Thanks for joining us this Friday March 8th 2024. Notably in automotive files this day: Rivian unveils two fresh SUVs and the Jeep Wrangler will get more cost-effective for Australia!

Browse this effort:

• Rivian unveils R2 and R3 SUVs – plus R3X performance variant
• Upgraded Jeep Wrangler priced more cost-effective in Australia
• Nissan backs emissions guidelines, with adjustments
• Toyota BZ4X reviewed: Toyota’s first EV arrives in Australia

Rivian unveils R2 and R3 SUVs – plus R3X performance variant

• American automotive producer Rivian has unveiled a series of smaller and extra more cost-effective SUVs within the R2 midsize SUV and R3 puny SUV, to plot the range beyond the R1S gigantic SUV and R1T pickup truck.

• The R2 will be supplied with both single-motor rear-wheel-drive or dual- and tri-motor all-wheel-drive. The latter is in a position to accelerating from 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in below three seconds, says the automotive maker. Range is estimated at over 482 km for all drivetrains.

• The R3 makes the same claims for range and performance however ingredients a extra hatchback take care of create. The R3X is a ‘rally-impressed’ performance model which ingredients a principal wider stance, three-motor AWD and a tenting-friendly internal create being able to fold all seats down flat.

• Both autos are anticipated to trot on sale in 2026, with the R2 the first to land however there are no longer any fresh plans to bring them to Australia as Rivian continues to level of curiosity on the North American market.

Upgraded Jeep Wrangler priced more cost-effective in Australia

• Pricing for the up to this level Wrangler range has officially launched for the hardcore off-roader, which is made up our minds to trot on sale in April

• The Sport S will originate up at $75,950 earlier than on-avenue charges, reflecting a $5500 ticket decrease over the old initiating grade. The Overland will get a $2000 ticket decrease and begins at $84,950. The Rubicon two- and 4-door dwell unchanged at $83,950 and $90,450 respectively.

• Upgrades made to the Wrangler consist of the addition of a fresh extra gas efficient 2.0-litre turbo engine, airbags within the second row, authorized NVH enhancements along with vitality adjustable seats and a bigger 12.3-bolt touchscreen.

• Jeep is probably going hoping to address the Wrangler’s sliding gross sales in Australia by offering extra more cost-effective pricing despite the slew of upgraded extra.s

Nissan backs emissions guidelines, with adjustments

• Nissan Australia has expressed its reinforce for Likelihood B within the authorities’s proposed New Automobile Emissions Standards, however has outlined what it says are so principal wanted adjustments.

• Amongst the six urged adjustments, managing director Adam Paterson mentioned the legislation desired to clutch into myth the prolonged lead instances of bringing fresh autos into the country to present them time adapt

• Paterson additionally mentioned the authorities must level-headed introduce a credit score machine for zero emissions autos (EVs), that can per chance in flip abet offset the brand’s extra heavy-emitting autos.

• Different adjustments urged incorporated reclassifying off-avenue passenger autos (such because the Patrol) as gentle industrial autos, including extra incentives for purchasers to aquire EVs and giving automotive makers the ability to bypass ADRs on objects when they’re already readily accessible in diversified predominant markets – similar to Japan or Europe for instance.

Toyota BZ4X 2024 reviewed

• Chasing Vehicles production manager Tom Dwelling’s avenue test of the 2024 Toyota BZ4X used to be published, where he investigated the brand’s first EV in Australia.

• Toyota’s key promoting level is approachability for customers who would possibly well ordinarily be attracted to overly sophisticated EVs. It’s additionally dazzling overjoyed and surprisingly capable off-avenue.

• Nonetheless the mediocre utilizing range at correct over 400km claimed, along with its excessive have ticket would possibly well restrict the variability of buyer who can pick one up.

• In all chance the BZ4X will be sold by these which have enjoyed their RAV4 Hybrid and must clutch the following step.

