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        <atom:link href="https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-news" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
        <title>CarsGuide - Car News</title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-news]]></link>
                <description>Car News Australia: Latest Motoring News from CarsGuide</description>
        <language>en-US</language>
        <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:09:33 +0000</pubDate>

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            <title><![CDATA[This 2009 Toyota LandCruiser 200-series proves why the LandCruiser trumps the Nissan Patrol, Denza B8 and Mitsubishi Pajero]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/this-2009-toyota-landcruiser-200-series-proves-why-the-landcruiser-trumps-the-nissan</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A car with 1,000,000km on the clock has just gone up for sale in Australia.The 2009 Toyota LandCruiser 200-series with 999,999km on the odometer has been listed for auction.It is one of very few cars to achieve the 1,000,000km mark, and one of even fewer to be listed for a public auction.&nbsp;What is this Toyota LandCruiser&rsquo;s story?&nbsp;West Victorian stock agent Gary Driscoll bought the car from new in April 2010, according to the ABC.It is the range-topping Sahara grade of the LandCruiser.&nbsp;The LandCruiser has travelled an average of 180km a day from property to property on rural backroads throughout its life.Driscoll said he hoped his LandCruiser would fetch more than $30,000.The auction started today and will run for two weeks, but it has already exceeded the $30,000 mark.&nbsp;Toyota&rsquo;s Horsham dealership said the car has been serviced nearly 100 times, but it retains the same factory 4.5-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel engine and automatic transmission.&nbsp;A starter motor replacement at 973,000km was the most noticeable big ticket service item.&nbsp;What will happen when it ticks over 1,000,000km?&nbsp;There are 300m left before the car ticks over the 1,000,000km mark, but it is unclear what will happen when the car reaches its seventh digit, with it such a rare feat for a car.&nbsp;"I'm not sure that Toyota even know because I don't think there's been another 200 series that has done it,&rdquo; Driscoll told the ABC.&nbsp;"So whether it goes back to all zeros &hellip; Toyota have got the feeling that it might just stay on all the nines, but we won't know until someone gets in it and goes for a drive."Toyota Australia has been contacted for comment to learn more.Driscoll has left the privilege of finding out what will happen to the winner of the auction.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/this-2009-toyota-landcruiser-200-series-proves-why-the-landcruiser-trumps-the-nissan</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:20:39 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Watch out BYD Shark 6: 2026 GWM Cannon PHEV confirmed to take on Ford Ranger Hybrid and coming Chery Stockman]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/watch-out-byd-shark-6-2026-gwm-cannon-phev-confirmed-to-take-on-ford-ranger-hybrid-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Another affordable plug-in hybrid ute is circling the popular BYD Shark 6.GWM has confirmed its new Cannon PHEV (plug-in hybrid) ute will arrive in Australia soon.It will join the pack hunting down BYD&rsquo;s leading Shark 6, which includes the Ford Ranger Hybrid, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and the coming Chery Stockman.What&rsquo;s underneath the GWM Cannon PHEV?Slightly smaller than the Cannon Alpha, the Cannon ute is the latest vehicle to bring the Chinese brand&rsquo;s Hi4-T plug-in hybrid four-wheel drive tech Down under.It pairs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor to make 310kW and 750Nm.This is matched with a 33.1kWh battery that delivers a claimed driving range of 115km, which is calculated via the more lenient NEDC testing.GWM claims it drinks just 2.4-litres per 100km, but as with all plug-in hybrids drivers will need to be disciplined with charging the battery to get close to that figure.GWM claims it can be driven more than 1000km (NEDC) before the battery is depleted and the fuel tank emptied.The Cannon PHEV is ready to rock off-road, with the Hi4-T system using a mechanical four-wheel drive set-up, which is in contrast to some rivals.GWM is also working on a diesel plug-in hybrid Cannon, which is expected to join the line-up at a later date.What is the price of the GWM Cannon PHEV?GWM hasn&rsquo;t confirmed prices yet, but has said the Cannon PHEV will be one of the most affordable plug-in hybrid utes in the nation.The company hasn&rsquo;t revealed the line-up either. If it mimics the standard diesel version it will be available in Lux, Ultra and Vanta grades as well as pick-up or cab chassis body styles.We can look to the larger Cannon Alpha for some price guidance. It costs about $10,000 to upgrade from a diesel to plug-in hybrid Cannon Alpha. So that means a plug-in hybrid Cannon could start at about $52,000, drive-away, for the Lux grade or about $55,000 for the Ultra variant.That puts the Cannon PHEV on track to be cheaper than the BYD Shark 6 dual-cab pick-up which starts at $57,990, drive-away, with a cab-chassis version $2000 cheaper.Chery&rsquo;s coming Stockman, which uses a diesel plug-in hybrid set-up, will be aggressively priced when it arrives later this year.Ford has cut thousands off the price of its Ranger plug-in hybrid, with it now available for $62,000, drive-away.
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            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/watch-out-byd-shark-6-2026-gwm-cannon-phev-confirmed-to-take-on-ford-ranger-hybrid-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:11:53 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Ford has confirmed a new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid rival and a four-door Mustang and electric Fathom ute]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/ford-has-confirmed-a-new-2026-toyota-rav4-hybrid-rival-and-a-four-door-mustang-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ford has shown off a low-priced hybrid SUV, a four-door Mustang and the Fathom electric ute, which the company says are all part of a raft of fresh affordable models to come.Ford&rsquo;s global CEO Jim Farley broke the news at the Ford Dealer Show event, according to Autonews.Farley showed the brand&rsquo;s dealers early prototypes of a small hybrid SUV&nbsp;and a four-door Mustang.&nbsp;Ford's new entry-level SUVThe small SUV, which effectively replaces the Escape that was discontinued only a year ago in the United States, will go on sale in 2029, according to Farley.While smaller hybrid SUVs aren't really anything new it's important for Ford, which hasn't had a model in recent times to compete with a multitude of rivals with this kind of vehicle.Just as significant is the price of the new hybrid SUV, which will only be about A$35,000, according to Farley. At this price the small SUV would become the new entry point into Ford's model range.People at the event, who wish to remain anonymous, said the new, small SUV was &ldquo;boxy looking&rdquo; and resembled a first-generation Ford Escape. Ford's executives told the crowd that a name for the vehicle was yet to be announced.A four-door Ford Mustang?Ford also showcased a prototype four-door Mustang. Again the full details of the vehicle weren't fully revealed.Executives said the four-door Mustang would have more room in the back seats then a Porsche Panamera, have a 0-100km/h time of about four seconds and be priced at about A$57,000 dollars, according to Automotive News.The name Mach-4 is unconfirmed but again, the rumours suggest this could be it.Ford Fathom electric ute is a goFord dealers were also able to sit in the upcoming small electric Fathom ute.The ute will be priced about A$43,000 and will use Ford's new electric vehicle architecture called the Universal EV platform, which the company said will underpin at least five of its new models.Are these new Fords for Oz?As for any of these cars coming to Australia, this hinges on the vehicles being built in right-hand drive.&nbsp;If we see hints these models will be sold in the United Kingdom, which is traditionally a large Ford market and right-hand drive, then there's a good chance we may see them come to Australia.&nbsp;Ford's line-up in Australia is currently low on model variety with the brand's biggest sellers being the Ranger ute and Everest SUV.&nbsp; A model to compete with affordable hybrid SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Haval Jolion would help Ford.As for the Fathom,&nbsp;Ford has hinted this electric ute may have a future in Australia, but with the model not expected in the US until 2028 we may be waiting quite a bit longer to see it here.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/ford-has-confirmed-a-new-2026-toyota-rav4-hybrid-rival-and-a-four-door-mustang-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:09:31 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Peugeot models discounted by $30,000-plus in Australia, including 2026 Peugeot E-Expert van, 308 hatchback and 5008 large family SUV]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/peugeot-models-discounted-by-30000-plus-in-australia-including-2026-peugeot-e-expert-van</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Peugeot has unleashed a monster sale across its entire range in Australia.&nbsp;Its Australian distributor Inchcape is wrapping up operations with the French brand, meaning stock needs to be cleared fast.&nbsp;This is the best time for keen buyers to get into a Peugeot, with discounts of around $30,000 available on certain models.&nbsp;The deals are available while stocks last.&nbsp;VansThe biggest discount available comes on the E-Expert Pro long-wheel base electric van that now starts from $56,990 (drive-away), down from $79,990 (before on-road costs).On-road costs can add up to $5000 to a car&rsquo;s price, making this deal even more impressive.&nbsp;Peugeot&rsquo;s Expert Pro diesel van is also available with sharp discounts of about $8000. The short-wheel base is now priced at $43,990 (drive-away), while the long-wheel base is an extra $2000.&nbsp;The brand&rsquo;s other Boxer LWB starts from $49,990, compared to previous $52,990 before on-road costs pricing.&nbsp;Cars&nbsp;The rest of Peugeot&rsquo;s car-based lineup is also available with reduced prices.&nbsp;Its 308 hatchback has experienced a big price cut, with a starting price of $42,990 (drive-away) - a huge discount on its $48,990 retail price.&nbsp;The 408 mid-size SUV has also seen a serious price drop. It is available from $49,990 (drive-away), compared to $57,990, before on-road costs.&nbsp;The 2008 small SUV has a drive-away price tag of $37,990, which is much less than the $42,490, before on-road costs pricing.&nbsp;Peugeot&rsquo;s top-spec 5008 seven-seat SUV starts from $59,990 (drive-away), rather than $67,990, before on-road costs.&nbsp;What&rsquo;s next for Peugeot in Australia?&nbsp;Peugeot&rsquo;s future in Australia remains under a cloud of uncertainty, with no official confirmation of a new distributor yet.&nbsp;It is unclear whether Peugeot will continue to be offered in Australia under its parent company Stellantis or another distributor.&nbsp;Inchcape has distributed Peugeot Down Under since 2017, but sliding sales have seen it pull out of operations.&nbsp;Peugeot has sold just 48 units up to July 2026, which still represents a nearly 44 per cent downturn compared to the same time last year.&nbsp;The brand is eager to continue selling cars in Australia, according to a statement from a company spokesperson.&nbsp;&ldquo;Peugeot has a strong future in Australia, supported by a robust product pipeline and a clear long-term strategy. We intend to maintain continuity of distribution in Australia and will provide updates as arrangements progress,&rdquo; they said last month.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;We remain committed to our customers and partners throughout this period and are confident in the brand&rsquo;s long-term prospects in the Australian market.&rdquo;
