Today in Cars: Hot EVs, stick-shift charm, safety notes, and a shifting industry map

I’ve still got a smear of brake dust on my cuffs from last weekend’s backroad loop, so forgive the enthusiasm. It’s a busy morning in carland: Kia’s turned the family EV wick right up, Suzuki has a sensible-range electric runabout on the way, and Australia’s getting a Corvette with Mount Panorama swagger. Somewhere in there, a $200 steering lock met Mr. Angle Grinder and lost, a bunch of Volvos need a heat-check, and the global sales charts quietly shuffled to let a Chinese brand into the top six. Keys on the desk, espresso in hand—let’s get into it.

Big family haulers, electrified (and otherwise)

2026 Kia EV9 GT: Kia’s priciest model gets serious

Kia has unveiled the EV9 GT, the range-topping, go-faster take on its three-row electric SUV—and it’s now the brand’s priciest model. Expect the usual GT treatment: more motor, sharper chassis, bigger brakes, stickier tires. I’ve spent time in the EV9 GT-Line on some properly scruffy roads; it already rides with that calm, big-car confidence. The GT feels targeted at the “I want to tow the jet ski and school a few crossovers at the lights” crowd. Final local pricing and exact outputs will matter, but the intent is clear: this is the flagship family EV with a capital F.

• Three-row electric SUV with uprated performance hardware
• All-wheel drive expected; stouter brakes and sport calibration
• Positioned as Kia’s most expensive model to date
• On-sale timing: 2026

2026 Suzuki e Vitara (Australia): up to 426 km of range

Suzuki’s first mainstream EV for Australia will wear a familiar badge: e Vitara. Official word points to up to 426 km of range—encouraging for a compact SUV. Range is half the story; packaging is the other. The current Vitara’s a doddle to park and shrug-off-commutes friendly. If Suzuki keeps the cabin airy and the controls simple (and please, responsive infotainment), this could be the “just enough EV” that hits the right price-versus-practicality note for city families and regional commuters alike.

• Compact EV SUV with up to 426 km claimed range
• Australian specs revealed; final pricing to come
• Urban-friendly footprint with family flexibility

Volkswagen Atlas: next generation inbound

Volkswagen’s preparing a new Atlas (Teramont in some markets). Think family-size utility with a cleaner interior design and the latest driver tech. Powertrains and hybridization are the big questions—VW has room to electrify without abandoning the towing-and-road-trip brief that made Atlas popular in the first place. If they nail seat comfort and the interface (previous Atlases were sensibly laid out), it’ll stay on a lot of shopping lists.

Enthusiast corner: from steelies to Mount Panorama

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst Edition heads Down Under

Australia’s getting a Corvette Z06 Bathurst Edition—a nod to Mount Panorama’s cathedral of speed. The Z06’s calling card remains that 5.5‑liter flat-plane-crank V8 that howls to redline like a race engine masquerading as a road unit. I drove a Z06 on track in the States and remember the way it hunted apexes with the nose and then simply vaporized the next straight. The Bathurst Edition should be about spec and identity—think unique trim, colors, and bragging rights—layered onto a chassis that already eclipses “exotic” badges in lap-time bang-for-buck. Just mind the front splitter on steep Aussie driveways.

Peugeot 208 with '90s soul: steel wheels and a manual

Peugeot’s cooked up a 208 spec with steelies and a stick, and my inner 1998 applauds. Light controls, a manual shifter you can actually hustle, and fewer screens shouting at you—there’s real charm here. Not every commute needs 20-inch alloys and six drive modes. Sometimes you want to hear the tires talk, row your own, and enjoy a car under 1.2 tons reminding you that agility can be baked in, not dialed up.

Mazda Scrum: slow, boxy, manual—and brilliant at being useful

Japan’s kei trucks are anti-fashion fashion. The updated Mazda Scrum stays wonderfully pragmatic: right angles, tiny footprint, honest manual. I borrowed a similar kei pickup on a trip to Hokkaido years ago; it carried skis, boots, groceries, then crept across an icy hotel car park like a penguin in steel-toes. Utility beats vanity, and the Scrum knows it.

Fiesta ST at Cortina d’Ampezzo: the alpine swan song

Autocar’s Olympic-flame riff is a gut-punch reminder that the Fiesta ST, perhaps the definitive small hot hatch of the last decade, is gone. I can still feel that eager front axle and the lift-off oversteer you could summon like a magician. Imagine it threading through Cortina d’Ampezzo—snow banks, short ratios, turbo torque holding altitude. We’ll be telling Fiesta ST stories to bored grandchildren.

