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Articles by Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson
Journalist

Racing video games, car-spotting on road trips, and helping wash the family VL Calais Turbo as a kid were all early indicators that an interest in cars would stay present in Chris’ life, but loading up his 1990 VW Golf GTI Mk2 and moving from hometown Brisbane to work in automotive publishing in Melbourne ensured cars would be a constant.

With a few years as MOTOR Magazine’s first digital journalist under his belt, followed by a stint as a staff journalist for Wheels Magazine, Chris’ career already speaks to a passion for anything with four wheels, especially the 1989 Mazda MX-5 he currently owns.

From spending entire weeks dissecting the dynamic abilities of sports cars to weighing up the practical options for car buyers from all walks of life, Chris’ love for writing and talking about cars means if you’ve got a motoring question, he can give you an answer.

Australia's only hybrid mid-size ute axed as 2026 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV takes reins as brand's only electrified Alpha workhorse, rivalling BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV
By Chris Thompson · 04 Jul 2025
GWM will discontinue sales of the Cannon Alpha Hybrid ute just weeks after the launch of its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.The move comes as the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is available on a limited-time offer from $57,490 drive-away for the base Lux variant until September 30, 2025.With the top-spec Ultra PHEV variant available from $64,490 drive-away for the same period, the two plug-ins are both cheaper than or the same as the $64,490 DA standard hybrid variant.The change in line-up isn’t a coincidence, according to GWM the move hasn’t come due to a lack in popularity for the hybrid, but rather due to wanting to offer relevant products to customers.“With advancements in PHEV technology and a competitive price point, our goal is to offer a range that truly connects with customer needs,” a GWM Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.“The Cannon Alpha PHEV strikes an ideal balance between cutting-edge electrification and uncompromised 4x4 capability. “For those who prefer a more traditional option, the diesel variant remains an integral part of the Cannon Alpha lineup.”For reference, the Cannon Alpha Hybrid made up around a third of Cannon Alpha sales — the rest being diesel — before the plug-in hybrid arrived. In the first half of 2025, GWM registered 1063 Cannon Alpha sales all-up.The PHEV is also more powerful than the standard Hybrid — its 300kW tops the 255kW thanks to more powerful motors assisting the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine. The PHEV also boasts a claimed 115km electric driving range under (generous) NEDC testing thanks to its 37.11kWh battery.The only other full-hybrid ute on sale in Australia is the larger American Toyota Tundra, the Cannon Alpha PHEV is one of three plug-in utes on sale in Australia alongside the popular BYD Shark 6 and the recently arrived Ford Ranger PHEV.The Cannon Alpha and Shark sit closely on pricing, with the latter kicking off from $57,900 before on-roads, the Ford Ranger PHEV is much more expensive — it starts from $71,990 before on-road costs.
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Hyundai Ioniq 6 2026 review: N - International preview drive
By Chris Thompson · 03 Jul 2025
The next car to come out of Hyundai's N division promises to step up the philosophy and capability of the already-loved Ioniq 5 N. We've been invited to the brand's R&D facility to drive the Ioniq 6 N before the car is even revealed.
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'If we lose to China, there will be no Ford': CEO urges humility in changing automotive industry, calling for more cooperation with China
By Chris Thompson · 02 Jul 2025
Ford CEO, Jim Farley, has laid out some relatively candid opinions regarding the EV sales and manufacturing race and how China is changing the way legacy brands operate.
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Kia EV2's cousin incoming as Hyundai confirms electric light SUV to be revealed soon, but will it come to Australia to rival MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora?: report
By Chris Thompson · 01 Jul 2025
A new Hyundai electric car is on the way according to reports from Europe, with a light SUV set to bridge the gap between the Hyundai Inster and Kona set for a reveal this year.
