Celine Nolan

Land Rover Australia has announced it would be building 15 examples of a Pacific Blue Edition Defender in celebration of the Australian Pacific wing and surf custom.

Pricing will birth from $129,976 sooner than on-twin carriageway charges. That’s $33,800 bigger than the usual edition of the Defender 90 D250 S.

The special Defender is on hand to account for now sooner than deliveries birth in Could simply 2024.

The Land Rover Defender competes in a special subject of off-roaders against diverse opponents equivalent to the unique Ineos Grenadier and the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Sequence.

What’s queer about the unique Defender Pacific Blue Edition?

Land Rover will offer the Pacific Blue Edition within the short-wheelbase 90 body trend with lawful one engine different: the three.0-litre twin-turbocharged Ingenium straight-six engine that produces 183kW/570Nm.

The special-edition Defenders will reach with a special surfboard, alongside with a facet-mounted equipment provider, aqua sports provider, a conveyable rinse draw and a tow hitch receiver as usual.

Every of the Pacific Blue Editions will seemingly be executed in Pacific Blue matte paintwork, which is contrasted by a white roof and murky roof rails. White 18-scurry steel wheels and all-terrain tyres additionally feature as usual.

The special-edition autos are consistent with the S dapper stage, which includes on the internal white contrasting on the steering wheel and door panels, alongside with a white powder-lined brushed dashboard.

The Pacific Blue SUVs additionally occupy 12-intention grained leather heated front seats and a Meridian sound draw.

As for automobile technologies, each edition will divulge air suspension, “adaptive dynamics” and headlight levelling.

Land Rover Defender 90 2024: prices in Australia

All prices listed are sooner than on-twin carriageway charges.

• 90 D250 S: $96,170
• 90 P300: $88,870
• 90 P400 X Dynamic SE: $110,870
• 90 Pacific Blue Edition: $129,976 (NEW)
• 90 P400 X: $146,920
• 90 P525 V8: $220,020

The Toyota Land Cruiser is as iconic because it will get right here in Australia. Loved by thousands and cherished by followers just precise across the globe, the Land Cruiser name doesn’t proper symbolise reliability, nonetheless also has the workhorse traits of us can count on.

But when there became as soon as a newcomer that will maybe maybe severely drawback the eminent Land Cruiser nameplate, it’s the original Ineos Grenadier, contemporary to the market and currently launched in Australia.

Let’s take a glimpse at both devices on the spec sheet, look what they’re payment and fetch out which one are trying and be wanting at.

Time to dive into one other Chasing Autos spec fight! We’ll be striking the 76 Series hideous mannequin Workmate wagon in opposition to the entry Ineos Grenadier field wagon.

Australian pricing in comparison

Starting with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series, pricing for the original four-cylinder 76 sequence Workmate wagon begins from $75,600 sooner than on-avenue costs, on the other hand the elevated grade turbo-diesel V8 GXL variant will tag investors $83,900 sooner than on-avenue costs.

For reference, the most costly 70 Series for 2024, the 79 Series twin cab ute, costs $86,700 sooner than on-avenue costs.

Consistent with the Australian Ineos web dilemma, the Grenadier SUV in its easiest 5-door field wagon model is great more costly than the Land Cruiser and is priced at $110,000 sooner than on-avenue costs, with the most costly variant costing $123,000 sooner than on-avenue costs.

Long-established aspects in comparison

The updated 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series wagon, is also named the 76 Series, brings some original aspects to the table, alongside with long-standing old instruments, including:

• LED headlights
• 16-roam metallic wheels
• Front and rear mudflaps
• Gloomy entrance and rear bumpers
• Redesigned entrance fascia
• Chrome door handles
• Rear barn doorways
• Snorkel
• Vinyl seats
• 60:40 chop up succor seat
• 6.7-roam touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Reversing camera (four-cylinder wagon handiest)
• 4.2-roam instrument cluster
• Vinyl flooring overlaying

In the period in-between, the original Ineos Grenadier aspects the next instruments from the manufacturing unit:

• 17-roam metallic wheels
• 12.3-roam touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
• LED headlights, tail lights and daytime working lights
• Underbody safety
• Water-resistant interior
• Computerized native climate administration
• Off-avenue navigation machine
• Recaro seats with nappa leather upholstery
• Off-avenue and wading power modes

Both devices appear to present the consumer first payment all-terrain goal for his or her cash, on the other hand these are by no manner inexpensive, entry-stage off-roaders.

