Legendary British sports car maker Lotus, now owned by Chinese giant Geely, has had pictures of its first hybrid model, which is based on the electric Eletre super SUV, leaked by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Called the Lotus For Me – yes, seriously – the new plug-in hybrid performance SUV combines a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with front and rear electric motors and a 70kWh battery.
The For Me produces a massive 710kW of power for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.3 seconds, making it 15kW more powerful (but 0.8 seconds slower) than the electric Eletre. The total range for both electric and petrol power is over 1000km, with a CLTC-rated EV range of up to 355km.
The For Me uses a 900V architecture that underpins other Geely Group products and, according to Lotus, can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent as quickly as just eight minutes. By comparison, the Eletre that uses a slightly inferior – but still excellent – 800V architecture, can instead charge to the same level in around 20 minutes. That is still very fast in today’s market, but still not as quick as the For Me.
With a reported kerb weight of around 2700kg, or at least 100kg heavier than the Eletre, Lotus engineers beefed up the suspension for the For Me to handle the extra weight. Adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars are standard, as are Pirelli P Zero tyres and six-piston Brembo brakes on the flagship version, which also has an active rear spoiler.
Lotus, who previously confirmed an EV future, will likely launch the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the Emeya sedan, while the Emira sports car will also be given a PHEV drivetrain at some stage.
Lotus has confirmed that the For Me will be sold in European markets, though is yet to make an announcement regarding the Australian market for now.
Toyota Australia has revealed pricing and specifications for the bZ4X electric mid-size SUV, which follows its recently updated Subaru Solterra twin in launching locally. Priced from $55,990 plus on-road costs, the facelifted bZ4X is $10,010 less expensive than its predecessor, despite including more performance and range, design changes and more standard equipment across the range.
Revealed back in March 2025, the updated bZ4X has scored a new front end design with sleeker headlights, new bumper and wheel designs and an updated cabin with a larger 14.0-inch touchscreen (up from 12.3 inches), along with a new centre console design with dual wireless phone chargers.
Under the skin, the bZ4X now features a larger 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery and gruntier motors: 165kW/268.6Nm for the two-wheel drive version (+15kW/+2.6Nm) and 252kW/438Nm for the all-wheel drive (+92kW/101Nm).
Because of the larger battery, the bZ4X can now travel further on a charge: 591km (+155km) for the front-driver and 517km (+106km) for the all-paw version. Both models can now AC charge at up to 22kW (+11kW) but DC fast charging remains capped at 150kW. The AWD’s braked towing capacity is now 1500kg, which is double what it used to be.
Despite the price cuts, new standard equipment is fitted across the range with the 2WD model now featuring the roof rails, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit alert and 360-degree camera already standard on the AWD, as well as a larger touchscreen, headlight washers, a driver’s knee airbag and puddle lamps across the range.
In addition to the added features and price drop, Toyota is also offering private buyers the choice of a free 7kW Jet Charge home charger or a 12 month/625kWh Chargefox voucher between now and the end of 2026 through the Toyota Go loyalty program.
Private buyers who also choose to finance their bZ4X through Toyota Finance Australia will also receive a limited deposit contribution of $5000 for the 2WD bZ4X and $7500 for the AWD car.
2026 Toyota bZ4X pricing (plus on-road costs):
- FWD: $55,990
- AWD: $67,990
The updated Toyota bZ4X range is now on sale in Australia ahead of imminent local deliveries.
Ahead of a fourth quarter 2026 Australian release, the second-generation Kia Seltos has been revealed with a larger and sharper-looking body, more technology and, for the first time, a hybrid drivetrain. As with other new Kia models in Australia, the new Seltos will feature local suspension tuning for Australian conditions.
Like Kia’s other models launched over the past few years, the new Seltos unveils a striking aesthetic. Using the company’s current “Opposites United” design theme, it’s sharp from every angle, from the angular lighting to the wedge shape. It strongly resembles the larger EV5… though it’s not electric.
