An updated 2025 McLaren Artura has debuted with a new Spider drop-top joining the Coupe first unveiled three years ago.

The new Artura Spider is McLaren’s first ‘high-performance hybrid’ convertible, with both the Coupe and Spider receiving a power boost for the 3.0-litre plug-in hybrid V6 to 515kW/720Nm – up 15kW – for 2025.

McLaren chief engineer Andy Beale said the improvement is solely from the internal combustion engine, which has improved calibration and optimisation – rather than the electric motor.

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Existing owners of the 2024 McLaren Artura Coupe will receive the 15kW power bump at no additional cost. McLaren says it is working with its Australian retail network to finalise timing for the upgrade.

The Artura Spider will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.0 seconds, equivalent to the Artura Coupe. The now-discontinued Ferrari F8 Spider reached 100km/h in 2.9s, the $140,000-dearer Ferrari 296 GTS has a 2.7s time, and the Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder is rated at 3.1 seconds.

McLaren lists an 8.4-second time for the 0-200km/h sprint, 21.6 seconds for 0-300km/h, and a 330km/h top speed. It becomes the lightest convertible supercar in its class with a power-to-weight ratio of 353kW/tonne – compared to 341kW/t for the F8 Spider and 309kW/t for the Huracan Evo.

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Beale said the Artura Coupe and Spider are “very similar” in outright track performance. The convertible has a 1560 kilogram kerb weight compared to 1498 kilograms for the coupe (+62kg).

Improvements unique to 2025 Artura vehicles include a revised transmission calibration, a new pre-fill feature to deliver 25 per cent faster gearshifts, a new powertrain mount design to improve agility, and 90 per cent faster adaptive dampers to improve response to driver inputs and road surface changes.

McLaren has fitted a redesigned exhaust system with a refined engine note to allow more tone into the cabin, claiming the “crescendo of sound… envelops [the] driver, especially with [the] roof or rear window lowered” in the Artura Spider.

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There is also improved braking power and consistency at high speeds, along with new cooling ducts to improve thermal management.

Both models have an increased electric-only driving range of 33 kilometres from the 7.4kWh lithium-ion battery, up from 30 kilometres.

The Artura Spider’s retractable one-piece hard-top can operate electronically in 11 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h using eight actuators, with an optional electrochromic roof panel available. The low and central hybrid components are said to have allowed packaging for the retractable hard-top.

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It has a reshaped roof panel to direct airflow to a new thermal release ‘chimney’, along with windscreen gurneys to optimise airflow to reduce occupant buffeting when the roof is down.

Inside, a wireless phone charger is now available as an option with a retention system that uses soft materials to protect the device. The Artura Spyder has a unique Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system with repositioned rear speakers, along with a new central speaker.

Lane-departure warning and traffic-sign recognition are now standard-fit for the Artura, while blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts are available as an option for the first time in a McLaren.

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The Artura Coupe and Spider are available in new exterior paint colours for 2025, while there is new ‘stealth’ black badging with an optional silver finish.

The 2025 McLaren Artura is due in Australia between July and September, with the Artura Coupe priced at $477,310 before on-road costs – up $27,810 over the 2024 model. The new Artura Spider is priced at $525,010 plus on-roads.

2025 McLaren Artura pricing

The latest-generation 2024 MG3 – the first all-new model since 2011 – has debuted ahead of its mid-year Australian launch.

MG Australia has confirmed that “due to advancements in technology, safety and specification”, the new MG3 will not be priced from under $20,000 when it arrives in local showrooms.

It will be the first time a new car hasn’t been available for under $20,000 drive-away, with the cost of the one-size-smaller Kia Picanto hatch also increasing following a recent mid-life update.

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The current MG3 hatch debuted in China in 2011, arrived in Australia in 2016 at $13,990 before on-road costs, and is now priced from $19,990 drive-away.

“There will be a price increase of around $5000 associated with the new model, thanks to the introduction of new world-class technology, safety updates and all-new specification,” said an MG Australia spokesperson.

