Car industry

Thanks for becoming a member of us on February Twenty seventh. Chinese language imprint BYD has outlined why its creep-in hybrid ute shall be a success, Australia has a novel cheapest EV (for now…), novel Golf pricing and BYD mulls Kluger killer.

Browse this issue:

• Why GWM’s creep-in ute will beat the BYD Shark 6
• Volkswagen’s updated little car icon priced for Australia
• Hyundai Santa Fe rival on BYD’s radar because it plans to double gross sales
• Australia’s novel cheapest electric SUV… for now
• GWM Cannon 2025 reviewed

Why GWM’s creep-in ute will beat the BYD Shark 6

• Top brass at BYD claims its Hi4T all-wheel-pressure system fitted to the Cannon Alpha creep-in hybrid is superior to the BYD Shark for off-avenue functionality and towing, thanks to physically locking differentials.

• With impressive outputs of 300kW and 750Nm alongside with 110km EV-totally using vary, the Cannon Alpha creep-in hybrid will lunge on sale in Australia in April from $63,990 pressure-away. Comparison coming? You bet.

Volkswagen’s updated little car icon priced for Australia

• The Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf vary has been priced for Australia with a three-solid core vary from $38,690 for the novel entry-degree Lifestyles. The subsequent neat up is the Vogue at $43,690 and the R-Line stays the non-efficiency flagship for $47,990, all earlier than on-avenue costs.

• Next up its the like a flash ones, with the revised and punchier 195kW GTI hot hatch priced from $58,990, whereas the flagship AWD R moreover gets a vitality enhance to 245kW for $70,990.

• All Golfs secure pleasure from revised suspension tuning, extra energizing skills internal and a streamlined set up of alternatives packs.

Hyundai Santa Fe rival on BYD’s radar because it plans to double gross sales

• BYD is pondering like a flash growth, with plans to souble gross sales again in 2025. How will it pause this? Extra and additional relevant product.

• “No topic is straight available in China now we personal to carry to Australia – now we personal to bear out [BYD’s] product portfolio because we don’t personal ample product… Now we personal to be sure now we personal a paunchy product portfolio,” talked about EVDirect CEO David Smitherman.

• Following the lower-value Atto 2 and sumptuous growth with novel Denza imprint, a three-row family SUV is next on Smitherman’s radar as a rival to the Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Australia’s novel cheapest electric SUV… for now

• For cheeky bragging rights, MG has slashed $14,000 from the associated fee of the latest ZS EV, making it $36,888 pressure-away — a mere $102 of bucks below the Chery Omoda E5.

• MG has lower the retail value to particular original stock of the ZS EV sooner than its S5 substitute that’s related to the MG4 hatchback.

GWM Cannon 2025 reviewed

• Production specialist Tom Space published his overview of the facelifted GWM Cannon, reflecting on currently updates that has sought to make stronger the total enchantment of this funds ute.

• Tom praised the Cannon’s solid fee proposition, shift to a gruntier 2.4L turbo-diesel engine and the bolstered towing skill that now caps the restrict at 3.5-tonnes

• On the opposite hand he raised considerations with the final dash and refinement and some maintain quality considerations with the ute.

• Ultimatley Tom chanced on that the Cannon used to be quiet real fee for the fee and ute owners would pause well to check pressure the Chinese language ute earlier than taking a explore at extra costly alternatives.

Thanks for becoming a member of us on Monday, February 24th 2025. Mercedes-Benz presentations off a battery-tech leap forward, we’ve imagined the recent 2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Kia’s EV masterplan nears completion and Geely’s merely-launched EX5 becomes note-leader in its segment.

Browse this order:

• The 1000km battery leap forward
• Australia’s recent most attention-grabbing-promoting car previewed: 2026 Toyota RAV4 render
• Kia’s EV masterplan is nearly full with recent electric van
• Tesla Mannequin Y’s latest nightmare: Geely confirms severely low-note EX5 pricing
• 2025 Geely EX5 reviewed

The 1000km battery leap forward

• Mercedes-Benz and battery associate Factorial birth proper-world tests of solid-voice batteries in an EQS mule. Search info from an EQXX notion-inspired fashion car next to push skills extra.

