Plug-in hybrid

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery have confirmed the global plans for their joint-venture, the Freelander 8. The 2027 Freelander 8 has now been shown to international media in the global-market spec that will first make its way to the UAE, then to Australia and New Zealand, before it heads to Europe and the UK. The British-derived and Chinese-built model draws on the heritage of the original off-roading SUV from Land Rover, but is being developed and built in China with input from JLR. While not fundamentally different in many ways, the left-hand-drive (LHD) global specification features a 2.0-litre twin-turbo petrol engine paired with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system instead of the 1.5-litre engine range-extender EV drivetrain in China. With specifications for right-hand markets yet to be confirmed, Australian details for the Freelander, including its price, will be confirmed closer to its launch date. Given the timing laid out by Freelander International CEO Lucia Mao, Australia should expect details of the model sometime ahead of its Australian launch, which will follow the UAE’s Q1 2027 launch. The Freelander 8’s LHD global drivetrain boasts a 460kW/662Nm output that allows the large SUV to hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds. Clearly speed isn’t the goal, but the 110km electric-only driving range and its 886km total driving range with a fully charged battery and fuel tank (under CLTC testing) join what the brand calls a ‘world-first’ intelligent off-road system in a luxury adventure vehicle. Compatriot rivals like BYD and Geely have also used similar terms for describing their tech-forward off-road systems before. Its 34.12kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes or less according to Freelander, though again these specifications apply to the UAE with Australian details to be confirmed. Head of Freelander for Australia and New Zealand Kym Mellow spoke to international guests at the reveal of the global Freelander 8 in Wuhu, Chery’s home city in China. His short speech detailed two potential customers he spoke with about Freelander 8 who were looking for a more tech-forward off-roader. “They don’t want to give anything up,” Mellow said, “they want to keep the design and the capability they love and add the intelligence and comfort they’ve been missing.” The tech in the Freelander 8 is certainly a statement, with a huge 1.2-metre long 46.3-inch 8K LED screen and a 15.6-inch centre display in the front, as well as a 17.3-inch optional entertainment screen for rear passengers. Zero-gravity seat options, the choice of a five-seat or plush six-seat layout and the use of Nappa leather and real wood aim to make the cabin feel a step above other compatriot premium brands.

A new brand is edging closer to Aussie buyers.  Two models from Chery sub-brand Jetour have just been approved for sale Down Under.  The brand’s T1 mid-size and T2 large SUVs look likely to be Jetour’s first models to hit showrooms from 2027.  The pair will provide competition for two of the most fiercely contested SUV segments, tackling everything from the Toyota RAV4 to the GWM Tank 300. The T1 and T2 will be the newest affordable SUVs to hit the Aussie market.  The T1 is a size up on the hugely popular RAV4, with dimensions of 4700mm long, 1967mm wide, 1840mm tall and a 2800mm wheelbase.  It will be available with standard petrol and plug-in hybrid set-ups.  The petrol-powered model uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 180kW paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.  Jetour has opted against selling the 125kW/270Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine variant available in other markets.  Plug-in hybrid grades are fitted with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 255kW in front-wheel-drive guise and 430kW in the all-wheel drive.  Other details remain scarce at this stage, but buyers can expect more information ahead of their anticipated launch in 2027.  The T2 is 4827mm long, giving it similar proportions to the BYD Sealion 6 and the Kia Sorento, but it’s more adventure-focused than those rivals.  It will be a more direct boxy hybrid competitor to the larger BYD Ti7 that is strongly linked with an Australian arrival, with ‘Ti7’ already trademarked.  It will be a different rival to the strong-selling GWM Tank 300 as well. It uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 105kW and three electric motors, boosting power to 445kW. The car also has an electric 4WD system, giving increased off-roading potential, even if it rides on a car-based monocoque chassis. Approval documents don’t show the battery size in the T2, and it’s unclear whether it will receive the recently updated choices available. The T2 has just been updated in China with 27kWh and 45kWh battery options, offering driving ranges of 140km or 251km, calculated under generous CLTC standards. The previous generation T2 has 18kWh, 27kWh and 43kWh units, with an electric-only driving range of up to 161km (WLTP).   Jetour will launch in Australia in 2027, but the brand will reveal further details ahead of its arrival.  Buyers can expect these models to be available from an affordable price point, given the T1 starts from 110,000 yuan (about $A15,000) and the T2 from 140,000 yuan (A$29,000).  They are likely to be 20-to-30 per cent more expensive in Australia to account for import costs and other related taxes. 

