Celine Nolan

The Volkswagen Tiguan has proved to be one in all the most standard midsize SUVs on sale, with its luxurious interior and eager riding dynamics earning it a actual legion of followers in Australia.

In production since 2016, the sizzling Tiguan will soon depart in favour of the third-expertise which is slated to scheme in Australian showrooms in early 2025.

Considerable changes had been confirmed collectively with a full 195kW 2.0-litre petrol engine along with a radically assorted exterior and interior create, the latter complete with an infinite 15.0-lumber touchscreen to construct with trendy times.

But main questions corresponding to if the hybrid chance will reach to Australia and the all-crucial topic of price, mute dwell unanswered for now.

In Chasing Vehicles’ rolling coverage, we’ll provide up-to-date insights on the unusual-expertise Volkswagen Tiguan because it slowly makes its blueprint to Australian showrooms so pause tuned.

September, 2023 – unusual Tiguan formally printed with as much as 100km of electrical fluctuate for hybrid mannequin

Volkswagen has formally pulled the covers off its third-expertise Tiguan midsize SUV, real a month after photos had been leaked of the auto in the public arena.

With a a good deal as much as this level exterior and interior create, the next-expertise Tiguan is determined for open in Europe in early 2024.

What engines will be supplied with the unusual Tiguan?

The Tiguan will be supplied in Europe with an improved prance-in hybrid scheme that may perchance be in a position to travelling as much as 100 kilometres in electrical-most interesting mode and even DC swiftly charging, according to Volkswagen. This powertrain is but to be confirmed for Australia.

Globally, the Tiguan may perchance presumably also be on hand with a entrance-power 1.5L light-hybrid petrol producing 95kW and 110kW or a 110kW 2.0L diesel.

These opting for an all-wheel-power Tiguan will be supplied a 142kW 2.0L diesel or a 2.0L petrol engine producing 150kW or a stonking 195kW.

The recent Australian Tiguan lineup contains a FWD 110kW/250Nm 1.4L turbo petrol along with an AWD 2.0L turbo-petrol making 132kW/320Nm or 162kW/350Nm, the two.0L turbo-diesel produces 147kW/400Nm. The flagship Tiguan R produces 235kW/350Nm.

A spokesperson from Volkswagen Australia told Chasing Vehicles the 195kW chance was as soon as confirmed for Australia with extra petrol powertrains attributable to observe suit.

“Volkswagen will open the all-unusual Tiguan in early 2025 with a level of interest on petrol powertrains collectively with the thrilling 195kW 2.0-litre turbo. At expose practically 60 per cent of Tiguan gross sales are for the 162TSI or R,” he mentioned.

Overhauled exterior and interior

The refreshed exterior create is designed to give the Tiguan a extra trendy factor in but additionally has the added enact of bettering the spin coefficient from 0.33 to 0.28, which may perchance perchance result in improved gasoline effectivity.

Internal, the Tiguan has been a good deal overhauled and will be on hand (in increased tidy phases) with an infinite 15.0-lumber central touchscreen, plus the unusual ergoActive Plus seats in the entrance incorporate pneumatic four-blueprint lumbar adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber stress rub down characteristic.

An total amplify in measurement has also seen the boot capacity prolong by 37 litres to an outstanding 652 litres

Bodily buttons have returned to the multi-characteristic steering wheel after previous blow-support in opposition to Volkswagen’s haptic feedback steering wheels – plus, following recent trends ambient lighting is now a worthy feature part inner.

Australian details for the Tiguan are but to be confirmed, but pause tuned as we get nearer to the auto’s open date sometime in 2024.

August, 2023 – Subsequent-gen Volkswagen Tiguan leaks sooner than legit existing

A document from a Volkswagen inner offer has been leaked onto the procure, showing what the next Tiguan is determined to trust esteem.

The unusual Tiguan looks to be a extremely assorted vehicle aesthetically, namely when compared with the sizzling-expertise version of the midsize SUV.

Key create highlights encompass a corpulent-width integrated LED daylight hours working light setup, a extra bulbous create language total and a very overhauled rear pause that comprises assorted LED light signatures.

Rely on an as much as this level interior with a bigger touchscreen and extra functions and the return of bodily buttons on the steering wheel, in pickle of haptic devices.

Engines have no longer but been confirmed, on the opposite hand, a hybrid or corpulent electrical version are a chance.

GWM’s Tank sub-mark has formally launched its unique Toyota Prado-sized 400 4 wheel force wagon in China which has the mark’s GWM Australian arm attracted to the mission.

