WhichCar By Wheels

Honda’s new Super-One makes an unlikely case for the return of the genuinely small car. Derived from Japan’s N-One kei car, the electric hatch is tiny by modern standards, yet manages to combine useful interior space with a surprisingly mature driving experience.

The Super-One has been stretched and widened beyond Japanese kei-car regulations, while its petrol engine has been replaced by an electric drivetrain. In its most powerful Boost setting, the motor produces 70kW and takes the 1097kg hatch from 0-100km/h in around 10 seconds.

Despite its dimensions, it’s no two-seat runabout. Two adults can squeeze into the rear for shorter journeys, while Honda’s familiar ‘Magic Seats’ provide additional flexibility for carrying tall items. With the rear seats folded, luggage capacity approaches 1000 litres when loaded to the roof.

1

The cabin follows Honda’s contemporary layout, with a compact digital instrument display and central touchscreen incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some plastics reveal the Super-One’s budget positioning, although major touchpoints feel more substantial.

Standard equipment includes 15-inch wheels, LED lighting, climate control, reversing camera and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. There’s also a suite of driver-assistance technology including forward-collision warning and traffic-sign recognition.

It’s on the road where the Super-One reveals more personality. Ride quality is impressively composed for such a short-wheelbase car, while well-weighted steering, limited body roll and strong grip make it entertaining around town.

1

Boost mode adds another layer. Activated via a purple steering-wheel button, it unlocks the full 70kW and introduces a simulated seven-speed transmission controlled through steering-wheel paddles. Hold a virtual gear too long and the electronics even mimic hitting a rev limiter.

A synthesised soundtrack, inspired by Honda’s City Turbo II and DC2 Integra Type R, accompanies the experience through the Bose speakers.

The Super-One is less convincing at sustained higher speeds, where tyre noise becomes noticeable, but efficiency appears to be a strength.

Honda quotes a WLTP range of approximately 206km, although careful urban driving could potentially stretch that considerably further. DC charging peaks at 50kW, allowing a 10-80 per cent recharge in around 30 minutes, while a 7kW home charger can replenish the small battery in under five hours.

The numbers may look modest, but the Super-One’s appeal lies elsewhere: it’s compact, practical and unusually playful for an affordable electric city car.

3

Specs

Price$36,900 driveaway
Powertrain29.6kWh battery, single electric motor
Power/torque70kW / 162Nm
TransmissionSingle-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
0–100km/h10.0 seconds
Top speed134km/h
Range253km
Max charging50kW DC (10 – 80% in 30 mins)
Size (l/w/h)3599 / 1626 / 1608mm

GWM has confirmed pricing for its new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 SUV, with both models due in Australian showrooms from mid-September.

The diesel models form part of the aggressive new-model program GWM hopes will eventually propel it into the top three brands in the Australian market.

Unlike many newer Chinese manufacturers concentrating heavily on hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, GWM believes there remains significant Australian demand for diesel, particularly among buyers who tow or travel off-road.

Two silver pickup trucks parked on a red dirt road against a backdrop of rolling hills and a blue sky.
1

Its new four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel produces 170kW and 620Nm, with peak torque available between 1400 and 2400rpm. It is paired with GWM’s nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

Claimed combined fuel consumption is 7.3L/100km for the Cannon Alpha and 7.1L/100km for the Tank 500. Neither requires AdBlue.

Both can tow up to 3500kg braked, representing no change for the Cannon Alpha but a 500kg increase for the diesel Tank 500. GWM says the towing package incorporates brake-controller functionality and transmission calibration for heavy loads.

Local development has played a significant role. GWM says Australian and Chinese engineering teams spent more than six months working on the vehicles, covering ride and handling, engine and transmission calibration, towing and software. Development vehicles accumulated more than 35,000km across locations including the Flinders Ranges, Victorian High Country and Big Desert.

Front view of a silver pickup truck parked on a dirt road with rocky hills in the background, license plate reading 2DY 1PU forground center.
3

There are Lux and Vanta grades for both models. The Cannon Alpha Lux is priced at $58,990 drive-away and the Vanta at $63,990, while the Tank 500 Lux costs $65,990 drive-away and Vanta $71,990.

The Vanta versions receive black exterior detailing and 19-inch wheels, while the Tank 500 Vanta also gets a substantially enlarged 131-litre fuel tank, up from 78 litres.

Both models also introduce GWM’s Coffee OS infotainment system, displayed through a new 14.6-inch central touchscreen and incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates and remote vehicle functions through GWM’s smartphone app.