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New cut-price off-roader incoming! New 2026 Renault Duster compact SUV comes with manual gearbox & 4WD option to take on Suzuki Jimny and Subaru Crosstrek
By Chris Thompson · 01 Jul 2025
A new Renault model, sold under the Dacia brand overseas, is coming to Australia with hybrid options, manual gearbox availability and pricing kicking off well below $40,000.The 2026 Renault Duster is now available to order starting from $31,990, before on-road costs, with first deliveries of the small SUV expected to start this month.There are 4x2 and 4x4 versions of the Duster, the latter being more expensive and coming with a mild-hybrid powertrain and manual gearbox. Renault says its “tall suspension and generous off-road clearance” means the Duster is more off-road capable than rivals.The entry-level variant of the Duster is the Evolution, starting from the aforementioned $31,990, before on-roads, with a 4x2 drivetrain layout. It utilises a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The 1.3-litre engine makes 113kW and 270Nm, driving only the front wheels.The Evolution can also be had in 4x4, with a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine that makes less power and torque: 96kW and 230Nm.It puts power to all four wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, but is claimed to be more efficient (5.7L/100km versus the 4x2’s 6.5L).The 4x4 drivetrain costs a little more, $36,490, but comes with the same standard equipment including dual-zone air-conditioning, a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen and 7.0-inch driver display, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, USB-C charging ports and a 12-volt socket.Stepping up to the higher-spec Techno variant brings more kit, though its drivetrain options are the same as the Evolution. Pricing starts at $36,990 for the Techno 4x2 and bumps up slightly to $37,990 for the 4x4, though that version isn’t expected to land until December this year.The Techno adds features like more ‘premium’ cloth upholstery, tinted rear windows, auto proximity lock and unlock, auto high-beams and 18-inch wheels to replace the base variant’s 17s.It also adds some safety features not available on the Evolution like blind-spot monitoring, front parking sensors and surround-view parking cameras.Other standard safety features for both models include pedestrian and cyclist detection for AEB, a safe follow-distance warning, lane-keep and departure warning, driver attention monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring and an ADAS shortcut button for advanced driver assist settings.Renault Australia says the “Duster will initially arrive in limited numbers” due to demand overseas.Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey said, “Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year.“We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward,” he said.
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Incoming cut-price trio! 2026 Suzuki Vitara Hybrid and electric to join new Suzuki Fronx Hybrid in small SUV overhaul
By Chris Thompson · 25 Jun 2025
Suzuki has confirmed new timing for three models coming to Australia by early 2026 in an overhaul of the brand’s small SUV range.The Suzuki Vitara Hybrid and electric e Vitara will join the new Suzuki Fronx Hybrid as the Japanese brand aims to “solidify its presence in the Light SUV segment”, though the new timing announcement means there have been delays.Suzuki Australia hasn’t confirmed full local specs - or any specs at all - in the announcement, only broadly outlining the models. Here’s what to expect - starting with the Fronx, the soonest of the trio to arrive given its September 1 on-sale date.The Fronx Hybrid, as Suzuki is calling it, will most likely be a 48-volt or ‘mild-hybrid’ system in truth, utilising a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.It’s a light SUV with an almost ‘coupe’ silhouette thanks to a sloping roofline, and is built in India by the brand’s subsidiary Maruti.It’ll be followed by a hybridised version of the Suzuki Vitara arriving in Q1 2026 as well as the first electric model Suzuki Australia will sell, the e Vitara.Like the Fronx, the Vitara Hybrid will be a 48-volt system according to comments to CarsGuide from Suzuki Australia last year. A ‘full hybrid’ Vitara is available for sale in Europe.It follows the same name/drivetrain philosophy that led the brand to market the also mild-hybrid Swift hatchback as the Swift Hybrid in Australia.Finally, the fully-electric Vitara will also arrive in the first quarter of 2026.Three key versions of the EV are available - one with a 49kWh battery and 106kW/189Nm driving the front wheels, another FWD version with a 61kWh battery and 128kW/189Nm and an all-wheel drive version with the same bigger battery but an additional 48kW rear motor for a total output of 135kW and 300Nm.Suzuki Australia says local specifications and an official release date “will be the subject of future announcements”.
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'We didn't see it as necessary': Ford Australia defends 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV's lacklustre electric driving range against rivals like BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
By Chris Thompson · 22 Jun 2025
The Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid ute does not have a very long electric driving range, and it’s something that’s been a sticking point for some since its launch earlier this month.
