Zeekr 7X: When China’s latest Model Y rival is coming to Australia - Related to forester, china’s, zeekr, rival, new

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid: This Is It

It's been a very long time coming. The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is finally here, featuring a single electric motor burrowed between the corporation's familiar [website] boxer four-cylinder engine and its continuously variable transmission (CVT). This marks the first time Subaru has electrified the Forester, and with the Crosstrek Hybrid arriving later this year, the corporation's top two sellers now have hybrid options.

Debuting alongside the Forester Hybrid at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show is the new Forester Wilderness.

Festooned with bigger tires, a bolder grille, and other upgrades, it injects some ruggedness into the current-generation Forester family.

Here's what you need to know about Subaru's two new Forester trims.

There aren't any notable surprises with the new Forester Hybrid. The electric motor draws power from a small [website] battery pack, generating 118 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque on its own. The gas engine makes 162 hp and 154 lb-ft. Combined, Subaru lists system output at 194 hp. The parallel hybrid system allows limited electric-only operation, though with such a small battery, you won't go silent for long.

If this all sounds familiar, it's the same powertrain used in the Crosstrek Hybrid. Subaru has EPA fuel mileage estimates for the larger Forester: 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. That's a 40 percent increase in the city versus the standard engine, , and 25 percent enhanced on the highway. In ideal conditions, the Forester can cover 581 miles on a single tank of fuel. Mileage is certainly enhanced than combustion-only models, but it still falls short of hybrid competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Of course, none of them have the cool horizontally opposed soundtrack.

The hybrid powertrain is compact enough not to require any changes to the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. It adds about 300 pounds to the Forester, but this SUV still checks in just under 4,000 pounds. Ground clearance stands at [website] inches, and inside, you get a [website] digital gauge cluster with an [website] tablet-oriented center screen. Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist tech is standard, and on the outside, there's a new exterior color called Daybreak Blue Pearl that's .

Subaru offers the hybrid powertrain on Touring, Limited, Sport, and Premium trim levels. Pricing starts at $36,415, including a $1,420 destination charge.

Model/Trim Price (destination included) Forester Premium Hybrid $36,415 Forester Sport Hybrid $39,415 Forester Limited Hybrid $40,830 Forester Touring Hybrid $43,115.

Look for the 2025 Forester Hybrid in various trim levels to reach dealerships in the spring.

Not available with the hybrid powertrain is the latest Forester Wilderness. As with the previous version, it's more than just knobby tires and neat stickers. The suspension is upgraded with bigger springs and shocks, increasing the ground clearance to [website] inches. It's tuned for more stability and comfort in all situations, while the CVT incorporates a different final drive ratio designed for superior slow-speed operation.

The all-wheel-drive system is unchanged from other Foresters, but Subaru includes an advanced X-Mode Dual Mode drive system in the list of standard equipment. This mode includes settings for snow/dirt and deep snow/mud, giving the 17-inch Yokohama Geolander tires a improved chance for grip. A slightly more practical upgrade is the transmission cooler, allowing the Forester Wilderness to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Underbody protection and tow hooks are there to help the driver avoid trouble, or failing that, get pulled out easier.

This wouldn't be a Forester Wilderness without some visual excitement, so you'll find a plethora of dark plastic trim and copper accents on the outside. Standard roof rails can carry 800 pounds. Hexagonal driving lamps live at the corners of the fascia. And Wilderness-specific anthracite wheels occupy each corner. You'll find more copper trim and Wilderness branding inside an otherwise normal Forester cockpit. Under the hood is the Forester's standard [website] flat four making 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of twist.

Whereas the Forester Hybrid is a 2025 model, you'll have to wait a bit longer to explore the Wilderness. Subaru says it will go on sale in the fall as a 2026 model. Pricing will be showcased closer to its on-sale date.

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Zeekr 7X: When China’s latest Model Y rival is coming to Australia

Zeekr is heading to the heart of the Australian electric vehicle (EV) market later this year with its first mid-sized electric SUV, the 7X.

“Around October or November, 7X will arrive,” Zeekr International’s chief marketing officer, Frank Li, told CarExpert, calling it the “main event” for the young electric brand this year.

The fledgling Chinese auto brand only commenced customer deliveries of its Zeekr X small SUV here late last November, with deliveries of the 009 people mover following thereafter.