That would see the new MG3 priced from around $24,990 drive-away – up 25 per cent, and equivalent to the larger MG5 Vibe sedan due for safety upgrades later this year following a poor zero-star ANCAP safety rating.

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MG has committed to a $4 million investment to improve the MG5’s safety, which would likely move it beyond its current drive-away prices to amortise these added development costs.

With an automatic transmission, the similarly-sized Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris hatches start from around $28,500 drive-away, while the soon-to-be-replaced Suzuki Swift auto is priced from $25,990 drive-away.

The new model has a revised exterior look inspired by the MG4 EV, MG5 sedan and MG One SUV, including a wider grille, pull-out door handles, and horizontal tail lights.

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Inside, it features a wider 10.25-inch touchscreen running MG’s latest infotainment – which includes Android Auto missing from the current model – a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, hard-button shortcut controls, USB-A and USB-C charge ports, and a wireless phone charger.

There’s also an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, an engine start/stop button, and a flat-bottom steering wheel derived from the MG4 EV with piano black controls.

It also adds active safety features absent from the current MG3, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and traffic jam assist.

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The MG3 will be available with a hybrid powertrain in its model line-up, becoming the second vehicle in the budget-focused, city-car segment to include the option of a fuel-saving powertrain after the Toyota Yaris.

The hybrid system combines a 75kW/128Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with a 100kW/250Nm electric motor for a 143kW total system output.

It has a 1.83kWh battery and offers four drive modes: Electric-only, series-hybrid, ‘series and charge’, ‘drive and charge’, and parallel-hybrid.

MG claims an eight-second 0-100km/h sprint time, with a selectable ‘sport’ calibration to “get the best out of the combined power output”, along with ‘eco’ and ‘standard’ modes.

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Oddly, the hybrid powertrain is matched to a three-speed automatic transmission, down one gear from the current MG3.

It has a WLTP-rated combined fuel consumption of 4.4L/100km, compared to 6.7L/100km for the outgoing model under the less stringent ADR testing cycle.

A non-hybrid version of the petrol powertrain will also be offered in Australia.

Under the skin, the MG3 is based on a new ‘scalable’ platform, which is said to improve comfort and dynamics. The chassis and suspension was developed in Europe and China, with unique tunes for different markets.

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Measuring 4113mm long, 1502mm tall and 1797mm wide with a 2570mm wheelbase, the new model is 58mm longer, 2mm lower and 68mm wider with 50mm more between the front and rear axles. It has a 293-litre boot, down 14L.

More local details on the 2025 MG3 are due to be confirmed closer to its mid-year Australian launch.

“The current MG3 is at the end of its lifecycle which means that now is the best time to buy a brand new car for the price of a used one, before the new model hits our shores,” added the MG Australia spokesperson.

Below: The current MG3 hatch, which was last updated in 2018

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8:30pm: And now it’s been revealed!

Get all the details on the freshly unveiled Renault 5 at the story linked below.

February 26, 7:30pm: The Renault 5 is being revealed as we speak.

Check out the live video below, and watch for our detailed story to come shortly.

January: Renault 5 teased before Geneva debut

Mike Stevens

It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally just weeks away from the return of the Renault 5 badge, set for February 26 at the Geneva motor show.

Destined to debut on the back of a new-generation electric hatch, the 5 name will be an important model in the ‘affordable EV’ space.

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A set of new teaser images released at Christmas offer a first undisguised look at the new 5, although the tightly-cropped view means there is still much left to be revealed.

“Renault 5 E-Tech electric is a cult icon redesigned for the modern age,” says Fabrice Cambolive, head of the Renault brand in the wider Renault Nissan Mitsubishi group.

“We pulled out all the stops for this engaging car, designed and built in France. With its cheerful design and new-generation technologies, it’s out to make electric vehicles more affordable in Europe.”

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The new 5 isn’t officially confirmed for Australia yet, but local boss Glen Sealey told Wheels in an early 2023 interview that it is one of the cars the brand’s Australian distributor is eager to introduce.

