buyers line-up to get their hands on its latest machine.The new Volkswagen ID.Polo electric hatchback has more than 30,000 pre-orders, according to AutoNews.The frantic rush of buyers trying to jump into a ID.Polo has overwhelmed the brands expectations, with customers now facing a 10 month wait.Volkswagen’s little electric car has just gone on sale in Europe, and it appears its success will mean any future Australian arrival could be pushed back to meet demand on the continent.The German brand’s new entry-level electric car will go head-to-head with the new wave of cut-price EVs from China, such as the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora 5.It is priced from the equivalent of about $41,000 in Germany, so expect it to be more if it arrives Down Under.Volkswagen is offering three electric motor choices: 85kW, 99kW or 155kW. The German brand has also confirmed a 166kW GTI version, but it won’t launch until next year in Europe.Lower grade versions will use a 37kWh battery, offering a driving range of 329km (WLTP), while higher specifications get 454km (WLTP) of range from a 52kWh unit. Volkswagen has previously said the ID.Polo has a max charging rate of 105kW. The ID.Polo is spawning a range of electric cars including the Volkswagen ID.Cross little electric SUV, Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.AutoNews also reported the ID.Cross had received very strong interest ahead of its arrival in European showrooms later this year.Skoda’s version of the ID.Polo, the Epiq, also has more than 35,000 orders.“The Epiq is generating very strong customer interest. We have clearly struck a nerve,” a Skoda spokesperson told Autonews.Cupra’s version, called Raval, also has a long wait list, with reports the Raval and Epiq orders stretch into May of 2027.Volkswagen has been struggling recently as sales in China, and of its first round of global electric cars, failed to fire.It has also experienced huge issues with its CARIAD software department, which has been losing billions of dollars.Volkswagen’s board has recently approved to cut 50,000 jobs, close several factories, cut half of the group’s models and even possibly delete the Seat brand.

A new affordable electric sedan could be headed our way.The GWM Ora 5 Sedan has appeared in Chinese government approval filings as it gears up for launch later this year.At 4758mm long, the Ora 5 is smaller than the Toyota Camry, but will still provide competition for the popular Japanese hybrid sedan.The Ora 5 Sedan will be available in petrol, conventional hybrid and fully-electric set-ups, so its variants cover a broad spectrum of buyers.The Ora 5 Sedan EV will rival the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, while petrol variants will tackle the Mazda 3.There are limited details available for the Ora 5 Sedan at this stage.Petrol variants use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, making 135kW and 275Nm, while the hybrid adds an electric motor to boost power to 166kW and 476Nm.The Ora 5 Sedan EV has a single electric motor, producing 150kW and 260Nm. The front of the Ora 5 Sedan looks similar to other Ora 5 variants with a bubble-like headlight design and an overall rounded look.It has traditional door handles, and from the back, sports a single continuous rear light bar, along with a sloping roofline.GWM Australia has not confirmed if the Ora 5 Sedan will arrive in Australia, but the brand is keen to focus on the name here."In terms of the levels of adoption that we expect to see within this market, within the coming years, we expect (hybrids) to accelerate more quickly," GWM Australia Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide in late 2025."We think we can do a lot more with Ora… with plug-in hybrid, but EV will certainly come behind that as well, for sure."The electric Ora 5 SUV has already launched in Australia, with a hybrid variant expected to arrive soon.GWM has also confirmed an Ora 5 electric hatchback is on the way for Australia.In August 2026, the Ora 5 GT wagon was approved for sale in China, with the local branch confirming the car was under consideration for Australia.GWM Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the Ora 5 sedan will launch in Australia.