A spokesperson for the mark in Australia said that “we proceed to place a detailed place a query to on all unique GWM gadgets as they are launched and the Tank 400 is in point of fact one in every of them.

“Tank 400 remains a consideration but no longer but determined for Australia”.

GWM Australia also said that it used to be focusing on its Tank 300 model, as well to the “seemingly starting up of Tank 500” in due course.

The latter used to be spotted by Chasing Cars on Australian roads earlier this 300 and sixty five days suggesting it’s no longer distant from the showrooms.

What exactly is the Tank 400, and what would it no longer compete in opposition to?

The Tank 400 sits between the already-launched-in-Australia Tank 300 and the upcoming Tank 500 effectively-organized SUV.

The SUV measures in at 4985mm long, 1960mm huge and 1900mm colossal, with a wheelbase of 2850mm, making it similar in size to the Prado.

Fixed with stories from Car Files China, the 400 will seemingly be handiest provided in China with a breeze-in hybrid 2.0-litre engine choice that produces outputs of 304kW/750Nm.

Right here’s unlike the Tank 300 and 500 gadgets that even maintain pure internal combustion variants as effectively.

The Tank 400 will attain with a decently sized 37.1kWh battery pack and might perhaps well effectively have the option to shuttle around 100 kilometres in electric-handiest mode, per GWM.

What popular specifications will attain with the Tank 400?

International stories level to that there will seemingly be two super levels of the 400 in China, nonetheless across the range the model will characteristic:

• 16.2-creep centre touchscreen
• 12.3-creep digital instrument cluster
• Three-zone local weather regulate
• Ten-speaker sound machine
• 5-seat layout

As for pricing, the entry-stage Tank 400 will fee 279,800 yuan in China (the identical of AUD$59,000).

The noxious Tank 400 is field to characteristic 18-creep alloy wheels, elephantine LED lights and a sunroof, alongside with leatherette and heated front seats. On the rear axle, the Tank 400 has a differential lock.

The tip-super stage Tank has Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel and a head-up level to. Air whisk and a therapeutic massage feature is supplied for the driving force’s seat. Fixed with Car Files China, the choice of a rear differential lock is on hand for added fee.

For the flagship, this might perhaps well fee Chinese investors 298,800 yuan (AUD$63,000).

Ford Australia wants its merely-hand-drive F-150 to “knock it out of the park” as native deliveries of the paunchy-measurement pickup are goal for early November.

The Detroit-built and Melbourne-remanufactured F-150 XLTs and Lariats be half of a burgeoning paunchy-measurement truck sector, with Ford Australia anticipating its “iconic” giant to turn out to be a success legend.

This will rumble in opposition to the established Chevrolet Silverado (from $121,000) and RAM 1500 (from $98,950), which contain loved impressive sales since factory-backed remanufacturing to RHD has been conducted by the Walkinshaw Automobile Community.

Conversions of Toyota’s Tundra paunchy-measurement pickup automobiles are also underway at Walkinshaw, nonetheless Toyota Australia has said its preliminary examples would be on hand handiest on a lease deal to handpicked prospects.

When the Tundra goes on paunchy sale right here, likely within the second half of 2024, there’s the likelihood this is in a position to well perhaps land with sharper pricing than the above, as it’s much less successfully-identified than the American brands within the section.

What number of F-150s will Ford Australia sell?

Ford Australia’s president and CEO, Andrew Birkic, made it certain they don’t discuss about anticipated sales volumes.

However the RMA Automobile facility north of Melbourne (conclude to Ford’s light meeting line at Broadmeadows) the put F-150s are remanufactured for RHD, has capability to hold spherical 5000 yearly.

In definite quarters, Ford in Australia has turn out to be identified as the ‘Ranger and Everest’ firm,’ and it’s no longer great to argue when sales figures are digested.

Most fresh 2023 figures reward almost 38,000 Rangers had been delivered, alongside 8400 Everests. Next handiest is the Transit a long capacity within the inspire of at 2250 devices, then the soon-to-be discontinued Procure away midsize SUV with 1800.

With the introduction of F-150, and the capacity for spherical 5000 devices transferring each year, it’d be a mighty sales boon for the Blue Oval.

For the yr to this point, RAM has sold a ambitious 5075 devices of its 1500, 2500 and 3500 paunchy-measurement automobiles – hanging it now not off beam for spherical 8000 entire sales for 2023.

To the end of August 2023, appropriate over 2000 Chevrolet Silverados chanced on contemporary Australian homes for the yr.

With the Ford F-150’s arrival, plus these solid figures from RAM and Chevrolet, over 10,000 sales for the paunchy-measurement truck section will happen long earlier than the yr’s out. Implausible for a sector that barely existed a pair of years ago.

