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Genesis has set itself a new target — compete with the world’s biggest performance car brands including Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren.To do so, the company has revealed an all-new, mid-engined concept car, which previews a production car set to launch in the near-future.The new Genesis GT Concept was revealed overnight alongside the showroom-ready version of the GV60 Magma, as the new performance sub-brand prepares for its global launch in 2026.Genesis has a history of building stunning sports car concepts only to never build them for customers, but Hyundai and Genesis global CEO Jose Munoz made it clear the GT Concept isn’t just an attention-grabbing one-off.“We’ll get it done for sure,” Munoz said.Luc Donkerwolke, Genesis’ Chief Creative Officer, made it clear that the GT Concept sets a clear path ahead for the brand, setting it on a new path for the next decade as it explores more high-performance cars as well as pushes higher into the luxury market with more bespoke cars.“The Magma GT Concept represents the pinnacle of our performance vision and stands as a symbol of our commitment to true motorsport capability,” Donkerwolke said.“It isn’t defined by raw aggression or uncompromising speed - it is defined by balance. This is a car that feels instinctively connected to its driver, composed under pressure, and meticulously tuned so that every component serves a single purpose to make performance effortless.”He added:  “The Magma GT doesn’t ask the driver to prove their skill; it enhances it. This is not simply a faster Genesis. It is the most complete expression of Genesis performance to date.”No technical details of the GT Concept have been revealed, but the engine note was distinctively that of a V8. This is no guarantee the production version will be V8-powered, as it could simply be that the concept uses Genesis’ existing engine, but nor should it be ruled out.Genesis wants to take the GT into sport car racing, in the popular GT3 class, which would pit it against the Ferrari 296, Porsche 911, McLaren 750S, Mercedes-AMG GT and Aston Martin Vantage, so it will need a powerful engine to compete.There was no timeframe put on when the GT Concept would become a production car, but there are indications Genesis management want it to happen sooner rather than later, which means it’s likely to happen before the end of the decade.

A new performance all-electric SUV hero is approaching.

Hyundai has just revealed a wild new off-roader concept at this year’s LA motor show.

This tech upgrade could be a game changer.Chinese-owned Swedish EV brand Polestar will introduce advanced AI voice assistant Google Gemini to its cars. The Gemini update was first seen in a public demonstration on the Polestar 5 at the start-up and technology event in Finland, Slush.Google’s Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot that can engage with users in conversation. The technology will allow users to have more natural conversations with the car to brainstorm aloud, ask follow-up questions and learn, according to Polestar. It will replace the current Google Assistant in all Polestar cars. Gemini builds on Google Assistant as it is more than a voice assistant, but can answer unique questions.Gemini is normally found in Google’s suite of smart speakers, and will eventually supersede the Google assistant available in older examples. Polestar's head of User Interface and User Experience Sid Odedra said the change will enhance driving experience. “Our collaboration with Google is a great example of how we continue to evolve the digital experience in our cars,” Odedra said. “Gemini brings the next generation of AI voice interaction into the car, and we’re excited to give a first look at how it will enhance the driving experience.”The first look at this new tech was on the Polestar 5, which was recently made available for order in Australia.It is available in dual motor and performance specs, with the latter producing 650kW and 1015Nm, and priced at $193,100, before on-road costs. Gemini will be introduced across Polestar’s line-up with a 2026 Google update.Polestar sells three other variants in Australia, which are the Polestar 2 sedan, Polestar 3 four-door coupe and Polestar 4 SUV.Polestar has seen a modest boost in Australian sales in 2025, rising nearly 39 per cent, up to October 2025 compared to this time last year, equating to over 2000 sales for the year so far. It is expected that a Polestar 6 two-door sports car, that was revealed in 2022 will go into production, after a medium SUV in the Polestar 7 launches. 

GWM has admitted there is still plenty of work left to do to boost the popularity of its entry-level Cannon 4x2 and 4x4 range in Australia. Whilst recording a decent 19 per cent volume rise year-to-date, to just under 7000 units, on the back of a significant diesel engine and transmission upgrade earlier this year as part of 2025 facelift, the keenly-priced Chinese mid-sized ute is only in seventh spot.

Foton is on the comeback trail in Australia, but what comes next won’t be an SUV or a larger and more-powerful ute. Instead, the Chinese brand has at least one new value-focused van under consideration, as it seeks to cement its reputation as a provider of no-nonsense commercial vehicles in this country.

