Concept Cars

Hyundai just unveiled its striking Boulder SUV concept at the New York International Auto Show.The concept gives a glimpse into Hyundai’s ladder frame chassis rugged off-roading future. The Boulder previews its first ladder frame model, which will be a mid-size pick-up truck built in the United States launching in 2030. A mid-size pick-up truck in the US means it will be a similar size to Aussie favourites such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6.It looks like the new Hyundai ute will be targeted towards the North America market, with an Australian launch unlikely in the short term. This will be the brand's second ute, with a different model expected to arrive in Australia before 2030. Hyundai Australia boss Don Romano told CarsGuide late last year the brand would have a ute ready by the end of 2028. "My work permit goes for another two and a half years. I'm not leaving until it's coming,” Romano said in November 2025.“If they produce what we're talking about at this stage and what we're working on, it's gonna be mind blowing, it's gonna be great. And I really mean that, I'm not just blowing smoke.”It is anticipated to feature a range-extender hybrid set-up. The Boulder concept has a boxy overall design with accentuated fenders and beefed up 37-inch mud-terrain tyres to highlight its go-anywhere potential.The concept itself is similar to the general blueprint of the popular Ford Bronco, which is based on the Ford Ranger ute, and has been a raging sales success in the United States. Adding to this theme is the tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel, along with roof racks and a roof-mounted light bar.This latest concept comes after US patents of a pick-up truck for the North American market surfaced online. One of the key elements these patents revealed was thought to be detachable doors. It now appears that the doors are in-fact coach-style, not detachable, meaning they open away from the centre of the car. This increases the practicality and loading capacity of the car, like on the old Toyota FJ Cruiser. The Boulder’s interior has a minimalist yet futuristic look, with no large tablet-like screens present, but it does have a panoramic head-up display, which spans the length of the front window. 

Land Rover’s Freelander is back, not as an SUV, but as a standalone brand in a joint venture with China's Chery.The first model from the new partnership was revealed overnight in China ahead of its debut at the upcoming Beijing motor show.The first model has been called the Concept 97, in recognition of the year the original Freelander was introduced by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).The Concept 97 draws on the Land Rover design identity with its blocky, tall and sophisticated styling while the original Freelander's unique triangular rear three-quarter window is revived again on the new model.The interior also has a familiar look sharing design elements and materials with Land Rover models, but new features we haven’t seen before from the brand include a curved display the full length of the dashboard.There are some features on the large six seater SUV, which won’t make it into production, including the rear-hinged side doors and the most likely the open-plan lounge-like setting in the second row, too.  JLR is already in a partnership with Chery in China; the joint venture sees the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport produced and the JLR-Chery plant in Changsu. When the Concept 97 goes into production it will also be manufactured at the Changsu factory and be produced as a pure EV and hybrid. The Discovery Sport and Evoque will be discontinued to make way for the Freelander model range.Freelander CEO Wei Lan told British publication Autocar at the Concept 97’s preview in China that while the Concept 97 would go into production and be sold initially in China, the plan was to then debut the vehicle markets around the world."International variants are currently in intensive development and shall, after launch in China, make their distinguished entry into the world's foremost markets," Lan told Autocar. "From its very first day of existence, every Freelander product is conceived and calibrated for the diverse demands of markets across the world. We are not exporting a Chinese car to the world but we are building a world car, for the world, from the very beginning."  The Concept 97 is built on Chery’s T1X platform, which also underpins the Tiggo 8 and will support EV, hybrid and range extender variants with 800V battery architecture.The range extender battery has been developed with CATL and features what it calls a world first "Freevoy Range-Extended Hybrid Battery" design allowing the range extender version to be charged at 360kW.The range extender battery has been designed with off-road use in mind and comes with underbody protection and a thermal coating to keep it cool.JLR-Chery plans to have the first Frelander model go into production and on sale  by  mid-2026 before being launched globally. JLR-Chery will then embark on an ambitious growth plan, which it says will see the introduction of a new Freelander model every six months. Will the new range of Freelanders make it to Australia? Nothing has been confirmed but Chery's executives haves been open to bringing more sub-brands into the country.Earlier this year Chery Chief Executive Officer Lucas Harris has said there is more room for additional sub-brands in Australia.“Why not?” Harris told CarsGuide.“Chery is the brand where you never say never.”