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            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/peugeot-models-discounted-by-30000-plus-in-australia-including-2026-peugeot-e-expert-van</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:51:01 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Honda to outsource development of future EV and hybrid platform to India for future low-cost BYD-rivalling new cars]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/honda-to-outsource-development-of-future-ev-and-hybrid-platform-to-india-for-future-low</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Electric cars are back in Honda's plans.Honda has chosen giant engineering and IT firm Tata Group subsidiary Tata Technologies to help develop a future EV and hybrid platform, according to NikkeiAsia.Tata Group owns Jaguar Land Rover and deals with a range of automotive and aeronautical projects, and its Technologies arm specialises in platform development.This will reduce costs for Honda as it grapples with heavy financial losses, expecting to lose $3.29 billion (or nearly $5 billion in Australian currency).&nbsp;Its new EV direction could have huge implications for Australia.&nbsp;How will this impact Honda&rsquo;s future plans?&nbsp;This new platform is expected to be used on several new hybrid and fully-electric Honda models.These vehicles are earmarked for sale in Asia and other regions, but not North America.The brand has been undergoing a serious reshuffle of its future product lineup globally, ditching an EV strategy to focus on hybrid cars.The platform could help Honda get into the mainstream EV space at a cheaper rate than its now cancelled &lsquo;0 series&rsquo; electric car plans.There is no news on what models will spawn from the platform, but don't expect official announcements anytime soon.How does this affect Australia?&nbsp;The models developed from Honda&rsquo;s Tata Group partnership will specifically target Asian markets and other non-North American regions, so Australia is a firm possibility.It is likely some of these cars will be built in right-hand drive, smoothing the path for any potential future launch Down Under.Honda is eager to obtain further electrified models in Australia as it faces substantial fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).&nbsp;Honda&rsquo;s CR-V, HR-V and ZR-V SUV range now features hybrid set-ups, with electrified sales offsetting fines under the NVES emissions scheme.&nbsp;The brand released its Super-One electric city car as its first EV in Australia recently.Models will launch in Asia before feasibly entering Australia, but it is unclear when that might be.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/honda-to-outsource-development-of-future-ev-and-hybrid-platform-to-india-for-future-low</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:30:24 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 GAC Aion UT short-range varaint confirmed for Australia to rival BYD Dolphin and Geely EX2 budget electric cars]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-gac-aion-ut-short-range-varaint-confirmed-for-australia-to-rival-byd-dolphin-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Geely EX2 is already due for fresh competition in Australia.&nbsp;GAC has confirmed a cheaper variant of its Aion UT electric hatchback will be coming to Australia before the end of the year.&nbsp;The Aion UT launched in April 2026 as GAC&rsquo;s affordable EV option, starting from $31,990, before on-road costs.It trailed cheaper rivals the BYD Dolphin ($29,990) and Geely EX2 ($26,490) on the sales charts in July.GAC has big ambitions in Australia, with a new base Aion UT expected to narrow the price gap on its closest competitors.&nbsp;2026 GAC Aion UT short-range detailsThe &lsquo;short-range&rsquo; Aion UT will have a smaller 44kWh battery compared to the 60kWh unit found in the current grades on sale Down Under.&nbsp;  @carsguide.com.au There&rsquo;s something important missing from the new 2027 GAC Aion UT - buttons! The touchscreen manages all the controls, would it be enough to make you buy a BYD Atto 2 or Geely EX2 instead? #GACaion #aionUT #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   It will offer a driving range of 320km, according to WLTP standards, compared to 430km available on its more expensive siblings.&nbsp;GAC has not revealed output figures for the car, but overseas variants have a front-mounted electric motor making 100kW/145Nm, down from 150kW/210Nm on current Aussie stock.&nbsp;&nbsp;The cheaper Aion UT could also forgo some of the features on up-specs variants, but more details will be confirmed close to launch.&nbsp;The car has been officially earmarked for Aussie arrival in late Q4 2026, but CarsGuide understands it will launch specifically in December.2026 GAC Aion UT short range pricing AustraliaThere is no official news on how much GAC&rsquo;s new Aion UT variant will cost, but the brand is eager for it to compete with the cheapest rivals on the market.&nbsp;We know it will be offered from less than the $31,990 price tag attached to car's current base grade.It starts in China from 102,000 yuan (or about $22,000), but models imported into Australia usually inherit a 20 per cent hike, so it is more likely to be priced from around $27,000-plus.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-gac-aion-ut-short-range-varaint-confirmed-for-australia-to-rival-byd-dolphin-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 07:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Best mid-size SUVs still to come in 2026 from the Mazda CX-6e to the Haval H7]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/best-mid-size-suvs-still-to-come-in-2026-from-the-mazda-cx-6e-to-the-haval-h7-102378</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Despite an already huge year for new model launches, there are still some key mid-size SUVs slated for Australia in the tail end of 2026 which might be worth waiting for.So far this year, new-generation versions of top-selling mid-size SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 have arrived, among a swathe of new contenders from challenger brands.If you&rsquo;re not a huge fan of what&rsquo;s currently on the market though, there may be something coming that better suits your lifestyle, budget or tastes.Here is a rundown of the five best mid-size SUVs that are still to come. They&rsquo;re in alphabetical order and span both the mainstream and premium mid-size SUV segments.GWM Haval H7The current GWM Haval H7 has flown under the radar since it launched in 2025 and the Chinese carmaker is planning to hit reset with a new-generation model.GWM has confirmed it will launch the new Haval H7 in the second half of 2026 and it will feature hybrid and all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power.Front and rear differential locks are also confirmed for the flagship variants, which is a major upgrade to the off-road capabilities compared to the current front-wheel drive hybrid model.Overall there&rsquo;s a tougher and boxier look that&rsquo;s more in keeping with the Tank models.Mazda CX-6eMazda is finally launching a rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X in Australia.The CX-6e is the brand&rsquo;s first electric mid-size SUV and it quickly follows on the heels of the Mazda 6e electric liftback launching locally.Both vehicles have been co-developed with Changan and are built in China. The CX-6e in particular is built on the same platform as the Deepal S07, which is already offered in Australia.Locally the CX-6e will only be offered with a battery electric (BEV) powertrain, however in other markets a range-extender (REEV) hybrid is available.Mercedes-Benz GLBMercedes-Benz is set to launch a new-generation version of the GLB SUV in Australia. Final details haven&rsquo;t been locked in yet.Globally the new GLB is offered with both mild-hybrid and BEV powertrains, like the new GLA and CLA it shares componentry with.This new GLB is larger in every dimension and notably features a 60mm longer wheelbase. It&rsquo;s available with both five- and seven-seat configurations.Another highlight is the &lsquo;MBUX Superscreen&rsquo; which comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as dual 14.0-inch touchscreens for the central multimedia system and front passenger display.Skoda Elroq RSSkoda launched the regular Elroq electric SUV in 2025, but later in 2026 it&rsquo;s readying the hotter RS version.