Daily Auto Brief: Prices Plunge, Utes Return, AMG Rethinks Soul, and a Central-Seat Lotus Steals the Show
Some Mondays grind. This one popped. Australia just saw its cheapest hybrid SUV get even cheaper, Cupra swung a machete at Formentor PHEV pricing, Volkswagen says Aussie EV buyers are still dating around, Ram’s CEO finally confirmed a mid-size ute to tackle the Ranger, Mercedes-AMG is prepping an electric two-door GT while quietly rethinking the C63, Toyota’s GRMN Corolla leaked in spicier trim, and somewhere a central-seat Lotus Elise weighs about as much as your laundry basket. Oh, and thieves nabbed hot Commodores straight from a track day. Buckle up.
Australia: Hybrids Get Cheaper While EV Buyers Hover on the Fence
Australia’s cheapest hybrid SUV just got cheaper
Australia’s most affordable hybrid SUV has taken another step down in price, which is exactly the sort of practical news families actually care about when the weekly shop costs more than a set of semi-slicks. Specs appear largely unchanged—think compact footprint, frugal petrol-electric drivetrain, and the usual suite of driver aids—but the entry sticker dips again.
When I last drove one on a pockmarked country road, the suspension tune felt sensibly soft (Australian buyers tend to prefer compliance over Nürburgring cosplay). The hybrid system’s stop-start transitions were impressively smooth, though on long highway grades the e-CVT could drone if you’re heavy on the throttle. Still, for school runs and city loops, you can practically watch the fuel gauge move in the right direction—slowly.
Cupra Formentor PHEV price slashed by more than $20,000
Cupra fired a flare: the Formentor plug-in hybrid has had more than twenty grand lopped off its price. That’s not a tweak—that’s a repositioning. Suddenly the Spanish-sourced, sharp-suited crossover goes from “interesting but pricey” to “hang on, that’s compelling.”
- Real-world electric range: expect roughly school-run distance on electrons (around 50–60km in gentle driving).
- Town manners: silent takeoff, punchy midrange, and regenerative braking you acclimate to in an afternoon.
- Quirks: Cupra’s touch sliders remain fiddly in winter gloves; the infotainment can lag if you hop through menus quickly.
I remember a winter test loop where the Formentor PHEV felt properly premium in ride and cabin tactility, but the sticker shocked a few friends out of the showroom. With this drop, it’s punching the Outlander PHEV and assorted mainstreamers squarely in the ribs. If you’ve got a garage socket and a daily commute under 40km, this one now pencils out very nicely.
Volkswagen: Aussie buyers still “on the fence” about EVs
Volkswagen’s local team says what sales numbers hint at: plenty of Australians are curious about EVs but hesitant to commit. Public chargers can be patchy outside metro corridors, policy settings feel like shifting sand, and the used market value story isn’t fully written yet. I hear it in dealer lots—shoppers talk up torque and running costs, then wander off in a hybrid because it feels like less of a leap. Price cuts to hybrids and PHEVs, like today’s, only reinforce that middle-ground strategy.
Ute Watch: Ram’s 2027 “Dakota” Finally Aims at Ford Ranger
Ram’s CEO has confirmed what ute tragics have been whispering about at Bunnings for years: a mid-size Ram is coming for Ranger and HiLux. The revived “Dakota” nameplate is slated for 2027. No hard specs yet, but the mission is clear—proper mid-size proportions, credible towing, and enough tech to keep buyers from drifting straight to Ford or Toyota.
Ram knows the brief: decent payload, a torque-rich engine (turbo-petrol or diesel, we’ll see), and an interior you can hose the dust out of without triggering a dozen warning lights. If they nail ride quality on corrugations—something the current full-sizer handles better than you’d think—they’ll have a hit in Australia and North America.
AMG at a Crossroads: An Electric GT Coupe and a C63 With More Muscle?
Report: Mercedes-AMG prepping an electric two-door GT coupe
According to reports, AMG is priming a pure-electric two-door GT. Think of it as a battery-powered halo to sit alongside the SL/GT road cars and tell the world Affalterbach can do silence and speed without losing the goosebumps. Expect low, wide proportions, a serious aero brief, and torque vectoring that makes the current drift software look quaint.
Rumor mill: C63 could get a bigger engine
In a separate twist, the C63 story might not be finished. After the ambitious 2.0-litre hybrid era—brilliantly quick but undeniably heavy—whispers suggest the next iteration could move to a larger combustion engine. Whether that’s an inline-six solution or something more dramatic, the subtext is obvious: customers miss the soundtrack and the easy, elastic grunt.