Pre-orders are open, with GWM claiming more than 1000 expressions of interest ahead of the September arrivals.

Specs

GWM Cannon Alpha Lux

Mechanical / Drive

Exterior


Interior

Infotainment

Driver

Safety

Front three-quarter view of a silver pickup truck parked on a dusty red dirt road with rolling hills and a blue sky behind it.
1

GWM Cannon Alpha Vanta (in addition to Lux)

Mechanical / Drive

Exterior

Interior

Driver

Infotainment

GWM Tank 500 Lux

Mechanical / Drive

Exterior

Interior

Infotainment

Driver

Safety

GWM Tank 500 Vanta (in addition to Lux)


Exterior

Driver

Interior

Infotainment

Car fans across the world are still picking their jaws up off the floor after a Ferrari Luce went for $56 million in an auction at Monterey Car Week, despite the fact the company’s first EV has been hugely controversial… and the fact the new owner won’t be able to get their hands on it until next year.

This isn’t any Luce, though: it’s the first production chassis of the widely reviled 1035hp grand tourer. Called “Chassis 0”, the bespoke example from the marque’s Tailor Made program sold for more than 60 times the model’s usual estimated price when it went under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s in California over the weekend.

Front view of a white sports car with wide open butterfly doors in a dark studio setting, showcasing its sleek design.
3

The stupendous amount – which is huge even for a special Ferrari auction – has gone to the Ferrari Foundation charity, with Sotheby’s waiving the usual buyer’s premium so every cent gets spent on Maranello’s chosen educational initiatives. The $US40 million price tag could also make this Luce the most expensive new car on the planet.

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Dr Herbert Wertheim reportedly lodged the winning bid, which absolutely smashed pre-auction predictions that the Luce would go for around $US1.1million ($A1.55 million). He gets a Luce finished in unique Madreperla white paint, unique wheels and an interior trimmed in Le Mans metallic leather. But Ferrari is bringing the Chassis 0 back to Italy now that the auction is over, meaning no delivery until the first quarter of next year.

Designed by former Apple design boss Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, the Luce created a storm of controversy that saw Ferrari’s share price drop when it was released in May. It marked one of the most significant changes in the company’s history as its first fully electric production car, but divided fans of the Prancing Horse with its looks, to put it politely. Former chairman Luca di Montezemolo even said “we’re risking the destruction of a myth” when the EV went public. 

In development since 2021, the Luce has an electric motor at each wheel, a 122kWh battery pack and 800-volt electrical system for a maximum output of 772kW and claimed 0-100km/h time of 2.5 seconds. Driving range is a claimed 529km, and fast charging capability of up to 350kW is supported. At more than five metres long, it’s the largest Ferrari ever built, while its four-door layout, complete with rear-hinged back doors is another first for the brand.

The GWM Ora 5 Touring has been unveiled for the first time, with images of the plug-in hybrid version of the small SUV showing a wagon-like vehicle that will come to Australia with longer range and a longer body.

The Touring hasn’t been officially announced, with the photos surfacing after GWM submitted them to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) as part of the approval process. The pics show the model will have a longer rear end than the current Ora 5, with a new tail-light design on the full-width light bar and a larger D pillar. 

Rear view of a white SUV in a studio setting, showing a full-width tail light bar and the GW M branding on the tailgate.
2

Information supplied to the MIIT confirms the Touring will be 4758mm long and 1630mm tall, making it 287mm longer than the existing Ora 5, but also 11mm lower. All up, the Touring is significantly larger than the small SUV, which comes with a 58.3kWh battery pack offering a claimed WLTP range of 435km.

There’s no clarity on the specs for the drivetrain for the Touring, but GWM has previously confirmed the new version will join the Aussie line-up with a 71kWh battery pack. The manufacturer also said it will look at introducing a plug-in hybrid variant of the Ora 5, but the focus will remain on the full EV for now.

The entry-level Ora 5 Lux is selling for $33,990 drive-away, making it one of the cheapest electric small SUVs on the Aussie market. The Touring is expected to go for closer to $40,000 as GWM ups the price due to the increase in size and range. 

“The vehicle will most likely come, potentially with two powertrains, but certainly EV,” GWM Australia’s chief operating officer, John Kett, told WhichCar by Wheels last month. “There’a also a plug-in hybrid version that we are still working our way through. So if they were to land, it will be either side of the new year… but it’s definitely going to happen.”

