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Ford F-150 Lobo Prototype Spotted Testing, Signaling Return of Performance Street Trucks
If you’re old enough to have appreciated cars in the 1990s and early 2000s, you know that factory-built street trucks were huge during those times. Ford specifically reigned supreme then with its SVT Lightning – no, not the EV. They’re quite cool, especially the second generation that came with a supercharged engine. The Blue Oval proved then that trucks need not be hulking and burly to sell, until the market stopped agreeing.
Thankfully, Ford realized there’s a market for street-tuned trucks and introduced the Maverick Lobo recently. More than just an appearance package, the Maverick Lobo rides lower to the ground thanks to a specially tuned suspension for better handling. It also borrows parts from other Ford vehicles, like the rear drive system from the Bronco Sport, steering from the European Kuga, and brakes from the sporty Fiesta ST. It also comes with paddle shifters and a Lobo mode.
Ford F-150 Lobo Prototype Spotted
But Ford isn’t stopping there. The company is going bigger with its street truck onslaught and will soon introduce an F-150 Lobo. This has been long overdue since the trademark for the name was discovered two years ago, but at least now it’s here. A prototype has been spotted testing on US soil, completely undisguised and showing off a brand-new F-150 Lobo badge on the fenders. If that’s not an indication, then Ford is pulling off a mean prank.
Details aren’t officially available for now, but thanks to the prototype, we know what to expect from the not-for-dirt street truck. Beyond the new emblem, it has a unique front fascia that isn’t seen on other F-150s, while some aero parts have been added, such as a lower air dam and side skirts. The prototype also wears a set of black 22-inch wheels that look different from the Maverick Lobo’s, wrapped in Bridgestone Alenza all-season tires.
Launch Is Looking Pretty Imminent
It’s unclear how Ford will employ its mechanical upgrades for the F-150 Lobo, though we expect similar upgrades found in the Maverick Lobo. A lower and stiffer suspension setup is almost guaranteed, along with enhanced steering and drive systems. The question now is what will power the truck, but the 450-hp twin-turbo V6 from the Ford F-150 Raptor is a mighty candidate. Hopefully, it will come with a manual transmission, but we’re not holding our breath for that.
Another mystery is pricing. With the upgrades, the Lobo trim should tuck in safely in the middle of the F-150 range, but should not go over the pricing of Ford’s precious Raptor line to attract more customers. Our guess is just as good as yours right now, but we’re expecting Ford to announce its launch soon, given the production-ready look of the spotted prototype.
Nord Automobiles is a Nigerian-based Automotive manufacturer with its headquarters in Lagos. The company introduced several models to the market, including: The Nord Tank, Max, Tusk, Flit, A5 SUV, Nord A7 SUV, A3 Sedan, Yarn, Trippler, Nord Demir, among others.
One of the best performing models is the Nord A7 SUV, it boasts impressive safety features which are standard, contemporary designs of a boxy-shaped SUV just like a Jeep Wrangler or a Mobius 3, and modern technology that you can find from its rivals across Africa.
It produces 174 horsepower, which is competitive when compared to other African-manufactured vehicles such as the Mobius 3 from Kenya. Buyers can choose between Diesel or petrol engines options.
The A7 comes with a six-speed manual transmission, providing more hand on driving experience. Available drive modes include 4×2 and two-wheel drive. Although all wheel drive isn’t offered for now, but it could come at at an additional cost of $2,360.43.
For wheel types, buyers can select between four types: a 55-spoke wheel at $104.14, an 888-spoke wheel at $121.40, a Twin 555-spoke wheel at $145.23, and a Multispoke Black wheel at $186.20.
The Interior features leather upholstery in various colors options, available for $1,120.80 and is available in both 4-seat and 5-seat configurations which caters different customers’ needs and customization. The infotainment system includes a radio, CD player with display screen and MP4 player with integrated navigation. However, Android Auto and AppleCar Play is not pre installed and may require personally to upgrade it.
The Nord A7 SUV Pricing starts at $136,000 to $205,000, depending on model and trim level also the engine type, transmission and the wheels that would be available.
The GWM Ora will be the first vehicle sold by the Chinese automaker in Australia to be sourced from Thailand.
The Rayong plant in Thailand – which previously produced the Holden Colorado and Trailblazer for our market, before General Motors sold to GWM in 2020 – currently manufactures not only the Ora electric hatch, but also the Haval H6 mid-size SUV and Tank 300 off-road SUV.
However, only the GWM Ora has been confirmed to be switching to Thai sourcing for the Australian market.
The company confirmed the move after the Ora appeared in Australian Government certification documents with a different Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
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A GWM Australia spokesperson confirmed the move is due to the Thai plant having production capacity available, and placing a greater focus on right-hand drive production.
The Thai market is right-hand drive like ours, though GWM also builds left-hand drive vehicles at the Rayong plant for Brazil.