Powertrains of every four-wheel power in comparison

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series has the risk of two powertrains: a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder or 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine.

The original-to-Land-Cruiser 2.8-litre engine is borrowed from the most contemporary Hilux and Prado and produces 150kW/500Nm. It’s mated to an six-hurry computerized transmission for the first time in 70 Series historical previous. Toyota’s 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine produces 151kW/430Nm.

Ineos, meanwhile, sources its engines from BMW. The Grenadier utilises a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine that produces either 210kW/450Nm in petrol guise, or 183kW/550Nm in turbo-diesel guise.

These straight-six engines are mated to a ZF eight-hurry torque converter computerized transmission.

On raw numbers alone, the Grenadier looks to be the hotter kit for these wanting more whisper off the beaten direction.

Off-avenue credentials in comparison

Toyota has stuck to its roots with the 2024 70 Series Land Cruiser, conserving a few the usual off-avenue aspects.

The 70 Series vary comprises the next off-avenue skills and aspects:

• Section-time four-wheel power machine
• Front and rear are residing axles
• Coil sprung entrance end, leaf sprung rear end
• Centre locking differential
• 305mm flooring clearance
• 35 level manner perspective
• 25 level departure perspective
• Front and rear locking differentials (either celebrated or non-compulsory)

In the period in-between, the Ineos Grenadier aspects the next four-wheel power aspects as celebrated:

• Everlasting four-wheel power machine
• Beam axles entrance and rear
• Two-hurry switch case
• Centre locking differential
• Front and rear skid plates
• Off-avenue and wading modes
• Front and rear differential locks (non-compulsory)
• 36.2 level manner perspective
• 36.1 level departure perspective
• 264mm flooring clearance

It’s intriguing to dispute in conserving with the specs alone, on the other hand the Grenadier would possibly well maybe very effectively be the winner with its spectacular manner and departure angles, everlasting four-wheel power and off-avenue modes.

How true are these two four-wheel drives?

The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series is safer than ever for 2024, even supposing its most up-to-date ANCAP 5-star rating from 2016 is decided to expire this month.

For 2024, Toyota has updated the 70 Series safety instruments, which now comprises:

• Toyota safety support including pre-collision machine (AEB)
• Lane departure alert
• Road signal support
• Computerized excessive beam

The Ineos Grenadier comes celebrated with the next safety aspects:

• Tyre stress monitoring machine
• Cruise administration
• Trailer stability support
• Rear idea camera
• Computerized hazard warning

Our verdict

For 2024, both of these four-wheel drives offer very compelling off-avenue programs for the cash.

While the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series has the name and arguably the reliability to pass with it, the Ineos Grenadier offers that cramped bit more on the spec sheet in phrases of the total kit.

The Ineos is awfully a bit more costly than the Land Cruiser, nonetheless would possibly well maybe arguably be the more capable off-roader of the 2.

But which would possibly well maybe perchance you settle?

Chances are high you’ll maybe maybe perchance gaze Chasing Autos’ most up-to-date review of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series on Youtube. Defend tuned for a future Ineos Grenadier review on our channel.

Costs possess been announced for the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLB medium SUV, which works on sale this week, that includes styling tweaks, extra frequent equipment and new hybrid technology across all of the lineup.

The gains in specification for the beforehand announced facelift for the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 competitor also lift mark rises between $400 and $6000 across the differ reckoning on variant, with mark of entry rising from $67,000 to $72,900 (forward of on-street charges) for the entry-stage GLB200.

Comparatively, the GLB250 4Matic rises in mark from $80,569 to $84,100 and the tip-spec Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic experiences a more modest extend from $102,469 to $102,900, all prices forward of on street charges.

Coming with the value increases are a preference of components to the fashions specs, with all variants of the seven-seat SUV now that includes soundless hybrid technology via a 48-volt electrical system, which is able to generate an extra 10kW of energy in toughen of the petrol engine.

As properly as this, frequent equipment has been bolstered across the street up with parts that had beforehand been non-obligatory. These encompass an AMG line exterior kit, panoramic sunroof, 19-inch AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels, electrical/reminiscence and heated front seats, and frequent metal paint.

The Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic also gains a Burmester encompass sound system, riding assist kit and night kit as frequent.