• Lengthy thought to be as the silver bullet to electric car possession, the present prototype guarantees 25 per cent more fluctuate in the identical size and weight battery, which device 1000km of riding range will soon turn into reality.

• Big hasty charging and minimal fire possibility are various advantages. Search info from to leer the tech at last in  Benz’s upcoming passenger vehicles earlier than 2030.

Australia’s recent most attention-grabbing-promoting car previewed: 2026 Toyota RAV4 render

• Odd Chasing Vehicles renders explore the following-gen 2026 Toyota RAV4 rob form with Toyota’s latest ‘Hammerhead’ maintain language and blockier body.

• Deliveries expected to originate in 2026 on a modified version of present RAV4’s ‘GA-Okay’ platform with either improved 2.5-litre petrol-electric or most likely all-recent down-sized turbo-petrol hybrid.

• Other upgrades must composed encompass revamped cabin skills, enhanced security, refined creep and coping with. With ute competition handiest rising, that is RAV4’s runway to rob Australia’s most attention-grabbing-promoting recent-car honours.

Kia’s EV masterplan is nearly full with recent electric van

• With all the pieces from decrease-note itsy-bitsy EVs to seven-seat household trucksters and an electrical ute either in the pipeline or on sale, Kia has now added the PV5, a battery-powered van and folk mover to clip the VW ID.Buzz’s wings.

• The PV5 will commence this year with AI-controlled dispatch diagram, 400-volt EV architecture, and hundreds body configurations. Futuristic looks are guaranteed with more critical points due on the Twenty seventh.

Tesla Mannequin Y’s latest nightmare: Geely confirms severely low-note EX5 pricing

• Australia’s latest Tesla Mannequin Y rival had its loyal pricing leaked on industry voice Redbook, with the build confirming the interesting starting note for the 430km riding fluctuate electric mid-size SUV.

• At $43,490 for entry-stage Entire and $47,490 for prime-spec EX5 Inspire (each and every earlier than on-boulevard costs), Geely’s pricing no longer handiest undercuts the Leapmotor C10, Deepal S07 and Tesla Mannequin Y, but the recent Chinese build’s outdated $49-55K info.

2025 Geely EX5 reviewed

• Deputy editor Curt Dupriez attended the commence of the Geely EX5, but every other recent electric mid-size SUV from China with its search on the Tesla Mannequin Y.

• Curt renowned how many aspects are packed into the up-spec EX5 Inspire, along with a broad second row, soft creep and interior presentation.

• Much less beautiful had been the EX5’s many sub-menus, slack charging, outdated boulevard-holding and a careless person interface.

• Now all of us know the worth, it’s that you just’d also agree with the niggles will even be forgiven for the sheer amount of steel on offer. A protracted drive in future will confirm issues.

Review: Read Here

The next order of Automobile News Nowadays shall be printed on Tuesday 25 February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for joining us this Friday February 21st 2025. Škoda teases unique-generation Kodiaq Decide and Sportsline variants, Isuzu expands MU-X line-up with introduction of facelifted 2025 gadgets.

Browse this scheme back:

• Škoda teases unique-generation Kodiaq Decide and Sportsline SUV
• Isuzu expands MU-X line-up with introduction of facelifted 2025 gadgets
• Subaru Australia debuts the handbook WRX AWD tS Spec B
• Polestar adds keys to Apple Pockets following tool replace
• 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron reviewed

Škoda teases unique-generation Kodiaq Decide and Sportline SUV

• Decide and Sportline versions of the 2025 2d-generation Škoda Kodiaq SUV would perchance be entering showrooms unhurried subsequent month, consistent with an knowledgeable press birth.

• The Decide replaces the outgoing Vogue because the entry grade, fitting 19-race wheels and a brand unique-gen 13-race media system.

• The mid-fluctuate Sportline u.s.wheel dimension to 20 inches and adds dynamic rear indicators, sport seats, driving profile resolution, top price sound.

• Powered by a 140kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four, the Kodiaq fits a seven-tempo dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel pressure. Additional particulars would perchance be launched closer to birth.

