Ian Callum, the former head of Jaguar’s design department from 1999 until 2019, has revealed his thoughts on the brand’s new direction.
In an interview with Motor1.com, Callum described Jaguar’s Type 00 concept, the concept that previews the British brand’s radical design overhaul, as both brutal and lacking beauty.
Callum’s words weren’t all negative, however, but there’s a sense that the former Jaguar designer, who led the brand’s last major design relaunch in 2006 – a styling language still in use until 2025 – sees room for improvement.
“The [concept] is very bold, and it’s very dramatic. It lacks beauty. I won’t deny it’s bold and it’s dramatic; it’s a very extreme proportion.” Callum said when asked about Jaguar’s new design approach.
“For me, the proportion is too retro… but the extremity is brave. It’s brutal, but it lacks beauty, and I think a criteria of Jaguar is to be beautiful. Not to say it’s a bad design, it just lacks that very important element of Jaguar design.”
During his time at Jaguar, Callum was responsible for the design of cars, including the 2007 XF, which adopted a contemporary style almost as controversial at the time as the Type 00 is today, owing to its near-complete departure from Jaguar’s retro-dominated styling themes.
Other Jaguar designs overseen by Callum include the XJ in 2010, F-Type (below) in 2013, XE in 2015, the second-generation XF in 2015, and the F-Pace SUV and I-Pace EV in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Ian Callum now heads up his own design firm, with in-house design and engineering capabilities, a range of restomod and all-new automotive projects, and forays into furniture and a line of boutique Scotch whisky.
Callum also suggested that Jaguar’s move to an all-electric brand, starting with the Type 01 four-door, the first production model based on the Type 00, could hamper the relaunched brand’s chances at success.
“’I think where the biggest challenge will be is the fact that it’s electric. That’s not an opinion on my part; that’s just a fact of life.” He said.
“If you look at all the electric supercars, nobody seems to want any. People who buy supercars aren’t going to worry about fuel consumption; that’s for sure.”
Jaguar Land Rover’s chief creative officer, Gerry McGovern, credited with the design of the Type 00, stepped down from his role in March 2026 after much speculation regarding his future at JLR in the aftermath of the Type 00’s reveal.
The 2027 Skoda Peaq has been unveiled as the Czech brand’s new flagship model.
The seven-seat electric vehicle (EV) is larger than the Kodiaq seven-seater, but slightly smaller than the Superb wagon, as well as being smaller than key rivals, the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq.
Skoda detailed three variants of the Peaq at the new model’s reveal: Peaq 60, Peaq 90, and Peaq 90x. The Peaq 60 features a single 150kW motor and 59kWh (usable) battery, the Peaq 90 ups power to 210kW with an 86kWh battery, and the Peaq 90x offers a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with 220kW combined, coupled with the larger battery.
Acceleration from 0-100km/h ranges from 8.5 seconds in the Peaq 60 down to 6.8 seconds for the Peaq 90x.
As with other Skoda EVs, the Peaq is based on the Volkswagen Group’s ‘MEB’ modular electric platform, which is also used for the Skoda Elroq and Enyaq, plus the Curpa Tavascan, and Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5, and ID. Buzz.
Driving range for the Peaq 60 is rated at 459km, the single-motor Peaq 90 can cover 647km, while the dual-motor 90x drops back to 613km, based on WLTP testing.
All three are 11kW AC-charging compatible, with 160kW maximum DC charging for the Peaq 60 and 199kW for the Peaq 90 and 90x. Skoda claims 10-80 per cent charging is possible in 27 minutes for the 60 and 28 minutes for the 90 models.
With all three rows in use, Skoda claims 299 litres of luggage capacity, rising to 890 litres with the third row stowed. Folding the second row liberates 2075 litres of cargo space, with an additional 37-litre storage space under the bonnet. A five-seat version is also available with 935 litres behind the rear seats.
Interior trim is based around sustainable materials, with Skoda claiming 50kg of recycled materials used in each vehicle. Interiors are trimmed in fabric, or fabric and ‘Technota’, a faux-leather material, with the availability of partial leather and Technota trim on range-topping models.
