Škoda is expanding its line-up of anniversary models with the introduction of the Kamiq 130 Years Edition, set to arrive in Australian showrooms from November 2025 priced at $44,990 RRP. It joins the Karoq 130 Years Edition and the all-electric Elroq 130 Years Edition in marking the Czech brand’s 130-year heritage.
Under the bonnet, the Kamiq 130 Years Edition shares its powertrain with the sporty Monte Carlo variant – a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 110 kW and 250 Nm, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s a strong front-wheel-drive offering combining lively performance with fuel efficiency.
Externally, the special edition runs on 19-inch ‘Fornax’ alloy wheels, with silver roof rails, chrome window trims and privacy glass at the rear. Matrix LED headlights with dynamic cornering add a premium touch, while a “130 Years” commemorative badge on the tailgate completes the look.
Inside, the Kamiq 130 Years Edition comes equipped with a 9.2-inch infotainment system with navigation, 10-inch Virtual Cockpit, CANTON premium audio, and wireless phone charging. Comfort features include leather-and-Alcantara seating, a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, heated front and rear outboard seats, push-button start and ambient LED interior lighting.
Škoda’s Travel Assist package – incorporating adaptive cruise control, Adaptive Lane Assist and Emergency Assist – is standard, alongside nine airbags. True to the brand’s reputation for smart design, the Kamiq 130 Years Edition also features thoughtful touches such as a double-sided boot mat, removable rear-seat storage box, a waste bin in the front door pocket and a cargo net system.
Buyers will have four exterior paint choices at no extra cost: Moon White, Graphite Grey, Race Blue and Black Magic. Like the rest of Škoda’s range, the model is covered by the brand’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, plus affordable servicing options and Škoda Choice Guaranteed Future Value.
Glenn Reid, Škoda Australia Product Manager, described the new variant as a perfect complement to the anniversary line-up: “The Kamiq 130 Years Edition is a small SUV that’s cleverly packaged, generously equipped and designed with European elegance – a reflection of how far Škoda has come since 1895.”
The Kamiq 130 Years Edition is available to order now, with first customer deliveries scheduled for November 2025.
The motoring world has just wrapped up the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week, but attention is now turning to the Munich Motor Show 2025 (IAA Mobility), running 9–14 September. This year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most significant on the automotive calendar, with a wide mix of production debuts and futuristic concepts.
On home turf, BMW will reveal the next-generation iX3, which adopts an 800-volt system enabling ultra-fast charging and much greater range than the outgoing car’s modest 460 km. The design will be close to the bold Vision Neue Klasse X concept and will introduce BMW’s radical Panoramic iDrive cabin.
Mercedes-Benz will use Munich to showcase three headline models. The AMG GT Track Sport promises a stripped-back, V8-powered machine designed purely for lap times, an indirect nod to the old Black Series. The AMG GT XX, meanwhile, looks ahead with a quad-motor electric drivetrain developed with British engineering firm Yasa. Completing the trio is the all-electric GLC EV, replacing the unloved EQC. It will share its name with Mercedes’ top-selling SUV but be built on a dedicated EV platform, previewed by a striking illuminated grille.
Volkswagen will pull the covers off multiple new vehicles. The long-awaited ID.2 – a Polo-sized EV priced from about AU$44,000 – is expected to debut alongside its SUV sibling, the ID.2 X. The second-generation T-Roc will also make its first public appearance, boasting sharper styling, a more spacious interior with dual screens, and VW’s first full-hybrid powertrain.
Audi is tipped to tease a battery-powered revival of the TT, previewing design chief Massimo Frascella’s new direction and sharing technology with the upcoming Porsche Cayman EV.
Porsche, meanwhile, will showcase the first-ever Cayenne Electric, based on the PPE platform of the Macan Electric. Expect a 100 kWh battery, dual-motor setup and active suspension inherited from the Panamera.
Polestar is bringing the production-ready Polestar 5, a sleek four-door GT that first appeared as the Precept concept. Designed to challenge the Porsche Taycan and Lotus Emeya, it will represent Polestar’s flagship performance model.
From Asia, Hyundai will debut the Ioniq 2, a compact SUV designed to sit beneath the Ioniq 5 and rival the Renault 4. Related to Kia’s upcoming EV2, it will sit on the E-GMP platform with a starting price near AU$44,000.
Cupra will have a busy show with the production-ready Raval city EV, riding on VW’s MEB Entry platform with front-wheel drive, plus a sporty VZ variant expected later. The company will also reveal the Tindaya concept, exploring future interiors and autonomous-inspired design language.
