CAR ADVICE

Electrified power is being considered for the Patrol 4WD, but Nissan is taking its time unless CO2 emissions rules mandate it – or customer demand materialises. Electric Nissan Patrol imagined by Theottle. Hybrid or electric power will come to the Nissan Patrol four-wheel-drive when emissions regulations require it , and the technology can deliver the capability customers expect. Nissan chief product specialist for full-size SUVs, Antonio Lopez, told Drive at the recent Tokyo motor show that electrification will come to the brand’s flagship off-roader when the time is right. “Obviously, if electrification is required due to the regulations or due to the customer needs, we will prepare the vehicle that the customer will need,” Lopez said. Any plans for a future electrified Patrol are likely to be welcomed by Nissan Australia, as the twin-turbo petrol V6 version due in showrooms in early 2027 is set to attract hefty penalties under the Federal Government’s new NVES CO2 em...

This map shows the 333 locations Victoria Police can place their mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras in December 2025. While mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera positions can vary month to month in Victoria, police are obliged to publish the potential locations for public transparency. Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras are mounted high up on portable trailers and photograph drivers from above as they pass. The cameras detect if the driver is using a mobile device illegally, or failing to wear their seatbelt legally. The map below shows mobile traffic cameras in their latest approved locations around Victoria. December Mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera locations Victoria Hover your mouse over, or tap, the red symbols to see more information about the camera’s location and reason for its potential placement. These spots are not just picked at random, with various justifications used by Victoria Police: Documented history of collisions ...

Mazda has tested the Model 3 as part of developing the brand’s new 6e electric sedan, but it wasn’t a fan of how the original iteration absorbs bumps and takes corners. Mazda has complimented the Tesla Model 3 as an electric car “setting standards” in the market that its new 6e sedan will wade into in Australia next year. But it has labelled the driving character of the previous iteration – before the suspension was softened, and the steering slowed – “relatively harsh” and “too aggressive” for its liking, and says the new model is better. The latest Model 3 will be the chief rival for the Mazda 6e when it launches with a sub-$55,000 price, on par with the Tesla’s $54,900 plus on-road costs base RRP. The 6e began life as a model from China’s Deepal , before being rebodied into the Mazda EZ-6 for China, and then treated to a retune of its suspension, steering and chassis with the aim of driving how European and, in turn, Australian Mazda buyers expect. MORE: 2026 Mazda...

Though big in size and presence, Mitsubishi’s Elevance concept will not preview a future plug-in hybrid Pajero, but will instead influence the new Outlander. Mitsubishi Elevance Concept Mitsubishi’s Elevance concept, revealed at the 2025 Tokyo motor show , will inform the next-generation Outlander family SUV in styling and technology, confirmed an executive on the show floor. Speaking to Drive , Mitsubishi Motors Corporation General Manager of Product Planning and Product Strategy Minoru Uehara said the Elevance would not spawn a direct production model, but instead be refined into a mid-size SUV. “[The Elevance is] just a concept, but some element or essence of this vehicle can be linked to a future product,” Uehara-san said. “Styling direction or technical features, we are still investigating and developing, so some features and elements can be moved to the actual world in the future.” MORE: Plug-in hybrid interest lower than expected post-tax exemption – Mitsubishi ...

New real-world data has revealed that four electric cars have fallen short of their claimed driving range, with one model failing by more than 30 per cent. Smart #1 EV The second round of real-world electric vehicle range tests has been released, with the  Australian Automotive Association  (AAA) finding four battery-powered cars did not match their maximum lab-tested driving ranges . The electric vehicle (EV) driving range program is an extension of the industry body’s fuel-efficiency testing for petrol and hybrid cars, with the AAA examining the maximum driving range of numerous electric models on a full charge. In the latest batch, the AAA tested four models: the Tesla Model Y , Kia EV3 , MG4 , and the Smart #1 . The electric car with the biggest variance between its claimed driving range and real-world result was the 2023 MG4, with a 31 per cent drop from its 405km maximum lab-tested range to 281km in AAA testing. Compared to its advertised 18.4kWh per 100k...

A six-figure price tag for a Chinese car might be a hard pill to swallow for some, but Denza believes its portfolio is convincing enough to be competitive. Denza B8 and Denza B5 BYD’s premium sub-brand Denza believes there will be challenges in finding Australian buyers for its upmarket line-up, but its products offer enough to compete. While pricing for its opening B5 and B8 models is yet to be confirmed, it is believed that some variants will command a six-figure price tag – a rarity for a Chinese brand. Denza will not be the first with a $100,000-plus model however, as MG launched its Cyberster in 2024 with a $115,00 before on-road costs asking price – and subsequently introduced a more affordable version of the convertible earlier this year. To the end of October this year , MG Australia has recorded 47 sales of the Cyberster halo model, according to the latest VFACTS data. MORE: BYD Shark 6 development will fast track 2026 Denza B5 and B8 accessories Denza B...

Thieves have chopped and stolen cables from six EV charging stations at Cranbourne Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s east. Image: Electric Vehicles for Australia Facebook group. Thieves have chopped and stolen cables from six electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Cranbourne Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s east. Vicinity Centres, the shopping centre operator, labelled the theft “disappointing” and told Drive they are working to ensure the cables are replaced as soon as possible. The theft in Cranbourne comes after a similar robbery in South Australia, where Tesla owners noticed on Sunday morning that charging cables had been cut and stolen at a Supercharger site in Norwood. Images of the damaged charging stations following both thefts have been widely shared on social media, with users speculating the cables were stolen because they contained valuable copper wiring. MORE: Thieves target public EV chargers, but the cables are fighting back Image: Tesla Owners Australia ...

The price of Australia’s cheapest new electric car has dropped below $25,000 for the first time with the release of a tiny BYD similar in size to a Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift. 2026 BYD Atto 1 pricing and specifications Two variants, with up to 310km range Cheapest new electric car in the country Priced from $23,990 before on-road costs The title of Australia’s cheapest new electric car is now held by the 2026 BYD Atto 1 city hatch, priced from $23,990 before on-road costs. Sold overseas as the Seagull or Dolphin Surf , the new smallest member of the BYD line-up is similar in size to a Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift , but undercuts both with a drive-away price of $25,200 to $26,500, depending on the state of registration. A better-equipped, longer-range Premium model is available for $27,990 plus on-road costs, or $29,200 to $30,650 drive-away, depending on location. Both take the title of the country’s most affordable electric car from the larger BYD Dolphin Essential, pric...

Future models introduced in Australia will need to meet much stricter emissions rules that could see new-car prices rise – and AdBlue become common in diesel utes. New cars, SUVs and utes introduced in Australia will now be required to meet strict tailpipe emissions standards , after lagging 15 years behind the cleanest vehicles sold in Europe. The rules are likely to see AdBlue diesel exhaust additive fitted to most, if not all, next-generation 4WDs – and, inevitably, exclude future cars without engines compliant with the latest European emissions rules from local showrooms. It may also result in price rises for new cars, as the Federal Government has estimated the tech required to meet the new rules could cost manufacturers “$450 to $1000” per car, which it admits “may pass on … to new car buyers”. From December 1, 2025, all newly-introduced ‘light’ vehicles approved for sale in Australia will need to be compliant with Euro 6d emissions rules, among the latest tailpipe st...