electric

Skoda is preparing to reveal its first electric SUV this year, based on the same ‘MEB’ battery-friendly architecture as the ID.3 and ID.4 from parent company Volkswagen. Today, while not revealing the actual car itself, the company did tell us what it’ll be called: the Skoda Enyaq, a portmanteau of Irish name Enya (one example being the Celtic pop singer) and the letter Q with which the company’s other SUV end their names – think Kamiq, Karoq, and Kodiaq.

A pre-production version of the Hyundai 45 concept has been spied during cold weather testing in northern Europe. Most of the car's styling details are hidden from view, but the prototype has the same boxy and simple silhouette as the 2019 45 concept. Hyundai has taken some of the edges off the concept's highly angular form, which can be seen at the bottom of this article.

The BMW X5 and X6 are set to receive an xDrive40d variant complete with the brand's first mild-hybrid diesel powertrain, but BMW Australia isn't planning on bringing them Down Under. Due in May 2020, the new models will feature a revised 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder diesel mated to a 48V generator and mild-hybrid system.

Electric vehicle start-up Rivian and retail giant Amazon have revealed additional information and clay models of their collaboration, an electric van. Last year, Amazon revealed it was investing US$700 million (A$1.03 billion) in the American EV manufacturer and ordering 100,000 electric delivery vehicles. Amazon plans to have 10,000 vehicles on the road and in service by 2022, with the other 90,000 operational by 2030.

Mazda Australia has delayed a decision on whether to import the MX-30 electric car, but promises to make its plan public by the middle of this year. Australia's second-most popular car brand revealed its first EV at last October’s Tokyo Motor Show, a 4.4-metre long high-riding hatch with ‘freestyle’ rear-opening back doors, interior materials including recycled plastic and cork, and a 35.5kWh battery.