Today in Cars: Hardcore utes, a manual Honda coupe, a radical Range Rover EV, and Australia’s tax tremor

I grabbed a double espresso, scrolled the overnight feeds, and came away with a mix of mud, motorsport, and a bit of policy that could actually move the needle on what we pay for nice things. There’s a tougher GWM ute in the works, a Honda Integra coupe that brings back the manual (and a CR-X-style roofline—yes please), a Range Rover Evoque that’s set to go full EV by 2027, and a Volvo safety rethink. Oh, and Captain Slow might be parting with his beloved 911. Let’s get into it.

Australia watch: Value plays and policy moves

GWM Cannon toughens up, and it might head Down Under

CarExpert says a hardcore off-road treatment is coming for the 2026 GWM Cannon, and it could make the trip to Australia. If it follows the usual script for these hero dual-cabs, expect all-terrain rubber, more suspension travel, underbody protection, and a bit of visual swagger—snorkel, bash plates, the works. When I’ve taken current Cannons down rutted fire trails, the basic chassis felt game but ran out of clearance and damping finesse; a factory-tuned package could be the difference between “try not to” and “go on then.”

• What it means: A sharper rival for Ranger Raptor and HiLux GR Sport on price.
• Timing: 2026 global window, Australian prospects flagged.
• Watch for: Proper off-road tuning versus cosmetic ‘apocalypse kit.’

PHEV price skirmish: Jaecoo J7 SHS cuts costs

The plug-in hybrid pile-on is real. CarExpert reports the Jaecoo J7 SHS is getting cheaper as BYD and Geely heat up the PHEV segment. I’ve had a couple of owners message me about test drives—they like the smooth electric torque around town but want better dealer support and clearer service pricing. If Jaecoo slices the sticker, it pressures BYD’s value pitch and nudges legacy brands to respond.

• Why it matters: PHEVs can slash urban fuel bills without the charging anxiety of a full EV.
• Shopping tip: Compare real-world EV-only range and warranty terms, not just claimed system power.
• Wildcard: Fleet buyers love low CO2 numbers—expect corporate orders to follow the best deals.

Luxury Car Tax: Back on the chopping block (again)

Australia’s Federal Government, per CarExpert, is having another go at scrapping the Luxury Car Tax. If you’ve ever specced a family SUV into “nice-to-have” territory and watched the price leap, you know the pain. The LCT hits cars above roughly the $80k–$90k thresholds (depending on efficiency), and it’s long been accused of penalising safety and cleaner tech as much as actual excess.

• Who wins: Buyers of premium EVs and hybrids; some high-spec mainstream SUVs.
• Who frets: States reliant on stamp-duty calculations, and dealers mid-inventory changeover.
• What I’d watch: Transition dates and how brands handle pre-orders already on the boat.

Enthusiast corner: Three pedals and GT dreams

Honda Integra coupe is back—with a manual and CR-X vibes

CarExpert’s headline is the one I’ve been waiting to write for years: a reborn Integra coupe, manual transmission, CR-X-style roofline. That silhouette is pure ’80s/’90s Honda romance, the kind that makes you take the long way home just to hear the engine climb past 5k. I don’t have final specs yet, but if Honda keeps the steering unfiltered and the shifter snickety-snick tight, it’ll be the antidote to the SUV monoculture.

• Best use case: Sunday B-roads and stress relief—also light enough to not bully your tyres.
• Please, Honda: Keep the seats low and the sightlines clean. No overcooked lane-keep.
• Likely rivals: Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ, MX-5, perhaps small hot hatches on price.

Genesis teases GT3 intentions, plus GT road cars

Genesis is hinting at a GT3 program along with a suite of GT road vehicles, per CarExpert. This is the grown-up way to do credibility: go racing, then let customers taste that DNA. If they channel the brand’s recent design confidence into a lighter, longer-legged GT, with real brake feel and steering you don’t have to “wake up,” they’ll have something to pull eyeballs away from the Germans at valet stands and pit lanes alike.