“If Renault makes [the 5] in right-hand-drive, we’ll put our hand up. It’s then a case of: will Renault make the additional investment to engineer a car to ADRs for Australia”, Sealey said.

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In Europe, the 5 will open in the €20,000 to €25,000 range – roughly equivalent to $30,000 to $40,000 in Australia.

It would be quite an achievement if that price range is possible in Australia, given it’s a bracket currently dominated by Chinese EVs, while the similarly compact Fiat 500e is a $52,000 a proposition.

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July 2023: 2024 Renault 5 electric hatch teased

The long-awaited Renault 5 revival has been teased in production-ready form for the first time, ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Thursday.

While the retro electric hatch was still wrapped in dark camouflage, it indicates the electric hatch will have straight body lines, a compact length with a wide wheelbase, and retro-sporty styling cues.

Interestingly, the front bonnet has a subtle protruding bump on the left side, the front bumper will feature a splitter, and a subtle full-width lip or light bar at the tailgate connecting the vertical tail-lights with a ‘5’ badge offset on the right.

The latter harks back to the post-1984 second-generation Renault 5 hatch, which had the carmaker’s diamond logo towards the left front grille.

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Other details seen in the teaser include hidden rear door handles, Continental tyres, and a charging port located at the front-left of the car.

While Renault hasn’t detailed when the 5 EV will be unveiled, the teaser lines up with the Goodwood Festival of Speed event running from Thursday, July 13 to Sunday, July 16.

The annual event has become a new go-to for carmakers to tease or reveal new high-performance models in lieu of traditional motor shows, with electric cars such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and MG Cyberster slated for this year.

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April 3: 2024 Renault 5 initial details revealed

Initial battery and powertrain details have been revealed for the all-electric Renault 5, ahead of a 2024 unveil for the revived retro-inspired hatch.

The 5 will debut Renault-Nissan’s Common Module Family-B EV (CMF-B EV) platform, which will be 30 per cent cheaper to manufacture than the Zoe electric light hatch overseas since it shares 70 per cent of parts from the combustion engine CMF-B platform used on the Clio and Captur city cars.

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The Renault 5 will be the Zoe’s spiritual successor, with a design inspired by its original predecessors and focus on fun driving dynamics.

It will be home to a new battery pack with four large modules to be simpler (instead of 12 small modules like the older Zoe), 15kg lighter than the Zoe and more space efficient, while giving the underbody added rigidity to improve safety and cabin noise isolation.

Additionally, the Renault 5 will feature an electrically-excited synchronous motor that doesn’t use expensive and environmentally-unfriendly rare-earth materials, while delivering higher power outputs than a permanent magnet motor.

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The electric city car will also have a more compact architecture – around 20kg lighter than the Zoe – by combining the DC/DC converter (which converts the battery pack’s 400-volts into 12-volts to power electronics), the onboard battery charger, and accessory box (which manages power distribution) into one unit.

The CMF-B EV platform also enables it to have multi-link rear suspension.

The first nine Renault 5 EV mules disguised as Clio hatches are currently being tested for comfort and handling on European roads, and the company’s private testing facilities, with initial drives indicating it is a “worthy descendant of the Megane E-Tech electric”.

When it does make its debut next year, it will revive the nameplate that dates back to 1972, but only lasted for two generations.

The Renault 5 was famous for its Alpine and Turbo hot hatch iterations, plus its entrance as a front-wheel drive rally car.

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Will the electric Renault 5 come to Australia?

Renault has yet to confirm if it will build the 5 in right-hand-drive, but the company’s local distributor has confirmed it’s eager to bring the style-focused 5 in as a rival to the Abarth 500e and Mini Electric.

Local boss Glen Sealey told Wheels in February: “If Renault makes [the 5] in right-hand-drive, we’ll put our hand up. It’s then a case of: will Renault make the additional investment to engineer a car to ADRs for Australia?”