Inside, the new Seltos is a more modern and open dashboard with the same dual 12.3-inch touchscreens, 5.0-inch climate screen and open centre console as other Kia models like the EV3. Other available interior features include ambient lighting, reclining rear seats, a wireless charger, a panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with ‘relaxation’ mode for the driver and premium sound systems from either Bose or Harman Kardon.
The new Seltos uses Kia’s new ‘K3’ platform also used by the K4. It measures 4430mm long, 1830mm wide, 1600mm tall and features a 2690mm long wheelbase, making it 45mm longer, 30mm wider, 35mm less tall and 60mm longer between the wheels than the current model. Its 536-litre boot is one of the largest in the small SUV segment, and 103 litres larger than the current Seltos.
Kia hasn’t actually detailed the hybrid drivetrain that will feature in the Seltos hybrid, but it’s likely to be similar to the 1.6-litre unit that’s used in cars like the Hyundai Kona and i30 sedan. Aside from hybrid drivetrains, we expect the same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol options available in the current Seltos to carry over to the new model.
Kia Australia has confirmed that the second-generation Seltos will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then.
Stunt driver Travis Pastrana has launched his latest Gymkhana stunt driving video, this time in a more familiar location. Titled Aussie Shred, the film is set in various locations in Australia using a highly modified Subaru Brat ute, and is the final film in the Gymkhana series.
Made famous by the late Ken Block before Pastrana carried the flag, Gymkhana has made videos in many locations globally, including France, Dubai, San Francisco and Los Angeles. This time however, Australian locations such as Broken Hill, Mount Panorama and urban Sydney are used.
In this Gymkhana video, Pastrana uses a heavily modified 1978 Subaru Brat ute nicknamed the ‘Brataroo’. Sold in Australia as the iconic Brumby, this Brat pumps out a massive 500kW of power and 922Nm of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-litre Boxer engine that can rev north of 9500rpm.
“The Brataroo is hands down the craziest Gymkhana car we’ve ever built,” said Pastrana. “Every part of this car was designed to take the abuse we threw at it while making this film. From hanging two tires off a pier to flying 160 feet across a 10-story deep canyon gap over a road train to skimming across a deep lake and scaring myself every step of the way.”
In true Gymkhana fashion, the film features a host of cameos from local motorsport icons, including two-time Dakar Rally champion Toby Price, Subaru WRC driver Chris Atkinson and Nitro Circus BMX riders Ryan Williams, Jaie Toohey and Will Brown.
A field of V8 Supercars drivers challenge the Brataroo to a rolling drag race down Mount Panorama’s Conrod Straight, while the lineup also includes Moog and Marty from Mighty Car Mods, the last of the V8 Interceptors and the Mad Hueys performing the best of Aussie traditions: the shoey.
Apple’s next iPhone software update is set to make CarPlay a little more flexible, especially for drivers using larger infotainment screens. iOS 26.2, expected to roll out to the public in mid-December 2025, builds on the redesign introduced with iOS 26 earlier this year and focuses on giving users more control over what appears on the dashboard display.
The headline change is for vehicles with wide or high-resolution CarPlay layouts. Where these cars previously supported two configurable widget tiles, iOS 26.2 allows a third. In practical terms, that means more glanceable information without jumping between apps. Apple’s widget system in CarPlay already supports things like music, navigation shortcuts, weather, calendar items and third-party Live Activities, and the extra slot should help reduce screen switching during a drive.
Live Activities – added to CarPlay in a prior iOS 26 update – remain part of the mix. Depending on what’s on an iPhone, these tiles can show real-time updates such as sports scores, delivery tracking or timers, alongside more traditional widgets. The idea is to keep short, time-sensitive info visible while leaving the main app area free for navigation or media.