A new budget hatch is set to join the Aussie new car market as Kia has announced pricing and specifications for its updated K4. The K4 now comes as a hatch or sedan, starting from $32,090, before on-road costs, in either form. It keeps its two engine choices, both front-wheel drive, which have been tweaked according to Kia. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine comes in the first four grades in the line-up and produces 110kW and 180Nm, with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The range-topping GT-Line, gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, pumping out 142kW and 265Nm with an eight-speed auto. Its price has been bumped up slightly across the range, as the base model S grade is now $2000 more than the previous sedan-only variant, which launched at the start of 2025.The K4 has been embroiled in a tight fight in the small car category, facing tough competition from the Toyota Corolla, the category’s best-seller, which has hit nearly 16,000 sales so far this year.The K4 also trails Hyundai’s i30 and the Mazda 3 which, with nearly 20,000 sales in 2025, combine for almost 40 per cent of the segment, while the K4 has managed a little over 5000 units.  An electric version of the K4 sedan, the EV4 will launch in January 2026, with the hatch variant scheduled for the second half of next year. 16-inch alloy wheelsCloth trim seatsTwo-spoke steering wheelFour-inch driver displayMetal paint finish door handlesFour cupholdersApple CarPlay and Android AutoSix-speaker sound systemSatellite navigationSport grade features:17-inch alloy wheels12.3-inch multimedia screen12.3-inch digital driver displayDual-zone climate controlAuto window defog Sport+ grade features:Synthetic leather seatsHeated front seatsSilver door handlesIlluminated glove boxSolar glass windscreenRain-sensing wipers GT-line features:18-inch alloy wheelsCombined rear lightsFront fog lightsSynthetic leather seats with GT-Line stylingMemory driver seatGloss black window and wheel arch surroundsGloss black grilleGloss black door mirrorsSunroofThree-spoke two-tone steering wheelHeated steering wheelPaddle shiftersAmbient lightingPremium eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound systemVentilated front seatsPowered seatsThe K4 sedan was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, with the optional ‘Safety Pack’ ($2100). Without the Safety Pack, it received a four-star rating. The K4 hatch has not been assessed by ANCAP.Front and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraAuto emergency breakingBlind spot detectionLane keep assistLane follow assistS grade with Safety Pack features:Crossing and direct oncoming lane change detectionSport features:Lane change assistSport+ features:Auto dimming rear view mirrorThe car gets a seven-year, unlimited km warranty. 

Toyota is reportedly gearing up to lengthen the model cycles of its vehicles in order to reduce costs.

A new safety report has rated some popular used cars.Monash University’s Accident Research Centre Used Car Safety Ratings for 2025 have been revealed, with 23 new vehicles added to the handbook that covers vehicles built between 1982 and 2023.Top picks of the newly added vehicles were the 2013-22 Ford Transit van, 2014-21 BMW 2 Series, 2019-23 Mazda CX-30, 2017-23 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and 2018-23 Subaru Forester.The report revealed the average risk of being killed or seriously injured across all road users involved in a crash is 34 per cent lower in a vehicle manufactured from 2022 onwards, compared to 20 years ago. The ratings report looked at crash data analysing more than 9.5 million vehicles and 2.6 million road users in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2022. It rated 561 vehicle models that were built between 1982 and 2023 looking at factors such as crash location, driver age and the number of vehicles involved. It measured safety through an overall rating with three categories: driver safety, other road user safety and crash avoidance. All are ranked out of five.Certain vehicles received a ‘Safer Pick’, where they scored five stars for overall and driver protection, with at least four stars for other road user safety and crash avoidance. Almost all 'Safer Pick' vehicles are available second-hand for under $25,000 and more than half priced below $10,000, according to Monash University.The report made particular note of the high risk attached to ute crashes, with only one ute achieving a five-star overall rating, and 70 per cent one or two stars.Some of this real-world data does not line up with ANCAP safety ratings. The Ford Mustang, manufactured from 2015-2022, received a two-star rating, which was later upgraded to three-stars with ANCAP. Yet, it achieved a near all-excellent rating in real-world crashes, according to the data.The full data set is available here.

Mercedes-AMG’s controversial four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) C63 and GLC63 could soon reportedly be getting the axe due to new European regulations.As reported by German publication Elektroauto-News, the German carmaker has made the decision to stop production of the current version of these high-performance AMG models, among other four-cylinder powered AMG models, by May 2026.According to a leaked internal memo from the Mercedes-Benz Germany product management department from October 2025, the reason for the discontinuation is due to impending European Union external noise regulations.This report comes after lacklustre reception of the four-cylinder PHEV powertrain in the current AMG C63 and GLC63.Unlike previous-generation models which had big-bore twin-turbo V8 engines, the current AMG C63 and GLC63 feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s augmented with an electric motor.Despite the fewer cylinders, these models were more powerful than ever. They have total system outputs of 500kW and 1020Nm.In addition to these controversial PHEV AMG models, the German carmaker is reportedly set to cease production of the AMG C43, GLC43, as well as the GLA35 in February 2026.All of these AMG models feature a version of the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine but without the electric motor.Interestingly the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S reportedly isn’t affected and will continue to be produced without restriction. It also features the high-performance 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.“Please ensure that no further orders are accepted for the aforementioned discontinued models for the period after their discontinuation,” reads the leaked internal memo when translated from German to English.“We will inform you about possible successor products in due course.”At this stage it’s unclear what Mercedes-AMG will do. It could simply revise the four-cylinder engine in order to have it comply with these new external noise regulations.Another possibility is it could prioritise instead six- or eight-cylinder engines, especially for these high-performance AMG models.Many rivals like Audi and BMW are still sticking with six- and eight-cylinder engines given that’s what customers seek.At this stage it’s unclear what this will mean for local Mercedes-Benz customers. We’ve reached out to Mercedes-Benz Australia and will update this story once we hear back.