The 5 would come with a handy advantage of those two compact EVs when it comes to driving range, as the current Zoe can manage up to 395 kilometres.

For now, Renault Australia will launch the Megane E-Tech EV crossover SUV at the end of this year with a targeted circa-$70,000 starting price to compete with a highly concentrated segment, including the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Watch out SUV lovers, and wagon enthusiasts rejoice! Volkswagen has unveiled the ID.7 Tourer – the long-roof version of last year’s ID.7 sedan.

That’s the good news. The bad news? It’s not likely to come to Australia. Or at least, not anytime soon.

When the ID.7 sedan was unveiled in April 2023, a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson said: “Volkswagen Australia is planning for several new electric vehicles to follow the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo. At this point, the ID.7 is not for our market as our focus will be on our electric SUV range.”

Given the general disinterest in wagons these days, the new ID.7 Tourer would be even less likely – although the Volkswagen group remains one of the few carmakers happy to own that niche in Australia.

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If it does come here, the ID.7 Tourer – which is Volkswagen’s first all-electric wagon – could prove a compelling option for those niche buyers.

The most obvious point of appeal is its extended roofline, providing 605 litres of luggage space with the rear seats up, and 1714 litres with both rear seats folded down.

The ID.7 Tourer will be offered in two models – the Tourer Pro with a 77kWh battery, and the Tourer Pro S, with an 86kWh battery. Driving range is claimed at up to 685km.

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Both models support up to 200kW at DC quick-charge stations, promising a 10-80% charge “in significantly less than 30 minutes”.

Both models share the same “AP550” drivetrain, sending 210kW and around 550Nm to the rear wheels. The ID.7 Tourer’s top speed is expected to be limited to 180km/h.

On the outside, the ID.7 Tourer features LED headlights and tail lights, diamond cut 19-inch alloy wheels, and roof rails. Aside from the smart-looking rear-end styling, the rest of the exterior styling is shared with the ID.7 sedan.

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As promised in January, VW has also equipped the ID.7 with a voice assistant powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offering the ability to answer a wide variety of questions and queries.

Volkswagen will also offer remote connectivity through a new “Wellness In-Car App” [↗], allowing for pre-conditioning of climate control and other options, before the driver and passengers enter the car.

For the driver, the ID.7 Tourer offers an augmented-reality head-up display, rear-view camera system, 10-colour background lighting, and two-zone climate control. A panoramic sunroof with smart glass, allowing for either transparent or opaque settings, is optional.

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European sales of the ID.7 Tourer are expected to begin (in Europe) before the end of March 2024.

Are you keen to see this one in Australia? Get to hassling your VW dealer and it might just happen…

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Indian giant Mahindra is getting closer to Volkswagen, with more of the German company’s EV tech to make its way into future models.

The two companies began collaborating in 2022 with a partnering agreement, and Mahindra’s new Indian Global (InGlo) EV platform will make extensive use of VW technology and components.

Mahindra will equip InGlo vehicles with Volkswagen‘s MEB electric components and PowerCo unified cells, and the company says it initially focus on a range of all-wheel-drive SUVs, up to 4.7m long and with around 80kWh in battery capacity.

MEB and InGlo are modular electric ‘skateboard’ designs with dual-motor / AWD capability, with flexibility to be used in vehicles ranging in size (the latest VW ID models are all MEB vehicles), hence their suitability for parts-sharing.

Details as to exactly which electric components will be shared between MEB and InGlo are scarce, but may include thermal management and motors. Potential sharing of in-vehicle systems such as operating systems, computers/electronic control units, and wiring harnesses has not yet been discussed publicly.

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Vehicles on the InGlo architecture will use VW’s PowerCo Unified Cells

PowerCo, a VW subsidiary, is developing the unified cell – a battery cell format designed to be compatible with more than 80% of Volkswagen Automotive Group (VAG) products.

The cells are prismatic with a tab at each end, as opposed to blade cells as used by BYD, and can use different cell chemistries depending on the price point and performance characteristics required. Unified cell capacity ranges from 60-80kWh, with 175kW charging (up to 80% in less than 30 minutes).

