Nissan appears to be looking backwards to ensure its future survival. In a move to grow sales volumes, the Japanese brand plans to add five new hybrid-compatible models spun from one new body-on-frame chassis architecture.
The plan is driven by the shift in demand for the company’s models in North America, where EV sales have plummeted as emissions targets for that market have been dismantled. In an effort to keep sales strong, five new models with a focus on parts commonality are on the way.
Long-running US models like the Camry-rivalling Altima sedan will be retired. Instead, Nissan will turn to a more rugged body-on-frame chassis, as used beneath SUVs and pick-up trucks.
The exact model mix is yet to be revealed, but one of the SUV models is expected to revive the Xterra name (pictured below), used in North America from 1999 until 2015. One will likely adopt the Pathfinder name, and two will be for Nissan’s luxury Infiniti brand.
Nissan also has room to introduce a pick-up truck, which could arrive as a replacement for the Frontier (pictured avove). Mitsubishi has also announced plans to use a Nissan platform for its re-entry into the US pick-up market, which could see the Frontier’s replacement get pushed forward.
Automotive News reports that Nissan will be looking to generate cost savings through a high level of commonality between models. The five newcomers are expected to share as much as 70 per cent of their parts content, largely differing in styling and equipment rather than chassis or powertrain systems.
By the end of the decade, the new-gen ladder-frame models will introduce a petrol V6 parallel hybrid powertrain, bringing a modern element to the line-up. While all-electric vehicles have failed to generate sales, Nissan will continue to electrify its range, adding a hybrid version of the Rogue (sold here as the X-Trail) with the e-Power system that uses its petrol engine as a generator. It will also add a ‘regular’ parallel hybrid powertrain for the large SUV models.
With a strong focus on the North American region for the body-on-frame range, opportunities outside that market may be limited. Europe’s acceptance of EVs means Nissan will continue to focus on models like the Leaf and Ariya, with a new-gen Juke EV in the pipeline.
Japan’s preference for smaller vehicles means the large ladder-frame models hold limited appeal, and the resulting lack of right-hand-drive demand could potentially see Australia miss out on models that might otherwise be a good fit for local conditions.
The first of the new models is expected to roll out in 2028, with Nissan preparing to lead its revised range with the Xterra.
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has received a substantial update ahead of its Australian arrival in the first quarter of 2027, with a new V8-powered S 580 joining the flagship V12 S 680.
Available to pre-order from August 27, the S 580 4MATIC is priced from $517,900 before on-road costs, while the S 680 4MATIC costs $582,428.
The S 580 introduces a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 395kW and 750Nm, supplemented by a 48-volt integrated starter-generator contributing up to 17kW and 205Nm. The S 680 retains its 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, producing 463kW and 900Nm. Both use nine-speed automatic transmissions, all-wheel drive and claim 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
Styling changes include a 20 per cent larger grille incorporating an illuminated Maybach wordmark, redesigned front and rear treatments, revised tail-light graphics and updated DIGITAL LIGHT headlights with rose-gold detailing. New 20-inch forged wheels feature centre caps designed to keep the Mercedes-Benz star upright while moving.
Inside, the Maybach gains Mercedes-Benz’s MB.OS operating system and latest-generation MBUX. A standard MBUX Superscreen combines a 14.4-inch central touchscreen and passenger display beneath a single glass panel, while rear occupants receive two 13.1-inch displays.
Other additions include heated front seatbelts, Digital Vent Control and a 31-speaker, 1610-watt Burmester 4D surround-sound system. The MB.DRIVE assistance package incorporates adaptive cruise control, steering and lane-change assistance, lane-keeping assistance and a 360-degree camera.
AIRMATIC air suspension is standard, with the S 580 also gaining E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. Its suspension can use shared Car-to-X data to identify previously detected speed bumps and prepare the damping before reaching them. Standard rear-wheel steering provides 4.5 degrees of movement, with a 10-degree system optional.
