News
Clearest look at the new Mitsubishi Pajero yet
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By Laura Berry · 10 Sep 2025
Mitsubishi’s upcoming Pajero Sport successor has been unveiled, well in a way.Japanese Publication Best Car Web has published new digital renders of the so-called Pajero without any camouflage based on a prototype vehicle seen testing earlier this year in Europe.The images are similar to CarsGuide’s own renders produced by Thanos Pappas earlier this year. They depict a large angular and boxy SUV with a very upright and broad nose, as well as a horizontal-slat grille, tall bonnet, set-back cabin and a high flat roofline, leading to a squared-off tailgate.As previously detailed, Mitsubishi may shelve the Pajero Sport badge and bring back the iconic and original Pajero name. Earlier this year Mitsubishi Australia told CarsGuide that with the previous-generation Pajero Sport - plus the ASX and Eclipse Cross SUVs - being retired due to not meeting Australian Design Rules (ADRs) there would be a replacement but wouldn’t say what it would be called."These nameplates will be replaced by equivalent — if you want to call it that — vehicles in the coming years," said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of Product Strategy and PR, Bruce Hampel.Best Car Web claims the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton which launched locally in 2024. This means a body-on-frame chassis is likely, like the outgoing Pajero Sport.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, however, later versions from the 2000s onward were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.If the Pajero does make a full comeback it will have its work cut out for itself because its old rival, the Prado, is only recently starting its new generation and offered with a turbo-diesel mild-hybrid powertrain locally and a hybrid powertrain in other markets.Mitsubishi’s best selling vehicle is the Outlander mid-sized SUV with 15,043 sales so far this year. The current Pajero Sport despite being on the way out is still selling well with 3758 sold until the end of August.
Could this Merc-like hybrid come to Oz?
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By Chris Thompson · 09 Sep 2025
While it lends itself rather strongly to being mistaken for a Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door at first glance, this is in fact the new Geely Galaxy Starshine 6 EM-i.
New-gen French icon revealed with hybrid power
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By Jack Quick · 09 Sep 2025
Renault has revealed a new-generation version of its Clio hatchback at this year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany.Claimed to be “boosted in every way”, this sixth-generation Clio has been redesigned inside and out. It’s still based on the CMF-B platform that also underpins the likes of the Renault Captur and Arkana, as well as the Nissan Juke.Outside there is an emphasis on diamond shapes, especially at the front, referring back to the Renault badge. This includes motifs on the front grille and the daytime running light signature.Around the sides there are alloy wheels that are up to 18-inches, hidden rear door handles, plus either matte or gloss black wheel-arch cladding.At the back there are four separate tail-light units which are claimed to be inspired by sports cars, plus a highly raked rear window.Measuring in at 4116mm long, 1768mm wide and 1451mm tall with a 2591mm wheelbase, the new Clio is 39mm wider than the previous-generation model.Inside there is a new cockpit design that, depending on the trim, features two 10.1-inch screens configured in a V-shape. There is also textile on the dashboard and integrated ambient lighting that spills on the door cards.Renault claims to have made a conscious effort to incorporate more recycled materials. More than 33 per cent of materials are sourced from a circular economy, plus at least 85 per cent of the car is recyclable.Boot space is up to 391L, depending on the powertrain, and the sill height has been lowered by 40mm compared to the previous-generation model.There are four powertrains available – a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 85kW and 190Nm with a manual or dual-clutch automatic, a three-cylinder petrol-LPG engine that produces 89kW and 200Nm with a dual-clutch automatic, as well as a 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces 119kW with a clutchless multi-speed dog-box transmission.The latter of these engines is claimed to consume 3.9L/100km on the combined cycle, which is less than the previous-generation Clio hybrid. Up to 80 per cent of urban driving is claimed to be able to be done on electric power alone.The new-generation Renault Clio is set to be available to order in Europe before the end of 2025.At this stage it’s unclear if it will come to Australia. "No plans at this stage," said a Renault Australia spokesperson.The French carmaker hasn’t offered the Clio locally since 2020 since it cancelled plans to introduce the previous-generation.However, Renault has said it plans to introduce six new or refreshed models over the next 18 months in Australia.
New Chinese electric hatch revealed
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By Jack Quick · 09 Sep 2025
Leapmotor has revealed a new electric hatchback at this year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany.
Hyundai safety smashes the top-shelf barrier
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By James Cleary · 09 Sep 2025
Hyundai’s just-released Ioniq 9, a large, three-row electric SUV, has come through independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety testing with a maximum five-star rating.Evaluated against the organisation’s latest 2025 protocols, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive six- and seven-seater 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 impressed across ANCAP’s four key pillars - Adult Occupant Protection (84 per cent), Child Occupant Protection (86 per cent), Vulnerable Road User Protection (77 per cent) and Safety Assist (85 per cent).In announcing the result ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said, “Consumers and fleet buyers can be confident the Ioniq 9 provides high levels of protection for occupants, as well as other road users.”Adopting test results from sister organisation Euro NCAP, ANCAP called out numerous Ioniq 9 safety highlights including a stable passenger compartment in frontal offset testing and maximum points for protection of the driver in the full width and side impact tests.At the same time maximum points were awarded for child dummies in the frontal offset and side impact crash tests, with head-protecting airbags extending to the third row.The car’s active bonnet, designed to minimise injury in a pedestrian impact, also came in for special mention as did “high levels of performance across a range of collision avoidance test scenarios – particularly detection and crash mitigation with cyclists and motorcyclists”.Further detail on the Hyundai IONIQ 9's safety performance is available at www.ancap.com.au.
Sportiest Ford Ranger yet is a hybrid?
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By Jack Quick · 08 Sep 2025
Ford makes its plug-in Ranger a whole lot cooler overseas.
Sports car icon levels up with hybrid power!
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By Jack Quick · 08 Sep 2025
Porsche adds even more power to the 911 Turbo.
Skoda's Epiq EV closes in on production
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By James Cleary · 08 Sep 2025
Affordable Skoda EV on the way.
BYD's hybrid Range Rover rival detailed!
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By Tom White · 08 Sep 2025
BYD's Range Rover rival detailed as it launches in China.
Top-selling family SUV goes electric!
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By Jack Quick · 08 Sep 2025
Best-selling Benz gets electric overhaul.