<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0">
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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>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:22:14 +0000</pubDate>

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            <title><![CDATA[Big brand is plugging in: 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE plug-in hybrids confirmed for Australia to rival BMW X5 and Zeekr 8X]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/big-brand-is-plugging-in-2026-mercedes-benz-gle-plug-in-hybrids-confirmed-for-australia-to</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz has added new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants to its local GLE large SUV line-up with the arrival of the GLE450e 4Matic in Coupe and traditional SUV wagon form.The newcomer is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a single 135kW electric motor integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission, sending a combined 320kW/680Nm to all four wheels via the three-pointed star&rsquo;s 4Matic all-wheel drive system.That&rsquo;s enough to propel the 2.7-tonne five-seater from 0-100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.Up to 140km/h in EV-only modeA 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery gives the sleek coupe version an electric-only range of 91km (WLTP), with the more upright wagon good for 87km. Both are capable of up to 140km/h in EV-only mode.Standard charging set-up is 11kW AC for a zero to 100 per cent top-up in under three hours.&nbsp;An optional onboard DC charger ($1100) accepts 60kW for a 10-80 per cent recharge time of around 29 minutes.On sale from today (October 15, 2026), the Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic plug-in hybrid SUV and Coup&eacute; are priced at $156,900 and $160,900, respectively (both before on-road costs).Car-spotters should look out for AMG Line exterior styling and Night Package elements, jointly bringing:AMG front apronMatt black roof railsGloss black exterior mirror capsStar pattern radiator grilleHorizontal louvres in the nose air intakesDark chrome faux underguardTinted rear windows20-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels (SUV)21-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels (Coup&eacute;)Inside, standard features include heated front seats, synthetic leather trim in the SUV (synthetic leather and microfibre on AMG Line sports front seats in the Coup&eacute;) and a new steering wheel marking the return of rocker switch and roller controls.Existing GLE standard features include:Three 12.3-inch screens (under single glass surface)Head-up displayBurmester 3D surround soundMemory PackageKeyless-Go Comfort Package (with hands-free access)&nbsp;2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic pricing:&nbsp;2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic option pricing:]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/big-brand-is-plugging-in-2026-mercedes-benz-gle-plug-in-hybrids-confirmed-for-australia-to</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:18:23 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Lepas L6 priced in Australia to rival BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5 as new electric mid-size SUV gears up for official showroom arrival]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-lepas-l6-priced-in-australia-to-rival-byd-atto-3-and-geely-ex5-as-new-electric-mid</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A new affordable electric SUV is here.The Lepas L6 mid-size SUV starts from $47,990, before on-road costs, available in a single grade.This means it&rsquo;s $6000 more than the popular Geely EX5 and the smaller BYD Atto 3 Evo that both start from $41,990.The Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid boasts a similar footprint to the L6, but starts from $59,515.The L6 is the youth-focused Lepas brand's first model on sale in Australia and will hit dealerships from early November.2026 Lepas L6 performance and techThe L6 uses a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 275Nm, while its 65kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery offers a 440km WLTP driving range.The car will only be available with front-wheel drive, and there are no plans for an all-wheel-drive set-up at this stage.DC charging from 30-to-80 per cent takes 22 minutes at 120kW, according to Lepas.The car rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, and comes as standard with a panoramic sunroof that has a retractable sunshade.Inside, there is a 13.2-inch central touchscreen and 8.9-inch digital driver display, with a 50-watt wireless phone charger also standard.Seats are wrapped in synthetic leather, with the front ones heated and ventilated.Other features include automatic parking assist and other advanced driver assistance systems.The L6 will use Chery Group's next-generation LEXP platform specifically developed for the Lepas brand as dedicated EV architecture.The new platform has also been tuned by European engineers to limit roll in heavy cornering and manage pitch under braking.2026 Lepas L6 warranty and servicingLepas covers its L6 with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a year less than Omoda Jaecoo, but the same as Chery.It has an eight-year/200,000km high-voltage battery warranty and is available with a seven-year capped-price servicing deal, with intervals every 12 months.Lepas future plans for AustraliaLepas is the latest sub-brand to join Chery Group in Australia alongside Omoda Jaecoo, but the brand is just getting started with the L6 EV.It will launch a plug-in hybrid variant of the L6 in March 2027, with the smaller L4 EV arriving in June 2027.The L8 PHEV large mid-size SUV is scheduled towards late 2027, before the L9 full-size SUV makes its way here as well.  @carsguide.com.au Another new car brand lands in Australia, this one led by the launch of the 2026 Lepas L6. Lepas falls under the Chery umbrella with Omoda and Jaecoo, but do we really need another new car brand? #lepas #lepasl6 #chery #ev #cartok &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   ]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-lepas-l6-priced-in-australia-to-rival-byd-atto-3-and-geely-ex5-as-new-electric-mid</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:13:17 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Incoming 2028 Honda ute to be built in right-hand drive and could rival 2026 Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in Australia: Report]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/incoming-2028-honda-ute-to-be-built-in-right-hand-drive-and-could-rival-2026-ford-ranger</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Honda is preparing a Toyota HiLux hunter.&nbsp;The brand is gearing up to launch a new ute in 2028, according to a report from Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.&nbsp;It will take aim at the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in a ute market that remains one of the highest-volume segments globally.It will mirror the Nissan Navara in using the Mitsubishi Triton as the basis for its mechanical DNA.&nbsp;It could be the first model in an expanded collaboration between Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi.&nbsp;2028 Honda ute could be hybrid poweredThere are limited details on the new Honda ute at this stage, as it's still under development, but it will reportedly be built in Thailand.&nbsp;It will sport the same ladder-frame chassis as the Triton, so buyers can expect Honda&rsquo;s ute to provide some rugged off-roading and adventuring potential.&nbsp;The current Mitsubishi Triton uses a 2.4-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, making 150kW and 470Nm.&nbsp;Mitsubishi has plans to offer hybrid power in its future ladder-frame models and Honda's ute could benefit from this.&nbsp;This comes as Honda too shifts its focus from fully electric cars to invest heavily in hybrid power from 2027.Mitsubishi&rsquo;s Chief Product Specialist Itagaki Kunitoshi said in September 2026 the carmaker is developing hybrid set-ups for its future Pajero 4WD and Triton ute models.&ldquo;Mitsubishi Motors is actively conducting research and development in electrified ladder-frame vehicles, including hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies for products such as Pajero and Triton in the future,&rdquo; Kunitoshi said.Hybrid power could help Honda steer clear of fines under Australia&rsquo;s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).2028 Honda ute Australian launch&nbsp;It&rsquo;s too early to say whether the incoming Honda ute will go on sale in Australia, but it's becoming increasingly likely.&nbsp;The ute will launch in South-East Asia in 2028, a region with many right-hand-drive markets.While a RHD build improves its chances of an Australian arrival, the local branch hasn't officially confirmed it will land in showrooms.A spokesperson for Honda Australia told CarsGuide in October 2026 there was nothing to confirm yet.&nbsp;&ldquo;While Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors are discussing various potential collaboration opportunities under the framework of our strategic partnership, there is nothing specific to share at this time,&rdquo; they said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Honda already sells a Ridgeline ute, but it is exclusively sold in North America.This means it&rsquo;s built in left-hand drive, while it also uses a thirsty V6 engine that would incur fines under Australian emissions rules, essentially ruling it out Down Under.