Biggest – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com Latest car news and advice blog Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:07:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://engineicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-ME_favicon-1-32x32.png Biggest – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com 32 32 Porsche’s biggest electric car, with 3.5 tonne towing capacity, approved for sale in Australia https://engineicon.com/porsches-biggest-electric-car-with-3-5-tonne-towing-capacity-approved-for-sale-in-australia/ Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:33:50 +0000 https://engineicon.com/porsches-biggest-electric-car-with-3-5-tonne-towing-capacity-approved-for-sale-in-australia/

In 2024, Porsche unveiled its second all-electric model, the Macan EV, nearly 5 years after its first electric model, the Taycan sedan, which was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Now, the brand’s third and biggest EV, the Cayenne, with 3.5-tonne towing, has been spotted on the ROVER approval-for-sale register, offered in two variants. This was first spotted by Roland L from the Zapped Au YouTube channel on X.

The variants include:

  • Cayenne Electric – $167,800 plus on-roads
  • Cayenne Turbo Electric – $259,900 plus on-roads

The 4.9-metre-long SUV will be available with a height of 1.74 metres and a running clearance of 175 mm. 

All variants will weigh between 2.5 and 2.65 tonnes, depending on the powertrain configurations.

Braked towing is approved for up to 3,500 kg, while non-braked towing is limited to 750 kg across these variants.

Battery details for the Cayenne show that it comes equipped with a 113 kWh pack, based on the 800 V architecture, with DC charging and a peak charging rate of up to 400 kW.

Cayenne Electric production
Image Credit: Porsche

This will help get the SUV from 10% to 80% in as little as 16 minutes and can deliver a total range of up to 642 km on the WLTP cycle.

On the power front, the base variant produces 325 kW while the top-spec Turbo model bumps that up massively to 850 kW, helping it sprint from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds.

With Porsche sales in Australia needing a boost, this model could help the brand get the kickstart it needs amid growing competition from premium brands like BYD-owned Denza and Geely-backed Zeekr.

If power and towing are important to Australian luxury car buyers, this model could be worth keeping an eye on. We look forward to getting behind the wheel of it when it lands later this year.

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Scania lands it biggest ever electric bus deal https://engineicon.com/scania-lands-it-biggest-ever-electric-bus-deal/ Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:18:58 +0000 https://engineicon.com/scania-lands-it-biggest-ever-electric-bus-deal/

Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania says it will supply 91 battery electric buses to a local transport operator, in its largest order to date and one of the largest electric bus deals in the country.

Scania will supply 91 of its Fencer F1 battery electric vehicle (BEV) buses to VR Sweden, including 32 in a 4×2 configuration and 59 in a 6×2*4 configuration.

VR Sweden won the contract to provide bus services in Södertälje and Nykvarn from local public transport authority SL in 2025 and will begin operations next year. The purchase of these 91 electric buses is intended to fulfil this contract.

“The investment is an important step in the transition to electrified public transport and enables reduced local emissions, while ensuring attractive and reliable traffic for passengers as well as a good working environment for drivers and maintenance personnel,” said Anders Frykman, bus director at VR Sweden.

Each bus will feature battery capacity of 445 kilowatt-hours (kWh), with 400 kWh of usable energy and a charging time from 5 to 95 per cent of only 73 minutes.

The technical specifications provided by Scania do not state an estimated driving range, but the 73 minutes charging time is based on adding 485 kilometres per hour of charge.

The agreement signed between Scania and VR Sweden includes not only supply but also vehicle service and long-term support. Scania also already boasts production facilities and headquarters in Södertälje.

“With development and battery assembly in Södertälje, and close cooperation throughout the process, we will offer a solution that is both robust and sustainable,” said Christopher Svensson, key account manager at Scania Sweden.

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“Cheaper to run:” Global EV numbers surge above 20 million despite slowdown in biggest markets https://engineicon.com/cheaper-to-run-global-ev-numbers-surge-above-20-million-despite-slowdown-in-biggest-markets/ Fri, 22 May 2026 07:00:43 +0000 https://engineicon.com/cheaper-to-run-global-ev-numbers-surge-above-20-million-despite-slowdown-in-biggest-markets/

The soaring price of petrol is sending more Australian drivers to electric cars and the trend could change the worldwide automotive market.