Renault is soon set to reveal a new concept car that will preview a potential urban compact SUV targeted at the Indian market.The Renault Bridger concept is set to be revealed on March 10 and it will measure under 4.0-metres long. Cars in India that are under this threshold receive tax breaks as they have a smaller footprint and are generally more fuel efficient than larger cars.Vehicles like the Mahindra XUV3XO, Hyundai Venue and Suzuki Fronx are all under 4.0-metres long.Ahead of its official reveal, the French carmaker has revealed some teaser photos of the Bridger concept.It appears it will have a boxy and squared-off exterior design with a prominent spare tyre mounted on the tailgate. This gives it a similar look to the Suzuki Jimny XL.No other details about the Bridger concept have been announced yet. Given it’ll be a concept, it’s unclear whether there will be any details surrounding its powertrain, nor its off-roading potential.Renault typically reveals a concept show car a year or so before it reveals the production counterpart. However, it’s unclear just yet if Renault actually intends to do a production version of the Bridger concept.In India, Renault currently offers four vehicles and they’re all made domestically – the compact Kwid that is rebadged as the Dacia Spring for European markets, the Triber small people mover, Kiger small SUV, and the new Indian-specification Duster which is notably different from the Romanian-sourced, Australian-spec Duster.It’s unclear whether a production version of the Bridger concept, if it ever actually happens, will be offered outside of India.No Indian-made Renault models are currently offered in Australia, though there is a growing demand for small crossover SUVs. The Chery Tiggo 4, for example, is climbing up the sales charts in Australia.The smallest SUV Renault currently offers in Australia is the Megane E-Tech which is an electric crossover. The Captur small SUV currently isn’t offered locally and it’s unclear if it will return in facelifted guise.This also means the most affordable Renault you can currently buy in Australia is an entry-level Duster, which is priced from $34,990 drive-away.If the production version of the Bridger concept comes to Australia it could serve as a new, entry-level Renault model for the French brand.

Geely has officially teased its hardcore four-wheel drive rival to the Land Rover Defender ahead of an expected reveal later in 2026.Photos of the 2027 Geely Galaxy Starship, which has also previously been referred to as the Geely Galaxy Cruiser or Battleship, have been published online showing the four-wheel drive’s production body work.It has a boxy silhouette that’s reminiscent of BYD’s premium Denza B5 and B8 models, as well as the GWM Tank 300, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Ford Bronco, among others.Little information about the Starship/Cruiser has been confirmed just yet but it’s understood to be based on a version of the platform that already underpins the Zeekr 9X and Lotus Eletre PHEV.According to Autocar, power will come from three electric motors which are fed by a hefty 70kWh battery pack, allowing for an electric range of over 350km, according to lenient CLTC testing.There’s also a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which acts as a generator to top up the battery pack.Geely revealed the concept version of this off-roader back in 2025 at the Shanghai Motor Show and earlier this year the UK Marketing Director Tianxiao Yan confirmed the production version will eventually launch in the UK, seemingly confirming right-hand drive production.Speaking to UK media, the marketing boss said Geely will “definitely launch that car in the UK.” Given the brand’s apparent keenness to increase its presence in Australia, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the model here in the future, too.“While we cannot confirm the addition of any new models to the Geely Auto Australia line-up at this stage, we continuously assess market trends and consumer behaviours to ensure our product portfolio reflects the preferences and needs of local customers,” said a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson back in January 2026.Geely’s namesake brand launched in Australia during 2025 and it already offers the EX5 electric SUV and Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV.In the second half of 2026 Geely will also launch the EX2 small electric hatchback to rival the likes of the BYD Atto 1, GWM Ora and MG4, among others.It’s worth noting that all the Geely vehicles currently in Australia or soon to launch in Australia are part of the brand’s Galaxy line-up in China.This further fuels speculation that eventually the Geely Galaxy Battleship will come to Australia as a flagship offering.

Audi’s global CEO has reassured employees and fans of the brand that its electric successor to the Audi TT will go ahead.

