Who said people movers have to be boring? Zeekr clearly missed the memo, because the all-wheel drive 009 is far from your average family shuttle. To begin with, it’s powered by two electric motors producing 450kW and 693Nm. No, that’s not a typo and yes, that makes it more powerful than a Porsche 911 GT3. Beyond bonkers performance, the 009 also offers all the latest tech and an interior more luxurious than some penthouse apartments. It’s not cheap though. At nearly $140k before on-road costs, the six-seat version on test here is the most expensive Chinese car available in Australia…

The new Ferrari 849 Testarossa replaces the SF90 Stradale as the range-topping plug-in hybrid supercar, and the Prancing Horse brand claims the new car makes gains in engine output, aerodynamics, cooling, braking control systems, and driver interface. The 849 Testarossa is priced at $932,648 before on-road costs, with the 849 Testarossa Spider retailing for a cool $1,015,589. Both prices are up from the SF90 and SF90 Spider, which were priced at $846,888 and $957,700 before on-road costs, respectively. The new supercar’s design is unmistakably related to the F80 and the 12 Cilindri, bringing Ferrari’s new design philosophy to light across…

Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) market is larger and more fragmented than ever, with new entrants arriving all the time. As such, the benchmark for driving range has risen, and will continue to rise this year with the arrival of the new BMW iX3 (805km of claimed range) and Volvo EX60 (810km). Until then, none of the EVs available in Australia quite manage 800km-plus, but a couple come close and more than 20 models can travel at least 600km between charges. That long list of endurance machines includes both familiar nameplates and new players, with manufacturers from across the globe launching…

The mid-size SUV segment is Australia’s largest in terms of both sales volume and model count, and accounted for a quarter of all new vehicles sold here last year. As medium and large passenger cars have disappeared, mid-size SUVs have supplanted them as the default family car choice in markets like ours. While many enthusiasts bemoan the rise of the mid-size SUV, it’s hard to deny it’s often easier to wedge a bulky pram, sporting gear, and all the other family paraphernalia into one of these than it is with a sedan (okay, so conventional wagons are a thing too,…

The two newest members of Australia’s ever-expanding dual-cab ute segment – the MG U9 and Kia Tasman – have created lots of headlines this year. In high-spec guise at least, both are pitched at the lifestyle end of the spectrum, aimed at adventure-seeking families as rugged go-anywhere alternatives to an SUV, rather than the hi-viz tradie crowd that desires a traditional load-lugger. But which one does what best? Let’s find out… How much? The MG U9 is the newest arrival, landing in showrooms a couple of months behind the Kia Tasman, and is offered in three model variants: entry-level Explore,…

Hyundai is reportedly planning to end production of the Santa Cruz early due to sluggish sales of the lifestyle ute. Sources have told Automotive News the original plan was for the ute to march off into the sunset during the second quarter of 2027, but the date is being moved forward. Additionally, the current production rate is being halved as Hyundai attempts to reduce the Santa Cruz’s high inventory levels. If the report is correct, it will free up capacity at Hyundai’s Alabama factory to produce more of the closely related Tucson SUV. In response, Hyundai USA told the trade…

Kia Australia says the entry-level EV2 all-electric crossover is “probably leaning towards no” for a local introduction, citing production and freight costs as key challenges. Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new EV4 Sedan, general manager for product planning at Kia Australia, Roland Rivero, said the local arm will struggle to get the price of the Slovakian-built EV2 under the entry point of the Korean-sourced EV3. “[The EV2] is probably coming up not at the price point we would like it to be,” Mr Rivero told CarExpert. “It has to sit comfortably below EV3, and if we can’t…