Cupra has launched pricing and open timing for its flagship electric car, the Tavascan, and it’s priced to sell.

The Cupra Tavascan passed over its Q4 2024 target open, but while it will seemingly be a day dull it’s also a greenback rapid — virtually $10,000, in actuality.

Cupra’s sporty Tesla Mannequin Y ($63,400), Kia EV5 ($56,770) and Xpeng G6 ($54,800,all earlier than on-street expenses) rivalling Tavascan has dropped from “under $70,000” to a competitive $60,990, earlier than on-street expenses.

Customer deliveries will begin up in April for the two model range comprising Endurance opener and all-wheel drive VZ flagship ($74,490, earlier than on-street expenses).

Measuring 4644mm lengthy and 1861mm wide the Tavascan is a mid-size SUV fancy the Tesla Mannequin Y yet this 5-seater promises to be a long way more than a dull family hauler.

The Cupra Tavascan shares its VW-Group MEB underpinnings with the Skoda Enyaq and upcoming Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 range.

The Tavascan Endurance’s single motor sends 210kW and 545Nm to the rear axle. All Tavascans use a 77kWh lithium-ion battery and the Endurance has a 534km WLTP-rated riding range.

Fleet-charging from 10-80 per cent must silent clutch under Half-hour on legend of of 135kW DC skill.

The Tavascan Endurance parts the following long-established tools:

• 19-journey ‘Vulcano’ alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Illuminated badge emblems
• Kick-to-start energy tailgate
• 15.0-journey touchscreen
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wi-fi charging pad
• Tri-zone native climate reduction an eye on
• Entrance and rear parking sensors

Those procuring for a shrimp bit more luxury can opt for the $4500 Interior Kit, which provides:

• 20-journey ‘Heckla’ alloy wheels
• 360-diploma camera
• ‘Shadowy Evening’ microfibre upholstery
• Heated, energy-adjust front seats
• Ambient lights
• 12-speaker Sennheiser sound map

Including a front electric motor boosts the Tavascan VZ’s energy output to 250kW, with torque unchanged from the rear-biased AWD map. The claimed 0-100km/h coast from 6.8 to 5.5 seconds in the VZ, and range correspondingly falls to 499km (WLTP).

You furthermore mght accept a shrimp bit more to you money in the VZ, alongside side increased copper-accented 21-journey ‘Katla’ alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, glass roof with a sunblind. The VZ will seemingly be accessible with an Wrong bundle for $8000 which brings:

• Grey 21-journey ‘Etna’ alloy wheels
• ‘Enceladus Grey’ Nappa leather-primarily primarily based upholstery
• Heated and ventilated Cupra ‘Cup Racing’ bucket seats
• Efficiency tyres
• 463km WLTP range

Four paint colours come in; White Silver and Atacama Desolate tract are integrated in the pricetag while Tavascan Blue and Basalt Grey appeal to an $800 upcharge.

Cupra gives a 3-twelve months pre-paid service thought for $990. Guarantee is 5 years and limitless kilometres on the auto, with battery guarantee extending to eight years or 160,000km.

With a sharper fee than anticipated on legend of of tariff-free imports from China, the Tavascan’s April arrival can’t near soon sufficient. The fresh electric car will drive Cupra gross sales thru 2025 alongside with the Terramar SUV, plus the updated Leon and Formentor.

2025 Cupra Tavascan pricing

Costs listed are earlier than on-street expenses

Toyota’s 2026 RAV4 will debut new ‘hammerhead’ styling, a new interior and even greater hybrid effectivity when the uncover books open in Australia sooner than first deliveries in 2026.

With its new styling soundless top secret, camouflaged prototypes have hit public roads in Europe and the USA as Toyota tests the sixth generation of its wreck-hit hybrid SUV – Australia’s top-selling SUV in 2024.

In line with the an identical TNGA-Okay platform as the Camry, the new hybrid-simplest RAV4 is anticipated to develop in measurement as share of what’s going to be a heavy update, slightly than a ground-up redesign. Right here’s all the issues Chasing Vehicles predicts for the 2026 Toyota RAV4.

RAV4 to catch most modern ‘hammerhead’ compose

The new generation RAV4 will undertake the an identical sharply styled compose language as the new-generation Prius, new Camry, bZ4X, C-HR and Japan-simplest Crown Sport.

Sooner than a doable unveiling within the major half of this year, Chasing Vehicles’ unfamiliar renders by artist Theottle preview how the 2026 RAV4 would perhaps perhaps well appear, based fully on a detailed overview of high-resolution survey photos and other intel.

In the new RAV4’s case, deem C-shaped ‘hammerhead’ headlights, potentially a diamond grille whereas at the rear, new slim, wrap-around tail-lights. For the side profile, survey pictures establish the RAV4 will preserve its most modern ‘boxiness’ within the compose of aggressive body creases and rugged, squared-off wheel arches.

