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New plug-in hybrid SUV on the cards to challenge Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW X3 and Mazda CX-60: 2026 Volvo XC70 details leaked, but will it come to Australia?
By Samuel Irvine · 28 May 2025
The new Volvo XC70 has been leaked in homologation filings submitted in China, which show the reborn model will be sold exclusively as a plug-in hybrid SUV.
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Hybrid domination! Subaru plans to sell more of its new Forester Hybrid as it ramps up to contend with the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, GWM Haval H6 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, and Nissan X-Trail e-Power
By Jack Quick · 28 May 2025
Subaru Australia will have a richer hybrid line-up with its new, sixth-generation Forester and it expects its electrified variants will outsell the petrol variants.Subaru Australia General Manager, Scott Lawrence, said it expects the hybrid sales split to widen as time goes on.“Ultimately, customers will decide, and we have got a really firm view that we need to give customers options,” said Mr Lawrence.“That’s why we have petrol range as well as a hybrid range.“What will be interesting to see how that changes over time.“We see good demand for both, maybe slightly stronger in hybrid, but as time goes on, we do see that customer demand changing towards hybrid.”In 2024, Subaru sold a total of 13,445 examples of the Forester. Only 1718 examples were equipped with a hybrid powertrain, equalling only 12.8 per cent.It’s expected this year’s figure will rise with the introduction of the new Forester. First deliveries are set to take place in early July.Compared to the outgoing Forester Hybrid, this new-generation model is considerably more electrified. It features Subaru’s new Strong Hybrid technology rather than mild-hybrid technology.Using a 2.5-litre flat-four petrol engine as a base (up from the 2.0-litre in the outgoing model), it’s paired with a 90kW/276Nm electric motor and a 1.1kWh battery pack.Total system output is 145kW, which is 9kW more than the standard 2.5-litre flat-four petrol engine the Forester receives.Subaru claims combined fuel consumption for the Forester Hybrid is 6.2L/100km, which is 27.4 per cent better than what the regular Forester claims (7.9L/100km).It doesn't compare to favourably to its main rival, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD, which produces more power (163kW) and drinks less fuel (4.8L/100km).The new Forester Hybrid is claimed to be able to travel over 1000km on a tank of petrol. It has a 63L fuel tank.At launch Subaru is offering the Forester Hybrid in three trim levels – AWD Hybrid, AWD Hybrid Sport, and AWD Hybrid Touring.Pricing for the hybrid models starts at $46,490 before on-roads, and extends to $55,990 before on-roads.Compared to the equivalent petrol variants, the hybrids are between $3000 and $6500 more expensive. It’s worth noting, however, that some trim levels have differing standard equipment.As examples, the Forester AWD Hybrid Sport and AWD Hybrid Touring gain larger 19-inch alloy wheels and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. These don’t feature on the equivalent petrol variants.Another difference is the Forester Hybrid doesn’t come with a spare wheel as standard. Instead it has a tyre repair kit.Subaru Australia however is offering the Forester Hybrid with an optional tow ball-mounted spare wheel accessory. At this stage it hasn’t detailed how much this costs.
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Look out Cupra! Renault's performance brand to return to Australia after four years with a sporty tri-motor Tesla Model Y, Cupra Tavascan, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.5 electric SUV rival
By Jack Quick · 28 May 2025
After a four-year hiatus, Renault Group has confirmed the Alpine brand will be returning to Australian shores. Its first model since the A110 sports car that was sold locally from 2018 to 2022, will be the new A390 electric ‘coupe’ SUV that was revealed overnight in France.