READ: Link to written overview

The subsequent effort of Automobile News Right this moment time will be published on Monday 11th of March at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Ford has launched the discontinuation of its petrol-powered Puma slight SUV in Australia earlier than the native debut of the fully electrical Puma Gen-E anticipated to follow slack this twelve months or early subsequent.

Attributing the modifications to “a sharpened deal with EVs, industrial and efficiency autos”, the emblem confirmed that final arrivals of petrol variants of the SUV – which has appropriate debuted a facelifted version in Europe – are anticipated in Might possibly additionally merely, at which point it’ll must bow out from Ford’s native lineup earlier than the electrical variant’s introduction rapidly after.

Ford says that while the facelifted Puma would possibly per chance possibly now not be coming to Australia, there would possibly be enough inventory of ICE-powered Pumas to make certain that all latest orders are fulfilled. Precise timings for the Puma Gen-E originate will additionally be confirmed closer to originate.

The re-focussing of the Puma lineup – which within the beginning launched in Australia in September 2020 – as an electrical-finest nameplate comes as Ford continues to manufacture bigger its slate of EVs, which encompass the currently launched Mustang Mach-E astronomical SUV and E-Transit electrical van, and rapidly to originate E-Transit Customized van.

While the petrol Puma will be discontinued in Australia, it’ll must proceed to be manufactured and provided out of the country and its departure from Australian roads blueprint that Ford will be without a petroleum-providing within the smartly-liked slight SUV phase.

Ford Australia President and CEO, Andrew Birkic announcing: “we have no longer taken this decision calmly and thank the a astronomical assortment of real customers who’ve chosen Puma over the years.”

New-age Ford lineup departs susceptible segments

Certainly, the petrol Puma is the latest in a assortment of Ford objects to bite the dirt in Australia in latest years with the discontinuation of the Flee midsize SUV final twelve months, besides to the Fiesta and Focal point slight hatchbacks earlier than that.

Ford Australia President and CEO, Andrew Birkic said: “our focal point is on autos and in segments the build we are able to surely meet the unparalleled wants of Australian customers.”

“We gaze particular opportunities in industrial autos – from Transit to E-Transit, Transit Customized to E-Transit Customized, alongside Ranger.

“We are able to additionally proceed to deal with our efficiency line-up – from Mustang and Mustang Darkish Horse, to Mustang Mach-E and Ranger Raptor – alongside a renewed emphasis on autos that lend a hand customers attain the issues they love, love towing a boat or caravan in an F-150, off-roading with chums in an Everest, or avenue-tripping with a astronomical family in a Tourneo.”

Last twelve months the Puma shifted 2027 variants – lower than the currently discontinued Ford Flee midsize SUV (2336) – and a much issue from rivals within the sunshine SUV phase main Mazda CX-3 (15,776), Kia Stonic (6983), and Toyota Yaris Sinful (6514).

Certainly, the Puma’s provide figures were dwarfed by Ford’s two very best selling objects – Australia’s most smartly-most standard automobile, the Ford Ranger ute (63,356), and Everest astronomical SUV (15,071).

Stamp-of-entry into Ford ownership doubtless to upward thrust

The discontinuation of the petrol-Puma will additionally suggest that the price of entry into the native Ford lineup will doubtless upward thrust.

At the 2d the emblem’s most more cost effective automobile in Australia, the entry-stage Puma kicks off at $30,840 earlier than on-avenue fees and topping out at $36,390.

It’s dazzling to quiz a important top rate on this for the electrical variant, with Australia’s latest most price-effective electrical automobile – the Chinese-made BYD Dolphin slight hatchback – coming in at $38,890. Though by precisely how noteworthy, stays to be considered.

Last twelve months, when the Flee SUV left the Australian market, Ford Australia used to be in temporary left without a midsize SUV option till the Mustang Mach-E arrived, alternatively the switch from petrol/hybrid to totally electrical seen the value of entry leap from $37,990 earlier than on-avenue fees in 2023 to $72,990 in 2024

The Ford Ranger ute – which is priced from $36,880 for its lowest spec 4×2 cab-chassis XL variant – could even merely end up turning into essentially the most price-effective automobile on offer from the emblem in Australia.