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury arm, has revealed a range of off-road concept vehicles, including the bespoke X Skorpio off-road coupe.The brand showed off its range of concepts in the UAE as part of what it called a “glimpse into Genesis’ next decade”, with each car leaning into off-road prowess. The models shown include the GV70 Outdoors concept, featuring a pumped ride height, off-road wheels and tyres, with a roof platform and rally lights, and the GV60 Outdoors concept, which adorns the EV with a set of tracks rather than wheels and similar upgrades to the GV70.The X Skorpio is billed as the brand’s first “extreme off-road vehicle”, which is “purpose built to conquer harsh terrain with cutting-edge performance and luxurious design”.The model is named as such drawing inspiration from the black scorpion, which it says is “known for its resilience and ability to thrive in harsh environments”.It sports a tubular frame, roll cage and other “components sourced directly from off-road endurance racing specialists”, and while it is designed with the performance of Dakar-style trophy trucks in mind, it also features a focus on interior comfort and ergonomics.It also builds on the brand’s previous Magma GT concept, featuring a V8 engine. In the case of the X Skorpio, Genesis says it produces 820kW/1152Nm, although deeper details on this yet-to-be-made-for-production engine are yet to be revealed.It also features 19-inch wheels with 40-inch tyres and motorsport-grade Brembo brakes. The body is built from fiberglass, carbon fibre and kevlar.The latest range of concepts build on a clear shift toward the lucrative 4x4 market by Genesis, which is no doubt eying the success of the Toyota LandCruiser range, as well as its Lexus GX and LX spin-offs.Many Chinese brands are also making inroads into the performance 4x4 space, with GWM finding success in markets like Australia and the Middle East.The new concepts build on other recent examples of Genesis’ future model previews, like the X Gran Equator concept which previews a Lexus-GX rivalling large off-road SUV.In an investor briefing in late 2025, the brand confirmed it was plotting a production version of not only the X Gran Equator, but also a ute under the Hyundai brand.The production car based on the X Gran Equator was said to feature a new range-extender hybrid powertrain, which will be placed in other Genesis models to headline the brand’s emissions-friendly European presence.The focus of the brand’s incoming range of cars it wants by 2030 was very much focused on the European and US markets, which could see the Australian market wait longer than usual to see these new models from Hyundai’s luxury arm.Genesis is also plotting an expansion on its Magma sub-brand for performance versions of its existing range.In other Genesis news, the brand recently released an array of images from a design concept it worked on for a Ford F150-sized pick-up truck. The project was ultimately shelved, with Chief Design Officer for the brand Luc Donckerwolke explaining to CarsGuide that it simply wasn’t the right time for the luxury arm to be launching such a product.This doesn’t rule it out for the future. Meanwhile, the luxury brand’s Hyundai parent has been increasing its commentary around its highly anticipated first ute model, most recently hinting it may share the frame from its Kia Tasman sister product, but will instead debut with “new technology” rather than the Tasman’s 2.2-litre diesel.

A self-charging Nissan Ariya concept has just been unveiled in the United Kingdom, with the in-built solar system capable of delivering up to 23km of range per day in ideal conditions.The car features a set of 3.8cm² solar photovoltaic panels on the bonnet, roof and tailgate, which converts sunlight into DC power. The panels were provided by a Dutch solar company called Lightyear, that worked on the first-ever solar-powered production car in 2019.Nissan said the technology can reduce charging frequency by up to 65 per cent.Solar technology allows for the car to be charged as it drives along, unlike conventional infrastructure. According to Nissan, a two-hour, 80km drive can produce 0.5kWh of charge, which adds up to nearly three kilometres of driving range.  Solar charging on cars poses practical challenges for manufacturers, needing to fit big enough panels to provide sufficient charge on a small surface area.Nissan notes the effectiveness of this solar charging is impacted by sun exposure available where the car is being driven.Dubai, for example, has high solar exposure, meaning the vehicle can generate an average of 21km of daily solar driving range, while in London that drops to 10km a day. Australia could benefit from solar charging, given its climate and the current electric vehicle charging infrastructure available. Australia has one of the highest solar exposure rates in the world, so it would offer some of the best conditions for this technology. It could ease the burden of EV charging infrastructure Down Under, with electric vehicles numbers ever-increasing, but chargers popping up at a slower rate. At this stage, Nissan’s new technology is only a concept, with just one example built so far. It also remains to be seen whether this type of charging can be offered at an affordable cost point and charge at a sufficiently effective rate. Other companies have been dabbling in solar charging cars in recent years.The Lightyear One was unveiled as the first-ever solar-powered car six years ago in the Netherlands, with its set-up offering 12km of range each hour in optimum conditions. The current Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid sold in the United States is available with an optional solar panel, which can add several kilometres of range each day. 