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Baby boom! Small electric cars in development by Audi and Volkswagen point to a bonanza of affordable EVs from VW Group, could they rival the 2025 BYD Dolphin and MG4?: report
By Chris Thompson · 20 Jun 2025
Volkswagen Group seems to be in the midst of developing and launching a series of small electric cars to satisfy its European markets, according to reports.
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Door opens for electric Mazda CX-5 and CX-60 sibling as Japanese brand trademarks series of electric car names in Australia
By Chris Thompson · 19 Jun 2025
Mazda Australia has set up trademark requests for a series of badge names that point to a potential influx of electric cars.Five filings with IP Australia consist of anticipated or possible electric cars names from the brand, including the Mazda CX-6e and Mazda 6e, which already exist in some markets.The Mazda 2e and 3e filings suggest light and small electric cars could be on the way, while the CX-5e name points to another mid-size SUV model.While brands sometimes register trademarks to protect model names that fit in their style but don’t apply to an existing car, the choices by Mazda to register these limited but specific names seems more deliberate.The Mazda 6e and CX-6e have already been around for a short while, starting life as the EZ-6 and EZ-60 respectively in China, built by joint venture Changan-Mazda.The 6e and CX-6e model names are applied to the cars for international markets and brand recognition, with the 2026 Mazda 6e already locked in Europe and available with details for each market.The CX-6e is not yet confirmed under that name, but it’s possible that it will be the EZ-60’s international name if not deemed too similar phonetically to ‘CX-60’.As for the 2e, 3e and CX-5e, all have been trademarked in the EU by Mazda so it’s possible there are more announcements to come from Mazda regarding future EVs, even if not entirely relevant to Australia.It would make sense that if 2e and 3e come to fruition, they’d be Mazda2 and Mazda3-sized. There’s also a chance the CX-5e name has been registered in anticipation of the next-gen CX-5, if electrification ends up being on the cards.CarsGuide has contacted Mazda Australia for comment on the trademark filings.
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Pioneering EV returns as an SUV! 2026 Nissan Leaf revealed ahead of global launch, but when will the MG S5 EV and Kia EV3 electric car rival come to Australia?
By Chris Thompson · 18 Jun 2025
The fourth-generation Nissan Leaf has been detailed, with an Australian arrival already confirmed and a new SUV-style body shape for the car that put Nissan at the forefront of electric cars more than a decade ago.The 2026 Nissan Leaf will come to Australia in the 2026 Japanese fiscal year, or between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.When it arrives, it will boast more than 600km in range thanks to a large battery, a respectable 160kW/355Nm power and torque output and a striking departure in styling from the Leaf hatchback we know.Those range and power figures are for the longer-range 75kWh battery variant, with a smaller 52kWh battery version set to join it.The shorter-ranged Leaf is yet to be rated for range, though even the 600km+ figure is estimated for Japan and Europe, so could change before its launch.Depending on the market, the size of the new Leaf varies, but the Japanese version will be 4360mm long, 1810mm wide and 1550mm tall with a 2690mm wheelbase, putting it roughly in the same playing field as the new Kia EV3.An estimated drag coefficient of 0.26Cd goes some way to explaining its impressive range and slippery smooth design, but even with the sloping rear the Leaf can hold 420L in its boot, according to Nissan.It’s a big step up for tech over the current Nissan Leaf e+ and its 385km WLTP range, although outputs remain pretty similar - the e+ coming in at 160kW/340Nm.The Leaf’s DC fast charging is now 150kW, with Nissan saying it can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in “as little as 35 minutes”.Inside, the new Leaf gets a big redo, doing away with the dated interior and bringing in a pair of large screens, either dual 12.3-inch or dual 14.3-inch units depending on the grade.Other niceties include a 10-speaker Bose sound system, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but some shortcut menus and physical controls remain for ease of use.More details for the new Leaf will be confirmed for each market closer to their launch dates, with the first to be North America.The original Leaf started production in 2010 but only arrived in Australia in mid-2012. The second-gen was an overhauled version of the first and it landed here in mid-2019. For a time the Leaf was the world's best-selling EV until it was toppled by the Tesla Model 3.
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