Morning Brief: Boxy utes, big‑cube whispers, and a 3 Series victory lap

If the holiday week had you half-watching the road and half-eyeing the barbecue, here’s the quick catch-up. We’ve got a boxy new ute aiming squarely at HiLux and Ranger, Ford testing the global waters with a midsize electric pickup, a Corvette rumor that’ll make small‑block fans grin, Honda batting away Prelude Type R whispers, a cheeky off‑road GT‑R build, and an ode to the BMW 3 Series that reminds us why the benchmark still feels… benchmarky.

Utes and trucks: the hard yakka set gets interesting

New KGM Musso: squared-off and squaring up to HiLux and Ranger

The ute formerly known as SsangYong has a new cap and a new target list. The boxy new KGM Musso has been unveiled ahead of its Australian launch, and the design’s gone from rounded workhorse to squared-jaw tradie—more tool chest than toolbox. It’s clearly lining itself up against Toyota’s HiLux and Ford’s Ranger, and that intention is about as subtle as a high-vis vest.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Musso’s honest approach. When I hustled a previous-gen example down a corrugated farm road, it surprised me with cabin comfort and the way it shrugged off chatter through the steering column. Payload and ride varied by spec back then, but if KGM keeps the cabin ergonomics and makes the chassis a touch more tied down when loaded, it’ll win a lot of fleet managers over—especially if pricing stays cheeky.

• Design: Boxier, more assertive stance; expect a tougher front fascia and squared wheel arches.
• Mission: Gun for HiLux and Ranger buyers who want value and capability without the brand-tax.
• Timing: Australian launch confirmed; detailed specs and pricing to come closer to on-sale.

Ford’s Ranger-sized EV ute: prove it in America, scale it for the world

Ford’s next play in pickups? A midsize electric ute that’s roughly Ranger-sized. The catch: it needs to prove itself in the U.S. before the rest of us see it. Frankly, that’s sensible. If it can survive American towing expectations, long-distance interstate runs, and the national pastime of overpacking, it’ll be ready for Australia, Europe, and beyond.

Lessons learned from early EV trucks still stand. When I towed with a battery truck last year, range dropped fast—no surprise, just physics. The trick is fast, reliable charging and an honest approach to range while laden. Nail the price, throw in proper accessories (tray power, integrated tie-down solutions, clever bed dividers), and it’ll talk to tradies and adventure families alike. If it feels like an EV compromise, it won’t.

Note: Specs vary by market and trim. Confirm final numbers as launches near.

Performance corner: rumors, reality checks, and a sandy GT‑R

Chevy Corvette Grand Sport whispers: a 6.7‑litre LS6?

A report doing the rounds suggests the Corvette Grand Sport could arrive with a 6.7‑litre, LS6‑coded V8. If true, that’s a proper throwback in spirit—big displacement, broad torque curve, and the sort of throttle response that makes you invent errands. Where would that sit? Likely between the daily-friendly Stingray and the apex-chasing specials, with an attitude we haven’t seen since the classic GS badge started meaning “more grip, more go, less drama.”

In the mid-engined C8 era, I’d expect any Grand Sport to be about balance: a chassis you can lean on, tires with a wider shoulder, and an engine that does muscle-car rumble without the high-strung histrionics. Manual? Unlikely. Character? If the rumor’s even half-right—plenty.

Prelude Type R: the rumor mill meets a corporate eyebrow raise

The “Prelude Type R” chatter got loud enough that Honda had to step in. The response? Temper your expectations. The revived Prelude looks set to play in the sporty, efficient coupe lane, and while Honda knows how to do a magical front-driver, the company’s coyness suggests a full-bore Type R isn’t on the near-term menu. A warmed-up variant down the line? I wouldn’t bet against Honda leaving that door slightly ajar.

When I sampled recent Honda chassis tuning on backroads, the message was clear: light-on-its-feet still matters. If the Prelude keeps the steering fidelity and adds a touch more power, it’ll be a lovely daily with weekend sparkle—even without a red badge.

Someone lifted a Nissan GT‑R for the dirt… and hit a snag

Because the internet asked for it, someone built an off-road GT‑R: lifted stance, knobby tires, rally imaginings. The snag? There’s always one. Think driveline angles that don’t love articulation, electronics that get confused off-piste, or registration/insurer realities that cool the party. It’s a wild idea for the ‘Gram; for real trails, I’d still take a Patrol with lockers and let Godzilla stick to scaring apexes.

50 years on, why the BMW 3 Series still runs the show

There’s a lovely piece floating around on the 3 Series turning 50, and it nails something we often gloss over: longevity earned the hard way. Over five decades, the 3 has morphed from tidy sports saloon to tech-forward all-rounder, yet it still does the little things—seating position, visibility, steering weight—better than most.

I noticed it straight away in a recent 330i: the way the car sits on its front axle when you tip into a tightening radius, the calm at 110 km/h, the cabin that feels like someone measured your elbows. Specs? The 330i’s turbo four makes punchy, real-world power; the M340i’s straight-six remains a minor miracle of smooth thrust. On a boring commute, it behaves like a premium appliance. On a Sunday, it shrugs and becomes a driver’s car. That duality is the trick others keep chasing.

Policy watch: Australia’s NVES “name and shame” starts 2026

Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is sharpening its teeth. From 2026, brands that miss their fleet emissions targets will be named publicly—call it transparency with a sting. The likely outcome? Expect more mild-hybrids, more efficient tunes on familiar engines, and a faster roll-in of low-emission variants across popular nameplates.

I’ve already seen the product plans inch that way: lighter wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires on base trims, smarter aero, and electrified options pushed earlier in a model cycle. For buyers, it could mean more choice at the efficient end and fewer thirsty niche variants… unless they can pay their way.

What stood out today

• KGM Musso grows into its squared shoulders—Australia launch confirmed.
• Ford’s midsize EV ute must ace the U.S. test before it goes global.
• Corvette Grand Sport rumor: a 6.7‑litre V8 with old-school charm, modern placement.
• Honda cools Prelude Type R chatter—sporty yes, full R uncertain.
• Off-road GT‑R build looks hilarious and complicated in equal measure.
• BMW 3 Series at 50: still the one you recommend without thinking.
• NVES “name and shame” in 2026 will nudge lineups leaner and cleaner.

Conclusion

From boxy utes to big-displacement whispers, the car world’s tidying up the year with equal parts pragmatism and provocation. If you’re shopping in 2026, expect cleaner fleets, a few surprise performance swansongs, and utes that try harder than ever. The trick, as always, is finding the one that fits your life—be it alpine weekends, school runs, or that stubborn gate at the back of the paddock.

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