Jetour has just launched a massively updated version of its BYD Ti7-rivalling T2, with plug-in hybrid tech boasting 250km of electric driving range ahead of the new Chinese brand’s Australian debut next year. The battle of long-range hybrid SUVs is set to become more intense with Jetour officially releasing its updated T2 SUV with a huge 45kWh battery offering a claimed electric driving range of up to 251km (CLTC). The question is - will we get the new updated version in Australia or the previous one? Known as the Traveller 7 in China and T2 in export markets, it has been given a major overhaul featuring new styling and a large battery for its plug-in hybrid system. In China the updated T2 will launch in two petrol variants and a plug-in hybrid version with a choice of two batteries. The petrol variants consist of a 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission or eight-speed traditional automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid has a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor with a choice of 26.61kWh or 45.12kWh batteries. The smaller of the batteries is claimed to offer an electric driving range of up to 140km (CLTC), while the bigger has up to 251km (CLTC) according to Chery. CLTC is the Chinese standard of measuring energy consumption and it's often higher than than the benchmark WLTP system. Generally WLTP is more real-world so a 251km CLTC range is likely to be about 200km, which is still impressive. Measuring 4827mm in length, 2006mm wide and 1875mm tall the T2 has kept its boxy looks but has had styling changes to its front end with the old, square headlights replaced with circular headlights joined by an LED lighting strip much like we’ve seen on the Ford Bronco. Now exclusively a five-seater, the T2’s interior has also been given a freshen-up with a chunkier more rugged design, and higher resolution 15.6-inch display. Pricing in China starts at A$30,000 - A$37,000 but we could expect the price for us in Australian to be about $50,000. Jetour is auto giant Chery’s rugged brand and it will launch in Australia in 2027. We’ve seen Chery win over Aussies with models such as the Tiggo 4 small budget SUV and models from its other brands such as the more premium Jaecoo and its remarkably Range Rover-looking the J5. The next stage of Chery’s plan appears to be a move into the lucrative off-road segment with its Jetour range of rugged SUVs in much the same way that BYD has launched its Denza brands. Despite the rugged looks the T2 won't have the off-road capability of the Denza B5 or Toyota Prado and will see its true rivals as the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe. The T2 is very likely the model that Jetour will launch with when it comes to Australia, but will we get the new and updated model with the big battery for the PHEV variant or will the previous version? CarsGuide has reached out to Chery Australia to ascertain if and when the T2 will arrive and whether it will indeed be the updated version that’s launching in China.

Nissan’s new local boss has outlined the direction the brand will take in the face of increasingly strict emissions regulations and changing market forces. Nissan’s Managing Director for Oceania Steve Milette says the first priority for new models won’t be to simply meet emissions targets, but to provide products that customers are asking for. The brand has just confirmed it will launch the (already expected) Nissan Navara Pro PHEV ute in 2027, there’s also a new-generation Nissan X-Trail on the way for 2027. The pressure is on for Nissan to sell more efficient cars to customers, too, as it reached the second-highest place for NVES (New Vehicle Emissions Standard) fines in 2025, an amount totalling $10,763,050. CarsGuide asked if there’s a path out of the NVES challenges facing the brand and if a refresh of the brand’s line-up is on the cards as part of that. “In terms of product introductions, yeah, yeah, for sure,” Milette told CarsGuide. “We have a pipeline, a robust pipeline.” “We can't talk about the details of those products, but all I can say is, it's going to be positive for us because the product resonates with the needs of Australians, and especially from a diversity of powertrain.  “Not just the vehicles themselves and the segments they play in, but the diversity of powertrains.” With the new X-Trail and the Navara Pro, Nissan isn’t confirming a move into any new (or previously served) segments, meaning passenger cars may still not be part of Nissan's plan. “There's some dominant segments: medium SUV, obviously. The utility market, the ute market, is huge. And traditionally, we've been, you know, we've been pretty strong at the SUV segments in general, like from smaller to to Patrol size,” Milette said. “And so I think for us, you can expect that we're going to be introducing products in the big segments that really are aligned with our history in terms of what we stand for, like very capable SUVs, very capable four by fours, innovative in terms of powertrains.  “That's where we're going.” This could point to the Nissan Terrano plug-in hybrid 4WD, and several electric and range-extender or plug-in hybrid SUVs from China, such as the NX7 and NX8. This would give Nissan an answer to the Denza B5 4WD and Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid. Nissan’s new addition to the X-Trail line-up, a more efficient front-wheel drive version of the e-Power hybrid system, could be considered a move in the right direction for its daunting NVES fines, but Milette says that wasn’t the primary reason for it. “Two-wheel-drive e-Power is a positive contributor to NVES, but its main purpose is to meet a need of the market,” Milette told CarsGuide. “I mean, 25 per cent of the sales in Australia so far this year are hybrid. Half of those are two-wheel drive, so we've only participated in half of that.  “So I think from a consumer preference, now we're in all of that segment.” “But from an NVES perspective, I think the north star is that as a brand we become self-sufficient… the portfolio that balances the negatives with the positives, if you will.” If Nissan sells more low-emission hybrids and electric cars, it will reduce the total amount of fines brought on by its ‘dirtier’ models like its Navara ute and its petrol SUVs. For reference, its second place ($10,763,050) in the 2025 list of brand fines saw it behind Mazda’s whopping $25,425,850 but well ahead of Subaru's $6,981,750. “But until we get there, we're well aware that we'll have to trade for credits, and there are published numbers. Like you saw, it was a public number in 2025.  “All I can say is that that's not the real cost.” Brands that find themselves with credits (likely through selling mostly EVs) rather than fines can agree to sell those credits to brands that have racked up fines, though Milette didn’t specify where those credits would come from. “For us, it's ‘what does the consumer want?’ We have a very powerful brand in Patrol as an example. If consumers want to buy Patrols, and they do, we're going to sell them Patrols. “No matter what the NVES impact there might be.”

