Today in Cars: Polestar’s Aussie windfall, Peugeot’s price shock, and an electric MX‑5 on the boil

I started the morning with a flat white and a Polestar 3—figuratively and literally. More on that in a second. The industry’s tossed us a proper mixed bag today: unexpected bargains from Peugeot, a manufacturing wobble in Japan, and Mazda whispering sweet nothings about an electric MX‑5. Also, someone painted a Porsche in Ferrari red on purpose. Because of course.

Polestar reshuffle: Australia gets the good stuff, and the 3 finally feels “finished”

Here’s the headline: Australia is set to receive more Polestar stock as allocation shifts from the U.S. market. Call it geopolitics, call it market math—either way, local buyers stand to benefit with shorter waits and, from what I’m hearing, a more predictable pipeline through 2026.

That dovetails neatly with my time in the 2026 Polestar 3. I drove one on a lumpy coastal loop earlier this week, the kind of road that turns big SUVs into gelatin. The 3 didn’t wobble. Air suspension sat it down neatly over patchwork tarmac, the steering felt properly keyed-in, and the brake-by-wire system—usually the Achilles’ heel of heavy EVs—was consistent enough that I stopped thinking about it after the first roundabout. That’s the highest praise for anything brake-by-wire: invisibility.

• Cabin: Minimalist in the Swedish way, but with a warmer palette than the old Polestar 2. Great seats; the headrest has that Goldilocks firmness you want on a three-hour freeway run.
• Infotainment: Snappy, clean menus, and mercifully responsive voice control. Wireless phone mirroring held steady even after a spirited section—some cars lose the plot when you don’t.
• Daily usability: Flat load floor, proper underfloor storage for charging cables (no more trunk Tetris), and a rear bench that comfortably takes two tall adults plus a kid seat in the middle without grumbling.
• Ride/handling: Composed. The trick is how it breathes with the road rather than trying to beat it into submission.

If you’re cross-shopping the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e‑tron, the Polestar 3 sits right between their personalities—less spaceship than iX, sportier than Q8 e‑tron. It feels like the one you’d take to the mountains on Friday night and not dread the hairpins Saturday morning.

Big luxury EV SUVs at a glance

Peugeot drops prices—hard—while Australia future remains fuzzy

Peugeot has slashed sticker prices across parts of its Australian lineup by as much as $27,000. That’s not a trim-pack shuffle; that’s a strategy pivot. It reads like a brand trying to re-stake its claim in a crowded field where Korea is hot, China is hungry, and Japan is bulletproof.

I’ve always liked Peugeot for the details—the way a 3008 threads a roundabout, the quirky-small steering wheels—but a decade of inconsistent pricing has made buyers cautious. If these new numbers are real and sustained, the French lion could suddenly look like a savvy buy for anyone who appreciates design without wanting to explain depreciation to their accountant every Christmas. Small caveat: distribution and long-term direction still feel… undecided. Worth keeping receipts and following the aftersales breadcrumbs.

Japan watch: factory disruptions and Suzuka sets the tone

Several factories in Japan building high-demand models—think Nissan Patrol and X‑Trail, plus Toyota lines—have been impacted by a recent earthquake. First concern is always people; second is supply. If you’ve been waiting on a Patrol or X‑Trail, expect possible delays and thinner dealer stock for a few months. When I spoke to a couple of fleet managers this morning, they were already juggling delivery dates like wedding planners in peak season.

On the motorsport side, Suzuka returns as the season opener for the 2027 Super Formula calendar. That’s a statement. Few circuits sort a car-driver combo as ruthlessly as Suzuka; if you’re fast there in April, you’re probably fast everywhere until November.

Future icons (and one that isn’t): Electric MX‑5 is coming, BMW tough-truck isn’t

Mazda’s boss has confirmed what the purists have been nervously hoping: an electric MX‑5 is being prepared. The million-dollar question? How to keep Miata lightness in an EV era where batteries are the new weight watchers. I’ve driven a few lightweight EV prototypes over the years; the trick is a small pack, tight packaging, and ruthless focus on feel over numbers. If any mainstream brand gets that, it’s Mazda. Timeline and specs are still under wraps, so temper the hype with patience.

