Wagon

Mercedes-Benz Australia has locked in the launch of the new CLA Shooting Brake wagon to complement the current sedan body style.This marks the first time the CLA Shooting Brake has hit Australian shores since it was discontinued in 2019, when the second-generation model arrived.A Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson has confirmed the new CLA Shooting Brake will launch locally before the end of 2026.It will also be offered with mild-hybrid petrol and electric powertrains that already feature in the CLA sedan, which just launched locally.At this stage local pricing and specifications for the CLA Shooting Brake are yet to be locked in.It’s expected the electric CLA Shooting Brake will be the most affordable electric wagon in Australia by a considerable margin once it arrives.This title currently goes to the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo at $204,100, before on-road costs, and is followed by the BMW i5 M60 Touring at $219,900, before on-road costs.The CLA sedan line-up currently starts at $66,500, before on-road costs, for the entry-level mild-hybrid petrol trim. The most affordable electric sedan trim is $84,300, before on-road costs.It’s expected the Shooting Brake wagon body style will be a little more expensive than the sedan.Mild-hybrid versions of the CLA are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with differing levels of power, depending on the trim level, plus a 22kW electric motor that’s powered by the 48V battery pack.Power is sent to either the front or all wheels, depending on the grade, by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The electric versions of the CLA has a variant with a single, rear-mounted electric motor, plus another with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up.Mercedes-Benz Australia said it can’t disclose a projected sales split between the mild-hybrid petrol and electric CLA trims, however there have been more inquiries for the latter than expected.

The return of an Audi wagon favourite is on the cards for Australia.The Audi A6 Allroad could return to the brand’s Aussie showrooms for the first time since 2024.The A6 Allroad remains a strong prospect for Australia, but the local branch was unable to confirm its arrival just yet."This model is currently under evaluation for the Australian market," a spokesperson for Audi Australia said."This model is highly appealing, and we would welcome it for Australia."It comes after the car appeared in Australian sales approval documents earlier this year, hinting a confirmation is not too far away.There is potential for A6 Allroad to launch as soon as the end of this year.It will again be available with a V6 diesel engine, but Audi has also introduced a plug-in hybrid set-up to the range for the first time. The A6 Allroad doesn't have any direct rivals in Australia.It will have to compete with the much cheaper BYD Seal 6 Touring PHEV wagon, starting from $34,990 (before on-road costs).Pricing details have not been revealed yet, but it is expected to sit above the sedan variant currently on sale, starting from $123,600 (before on-road costs). The A6 Allroad's 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel has more power than its predecessor, boasting 220kW and 580Nm , while the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol PHEV set-up boosts power to 270kW and 500Nm. The diesel variant is marginally faster from 0-100km/h than the PHEV at 5.4 seconds. Audi said the PHEV has an all-electric driving range of 95km from its 26kWh battery. It offers fuel consumption of as little as 2.6L/100km, when the battery is fully charged. The car does not have DC charging capabilities, but AC charging at 11kW takes around 2.5 hours. All A6 Allroad models come with all-wheel drive as standard. On the inside, there is an 11.9-inch digital driver display and 14.5-inch central touchscreen, along with four-zone automatic air conditioning. There is also a panoramic sunroof available with a dimmable setting as opposed to a conventional shade. 

BYD’s Fangchengbao brand has released official imagery of a new electric shooting brake wagon ahead of its launch in the domestic market in the third quarter of 2026.Dubbed the Fangchengbao Formula S GT, this is essentially a shooting brake version of the Formula S sedan that's already been shown.It forms as a key rival to the Porsche Taycan which is available both as a sedan and shooting brake wagon.As reported by China’s Autohome, this car will come with a fully electric powertrain with the electric motors being fed by a second-generation Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP), allowing flash charging capabilities.No official power, range or performance figures have been announced yet, but it’s expected there will be multiple variants.It’s also understood the Formula S GT features adaptive suspension, as well as semi-autonomous driving capabilities due to the LiDAR sensor on the roof.In terms of design, this electric liftback bears some similarities to the Denza Z9 GT which is already confirmed for an Australian launch later this year.It also has a similar footprint, with the Formula S GT measuring 5.0 metres long and 2.0 metres wide, with a 3.0-metre wheelbase.Some exterior design highlights include semi-flush door handles, diamond-shaped tail-lights, plus an active ducktail rear spoiler.Fangchengbao hasn’t officially revealed any imagery of the Formula S GT’s interior yet.At this stage it’s unclear whether the Formula S GT, or even the regular Formula S, will come to Australia.The Fangchengbao brand doesn’t have a presence in Australia, though a few of its models are badged as Denza models locally.Even if it comes to Australia, it’ll compete closely with the Denza Z9 GT, which is due to arrive before the end of 2026.Power will come from three electric motors with a total system output of 850kW. This will allow for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.7 seconds.Additionally, the Z9 GT will offer flash charging capabilities at up to 1500kW.

The Skoda Superb is now available with a plug-in hybrid set-up, adding a new option to the wagon segment. 

