Daily Drive: Acura’s RSX EV eyes right‑hand drive, Mazda tries bottling CO2, VW feels the chip squeeze, and other stories
Some days in carland are all big wings and Nürburgring lap times. Today feels more boots-on-the-ground: market moves, clever engineering experiments, and the odd curveball (including a missing $180,000 SUV that once belonged to a very tall Hall of Famer). I’ve stitched together the bits I’d talk about over coffee with other lifers in this job—because the threads actually connect when you squint a little.
Japanese power plays, Aussie angles: Acura, Lexus, Toyota—and BYD crashing the party
The headline grabber is Acura’s new RSX electric SUV, which, according to rumblings, is being engineered in right-hand drive. That’s not nothing. Acura has long been a left-hook-only brand, but a RHD strategy would unlock Australia, Japan, and the UK. I’ve driven plenty of Hondas that felt one good interior upgrade away from Acura; this RSX could be the reverse—Acura style with Honda pragmatism. If they bring it Down Under, expect Honda dealers to get very busy explaining badges.
Meanwhile, Lexus is reportedly lining up the LX700h for Australia. Think: the LandCruiser’s tuxedoed sibling finally embracing hybrid power. For those of us who use these rigs for actual long hauls (mine: skis, two kids, and a dog with a PhD in shedding), the promise is simple—keep the LX feel but sip a bit less at the bowser. If Lexus nails the power delivery (diesel-like shove, without diesel), I can see waiting lists stretching like a summer road to Broome.
Then there’s Toyota’s baby bruiser—the so-called LandCruiser FJ—which has been held back locally by… an engine. Specifically, the HiLux’s. Supply and integration are the dull parts of product planning until they aren’t; a launch delay in Australia says Toyota wants the fit-and-finish right, and enough units to matter. I’ve bounced around in prototypes of this size bracket on proper corrugations and can tell you: the right gearing and thermal management are everything. Patience may pay off.
Over in Japan, BYD is getting cheeky with a new Racco EV aimed squarely at home-turf rivals. BYD’s strategy in Japan has been methodical—quiet stores, polite pricing, and spec sheets that make hybrid stalwarts gulp. If Racco hits the kei-adjacent sweet spot (tight urban footprint, usable range, just enough style), it could sell on school-run convenience alone. Don’t underestimate the power of easy charging and a flat load floor.
| Model | What it is | Market play | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acura RSX (EV) | Luxury electric SUV | RHD opens Japan/UK/Australia | RHD reportedly in the plan |
| Lexus LX700h | Hybrid luxury SUV (LandCruiser-based) | Lower thirst, same LX cachet | On the cards for Australia |
| Toyota LandCruiser FJ | “Baby” off-roader | Affordable LandCruiser vibe | AU launch delayed by HiLux engine timing |
| BYD Racco | Compact EV | China’s giant on Japan’s turf | Push into Japan underway |
Why this cluster matters
- RHD EV choice is finally broadening beyond Tesla and the usual Germans.
- Hybrid flagships like LX700h suggest luxury isn’t abandoning efficiency—just redefining it.
- Toyota delaying the FJ shows the bean counters still answer to the engineers, not the other way around.
- BYD in Japan is a rare home-game challenge; incumbents will feel it in lease quotes.
Tech and turbulence: Mazda bottles carbon, VW’s chip clock, and a safety recall
Mazda’s carbon-capture exhaust: the little tank that could?
Mazda is testing an exhaust-mounted carbon-capture system that stores CO2 in a tank onboard. The idea: trap a portion of tailpipe CO2 using a capture medium, hold it, then offload it for processing later. When I mucked about with a similar research rig years ago, the challenge wasn’t the chemistry—it was packaging, weight, and what you actually do with the captured gas on a Tuesday afternoon. If Mazda can make the capture frequent and the offloading painless (think service intervals or depot swaps), it’s the kind of transitional tech fleets love.
- Potential upside: measurable CO2 reductions without changing driver behavior.
- Hurdles: added mass, tank capacity, and the logistics of emptying the thing.
Volkswagen’s chip anxiety: “next week” is a scary phrase
Another report suggests VW could run out of semiconductors as soon as next week. We’ve all lived this movie since 2020, but the sting hasn’t faded. If that cliff appears, expect surgical factory pauses, certain trims becoming unicorns overnight, and dealers trying to explain to a Tiguan shopper why the heated wheel is now a summer-only option. Advice? If you’re on a build slot, stay close to your dealer and be flexible on options.
