Today’s Drive: Policy Whiplash, Ford’s Electric Ute Tease, A Saner Santa Fe, and a Viper Time Capsule

Some days the car world sprints. Today it zigzags. Government policy pulls one way, product planners yank the other, and in the middle sits you and me—trying to decide whether to wait for the next big thing or buy what works right now. I spent the morning on the phone with a couple of engineers, swapped owner notes in a café queue, and then took the long way home in an old manual coupe just to remember why we fell in love with this in the first place.

Policy & Powertrains: The Rules Are Changing, the Costs Are Real

First, the money. A fresh industry analysis out of the UK reckons the recent U.S. policy turn against aggressive EV targets has already set carmakers back to the tune of tens of billions of pounds. That’s “billions with a B,” and it’s not monopoly money—it’s factories being re-tooled, battery supply deals, software stacks rewritten, then all of it second-guessed as the goalposts move.

Now, before the V8-and-carb crowd starts uncorking the celebratory 98-octane, hold that thought. Even with looser U.S. targets, brands still have to hit EU and China rules, corporate fleet averages, and shareholder promises. I spoke with a product planner last year who put it bluntly: “You can’t design an engine for one country anymore.” Which dovetails with new chatter that weaker U.S. emissions regs won’t automatically save BMW’s big V8s and certainly not the anachronistic V12s. Reality bites globally.

• Short term: Hybrids and plug-in hybrids get more runway.
• Medium term: EV investments slow in some segments, but don’t stop.
• Long term: Combustion survives—but for niches, with tech and price premiums.

BMW M: Thirty New Things, Fewer Third Pedals

BMW M is reportedly lining up a product blitz—about 30 new or updated M and M Performance models over the next few years. That’s good news if you like your school run with sidewall-crushing grip. The not-so-good bit? Manuals appear to be living on borrowed time. When I drove the last stick-shift M2 on a grotty B-road, I loved the involvement but couldn’t ignore how modern stability systems and torque-dense turbos favor the speed and smarts of an automatic. I’ll miss the dance, but I get it.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: The V8 Rumbles Again (Mostly Not for Oz)

There’s fresh reporting that a V8 could return to the Grand Cherokee lineup—welcome news for tow rigs and folks who equate cylinder count with credibility. Unfortunately for Australian buyers, timing and local emissions frameworks likely slam that door shut. If you’re in Sydney and hoping to hear that lazy cross-plane burble in your driveway, consider a used WK2 or embrace the turbo-six and hybrid alternatives. They’re punchier than you think.

Trucks & Utes: Ford Teases a Ranger-Sized Electric

Ford just flashed a silhouette of a midsize electric ute—Ranger-sized, global intent. Think of it as the Lightning’s leaner, lighter cousin aimed at the tradie who wants torque on tap without a tank’s footprint. I watched the teaser a few times and scribbled notes like a conspiracy theorist. Boxy bed rails? Short overhangs? If Ford nails workable range with a realistic tow mode and proper payload, it’ll hit a sweet spot that the big stuff sometimes misses.

Context matters. Toyota’s been dabbling with an electric Hilux prototype, and BYD already put a plug-in hybrid Shark on the road in some markets. The segment’s heating up, just not always with full battery plays.

Midsize Pickup Electrification Snapshot

SUVs: Hyundai Santa Fe’s Glow-Up, Round Two

The current Santa Fe arrived with that square-jawed, overland-by-way-of-Seoul vibe. I took one across corrugated backroads last autumn and loved the space and seat comfort, but some of the detailing felt try-hard. Fresh spy shots suggest the 2027 update leans into a tidier face and slightly calmer surfacing. The substance—the family-hauling friendliness, the flat load floor that made my dog look personally offended when we got home—should remain. If Hyundai dials back a few design affectations and tightens infotainment lag, it’ll be right in the pocket.

• What I’m watching: refinement of driver aids and smoother low-speed hybrid behavior.
• Wish list: a second-row that slides with one hand and a proper spot for the charging cable.

Deals Watch: GWM PHEV Savings

GWM is cutting prices on its plug-in hybrids, at least for a limited window. If your week is school runs with a 20–40 km commute and a weekend grocery dash, a PHEV can be the sweet spot—handle daily driving on electrons, keep petrol for road trips. A few owners I chatted with harp on the same two things: plug in at home religiously and don’t skimp on a wallbox.