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with total system outputs of 250kW and 545Nm. This is enough to send it from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds.The electric motors are fed by an 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack which allows for up to 550km of claimed range, according to WLTP testing.The Elroq is essentially a shortened version of the Enyaq electric mid-size SUV. It is already offered in RS form locally with both the typical SUV and &lsquo;coupe&rsquo; SUV body styles.Volvo EX60  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Volvo EX60 has wild door handles! Instead of regular handles, they&rsquo;re a tiny button under the window like the Ford Mustang Mach-E. This helps not only keep the design clean, but improve the aerodynamics and electric driving range. @Jack Quick  #volvo #ex60 #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   Volvo fans have been waiting for an electric counterpart to the top-selling XC60 mid-size SUV for years now and later in 2026 it&rsquo;ll arrive in Australia.The Volvo EX60 is based on a new platform called SPA3 and it has an 800V electrical architecture.In Australia two versions of the EX60 will be offered initially, the Ultra P6 RWD and Ultra P10 AWD. They&rsquo;re priced from $86,990 and $101,990, before on-road costs, respectively.It&rsquo;s understood that the range-topping P12 AWD trim, as well as]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/best-mid-size-suvs-still-to-come-in-2026-from-the-mazda-cx-6e-to-the-haval-h7-102378</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[EVs officially become more affordable than hybrids thanks to spread of affordable options like the BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and GWM Ora 5]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/evs-officially-become-more-affordable-than-hybrids-thanks-to-spread-of-affordable-options</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Where are you right now? Because that&rsquo;s where you were when you found out that the price of EVs globally fell below those of hybrids in this historic first for the auto industry.According to a report from car industry analytics company Mobility Global which studied pricing automotive data from around the world the average price of electric vehicles has not only fallen dramatically but has now even dropped below that of hybrids.The report shows that the average global price of an electric car is $52,373, a decrease of nine per cent compared to 2020 EV prices. At the same time the global average price of hybrids increased to $55,204 making them more expensive than EV for the first time.Mobility Global cites the lower cost of EV batteries and the rapid expansion of affordable Chinese electric vehicles on offer as the main drivers of the price decrease.The price of lithium which goes into high-voltage EV batteries has dropped due to a surplus in China which controls about 80 per cent of the market. The cost of an EV&rsquo;s battery accounts for about 40 percent of the car&rsquo;s total build price. The lower lithium prices have caused the price of batteries to drop by an estimated 37 per cent since 2020.How does the EV and hybrid market in Australia compare?Australia has recently seen an enormous uptake of EVs. June and July this year saw EV sales break records, securing more than 20 per cent of the market in both months.&nbsp;&nbsp;While prices have fallen vastly in Australia CarsGuide calculated the average price of EVs is still slightly above those of hybrids locally.&nbsp;Using pricing data from August, 2026 CarsGuide calculated the average price of battery electric vehicles to be approximately $100,135, down from approximately $104,091 in August, 2025.&nbsp;We also calculated the average price of hybrids (including plug-in hybrids) in August, 2026 - approximately $93,767, that&rsquo;s down from approximately $98,682 in August, 2025.Sounds high? Well, as a reference point CarsGuide also found that the average price of petrol cars in Australia is approximately $90,545.All figures were calculated by dividing the sum total of prices for each category (BEV, hybrid, petrol) by the number of models (including the variants) within the category. That means even the super high end models are counted along with the very cheapest.Still, the price of EVs in Australia has never been so low. The BYD Atto 1 is the most affordable electric car in Australia at a list price of $23,990 for the Essential grade. This is followed by the Geely EX2 Complete for $26,490, the BYD Dolphin Essential at $29,990 and BYD Atto 2 for $31,990.&nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/evs-officially-become-more-affordable-than-hybrids-thanks-to-spread-of-affordable-options</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:14:48 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e: Long-awaited Taiwan-built crossover and new rival to the MG4 Urban or BYD Atto 3 breaks cover ahead of Australian launch]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-mitsubishi-asx-vr-e-long-awaited-taiwan-built-crossover-and-new-rival-to-the-mg4</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mitsubishi has thrown the covers off its long-awaited electric crossover, dubbed the ASX VR-e.The new ASX, built in Taiwan in partnership with electronics giant Foxconn, will continue to be sold alongside the French-built and Renault Captur-based combustion ASX which launched locally late in 2025.The new model&rsquo;s VR-e name is a reference to the Galant VR-4 from Mitsubishi&rsquo;s past, said to be earned through the new car&rsquo;s &ldquo;sporty performance and responsive handling.&rdquo;The brand said that it has undergone extensive local testing and tuning by both global and regional teams.Technical details yet to be confirmed, overseas models give an ideaMitsubishi didn&rsquo;t confirm any technical details on the car at this time, other than it will arrive in four familiar variants, LS, Aspire, Exceed, and GSR.However, specifications for the Foxtron Bria on which it is based can give us an idea of what to expect.Overseas this car is equipped with a single 57.7kWh LFP battery option in either rear- or all-wheel drive layouts. The RWD versions produce 171kW, while the AWD version produces 299kW. The latter can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds according to Foxtron.Range is 516km for RWD variants or 466km for the AWD variant although this is to the more lenient NEDC measuring standard. All cars can charge at a max rate of 134kW on DC for a roughly 30 minute 10-to-80 per cent charge.On the styling front the car shares largely the same key elements as the Foxtron Bria, but has unique lighting signatures as well as Mitsubishi badgework and wheel designs.Inside is also said to feature unique Mitsubishi touches, while featuring a large central touchscreen and small digital instrument cluster, alongside a floating centre console and other contemporary design motifs.When will the ASX VR-e arrive, and why is it so important for the brand?The ASX VR-e will be added to the brand&rsquo;s local line-up in the fourth quarter of 2026. Expect more detailed local pricing and specifications closer to its launch window.The new EV, Mitsubishi&rsquo;s first pure electric model since the experimental i-MiEV city car which launched in 2010, will be crucial for the brand in helping it keep on top of potential penalties under Australia&rsquo;s new vehicle efficiency laws.Its line-up continues to be heavily combustion-weighted, currently consisting largely of the Triton ute and Outlander mid-size SUV.The highly anticipated return of the Pajero nameplate, slated to arrive at a similar time to the ASX VR-e, is expected to be diesel powered at launch although recent news that the company is investing in upgrades for the Thai plant at which it is built suggests electrification may be on the way.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-mitsubishi-asx-vr-e-long-awaited-taiwan-built-crossover-and-new-rival-to-the-mg4</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:05:38 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen to introduce new ute model in 2030 as rival to 2026 Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Ram 1500]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-to-introduce-new-ute-model-in-2030-as-rival-to-2026-chevrolet-silverado-ford-f</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Volkswagen has put a new ute model on the agenda.&nbsp;A report in Reuters suggests the brand is turning its attention to the hugely popular full-size pick-up market in the US for its next move.Cheaper Chinese competition and US tariffs have slashed VW's profit margins, which are said to have halved between 2021 and 2025.VW has taken drastic measures in response, and will halve its line-up, with up to 75 models on the chopping block to reduce the brand&rsquo;s overall production capacity.This is some of the first news of how VW's revamped line-up could shape up over the next few years.Why is VW planning to launch a full-size pick-up?VW is said to view full-size pick-ups and large SUVs as high-growth segments, with full-size pick-ups the best-selling type of car over in the US.There are also virtually no Chinese cars in the US as they are effectively banned, giving VW a chance to more easily claim market share.A large ute would further diversify VW&rsquo;s line-up, complementing the smaller Amarok.The brand is eager to seize on the success of hugely popular models like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500.What will it shape up like?There are no firm details on what VW&rsquo;s new ute will look like, nor on its powertrain, with it still in the preliminary stages of development.It will be built in the US like the rest of its competition, but it seems unlikely Volkswagen will produce the model on its own.There are rumours VW will team-up with Ford, whose F-150 pick-up is the best-selling car in the US.&nbsp;VW teamed-up with Ford on the current mid-sized Amarok ute, using the same platform, engines and chassis as the Blue Oval's Ranger.This means VW's full-size pick-up could use V6 or V8 engines out of the F-150.Will it launch in Australia?VW plans to launch its new ute in the US before the end of the decade, but global export seems doubtful at this stage.It will only be built in left-hand drive, so if it did come to Australia, it would likely be subjected to an extensive remanufacturing process like its rivals.Australia&rsquo;s stringent CO2 restrictions under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard could be a stumbling block, with any V6 and V8 engines incurring fines for VW.&nbsp;Expect more concrete information next year, but VW Australia has been contacted for comment for an update.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-to-introduce-new-ute-model-in-2030-as-rival-to-2026-chevrolet-silverado-ford-f</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:18:17 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[GWM working on new hybrid diesels to keep hard working utes and 4WDs alive well into the future, including its 2026 Tank 300, GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/gwm-working-on-new-hybrid-diesels-to-keep-hard-working-utes-and-4wds-alive-well-into-the</link>