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'China's auto industry will be seriously threatened': GWM boss thinks Chinese cars are too cheap and said the market is 'unhealthy'
By Jack Quick · 28 May 2025
China’s new car market has advanced exponentially over the past few decades, but now GWM’s Chairman has indicated the industry is in an unhealthy state due to incessant price cuts.As reported by Chinese publication Sina Finance, GWM Chairman Wei Jianjun said the industry already has its own “Evergrande”, referring to the Chinese property developer that faced a multi-billion dollar debt crisis and collapsed amid liquidation.“If it continues like this, the safety of China’s auto industry will be seriously threatened,” said Mr Wei to Sina Finance in an interview translated to English.“Now, Evergrande in the automobile industry already exists, but it has not collapsed.”He didn’t specify any Chinese carmakers in particular, but said some of the “main manufacturers” are focusing too much on pursuing market value and raising their stock prices.Mr Wei also warned how the excessive and prolonged price war between rival Chinese brands, especially for those selling electric vehicles (EVs), risks cutting corners on safety and reliability.“Some products have been reduced from 220,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan in the past few years,” said Mr Wei to Sina Finance.“What kind of industrial products can be reduced by 100,000 yuan and still have quality assurance? Well this is absolutely impossible.”Suppliers in particular have been struggling to survive, according to Mr Wei, due to ongoing pressure to lower prices.Following Mr Wei’s latest comments, shares in BYD, Leapmotor, Nio, Geely have tumbled by up to 9.5 per cent.In China, BYD recently announced a wide range of subsidies and incentives across a number of its models. Its cheapest model, the Seagull electric hatchback, now starts from 55,800 RMB (~A$12,000).Geely also announced a range of similar incentives in China to further entice buyers.
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Special small SUV arrives in Australia: 2025 BMW X1 sDrive18i Sport Collection adds M packaging and more standard gear to fend off Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40
By Samuel Irvine · 27 May 2025
BMW has strengthened its X1 line-up in Australia, announcing the arrival of the special-edition sDrive18i Sport Collection.
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China's new 500kW-plus Toyota Prado smasher: Beefed-up 4WD plug-in hybrid powers up to tackle the 2025 BYD Shark 6, GWM Tank 500 and Mercedes-Benz G580
By Dom Tripolone · 27 May 2025
China’s new mighty military-inspired 4WD packs a powerful punch.Details of the Dongfeng Warrior M817 have surfaced on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).The M817’s plug-in hybrid set-up makes more than 520kW according to CarNewsChina, but the specific details of the engine and electric motor combo remains a mystery.The brutal looking off-roader can also be driven in EV-only mode, but its range hasn’t been revealed yet, which will assist in off-road situations where torquey electric motors can assist in creeping over rough terrain. The powertrain is also capable of a regular hybrid mode and a range-extending mode best suited for low speed driving.It's an extreme looking machine with strong Hummer vibes. The M817 has broad shoulders and chunky angles and black cladding all along the bottom.Its sharp LED headlights and lit-up grille outline and logo give it a modern makeover rather than the more popular retro style.The M817 is a big beast, measuring 5100mm long, almost 2000mm wide and 1919mm tall. That makes it longer and wider than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, but slightly shorter.It has adjustable air suspension that can lift the off-roader by 150mm, this also includes a “garage mode” that lowers the chassis by 45mm to assist with underground parking. Its off-road prowess is also boosted by 30-degree approach and departure angles.Some of the other highlights are nitrogen shock absorbers, anti-detachment rims and chunky all-terrain tyres for more composure off-road.It will be highly customisable according to CarNewsChina with lots of accessories.Full details of the M817 are due to be revealed later this week.There is no word on if the Warrior M817 will make it Down Under, but there are rumours it could be the target of left- to right-hand drive conversion outfits here.
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All the Chinese car brands in Australia and their models
By Jack Quick · 27 May 2025
There are more and more Chinese car brands entering the Australian new car market seemingly every day.