Isuzu expands MU-X line-up with introduction of facelifted 2025 gadgets

• Isuzu has correct revealed the up as a lot as now 2025 MU-X, at a up-to-the-minute birth event (fat protection on the vogue). While we obtained’t leer extra great engines, or enormous mechanical changes, interior and exterior revisions scheme up the huge majority of most up-to-date recordsdata.

• Pricing for the 2025 MU-X starts from $56,990 for the rear-wheel pressure 1.9L LS-M, and tops out at $73,990 pressure-away for the 4×4 3.0L powered X-Terrain.

• The addition of the X-Terrain variant is a astronomical replace for the 2025 MU-X wagon fluctuate, a first for the MU-X nameplate after the recipe become as soon as ported over from the D-Max ute fluctuate.

• The X-Terrain version is consistent with the LS-T MU-X, and receives bespoke exterior and interior updates, along side leather-accented upholstery and a extra aggressive grille make. This automobile is geared toward prospects looking a succesful off-roader that might perchance well also be effectively-appointed functions luminous.

Subaru Australia debuts the handbook WRX AWD tS Spec B

• Subaru Australia has bolstered its turbo all-paw WRX mannequin with a brand unique AWD tS Spec B variant added for 2025.

• Teach to the unique variant are matte grey 19-race wheels, Brembo brakes with ventilated discs, Recaro entrance seats and a large, used-college vogue boot spoiler.

• The AWD tS Spec B is powered by the acquainted 2.4-litre turbo boxer engine backed by a six-tempo handbook gearbox. While Subaru hasn’t highlighted any powertrain upgrades to the variant, the importer has revealed that an STI Performance muffler system would perchance be supplied optionally.

• Pricing and closing specs are yet to be confirmed, nevertheless outlay is expected to roam north of $60K given the 2024 tS automatic listed for $57,990.

Polestar adds keys to Apple Pockets following tool replace

• Following an over-the-air (OTA) tool replace, Polestar 3 owners are in actual fact in a position to order their Apple Pockets for the automobile’s key.

• This means the motive force will now have the option to robotically lock or release, apart from birth the automobile, with their iPhone or Apple Put a question to.

• You’ll even have the option to portion keys in Apple Pockets with as a lot as five completely different customers, making this a handy characteristic for households.

• This same feature is expected to roll out all the scheme in which thru completely different Polestar gadgets, initiating with the Polestar 4.

2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron reviewed

• Chasing Vehicles Deputy Editor, Curt Dupriez, had his 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron review printed after attending the birth pressure event.

• Curt praised the quietness, refinement ranges and consolation supplied. He also took a shine to the bottle holders, while favouring the low-grade forty five in Sportback body form of the four on hand variants.

• He wasn’t so impressed with the soggy brake in actual fact feel, haptic contact controls and hefty curb weight on the opposite hand. Pricing for the 55 also appears overpriced.

• In announcing that, Curt’s conclusion become as soon as that out of every EV sitting under the Luxury Automotive Tax threshold, the Q4 E-Tron, in forty five guise, is likely the most finest if no longer the finest resolution obtainable as we yell.

The next scheme back of Automotive News At the current time would perchance be printed on Monday twenty fourth February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for becoming a member of us this Tuesday, February 18th 2025. Critically in automobile news nowadays: Nissan’s novel EV Micra confirmed for a 2025 global liberate, most modern Jaguar Form 00 render in response to opinion images.

Browse this dispute:

• Nissan’s novel EV Micra confirmed for a 2025 global liberate
• Volkswagen ID.2 X confirmed as EV different to T-Shocking little SUV
• Jaguar Form 00 sedan rendered in response to opinion images
• Peugeot may maybe well merely re-introduce the 208 GTi as an EV

Nissan’s novel EV Micra confirmed for a 2025 global liberate

• Nissan has confirmed that its novel Micra will doubtless be ready for global liberate this year. Offering a doubtless low-fee entry level for the tag’s rising EV lineup right here in Australia.

• Constructed on the novel Renault 5’s CMF-BEV EV platform, the Micra will doubtless portion the same 52kWh and 40kWh powerplant choices, with a most estimated vary of 305 and 399 kilometres respectively, in response to the WLTP same old.