Volkswagen claims “the intelligent and efficient Battery Management System with high precision, enhanced robustness and functional safety will deliver improved range, longevity and safety. Its high number of charge-discharge cycles coupled with a long lifespan will also help reduce waste.”

With partners, VW intends to operate six factories with a total volume of 240 GWh of capacity throughout Europe by 2030. The unified cell, according to VAG, “harnesses synergy effects and will reduce battery costs by up to 50 percent”.

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Mahindra will use the ‘budget’ version of VW’s Unified Cell chemistry

VW classifies the unified cell chemistries as Entry – Cost optimum (Inexpensive Chemistry), Volume – Balanced cost and performance (Mainstream chemistry) and Best in Class – Performance optimum (High-end chemistry for high performance).

Mahindra will fit INGLO vehicles with the (inexpensive) LFP chemistry.

The Indian company will be the first outside partner to use the unified cells, with the supply agreement to have total volume of about 50GWh over several years.

Mahindra had previously stated InGlo will accept prismatic or blade cells, but it now appears it will use solely VW prismatic cells.

Ford “almost pulled out of Australia” at an undisclosed period in recent years, it has been revealed.

Ford Authority [↗] reports Ford CEO Jim Farley said at a recent industry conference that the brand once considered leaving Australia – like once arch-rival Holden did in 2020 – following similar moves in Brazil and India.

It is unclear when Ford bosses in Detroit were considering shutting down the Australian operation, but it was likely around the time local Falcon and Territory production ended in 2016 – before sales of the Ranger ute steadily rose to eventually become Australia’s top-selling vehicle in 2023.

“We don’t really talk about Ford anymore overseas, but we should because our Pro business is very profitable in Europe now,” said Farley. “We have a very small footprint in China. So, we’re totally unique among the other OEMs. Not a lot of risk, not a lot of reward, but we have a very profitable Ranger business. People wouldn’t realise this.”

“The second highest volume vehicle at Ford is Ranger. Ranger globally outsells Super Duty. We are now number two in pickups outside of the U.S. and pickups are growing big time. We sell 5000 Raptors in China for US$150,000 each, and we’re the best-selling vehicle in Australia. We almost pulled out of Australia.

“The Ranger is number one in South Africa, huge pickup market. We’re number one in pickups in Europe. The Ranger is growing and super profitable in South America. It is our only vehicle in South America.”

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In 2016, Ford Australia sold 81,207 vehicles with a 6.9 per cent market share before falling to 59,601 in COVID-affected 2020 with a 6.5 per cent market share.

In 2023, Ford sold 87,200 cars in Australia – mostly Rangers and Everests – with a 7.2 per cent market share, which was its best result since 2012.

Former Ford Australia boss Graeme Whickman told Wheels in a 2016 interview that the brand had been “in decline” and its “reliance on certain products had been obvious to everybody as it is with Holden [with Commodore]”.

In its shift from a local manufacturer to a full importer, Ford Australia promised a better customer experience, better dealer relations, fewer fleet sales, removing loss-leader models from its line-up, and rejecting volume for volume’s sake. It introduced a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in mid-2018.

It also invested significantly in improving its local facilities, which were used to develop the latest Ranger and Everest – as well as its Volkswagen Amarok twin-under-the-skin – introduced in 2022.

However, Ford Australia ended around 120 contract roles in its development and design teams in 2022, along with a further 250 engineering jobs in 2019.

Ford Australia recently discontinued the internal-combustion Puma small SUV and Escape midsize SUV, but it will soon offer an all-electric version of the Puma known as the Gen-E.

It also axed the Focus ST and Fiesta ST hot hatches in 2022, following the deletion of standard Focus variants and the slow-selling, diesel-only Endura large SUV in 2020.