Ford E-Transit recall: toxic gas risk flagged
Ford’s E-Transit has been recalled over a risk of toxic gas release under certain fault conditions. No need to panic—this is why recall systems exist—but if you run a fleet, park the vans and get them checked. I’ve driven E-Transits in stop-start courier runs; the silence and smoothness are a gift to drivers. Keep them safe, and they’ll keep cities quieter and cleaner.
Design, nostalgia, and the eternal argument
Should Citroën go full 2CV?
An Autocar op-ed argues Citroën should follow rivals and embrace proper retro. As someone who still smiles at a clean Renault 5 prototype and knows exactly how a Fiat 500 makes you feel on a tight street in Rome, I get it. The trick is nailing modern crash and aero without losing the breezy simplicity. A 2CV redux—thin pillars, friendly face, sanctuary ride—would be catnip if the price is right. Just don’t over-screen it. Leave a little quirk in the cabin; Citroën rides deserve a shrug and a sigh, not a boot-up sequence.
Alfa’s Sport Speciale: when the suit wears the man
Alfa Romeo has another Sport Speciale on the menu—handsome, tailored, very Alfa. But the critique is fair: trims and appearance packs can’t be the whole meal. I adore Alfa steering feel on a good day (still one of the best ways to turn caffeine into motion), yet special editions only sing if the dynamics get some love too—springs, dampers, maybe a cheeky alignment tweak. Dress sharp, yes, but learn a new dance step while you’re at it.
3000 miles in a Range Rover Evoque: the quiet luxury plays the long game
Autocar’s long-term Evoque update reads like my own notes from a winter loaner: low-key glamour, a cabin that feels expensive without shouting, and a ride that smooths away the “why is this road like corduroy?” bits. When I tried one on our nastier suburban cut-through (you know the one that reappears on Waze every school term), the Evoque just shrugged. It’s not the roomiest, and Land Rover infotainment has, at times, lagged like a bored teenager, but the latest systems are much improved. As a daily, it nails that “arrive unruffled” brief better than most.
Odd news item of the day: Shaq’s custom SUV goes missing
Shaquille O’Neal’s bespoke Range Rover—reportedly a $180,000 build—has vanished in what looks like a transport scam. There’s a $10,000 reward on the table. Two lessons here: always vet your shippers (the legit ones won’t flinch at paperwork), and if you’re buying bespoke, invest in a tracking device you’d trust with your passport.
Quick hits I’m watching
- Acura RSX RHD chatter could finally give enthusiasts in RHD markets a fresh premium EV alternative.
- Mazda’s CO2 tank experiment is the most “Mazda” thing ever: small team, big idea.
- VW’s chip situation might pinch certain trims first—watch for surprise deletions.
- Lexus LX700h has “waitlist magnet” written all over it if towing and range math check out.
- Toyota FJ delay is annoying, but better than a rushed launch in a segment where trust is everything.
Conclusion
The through-line today isn’t horsepower; it’s intent. Acura quietly broadening horizons. Lexus hedging luxury with hybrid. Toyota waiting for the right engine at the right moment. BYD fearlessly setting up shop on rival turf. Mazda fiddling with chemistry because someone has to. And the rest of us? We keep driving, comparing, and trying to read the tea leaves—one long commute and one cracked B-road at a time.
FAQ
- Is the Acura RSX EV coming to Australia? It’s not confirmed, but reports of a right-hand-drive version make Australia a realistic target if distribution is sorted.
- What exactly is Mazda’s carbon-capture exhaust? A test system that traps a portion of tailpipe CO2 and stores it in an onboard tank for later offloading—aimed at cutting real-world emissions without changing how you drive.
- How could VW’s chip shortage affect buyers? Possible production pauses, fewer build slots, and certain options or trims becoming temporarily unavailable. Stay flexible if you’re ordering.
- What is the Lexus LX700h? A hybrid version of Lexus’s flagship SUV, based on the LandCruiser platform, reportedly under consideration for Australia.
- Why is Toyota’s “baby LandCruiser” delayed in Australia? The local launch has been held back due to timing around its HiLux-related engine setup and supply.