Global oil shortages are driving more motorists to buy electric vehicles, with predictions they could account for almost one in three cars sold worldwide within a year.

Australian drivers could be among those behind the trend after a report found local motorists would save an additional $688 with an EV due to record petrol price increases.

The International Energy Agency released the findings on Thursday in its annual report on the sector, which also found electric vehicles were on track to represent half of all vehicles sold in 2035.

The forecast comes after Australians bought a record number of electric and hybrid vehicles in March and April following fuel shortages caused by conflict in the Middle East.

The agency’s Global EV Outlook 2026 report, which combines sales data with analysis, found electric cars sales exceeded 20 million in 2025, representing a rise of 20 per cent.

Europe recorded the strongest EV growth with sales up by 30 per cent, while Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand more than doubled the number of electric car sales.

Their popularity remained steady in the US and slowed slightly in China, where they made up more than half of all vehicle sales, but International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol said the year represented a turning point.

“Electric car sales set new records in close to 100 countries last year,” he said.

“The growing popularity of EVs has marked a major shift for car makers and the energy system as a whole, and it is providing some relief now amid the largest oil supply shock in history.”

Global fuel shortages were expected to draw consumer attention to the lower running costs of electric vehicles, the report said, and would help them reach 23 million sales in 2026, representing 28 per cent of all car sales.

Australian motorists were hit particularly hard by rising fuel prices – up by 34 per cent in April compared with 2025 – which meant they could save an additional $US490 a year ($688) by swapping a petrol car for a battery-powered model.

The figures showed low-emission cars were becoming an even better investment, Electric Vehicle Council policy head Aman Gaur said.

“People around the world are making the sensible decision to step into EVs, which are cheaper to run and aren’t dependent on expensive, foreign fuels,” he said.

But growth in electric cars could be affected by further fuel excise cuts, the report noted, and also by rising electricity prices.

Australians bought more than 15,400 electric cars in April, according to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Electric Vehicle Council, representing 16.4 per cent of all new car sales.

Source: AAP

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Lexus Just Solved One Of Its Biggest EV Headaches https://engineicon.com/lexus-just-solved-one-of-its-biggest-ev-headaches/ Tue, 12 May 2026 06:08:44 +0000 https://engineicon.com/lexus-just-solved-one-of-its-biggest-ev-headaches/

  • The 2026 Lexus ES will get Toyota’s Arene software platform.
  • It brings a comprehensive native route planning feature and a new infotainment system.
  • The ES is now a fully electrified nameplate, with hybrid and electric versions on offer. 

Road tripping in the 2026 Lexus ES will be a breeze, thanks to a new feature that has long been overdue on electric vehicles under the Toyota umbrella. Lexus announced Monday that the ES will get Toyota’s new Arene software platform, and with it comes native EV route planning, a first for a Lexus EV. 

It’s a feature that Teslas and Rivians have had for years, and its absence has been one of the more glaring pain points of owning Lexus or Toyota electric cars. Anyone who has done long road trips without good native route planning knows how much of a difference this feature makes in curing range anxiety.

With an active Drive Connect trial or subscription, owners will be able to see key charging details directly in the car’s navigation system or on the Lexus smartphone app. This includes the EV Range Map, which will calculate the optimal route to your destination, automatically throw in charging stops along the way, and estimate your remaining battery percentage upon arrival.

Lexus will also show you charging station names, address, hours of operation, charger type (Level 1, 2, or DC fast), real-time availability, and maximum output in kilowatts. It works similarly to the native Google-based infotainment systems found in General Motors and Nissan EVs. One tap on the navigation screen will show nearby charging stations, or let you add a charging stop before you even leave your driveway. 

There’s also a new conversational voice assistant that can handle volume, audio, climate, and trip details, without requiring you to memorize exact commands. And the ES now also gets the native dash cam that debuted on the 2026 Toyota RAV4. It records in continuous loops, supports manual capture, and uses a G-sensor to automatically flag incidents triggered by hard braking, impact, or airbag deployment. Drivers can download the footage to a USB.