Options include a $24,200 First-Class Package with individual rear seats, extended centre console and refrigerator, while the $34,900 Night Series adds darker exterior detailing and bespoke cabin finishes. MANUFAKTUR paint and upholstery options provide further personalisation.
Both updated Mercedes-Maybach S-Class variants are due in Australian showrooms in early 2027.
Specs
| Mercedes-Maybach S 580 4MATIC | Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | M177 EVO twin-turbo V8 petrol engine | M 279M twin-turbo V12 petrol engine |
| Electrification | 48-volt on-board system with integrated starter-generator | – |
| Maximum power (peak) | 395 kW + 17 kW | 463 kW |
| Maximum torque (peak) | 750Nm + 205 Nm | 900 Nm |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC | 9G-TRONIC |
| Drivetrain | 4MATIC AWD | 4MATIC AWD |
| 0-100km/h | 4.5 sec | 4.5 sec |
Options pricing
| Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC | Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC | |
|---|---|---|
| First Class Package | $24,200 (MRLP) | $24,200 (MRLP) |
| Night Series | $34,900 (MRLP) | $34,900 (MRLP) |
| MANUFAKTUR Exclusive exterior finish | $24,300 (MRLP) | $24,300 (MRLP) |
| MANUFAKTUR Exclusive upholstery | $27,600 (MRLP) | $27,600 (MRLP) |
Nissan Australia has announced local pricing and initial specifications for the new Y63 Patrol large SUV, which is now available to order ahead of first deliveries commencing in early 2027. The upcoming Patrol‘s headline features include a new twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, 3700kg braked towing capacity and a starting price of $98,990 plus on-roads, or just $2450 more than the previous model.
According to Nissan, the Y63 is the “most advanced, most capable and most refined Patrol yet” with a more rigid chassis, new suspension systems, more powerful drivetrain and substantial upgrades to in-cabin technology including Klipsch premium audio and Google built-in and Google Gemini AI.
Six models will be available in the new Patrol range, starting with the entry-level Ti and rising to the Ti+, Ti-L, Ti-L+, Pro-4X and finally, the top-spec Ti-L Reserve. Unlike the current Patrol, there’s no Warrior by Premcar model as yet.
The new engine makes 317kW of power and 700Nm of torque, which are improvements of 19kW and 140Nm respectively compared to the naturally aspirated 5.6-litre V8 used in the Y62 Patrol. Thanks to the extra grunt, the braked towing capacity has increased from 3500kg to 3700kg, or 200kg more than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range, as is a four-wheel drive system with a 4L and 4H interlocking transfer case, electronic locking rear differential and eight drive and terrain modes.
Like other Nissan products in Australia, the new Patrol will be covered by the brand’s ‘NissanMore’ warranty, which includes warranty and roadside assistance coverage of up to 10 years/300,000km if serviced through the company’s dealership network. The first five services cost $499 under the brand’s capped-price servicing regime.
