Morning Drive: Aston Turns the Wick Up, Polestar Prices In, Ranger Raptor Bulks Up, and China’s EV Push Rattles the Old Guard

I took my coffee to the garage this morning and the news was waiting on the workbench: a sharper Aston Martin, a tougher Ford Ranger Raptor, Polestar 4 pricing news, and a very reasonably priced Chinese EV about to land in the UK. Sprinkle in Queensland Police calling a Toyota RAV4 “dangerous,” the Honda CR‑V blowing out 30 candles, and a cherry 1981 Toyota pickup you’ll want to park next to your surfboard. Let’s get into it.

The Big Picture: China’s Tech Surge Keeps Premium Brands Awake

Autocar’s business desk lays it out: the China-led tech shift in EVs is making the traditional premium crowd sweat. The formula has flipped. It’s no longer “badge first, battery later.” It’s software speed, driver-assist competence, infotainment polish—and then maybe you’ll look at the badge. I’ve felt that flip myself; jump from a legacy luxury EV into a fresh Chinese-market one and the difference in UI responsiveness and driver-assist behavior is no longer academic. It’s lived-in. And it’s arriving in showrooms faster than some heritage brands can update their roadmaps.

New EVs You’ll Actually See Soon

Leapmotor B10: A £30k Family EV for the UK

Autocar says the Leapmotor B10 will hit the UK next month with pricing around £30,000. That number matters. It squarely targets the “sensible family” end of the EV pool—think school runs, long commutes, and a charging routine that won’t require a spreadsheet. If Stellantis-backed distribution does its job, this could be the car that nudges fence-sitters into their first EV without a finance sting.

• Expected role: Practical family EV priced to undercut European rivals.
• Rivals to watch: MG 4, BYD Dolphin/Seal, entry VW ID models.
• Why it matters: Price parity with ICE rivals is becoming a real conversation, not a future promise.

2026 Polestar 4: Price and Specs Land for Australia

CarExpert has the Australian price and spec sheet for the 2026 Polestar 4, the coupe-ish SUV that famously ditched a rear window. I remember the first time I drove one with the digital rear-view display—it took an hour for my brain to trust the camera, then the fuss just… evaporated. Expect the usual Polestar mix of clean Scandinavian design, confident highway manners, and a cabin that’s more fabric-and-light than leather-and-shadow.

• Design note: No rear window; a high-def camera/mirror handles the job.
• Lineup logic: Typically single- and dual-motor variants with long-range intent.
• Everyday vibe: Calm, quiet, unfussy—ideal for long commutes and school runs.

Performance and Play: When the Right Pedal Means Things

Aston Martin DB12 S: Sharper, Louder, Stronger

Carscoops reports the DB12 S arrives with 690 hp. The standard DB12 was already a brawny GT; the S sounds like the same suit, better tailor. If Aston’s recent tuning is any guide, expect angrier throttle response and a ride/handling blend that doesn’t punish you for choosing the scenic route home. Also: that engine. It’s one of those mills you find excuses to rev, even in an underground car park. Sorry, neighbors.

• Power: 690 hp reported.
• Character: Grand touring poise with more edge for Sunday-morning blast duty.
• Audience: Buyers who love a DB12’s glamour but want a little more bite.

Ford Ranger Raptor: Gets Even Tougher

CarExpert says the Ranger Raptor’s been toughened up. The current truck already shrugs off corrugations like a Labrador shaking off lake water—when I last bombed across a washboard trail, the Fox dampers made a mockery of the surface. “Even tougher” suggests meaningful hardware or accessory tweaks aimed at folks who actually hit whoops, not just mall curbs. Think harsher tracks, longer weekends, fewer excuses.

• Use case: Outback trails, Baja-style weekenders, towing the toys.
• What I notice first in a Raptor: Steering precision on dirt and how calmly it lands a crest.
• Buyer takeaway: If you liked the last one, this sounds like more of the right stuff.

Fleet, Safety, and the Real World

Queensland Police Flag Toyota RAV4 as “Dangerous”

CarExpert reports Queensland Police have called the Toyota RAV4 “dangerous” for policing duties. Context matters: patrol cars are loaded with equipment, driven at the limit, and expected to do things your family crossover shouldn’t. The RAV4’s a brilliant family machine—I’ve done a 700-kilometer day in one and climbed out fresher than expected—but police duty is another planet. Expect further clarification as agencies review specs, fit-outs, and use cases.

• Key point: “Dangerous” is in the context of police work, not school-run duty.
• What to watch: Any guidance changes for government fleets and emergency fitment.

Anniversaries and Nostalgia

Honda CR‑V Turns 30

CarExpert marks three decades of CR‑V. The first-gen had that fold-out picnic table and a cabin that felt like your favorite hoodie—soft, a bit boxy, always ready. I once loaded a mountain bike upright in a second-gen without removing the front wheel; it just fit. Today’s CR‑V is calmer, safer, and hybrid-savvy, but the DNA remains: easygoing ergonomics and “we can bring one more thing” cargo space.

• Legacy: Practicality-first thinking long before crossovers ruled.
• Modern twist: Efficient hybrids, improved safety tech, quieter ride.

Why You Want That 1981 Toyota Pickup

Carscoops asks the right question: how could you not want this? The early-’80s Toyota pickup is the platonic ideal of a weekend rig—simple, honest, nearly unkillable. The 22R four-cylinder clatters faithfully, the manual hubs ask you to participate, and the bed begs for camping crates. Find a clean one and it’ll outlast your will to lift heavy things.

• Charm points: Steel, simplicity, and a gearlever that talks back.
• Ownership reality: Slow but faithful; plan routes, enjoy views.

Side Note: Best Recording Booth on Wheels?

Autocar’s podcast riffs on the Alpine’s cabin as a recording studio. They’re onto something. Some small sports cars turn into little sound cocoons—I’ve recorded voice notes in an Elise that sounded like I was in a vocal booth. The Alpine’s light, taut structure and intimate cabin likely do the same magic trick.

Quick-Glance Table

Editor’s Take

There’s a rhythm to today’s news: China keeps applying pressure with competitively priced, tech-forward EVs just as legacy makers bring emotionally charged halo cars to remind us why we fell in love with gasoline in the first place. In between, the humble crossover keeps doing the life stuff. If you’re shopping, it’s a terrific time to test-drive across segments—you might be surprised which one feels most “you” in 2025.

FAQ

• When is the Leapmotor B10 arriving in the UK? Autocar says next month, with pricing around £30,000.
• How much power does the Aston Martin DB12 S have? Carscoops reports 690 hp.
• Does the Polestar 4 really have no rear window? Yes—Polestar uses a camera-based rear-view display, and CarExpert has the 2026 AU price/spec details.
• Why did Queensland Police call the Toyota RAV4 “dangerous”? Per CarExpert, the label applies to police-duty use; expect more detail as authorities review fit-outs and operational demands.
• What’s special about the Honda CR‑V at 30? It’s a milestone for one of the original easygoing family crossovers—now safer, quieter, and more efficient than ever.

That’s the brief. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go price vintage Toyota pickups and pretend I need one for “yard work.”