2026 Lexus ES Infotainment

Photo by: Lexus

And finally, the Arene platform also makes in-vehicle screens more intuitive. The user experience is now more iPhone-like, featuring customizable widgets on the home screen, cleaner and easier to find functions, and a more responsive system overall. I got my first hands-on with the new setup in the RAV4, and it felt an entire generation ahead of the brand’s current infotainment systems.

New features like EV Routing should complement the ES’s other fundamentals, which look strong on paper. The ES 350e gets up to 307 miles of EPA range thanks to a 74.7 kilowatt-hour battery, which it also shares with the RZ as well as its Toyota cousins like the refreshed bZ and C-HR. The ES, however, is far more luxurious inside, and is geared for the premium end of the electric sedan segment. It starts at $49,000 before destination and is available with all-wheel drive.




2026 Lexus ES

Photo by: Lexus

The new C-HR and the Lexus RZ did not have this feature when I tested them in April. But it’s only logical that Toyota will roll out the same EV Routing feature to its own EVs someday, as well as their Subaru siblings. Whether that will come with over-the-air updates or more comprehensive software and hardware upgrades on future model years remains to be seen.

Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com

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China now biggest player as electric cars surge and ICE-only sales slump in Australia https://engineicon.com/china-now-biggest-player-as-electric-cars-surge-and-ice-only-sales-slump-in-australia/ Thu, 07 May 2026 05:39:49 +0000 https://engineicon.com/china-now-biggest-player-as-electric-cars-surge-and-ice-only-sales-slump-in-australia/

Australia’s new car market took another decisive step in April, and the message is now hard to miss: the centre of gravity is shifting away from internal combustion and towards electric cars.

And China is delivering that transition – more on that below.

The latest data shows battery electric vehicles jumping to nearly 17% of monthly new car sales in April, another sharp lift from the previous record set in March, while plug-in hybrids also surged.

On the numbers now visible in the market, the old petrol-and-diesel majority is shrinking fast. Pure ICE-only vehicles – petrol and diesel, excluding hybrids and plug-in hybrids – are now down to just 52.5% of new vehicle sales.

That is the real story in the April data. It is not simply that EVs had a strong month. It is that the combined rise of battery electrics, plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids is steadily hollowing out the old market dominance of petrol and diesel.

Graph: Ray Wills.

The drivetrain chart show this clearly. Petrol has been in long decline since the post-Covid rebound, diesel has flattened and then eased, while BEV share has climbed from almost nothing in 2020 to the high teens in April 2026.

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids have also continued to rise, meaning the share of the market with some level of electrification is now approaching half of all new vehicles sold.

That shift is also changing where Australia’s vehicles come from.

China is now firmly in the lead as the biggest source of new vehicles sold into Australia, with about 28% of the market on a year-to-date basis. Japan, which dominated the Australian market for decades, continues to lose share.

The April data reinforces China overtaking Japan on a monthly basis, and Japan’s share continuing to slide, and the longer trend now suggests that is no temporary blip but a clear structural change locked in the supply base.

Graph: Ray Wills

The significance of that goes beyond a country-of-origin league table. Australia is not just electrifying; it is electrifying mainly with vehicles built in China.

And that reflects the reality of the global market. China moved early and fast on solar, but now is moving even faster on batteries and EV platforms and manufacturing scale.

Meanwhile, Japanese automakers leaned more heavily into hybrids and delayed full battery EV rollouts. The result is now visible in Australian showrooms and in VFACTS tables alike.

Graph: Ray WIlls.

April also matters because it comes one month before the traditional run-up to the June end-of-financial-year sales spike.

Historically, June has often delivered a temporary rebound in ICE sales as dealers clear stock and businesses bring purchases forward before 30 June. That was visible in the June 2023 and June 2025 bumps, even though the broader petrol and diesel trend kept heading down afterwards.

But 2026 may look different.

This year’s EOFY push will land in a market shaped by three forces at once: strong EV momentum, the first full year of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, and still-elevated fuel prices from the 4 week war on Iran.

That means June could still be a big month overall, but the composition of the spike may be very different from the old ICE-heavy EOFY pattern.

If fleets and business buyers move early to lock in deliveries, some of that demand is now likely to flow to hybrids, plug-in hybrids and BEVs (especially with full FBT exemption for EVs confirmed to stay for another year) rather than just diesel utes and petrol SUVs.

