1. Leapmotor's 440kW C10 AWD special edition is coming back
Missed the first batch? You've got another shot. Leapmotor Australia has confirmed a second batch of the C10 AWD Sports+ Special Edition — the 440kW, 760Nm monster with a claimed 4.0-second 0-100km/h — arrives here in November. This time there's a new purple finish on top of black and white, with the usual striping. Numbers and pricing aren't confirmed yet, but the first batch was 50 cars at $53,888 before on-roads, and you get the full 800V system and 81.9kWh LFP battery with 437km of WLTP range. Leapmotor calls it an accessible halo car, which is fair enough — a four-second family SUV from a brand that only showed up here in 2024 will turn heads.
Source: CarExpert
2. Navara PHEV could give ute buyers a choice of rear suspension
Nissan still hasn't locked in the rear suspension on the upcoming Navara Pro PHEV — the Chinese-built plug-in hybrid ute due here in 2027 — and it's weighing leaf springs against coils for Australia. Offering both would cover the two kinds of ute buyer: those who tow and carry heavy, and those who just want it to ride like a car. The last D23 Navara did exactly this — leaves on single-cab and King Cab, coils on dual-cab. Nothing's locked in yet, but it's the sensible play.
Source: CarExpert
3. Changan's Nevo brand is heading to Australia to take on BYD
Changan is rolling out a third brand in Australia. The Nevo range — shown at this week's Paris motor show — is on its way, with the front-wheel-drive Q05 likely to start between $30,000 and $40,000. That buys a 51.9kWh LFP battery and a 120kW/190Nm motor, and Australia has "put its hand up" for the range-extender plug-in hybrid version too. Meanwhile the Avatr luxury line-up lands the Model Y-sized 07L electric SUV in the first half of next year. Another Chinese brand, another price squeeze on BYD — this one coming from inside the same house, since Deepal sits above Nevo in the pecking order.
Source: Drive
4. Waymo's first Canadian robotaxis: Toronto in 2028
Waymo has named Toronto as its first Canadian robotaxi market, with a 2028 target for driverless passenger rides. Ontario approved the company for its automated vehicle pilot program, and mapping and testing is starting now — with trained specialists behind the wheel while the system learns Toronto's winter, streetcars and bike traffic. Local fleet partner Element Fleet Management will handle operations, with hundreds of jobs promised. One catch: Ontario's pilot regulation lapses in October 2027 and there's no replacement framework yet, so 2028 depends on the paperwork catching up.
Source: The Northern Current
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