Articles by Tom White

MG to launch boxy off-road SUV - but will it challenge GWM's Tank 300 or aim for lifestyle buyers?

GTX carries the mantle of GTI, but does the ID.5 do enough to justify its existence in an increasingly crowded mid-size EV market?

The Volkswagen ID.4 might be one of the most delayed vehicles to hit Australia's shores in quite some time, but does it have what it takes to win your consideration?

Volkswagen and Walkinshaw have confirmed their continued collaboration on the second-gen Amarok will spawn a new variant in 2026.Partially revealed in a shadowy teaser, the new Walkinshaw Amarok appears to share a similar styling overhaul to the original previous-generation collaboration, complete with a larger set of wheels.It's expected to have a similar performance-oriented overhaul, particularly when it comes to suspension and off-road characteristics.Speaking to Australian journalists, CEO and owner of the Walkinshaw Group, Ryan Walkinshaw, said “the design is now locked in,” adding the Australian performance engineering company would now move on to the testing phase which would last the remainder of 2025.The next-gen “W Series” would then be scheduled for release during the course of 2026.Few other details were revealed about the performance-oriented ute, other than the collaboration was plotting “next-level design, performance, and handing”.However, with the Walkinshaw/Volkswagen team-up kicking off much earlier in the second-generation Amarok’s product cycle, Walkinshaw said the collaboration would be much deeper this time around, seemingly with the potential to result in more variations.He said thanks to the longer lifespan of the program the brands could “invest more money” in the project.“So, at the moment, we’ll be launching what you see but if it makes sense in the market and Volkswagen is obviously open to it, you know, we’re always keen to develop other variants and other great products.”Walkinshaw added that reception to the previous-generation road-focused W580, off-road W580X, and final edition W580 SE was positive, and that the scarcity of those variants was one of the main drawbacks of the original program.“So there were a lot of learnings in that initial program for ourselves and for Volkswagen and we can make sure we do the best job of delivering what everyone wants this time around.”Despite Walkinshaw Group now working on a wide variety of projects from the GMSV Chevrolet Silverado right-hand-drive conversion to the new Amarok, Mr Walkinshaw said adding more projects made the business bigger and more efficient.“The new Amarok program actually helps us scale and makes us more efficient, more competitive in the market, so the more programs we add on the more efficient and prospective we become for our customers."So we’re always ambitious to be growing.”The previous-generation Walkinshaw Amarok is now a sought-after limited edition, of which the most popular variant was the street-focused W580 which sold more than 2600 units during its limited production run.The W580 included a wider wheel and tyre package with correspondingly wider fender flares, re-worked suspension and a tweaked exhaust system to add to an overall styling overhaul.It may have disappointed some that the already-punchy 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine didn’t get further performance enhancements, although it’s possible further modifications could be on the table for the second-generation version, which in high-spec versions is powered by a Ford-sourced 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.From there, the previous-generation W580 was developed into the W580X which focused more on off-road capability, with a 40mm suspension lift complete with twin-tube dampers, bash plates, rock sliders, diff breathers, and an optional factory snorkel.While VW was not yet willing to talk specifics on what changes will be made for the W series Amarok this time around, it would be unsurprising to see the collaboration spawn more than one variant.Sought-after Walkinshaw versions of the second-generation Ford Ranger-based Amarok can’t come soon enough for the German-branded, Australian-designed, and South African-built ute, which as of the first quarter of 2025 is comparatively unloved in Australia’s pantheon of utes.VW has moved 1459 units until the end of March, representing just 2.9 per cent share of the 4x4 ute segment, a 35.8 per cent drop year-on-year.