• The Micra is anticipated to fee between $30,000 and 40,000AUD, with a Eastern market tag vary of 2.8 million to 3.5 million Yen launched by BestCar. The Micra’s fundamental opponents in Australia may maybe be the GWM Aura, Volkswagen ID1, and BYD Dolphin.

• The Micra will doubtless be sold alongside the Nissan Leaf and may maybe well merely agree with the void as an cheap, compact electrical automobile for Nissan. The 2025/26 Leaf is anticipated to come abet to the global market as a compact SUV.

Volkswagen ID.2 X confirmed as EV different to T-Shocking little SUV

• The Volkswagen ID.2 X has been launched nowadays alongside a teaser portray. The ID.2 X is a raised, relaxed-roader model of the ID.2 and may maybe well merely be a fully electrical different to the Volkswagen T-Shocking.
• Constructed on the same MEB Entry platform as the Volkswagen ID.2, ID.1 and heaps extra, the ID.2 X is doubtless to love a 38kWh and 56kWh battery on hand, with a 320 and 450 kilometer most vary respectively.

• The ID.2 X will essentially rival the Toyota bZ4X and Hyundai Kona in Australia. No longer a lot may maybe well very nicely be confirmed referring to pricing, however it definitely is identified that the sister ID.2 will fee roughly $39,000 AUD, and the ID.2 X will doubtless fee extra.
• The Volkswagen ID naming convention follows a shift from the tag to designate fully electrical autos with extra extinct, pedestrian names.

Jaguar Form 00 sedan rendered in response to opinion images

• Following detailed opinion images of a Jaguar Form 00 efficiency checking out in Sweden, Nikita Chuiko of kolesa.ru has created a render of what the manufacturing Form 00 may maybe well merely glance love.

• At the origin unveiled to the public by Jaguar as a coupé, it may maybe maybe maybe perhaps seem that a extra extinct 4 door sedan variant of the Form 00 may maybe be the fundamental rendition on hand in global markets.

• As an upmarket, fully electrical luxury sedan, the Form 00 will doubtless be competing with the Porsche Taycan, BMW i7, and extra.
• The Form 00 is the fundamental automobile unveiled as piece of Jaguar’s Contemporary Technology, below the make philosophy of ‘reproduction nothing’. No longer a lot knowledge has been revealed surrounding the Form 00, except for 2 coloration variants and a fully electrical powertrain.

Peugeot may maybe well merely re-introduce the 208 GTi as an EV

• Peugeot’s 2025 E-Lion day supplied a probability for tag novel CEO Alain Favey to account for his eagerness to connect Peugeot to its heritage, and embraced hypothesis surrounding a doubtless 208 GTi revival.
• If a brand novel generation of 208 GTi had been to be confirmed for the global market, it may maybe maybe maybe perhaps nearly definitely be a tubby electrical EV built on the same platform as the e-208.

• Peugeot has no longer sported a GTi badge on any of its novel autos since the final sales of the 308 GTi in 2021.

• There may maybe well very nicely be extra to the 208 GTi than hopeful hypothesis; dad or mum firm Stellantis already produces same hot EV’s alongside with the Lancia Ypsilon HF, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and  Abarth 500e.
• If the 208 GTi uses the same powerplant as the Lancia Ypsilon HF, it may maybe maybe maybe perhaps contain a single 177kW motor mated to a 51kWh battery. This implies a most vary of approximately 400 Kilometers.

The next dispute of Automobile Data This day will doubtless be printed on Wednesday nineteenth February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for joining us this Monday, February 17th 2025. Significantly in automobile news these days: Renault bringing Dacia-branded Duster SUV Down Beneath, Nissan reveals a brand unusual dapper stage of Qashqai, and extra.

Browse this peril:

• Renault verify Duster for the Australian market
• Nissan Qashqai facelift arrives with N-Keep flagship
• Kia’s unusual EV4 electrical sedan and hatchback printed
• Reviewed: 2025 BYD Sealion 7

Renault Duster confirmed for Australia

• Renault Australia has announced its thought to raise the prolonged-awaited compact budget SUV, the Duster, to the Australian market in the 2nd half of 2025.

• The Duster will present Australian patrons a unusual preference in the aggressive little SUV market, an option claimed to produce solid off-aspect road capability for a tender roader.