At the same time, carmakers will be increasingly aware that extra low-emissions volume helps under NVES, while pushing more high-emissions stock becomes harder to sustain – just like happened with Dieselgate.

So April may prove to be more than just another strong EV month. It may be the clearest sign yet that Australia’s market is crossing a threshold: China is now the lead supplier, one in six new vehicles is a battery EV, and ICE-only sales are falling towards half the market just as EOFY pressure begins to build.

See The Driven’s detailed EV sales data here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026; by model and by brand.

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Melbourne Motor Show biggest in over a decade https://engineicon.com/melbourne-motor-show-biggest-in-over-a-decade/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:44:42 +0000 https://engineicon.com/melbourne-motor-show-biggest-in-over-a-decade/

MELBOURNE played host to one of the largest motor shows in recent memory last weekend, the three-day event featuring more brands over more floor space than previously, attracting record crowds. 

 

In terms of scale and public interest, it was reminiscent of the last Australian International Motor Show to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) back in 2011. 

 

Organisers estimate that as many as 120,000 visitors attended the sold-out three-day event (up 45,000+ from 2025), doubling its previous footprint by using all 20 MCEC bays. 

 

Primarily centred on Chinese new energy manufacturers – including BYD, Denza, Farizon, GAC, Geely, GWM, JAC, MG Motor, Polestar, Smart, and Zeekr – the event was balanced by more established players that included Harley Davidson, Honda, Isuzu Ute, Kia, Renault, Skoda, Tesla, and Volkswagen, alongside dozens of aftermarket suppliers, car clubs, and automotive accessory vendors. 

 

In a boon for crowds, the 2026 Melbourne Motor Show also hosted the Australian public debut of several new models from a wide range of brands, the highlights of which we have included below. 

 

Some brands also brought in models sold in other markets and under consideration for Australia, displaying them to gauge public reaction. 

 

 

Denza Z9GT  

The Z9GT large shooting brake from BYD premium brand Denza is touted as a leap forward in new energy innovation, not only ushering in new levels of performance, dynamism, and luxury, but battery and charging technology that leaves competitors in the stone age. 

 

Powered by BYD’s next-generation Blade Battery 2.0, the Denza Z9GT offers ‘Flash’ ultra-fast charging (available only at selected Denza dealerships at launch) that will offer peak DC charging of 1500kW, enabling a 10-97 per cent charge time claim of just nine minutes. 

 

For the flagship battery electric version coming to Australia, driving range is listed at 820km and system output 850kW via a three-motor, all-wheel drive configuration. Denza also produces not-for Australia plug-in hybrid and a rear-drive options. 

 

The Denza Z9GT is said to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.7 seconds, and rides on DiSus-A air suspension that is said to offer grand touring levels of ride comfort and handling confidence. 

 

Inside, the cabin décor pays tribute to “centuries on Chinese mastery in exquisite design” and includes highlights such as Nappa leather upholstery, massaging seats, a 50-inch segmented head-up display, Devialet premium audio bundle, and 128-colour LED ambient lighting to name but a few. 

 

“The Denza Z9GT proves the electrification can deliver not just efficiency, but exhilarating performance, extraordinary safety, and genuine long-distance usability,” said Denza Australia chief operating officer Mark Harland. 

 

Pricing and further specifications will be revealed when the model goes on sale in Q3 this year. 

 

IM Motor LS9

Touted as a large, high-technology, luxury large three-row SUV, the IM Motor LS9 demonstrates “the future direction of intelligent electric mobility” for MG Motor’s premium brand. 

 

The LS9 is offers highlights such as four-wheel steering, lidar-based advanced driver assistance systems, artificial intelligence computing platforms, and “high-level automated driving features”. 

 

An 800-volt electrical platform pairs with dual electric motors and a range-extending petrol engine to deliver an output of 390kW/670Nm and driving range of up to 1500km on the more lenient CLTC scale. 

 

Inside, the LS9 is said to emphasise a “highly digital and premium cabin experience” with large, integrated displays, advanced connectivity, and “luxury seating configurations” that are designed to position the model as a “flagship technology showcase”. 