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/incoming-2028-honda-ute-to-be-built-in-right-hand-drive-and-could-rival-2026-ford-ranger</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:21:16 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5, Zeekr 7X lead the electric car charge and Toyota was always going to be number 1 | Analysis]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-tesla-model-y-byd-sealion-7-geely-ex5-zeekr-7x-lead-the-electric-car-charge-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[There is a sprint to the finish line as carmakers prepare for a tumultuous end to 2026.This year will be remembered as the point China ascended, but a few other storylines are developing.This is our prediction for the last quarter of 2026.Australians will buy 200,000-plus EVs this yearThat is a shocking number, that would have seemed impossible just four years ago when Aussies bought about 33,000 electric cars.The sheer breath of choice across all body&nbsp; shapes, price ranges and brands is what is driving the EV revolution.Healthy incentives, such as the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption, are making the idea of an EV palatable to those that previously never would have considered one.Tesla is still the dominant force in electric cars, but it isn&rsquo;t the only mover and shaker.BYD&rsquo;s success has been driven by its range of EVs, and Geely and Zeekr are both selling their electric cars in big numbers.Even Toyota, which was firmly in the no camp for EVs just half a decade ago, has managed to increase sales of its bZ4X by more than 300 per cent this year.New Chinese brands are doing the heavy lifting, but mainstream carmakers are starting to leave their mark by converting their loyal base to zero-emissions vehicles.Number 1 spot was never in doubtToyota will be the best selling car brand this year and the foreseeable future.Despite all the commotion made about BYD&rsquo;s barnstorming run up the sales charts, especially in the early part of the year, there was never any doubt Toyota would come out on top.Toyota has sold about double the cars of BYD, which is actually a&nbsp;mega effort by BYD and it is on track to sell more than 100,000 cars this year.Toyota has assured everyone it will finish the year strong, with an increase of supply for key models, including RAV4, HiLux, LandCruiser and bZ4X.Toyota is predicting more than 220,000 sales for this year, which means they would need to deliver about 23,000 a month through the last quarter.These brands have seen the top 10 for the last timeMitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Volkswagen were once the first choice for a huge swath of Aussie buyers, but they haven&rsquo;t had the vehicles buyers demanded in recent years.Now those once-loyal buyers have jumped ship to BYD, Geely, Zeekr and the like.It&rsquo;ll be a hard fought battle to win those buyers back.All have some exciting models in the pipeline, with the new Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD, ASX VR-e electric hatch, Nissan Patrol, Nissan Navara Pro PHEV ute, VW ID.Tiguan chief among them.But it is likely the ship has already sailed as the tide has turned towards these new brands.They have the wind in their sails and recording eye-popping growth numbers.Zeekr is up 1500 per cent, Geely and Jaecoo are up more than 600 per cent, BYD is up 100 per cent, Chery is up more than 50 per cent and GWM 14 per cent.The momentum is in their favour and they also have a healthy pipeline of affordable and desirable vehicles locked in for the next 12 months.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-tesla-model-y-byd-sealion-7-geely-ex5-zeekr-7x-lead-the-electric-car-charge-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 03:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Chinese EVs $11,000 cheaper to build than European rivals as 2026 BYD Atto 3 Evo, Chery Tiggo 4 and Zeekr 7X climb sales charts globally]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/chinese-evs-11000-cheaper-to-build-than-european-rivals-as-2026-byd-atto-3-evo-chery-tiggo</link>
            <description><![CDATA[There is plenty of affordable Chinese car choice for buyers in Australia, and we&rsquo;ve just learnt why.Chinese brands can build an EV for $11,000 less than European legacy automakers, according to a report in AutoNews.&nbsp;Manufacturers aren&rsquo;t just winning on price, they&rsquo;re winning on speed as well.&nbsp;Chinese automakers develop cars more than two times faster than their European rivals.These advantages are seeing Chinese manufacturers surge up the sales charts globally, and there&rsquo;s more than 100 EV models on sale in Australia.&nbsp;Why Chinese car brands are European rivals on price and speed in 2026Chinese carmakers can build and sell cars faster.&nbsp;European carmakers take up to five years to bring a new model to market, while Chinese rivals can do it in only two years.&nbsp;&nbsp;When these models do finally hit the market, they aren&rsquo;t as prolific as Chinese ones, with less than a third of sales from vehicles introduced in the past three years.&nbsp;New Chinese models account for up to 100 per cent of a brand&rsquo;s sales within the first two years by contrast.&nbsp;These factors have contributed to European car brands&rsquo; pre-tax profit dropping from 13.2 per cent in 2021 to 6.9 per cent in 2025, which in turn limits their ability to innovate.&nbsp;What Europe needs to do to compete with China&nbsp;The European Union has resorted to hefty tariffs on Chinese EVs coming into the region to protect its car industry, but it&rsquo;s not stopping buyers choosing them.&nbsp;These brands have now started building their cars in Europe to avoid tariffs, while taking advantage of under-utilised European automaker factories.&nbsp;Consultancy firm AlixPartners told AutoNews the way Chinese brands are operating in Europe has fundamentally reset consumer expectations on price and technology.&ldquo;A gradual response isn&rsquo;t an option,&rdquo; AlixPartners co-head of automotive for Germany, Austria and Switzerland Xing Zhou said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Manufacturers need to restructure, support their suppliers and move faster on technology partnerships than most have been prepared to do so far.&rdquo;European carmakers need to aim for two-year development cycles and lean into artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce costs and increase production and development speed, according to the firm.&nbsp;&ldquo;The window to act from a position of financial strength is closing, and closing faster than most boardrooms and governments assume,&rdquo; global co-leader for automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners Andrew Bergbaum said.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/chinese-evs-11000-cheaper-to-build-than-european-rivals-as-2026-byd-atto-3-evo-chery-tiggo</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:19:17 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[$15,000 slashed from price of BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63-rivalling 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport and Estrema]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/15000-slashed-from-price-of-bmw-m3-and-mercedes-amg-c63-rivalling-2026-alfa-romeo-giulia</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Alfa Romeo may not be troubling the scorers much in terms of new car sales so far in 2026 but a new $15K &lsquo;factory bonus&rsquo; on its Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport and Estrema models may drive an up-tick in the run home to the end of the year.The limited-time price offer lowers cost-of-entry for the Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport from $174,200 to $159,200, before on-road costs, while the Giulia Estrema drops from $186,990 to $171,990, BOC.Sales across Alfa&rsquo;s four-model line-up - Giulia (sedan), Stelvio (medium SUV), Tonale (small SUV) and Junior (light SUV) - are running at a relative trickle this year with the brand down close to 39 per cent year-on-year to the end of September.That said, the Giulia has been the second-biggest contributor (behind the Junior), accounting for 82 of the Italian maker&rsquo;s 265 sales.All-alloy, twin-turbo V6 driving the rear wheelsThe Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport is an aggressive, high-performance, four-door sedan powered by a muscular 2.9-litre all-alloy twin-turbo V6 sending 375kW/600Nm to the rear wheels via an eight-speed auto transmission.A clear rival to Audi's (upcoming) RS5, BMW's M3 and the Mercedes-AMG C63S E Performance, its claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is an ultra-rapid 3.9 seconds with a maximum velocity of 307km/h.Tech highlights include active suspension with adaptive damping, a mechanical limited-slip differential, active front splitter and multiple &lsquo;DNA&rsquo; drive modes.Released in Australia earlier this year, the Giulia Quadrifoglio Estrema adds:Akrapovi&#269; titanium exhaust (with carbon-fibre finishers)Monochrome badgingCarbon exterior mirror capsRed key covers&lsquo;Scudetto&rsquo; carbon grilleDoor projector lightsCarbon illuminated door sillsBlack (Brembo) brake calipersBlack rear nameplate badge$0 special paintCommemorative built plateCertificate of authenticityThe price offer is valid until December 31, 2026 and applies to new and demonstrator models ordered and delivered by that date (while stocks last).]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/15000-slashed-from-price-of-bmw-m3-and-mercedes-amg-c63-rivalling-2026-alfa-romeo-giulia</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:09:40 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Eye-popping Zeekr rival incoming, as 2027 Avatr 06T confirmed for Australia to rival Zeekr 7GT ]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/eye-popping-zeekr-rival-incoming-as-2027-avatr-06t-confirmed-for-australia-to-rival-zeekr</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Avatr has confirmed that the 07L electric vehicle (EV) will not be the only new model that the brand is preparing for Australia next year.The large-sized SUV rival to the popular Zeekr 7X will also be joined by the 06T mid-sized wagon, and that&rsquo;s set to launch several months after the 07L&rsquo;s second quarter arrival, probably towards the end of 2027.While no pricing or specification details have yet to be revealed, both models will feature an elevated level of technology and features expected by buyers in Australia.What is the Avatr 06T?The Avatr 06T is the wagon &ndash; or shooting brake &ndash; version of the 06 four-door mid-sized luxury sedan released in China last year.Already sprung in Australia and exposed on various social media platforms, the five-door model mirrors its fastback counterpart by offering EV and range-extender EV hybrid powertrains.In the EV models, the base model features a rear-mounted electric motor with rear-wheel drive, while more money buys all-wheel drive, courtesy of two additional motors (two on the back axle, one over the front axle).In China, the most powerful of these makes 712kW of power and 996Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h sprint time of under 2.8 seconds.Just as impressively, if range is your thing, Avatr claims the most efficient is capable of averaging a staggering 741km, though that is using the more-lenient CLTC, not WLTP, methodology.What to expect from the 2027 Avatr 07LAccording to Changan Automobile Australia Head of Brand and Marketing, Andrew Haurissa, both the 06T wagon and closely related 07L SUV will position the Chinese brand directly against premium and luxury offerings.Along with Zeekr (part of Geely), these include Denza (part of BYD), Wey (part of GWM), IM (part of MG), Tesla and others, like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.