All-new turbo 1.5-litre engine, or upgraded 2.5?

No indispensable aspects on the next RAV4’s powertrain have yet been released, nonetheless it would perhaps perhaps well come with an uprated model of the most modern 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, paired to Toyota’s ‘fifth generation’ hybrid machine and CVT computerized transmission.

That would perhaps perhaps well scrutinize energy lengthen from the most modern AWD automobile’s 163kW to roughly 170kW blended, the exhaust of the an identical triple electric motor build-up. Toyota is anticipated to continue offering 2WD and 4wd variants.

Gas effectivity will toughen on the most modern RAV4’s already broad-low 4.7L/100km (claimed blended, for the 2WD), edging in direction of the new Camry’s spectacular 4.0L/100km claimed blended decide.

The most modern RAV4’s 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain will at final get replaced by a brand new generation of hybrid-ready turbocharged 1.5- and a few.0-litre four-cylinder engines, as announced in June 2024. Japanese magazine Supreme Vehicle reported a battery electric RAV4 would perhaps be in sort.

Scurry-in hybrid RAV4s will be equipped foreign, and Supreme Vehicle reported a unfold of as a lot as 120km will be doable. Toyota Australia has stated PHEVs are ‘on its agenda’ and would perhaps perhaps well play a ‘grand role’ within the tag’s native line-up from 2026.

Overhauled interior, higher monitors

While no survey photographers have captured the within, quiz greater central infotainment monitors, up from the most modern 8-proceed present within the GX and GXL and 10.5-proceed of the XSE, Cruiser and Edge. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wi-fi phone charging, explain on the most modern model, are practically a given.

For heating and cooling, the new RAV4 would perhaps perhaps well attain away with the present, plump rotary temperature knobs for a row of easy switches esteem that of the new Prado. This could imply conserving onerous buttons and dials slightly than shifting the heating-cooling controls into the central infotainment show camouflage camouflage, as has turned into standard.

Expected greater exterior dimensions would perhaps perhaps well lengthen cabin situation, and survey photos ticket at a doable lengthen in rear baggage situation. It’s no longer particular if the 2026 RAV4 will come with a sliding second row, matching mid-measurement SUV competitors corresponding to the Nissan X-Wander and Honda CR-V.

Improved security, nonetheless for a tag?

The RAV4’s security suite will toughen, likely alongside with the addition of a entrance-centre airbag and driver consideration video show in uncover to win a five-superstar ANCAP rupture ranking.

Pricing will be published closer to the RAV4’s Australian initiate nonetheless given increases to new fashions corresponding to the Prado and Camry, quiz to scrutinize a soar in comparison with the most modern model.

The present RAV4’s nine-variant fluctuate starts at $42,260 for the 2WD wrong GX and tops out at $58,360 for the all-wheel-force Edge (before on-avenue funds). Chasing Vehicles estimates pricing will lengthen at some stage within the RAV4 fluctuate by roughly $2000-$2500, potentially as a lot as $5000 reckoning on the variant and powertrain.

Launched in Australia in 2019, Toyota sold 58,718 RAV4s in Australia final year, just 3875 objects speedy of the tip-selling Ford Ranger. Despite being five years into its model lifecycle, 2024 became once the RAV4’s absolute top-selling year locally, eclipsing even the HiLux.

Isuzu has stopped in need of locking in a hardcore Blade version of its facelifted MY25 MU-X trim SUV, but confirmed: “We are planning one thing.”

An MU-X Blade would rival the Ford Everest Tremor as a extra off-street specified and focussed trim 4×4, in conserving with Isuzu’s purposeful D-Max Blade which launched slack in 2024.

The D-Max and MU-X share underpinnings and powertrains, so a Walkinshaw Automobile-fettled MU-X Blade looks an glaring next step.

If an MU-X Blade arrived, it will perhaps perhaps seemingly feature an analogous equipment to the D-Max variant, including lifted suspension, bespoke Monroe damping, improved underbody safety, twin 8000kg recovery aspects, all-terrain tyres, improved ground clearance and an impressive broader observe.

Isuzu Ute Australia’s deputy total manager, Sadanori Sugita, said: “We’re rigorously monitoring the market wretchedness and customer requirement at this deadline,” earlier than hinting the emblem had one thing unconfirmed in its plans.

Constructing direction of for the D-Max Blade took three years, so changing the correct-launched facelifted MU-X to Blade natty would possibly maybe perhaps be no short direction of. But it will perhaps perhaps also successfully had been within the works alongside its ute cousin.

The D-Max Blade costs $76,990 power-away, so an MU-X Blade version would seemingly arrive all around the $80k power-away mark, making it the priciest Isuzu offered in this nation, and advance lineball with the Ford Everest Tremor rival ($76,590 plus on-roads).

