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BMW’s head of design says there was a degree of pressure overseeing the look of the new iX3, one of the most important cars in BMW’s long history.

Hyundai has a new family hero.

It’s one of those under the table automotive dark arts everyone knows is an industry norm but is rarely spoken about publicly.But Xiaomi Founder and CEO Lei Jun hasn’t held back in describing his company’s detailed analysis of the Tesla Model Y during development of the brand’s YU7 EV SUV.This week, while delivering his annual speech at the Beijing National Convention Centre, Mr Jun confirmed the Xiaomi engineering team had acquired not one but three Tesla Model Ys for the express purpose of disassembly and forensic analysis of every component. And it’s a safe bet the Model 3 underwent a similar breakdown process as part of the Xiaomi SU7 sedan’s production program.Showing multiple side-by-side comparison slides of the YU7 and Model Y Mr Jun said, “We bought three Model Ys at the start of this year, disassembling the parts one by one, and studied every component, one at a time.”And in the face of massive supply shortages resulting from a huge order backlog for the recently released YU7, Mr Lei was effusive in his praise for Tesla's top-selling model and encouraged prospective Xiaomi buyers to consider it. “If you don’t choose YU7, you can consider Model Y. I’m not criticizing the Model Y. The Model Y is a very, very outstanding car,” he said.Within 18 hours of the YU7’s mid-year launch, Xiaomi said it had received around 240,000 orders, with the waiting list quickly pushing out to as much as 12 months. On social media Jun has also recommended the Xpeng G7 and Li Auto i8 as worthwhile YU7 alternatives. Already established as a large-scale global consumer electronics maker and software developer (it’s currently the world’s third-largest smartphone manufacturer), Xiaomi unveiled the single- and dual-motor SU7 EV sedan in 2024, with the YU7 SUV following this year.The tri-motor SU7 Ultra, currently the fastest EV around the Nurburgring Nordschleife and claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.0 seconds, was recently spotted exiting Ferrari’s Maranello HQ, sparking speculation it’s being benchmarked in the development of the Prancing Horse’s upcoming pure-electric model.And a similarly focused version of the YU7, likely to be called YU7 GT, is expected soon, with a heavily camouflaged version of the car already spotted circulating on the famous German road circuit.   

A new Toyota HiLux is just around the corner.

One of Europe’s cheapest small cars will live on in Australia – for now. While the Skoda Scala’s future hangs in the balance due to shifting buyer preferences, plunging sales and a new-model onslaught that includes value EVs like the coming Epiq, its Fabia kid brother is treading just enough water to justify continuing importation.