&ldquo;Definitely in the premium segment to begin with (is our goal),&rdquo; Haurissa said. &ldquo;So, the Germans (definitely)&hellip; and we&rsquo;re coming in as an emotive luxury proposition for Avatr.&ldquo;I would like to think (it will sit higher than Zeekr&hellip; but) the public will decide. The kit itself is there. It has all the pedigree to compete.&rdquo;Expect the 07L (pronounced Zero Seven L &ndash; and L is for long wheelbase) to mirror the 06T by offering single-motor rear-wheel drive and tri-motor all-wheel drive guises, as a laser-focused alternative to the 7X.Future Avatr models for AustraliaLooking beyond next year, Avatr is set to offer up to five different models in Australia by the end of 2028, though what they are remain a tightly guarded secret.&ldquo;The indication we&rsquo;re getting right now, is that&hellip; a lot of the products coming out of Avatr moving forward will be a new generation. Because Avatr has been around for five years now," said Haurissa.&ldquo;We&rsquo;re planning four to five models. There&rsquo;s a lot in the pipeline that needs to be decided. For right-hand-drive (RHD) markets, it needs to be decided cohesively with other RHD markets, similarly to the other Chinese brands coming in.Avatr dealers in AustraliaAlong with the Nevo mainstream brand that is also coming next year, Changan is aiming to launch with up to 50 dealers around Australia, with around 10 of these dedicated Avatr outlets in line with luxury consumer expectations.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/eye-popping-zeekr-rival-incoming-as-2027-avatr-06t-confirmed-for-australia-to-rival-zeekr</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:04:07 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Paris motor show debuts new electric cars 2026 Smart #2, 2027 Denza Z and more]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-paris-motor-show-debuts-new-electric-cars-2026-smart-2-2027-denza-z-and-more-102898</link>
            <description><![CDATA[At the 2026 Paris motor show Plenty of brands provided a preview of what&rsquo;s to come for buyers .Some of the world&rsquo;s biggest carmakers put their work on display from ultra-affordable EVs to retro reboots of past successes.&nbsp;Here is some of the biggest news to come out of the show.&nbsp;2027 Smart #2&nbsp;Smart has revealed a new compact EV called the #2.&nbsp;Boasting a two-door and two-seat layout, it&rsquo;s roughly 1200mm shorter than a BYD Atto 1 and slightly bigger than the original Smart ForTwo.&nbsp;It has a 330km driving range, according to WLTP standards and can DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.&nbsp;2027 Denza ZBYD sub-brand Denza has unveiled its answer to big hitters like Ferrari and Lamborghini with its Z electric sports car.&nbsp;A close rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL Class, the Z is BYD&rsquo;s first full-on performance model.&nbsp;It will use a three electric motor set-up, producing 880kW, with a 0-100km/h time of less than two seconds.&nbsp;2028 Avatr T09Another Chinese brand is destined for Aussie shores.&nbsp;Ultra-luxury brand Avatr showed off its T09 large plug-in hybrid SUV concept for the first time.It is due to launch in Australia in 2028 or 2029.&nbsp;2026 Citroen 2CV conceptCitroen&rsquo;s electric 2CV successor has landed.&nbsp;The compact EV is due for launch in 2028, at 3760mm long shaping up slightly shorter than its petrol predecessor but still boasting a roll-top fabric roof.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s expected to be offered from a very affordable price point in Europe, but we&rsquo;re unlikely to see it Down Under.&nbsp;2026 Fiat Multiplay concept&nbsp;Fiat has revealed a bold new concept called &lsquo;multiplay&rsquo;, which can transform between a people mover, SUV and ute.&nbsp;Measuring 4450mm long, the car shares a similar footprint to the BYD Atto 3.It features a sliding rear roof and C-pillar to enable conversion from a three-row family car, to a ute or an SUV depending on its specific requirements.&nbsp;2026 Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso conceptAlfa Romeo has given its iconic V6 engine a hybrid twist.Its Cuorerosso concept uses a conventional hybrid set-up, comprising a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as well as some electric motor assistance.&nbsp;The Italian brand developed the concept to show off the future direction of its Quadrifoglio sedan.&nbsp;2026 Renault E-Space concept and Renault R5 Turbo 3&nbsp;&nbsp;Renault unveiled two futuristic EV concepts.&nbsp;The E-Space concept is an electric reboot of the Espace van and people mover.&nbsp;The E-Space is similarly sized to the current Espace van on sale, but uses a fully-electric set-up and features a standout sleek design.&nbsp;The French brand also showed off its radical Renault 5 Turbo 3E that is a limited-run production EV version of the Renault 5 Turbo.&nbsp;Its electric motor set-up produces 410kW, while riding on a fast-charging 800-volt platform.&nbsp;Renault will only build 1980 examples of the car to pay homage to the original birth year of the Renault 5 Turbo.&nbsp;2026 Peugeot E-T16 and RCZ Vision conceptsPeugeot provided a look into its future.&nbsp;The rally-inspired E-T16 concept is a nod to the 1980s 205 T16 Group B rally car, and its three electric motor set-up, makes around 600kW.Its aggressive styling and blacked out accents are said to be a showcase into future styling for Peugeot.&nbsp;The RCZ Vision concept is an electric sports car based on the original 2+2 sports coupe.&nbsp;It features plenty of cutting-edge technology, including a solid-state battery with 10 to 80 per cent fast charging in under 10 minutes.&nbsp;The car&rsquo;s electric motor set-up produces 373kW, while a curved &lsquo;double bubble&rsquo; roof is a reflection of the original design.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-paris-motor-show-debuts-new-electric-cars-2026-smart-2-2027-denza-z-and-more-102898</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:31:43 +1100</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[Nissan's new X-Trail launch locked in: 2027 Nissan X-Trail confirmed to rival Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson next year]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/nissans-new-x-trail-launch-locked-in-2027-nissan-x-trail-confirmed-to-rival-toyota-rav4</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan has confirmed the new-generation X-Trail mid-size SUV will launch locally late next year.This means that the Australian launch of the new-generation Nissan X-Trail will follow about 12 months after the US launch of the Rogue, which is the same car but with a different name.&ldquo;This current generation that we&rsquo;re in, I think we were two model years after the launch of the first left-hand drive [market],&rdquo; said Nissan Australian Managing Director Steve Milette to CarsGuide.&ldquo;With the way the platform principles are now working at the global level from a product development [perspective], between the first left-hand drive and first right-hand drive, it&rsquo;s been condensed quite significantly.&ldquo;It&rsquo;ll be a year or less, which is good news.&rdquo;  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Nissan X-Trail has been officially unveiled in Japan!! #nissan #xtrail #SUV #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   In contrast Nissan has taken more than two years to bring the Patrol to Australia after it went on sale in left-hand drive markets.Big hybrid push for 2026 Nissan X-TrailNissan already offers one e-Power hybrid-only model in Australia, the Qashqai small SUV, and it&rsquo;s unclear whether the brand will expand this to include the X-Trail to further reduce the fleet CO2 emissions.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a possibility,&rdquo; said Milette when posed with the question.&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t confirm that that is definitely going to happen, but we know that the hybrid market has expanded globally, but especially here.&ldquo;I would say even in our current-generation X-Trail, we&rsquo;ve gone from very low percentages to now 33 per cent [of the sales split] is e-Power, and by the end of December, it&rsquo;ll be closer to 50 per cent.&rdquo;2027 Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrid more powerful and fuel efficientAt this stage Nissan Australia hasn&rsquo;t confirmed the local specifications for the next-generation X-Trail, however the new US-specification Rogue gives an indication of what to expect.There&rsquo;s a new e-Power hybrid powertrain that&rsquo;s claimed to be quieter and more efficient. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive e-Power is also 11kW more powerful than the current version, with a total system output of 168kW.A 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine will also be offered as a pure-combustion engine option in the US. A version of this engine is already offered in the outgoing model.In addition to the e-Power hybrid all-wheel drive, the current, outgoing X-Trail is offered with a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine in Australia, as well as a new front-wheel drive e-Power hybrid powertrain.2027 Nissan X-Trail upgradesNissan Corporate Executive of Family, Products &amp; Components Strategy Richard Candler previously told CarsGuide there is a &ldquo;very large amount of new&rdquo;, despite still being underpinned by an iteration of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-CD platform the current model rides on,For example, the structure is claimed to be completely different and much stiffer than before.Additionally, there is a fresh design and a reworked strut front, multi-link rear suspension set-up with a wider track width.All Rogue trims feature 90-degree opening doors, LED headlights, dual 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia system (14.3-inch on higher grades), a wireless charger, 64-colour interior ambient lighting, as well as multi-zone climate control.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/nissans-new-x-trail-launch-locked-in-2027-nissan-x-trail-confirmed-to-rival-toyota-rav4</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[How this car makes you a better driver: Ice driving with a 2026 Skoda Enyaq and Kodiaq ]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/how-this-car-makes-you-a-better-driver-ice-driving-with-a-2026-skoda-enyaq-and-kodiaq</link>
