Today’s Drive: Lotus PHEV SUV fires a 710kW broadside, Toyota teases a GR halo, and Aussies get real-world car updates

I sifted through the morning’s car news so you don’t have to. Coffee went cold; curiosity didn’t. The headline? The Lotus PHEV SUV muscling in with a reported 710kW and a very clear look across the paddock at Sant’Agata. There’s also a Toyota GR halo car on the way, a sobering Tesla FSD clip to remind us who’s still in charge, plus Australian updates that actually change your week—think thefts, congestion, and aftersales. Here’s what matters, and why it might matter to your driveway.

Big Power, Bigger Intent: Lotus PHEV SUV aims at Lamborghini

Lotus says “plug-in hybrid SUV” and then whispers “710kW.” That’s not quick; that’s tarmac-tucking. It plants the Lotus PHEV SUV in the same zip code as the Lamborghini Urus SE and Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, but with a brand promise the others don’t bother with: steering feel that talks back. When I last drove a modern Lotus, I noticed right away how the wheel wriggled with intent over rough backroads—alive without being busy. The idea of that DNA wrapped around a battery-backed sledgehammer? Tempting. School run, quick detour via your favorite B-road… for “charge management,” obviously.

• Headline number: 710kW (roughly 950 hp) PHEV powertrain
• Target: Lamborghini’s fast SUVs (and bragging rights at the valet)
• Expectation: Lotus ride/steering feel, now with instant electric shove

How the Lotus PHEV SUV stacks up at a glance

Takeaway? The Lotus PHEV SUV isn’t just arriving at the party—it’s threatening to DJ.

Why the Lotus PHEV SUV matters

• It pushes EV-like torque with long-haul range safety—Alpine ski weekends without range roulette.
• If Lotus nails ride quality, this premium SUV could feel like slippers on the motorway and spikes on a backroad.
• Potential downsides? Weight. PHEVs can blur pedal feel; Lotus will need to keep the brake-to-regen transition seamless.

Tease of the Day: Toyota’s GR GT halo is inbound

Toyota’s confirmed a reveal for something called the GR GT. Sounds like a proper flagship for Gazoo Racing, and yes, I’m curious if it’ll be hybrid, pure EV, or something deliciously weird in between. Recent GR stuff—Yaris, Corolla—felt engineered by enthusiasts, not committees. I’ve got the date circled. And if there’s even a hint of manual involvement? Take my weekend.

• Confirmed: Teaser and reveal timing locked in
• Unknowns: Powertrain and final specs (Toyota’s playing coy)
• Mood: Optimistic—GR’s hit rate is strong

Tech & Tension: Tesla FSD meets a worst-case scenario

A clip doing the rounds shows a Tesla on Full Self-Driving being run off the road. I watched it a couple times. The car reacted rather than froze—good—but the video is a reminder that assistance doesn’t cancel physics or bad actors. When I’ve used advanced driver aids on patchy rural tarmac, the best safety feature was still two hands on the wheel and a ready right foot. Treat FSD like ultra-smart cruise control, nothing more.

• Lesson: Your attention is the safety net
• Reality check: Edge-case behavior varies wildly by system and software version
• Tip: Maintain buffer space and line of sight; intervene early when in doubt

Australia Briefing: Theft alerts, congestion pain, and better aftersales

Queensland: LandCruiser and RAV4 thefts spike

Queensland Police want help after a run of Toyota LandCruiser and RAV4 thefts. No shock—high demand and easy exportability make them hot targets. A few owners in Brisbane told me the old-school deterrents work best. When I had a 4x4 on the street for a month, a visible steering lock plus a cheap motion alarm was enough to make opportunists look elsewhere.

• Use a visible wheel lock; thieves prefer low-friction targets
• Store keys away from doors in a Faraday pouch to block relay attacks
• Consider a hidden immobiliser or tracker

Congestion is costing Sydney and Melbourne drivers—big

A new study pegs the annual hit at over $4500 per driver in Sydney and Melbourne. Time, fuel, sanity—it all stacks up. If you cross town daily, you feel it already. My hybrid long-termer basically paid for itself in gridlock; AC on, engine off, podcasts rolling, kids arguing in the back but hey—quiet enough to hear them.

• Shift your schedule by 20–30 minutes; it can turn crawling into flowing
• Hybrids and EVs love stop-start miles
• Plan school-run routes like a rally stage: fewer lights, fewer merges

Mitsubishi sweetens the deal for Aussie buyers

Mitsubishi’s beefed up its local aftersales. Smart move. Outside the capitals, strong support sways choices as much as a sharp drive-away price. Extended coverage, clear service terms, and solid roadside assistance matter when your nearest dealer is a long way from the paddock gate.

• Peace-of-mind sells: warranty confidence builds rural loyalty
• Ownership math: predictable servicing beats coupon roulette
• Family factor: fewer surprises before a coast run

Value watch: JAC T9 pushes deeper into HiLux territory

The Chinese-built JAC T9 has added variants and sharper pricing that nose into HiLux turf. Dual-cab land is a shark tank—HiLux and Ranger own the street—but value and growing refinement make the newer names hard to ignore. I’ve driven a few current-gen Chinese utes; cabins and ride comfort have jumped quickly, though service networks remain the wildcard outside major cities.

• Appeal: More kit for less coin, long equipment lists
• Watch for: Towing ratings, dealer reach, and resale
• Reality: Test-drive loaded and unladen—their ride character can flip

Culture Corner: A Ford wearing a Nissan GT-R costume

File this under “spotter’s headache.” A deeply convincing Nissan GT-R lookalike… built on a Ford. The panel fit, the stance—it’s the kind of build that makes you do a double take at Cars & Coffee. Nothing wrong with a clever tribute, but if you’re tempted to buy one, make sure registration and insurance match the actual platform. Your mechanic (and your insurer) will thank you.

• Pros: Unique build, often cheaper to run than the real deal
• Cons: Title accuracy, resale uncertainty, parts sourcing puzzles
• Buyer tip: Get a thorough pre-purchase inspection; great bodywork can hide surprises

And one more tech curveball: Would you let AI pick your car insurance?

A new survey says a surprising majority of Americans—reportedly up to 86 percent—would trust AI to help choose their car insurance. I get it. Comparison shopping is mind-numbing. My only ask: transparency. Show why it picked that policy, what it ruled out, and whether commissions color the choice. Until then, let AI be your first pass, not the final word.

Bottom line

The Lotus PHEV SUV looks set to move the target for fast luxury SUVs, Toyota’s cooking a GR GT halo, and Australia’s getting practical updates that matter in the real world. Keep your keys secure, play chess with your commute, and keep expectations high—because the next 12 months look properly interesting, both at the dealership and on your driveway.

FAQ

• How powerful is the new Lotus PHEV SUV? Reports peg it at 710kW (around 950 hp), putting it squarely against the quickest premium SUVs.
• What is Toyota’s GR GT? A teased halo performance model from Gazoo Racing; specs are still under wraps, but a reveal date is set.
• Did Tesla’s FSD prevent a crash in the “run off the road” clip? The system reacted, but the video reinforces that attentive human control is essential in edge cases.
• Is the JAC T9 a serious HiLux alternative? Closer than before on value and features; dealer network strength and resale remain questions for many buyers.
• What kind of driver will the Lotus PHEV SUV suit? Someone who wants EV-like torque for daily use, long-range flexibility for trips, and a chassis that still talks on a favorite backroad.