The 2026 IM LS9 Hyper extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) has been unveiled in China as a technological leader for the IM Motors premium brand – and it could arrive in Australia in the near future. Packing a tri-motor EREV powertrain, the Hyper is the most powerful and high-tech version yet of the LS9, the flagship of the IM Motors brand backed by SAIC Motor which also owns MG and LDV. The LS9 Hyper debuts a fully electronically controlled four-wheel steering system, which uses electronic actuators rather than mechanical components to steer all four wheels. Per Chinese media, IM Motors is…

Is the pope Catholic? Does the sun fuse hydrogen? Did Toyota sell the most cars last year? The answer to those three questions is: yes, for a little while longer, and most definitely. For the sixth year running, Toyota is the world’s number one automaker, and the Toyota brand continues to be the most popular new car brand by several parsecs. Across its three car brands (Toyota, Lexus and Daihatsu) the Nagoya-based automaker sold 11,212,092 across the world last year. That’s an increase of 4.8 per cent over 2024, or an extra 516,168 vehicles. Factor in volume from the truck-only…

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,…