Toyota HiLux
Toyota HiLux render. (Image: Thanos Pappas)
A new HiLux is more exciting than Christmas Day for most ute-loving adults around Australia. One of this country’s perennial favourites, a new-generation HiLux is due in 2025 and promises to shake-up its dual with the Ford Ranger.
Toyota isn’t saying much but we have a good idea about what to expect based on the new Prado, which it will likely share a lot of commonality. It’s expected to sit on a new platform and get new powertrains, including a hybrid option (to better compete with the incoming Ranger PHEV).
Given Toyota’s silent treatment, expect the HiLux to reach showrooms in the second half of the year. But when it does, it will feel like Christmas morning to a lot of people.
Kia Tasman
Kia Tasman
It’s safe to say the initial reaction to its first-ever ute wasn’t what Kia was hoping for. The Tasman has copped criticism online for its looks and modest performance figures, but despite all that this is still an incredibly exciting vehicle.
Firstly, looks are subjective and internet commenters have a tendency to focus on the negatives. Secondly, the Tasman ticks a lot of boxes ute buyers will be looking for in terms of its towing, practicality and (importantly for fleet buyers) safety.
The proof will be in the driving and if the Tasman can perform well and gets a competitive price, there’s no reason it can’t overcome its difficult start and have an exciting year.
MG L6 and LS6*
.jpg)
IM Motors L6
The asterisks is there because we don’t actually know what these new additions to the MG range will officially be called, but we do know two models from the premium IM Motors brand are headed our way in 2025.
What we do know is that it will be the L6 sedan and LS6 SUV, a pair of electric vehicles that will push MG Australia into uncharted territory in terms of price and luxury. There’s also the chance the L6 could introduce ground-breaking semi solid state battery technology to the Australian market. With this new tech the Chinese-market version of the L6 is capable of driving up to 800km on a single charge, a feat that would shake-up the local EV market.
Skoda reveals price-busting Octavia Select, enter from under $40K
- Skoda Australia has detailed a new Select variant of its newly facelifted Octavia midsize passenger car range, which starts from $39,590 before on-roads, or $41,990 on national driveaway for the sedan version.
- The wagon version of the new Select lists for $41,090, or $43,990 on national driveaway offer. Both of these front-drive versions fit a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
- Features for the Select grade include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, 13.0-inch multimedia system with sat-nav, 10.0-inch digital driver’s screen, wireless phone mirroring and 15w inductive charging, and a suite of safety kit including newly introduced reversing AEB.
- The Select will be joined by a facelifted 1.4-powered Sportline grade and the performance-spec 2.0-litre turbo RS variants in Q1 2025.
Mercedes-Benz and AMG set to make a PHEV push in 2025
- After stating it would largely shun the plug-in hybrid format in favour of a heavy ICE and BEV model mix moving forward, it appears Mercedes-Benz Australia is readying a bevy of PHEV models and variants to roll out through 2025.
- Now confirmed for local release is the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+, which melds a 330kW/560Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 120kW/480Nm of electric motor assistance for combined outputs of 450kW (in Race mode) and 750Nm.
- Mercedes-Benz Australia confirmed to Chasing Cars that the plug-in AMG E 53 will arrive locally next year, though would not be drawn into more specific timing.
- It’s rumoured that the C350e plug-in sedan would also join the Mercedes-Benz C-Class line-up, together with other PHEV variants in 2025 that are yet to be confirmed by the local importer.
Stellantis to build solid state batteries, demonstrators on roads by 2026
- Stellantis has confirmed it will introduce a demonstration fleet of electric vehicles using solid state battery chemistries as soon as 2026.
- The batteries will be sourced by US startup Factorial and will be fitted to the upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona, a muscle car model built on the STLA Large platform.
- According to Automotive News, Hyundai, Kia and Mercedes-Benz are also investors in this relatively new company, which was founded in 2013.
- Solid state batteries are set to be more efficient, more powerful and much safer than the current lithium-iron phosphate chemistry found in many of the world’s electric vehicles.
- The news comes after MG confirmed recently that it will bring what could be the first solid state batteries to the market, a significant 12 months earlier than Stellantis.
MG 3 scores a three-star ANCAP safety rating
- The 2024 MG 3 compact hatchback has scored a lowly three stars with the Australiasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety testing.
- This is the second time in 12 months that an MG model scored less than five stars, the ‘3’ following on from the headline-grabbing zero score awarded to the MG5 in late 2023. The marque’s electric MG4 and current HS SUV carry full five-star results.
- Under ANCAP’s latest protocols, the MG3 scored 72 percent for adult occupant protection, 74 percent for child protection, 76 percent for vulnerable road user and just 58 percent for safety assist. It was this last score, two points shy of a ‘60-percent four-star’ threshold, tha anchored the MG3’s overall rating to three stars.
- The MG3 competes against Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo, both awarded five stars by ANCAP, as well as the Suzuki Swift Hybrid, which is yet to be tested.