“It’s going to be spellbinding as soon as we birth hitting the dealerships (with F-150),” said Birkic with a assured smile. “Let’s dash, let’s stare what occurs.”

Will the paunchy-measurement pickup truck search information from proceed?

Ford playing in this ever-expanding section can’t advance mercurial ample for the logo, nonetheless is there a possibility of market saturation?

“What everyone is aware of is that RAM and Walkinshaw contain done a terribly merely job,” said Birkic. “They’ve unfolded the section. We think we’ve bought a splendid-looking out merely truck, so it’s about to acquire spellbinding, the market, isn’t it?”

No query. However when pressed on what number of pre-orders Ford Australia had for the contemporary RHD F-150 before begin, Birkic refused to give numbers. “We’re in a splendid-looking out stable web page,” he said referring to the uncover monetary institution.

There’s obvious interest within the put RHD F-150s would maybe well perhaps within the ruin dash in Australia – hybrid, Raptor and entire-electrical Lightning are all in sale within the US and would be of extensive interest right here – nonetheless for now focus is on the two grades about to begin.

Equipped are a $106,950 F-150 XLT and $139,950 F-150 Lariat – each the exercise of Ford’s 298kW/678Nm 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 petrol engine.

Each variant would maybe well perhaps also be sold as a short wheelbase (SWB) with a 3683mm wheelbase, or for an further $995 over the above costs, as a long wheelbase (LWB) with 3987mm wheelbase.

The latter will enhance the styleside box by 300mm (there’s no trade to cabin dimensions), allowing loading of motorbikes with the tailgate closed. All F-150s contain a tow ranking of 4500kg.

“We know what now we contain is a splendid-looking out stable formula,” said Birkic. “We think we’ve bought the merely product and the merely spec with XLT and Lariat; the shorter mattress and the longer mattress. It’s about working out the customer and what they desire.”

The F-150’s non-hybrid 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 used to be also singled out for reward by Birkic, asserting “it affords you the sweet blueprint between performance and efficiency.”

The RAM 1500 (291kW/556Nm) and Chevy Silverado (313kW/624Nm) opponents make exercise of petrol V8 engines, nonetheless the F-150’s V6 678Nm torque resolve eclipses each.

Toyota’s Tundra will exercise a 3.5-litre hybrid V6 twin-turbo petrol when it hits the market, its blended petrol and electrical outputs merely for a section-bashing 325kW and 790Nm.

Remanufactured exact-hand-power Ford F-150 vehicles will be handiest weeks some distance off from customer shipping, nonetheless in exact Aussie trend, we’re already asking for more.

Can we’ve a paunchy electrical RHD F-150 Lightning? How a couple of hybrid model? And the place apart the hell’s the Raptor for us? Why does The usa receive the total frosty stuff?

The message from Ford Australia’s president and CEO Andrew Birkic is: “Enable us to land the plane on this predominant,” referencing the big quantity of labor and investment already required to receive the first tranche of remanufactured RHD F-150 into Australian showrooms.

First customer deliveries of those $106,950 F-150 XLTs and $139,950 F-150 Lariats – every the utilization of Ford’s 298kW/678Nm 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 petrol engine – are due in early November.

But with seek data from and sales soaring in North The usa for the paunchy-electrical F-150 Lightning, and Australian hobby bubbling away, when can also honest we search for this electrified brute on our shores?

“With Lightning, they’re focusing on that in the US,” Birkic instructed Australian media. “Are we looking out at it? Yes. Is there a confirmed product programme the place apart I’ve rung up Trevor (Negus, of RMA Car, which does the RHD remanufacturing) to notify I need one other (production) line? No.”

Whereas it could probably also honest now not be forthcoming, Birkic mentioned: “That will reach in the fullness of time. We favor to support out extra prognosis, and we exact favor to keep we are able to carry out the remanufacturing.”

Making clear the petrol F-150s about to be presented keep profitable and quality meets expectations is the important thing focal level. “Let’s carry out that, then we’ll cling a memoir about Lightning,” mentioned Birkic.

Why can’t the F-150 RHD conversion be reduce and paste?

Chasing Vehicles had the different to detect the big workshop the place apart Ford F-150s are being remanufactured at RMA Car north of Melbourne, end to Ford’s feeble assembly line at Broadmeadows.

RMA is a Thailand-primarily primarily based mostly company, already accountable for making improvements to over 100,000 vehicles globally.

And asserting ‘remanufacturing’ is now not hyperbole. The procedure is laborious, costly and, from what we seen, deeply spectacular in relation to innovation and quality regulate.