China’s Leapmotor will continue its rapid expansion with the new B05 hatchback, expected to start around AU$53,000 and deliver up to 640 km of range on the company’s Leap 3.5 architecture.
Skoda will present the Vision O concept, which may preview an all-electric Octavia replacement due in 2027 on the VW Group’s upcoming SSP platform.
The Renault Clio returns in its sixth generation, keeping a five-door layout but adopting a sharper front design. It will stick with petrol and hybrid powertrains, while the retro-inspired Renault 5 serves as the electric alternative.
In Britain, Vauxhall will reveal one of the wildest concepts of the show: the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo. Although it resembles a racer from the future, it signals the design DNA of the next-gen Corsa due in 2027.
With models ranging from affordable EV hatchbacks to V8 track weapons, Munich will highlight the diversity of today’s car industry. From the AU$44,000 Volkswagen ID.2 to the ultra-rare Mercedes-AMG GT Track Sport, this year’s event promises to deliver both immediate showroom arrivals and a tantalising glimpse of motoring’s electrified future.
After selling more than two million examples worldwide, the Volkswagen T-Roc has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the brand’s line-up. Eight years after the first model debuted, VW has finally unveiled a second-generation T-Roc in Europe, which brings more space, new technology, and the company’s first-ever full-hybrid system.
Still sitting between the T-Cross and Tiguan in VW’s SUV family, the new T-Roc is larger than before. Length has increased by 122 mm to 4,373 mm, while its wheelbase is up by 28 mm. Width and height also grow slightly, but VW has achieved a drag coefficient of 0.29, making the new model around 10 per cent more aerodynamic than its predecessor.
Design changes include slimmer IQ.Light LED headlights flowing into an illuminated VW badge, plus familiar cues like the ‘hockey stick’ side trim. Sportier R-Line grades add a bolder bodykit, 20-inch alloys and rear light bar.
For the first time, the T-Roc will be offered with full-hybrid drivetrains, set to launch globally by mid-2026. Two options are planned: one producing 100 kW and the other 125 kW, both using a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder paired with an electric motor. The set-up allows short bursts of electric-only driving at any speed. VW expects around a 15 per cent efficiency gain over mild hybrids, with CO₂ emissions near 100 g/km.
At launch, buyers will find mild-hybrid versions of the 1.5-litre petrol available with either 85 kW or 110 kW, both front-wheel drive with seven-speed DSG automatic transmissions. A 2.0-litre mild-hybrid all-wheel-drive version and the high-performance T-Roc R will follow in 2026. Unlike the Golf, there are no plans for a plug-in hybrid.
Inside, the new T-Roc borrows heavily from the latest Passat and Tiguan. Entry versions feature a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, while upper trims gain a 12.9-inch unit running VW’s new MIB4 software and ChatGPT-powered IDA voice assistant. A 10-inch digital cockpit is standard, joined for the first time by an optional head-up display. R-Line and Style trims introduce 14-way power seats with massage functions and upgraded cabin materials.
A new rotary dial on the centre console acts as a “driving experience control,” switching between audio functions, drive modes, and even ambient lighting themes. Cabin space is improved thanks to the longer wheelbase, with more rear legroom and a boot now measuring 465 litres, up by 20 litres.
All versions except the base Life grade include adaptive suspension with VW’s Dynamic Chassis Control, offering Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual modes – or 15 levels of manual damping adjustment. Safety technology includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, driver monitoring, and road sign recognition as standard. Options extend to Travel Assist, adaptive cruise and automated parking.
Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed, though increases are expected over the current car, which starts from around AU$58,000 and stretches to AU$87,000 for the outgoing T-Roc R.
THIRTY-ONE YEARS. That’s how long the Audi A4 nameplate has been in existence, but Ingolstadt has, without much in the way of sentimentality, decided to quietly kill it. Perhaps we should have seen the writing on the wall given the fact that of the five generations of A4, the last one, the B9, had been with us for a decade, albeit with a facelift halfway through that tenure. In other words, Audi was really wringing all profits out of the last of the line.
To summarise, Audi launched the original B5 generation A4 in 1994, the B6 followed in 2000, the B7 in 2004 and the B8 in 2007. This stuck around for eight years before being replaced by the B9 in 2015. In its first full calendar year on sale, it registered 2963 sales, which was pretty good going and the A4’s best ever year in this country. But then the G20 BMW 3 Series, a superior car in most objective regards, arrived and the Audi couldn’t stand up to it. In 2019, the 3 Series saw 3135 registrations and the A4 had wilted to 1284 sales.