            <description><![CDATA[How confidently can you drive on hardened snow, or in icy conditions?And what about electric vehicles (EVs)? Are they better or worse?The answers very much depend on the model of vehicle in question, as well as the level of advanced driver assistance technologies (ADAS) fitted.That&rsquo;s because modern vehicles are immeasurably better at steering and braking control on very low grip surfaces, and are able to react far quicker than a human ever can.A high-grip or sticky road (usually dry and warm) has a high mu (denoted by the Greek letter m), while low mu represents a low-grip, low-friction surface like ice, snow or on a wet steel plate.This ain&rsquo;t easy to do&hellip;Before the advent of safety aids like traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brakes, ADAS and all-wheel drive (AWD), vehicles in low mu situations required exceptional driving skills just to keep it from veering off uncontrollably into the scenery.Basically, the driver would often become the passenger.Now, in concert with advances in tyres and chassis engineering tuning, an electronic driving mode can be chosen according to the prevailing environment and conditions, for far-safer travel. It&rsquo;s all the difference between progress and ploughing into something.Just as importantly, there are degrees of electronic intervention to allow for a variety of different ways to travel over low-mu surfaces, according to the level of driver skill.How modern cars fare on ice todayHere&rsquo;s where Skoda steps into the picture.To demonstrate just how far modern vehicles have come, the Volkswagen Group brand organised a demonstration for a small number of Australian motoring media on a special closed circuit on an ice field in New Zealand.To keep it interesting, both vehicle types were performance-orientated grades of popular family-sized AWD SUVs that people might reasonably be expected to drive up to snowy regions during a ski season. Or navigate an ice-storm in on a freezing night on the other side of the globe. You never know.In this case, they were the 2026 Skoda Kodiaq RS 4x4 from $70,590 (all prices are before on-road costs) and a 2026 Skoda Enyaq RS 4x4 from $76,590 &ndash; with the latter being the go-faster EV version that is also known as the vRS in other markets. They wore winter tyres, a common addition in Europe, North America and other cold-climate regions, but not so in Australia due to our temperate climate.Several revealing demonstrations were prepared, and all on ice that looked like soft snow due to flurries but, in reality, revealed a mu surface as slippery as you&rsquo;ll ever likely to experience out in the real world.Simple cornering controlHere we were shown the most basic level of ice-driving car control: attempting a low-speed cornering manoeuvre, without spearing off into a snowbank, and with limited ESC intervention.This introduced us to the three basic rules we would always have to adhere to: easing in intricate steering inputs, precise throttle control and very gentle tapping of the brake pedal, to allow momentum and the laws of physics to take the vehicle through the turn.Super difficult to achieve at first, and barely at walking pace initially, the speed was increased slowly over repeated exercises, until the balance and behaviour of driver and vehicle were in unison with the road and environmental conditions being negotiated.During these, we learned to importance of understanding and controlling ice-driving understeer (where the vehicle&rsquo;s front wheels lose grip and then ploughs ahead whilst cornering regardless of steering angle) and ice-driving oversteer (where the rear wheels lose grip and the vehicle&rsquo;s tail slides out to eventually spin out of control).Handling at speedAfter that, there was more of the same, but this time with a series of road twists and sharp turns combined with long straight pathways, with the goal of inducing controllable oversteer where possible in order to achieve the]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/how-this-car-makes-you-a-better-driver-ice-driving-with-a-2026-skoda-enyaq-and-kodiaq</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Leapmotor B03 revealed in Paris but is this Geely EX2 and BYD Atto 1 EV rival coming to Australia?]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-leapmotor-b03-revealed-in-paris-but-is-this-geely-ex2-and-byd-atto-1-ev-rival-coming</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Leapmotor has shown off the international version of its small EV, the B03, at the 2026 Paris Motor Show.The 2026 Leapmotor B03 is designed &ldquo;specifically for modern urban lifestyles&rdquo; but has a claimed WLTP electric driving range up to 390km and a 10-to-80 per cent recharge time of just 21 minutes.It&rsquo;s built on Leapmotor&rsquo;s Compact Electric Platform, shared with the B03X small SUV, and as such shares the 53kWh granting the aforementioned driving range. Its 133kW max DC charge rate is also shared.Similarly, the B03&rsquo;s 145kW of power and 200Nm of torque is the same, meaning it&rsquo;s probably not a far cry from the B03X&rsquo;s sprint to 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds and its maximum speed of 160km/h.Features include a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver instrument display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and over-the-air (OTA) updates.The brand says its &lsquo;Leap Box&rsquo; storage area is waterproof and spruiks its foldable &lsquo;LeapFlex&rsquo; rear seat that can fold up for more floor space like Honda rear seats do.B03 goes international, but not for AustraliaWhile the B03 is set to be offered in Europe as well as at home in China where it&rsquo;s called the Leapmotor A05, it&rsquo;s unlikely the model will launch in Australia.With the 2026 Leapmotor B03X launching in Australia (from $29,990 drive-away until the end of 2026) as the brand&rsquo;s cheapest model locally, the slightly smaller B03 might not be worth the effort and cost to launch.Given the similar specifications and Australians&rsquo; penchant for small SUVs rather than hatchbacks, the B03 isn&rsquo;t likely to have much of a market when the B03X is available.Leapmotor&rsquo;s local arm hasn&rsquo;t confirmed whether the B03 will launch in Australia or not, but the focus on the B03X would suggest that&rsquo;s the way the brand is headed.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-leapmotor-b03-revealed-in-paris-but-is-this-geely-ex2-and-byd-atto-1-ev-rival-coming</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:08:12 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Gorgeous EV makes big promises: 2026 Peugeot RCZ concept debuts at Paris motor show with some impressive claims]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/gorgeous-ev-makes-big-promises-2026-peugeot-rcz-concept-debuts-at-paris-motor-show-with</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The brand may be in limbo in Australia but Peugeot has made a big statement at this week&rsquo;s Paris Motor Show with the unveiling of a new-generation RCZ Vision sports coupe concept.And the big news under the four-seat GT&rsquo;s svelte exterior is what the French maker states is a 110mm thick solid-state battery sitting within a 1000-volt electric architecture.Solid-state cells: high energy density, outstanding charging &amp; powerDeveloped in collaboration with US energy specialist, Factorial Energy, Peugeot said the car&rsquo;s solid-state cells have been tailored to deliver high energy density with &ldquo;outstanding&rdquo; charging and power capabilities.&nbsp;Although its configuration isn&rsquo;t detailed, Peugeot said the concept&rsquo;s pure-electric powertrain is good for around 375kW with energy consumption of 11.5kWh/100km, while the battery&rsquo;s state of charge is capable of rising from 10 to 80 per cent in just 10 minutes.&lsquo;Double-bubble&rsquo; roof echoes original production RCZDesign highlights include the latest interpretation of Peugeot&rsquo;s &lsquo;Three Claws&rsquo; head- and tail-light signature, a &lsquo;double-bubble&rsquo; roof echoing the original production RCZ&rsquo;s (offered globally from 2009-2015) and a &lsquo;future-generation&rsquo; version of the i-Cockpit instrument and steering wheel layout, the latter including transparent Micro LED displays.Underpinned by the Stellantis Group&rsquo;s modular, multi-energy STLA One platform, scheduled to roll out in production form for B, C, and D segment models from 2027, the sleek concept features active aero, 21-inch front and 22-inch rear rims and a mix of top-shelf materials throughout the cabin, including Alcantara, recycled leather, machined aluminium and frosted glass.Floating centre console unites multiple functionsThe dashboard clock, designed by French watchmaker, Serica, is in the form of the brand&rsquo;s Parade watch, a floating centre console unites multiple functions including driving modes and climate control, while the air vents are mobile and can disappear into the dash when not in use.Unveiling the car, Peugeot CEO Alain Favey said, &ldquo;With Peugeot RCZ Vision, we are setting out our vision with a car firmly focused on the future, dedicated to delivering the ultimate driving pleasure.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;With emotion at its heart, this manifesto embodies the boldness of Peugeot and shows that design and technology can work together seamlessly to create an experience that is instinctive, refined and intensely desirable,&rdquo; he said.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/gorgeous-ev-makes-big-promises-2026-peugeot-rcz-concept-debuts-at-paris-motor-show-with</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:28:20 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Toyota settles $750 million law suit in Australia, following diesel particulate filter issue with 2015-2020 Toyota Prado, Fortuner 4WDs and HiLux ute]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-settles-750-million-law-suit-in-australia-following-diesel-particulate-filter-issue</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Toyota has finally settled its long-standing lawsuit in Australia.The giant Japanese brand has agreed to pay $750 million to settle two class-action High Court cases.A defective diesel particulate filter (DPF) has impacted more than 260,000 examples of the Toyota Hilux ute, Fortuner SUV and LandCruiser Prado 4WD models built between 2015 and 2020.The issue affected 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines, where the DPF system failed to burn off diesel soot properly, leading to premature engine wear and increased fuel consumption.It also caused clogged filters, excessive white smoke and bad smells.Toyota&rsquo;s response to class-action lawsuitA spokesperson for Toyota Australia said the brand apologised for issues caused for its customers and will continue to offer a free remedy.They said the settlement remains subject to court approval.