Friday Drive: EV Pivots, Hydrogen Hopes, and an 870-HP Mustang That’ll Repaint Your Garage

Some mornings the industry feels like a set of conflicting weather reports. Today’s forecast? Luxury brands are hedging on EV timelines, hydrogen refuses to go quietly, and America’s best-handling roadster—arguably—only exists in your PlayStation. Oh, and if you park in Victoria, lock it twice.

EV Turbulence and Alt-Fuel Bets

Bentley has reportedly scrapped its EV plans—again. That’s not just a line in a spreadsheet; it’s a reflection of how ultra-luxury buyers still love the effortless reach and refinement of big V8s and plug-in hybrids. I’ve spent time in modern Bentleys where the silence at 130 km/h feels like a library in space; electrifying that experience is harder than it sounds, even before you get to charging reality for jet-set clients who split time between houses (and countries).

Meanwhile, Rivian’s R2 has been confirmed for the UK. That’s real momentum. The R2 is the brand’s “more attainable” SUV—smaller, simpler, still outdoorsy. The R1 models are terrific adventure tools, but I’ve always felt their pricing fenced off too many curious buyers. Getting the R2 into right-hand drive markets is a big swing at mainstream credibility.

Hydrogen’s heart still beats: Hyundai’s next-gen Nexo has been confirmed for Australia for 2026. I’ve driven fuel-cell SUVs on cratered city streets and the thing that always gets me is the serenity—no combustion drone, just clean torque and easy refuelling if you can find a pump. Infrastructure remains the elephant in the forecourt, but Hyundai is clearly in this for the long play.

On the software side, IM presented by MG Motor is touting a “digital chassis”—a centralized silicon brain orchestrating dampers, steering, brakes and torque in concert. When these systems are tuned properly, the car seems to shrink around you. I tried a rival setup on rough B-roads earlier this year: uncanny composure with none of the float I expected. Done badly, they feel like a committee meeting under the bonnet. Done well, they rewrite physics.

And to the family driveway: BYD’s 2026 Sealion 6 has landed reviews in Australia. BYD keeps refining its formula—useful EV and plug-in packaging, keen pricing, loads of tech. In recent BYDs I’ve driven, ride tuning has matured from “eager” to “confident,” though infotainment can still feel a touch busy. If the Sealion 6 follows that arc, it’ll be square in the suburban sweet spot.

What’s New and Why It Matters

Enthusiast Corner: Analog Hearts, Digital Toys

The Austin Motor Company name is back—this time with a retro electric roadster. Think classic British proportions with modern torque. If it hits the road as charmingly as it looks on the stand, it’ll be the ideal Saturday-morning café cruiser: roof down, instant shove, no petrol whiff on your tweed. My only plea? Keep it light and don’t over-screen the cabin. A small battery and a big grin beats mega-range and menu mazes in a car like this.

Over in virtual paddocks, Mazda’s best current MX-5 spec still isn’t one Americans can buy—but you can drive it in Gran Turismo 7. The purist recipe hasn’t changed: less mass, more feel, a chassis that wants to dance. I loaded it up after a long day and ran a dozen laps before I realized I was late for dinner. Steering feel through a good sim wheel… it’s shockingly close to the real thing now.

And then there’s the new RTR Mustang with a headline-grabbing 870 horsepower. That’s supercar territory for roughly 911 money, with a manual vibe and rear-drive theater you just don’t get in mid-engine exotics. I’ve hustled big-power Mustangs on cold mornings—first rule, warm the tires; second rule, buy better tires. You’ll thank me before the first on-ramp.

• Austin electric roadster: weekend toy energy, daily-drive simplicity
• GT7 MX-5: track your ideal spec without import headaches
• RTR Mustang (870 hp): supercar thrust, muscle car swagger

Used-Car Hunt: Toyota’s £1000 Svelte Coupe

Autocar’s waving the flag for a criminally overlooked Toyota coupe that’s now dipping to around £1000. At that money you’re buying condition, not spec sheets. The appeal is obvious: dependable hardware, simple controls, styling that’s aged like well-kept denim. If I were shopping, my checklist would be:

• Rust watch: arches, sills, rear subframe mounts, boot floor
• Suspension: tired dampers and bushings masquerade as “charm”
• Timing and fluids: proof beats promises—stacks of receipts win
• Electrical gremlins: window switches, intermittent dash lights
• Test drive: look for straight tracking and a smooth idle from cold

Find a cherished one, and you’ll have a light, honest coupe that begs for Sunday mornings and cheap insurance.

Road Safety & Policy: Theft Spike and AI Fines

CarExpert reports Victorian car thefts have jumped 40 percent year-on-year. That’s a gut punch. The pattern we keep hearing: quick, quiet, and often via keyless relay. A few owners have told me a simple steering lock and a Faraday pouch turned opportunists away—low-tech, high-friction deterrents still work.

• Use a visible steering lock and an OBD port cover
• Store keys in a signal-blocking pouch at home
• Park nose-in with wheels turned; make it awkward to tow
• Update your car’s software and disable passive entry if possible

Also in Australia, privacy concerns are mounting over AI-assisted mobile phone and seatbelt camera fines. The promise is safer roads; the worry is due process and data handling. A couple of drivers mentioned to me they disputed notices successfully, but the stress was the point—they weren’t sure how the system judged them. Transparency around how AI flags infringements—and human verification—will make or break public trust.

Motorsport: Patience in Red Bull Land

Autosport highlights why Yuki Tsunoda’s recent form means Red Bull won’t rush its F1 driver decision. Sensible. Driver market drama is great for clicks, but consistency wins championships, not knee-jerk swaps. Tsunoda’s peaks this season remind me of those moments when a driver finally knits together race craft, tire management, and cool on the radio—magic when it clicks.

Quick Takes

• Bentley pauses EV push: read the room—or lead the room? They’re choosing the former, for now.
• Rivian R2 to UK: the right car, right size, right time. Execution is everything.
• Hyundai Nexo (2026): infrastructure-limited, experience-rich.
• BYD Sealion 6: value keeps marching; polish is catching up.
• RTR Mustang: 870 horses, many temptations. Upgrade your tires first.

Conclusion

We’re in a fascinating middle chapter: luxury brands rebalancing their EV timelines, new-school software turning chassis into algorithms, and the old joys—lightweight roadsters, honest used coupes—still lighting up our weekends. Charge when you can, fuel when you must, and never underestimate a bright yellow steering lock.

FAQ

• Did Bentley cancel its first EV? Reports say Bentley has scrapped or delayed its EV plans again, signalling a strategic rethink in the ultra-luxury space.
• Is the Rivian R2 really coming to the UK? Yes—confirmation is in. It’s the brand’s more compact, more affordable EV aimed at broader adoption.
• Will the 2026 Hyundai Nexo be practical in Australia? The driving experience should be refined, but hydrogen refuelling infrastructure remains limited; check local availability before committing.
• Can I buy the new “best” MX-5 in the U.S.? Not this specific spec—Americans can sample it in Gran Turismo 7 instead.
• How much power does the new RTR Mustang make? Around 870 horsepower—supercar-level output with big personality.