Volkswagen has unveiled plans to build a next-generation Amarok ute to debut in 2027, but it seems this new version will never see Australian shores.This is because Volkswagen will be using the same Amarok name on an entirely separate product, specifically designed for the South American market.But if a current Ford Ranger-based Amarok is still on your wishlist, fear not, because production of the ute delivered in Australia will continue, with the brand saying: “The existing partnerships for the production of the Amarok in South Africa will remain in place. “In this way, Volkswagen will continue to ensure a reliable supply of vehicles to international markets – while simultaneously pursuing a locally based product strategy tailored to the needs of the Latin American market.”Judging by the wording used, it seems the new South American Amarok won’t be a platform-share vehicle with the Ranger, and will instead be its own bespoke product.As to what this could look like, it is too early to tell, although it would be unsurprising to see the previous-generation Amarok ladder frame live on with a new-generation overhaul. As the brand says, “more than 770,000” units of the previous-generation ute were built in the same Argentinian plant which is earmarked to build the new version in 2027.According to the company, VW is investing 580 million US dollars (nearly A$1 billion) in the new-generation ute, which includes research and development as well as upgrading the Pacheco plant in Argentina.Previous-generation Volkswagens living on in markets where safety and emissions technologies are not as advanced is not a new concept, particularly in South America, where VW has strong domestic production presence.For example, a second facelift of the previous-generation Amarok which never saw Australia is already sold in Brazil and Argentina, which shares styling elements with the Ford Ranger-based and South African-built version sold here.Additionally, it is not the only South-American developed ute Volkswagen sells overseas. It also offers the Polo-based Saveiro, a small monocoque pick-up designed specifically for South American tastes.Because of Volkswagen’s strong manufacturing presence, South American markets have also seen some models live well beyond their global expiry. For example, the second generation Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi which originally launched in 1967 was built and sold in Brazil from 1976 to as late as 2013 receiving various facelifts and more modern engines along the way.While this special Amarok version may never see Australian shores, it’s not to say the nameplate has never had special attention paid to it domestically. The previous-generation version received two locally-overhauled special editions put together by Walkinshaw in partnership with VW Australia which significantly upped its suspension and handling characteristics, whilst also offering a unique styling package and maintaining its hauling and payload specs.The success of this partnership has seen Volkswagen look to renew its partnership with Walkinshaw Group for a spruced-up version of the Australian-delivered second-generation Amarok, which it has previously said should debut in 2025.The new Ranger-based Amarok, however, hasn’t been off to the best start in Australia, having moved just 1459 units to the end of the first quarter of 2025. This represents a market share of just 2.9 per cent when it comes to 4x4 dual cabs, a 35.8 per cent drop year-on-year.

Volkswagen says the early adopter phase is over, and it is bringing the ID.4 and ID.5 right when it considers the mainstream phase of EV adoption to begin.

Skoda's Elroq gets a go-fast makeover, but will it hit Australian shores?