A 10-inch driver’s display and a 13.6-inch vertical infotainment display will be available from launch, with an augmented reality head-up display being added later in 2027. The interior includes a pair of 25-watt wireless chargers, physical buttons for climate controls, and physical buttons for the steering wheel controls.
Other available interior equipment includes an electrochromatically-dimmable panoramic sunroof, Relax Package reclining front seats with massage, a 16-speaker Sonos-branded audio system, and a power-retractable cargo blind.
In terms of size, the Peaq measures 4874mm long with a 2965mm wheelbase. That makes it longer than the Kodiaq seven-seater in both dimensions (4758mm/2791). The Skoda Superb wagon is longer overall, but with a shorter wheelbase (4902mm/2841mm).
Key seven-seat EV rivals outstretch the Peaq, with the Ioniq 9 claiming 5060mm overall on a 3130mm wheelbase, and the Kia EV9 measuring 5010mm with a 3100mm wheelbase.
Australian availability for the Peaq has yet to be confirmed, but with right-hand production for the UK confirmed for later in 2026, one of the major roadblocks to seeing the new model here has already been overcome.
As Nissan’s global restructuring continues, plans for an electric version of the Qashqai SUV have been shelved.
The Qashqai EV would have introduced an electric version of the brand’s top-selling model in the UK and Europe, but Reuters has published a report from company insiders revealing the cancellation of the project.
To be built at Nissan’s underutilised Sunderland factory in the UK, the Qashqai EV has been in development since 2023, and was to be manufactured alongside two other EVs, the Leaf and recently revealed next-generation Juke.
Those two models appear safe for now, but plans for the Qashqai EV have been shelved as Nissan looks for cost savings across its operations.
Sources indicate that pressure from ultra-competitive Chinese EVs, and proposed changes to European taxes that could lock UK-manufactured vehicles out of duty exemptions designed to level the field for European brands against Chinese-built vehicles, have shaped the decision.
The British Government is currently consulting with car manufacturers to reframe the country’s EV targets. A move that could assist Nissan as it pivots to an expansion of electrified (hybrid) rather than fully-electric vehicles.
The full cancellation, rather than a simple development pause, for the Qashqai EV means that Nissan would need to restart the program if it decided to push ahead with an electric Qashqai. The resulting timeline would mean an introduction sometime after 2030, instead of the forecast 2027 launch.
The Qashqai EV joins two planned electric crossover SUVs for the North American market on Nissan’s list of recent cancelled projects. Vehicles like the electric Micra and Ariya are set to continue.
In June, Nissan announced that it had entered discussions with Chinese brand Chery to use one of two production lines at Nissan’s Sunderland factory as a contract manufacturing line for Chery vehicles.
While not yet fully approved, Nissan announced that its current production of Juke, Leaf, and Qashqai would be consolidated onto a single line at Sunderland.
Official specifications for the 2026 BYD Sealion 08 SUV reveal some barely believable numbers. The figures recorded by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveal that BYD’s newest flagship model features some outrageous specifications.
The new Sealion 08 is positioned as the top-tier model for BYD’s Ocean Series of cars in China, which itself is positioned slightly downmarket from the Dynasty Series. The Sealion 08 is the latest in a growing field of large, luxurious three-row SUVs from Chinese brands.
Despite the similar name, the Sealion 08 is not related to the plug-in hybrid Sealion 8 sold in Australia.
Details for three versions of the Sealion 08 have been published, as reported by Car News China, and it’s towards the top of the range that things get most interesting.
The entry-level version features a 92.1-kilowatt-hour battery, enabling a claimed 710km driving range according to Chinese efficiency standards. It also features a single motor driving the rear wheels with a maximum 320kW output.
The longest-range model, however, moves the game on with a larger 115.1kWh battery, unlocking a claimed range of 900km. To get there, the massive battery pack weighs in at 810.5kg by itself.
