Daily Brief: Suzuki Fronx’s ANCAP Shock, Jaguar’s Last Petrol Hurrah, GM’s EV Truck Crossroads, and a Street-Racing Wake-Up Call

Some days the car world feels like a hard left followed by a graceful right. Today was one of those: a brand-new model tripped over a fundamental safety test, an old marque closed the book on petrol, America’s pickup giants keep wrestling with electrons, and a grim street-racing story cut through the noise. Let’s unpack it.

Safety First: Suzuki Fronx Hits One-Star ANCAP After Seatbelt Failure

ANCAP handed the Suzuki Fronx a one-star rating after a seatbelt reportedly failed during crash testing. That’s not a rounding error—that’s the sort of red flag that stops a launch party mid-speech.

I didn’t have the Fronx on my test calendar yet, but I’ve put enough miles into budget crossovers to know this: you can forgive a few coarse plastics or a lazy infotainment screen. A seatbelt misbehaving in a crash test? Non-negotiable.

What it means for shoppers and owners

• Short term: Expect Suzuki to investigate and respond. These things typically trigger a pause, a fix, and a re-test.
• If you’ve ordered one: Keep your dealer on speed dial and ask about remedial action, build dates, and re-testing timelines.
• Safety takeaway: ANCAP (and Euro NCAP) scores matter. They’re not perfect, but they’re consistent and brutal about fundamentals like restraints and structure.

Small crossovers live and die on family trust. The Fronx will need a clear, transparent fix—and quickly.

End of an Era: Jaguar Builds Its Last Petrol Car

Jaguar has built its final petrol-powered car. Let that sink in. The brand that gave us XK straight-sixes, silky V12s, and that riotous supercharged V8 is shutting the fuel flap for good as it pivots to an all-electric lineup.

The last petrol Jag I drove that properly seared itself into memory was an F-Type R on a cool morning—575 hp, that crackling overrun, a 0–60 dash in the mid-three-second range if you were feeling unwise. But the truth is, Jaguar’s magic was never just decibels. It was how the cars moved: long strides, unruffled, a little romantic. The electric reboot will need its own poetry. Different rhythm, same soul, hopefully.

• Why it matters: This isn’t just a product cycle; it’s a brand reset. The next-generation Jags will live or die on their EV execution—design, weight control, range, and ride.
• What to watch: The first electric models and how they balance performance with the quiet grace Jaguar enthusiasts expect.

Trucks, Plugs, and Reality Checks: Should GM Follow Ford and Ram in Rethinking EV Pickups?

There’s a growing chorus asking whether GM should pull back on its electric pickups—following moves by Ford and Ram to slow-roll or recalibrate their own battery trucks. It’s a fair question. The formula is complicated: huge frontal area, big mass, and owners who tow, haul, or road-trip in bad weather. Batteries hate that cocktail.

When I towed about 5,000 pounds with an electric pickup last year, I watched the predicted range drop by roughly 40–50%. Not a surprise if you’ve done it, but it’s a new kind of math for truck traditionalists—and for planners trying to build charging networks that can handle 250–350 kW spikes at highway rest stops.

Where the big three stand (at a glance)

My read

• Fleet-first makes sense: predictable routes, depot charging, and high utilization help the math work.
• Retail adoption needs carrots: compelling pricing, ironclad fast-charging reliability, and frank towing guidance baked into the trip planner.
• Hybrids aren’t the enemy: Strong hybrids or range-extended setups can bridge use cases while the charging ecosystem matures.

A Sobering Note: Street Racing, Kids in the Car, and a Cop Right Behind

Police reports out of the U.S. describe a driver allegedly racing a motorcycle in a Toyota—with children reportedly in the vehicle—and a patrol car already on the scene. It ended in a crash and kids trapped. It’s the kind of story that makes your blood run cold if you’ve ever buckled a child into a booster.

We love performance here—on track days, on closed courses, with proper gear. Street racing is something else entirely. If you witness it, pull back, call it in, and give the professionals space to work.

Quick Hits and What to Watch Next

• Suzuki’s next steps on the Fronx safety fix and re-test timeline.
• Jaguar’s first EV reveal cadence—design will be everything.
• GM’s pickup roadmap: trims, pricing, and whether they prioritize fleets over retail in the near term.

Conclusion

Today was a reminder that the car world is changing fast—and that fundamentals still matter. Seatbelts must work, brands must evolve without losing their character, and trucks must make sense on spreadsheets as well as on job sites. The rest is just noise.

FAQ

• What is ANCAP and does it apply outside Australia? ANCAP is the Australasian New Car Assessment Program. Its protocols closely mirror Euro NCAP, so scores are a solid indicator of real-world performance even if you’re shopping in other markets with similar specs.
• Should I avoid the Suzuki Fronx now? Until Suzuki outlines a fix and ANCAP re-tests, I’d pause and monitor updates. If you already own one, speak with your dealer about any service actions and ensure your car’s software/parts are up to date.
• When will Jaguar’s new electric models arrive? Jaguar’s next chapter is all-electric, with the first EVs expected soon. Watch for official reveal timing and specs in the coming months.
• Are electric pickups a bad idea? Not inherently. They excel for fleets and predictable routes. For heavy towing and long-haul road trips, plan more carefully—range and charging logistics are the pivots.
• What should I do if I see street racing? Keep your distance, avoid engagement, and report it to authorities. Safety—yours and everyone else’s—comes first.