In 2024, Isuzu’s MU-X used to be second finest to the Ford Everest within the crowded trim SUV (beneath $80,000) segment, sooner than the Subaru Outback, Toyota Kluger and Toyota Prado.

Cleaner engines to fulfill emissions requirements

Isuzu is a gross sales success story in Australia, no matter offering finest two devices: the D-Max ute and MU-X trim SUV.

These play in our top-selling segments – SUVs and industrial automobiles – but as a sign, Isuzu is beneath shameful stress because of Australia’s Recent Automobile Efficiency Licensed (NVES), geared toward lowering CO2.

For manufacturers not assembly targets introduced this yr, harsh fines can be levied.

Isuzu’s two devices completely use diesel engines, and on the moment lack powertrains resembling hybrids, trudge-in hybrids and battery electric automobiles which would possibly maybe aid the emblem meet efficiency compliance targets.

In March closing yr Isuzu confirmed an electric D-Max BEV ute used to be coming for real-hand power markets, including Australia, and will sail on sale as early as later this yr.

Its twin electric motors construct 130kW/325Nm, and Isuzu assured it will perhaps perhaps preserve its utility with a 3500kg tow rating and payload up to 1000kg, though no electric vary or potential sign were quoted.

Isuzu’s executive total manager of gross sales, Ben Jaeger, said the emblem used to be “dedicated to providing alternative powertrains; to present a vehicle that would possibly maybe meet these very strict (emissions) targets.”

“Whereas we’re working on choices, it’s necessary for us to make certain these choices are fit for device and meet exactly what our customers need. You don’t would favor to direct one thing to market that isn’t going to sell; that correct ticks the box.”

Indeed. But financial penalties for failing to fulfill NVES targets would possibly maybe power Isuzu’s hand, specifically to support far from such extra costs being handed on to Australian customers.

So what are the decisions? Isuzu Australia’s team used to be asked relating to the D-Max EV and, from Isuzu’s world devices, its 2.2L turbo-diesel and a 1.9L light hybrid offered in Thailand.

Nothing can be confirmed, but there used to be acknowledgement that electrification used to be one thing the emblem would need going ahead.

“NVES is de facto very consuming for us, but we exclaim relating to the governmentdirection is the actual direction to sail, thinking relating to the environment,” said Sadanori Sugita.

“It’s a extremely advanced, consuming goal for us. We’re trying our finest to take a look on the regulation to fulfill the goal as powerful as probably.”

The launch of the BYD Shark 6 PHEV, GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid and rapidly-arriving Ford Ranger PHEV highlight the immediate transfer to electrified utes to fight NVES regulations.

Ute-primarily primarily based SUVs, such because the MU-X, following suit looks a pure development.

Without reference to the NVES challenges, Isuzu confirmed its commitment to selling automobiles in Australia.

Thanks for becoming a member of us this Wednesday, February nineteenth 2025. Critically in car knowledge as we teach: 2005 MG ZST now Australia’s most charge-efficient SUV, Chery hits milestone of marketing 20,000 vehicles in Australia.

Browse this negate:

• 2025 MG ZST now Australia’s most charge-efficient SUV
• Chery hits milestone of marketing 20,000 vehicles in Australia
• Hyundai IoniQ 5 sets quickest EV lap time at Assault Tsukuba motorsport match
• LDV Mifa of us mover positive components eight-seat chance

2025 MG ZST now Australia’s most charge-efficient SUV

• Attributable to a most favorite runout tag discount, the 2025 MG ZST is now the lowest priced SUV on sale in Australia.

• With pressure-away pricing of $22,888, the MG ZST is now $1000 more inexpensive than the beforehand most charge-efficient SUV in Australia, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.

• Typical aspects for the MG ZST embrace Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360-level digital camera, 17-breeze wheels and a 10-three hundred and sixty five days/250,000km warranty.

• Specs clever, the MG ZST aspects a 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine, mated to a CVT computerized transmission.

Chery hits milestone of marketing 20,000 vehicles in Australia

• Chery Australia has merely hit a milestone of marketing 20,000 vehicles in Australia.

• Last three hundred and sixty five days, in 2024, Chery had solda total of merely 10,000 vehicles right here. That manner they’ve doubled their buyer sinister in one three hundred and sixty five days, transferring 10,000 models in this era.

• The final open from Chery, the Tiggo 4, has confirmed to pressure this verbalize – being the highest promoting car in the Chery secure to this level.

• Chery administration says they’ve no plans to decelerate, with a relentless growth strategy in build to introduce unique models, amplify EV manufacturing and amplify the quantity of dealerships.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 sets quickest EV lap time at Assault Tsukuba motorsport match

• Hyundai has merely location the lap account on the 2025 Assault Tsukuba motorsport match, for an electrical car, in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

• A lap time of 57.446 seconds become as soon as recorded, with highly respected skilled driver, Nobuteru Taniguchi in the wait on of the wheel to location this account.