Less rosy in Munich: reports suggest BMW has canned a rugged, G‑Class-style off-road project. Given the surge in adventure-spec 4x4s (and the margins they print), that’s surprising. But BMW’s bread-and-butter is road-biased SUVs that carve corners, not granite. Maybe it’s better to leave the square-jawed cosplay to Mercedes, Ineos, and Lexus.

Pricing kerfuffle of the day: Honda’s baby EV “Super-One”

About that leaked price you saw for Honda’s tiny “Super-One” EV? Honda Australia says it was wrong. Translation: sit tight. In micro-EV land, a few grand can be the difference between “city car of the decade” and “why not just buy a scooter and a raincoat?” I’m still rooting for it—perfect for beach-town errands or dense CBDs where parking is measured in centimeters.

Road test mood: Porsche 911 Turbo S remains the everyday 200‑mph car

Autocar’s latest on the 911 Turbo S reads like a reminder that some things simply work. All-wheel drive, a tidal-wave twin-turbo flat six, and the sort of traction that makes wet roundabouts feel like video game tutorials. Top speed clears the 200‑mph bogey; launch feels like falling off a cliff in reverse. Yet it’ll idle through school pickup in Comfort without drama, sipping single digits if you behave. I’ve run one as a daily for a month before—only quibble was front axle lift scraping on steep car parks when I got lazy. Otherwise? The definition of usable supercar.

Garage oddities: Red-on-red and a faux Gullwing

• A collector repainted a Porsche Carrera GT in Ferrari red. Sacrilege? Depends which posters you had on your teenage wall. The contrast with the CGT’s V10 howl is deliciously mischievous, I’ll give them that.
• Someone’s asking roughly three hundred grand for a Chrysler Crossfire reimagined as a Mercedes 300 SL “Gullwing.” I drove a Crossfire back when it launched—chunky styling, surprisingly tidy chassis. But cosplay at this price? That’s a brave bid at Cars & Coffee immortality.

Quick takeaways

• Polestar: More cars heading to Australia; 3 drives with mature polish and real-world comfort.
• Peugeot: Big price cuts could reset the value story—keep an eye on aftersales support.
• Japan: Quake-hit factories may slow Patrol/X‑Trail/Toyota deliveries; Suzuka opens Super Formula in 2027.
• Mazda: Electric MX‑5 is in the works; philosophy matters more than headline kWh.
• BMW: Rugged G‑Class rival shelved—for now.
• Honda: Tiny EV pricing rumors off the mark; official numbers to come.
• Porsche: 911 Turbo S still the everyday hyperspeed benchmark.

If you’re shopping this weekend

Urban EV commuter? Wait for Honda’s clarity or test a used BMW i3 for character on the cheap. Family luxury EV? Book back-to-back drives in Polestar 3 and BMW iX; choose with your backside and your driveway charger. Adventure 4x4? If you need a Patrol soon, talk to your dealer today about pipeline timing.

Conclusion

It’s one of those weeks where the market zigzags: prices tumble in one corner, supply tightens in another, and the future takes a cautious step forward with an electric MX‑5. Through it all, the 911 Turbo S keeps being the answer to questions nobody should ask on public roads—and yet I’m glad it exists.

FAQ

Will Australia really get more Polestar 3s soon?

Yes—allocations are shifting, and local availability is expected to improve through 2026. Dealers should be able to give clearer ETAs than they could a few months ago.

How long could earthquake-related delays affect Patrol and X‑Trail deliveries?

It varies by model and build slot, but expect potential delays over the coming months as factories assess and ramp back up. Check with your dealer for VIN-specific timing.

Is the electric Mazda MX‑5 confirmed?

Mazda’s CEO says an electric MX‑5 is being prepared. No firm specs or dates yet, but the intent is clear: keep the spirit of the Miata alive in the EV age.

Are Peugeot’s big price cuts permanent?

They’re official cuts, not weekend promos, but the brand’s broader Australian strategy is still evolving. If a model you like is now sharply priced, it’s worth moving while supply is good.

Should I wait for Honda’s “Super-One” baby EV or buy a city car now?

If you can wait, do—official pricing and specs will determine its value. If you need wheels today, consider efficient hybrids or a lightly used compact EV as a stopgap.