Today in Cars: Price Plays Down Under, Recall Alerts, and Two Coupes We Can’t Buy

I’ve had one of those split-screen weeks in the car world: hard-nosed market moves in Australia and New Zealand on the left, pure enthusiast bait on the right. Somewhere in the middle, there’s a minivan recall and a game of Tetris in a Volkswagen. Let’s get into it.

Australasia Market Watch: Sharp Deals, Longer Waits, and Another Luxury Entrant

2027 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e: Not the “cheapest” small EV, as NZ pricing lands

Mitsubishi’s incoming ASX VR-e is confirmed for New Zealand pricing and—tellingly—won’t undercut the bargain end of Australia’s small electric SUV pool. That suggests Mitsubishi is aiming for perceived quality and range rather than a race-to-the-bottom sticker. If you’ve driven a recent Outlander, you know the brand’s current cabin game is stronger than in years past. Expect the VR-e to lean on that, plus a familiar, friendly ownership pitch.

2027 BYD Atto 2 DM-i: Australia’s cheapest PHEV

BYD has turned the wick up again. The new Atto 2 DM-i slides in as Australia’s least-expensive plug-in hybrid, which will rattle the cages of mainstream players banking on mild-hybrid marketing. If BYD’s past form holds, expect generous standard kit and a powertrain tuned for easy EV miles around town before the engine wakes up for the motorway. For commuters with no home charger, a value PHEV still makes a lot of sense.

Another Chinese luxury brand headed to Australia

Following Denza and Zeekr, yet another Chinese premium marque is lining up an Aussie landing. The formula isn’t new—big screens, big batteries, lounge-like rear seats—but the execution keeps improving. If you ferry clients or kids in equal measure, 2027 is shaping up to be a buyer’s market in plush, tech-forward metal.

Honda Super-One: Tiny EV, big wait

Honda’s pint-sized Super-One EV is already staring at wait times of up to 12 months. Not surprising: in dense cities, these subcompact runabouts are golden. Light to park, cheap to run, and quietly fun when you squirt through a gap that SUVs won’t dare. If you’re tempted, order early and plan for a patient year of rideshares and envy.

Big Diesel, Big Country: GWM Tank 500 3.0TD

CarExpert’s review of the 2027 GWM Tank 500 3.0TD frames it as what it looks like: a burly, body-on-frame family 4x4 built for towing, corrugations, and weekend getaways where the pavement ends. Think Prado and Everest territory. A 3.0-litre turbo-diesel should mean easy torque and relaxed highway legs; the question is chassis polish over sharp-edged bumps and how well the cabin isolates the clatter when you’re two hours into a towing stint. Early impressions suggest plenty of metal for the money and a growing confidence from GWM in the “serious 4x4” arena.

• What I’d watch on a test drive: steering weight on gravel, second-row headroom with a sunroof, and how the transmission behaves at low speeds when parking.
• Likely buyers: families who spend real time outside the city grid and want tow-friendly torque without a luxury badge tax.

Recall Radar: Check Your VIN, Save Your Weekend

Ford Transit Custom: Fire risk recall

Ford’s workhorse van is being recalled for a potential fire risk. If you run a fleet—or you’re the de facto family removalist—get the van booked in promptly. Until inspected, follow any official guidance on parking and charging (if applicable). A quick service visit is cheap insurance.

Honda ZR-V, Civic, Accord: Safety recall

Honda has also called in ZR-V, Civic, and Accord units for a fix. Recalls aren’t a scarlet letter; they’re an automaker doing its duty. Owners should:

• Check their VIN with a dealer or via the brand’s recall portal.
• Schedule the remedy—it’s typically free and quick.
• Ask about loan cars if the car’s a daily lifeline.

Design & Gadget Corner: Goodbye Piano Black, Hello Tetris

Piano-black trim gets the boot

One mainstream brand says it’s phasing out the glossy, scratch-happy piano-black interior trim. Frankly, good. It looks sharp on a showroom floor and awful after two months of keys and rings. Expect more textured, matte, or metal-like finishes you don’t need to baby.

You can now play Tetris in six Volkswagens (for a fee)

Volkswagen is expanding AirConsole in-car gaming with Tetris in six models—but it’s a paid add-on. Fun? Absolutely, especially while charging an EV or waiting on school pickup. Just know these app-store ecosystems are quickly becoming real revenue streams; try before you buy if there’s a free demo.

Coupes We Want but Can’t Have (Yet?)

Renault 8 Gordini Concept: Rear-drive, just for show

Renault built a rear-wheel-drive coupe concept that channels the 8 Gordini vibe—and you can’t buy it. That’s cruel and unusual punishment for anyone who likes skinny tires, buzzy engines, and the kind of steering that talks back. Still, concepts steer culture; if enough folks swoon, pieces of this could shape a future Alpine or Renault sport compact.

Genesis G90 Coupe and Convertible: Patents surface

Genesis just patented coupe and convertible takes on the G90. Imagine the brand’s recent show-car elegance, minus two doors and plus a grand-touring brief. Will it build them? That depends on how much confidence Genesis has in selling style-forward flagships alongside the practical SUVs that pay the bills. I’m rooting for the long-hood, short-deck drama.

HWA’s 190E Restomod vs the original Evo II

Carscoops points out a delicious dilemma: you can buy HWA’s wild 190E restomod—or nab an original Mercedes 190E Evo II for less. The HWA promises modern performance under iconic box-flare lines; the original serves motorsport provenance and that DTM aura. Me? If I’m chasing lap times and reliability, it’s the HWA. If I want a rolling museum that makes strangers salute at petrol stations, it’s the Evo II.

What It Means for Buyers This Week

• Value hunters: The BYD Atto 2 DM-i puts real pressure on PHEV pricing. Shop around before you sign anything with a modest battery and a big price.
• Small EV crossover shoppers: Don’t assume the cheapest is the best fit. If Mitsubishi nails refinement and warranty backup, paying a touch more could be worth it.
• Adventure families: The Tank 500 3.0TD reads like a compelling spec sheet—take a long test drive on coarse-chip roads before deciding.
• City EV seekers: Super-One waits are long. If you’re impatient, consider a lightly used EV to bridge the gap.
• Owners: Check recalls now. Five minutes today beats a spoiled weekend trip.

Conclusion

It’s a classic car-week split: sensible pricing moves and recalls on one side, heart-over-head coupes and nostalgic restomods on the other. Australia keeps getting sharper electrified value, the 4x4 space grows teeth, and the industry finally admits piano black was a smudge-fest. Now if someone would just build that Renault coupe…

FAQ

Is the BYD Atto 2 DM-i really Australia’s cheapest PHEV?

Yes, the latest announcement positions it as the least-expensive plug-in hybrid on the Australian market.

Will the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e be the budget EV pick in Australia?

No. With New Zealand pricing revealed, Mitsubishi indicates it won’t chase the lowest price in Australia. Expect a value-focused but not bargain-basement sticker.

Which Volkswagen models get Tetris?

Six VW models support the AirConsole rollout for Tetris, offered as a paid add-on. Availability depends on your infotainment generation and market.

Should I park my Ford Transit Custom outside because of the recall?

Follow official guidance for your specific VIN. Book the inspection promptly and ask your dealer about any interim safety advice.

How long is the wait for the Honda Super-One?

Up to 12 months, depending on demand and allocation.