A smaller but likely welcome tweak involves Messages. CarPlay currently mirrors the iPhone’s pinned conversations view, keeping selected threads at the top of the list. With iOS 26.2, drivers can disable that pinned section, returning Messages to a simple chronological list if they prefer.
iOS 26.2 will be available for iPhone 11 and newer, so most current CarPlay users will be able to access the changes once the update lands.
None of this reaches the scope of CarPlay Ultra, Apple’s newer in-car system that takes over multiple displays and integrates vehicle controls. Ultra launched in 2025 starting with Aston Martin models, adding full-screen instrument-cluster themes and access to functions like climate and drive modes inside the CarPlay interface. For everyone else, though, iOS 26.2 is another nudge toward a more custom, less distracting CarPlay.
Genesis, the luxury arm of Hyundai, has revealed more details of its stunning G90-based station wagon concept. First revealed at last month’s Genesis Magma World Premiere, the Wingback was designed to showcase the brand’s evolution since emerging as a standalone brand 10 years ago.
But cryptic comments from Genesis’ President and Chief Creative Officer, Luc Donckerwolke, hinted that the stunning wagon concept could actually make it into limited production.
“I would love to,”Donckerwolke told assembled media at the Genesis Magma Global Premiere last month. “It is 100 per cent platform of the G90 with this 3.2 metres long wheelbase, [and] the 5.1 metre overall length. And basically it means that the car is very executable very fast with a minimum level of investment.
“Now the question is, if the production tooling is affordable for a certain amount of volume, this is something that we are looking at now.”
Based on the G90 large sedan, not available in right-hand drive markets, including Australia, the Wingback casts a long shadow thanks to its 3.2m wheelbase and 5.1m overall length.
The Wingback’s distinctive and striking design incorporates elements of Genesis’ contemporary design language, with more than a hint of the Korean brand’s newly-minted performance arm, Magma, thrown in.
Up front, the brand’s signature Crest Grille is flanked by the brand’s distinctive two-line headlights. An aggressive front bumper wears Magma badging while big air intakes, flanked by canards lead into pumped wheel arches that enhance the Wingback’s long, low and wide stance.
Those wheel arches house 22-inch alloys shod in massive low-profile tyres, measuring 315mm at the rears. Out back, a sloping roofline leads into the the first of two rear spoilers, the first mounted atop the sharply-raked tailgate, the second a Kammback-style spoiler lower down on the tailgate’s beltline.
New details have emerged about the cabin which is finished in what Genesis calls quilted Chamude, a suede-like material, accented by contrasting Magma green stitching. The front sports seats are festooned with an embroidered Magma logo, also in green.
No details have emerged about what powers the Genesis G90 Wingback but looking at its donor car does provide some hints. The left-hand drive only G90 large sedan utilises a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 with outputs of 305kW and 549Nm.
Genesis claims that the Wingback concept points to a broader line-up of cars in the brand’s future, stating that it “highlights that Genesis intends to extend the Magma program to include a spectrum of typologies across its current and future lineup, ranging from sports cars to coupes and convertibles.”
Added Donckerwolke, “[It is] a bridge between Magma and the One of One bespoke program.
“At the moment there is, let’s say, a multiplication of SUVs. And this fast growth will create a saturation. This is when other typologies of cars are going to become attractive again. This is why I strongly believe in not having a typology monoculture.”
The first production car from Genesis’ new performance sub-brand, the GV60 Magma electric SUV, will hit Australian showrooms in 2026.
Constant change is nothing new in the car industry, as car makers try to stay ahead of trends, regulations and buyer tastes to best appeal to customers.
That need to manage change includes component makers, and car tyres are one of those components where improvements are constantly achieved through technology.
WhichCar by Wheels experienced this during a demonstration day held by Michelin, the world’s largest tyre manufacturer by revenue since 2021. The familiarisation for motoring media showcased its new Primacy 5 tyre launched during 2025, new rubber that differs from its sportier tyres such as the legendary Pilot Sport range in that it’s designed primarily for everyday drivers with regular cars, many of which would now likely be electric.