Mr Li stated he expects Zeekr to sell around 2500 to 3000 vehicles this year in Australia, fuelled by an expansion of its retail network and the arrival of the 7X.

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“If we can push the 7X coming a little bit earlier, maybe the target is going to be more aggressive,” he expressed.

The 7X will slot in above the X, measuring in at 4825mm long, 1930mm wide, and 1656mm tall, with a 2925mm wheelbase.

This makes it slightly larger than the Tesla Model Y and around the same size as the seven-seat Kia Sorento, though it has only two rows of seating.

The 7X is based on the PMA2+ platform, derived from Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture, and all models have an 800V electric architecture.

Zeekr has yet to confirm what the local 7X lineup will look like.

In China, the 7X is offered with a choice of 75kWh lithium iron phosphate or 100kWh ternary lithium batteries.

With the smaller battery, the 7X offers 605km of range under the CLTC cycle, and Zeekr states it’ll take [website] minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent using a DC fast-charger.

Upgrading to the 100kWh battery boosts range to 780km in single-motor guise, or 705km in dual-motor guise. The larger battery takes 15 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent.

Single-motor rear-wheel drive versions produce 310kW of power and 440Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-100km/h time as low as [website] seconds.

Dual-motor all-wheel drive versions pump out 475kW and 710Nm, slashing the 0-100km/h time to [website] seconds.

The 7X also elements both vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) capability.

The SUV rides on double wishbone front and five-link rear independent suspension, with up-spec models featuring Zeekr’s ‘Magic Carpet’ air suspension.

In China, all models come standard with matrix LED headlights and a full suite of active safety technology that is also powered by LiDAR.

The 7X rides on a choice of 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, there’s a [website] digital instrument cluster, a 16-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a [website] augmented reality head-up display. For rear occupants, there’s an optional 13-inch 2K OLED screen.

There are also dual wireless phone chargers, tri-zone climate control, a fragrance system, and power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, massage and memory.

Zeekr also offers what it calls a rear electric sofa, with a reclining backrest plus heating, ventilation and massage functions and one-touch power folding. Nappa leather upholstery is also optional.

In all, it’s a more comprehensive feature list than the top-selling Tesla Model Y, although Zeekr explicitly calls itself a premium brand.

Zeekr is part of the Geely empire, which also includes brands like Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.

The Zeekr brand was established in 2021, and has been busily expanding its global reach. It now sells vehicles in over 40 markets.

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You Can Still Buy a New Audi With a Five-Speed Manual

Three-pedal cars are becoming increasingly rare in the luxury segment, as only a handful of automakers are trying to save the manual. Examples include the Acura Integra, Cadillac CT4-V/CT5-V Blackwing, and the BMW M2, M3, M4, and Z4 M40i. You'll be surprised to hear that Audi still lets you row your own gears in one of its cars, but it's not nearly as exciting as the ones I mentioned. The A1 is available in some markets with a stick shift.

Not just any manual but a five-speed unit. Yes, Europeans can buy a brand-new Audi with a five-speed manual in 2025. The base A1 makes do with a three-cylinder engine rated at just 94 horsepower and 130 pound-feet (175 Newton meters) of torque. Such a car would never make the cut in North America, not just because it's small, but due to its shockingly austere level of standard equipment. It's stuck with halogen headlights and tiny 15-inch steel wheels. It's also painfully slow, taking 11 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h).

From cloth seats and manual air conditioning to blank buttons and the absence of a central armrest, the entry-level A1 makes a lot of concessions to keep the price low. But you're still paying €22,950 (nearly $24,000) in Germany for the cheapest car Audi sells, so it's not exactly a bargain. The A1 is based on the Volkswagen Polo, which kicks off at a lower €19,835 ($20,500) in its home market. The mechanically related SEAT Ibiza is cheaper, at €18,430 ($19,100).

If you think the A1 is not worthy of the Four Rings, the subcompact hatchback is actually living on borrowed time. Once the current generation dies, Audi will axe its smallest car and make the A3 its entry-level model. Another lesser model from Ingolstadt facing retirement is the Q2, as the B-segment crossover won't be renewed either.

Audi still trailed behind Tesla last year, even with volume-oriented products such as the A1 and Q2. With 1,704,093 units delivered, the Model 3 and Model Y outsold the entire Audi lineup in 2024. The German brand shipped 1,671,218 cars last year, down [website] from 2023.

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