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Mahindra's tiny SUV detailed for Australia: 2025 Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic and Mazda CX-3 rival approved for sale in Australia, but 2026 Mahindra XUV3XO will only receive three-cylinder turbocharged petrol power locally
By Jack Quick · 26 May 2025
The Mahindra XUV3XO has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its imminent local launch.Measuring in at under 4.0m long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m tall, this light SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Yaris Cross, among others.According to government approval documents, this Indian-produced SUV has been approved for sale in three trim levels – AX3L, AX5L and AX7L.All three of these trim levels will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine producing 82kW of power and be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.This means we’re getting the weakest of the engine options offered.In India there’s a more-powerful version of this 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 96kW/260Nm, as well as a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 85kW/300Nm.None of the manual transmission option will be offered either.According to the approval documents, the XUV3XO has a tare mass of about 1400kg and has a braked towing capacity of 750kg. Payload is also about 400kg.There is little information regarding what separates the three trim levels, but the AX3L and AX5L get 16-inch wheels wrapped in 205/65 tyres, and the flagship AX7L gets 17-inch wheels wrapped in 215/55 tyres.All XUV3XO examples have MacPherson front suspension, however, unlike Indian versions of the XUV3XO which have torsion beam rear suspension, the Australian-specification versions are approved for sale with multi-link rear suspension.At this stage Mahindra Australia hasn’t confirmed pricing of the XUV3XO range, though it’s expected to start around $25,000 before on-road costs.Exterior features are likely to include single- and dual-tone paint, alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers, a small rear spoiler and roof rails.Inside, the XUV3XO is likely to carry synthetic leather upholstery, twin 10.25-inch displays for the central multimedia display and digital driver’s display, keyless entry and push-button start.Safety features include six airbags, a surround-view camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.The Mahindra XUV3XO is a facelifted version of the XUV300, which was never offered in Australia.It’s built on the same platform as the KGM Tivoli (formerly SsangYong Tivoli), which was sold in Australia from 2018 to 2020, when stock of the then-current model dried up.
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Can anything stop this car brand taking over? BYD takes control of import and distribution in Australia, making it a huge problem for Toyota, Tesla and Kia
By Samuel Irvine · 26 May 2025
BYD will take full control of the import and distribution of its cars in Australia, cutting wait times and improving stock availability as the brand looks to extend its retail partnership with car retail giant Eagers Automotive.
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Design and tech boost for luxury seven-seat family SUV: 2025 Volvo XC90 pricing and specifications revealed to claw back sales from 2025 BMW X5, Lexus RX and Volkswagen Touareg
By Samuel Irvine · 26 May 2025
Volvo has updated its seven-seat XC90 SUV with a suite of design and tech upgrades as it transitions from a three- to a two-variant line-up.On sale in Australia now, the line-up kicks off at $104,990 before on-road costs for the entry-grade Ultra B5 Bright, which is an increase of $5050 on last year’s prices.The Ultra B6 Bright is gone as a mid-range option, with the top-spec Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) now priced at $130,990 before on-road costs, an increase of $2600.In exchange for the price hikes, the XC90 sports a new look for 2025, emphasised by a new diagonally-striped grille, sharper LED headlight signatures, new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and alloy wheel designs.Inside, both variants gain a larger, higher resolution 11.2-inch central touchscreen with over-the-air software update capabilities.Volvo has also delivered additional storage space in the centre console, including an extra cupholder, thanks to a redesigned dashboard that is more horizontal than before. It comes clad in new-look decorative panels made from recycled materials.No changes have been made to the base Ultra B5 Bright’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol in-line four-cylinder engine, which comes paired to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that delivers 183kW/350Nm to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.Similarly, no changes have been made to the Ultra T8’s PHEV setup, which utilises the same petrol engine paired to a 107kW/309Nm electric motor and a 19kWh battery pack for total outputs of 340kW/709Nm.Total electric range is claimed at up to 77km, while fuel economy is claimed at 1.8L/100km, a fraction of the Ultra B5 Bright’s claimed 8.2L/100km.As standard, the Ultra B5 Bright carries new 21-inch multi-spoke Black Diamond-cut alloy wheels, keyless entry with a power tailgate, a 12.0-inch digital driver’s display, wireless charging, powered front seats with heating, cooling and memory functions, as well as a surround-view camera.The Ultra T8 PHEV adds new, larger 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity speaker system, active air suspension, tinted rear windows, roof rails in gloss black, fully-coloured sills and bumpers, and black rear-view mirror covers.Standard safety features on both models includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane centring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, park assist, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display.Volvo has sold 209 examples of the XC90 to April this year, a decline of 29.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. It remains outpaced by the BMW X5 (1103), Lexus RX (583) and the Volkswagen Touareg (330).
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