2027 Nissan Patrol pricing (excluding on-road costs):
- Ti: $98,990
- Ti+: $109,480
- Ti-L: $122,690
- Ti-L+: $134,690
- Pro-4X: $137,590
- Ti-L Reserve: $145,990
Patrol Ti initial standard features:
- Dual 12.3-inch infotainment displays
- 360-degree camera with invisible bonnet skeleton view
- NissanConnect connected car services with Google built-in and Google Gemini AI
- 4WD system with 4L + 4H interlocking transfer case, electronic locking rear differential, eight drive
and terrain modes - Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Synthetic leather seats and leather-accented steering wheel
- 18-inch alloy wheels with full-size spare
- ProPILOT adaptive lane guidance
Ti+ model adds to Ti:
- Tilt and slide power sunroof with panoramic glass roof
- Privacy glass for the second row and rear windows
- Power tailgate
- Roof rails
- Camera rear interior mirror
- Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Ti-L model adds to Ti+:
- Dual 14.3-inch infotainment displays
- 12-speaker Klipsch audio system
- Head-up display
- Intelligent Dynamic Damping (e-Damper) suspension
- 20-inch machined alloy wheels
- 3D rotation 360-degree camera with invisible hood ‘skeleton view’
Ti-L+ model adds to Ti-L:
- Genuine leather-accented seat trim
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Massage driver’s seat
- Heated steering wheel
- Centre console cool box
- Biometric Cooling climate system with inbuilt pollen and particulate filter
- Multi-colour ambient interior illumination
Pro-4X model adds to Ti-L:
- Adaptive air suspension with Intelligent dynamic damping
- 20-inch black-painted alloy wheels
- All-terrain tyres
- PRO-4X unique off-road front bumper fascia
- Centre console cool box
- Heated and ventilated front row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Trailer docking support
- Electric trailer brake controller
- Biometric Cooling with in-built pollen and particulate filter
Ti-L Reserve model adds to Ti-L+:
- Adaptive air suspension with Intelligent dynamic damping
- 22-inch step-machined alloy wheels
- Trailer docking support
- Electric trailer brake controller
- Dual 12.8-inch second-row entertainment screens
- Driver and front passenger massage seats
The Y63 Nissan Patrol is now available to order ahead of the first deliveries commencing in early 2027.
Hyundai has outlined its ambitious plan to grow sales, enter new vehicle segments and increase its presence in the EV market with a product push that includes seven new vehicles before the end of the year and products in 18 segments before the end of the decade.
The bigger picture will see 100 vehicles renewed or updated across the Hyundai, Genesis and N brands by the end of the decade, and the Korean giant will also add its first extended-range EV models and line-up of body-on-frame off-road vehicles.
The targets were outlined at the Hyundai CEO Investor Day 2026 in South Korea, with president and CEO Jose Muñoz listing just some of the new products in store for the company and providing a glimpse at longer-term plans for others.
Hyundai has already taken the covers off new-generation versions of the Elantra sedan (sold as the i30 in Australia) and Tucson SUV, along with the Ioniq 3 small hatch. They’ll be joined by an extended-range (EREV) version of the Santa Fe that combines electric drive with a petrol engine that functions as a generator in a first for the company.
It was also confirmed that a mid-sized pick-up truck will join the line-up. A rival to the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, its body-on-frame architecture is likely to become the base for additional models including light commercial vehicles and potentially an SUV, although the latter was not officially revealed.
EV offerings will see product gaps plugged thanks to a compact model with SUV-like styling as a companion to the Ioniq 3 for the European market. A 5+2-seat medium SUV that will offer a step between the five-seat Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 will also join the range.
Crucially for driving enthusiasts, Hyundai’s N division is set to get seven new models across four segments. Confirmed layouts include an entry-level front-engine front-wheel drive platform, an entry-level performance SUV, a high-performance all-wheel-drive drivetrain – and perhaps most interestingly, a front-engine, rear-wheel drive model.
Some of those models fill gaps left by the likes of the i20 N and Kona N, but some, like the rear-wheel drive announcement, come as a surprise. While Hyundai has previously offered rear-wheel drive cars, that market has been handed to the more upmarket Genesis brand.
Hyundai also announced that the N portfolio will expand from the styling-based N Line and specially-tuned N Performance products to include a third N division. Positioned between the two existing lines, the new products will include performance that sits somewhere in between N Line and N Performance, with heightened dynamics and a more liveable approach to day-to-day comfort.
Genesis has already revealed that a hybrid version of the existing GV80 SUV will kick off its new model rollout, and a new brand flagship, the GV90 SUV, has been revealed with Bentley and Rolls-Royce levels of luxury.
Genesis has also had a steady flow of concepts for its Magma high-performance division, and has shown a number of G90-based variations positioned at the high end of the luxury market, like the GV90, indicating where the brand could make its next moves.
The luxury brand will also follow the Santa Fe’s lead by introducing EREV models, likely starting with the GV70. They will use an in-house, Hyundai-designed battery that promises lower weight, reduced charging times and improved energy density compared to the company’s current tech. The new cell design will then expand to next-generation EVs.