            <description><![CDATA[GWM is rolling out its new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine imminently in Australia, but it&rsquo;s already exploring electrification to further reduce emissions in the future.This electrified 3.0-litre diesel engine may take the form of either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or both.It is expected to launch locally around 2028 to offset tightening emissions standards.&ldquo;Fuel consumption has a direct relation to emissions, and we've been able to get [emissions in the 3.0-litre diesel] low enough to pass the current emission standard without needing AdBlue,&rdquo; said GWM ANZ Product Planning Manager Timothy Leong to CarsGuide.&ldquo;In about 2028, that's when it's going to change. But even then, we haven't decided whether it's AdBlue or hybrid or what other technology we might be putting in.&rdquo;Even more GWM diesel hybrids?It&rsquo;s understood GWM is working on more diesel hybrids and PHEVs beyond the ones based on the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 are gunning directly for the Ford Ranger and Toyota Prado with a new diesel engine that produces more power and torque, yet sips less fuel. #gwm #cannonalpha #tank500 #diesel #fyp &#9836; original sound&nbsp; - CarsGuide.com.au   This likely includes electrified versions of GWM&rsquo;s existing 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines.It&rsquo;s understood these electrified diesel engines will be used in body-on-frame vehicles in both the Hi4-T and Hi4-Z PHEV configurations. The former is more off-road focused and retains a mechanical four-wheel drive system, while the latter is more on-road focused motor and prioritises electric performance.The GWM Cannon Alpha, Tank 500 and Tank 300 are already offered with both Hi4-T and Hi-4Z petrol-electric set-ups globally. Only the Hi4-T versions are offered in Australia.It&rsquo;s understood these future electrified diesel engines may be used in a transverse orientation in other two-wheel drive vehicles across GWM&rsquo;s line-up.What does this mean for GWM&rsquo;s diesel models?It appears the main reason why GWM is exploring electrified diesel engines is to further reduce CO2 and NOx emissions.The forthcoming GWM Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha with the regular 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine are claimed to consume 7.1L/100km and 7.3L/100km, respectively, according to ADR 81/02 testing.Claimed CO2 and NOx emissions figures for the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine haven&rsquo;t been published yet.Another potential benefit GWM may be targeting with its electrified diesel engines is additional performance. Electric motors are known for producing peak torque from a standstill and this may improve initial acceleration and low-speed response.What will the GWM diesel hybrids compete against?GWM won&rsquo;t be the only carmaker to be offering electrified diesel engines if it does roll them out in 2028.Chery is launching the Stockman dual-cab ute in Australia before the end of 2026 with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel PHEV. It&rsquo;s claimed to have total system outputs of 350kW and 800Nm and offer up to 100km of NEDC-claimed electric range.A petrol-electric PHEV version of the Stockman will follow and will rival the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV and Ford Ranger Hybrid.Audi, BMW, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz, among others, currently offer diesel mild-hybrid powertrains.Mercedes-Benz does offer diesel PHEV powertrains globally in a number of models, but none have ever been offered in Australia.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/gwm-working-on-new-hybrid-diesels-to-keep-hard-working-utes-and-4wds-alive-well-into-the</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen is the canary in the (car industry) coal mine, and this is why what you drive is changing in 2026 | Opinion]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-is-the-canary-in-the-car-industry-coal-mine-and-this-is-why-what-you-drive-is</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Is Volkswagen the canary in the coal mine?The German automotive giant, not long removed from its aspirations of taking on Toyota as the world&rsquo;s largest car maker, is in the midst of a massive overhaul. While nothing has been officially confirmed, reports indicate that as many as 100,000 jobs, four factories and up to 75 models across the Volkswagen Group could go as the operation attempts to right-size.Volkswagen sales are down nearly 20 per cent year-to-date to July in Australia, Cupra has lost over 30 per cent of its sales, Audi is down nearly 15 per cent and Skoda has dropped three per cent. Even Porsche, long seen as the &lsquo;rock&rsquo; of the Group is hurting, down nearly 30 per cent.But Volkswagen isn&rsquo;t alone, there is a growing sense the automotive industry, both in Australia and globally, is on the verge of a major transition. The influx of new brands from China shows no sign of slowing down, there are two more - Lepas and Forthing - set to launch in Australia in August.&nbsp;The reality is, the new car market around the world, but particularly in Australia, is only so big. Adding another 10-20 new brands won&rsquo;t suddenly increase the amount of people buying cars as dramatically. Especially as data shows the number of driving age people in Australia without a licence is growing as more and more people prefer public transport or other alternatives.But putting the global impact aside and focusing on Australia, it is becoming clear that 2026 will likely be a turning point for the local market. Like I said, Volkswagen Group isn&rsquo;t alone in suffering a decline in sales.A look at the July sales data shows sales drops this year for Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Subaru, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the list goes on. There are some &lsquo;legacy&rsquo; brands pushing against the trend, namely Kia and Honda, but the real winners this year are BYD, GWM, Chery, MG, Geely, Omoda-Jaecoo and Zeekr.It doesn&rsquo;t take an industry analyst to recognise the pattern. As these new Chinese brands have made an impact on the sales charts - all of those listed are within the top 20 selling brands -&nbsp; those sales have to come from somewhere.&nbsp;As I&rsquo;ve written before, the new car sales &lsquo;pie&rsquo; is only so big so everyone is going to have to get comfortable having a different sized slice of pie compared to previous years. The impact of cost-of-living pressures and the on-going uncertainty around fuel prices has played a major part in the shake-up too, but the idea that things will go back to &lsquo;normal&rsquo; in 2027 and beyond, with the Chinese brands fading into the background is ridiculous.The likes of BYD, GWM and Chery are now likely permanent fixtures amongst the best-selling brands, and that will mean every other brand will need to adapt to this new world order. A sales drop is not what any brand wants, but for most it&rsquo;s something they will need to accept for both this year and moving world order.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-is-the-canary-in-the-car-industry-coal-mine-and-this-is-why-what-you-drive-is</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Fastest electric cars on sale in Australia, including the 2026 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, Audi RS e-tron and more]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/fastest-electric-cars-on-sale-in-australia-including-the-2026-porsche-taycan-turbo-gt-audi</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Let&rsquo;s get a couple of things out of the way here.First, we know electric cars are fast, Tesla fans haven&rsquo;t stopped talking about this since the mid-2010s and there have been countless videos with evidence of the Model S leaving supercharged V8s in the dust at drag strips.Even &lsquo;slow&rsquo; EVs feel quick due to their instant application of torque from stand-still. An electric car with a 0-100km/h time of 6 seconds can feel fast because of it.And since I&rsquo;ve mentioned 0-100km/h, that&rsquo;s the method we&rsquo;ll be using to rank which of the electric cars available in Australia is fastest - not their top speed, given you&rsquo;ll almost never be able to do anything with that.Finally, we are talking about production cars currently available through manufacturers in Australia, so hypercars like the YangWang U9 or anything Rimac is cooking up are off the list.Some of you will be happy to know this means you&rsquo;re not seeing a photo of the Ferrari Luce here.Conveniently, this means we have five electric cars with a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration figure in under three seconds.&nbsp;Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package - 2.2secPorsche&rsquo;s frontiering Taycan might soon be on the chopping block according to rumours of an incoming VW model cull, but for now you can still get to 100km/h in a couple of smidgeons over two seconds. That&rsquo;s if you have almost $300K to spare, given you&rsquo;ll probably tick one or two boxes on the options list over its $419,000 before on-roads asking price.The Taycan draws power from a 93kWh battery, making 815kW and 1340Nm for all four of its wheels, and even without the Weissach pack removing some weight it&rsquo;ll manage the run to the tonne in 2.3 seconds.Audi RS e-tron GT Performance - 2.5secOnly second on this list because of alphabetisation, the top-spec Audi e-tron (the Audi RS e-tron GT Performance to give it the proper name) hits 100km/h in a claimed 2.5 seconds, on par with another Porsche.You won&rsquo;t be surprised to know the e-tron shares a platform with the Taycan, though its most powerful version isn&rsquo;t quite as vicious - 680kW and 1027Nm draw from a larger 105kWh battery, and it&rsquo;s not quite as pricey either. A relative bargain at&nbsp; $309,900 before on-roads, in fact.Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric - 2.5secTied for second place is this absolute unit, two-and-a-half tonnes of Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen (built in Bratislava, Slovakia, though) capable of hitting 100km/h in 2.5sec thanks to some frankly silly numbers.Its 850kW and 1500Nm outputs are available from even less than the two cars preceding it on this list, $272,100 before on-roads, and the 113kWh battery means the family SUV can travel up to 623km on a single charge, Porsche says.An oil-cooled rear motor, active aero, a drag coefficient of 0.25 and even the ability to tow 3500kg make the Cayenne Turbo a one-of-a-kind family car.Lotus Emeya R - 2.75secEngland&rsquo;s Lotus has ruffled feathers by &lsquo;going electric&rsquo;, likely something that would indeed upset founder Colin Chapman, but staying relevant in the 2020s probably required moving on from popping superchargers on Toyota engines and using them to power (extremely dynamic) cars about the size of shopping trolleys.Lotus claims the top-spec version of the Emeya, a $259,990 four-door grand-tourer with 675kW and 985Nm up its sleeve, can hit 100km/h in a very specific 2.75 seconds. It does weigh around 2.5 tonnes, so imagine how quick it would be if you took the classic quote often attributed to Chapman &ldquo;simplify and add lightness&rdquo; to the Emeya.Lotus Eletre R 2.95secApologies to anyone hoping for variety in this list - we&rsquo;ve got three Volkswagen Group cars and two Lotuses with essentially the same specifications.The Lotus Eletre R is two tenths slower to 100km/h according to the manufacturer, but the SUV uses the same 675kW/985Nm dual-motor drivetrain and 112kWh battery, it&rsquo;s just a little]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/fastest-electric-cars-on-sale-in-australia-including-the-2026-porsche-taycan-turbo-gt-audi</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Secret to Chery's success in Australia as it outsells Nissan, Subaru, Honda and Volkswagen, with 2026 Chery Tiggo 4 and Jaecoo J5 leading the way]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/secret-to-cherys-success-in-australia-as-it-outsells-nissan-subaru-honda-and-volkswagen</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Chery&rsquo;s comeback from zero to hero in Australia is truly remarkable, but what has been the secret to its second-time lucky success?&nbsp;&nbsp;Did Chery stumble onto a genie&rsquo;s lamp while it was lost in the wilderness and wish for sales success? Because somewhere between 2015 and 2026 the car company, which left Australia with a reputation for low-quality, unsafe vehicles, returned a decade later with a line-up of outstanding cars that have won over Australia.Australian sales until the end of July show Chery to be the eighth best-selling car brand in Australia, with 29,579 vehicles sold. The Tiggo 4 small SUV was the fifth most popular car in Australia last month.This means Chery has overtaken mainstream brands such as Nissan, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Honda and Subaru. It is even starting to creep into the Mazda (currently on 46,960), Hyundai (45,581) and Kia (48,399) bracket.Watch out above!Chery will get even closer to these brands, as they are losing sales and Chery&rsquo;s market share is increasing. And its ute hasn&rsquo;t even arrived.When the Chery Stockman arrives it won&rsquo;t just be another ute, it&rsquo;ll likely have the same success as BYD&rsquo;s Shark 6 because it&rsquo;ll offer the benefit of being a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The edge the Stockman will have over the Shark 6 is it&rsquo;ll be a diesel PHEV, not a petrol, which will make it popular for off-road use and towing.&nbsp;The addition of Stockman will increase Chery&rsquo;s sales by at least 1000 per month. Whether it catches Hyundai, Kia and Mazda before the end of the year is yet to be seen, but Chery has come from a lot further back.This time last year Chery had sold only 17,272 cars, and the current year-to-date sales represent a doubling in market share to 4.2 per cent.Toyota is the final boss of the Australian car market and its year-to-date sales of 115,550 make everybody else&rsquo;s results seem minuscule, even BYD that has reached 60,192.&nbsp;Chery is probably not gunning for the top spot right now, unless that was specifically wished for when it found the magic lamp.For Chery to even reach where it is today in the three years since it returned to Australia in 2023, with one car and no sales in almost a decade seems nothing short of magical.Secret to Chery's successThe truth is Chery&rsquo;s stellar comeback is down to five factors: elevating quality perception through design but keeping retail pricing low; hiring outside automotive designers and engineers from European, United States and Korean car companies; investing big in next-gen electric and hybrid platforms, and mostly important and the reason for all of this - focussing on exports.That&rsquo;s it! Oh, and just add excellent timing and money, lots of money.The importance of Chery&rsquo;s export focus can&rsquo;t be overstated. Exports bankroll the business. Not a lot of profit is made in Chery&rsquo;s local Chinese market, while bigger than our Australian brains can comprehend, it&rsquo;s so cut-throat that vehicle manufacturers are struggling to make a decent profit.&nbsp;So ruthless was the price war that in February this year the Chinese government banned car makers from selling below production cost, which they had been doing just to compete with each other. The stomach was eating itself.First impressions matterChery realised this and put most of its energy into exports and this meant lifting the quality to a standard oversea markets had become accustomed to set by Japanese car makers such as Toyota, Honda and Mazda.This meant hiring designers and engineers from outside China, senior executives from European, Korean, Japanese and American car companies&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Steve Eum, Korean born but raised in the United States, is now Chery&rsquo;s Vice President and General Manager of Global Design having worked for Kia, Hyundai, General Motors and even Ford where he was based in Australia and worked on the Falcon.Eum succeeded Kevin Rice, who had worked on the MX-5]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/secret-to-cherys-success-in-australia-as-it-outsells-nissan-subaru-honda-and-volkswagen</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[The Ford that finally dethroned Holden turns 50: How the 1977 Ford Falcon XC changed the face of Australian motoring forever]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/the-ford-that-finally-dethroned-holden-turns-50-how-the-1977-ford-falcon-xc-changed-the</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In 1977, something remarkable, and even almost unthinkable just a few years earlier, happened.For the first time in decades, a Holden was no longer Australia&rsquo;s best-selling car for a full calendar year.The HX Belmont/Kingswood/Premier trio was beaten by Ford&rsquo;s XC Falcon/Fairmont duo, pipped to the post by just 572 units. 53,934 versus 54,506.Released exactly 50 years ago, we take a look at why the car that finally dethroned a Holden changed the face of Australian motoring forever.The long gameDeveloped in the USA to take on the hyper-successful VW Beetle, the original Falcon launched in Australia in 1960, purely to reel the Holden in.Back then, one-in-two vehicles sold in Australia were by General Motors-Holden&rsquo;s (GMH), and it was making a ton of money for its American parent. Such obscene profits were too much for Ford to ignore.Yet it took 11 versions, over 17 years, for the Falcon to finally achieve its mission.Yes, Ford first climbed to the top for one month only with the then-new XB Falcon in December, 1973, but 1977 was the year of the XC.Far from the best Falcon for the jobHere&rsquo;s the irony. The XC Falcon was drab, lacking the Mustang-look edge of its handsome XB predecessor, which later found international fame as the basis for the original Mad Max movie car.Laughably tiny round headlights didn&rsquo;t help. And its interior was plain jane boring, replacing the previous, cool &lsquo;waterfall&rsquo; fascia that wrapped around the driver years before BMW thought of doing it.The XC also killed off the legendary Falcon GT.Yet Australians still loved it. Go figure. (Hint: the HX was terrible).Actually, most &lsquo;70s Australian cars were rubbishBy any objective standard, but especially global ones, even back in the day, the Australian family cars that are so loved and collectable today were far from great in the 1970s.Based on the same American principles and formula that created what we now dub The Malaise Era, the contemporary Kingswood, Falcon and Chrysler Valiant were oversized yet cramped due to bad packaging, alarmingly thirsty yet comparatively slow (not Valiant) given their large engine capacities, tricky to drive in the wet and on gravel, rust prone, poorly equipped, low on braking ability and inconsistently built.In contrast, a Peugeot 504, VW Passat, Rover P6 or Mercedes-Benz compact were streets ahead for comfort, safety, efficiency, driving pleasure and quality, if not outright performance. Embarrassingly so.The HX Holden was a sitting duckWith all this in mind, historians reckon the HX was Holden&rsquo;s worst model to date.The introduction of stricter emissions standards, known as Australian Design Rule 27A (ADR27A) would make the poorer Australian cars even worse.Just as Ford had done, Holden also launched the barely facelifted HX range in July, 1976, sporting a different grille, new instrumentation&hellip; and that&rsquo;s largely it.But the big barge also drove rougher, used more petrol and performed worse than the preceding HJ that was hardly a media darling itself.The critics very publicly savaged the HX and consumers increasingly wary.Why the XC Falcon outsold the Holden HXIn contrast, the corresponding XC Falcon boasted big changes to its engines for ADR27A, resulting in output and economy improvement claims of 10 per cent or more.Neither brand&rsquo;s powertrains could touch the Valiant&rsquo;s awesomely strong Hemi engines, just to be clear here. However, the Falcon&rsquo;s were miles better than Holden&rsquo;s.Note that tighter steering and better-tuned suspension did make the XC the best to drive, whilst that (albeit dubious) dash redesign, expensive exterior sheetmetal restyles and a new nose job also helped make the Ford seem fresher.The XC Falcon eased Australians into the idea of European-looking FordsYou know how the XC dropped the GT? Ford replaced it with the Fairmont GXL, and marketed it as a European-style grand touring driver&rsquo;s car, complete with rarities]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/the-ford-that-finally-dethroned-holden-turns-50-how-the-1977-ford-falcon-xc-changed-the</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Nissan Y63 Patrol line-up revealed to match the 2026 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-nissan-y63-patrol-line-up-revealed-to-match-the-2026-toyota-landcruiser-300-series</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan has confirmed its incoming Y63 Patrol will have six variants to choose from in Australia.The carmaker confirmed the line-up after it accidentally sent placeholder information live on its public website but has since been taken down, according to a Nissan Australia spokesperson.Images of the six-tier line-up were shared on social media showing the potential choices.&ldquo;While the content was not intended for public release and included placeholder information used during website development, we can confirm the all-new Patrol will be offered in six well-specified grades in Australia,&rdquo; said a Nissan spokesperson.&ldquo;The grade names may not be exactly as shown in the screenshots, and some of the information is placeholder content rather than final product details.