For the F-150’s conversion, there are roughly 500 new or modified aspects required.

That entails the likes of a new forged magnesium RHD inferior bar beam, new race, new electrical harnesses, a modified RHD steering rack (from the Ranger Raptor), new shifter assembly, new brake pedal assembly, new heating and ventilation machine, new towbar assembly, modified headlamps and modified seats and door trims.

Taking on a bunch of models would carry extra ranges of complexity. There’d be more remanufacturing and testing – all takes time and cash.

In North The usa the F-150 can even be had as a 320kW/773Nm Plump Hybrid V6. You’d suspect this would possibly maybe occasionally maybe maybe presumably be next top to rework to RHD, with the hard work already accomplished on the F-150 with 3.5-litre V6 petrol.

Its attraction is a gasoline economy pick of roughly 9.8L/100km mixed, next to the non-hybrid we’re going in Australia, which returns 12.5L/100km.

The Raptor with its specialist bespoke aspects would possibly maybe maybe presumably be more challenging all all over again to remanufacture for RHD Australia, and clearly the all-electrical Lightning would possibly maybe maybe presumably be an fully a bunch of animal.

Model year changes keep extra challenges

One more self-discipline comes with Ford North The usa updating its F-150 yearly, generally with important changes.

It’s been The usa’s most inviting-promoting automobile for decades, with some 640,000 F-Series vehicles discovering new homes there in 2022.

Model year changes from the Dearborn, Michigan factory (the place apart our F-150s are at the initiating constructed) will necessitate changes for Australian variations remanufactured domestically. Once more, more complexity added.

Then there’s testing. The F-150s dwelling for our market persisted around 130,000km of local review. Introducing a bunch of models would suggest extra rounds of the the same.

“It’s bought to be commercially viable, and also you’ve bought to scale it so it makes it vital,” mentioned Birkic. “Engineering handy resource is precious, and funds are precious.”

Whereas we’re baying for an elevated fluctuate of F-150s, Ford Australia’s message is it’s centered on keeping it straightforward for now. But it’s keeping a extraordinarily start thoughts about the long flee.

“We’ll cling conversations with our seniors in the US and in Bangkok (RMA Car) about what’s imaginable,” mentioned Birkic. “Very clearly we favor to receive this exact. That’s our total focal level.”

But it’s not probably to push apart dash for food for, in specific, the F-150 Lightning. There’s in the suggest time no electrical paunchy-dimension pickup on the Australian market.

A exact-hand-power transformed example was as soon as seen in Brisbane earlier this month, this 337kW/1050Nm XLT 4×4 grade with 515km electrical fluctuate it seems a non-public import and now not linked to Ford Australia.

Is this the following Nissan Micra?

Nissan has pulled the covers off its Thought 20-23, a diminutive electrical vehicle that continuously is the following iteration of the celebrated Micra diminutive vehicle.

With fearless racecar-worship styling and a extremely racing-inspired interior, the Thought 20-23 continuously is the most efficiency-ready Micra ever made.

With a 100kW electrical motor and sharing its recent CMF-BEV platform with the upcoming Renault 5 and Alpine mannequin, the Thought 20-23 is determined to respect an estimated 400 kilometres of electrical vary.

Being a diminutive EV, the theorem could be a severe rival for the likes of the Fiat 500e and the Mini Cooper Electrical hatch.

Pictures of the theorem exclaim masses of aerodynamic beneficial properties such as a rear soar and aggressive front splitters, while interior there are racing buckets and staunch harnesses to assist you in tight. Gullwing doors feature, staunch worship a Lamborghini Aventador.

Will the manufacturing vehicle look anything else worship the theorem? It’s unlikely to be as wild, however here’s a gigantic trace of what’s to come for the Nissan set within the following couple of years.

A manufacturing model is anticipated within the future in 2024.

Is the Micra serene offered in Australia and out of the country?

The third-skills K13 Nissan Micra performed up in Australia in 2016 and modified into once no longer replaced by the most most recent fourth-skills K14 mannequin as quiz for diminutive autos diminished.

The K14 modified into once powered by a combine of engines, in conjunction with a extremely diminutive 898cc turbocharged three-cylinder unit and modified into once constructed on the identical platform because the Renault Clio and Captur gadgets. It modified into once on hand in many European markets.

Essentially the latest K14 Micra, constructed in France, performed its manufacturing bustle in 2022, with the mannequin’s future uncertain.

On the opposite hand, this recent Thought 20-23 theory continuously is the revival that folk respect been looking at for.