 

Geely EX2  

 

Offered with complimentary home charging equipment, the EX2 will join the EX5 (electric) and Starray EM-i (plug-in hybrid) medium SUVs in Geely’s expanding local line-up and is offered with a choice of six paint colours, a single electric motor, rear-wheel drive dynamics, a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension layout, and efficient liquid cooled battery. 

 

While specifications and pricing are yet to be announced, the model is expected to be competitively placed to take on similar-sized entrants from Chinese importers, including those of the BYD Dolphin, GAC Aion UT and MG 4 Urban. 

 

Zeekr X 

Zeekr revealed full specifications and pricing for its updated ‘X’ compact SUV ahead of the model’s May launch, the battery electric crossover positioned as “one of the strongest value offerings in the segment”, according to its manufacturer. 

 

The five-seat Zeekr X is priced from $48,900 drive-away ($8000 less than when the X launched Down Under in September 2024) and offers the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive configurations delivering 250kW and 365kW of output respectively, and a driving range of up to 415km on the WLTP cycle. 

 

Standstill to 100km/h acceleration times for the duo are listed at 5.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds respectively, with an improved Golden Battery (LFP) pack optimised to offer 230kW DC fast charging for a 10-80 per cent charge time claim of just 18 minutes. 

 

The Zeekr X is said to deliver a “richer suite of in-cabin convenience and technology” introducing previously optional features as standard. 

 

These include heated first- and second-row seats, inductive steering wheel controls, a 13-speaker Yamaha surround sound audio system, and, on the AWD variant, massaging front seats plus an on-board fridge. 

 

With more advanced safety and driver assistance technologies than before, Zeekr Australia managing director Frank Li says the Zeekr X looks set to make its mark in a highly competitive segment, without asking a premium for the privilege. 

 

“Our customers have embraced the Zeekr X for its design, intelligence, and everyday practicality,” he said. 

 

“With the new model, we’ve added more performance, faster charging, and more features and standard, while keeping pricing competitive. 

 

“It offers genuine luxury EV credentials without pushing beyond what buyers expect to pay.” 

 

Volkswagen Tayron and Tiguan eHybrid 

The Volkswagen stand offered visitors to the Melbourne Motor Show a chance to get up close and personal with plug-in hybrid versions of its Tayron and Tiguan SUVs, priced from $62,390 and $64,590 respectively (befoere on-road costs). 

 

Available in Elegance and R Line grades, the plug-in hybrid SUV duo is around $2000 and $3000 pricier than their petrol derivatives but offer fuel-saving 1.5-litre petrol-electric drivelines outputting 150kW and 200kW respectively and offering a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of as low as 1.6 litres per 100km. 

 

Electric-only driving range is listed at 113km and 117km for the pair, while rapid DC charging is rated at up to 40kW, allowing a 10-80 per cent top-up of the 19.7kWh battery in around 30 minutes. 

 

The front-wheel drive pair is available in five-seat format only, owing to the placement of the high-voltage battery pack. 

 

Initial customer deliveries are expected imminently. 

 

Farizon V7E and F3E 

Electric light commercial vehicle producer Farizon has showed its latest V7E (van) and F3E (cab-chassis) models at the Melbourne Motor Show, each offering a competitively priced solution to courier, fleet, and trade buyers looking to make the move to an electric vehicle. 

 

While details of the F3E are yet to be finalised, the V7E is confirmed for arrival in the Australian market in May with a drive-away price of just $49,990 – undercutting several key competitors including the Kia PV5 (from $55,990 + ORC) and Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo (from $69,990 + ORC). 

 

Importer Jameel Motors Australia says the V7E delivers payload (over 1300kg) and cargo capacity (6.95m3) that is comparable with traditional ICE-powered vans, right-sized proportions, and “efficient electric performance suited to urban delivery environments”. 

 

“The V7E has been developed to meet the real expectations of commercial vehicle operators … with pricing that sits competitively alongside traditional ICE vans,” said Jameel Motors Australia country general manager Adam Lawson. 

 

Customer deliveries of the V7E are expected to commence in May with further specification details available soon. 