To give that figure some heft, the lightest new car sold in Australia, the Suzuki Swift, has a tare weight of 890kg, just 79.5kg more than the Sealion 08’s battery pack.
The lightest version of the Sealion 08 has a kerb weight of 2420kg, of which 633kg is battery weight. The longest-range model – which retains a single motor but bumps power to 370kW – pushes up to 2595kg.
Above that sits the range-topping Sealion 08 AWD with a 585kW dual-motor setup that pushes kerb weight to 2710kg with the 810.5kg battery on board. Range for the AWD model drops to 800km under CLTC testing.
In Australia, Hyundai lists the heaviest version of the seven-seat Palisade hybrid at 2294kg, around 416kg lighter. BYD’s own Sealion 8 PHEV, as sold in Australia is closer, however, at 2580kg.
Although not confirmed for Australia, the Sealion 08 has reportedly been developed with export markets outside of China in mind as the brand looks to increase sales volumes away from its domestic market.
Last month, while the world’s sports car manufacturers were busy trying to win the Le Mans 24-Hour race, rumours heated up around trademark filings that suggested there was going to be the reveal of a Ferrari with a manual transmission. It’s a development that has fans of the prancing horse salivating, and hints to the Italian manufacturer embracing the concept of the driver being more in control of what its sports car is doing.
Initial rumours and reports had suggested the announcement might come during the race itself, but that came and went, and since then, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has revealed a little more, along with the uncovering of a patent filing which indicates that a reveal may still be close.
As reported by Autocar, Vigna, while speaking to US Ferrari dealers at a convention in Las Vegas, reportedly told them cryptically that “the public will see something new where we put together something from the past with eyes on the future”.
While that comment from the boss doesn’t detail what would be an all-new car, impetus behind rumours a manual transmission is about to return certainly adds up.
First uncovered by CarBuzz, the patent filing is significantly more likely to indicate the impending arrival, with the filing being for ‘a control tower of a gearbox for road vehicles’, submitted by Ferrari and published on the 11th of June. The patent filing shows a clear and detailed line drawing of a manual gear shifter.
The drawing of a conventional H-pattern, gated shifter seems to point to a remotely operated system that might control an existing dual-clutch or automated gearbox, given no physical connection is shown. The shifter features six gated slots, as well as buttons marked ‘M’, ‘R’, ’N’ and ‘D’.
A second patent application, filed by Ferrari on the 14th of May, described ‘an electronic clutch for road vehicles’, which would also indicate a third pedal in the footwell. It would be electronic, but in theory would operate like a conventional clutch pedal. In relation to the operation of the clutch pedal, the patent wording included a ‘detection device’ that would ‘supply an electrical signal to an electronic control unit… configured to control the operation of the electronic clutch itself’.
Australia is soon expected to have a new titleholder as cheapest plug-in hybrid SUV in the land in the form of the BYD Atto 2 DM-i. Already on sale in fully electric form, the Atto 2 is also available as a PHEV in overseas markets such as the UK and it’s just been approved by the government for local sales, suggesting that a local launch is due within a few months.
Unlike the fully electric Atto 2 already on sale, which features a 130kW/290Nm motor and a 51.3kWh battery for a WLTP-rated range of 345km, the plug-in hybrid Atto 2 DM-i pairs a 72kW/122Nm naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to a 145kW/300Nm electric motor making a combined 122kW/300Nm outputs. A 7.8kWh LFP battery also features, with a claimed 40km of EV-only range.
There’s also a larger 18.3kWh battery option that increases claimed WLTP range to 89km, and it increases the power output to 156kW with an unchanged 300Nm of torque. Both battery sizes can only be AC charged, the former at up to 3.3kW for a claimed two hour and 42 minute 15-100 per cent charge time and the latter at up to 6.6kW for a 15-100 per cent charge of a claimed three hours and 15 minutes.