Worse was to come. By the time the W206 Mercedes-C-Class had registered its first full year of sales in 2022, it was selling 3566 units, and Audi trickled just 535 A4s out of the doors of dealers. Both cars had seen their market share demolished by the Tesla Model 3, which was scoring a 44.2 per cent market share in the ‘Medium >$60k’ category. To June this year, Audi has shifted just 25 cars, making the A4 a model that’s outsold by the Bentley Continental GT. That’s probably not something that the Volkswagen Group ever envisaged during its acquisition phase.
Tesla has clearly demonstrated that this category is not moribund if you bring the right product at the right price. In effect, the A4 has been left to wither on the vine, and rebranding it as an A5 may not be enough. It was part of a move by Audi to allocate even numbers to electric vehicles and odd numbers to combustion-engined cars but the launch of the petrol A6 and electric A6 e-tron seems to have thrown a big old spanner into those works. As recent history has shown, Audi nomenclature changes can create more issues than they solve.
Conventional sedan, coupe and convertible models are no more. The A5 features a hatchback which, in effect, replaces both the old A4 saloon and the A5 Sportback. Thankfully an Avant estate is still offered, but the old A4 Allroad has bitten its own dust.
The A4 had many highlights, many of which bore an S or an RS badge. The B7 RS4, with its 309kW 4.2-litre atmo V8, sweetly tactile six-speed manual transmission and modest (by today’s standards) 1650kg kerb weight is fondly remembered, but there was genius in the simpler vehicles too. We all swooned slightly over the cabin richness of the B6 when that landed at the turn of the century, and loved the B5’s 20v 110kW 1.8T powerplant, an engine that was very hard to escape in VAG products, such was its excellence.
But the axe has finally fallen on the storied A4 nameplate. Given that Audi is terrible at naming its cars and that it’ll probably run out of other options, who knows? Maybe it’ll be back. For now, however, it’s auf wiedersehen.
This article originally appeared in the September 2025 issue of Wheels magazine. Subscribe here and gain access to 12 issues for $109 plus online access to every Wheels issue since 1953.
Suzuki Australia has confirmed that the temporary sales hold on the Jimny XL has been lifted, with deliveries to customers set to resume immediately.
The pause, first announced in late July, was introduced while Suzuki Motor Corporation carried out an investigation into the model. With no timeframe initially given for resolution, the brand advised its dealer network to prioritise customer care by offering full deposit refunds to those waiting for deliveries.
Suzuki said the decision to halt sales reflected its commitment to quality and safety, values that have underpinned the its global reputation for more than a century.
Michael Pachota, General Manager for Automobiles at Suzuki Australia, said customer trust was central to the brand’s philosophy.
“Our customers’ well-established trust in Suzuki is built on the promise that quality and safety always come first,” Pachota said. “While this pause was undoubtedly disruptive, it was absolutely the right step to ensure we deliver on this promise.
“I want to personally thank our customers and dealer partners for their patience and support throughout this period. With sales now resuming, we’re excited to continue delivering one of the most loved vehicles in our line-up for Australian drivers.”
Suzuki Motor Corporation has since concluded its investigation and confirmed there are no concerns regarding the Jimny XL’s quality, safety, performance, or compliance.
As a result, wholesale and retail sales can resume immediately, with stock previously held at ports and yards cleared for release.
The Jimny XL – an extended version of Suzuki’s cult off-roader – remains one of the brand’s most in-demand models in Australia, appealing to buyers with its rugged styling, compact footprint, and off-road capability.
Electric cars are no longer just about efficiency – BYD has demonstrated they can compete with, and potentially surpass, the world’s most exclusive hypercars. Its Yangwang U9 Track Edition has achieved a blistering 470 km/h on a German proving ground, with racing driver Marc Basseng behind the wheel. If validated in an official top-speed run, it would mark the fastest speed ever recorded by an electric vehicle, putting storied brands like Bugatti and Koenigsegg firmly in BYD’s crosshairs.
The U9 comes from BYD’s luxury performance division Yangwang, which has already generated headlines with its bold design and immense power figures. The Track Edition turns things up further with recalibrated aerodynamics and even greater output from its four-motor system.
At the heart of the car are four 555 kW motors, producing a combined maximum output of 2198 kW. These are powered by an advanced 1200-volt architecture, giving the U9 both extreme performance and unprecedented electrical efficiency. Thermal management has been a central focus; BYD employs cutting-edge battery cooling and has collaborated with Giti Tyres to create bespoke semi-slick rubber engineered to withstand high-speed stress. For maximum velocity, the car ditches the standard model’s massive rear wing, cutting drag significantly.