The importance of your car’s tyres is not restricted to drivers of high performance cars. In fact, considering a Primacy 5 buyer is more likely to use it in a wider range of conditions, the tyre choice is arguably even more important.
Michelin’s claim for the Primacy 5 is that it will last 24 per cent longer than comparable premium tyres, achieved via new ‘Silent Rib Gen-3’ technology that helps reduce vibration and noise reduction, an advance put to the test at the Michelin Primacy 5’s launch event at Sydney Motorsport Park.
To demonstrate the improved rolling resistance of the Primacy 5 and how it benefits electric vehicles in gaining extra range, Michelin staged a simple comparison using an MG 4 electric hatchback. The demo saw the car rolled from 40km/h to a stop using both a competitor brand and a set of Primacy 5s.
With competitor tyres fitted, the MG 4 rolled to a stop after 83 metres. On the Primacy 5s, it travelled a further 44 metres to reach 127 metres in total, backing up Michelin’s claim that EV buyers will benefit significantly from the Primacy 5 due to the extra range they provide.
For the second part of the Primacy 5 launch, we focused on its ability to grip in wet conditions using two Toyota Camrys as the test cars, again with one car using Primacy 5s and the other with a competitor tyre, driving through a wet slalom and braking section at 80km/h.
The difference between the Primacy 5 and the competitor tyre was obvious. Not only did the Camry fitted with those tyres feel more stable through the slalom section, but it stopped from 80km/h noticeably quicker.
For the third and final part of the Primacy 5 launch, we were testing its refinement. Back in the MG4, a car that is already fairly well refined, we took out the one fitted with competitor tyres first. The South Circuit at Sydney Motorsport Park features a lot of turns and while we could’ve taken it flat out – the MG 4 would be quite fun in that condition – we did it at a steady 60km/h, a speed that most Primacy 5 customers will use their tyres at.
We first completed a dry slalom section to test manoeuvrability and grip and then headed towards a ripple strip to test the Primacy 5’s quietness. Like the previous tests, the Primacy 5 really impressed in those conditions – the extra grip was noticeable in the slalom, while the MG 4’s cabin was definitely more hushed throughout the whole test.
It’s clear from the launch event that the Michelin Primacy 5 is an impressive tyre and one you should consider if you’re after a great all-rounder that’s safe and enhances your vehicle’s refinement and dynamics. Pricing for what is predicted to be the most popular size, the 215/55/R17 on cars such as the Camry, starts from $263 per tyre.
Sure, you can get cheaper tyres but tyres are the only thing that your vehicle touches the road with and are extremely important, especially in wet conditions. From what we’ve seen in testing, the Michelin Primacy 5 is worth every penny over its competitors.
GWM Australia has revealed that it will offer another drivetrain option for its Tank 300 off-road SUV, with the brand’s ‘Hi4-T’ plug-in hybrid system set to arrive locally in the first quarter of 2026. Building onto the petrol, hybrid and diesel options already available, the GWM Tank 300 will feature one of the most diverse engine ranges of any new car.
Using the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain that’s already available in the larger Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute, the Tank 300 Hi4-T will feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission combined with an electric motor. Combined outputs for the Tank 300 are yet to be confirmed, but in the Tank 500 it makes a muscular 300kW of power and 750Nm of torque.
GWM is also yet to confirm the battery stats in the Tank 300 Hi4-T, but in the larger Tank 500 its 37.1kWh unit provides a WLTP range of up to 102km on a full charge. Importantly, the Hi4-T system retains the regular Tank 300’s mechanical four-wheel-drive system, including a low-range transfer case and locking differentials, for keen off-road ability. According to the company, it was the first plug-in hybrid to successfully climb Beer O’Clock Hill.
According to GWM, the Tank 300 Hi4-T has been “engineered for both adventure and everyday versatility” and offers a braked towing capacity of up to 3000kg, “making it ideal for caravans, boats and off-road touring”.