&ldquo;Toyota Australia has agreed to a settlement in the DPF Class Action case,&rdquo; they said.&ldquo;We apologise for any inconvenience or discomfort experienced by our customers.&ldquo;We remain committed to assisting any impacted customers and to providing a free-of-charge remedy that has been available since 2020.&ldquo;The trust of our customers has been central to Toyota Australia for more than 70 years, and we do not take that for granted.&rdquo;Claims against Toyota finally settledThe proceedings first commenced in 2019 where they began in the Federal Court.The plaintiffs&rsquo; argued the value of affected cars decreased as a result of the issue and that Toyota engaged in misleading conduct.Toyota has offered a free-of-charge mechanical and software fix for the DPF issue since 2020, but there were concerns this would impact any potential compensation for eligible owners.The overall compensation figures has been reduced substantially despite the court finding Toyota needed to compensate owners.The Primary Federal Court applied a 17.5 per cent value decrease, but this Full Federal Court set this aside and applied a 10 per cent figure.The High Court of Australia set aside both rulings and instead assessed value reduction using hindsight in consideration of the 2020 fix.Toyota has subsequently settled the case for $750 million, pending a final court go-ahead, compared to a previously-rumoured $2 billion figure.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-settles-750-million-law-suit-in-australia-following-diesel-particulate-filter-issue</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:19:58 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Iconic car makes a breath-taking comeback: 2026 Smart #2 revealed as spiritual successor to Smart ForTwo micro car]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/iconic-car-makes-a-breath-taking-comeback-2026-smart-2-revealed-as-spiritual-successor-to</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Smart has officially revived its small two-seat hatchback, and it may be returning to Australian shores.The Smart #2, pronounced &lsquo;Hashtag Two&rsquo;, is the spiritual successor to the original Smart ForTwo that similarly debuted at the Paris motor show, but 28 years prior.This new two-seat hatchback is now electric-only and based on a new platform called the Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). It&rsquo;s powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 60kW and 130Nm.The electric motor is fed by a 35.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a WLTP-claimed range of 289km.AC charging is offered at rates up to 11kW, depending on the trim, while DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 65kW. The latter allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge to occur within 20 minutes.Under 2.8-metres long and city-focused designThe Smart #2 measures in at 2746mm long, 1760mm wide and 1555mm tall, with a 1875mm wheelbase.This makes it roughly 250mm longer, 250mm wider and 55mm taller than the original Smart ForTwo. The Smart #2 also has a kerb weight of 1140kg, which is 410kg heavier than the three-cylinder-powered original.All four wheels are pushed to the corners of the body and the rear wheels are slightly wider than the front.The exterior styling is reminiscent of previous-generation ForTwo models and it retains the classic split-folding tailgate. There&rsquo;s 305 litres of boot space as standard, which expands to 527 litres with the underfloor section.10.1-inch central touchscreen and modern safety technology as standardThe Smart #2 is available in a series of trim levels, including Pure, Premium and the limited-edition Couture Edition. A high-performance Brabus version is also in the works.All versions receive LED headlights, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system, bench-style front seat and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.The Premium receives a panoramic glass sunroof, seven-speaker Sennheiser sound system, a heated driver&rsquo;s seat, as well as synthetic leather upholstery.The limited-edition Couture Edition has Atelier White matte exterior paint with a Platinum Gold roof, plus 16-inch alloy wheels with gold details.All versions have adaptive cruise control and lane centring, while the Premium and up receive blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.2027 Smart #2 Australian launch possibleThe Smart #2 is set to launch in the UK in 2027 and a wider European and Chinese launch is in the works. A Smart spokesperson has said there is currently no specific details about a launch in other global markets, including Australia.Despite the uncertainty, Smart did paint a mural of the #2 in Melbourne, among other global locations, back in August. This indicates that an Australian launch is at least on the brand&rsquo;s radar.The Smart ForTwo was discontinued locally in 2015 following declining sales. This revived electric version, if it comes to Australia, will rival the likes of the Hyundai Inster, BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and GAC Aion UT, among others.Since the Smart brand relaunched in 2019 as a joint-venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, it returned to Australia in 2024 with the #1 and #3 electric SUVs.The new Smart #5 mid-size electric SUV, which is the brand&rsquo;s largest vehicle to date, is set to launch in Australia during November.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/iconic-car-makes-a-breath-taking-comeback-2026-smart-2-revealed-as-spiritual-successor-to</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Bad news for Chinese EVs in Australia as price rises loom for 2026 Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/bad-news-for-chinese-evs-in-australia-as-price-rises-loom-for-2026-tesla-model-y-byd</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Chinese electric cars are about to get more expensive, thanks to a cash grab made by the Chinese government.In a move that will help repair its budget, the Chinese government has slashed the export rebate for value added tax (VAT) on electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and range-extender hybrids (REEV) from 13 per cent to nine per cent, according to reports.This effectively means Chinese cars will become four per cent more expensive to send to Australia, but the good news is this doesn&rsquo;t kick in until April 2027.This means Chinese brands might engage in a price war to grab market share before being forced to lift prices.China is the world&rsquo;s biggest electric and low-emissions vehicle market in the world, and it exported more than 570,000 examples in September alone.Chinese cars dominate in AustraliaSales of Chinese-made cars have exploded in Australia, with 42,158 examples finding a new home in September. That is about 39 per cent of all new cars sold in Australia.That number smashes conventional powerhouses Japan, Thailand and South Korea.Not all Chinese-made cars are from Chinese brands.Almost every Australian-delivered Teslas is built in China, and an increasing number of carmakers are building their EVs there, such as the Cupra Tavascan, Hyundai Elexio and Kia EV5, among others.Chinese-built electric cars are starting to dominate the top 10 sellers list, with the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5 all amongst the top sellers for September.There are also a number of contenders knocking on the top 10, including the Zeekr 7X and Jaecoo J5.Price rises won&rsquo;t over turn China&rsquo;s price advantageEven with a four per cent price rise across the board, Chinese cars will still undercut rivals from conventional carmakers.BYD&rsquo;s Atto 1 is the cheapest car in the country at $19,990 &mdash; at least until its promotional drive-away offer ends in December.BYD isn&rsquo;t alone in sharpening its pencil, with the Geely EX2, GAC Aion UT, GWM Ora 5 and Leapmotor B03X all lobbing in the past few months with price tags at about or less than $30,000.Tesla slashed $9000 of the price of entry into its Model 3 electric sedan, with a new based Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) variant priced from $45,900, before on-road costs.A price war is forming, but it might be slightly blunted by the incoming changes.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/bad-news-for-chinese-evs-in-australia-as-price-rises-loom-for-2026-tesla-model-y-byd</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:20:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Electric Vehicle Council announces $1.43 million funding for 2027 Australian charging roadmap, including 2026 Zeekr 7X, BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/electric-vehicle-council-announces-143-million-funding-for-2027-australian-charging</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A fix for a huge electric car problem is in the works.The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has announced a $1.43 million investment into a national EV charging roadmap.&nbsp;The EVC said in its 2026 State of EVs report that Australia still needs "substantial public charging investment&rdquo;.&nbsp;It called for better data on demand use, reliability and coverage, with Australia&rsquo;s charging infrastructure conundrum more complex than merely installing more fast chargers.&nbsp;The roadmap is expected to be finalised in mid-2027.&nbsp;  @carsguide.com.au Thinking of buying an EV? Here are some tips when it comes to public charging. #ev #evs #electriccars #evchargers #cartok &#9836; original sound&nbsp;- CarsGuide.com.au   2027 Australian EV charging roadmapThe $1.43 million is made up of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) ($1.06 million) as well as contributions from the EVC and other project partners.&nbsp;The roadmap will look at charging demand, pressure points and where greater coordination could inform investment decisions through to 2035.It aims to introduce a coordinated charging network for passenger cars and heavy vehicles in metropolitan and regional Australia.&nbsp;&ldquo;Other major EV markets have recognised the value of coordinated national planning,&rdquo; EVC Chief Executive officer Julie Delvecchio said.