Ford’s most more cost effective SUV will now be the astronomical Everest, which begins at $fifty three,990 for its entry grade mannequin, with the Mustang Mach-E electrical SUV priced from $72,990 earlier than on-avenue fees.

Tesla is slowly inching its draw extra in opposition to the production delivery of its extremely-anticipated price-effective EV.

Per Car Facts, Tesla chief Elon Musk told merchants for the duration of an earnings call that the “we’re very a long way alongside” within the model phase of a more cost-effective Tesla.

Car Facts also estimates that the worth of the upcoming mannequin can also take a seat someplace between USD$25,000 – USD$30,000 (AUD$38,000 – AUD$45,000).

The smaller electrical car will possible be Tesla’s response to the declare in rate range Chinese language EVs such as the MG4, the BYD Dolphin and also the GWM Ora.

Ask an decent announcement and preview of the car by the live of 2024.

What everyone knows so a long way about the associated rate range-pleasant Tesla

The more cost-effective Tesla mannequin is portion of the logo’s push for a 10-car lineup by 2030 and a huge expand in production, with a target of 20 million devices per twelve months already arena.

Tesla is extraordinarily possible to make exhaust of its unique gigacasting draw of manufacturing, with Elon Musk asserting that “right here’s going to be profound, no longer moral within the invent of the car itself, but within the invent of the manufacturing gadget”.

This is able to perhaps perhaps mean that the more cost-effective Tesla will possible be produced for a long way no longer up to the relaxation of the differ, which involves the Y, 3, X, S and the no longer too lengthy ago launched Cybertruck.

The unique mannequin which will possible be merely known as ‘Model 2’ or ‘Redwood’ will possible be built on Tesla’s subsequent-generation platform. Unfortunately, these salvage of well-known ingredients mute remain beneath wraps.

Tesla modifications the attach its cheap EV will possible be built

Originally, there had been plans of Tesla constructing a unique rate range car in India, then things moved to Germany, but now, it’s significant more possible that the unique cheap mannequin will possible be built in Austin, Texas, the attach Tesla is headquartered.

Per Musk, this can even honest be so that Tesla engineers can also additionally be shut to the production facility as the mission continues to manufacture.

Tesla does view to invent extra factories, and has been in talks to invent factories in India, France and even Turkey.

The emblem at the moment has gigafactories positioned in Nevada, New York, Texas, Mexico, Shanghai and Berlin.

Jeep has launched a teaser for its first Wagoneer S electric SUV, region to tell potent performance and likewise expected to be amongst the main autos – alongside with the contemporary Dodge Charger – to sit down down on a recent 800km-capable EV platform.

Guardian company Stellantis, which governs over the two brands and others such as Alfa Romeo and Peugeot, published key knowledge on the STLA Gargantuan platform closing week while detailing more particular info for the Wagoneer S this day.

While autos on this platform are able to a 0-100km/h time of spherical two seconds, tell Stellantis, the 447kW Wagoneer S immense SUV has been quoted with a 0-60 mile time (96.56km) of spherical 3.5 seconds. Peaceful very spectacular figures, for the form of immense vehicle.

It stays to be viewed if the Charger will come to Australia but the Jeep has already been locked in for our market.

A short YouTube video launched by the emblem – and corresponding teaser describe included at the prime of this text – also showcases a form which appears to be like to be very akin to the belief model launched in 2022.

Jeep says the EV will possess “4xe functionality with all-terrain management” and has beforehand said it used to be focusing on a single-tag vary of 400 miles (643km).

This falls short of the claimed 800km STLA Gargantuan vary functionality nonetheless right here is probably going attributable to the size and body form of the vehicle, with sleeker sedan and coupe autos the more inclined to provide the target.

Alternatively, while additional necessary aspects haven’t been launched for the Wagoneer S, Stellantis has individually made additional necessary aspects on hand for the all-contemporary platform.