The Atto 2 DM-i will find itself in a crowded price point in BYD showrooms as the electric Atto 2 starts from $31,990 plus on-road costs and larger plug-in hybrid Sealion 5 is priced from $33,990 +ORC. Therefore, the Atto 2 DM-i could be priced from under $30,000, making it Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid vehicle and stealing the title from the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid.
Compared to the electric Atto 2, the plug-in hybrid sports a revised front bumper design for extra cooling for the petrol engine, as well as different alloy wheel designs. Inside is identical except for the button to switch between EV and hybrid power, while UK models also feature Google Built-In software and Google Maps integration into the 12.8-inch touchscreen.
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i is expected to go on sale in Australia from later this year, perhaps in the third quarter.
Volvo has launched a new feature that “makes public charging simpler and more convenient”, according to the brand. Called ‘Plug & Charge’, Volvo’s new charging feature allows EX90 and upcoming EX60 owners to start charging without needing to open an app or swipe a bank card, which makes EV charging both easier and more convenient.
Only available in the U.S. so far, Plug & Charge will allow drivers to plug their car in to a charger and start charging at participating public charging stations without the need to open an app, swipe a credit card, or initiate a charging session manually. Once activated, authentication and payment happen automatically between the vehicle and the charging network.
Plug & Charge is available for existing Volvo EX90 drivers with the updated NVIDIA software today and will be available for upcoming EX60 drivers when U.S. deliveries begin later this year. Across participating charging networks, including Tesla Superchargers and IONNA locations in the United States, EX90 and future EX60 drivers can “spend less time managing charging and more time on the road.” Additional charging partners will come online later.
Volvo says that drivers will have the ability to access over 35,000 chargers across the U.S. and can easily locate compatible charging stations through the cars’ built-in Google Automotive System and Volvo Cars app, with charging stops added seamlessly into routes when and where needed.
“The EX60 and EX90 reflect Volvo Cars’ vision for the future of mobility—vehicles that combine safety, sustainability, and human-centric technology,” said Jim Nichols, Head of Product, Technology & Consumer Offer, Volvo Car Americas. “With the addition of Plug & Charge, Volvo drivers can enjoy an even more seamless ownership experience, making public charging as simple as plugging in and walking away.”
Plug & Charge availability outside the U.S. is yet to be announced, though it would be great if such a feature were to be sold in Australia. Stay tuned to see if it will launch locally.
Renault’s Megane E-Tech electric small SUV has been facelifted for the 2027 model year with an even sharper design, updated in-car tech and a new larger 67kWh LFP battery for more driving range, now rated at 500km (WLTP).
Set to go on sale in Europe later in 2026, Australian availability is yet to be confirmed, though we’d say that it’s likely to lob sometime in 2027.
On the outside, the Megane E-Tech has been given sharper styling with a new more sculpted bonnet, a redesigned grille and new LED daytime running lights. There are new alloy wheel options up to 20-inches in size and at the rear, the tailights have introduced a more 3D look and the rear bumper is also new.
Inside, the Megane E-Tech now features a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display as standard, with the current model’s 9.0-inch touchscreen no longer available. The new screen uses Renault’s ‘OpenR’ software, which is based on Google’s Android Automotive set up, which also includes features such as Google Maps and access to the Google Play Store to download apps.
Elsewhere in the cabin, there’s a new driver fatigue monitoring camera that can be set to recognise the driver and automatically set their driving position, while there’s also a new redesigned centre console for greater practicality, including a wireless charger fitted with Qi2/MagSafe to magnetically lock a phone for more efficient wireless charging.
Slightly larger (by 7kWh) than the previous battery, the Megane E-Tech’s new 67kWh LFP battery makes for a 46km-longer driving range than before at 500km (WLTP), which is healthy among its competitor set. In addition, the battery itself can now charge 35kW faster at 165kW on a DC fast charger, which has reduced its 15-80 per cent charge time to 24 minutes.
The Megane E-Tech’s 160kW/300Nm front-mounted motor remains the same and because of the extra weight of the larger battery, the claimed 0-100km/h time is now 0.2 seconds slower at 7.6 seconds. One-pedal driving is now available, and a heat pump is standard equipment, with both new features aimed at making the Megane E-Tech more energy efficient.
