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Yet another brand from Chinese car making giant Chery has kicked off production with a line of SUVs targeted at younger buyers. The largest vehicle exporter from China, Chery, has introduced yet another brand to its catalogue with the first vehicle from youth-oriented Lepas completed in China. The name Lepas is a combination of the words ‘leap’ and ‘passion’, according to a statement from Chery confirming the brand’s introduction in China and Europe from 2026. It means Chery offers more than a dozen brands and sub-brand globally, from Chery vehicles to Exeed , Jetour , Omoda , Jaecoo , iCar , Kaiyi, Luxeed, Exlantix, Rely, Karry and Himla among others. The Lepas SUV brand will target younger buyers than those of the family-focused Chery, its sub-brand Omoda, and Jaecoo makes are currently offered in Australian showrooms. MORE: Australia poised to miss out on new Chery Himla ute Lepas has not yet been officially confirmed for a local launch but it appears more...

Brabus has chosen Australia for its bespoke manufacturing program with local luxury car distributor, Zagame. In a world first, German company Brabus and Zagame have launched a personalisation program in Australia to ‘manufacture’ custom vehicles locally as a Stage 2 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). The factory-supported Brabus Refinement Program enables customers of the Melbourne-based luxury car dealer to customise their vehicle with upgrades certified as original and fully covered by warranty. According to the Department of Infrastructure, “Second stage of manufacture (SSM) is when a base vehicle is modified to become an alternative vehicle.” The upgrades will be carried out with vehicles completed at Zagame’s Tullamarine facility on the outskirts of Melbourne – and while a handful of other places globally fit Brabus components, it’s the first time the company has worked with a dealer group on an OEM manufacturing program. MORE: 2025 Smart #5 Brabus is a 475kW Mo...

With satellite navigation and a rear-view camera, 1969’s Holden Hurricane previewed a motoring future we take for granted today. Original story published in Drive on 1 May, 1997 Holden has built only two concept models – and this one was literally saved from the municipal rubbish tip. The futuristic Hurricane was designed by Holden’s stylists and engineers in the true tradition of General Motors’ “cars of tomorrow”, ostensibly as a test-bed for the-then new Australian V8 engine. RELATED: The best car Holden never made The deep gold-bronze coupe caused a sensation when it was unveiled in 1969, with the new V8 midships behind the driver and a gorgeous glass-fibre body just over 100 centimetres high. There were no doors, just an electro-hydraulic canopy that rose and slid forward, the two bucket seats rising and falling with it. It came equipped with a navigation system described then as the “Pathfinder automatic route indicator”, rear vision monitor through on-board cam...

New-generation tri-motor electric SUV goes after Prado with rugged looks, autonomous driving tech and the trademark ‘tank turn’ capability. The 2025 Chery Tiggo 9L has been revealed in China with more tech, three electric motors and a host of gear in a Toyota Prado-sized package able to perform ‘tank turns’. While it shares the same name as the seven-seat Tiggo 9 due in Australia by mid-2025 – a rival for the Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger – the 9L is a better-equipped hybrid-electric SUV sitting on fresh underpinnings. A hybrid-electric version of the latest-generation Toyota Prado is sold in the United States (US) and, while not yet confirmed for Australian showrooms, the local arm has said it could still join the local line-up . Toyota sold more hybrid vehicles in Australia in 2024 than ever before and continues to lead its rivals so far in 2025 . MORE: Australia poised to miss out on new Chery Himla ute A spokesperson for Chery Australia told Drive the Tiggo...

