News

New RAV4 Hybrid hunter confirmed for Oz
By Tim Gibson · 16 Oct 2025
A new hybrid SUV is headed to Australian shores. KGM’s (formerly known as SsangYong) Torres Hybrid has just launched in the United Kingdom and could blow open the hybrid SUV market when it arrives this year. The Torres Hybrid will start from £35,995 in the UK (around $75,000), but it won't be that pricey in Australia. It is believed the Torres hybrid will arrive next year in two variants, priced at less than $50,000. It is powered by BYD’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid system that produces 130kW and 300Nm, with a combined fuel use of 6.1L/100km KGM has been selling Torres petrol variants in Australia since 2024, with a drive-away price of $38,000 for the entry-level model, although it has only mustered 248 sales in 2025. Australian buyers are increasingly gravitating towards hybrid vehicles, with sales up more than 10 per cent this year. Sales of hybrid vehicles account for more than 15 per cent of all new cars sold through the first nine months of 2025.Carmakers are responding to this demand with a dramatic increase in options in the past two years.MG recently launched the HS Hybrid+, which will be a direct rival to Torres Hybrid in Australia, starting from $40,990 (before on-road costs). The Torres will also have to battle for market share with the Cherry Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid that has a drive-away price of $39,990 and the Haval H6 Lux hybrid at $38,990 drive-away. These options are in addition to the popular Toyota RAV4 that leads the SUV sales, with more than 2500 sold up to September 2025. According to a KGM Australia spokesperson, the hybrid Torres will be joined by an all-electric variant this year, too.KGM also confirmed its all-electric Musso ute will launch before the end of 2025. 
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Here’s the 2026 MG S6 EV before you’re meant to see it
By Chris Thompson · 16 Oct 2025
European media is today publishing what outlets are calling the first photos of the incoming MG S6 electric car, but the Australian government has had images of the mid-size SUV for some time.
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Electric sports car delayed in favour of EV SUV
By Tim Nicholson · 16 Oct 2025
Polestar’s flagship two-door sports car will still go into production, but its launch has been delayed as the company prioritises higher volume models.The Polestar 6 will be a production version of the two-door electric roadster concept revealed back in 2022. It’s yet to be seen in production guise and now it sounds like the world might not get a glimpse for at least a couple more years.Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller told Australian journalists the Chinese-owned Swedish EV brand is focussing on the Polestar 7 medium SUV ahead of anything else in its portfolio, given how big the segment is.“The 6 absolutely comes later, because after the 5, we need to do the 7 in terms of the volume. I want to make Polestar broader, more accessible for people, right, also in terms of price point. And then once we have successfully done this, we will look again at the Polestar 6,” he said.Slotting into the line-up under the freshly revealed Polestar 5 four-door grand coupe, the Polestar 6 will eventually compete with the likes of the upcoming next-generation electric Porsche 718 and the MG Cyberster.The Polestar 7, meanwhile, is yet to be seen, but it will tackle electric mid-size SUVs like the BMW iX3, Audi Q4 e-tron, Zeekr 7X and Tesla Model Y.Lohscheller denied the suggestion the company would need to improve its financial situation before launching a niche model like the Polestar 6.“No, it is a priority, and we will do it, but the sequence matters, right? You can't do everything at the same time. A small company like ours, need to set clear priorities, and that's what leadership is all about. And that's my role, to give guidance and leadership.”He said the main priorities for Polestar include a shift from online car sales to an ‘active selling model’ and expanding its global retail network by 75 per cent before the end of 2026, followed by entering a volume segment.“Second, I go into the volume segments, that's why the Polestar 7 has to come as quickly as possible, right? And that's the priority compared to a Polestar 6. And once we have then gone through this, then we will do the Polestar 6. And of course, everybody loves the Polestar 6. No question. Everybody wants to have it. But we need to walk before we run here.”The production version of the Polestar 6 hardtop convertible will use Polestar’s bespoke bonded aluminium platform that features 800-volt electric architecture found in the related Polestar 5.When the concept was revealed in 2022, Polestar said it would be good for performance figures including up to 650kW of power and 900Nm of torque from a dual-motor powertrain, with a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds.The four-door Polestar 5 Performance grade revealed at the start of September pumps out 650kW/1015Nm and Polestar confirmed it achieved the blistering 3.2-second 0-100km/h sprint time.
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Flamboyant look for prospect Merc
By Tim Gibson · 15 Oct 2025
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a flamboyant new design as part of its Vision Iconic series. The design intends to showcase the reimagining of the traditional grille that appeared on models from the 1920s and 1930s.Models included the W 108, W 111 and 600 Pullman, where the grille and three-pointed star on the bonnet distinguished the cars.The grille features a wide chromed frame and smoked-glass lattice structure, with a modern twist of integrated contour lighting to illuminate the grille and front-mounted star. This new design philosophy was brought to life by the all-electric GLC last month, which was revealed at the recent Munich motor show and will hit Australian showrooms later next year. The vintage-modern crossover continues inside the car, with metallic-style steering wheel and lounge-like seating, contrasting further futuristic illumination throughout the cabin. The design does not feature an obvious gear selector or litany of dials and instruments. Mercedes' bold new interior emphasises the carmaker’s focus on the evolving role for design inside the car, with automated driving getting closer to use.According to Mercedes, the Iconic Vision comes with a Level 2 automatic driving system that has point-to-point urban capabilities. This is a two steps below its Level 4 highly automated driving system that would allow the driver to take their hands off the wheel entirely. The sleek exterior of the concept car also speculates on the potential of solar power in the future. Mercedes-Benz is researching the application of solar modules to the bodywork of electric vehicles, similar to a wafer thin paste. It claims this would harness additional range from the sun, and in ideal conditions offer an extra 12,000km of range per year. The solar coating also contains no rare earth metals or silicon and is easily recyclable, according to Mercedes-Benz.As part of this technological overhaul, Mercedes has also speculated on the use of more advanced computing to increase energy efficiency exponentially. 
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New SUV promises 'maximum pleasure'
By Andrew Chesterton · 15 Oct 2025
Alfa Romeo’s new Tonale promises to reinject the “Alfa Romeo driving appeal” into its small SUV, with a new generation doubling down on the driving fun in an effort to lure in more customers.
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Affordable Chinese SUV confirmed for Oz
By Tom White · 15 Oct 2025
Jaecoo J5 readies to launch in combustion, hybrid, and EV forms.
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Major carmaker's hybrid surge
By Tim Gibson · 15 Oct 2025
Kia has added more accessible hybrid options to its SUV line-up for 2026.
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New HiLux hunter incoming
By Dom Tripolone · 15 Oct 2025
Nissan to unveil long-awaited next-gen Navara imminently!
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Did Mitsubishi just tease a proper Ralliart Outlander?
By Tom White · 15 Oct 2025
Mitsubishi teases new vehicle launches overseas with one being an overhauled Outlander with more off-road abilities.
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Pajero replacement timing confirmed!
By Tim Nicholson · 15 Oct 2025
One of the most important models in Mitsubishi’s long history is drawing closer.
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