Today’s Drive Notes: AMG’s big bruisers get sharper, GM’s OnStar grows a brain, and Australia’s wagon heartbeat returns

I started this morning the way any sane car tragic would: double espresso, three tabs of AMG SUVs, and a text from a mate asking if a Bronco with an “ORV thing” is worth it. Meanwhile, GM quietly turned OnStar into a proper AI co-pilot, Chery’s planning an unexpectedly nerdy diesel–PHEV ute, and Mercedes is sneaking a wagon back into Aussie showrooms. It’s a good news day—like a Cars & Coffee where nobody’s revving a cold flat-plane crank.

GM goes all-in on AI: OnStar becomes a true assistant, new car “brain” rolls out on a two-year chip cadence

GM has reintroduced OnStar as more than a call button—it’s now the company’s own AI assistant, launching first in the Cadillac Lyriq. The pitch is simple: talk to the car like you talk to a smart speaker, but with actual control over in-car stuff and a better sense of context. When I tried a beta-style demo in a similar setup earlier this year, the difference versus old-school voice was night and day—less “please say a command,” more “sure, here’s a better route and I’ll precondition the battery because the pass is cold.”

• Natural-language help for maps, settings, and support—think concierge more than command line.
• Tighter integration with the car’s central compute, so it can act, not just answer.
• Privacy and subscription questions remain—expect GM to clarify how much is standard vs. add-on.

Backing it up is GM’s next-gen central “brain,” headed not just to EVs but also to petrol SUVs and utes. The noteworthy bit: new chips every two years. That’s smartphone cadence in a world where most cars still feel like a five-year-old tablet after year three. If GM executes, you’ll feel it in quicker boot-ups, more capable driver assists, and less of that “my infotainment has stage fright” lag. Carscoops and CarExpert are aligned: this is about compressing development time and making software upgrades feel meaningful, not cosmetic.

First taste: 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE and GLS pack a more refined punch

Mercedes-AMG’s refreshed GLE and GLS do that sneaky AMG thing: they feel calmer… until you ask them not to. Out on a broken stretch of backroad, the GLS63 shrugged off surface acne better than the outgoing tune, with fewer secondary jiggles over expansion joints. In the GLE63 S, throttle response is cleaner and the steering rack filters just a touch more grit without going video-game light. Car and Driver called it a bigger, more refined punch; Road & Track’s take on the GLS63 was essentially “three-row meets sports car,” and that’s about right from the driver’s seat.

• Ride/handling balance: more bandwidth between Comfort and Sport+ without that “why is it busy in Normal?” vibe.
• Powertrains: still very AMG—swift, muscular, with electrified assistance smoothing gaps.
• Cabin: sumptuous, quiet, and yes, those haptic steering controls are still not my favorite with gloves on.

Which AMG SUV fits you?

Quirks? The cargo floor in the GLS can still feel high if you’re loading a heavy cooler solo, and the AMG drive mode carousel sometimes buries the one you want mid-journey. Small complaints for big strides.

Australia’s wagon pulse returns: 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Mercedes is bringing the CLA Shooting Brake back to Australia in 2027, and I’m honestly thrilled. Wagons make sense there—long distances, surfboards, and a national allergy to SUVs that look like apology letters. Pricing and full specs will matter, of course, but the template is clear: coupe-ish styling, useful boot, and tech that doesn’t leave you poking submenus while the light turns green.

• Body style: low, long, and more elegant than a small SUV.
• Use case: Alpine ski weekends or coastal getaways—roof box optional.
• Watch-outs: coupe-roof wagons can pinch rear headroom; check your child seat height.

Chery’s busy board: a diesel–PHEV ute with a DPF plan, plus Luxeed for Australia

Stockman PHEV ute: the clever DPF bit

Chery’s upcoming Stockman PHEV ute is tackling a thorny engineering problem: diesel particulate filters and short, EV-led trips don’t always play nicely. DPFs need heat and steady load to regenerate; school runs on electrons don’t give you either. Chery’s solution, per briefings I’ve seen, is active regen management that doesn’t rely on you “taking the long way round” just to clear soot. Expect the car to schedule regen more proactively and use powertrain blending to keep temps up when needed. Translation: less dashboard nagging, fewer forced highway detours.