BYD’s DiSus-X active chassis system also replaces conventional anti-roll bars with hydraulics that independently control each wheel. The result is remarkable body stability, even at extreme speed, keeping the tyres planted and responsive. It’s a system reminiscent of Porsche’s Active Body Control, yet adapted for the demands of an all-electric supercar.
While BYD hasn’t disclosed the precise kerb weight, the company quotes a power-to-weight ratio of 882 kW per tonne, suggesting the Track Edition tips the scales at around 2640 kg. That makes it heavy by supercar standards, but its power compensates decisively.
Despite the remarkable achievement, the 470 km/h run does not yet qualify as an official world record. Certification requires runs in opposite directions on the same track and compliance with production car regulations. The prototype used still wore temporary black tape around body panels, reinforcing its pre-production status.
Even so, the achievement underlines how far Chinese EV technology has advanced.
Forget your typical racetrack. BYD’s new Zhengzhou All-Terrain Circuit is one of the most radical driving playgrounds on the planet, offering eight insane experience zones designed to push electric vehicles and their drivers to extremes.
At the heart of the facility is an indoor sand dune with a 26.9-metre vertical drop and a 28-degree slope, officially recognised by Guinness as the largest dune-climbing structure in the world. Built with over 6,000 tonnes of sand to replicate the Alxa Desert, it promises dune-bashing thrills that would normally require a trip deep into Mongolia.
Not to be outdone, the circuit features a 70-metre water-crossing pool, purpose-built for BYD’s wild YANGWANG U8 SUV. Spectators can watch as the electric off-roader drives, steers, and even reverses while fully submerged – a showcase of just how extreme BYD’s e4 platform can be.
For sheer chaos, the Kick-Plate zone simulates ice-road disasters, sending vehicles into controlled skids across a wet cement surface. Then there’s the Low Friction Circle, China’s first 44-metre drift ring, constructed from 30,000 basalt bricks and covered in a slick water layer. It allows drivers to pull off ice-like drifts with surgical precision thanks to BYD’s lightning-fast electronic control systems.
A 1.758km racetrack offers nine corners and a 550-metre straight for acceleration blasts, while a 15,300m² dynamic paddock lets drivers practice slalom runs, moose tests and automated parking.
For off-road enthusiasts, there are 27 off-road challenges ranging from beginner-friendly climbs to hardcore trails, ensuring even urban SUVs can play. The site even includes a camping zone, underlining the brand’s ambition for the park as a destination, not just a test track.
BYD says the Zhengzhou site embodies its “Technology for All” philosophy, fusing entertainment with innovation while building a new culture around NEVs. Two more equally ambitious circuits are already planned for China.
The refreshed 308 just unveiled in Europe adopts a more aggressive front-end design, led by a new illuminated Peugeot badge – a first for the model – which joins a reprofiled grille and body-coloured inserts for a cleaner, sportier look.
Peugeot’s signature “three-claw” lighting is now integrated into a dramatic daytime running light arrangement that stretches across the bonnet on higher trims, flanking the glowing emblem.
Other styling tweaks include slimmer headlamp clusters tucked into the front fascia and re-sculpted bumpers with larger vents that improve airflow. At the rear, every model now benefits from the 3D claw-style taillights previously reserved for top-spec versions. New colours have also been added: Lagoa Blue for the hatch and Ingaro Blue for the SW.
Inside, buyers can expect upgraded seat fabrics and refreshed graphics for the digital instrument cluster. A new GT Premium grade brings heated Alcantara massage seats, a 360-degree camera system and enhanced safety through the Driver Assist Plus package.
The biggest gains come under the skin, particularly for the fully electric E-308. Optimisations to the battery management system have extended range, with the hatch now capable of 452 km and the SW 444 km on a charge. Peugeot has also introduced adjustable brake regeneration with three settings, controlled by steering-wheel paddles, replacing the old on/off system.
The E-308 is now compatible with Plug & Charge, allowing drivers to connect and walk away as the car handles payment automatically at supported networks. In addition, a new Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function lets owners power devices or appliances directly from the car. Charging speeds, however, remain capped at 100 kW, a figure increasingly outpaced by rivals.
Plug-in hybrid models adopt a 193 kW (replacing the previous 222 kW) seven-speed automatic system already seen in Peugeot’s larger SUVs. Despite the power cut, performance is sharper: the hatch now reaches 0–100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, 0.3 quicker than before. Its electric-only range has improved to 85 km.
Peugeot continues to offer a 105 kW petrol hybrid and a 96 kW diesel, with the latter retained largely due to ongoing demand from fleet operators.