Mercedes-Benz has added new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants to its local GLE large SUV line-up with the arrival of the GLE450e 4Matic in Coupe and traditional SUV wagon form. The newcomer is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a single 135kW electric motor integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission, sending a combined 320kW/680Nm to all four wheels via the three-pointed star’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system. That’s enough to propel the 2.7-tonne five-seater from 0-100km/h in just 5.6 seconds. A 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery gives the sleek coupe version an electric-only range of 91km (WLTP), with the more upright wagon good for 87km. Both are capable of up to 140km/h in EV-only mode. Standard charging set-up is 11kW AC for a zero to 100 per cent top-up in under three hours.  An optional onboard DC charger ($1100) accepts 60kW for a 10-80 per cent recharge time of around 29 minutes. On sale from today (October 15, 2026), the Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic plug-in hybrid SUV and Coupé are priced at $156,900 and $160,900, respectively (both before on-road costs). Car-spotters should look out for AMG Line exterior styling and Night Package elements, jointly bringing: AMG front apron Matt black roof rails Gloss black exterior mirror caps Star pattern radiator grille Horizontal louvres in the nose air intakes Dark chrome faux underguard Tinted rear windows 20-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels (SUV) 21-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels (Coupé) Inside, standard features include heated front seats, synthetic leather trim in the SUV (synthetic leather and microfibre on AMG Line sports front seats in the Coupé) and a new steering wheel marking the return of rocker switch and roller controls. Existing GLE standard features include: Three 12.3-inch screens (under single glass surface) Head-up display Burmester 3D surround sound Memory Package Keyless-Go Comfort Package (with hands-free access) 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic option pricing:

