Today in Cars: Cupra’s racy EV SUV confirmed, MG S6 EV value bomb, PHEV utes warm up, and a manual comeback

Some Mondays stroll in with a latte. This one kicks the door open with a flat white, a Cupra EV with attitude, and a NASCAR finish washed in Carolina rain. Toss in a teased tough-guy Jimny,

Electric SUV pile‑on: Cupra sharpens its spear, MG undercuts the lot

Cupra has locked in a racy electric SUV to square up against the BMW iX3 and Volvo’s coming EX60. That tracks. The brand’s whole vibe is hot-hatch energy in practical shoes, so an EV SUV with a proper chassis tune could be the sweet spot. If it borrows the steering feel and seat-hug from the Born—something I rate on a twisty commute—expect it to be the driver’s choice among mid-size electric family haulers.

At the value end, MG’s new S6 EV has lobbed a grenade into the pricing trench, coming in under $50,000 drive-away in Australia. That’s pointed squarely at the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7. I’ve said it before: when an EV family SUV squeaks under the psychological $50k mark with decent range and a calm ride, buyers stop browsing and start asking about delivery dates.

Couple of buyer notes from the test loops I keep running in this class:

• Ride quality matters more than 0–100 bragging rights when you’re corrugating through suburban potholes. Check wheel size and tyre sidewall.
• Real-world range can swing 15–25% with roof racks, a full family, and winter. Plan with that buffer.
• One-pedal tuning makes or breaks city comfort. Try it in stop-start before you sign.

Ute wars, plug-in edition: LDV eyes a PHEV to chase BYD’s Shark

LDV Australia says the door’s open for plug-in hybrid utes to take on BYD’s Shark. Good. I’ve spent enough time towing and tip-running in EV utes to know: pure electric is brilliant around town and on-site power is a dream, but regional towing can still fray nerves. A PHEV hits the middle path—weekday electric errands, weekend trailer with engine assist.

If LDV wants to land it, here’s what will count on the ground (and on gravel roads when I take it to the tip):

• Genuine EV range for the commute: think school runs, site visits, then home to charge without waking the engine.
• Unfussy charging: 7 kW at home, DC top-ups that don’t wander off a cliff after 60%.
• Rated towing with battery support: consistent cooling and clear driver info, not guesswork.
• On-board power: tradie-friendly outlets that don’t tank range instantly.
• Sensible pricing against diesel dual-cabs and the Shark PHEV.

Australia is ute country. Get the basics right, and a PHEV could be the default for fleets looking to cut fuel without scaring drivers on long regional days.

Row your own: Nismo boss says manuals are coming back

I’ve never met a heel-and-toe I didn’t try, even in traffic where it earns you exactly zero respect from the Camry behind. Word from Nismo is that manual transmissions are making a comeback, and I believe it. The pendulum always swings—automatics won the numbers game, but manuals win hearts. Look at the buzz around stick-shift specials the past few years. The point isn’t ultimate speed; it’s involvement.

What I’ll watch for next:

• Manual availability tied to enthusiast trims rather than just halo cars.
• Rev-matching done right—easy to disable, but sweet when you’re tired.
• Pedal spacing you can actually dance on with boots, not ballet flats.

Suzuki Jimny Rhino teased: accessories at the ready

Suzuki’s teased the Jimny Rhino ahead of its Australian debut, and if it’s anything like the dealer-fit specials I’ve lived with, expect bolt-on swagger—think racks, chunky tyres, maybe a front bar and some decal bravado. The trick with the Jimny is not overthinking it. It’s a pint-glass 4x4. On rough farm tracks near me, the little box just jogs along, leaf-spring vibes without the dentist bills. If the Rhino adds range-ready gear straight from the showroom, even better for weekenders who don’t want to play spec-sheet bingo in the aftermarket.

Old made new: the Gunther Werks 993 that points forward

There’s a Gunther Werks 993 build headed to the Monterey auction block that looks less like a resto-mod and more like an alternate timeline. Future-leaning materials, classic lines. The best of these cars feel like Porsche built them yesterday with a soft spot for the ’90s—steering that talks, throttle that snaps, a cabin that’s analog without being cranky. I’ve driven enough old 911s to know: when someone gets the damping, bushings, and geometry right, you stop thinking “old car” and just think “great car.”

Motorsport Monday: rain, heartbreak, and razor-thin margins

Coca-Cola 600: rain-shortened, emotion-full

Daniel Suárez won the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 and dedicated it to Kyle Busch—poetic, considering the “former KBM driver” connection. Strategy meets weather roulette; it’s a Charlotte staple. I’ve always loved those nights where crew chiefs juggle radar maps like tarot cards. You bank track position early, pray the clouds like you, and try not to second-guess it on the way to tech.

Indy 500: the last-lap club nobody wants to join

The ledger of drivers who lose the Indy 500 on the final lap got two new names: Marcus Armstrong and David Malukas. That’s a bruise you feel every dawn lap you do after. The Speedway giveth, the Speedway taketh away, and it always comes down to a breath of momentum and a car width. If you’ve stood at the exit of Turn 4 there, you know—it’s a stadium for heartbreak as much as glory.

Efficiency corner: Prius goes full hypermile

Over at the sensible end of the spectrum, a Toyota Prius was pushed to its MPG max. Hypermiling is an art: looking as far ahead as you can, brushing the throttle instead of stabbing at it, and treating kinetic energy like a bank account—deposit on the downhill, withdraw gently on the up. When I tried the same game on a cool dawn loop, the car practically begged you to keep the needle in its happy place. Boring? Only if you think saving fuel (and time at servo stops) is dull.

Quick hits and buyer takeaways

• Electric SUVs: don’t sleep on Cupra’s driver focus; if MG’s S6 rides well, it’ll be the value target.
• PHEV utes: Australia’s ready for them—towing plus weekday EV running is the killer combo.
• Manuals: they’re not dead; they’re deliberate. Expect more niche but passionate offerings.
• Jimny Rhino: factory accessories beat dodgy eBay steel every day of the week.

Conclusion

This week’s theme? Choice. From sub-$50k EV family wagons to track-soaked NASCAR gambles, from old 911s reborn to tiny 4x4s with big hats—there’s a lane for everyone. And if Nismo’s right about manuals, there’s a lane you can shift yourself, too.

FAQ

When is Cupra’s electric SUV arriving?

It’s confirmed and positioned against the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60. Final name, specs, and Australian timing are still to be detailed.

How much will the MG S6 EV cost in Australia?

MG has announced pricing from under $50,000 drive-away, aiming directly at buyers cross-shopping Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7.

Is LDV launching a PHEV ute?

LDV Australia says the door is open to a plug-in hybrid ute to challenge BYD’s Shark, signaling serious interest in the segment.

Are manual transmissions really making a comeback?

According to Nismo’s boss, yes—at least in enthusiast-focused models where driver engagement sells as much as outright speed.

What is the Suzuki Jimny Rhino?

A teased special for Australia that’s expected to add rugged styling and accessories to the already-capable Jimny formula. Full details are pending.