The updated 308 family, including hatchback and SW estate, will be available to order in Europe from November, with first deliveries expected early next year. Australian plans are yet to be announced. Peugeot is positioning the car as a more compelling alternative to SUVs, combining sharper styling with meaningful updates to its electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Suzuki Australia has unveiled the all-new FRONX Hybrid, a bold new entrant into the compact SUV market – and its first new nameplate in Australia for a decade – set to go on sale nationwide from September 1, 2025, with a driveaway price of $29,990.
The FRONX Hybrid combines coupe-inspired styling with SUV practicality, aiming to attract buyers looking for efficiency, value and premium touches in a small package. Designed for everyday versatility, it seats five in comfort and introduces Suzuki’s latest SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) engine system, delivering improved fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
Suzuki says the FRONX Hybrid is its most comprehensively equipped model ever offered locally, bringing high-end features to the Light SUV class at an accessible price point. Standard equipment includes a head-up display, 360-degree camera, heated front seats, wireless charging and a full suite of active safety systems.
Michael Pachota, Suzuki Australia’s General Manager – Automobile, said the FRONX represents a milestone for the brand: “As our first new nameplate in over a decade, the FRONX Hybrid shows Suzuki is ready to shake things up. At just $29,990 driveaway, it delivers exceptional value with premium features usually reserved for higher-end vehicles.”
He added that Suzuki designed the FRONX Hybrid to deliver an ownership experience that feels special: “It brings innovation, comfort and energy to the Light SUV category, backed by Suzuki’s reputation for performance and reliability. We are confident Australian drivers will love this car.”
With its sharp pricing, advanced hybrid system and extensive features list, the FRONX Hybrid is set to become one of the most compelling new options in Australia’s compact SUV market.
Features
• 1.5L DualJet Hybrid Engine
• 6 Speed Automatic
• 16” Polished Alloys
• Heads-Up Display (HUD)
• 360-degree view camera
• Electric Parking Brake
• 9” Audio Infotainment Unit
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Wireless Charger
• 4 x Speakers
• 2 x Tweeters
• Heated Front Seats
• Centre Console Armrest
• Accented Leather Seats
• LED Headlamps
• Leather, Tilt & Telescopic Steering
• Keyless Entry & Push Start
• Climate Control A/C
• Sports Mode
• Shark Fin Antenna
Safety
• Dual Sensor Brake Support II (DSBS-II)
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Weaving Alert
• High-Beam Assist
Colour options
• Splendid Sliver Pearl Metallic + Bluish Black Pearl (two-tone)
• Opulent Red Pearl Metallic + Bluish Black Pearl (two-tone)
• Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic + Bluish Black Pearl (two-tone)
• Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic (premium)
• Bluish Black Pearl (premium)
• Grandeur Grey Pearl Metallic (premium)
• Arctic White Pearl
Premium single-tone paint: $745 additional.
Two-tone options: $1,345 additional.
The latest issue of Wheels is packed with road trips, first drives, and deep dives into automotive history and culture.
Leading the features and on the cover is an epic challenge: Andy Enright takes the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse on a mission to deliver it from Sydney to Hobart in just 24 hours, testing both stamina and machine in equal measure.
On a different kind of road test, the new Mini Cooper JCW faces the iconic Wheels Car of the Year road test route to see if the hot hatch still has fire in its belly. Meanwhile, Lamborghini unleashes the Temerario, a rebellious “junior” supercar armed with three electric motors and a ferocious 676kW output, proving playful doesn’t mean powerless.
History buffs will enjoy a retrospective on the Dodge Viper, tracing how it roared out of Detroit under Lee Iacocca’s leadership and reinvigorated the American sports car scene. Adding a cultural layer, Peter Robinson reflects on “The Australian Table,” recounting a group of expats in Italy whose passion for cars fuelled spirited gatherings around food, wine, and conversation.
The issue also brings a bumper First Drives section, covering a wide range of fresh metal. Highlights include the Subaru Forester with hybrid practicality, Kia’s long-awaited Tasman ute, Hyundai’s range-topping IONIQ 9, and the updated VW Golf R-Line celebrating 50 years of the iconic hatch. Rugged simplicity comes via the Renault Duster and KGM Musso, while style meets substance in the Toyota C-HR Koba. Rounding out the reviews is the cheerful, budget-friendly Mahindra XUV 3XO.
From cutting-edge EVs and supercars to everyday SUVs and utes, Wheels’ latest issue offers a wide-angle on the past, present, and future of cars.