When I lived with the current C63 S E Performance for a week, it devoured backroads with surgical precision—but the mass was always there, the battery’s presence felt over crests and compressions. A little less heft and a little more voice? That could be the sweet spot.
| AMG Model | Powertrain Direction | Timeline | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric GT Coupe (two-door) | Pure EV performance, likely advanced torque vectoring | In development; timing to be announced | AMG’s EV halo to rival the fastest grand tourers |
| C63 (next update) | Rumored move to a larger engine vs current 2.0 PHEV | Unconfirmed; watch this space | Signals a response to feedback on weight and soundtrack |
Lightweight Madness and Hot-Hatch Heat: GRMN Corolla and a Central-Seat Elise
2026 Toyota GRMN Corolla leaks
The spiciest Corolla looks imminent. The GRMN badge promises more of everything—stiffer, lighter, louder. Expect aggressive aero, a track-leaning suspension tune, and incremental power over the already rowdy GR Corolla. If it follows the GRMN playbook, numbers will be limited and enthusiast forums will descend into spreadsheets by lunchtime. Tip: if you care, talk to your dealer yesterday.
Central-seat Lotus Elise weighs half a Toyota GR86
A wild, central-seat Lotus Elise build surfaced with a claimed kerb mass at roughly half a GR86. Do the napkin math and you’re staring at a number so low you start wondering whether the owner carries a paperweight as optional ballast. Central driving position, featherweight ethos—this is the sort of car that turns every B-road into a private stage. No, it won’t cosset, and yes, you’ll hear stones ping the underside like popcorn. But that’s the charm: no buffer between you and the road, just steering, brakes, and a properly brave right foot.
- Why this matters: the Elise reminds us that subtracting weight is still the cheapest way to add speed.
- GRMN Corolla shows the other path: factory-honed aggression with a warranty.
- Together they prove there’s more than one way to skin a lap time.
Security Watch: Hot Holden Commodores Stolen from a Track Event
Several cars—including desirable Holden Commodores—were reportedly stolen from a track event. It’s a gut punch for owners and a reminder for the rest of us. Simple, layered defenses work: steering wheel lock, hidden kill switch, tilt/impact alarm, and a hardwired tracker. I’ve also started trailering with a hitch lock and parking nose-to-wall at events; it’s not paranoia when thieves are shopping at the circuit.
What Today’s News Means for You
- If you’re shopping a family runabout: the cheaper hybrid SUV and that heavily discounted Formentor PHEV just moved the goalposts. Test both back-to-back on your commute route; watch how often the engine wakes up.
- If you’re ute-curious: hold fire if you can—Ram’s 2027 mid-sizer could shake up Ranger/HiLux deals next model year.
- If you’re performance-minded: keep an ear on AMG’s announcements and Toyota’s GRMN allocations. The enthusiast market is fragmenting—EV halo, hybrid muscle, and featherweight purism can all coexist.
Quick Comparison: Three Paths to Performance
| Car | Philosophy | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMG Electric GT (reported) | Electric torque and aero-led grip | Instant response, silent speed | Weight and charging realities |
| AMG C63 (rumored bigger engine) | Powertrain drama with daily civility | Characterful thrust, long-legs | Emissions and efficiency pressure |
| Toyota GRMN Corolla (leaked) | Factory track special | Precision, warranty-backed fun | Rarity and likely markups |
Conclusion
Today’s theme is choice, with a side of clarity. Hybrids and PHEVs are getting cheaper in Australia just as EV curiosity stalls, Ram is reloading the ute segment with a long-overdue mid-sizer, AMG is exploring both electric halos and a more soulful C-Class, and enthusiasts can chase lap times via lighter weight or more boost. Keep your options open—and your cars locked.
FAQ
Is now a good time to buy a plug-in hybrid in Australia?
With price cuts like the Formentor PHEV’s, yes—especially if you can charge at home and your commute fits the EV range. Run the numbers against your petrol spend.
Will the Ram Dakota come to Australia?
Ram sells strongly here and the Ranger is the benchmark target, so local interest is high. Official confirmation for Australia hasn’t been detailed yet, but the business case looks tempting.
Is the current AMG C63 going away?
No official sunset announced. Reports suggest the next iteration may rethink the powertrain. For now, the 2.0-litre PHEV remains on sale.
How different will the GRMN Corolla be from the GR Corolla?
Expect a more focused track setup: added aero, stiffer suspension, some weight trimming, and likely a small power bump in limited numbers.
How do I better secure my car at events?
Use layered security: steering lock, immobiliser/kill switch, tilt-and-impact alarm, GPS tracker, and smart parking (blocked-in or nose-to-wall). Never leave keys in the paddock.