The wider rollout of electrified models will see Hyundai’s model mix move from 23 per cent electrified in 2023 to a targeted 60 per cent by 2030. Hyundai also signalled that its production capacity will be boosted by a further 1.27 million units globally, with the USA, India, and Korea all set to expand, and plans to increase locally sourced content for North American plants to reduce the impact of tariffs imposed by the US government.
The Yangwang U7 luxury sedan from BYD has passed a 30,000km endurance test with flying colours, losing just 1.3 per cent of its battery capacity despite undergoing more than 350 Flash charging cycles in sweltering conditions.
Held in the southern Chinese city of Nanning, the trial put the U7’s Blade 2.0 battery through its paces in no uncertain terms. It had to deal with temperatures topping 36°C, according to CarNewsChina, with relative humidity up to 80 per cent.
The U7 completed 30,000km of driving in eight days, 19 hours and 58 minutes. When it was over, the battery capacity retention rate was 98.7 per cent. According to the publication, the car maintained a cruising speed of 240km/h while the airconditioning was set to 24°C for the length of the test.
Yangwang general manager Hu Xiaoqing said the vehicle used in the trial was selected at random from a showroom and did not deviate from standard trim in any way. She added that the brand welcomes verification and further testing from independent bodies. The impressive result came amid BYD using 758 U7 test vehicles to cover almost 10.5 million kilometres before it’s brought to market.
The U7 is the flagship high-performance sedan from BYD’s most exclusive brand. First revealed in China in March last year, it comes in four and five-seat layouts, EV and PHEV variants, and features the “God’s Eye” suite of driver assist systems.
Four electric motors power the EV version with a total output of 960kW and 1680Nm of torque. Claimed 0-100km/h time is 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 270km/h, and the 135.5kWh Blade battery gives it a claimed CLTC range of 720km. Replenishing from 30 per cent to 80 per cent takes 20 minutes using DC fast charging.
In January last year it was announced that the U7 will get an optional power upgrade to 1000kW with a 150kWh battery pack that gives it energy consumption of 17.7kWh per 100km and boosts range to a claimed 1006km.
Chinese pricing for the U7 starts from $132,950. In January, BYD confirmed that Yangwang is coming to Australia, but did not provide a timetable. The brand made headlines with its U9 supercar, which set a record as the world’s fastest production car by reaching 496.22km/h, and lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in six minutes and 59.157 seconds.
Hyundai Australia has revealed local pricing and specifications for the new XRT Pro variant of its Palisade large SUV. Arriving in showrooms from next month, the Palisade XRT Pro is the first time that Hyundai has offered the XRT Pro off-road package to the Palisade range and it adds a more rugged design and enhanced off-road capability, as well as a non-hybrid drivetrain, to its flagship ICE SUV.
Based on the entry-level Palisade Elite, the new XRT Pro adds a number of off-road features for superior ability off the beaten track, including increased ground clearance at 212mm (versus 187mm for other Palisade models), an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Continental all-terrain tyres and mud, sand and snow off-road driving modes.
Hyundai Australia has also given the XRT Pro a unique suspension tune compared to other Palisade models, including off-road-focused hardware and geometry that is entirely different from the standard Palisade.
On the outside, the Palisade XRT Pro has bolder styling features like a metallic treatment for the front grille, blacked-out detailing and XRT Pro badging. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in those aforementioned all-terrain tyres, while there’s also a factory-fitted tow bar and red recovery hooks. A new Titan Charcoal colour is also available.
Inside, the XRT Pro adds a number of design features to set it apart from its stablemates, including XRT branding on the dashboard and headrests, blacked-out controls and unique seat patterns with mountain-like inlays for the black synthetic leather upholstery.
