Celine Nolan

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

Audi Australia has confirmed the pricing and specs of the excessive-performance iteration of its currently renamed Q8 E-Tron electric SUV.

Known as the SQ8 E-Tron, the natty SUV has been priced at $173,600 earlier than on-avenue prices for the wagon and $180,600 earlier than on-avenue prices for the coupe-like Sportback variant.

The electric SQ8 steps things up a notch no longer factual in save however in performance from its Q8 E-Tron sibling, beginning $19,700 dearer than a depraved Q8 E-Tron.

Powered by three electric motors – one on the front axle and two on the rear – the recent SQ8 E-Tron produces 370kW/973Nm. For reference, that’s 70kW/309Nm more than a depraved twin-motor Q8 55 E-Tron.

The recent electric SUV makes utilize of a wide 106kWh usable battery pack that can provide a claimed WLTP electric vary of spherical 416km.

When launched, the recent SQ8 E-Tron will compete with diversified electric luxurious SUVs comparable to the BMW iX xDrive 50 Sport and the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV 53 4Matic+.

What invent you rating to your $174k?

In conventional Audi model, the SQ8 E-Tron will be effectively specced for the money, and comprises as abnormal:

• 12.3-disappear Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster
• 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound machine
• Four-zone climate lend a hand watch over
• 10.1-disappear touchscreen
• 8.6-disappear decrease touchscreen
• Wired Android Auto and wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wi-fi phone charging
• DAB+ radio
• Four USB charging ports

A Sensory package is on the market for the recent electric SUV, which contains:

• Digital Matrix LED headlights
• LED door entrance lights
• Relaxed shut doorways
• Heated outer rear seats

A 22kW AC charging package could maybe even be obtainable for SQ8 E-Tron clients.

How safe is the Audi SQ8 E-Tron?

The Audi SQ8 E-Tron will be fitted with the next security aspects:

• Adaptive cruise lend a hand watch over with velocity limiter and traffic jam abet
• Independent Emergency Braking (AEB) including pedestrian and bicycle proprietor detection
• Flip abet
• Exit abet
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• 360 stage cameras including kerb see aim
• Tyre tension monitoring

Audi SQ8 E-Tron 2024: prices in Australia

All prices listed are earlier than on-avenue prices.

• SQ8 E-Tron wagon: $173,600
• SQ8 E-Tron Sportback: $180,600

Ford Australia has this day launched this would plunge the costs of its first electric automobile for Australia, the Mustang Mach-E, before the auto is dropped at prospects this month.

The entry mark of the Mustang Mach-E now starts $7000 more affordable than before and will mark $72,990 before on-motorway charges for the bottom Decide variant.

The pricing for the mid-tier Premium and high-spec GT have additionally been slice, with costs now $4675 and $2675 more affordable respectively.

The news comes after Australian media have been serious of the customary pricing of the Mach-E, which started from $seventy nine,990 before on-motorway charges, making the model more costly than its key opponents: the Tesla Mannequin Y and Polestar 2.

Ford Australia says that the Premium variant now drops below the Luxury Automobile Tax (LCT) threshold, with the Premium and Decide model additionally qualifying for exemption from Fringe Advantages Tax (FBT).

Ford is rarely any longer the principle to undertake drastic pricing adjustments. Tesla has additionally been known up to now for its like a flash-fire mark leaps, either growing or decreasing its pricing in response to variables out there and with its opponents.

The principle Ford Mustang Mach-Es are due in Australia this month, with the Blue Oval imprint previously pointing out that the $100k+ GT has been the predominant variant for pre-orders.

A short grade rundown of the Ford Mustang Mach-E

Starting up with the Decide, this variant is powered by a rear-wheel-pressure electric motor and a 71kWh battery pack, producing total outputs of 198kW/430Nm. This variant has loads of 470km WLTP.

The Premium positive components a bigger 91kWh battery pack and is additionally rear-wheel pressure. It is additionally more extremely effective than the Decide, producing 216kW/430Nm. The Premium has a claimed battery vary of 600km (WLTP).

Lastly, the flagship all-wheel-pressure GT choices the same 91kWh battery, however power and torque are increased greatly to 358kW/860Nm. Battery vary is 490km (WLTP).

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024: costs in Australia

All costs listed are before on-motorway charges.

• Decide: $72,990 (-$7000)
• Premium: $86,990 (-$4675)
• GT: $104,990 (-$2675)

Subaru Australia has announced pricing crucial parts for the unique tS efficiency variant of its sports coupe, as well as the addition of bolstered security credentials for handbook BRZ variants, bringing impress will enhance across the vary.

The label has confirmed that train books are beginning for the entire 2024 lineup alongside with the anticipated tS which is confirmed to high the vary at $forty eight,690 for the handbook and $49,690 for the computerized, all prices earlier than on-twin carriageway charges.

The tS was confirmed for Australia earlier this year, nonetheless pricing and a stout record of specs had now not yet been printed till now.

Numerous crucial news is that all handbook variants across the entire BRZ lineup will now bag Subaru’s Eyesight security technology.

The addition of the security tech – which has finest been available on computerized versions because of the unique BRZ launched on the beginning of 2022 – intention that both entry-level and S-variant manuals will lumber up in impress by $3500.

Manuals for the time being are nearer in impress to corresponding computerized versions, which maintain risen in impress by a more modest $700. Automatics now account for a $1000 top rate over their handbook counterparts.

The Eyesight security technology brings with it a group apart of aspects alongside with adaptive cruise defend a watch on, lane departure warning, lane sway warning, lead automobile beginning alert, a pre-collision braking scheme (self reliant emergency braking), pre-collision brake reduction and brake gentle recognition.

With train books beginning, Subaru says first deliveries are anticipated to steal put in January subsequent year when we are able to place a question to to stare the first of the tS variants on the twin carriageway.

The unique vary-topping mannequin brings with it a host of efficiency and styling upgrades alongside with STI-tuned front and rear suspension dampers, Brembo brakes alongside with gold painted four-piston front callipers and two-piston rear callipers, as well as greater pads and rotors.

The tS also entails 18-mosey darkish grey metal alloy wheels with 215/40 R18 Michelin Pilot 4 tyres in conjunction with exterior styling tweaks alongside with tS badging on the front and a rear, a red BRZ label built-in into the front headlights, crystal gloomy silica door mirrors and a shark fin antenna.

Internal, the BRZ tS sports an ultrasuede and leather-accented interior, STI embossed front seats, an STI red push button beginning and an preferrred tS-finest instrument cluster that aspects an STI label and Bordeaux highlights.

Subaru BRZ 2024: prices in Australia

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

• BRZ Coupe handbook: $43,790 (+$3500)
• BRZ Coupe computerized: $44,790 (+$700)
• BRZ Coupe S handbook: $Forty five,090 (+$3500)
• BRZ Coupe S computerized: $46,090 (+$700)
• BRZ tS handbook: $forty eight,690 *unique*
• BRZ tS computerized: $49,690 *unique*