&nbsp;&ldquo;This Roadmap will bring that to Australia, shaped around our distances, our electricity system and the needs of everything from passenger cars to heavy trucks.&rdquo;Australia needs more EV chargers to support increasing EV numbersOwning a petrol or diesel car is becoming more expensive in Australia, and buyers are making the switch to EV power.&nbsp;The Tesla Model Y has consistently featured in the top five best-selling cars, and in June 2026, it achieved a recording-breaking 8072 sales.&nbsp;The BYD Sealion 7 has also recorded a serious increase in sales as it provides tough competition for the Model Y, while Geely&rsquo;s EX5 has had a bumper 2026.&nbsp;The federal government is targeting 5 million electric cars on Aussie roads by 2035, which would require the total number of EVs on the road to increase tenfold.Electric cars are now among the cheapest on offer in Australia.&nbsp;The BYD Atto 1 starts from $19,990, drive-away (until December 15, 2026), while the Geely EX2 is available from $26,490, before on-road costs.&nbsp;The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is helping to increase EV choices for buyers, with high-emission cars incurring hefty fines under the scheme.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/electric-vehicle-council-announces-143-million-funding-for-2027-australian-charging</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:30:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[New 2026 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid hit with recall for potential electric motor fault]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-2026-toyota-rav4-plug-in-hybrid-hit-with-recall-for-potential-electric-motor-fault</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Close to 6000 examples of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 are the subject of a safety recall to rectify a manufacturing fault just months after it went on sale.The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 5925 RAV4s sold new in Australia in 2026.It said a potential fault with the hybrid system&rsquo;s motor/generator may cause a &ldquo;loss of motive power whilst driving, (increasing) the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.&rdquo;It confirms that plug-in hybrid examples of front-wheel drive (AXAP62R) and all-wheel drive (AXAP64R) versions of the RAV4 have been impacted.Motor initialisation process may not complete correctlyThe notice said, &ldquo;Due to a manufacturing issue with the motor generator electronic control unit (MG-ECU), the motor initialisation process may not complete correctly.This may prevent the electric motor from operating as intended at higher speeds,&rdquo; the notice said.The department added, &ldquo;If the electric motor does not operate as intended, warning lights will illuminate and the vehicle may enter fail-safe mode or shut down, resulting in a loss of motive power.&ldquo;A loss of motive power whilst driving increases the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.&rdquo;All grades of nominated models potentially includedAll grades of the nominated models sold this year are potentially included and the department says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted in writing by Toyota requesting they schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised Toyota dealer for rectification, free of charge.Alternatively, Toyota can be contacted via the Toyota Recall Assist helpline on 1800 987 366 (Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 19:00 AEST / AEDT), email recallsupport@toyota.dataresponse.com.au or through its website https://toyota.com.au/recalls.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-2026-toyota-rav4-plug-in-hybrid-hit-with-recall-for-potential-electric-motor-fault</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:36:20 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[XPeng confirms luxe new arrival: 2026 XPeng G9L coming to Australia as alternative to Wey V9X and Zeekr 8X]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/xpeng-confirms-luxe-new-arrival-2026-xpeng-g9l-coming-to-australia-as-alternative-to-wey</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The XPeng G9L is the latest in a long line of mega SUVs preparing to take a super-sized bite out of Australia&rsquo;s SUV-mad market.At 5120mm long, 1998mm wide, 1788mm tall, the G9L is bigger than a Toyota LandCruiser and giving giants such as the new Y63 Nissan Patrol a run for their money.It&rsquo;s also a whopper on the inside thanks to its 3100mm wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear axles - which means the wheels have been pushed to all four corners to help liberate more cabin space.XPeng hasn&rsquo;t confirmed when it would arrive in Australia, but expect it to arrive in the first half of next year.No word on price, either, but no Chinese car has broken six figures yet, so it&rsquo;ll be cheaper than luxury rivals from Germany.2027 XPeng G9L detailsThe G9L is a range-extender hybrid, which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge its monster 63kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that feeds two electric motors that drive the wheels. This gives it the driving prowess of an electric car without the range anxiety.The G9L&rsquo;s set-up makes 370kW and 695Nm, and can propel the big unit to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.4 seconds.XPeng claims it can drive up to 287km on electric power only, which is calculated via the benchmark WLTP test cycle and it has a combined driving range of up top 1200km.Advanced 800-volt electrical architecture means it can absorb a generous amount of juice, with it able to go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in about 12 minutes.XPeng has made a big deal about how it is integrating AI into its cars, including the G9L.The company builds its own microchips, which allows it to have more control over its capabilities.AI is used as part of the energy management and adapts the energy flow depending on different driving scenarios.XPeng claims it has 24 energy flow strategies covering battery estimation, regenerative braking and thermal management.  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 XPeng G9L is coming to Australia early next year as part of a wave of large SUVs from China, including the Hongqi E-HS9 and Avatr T09. #xpeng #SUV #luxurycar #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   XPeng&rsquo;s real aim is fully autonomous drivingThe G9L has the computing power to allow for full autonomous driving, and the company is preparing to roll out fully autonomous capabilities in 2027, where regulations allow.Australia does not allow that yet.For now the G9L has what it terms Next Generation Pilot, which is Level 2 driver-assistance tech.That is the same grading given to Tesla&rsquo;s Full Self Driving (Supervised), so expect similar capabilities. Tesla&rsquo;s tech can drive autonomously, but the driver needs to be in control and alert and ready to take control just in case.Future over-the-air updates will continue to enhance the tech.XPeng has just launched its Yoyo autonomous robotaxi service in China using its flagship GX SUV.2027 XPeng G9L luxe interiorThe G9L is packed with kit.The cavernous cabin is festooned with premium materials and hi-tech features.The seats are wrapped in supple Nappa leather. The front pair are heated, ventilated, have adjustable side bolsters, massage functions and memory settings.Second row seats are power adjustable, heated, ventilated, massaging and have electric sunshades. Even the third row gets heating and power adjustment.There is a 26-speaker stereo, mini fridge, big multimedia screen, a slim driver display and head-up display.More details will be revealed closer to the G9L&rsquo;s launch date.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/xpeng-confirms-luxe-new-arrival-2026-xpeng-g9l-coming-to-australia-as-alternative-to-wey</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento-rivalling Toyota Kluger avoids the axe, will live on despite production ending in US]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-hyundai-santa-fe-kia-sorento-rivalling-toyota-kluger-avoids-the-axe-will-live-on</link>
            <description><![CDATA[While the future of the current Toyota Kluger remains uncertain, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed the Kluger nameplate will carry over.&ldquo;Firstly with regard to [the] nameplate of Kluger, we will continue,&rdquo; said Toyota Australia Vice President National Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas to CarsGuide.&ldquo;So, we have no plan on discontinuing the Kluger nameplate.&ldquo;Regarding the BEV &hellip; right now we have nothing to confirm or announce on that BEV, but &hellip; Kluger will continue.&rdquo;Current 2026 Toyota Kluger Hybrid future remains unclearThe current-generation Toyota Kluger (Highlander in other markets) has been produced in the USA since 2019.Reports from the US indicate that production of the current Kluger will finish up before the end of 2026. It&rsquo;s unclear if this is just for US-specification Highlander models or globally.The outgoing Kluger/Highlander will be replaced by a new, all-electric model called the Highlander BEV. If it launches locally it will likely be called the Kluger BEV as Hyundai owns the trademark for the name &lsquo;Highlander&rsquo;.The Highlander BEV is set to launch in the US in 2027. At this stage it&rsquo;s unclear whether a local launch will happen, but this is a potential way for the Kluger name to carry on in Australia.Toyota already offers the larger Grand Highlander that&rsquo;s built on the same TNGA-K platform as the regular Kluger. Right-hand drive production for this model has never been confirmed.Australian Lexus TZ launch potentially previews local Toyota Kluger BEV launchWhile Toyota Australia hasn&rsquo;t confirmed the launch of the Highlander/Kluger BEV, Lexus has just announced it is launching the new TZ in 2027.The Lexus TZ is based on the same TNGA-K EV platform as the Kluger BEV. There&rsquo;s also a Subaru version of this car called the Getaway, but for now this is only confirmed for North America.In the US, the new Kluger BEV will be available with two electric motor configurations, as well as two battery packs.A single-motor, front-wheel drive version produces 164kW, whereas a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up has a total system output of 252kW. A 95.8kWh lithium-ion battery will be available first, with a smaller 77kWh unit to be offered later.Toyota Kluger BEV rivals in AustraliaIf Toyota did bring the new electric version of the Highlander to Australia and badge it as the Kluger, it would be the Japanese brand&rsquo;s largest EV to date.Beyond the related Lexus TX, key rivals that are large three-row electric SUVs include the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Tesla Model Y L, Cadillac Vistiq and the Volvo EX90.There&rsquo;s also the new Mercedes-Benz GLB, which offers both an electric powertrain and three rows of seating, but it&rsquo;s a considerably smaller vehicle.Toyota has been ramping up its EV sales thanks to the addition of the bZ4X Touring and it&rsquo;s aiming to have 30 per cent of its overall local sales be EVs, PHEVs and FCEVs by the end of 2030.