Lamborghini has been affixing its famous SV initials to V12s since 1971, but none of them can match the new Revuelto SV for grunt. The famous marque’s most powerful series production car ever makes 1050bhp (783kW) and an astonishing 1425Nm thanks to its plug-in hybrid set-up – but that might not be its most impressive feature.

For the latest interpretation, Lamborghini has extracted even more from the Revuelto’s PHEV drivetrain. Its naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 and three electric motors now produce a combined 36kW more than the regular model. Performance is predictably ferocious. Lamborghini claims the SV can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.4 seconds and reach 200km/h in 6.7 seconds, while top speed exceeds 344km/h. The V12 continues spinning to a 9500rpm redline.

Lamborghini two-tone sports car with butterfly doors open, red trim accents, on a neutral studio background.
4

A revised 7.3kWh battery is designed to deliver more consistent electrical assistance during sustained high-performance driving, while a new Pilota mode introduces a five-stage traction control system developed using lessons from Lamborghini’s GT3 racing program.

The motorsport influence extends right throughout the vehicle. Manually adjustable dampers allow owners to tailor the chassis for different circuits, while new CCM-R Plus carbon-ceramic brakes feature discs measuring up to 420mm. Lamborghini claims the SV can stop from 200km/h in just 110 metres.

Aerodynamics have also been comprehensively reworked. A sharper front end directs more air towards the cooling system, while the aero balance has shifted forward to improve handling. Brake cooling is claimed to have improved by around 12 per cent. A huge fixed rear wing works with an aggressive diffuser to generate substantially more aerodynamic load. Overall downforce is said to be 80 per cent higher than the standard Revuelto and 10 per cent greater than the Aventador SVJ.

Front view of a black Lamborghini Revuelto with silver panels and red accent lines along the edges.
9

Weight reduction comes through extensive carbon-fibre construction and new 3D-Superlight Dromos centre-lock wheels measuring 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear, wrapped in bespoke Bridgestone rubber.

Inside, lightweight carbon-fibre door panels reinforce the competition theme, along with a dedicated steering-wheel control for the Pilota traction settings. Carbon-shell sports seats are standard, while more extreme carbon-fibre monocoque racing seats are available.

Production will be limited to 1963 examples, referencing Lamborghini’s founding year. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but availability will be tightly controlled, with the Revuelto SV primarily aimed at established Lamborghini collectors and customers.

A new-model push, and not just unfulfilled promises, is planned to get Nissan moving again in Australia.

The work is already underway with early orders for the all-new Patrol and an upscale version of the X-Trail called the Rock Creek, but the new boss of Nissan Australia knows more is needed in the back end of 2026 and into 2027. And he is not just talking (again) about a new GT-R supercar to fill the void.

“We have fantastic product,” the new CEO of Nissan Australia, Steve Milette, told WhichCar by Wheels.

2

“There is a lot of volume where a lot of the growth is happening – and we’re not playing.”

He is obviously talking about electric vehicles and SUVs, but expansion of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid line-up and more versions of its popular sellers.

Milette also knows he has to reverse the negative news around Nissan’s financial troubles in Japan and restore faith among shoppers in Australia who believe the company will close inside five years.

“We definitely will be here in five years. My mandate coming here is not to shut it down, but to stabilise and grow the business,” he said bluntly.

“Nissan has 60 years of history in this country. We have a vast dealer network, with 172 stores. We have coverage wherever you live and wherever you travel. And we have fantastic product.”

4

But there is no denying the negatives for the man who was formerly the head of Nissan in Canada.

“I would say we are down 30 per cent, year-on-year, in that range. There were expected declines in volume. This fiscal year is a year of stability. Then we have the tools to go back into growth mode.

“Those were all conscious decisions. I would say right-sizing is part of it. We discontinued the Duke and Pathfinder. Qashqai is only e-Power.”

Milette said the sales decline was partly down to those conscious decisions, but admits Chinese brands are making things tough and that shoppers have lost confidence in Nissan.

How does he combat the negatives?

“I have to go back on heritage. We use legacy as though it’s a negative word, but for me it’s about 60 years of quality in this market. People started out in a Pulsar. We’re ingrained in this country.

“If you’re looking for a brand that you recognise, and trust, that’s Nissan.”

He also believes many of the converts to Chinese cars are buying their first new car.

“They are people who used to shop secondhand. We don’t play in that space And we’re not going to. But we do play in the core space.”

Milette deflects any discussion of the next GT-R – still widely expected in 2028 – as he discusses what is set to arrive.

1

“We are about to launch a new two-wheel drive e-Power version of the X-Trail. From a product perspective, X-Trail is our workhorse. It has exactly what customers are looking for.

