Forget the multi-million-dollar Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar and its real F1 engine because if you’re looking for the quickest Benz of all time you’ll need the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance that will arrive in Australia in the first half of 2025. That’s because, thanks to its wild plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 powertrain it can launch from 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds – a cool 0.1sec quicker than the 782kW ONE – and at a fraction of its price. Not that the expected price of around $425,000 (plus ORCs) is exactly a snip. READ MORE: Beijing show: Benz rips the covers off 432kW 3.0-tonne e ..read more

The 2024 Range Rover Electric has been shown off undisguised undergoing final winter testing and the big news is it looks just like the regular combustion version. The only changes from its transition from petrol or turbo-diesel include a smoother front grille and the addition of a new charging port behind the rear right door. According to Land Rover, as well as looking the same, the brand’s first-ever EV has also been subjected to the same torturous testing as any other combustion-powered Rangie, with prototypes tested around the world in extreme climates. READ MORE: Who needs a V8: Zero-emis ..read more

Toyota has revealed two new production EVs at the Beijing Motor Show, set to go on sale in China “within a year.” Showcasing the brand’s next generation design language, a BZ3C small/medium coupe-styled crossover SUV and BZ3X five-seat medium/large SUV were unveiled – both based on Toyota’s BZ concepts shown at 2023’s Shanghai Motor Show. Toyota bZ3X medium SUV is a full EV and roughly RAV4-sized Toyota says the two new EVs are “catering to Chinese customers,” so there’s no confirmation if these 2025-launching cars will become global models. Sadly, no technical details were revealed either. Th ..read more

Australian miners will soon take deliveries of Rivian R1T utes as part of a global partnership between both the US truck and SUV maker and the Mining Electric Vehicle Company (MEVCO). Sadly the deal does not include sale of the R1T to the Australian public. According to MEVCO, a fleet of mine-spec Rivian R1T electric 4×4 dual-cab pick-ups are already on the way Down Under, although it’s not been confirmed just how many R1Ts MEVCO plans to sell here but the deal globally is said to be worth “hundreds of Rivians”. READ MORE: Raptor catcher, Cybertruck crusher: Extreme Rivian R1X performance pick ..read more

The Mazda6 is changing name, going electric and will be on-sale in China before the end of 2024. Revealed today at the Beijing auto show, the Mazda EZ-6 will be offered as both a battery electric vehicle and as a plug-in hybrid. The appearance of the EZ-6 ends the expectation Mazda would kill of the 6 due to declining interest in sedans and wagons and the rise of SUVs. The original Mazda6 launched in Australia in 2002 and the current third generation in 2012, with a significant update in 2018. READ MORE: Look out, China? Mazda to develop eight new EVs by 2030 – and it’s all thanks to Toyota RE ..read more

BYD has dropped a very tasting looking rear-drive hot hatch concept at its Beijing show presentation today. While the Shark dual cab ute was notable for its absence, the Ocean-M certainly did a great job of creating a buzz instead. Little is as yet known about the Ocean-M, apart from BYD claiming it is the industry’s first rear-wheel drive hot hatch. READ MORE: BYD’s staggering Australian ambitions: Electrified mega-brand plans sales explosion and new model avalanche READ MORE: Wanted for Australia! New BYD super-brand Leopard shows off 4×4 and supercar concepts READ MORE:Meet BYD’s first ute ..read more

That very symbol of petrol-driven excess the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has gone electric. Unveiled at both the Beijing show and in a star-studded affair in Los Angeles, the G580 with EQ Technology (yep that’s its name) is expected to make it to Australia before the end of 2024. Pricing? Great question. Considering the ICE version is only available as a $400,000 (approx) Mercedes-AMG G63 in Australia these days, it will be lots. READ MORE: Mercedes-Benz EQG shock: G-Wagen goes EV with 4WD concept READ MORE: 2026 Ineos Fusilier showcases rugged 4WD tech with full electric drivetrain – and it’s desig ..read more

Mini has unveiled its new Aceman electric-only wagon at the Beijing auto show and immediately confirmed it will go on-sale in Australia before the end of 2024. An all-new model added to the Mini range between the larger Countryman and smaller Cooper, the 4.07 metre-long, 1.75m wide and 1.5m tall five-door wagon will be available in two models at launch – the E and the SE – with distinct performance differences. The Aceman E will be power its front wheels via a 135kW/280Nm e-motor fed by a 42.5kWh battery pack. READ MORE: $11,000 price hack! But MINI Cooper E still can’t match the BYD Dolphin ..read more

SsangYong Australia has announced it will launch its all-new Torres SUV in Australia this July, with the all-electric EVX model arriving a little later in the fourth quarter of 2024. When it does arrive the rugged-looking SsangYong Torres EVX will be a logical rival for small affordable SUVs like the BYD Atto 3, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Peugeot e-2008. The Korean firm’s second EV, after the Korando e-Motion, is said to offer a range of around 500km thanks to its BYD-sourced 73.4kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery and have a starting price of around $50,000. READ MORE: More affordable EV ..read more

I’ve long wondered why Tesla goes to the trouble of making its cars so damn fast, and powerful, when in most cases they are bought by people who are early adopters, greenies or tech heads, rather than driving enthusiasts. After meeting all of the top executives at Tesla not named Elon at the recent launch of the even faster and more wildly powerful Model 3 Performance, I think I finally get it. These people, hand-picked by Musk himself, are all serious car nuts, the kind of people “who look forward to getting up early on a weekend, just to go for a drive on your favourite roads”. Indeed they ..read more