At the 2026 Paris motor show Plenty of brands provided a preview of what’s to come for buyers . Some of the world’s biggest carmakers put their work on display from ultra-affordable EVs to retro reboots of past successes.  Here is some of the biggest news to come out of the show.  Smart has revealed a new compact EV called the #2.  Boasting a two-door and two-seat layout, it’s roughly 1200mm shorter than a BYD Atto 1 and slightly bigger than the original Smart ForTwo.  It has a 330km driving range, according to WLTP standards and can DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.  BYD sub-brand Denza has unveiled its answer to big hitters like Ferrari and Lamborghini with its Z electric sports car.  A close rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL Class, the Z is BYD’s first full-on performance model.  It will use a three electric motor set-up, producing 880kW, with a 0-100km/h time of less than two seconds.  Another Chinese brand is destined for Aussie shores.  Ultra-luxury brand Avatr showed off its T09 large plug-in hybrid SUV concept for the first time. It is due to launch in Australia in 2028 or 2029.  Citroen’s electric 2CV successor has landed.  The compact EV is due for launch in 2028, at 3760mm long shaping up slightly shorter than its petrol predecessor but still boasting a roll-top fabric roof.  It’s expected to be offered from a very affordable price point in Europe, but we’re unlikely to see it Down Under.  Fiat has revealed a bold new concept called ‘multiplay’, which can transform between a people mover, SUV and ute.  Measuring 4450mm long, the car shares a similar footprint to the BYD Atto 3. It features a sliding rear roof and C-pillar to enable conversion from a three-row family car, to a ute or an SUV depending on its specific requirements.  Alfa Romeo has given its iconic V6 engine a hybrid twist. Its Cuorerosso concept uses a conventional hybrid set-up, comprising a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as well as some electric motor assistance.  The Italian brand developed the concept to show off the future direction of its Quadrifoglio sedan.  Renault unveiled two futuristic EV concepts.  The E-Space concept is an electric reboot of the Espace van and people mover.  The E-Space is similarly sized to the current Espace van on sale, but uses a fully-electric set-up and features a standout sleek design.  The French brand also showed off its radical Renault 5 Turbo 3E that is a limited-run production EV version of the Renault 5 Turbo.  Its electric motor set-up produces 410kW, while riding on a fast-charging 800-volt platform.  Renault will only build 1980 examples of the car to pay homage to the original birth year of the Renault 5 Turbo.  Peugeot provided a look into its future.  The rally-inspired E-T16 concept is a nod to the 1980s 205 T16 Group B rally car, and its three electric motor set-up, makes around 600kW. Its aggressive styling and blacked out accents are said to be a showcase into future styling for Peugeot.  The RCZ Vision concept is an electric sports car based on the original 2+2 sports coupe.  It features plenty of cutting-edge technology, including a solid-state battery with 10 to 80 per cent fast charging in under 10 minutes.  The car’s electric motor set-up produces 373kW, while a curved ‘double bubble’ roof is a reflection of the original design. 

Close to 6000 examples of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 are the subject of a safety recall to rectify a manufacturing fault just months after it went on sale. The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 5925 RAV4s sold new in Australia in 2026. It said a potential fault with the hybrid system’s motor/generator may cause a “loss of motive power whilst driving, (increasing) the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.” It confirms that plug-in hybrid examples of front-wheel drive (AXAP62R) and all-wheel drive (AXAP64R) versions of the RAV4 have been impacted. The notice said, “Due to a manufacturing issue with the motor generator electronic control unit (MG-ECU), the motor initialisation process may not complete correctly. This may prevent the electric motor from operating as intended at higher speeds,” the notice said. The department added, “If the electric motor does not operate as intended, warning lights will illuminate and the vehicle may enter fail-safe mode or shut down, resulting in a loss of motive power. “A loss of motive power whilst driving increases the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.” All grades of the nominated models sold this year are potentially included and the department says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted in writing by Toyota requesting they schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised Toyota dealer for rectification, free of charge. Alternatively, Toyota can be contacted via the Toyota Recall Assist helpline on 1800 987 366 (Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 19:00 AEST / AEDT), email recallsupport@toyota.dataresponse.com.au or through its website https://toyota.com.au/recalls.

Nissan is on the cusp of unleashing a torrent of Chinese-sourced vehicles, and this could be one of the next to arrive. Nissan has just confirmed it will bring the Navara Pro plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, which spawned from its partnership with China’s Dongfeng, to Australia next year. It has also hinted at more to come, with several prototypes undergoing testing in Australia. Nissan is preparing to launch the NX7 plug-in hybrid SUV in China later this year, which puts it on the timeline where it could be one of the prototypes testing Down Under. It has now been spotted testing in China. It looks typical of Chinese electric and PHEVs, with lots of rounded edges and a face that blends into a crowd. It measures 4785mm long, 1932mm wide and 1665mm tall, according to regulatory filings in China. This makes it longer and wider than its main rival, the Toyota RAV4. Underneath it features a monster circa-41kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which is roughly double what is found in most mid-size PHEV SUVs currently on sale in Australia. There is no word on charging speeds, but it should have moderate DC fast-charging capabilities. It is claimed the battery provides an electric driving range of more than 200km, albeit via the more lenient Chinese test cycle, rather than the benchmark WLTP. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, with combined power figures still under wraps. The Nissan Navara Pro PHEV is the first to come to Australia. It is a ladder-frame dual-cab ute with PHEV grunt. It uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor that makes a combined 300kW and 800Nm. It has four-wheel drive, multiple drive modes, can tow up to 3500kg and a payload of up to 1000kg. It will spawn a SUV, dubbed Terrano, which is also likely to come to Australia. Nissan’s N-Series of SUVs are also possible starters with the NX7 and NX8 bigger brother. The NX8 is an range-extender hybrid (REEV), which means it only uses its petrol engine to charge its battery and the wheels are driven by electric motors. This gives it the driving prowess and instant torque of an EV, with the total driving range of a hybrid.