Buyers are about to get their first look at the next wave of EVs coming to Australia. The 2026 Everything Electric Sydney event will showcase many of the latest EVs headed Down Under, and will have a record number of new examples on show.Many affordable Chinese plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars will be available to look at, as well as some of the most anticipated new cars on their way to Australia. There will be plenty of new models put on show for the first time by Chery. Chery’s European-styled sub-brand Lepas will have two of its new models about to hit Aussie showrooms on display. The Lepas L6 electric mid-size SUV will be the brand’s first car put on sale in Australia, due in October 2026. Lepas will also show off its smaller L4 electric SUV that is expected to arrive Down Under in 2027. Chery’s adventure-focused sub-brand iCaur will introduce its V25 rugged SUV for the first time.The V25 is scheduled to arrive in early 2027 with a range-extender hybrid set-up to rival the plug-in hybrid Denza B5. Chery and Omoda Jaecoo will debut new models at the show as well, with more details to be revealed closer to the event. Zeekr will unveil its hugely-anticipated 7GT electric wagon publicly for the first time. The 7GT takes aim at Europe’s elite luxury models the Audi S5, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Earmarked for a late 2026 or early 2027 arrival, the 7GT will be the popular Chinese brand’s fourth model on sale Down Under. Geely will continue its new model surge in Australia, with the introduction of two SUVs to its line-up. The brand has not revealed any more specific details about what the models are. They will join the mid-sized fully-electric EX5 and plug-in hybrid Starray EM-i that have both experienced a positive sales return so far. Geely is on the up in Australia, with its methodical approach to introducing models seeing it claim solid sales results.GWM is another brand to have a strong presence at Everything Electric. The brand’s new-generation Haval H7 mid-size SUV will be on show, scheduled to launch Down Under later in 2026. It is expected to be available in both five- and seven-seater configurations, giving it a wider family appeal. GWM will also have a more affordable PHEV ute on display. The GWM Cannon PHEV is pitched as a cheaper and smaller sibling to the Cannon Alpha PHEV, and could undercut the confidently-selling BYD Shark 6. The Cannon PHEV is expected to officially launch in Australia in October 2026. MG’s U9 electric ute will be on display for the first time in New South Wales at the show. The U9 is one of few electric utes targeting the Australian market, along with the low-volume Toyota HiLux BEV. MG’s luxury sub-brand IM will put its LS9 large SUV on display. The LS9 is a six-seater SUV that provides competition for the popular Zeekr 9X. It could launch in Australia in later 2026 or early 2027. Hyundai will present its Staria Load Electric van for the first time in Australia. The Staria Load EV will join diesel- and hybrid-powered variants of the car already on sale. It will battle in an increasingly competitive electric van segment against the Kia PV5 and affordable Chinese rivals, including the LDV eDeliver 7. Forthing will show off an electric people mover that will launch in 2027. Forthing currently only sells its Taikon 5 mid-size SUV in Australia, available as a range-extender hybrid or fully-electric. Cadillac’s new Lyriq V performance SUV will be on show. It is the brand’s first of its V-Series, boasting as the fastest Cadillac ever. It will join the standard Optiq, Vistiq and Lyriq SUVs Down Under in early 2027. Cadillac Lyriq-VChery and Omoda Jaecoo new models Forthing electric people moverTwo Geely SUVsGWM Haval H7 and Cannon PHEVHyundai Staria Load ElectriciCaur V25IM LS9Lepas L6 and L4MG U9 EVZeekr 7GT

Mitsubishi’s secret hybrid one-two punch has been exposed, with plans for a hybrid Pajero revealed.A senior Japanese executive told CarsGuide the company is advanced in developing two hybrid Pajero 4WDs.The company is working on a conventional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid version of the rugged new off-roader.This would give Mitsubishi some potent weapons in its arsenal to not only take on the mighty Toyota and Nissan off-roaders, but the new breed of Chinese 4WDs.Mitsubishi won’t be developing a diesel plug-in hybrid, similar to the one that will be fitted to the incoming Chery Stockman ute.Both will use a petrol engine, which will make the vehicle more attractive to the US and Middle Eastern markets, where diesel isn’t popular.The official also said there were concerns the displacement of the diesel engine in the Pajero would be insufficient, with big name rivals adding larger engines into their 4WDs.Mitsubishi’s new Pajero uses a turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel four-cylinder engine, which is an evolution of the motor found in the Triton ute, and makes 150kW and 480Nm.Adding hybrid or plug-in hybrid grunt would boost outputs and add more shove off the mark aiding acceleration and around town performance.Towing would likely be compromised due to the extra weight of the petrol-electric set-up, which would reduce the load-lugging capacity from the diesel version’s 3500kg limit.It is also expected this hybrid set-up would find its way into the Triton ute.This would give Mitsubishi a rival to new Chinese machines such as the BYD Shark 6 ute and Denza B5 4WD.This confirmation follows Mitsubishi Pajero Chief Product Specialist Itagaki Kunitoshi’s comments at a pre-briefing before the Pajero reveal.“Future electrification including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, we will consider in line with market conditions, customer needs, infrastructure and regulations of each country,” said Itagaki.“The all new Pajero is being launched with ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) only.“However, Mitsubishi Motors is actively conducting research and development in electrified ladder frame vehicles, including hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies for products such as Pajero and Triton in the future.”But it appears from the high-ranking official’s comments the dual hybrid assault plans are more advanced.Itagaki stated any electrified Pajero would be just as capable as customers have come to expect from the brand.“To meet Mitsubishi Motors standards future electrified models must not only deliver strong  on-road performance but also off-road capability, towing performance, durability or reliability expected of authentic Mitsubishi Motors vehicles."Ensuring the electrified models can maintain these characteristics while delivering the distinct Mitsubishi Motors driving experience requires further development," said Itagaki.Mitsubishi announced earlier this year it would spend almost half a billion dollars to upgrade its Thailand factory to build electrified vehicles.This is the same factory that produces the Triton and Pajero.The plan is to have the factory churning out electrified vehicles by the end of the decade, but expect a hybrid and plug-in hybrid Pajero sooner than that.

