WhichCar By Wheels

BMW Australia has revealed local pricing and specifications for the heavily updated 7 Series luxury sedan, which will launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. Revealed in April, the updated 7 Series introduces new styling, new features, more driving range for the electric i7 and a new dashboard layout with three screens. Pricing starts at $277,900 plus on-road costs for the 740 and $306,900 +ORC for the i7.

The exterior of the new 7 Series has received subtle but effective changes, including revised lighting elements, an updated grille and new wheel designs. BMW has also expanded the customisation options for the 7 Series with new paint finishes and a $16,500-optional two-tone exterior.

Inside, the 7 Series receives a new dashboard layout, including the panoramic screen below the windscreen from the new iX3, while there’s also a new 17.9-inch central touchscreen with the brand’s latest Operating System X software.

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Australian 7 Series buyers will be given the choice of two powertrains: Either a 280kW/580Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six 740 or a 400kW/745Nm dual-motor electric i7 60. The 740 hits 100km/h in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h, while the i7 60 is faster to the mark at 4.8 seconds and top whack of 240km/h.

The i7 60 features a 112.5kWh lithium-ion battery for a claimed WLTP range of between 581km and 727km depending on wheel size. The i7 60 can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 28 minutes on a DC fast charger and is rated at between 18.2kWh/100km and 21.9kWh/100km for energy consumption (WLTP).

2026 BMW 7 Series pricing (excluding on-road costs):

740$277,900
i7 60$306,900
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BMW 740 standard features:

BMW i7 60 model adds to 740:

The updated BMW 7 Series will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Sales of large SUVs in Australia have hit reverse, despite increased competition from nine new models not offered in 2025.

Sales of large SUVs, as defined by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) are divided into two classes: mainstream Large SUVs under $80,000 and premium Large SUVs over $80,000. In 2026, both sales classes have posted lower sales figures.

According to the FCAI’s VFACTS sales report, Large SUVs under $80k accounted for 50,867 new cars sold in Australia to the end of May 2026, down 6557 compared to 2025’s result, a setback of 11.4 per cent.

Some of the segment’s biggest sellers felt the pinch. The top-selling Ford Everest (below) fell 6.6 per cent (8957 units YTD), and the second-placed Toyota Prado (main) slumped even further, down 45 per cent compared to last year (7372 units YTD).

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The third-placed Isuzu MU-X (below) bucked the trend slightly, reporting a 5.4 per cent increase with 6.95 sales YTD, while fourth place fell to the BYD Sealion 8 PHEV, a new entrant to the segment with no 2025 data to compare.

The premium large SUV segment was harder hit. Over the same period, 59,944 Large SUVs over $80k were reported as sold, down 13.2 per cent, or 7936 units.

While the premium sales leaders weathered the storm slightly better, the top-selling Land Rover Defender still saw a 2.1 per cent decline (with 1608 sales YTD), and the BMW X5 dropped 4.5 per cent (1507 units YTD).

The segment’s third-best seller, the Lexus RX, gained ground with a 19.4 per cent boost, landing 911 sales for the year so far.

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In the under $80k class, eight new competitors have entered the segment. The BYD Sealion 8, Chery Tiggo 9, Deepal E07, Denza B5, Jaecoo J8, Omoda 9, Subabru Trailseeker and Volkswagen Tayron are all new nameplates in the segment, not offered in the first half of 2025.

Toyota will join with the bZ4X Touring this month, but added competition and lower sales in the segment overall could be a warning shot that the segment has passed its peak.

The forecast looks similar for the over $80k Large SUV class. While the MG IM6 is 2026’s only new entrant so far, the larger IM8 is set to join it, and new additions like the Geely M9 and Zeekr 8X could arrive in late 2026 or early 2027, putting further pressure on the segment.

Mitsubishi has also confirmed that the Pajero off-roader will return to Australia late in 2026, although it’s not yet known if the new model will fall into the mainstream or premium class by the time it goes on sale.

A Volkswagen board member has told European media that electric cars will eventually take the place of internal combustion (ICE) vehicles, as a natural, rather than enforced, progression.

In an interview with Auto Express, Martin Sander, Volkswagen’s board member for sales, marketing, and aftersales, made the prediction – citing the early 20th-century changeover from horses to cars as an example of how electric vehicles (EVs) will find favour.

Sander broke with the strictly professional ambience usually expected of a board member interview as he asked, “Do you know when horses were banned? When was it forbidden to buy horses?”

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His point, somewhat unusually, is that discussions around banning internal combustion (ICE) vehicles are counterproductive to finding the best fit for EV adoption.

“Everyone is just talking about the ICE ban.” Sander said,  “How do you convince customers about a new technology if you’re only talking about when there will be a date when you are not allowed to use these [ICE] vehicles?”