Changan Automobile has unveiled its most ambitious plans yet in the guise of the Avatr Concept T09. Presented to the Australian media on the eve of the 2026 Paris Motor Show, this is an electrified three-row full-sized luxury SUV aimed directly at the likes of the Zeekr 9X, as well as the Audi Q9, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Yet, judging from its audacious styling, Avatr is also probably hoping to woo buyers away from ultra-luxury marques like Bentley and Rolls-Royce, saying that the newcomer is brimming with class-leading technology. But don’t hold your breath for it to arrive in Australia any time soon, since the vehicle you see here is a concept vehicle, with the finished production version of the T09 still years away. In fact, according to Changan Australia Head of Brand and Marketing Andrew Haurissa we may not see the finished product before 2029. “The Concept T09 is still in the development phase… and it may still be between 24 and 36 months away from launch,” he said. “It’s still a long way off.” Other than going into great detail about the formal styling with “themes” inspired inside and out by the Avatr Xpectra ultra-luxury coupe-sedan concept from the 2025 IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Changan did not reveal much information about the two-tone-coloured Concept T09. Filings from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology suggest the production version will be powered by a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain, offered in 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine versions, mated to an electric motor on each axle. It is believed the highest grades of the T09 will also be made available with a tri-motor set-up, similar to the Avatr 07L large SUV and its 06T mid-sized wagon offshoot. In line with luxury consumer expectations, it is believed to exceed 630kW of power. Other innovations include the adoption of a Huawei XMS Digital Chassis, fitted with dual-chamber air suspension and rear wheel steering for tighter turning circles and improved stability at speed. The Avatr SUV is large and weighs in at around three tonnes. It measures nearly 5.3 metres long, more than two metres wide and about 1.8m tall, and sits on a 3150mm wheelbase. A circa-71kWh NMC battery pack is nestled between the axles, while top speed is said to exceed 220km/h. Inside, the Concept T09’s interior is in a 2+2+2 six-seater configuration, with equal measures of luxury and features for each occupant, while the dashboard’s design is described as being both an oasis as well as truly avant-garde. Whether the real version of Avatr’s finest ends up being as striking as the concept vehicle remains to be seen.

Nissan Australia is, like many legacy brands, in the unenviable position of trying to tackle an increasingly volatile market that’s favouring newcomer brands from China. With a new Managing Director at the helm in Oceania, former Nissan Canada President Steve Milette, the brand’s next moves include ‘going back to basics’ to remind customers why they liked Nissan in the past, and what Nissan is bringing to the table in an increasingly electric market. But it’s not full-EV that Nissan’s got a key focus on just yet, after the long-serving Nissan Leaf and the low-volume Nissan Ariya, the brand is looking at tech it’s been using for years as a way to improve its positioning - including to bring down its potentially hefty NVES emissions fines. Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system has been around for a while, but the view from the top at the brand’s local arm is that Australians have perhaps not been properly introduced to the tech. The way e-Power works is as a series hybrid, which means the engine charges a battery and electric motors propel the car alone. It’s different to the more traditional parallel hybrid system, which involves the engine also helping power the wheels, as Toyota and Honda have been using for quite some time. Unfortunately for Nissan, it no longer has the upper-hand on series hybrid tech. When CarsGuide asked Milette, along with Nissan Australia’s Senior Manager of Corporate Communications Angus Thompson, if it was frustrating to see customers flock to newcomer brands offering an ‘EV driving experience in a hybrid’, the answer from both was an agreed ‘yes’. “I think it wasn't a wake up call,” Thompson told CarsGuide. “I think it was just something where we had to look at ourselves and say we need to do a better job of telling our story.” It lines up with a comment Milette had just made about Nissan Australia’s messaging when it comes to what e-Power is. “We were focused on ‘e-Power’ and forgetting the hybrid, and some people didn't really know what e-Power was, and so now we're trying to connect.  “I mean, in Australia, we're doing a mall tour. We're going through key cities, key malls, and it's all about ePower, and you know, explaining what it's all about and inviting them for test drives. “I think that's, again, back to my challenger mindset. We're going back to the basics.”