&nbsp;&ldquo;We'll share the official model lineup and key specifications later this month.&rdquo;Y63 Patrol v LandCruiser 300 SeriesIt is no coincidence that it matches the six-tier Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, with the two expected to go toe-to-toe for Australian 4WD customers.The Patrol appears to top out with a luxury focused version, with the more off-road focused Pro-4X variant one rung down.This flips the script on the LandCruiser, which tops its line-up with the rough-and-tumble GR Sport grade with the full fruit Sahara ZX next variant down.There is no Nismo version, which is available in the US and the Middle East, shown in the leaked line-up. And Australia is expected to gain a Warrior version created by local outfit Premcar in time.The Y63 Patrol is already hereCarsGuide spotted an uncamouflaged version of the Patrol was spotted driving through Melbourne CBD this week ahead of its early 2027 launch date.This is after numerous sightings of covered-up versions undertaking local testing ahead of its on sale date.The brand confirmed order books for the new 4WD will open before the end of August, with prices and full specification to be reveal then.Nissan Patrol Y63, what we know&nbsp;Nissan swaps out the Y62&rsquo;s 5.6-litre eight-cylinder petrol unit for a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol making 317kW and 700Nm, or 19kW and 140Nm more than before.The Y63 Patrol is built on a new platform and is bigger in almost every way. It is now 5205mm long (+35mm), 2030mm wide (+35mm), though the 1955m height remains unchanged.It&rsquo;s also bigger in the third row, thanks to the rear section and boot being 30 per cent wider than in the Y62.It&rsquo;s got some high-tech suspension too, with the air suspension system allowing the car to raise up an additional 70mm. This helps improve approach and departure angles when tackling properly tough terrain.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-nissan-y63-patrol-line-up-revealed-to-match-the-2026-toyota-landcruiser-300-series</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD closing in on holy grail EV battery: BYD to begin small-scale production and testing of solid-state battery in 2027]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-closing-in-on-holy-grail-ev-battery-byd-to-begin-small-scale-production-and-testing-of</link>
            <description><![CDATA[BYD is prepping a ground-breaking new battery technology.&nbsp;The brand will begin small-scale trials of its solid-state battery next year and use camouflaged vehicles in road testing, according to reports out of China.&nbsp;Solid-state is viewed as the holy grail of electric car batteries, promising an EV driving range of more than 1000km.Solid-state batteries have a much greater energy density than conventional batteries, meaning they can offer more range in a smaller and lighter unit.They replace liquid electricity conductors inside the batteries with ones made of solid materials.BYD&rsquo;s liquid-based Blade 2.0 battery has a driving range of more than 1000km, but carries significant weight - more than 600kg in some models.Solid-state batteries can achieve the same level of driving range but weigh much less.They are also supposed to be less of a fire risk than liquid-based alternatives.&nbsp;What is BYD&rsquo;s solid-state battery?Solid-state batteries use a solid energy transfer mechanism instead of a liquid one.BYD has filed seven patents using 'double electrolytes'.The patents combine fast and unstable conductors with slow and stable ones to create a smooth and efficient energy transfer.The brand has not provided any further details on the battery at this stage, having first made the announcement of its solid-state intentions earlier this year.BYD said its battery would have an improved commercial viability, with an easier manufacturing process and faster charging.&nbsp;When will solid-state batteries go into production?&nbsp;Solid-state batteries are still in their infancy, with with doubts over whether they are viable on a commercial scale.&nbsp;Development is expensive and slow, but Chinese carmakers are showing the most progress so far.&nbsp;Chery&rsquo;s Exeed luxury sub-brand is expected to launch its ES8 shooting brake with a solid-state battery offering 1000km of range late this year.Experts contend solid-state batteries are a long way away from entering production.&nbsp;The world&rsquo;s largest battery manufacturer CATL said mass-market adoption of the technology remains &ldquo;years away&rdquo; as well.Major North American manufacturer General Motors is highly skeptical and not pursuing the technology, while other brands are still in the early trial phase.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-closing-in-on-holy-grail-ev-battery-byd-to-begin-small-scale-production-and-testing-of</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:03:10 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Crucial details of hybrid 2026 Kia Seltos revealed as it gears up to rival Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross small SUVs]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/crucial-details-of-hybrid-2026-kia-seltos-revealed-as-it-gears-up-to-rival-hyundai-kona</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The much-anticipated new-generation Kia Seltos small SUV is one step closer to Aussie buyers, with it now approved for sale Down Under.&nbsp;The car&rsquo;s homologation filing to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts confirmed key details ahead of its arrival later this year.Seltos is one of Kia&rsquo;s most popular names and is the brand&rsquo;s fourth best-selling model on sale in Australia in 2026.The Seltos shapes up similarly to the Hyundai Kona Hybrid and ($36,950) and Toyota Corolla Cross ($37,440).&nbsp;It will also pose a new challenge to the best-selling Chery Tiggo 4, with hybrid variants starting from $29,990.What details about the 2026 Kia Seltos have been revealed?&nbsp;Kia has officially kept Australian details close to its chest, but now some crucial details have been exposed in new government filings.We now know the hybrid-only Seltos will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layouts.Both are powered by a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and electric motor set-up, making either 118kW or 169kW, which is more power than South Korean examples.This will be Kia's first Seltos model to feature a hybrid set-up in Australia.Kia has provided no indication the overseas petrol models of the new Seltos will ever make their way to Australia.Measuring 4430mm long, 1830mm wide, 1600mm high and with a wheelbase of 2690mm, it is a similar size to its rivals the Kona and the Corolla Cross.&nbsp;The sunroof and power mirrors will be optional extras for the car.When will the Kia Seltos launch in Australia and how much will it cost?The Seltos has been officially slated for a Q4 2026 release, with CarsGuide previously reporting October as a more specific time frame.&nbsp;The base petrol grade Seltos is available in South Korea from around 25 million won, or roughly $25,000, with the hybrid closer to the equivalent of $30,000.Kia models incur a price hike on South Korean equivalents, meaning the more expensive hybrid Seltos is likely start in the mid-$30,000s range.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/crucial-details-of-hybrid-2026-kia-seltos-revealed-as-it-gears-up-to-rival-hyundai-kona</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:11:19 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Ford's cheap new 2027 Ford Fathom electric ute firms for Australia as name trademarked for use on electric ute to rival KGM Musso EV and Toyota HiLux BEV]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/fords-cheap-new-2027-ford-fathom-electric-ute-firms-for-australia-as-name-trademarked-for</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ford has officially named its new mid-size electric ute ahead of an imminent reveal.Dubbed the Ford Fathom, the US carmaker claims the name is purposely meant to stand out from the crowd and it aligns with the type of buyer it&rsquo;s targeting with this vehicle.The name is a big step away from Ranchero, which was pegged for a revival in previous reports. Ford claims it did explore this name, but it did not fit the new electric ute.Pre-orders for the Fathom are set to open in the US in early 2027 and at this stage it&rsquo;s unclear if right-hand drive production is on the cards, but there is a strong hint it will come Down Under.What&rsquo;s so special about the Ford Fathom?The Ford Fathom is the first vehicle to be built on the US carmaker&rsquo;s new Universal EV platform. It&rsquo;s a modular architecture and a series of new vehicles will be based on it.Ford has confirmed the Fathom will have a starting price of US$28,350 (~A$40,330), before on-road costs, with the standard-range battery in the US. This confirms Ford is planning to offer multiple battery configurations.The Fathom&rsquo;s starting price is also virtually identical to the Maverick hybrid ute in the US.The US carmaker has also confirmed all versions of the Fathom will come with the following:Five seatsVehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilityCargo bedFrunkLarge central touchscreenApple Maps integrationApple CarPlay and Android AutoBlueCruise semi-autonomous driving capabilityWhat does the Ford Fathom look like?At this stage Ford hasn&rsquo;t officially revealed the exterior or interior design of the Fathom, but a number of camouflaged prototypes have been captured.It showed the Fathom is notably smaller than the Ranger and more on par with the Maverick for size.There&rsquo;s a boxy silhouette with slab sides and a stubby glasshouse area.No official details regarding the tub dimensions, payload, towing capacity, battery capacities, range, power or torque have been confirmed yet.Will the Ford Fathom come to Australia?At this stage Ford hasn&rsquo;t confirmed whether the Fathom will be produced in right-hand drive.The US carmaker has previously confirmed however that its Universal EV platform is capable of right-hand drive.Ford has reserved the Fathom name in Australia to use on "motor vehicles, namely, gasoline and electric automobiles, pick-up trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles and their structural parts", according to the trademark filing. This sounds like the just confirmed Fathom and leaves the door open to an arrival in the future.As it currently stands Ford doesn&rsquo;t offer any electric ute in Australia. The now-defunct F-150 Lightning was never officially offered through local Ford dealers, though some were imported and remanufactured to right-hand drive by third parties.The Ranger is by far Ford&rsquo;s best-selling vehicle in Australia and it has been the best-seller Down Under overall for three consecutive years. It is now offered in a sprawling number of versions, including the Super Duty and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), but no fully electric offering is available.If the Ford Fathom does come to Australia it will form as a rival to the KGM Musso EV, which is also built on a monocoque platform, rather than a tougher body-on-frame architecture, like the Ranger.