Today in Cars: V12s Roar Back, EV Plans Pivot, and Australia’s Recall Radar Lights Up

I woke up to a split soundtrack this morning: snarling twelve-cylinders on one channel, the quiet whirr of boardrooms recalibrating their EV roadmaps on the other. It’s a proper 2026 mood—heart says octane, head says electrons, and the market says “both, please.” Here’s what matters, with a dollop of real-world perspective.

EV Strategy Whiplash: From Bold Moves to Hard Brakes

Call it mid-decade course-correction. Several big headlines today show how fluid the electric transition remains—depending on where you live and how you drive.

• Honda is pulling the plug on the Prologue EV in North America. It launched quietly, and now it exits quietly. Sometimes a first draft teaches you what the second should be.
• Fiat is phasing out its EV in Australia. The 500e charmed city types, but the brand says it’s not leaving the market—just rethinking what fits Aussie life. (It’s a land of long distances and rough roads; I get it.)



• Genesis is lining up the GV90, a flagship electric SUV gunning squarely at the Range Rover set with talk of a cinema-scale screen and coach doors. If it rides as calmly as a GV80 I ran down the Hume last year, it’ll be right in the conversation.
• Peugeot is bringing two “striking” concepts to October’s Paris show. Expect design-heavy statements—Peugeot usually nails stance and lighting—plus hints of where Stellantis wants to steer in the next few product cycles.

And then there’s BYD, which says it can overtake Toyota globally without even selling cars in the US. Sounds outrageous until you clock its momentum in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Tie that to a broader industry trend—brand loyalty fraying as buyers cross-shop more than ever—and it’s not just bluster.

EV Snapshot: Who’s Doing What, Where

BYD’s Big Talk vs. Toyota’s Big Footprint

Is brand loyalty dead? Not dead—just weaker. With roughly 80 carmakers scrapping for attention, a low running cost or a slick test drive can pry a buyer from habits formed decades ago. BYD knows this. Toyota knows this too; it’s why the company’s hybrid-first strategy is so sticky in markets that don’t have wall-to-wall fast chargers.

I’ve watched new-car buyers in Southeast Asia and Europe flip from legacy badges to BYD and back to Toyota based on three factors: price, delivery time, and perceived tech. If BYD keeps undercutting on value and availability, Toyota’s counterpunch will need to be relentless product cadence—hybrids today, targeted EVs tomorrow, and the reliability narrative always.

Utes and Real Work: Toyota HiLux BEV Edges Closer

Early, quick-drive notes on the 2026 Toyota HiLux BEV suggest Toyota’s doing what Toyota does—easing a working vehicle into electrification without drama. What’ll make or break it?

• Payload and towing: Aussie tradies won’t trade utility for silence.
• Charging speed: If it can’t DC fast-charge meaningfully over lunch, that’s a problem on site-to-site days.
• Ride and regen: On corrugations and with a load, smooth pedal feel matters. The F-150 Lightning taught me that regenerative tuning can be the difference between “neat tech” and “yep, I’ll buy one.”

If Toyota nails those, the HiLux BEV could quietly become a default choice for fleets that want to decarbonize without risking downtime.

The ICE Refuses to Go Gently: V12s and a V6 Masterclass

While EV roadmaps zigzag, the combustion crowd is having a last, glorious singalong.

• Aston Martin’s wild V12 4x4 made its real-world debut. The phrase “mad V12 4x4” reads like a dare—and I’m here for it. Big-engine SUVs feel anachronistic until you hear them at idle. Then it’s just…right.
• A boutique new V12 hit the dyno and reportedly sounds like the anti-EV manifesto. Think old-school timbre, no filters. The kind of mechanical honesty you feel in your sternum.

• 

  Alfa Romeo’s £2m 33 Stradale, in V6 guise, is being called a masterclass. I believe it. Modern Alfas do tone and texture better than most; give them space to breathe, and they’re enchanting.

I’m not pretending any of this is rational. It’s just proof the car world can hold contradictions: a serenading twelve-cylinder coexisting with silent, one-pedal city commuters. Both can be great, for different reasons.

Australia’s Safety Watch: Recalls and the Parts Pile-Up

If you’re in Australia, the practical headlines today revolve around recalls and repair delays:

• BMW has issued a recall covering more than 10,000 vehicles, including plug-in hybrid 3 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series, due to a fire risk. Owners can expect official guidance on next steps and dealer remedies.
• Kia Stonic has also been recalled. If you run one as a city runabout, keep an eye on your inbox and the glovebox sticker update.
• Component shortages continue to leave some new cars sidelined for longer than anyone would like—prompting fresh calls to sharpen Australia’s consumer law around lengthy repair times and “major failure” definitions.

My quick advice if you’re caught in recall limbo:

• Document everything—dates, dealer visits, promised parts, and any out-of-pocket costs.
• Ask (politely, firmly) about courtesy cars or alternative transport support.
• Stay on top of software updates; several recent fixes have been over-the-air.

One More Lap in Sydney

Sydney’s much-loved “real-life video game” driving playground is reportedly running out of laps. If you’ve been meaning to go, consider this your nudge—motoring joy sometimes has an end date.

Bottom Line

We’re deep in the messy middle. EV plans are being tweaked, not abandoned. Combustion is basking in a last burst of theater. And for everyday owners, recalls and parts availability matter more than any concept-car light signature. Choose what fits your life now, keep an eye on what’s next, and—if a V12 howls past—roll the window down for a second.

FAQ

• Is the Honda Prologue EV discontinued?
  Yes, Honda is winding down the Prologue in North America as it recalibrates its EV approach.
• Which BMW models are affected by the latest recall in Australia?
  Over 10,000 vehicles are covered, including plug-in hybrid 3 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series, due to a fire risk. Check your VIN with the brand if you’re unsure.
• Is Toyota really making an electric HiLux?
  Yes. A HiLux BEV prototype has been driven, indicating Toyota is progressing an electric ute aimed at real work use.
• What’s special about the Genesis GV90?
  It’s a forthcoming flagship electric SUV with luxury flourishes—think cinema-scale screen and coach doors—targeted at Range Rover territory.
• Can BYD overtake Toyota without selling cars in the US?
  BYD believes so, leaning on rapid growth across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America—regions where EV adoption and value play strongly.