Car news today: Toyota electric car blitz, new ‘manual’ transmission Lexus RZ, Geely hints at Mitsubishi Outlander rival and more – 12 March 2025 Car news today: Toyota electric car blitz, new ‘manual’ transmission Lexus RZ, Geely hints at Mitsubishi Outlander rival and more – 12 March 2025

Thanks for becoming a member of us this Wednesday March 12th 2025. Toyota flips the EV tale in Europe, Geely confirms fresh fashions and after-gross sales toughen plans, Nissan marches out CEO, fresh entry grade to smartly-liked Mercedes-Benz model priced, and more.

Browse this ache:

• Toyota’s fresh 600km driving differ electric car and bZ4X update
• Unique ‘e-book’ transmission for Lexus RZ electric car
• Geely all-however confirms BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander rival
• Nissan marches out Boss after merger stalls
• Current Mercedes-Benz model differ expands with fresh entry grade
• 2025 Jaecoo J7 Song assessment

Toyota’s fresh 600km driving differ electric car bZ4x update

• The fresh C-HR+ is Toyota’s most modern electric car with an take into tale on European growth. Despite the truth that it borrows a familiar title in preference to ‘bZ4X’ variation, the C-HR+ has nothing to enact with the hybrid C-HR, working on assorted underpinnings and a longer 2750mm wheelbase.

• Toyota guarantees up to 600km of driving differ with the bigger 77kWh battery pack and 165kW motor optioned. Smaller than the bZ4X, the C-HR+ is a rival for the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona electric, Renault Megane E-tech and fresh Kia EV3. An Australian arrival is probably going, however no longer confirmed — neither is pricing.

• Starting up with fresh styling and fender designs, the Toyota bZ4X will get the overhaul it wished. Unsuitable battery size swells to 74.7kWh while energy jumps from 150kW to 165kW in the front-drive model, yet the fresh motors also type the bZ4X more efficient.

• Toyota Australia hasn’t confirmed differ enhancements for our market however in the UK the front-drive model can plod 572km on the WLTP cycle — an mountainous enchancment from the present 411km. AWD variations also fetch a further 92kW, boosting outputs to 252kW and cutting the 0-100km/h dawdle to 5.1 seconds. It’ll advance right here in Q4.

Unique ‘e-book’ transmission for Lexus RZ electric car

• Lexus has borrowed about a strategies and systems from Hyundai’s N division, enforcing eight simulated tools ratios managed by paddles on the relieve of the steering wheel on its fresh 300kW RZ 550e flagship ravishing. A steer-by-wire system with a ‘yoke’-fashion steering wheel shall be on hand.

• RZ’s transmission works in conjunction with newly developed simulated engine noises and guarantees “a deeper interplay with the automobile”. It works brilliantly in the 5 N, so we can’t wait to sample Toyota’s efforts.
• Apart from, the RZ will get a brand fresh, bigger battery for up to 500km driving differ in comparatively decrease powered 500e (280kW). The fresh Lexus RZ will land in Australia later this year.

Geely all-however confirms BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander rival

• At a media and dealer event remaining evening, Geely announced it’s bringing six fresh fashions to Australia over the next three years following its first, the EX5.

• Geely stopped fast of naming fashions however did repeat a sizzle reel of what perceived to be the Starship 7, a lunge-in hybrid mid-size SUV that might strike the Australian fresh-car market’s most smartly-liked phase — teach family names such because the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander.

• Portion of a brand fresh skills of Chinese language lunge-in hybrids love BYD Sealion 6, the Starship 7’s particulars are spectacular: PHEV ‘EM-i’ powertrain with 1.5-litre petrol engine, 19kWh battery pack and 1400km combined driving differ; AI-assisted driving skills; and veritable luxury aspects. Demand Starship 7 pricing to be under $50K, if the $40,990 EX5 is any indication.

• Geely is talking a substantial game in Australia, promising over 100 bricks and mortar dealerships in the country and backing its first car with a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. The Geely neighborhood also fully or partially owns Volvo, Lotus, Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co.

Nissan marches out CEO after merger stalls

• Following a failed merger with Honda, embattled Nissan has marched global CEO Makoto Uchida out of the doorways to fetch changed with the charismatic Ivan Espinosa from 1 April. Espinosa used to be beforehand Nissan’s Vp, Product Method & Planning.

• Talks between Nissan and Honda resulted in January 2025 after Nissan used to be unhappy with the deal, with Honda taking the lead because the more profitable of the two. It’s understood Honda might additionally rethink the tie-up with a brand fresh CEO at Nissan.

• Ivan Espinosa will grow to be the fourth assorted Nissan since Carlos Ghosn — Le Cost Killer — used to be arrested in 2018 and later escaped to Lebanon. Ghosn has persevered to protest on Nissan’s space.

Current Mercedes-Benz model differ expands with fresh entry grade

• Mercedes-Benz has added a brand fresh entry grade to its smartly-liked GLC differ.

• The EQC 200 is powered by a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder accumulated-hybrid and affords a brand fresh $95,500 drive-away entry present the 5-seat family SUV differ to war the BMW X3 20 ($86,100, earlier than on-road prices).

• The GLC 200 is provided with adaptive LED headlights, 19-walk alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, 360-level camera, consolation seats with four-intention lumbar toughen and Artico artificial leather upholstery. A stout suite of safety tools is same outdated.

• A range of packs and suggestions are on hand including the Plus Equipment ($7600) with Burmester Sound, upgraded Riding Assistance, and augmented reality head-up present; the Sport Equipment ($6000) with 20-walk alloy wheels, colour-coded wheelarches, and AMG Line exterior accomplish; and the $1300 Evening Equipment that blacks out the skin trims and wheels.

2025 Jaecoo J7 Song assessment

• No, Chasing Autos contributor Nathan Ponchard didn’t take a look at a family SUV on a racetrack, that’s the ravishing title of the mid-spec Jaecoo J7 lunge-in hybrid SUV, a rival for the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

• Impressed by the real exterior styling, cushy seats, create quality, fee for money and decent performance, Ponchard wasn’t ready at hand out a closing verdict after the fast preview drive.

• Questions live about the inconsistent steering feel, intrusive safety aids, suspension tuning, and why Jaecoo — Chery’s luxury impress — skipped a peak-adjustable passenger seat.

• Be taught the stout assessment here

The following ache of Automobile Recordsdata Recently will likely be printed on Thursday 13 March at 4.30pm Sydney time.