hatchback

Volkswagen is about to send in its new models - here's what's coming and when

China’s affordable electric car offensive marches on. Dongfeng is one of China’s largest car makers but is also one of the few that haven’t announced Australian expansion plans ... yet.

The Mini Cooper is now two different cars - the EV from China and the petrol hatch from the UK. The latter is a thorough facelift of its 2014 predecessor, using the same centre section, powertrain and platform, blended with a fresh face and tail, as well as a striking new dash. There have been other changes and updates too, though the same feisty Mini character remains. But is that enough, though?

Pricing for the all-new Kia K4, the successor to the long-serving Cerato small car, has been released in the US.According to the Kia US media release, the new K4 will come in five variants: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo.Pricing for the entry-level LX trim will commence at US$21,990 (A$33,328), rising to US$28,090 (A$42,574) for the top-spec variant we currently know as the GT.For comparison, the current base-model Cerato S starts at $27,060 in Australia, while the top spec GT-Turbo Cerato will set you back $36,860 (all prices listed above are before on-road costs).It is expected that the K4 will start closer to $30,000 in Australia when it is released in the first quarter of 2025.In the US, the K4 will have a choice of two powertrains, a 110kW/264Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine or a 142kW/264Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.The latter is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the current Cerato’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.It is likely these will be the same powertrains offered in Australia, given they are currently available in Cerato models, though Kia is yet to confirm this officially.Kia has not announced plans for a hybrid variant in the US, though it is likely that one will be offered for the Australian market at some point in the near future.The K4 will be significantly bigger than the Cerato, offering what Kia says is “class-leading” legroom within the small car segment, as well as greater headroom and a body as wide as some medium-size sedans.Like the Cerato, the K4 will be offered with the option of a sedan or hatchback.Inside, the Kia K4 gets a completely new look, including a multi-screen dashboard that boasts two 12.3-inch displays integrated into one continuous panel. A third, 5.0-inch display provides climate controls. Apple Carplay and Android Auto will come as standard, along with wireless charging.The outgoing Cerato is Kia's second-best selling model and Australia's second-best selling small car priced under $40,000, owning a 24.1 per cent share of the market, second only to the Toyota Corolla.It has enjoyed record sales this year to date, increasing 241 per cent from 3105 sales this time last year to 9811 this year. If Kia gets the formula right, there's every chance the K4 could secure the same level of popularity.Expect more details closer to the Australian launch.

MG’s new small hybrid SUV is just around the corner.

There are a handful of new-car bargain gems out there, with a combination of design, packaging, engineering, performance, economy and quality that belie their affordable pricing. We name our top seven picks.

Toyota has broadened the appeal of its rally-bred GR Corolla hot hatch with a suite of changes — including a new transmission.

One of Australia’s favourite hot hatches has come in for an overhaul that adds some extra goodies, but it also comes with a price increase.

Can you hear what’s coming over the horizon? Probably not, because it’s a swathe of near-silent Electric Vehicles (EVs), set to supersede the bog-standard gas-guzzling Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car within the next decade or two. 

Japan is on a roll. Not since the heyday of the ’80s and early ‘90s has its car industry been so confident and progressive, taking wild chances when – in the past – things would have been played way too safe.