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-hyundai-santa-fe-kia-sorento-rivalling-toyota-kluger-avoids-the-axe-will-live-on</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:18:24 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Is this Nissan’s SUV saviour? 2027 Nissan NX7 plug-in hybrid hints at new Toyota RAV4, BYD Sealion 6 rival]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/is-this-nissans-suv-saviour-2027-nissan-nx7-plug-in-hybrid-hints-at-new-toyota-rav4-byd</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan is on the cusp of unleashing a torrent of Chinese-sourced vehicles, and this could be one of the next to arrive.Nissan has just confirmed it will bring the Navara Pro plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, which spawned from its partnership with China&rsquo;s Dongfeng, to Australia next year.It has also hinted at more to come, with several prototypes undergoing testing in Australia.Nissan NX7 plug-in hybrid SUVNissan is preparing to launch the NX7 plug-in hybrid SUV in China later this year, which puts it on the timeline where it could be one of the prototypes testing Down Under. It has now been spotted testing in China.It looks typical of Chinese electric and PHEVs, with lots of rounded edges and a face that blends into a crowd.It measures 4785mm long, 1932mm wide and 1665mm tall, according to regulatory filings in China. This makes it longer and wider than its main rival, the Toyota RAV4.Underneath it features a monster circa-41kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which is roughly double what is found in most mid-size PHEV SUVs currently on sale in Australia.There is no word on charging speeds, but it should have moderate DC fast-charging capabilities.It is claimed the battery provides an electric driving range of more than 200km, albeit via the more lenient Chinese test cycle, rather than the benchmark WLTP.It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, with combined power figures still under wraps.Chinese NissansThe Nissan Navara Pro PHEV is the first to come to Australia.It is a ladder-frame dual-cab ute with PHEV grunt. It uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor that makes a combined 300kW and 800Nm.It has four-wheel drive, multiple drive modes, can tow up to 3500kg and a payload of up to 1000kg.It will spawn a SUV, dubbed Terrano, which is also likely to come to Australia.Nissan&rsquo;s N-Series of SUVs are also possible starters with the NX7 and NX8 bigger brother. The NX8 is an range-extender hybrid (REEV), which means it only uses its petrol engine to charge its battery and the wheels are driven by electric motors. This gives it the driving prowess and instant torque of an EV, with the total driving range of a hybrid.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/is-this-nissans-suv-saviour-2027-nissan-nx7-plug-in-hybrid-hints-at-new-toyota-rav4-byd</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Inside Isuzu's fight for survival: Japanese brand's plan to keep diesel 2026 Isuzu D-Max and MU-X]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/inside-isuzus-fight-for-survival-japanese-brands-plan-to-keep-diesel-2026-isuzu-d-max-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Isuzu says it will look to trade emissions credits with other manufacturers and attempt to share the extra cost between dealers, its local head office and its international HQ to keep selling the diesel D-Max and MU-X in Australia without jacking up prices.The brand is in a tough spot when it comes to the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in Australia, with two models sharing diesel engines, and no form of electrification either here or coming in the immediate future.But it also says the segments it competes in &ndash; namely the ute and off-road SUV spaces &ndash; aren&rsquo;t embracing electrification, even if it had powertrains to offer. That leaves it with little option but to buy credits from other lower-emitting manufacturers.Part of the government&rsquo;s NVES policy is that manufacturers who exceed their fleet emission target end in credit, while those who miss theirs end with a deficit, but brands can trade to balance their ledgers.Isuzu to try a shield customer from price rises&ldquo;The strategy is that we&rsquo;ll do everything we can to make the impact as low as possible on the end user,&rdquo;&nbsp; says&nbsp; Rod Caldwell, Executive General Manager - MD Office and Internal Audit Office.&ldquo;If that means we need to buy credits, we're not saying that we won't do that."If that means that it protects the consumer from any excessive price increases or whatever, but it gives them the lowest impact, then that's what we'll do. Some brands say they won't, we're saying that's an option we will seriously consider.&rdquo;Caldwell says the brand would attempt to share any cost increases across the vehicle suppliers, rather than pass them onto the customer, though he concedes that might not be entirely possible.&ldquo;We're trying to trim expenses at the same time, and we've got a number of parties involved in our process,&rdquo; he says.&ldquo;We've got the manufacturer, we've got our owner, we've got us. So we&rsquo;ve all got a job to do to make sure that the customer doesn't have to wear the brunt of it.&nbsp;&ldquo;We want to minimise the impact. We will have to absorb some, the factory will have to absorb some. At the end of the day, the factory is the one responsible for the penalty, not us, but we've got to come to an arrangement on how we share this burden.&ldquo;It's not going to be long term. We are going to have new technology in the future, for sure.&rdquo;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/inside-isuzus-fight-for-survival-japanese-brands-plan-to-keep-diesel-2026-isuzu-d-max-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 03:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA['There’s a lot of vehicles': 2027 Nissan Navara Pro PHEV ute the first of many Chinese-sourced cars]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/theres-a-lot-of-vehicles-2027-nissan-navara-pro-phev-ute-the-first-of-many-chinese-sourced</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan has just confirmed the launch of its first Chinese-sourced, joint-venture model in Australia and more models are in the plans.&ldquo;We are working on business cases and I think we&rsquo;ve been pretty open,&rdquo; said Nissan Australia Managing Director Steve Milette to CarsGuide.&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of vehicles that were revealed at the Auto China [motor show this year].&ldquo;I mean, we have our hand up for many of those and it&rsquo;s just a matter of going through the proper business cases, just like we went through on the Navara Pro PHEV, but there definitely is a need for us to continue down the electrification of our portfolio and expanding the line-up and so more to come in the future.&rdquo;Chinese Nissan prototypes already on Australian roadsNissan engineers have conducted over 20,000km of local testing of the new Navara Pro PHEV since 2025 and Milette noted that prototypes of other Chinese Nissan vehicles are already being driven around in Australia.At this stage it&rsquo;s unclear which Chinese-made models Nissan will bring to Australia next, but at the Auto China motor show earlier in 2026 it revealed the following vehicles:Nissan NX8 electric (EV) and range-extender (REEV) large SUVNissan Terrano PHEV conceptNissan Urban SUV PHEV conceptNissan has since revealed the NX7 PHEV mid-size SUV, which is based on the Urban SUV PHEV concept.While a production version of the Terrano PHEV concept hasn&rsquo;t been revealed yet, Nissan notes that it will be revealed before April 2027.2027 Nissan Terrano revival in Australia possibleA camouflaged, production-specification Nissan Terrano PHEV prototype was spied earlier this year and it&rsquo;s understood to share many components and its body-on-frame platform with the Navara Pro PHEV dual-cab ute.This means the production-specification Terrano PHEV will likely have either a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol PHEV or 2.0-litre turbo-petrol PHEV, like the Navara Pro PHEV. The latter offers total system outputs of 300kW and 800Nm.It&rsquo;s unclear whether any other powertrain options will be available in the Terrano. For reference, the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro is also offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.If the Terrano PHEV comes to Australia, it will sit underneath the flagship Patrol. It will be a key rival to the likes of the GWM Tank 500 PHEV, Denza B5 and Denza B8, while also a rival to diesel alternatives like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.  @carsguide.com.au 2027 Nissan Terrano revealed as SUV counterpart to the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute #nissan #terrano #hybrid #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   More Chinese Nissan models under considerationBeyond the Nissan Terrano PHEV, the Japanese carmaker has a series of other Chinese-made models that have previously been earmarked for a local launch.Examples include the Nissan NX8 electric and REEV large SUV, NX7 PHEV mid-size SUV, as well as the N7 electric sedan.The latter vehicle was most recently confirmed for a launch in the Philippines as the Primera EV earlier this year.Nissan has been ramping up the exports from its Chinese production facility which it operates as part of a joint-venture with Dongfeng.