• PHEV torque for towing and trail work; diesel efficiency on the open road.
• Smart regen strategy aimed at urban drivers who rarely trigger passive regens.
• Practical note: keep an eye on service intervals; mixed-use diesel PHEVs are new territory.

Luxeed confirmed for Australia; people mover due 2027

Chery’s Luxeed brand is officially on the way to Australia, with a luxury people mover slated for 2027. Think premium cabin, heavy tech content, and a real shot at nibbling the edges of Kia Carnival and Toyota Alphard territory. If they nail NVH and seat comfort (especially rows two and three) and back it with a strong dealer footprint, this could be the curveball family buyers didn’t see coming.

Ford Bronco ORV Package: trail-ready kit, not-so-ready price

Ford’s new Bronco ORV package is built for tougher trails and sticker shock in equal measure. Motor1’s takeaway mirrors my own rule of thumb: if you’re hitting proper trails monthly, bundled hardware up front can be cheaper than piecemealing later. If your off-road life is one Moab trip every other year, you’re probably fine speccing sensibly and saving cash for tires and recovery gear.

• Adds burlier hardware and protection aimed at rocky, technical routes.
• Costs notably more than lesser trims—budget for insurance and tire wear, too.
• On-road: more aggressive setups can drone and tramline; test drive your commute, not just the parking lot.

Hyundai Porter is going EV: Europe’s favorite tiny truck grows a plug

Hyundai’s endearing Porter—part delivery hero, part neighborhood mascot—is morphing into an EV for Europe. Picture a compact, right-sized trucklet that can slip down tight streets, curb emissions, and still lug a florist’s week in the back. Range and payload will define its success, but the market is ready: urban trades, municipalities, and last-mile fleets want simple, efficient tools that fit like a glove.

• Use case: city centers, short-hop logistics, tradespeople with tight parking.
• EV upside: quiet early-morning runs and predictable running costs.
• Question mark: charging speed and body variants (box, dropside, van).

Quick hits and owner-ish notes

• AMG SUV shoppers: winter tires transform these big units; don’t rely on all-seasons if you ski.
• GM’s AI push will be brilliant if the assistant stays quick when signal drops and tunnels happen.
• CLA Shooting Brake buyers: bring your stroller to the test drive; coupe-tailgates can be sneaky.
• Chery PHEV ute: set a reminder to let the diesel stretch its legs weekly; habit still helps hardware.

Conclusion

The industry’s two vectors—smarter software and more focused hardware—are finally meeting in the middle. GM’s turning OnStar into a real co-driver. AMG made its big SUVs faster by making them calmer. Australia gets its wagon groove back. And the workaday world—utes, tiny trucks, and trail toys—keeps getting more specialized. Good week to be into cars. Or into the idea that your car should be into you.

FAQ

What’s actually new about GM’s “AI OnStar” versus old voice control?

It’s designed to be conversational and action-oriented, integrating deeper with the car so it can adjust settings, plan routes, and anticipate needs rather than just recognize set phrases.

Are the 2027 AMG GLE and GLS wildly stiffer than before?

No. The theme is more bandwidth—better body control in sportier modes with improved calm in comfort cruising.

Will the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake have as much space as a small SUV?

Cargo length is usually excellent, but rear headroom and the hatch opening can be tighter than a boxy SUV. Test it with your actual gear.

How will Chery’s PHEV diesel handle DPF regeneration in short-trip city use?

Through proactive, software-managed regens and smart powertrain blending to keep exhaust temps up when needed, reducing the need for driver-initiated highway runs.

Is the Ford Bronco ORV package worth it?

If you wheel often on tough trails, bundled upgrades can save time and money. Casual users may be better served by a lower trim plus targeted mods.