 

GWM Ora 5 

At the other end of the performance spectrum to the likes of the Denza Z9GT, but still with a lot of offer prospective battery electric vehicle buyers, is the GWM Ora 5 SUV. 

 

Replacing the unloved Ora hatch from an sharp $33,990 plus on-road costs, the Ora 5 SUV is slated to arrive in Australian showrooms from June, offering 150kW/260Nm of system output, seating for five, a 58.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, and up to 430km of WLTC driving range. 

 

GWM says the Ora 5 SUV can be recharged from 30-80 per cent in approximately 20 minutes “in ideal conditions”, the model supported by DC fast charging at up to 120kW. 

 

It offers a long list of standard inclusions such as vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, LED headlighting, a 14.6-inch infotainment array, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, a 362-litre boot, and a palette of five vivid colours. 

 

Further information on the GWM Ora 5 is available here.

 

Honda Prelude 

Honda’s keenly anticipated Prelude hybrid coupe took pride of place on the Japanese importer’s Melbourne Motor Show stand, the model officially priced from $65,000 drive-away ahead of its May launch. 

 

Offered in a single grade, and in five colours, the Prelude returns to Honda’s line-up after a 25-year hiatus, bringing with it new technologies, a stylish two-door body design, a performance chassis (based on the Honda Civic Type R) and a “confidence-inspiring drive” that fosters the “ultimate connection between human and machine”. 

 

Part of that connection comes from Honda’s new S+ Shift technology that debuts on the Prelude, offering a simulated sound and feel that is said to resemble a quick-shifting automatic transmission with an “evocative engine sound” – all at the push of a button. 

 

Speaking at the Melbourne Motor Show, Honda Australia director Andrew Thorp said the 2026 Prelude is a bold reinterpretation of the original model that brings the joy of driving into the hybrid era. 

 

“The 2026 Prelude is a bold interpretation of an iconic driver’s car for the hybrid era, developed from the same dreams and with the same spirit and ambition as the first Prelude back in 1978,” he enthused. 

 

MG 4 EV, MG 4 Urban, HS Hybrid +, S6 EV, U9 EV, and U9 Black Edition  

MG Motor debuted its refreshed MG 4 EV alongside a range of new-to-market entrants and revised models in Melbourne. 

 

The reveal of the updated MG 4 EV introduces what the Chinese importer says is a family-sized electric hatchback bringing “even stronger technology, enhanced cabin quality, and engaging performance and improved driving” to the range, changes that come from customer feedback. 

 

With an improved driving range, larger infotainment screen, the option of rear- and all-wheel drive the MG 4 EV offers a driving range of up to 452km (WLTP). 

 

MG Motor also introduced its new S6 EV to Melbourne crowds, the mid-sized electric SUV featuring a high-capacity battery that offers a driving range of up to 530km (WLTP) and a fast DC charging time of 38 minutes (based on a 10-80 per cent top-up). 

 

The importer says it will offer the S6 EV in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations but has kept full specifications and pricing under wraps until the model is launched later this year. 

 

Building upon its U9 utility range, MG Motor introduced both the U9 EV and U9 Black Edition at the Melbourne Motor Show. 

 

The “next evolutions of the U9 story” mark what MG Motor says is an important step in its electrification journey, moving into a category that “continues to be one of the most popular among Australian drivers”. 

 

More information on the U9 EV and Black Edition will be available soon, with official launch timing to be revealed “at a later date”. 

 

Also appearing was the recently launched MG 4 EV Urban, a city-centric electric hatch offering a front-wheel drive layout, cleverly designed interior, and competitive pricing from just $31,990 drive-away. 

 

MG Motor Australia managing director Dimitri Andreatidis said the model is part of the brand’s broader ambition of lowering the barriers to electrification by offering electric vehicles with pricing comparable to similarly sized petrol-powered cars while still delivering a “balanced mix of technology, range, and convenience features”. 

 

The MG Motor stand also hosted the HS Hybrid + SUV, a model that combines turbocharged petrol and electric power to deliver 165kW to the front wheels, a longer all-electric driving range than before, and “seamless acceleration and reduced fuel consumption”. 

 

Released late last year, the MG HS Hybrid + is available from $40,990 drive-away, and is said to place a strong emphasis on comfort and practicality designed to support everyday duties. 

