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An unholy alliance could be forming.Reports from Japanese outlet Best Car, which is known for its well-placed sources in the country’s car industry, suggest Toyota and Mazda are working together on a new sports car duo.Best Car has delivered some head-turning digital renders that boost the appeal of this unlikely duo.Mazda has a history of building excellent sports cars in house with its rotary powered RX series and the universally loved MX-5.Now Best Car has revealed rumours Mazda will build a new roadster with the help of Toyota, with it likely to be based on the new GR86.Whether this will replace the MX-5 is unknown, so is if this will actually happen or just stay a rumour.There is a chance this roadster could be pitched as a bigger — potentially four-seat — drop top to sit above the MX-5, but that’s just speculation.It is believed Toyota has taken the lead of the new GR86 project from Subaru, with that partnership delivering the GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins.Hybrid power is expected to be at the heart of the new GR86 and mystery Mazda roadster.It is expected to use a new potent Toyota hybrid setup.This is expected to be a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine — the same found in the GR Yaris — paired with an electric motor and small battery.It will likely be a parallel hybrid setup and still drive the rear wheels.There are some rumours that put the 86’s hybrid setup at about 200kW, a big step up from the circa-170kW of the current version but a feasible upgrade considering the full-blown 1.6-litre unit's 224kW punch in the GR Yaris.There is a chance that Best Car might be missing the mark, considering Mazda is believed to be working on a production version of the striking Iconic SP concept that was shown at the 2023 Tokyo motor show.That car is tipped to use a rotary engine as part of a range extender hybrid setup. This means the engine is used purely as a generator to charge a battery with the wheels driven by electric motors only.Mazda is a small carmaker on a global scale and the chances of it finding room in its range for three sportscars is unlikely.

There are new limited edition Alfas on offer.

A new all-electric SUV is edging closer to Australia.

US battery companies are powering up.China leads the world in new electric vehicle batteries, but a US company is preparing to “leapfrog Asian counterparts”.US company 24M has revealed details of its new battery, which packs in 50 per cent more energy than conventional cells.24M said its new cells deliver unmatched energy density and range, with claims it can build batteries with more than 1600km of driving range.This is done via a new construction that does away with the conventional cell and module structure of a battery.The company claims it has created a sealed anode/cathode pair that is integrated directly into the battery pack, eliminating the need for individual cells, modules and unnecessary materials.It claims this allows it to have a higher percentage of electrodes, which is the part of the battery that stores energy, than other batteries.24M claims its batteries’ electrode content can be up to 80 per cent, while others are usually between 30 and 60 per cent.The company said the construction can be applied to batteries of any chemistry, which includes conventional Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) and Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) EV batteries. It said this would allow battery makers to apply the energy boosting method at scale at relatively low cost.The company’s boss Naoki Ota said: “The pressure to compete on price, design and performance is mounting for American industries that are heavily reliant on imported batteries.”“The US must advance battery innovation, not just scale production to close the gap with competitors overseas. Our 24M ETOP offers US manufacturers the technology they need to leapfrog Asian counterparts with industry-leading energy density, first-of-its-kind design flexibility, and lower manufacturing costs.” There has been a lot of noise in the electric vehicle battery field recently.Multiple vehicle and battery manufacturers are working on solid state units.Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte to transfer energy compared to a liquid or gel used in conventional batteries.This makes them more energy-dense, therefore smaller, and less prone to fire than current batteries. Many claim this new cell will be a silver bullet to mass EV adoption and will make electric sports cars, 4WDs and utes a practical reality.Sodium-ion batteries are also on the rise with makers claiming they are much cheaper to build, work better in extreme temperatures and can deliver driving ranges of about 500km.None of these new battery types are currently offered in new cars yet.

GAC finally closes in on its Australian debut - with two models now appearing in the road vehicle descriptor database.

Denza has announced its range for the Australian market. The BYD subsidiary will bring across two off-road capable plug-in hybrid vehicles in the form of B5 and the B8. Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland said entering Australia will offer greater options for buyers. “This is a landmark moment in the Australian automotive industry,” he said.“DENZA will offer a whole new range for consumers wanting a slice of luxury and the latest in innovation. “It’s built for explorers, pioneers, and leaders. For those who see roads as invitations, not boundaries, we know DENZA will be one of the most exciting premium brand launches to date.”The B5 uses a 145kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one on each axle.This makes for a combined power and torque output of 505kW/760Nm. Thanks to the 31.8kWh BYD ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP), the B5 has an electric-only range of 100km (WLTP) and a combined petrol-electric range of 1200km.The seven-seater B8 combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual-electric motors to produce 550kW and 760Nm, allegedly achieving 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.The dual-electric motors are powered by a 36.8kWh LFP battery, which has a claimed WLTP range of 100km. Pricing and more detailed specifications will be revealed closer to the launch date. 

A US pick-up has joined the brewing warranty war.Chevrolet has announced a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty across its Silverado range to boost buyer confidence.This new warranty scheme offers a two-year increase from the previous three-year warranty. It applies to all three Silverado models sold from 1 October 2025, which includes the base 1500 LTZ to the 1500 ZR2 and the top-of-the-range 2500 HD.It also comes with five years 24/7 roadside assistance.The changes coincide with a price rise of $4500 to the Silverado 1500.The Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium now kicks off at $134,500 (before on-road costs) and the Silverado 1500 ZR2 now starts at $144,900.There is no equipment change for the LTZ Premium, but the ZR2 gets new exterior paint options and front park assist tech.The Silverado has been a popular choice in the high-end ute market with more than 2500 sales of the 1500 up to August 2025.Once imported to Australia, the American-built ute is adapted to right-hand drive in a Melbourne factory.A five-year warranty brings the Silverado into line with many of its competitors including Ford’s F-150 and the Toyota Tundra. It beats RAM’s pick-up range, which offers three years/100,000km.The Silverado’s warranty isn't groundbreaking and is now considered industry standard.Warranties are becoming an ever-more valuable selling point for car companies, with many brands advancing their schemes. Kia and Hyundai now offer seven-year warranties, while MG, Nissan and Mitsubishi has a ten-year conditional option. These conditional warranties are often subject to factors such as on-time and regular dealer-based servicing for them to apply.The increased warranty represents greater trust from Chevrolet for its hard-working ute that is used in a variety of environments from off-roading to long-distance cruising.Managing Director of GM Australia and New Zealand Jess Bala said a longer warranty fits the multi-purpose nature of the vehicle.“We know how our owners love to use their Silverado, both during the working week and on the weekends, so introducing an unlimited-kilometre warranty is something we know they will love,” she said.“The Silverado is a vehicle with a reputation forged by strength, durability and trust, and its passionate owners know they can rely on their truck to get the job done, no matter how tough. This change cements that reputation even further.”

Zeekr has just revealed its 9X large plug-in hybrid super SUV in China along with its price, and it’s clear Range Rover is in its sights.

Meet the Chinese Toyota locked-in for right-hand drive markets.

Volkswagen will launch an all-new version of the Amarok that is completely unrelated to any previous ute wearing the famous badge. Due in 2027, it is expected to finally replace the ageing, 2H-series Amarok original launched in 2010, still in production in Argentina for the South American market and facelifted in 2024. But the really big news is that this will be a variation of the recently-released LDV (or Maxus) Terron 9 that’s also sold in Australia as the MG U9, courtesy of Chinese automotive conglomerate SAIC.