Instead, the VW board member likens the natural progression from using horses to the wider adoption of cars, as analogous to how EVs will take the place of ICE cars over time.

“Over time, more and more customers will be convinced. Then, if by 2035 or whatever, there’s three, four, five per cent of customers who still want to buy a vehicle with a combustion engine…”

“Let’s talk about what we need to do to actually convince customers: the charging infrastructure; talk positively about the advantages of electric vehicles, and possibly do something around the energy prices.”

The prediction comes as electric vehicle adoption has started to show signs of slowing in key markets. While China still sees widespread EV adoption, reduced incentives have led to EV sales tanking in the USA. Europe’s evolution away from zero-emission mandates to ‘reduced emissions’ goals has opened the door to a wider range of plug-in hybrid and range-extender tech.

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Despite the European changes, Volkswagen is pursuing a largely regional approach to powertrain management. While the brand has EVs like the ID. Polo, ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz in its European line-up, Chinese showrooms feature more tailored, region-specific products, including a range of larger SUVs.

When asked if those bigger products and the new range-extender hybrid powertrains offered with them could join Volkswagen’s European lineup, Sander replied, “There is a market in China. In Germany or in Europe at the moment, I don’t really see that opportunity,” Sander said.

Battery-electric vehicles captured a record share of Australia’s new-car market in May, accounting for one in every five vehicles sold, according to the latest VFACTS sales data.

A total of 100,206 new vehicles were delivered during the month, down 4.8 per cent compared with May 2025. Despite the overall decline, sales of electrified vehicles continued to grow, with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) collectively accounting for 46 per cent of all new vehicle sales.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said the figures highlight a significant shift in consumer buying habits as Australians increasingly opt for lower-emission powertrains.

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The trend was most evident in the SUV segment, Australia’s largest vehicle category. Compared with May 2025, electric SUV sales increased by 167 per cent, while plug-in hybrid SUV sales surged 377 per cent. Over the same period, petrol-powered SUV sales fell 31 per cent and diesel SUVs declined by 41 per cent.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said consumer preferences were changing rapidly.

“The shift is particularly evident in the SUV segment, where consumer preferences are changing rapidly. Today’s SUV buyer is increasingly choosing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric options,” Weber said.

Toyota remained Australia’s best-selling automotive brand in May with 16,342 sales. Chinese manufacturer BYD continued its rapid growth, finishing second overall with 8,211 sales, ahead of Ford (7,195), Hyundai (7,007) and Kia (6,761).

Several newer entrants also posted strong gains. BYD’s sales were up 155 per cent year-on-year, while Omoda Jaecoo recorded growth of 729 per cent and Geely increased sales by 416 per cent.

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The FCAI said growing EV adoption would place increased pressure on Australia’s charging network and called for continued investment in public infrastructure.

“As the number of EVs on the road continues to grow, charging infrastructure must become more of a priority,” Weber said.

The industry body also pointed to the influence of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), arguing the policy is encouraging manufacturers to introduce a broader range of low-emissions vehicles to Australia.

May’s results suggest electrified vehicles are continuing to gain ground, even as the broader new-car market softens.

BMW has revealed a new all-wheel drive version of the M2 sports coupe, which is the first time that it’s been available with a drivetrain that isn’t purely rear-driven. Using the brand’s ‘xDrive’ system, like most variants of the M3 and M4 that sit above it, the all-wheel drive M2 can still be driven purely in rear-drive mode for those who want it, but need all-wheel drive otherwise.

It’s yet to be confirmed for Australian sales, though we’d wager it being offered by the end of 2026. It’s already been confirmed for the UK, and adds £4000 (around A$7500) to the price, meaning that we could see it priced around $135,000 before on-road costs if it launches here.

The M2 xDrive uses the same ‘S58’ 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine as rear-drive models, making 353kW of power and 600Nm of torque, and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard – the six-speed manual in the rear-drive models is unavailable.

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Like all other M2, M3 and M4 models from July production, gains BMW’s new ‘M Ignite’ pre-chamber combustion process, which makes the engine more efficient and allows it to comply with tough new upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.

Because of the all-wheel drive system’s extra grip, the M2 xDrive is 0.3 seconds quicker to 100km/h that rear-drive versions, with a claimed time of just 3.7 seconds, and its top speed is also electronically limited at 250km/h (or 285km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package).

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Other changes to the M2 include the debut of a new ‘Individual Borusan Turkish Blue’ colour shown in these press photos, with the colour range including five metallic and three solid variants, plus six options from the BMW Individual range. Staggered 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels are standard equipment, while track tyres will be available optionally as well.

The BMW M2 xDrive will go on sale in Europe later this year, with Australian plans yet to be confirmed.

The ongoing battle for tech supremacy in electric vehicles may have just had one of its biggest challengers step out of the ring.

