Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday, April 24th 2025. Notably in car news today: GWM’s Tank 300 Hooke is a hard-core Jeep Wrangler Rubicon competitor while debuting a new twin-turbocharged V8, and MG guns for Land Rover with its electric all-terrain SUV called the Cyber X.
GWM Tank 300 Hooke is China’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
GWM has unveiled a hard-core off-road-enhanced version of its popular Tank 300 4×4 wagon called the Hooke, with specifications that clearly target the likes of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Ford Bronco Raptor.
Debuting at this week’s Shanghai motor show, the Tank 300 Hooke debuted alongside GWM’s surprise 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with plug-in hybrid powertrain announcement, strongly suggesting (though not confirming) that the new 4×4 wagon variant might fit bent-eight PHEV motivation.
Elsewhere, the key Hooke upgrade is the fitment of (Wrangler-like) front and rear solid live axles, while also featuring a strengthened chassis and the obligatory upsized mud-kicking Cooper tyres with beadlocked rims.
Named after the Hooke Trail in China, the newcomer to the Tank 300 fold is only currently slated for release in its homeland and it’s unconfirmed as to whether it’ll hit Australian showrooms. That said, it’s a strong bet that – V8 or not – the Hooke will join the current petrol/hybrid/diesel line-up locally in future.
MG gunning for Land Rover with its electric Cyber X all-terrain SUV
MG has revealed their latest concept vehicle at the Shanghai motor show, the Cyber X. It’s so new that it doesn’t even have an interior fitted yet, however MG management say they are confident it could be put into production very quickly.
MG’s parent company, SAIC, explained from the show that the Cyber X has been designed for a younger audience looking for a ‘ city adventure toy.’ So while it may appear Defender like, don’t expect the same level of off-road abilities.
Pop-up headlights are a key design feature, pairing with soft lines on the exterior which looks “like a circle or round square,” according to head of design, Jozef Kaban.
Measuring in at 4.3 metres in length, not only does the MG Cyber X exterior aesthetics look to be inspired by the current model Land Rover Defender, it also shares similar dimensions to a Defender 90.
GWM debuts a new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 PHEV powertrain
In stark contrast to the likes of Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol downsizing from bent eights to six-cylinder power, the new plug-in V8 powertrain will offer future Tank-branded 4×4 wagons a unique selling point against their competition. GWM also plans to roll out the petrol-electric V8 in luxury car models sat under GWM’s premium sub-brands.
While unconfirmed, the new four-litre powertrain was unveiled alongside the new Tank 300 Hooke special-edition off-roader that could well fit the powertrain. However, as reported in our standalone story, the powertrain is likely to debut in the future Tank 700 upper large 4×4 wagon model.
While details such as outputs are slim for the new powertrain, its so-called ‘P2’ design locates the electric motor between the engine and transmission. Word from the Shanghai show is that the new power unit is being strongly considered for right-hand-drive markets such as Australia.
Hyundai’s next-gen dual-motor 1.6L and 2.5L hybrids detailed
Hyundai has revealed more details about its next-gen ‘dual-motor’ hybrid powertrains, first revealed with the unveiling of the 2.5L design in Palisade and now to be joined by a 1.6L iteration for new models sat in smaller/lighter-duty segments.
Debuting on the 2.5L configuration (in Palisade), the key update is the dual-electric motor application integrated into the all-new transmission, where a ‘P1’ motor “handles starting, battery regeneration and energy deployment” while a separate ‘P2’ motor is responsible for “propulsion and regenerative braking” functionality.
Hyundai says that this new transmission can be paired with a variety of family engine units and is slated to back configurations ranging from “73kW through to 220kW” (though, strangely, Palisade is rated at a higher 245kW – see below).
In the new Palisade, the dual-motor hybrid produces combined outputs of 245kW and 460Nm while returning a claim of 7.1L/100kms – or 19 percent more power and 45 percent better fuel efficiency by its maker’s reckoning. Meanwhile, the lesser-detailed 1.6L hybrid guise, earmarked for future Tucson specifically, is said to offer up to a 380Nm peak.
Audi S3 2025 review
Chasing Cars Deputy Editor Curt Dupriez’s road test of the 2025 Audi S3 was published, including his thoughts on the go-fast upgrades to the small all -rounder.
Curt naturally liked the additional power, as well as the fact Audi included bigger brakes to handle said additional power increase. He also praised the more direct handling characteristics and overall refinement of the model.
However, Dupriez did notice some room for improvement. Namely a few powertrain gremlins which surface, the fact it simply looks like an A3, and he didn’t see value in some of the high cost options. Like an exhaust upgrade that will sting punters an extra $10,000.
In his verdict, Curt praised Audi for giving petrolheads a proper S3 enthusiast vehicle. It’s quicker than ever, yet still composed in day-to-day life. However, it comes at a cost. Coming in at around $90,000 with a few options.