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/theres-a-lot-of-vehicles-2027-nissan-navara-pro-phev-ute-the-first-of-many-chinese-sourced</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:11:34 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Honda's new ute on Australia's doorstep: Honda to sell re-badged 2026 Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara ute in south east Asia: report]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/hondas-new-ute-on-australias-doorstep-honda-to-sell-re-badged-2026-mitsubishi-triton</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mitsubishi&rsquo;s Triton ute looks set to spread its mechanical DNA further than the underpinnings of its Nissan Navara sibling.Reports out of Japan point to a Honda-badged, Thai-built version of the ladder frame workhorse planned for sale in multiple Southeast Asian markets and beyond from 2028.Nikkei Asia has reported increasing competition from Chinese challenger brands in Asia has forced Honda to review its largely stand-alone product policy, tapping into Mitsubishi&rsquo;s body-on-frame ute expertise as a pragmatic short-cut response.Honda already has the Alabama-built Ridgeline dual cab pickup in its North American portfolio, but that petrol V6-powered monocoque mid-sizer lacks the load carrying and hauling capacity of a traditional ute with a tough leaf-spring rear end.Ongoing talks since 2024The report references collaboration talks between Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan, which have been ongoing since August 2024 and notes the Triton&rsquo;s reputation for durability and off-road performance; in-demand attributes for hard-working trucks in ASEAN countries.Honda entered into numerous model share arrangements with Isuzu through the 1990s (Passport, Horizon, Jazz), but has mainly operated solo since then, so a potential ute collaboration with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance partners represents a telling shift in the Japanese maker&rsquo;s new product development model.The report notes that until recently, Japanese brands collectively commanded around 90 per cent market share in Thailand and Indonesia, that figure shrinking to closer to 70 per cent currently as buyers embrace EV passenger and commercial options from the likes of BYD, Chery, Geely, XPeng, Zeekr and many others.Honda sales falling in key Asian marketsMore specifically, the report said Honda's combined year-on-year sales in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have fallen 20 per cent (to around 110,000 units) for the first eight months of 2026.And it&rsquo;s worth noting the potential arrangement would improve Mitsubishi Motors factory efficiency in Thailand, where a reported collective capacity of approximately 386,000 units resulted in only 170,000 vehicles produced in 2025.&nbsp;Possibility of a Honda ute in Australia?With multiple right-hand drive markets scattered throughout Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the possibility of a Honda ute in Australia is significant and CarsGuide contacted Honda Australia for comment on the prospect of a local introduction.A spokesperson told us, &ldquo;This is not an official announcement made by Honda or Mitsubishi Motors.""While Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors are discussing various potential collaboration opportunities under the framework of our strategic partnership, there is nothing specific to share at this time."We will make an official announcement at an appropriate time,&rdquo; they said.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/hondas-new-ute-on-australias-doorstep-honda-to-sell-re-badged-2026-mitsubishi-triton</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:48:16 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[This is VW’s car to defeat China: 2027 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan revealed to battle 2026 Zeekr 7X, Geely EX5]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/this-is-vws-car-to-defeat-china-2027-volkswagen-idtiguan-revealed-to-battle-2026-zeekr-7x</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Volkswagen finally has the firepower to take on China, with its new ID.Tiguan electric SUV.The new ID.Tiguan will replace the current ID.4 and ID.5, which are currently still on sale in Australia.Both have been met with lukewarm success and have been comprehensively outsold by the Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X, Geely EX5 and more.The mid-size electric SUV moves to the company&rsquo;s upgraded electric car platform, dubbed MEB+.This brings a number of updates including faster charging capabilities, better batteries and more efficient electric motors.2027 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan&nbsp; designThe new ID.Tiguan brings more road presence than the outgoing ID.4 and ID.5. It looks less like it was designed to impress a wind tunnel and more to look good in a driveway.It has chunkier styling with a more boxy silhouette, with broad haunches and a blocky rear end. Sharp LED lights joined by a light bar that runs the length of the bonnet gives it a modern EV feel. There are just enough body creases to give it some visual appeal, along with various alloy wheel designs.Inside is where the magic really happens.Buttons, glorious buttons, have made a return to a Volkswagen interior.There are physical controls for climate functions underneath the central multimedia display, and the steering wheel has plenty of real buttons, not haptic feedback touch controls of cars past.This doesn&rsquo;t mean the ID.Tiguan is old-school. The ID.Tiguan can come with three screens, including a 15-inch central multimedia screen, 10-inch driver display and a 12-inch front seat passenger screen. This means the screens run the length of the entire dashboard.It appears the austerity years that ripped out the high-end feel of Volkswagen interiors might be over, with the ID.Tiguan looking plush and comfortable inside.2027 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan detailsThe ID.Tiguan is available in three layouts: two single-motor, rear-wheel drive and one dual-motor all-wheel drive.The base rear-wheel-drive version uses a 140kW motor and 58kWh battery delivering a WLTP range of up to 450km.A beefier 210kW rear-wheel drive version is paired with a 77kWh battery that provides a driving range up to 600km.The range is topped off with a 220kW all-wheel-drive version that uses the same 77kWh battery to push the car up to 560km.The bigger batteries can accept up to 165kW of DC power and the smaller version up to 105kW. All can absorb 11kW from an AC connector.The ID.Tiguan can even tow, with the smaller battery version capable of pulling up to 1800kg and the others can shift 2000kg.2027 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan Australian launch timingVolkswagen Australia has not confirmed if the ID.Tiguan will be sold in Australia, but it is almost certain it will arrive here to replace the ID.4 and ID.5.Pre-sales start in select European countries this month, but Australia is usually a decent chunk behind the continent.Volkswagen has just announced a series of substantial updates for the ID.4 and ID.5 in Australia, which will likely point to it being on sale for another year at least.So, expect it to arrive towards the end of 2027 at the earliest.In Germany it starts at the equivalent of about $68,000.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/this-is-vws-car-to-defeat-china-2027-volkswagen-idtiguan-revealed-to-battle-2026-zeekr-7x</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:11:08 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Nissan axes home-grown hero: 2027 Nissan Navara Warrior ute plans axed as Chinese-sourced Navara Pro plug-in hybrid becomes available]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/nissan-axes-home-grown-hero-2027-nissan-navara-warrior-ute-plans-axed-as-chinese-sourced</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan Australia has confirmed it will not build a locally-fettled Warrior version of its new Navara dual-cab ute.A concept version of a new Navara Warrior was shown to Australian media in November 2025 when the current, D27-generation Navara was first revealed.Nissan claims it was around 70 to 80 per cent of the way through the development process.The plug was pulled after the ability to fast-track the new, Chinese-sourced Navara Pro PHEV became an option.Beefier looks and off-road credentials to matchLike all Nissan Warrior models, the D27-generation Navara Warrior concept was equipped with a series of upgrades to enhance its off-road capabilities.  @carsguide.com.au The Australian-tweaked 2027 Nissan Navara Warrior has been axed as the Japanese brand fast-tracks the Chinese-made Navara Pro PHEV. This may leave Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Premcar, in the lurch until a new Y63 Patrol Warrior is made. #nissan #navara #4x4 #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   These included a suspension lift kit, aftermarket 17-inch wheels that provided wider track for increased stability and presence and 32-inch all-terrain tyres for improved clearances.Additionally there was a Warrior-specific bullbar, wheel arch flares, a multi-stage bash plate and two extra recovery points as well as aftermarket driving lights.At the reveal event last November, Nissan had only committed to creating the flagship Pro-4X Warrior, but it was looking to potentially introduce lower versions.Nissan Warrior future now uncertainNissan&rsquo;s off-road-oriented Warrior models have been developed in partnership with Melbourne-based engineering and manufacturing firm, Premcar, since 2019.The first Nissan Warrior model was the Navara N-Trek Warrior, which launched that year. It was replaced by the Navara Pro-4X Warrior in 2022. Later, the budget-oriented Navara SL Warrior joined the line-up.Premcar applied itself to the Y62 Patrol, creating the Patrol Warrior that launched in 2023.With the launch of both new-generation Navara and Patrol models, it&rsquo;s unclear what the future of the Warrior nameplate is for now. Both the D27 Navara and Y63 Patrol offer off-road-oriented Pro-4X trims, but neither have been further tweaked by Premcar.2027 Nissan Navara Pro PHEV is now the priorityThe decision to shelve the D27-generation Navara Warrior follows Nissan fast-tracking the Navara Pro PHEV.This new, Chinese-sourced dual-cab ute is set to launch locally in 2027 and has been subjected to an &ldquo;extensive&rdquo; local development and evaluation program since 2025. Prototypes have already travelled over 20,000km on Australian soil.A new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol PHEV powertrain has been selected and tested for the Australian market. It produces total system outputs of 300kW and 800Nm.Additionally, Nissan is targeting a 3500kg braked towing capacity, as well as a payload capacity of approximately 1000kg.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/nissan-axes-home-grown-hero-2027-nissan-navara-warrior-ute-plans-axed-as-chinese-sourced</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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