Three limited-run models for Australian showrooms have been confirmed by the three-pointed star brand across GLE and GLS SUVs. A trio of special edition Mercedes-Benz SUVs have been announced for Australian showrooms across the GLE and GLS model lines. The car maker won’t say exactly how many of each it will offer in Australia, but the additional features add value to its current models as it looks to build on a strong start to sales in 2025, up almost one-third.  The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 Coupe AMG Line Plus Edition headlines the trio and brings additional ‘sporty’ touches to the large SUV. Being based on the petrol-powered GLE450 AMG Line – which already includes an AMG body styling kit and larger front brake discs – the Plus Edition adds 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black, an AMG lip-spoiler and the usually optional Night Package fitted as standard. MORE: 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Edition R price – Limited-edition arrives with $10,000 cut There’s also A...

Though it’s normal to see luxury, vintage and exotic cars among celebrities’ auto collections, it’s the Ford Bronco that stands out above the rest. Image: Getty Images/MEGA/GC Images When you’ve reached the pinnacle of fame, money is not an issue. And while it’s commonplace to find a range of rare, exotic and luxury vehicles flooding the garages of the rich and famous, there’s one humble SUV that is a star among VIPs. The Ford Bronco has been a mainstay in pop culture for decades, making various appearances in classic movies and real-life events that have turned the SUV into a cultural icon. RELATED: Why we will likely never see the Ford Bronco in Australia While the Bronco was revived in 2021 after Ford paused production in 1996, a range of A-list celebrities have been spotted adding it to their garages, further elevating the status of the vehicle to the pantheon of pop culture significance. Here are some of the most famous owners who have added a Ford Bronco to their per...

A Chery ute to rival the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux is earmarked for Australia, but it may not be this Himla pick-up revealed in China. Chery may use the Rely name for its first ute in Australia – aimed at the top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux dual-cabs – skipping the Himla badge for local showrooms. The Chinese car maker has long signalled its intention to introduce a ute in Australia, and last year confirmed rumours of a HiLux rival when it showed the Chery KP11 concept. A production version of the concept was revealed at the Shanghai motor show last week (above), looking near-identical to the concept. However, it is yet to be confirmed for Australia – and it is instead believed Chery will introduce a different, yet-to-be-seen pick-up to Australian showrooms. MORE: Chery ute revealed as concept, due in showrooms next year Chery is yet to formally outline its ute plans for Australia, but one possibility is the car maker will introduce a ute under a revive...

China’s GWM is doubling down on diesel power as other brands back away, announcing a new, more powerful engine for its biggest cars. A more powerful 3.0-litre diesel engine has been confirmed for the GWM Cannon Alpha ute – and the first-ever diesel Tank 500 SUV – in the next two years. It will be a four-cylinder – not a V6 or inline-six – and while it will beat the 135kW/480Nm of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel in today’s Cannon Alpha , it remains to be seen if it can get close to the 184kW of a Ford Ranger V6. GWM is doubling down on diesel engines, as other brands move away from the technology, particularly in Europe where emissions rules are becoming more stringent. The 3.0-litre engine is said to be a new-generation unit, and is due in showrooms in 2027. MORE: GWM considering full-size US-style pick-up for Australia with V8 power GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao told media “we’ll consider that [engine] in Cannon Alpha, but not the current [smaller] Cann...

Mazda Australia claims it is offering customers “even better value” after making its CX-90 flagship SUV up to $7800 more affordable than before. 2025 Mazda CX-90 pricing and specifications Price cuts between $6000 and $7800 across CX-90 range No specification changes for Mazda’s flagship SUV Priced from $68,800 before on-road costs Mazda CX-90 Touring. The price of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 seven-seat family SUV has been slashed in Australia to bring it closer to the CX-70, its five-seat identical twin.  Mazda Australia has confirmed it has cut the price of its flagship CX-90 between $6000 and $7800 to offer its customers “even better value”, with the entry-level G50e Touring now available from $68,800 before on-road costs.  “As our flagship large SUV, Mazda CX-90 is highly specified and comprehensively equipped,” a Mazda Australia spokesperson said.  MORE: 2025 Mazda BT-50 SP now undercuts D-Max X-Terrain twin after Isuzu price rise Mazda CX-90 Tourin...