The all-new plug-in hybrid Audi RS5 is the latest member of the new breed of near-guilt-free performance cars.Available as either a sedan or roomier Avant wagon, the RS5 delivers epic levels of power but blends its supercar-troubling acceleration with zero-emissions on your daily commute, thanks to an EV-only range of more than 80km.Locked in for an Australian debut in the second half of this year, CarsGuide travelled to Munich, on the eve of its global reveal, to discover its secrets and find out if the first-ever Audi RS plug-in hybrid has what it takes to overshadow the likes of the BMW M3 and the fellow electrified Mercedes-AMG C63.It's the ballistic Benz C63 (500kW/1000Nm) that wins the arms race for outright punch, with the Audi RS plug-in producing a lesser 470kW of power and a still-thumping 825Nm torque output, but the RS5 fights back to win enthusiasts' hearts because beneath its bonnet it eschews the C63's four-cylinder engine and gains the Audi-Porsche-developed twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 that, alone, pumps out 375kW.Helping it muster the total power output, the combustion engine is combined with a 130kW electric motor, 25.9kWh lithium-ion battery, plus an eight-speed automatic and Audi Sport's next-generation 'quattro' all-wheel drive.The latter gains a new centre differential, plus a trick rear transaxle that incorporates yet another tiny 8kW e-motor that's used for torque vectoring.Off the line, thanks to all-wheel drive, the Audi RS5 launches from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and, if you tick the box for the optional Audi Sport pack, the sedan and wagon keep accelerating until they top out at 285km/h. The same pack also adds carbon ceramic brakes and larger 21-inch rims.The choice by Audi Sport to develop its first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain had little to do with emissions, engineers claim, and say the added weight of the battery and e-motors was well worth gaining the trick 400-volt electrics.That said, the mid-size RS5 sedan now tips the scales at a portly 2355kg, while the wagon is a hefty 2370kg – 625kg more than the, admittedly smaller, pair of RS models they replace.We'll have to take their word for it, but thanks to the extra torque vectoring, a new front and rear axle designed by Audi RS, plus retuned steering and trick twin-valve dampers, the German car-maker is confident that when it comes to agility and driving pleasure you'll pick the RS5 over all its rivals.In the metal, we think quite a few owners might plump for the Audi for its styling alone as designers have left little on the table to ensure the new RS5 sedan and wagon look special.Featuring wider front and rear fenders that are 90mm wider than the standard A5, the RS5 features a wider 3D single-frame honeycomb grille and unique front and rear bumpers that incorporate advanced aerodynamics that culminate in a large oversized rear diffuser.So much has changed that just the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate, plus the front doors carry over, with the RS5 gaining muscular, almost cartoonish superhero proportions that guarantee you won't mistake it for the standard car, especially if you add the new 'Carbon Camouflage'. The no-doubt-pricey option throws in exposed forged carbon trim on the side skirts, door mirrors and parts of the front and rear bumpers for some extra Lamborghini-style kerb appeal.Inside, the changes aren't so dramatic, but you'll still be greeted by a pair of heavily bolstered massage sport seats and an RS flat-bottomed Nappa-leather-wrapped steering wheel, combined with lots of synthetic-suede-wrapped surfaces, colour-coordinated seat belts and tonnes of RS logos.Final changes include RS graphics for the digital dash, the 14.5-inch infotainment and 10.9-inch passenger display, that provide keen drivers with access to performance data like G-forces, temps and tyre pressures plus lap times.Of course, even without driving it, we know that the RS5 isn't perfect. Not only does the plug-in hybrid tech add weight, it sacrifices space in the rear boot and the RS4-replacing RS5 Avant can only offer up to 331 litres of space.The new battery, meanwhile, can't be DC fast-charged for some reason, which means an 11kW AC charge for a full refill takes 2.5 hours.Finally, all that tech and enhanced performance will be felt not only behind the wheel but in the pocket.While prices haven't been announced Down Under, in Germany the Audi RS5 sedan has been priced from €106,200 (A$178,100), while the Audi RS5 Avant wagon costs €107,850 (A$180,100). Those figures represent a huge 20 per cent price bump over the models they replace, suggesting similar price rises are inevitable when Audi Australia introduces the plug-in hybrid RS5 in the second half of this year.

On the cusp of five years since the Holden brand disappeared from the Australian new car landscape, a sixth-generation version of what would have been a key part of the Aussie icon’s 2026 line-up has been unveiled in Europe.The Holden Astra, a localised version of its then Opel Astra corporate GM cousin, was in local showrooms when the Lion Brand was finally shuttered in 2021.Now a sleek, all-new Opel Astra has gone on sale in Europe with pure-electric, hybrid and diesel options offered.Designed, developed and built at Opel's headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the newcomer is available as a five-door hatch and Sports Tourer wagon, claimed to boast upgraded tech, improved comfort and a more distinctive appearance, all with pricing unchanged.Opel said the design of the new car’s nose has been influenced by its Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept shown at last year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, as have new 17- and 18-inch alloy rim designs finished in ‘Kontur White’ and ‘Klover Green’.A premium visual touch is an illuminated Opel Blitz (German for lightning) emblem as a centrepiece of the brand’s signature single-module front-end design while ‘Intelli-Lux HD’ headlights are claimed to comprise 50,000 LED elements.Interior highlights include a sweeping media and driver information screen display and ‘Intelli-Seats’ featuring a centre recess to reduce pressure on the tailbone. Powertrain options include the 115kW Astra Electric with a 58kWh battery delivering a claimed range of up to 454km (WLTP) and V2L functionality. A 107kW petrol-electric hybrid variant and a 96kW 1.5-litre diesel are also available. Pricing for the Opel Astra Electric hatch starts at €37,990 (~$63,900) with the hybrid at €32,990 (~$55,500).A shining star for current owner, Stellantis, Opel became profitable soon after its acquisition by the PSA Group (now Stellantis) in 2017, turning around close to two decades of losses under General Motors. Who knows what might have been if the Holden journey had continued?

BYD has opened the door for a hybrid wagon renaissance in Australia, with a launch in the UK for its long-range hybrid Seal Touring.

America wants to see a station wagon comeback, but it won't be as easy as it sounds.

Remember the humble family station wagon? Audi has just launched a plug-in hybrid version of its A5 Avant in Australia. It has introduced it in the liftback body style too with up to 100km of electric range.

A popular large SUV has received a serious buff to its adventuring capabilities.