John Peter Mahoney

Smart has announced it has begun final testing of its Smart #2 ahead of its launch on October 12 at the 2026 Paris motor show. Sharing much with this year’s Beijing motor show concept, the Smart #2 has already been confirmed for right-hand-drive markets, with one senior executive declaring that the city car is 80 per cent certain for the Australian market.

More details and pictures of the inbound Freelander 8 have surfaced, revealing the rugged electrified 4×4 developed by Chery and JLR will be available in eight distinctive hues and feature a state-of-the-art cabin. Already locked in for a launch in Australia via a new independent dealer network as soon as next year, the Freelander – a boxy BMW iX3 rival – will come with Lucent Lime yellow and immersive Purple, plus Brilliant Bronze, alongside the usual black, silver, blue and white.