Ford has introduced the Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit and E-Transit Custom electric cars in Australia, while the segment-first Ranger Plug-In Hybrid will arrive in early 2025. The full-size F-150 ute – converted from left- to right-hand drive in Melbourne – was re-introduced in late 2023.

Additionally, the latest-generation Mustang sports car is due here soon, while the Tourneo – a people-mover version of the Transit Custom commercial van – will be introduced in Australia later this year.

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Ford sales in Australia

In recent years, MG has made a significant impact with a lineup of new, cost-effective, and technologically advanced models in the Australian market.

The brand has been lauded for advancing the adoption of electric vehicles, particularly with the introduction of the new MG4.

For those in the market for a medium SUV, MG offers the HS, with the HS +EV catering to those seeking plug-in hybrid options.

However, our focus today is on the Excite, the mid-level model in the HS petrol range.

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Pricing and features

The MG HS features a five-door, SUV-style wagon design, with capacity to seat five passengers comfortably.

Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options, it is classified as a medium SUV in the mainstream market, priced under $60K.

Within the petrol lineup, the mid-range Excite model is priced starting at $35,990 drive-away.

It comes equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that delivers 119kW of power and 250Nm of torque. For those seeking higher performance, more power and torque are offered in the upper-range Excite X AWD and Essence X AWD models.

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Safety

The MG HS Excite has received a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, following Euro-NCAP testing in 2019.

Each variant of the MG HS comes standard with six airbags (dual front, side, and curtain) to bolster passenger safety.

Additionally, the entire lineup benefits from the inclusion of the MG Pilot safety suite.

This extensive safety package features various active safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, blind-spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a door opening alert.

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Key rivals

Directly competing with the MG HS are other well-equipped budget models like the Haval H6 and SsangYong Koran.

But at the Excite price-point there is plenty of competition from entry-level versions of much-loved favourites, such as:

• Toyota RAV4
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Mazda CX-5
• Mitsubishi Outlander

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

The MG HS Excite is a pretty value-packed option. This affordability factor significantly contributes to its appeal, especially for buyers looking to enter the medium SUV segment without breaking the bank.

At only $3,000 higher than the base Vibe model, the Excite brings a good amount of spec that really makes the car feel more premium both inside and out.

MG has hit the ground running in recent years, with an array of new, affordable, tech forward models in the Australian market.

They’ve been praised for leaping electric vehicle adoption forward with cars like the new MG4.

If you’re after a medium SUV, the HS is what MG has brought to the table, with the HS +EV covering the market for plug-in versions.

But today we’re looking at the Vibe, the entry into the HS petrol family.

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Pricing and features

The MG HS is a five-door, SUV-style wagon, offering seating for up to five passengers.

This model comes in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations, positioning it within the medium SUV category in the mainstream segment under $60K.

Kicking off the HS range, the Vibe starts from $32,990 drive-away.

It is available in a single 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 119kW and 250Nm. More power and torque is available higher up in the range with the Excite X and Essence X models.

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Additional features are available higher up the range such as a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats.

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Safety

The MG HS Vibe has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on Euro-NCAP assessments conducted in 2019.

Across all variants, the MG HS is equipped with six airbags, including dual front, side, and curtain airbags, enhancing passenger protection.

Furthermore, every model in the lineup is outfitted with the MG Pilot driver safety suite.

This comprehensive package includes a range of active safety features as standard, such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, blind-spot alert, rear-cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, auto high-beam, and a door opening warning, ensuring a high level of safety and driver assistance across the range.

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Key rivals

Directly competing with the MG HS are other well-equipped budget models like the Haval H6 and SsangYong Koran.

But key players in the segment, and indirect competition come from the:

• Toyota RAV4
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Mazda CX-5
• Mitsubishi Outlander

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

The Vibe model offers great value at approximately the $30,000 price point, making it one of the cheapest medium SUVs available in Australia.

Yet the front-wheel-drive (FWD) petrol Excite, with its additional features, warrants the extra expense if you’re in a position to send a bit extra.

Its price tag is only $3000 above the entry Vibe which is considered quite reasonable for the value it delivers.