“The Qashqai, which is also e-Power, too. We also have the Patrol, with a resurgence of demand for the V8. And the new model coming shortly.”

Milette’s planning already runs well into the future and he promised he will not be an in-and-out caretaker CEO on a short-term contract.

“I have a three-year visa at the moment. We’ll take it from there. Moving here to Australia, I want the decisions I make to be for the long-term benefit of the company.

“We have to be simple to deal with. Then together we’re ready to ramp up our growth.”

The new-model drive intended to make GWM a top-three showroom brand in Australia is about to take a surprising turn towards diesel.

Almost every Chinese carmaker describes it as a ‘new energy’ brand with the focus entirely on hybrids and battery-electric vehicles, but GWM has identified an Aussie need for diesel.

It is responding with an all-new 3-litre turbodiesel to be installed for Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha owners who want the towing and off-road advantages of diesel.

White pickup truck driving through a muddy dirt road, mud splashing around the wheels in a rural, tree-lined landscape.
1

The engine, codenamed GW4F30, makes 170 kiloWatts of power and 620 Newton-metres of torque, with claimed fuel economy of 7.1 litres/100km for the Tank SUV and 7.3 for the Cannon pick-up.

It could account for one-third of sales for the Tank SUV and even more deliveries for the ute.

“These are the first of nine new models between now and the end of the year,” says GWM’s head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver.

“We’ve got another nine models which will swell to around double that, roughly 18, by the end of next year.”

He said GWM is trying to be all things for all buyers, but focussing on value while building its customer service and dealer network.

“We’re not looking at what other brands are doing. We know what we have to do. We know in dual-cab ute and mid-sized SUV we can do better.”

White SUV splashes through a muddy puddle on a dirt road with trees in the background.
3

GWM had a relatively underwhelming first-half showroom total but is aiming to sell around 60,000 vehicles this year, improving to 70-75,000 by the end of 2027.

That would keep it on track for a top-five sales ranking, heading for the top three.

“We want to be top three by the end of this decade. So the volume to achieve top three is going to be around 90,000, perhaps 100,000.

“They are big numbers but it’s all about consistency growth. The GWM value is resonating with buyers, but it’s the product and the technology.”

Maciver said the product pipeline includes an Haval H7 to replacement the current vehicle, followed by a Jolion Max between the existing Jolion and the Haval H6, then an Ora hatch and a mid-sized Ora SUV called the Touring.

He also updated the plan for GWM’s prestige brand, Wey, which is coming in 2027.

“We’ll likely launch with the G9 people mover. But I cannot confirm that yet. There are a couple of other people movers coming behind that, next year.”

“The philosophy is about bringing the right vehicles to the market. We’re not forcing consumers down a particular path. We’re market driven.”

Ferrari has revealed the CZ26, a one-off supercar commissioned by an American customer and created through the Italian manufacturer’s Special Projects program.

While its appearance is unique, the CZ26 is based on the SF90 Stradale and retains that car’s mechanical specifications. The plug-in hybrid SF90 combines a twin-turbocharged V8 with three electric motors, although Ferrari’s work on the CZ26 has focused primarily on its body, aerodynamics and interior.

Designed by the Ferrari Design Studio under Flavio Manzoni, the CZ26 adopts a markedly different shape from the SF90. Its low two-box profile is built around a central, cockpit-like section, with pronounced wheelarches and strong horizontal lines.

Two silver Ferrari sports cars parked side by side in front of a modern glass-front building.
2

The front features a full-width grille incorporating slim lighting units, cooling intakes, sensors and other components. A relatively upright leading edge is another departure from Ferrari’s current production models.

At the rear, the CZ26 receives a truncated tail with cantilevered lights, a large upper spoiler and substantial diffuser. Ferrari says elements of the exterior were influenced by Italian industrial design of the 1970s.

The body is finished in a bespoke colour called Argento Veloce, contrasted by Rosso Lampante red detailing and pigmented carbon-fibre components. Unique wheels combine gloss-black sections with shot-peened surfaces, while the exhaust outlets are natural-finish titanium.

Inside, Ferrari has continued the exterior colour and material themes. Black technical fabric is used extensively, while the seats incorporate specially designed inserts manufactured using additive production techniques. Red detailing, satin carbon fibre and gloss carbon containing woven metallic filaments feature throughout the cabin.

Top-down shot of a silver Ferrari sports car with red accents parked on dark asphalt.
1

Despite retaining the SF90’s underlying hardware, Ferrari has extensively revised the CZ26’s aerodynamics and cooling arrangements.

