Daily Auto Brief: Jaguar’s Ice-Ballet, Toyota’s Tough Love, and a PHEV Bargain Hunter’s Delight

Some mornings the car world serves espresso shots; today it’s a tasting flight. Jaguar let its new four-door electric GT loose on ice.

Toyota did the responsible-parent thing in Australia—one hand on the shoulder of Tundra owners, the other gently nudging LandCruiser and Prado prices upward. Meanwhile, a budget-friendly plug-in off-roader from GWM squares up as the value play, a reborn KGM Actyon dips its toes into hybrid waters, BYD’s sales momentum takes a breather, and the internet debates whether a not-quite-356 is worth more than a brand-new 718 Spyder RS. Let’s get into it.

Jaguar’s new electric GT: XJ ride, F-Type spirit, four-door swagger

Jaguar’s next chapter is starting to purr, quietly. Early drives of the four-door electric GT prototype painted a tantalizing picture: according to Autocar, it “rides like an XJ, drifts like an F-Type,” which is exactly the split-personality Jags do best. Road & Track’s team sampled it on ice and came back using words you want tied to an EV grand tourer—poised, playful, and calm over the rough stuff.

I haven’t slid this exact cat across a frozen lake, but I’ve done Jaguar’s previous winter programs, and when their chassis team gets it right, you feel that signature mix: a lazy-luxury primary ride with just enough throttle-adjustability to paint arcs with your right foot. The takeaway here is encouraging: the GT seems to carry that DNA into an all-electric platform without losing the charm.

• What it is: A four-door electric grand tourer, the first of Jaguar’s new era.
• What it isn’t: A soft reboot. The dynamic notes from early drives suggest genuine driver focus.
• What I’m watching: Steering feel (the lifeblood of classic Jags) and how it deals with scarred city streets at low speeds—where some EV flagships turn brittle.

From an ownership lens, this looks like the sort of car that can do airport runs in the morning, carve an alpine pass by lunch, and still feel special when you hand the keys to a valet. If the production car preserves that ice-dance fluidity on real tarmac, Jaguar’s brand reset has a proper heartbeat.

Toyota in Australia: a recall-adjacent check-in and firmer price tags

Two pieces of Toyota housekeeping landed for Aussie buyers. First, the US recall ripple has prompted a “Customer Service Exercise” for the Tundra in Australia. It’s the calm version of a recall—think proactive inspections, potential software or hardware checks, and guidance from your dealer rather than alarm bells. If you’re a Tundra owner, this is the brand doing its due diligence. Book the visit, have a coffee, and leave knowing your truck’s in spec.

Second, Toyota nudged pricing upward for the LandCruiser 300 Series and the LandCruiser Prado. No fireworks, just the continued reality of post-pandemic supply chains and heavy demand for go-anywhere wagons. If you’ve been eyeing a Prado for the school run and ski weeks, factor in a little more headroom in the budget.

Model	What’s happening	Owner impact
Tundra (Australia)	Customer Service Exercise linked to US recall context	Contact dealer for checks; minimal downtime expected
LandCruiser 300 Series	Price increase	Budget slightly higher; availability remains key
LandCruiser Prado	Price increase	Consider spec versus wait times; watch dealer stock

Value shake-up: GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV and KGM Actyon Hybrid

In the land of wallet-friendly SUVs, two fresh faces are making noise. GWM’s Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV has been priced and, per CarExpert, it significantly undercuts the Denza B5—an eyebrow-raiser given the Tank’s off-road swagger and plug-in capability. If you’ve ever tried to juggle weekday commutes with weekend dirt, a PHEV that’ll crawl trails and cruise silently through town checks a lot of boxes.

Then there’s the reborn KGM Actyon Hybrid (yes, the badge once read SsangYong). The coupe-ish SUV shape returns with an electrified assist. You buy these for the pragmatic stuff: big hatch, tall seating, the unpretentious vibe that says “I brought snacks.” If the hybrid tuning favors smooth takeoff and low-speed refinement, it’ll be a quietly convincing commuter.

Quick hits: why they matter

• GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV: Plug-in range for weekday e-commuting, low-range bravado for the fire road. If pricing is sharp against Denza, expect waiting lists.
• KGM Actyon Hybrid: A sensible hybrid option in a niche body style, which means fewer me-too crossovers in your cul-de-sac.

EV reality check: BYD’s cool-down and a 417,000km Tesla tale

BYD’s global volumes slipped for the fifth straight month. That’s the headline, and it mirrors a broader EV market catching its breath. Growth curves don’t go up forever; incentives shift, competition stiffens, and buyers get choosier about charging speeds, software, and residuals.

On the micro side, a Tesla superfan set up a GoFundMe after their Model 3’s battery failed at 417,000km. That number deserves a small round of applause. Four hundred and seventeen thousand. Battery packs are consumables in slow motion—longevity depends on use, chemistry, and luck. I’ve talked to owners who’ve crossed 300,000km with only modest degradation, and others who’ve had a module hiccup early. The lesson isn’t panic; it’s planning.

Practical tips if you live with an EV

• Charge habits: Prioritize home/work AC charging and reserve DC fast-charging for trips.
• Thermal comfort: Precondition in extreme heat/cold; your battery will thank you.
• Warranty & diagnostics: Keep logs, update software, and scan health reports before long trips.
• Resale smarts: Buyers love documented charging behavior and capacity tests.

Odds, ends, and talking points

• Ontario’s “stunt driving” net snared a 70-year-old, reminding everyone that the definition covers more than smoky burnouts. It’s broad, and it’s catching everyday mistakes along with the true showboaters. File under: know your local laws, especially speed thresholds.
• This isn’t a real Porsche 356, but it costs more than a new 718 Spyder RS. That’s the Carscoops zinger. Purists will wince; others will argue that craftsmanship and vibe can out-price the badge. Me? If it looks right, drives sweet, and makes you grin every time the garage light flicks on, you do you.

Bottom line

Jaguar’s electric reboot is showing the right moves, Toyota’s tightening the ship while its icons edge up in price, and value hunters just got new electrified SUV options to consider. EVs keep teaching us patience and planning—at both the sales-chart level and the 417,000km owner level. As ever, the smart money takes a long test drive, reads the fine print, and buys the car that makes every dull Tuesday feel half a shade brighter.

FAQ

• When will Jaguar’s four-door electric GT be fully revealed?
  Jaguar’s been running prototype drives; expect more official details and timing updates as testing wraps. Early impressions focus on ride comfort and playful handling.
• What does Toyota’s “Customer Service Exercise” mean for Tundra owners in Australia?
  It’s a proactive dealer visit for checks and potential updates stemming from a US recall context. Contact your dealer for the appointment and specifics for your VIN.
• Did Toyota raise prices on the LandCruiser 300 and Prado?
  Yes. Price lists have been adjusted upward; confirm current drive-away figures with your local dealer.
• Is the GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV good value?
  CarExpert notes it significantly undercuts the Denza B5, which positions it as a compelling plug-in off-road-capable option.
• What does a 417,000km Tesla battery failure say about EV longevity?
  It underscores that high mileage is achievable, but packs are wear items. Good charging habits and proper thermal management help extend life; plan for long-term maintenance.