• Run the numbers: home charging + off-peak rates can beat most fuel bills.
• Test drive with a full battery and in Hybrid mode—see which suits your life.
• Ask about heat pumps and tow ratings; not all PHEVs are created equal.

EV Ownership: Tesla Still Tops Satisfaction, Rival Closing Fast

A fresh ownership survey once again crowns Tesla on satisfaction, but there’s a challenger nipping at its heels. My hunch, based on recent owner groups and what I’ve driven, is that it’s one of the newer EV-native brands with crisp UX and white-glove service mentality. Credit where due: fast software updates and a charging network that “just works” still move the needle. But rivals are learning quick—particularly on cabin quality and dealer handovers that don’t feel like you’re beta testing your own car.

• Charging confidence remains the make-or-break factor for new EV buyers.
• Software speed and voice control accuracy are becoming ownership delighters.
• Seat comfort on long hauls is the sleeper metric—try before you buy.

Motorsport Corner: MotoGP Heads to Adelaide in 2027

Australia’s MotoGP round is set to hit Adelaide in 2027 on a newly confirmed layout. That’s a seismic shift from windswept Phillip Island—glorious, treacherous, romantic Phillip Island. I rode shotgun in a course car there years ago; the crosswinds could rearrange your personality. Adelaide’s configuration promises a different challenge: more urban energy, potentially friendlier weather, and a chance to bring MotoGP closer to city crowds. Purists will grumble; they always do. I’ll judge it by the braking zones and the noise bouncing off the grandstands.

Watercooler: The RAV4 That Tried, and a Viper That Time Forgot

File under “we’ve all had days”: a RAV4 owner managed an internet moment so exquisitely chaotic it had half the office muttering “just take the bus.” We’ve seen some creative parking and accessory crimes this year; this one will live long in the group chats.

And then, the unicorn: a brand-new, never-registered Dodge Viper ACR Hardcore from the late 2000s surfaced for sale. Yes, with the wing that could double as patio furniture. I remember hammering an ACR down a track day and marveling at how it turned from unruly snake to laser pointer when the aero bit and the tires warmed. If you buy it, budget for tires, track time, and a good neck brace.

Quick Takeaways

• Policy shifts are expensive; don’t expect a V8 renaissance just because one market loosened rules.
• Ford’s midsize electric ute could be the practical EV truck many actually need.
• Hyundai’s next Santa Fe looks calmer—good; keep the roominess and fix the lag.
• PHEV deals from GWM make sense if you charge at home and know your route map.
• Tesla still delights owners, but rivals are closing the UX and service gap.

Should you wait or buy now?

If your current car is fine, wait six months—2026 is a rolling reveal season. If it’s costing you or stressing you, a discounted hybrid/PHEV today beats the perfect EV tomorrow you can’t yet drive.

Conclusion

The car world isn’t slowing; it’s shape-shifting. Engines aren’t dead, EVs aren’t doomed, and the best vehicles increasingly blend both worlds with less drama and more usability. Meanwhile, somewhere in a quiet garage, a zero-mile Viper ACR is clearing its throat. Choose your adventure—and maybe your earplugs.

FAQ

When will Ford’s Ranger-sized electric ute arrive?

Ford has teased the project but hasn’t shared full specs or timing yet. Expect more details within the next product cycle window as the midsize EV pickup segment heats up.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 really coming back?

Reports suggest a V8 variant is on the cards in some markets, but it’s unlikely to make it to Australia due to timing and emissions requirements.

Are manual transmissions disappearing from BMW M?

Manuals look set to become rarer in upcoming BMW M products as performance and emissions goals favor advanced automatics. If you want one, don’t wait too long.

Should I jump on GWM’s PHEV discounts?

If you can charge at home and most trips are under 40 km, a discounted PHEV can cut running costs significantly. Test it in both EV and Hybrid modes before deciding.

Where will the Australian MotoGP be in 2027?

Adelaide has revealed the official MotoGP layout and is slated to host the 2027 Australian Grand Prix, shifting the event away from Phillip Island that year.