Hyundai has revealed its second-generation Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell electric SUV, which adopts wild styling elements and promises significant improvements over both the first-generation car, but also over other electric rivals.Now offering 700km of range from a five-minute fill, the second-generation Nexo also has upgraded power outputs for its new fuel-cell and battery, jumping from 135kW to 190kW, while the motor’s peak output is 150kW. This trims the 0-100km/h sprint time to 7.8 seconds from the previous car’s 9.2 seconds.Meanwhile, Euro-spec versions of the Nexo are capable of towing up to 1000kg, and Hyundai has made significant improvements to the hydrogen tank’s temperature management system to optimise range in a variety of seasonal conditions.The styling sticks closely to the 2024 'Initium' concept, sticking to the company’s new 'art of steel' design direction. Like the Santa Fe before it, the new Nexo features a tough front face, with H-style headlight fittings, and a boxy overall visage.Meanwhile, around the rear, the hydrogen SUV has an unorthodox hatch tailgate, which seems as though it is a reference to unusual designs from the past, like the Pontiac Aztek, although the brand says the look not only adds a “sturdy and sophisticated” feel with a “rugged image”, but it also features many aerodynamic improvements compared to the curvy look of the previous model.On top of this, the new Nexo features active noise cancelling for the cabin, as well as noise-absorbing tyres, and a new regenerative braking system which can use navigation data to automatically adjust the amount of motor-based regenerative braking for increased efficiency.Inside, like other recent Hyundai products, the new Nexo features dual 12.3-inch displays for the multimedia screen and digital instrument cluster, alongside a 12-inch head-up display.It also features wireless phone mirroring and dual wireless chargers, while the system itself has over-the-air functionality for system updates, an AI voice assistant, and fuel-cell route planning for the navigation system which takes into account the live status of stations.It also features vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to use its hydrogen power source to provide juice to external devices via household power outlets, even on the exterior of the vehicle, negating the need for a charge port adapter.Other innovations include a built-in dash cam front and rear, a fingerprint sensor, and the option for digital side mirrors in some markets.Hyundai also promises the new Nexo will comply with the highest safety standards, featuring nine airbags, a fully equipped active safety suite and specific protection for the hydrogen tank.A spokesperson for Hyundai Australia confirmed to CarsGuide the Nexo will launch in Australia in the first half of 2026, following on from the current car’s successful trials, primarily focused around a fleet in the ACT.Whether or not the new Nexo will actually be sold to customers rather than be offered exclusively on a fleet trial basis remains to be seen, with the spokesperson confirming the brand was still working through what the launch might look like.In previous comments to CarsGuide the brand’s previous Chief Operating Officer in Australia, John Kett, said the brand would look to use hydrogen vehicles on a community basis where their traits are best suited, and the infrastructure cost was relatively low, as is currently the case with the fleet of Nexos in the ACT.Hyundai is currently operating a successful trial of Xcient hydrogen heavy vehicles in Europe, but its heavy vehicle plan for Australia is yet to materialise.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed its future EV plans.Speaking to CarsGuide at the launch of the ID.4 and ID.5 mid-size SUVs, Volkswagen’s Director of Passenger Cars, Piergiorgio Minto, and the product manager of the ID range, Arjun Nidigallu, explained why the brand wont rush to emulate its rivals like Kia, Hyundai, or MG into rapidly expanding its electric car portfolio.When asked about the potential of the also-long-awaited Golf-sized ID.3 hatchback to join the range, Minto said: “Medium SUV has to be the focus. “I believe that we need to stick with the ID.4 and ID.5, put them into the market, and see how the customer reacts.”“We’re continuing monitoring the possibilities, but medium SUV is the big one.”The brand has previously significantly delayed its range of ID electric vehicles, with the ID.4 itself having been pushed back more than four years, originally launching in Europe in 2020.The brand has previously confirmed the ID.3, delayed its launch prediction and has since gone cold on the idea of introducing the hatch to our market, despite it receiving a similar slew of upgrades to the ID.4, which it says is now much more appropriate for an Australian audience, thanks primarily to improved pricing and driving range, and a more powerful electric motor.Additionally, the ID.7 - effectively an electric sedan and wagon equivalent to the Passat - has been deemed out of consideration in previous comments by the brand, at least for the time being.Despite this seemingly measured approach to new electric models, VW claims it is all-in on electric vehicles, showing predictions that the market for EVs will continue to climb past the current plateau and be adopted by more mainstream buyers. To that end, the brand stressed a no for now on a car like ID.3 is not a no forever, as it continues to monitor the Australian market’s taste for electric vehicles.Nidigallu added the brand had also left the standard-range 52kWh version of the ID.4 available in Europe on the cutting room floor for the time being, but just because it had opted to go for long-range only as it is more suited to Australian conditions, didn’t mean it wasn’t open to bringing in an even more affordable version of the mid-sizer to our market in the future.“One of our big advantages is we have a lot of access to product,” he said, adding that Australia’s new vehicle efficiency laws (NVES), which put pressure on manufacturers to reduce their fleet C02 average have added additional negotiating for VW Australia, with its factory to provide more electric vehicles or variants if need be to meet the targets.Volkswagen, however, is already well positioned to survive the tough new emissions laws as its range of vehicles already comply with or exceed European regulations (Euro 6d) which have been in place for years, and which the new Australian laws emulate.Meanwhile, the pricing of the new ID.4 is a very deliberate and strategic move for VW as it attempts to establish itself in the electric mid-size SUV space against some now very well-entrenched competitors.Starting at $59,990 plus on-road costs, the single ID.4 Pro trim level available at launch is only $1090 more expensive than the incoming and deeply updated Tesla Model Y ($58,900 for a base RWD version) while offering at least similar specifications. It also measures up competitively with Kia’s EV5 (from $56,770), BYD’s Sealion 7 (from $54,990), and XPeng’s G6 (from $54,800).However, in this mid-size electric bracket it remains undercut by other newcomers, like Geely’s EX5 (from $40,990) and the Leapmotor C10 (from $43,888).In Q3 of 2025, Volkswagen will expand the range of its electric offering to include a dual-motor GTX version of the ID.4 and, conversely, a Pro rear-wheel-drive version of the ID.5. Prices are yet to be revealed, but expect them to mirror the prices of the current ID.5 GTX (from $72,990) and ID.4 Pro.Despite its buyers usually opting for the most upmarket trims, this time around VW is predicting the lion’s share of volume will be directed to the ID.5 Pro rather than the more performance-oriented GTX, in part thanks to its 544km (WLTP) driving range, which the brand said “breaks the psychological barrier” of range anxiety and makes it appeal more to existing buyers who might have usually opted for the most popular Tiguan 162TSI R-Line (from $60,590).Whether this strategy can pay off in such a competitive market remains to be seen.

BYD’s ultra-luxury YangWang marque is about to launch its third product - a high-performance sedan, with a surprising flat-engine twist.