Stellantis necessary aspects contemporary EV platform focusing on 800km vary

Dubbed ‘STLA Gargantuan’, the contemporary “BEV native” platform is unquestionably one of 4 all contemporary EV platforms which can be being rolled out by the corporate.

The auto-maker says eight contemporary EVs will likely be launched on the contemporary immense architecture between 2024 and 2026, including in the starting up on Jeep and Dodge items – expected to be the Wagoneer S and contemporary Dodge Charger – with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Maserati and varied brands to possess a examine.

The flexible platform will equip autos, crossovers, and SUVS, and can be configurable for front-, rear- and all-wheel pressure as well as including the functionality for hybrid as well as internal combustion powertrains no matter being EV-centric.

Of autos equipped in Australia, query future variations of autos admire the contemporary Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio immense SUV, as well as Maserati Levante immense SUV and Quattroporte sedan to characteristic.

STLA Gargantuan will likely be on hand in 400-volt and 800-volt BEV architectures and Stellantis has also spruiked its circa two 2nd 0-100km/h performance capabilities, announcing it “has the functionality to withhold vulgar vitality that can outperform any of the present Hellcat V8s”.

Importantly, the manufacturer is focusing on quite a model of 800km with the platform which it says will in the starting up contain battery pack alternatives with vitality ratings between 85 and 118kWh.

When it comes to charging, Stellantis has quoted rapidly-charging capabilities as including up to 4.5kWh per minute to the 800-volt battery pack.

Apart from this, the auto-large has also detailed sizing metrics for the platform including an total measurement vary of 4764-5126mm, width vary of 1897-2030mm, wheelbase vary of 2870-3075mm, ground clearance vary of 140-288, and most tire diameter of 858mm.

Stellantis plans to possess 48 electric autos on sale by 2024, with the Wagoneer S to be equipped in the US autumn of this year, adopted by varied world markets.

It’s miles anticipated to be the next all-electric Jeep to come to Australia after the Avenger diminutive SUV debuts later this year.

BYD’s luxury sub-set up Yangwang has officially published a weird efficiency sedan known as the U7, a mannequin that can presumably well in some unspecified time in the future come to Australia as a more top rate sibling to the fresh BYD Seal.

Humorous name aside, the U7 is a 960kW powerhouse with four electric motors, producing 570kW more electric shove than potentially the most extremely effective dual-motor 390kW/670Nm BYD Seal Efficiency.

The Chinese sedan takes a quantity of its styling inspiration from the BYD Seal, too, which has recently launched in Australia.

Popular equipment for the mannequin entails 21-scurry five-spoke alloy wheels with Continental tyres, a LIDAR sensor for ADAS functionality, a proceed coefficient of 0.195cd and carbon-fibre side skirt and splitters.

The BYD U7 has been priced from USD$140,000 and has no longer but been confirmed for the Australian market.

We’ve reached out to BYD Australia to survey if the beautiful mannequin is a likelihood for our local shores. We’ll update the parable after we receive a response.

How does the U7 review to the fresh Tesla Model S Plaid?

As BYD hastens all of sudden with ample production depth to anguish distinguished established automobile makers, it’s for sure price having a survey at the similarities and variations between Tesla’s flagship Model S and the unusual BYD Yangwang U7.

The Plaid version of the Model S is powered by a 760kW electric diagram that contains a tri-motor all-wheel force setup and a 95kWh usable battery pack. The Plaid has a claimed WLTP vary of 600km.

Tesla claims that the Plaid can plod to 100km/h in a in actuality like a flash 2.1 seconds.

Even though the numbers are but to be confirmed, it’s likely that the BYD Yangwang U7 will be able to very identical claims, even with its 3095kg kerb weight.

Excited by that the BYD set up is working to bring many more fashions to Australia, together with a unfold of SUVs and a ute, the Yangwang U7 would possibly presumably well be a in actuality lawful addition in some unspecified time in the future local lineup.

Tesla has stopped deliveries for its no longer too long previously facelifted Mannequin 3 electrical sedan attributable to a compliance arena with Australian Discover Tips (ADRs).