As properly as specification updates, the SUV sports subtle styling tweaks across the differ including a redesigned front bumper with visible underbody safety and new elephantine-LED headlights and taillights.

A ‘Plus Equipment’ is on hand for the non-AMG variants for an extra $3,770 forward of on-street charges, bringing with it a driver assist kit, augmented video for navigation, Burmester encompass sound system, illuminated door sills, head up demonstrate, adaptive highbeam assist, multibeam LED. MBUX inner assist. And encompass projection of the Mercedes-Benz value.

Mercedes-Benz GLB: prices in Australia

All prices listed are forward of on-street charges.

• GLB200: $72,900 (up $5900)
• GLB250 4Matic: $84,100 (up $3531)
• Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic: $102,900 (up $431)

Ford Australia has introduced the pricing and specification of its all-modern combustion-powered Ford Transit Customized business van.

Station for a launch in Australia sooner or later of the second quarter of 2024, the modern Ford Transit Customized will probably be readily available in each and each rapid- and long-wheelbase guises.

Pricing begins at $55,990 sooner than on-road costs for the Pattern rapid wheelbase, or $56,990 sooner than on-road costs for the Pattern long-wheelbase variant.

With a clear point of curiosity on the business dwelling, the modern Ford Transit Customized uses an “all-modern platform”, autonomous rear suspension and a re-designed cabin.

The Ford Transit Customized will compete within the busy business van dwelling with different competitors corresponding to the Volkswagen Transporter, the Peugeot Expert and the LDV V80.

An all-electric model of the Transit Customized, called the Ford e-Transit Customized, is furthermore expected in Australia one day in 2024 as section of Ford Australia’s EV rollout.

Frequent specification for the modern work van

As favorite, each and each wheelbase lengths will come fitted with the next aspects:

• 13.0-scurry central touchscreen point out
• 12-scurry partial digital instrument cluster
• Ford SYNC 4 infotainment diagram
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Wireless phone charging
• Frequent load protection kit
• LED cargo bay lights (replacing older halogen devices)
• Underneath two-metre total top (for ease of acquire accurate of entry to to multi-storey car parks)
• Reversing digital camera
• Thatcham class one terror diagram
• Fair rear suspension

As an risk, investors will probably be in a space to spec their Transit Customized with SVO paint (58 different colours, priced at $1500) and twin aspect-sliding doorways ($1000).

Frozen White is a no-price risk, however Prestige paint for the colours Agate Dark, Magnetic and Moondust Silver will probably be a extra $700.

How real is the modern Ford Transit Customized?

The modern Ford Transit Customized has not but been awarded a security catch from ANCAP, however is probably to be tested rapidly.

The van aspects the next favorite security aspects:

• Roof mounted airbag
• Adaptive cruise protect a watch on
• Pre-collision abet with AEB
• Reverse brake abet
• Blind build files diagram
• Rear grievous web page web page visitors alert
• Stable exit warning

Ford Transit Customized energy, payloads and load dimensions

The modern Ford Transit Customized is powered by a 2.0-litre ‘Ecoblue’ four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 125kW/390Nm. This engine is mated to a eight-hotfoot automatic transmission that powers the front wheels.

Ford Australia quotes a median fuel consumption figure of 8.0L/100km for this engine.

Four pressure modes are favorite for the modern Transit Customized, including Smartly-liked, Eco, Slippery and Towing.

The modern Ford Transit Customized will probably be in a space to carry a most payload of 1269kg in transient-wheelbase guise, with the long-wheelbase model able to hauling 1223kg.

The rapid-wheelbase van’s rear load dwelling has a total ability of 5.8 cubic metres, with the long wheelbase clearly having a bigger 6.8 cubic metre storage ability.

Towing ability for the van is rated at 2500kg for every and each variants, an develop over the final know-how of the model.

Ford Transit Customized 2024: costs in Australia

All costs listed are sooner than on-road costs.

• Pattern SWB van: $55,990
• Pattern LWB van: $56,990
• e-Transit Customized: $TBA

Mercedes-AMG has introduced tubby pricing and major capabilities for its prolonged-awaited C63 S E-Efficiency hyper-sedan, with verbalize books opening from December 7^th for what’s the enviornment’s most-highly effective production four-cylinder automobile.

