Today’s Auto Brief: Ranger gets tougher, Chinese EVs crowd Australia, Rimac pivots, and Mercedes goes full stroller flex

Some mornings the news feels like a freeway on-ramp: trucks barrelling in from one side, EVs zipping past the other, and somewhere in the mix a wildly expensive baby stroller claims the fast lane. Today is one of those mornings. Let’s sort it out.

Utes & trucks: Ford teases a tougher 2026 Ranger and fresh XLT flavors

Ford has announced a 2026 Ranger lineup expansion that includes a tougher, “Super Duty” flavored pick-up and new XLT variants. Details are still thin, but the gist is clear: buyers want more capability and clearer steps between work-spec and lifestyle trims—and Ford’s leaning in.

I’ve towed with the current Ranger and the chassis feels happy doing real work, but when you hit corrugations with a load, you’re reminded there’s room between “capable” and “commercial-grade.” If this Super Duty-style Ranger moves the needle on payload, cooling, or suspension robustness, it’ll speak directly to tradies, caravaners, and weekend warriors who’ve been flirting with full-size trucks.

• What to expect: heavier-duty tuning, potentially revised suspension and hardware cues.
• XLT play: the sweet-spot trim gets broadened for 2026, usually where fleet meets family.
• Why it matters: Hilux, Triton, and Colorado don’t stand still—neither can Ranger.

Australia’s EV moment: more cars, fancier vans, and… more charger vandalism

On the electric front, Australia’s getting a double-edged development.

Xpeng to triple its lineup with more upmarket EVs

Xpeng will significantly expand its Australian range with pricier, more premium offerings. Smart move. I’ve been in their recent cars and the cabin tech feels closer to what early adopters actually want now—less proof-of-concept, more polished product you’d happily commute in every day.

Luxury people movers, incoming

Another Chinese EV brand is reportedly firming up plans to bring a luxury people mover to Australia. Families are catching on: a plush electric MPV can do school runs all week and coastal getaways on weekends. Sliding doors, flat floors, high roofs—practicality with lounge vibes. I once did a rainy airport run in one and never once cursed a third-row hinge. Try that in a slinky SUV.

But public fast-charger vandalism is rising

Less fun: vandalism at Australian fast chargers is on the rise. I’ve pulled up to a dark, taped-off unit on 3% battery before—it’s a special kind of stomach drop. This is more than an inconvenience; it rattles confidence. Until uptime improves and sites get tougher, road-trippers should plan redundancy: carry multiple network apps, eyeball nearby slower AC options, and don’t roll into a stop on vape-fumes.

• Good: more EV choice, more comfort for families.
• Bad: infrastructure reliability threatened by vandalism.
• Reality check: redundancy planning is the new spare tire.

Toyota’s next Century will keep an internal-combustion heart

The next Toyota Century—Japan’s quietly opulent flagship—is set to bring ICE power. In a world of EV flagship one-upmanship, that’s a deliberately conservative choice. Having ridden in a current-generation Century, the appeal is serenity first: the way the door shuts like the last page of a hardback, the way traffic ceases to be your problem. An ICE option makes sense in markets where refuelling speed, heritage, and whispery refinement still rule the chauffeured roost.

Mercedes in stereo: a facelifted CLE and a stroller that out-flexes your wallet

New face for the CLE

Mercedes is giving the CLE a fresh schnoz—design tweaks that should align it with the brand’s latest light signature and grille treatment. The CLE’s whole party trick is blending coupe romance with daily-driver civility. I’d welcome a brighter, cleaner interface and snappier infotainment while they’re at it; in traffic, you feel every second of lag.

And yes, a Mercedes baby stroller that costs… a lot

Also in Stuttgart: a high-end baby stroller wearing the three-pointed star, reportedly priced higher than some folks’ first cars. It’s absurd. It’s also very Mercedes. If you’ve ever watched a valet wheel your pram to the table like it’s an AMG GT, this one’s for you.

Porsche dusts off its wild seat fabrics

Porsche is bringing back some of its boldest seat cloth patterns. Think heritage motifs that make a 911’s cabin grin again. I’ve always loved hopping into a classic with Pepita or Pasha and realizing the interior sets the mood before the flat-six even lights. Modern cars could use more personality; these fabrics deliver exactly that without adding kilos or complexity.

Mate Rimac’s next big bet: robotaxis

Mate Rimac—the hypercar disruptor—has another play far from Nürburgring lap times: a robotaxi venture. If autonomy’s a marathon, not a sprint, Rimac’s approach seems more product + service than “sell a lidar hat to every car.” The logic is sound: control the stack, the fleet, and the user experience. As someone who’s ridden in a fair share of beta-grade robo-shuttles, I’ll say this: consistency beats cleverness. If Rimac’s team can make autonomy feel boring—in the best way—they’ll be onto something.

The next generation in the driver’s seat

Road & Track spotlighted eight under-40s with automotive lineage shaping the industry’s future. Family legacy can be a springboard—or a weight vest—but the fresh crop tends to speak both combustion and code. The best conversations I’ve had with this generation weave lap-time obsession with lifecycle analysis and UX design. That’s the bilingual future the industry needs.

At a glance: what changed and why you should care

Quick hits & buyer notes

• If you tow or tour: keep an eye on that tougher 2026 Ranger—it could be the sweet spot before you jump to a full-size import.
• Family EV shoppers: the incoming luxury people movers might finally solve third-row comfort without SUV bulk.
• EV road trips in Oz: arrive with buffer, scout a Plan B charger, and consider a portable Type 2 cable for AC backups.
• Style hunters: a Porsche with classic cloth inserts turns every coffee run into Cars & Coffee.
• Coupe loyalists: the updated CLE could be the “one car” if you split life between weekday commuting and coastal weekends.

Conclusion

From tougher utes to softer seat fabrics, the car world continues its favorite trick—moving in twelve directions at once. Australia feels like a microcosm: EV choice expanding, infrastructure growing pains persisting. Meanwhile, icons like the Century remind us not every flagship needs to chase kilowatts to feel special. And yes, if your stroller costs more than your first hatchback, at least make sure it has cupholders.

FAQ

• When is the 2026 Ford Ranger’s tougher variant due?
  Ford has announced the expansion for the 2026 model year; detailed timing and specs are still to come.
• Is EV charging in Australia reliable enough for long trips?
  It’s improving, but vandalism and site outages mean you should plan backups and arrive with battery buffer.
• Are luxury electric people movers practical daily?
  Yes—sliding doors, flat floors, and spacious second/third rows make them easier to live with than many SUVs.
• Why would Toyota keep ICE in the Century?
  Refuelling speed, market tradition, and ultra-refined NVH still appeal to chauffeur-driven buyers.
• What’s the big deal with Porsche’s retro seat fabrics?
  They add character and heritage without affecting weight or reliability—perfect for enthusiasts who care about vibe as much as lap times.