The long-awaited replacement for one of the most popular small SUVs in Australia is almost here, with pricing and features revealed for the 2026 Mitsubishi ASX.Mitsubishi has changed the positioning of its baby SUV and it’s now a much pricier proposition than the budget-friendly model it replaces. In turn it also comes with a significantly higher level of tech and safety than the outgoing model ever had.The new-generation ASX is not related to the model it replaces. The original ASX was based on Mitsubishi’s 'GS' platform that underpinned the likes of the last Lancer as well as the recently discontinued Eclipse Cross and more.It was sold in Australia from 2010 until earlier this year, with several facelifts and model year updates throughout its 15-year life.This new version is a rebadged and tweaked version of Alliance partner Renualt’s Captur small SUV, which is not currently sold in Australia. The pre-facelift second-gen Captur was sold in Australia but the refreshed version is yet to be confirmed for sale here.Mitsubishi is offering three grades of ASX and pricing is much higher than the first-gen ASX.Before it was discontinued, the base ASX GS was priced from $26,740, before on-road costs, for the automatic version.Second-gen ASX pricing starts at $37,740 for the entry grade LS, which is about $7K more than the equivalent outgoing LS. The range tops out with the Exceed at $46,490. See tables below for a breakdown of pricing and specification.That means the price of entry for an ASX has increased by more than $10,000. The ASX was known for its value, attracting buyers at the entry-level of the segment. Rivals included the previous-generation MG ZS and GWM Haval Jolion.This pricing puts it more in line with the likes of the Honda HR-V, Nissan Qashqai, Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross.Powering all ASX grades is a 113kW/270Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission driving the front wheels only.According to Mitsubishi, the new ASX consumes 6.4 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle, which is 16 per cent more efficient than the old, unrelated 2.0L unit from the previous ASX.The ASX will be available in Mitsubishi dealerships from the fourth quarter of this year.• 10.4-inch multimedia screen• Instrument cluster with 7.0-inch display• 17-inch alloy wheels• Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors• Centre console with armrest• Manual dimming rear-view mirror• Cloth seats • Height adjustable driver seat• Soft-touch steering wheel• Vanity mirrors for driver and front passenger• Cruise control with speed limiter• Eco drive mode• Rear parking sensors• Gloss black door mirrors• Climate control air conditioning• Paddle shift• Smart card• Electric parking brake with auto hold• Dusk sensing headlamps• Rain sensing wipers• Rear view camera• Embedded sat nav and Google built-in, featuring Google Assistant, Google Maps & Google Play• 10-inch digital instrument cluster • 18-inch alloy wheels• Privacy glass• Electric folding door mirrors• Ambient interior lighting• Auto dimming rear-view mirror• Height adjustable driver and passenger seat• Heated steering wheel• Illuminated vanity mirrors • Wireless charging• Instrument panel decoration – gloss black• Drive modes, including 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and ‘Perso’• Panoramic sunroof• Two-tone exterior paint• Frameless auto dimming rear-view mirror• Black leather seats • Heated front seats• Power driver seatThe new-gen ASX is yet to be crash tested by safety watchdog ANCAP.• Driver attention alert• Emergency lane assist• Forward collision mitigation• Lane departure prevention• Lane departure warning• Safe distance warning• Front, rear and side parking sensors• Lane keep assist• Adaptive cruise control• Traffic jam assist• 'Mi-Pilot' - semi-autonomous driving system• Blind spot warning• Rear cross-traffic alert• Safe exit assist The ASX is covered by Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km warranty which is conditional on the owner servicing the car at a Mitsubishi dealership. It also comes with 10 years' capped-price servicing and up to four years of complimentary roadside assistance.

Nissan seems to have dumped its Skyline EV plans in favour of raucous RWD twin-turbo V6 revival.

Stellantis has begun road-testing an electric vehicle (EV) prototype with a new battery technology that’s aimed at making its EVs more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective.Developed in partnership with French battery technology company Saft over the last few years, the Peugeot E-3008 electric SUV is fitted with Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS) technology.It embeds the inverter and charger functionalities directly in the battery pack, regardless of the chemistry or application, which in turn saves space and reduces complexity. It still offers both AC and DC charging capabilities, while still being able to power the vehicle’s 12V system.Stellantis claims this IBIS technology improves the energy efficiency by 10 per cent, according to WLTP testing, and improves power by 15 per cent with the same battery size.Additionally the weight is reduced by 40kg and there’s 17L more volume available, allowing for more design flexibility and better aerodynamics.Early results have shown that there’s a 15 per cent reduction in charging time. When plugged into a 7kW AC charger it only takes six hours to fully charge, rather than seven.Lastly IBIS technology is claimed to allow for easier servicing and maintenance, plus once the battery has reached the end of its usable life in a vehicle, it can be reused as a stationary unit.“This project reflects our belief that simplification is innovation,” said Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer Ned Curic.“By rethinking and simplifying the electric powertrain architecture, we are making it lighter, more efficient, and more cost-effective.“These are the kinds of innovations that help us deliver better, more affordable EVs to our customers.”Stellantis isn’t the only carmaker working on this kind of technology. Porsche is also working on a ‘modular multi-level inverter’ that combines multiple electric components into one unit.At this stage Stellantis has said it’s aiming to introduce this battery technology into its production vehicles by the end of the decade.