The attention of supercar fans have been caught by the first electric monster to be released by Chinese vacuum cleaner maker Dreame — the 1400kW Kosmera Nebula 1 — at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.Dreame makes electric appliances such as vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers, and Kosmera is its supercar brand. And while looking much like a Ferrari F8 Tributo from the front, the similarities to the exotic Italian end there with the Nebula 1 having four doors and a side profile that scoops into a C-shape rear pillar much like Bugatti’s famed styling on the Chiron. It’s one thing to have beautiful supercar looks, but backing it up with horsepower and handling can be where new carmakers with everything to prove have come unstuck. For now we know the Nebula 1 has the grunt to go with the fast styling, with the Nebula 1’s four electric motors claimed to produce a mind-boggling 1399kW.In comparison Ferrari’s most powerful model the F80 V6 hybrid produces 882kW, and Bugatti’s big hitter the Chiron Super Sport 300+ packs 1193kW.According to Kosmera the Nebula 1 can fling itself from 0-100km/h in 1.8 seconds, which sees it join the ultra quick podium alongside the YangWang U9 and Xiaomi SU7 Ultra.If anything the Nebula 1 could be a cut price alternative to Porsche's fully electric Taycan, which in its Turbo GT top grade produces 760kW with 0-100km/h coming in 2.2 seconds. There's no price yet and the Nebula 1’s numbers are all just numbers right now and, with this being a concept model, lacks an interior and any real world testing that we’ve seen so far.Still the company’s CEO claims the Nebula 1 will go into production this year, possibly in Germany.Teased along with the Nebula 1 were two other supercars from Kosmera, one with two fuel flaps suggesting it’s a plug-in hybrid.Dreame is not the first vacuum cleaner maker to wade into the shallows of the auto industry. In 2014 Dyson set out to produce an electric car but abandoned the plan in 2019 after the company's billionaire British inventor James Dyson admitted the business “ was no longer commercially viable”.   

Ahead of the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Japanese modification outfit Kuhl has revealed a rugged new take on a Toyota icon.The 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has been given a lift and bodykit by Kuhl, with the company dubbing the show car the ‘Iron Build’.Complete with a mix of visual modifications and genuine mechanical changes, including a new set of wheels and off-road tyres, the Iron Build is set to be shown off at Tokyo Auto Salon between January 9 and 11.The Prado’s standard wheel-and-tyre package has been replaced by a set of dishy 22-inch wheels called ‘Verz DR03’ from Kuhl’s own catalogue, and wrapped in a set of 37-inch Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 mud tyres.The result is a ground clearance that looks to be just about doubled, reportedly sitting at 399mm.It’s not just the lift, the Prado has also been bestowed with some body kit like the wing above the rear window, plus some protective ‘pipe’-style protection around the side steps, front and rear bumpers, and over the wheel arches.It also scores a roof rack and a 40-inch-wide LED light bar, completing the ‘weekend warrior’ look.Kuhl sells and installs the parts shown off on the Iron Build, offering its customers the choice of buying a full predetermined set of parts or choosing their own specific custom components.The company has built wicked wide-body and lowered versions of cars from most Japanese manufacturers, from slammed HiAce vans to WRXs that would look at home in Need For Speed.The Prado Iron Build closely follows the reveal of a pair of cars set to be shown off at Auto Salon, the Outroad versions of the Toyota GR86 which come either with or without a lift for the purposes of gravel driving in the rear-drive Toyota sports car.

Genesis wants to build a better Porsche 911. Or, at least, its own 911.