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/fords-cheap-new-2027-ford-fathom-electric-ute-firms-for-australia-as-name-trademarked-for</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:55:36 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[New Jetour F700 ute with potent 665kW petrol-plug-in hybrid power previews Chery's follow-up to 2026 Chery Stockman]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-jetour-f700-ute-with-potent-665kw-petrol-plug-in-hybrid-power-previews-cherys-follow</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Chery&rsquo;s new Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute is arriving soon, but we&rsquo;ve been given a hint about what to expect from its follow-up act.The Chery Stockman will initially arrive with the headline-grabbing 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine with an electric motor set-up, which will deliver 350kW and 800Nm to all four wheels.It can drive up to a claimed 100km under electric-only power and is packed full of tough off-road hardware.But this is just the beginning according to Chery Australia&rsquo;s Chief operating officer Lucas Harris.More plug-in hybrid comingHarris has told CarsGuide previously the Stockman will add a petrol plug-in hybrid to its line-up in 2027.The new petrol plug-in ute promises to match the diesel&rsquo;s capabilities with a 3500kg braked towing capacity, which matches the BYD Shark 6 Performance.It will likely be a more urban-focused ute, while the diesel option will be better for off-roading and long-range touring.But we now have an idea what might be lurking under the bonnet of this petrol plug-in hybrid, thanks to one of Chery&rsquo;s many sub-brands.Chery Stockman by another nameJetour is Chery&rsquo;s tough, off-road focused sub-brand and it has a new petrol plug-in hybrid ute based on the Stockman.Dubbed the Jetour F700, it has been revealed in China with an enticing price equivalent to about $63,000, and the petrol Stockman will likely use its plug-in hybrid set-up.The F700 packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine matched to two electric motors - one on each axle for all-wheel drive - that combine for a monster 665kW and 1135Nm. That leaves the BYD Shark 6 Performance&rsquo;s 350kW/700Nm in the rear-view mirror.It can drive up to 150km on electric power, but this is calculated on the generous CLTC cycle. Expect closer to 100km on the benchmark WLTP test.It can drive a claimed 1300km on a full battery charge and tank of petrol.A front and rear locking differential shows it can handle the rough stuff and it will use an off-road battery developed by Chinese battery giant CATL.  @carsguide.com.au Mean looking new ute confirmed for Oz with a surprise feature! #Chery #KP31 #ute #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound&nbsp;- CarsGuide.com.au   ]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-jetour-f700-ute-with-potent-665kw-petrol-plug-in-hybrid-power-previews-cherys-follow</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:50:28 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Top five biggest cars in Australia, from the Lexus LS to the Rolls-Royce Phantom]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/top-five-biggest-cars-in-australia-from-the-lexus-ls-to-the-rolls-royce-phantom-102350</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In a world of monstrously big SUVs and terrifyingly giant utes, there still exists the super large saloons for those who prefer to maintain a powerful presence with class and sophistication.&nbsp;We're talking limos - not the party kind - we mean the luxurious transport for business executives or those who prefer to be driven rather than drive.We've put together the top 5 largest cars currently sold in Australia5. Lotus Emeya&nbsp;Length: 5139mm Width: 2241mm Height: 1464mmA Lotus was not on my list of possible big-car candidates, but here we are with the fully electric 5139mm long Emeya four-door lift back. The Emeya is the first of its kind from a brand that forged its iconic reputation by building tiny sportscars in a shed. Things have changed and Lotus is now owned by Chinese manufacturer Geely, and the Emeya is built in China.&nbsp;While not the longest car here, the Emeya is actually the widest with its wing mirrors out. Despite its enormous exterior dimensions the Emeya isn&rsquo;t particularly voluminous on the inside, but there are four seats and a 509-litre boot.&nbsp;Dual motors make 450kW and 710Nm, 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The starting price is $190K.4. Lexus LS&nbsp;Length: 5139mm Width: 1900mm Height: 1450mmSecretly loving that a Toyota, sorry Lexus, quietly slipped into this top 5 elite party. At 5235mm end-to-end the LS isn&rsquo;t small, and nor is it short on luxury.Lexus positions itself as a Benz or BMW on a budget, but with a starting price of $200,000 the LS isn&rsquo;t all that cheap. The value is outstanding, however, compared to the others here, and while rolling up in a Lexus to meet business executives at the airport doesn&rsquo;t have the same impact as a BMW 7 Series, but as a car girl, I honestly think the LS is more opulent.Powered by a V6 hybrid the LS is without a doubt the most reliable and cheapest to maintain limo here.3. BMW 7 SeriesLength: 5391mm Width: 1950mm Height: 1544mmBMW&rsquo;s 7 Series is seriously imposing, a cliff face on wheels, with its gigantic grille and its sheer vertical drop, but it&rsquo;s not just all front - this beast is 5.39m end to end. As a reference the Australian design rules state a car park space must be 5.4m long and 2.4m wide. So it&rsquo;ll fit&hellip; just.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Updated for 2026/27 with BMW&rsquo;s next-gen Neue Klasse design the 7 Series looks even more menacing and futuristic, while the interior is sporty and hi-tech with screens everywhere.&nbsp;As for powertrains you can burn fossil fuel with a 3.0-litre inline 294kW/580Nm six-cylinder engine on offer but the electric i7&rsquo;s enormously powerful and torquey motors (making up to 400kW and 745Nm) and seamlessly brutal ability to get out of its own way suits the big BMW limo better.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 7 Series starts at a list price of $272,900.2. Mercedes-Maybach S-Class&nbsp;Length: 5469mm&nbsp; Width: 2109mm&nbsp; Height: 1510mmThe Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a super luxury version of the S-Class and it&rsquo;s even longer than one too. A regular S-Class long wheelbase is 5289mm end to end while the Maybach version stretched 180mm at 5469mm in length.While more or less the same car as the S-Class the Maybach offers more legroom, more decadence and more engine - with a V12 offered on the higher grades.The Maybach is also more expensive - almost double the price of an S-Class LWB at about $630,0001. Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended&nbsp;Length: 5982mm, width: 2154mm Height: 1656mmOf course the biggest car sold in Australia is a Rolls-Royce and it&rsquo;s not just the Phantom Extended, it&rsquo;s also the Ghost Extended at 5715mm and the Spectre Series II at 5453mm. But if we had included them, then the top 5 biggest cars would have all been Rollers.So we&rsquo;ve gone for the largest Rolls-Royce car, the Phantom Extended, which at 5982mm is more a train than a car and 220mm longer than the standard wheelbase Phantom.While there are only four seats in a Phantom Extended they are the size of]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/top-five-biggest-cars-in-australia-from-the-lexus-ls-to-the-rolls-royce-phantom-102350</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 is the worst year of car design ever, just look at the Ferrari Luce, Nissan Juke, Zeekr 8X | Opinion]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-is-the-worst-year-of-car-design-ever-just-look-at-the-ferrari-luce-nissan-juke-zeekr</link>
            <description><![CDATA[We&rsquo;re more than halfway through 2026 and I can definitively say that this year's new cars are the ugliest to date.Sure you can argue the plastic fantastic cars of the late 1990s and early 2000s, or the asthmatic land yachts from the mid-to-late 1970s looked the worst, but so far this year what carmakers have been revealing is an assault to the eyes.Suspect number one is the Ferrari Luce.The Italian carmaker&rsquo;s recent car design has been rather indistinguishable from model to model. For example, if you told me to tell you the difference between a 849 Testarossa and 12Cilindri and Amalfi, I&rsquo;d really struggle. I say this as a die-hard car fan.But the Luce marked a jagged change in direction for Ferrari. It was designed by creative collection LoveFrom, which was founded by former Apple exec Sir Jony Ive.I&rsquo;ll admit the interior of the Luce is stunning and the blending of digital and analogue elements is ingenious, but the exterior is a bloated mess. It&rsquo;s made even worse with the fact it has a Ferrari badge on it.The Luce would make so much more sense with any other badge attached to it.  @carsguide.com.au This is what happens when the iPhone designer gets his hands on Maranello&rsquo;s first electric supercar. Meet the 2026 Ferrari Luce. Thoughts? #ferrari #ferrariluce #supercar #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   This is just the tip of the iceberg. Five days before the Luce was revealed, Mercedes-AMG revealed its all-new AMG GT 4-Door.Mercedes did receive some negative press regarding the AMG GT 4-Door&rsquo;s design, it was arguably saved by the reveal of the Luce as the news cycle and people&rsquo;s attention shifted very quickly.Its design deserved to be roasted more. Like the Luce, the new AMG GT 4-Door is all-electric and it looks just as horrific. The Mercedes is much more flashy and tacky, though.  @carsguide.com.au OMG, the new 2027 Nissan Juke has just been revealed and it's all electric! #nissan #juke #EV #SUV #cartok @Jack Quick &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   I&rsquo;ll admit that the overall silhouette is slick and low-sprung, like a performance car should, but the front grille and lighting signatures are a hot mess.Then inside, if you take the Mercedes-Benz badge away, the AMG GT 4-Door doesn't have anything distinguishing it specifically as a Mercedes model.Sure you could argue that the circular air vents or the screen set-up is a Mercedes design trait, but there is more to design language than this.Lastly there&rsquo;s the new Nissan Juke, which is all-electric and a European-focused model, meaning it&rsquo;s not coming to Australia.The Juke has always had a polarising design, but this new-generation takes it to the next level.There are so many creases and lines on the outside that it looks like the car has been pre-crashed or perhaps hasn&rsquo;t fully rendered yet.I will admit that with certain colour combinations the new Juke does look cool, but the lighting, especially the tail lights look silly. They&rsquo;re mounted so low and are too large.While the new Juke stands out too much, there are a plethora of gargantuan Chinese SUVs with range-extender (REEV) powertrains that are indistinguishable from each other. They&rsquo;re all large blobs on wheels with ginormous grilles.Examples that have been revealed so far in 2026 include the IM LS9 Hyper, Wey V9X, XPeng GX and the Zeekr 8X. Many more will likely pop up before the end of the year.Although there have been some shockingly bad-looking cars revealed this year, there are still some diamonds in the rough. 2026 also seems to be the revival of the wagon.Some highlights include the new Audi RS5, which is available in liftback and wagon, as well as the new A6 allroad, which has some of the best and most exaggerated rear wheel arches that I&rsquo;ve seen on a production car for a long time.The new Dacia Striker is a beautiful-looking car that has just the right amount of wagon and crossover SUV design]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-is-the-worst-year-of-car-design-ever-just-look-at-the-ferrari-luce-nissan-juke-zeekr</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[‘See ya later mate': Porsche's one-of-a-kind special weapon blasts into Australia]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/see-ya-later-mate-porsches-one-of-a-kind-special-weapon-blasts-into-australia-102352</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Porsche Cars Australia has produced a unique version of the 911 Turbo S to mark 75 years of the iconic German brand&rsquo;s presence in Australia.Dubbed the Porsche 911 Turbo S Land Down Under, the one-of-a-kind supercar's specification and presentation are the result of a collaboration with Porsche Sonderwunsch (Special Request), the Style Porsche design team and Sydney-based contemporary artist, Werner Bronkhorst.The car features dual Chromaflair colour gradient paintwork and elements inspired by the country&rsquo;s landscapes and &ldquo;the distinct character of the Southern Hemisphere sky&rdquo;.Applied by hand, the exterior finish transitions from &ldquo;the warm amber tones (Terra Australis Red) of an outback sunset to pale blue (Southern Cross Blue) as day fades into night&rdquo;.Porsche said, &ldquo;Chromaflair pigments use ultra-thin flakes to create a dynamic colour-shifting effect that changes with light and viewing angle.&ldquo;Each flake features an opaque, reflective aluminium core encased in a glass-like transparent layer, whose varying thickness produces different perceived colours.&ldquo;Applied across seven layers by hand, the finish required over 300 hours of craftsmanship,&rdquo; the company said.For anyone following this special 911, the script &lsquo;See ya later mate&rsquo; has been applied to the rear of the car in a typeface developed by Werner Bronkhorst, the message only revealed when the rear wing extends either via engagement of Sport Plus driving mode or auto-deployment at speeds above 80km/h.The exterior theme continues inside with a combination of Dark Night Blue, Kalahari and Coolibah Brown leather trims, the latter conceived specifically for this project.The centres of the Adaptive Sports Seats Plus feature Bronkhorst &rsquo;s distinctive brushstroke style with each of 14,417 perforations arranged to form a &ldquo;coherent visual pattern.&rdquo;The roof lining features an embroidered Southern Hemisphere constellation map showing the night sky as it appeared over Uluru in 1951, the year Porsche first arrived in Australia.After its world premiere today in Sydney, the 911 Turbo S Land Down Under will embark on a &ldquo;curated journey&rdquo; to select locations across the country.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/see-ya-later-mate-porsches-one-of-a-kind-special-weapon-blasts-into-australia-102352</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:30:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Geely is the secret Chinese behemoth, with big sales of 2026 Geely EX5 and new EX2 SUVs putting Toyota, BYD on notice]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/geely-is-the-secret-chinese-behemoth-with-big-sales-of-2026-geely-ex5-and-new-ex2-suvs</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Geely has powered up the sales chart in July, making the top 10 best-selling brands for the month.The Chinese brand launched in Australia in March 2025, and has approached the local market with a more methodical approach than its competitors.&nbsp;It has only introduced three models so far, contrasting BYD that already has more than 10 models on sale since its distribution takeover in July 2025.Despite this relatively small footprint, Geely captured 3.6 per cent of total new car sales in July.Geely has grown by more than 500 per cent in the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;The EX5 is leading the way for GeelyGeely's success has largely been driven by the EX5 electric mid-size SUV that managed 2034 registrations last month - its best month yet.&nbsp;The Toyota RAV4-sized EX5 is Geely&rsquo;s best-selling car on sale in Australia, with nearly 9000 sales so far this year.Starting from $41,990 (before on-road costs), it continues to outsell the smaller BYD Atto 3 ($39,990) and eat into the sales of petrol rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 ($39,990).There are limited other fully-electric rivals with similar dimensions to the EX5, potentially giving it an edge in showrooms.&nbsp;Geely&rsquo;s other models are performing strongly as wellIt&rsquo;s not just the EX5 selling well for Geely, with its smaller EX2 sibling registering 474 examples in its first few weeks on sale.The brand only introduced its new hatch with a sharp $26,490 price tag in late July, making it one of the cheapest electric cars on the market.&nbsp;The EX2, which is the most popular car in China, even managed to shift more units than the BYD Dolphin ($29,990) in July.  @carsguide.com.au 2026 Geely EX2 EV tested before it lands in Australia! #geely #ex2 #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   The Starray Em-i plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV is Geely&rsquo;s other model on sale in Australia, also enjoying a strong sales return, with 1177 units finding new homes last month.It poses as a direct threat to the BYD Sealion 6 ($42,990) and the recently-launched Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid ($59,515), but is noticeably cheaper at $37,490.&nbsp;What&rsquo;s next for Geely in Australia?&nbsp;Geely will continue to introduce new models at its own pace, with potential for some activity before the end of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;The brand is expected to launch a mid-size and a large SUV in the first half of 2027, followed by the Emgrand plug-in hybrid sedan later on in the year.&nbsp;The Galaxy Cruiser large rugged 4WD is also expected to land Down Under before the end of next year.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/geely-is-the-secret-chinese-behemoth-with-big-sales-of-2026-geely-ex5-and-new-ex2-suvs</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:35:54 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Your next car will be up to 35 per cent garbage as BMW, Toyota and more use scraps, old cars and recycled materials in new cars to meet EU regulations]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/your-next-car-will-be-up-to-35-per-cent-garbage-as-bmw-toyota-and-more-use-scraps-old-cars</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Carmakers are looking to save costs and the environment, which means they will be using more recycled materials in their vehicles.This is being further reinforced by new European Union regulations, which require a minimum amount of recycled plastics used in cars and key battery materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, among others.This means more and more carmakers will be diving into the skip bin to grab crucial materials to put into your next car.BMW leading the wayThe German giant is the latest to tout its recycling handiwork, reducing CO2 emissions from production of its new X5 SUV by using second-hand materials and renewable energy.A big part of this is electric arc furnace steel (EAF), which sounds absolutely badass, and it is. It effectively uses electric currents to melt scrap metal into new liquid steel that can be reshaped into car parts.BMW uses recycled materials in a range of components such as wheel rims, rear axle supports and brake calipers. The doors consist of 35 per cent reused materials and the headliner is made of 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles.  @carsguide.com.au This is the new 2026 BMW X5, but it&rsquo;s the mega battery hiding under the BMW iX5 that&rsquo;s the real headline! Expect long driving distances to fend off rival SUVs from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. #bmwx5 #bmw #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound&nbsp;- CarsGuide.com.au   In the electric iX5 60 XDrive, about a third of its weight, or 940kg, is made up of recycled materials.BMW has reduced the materials it sends to landfills by 88 per cent in the past 20 years.Toyota also reducing wasteToyota is aiming to have its range of vehicles be at least 30 per cent built from recycled materials by 2030.The brand flags 19 parts including catalytic converters, bumpers, EV batteries and motors to be designed to be easily removed from scrap vehicles and deconstructed future range of vehicles.Toyota&rsquo;s Gosei plastics manufacturing subsidiary has developed materials with a 50 per cent recycled plastic content and performance equivalent to newly-made plastics, which it says is a world-first. Examples of this material being used are in the glove box and grille-backing material in the new Euro-market Camry.Other new Toyotas using recycled plastics include the incoming new-generation RAV4 and the Crown Sport SUV.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/your-next-car-will-be-up-to-35-per-cent-garbage-as-bmw-toyota-and-more-use-scraps-old-cars</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:19:33 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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