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Euro NCAP explains its safety scale: ‘There are no unsafe cars’

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All cars for sale are generally safe, according to Euro NCAP, but its grading system allows buyers to determine what is best for them. Euro NCAP has gone on record to dispel the notion that customers should only buy cars with five-star safety ratings, stating local homologation rules are enough to ensure vehicles are fit for the road. When asked by Drive to explain its rating system, which is also shared by ANCAP , Euro NCAP secretary general Dr Michiel van Ratingen said every car that comes to market is fundamentally safe because of homologation rules – known as Australian Design Rules (ADRs) locally. “There are no unsafe cars because otherwise regulations would not be doing their job,” van Ratingen said. “Regulations set the baseline, what they believe is sellable in the European market. NCAP is not a black and white system, it has five levels, so it has five levels of safety in my view, that’s how I look at it. MORE: Safety body hits back at car brand...
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Chery ute poised to use one of these nine shortlisted model names

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The name of Chery’s upcoming plug-in hybrid ute will be decided in the coming weeks from nine shortlisted options, whittled down from 20,000 public-submitted entries. Nine names are in contention for Chery’s upcoming diesel plug-in hybrid ute, currently known by its KP31 codename, ahead of its Australian arrival later this year. Chery has confirmed nine public submissions that have made its shortlist: Outrider, Orca, Ironbark, Bushwalker, Stockman, Longreach, Ridgeback, Terra, and Mate. Some names have obvious Australian links, such as Mate, while others have been applied to utes sold locally before, including Stockman on a Suzuki and Longreach on a Ford Falcon. Trademark filings point to a longer list of options for the KP31 or other future Chery models, outside the fan-submitted shortlist, with the brand also filing to protect Mankarra, Warlu, Terravon, Pioneer, Vanguard, Altrex, Wayfarer, and Trailmaster in recent months. MORE: 2027 Chery Tigg...
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2027 MG IM8 large SUV tailored to Australia with range-extender EV powertrain

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With a range rated for up to 1600km, the 2027 MG IM8 could be well suited for unique Australian driving conditions, according to the brand. MG’s incoming IM LS8 – or IM8 as it might be known – is geared specifically for Australia’s unique requirements, according to a brand executive. Speaking to Drive , IM Motor regional general manager for Asia Pacific Steven Xu said the large SUV, due to launch in the first half of 2027 with its extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, is expected to find an audience locally. “According to customer feedback, it’s really very hot [the large SUV segment],” Xu said. “They like the big cars, especially they like the new kind of powertrain because they like the driving feel of the EV, but they also enjoy the driving range that can be extended to over maybe 1500km. MORE: MG’s premium IM brand set for major model expansion “This means you can drive it as an EV in the city for work, but on the weekend, you...
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2026 JAC Hunter hybrid ute to undercut BYD Shark 6 at less than $50,000 RRP

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Move aside, BYD and GWM. This is Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid ute, which has a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity and 915kg payload. The 2026 JAC Hunter – the plug-in hybrid version of the T9 diesel ute – will undercut the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV to become what is likely to be the cheapest model in its category, when it arrives in showrooms in the coming weeks. JAC has confirmed a starting price of “under $50,000” before on-road costs, under the $55,900 to $62,900 plus on-roads Shark 6 , and $57,490 drive-away GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, before special offers. Discounts for the Ford Ranger PHEV have dropped its starting price to $62,000 drive-away. Exact pricing and specification of the JAC Hunter is yet to be fully revealed, but the brand’s website – where pre-orders are now open – lists Pro and X variants. MORE: JAC believes its new plug-in hybrid ute will outsell diesel The JAC Hunter ditches...
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Zeekr high-performance ‘FR’ sub-brand set for reboot

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Growing Chinese car brand Zeekr wants to beat Porsche at its own game, with a rebooted range of high-performance FR models. Zeekr’s high-performance FR sub-brand – its equivalent to BMW M or Mercedes-AMG – will make a comeback with a new range of models. And it has the German sports-car icon Porsche in its crosshairs. Mars Chen, Zeekr vice president, told Australian motoring media, including Drive , that high-performance models are key to the development and future plans of the fledgling Geely -owned luxury brand, which has found success in Australia with the 7X SUV. Zeekr’s first and only FR model to date is the 001 FR, which produces 895kW from four electric motors, a 100kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, and an 800-volt architecture. MORE: Zeekr 7GT, 8X and 9X confirmed for Australia in major model expansion It claims to complete the 0-100km/h dash in as little as 2.02 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 280km/...
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Leapmotor B05 receives ‘totally different’ international suspension tune from Chinese version

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The Leapmotor B05 electric hatchback, landing in Australia later this year, is ‘totally different’ to drive compared to its Chinese version. The Leapmotor B05 fully electric hatch is confirmed for launch in Australia, and the brand says it has gone further than usual in re-tuning the car for international roads. Leapmotor  International’s global head of brand strategy, product and marketing Francesco Giacalone said the Australian version of the B05 could receive even further modifications if the business case stacks up. “We have, after some assessment done in November, we have, lowered the hook point of [the] suspension arms on the rear, so lowering a bit the centre of gravity, the car has totally changed behaviour. So if you drive a BO5 European versus BO5 for China [they are] totally different.”  Overseas models of the B05 are available with either a 56.2kWh or 67.1kWh battery with corresponding range increases, for buyers to pick from. The r...
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Hyundai Ioniq 3 N performance EV on Australian wishlist

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Hyundai Australia is hoping an Ioniq 3 N hot hatch will be the next to join its growing electric performance stable. Hyundai Australia has hinted at its desire for an electric hot hatch to line up next to its newly-launched Ioniq 6 N performance sedan and the Ioniq 5 N hot hatch-styled SUV. The Ioniq 3 , revealed last month at Milan Design Week and due in Australia in 2027, has only been confirmed in N Line guise for now, it is highly speculated to be among the next EVs to receive the full N performance treatment. While the current flagship N EV models focus on ultra-fast 800-volt architectures and premium price points, the Korean brand’s focus is expected to pivot toward a more accessible entry point and 400-volt architecture. The most likely candidate to follow on from the current niche Hyundai EV N models would be a smaller and more affordable hatch or sedan to suit a wider range of enthusiasts. The Ioniq 5 N , which was introduced in 2024, and...
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