Daily Drive: V8 Holdouts, EV Rethinks, and a Prius Wearing an Anime Costume

Some mornings the car world feels like a coffee shop at closing time—lights turning off in one corner, someone pulling up a chair in another, a barista insisting on one more muffin. Today’s brew mixes a glorious Lexus V8 that refuses to quit, whispers that Porsche may rethink its small electric sports cars, and yet another price trim for Volkswagen’s retro-electric van. Sprinkle in a budget seven-seater, a better-equipped work van, Hyundai’s hot-shoe future, a very naughty sprinter in Florida, and a Prius that raided a manga costume closet. Let’s get into it.

Icons on the Edge: Lexus LC V8 lives on, 718 EV in limbo

Lexus LC: The long goodbye hasn’t started—yet

Lexus’s LC—especially the 5.0-liter V8 LC 500—is still one of those cars that makes you slow your walk in a car park. In Australia, it’s “living on borrowed time,” but crucially no end date is set. I did a sunrise run in one last year and remembered why we’ll miss it: the way the naturally aspirated V8 builds, the slightly old-school, long-hood poise, and that interior that feels like a high-end boutique rather than a gadget store. It’s not the quickest GT, but it’s effortlessly special—think 471 hp, a proper 10-speed auto, and a soundtrack that asks you to take the long way home.

Reality check? Emissions and priorities are changing. But for now, Australia keeps the V8 lights on. If you’ve been dithering, consider this your nudge.

Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman electric project: The axe hovers

Reports suggest Porsche is reassessing the fully electric 718 program. No confirmation, just smoke—though in this market, smoke often means a campfire and a spreadsheet. I’ve driven multiple 718s over the years; the mid-engine balance is surgical, the steering some of Stuttgart’s best. Translating that magic to a battery skateboard is non-trivial. Weight, feel, and sound all change. If Porsche is pausing to protect that tactile DNA (or to let battery costs and infrastructure catch up), that’s a conservative move I can respect. Still, if you’re dreaming of a pint-sized electric Porsche roadster, you may need patience—or a Plan B.

EV Market Mood: Discounts, pruning, and pragmatic pivots

Volkswagen ID. Buzz: Another price cut for the cheerful bus

VW has trimmed pricing on the ID. Buzz again. The van-turned-style icon is one of those vehicles you want to love—spacious, charming, and a rolling memory of surf posters—but it lives or dies on value. When I ran one through a week of school runs and a messy IKEA Saturday, it was brilliant at the everyday stuff. The catch? Buyers are laser-focused on price right now. Another reduction is VW reading the room. Expect dealers to be more flexible too.

Renault shutters a home-grown EV start-up

Renault is said to have killed off an internal EV start-up—a reminder that not every electrification bet scales as planned. The why is predictable: funding priorities, duplication with core programs, and a softer EV demand curve in some regions. The upside is focus. The downside is fewer skunkworks surprises. Having watched too many promising lab projects die on the altar of quarterly results, I’m cautiously optimistic if it streamlines the cars you and I can actually buy.

Value Plays Down Under: LDV sharpens its family and fleet pitch

LDV D90: One of Australia’s cheapest seven-seat SUVs

LDV’s D90 has nudged its way into “bargain big family hauler” territory. On a suburban shakedown—kids, scooters, and a soggy soccer kit—the D90’s space and simple cabin controls made sense. It won’t wow premium refugees, but if your priorities are seating seven, towing on weekends, and keeping payments humane, the math adds up. Just note the usual trade-offs at this price: cabin materials that prioritize durability over dazzle and an infotainment system that earns a “fine” rather than “fantastic.”

LDV Deliver 7: More kit, same money

The Deliver 7 medium van picks up extra equipment at no extra cost. For sole traders and small fleets, that’s the kind of update you actually feel. The last one I loaded with boxes could’ve used a few more driver aids; hopefully the added kit lands exactly there—safety tech, better connectivity, and a cabin that doesn’t make you dread the afternoon route. Free upgrades are the right kind of inflation.

Hot Shoes, Hotter Future: Hyundai N changes shape

Hyundai’s N lineup will look very different within a few years. If you’ve driven the Ioniq 5 N, you know the brand can make electrons feel mischievous. Expect more of that flavor across the range—some full EVs, perhaps a few electrified bridge models, and a design language that leans angrier and more functional. The Kona N/I30 N era taught Hyundai how to do feedback and fun. The next act is about doing it with silence, torque, and thermal management. I’m here for it, as long as the steering still talks back.

Garage Oddities and Roadside Tales

This Prius looks like it escaped a street-racing anime

Somewhere, a Prius owner decided subtlety is for spreadsheets. The build in question wears exaggerated aero and bosozoku flair—part cosplay, part social experiment, fully impossible to ignore. Is it fast? Almost certainly not. Did it make me grin? Yes. Cars can be serious; they can also be moving art. Let people have their fun.

Runner arrested as a “super speeder” in Florida

One of the world’s fastest runners allegedly lived up to the title in the wrong way and got snagged at super-speeder velocities. Not much to add beyond the obvious: public roads aren’t racetracks. Find a circuit. Or at least a track day. I’ve seen too many good cars—and lives—undone by bravado plus asphalt.

Scout concept rethinks what belongs on the back of an SUV

The revived Scout brand is toying with a “backpack” idea for SUVs—modular kit living on the tailgate area. Imagine swapping between a spare tire pod, recovery gear bin, water storage, or even an e-bike cradle. As someone who’s fumbled with muddy tow straps in sleet, I love the concept. Keep the heavy, dirty stuff outside; keep the cabin clean. The trick will be crash safety and not turning the rear overhang into a pendulum.

What’s changing and why it matters

Quick hits: Pros, cons, and use cases

• Lexus LC 500 V8: Perfect for weekend coastal blasts and date nights. Quirk: infotainment can feel dated, but you won’t care after 4,000 rpm.
• VW ID. Buzz: Ideal for family life and urban delivery runs. Watch for: charging speeds and real-world range versus rivals; the new pricing helps.
• LDV D90: Great for big families on a budget, ski trips with gear piled high. Mind: cabin materials and third-row adult comfort over long hauls.
• LDV Deliver 7: Tradesmen and couriers will appreciate the extra kit. Check: tie-down points and driver-assistance calibration on a test route.
• Hyundai N future: Track-day fans should start budgeting for tires—and electrons.

Final word

The EV tide isn’t ebbing, but the currents are shifting—more value plays, smarter product focus, and a few sacred cows spared for now. If you’re shopping, this is a good moment to ask for a sharper pencil at the dealer and to test-drive broadly. If you’re dreaming, the V8 chorus still has one more song. Go listen.

FAQ

Is the Lexus LC V8 being discontinued in Australia?

It’s still on sale with no official end date set, but it’s described as living on borrowed time. If you want one, don’t delay.

Is Porsche canceling the electric 718 Boxster/Cayman?

Reports suggest the project may be axed or reworked, but Porsche hasn’t publicly confirmed final plans.

Why did VW cut ID. Buzz prices again?

To stay competitive as EV buyers prioritize value and rivals sharpen deals. It should translate to better offers at dealers.

What makes the LDV D90 appealing right now?

It’s among the cheapest seven-seat SUVs in Australia, offering lots of space and practicality for the money.

What’s changing with Hyundai N?

The lineup will evolve significantly in the next few years, tilting further into electric performance while keeping the playful N character.