• The Ioniq 5 N TA spec retains routine electrics, nonetheless with instrument tuning, engineers had been in a position to extract a famous quantity of extra power, leading to a lap time two-seconds sooner than the beforehand location most efficient time.

• “The Ioniq 5 N TA Spec stops smartly and handles excellently. Without reference to the power, the control is distinctive, with astronomical cornering and quiet, secure nook-exit. I could maybe maybe maybe push the automobile to the restrict with staunch confidence,” acknowledged Nobuteru Taniguchi.

LDV Mifa of us mover positive components eight-seat chance

• The LDV Mifa, the most charge-efficient of us mover on sale for the time being in Australia, can now be purchased as a seven seater or with seating for eight occupants.

• Due in showrooms this month, there are four models of the LDV Mifa now ready to roll out.

• All LDV Mifa of us movers are powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder petrol engine, that produces a claimed 160kW and 360Nm, which is mated to an 8-dash computerized transmission.

• Pricing starts at $46,971 pressure-away for the Mifa Mode 7 Seater, and tops out at $63, 501 pressure-away for the Mifa Luxe 7 Seater. The 8 Seater is accessible in at $47,990 pressure-away, so merely over $1000 extra for an extra seat.

The subsequent negate of Automobile News This day will be printed on Thursday twentieth February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for joining us this Wednesday, February Nineteenth 2025. Particularly in automobile news nowadays: 2005 MG ZST now Australia’s most cost-effective SUV, Chery hits milestone of selling 20,000 vehicles in Australia.

Browse this bother:

• 2005 MG ZST now Australia’s most cost-effective SUV
• Chery hits milestone of selling 20,000 vehicles in Australia
• Hyundai IoniQ 5 sets quickest EV lap time at Assault Tsukuba motorsport match
• LDV Mifa of us mover beneficial properties eight-seat possibility

2005 MG ZST now Australia’s most cost-effective SUV

• Due to a recent runout ticket reduction, the 2025 MG ZST is now the lowest priced SUV on sale in Australia.

• With power-away pricing of $22,888, the MG ZST is now $1000 more cost effective than the previously most cost-effective SUV in Australia, the Chery Tiggo 4 Skilled.

• Fashioned functions for the MG ZST contain Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360-degree camera, 17-drag wheels and a 10-year/250,000km guarantee.

• Specs colorful, the MG ZST functions a 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine, mated to a CVT automatic transmission.

Chery hits milestone of selling 20,000 vehicles in Australia

• Chery Australia has correct kind hit a milestone of selling 20,000 vehicles in Australia.

• Final year, in 2024, Chery had solda total of correct kind 10,000 vehicles here. Meaning they contain doubled their buyer scandalous in a single year, absorbing 10,000 objects on this period.

• The final commence from Chery, the Tiggo 4, has proven to power this increase – being the most practical selling automobile in the Chery unswerving so a long way.

• Chery management says they contain no plans to gradual down, with a relentless enlargement approach in location to introduce new models, broaden EV manufacturing and broaden the quantity of dealerships.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 sets quickest EV lap time at Assault Tsukuba motorsport match

• Hyundai has correct kind space the lap describe on the 2025 Assault Tsukuba motorsport match, for an electrical automobile, in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

• A lap time of 57.446 seconds used to be recorded, with highly revered professional driver, Nobuteru Taniguchi on the support of the wheel to space this describe.

• The Ioniq 5 N TA spec retains popular electrics, nonetheless with tool tuning, engineers had been in a space to extract a important quantity of extra energy, ensuing in a lap time two-seconds sooner than the previously space simplest time.

• “The Ioniq 5 N TA Spec stops properly and handles excellently. In spite of the energy, the control is outstanding, with astronomical cornering and peaceable, unswerving corner-exit. I can also push the auto to the restrict with valid self assurance,” mentioned Nobuteru Taniguchi.

LDV Mifa of us mover beneficial properties eight-seat possibility

• The LDV Mifa, the most cost-effective of us mover on sale currently in Australia, can now be purchased as a seven seater or with seating for eight occupants.

• Due in showrooms this month, there are four models of the LDV Mifa now ready to roll out.

• All LDV Mifa of us movers are powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder petrol engine, that produces a claimed 160kW and 360Nm, which is mated to an 8-velocity automatic transmission.

• Pricing starts at $46,971 power-away for the Mifa Mode 7 Seater, and tops out at $63, 501 power-away for the Mifa Luxe 7 Seater. The 8 Seater comes in at $47,990 power-away, so correct kind over $1000 extra for an extra seat.

The subsequent bother of Automobile News Nowadays will seemingly be published on Thursday 20th February at 4.30pm Sydney time.