The central radiator package has been repositioned and new bypass ducts introduced, while the underbody and vortex generators have been redesigned. Air curtains around the front bumper are intended to better control turbulence from the front wheels.

The new rear spoiler and diffuser generate additional downforce, while revised vents in the engine cover manage heat from the powertrain.

Ferrari has not disclosed the cost of the CZ26 or identified its owner. As a Special Projects commission, however, the car will remain a one-off rather than enter series production.

Sketch-style illustration of an orange Ferrari sports car viewed from the rear-right, on a gray background with bold black sketch lines.
1

Ford has expanded its high-performance Mustang family with the Dark Horse SC Convertible, pairing the recently revealed coupé’s supercharged V8 with a folding fabric roof.

The newcomer is Ford’s first high-performance open-top Mustang since the Shelby GT500 convertible of 2013, although its development brief differs slightly from the track-focused Dark Horse SC coupé.

While the coupé has been engineered with lap times in mind, Ford says the convertible places greater emphasis on road driving while retaining much of its sibling’s performance hardware.

Purple convertible sports car parked on a coastal road with the ocean in the background, top down and tan interior visible.
2

Under its vented bonnet is the same 5.2-litre supercharged V8, producing 593kW and 894Nm. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, rather than the 10-speed automatic available in the regular Mustang GT.

Removing the fixed roof has required several chassis changes. Ford has added extra structural bracing to compensate for the reduction in body rigidity, while the MagneRide adaptive suspension receives a softer calibration more suited to road use.

Aerodynamics have also been revised. The convertible features a modified rear wing designed to account for the different airflow created when the fabric roof is lowered.

Visually, the Dark Horse SC Convertible retains the coupé’s aggressive front-end treatment and distinctive bonnet vents but gains several new colour and trim combinations.

Modern car interior with a large center touchscreen, steering wheel, and carbon-fiber trim, ocean visible through the windshield at the horizon amidst a cloudy sky.
7

These include Precision Purple metallic paint, silver brake calipers and a choice of Black Onyx and Space Grey interior themes.

The convertible sits above the existing Mustang GT Convertible, bringing the Dark Horse SC’s significantly more powerful supercharged engine and upgraded chassis hardware to Ford’s open-top Mustang range.

Ford plans to open North American orders for the Mustang Dark Horse SC Convertible in the second quarter of 2027.

Ford Australia has also yet to announce local plans for the Dark Horse SC coupé.

Mahindra has revealed the production version of its long-awaited global ute, confirming the Mahindra Lifestyler will target Australia as part of an international rollout beginning in 2027.

Known as the Scorpio Lifestyler in India, the new ute is the production evolution of the Global Pik Up concept first shown in Cape Town, South Africa, in August 2023.

Australia has long been central to the vehicle’s development. Mahindra previously confirmed its next-generation ute was being engineered specifically for global markets, with Australian customer requirements helping shape the program. More than 600 development vehicles had reportedly been involved in testing by mid-2025.

Mud-splattered Mahindra pickup charging through desert dunes, kicking up a spray of sand behind it.
1

The Lifestyler will effectively replace the ageing Pik-Up, which disappeared from Mahindra’s Australian range in 2025, leaving the company temporarily without a ute locally.

Developed at Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai and designed in Mumbai, the Lifestyler uses a new-generation body-on-frame architecture. It has been developed to compete in the global mid-size ute segment occupied by models including the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton.

Mahindra has yet to publish complete production specifications, including Australian powertrain details, towing capacity, payload or pricing.

Earlier information surrounding the development program pointed towards a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, with improvements to performance and torque compared with the previous Pik-Up. A traditional four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing has also been anticipated, although final specifications remain unconfirmed.

Three versions have been displayed to demonstrate potential styling directions. The Valley Edition is finished in Artemis Grey and adopts a more restrained specification, while the Reef Edition (below) uses Aquareef paint and an outdoor-oriented theme. The Trail Edition, finished in Sahara Beige, takes a more overtly off-road approach.

Mahindra says the production vehicle has been engineered to meet international safety requirements and will combine load-carrying and recreational capability with more modern technology and cabin refinement than its predecessor.

Green pickup truck with a surfboard on the roof parked on a sandy beach by the ocean.
1

The Lifestyler is scheduled to make its Indian debut by April 2027. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America are among the key export markets earmarked for the new ute.

Final Australian specifications, pricing and launch timing are still to be announced.