• The Duster will rival same autos alongside with the Subaru Crosstrek, MG ZS, and Toyota Corolla Unfavorable.

• The Duster would possibly be offered in both 4×2 and 4×4 variants, with a 1.3-litre petrol powerplant or 1.2-litre/48-volt tender-hybrid powerplant respectively.

READ: Link to extended coverage

Nissan Qashqai facelift arrives with N-Keep flagship

• The facelifted Nissan Qashqai has at final arrived in Australia, wearing a unusual do across the differ and with the unusual N-Keep flagship on the head of the differ.
• Nissan has centered on rising the use of top charge materials within the cabin, alongside with on the entry-stage ST grade.

• Pricing begins at $34,665 ahead of on-aspect road costs, despite the undeniable truth that there’s an introductory brand of $32,665 that can observe unless April thirtieth.
• The differ topping N-Keep grade is in the market handiest with the emblem’s E-Energy diagram and functions upgrades love rear LED lights, 20-scoot wheels and other ordinary exterior touches.

Kia’s unusual EV4 sedan and hatchback printed

• Kia has unveiled the electrical EV4 in both hatchback and sedan kinds, showcasing what’s going to change into the emblem’s Tesla Model 3 rival when it goes on sale.
• The emblem is spirited to stress the model’s do with the inserting exterior shared with the likes of the EV9 colossal SUV, while the GT-Line functions ordinary 19-scoot wheels.

• The EV4 is anticipated to construct its world premiere later this month and will likely drag on sale in Australia next 365 days.
• Kia will likely hope to produce the EV4 as a completely electrical replacement to the K4, which itself these days replaced the Cerato that offered in solid numbers right here in Australia.

BYD Sealion 7 Performance reviewed

• Chasing Vehicles contributor Nathan Ponchard printed our first Australian drive of the BYD Sealion 7, the emblem’s first completely electrical midsize SUV.
• Ponch came away impressed with the raw driving performance of the Sealion 7 which matched smartly its spacious rear legroom for family duties.

• Nonetheless, the hotfoot quality left grand to be desired and clumsy security assistance tuning wasn’t acceptable for Australian patrons.

• Whereas our first test used to be minute, Ponch used to be impressed with the Sealion 7, which is able to likely be a solid vendor for BYD in Australia.

READ: Link to written overview

The subsequent peril of Vehicle News This present day would possibly be printed on Tuesday 18th February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for becoming a member of us this Friday, February 14th 2025. Significantly in automobile news at the novel time: Honda and Nissan discontinue merger discussions, Ford commits to building vary-extender EVs and more.

Browse this convey:

• Honda and Nissan discontinue merger discussions
• Ford says they are dedicated to building more vary-extender EVs
• Elon Musk denies $400 million armoured Tesla deal
• Nissan takes rapid bound to voice spherical performance woes
• Reviewed: 2025 Audi Q7 and Q8

Honda and Nissan discontinue merger discussions

• Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co hold made up our minds to terminate the MOU (Memorandum of Thought) signed by both events remaining yr in an strive and intertwine their firms.

• Sooner than the cancellation, many alternate choices were brought to the desk between the 2 firms to resolve how this kind of commercial integration would work, and what the long bustle would possibly per chance witness treasure below a merger.

• Resolution sparkling, in preference to a contract surrounding the forming of a construction the assign Honda will seemingly be the parent company to Nissan, the producers will instead collaborate on key projects the assign appropriate as independents.

• After robust conversations occurring since December remaining yr, official press statements from both firms were launched at the novel time confirming that negotiations had ceased and the MOU will seemingly be terminated.

Ford growing fresh vary-extender platforms to counter EV downturn

• Ford CEO, Jim Farley, said that Ford has begun growing prolonged-vary electric autos (EREV), in an strive and counter slowing sales of long-established BEV fashions.

• Sales of Ford EVs fell globally in 2024, down 9 percent in total when when compared with the earlier monetary yr.

• Differ extenders in actuality exercise a petrol engine as a generator to recharge batteries that energy electric motors, on the opposite hand petrol energy isn’t be required to ship drive to wheels. Whereas repeatedly (incorrectly) referred to as a ‘hybrid’, right here is technically an EV format.

