Arise Racing GT survives tricky Queensland conditions
Arise Racing GT
team headed to Queensland Raceway last weekend, after the pairing of Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte claimed wins in three of the GT World Challenge Australia championship's first four races.
And while they didn't add to that tally at the Willowbank circuit, they still have a strong lead in the Pro-Am Driver's Championship.
'I think if this is a bad weekend, then it's not so bad,' said Schutte after race two.
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'Overall we'll take this weekend and move on.'
The team's #26 crew took their Ferrari 296 GT3 to a third-place finish in the opening race of the weekend, but could only manage fifth in race two, as uncharacteristically wet weather caught out many drivers in the field, resulting in a disjointed, safety car-filled affair.
The team's second entry, the #77 Ferrari, had an eventful weekend that included a major change prior to action getting underway. Jordan Love stepped aside from his usual co-driver seat with Steve Wyatt and was replaced by his brother, Aaron.
No stranger to racing, Aaron Love began the season in Supercars and has experience racing in Porsche Carrera Cup in Australia and France.
Despite limited time in the Ferrari, Love took little time to adapt and he and Wyatt managed to claim fifth place in the opening race. They then improved in the second race, finishing in fourth, ahead of their teammates.
'First weekend done and dusted, second race is done,' said Aaron Love. 'Second time in the car for myself in dry conditions. It was a heap of fun, managed to snag fastest lap and make up a few positions.
'Steve jumped in the car, a good driver swap, popped out second and couldn't quite hold off a few of the cars. A few of the safety cars probably helped us out there and we came home fourth.
'A few things went our way and few things didn't go our way, but ultimately it was a good, fun weekend.'
Evans and Schutte's championship rivals, Brad Schumacher and Broc Feeney, claimed victory in race one and then backed it up with third place in race two.
While that closed the gap in the driver's standings, the Arise Racing GT duo still hold a 22-point advantage with three more rounds to run.
The team also has a five-point lead in the Team's Championship, as it looks to add to the silverware it claimed in its debut season.
The next round of the GT World Challenge Australia series will be at Melbourne's Sandown Raceway on July 25-27.
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The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features "the only integrated thermal management system in its class", which it says utilises a "proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy" and "breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management". The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front "designed for women's makeup and touchups", a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of "baby-grade, skin-friendly leather", and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. 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It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: More next-generation MG 4 information has been released, with the brand announcing Chinese-market pricing and specifications for the new electric hatchback that may be released in Australia. It's launching in China on September 5 with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate batteries, but MG has confirmed mass deliveries of a semi-solid-state battery option will commence sometime this year. Pricing will be announced in September, though LFP-powered versions are priced from between 73,800 and 105,800 RMB (~A$15,800 to $22,700). MG is calling it the first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery, and is claimed to offer superior low-temperature discharge power and energy retention to batteries from rival brands, while also remaining smoke- and fire-free even in rigorous 10-pin three-way puncture tests. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features "the only integrated thermal management system in its class", which it says utilises a "proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy" and "breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management". The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front "designed for women's makeup and touchups", a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of "baby-grade, skin-friendly leather", and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. 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It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
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- The Advertiser
2025 Nissan Patrol prices hiked by $5000
All versions of the Nissan Patrolare now $5000 more expensive than before, following a range-wide price increase from August 1. As of this month, the entry-level Ti variant is priced at $95,600, the mid-range Ti-L at $107,100 and hardcore Warrior flagship at $110,660. All prices exclude on-road costs. The price rise follows the release of an updated MY25 version in April, bringing the from the US-market Nissan Armada in exchange for price hikes of between $140 and $1340. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. However, the Patrol still costs around the same as it did a decade ago in July 2015, before Nissan trimmed up to $27,500 from the price of the then-flagship Ti-L variant and reduced the base Ti price from $93,330 to just $69,990 plus on-roads. And the long-running sixth-generation Patrol remains more affordable than its nearest rival, the V6 diesel-powered Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series priced between $97,990 and $146,910. 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When the seventh-generation Y63 Patrol finally becomes available to Australians in 2027, potentially topped by a Nismo flagship, it will come with a downsized 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that produces 317kW of power and 700Nm of torque, meaning it will offer more performance and lower emissions than the Y62's 298kW/560Nm V8. MORE: Explore the Nissan Patrol showroom Content originally sourced from: All versions of the Nissan Patrolare now $5000 more expensive than before, following a range-wide price increase from August 1. As of this month, the entry-level Ti variant is priced at $95,600, the mid-range Ti-L at $107,100 and hardcore Warrior flagship at $110,660. All prices exclude on-road costs. The price rise follows the release of an updated MY25 version in April, bringing the from the US-market Nissan Armada in exchange for price hikes of between $140 and $1340. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. However, the Patrol still costs around the same as it did a decade ago in July 2015, before Nissan trimmed up to $27,500 from the price of the then-flagship Ti-L variant and reduced the base Ti price from $93,330 to just $69,990 plus on-roads. And the long-running sixth-generation Patrol remains more affordable than its nearest rival, the V6 diesel-powered Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series priced between $97,990 and $146,910. Nissan Australia has blamed a range of factors for hiking prices across the recently facelifted MY25 Patrol range, including the federal government's new automotive emissions legislation known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). "There is a price increase across the Patrol range effective August 1st, 2025," said Nissan in a statement today. "A range of factors contribute to the pricing of a vehicle including cost of raw materials, logistics, foreign exchange rates, market dynamics and regulatory considerations such as NVES." From July 1, automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding fleet-wide CO2 limits, based on specific emissions targets for the light and heavy passenger vehicles sell. Thanks to its 5.6-litre petrol V8, the Patrol is one of Australia's highest-emitting new models, with an official CO2 output of 334 grams per kilometre – well over the 216g/km target for light commercial vehicles and large off-road SUVs for 2025. Despite being launched way back in 2010 (2013 in Australia), the Y62 Patrol continues to sell at record levels, with more than 8000 sold in 2024. If sales continue at that pace, the Patrol could attract almost $100 million worth of NVES penalties over the next 12 months – and even more in subsequent years – before accounting for credits earned by zero- and low-emissions models that undercut their CO2 targets. The Y62 will also need to comply with the stricter Euro 6 emissions standard under a new Australian Design Rule that comes into effect for heavy vehicles from November 1, unless Nissan has it recategorised as a Euro 5-compliant light vehicle by reducing its gross vehicle mass (GVM) to under 3500kg via a payload reduction. When the seventh-generation Y63 Patrol finally becomes available to Australians in 2027, potentially topped by a Nismo flagship, it will come with a downsized 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that produces 317kW of power and 700Nm of torque, meaning it will offer more performance and lower emissions than the Y62's 298kW/560Nm V8. MORE: Explore the Nissan Patrol showroom Content originally sourced from: All versions of the Nissan Patrolare now $5000 more expensive than before, following a range-wide price increase from August 1. As of this month, the entry-level Ti variant is priced at $95,600, the mid-range Ti-L at $107,100 and hardcore Warrior flagship at $110,660. All prices exclude on-road costs. The price rise follows the release of an updated MY25 version in April, bringing the from the US-market Nissan Armada in exchange for price hikes of between $140 and $1340. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. However, the Patrol still costs around the same as it did a decade ago in July 2015, before Nissan trimmed up to $27,500 from the price of the then-flagship Ti-L variant and reduced the base Ti price from $93,330 to just $69,990 plus on-roads. And the long-running sixth-generation Patrol remains more affordable than its nearest rival, the V6 diesel-powered Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series priced between $97,990 and $146,910. Nissan Australia has blamed a range of factors for hiking prices across the recently facelifted MY25 Patrol range, including the federal government's new automotive emissions legislation known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). "There is a price increase across the Patrol range effective August 1st, 2025," said Nissan in a statement today. "A range of factors contribute to the pricing of a vehicle including cost of raw materials, logistics, foreign exchange rates, market dynamics and regulatory considerations such as NVES." From July 1, automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding fleet-wide CO2 limits, based on specific emissions targets for the light and heavy passenger vehicles sell. Thanks to its 5.6-litre petrol V8, the Patrol is one of Australia's highest-emitting new models, with an official CO2 output of 334 grams per kilometre – well over the 216g/km target for light commercial vehicles and large off-road SUVs for 2025. Despite being launched way back in 2010 (2013 in Australia), the Y62 Patrol continues to sell at record levels, with more than 8000 sold in 2024. If sales continue at that pace, the Patrol could attract almost $100 million worth of NVES penalties over the next 12 months – and even more in subsequent years – before accounting for credits earned by zero- and low-emissions models that undercut their CO2 targets. The Y62 will also need to comply with the stricter Euro 6 emissions standard under a new Australian Design Rule that comes into effect for heavy vehicles from November 1, unless Nissan has it recategorised as a Euro 5-compliant light vehicle by reducing its gross vehicle mass (GVM) to under 3500kg via a payload reduction. When the seventh-generation Y63 Patrol finally becomes available to Australians in 2027, potentially topped by a Nismo flagship, it will come with a downsized 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that produces 317kW of power and 700Nm of torque, meaning it will offer more performance and lower emissions than the Y62's 298kW/560Nm V8. MORE: Explore the Nissan Patrol showroom Content originally sourced from: All versions of the Nissan Patrolare now $5000 more expensive than before, following a range-wide price increase from August 1. As of this month, the entry-level Ti variant is priced at $95,600, the mid-range Ti-L at $107,100 and hardcore Warrior flagship at $110,660. All prices exclude on-road costs. The price rise follows the release of an updated MY25 version in April, bringing the from the US-market Nissan Armada in exchange for price hikes of between $140 and $1340. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. However, the Patrol still costs around the same as it did a decade ago in July 2015, before Nissan trimmed up to $27,500 from the price of the then-flagship Ti-L variant and reduced the base Ti price from $93,330 to just $69,990 plus on-roads. And the long-running sixth-generation Patrol remains more affordable than its nearest rival, the V6 diesel-powered Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series priced between $97,990 and $146,910. Nissan Australia has blamed a range of factors for hiking prices across the recently facelifted MY25 Patrol range, including the federal government's new automotive emissions legislation known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). "There is a price increase across the Patrol range effective August 1st, 2025," said Nissan in a statement today. "A range of factors contribute to the pricing of a vehicle including cost of raw materials, logistics, foreign exchange rates, market dynamics and regulatory considerations such as NVES." From July 1, automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding fleet-wide CO2 limits, based on specific emissions targets for the light and heavy passenger vehicles sell. Thanks to its 5.6-litre petrol V8, the Patrol is one of Australia's highest-emitting new models, with an official CO2 output of 334 grams per kilometre – well over the 216g/km target for light commercial vehicles and large off-road SUVs for 2025. Despite being launched way back in 2010 (2013 in Australia), the Y62 Patrol continues to sell at record levels, with more than 8000 sold in 2024. If sales continue at that pace, the Patrol could attract almost $100 million worth of NVES penalties over the next 12 months – and even more in subsequent years – before accounting for credits earned by zero- and low-emissions models that undercut their CO2 targets. The Y62 will also need to comply with the stricter Euro 6 emissions standard under a new Australian Design Rule that comes into effect for heavy vehicles from November 1, unless Nissan has it recategorised as a Euro 5-compliant light vehicle by reducing its gross vehicle mass (GVM) to under 3500kg via a payload reduction. When the seventh-generation Y63 Patrol finally becomes available to Australians in 2027, potentially topped by a Nismo flagship, it will come with a downsized 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that produces 317kW of power and 700Nm of torque, meaning it will offer more performance and lower emissions than the Y62's 298kW/560Nm V8. MORE: Explore the Nissan Patrol showroom Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
12 hours ago
- 7NEWS
2026 MG 4 detailed: Softer front-wheel drive hatch to get semi-solid-state battery
More next-generation MG 4 information has been released, with the brand announcing Chinese-market pricing and specifications for the new electric hatchback that may be released in Australia. It's launching in China on September 5 with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate batteries, but MG has confirmed mass deliveries of a semi-solid-state battery option will commence sometime this year. Pricing will be announced in September, though LFP-powered versions are priced from between 73,800 and 105,800 RMB (~A$15,800 to $22,700). MG is calling it the first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery, and is claimed to offer superior low-temperature discharge power and energy retention to batteries from rival brands, while also remaining smoke- and fire-free even in rigorous 10-pin three-way puncture tests. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. The company hasn't confirmed any specifications for this battery, but the entry-level 42.8kWh LFP battery offers 437km of range and energy efficiency of 10.4kWh/100km – both under the CLTC cycle. The 53.95kWh LFP battery bumps these numbers up to 530km and 11.4kWh/100km. MG says the new hatchback features 'the only integrated thermal management system in its class', which it says utilises a 'proprietary aluminium rare-earth alloy' and 'breaks Tesla's patent monopoly, achieving the 'impossible triangle' of efficient, comfortable and stable thermal management'. The MG 4 supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing the vehicle to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, and also features cell-to-body integration. All MG 4s use a front-mounted electric motor offering 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which means the new MG 4 is front-wheel drive – not rear-wheel drive like the existing MG 4 which, while axed in China, will live on in Australia. It also features MacPherson strut front suspension but a torsion beam rear, unlike the existing MG 4 which features multi-link independent rear suspension. Inside, there are 30 storage spaces, including a 98L concealed dry/wet separation storage space under the boot floor. Other handy features include soft-light mirrors up front 'designed for women's makeup and touchups', a ventilated 50W wireless phone charger, and a 1.8m2 'king bed mode' when you drop the 60:40 rear seats. There's extensive use of 'baby-grade, skin-friendly leather', and the interior can be had in Rose Purple or Dark Mountain Blue. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but a larger 15.6-inch unit brings MG x Oppo Smart Car Connectivity. The new MG 4 is the first vehicle to include Oppo's Smart Driving features, developed by the smartphone company and MG's parent SAIC Motor, allowing for greater integration between the vehicle and not only Oppo phones but also Huawei, Apple and Android devices. Available equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 256-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade. Down back, there's 471L of boot space, expanding to 1362L with the rear seats folded. The MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1551mm tall and rides a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. It weighs between 1415kg and 1485kg, and uses a different platform to the existing MG 4 and MG S5 EV which ride on the Modular Scalable Platform. There are 14 active safety features in total, and MG says there's a blind spot function for rainy and dark weather – likely the same Rainy Night Mode seen in the new IM5 and IM6. The new MG 4 has been spied testing locally, and MG has confirmed it's being evaluated for a local launch. 'We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles,' said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. 'The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia.' While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG hasn't confirmed whether it will use this name, however, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms.