The executive vice president of BYD Auto, Stella Li (bottom), has declared her company’s second-generation lithium-ion ‘Blade’ battery (below) as superior to much hyped solid-state batteries, despite BYD’s self-proclaimed ‘leading position’ in development of the advanced tech.

In an interview with Auto Express, Li said, “At this point in time, our second-generation Blade battery is much better in terms of efficiency and cost. I don’t think that solid-state is ready for the mass market yet.”

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Solid-state batteries, as suggested by the name, replace flammable liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes based on ceramic, glass or other ‘dry’ materials, and provide greater temperature stability and puncture resistance, while offering energy density more than double that of traditional batteries, by weight.

In automotive applications, that would mean either lighter batteries for equivalent EV range, or longer range from a similarly-sized battery, with the ability to charge faster, owing to greater thermal stability.

BYD, meanwhile, has recently unveiled its ‘Flash Charging’ network in China, and will roll it out globally, allowing ultra-rapid charging at up to 1500kW, almost four times faster than existing EV chargers, essentially matching theoretical solid-state charging speeds.

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As Chinese brands fight for technological superiority, BYD’s withdrawal from the solid-state race comes as a massive upset, suggesting that the brand may have reached a dead end in commercial-scale solid-state battery development.

BYD is not alone however, with CATL announcing last month that it has new-generation batteries compatible with 3000kW charging and higher energy density, allowing greater range. Rather than using solid-state tech, CATL has developed viable sodium-ion chemistry that it says will enter production before the end of 2026.

Chinese carmakers, including Changan, Chery, and Dongfeng, all claim to be in the testing phases of solid-state battery tech, while SAIC and Nio have already introduced semi-solid-state batteries as a bridging technology.

BYD’s claims that its Flash Charging-equipped models can recharge from 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes, or to 70 per cent in as little as five minutes. Potentially close enough to solid-state performance to rule out the newer tech unless cost efficiency improves.

A report by Bloomberg at the end of 2025 revealed the cost of lithium-ion batteries manufactured in China could be as low as US$84 (A$117) per kilowatt-hour. Around the same time, battery manufacturer Sunwoda claimed to have reduced the cost of solid-state packs to US$281/kWh (A$391), approaching the current price of semi-solid-state battery tech.

No manufacturer has yet revealed a production solid-state battery in an automotive application.

Jeep Australia has revealed a new limited edition of its Wrangler large off-road SUV called the Rewind, which celebrates the best of its 1980s Wrangler models. Building on the proven capability of the Wrangler, the 50-units only Rewind edition channels the vibrant spirit of the 1980s and 1990s through expressive styling, unique detailing and authentic Jeep performance.

The Rewind was first revealed as a one-off concept at the 2025 Easter Jeep Safari and tested on real terrain, reportedly quickly emerging as one of the event’s standout highlights. Because of the “overwhelming excitement” it generated, Jeep was convinced to put it into production.

On the outside, the Wrangler Rewind’s exterior features colourful full body decals in red and blue, which Jeep says draw from the thematic colour scheme straight from the fluorescent nights of the 1980s. Bronze-toned ‘Jeep’ and ‘Trail Rated’ badges also feature, as do body-coloured fender flares and a matching body-coloured hardtop with a dedicated Rewind soft spare tyre cover at the rear.

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The Rewind is available in a choice of Bright White, Black, Granite Crystal or Reign colouring at no additional cost.

Inside, exclusive Rewind touches include Nappa leather seats, embossed 8-bit-inspired graphics and vibrant iced blue and plum accent stitching, which also extends to the steering wheel, dashboard and other interior touch points. A custom gear shifter medallion featuring dot-matrix styling and a rear swing gate plaque also feature.

Other interior features include heated and 12-way electric front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-speaker sound system, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross path detection and front and rear park assistance.

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There have been no changes under the bonnet with the Wrangler Rewind, which uses the same 200kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the regular Wrangler range. That’s paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. For fuel consumption, the Wrangler is rated at 10.2L/100km on the combined cycle.

2026 Jeep Wrangler Rewind Limited Edition pricing (excluding on-road costs):

The Jeep Wrangler Rewind Limited Edition is available to order now with the first local deliveries commencing soon.

Alpine Energy, an Australian manufacturer of mobile energy and electric vehicle charger technology, has revealed the MGEN M40, which is a first-of-its-kind vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) DC fast charging platform that delivers rapid EV charging where fixed infrastructure does not reach.

According to the company, the new MGEN M40 was designed to be driven to the point of need and to charge on the spot with no grid connection. It opens a category of charging that has reportedly had almost no real-world deployment in Australia to date.

Alpine Energy says that the need for the MGEN M40 is most immediate in three settings: Roadside recovery, mobile automotive service and in remote industries such as mining. All three situations share the same problem of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle that needs charge where there is no charger or no grid within reach.