GWM upgraded the plant and started production there in 2021, and it has capacity to produce 80,000 vehicles annually. The Ora entered production there in 2024.
It’s not the only Chinese automaker to establish a production facility in Thailand, with BYD, MG and GAC also producing vehicles there. However, none of these auto manufacturers export Thai-built vehicles to our market.
Thai-built Oras are expected to arrive in Australia during the third quarter (July to September) of 2025, and the switch in production could correspond with updates for the small electric hatch – though GWM is staying mum for now on any potential pricing or specification changes.
That includes whether the lineup will be adjusted, though the approval documents list Lux, Ultra and GT variants.
Currently, the Ora lineup comprises Standard Range, Extended Range, and Extended Range GT variants. The first two feature the same level of specification, but differ in terms of battery size.
There was previously an Ultra variant, which built on the Extended Range with some additional niceties like heated, ventilated and massaging front seats and a panoramic sunroof, but it was axed for 2024.
Given Australia has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand, as it does with China, pricing won’t necessarily be affected simply by the change in production sourcing.
However, the updated 2025 Ora revealed in China – pictured above – features some specification upgrades, including a larger new 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system replacing the old 10.25-inch unit.
The gear shifter has been moved to the steering column, and there’s also a revised centre console.
The updated Ora also brings vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability, allowing electrical appliances to be powered by the vehicle’s battery.
While the Ora is outsold by its key rivals, GWM Australia has said it’s not looking to walk away from the model.
To the end of May, GWM has sold 271 Oras in Australia this year, against 2017 MG 4s and 776 BYD Dolphins.
While MG and BYD also offer a wide range of EVs in Australia and even more in China, GWM has a much smaller reserve of EVs to tap as the company has chosen to put a greater focus on hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
All of GWM’s EVs fall under the Ora brand, and just one of these – the Good Cat, varyingly known as the 03 and Funky Cat in other markets – is sold here as simply the GWM Ora.
Notably, the Ora brand has no SUVs despite significant and growing demand for this body style worldwide. Besides the Good Cat, GWM also has the retro Ballet Cat hatchback and the Lightning Cat sedan.
MORE: Everything GWM Ora
Audi Won’t Make The Mercedes Downsizing Mistake
After the demise of the R8, most Audi enthusiasts tend to choose the RS6 Avant as the brand’s most desirable model. It has epic looks, a monster V8, and the extra versatility of a station wagon body. But plans for a fully electric next-gen RS6 raised fears about this iconic model changing forever. Fortunately, Autocar has reported that a V8-powered RS6 isn’t nearing extinction, as Audi will introduce both a fully electric one and a plug-in hybrid alternative in 2026.
Next RS6 Will Go The M5 Touring Route
Audi
The latest BMW M5 Touring has a plug-in hybrid V8 that delivers 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Audi would struggle to match or surpass that without electrification of some kind, which is why the next RS6 will get its own V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. An output of 730 hp has been touted for this RS6, making it the most powerful RS6 ever.
Although the finer details haven’t yet been confirmed, Audi is expected to continue using a version of its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, developed by Porsche, but in updated form. The plug-in hybrid setup will include an electric motor mounted on the gearbox, something Porsche already makes use of. The continued use of the V8 will be literal music to the ears of RS6 fans; everyone knows how poorly received Mercedes-AMG’s new C63 was when it lost its V8.
While it will be more powerful, it’s almost guaranteed that the new RS6 PHEV will be heavier, too. For instance, the new M5 Touring weighs around 5,500 lbs, but the extra power enables a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.5 seconds. That’s the figure the new RS6 PHEV will aim to beat, and standard all-wheel drive should help the Audi accomplish just that.
Fully Electric RS6 Provides More Choice
Audi
Audi recently said it would keep selling new ICE cars for the foreseeable future. Previously, the brand planned to switch to EVs only from 2033, but the current management team realized the implications of switching over to a fully electric range before customers were ready for it. Instead, the goal is to offer multiple powertrain choices, even for niche models like the high-performance RS6.
To that end, the next RS6 will also be available in fully electric form. The dual-motor setup is expected to yield in the vicinity of 670 hp and 701 lb-ft, but it won’t step on the latest RS e-tron GT’s toes, Audi’s most powerful EV and production car.
“It’s unlikely to reach as far as the RS e-tron GT, but there will be a solid increase over and above the S6 e-tron as part of the differentiation measures,” said an unnamed source when speaking to Autocar.
A 94.8-kWh battery will be used, and like the RS6 PHEV, the EV will feature more aggressive bodywork, larger brakes, and a hefty price premium over lesser A6 models. We expect some styling elements to be shared with the S6 Sportback e-tron pictured above. For those missing the RS6 Sedan, this body style is also set to make a comeback, although it remains to be seen if it will be sold in the United States.
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