 

“Not every driver is ready to go fully electric, and that’s where hybrids play an important role,” added Mr Andreatidis. 

 

“Vehicles like the MG HS Hybrid+ provide a practical bridge, delivering strong efficiency gains without requiring chargers.” 

 

Renault Master and Symbioz  

Renault showcased both its latest generation Master van (due in showrooms from June) and its new Symbioz compact SUV in Melbourne, alongside a range of offerings from its current portfolio. 

 

The new generation Master is the first complete refresh of the commercial offering in over a decade and is available for the first time in both diesel and battery electric formats. 

 

With a choice of mid- and long-wheelbase chassis configurations and mid- and high-roof body styles, the model is also available to modify as a camper van or horse carrier, as shown on the Renault stand in Melbourne. 

 

Offering a higher standard of interior finish, a more aerodynamic profile, and a suite of all-new connectivity and safety equipment, the Renault Master is also capable of carrying more than the model replaces, while making more power and torque from the carryover turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and nine-speed automatic combination (now 125kW/380Nm). 

 

The all-electric Master E-Tech, meanwhile, offers an 87kWh lithium-ion battery pack to deliver more than 400km of driving range and a DC fast-charging capacity of 130kW. 

 

Understood to deliver 105kW/350Nm of system power, The Master E-Tech is also expected to land with a 15-80 per cent recharge time of 38 minutes. 

 

For the Renault Symbioz – which is slated for local arrival in the second half of this year – within proportions comparable with those of the Toyota Corolla Cross are a choice of mild hybrid and a full hybrid drivetrain options. 

 

The mild hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine – producing 104kW and 245Nm – and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission while the full hybrid uses a larger 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine – producing 80kW and 107Nm – paired with an electric motor generating 36kW and 205Nm and sourcing electricity from a 1.4kWh battery. 

 

This is good for a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 1000km, says Renault. 

 

Its hybrid system can use electric power only during acceleration up to 60km/h, which Renault says reduces fuel consumption by 40 per cent. 

 

Full Australian specifications, pricing and official arrival times are yet to be confirmed, but a 10.4-inch infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Google Built-in services, a dimming panoramic sunroof, sliding rear seats, and 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels are listed as key equipment highlights. 

 

BYD Seal 6 and Shark 6 

BYD offered Melbourne Motor Show crowds a first look at its newly announced plug-in hybrid Seal 6 Sedan and Touring (wagon) range, as well as its updated Shark 6 PHEV utility, now available with a more powerful 2.0-litre driveline in flagship form and an entry-level cab-chassis configuration. 

 

The Seal 6 Sedan and Touring are said to offer an exceptional long-distance range of more than 1000km from a full tank and battery, with pricing from just $34,990 before on-road costs. 

 

Rivalling Toyota’s popular Camry, the Seal 5 features BYD’s ‘DM 5.0 Super Hybrid’ powertrain technology comprising a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor, a 10.1kWh or 19.0kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery, and an all-electric driving range of up to 100km. 

 

Full specifications are set to be announced closer to the model’s imminent release, though it is noted that equipment highlights include an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch infotainment array, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, child presence detection, and Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality. 

 

Meanwhile, the Shark 6 PHEV utility range is expanded to offer more trim grades, cab-chassis tray options, and a new Performance grade that combines a a larger 2.0-litre engine, with power and torque figures pushed out to 350kW/700Nm. 

 

The 0-100km/h time drops to 5.5 seconds, and towing capacity uprates to 3500kg. The Performance grade also introduces a new Crawl mode – which will also be made available via an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Dynamic and Premium models later this year – joining Mountain mode in the Shark 6’s suite of off-road settings. 

 

Crawl mode is designed to tackle off-road obstacles at slow speeds, limiting the Shark 6 to 20km/h, while making continuous torque adjustments to counter wheel slip. 

 

Full specifications are yet to be officially confirmed for the updated model line-up, but a smaller 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen in the Cab-Chassis (compared to the 15.6-inch found in the Premium and Performance models) comes equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

 

A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 6.6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, and a full ADAS safety suite including a 360-degree camera are listed among the standard equipment. 

 

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