• “Ford will seemingly be growing versatile body-on-body and unibody platforms that will seemingly be designed for those multi-vitality powertrains. The pleasure is even elevated because they are more practical for folk” said Farley.

Elon Musk denies $400 million armoured Tesla deal

• Controversy surrounding a doable $US400 million buck deal for the US authorities to obtain armoured Tesla Cybertrucks has been squashed after Tesla boss and (US) Head of Govt Effectivity, Elon Musk, publicly said that he had no belief about said deal.

• The US Division of Deliver has now eliminated any point out of Tesla from the listing of planned purchases that mentioned a proposed spending of $US400 million dollars on armoured autos.

• Musk did form a remark on the matter, with a put up on social media platform X (which he moreover owns), pointing out: “I’m quite particular Tesla isn’t getting $400m. Nobody mentioned it to me, as a minimum.”

• Two versions of this yarn were published on the division’s web role, with one model modified the day prior to this to eradicate the observe Tesla, changing it with “armoured electric autos” instead, and not utilizing a reference to a impress name or manufacturer.

Nissan takes rapid bound to voice spherical performance woes

• Following at the novel time’s announcement the merger between Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi has been terminated, Nissan launched its conception for 2026 in an strive and present spherical its fresh sales performance breeze.

• The major conception is to entire a fee savings of roughly 400 billion yen through a vary of fee-lowering measures.

• A restructure is in play, which is intriguing to head looking out global manufacturing reduced by 20 percent in an strive and optimise the personnel. This would perchance look a discount in autos made from 3.5 million units to a number of-million units.

• A refreshed automobile line-up is moreover expected to improve sales, with many fashions within the worldwide portfolio to ranking a facelift.

Reviewed: 2025 Audi Q7 and Q8

• Chasing Vehicles contributor Nathan Ponchard has fair returned from an Audi starting up tournament, with his article on the Q7 and Q8 going are residing.

• Nathan slash up his time between the 2 fashions, and came some distance flung from the tournament describing the Q7 and Q8 pair as a “Silver Fox luxury SUVs”.

• He praised the home and seat comfort, quality of the air suspension, interior fit and performance along with the typical styling.

• Nonetheless, with each and each automobile, there are negatives, the designate being the principle gripe, starting from $110,000 sooner than on-road prices.

READ: Link to written article

The subsequent convey of Car News On the novel time will seemingly be published on Monday 17th of February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for joining us this Monday, February 10th 2025. Particularly in automobile files this day: Volkswagen’s slit-priced ID.1 is made up our minds for world birth in 2027 and the Australian authorities is made up our minds to impose a national tax on electrical vehicles.

Browse this topic:

• Volkswagen to birth ID.1 in 2027
• Australian authorities location to impose national EV tax
• BYD Atto 2 minute SUV probably coming to Australia
• Ford CEO targets extra vary-extender EVs
• …
• Reviewed: 2025 Jeep Wrangler Overland

Volkswagen to birth ID.1 in 2027

• Volkswagen is poised to birth its ID.1 entry-stage electrical automobile globally in 2027, with pricing kicking off at spherical 20,000 euros, translating to spherical $33,000 AUD.
• The ID.1 will apply the Polo-sized ID.2 which is attributable to be unveiled later this 300 and sixty five days, which is ready to feature a stamp starting spherical €25,000 (AUD $41,000).

• If Volkswagen can pull it off, the 2 hatchbacks will relate to be wanted to fight relief against life like Chinese language EVs that procure taken Europe and Australia by storm.
• The ID.1 is anticipated to be built on the same MEB Entry structure because the ID.2, a platform basically basically based totally on the same MEB platform underpinning the ID.Buzz but designed to be extra life like.

Australian authorities location to impose national EV tax

• The Australian Labor authorities is stated to be pursuing a national tax on electrical vehicles as a matter of precedence, though the policy probably won’t be launched except after the next federal election.
• Designed to profit procure the gap in tax income left by EV drivers no longer paying for gasoline, and therefore the accompanying gasoline excise tax.

