Today’s Drive: Lotus fires a PHEV broadside, Toyota teases a GR halo, and Aussies get real-world car updates

I spent the morning sifting through the good stuff so you don’t have to. Coffee went cold; enthusiasm didn’t. From a 710kW Lotus SUV staring down Sant’Agata to a new Toyota GR halo car on the horizon, plus the kind of Australian news that actually changes your day-to-day (thefts, congestion, aftersales), here’s what matters—and what it might mean for your garage.

Big Power, Bigger Intent: Lotus aims at Lamborghini

Lotus has a plug-in hybrid SUV coming that reportedly punches out 710kW. That’s not “brisk”—that’s “where did the horizon go?” And it’s a clear shot across the bow of the Lamborghini Urus SE and Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid crowd. If you’ve ever driven a modern Lotus, you’ll know they obsess over steering feel and weight control. The idea of that DNA in a near–supercar-power SUV is… tantalising. I can already picture a school run that somehow detours via your favourite B-road “just to check the charge.”

• Headline number: 710kW PHEV powertrain
• Target: Lamborghini’s fast SUVs (and bragging rights at the valet)
• Expectation: Lotus ride and steering feel, now with battery-backed torque

How it stacks up at a glance

Takeaway? Lotus isn’t just joining the party—it’s turning up with its own speakers.

Tease of the Day: Toyota’s GR GT halo is inbound

Toyota has set a reveal date for what it’s calling the GR GT. The name alone hints at a proper flagship for Gazoo Racing. Will it be hybrid? Pure electric? Something wonderfully weird in between? Toyota’s been bold lately—GR Yaris and GR Corolla feel engineered by enthusiasts, not accountants—so my expectations are high. Mark your calendar; I already have. And yes, if it’s anything like the recent GR cars, I’ll want a manual. Let me dream.

• Confirmed: Teaser and reveal timing locked in
• Unknowns: Powertrain and final specs (Toyota’s playing coy)
• Mood: Optimistic—Toyota’s GR hit rate is strong

Tech & Tension: Tesla FSD meets a worst-case scenario

A clip doing the rounds shows a Tesla on Full Self-Driving dealing with an ugly moment—being run off the road. I watched it a couple of times. The system reacted rather than froze, but the situation still underlines the golden rule: these systems assist; they don’t save you from physics or bad actors. When I’ve used advanced driver aids on patchy rural tarmac, the most consistent safety feature was still two hands on the wheel and a prepared right foot. FSD keeps improving, but don’t outsource your instincts.

• Lesson: Driver attention is non-negotiable—especially when others make poor choices
• Reality check: Assist systems vary wildly in edge-case behavior
• Tip: Keep adequate space, and treat “self-driving” as “super-cruise control,” nothing more

Australia Briefing: Theft alerts, congestion pain, and better aftersales

Queensland: LandCruiser and RAV4 thefts spike

Queensland Police are asking for help after a run of Toyota LandCruiser and RAV4 thefts. Not shocking—these two are hot-ticket items on the black market thanks to rugged demand and easy exportability. A few owners I’ve spoken to in Brisbane swear by old-school deterrents more than fancy apps.

• Use a visible wheel lock; thieves prefer low-friction targets
• Store keys away from doors in a Faraday pouch to block relay attacks
• Consider a secondary, hidden immobiliser or tracker

When I kept a 4x4 on the street for a month, the combo of a steering lock and a cheap motion sensor was enough to send opportunists elsewhere. Low-tech, high-impact.

Congestion is costing Sydney and Melbourne drivers—big

A new study pegs the annual hit at more than $4500 per driver in Sydney and Melbourne. Time, fuel, sanity—it all adds up. If you commute across town, you already know this. My hybrid long-termer paid for itself in traffic; AC on, engine off, podcasts rolling.

• Shift your schedule by 20–30 minutes if you can; it’s often the difference between crawling and flowing
• Hybrid or EV? Stop-start miles are their happy place
• Plan school-run detours like a rally stage: fewer lights, fewer merges, happier you

Mitsubishi sweetens the deal for Aussie buyers

Mitsubishi has beefed up its aftersales care locally. Good move. In regional Australia, strong support can tip the scales as decisively as a sharp drive-away price. Extended coverage, clearer service terms, and robust roadside assistance matter when your nearest dealer is a long way from the paddock gate.

• Peace-of-mind sells: warranty confidence drives rural loyalty
• Ownership math: predictable servicing beats coupon roulette
• Family factor: one less thing to worry about before a coast run

Value watch: JAC T9 pushes deeper into HiLux territory

The Chinese-built JAC T9 ute has added variants and pricing that nudge further into Toyota HiLux turf. The dual-cab market is a shark tank—HiLux and Ranger own the street—but sharper prices and improving cabins are making the newer names hard to ignore. I’ve driven a few current-gen Chinese utes; ride comfort and cabin tech have caught up quicker than the service network, which is still the question mark for many buyers outside the big cities.

• Appeal: More kit for less coin, plus long equipment lists
• Watch for: Towing ratings, dealer coverage, and resale
• Reality: Test-drive loaded or unladen—their ride character can flip

Culture Corner: A Ford wearing a Nissan GT-R costume

File under “spotter’s headache.” A deeply convincing Nissan GT-R lookalike… built on a Ford platform. The workmanship, from panels to stance, is the kind that makes you do a double take at a Cars & Coffee. Nothing wrong with a clever tribute—just remember, if you’re tempted to buy something similar, registration and insurance must reflect what’s under the skin, not the badge on the bumper. Your mechanic will thank you, too.

• Pros: Unique build, often lighter on running costs than the real deal
• Cons: Title accuracy, resale uncertainty, and parts sourcing puzzles
• Buyer tip: Get a thorough pre-purchase inspection; surprises lurk beneath great bodywork

And one more tech curveball: Would you let AI pick your car insurance?

A new survey suggests a surprising majority of Americans—reportedly as high as 86 percent—would trust AI to help choose their car insurance. I get it. Comparison shopping is mind-numbing. My only ask: transparency. Show me why you picked that policy, what you ruled out, and how much commission—if any—changes the recommendation. Until then, AI can be a first pass, not the final word.

Bottom line

Lotus wants to move the target for fast SUVs, Toyota’s cooking a new GR halo, and Australia’s getting practical updates that matter in the real world. Keep your keys secure, your commute strategic, and your expectations high—because the next 12 months look properly interesting, both at the dealership and on your driveway.

FAQ

• How powerful is the new Lotus PHEV SUV? Reports peg it at 710kW, positioning it squarely against the fastest luxury SUVs.
• What is Toyota’s GR GT? It’s a teased halo performance model from Gazoo Racing with a reveal date set; specs remain under wraps.
• Did Tesla’s FSD prevent a crash in the “run off the road” clip? The system reacted, but the clip reinforces that attentive human control is essential in edge cases.
• Is the JAC T9 a serious HiLux alternative? It’s getting closer, especially on value and features, though dealer network strength and resale are still considerations.
• How can I reduce congestion costs in Sydney/Melbourne? Time-shift your commute, consider a hybrid/EV for stop-start traffic, and plan routes that minimise merges and lights.