Now that gains a hybrid drivetrain for the first time, the mighty-anticipated automobile – which we Chasing Autos reviewed in a foreign nation early this year – will at final hit Aussie shores subsequent year and would possibly well merely be priced from $187,900 before on avenue prices, with first deliveries situation for January 2024.

First and predominant expected to originate in Australia mid-2023 and revealed over a year within the past, the originate of the C63 S E-Efficiency will label the first time in its historical previous that the C63 has no longer been powered by a V8 engine, now replaced with a 2.0-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder with PHEV, mated with the performance sedan’s all-wheel-pressure system.

Walk-in hybrid energy joins the C63 ranks for the first time

The engine itself, which modified into already the most highly effective four-pot on the planet in its defective petrol fetch primitive within the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, is made even extra highly effective with the addition of a hybrid system or ‘Electric Pressure Unit’ as Mercedes-AMG calls it, which sees a two-tempo electrical motor positioned on the rear axle.

All up the hybrid powertrain, which Mercedes says modified into “inspired by abilities transferred right some distance from System One”, delivers a nice 500kW or energy and 1020Nm of torque, making for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds.

The automaker says that the battery, which weighs 89kg and would possibly well generate a height energy output of 150kW, “has been designed for quick energy supply and plot, in position of the longest that it is doubtless you’ll perhaps be take into accout driving fluctuate.”

The E-Efficiency can feature in all-electrical pressure mode for up to 15km and at speeds of up to 125km/h.

As neatly as this, the E-Efficiency’s battery would possibly store recuperated energy – with four phases of regenerative braking available collectively with the selection of 1 pedal driving – or plot electrical energy from an exterior charger by the usage of an onboard charging port.

Vastly, Mercedes says the hybrid system also contributes to the dealing with, noting that as a change of braking intervention from the ESP, the electrical motor can alter traction when too mighty bound is detected from a wheel.

It does this by reducing the pressure torque of the electrical motor that is transferred to the relevant wheel by the usage of the rear LSD, which either avoids or delays any intervention from the ESP.

Additionally of gift is the reality that while the electrical motor is positioned on the rear axle, all-wheel pressure is accrued available despite the incontrovertible reality that the car is running in electrical-simplest mode, with the electrical motor in a position to transmit energy to the front wheels by the usage of the propellor and pressure shafts if the rear wheels accept as true with too mighty bound.

The tech-heavy automobile will also receive several recent aspects collectively with two C63-firsts within the fetch of authorized active rear-axle steering and a selectable waft mode.

Will AMG diehards rating a hybrid-four-cylinder C63?

There would possibly be already a four-cylinder AMG C-Class within the ranks within the C63’s less-highly effective C43 sibling, however the recent C63 marks the first time the fluctuate-pinnacle will feature a four-pot.

Lately, rumours circulated that Mercedes-AMG modified into already pondering relenting on its downsizing decision following backlash from its hardcore neighborhood, however subsequent stories by European media accept as true with since quashed these rumours which were labelled as “nonsense” in further coverage by in a foreign nation media.

Despite the pragmatic decision to downsize within the face of ever-tightening emissions regulations, a key sticking level for AMG diehards is of route how a four-cylinder will match the aural-identification that the V8 C63’s brought with them.

Alternatively, as previously reported, Mercedes promises an “legitimate AMG sound experience for automobile inhabitants”, made that it is doubtless you’ll perhaps be take into accout by the usage of a rigidity sensor within the exercise system which the logo says is further enriched before coming into the cabin thru the entertainment sound system the set it is some distance also modified in intensity.

What else produce we ask within the recent C63?

As neatly as this, exterior adjustments encompass a bizarre air outlet on the centre of the bonnet and a spherical badge with AMG sign as a change of the mature Mercedes neatly-known particular person on the bonnet, and a brand recent AMG-dispute radiator grille.

As neatly as this, the car also gains two electronically controlled air panels within the abet of the radiator grille and within the front apron, two trapezoidal dual tailpipe trims, and an ‘E Efficiency’ badge on the wings as neatly as a lumber-in charging flap.

Internal the performance sedan receives AMG sports actions seats as authorized as neatly because the most recent MBUX multimedia system incorporating diverse AMG- and hybrid-dispute displays and capabilities.

Drivers will also have the option to resolve the stage of regeneration for the hybrid system the usage of buttons on the steering wheel.

Other authorized equipment for the C63 S E-Efficiency involves:

Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Efficiency: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-avenue prices.

• C63 S E Efficiency: $187,900