EV future: A radical Range Rover Evoque in 2027

Autocar reports that the Range Rover Evoque will become a radical EV in 2027. That’s a big statement for a nameplate built on style and city-friendly chic. The playbook here should be clear: keep the stance and the runway-walk proportions, then use the EV packaging to carve out more rear legroom and a proper flat floor. When I’ve lived with compact luxury SUVs, the deal-breaker is often back-seat and boot space—if the electric Evoque fixes both while delivering silent glide in town, it’ll resonate.

• What to expect: Repositioned as a clean-sheet EV rather than a conversion job.
• Why it matters: Aligns with JLR’s electrification push and keeps Evoque relevant in 2030 showrooms.
• Cross-shop watch: Volvo EX30/EX40, BMW iX1/iX2, Merc EQA/compact EQ replacements.

Safety shift: Volvo drops a touted crash-reduction tech

Volvo, via CarExpert, is removing a safety feature it previously said could reduce serious crashes by up to 20 percent. That’s not a small claim, so this is a notable pivot. I’ve appreciated Volvo’s belt-and-braces approach in recent tests—calm interfaces, honest driver aids—but some systems can get overbearing or too sensitive in messy weather. The key questions now: what replaces it, how do existing owners get support or updates, and does the broader safety suite maintain Volvo’s benchmark status?

Culture and curios: James May’s 911 and a spiky VW Beetle vibe

Captain Slow is letting go of his “precious” 911

Carscoops reports James May is selling his Porsche 911. The celebrity premium is real, but what I actually love is the story mileage that comes with cars like this. You’re buying an object—and a line in a motoring TV saga. If you do bite, get a proper inspection and add a line item for inevitable “while we’re in there” maintenance. A well-loved 911 rewards you every time you pull the door; it’s that thunk and the way the wheel wriggles in your palms.

Japanese tuner turns VWs into “Bugs that bite back”

Also via Carscoops: a Japanese tuner giving Volkswagens a proper sting—think Beetle or VW-based builds with stance, aero, maybe a widebody that makes car-park speed bumps feel like the Nürburgring’s Flugplatz. I’m all for it. Just remember to brace the chassis and sort the alignment; the fastest mod is always the one that keeps your tyres flat on the ground.

Quick-glance roundup

Buying notes and real-world tips

• PHEVs: Test the EV-only range on your commute route, not just a short dealer loop. Climate control cuts range; plan for that.
• Off-road utes: Factory lifts and tyres help, but recovery points and a sensible tyre pressure kit matter more when it goes pear-shaped.
• Manual sports coupes: If the clutch take-up is high and springy, heel-and-toe practice becomes addictive—and smoother.
• Incoming EVs: Measure the boot opening, not just litres. Strollers and prams care about shapes, not specs.

Conclusion

From a tougher GWM ute to a manual Honda coupe that tugs the heartstrings, today’s slate spans the sensible and the silly (in the best way). The Evoque’s EV future is the big-picture move, the LCT chatter could influence your next invoice, and Volvo’s safety reshuffle is worth watching. Somewhere in there, a 911 with TV provenance is changing hands and a Beetle is sprouting fangs. Car life remains gloriously varied.

FAQ

• When could the hardcore GWM Cannon arrive in Australia?
  CarExpert indicates a 2026 global window with Australian prospects flagged; exact timing and specs are still to be confirmed.
• Is the new Honda Integra coupe definitely getting a manual?
  Yes—CarExpert reports a manual transmission and a CR-X-style roofline are part of the plan. Full specs and markets are pending.
• What happens if Australia scraps the Luxury Car Tax?
  Premium cars—especially efficient hybrids and EVs—could see lower drive-away prices. Watch for transition timing and how brands treat existing orders.
• When will the Range Rover Evoque EV launch?
  Autocar reports a radical EV Evoque is targeted for 2027. Expect more details over the next 12–18 months as development progresses.
• Which Volvo safety feature is being dropped?
  CarExpert notes Volvo is removing a safety tech it previously said could reduce serious crashes by up to 20 percent. The company has not, at time of writing, detailed the full replacement strategy.