Australia is one of the most fiercely-contested sales arenas in the world today, with more than 60 brands and counting fighting for a modest 1.2-million-unit market annually.Tough doesn’t even start to explain the situation.Now, with the recent Climate Change Authority’s recommendation that electric vehicle (EV) sales jump from today’s 10 per cent market penetration to at least 50 per cent by 2035 to achieve emissions targets, it is vital that Australian buyers willingly take the leap into full electrification.To that end, here are five EVs not-yet available locally that could lure consumers in. Let’s go.Built at the old Fiesta supermini factory in Germany, the inexplicably-named Explorer EV (no relation at all to the larger, non-electric American Toyota Kluger-sized SUV with exactly the same badge – are there no other names, Ford?) is not what it seems.Under the boxy exterior is a Volkswagen ID.4 mid-sized EV SUV. This is a strong basis for any family-friendly electric car, offering a pleasing depth of quality engineering. Ford’s contribution has been in its unique styling inside and out, as well as on-brand dynamic tuning.Launched last year, initial sales in Europe tanked, but demand has really started to pick up lately, as consumers respond to the Explorer’s chunky styling, involving handling and sophisticated interior. With up to 600km of WLTP range available, efficiency is also impressive.This Euro Explorer is exactly the sort of EV Ford Australia needs: handsome, athletic, capable and clean.Especially as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will increasingly penalise carbon-heavy polluters like diesel-powered utes and SUVs – which is what Ranger and Everest are respectively, making up about 90 per cent of total local Ford sales.But there are no plans for Explorer EV to be imported. It seems like a no-brainer. What a shame.The retro-chic Renault 5 E-Tech city car is a sales and critical success, and deservedly so, offering an alluring blend of style, affordability and technology. Europeans are going gaga over this French supermini, and all indications suggest we soon will be, too. Fingers crossed.But its big brother, the Renault 4 E-Tech, might be an even-better fit for Australia, given it is a higher-riding SUV/crossover, with proper practicality lurking underneath that utilitarian design. With only hints of the original, ground-breaking R4 of 1961 – widely considered to be history’s first volume hatchback – the 2025 reimagining treads a fine line between post-modern-cool and ultra-contemporary-funk.Fun fact: unlike the original Renault 5 supermini of the 1970s, Australians could actually buy the first R4, from 1963 to 1967, and it was even manufactured in Melbourne.Chinese giant Geely has the resources and might to stamp its authority in the bottom end of the EV market in Australia with this – the Geome Xingyuan.And an anticipated sub-$30,000 entry price wouldn’t be the light urban crossover’s only strength.Aimed at the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and Hyundai Inster, the Geome has gone gangbusters back in China, with buyers liking and subscribing its cutesy organic styling, surprisingly spacious cabin and ease of operation – aided by plenty of pep, perky handling, decent range and a generous wad of safety tech. What’s not to like from an EV that, in China, kicks off from well-below $20K? At $25K the Geome would rule.With a name like that, this European EV supermini sounds like it should be Chinese, but the Grande Panda is very much an elegant – and thoughtful ­– slice of Italian design.Based on Stellantis’ Smart Car Platform that supports internal combustion engines as well as battery electric tech, accessibility was high on the Grande Panda’s engineering brief, meaning that, were it to join its glamorous 500e supermini sister in Australia, it should be priced very competitively. Like history’s best Fiats have always been.This is the sort of fun and fiery yet ultra-functional city car that the company is famous for – and the retro styling that harks back to the beloved, Giugiaro-penned 1980 Panda original makes no bones about that. Interesting detailing, great proportions and an inviting interior presentation are further drawcards, proving that Italy still knows how to make cracking small cars. And did we mention the Grande Panda was designed to be attractively priced?OK. This is little more than the high-flying Renault 5 E-Tech wearing a 2000s-era Mk3 Micra-esque face with adorable semi-circular LEDs to set it apart.But, in an era of capable if unexciting SUVs, ageing utes and even-older 4WDs, Nissan deserves to offer something fresh and youthful.And, anyway, until the late 2010s and Tesla Model 3, the brand’s Leaf small car was the most successful EV in history. Whether lightning strikes twice with the vital third iteration from next year remains to be seen, but in the meantime, the Micra EV proves that there is real heart as well as a sense of fun at Nissan. Even if it is so clearly little more than a badge-engineered R5. But there could be worse cars to be based upon.

Is this a rare case of a brand underselling important hybrid drivetrain tech?