The infotainment display also features a bespoke off-roading page, which provides a graphical presentation of key data such as pitch and roll angles, power distribution, and rear e-LSD operation to give the driver confidence during challenging manoeuvres. Unique to the XRT Pro is a ground-view monitor that gives the driver a clear view of the wheel trajectory on challenging terrain. An XRT button on the steering lets drivers access the off-roading cluster and infotainment themes.
The XRT Pro is also the first new-generation Palisade model in Australia that doesn’t use a hybrid drivetrain. Instead, it’s propelled by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine making 207kW and 422Nm. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and, of course, all-wheel drive as standard. Fuel economy and emissions figures are yet to be revealed.
2026 Hyundai Palisade pricing (excluding on-road costs):
- Elite Hybrid: $76,500
- XRT Pro Petrol: $79,900
- Calligraphy Hybrid AWD: $89,828 (7-seat: $90,828)
- Calligraphy Black Hybrid: $92,400 (7-seat: $93,400)
The first Australian arrivals for the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro will commence next month.
Australian drivers are easing off the accelerator in a bid to squeeze more kilometres out of every tank and cut their fuel costs. New research from finance experts Money.com.au has revealed that 39 per cent of Aussies are driving slower than usual or below the speed limit to save money as prices continue to sit above $2 per litre around the country.
Money‘s survey of more than 1000 Australian drivers found that 23 per cent reduce their speed on suburban or arterial roads to conserve fuel, while 16 per cent do so mainly on highways or motorways. They’re not just taking a mild approach, either, averaging 7km/h below the posted speed limit.
Money‘s research showed that Gen Z drivers are the most likely to deliberately slow down or drive below the speed limit to save fuel (45 per cent), compared with 42 per cent of Millennials and 36 per cent of both Gen X and Baby Boomers. Younger drivers are also shaving more speed off. Gen Z motorists who use the tactic travel an average of 8km/h below the speed limit, compared with 7km/h across all other generations.
“Petrol is one of those grudge expenses, and with the full fuel excise now at 53.7 cents per litre, it makes sense that drivers are looking for small ways to save at the pump. While many Aussies are driving less or catching more public transport, others are simply easing off the accelerator to stretch every litre further,” said Money’s head of insights, Sean Callery.
“Driving a little slower can improve fuel efficiency up to a point, but there are better ways to reduce your fuel bill. Use a fuel-tracking app to find cheaper petrol in your area or exchange your credit card points for fuel gift cards to save directly at the bowser. Smooth acceleration, keeping your tyres properly inflated and avoiding unnecessary weight in the car can also help improve fuel economy.”
Geely is preparing to launch its own in-house rival to BYD’s ultra-rapid Flash Charging system for EVs. Based around a 1000-volt battery architecture, the Chinese giant’s new tech will cut the time needed to charge from 10 to 97 per cent to as little as five and a half minutes, surpassing BYD’s nine-minute claim.
At present, BYD’s 1000-volt-compatible Flash network (pictured below) can deliver a charge rate of 1000kW to 1500kW on compatible vehicles. It quotes recharge times of five minutes for a 10-70 per cent recharge, with an additional four minutes to fill to 97 per cent.
While BYD’s system can be used by compatible rivals with 1000-volt electrical systems, Geely’s development could be used to lure Chinese consumers by giving them an alternative to BYD’s infrastructure.
CarNewsChina reports that Geely is working on its new 1000V system and has plans for higher-voltage battery tech to come, potentially resulting in even shorter charge times. Geely has already begun rolling out 1500kW chargers to rival BYD’s, but with 800V and 900V systems in use on its current vehicles, it can’t yet match the peak charging rate of Flash-compatible BYD vehicles.
In a demonstration of its high-powered charger, the Chinese-market Lynk & Co 10 sedan, with a 900V battery, hit an 1100kW peak, but it could not charge beyond 430kW on the Flash network. With a revised electrical platform, a 1000V system would unlock even faster charging to take advantage of the full 1500kW capacity, dubbed Extreme Charge.