Ford Australia has confirmed the future arrival of the Bronco SUV to Australia, but not as it has historically been known.The 2027 Ford Bronco Basecamp will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2027, with the model’s platform unrelated to the T6 Ranger-based Ford Bronco and Escape-based Bronco Sport SUV both available in the US.The Bronco Basecamp is, instead, a product of Ford’s joint venture with China's Jiangling Motors (JMC) and is available in China as the Ford Bronco New Energy.While Australian details are yet to be confirmed as global market development work continues, Ford confirmed the model would retain its EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) powertrain. This means a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine will act as a range extender to charge the 49kW battery. Ford estimates a driving range of around 800-900km.While not as rugged as the full-size Ford Bronco available in the US, the Basecamp still features an all-wheel drive system thanks to electric motors driving the wheels - the engine doesn’t directly power the wheels.While the Bronco Basecamp’s local launch is around a year away, Ford Australia confirmed the ‘camping’ capability of the Bronco is expected to be a big draw.The roof of the Outer Banks grade is able to pop up to allow more space inside, and a mattress designed to fit the cabin with the seats folded flat is available.Heated and cooled compartments are included, and 6.6kW onboard power means camping gear like cooktops, lights or other equipment is able to be run from the battery.Given the arguable failure of the most recent Ford Escape in Australia, the starting price for the Bronco Basecamp will need to be competitive - and it could be, given its Chinese origins.Ford will want the starting price to sit well below the larger Everest SUV’s entry point of around $60,000.A combination of 130kW and 180kW motors at the front and rear are used in the Chinese market EREV, but Ford engineers wouldn't confirm or hint at local outputs.A full-EV variant is also available in China, though it’s not being discussed openly as a possibility for Australia given Ford’s insistence that the EREV will suit Australian buyers.Ford Australia will confirm pricing and specifications closer to its H2 2027 launch.

Toyota's LandCruiser has gone electric! Not quite. But it has joined the ranks of the new wave of hybrid vehicles with a powertrain that combines a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine and an electric motor. The 'i-Force Max' set-up, from the Tundra, produces substantial increases in power (up 114kW) and torque (up 90Nm), but is this Cruiser better off-road than its turbo-diesel stablemate?

Audi's new A2 is a follow-up act 20 years in the making. This time around the A2 is a pure-electric e-tron model, claimed to be the most energy-efficient in the German brand’s history.Its predecessor, the compact, all-alloy people mover-style A2 hatch produced from 2000 to 2005 didn’t exactly catch fire in terms of sales thanks to a relatively high price and its upright, high-waisted design.But the all-new A2 e-tron is a more conventional crossover-style hatch with an ultra-slippery drag coefficient of 0.24.At global launch the car is offered across four power levels - 125kW, 140kW, 170kW and 240kW - matched with one of three batteries - 52, 61 or 84kWh. All are rear-wheel drive, powered by a single permanently excited synchronous motor. The entry-grade A2 e-tron 125kW has the 52kWh battery onboard and with an energy consumption rating of 13.7kWh/100km boasts a WLTP range of up to 423km.At the top end, the A2 e-tron 240kW is fitted with the largest 84kWh battery, consumes 14.2kWh/100km and has an official WLTP range figure of up to 630km.But the A2 e-tron 140kW fitted with an optional efficiency package has a WLTP-measured consumption of 12.8kWh/100km, making it “the most efficient Audi ever”.Tech highlights include (optional) bi-directional charging - Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) - DC fast-charging capacity of up to 183kW, Audi Assistant (with artificial intelligence) and the ‘Audi Connected Work’ suite including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams and an AI-based Work Agent.A standard 12.8-inch curved multimedia touchscreen is paired with an 11.9-inch cockpit display and the magnetic Fidlock fastening system is included to provide “smart organisation and modular storage solutions”.On the environmental front, Audi said, depending on configuration, the Audi A2 e-tron features more than 300 components made from recycled materials, including steel, aluminium and plastics. More than 100 components use post-consumer recycled materials and the car has been developed with end-of-life recycling and reuse as a key focus.Introducing the new A2 Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said, “The A2 e-tron is more than a new model: It represents Audi’s renewal. “It shows how we are rethinking premium for Europe: using resources more intelligently without compromising on quality, technology, or customer experience,” he said. European orders for the new A2 are already open with deliveries scheduled to begin in December.  In Germany, the A2 e-tron 125kW is priced from €38,200 (~A$61,600), rising to €51,200 (~A$82,600) for the A2 e-tron 240kW flagship.