Finally, the Megane E-Tech’s active safety systems have been upgraded with an improved adaptive cruise control, while it can also automatically stop itself if it detects that the driver is unresponsive.
Australian timing is yet to be announced for the updated Renault Megane E-Tech range, but we’d say that we’re likely to see it sometime in 2027.
Sydney motorists will receive fresh cost-of-living relief under the NSW Government’s 2026-27 Budget, with a package of toll reforms expected to put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of frequent road users.
The centrepiece of the package is a temporary reduction in the state’s weekly toll cap, which will fall from $60 to $50 for 12 months from July 6. The move comes just six months after the Minns Government made the $60 toll cap permanent and is designed to expand the number of motorists eligible for rebates.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will formally announce the measures as part of the state budget, positioning them as targeted assistance for households grappling with rising living costs.
The government estimates almost 950,000 toll accounts reached the current $60 threshold over the past year. By lowering the cap to $50, a further 200,000 motorists are expected to qualify for relief, with eligible drivers potentially receiving up to $520 back over the course of the financial year.
Another significant change will see toll administration fees abolished from July 1. The fees, which could reach $10 per toll notice for motorists without an electronic tag or who failed to pay on time, have long been a source of frustration among drivers. The government says removing them will save motorists more than $60 million annually.
The toll measures form part of a broader transport-focused package within the budget. The government has also flagged cheaper public transport through lower Opal fare caps, alongside other initiatives designed to reduce everyday travel costs.
The announcements come as toll prices on several Sydney roads are due to increase from July 1. Charges on major routes including the M2, M7, Lane Cove Tunnel and Eastern Distributor will rise under existing concession agreements.
Sydney remains one of the world’s most heavily tolled cities, with motorists in Western Sydney among the most frequent users of the network. The government argues the latest reforms are part of a broader effort to shift the balance back towards motorists after decades of toll-road expansion and private-sector involvement.
For drivers who rely on toll roads to get to work, school and appointments each week, the budget measures are intended to provide some immediate relief, even if the broader debate over Sydney’s toll network is far from settled.
Smart is preparing to return to the formula that made it famous, with the tiny new Smart #2 set to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Positioned below the existing Smart #1, #3 and #5 electric SUVs, the newcomer revives the spirit of the original ForTwo with a compact two-seat layout, ultra-short dimensions and a focus on urban mobility. Yet unlike its predecessor, the new model has been engineered to serve as more than just a city runabout.
Previewed earlier this year by the Smart Concept #2, the production car is expected to stay remarkably faithful to the show car’s design. Bulging wheelarches, a cab-forward profile and wheels pushed to the corners all echo the original ForTwo, while Smart is targeting an overall length of less than 2.7 metres.
Inside, however, the #2 takes a far more modern approach. Early images reveal a minimalist cabin featuring a full-width bench seat, turbine-style air vents and a flowing dashboard designed to maximise the feeling of space. Premium materials and contrasting trim details suggest Smart intends to maintain an upmarket feel despite the car’s compact footprint.
The biggest surprise may be the platform underneath.
Built on Smart’s new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), the #2 has been designed around efficiency and packaging. A 35.7kWh battery is expected to deliver more than 300km of driving range, while DC fast charging will allow a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in less than 20 minutes.
Manoeuvrability remains a key focus. Smart claims a turning circle of just 6.95 metres, allowing the #2 to negotiate tight city streets and cramped parking spaces with ease.
Unlike many small EVs, the #2 has also been engineered with highway driving in mind. Smart says the dedicated architecture combines compact dimensions with the stability, safety and practicality expected of a larger vehicle.
Safety remains central to the design, with an updated version of Smart’s signature Tridion safety cell incorporated into the structure.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed, though overseas reports suggest the #2 could start from the equivalent of around $40,000 before on-road costs. If that proves accurate, Smart’s smallest model could become one of the most distinctive electric city cars on sale when it arrives in 2027.