• The measure has previously been proposed and even implemented on the assert stage in Victoria but was as soon as rescinded after a High Court location obvious the tax would wish to be imposed on the federal stage.
• Specialists procure previously criticised the proposed avenue person price as a disincentive on EVs that would possibly perchance damage off momentum by making EVs extra costly as automobile makers work laborious to drive down prices to make the fresh drivetrains extra appealing.

BYD Atto 2 minute SUV launched, probably coming to Australia

• China’s BYD Atto 2 has officially long gone on sale within the UK, sooner than the minute SUVs anticipated debut within the Australian market later this 300 and sixty five days.
• Because the title suggests, the Atto 2 is a itsy-bitsy bit smaller than the Atto 3 and is priced at an identical stage to the MG4 within the UK, which starts at spherical $38,000 in Australia.

• The entry-stage UK Atto 2 is fitted with a 50kWh LFP battery with the legitimate vary unknown, however the smaller 45.1kWh battery supplied in various markets has a unfold of 312km in step with WLTP trying out protocols.
• Regular aspects encompass a 10.1-bound rotating touchscreen that grows to 12.8-inches on bigger grades on the side of luminous phone mirroring utility, panoramic sunroof and 17-bound alloys.

Ford CEO targets extra vary-extender EVs

• Ford CEO Jimn Farley has expressed passion in pursuing extra hybrid and vary-extender EVs amid a world trot for EV demand.
• Talking in a Q4 2024 earnings call, Farley commented that wide pick-usaand SUVs are no longer suited to the battery electrical structure attributable to the added weight and value required.

• “A candy location that has emerged is minute and medium-dimension vehicles and utilities. And hybrid vehicles are a key enhance put for us,” he stated, in a reference to the US-market Maverick ute.
• Farley stated that EREV, or prolonged vary electrical vehicles, will most certainly be a level of focal level for the logo going forward.

2025 Jeep Wrangler Overland reviewed

• Chasing Vehicles off-avenue knowledgeable Evan Spence’s review of the facelifted Jeep Wrangler Overland was as soon as printed, with the mid-spec off-avenue iconic going under the microscope to search if it would possibly per chance perchance interpret its circa $98,000 driveaway stamp.
• Evan was as soon as extremely complimentary of the fundamental riding demeanor of the Wrangler and its abilities off-avenue despite lacking the hardcore upgrades fitted to the Rubicon.

• On the replace hand, he struggled to build up past the value, with the 2025 Wrangler vary serene seriously extra costly than it old to be and upgrades such because the facility-opening sunroof predict for $6000.
• While Evan stumbled on that the Wrangler Rubicon was as soon as an supreme wanting equipment the associated price was as soon as unjustifyable, declaring that Jeep has “lost the location with pricing in Australia”.

WATCH: Link to YouTube video

The following topic of Vehicle Data At the moment time will most certainly be printed on Tuesday 11th of February at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Thanks for joining us this Friday, February 7th 2025. Notably in automobile news this day: Jimny three-door and other Suzuki items retired attributable to ADR laws, Nissan hunting for new suitors as Honda merger deal falters, and extra.

Browse this disaster:

• Jimny three-door and other Suzuki items succumb to newest security regs
• Nissan taking part in the sector as Honda merger appears to be like an increasing number of unlikely
• Volkswagen Polo and T-Roc items bring together designate rises and updates for 2025
• CX-6e may perhaps presumably well effectively be Mazda’s no-brainer electric CX-5 midsize SUV
• 2025 Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 long-timeframe review

Jimny three-door and other Suzuki items plight for hiatus or axing

• The three-door Jimny and other items in Suzuki’s line-up, equivalent to the Ignis, S-Substandard, Vitara and Swift Sport, will rapidly be absent from local showrooms as new ADR laws reach into play.

• The ‘short’ Jimny, a popular as a lot as date cult automobile, is plight for a hiatus as its single-camera self reliant emergency braking system doesn’t alter to ADR 98/00, which comes into enact March 1, bringing requires for added sophisticated performance.

• The ADR regulation commerce doesn’t occupy an impact on the extra no longer too long ago released Jimny five-door, which aspects a varied dual-camera-essentially based AEB system that does alter to new security laws. It’s expected the three-door version will re-enter the Australian market as soon because it adopts tech featured in the five-door variations.