Safety, tech, and ownership realities

A $200 Toyota steering wheel lock lost to an angle grinder in ~20 seconds

Aussie testers put a pricey OEM steering lock up against a handheld grinder and—predictably—sparks flew, lock died, clock barely ticked. Two takeaways I’ve seen play out in the real world: physical locks deter opportunists, not pros with power tools; and layered security is your friend.

Practical anti-theft layers I recommend:

• Visible deterrents: a wheel lock still tells an opportunist to move on.
• Hidden tech: a hardwired GPS tracker or two (redundancy helps).
• OBD port cover and immobilizer upgrade where available.
• Secure parking and motion lighting at home.
• Don’t leave keys near the front door; use a Faraday pouch if you’ve got a proximity fob.

Tesla Australia shifts Full Self‑Driving to subscription only

Tesla has removed the buy‑outright option for Full Self‑Driving in Australia; it’s subscription only now. For owners, it’s a mixed bag. Flexibility is great—try it for a month on a long trip, cancel when you don’t need it—but residual values won’t be buoyed by a sunk FSD purchase anymore. On my last long Tesla slog, I appreciated advanced lane changes and smoother ramp logic, but I’m still perfectly happy paying only when I’ll get real utility from it.

Volvo door latch recall: heat can cause doors to pop

Volvo’s issuing a recall because high heat can compromise door latches, potentially allowing a door to open. If you’re in a hot climate—or it’s summer—book the fix and keep seatbelts buckled as always. I’ve tested more Volvos than I can count, and their safety bench is sky-high, so expect a thorough remedy. Check your VIN with your dealer and get it sorted.

Off-road whispers: baby LandCruiser with HiLux diesel

Reports suggest Toyota’s “baby LandCruiser” (reviving that FJ energy) could use a HiLux‑sourced diesel and is being considered for Australia. If it brings proper ground clearance, real low‑range, and the honest, hose‑out feel beloved by tourers, it’ll hit a sweet spot under the 70 Series. I’m picturing red dust, a swag in the back, and a steady idle towing a modest camper—right in Toyota’s wheelhouse.

Industry pulse

A Chinese brand nudges Ford out of the global top six

The sales league table just blinked: a Chinese automaker has climbed into the global top six, pushing Ford down a notch. It’s the culmination of a few trends we’ve all felt from the driver’s seat: aggressive EV pricing, rapid product cycles, and domestic scale turning into export muscle. The practical effect for buyers? More choice, more negotiation leverage—and a fresh wave of dealer networks and service ecosystems to evaluate before you sign.

De Tomaso’s revival stumbles

The De Tomaso comeback story has unraveled into what insiders call a “disaster.” Boutique brands walk a tightrope—homologation costs, supplier trust, deposits, and the long shadow of global regulations. If there’s a lesson for enthusiasts (and investors), it’s this: celebrate the dreamers, but make sure there’s a factory, a supply chain, and an achievable path to series production before you wire funds.

Quick takes

• Manuals aren’t dead—they’ve just gone niche and fun. See: 208, Scrum.
• Flagship EVs will keep getting faster and pricier. See: EV9 GT.
• Ownership math is changing. Subscriptions, recalls, security layers—it’s not 2015 anymore.

Conclusion

From a go-faster three-row EV to a steel‑wheeled supermini, today’s news reads like a postcard from two automotive futures: high‑tech, high‑price flagships and simple, joyful machines that remind you why you loved cars in the first place. Meanwhile, the industry chessboard keeps shifting. Buckle up—2026’s going to be interesting.

FAQ

When will the Kia EV9 GT go on sale?

Kia has confirmed a 2026 on‑sale window. Detailed power figures and final pricing will follow closer to launch.

What’s the range of the 2026 Suzuki e Vitara in Australia?

Up to 426 km is the headline figure, depending on specification. Full charging details and trims are to come.

Can I still buy Tesla Full Self‑Driving outright in Australia?

No. Tesla has moved to a subscription‑only model for FSD in Australia. The upside is flexibility; the downside is no resale boost from a one‑time purchase.

Which Volvos are affected by the door latch heat recall?

Volvo has outlined a range of models in the recall. The best step is to contact a Volvo dealer with your VIN to confirm and schedule a fix.

Is the baby LandCruiser (FJ) coming to Australia?

Reports suggest there’s a strong chance, with a HiLux‑sourced diesel mooted. Toyota hasn’t provided final confirmation or timing yet.