The world’s most powerful electric racing car has beaten a V8-powered, derestricted GT3 racer to claim the new unofficial lap record at Mount Panorama.

With endurance racing legend Romain Dumas at the wheel, the 2000hp Ford Supervan 4.2 clocked a time of 1:56.28 to set a new benchmark for a tin-top vehicle by just over three tenths of a second.

It took Dumas two shots at the record today with the Frenchman’s first tilt at the record falling agonisingly short with a time of 1:56.764.

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But with the record just one tenth away, Ford requested an additional slot of track time for one last, no-holds barred tilt at a record time.

The resulting final lap saw Dumas set the new unofficial lap record just before 1pm today.

The lap edged out the existing benchmark for a tin-top racing car which had recently been set by AMG during the Bathurst 12 Hour in a derestricted GT3 racing car.

Piloted by three-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner, Jules Gounon, the AMG boasted active aerodynamics (including an F1-style drag reduction system), sticky ‘super soft’ tyres and a derestricted powertrain to help it beat the previous marker and claim top honours for a GT car around the famous 6.2km circuit.

That lap time was incredibly impressive given AMG’s limited prep-time – the onboard video of Gounon’s fully committed lap is worth a watch – although both AMG and Ford’s laps fall short of Bathurst’s other ‘unofficial’ lap record set by a McLaren F1 car in 2011. Then, Jenson Button recorded a 1:48.88.

Ford and Dumas have been completing multiple demonstration runs in the Supervan at Bathurst, with the experimental EV racer cutting laps at last weekend’s Bathurst 12 Hour and again at this weekend’s Bathurst 500.

Until now, Ford had been treating the runs as ‘test sessions’ as it looked to hone the Supervan’s set-up and iron out multiple teething issues it encountered during its short windows of track time.

With so much power and torque available, Dumas was encountering wheel spin over the track’s top section as the van’s front axle would get light over crests.

“We are spinning the front axle over crests,” Dumas told Wheels. “It’s exciting. I’m telling you, you need to have your eyes wide open.”

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Transponder issues also plagued Ford’s record tilt, with strong electrical interference meaning the crucial timing gear was failing to record.

But after making several key set-up changes this weekend, including fitting a new steering rack, tweaking the regenerative braking and flying in new parts from Japan, Dumas felt ready to properly attack Australia’s toughest racing circuit.

With 1050kW on tap the Supervan is vastly more powerful that a GT3 racing car, however its kerb weight of 1800kg is also far heavier and its wide and tall dimensions made it a unique challenge for Dumas.

“We have a lot of downforce, so in a fast corner it’s really fast,” said Dumas. “It’s heavy, too, and the central gravity is high. But we have so much downforce and on a fast corner, it’s quite impressive.

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“Acceleration is also impressive. Compared to a Le Mans prototype? At the time of the good prototype, 2016 or so, it’s more or less than same.

“The top section [at Bathurst] is very narrow, so you need a car very agile for sure, and compared to what I’m used to, let’s say it’s a wider car, more heavy, so for sure, you adapt.”

Ford is giving the Supervan an Australian Tour and it will make an appearance at both the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Australian Grand Prix in March.

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The 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is one of Australia’s go-to large SUV wagons, but how much can it tow and is it any good at it?

JUMP AHEAD

• What you need to know about the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
• How much can the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport tow?
• How does it compare with its rivals?

Everything you need to know about 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

As a popular model for school runs, family holidays and the workday commute, the Pajero Sport is also a solid prospect for towing a boat or caravan.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has soldiered on since arrival in 2015 as a SUV based on the Triton ute platform. It has been refreshed most recently in 2020, and has one further minor upgrade imminent before heading off into retirement in 2025.

While offered in 2WD, it’s the (slightly) more towing-capable 4×4 models we are considering here (3000kg for 2WD versus 3100kg for 4×4).

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The standard safety equipment list for Pajero Sport is mostly up to date, which is more than can be said of its ANCAP safety rating.