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Using energy stored on a mobile asset, Alpine Energy says that the MGEN M40 is built to serve these sectors, with emergency response another priority sector as the platform proves out.

The current MGEN M40 prototype delivers up to 40 kW of DC fast charging output, equating to around 65km of driving range for every 15 minutes of charging in compatible models.

“Until today, charging an electric vehicle has meant bringing the vehicle to the infrastructure. The MGEN M40 is built to do the opposite, to bring rapid charging to the vehicle, wherever it is,” said Mark Wexler, Founder and Managing Director of Alpine Energy. “The cases that drive us are the hardest ones: getting a stranded driver moving again when there’s no charger for kilometres and keeping fleets running where the grid simply doesn’t reach.”

Alpine Energy is now seeking a limited number of operational partners, including roadside recovery and fleet operators, to join the MGEN M40 early deployment and field-validation program.

BYD’s first company-owned vehicle carrier has arrived in Australia, completing a voyage that began in China carrying almost 5,000 vehicles destined for local customers.

The BYD Zhengzhou docked in Melbourne this week, marking the completion of the ship’s maiden Australian voyage. The arrival follows reports last month that the vessel had departed China loaded with vehicles bound for Australian ports.

A total of 4,809 BYD and DENZA vehicles are aboard the ship, with Melbourne the first stop on a multi-city delivery schedule.

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According to BYD, 1855 vehicles were unloaded at the Port of Melbourne, with the vessel now continuing to Sydney where a further 1519 vehicles will be delivered. The remaining 1435 vehicles are destined for Brisbane.

The shipment represents one of the largest single consignments of BYD vehicles to reach Australia and highlights the rapid growth of the Chinese brand locally. BYD says approximately 75 per cent of the vehicles carried aboard the ship have already been sold and are allocated to customer orders.

The company hosted customers, dealers and industry representatives at the Port of Melbourne to mark the vessel’s arrival, with some buyers able to watch their vehicles being unloaded.

The arrival of the BYD Zhengzhou is significant because it is the first vehicle transport ship owned and operated by the manufacturer to reach Australia. Traditionally, car makers rely on third-party shipping operators to move vehicles between markets.

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Speaking after BYD announced the shipment, Ford Australia marketing director Ambrose Henderson described the move as “a stunt”, arguing that vehicle shipments arrive in Australia every week without attracting similar attention. BYD, however, has continued to emphasise the significance of operating its own shipping fleet as it works to increase supply and reduce delivery times for customers.

BYD has previously stated it intends to deliver 30,000 vehicles to Australian customers across April, May and June, with the dedicated shipping operation forming part of that strategy. The company also indicated it is prepared to continue using its own roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessels for Australian deliveries where required, as it looks to reduce wait times and increase supply.

The latest shipment comes as demand for BYD’s growing range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles continues to strengthen, making the brand one of Australia’s fastest-growing automotive manufacturers.

Tesla delivered a record number of vehicles in Australia during May 2026, according to the latest figures released by the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).

The EVC’s monthly sales report recorded 6,433 Tesla deliveries during May, the highest single-month result since the organisation began tracking battery-electric vehicle deliveries. The figure surpasses Tesla’s previous peak of 6,017 deliveries recorded in March 2024, suggesting many have absolved CEO Elon Musk’s of his strange forays into US politics.

Combined Tesla and Polestar deliveries reached 6,681 vehicles for the month, also establishing a new record for the EVC dataset.

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Importantly, the EVC report only includes sales data provided by Tesla and Polestar in Australia and does not represent total electric vehicle sales or the wider new vehicle market.

Compared with May 2025, combined Tesla and Polestar deliveries increased by 61.4 per cent, while year-to-date deliveries rose 52.7 per cent to 15,866 vehicles.

The result was largely driven by Tesla’s Model Y, which accounted for 5605 deliveries during May. According to the EVC, the popular SUV represented 84 per cent of all Tesla and Polestar vehicles recorded in the report for the month.

Tesla Australia and New Zealand Country Director Thom Drew attributed the result to both returning customers and new buyers entering the brand.

“Tesla has had another strong month in May, driven by the continued loyalty of our existing customers and a growing number of Australians choosing Tesla for the first time,” Drew said.

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Polestar also reported positive momentum, with Australian Managing Director Scott Maynard saying Polestar 4 remained the brand’s strongest performer. Year-to-date sales of the Polestar 4 are up 39.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.

The strongest growth was recorded across the eastern states, with year-to-date sales increasing 65.1 per cent in Queensland, 63.3 per cent in New South Wales and 61.9 per cent in Victoria.

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio described May as a significant month for EV deliveries in Australia.

While the figures highlight growing demand for Tesla and Polestar products, the EVC notes that its monthly report remains a partial snapshot of the market until more manufacturers choose to contribute sales data.