Demonstrations of Geely’s 900V architecture have already beaten BYD’s recharge times, with the Lynk & Co 10 recharging from 10 to 70 per cent in four minutes and 22 seconds, and to 97 per cent in eight minutes and 42 seconds, ahead of the 5-minute and 9-minute benchmarks from BYD for the same charge levels.
With Geely in control of brands like Zeekr, Volvo, Lotus, Smart, and Farizon, the new ultra-rapid tech could be rolled out across a wide variety of vehicles at different price points, although plans for an Australian introduction have yet to be confirmed.
Ram Trucks Australia has announced that the 1500 TRX, the supercharged V8 Hemi bruiser last sold here in 2025 will return to our shores in the first half of 2027. After a brief hiatus in the US, the upgraded TRX now features SRT branding and even more power from its 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 engine: 777hp (580kW) compared to the 702hp (523kW) of the pre-updated model.
The TRX SRT’s V8 also makes 920Nm of torque, and it sprints from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, or the same as a current-shape BMW M5. The quarter mile sprint is done and dusted in just 12.2 seconds, too.
According to Ram Trucks Australia, “several hundred” Aussie customers have already tried to place pre-orders for the model following confirmation the performance pick-up was returning to the US in January 2026. When it was on sale locally, almost 1000 units of the TRX were sold delivered.
“We know there is a lot of passion for the TRX in Australia, which is why we have worked hard to secure production out of the US for our market,” said Ram Trucks Australia general manager Jeff Barber.
“Supply of the new TRX will initially be restricted because demand is off the charts in the US, however the factory has been incredibly supportive of the Australian market and we are pleased to confirm the TRX is coming back.”
A complete list of standard equipment for the TRX SRT is yet to be announced, but it will be available in six colours: Bright White, Diamond Black, Forged Blue, Molten Red, Serrano Green and Spitfire Orange.
Pricing for the Ram 1500 TRX SRT starts at $259,950 plus on-road costs, which is $10,000 higher than the last TRX that was sold here: the MY24 Final Edition.
2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT pricing (excluding on-road costs):
- TRX SRT: $259,950
- Premium paint: $950
Full specifications for the Ram 1500 TRX SRT will be announced closer to the first Australian deliveries, which will begin in the first half of 2027.
A recently discovered patent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has sparked vigorous debate about whether Ferrari has just revealed its next-generation hypercar.
The patent details a new active aero system in which the taillights are mounted to an actuator, allowing them to move from their primary position into a spot higher and further rearward to vary the car’s aerodynamic load.
While the idea of moving bodywork isn’t new, with active aero systems now a regular feature of high-performance supercars and hypercars, using the taillight assembly as a moving part to impact airflow over the rear of the car is a different approach.
The patent, uncovered by CarBuzz, goes further than the usual wireframe or outlined vehicle depictions of the new technology in action, and the image (pictured above) has set off speculation that Ferrari could be previewing the form of a future hypercar. The brand’s current F80 flagship (pictured below) only launched last year, but a more potent or limited-run special edition could be on display here.
The radically styled car in the patent documents has a low cabin that looks more like an enclosed Formula 1 car, with partially exposed wheels and a twin fuselage-style body that shapes air from the body sides toward a massive rear diffuser. The active taillights are mounted between the rear spoiler surface and the diffuser.
While the depiction has the same basic profile as Ferrari’s 2022 Vision Gran Turismo virtual concept, the wider cabin, unique rear styling and integrated wing surface all differ from that design.
A more realistic application of the moving taillight tech is also depicted, with an outline of the current Purosangue used to show how the system could function on Ferrari’s current range. The inner taillights would move rearward from their stowed position and rise to extend the length of the Purosangue’s short rear decklid. Like a traditional active rear spoiler, it could be used to increase downforce and drag under braking.
In either instance, the patent filing doesn’t guarantee that the technology depicted, or the car it’s shown on, is locked in for production. Patent protections can be used while new technology is under development, or to keep competitors from gaining easy access to similar systems.