It will also feature Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, enabling owners to power external equipment, tools and accessories directly from the vehicle.
Local pricing and specifications for the GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T will be announced closer to its first quarter 2026 Australian arrival.
DENZA has confirmed Australian pricing and opened orders for its first local models, the B5 and B8 Super Hybrid SUVs, ahead of first deliveries later this year. The pair were shown publicly for the first time at the brand’s new Sydney outlet in Rushcutters Bay and will tour new dealership sites nationally this week.
The mid-size B5 will be sold in two grades, Standard and Leopard. Above it sits the larger B8 flagship, offered with either seven seats (7S) or a six-seat (6S) layout aimed at buyers who want extra second-row space.
Both vehicles use BYD’s DM-O (Dual Mode Offroad) super-hybrid architecture. The system prioritises electric running for day-to-day driving, then blends in the petrol engine when needed. DENZA says the set-up enables close to 1000km of combined driving range, positioning the SUVs as long-distance tourers while retaining EV capability for city use.
Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive arrangement working with BYD’s Blade Battery. An optional DiSus-P hydraulic suspension system will be available, intended to improve ride comfort and body control on rough tracks as well as sealed roads.
DENZA Australia chief operating officer Mark Harland said the company believes there is room in the market for a premium-leaning “new energy” SUV that can handle touring and off-road work without relying solely on charging infrastructure. He noted about 5000 people have registered interest in the brand since it was announced.
Alongside the vehicles, DENZA is rolling out “House of DENZA”, a network of retail spaces and events designed to support owners and prospective buyers, similar to hospitality-style brand hubs used by other luxury marques.
Early buyers of the B5 will be offered an incentive package: the first 2000 orders include a premium exterior paint and interior trim upgrade, valued at around $1818, at no extra cost.
Pricing
| B5 | $74,990 |
|---|---|
| B5 Leopard | $79,990 |
| B8 – 7 Seat (7S) | $91,000 |
| B8 – 6 Seat (6S) | $97,990 |
MG Motor Australia has confirmed local pricing and specifications for the all-new MG7, a mid-size fastback sedan aimed at buyers who want something more style-focused than a traditional four-door. The MG7 arrives as a single, well-equipped variant priced at $44,990 before on-road costs, with the car set to go on sale through MG’s dealer network.
The MG7’s headline is its coupe-like fastback profile, a body style that has become rare in the mainstream mid-size market. MG is leaning into the sporty theme with frameless doors, quad exhaust outlets and a deployable rear spoiler. The spoiler can be adjusted through multiple stages, giving the driver some control over the car’s look and aero behaviour.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 170kW and 380Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, supported by an electronic limited-slip differential. MG says the chassis is tuned for predictable handling, and the MG7 rides on 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/40 Michelin tyres.
Inside, the MG7 is pitched as a premium step up for the brand, with soft-touch trim, dual-zone climate control, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a panoramic sunroof. A Bose 14-speaker sound system is standard, as is a head-up display.
Technology is centred around a 12.3-inch touchscreen with both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless phone charging, satellite navigation and a 360-degree camera system are also included as standard. MG says the car’s drive modes and electronic suspension settings can be customised, along with exhaust sound and the spoiler’s operation.
Safety gear includes seven airbags and MG’s Pilot driver-assistance suite. While local crash testing hasn’t been completed yet, MG says the MG7 has been engineered with a five-star ANCAP target in mind, using a high-strength body structure and a full set of active safety features.
The MG7 is offered in Emerald Green as the standard colour. Other paint finishes cost $695 extra, and a Bordeaux Red suede-like interior package is a $695 option.
Like MG’s broader Australian range, the MG7 is covered by a 10-year warranty when serviced through MG dealerships. The brand’s local network now tops 100 outlets, which MG says will support nationwide rollout and servicing as deliveries begin.