The ANCAP five star result achieved in 2015 is now considered as not current by the safety body, as the way it measures the star ratings has changed since.

But on the positive side, the GLS spec and up include forward auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a low-resolution 360-degree monitor and a reversing camera.

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You’ll need to buy the Exceed or GSR to get the benefit of standard front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Mitsubishi from GLX 4WD grade up offers the unique full-time/part-time Super Select II transfer case as standard, as well as features such as dusk-sensing bi-LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and push-button start, three 12-volt accessory ports, built-in sat-nav, side steps, rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, lane-change assist, autonomous emergency braking and a rear differential lock.

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Get up to speed on the Pajero Sport

The stories below will give you a guide on everything to do with the 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. All fresh stories will be found on our Mitsubishi Pajero Sport page.

2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport coverage

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How much can the 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport tow?

In the early 1970s, we had a performance war as manufacturers tried to out-do each other with increasingly fast and powerful sedans; in the 2000s, we have had a towing capacity war.

The apparent target has been to reach a maximum 3500kg legal towing performance, and now most larger SUVs and mid-size utes can accomplish this. Of course the compromise, in some instances, is a drastically reduced legal payload maximum when towing a heavy trailer.

Some vehicles really seem to have to work hard up near 3500kg, and don’t feel all that stable when doing it. However, the Pajero Sport 4×4 has a 3100kg maximum braked towing capacity (with a 310kg maximum on the ball) or 750kg unbraked.

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While this is 400kg less than some competitors, the bonus is that this is one of few vehicles that can carry a substantial payload as well as towing a heavy trailer at the same time.

It also suggests the company’s engineering department saw 3100kg as a realistic maximum and put their foot down. No doubt Mitsubishi marketing would have really preferred a 3500kg capacity.

On the heaviest, premium Exceed and GSR models, the Pajero Sport has a maximum 566kg payload, 2775kg GVM, and 5565kg GCM details. This means, if you had 310kg maximum towball download (which is then part of payload calculations), you have 256kg payload remaining.

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To not cross the 5565kg GCM threshold, you can tow up to 3100kg maximum – assuming that 310kg of the trailer mass is towball download.

With tow-capable SUVs and utes increasingly offering factory-fitted towing equipment as standard, it’s worth noting that the Pajero Sport is quite sparse on that front. Unlike some of the competition, a towbar is not standard on any Pajero Sport.

You must tick the $1495 (including fitting) towbar kit option if you want the Mitsubishi-approved gear to tow with, and $41 for the 50mm towball. Likewise, you need to delve into the accessories list to have a Redarc electric brake controller fitted by Mitsubishi ($689, including fitment).

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While Trailer Stability Assist (which senses trailer sway and controls individual wheel slip) is bundled into every Pajero Sport’s safety suite, there is little else in terms of dedicated towing assist features off the shelf.

With a heavy trailer approaching the 3100kg maximum behind it, the Pajero Sport’s 2.4-litre diesel has to work hard to maintain speed when climbing in hilly terrain. The engine’s peak torque not kicking in until a relatively high 2500rpm doesn’t help.

While not the quietest diesel, the transmission is smooth and there’s enough torque that the auto doesn’t have to get the engine into the powerband all the time when towing. With a balanced trailer behind, the Pajero Sport is not susceptible to yawing or pitching, and offer a comfortable towing ride.

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How does this match up with competitors?

There are a few large SUVs in the market with healthy towing capacity and buyers expect them to offer high levels of towing features and ability. The Pajero Sport needs to be on top of its towing game.

The Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, SsangYong Rexton and Toyota Fortuner are all key large SUV towing competitors. While all offer a four-cylinder turbo-diesel, the Ford also has a more powerful and torquey V6 diesel option.

The Everest is the best of the bunch here, in either four-cylinder or V6, while the Isuzu is a close runner-up as a tow vehicle. The Rexton is a capable tow vehicle, but is slightly lacking in terms of towing refinement and ride.

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