• Meanwhile, the Ignis – with out a AEB in any procedure – as effectively as S-Substandard, Vitara and Swift Sport are regarded as too former of their respective lifecycles to warrant main technical ‘adjustment’. These will join an limitless need of Mitsubishi items and the Mazda 6 as modern items axed in gentle of the new ADR technical laws.

Nissan desirous to partner in other locations as Honda merger appears to be like unlikely

• Nissan is rumoured to be wanting on the chance of exploring unusual partnerships in other locations after negotiations to merge with Honda seem to occupy urge their course, per reviews from Bloomberg.

• The file suggests insider knowledge that Nissan is doubtlessly looking for suitors in the US, seemingly the most carmaker’s predominant markets, ideally from the “know-how sector”.

• A formal announcement of the train of the proposed Nissan-Honda merger, first revealed two months ago, is plight for some time in the approaching week.

• Both Nissan and Honda formally confirmed earlier this week that the pair occupy been wanting at plenty of merger alternatives, including the smaller Nissan company turning into a wholly owned subsidiary of (the larger) Honda, a proposal said to be unpalatable to the Nissan board.

Bigger pricing and revised aspects for Volkswagen’s MY25 Polo and T-Roc

• Volkswagen Australia has fitted extra commonplace tools and bumped pricing of every and every its Polo and T-Roc mannequin traces for 2025.

• The importer’s closing sub-$30K providing, the Polo Lifestyles, now begins from $30,790 (up $1300) and adds adaptive cruise and lane steerage as effectively as lane abet help. Meanwhile, the mid-vary Trend, at $34,790 (up $2250) adds button start, wi-fi phone mirroring and sat-nav. The unchanged GTI is now $41,790 (up $1400).

• In T-Roc-land, the heinous CityLife is now $38,990 (up $2000) and adds blind-space monitoring and rear-nefarious traffic alert. The Trend stays unchanged bar pricing at $41,990 (up $1400), while the R-Line at $49,990 (up $1200) gets a brand new leather-essentially based-certain wheel and physical buttons.

• Both the Polo GTI, now $41,790 (up $1400), and the T-Roc R, which now begins from $64,990 (up $1500), occupy viewed designate rises with none specification changes.

CX-6e may perhaps presumably well effectively be Mazda’s no-brainer electric CX-5-alike midsize SUV

• A Tesla Mannequin Y-rivalling CX-6e is being readied for Mazda’s big electric push from 2027, per a file from UK outlet autoexpress.co.uk that’s revealed the CX-6e nameplate has been trademarked.

• A fully electric midsize SUV trailing the debut of the next-know-how hybrid-powered CX-5, attributable to debut later this 365 days, makes sense. Truly, an SUV structure makes a extra logical EV debut mannequin than the already confirmed Mazda6e sedan, with which the CX-6e would absolutely portion technical architecture.

• The (confirmed) Mazda6e sedan, for its phase, is a three procedure partnership with Chinese language carmaker Changan and is determined to make employ of an in-dwelling developed Scalable Skyactiv EV platform, one which may perhaps perhaps presumably well perhaps no doubt underpin the rumoured SUV..

• A 2027 line-up consisting of a necessity of hybrid CX-5 and electric CX-6e makes sense and would plug Mazda’s portfolio firmly into the enlighten, where its increasing old ICE-powered CX-5 stays a key vendor in the midsize situation in the neighborhood.

2025 Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 long-timeframe review

• Veteran Chasing Autos team journalist Zak Adkins takes his 2025 Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 long-termer in one of his closing tales to be revealed by our outlet.

• This month, Adkins took the Ranger camping, reporting that its roominess introduced rather about a long-weekend practicality and that its big V6 never fails to charm with its soundtrack or torquey thrust.

• On the downsides, Adkin reckons that the Ranger doubtlessly isn’t the supreme foil for family getaways, nevertheless a severely larger match for singles and couples for weekend trips to campgrounds.

• Handle tuned for Adkins’ closing long-timeframe installment of the popular Ford after he wraps up three months of custodianship and heads for the attain line.

The next disaster of Automobile Recordsdata At present time may perhaps perhaps be revealed on Monday tenth February at 4.30pm Sydney time.