A notification sent to Tesla potentialities learn: “We feel sorry about to picture you that deliveries of Mannequin 3 in Australia can be paused from shut of industry 17 January 2024.”

“This stop is expounded to a technical compliance topic that we are working closely with the linked authorities to secure to the bottom of.”

Chasing Vehicles understands the compliance arena regards the inaccessibility of a rear centre top-tether level for securing baby seats on the unique Mannequin 3, a principal characteristic in divulge to adhere to ADR requirements for its 5-seater classification.

Of their buyer peek, Tesla mentioned: “We needless to thunder these changes might per chance per chance result in a lengthen in the provision and want to be sure you that resolving this topic is our top precedence.”

“We ask to recommence deliveries within the arriving weeks.”

It’s no longer yet clear as to what this model for autos already delivered, with the facelifted car hitting Australian roads in December last year.

With the exception of affect on deliveries, the ADR breach might per chance per chance need had further affect on the Mannequin 3 in the case of its ANCAP security ranking which has been withheld for the facelifted mannequin, despite the indisputable truth that it hasn’t explicitly been mentioned that this changed into the rationale.

The Mannequin 3 has previously had a tubby 5-star ANCAP security ranking till December last year.

ANCAP mentioned in a media open earlier this week that “files offered to ANCAP by Tesla [confirmed] the 5-star security ranking for the Tesla Mannequin 3 can no longer be applied to the facelifted autos presently”.

While it’s second to the Mannequin Y – Australia’s most fashionable EV – the Mannequin 3 had its most successful year of reported deliveries yet in Australia last year, shifting 17,347 objects – up 59 p.c on 2022.

That changed into ample to invent it the second-most fashionable EV in Australia, the 14th most fashionable car overall, and the clear section chief in the medium car over $60K section – some distance in front of the second-only promoting BMW 3 Collection, which delivered 3,147 objects.

Pricing for the Polestar 4 electric SUV has been sensationally published several months before agenda because of a leak from an commerce pricing handbook.

Two grades of the BMW X4-sized Polestar 4 will before every thing establish be available to Australian investors, with each sharing a rather trim 94kWh (usable) long-differ battery.

The differ will kick off with the sharply-priced Prolonged Fluctuate Single Motor with rear-wheel force (RWD), priced at $81,500 before on-freeway costs and any incentives.

Going with RWD nets 200kW of vitality (268 horsepower) and 343Nm of torque – only for a 0-100km/h whisk of 7.1 seconds.

Upgrading to the Prolonged Fluctuate Twin Motor adds an additional, the same vitality offer to the front axle for doubled total outputs of 400kW (536 horsepower) and 686Nm of torque.

The AWD model successfully halves acceleration situations with the 0-100km/h whisk coming up in precisely 3.8 seconds.

Pricing for the AWD model is $93,050 – making the colossal expand in performance a cheap $11,550 upcharge.

Key competitors to the Polestar 4 encompass the Tesla Model Y (from $65,400), the BMW iX3 (from $89,100), and the Volvo C40 (from $78,990).

Both Polestar 4 variants bag exhaust of a nickel manganese cobalt 400-volt battery promising top charging speeds of 200kW (DC) and 22kW (AC).

WLTP utilizing differ rankings are 600km for the RWD model and 560km for the AWD – with the twin-motor automobile ready to interchange off one motor for more efficient cruising.

Beneath the coupe-vogue SUV is Polestar’s unusual SEA platform, which is shared with cousin brands Volvo and Geely.

The Polestar 4 has no rear window – as an different, rearward visibility is splendid by a digital rear allege mirror.

As is favorite for Polestar, various option applications will likely be found to complement the no longer unusual specification of the Chinese-made SUV, collectively with:

• Nappa leather-essentially based seats in charcoal or zinc ($7000)
• Plus pack ($8000): Bowers & Wilkins stereo, heated steerage wheel, heated rear seats, vitality steerage column, heads-up label, adaptive headlights
• Legitimate pack ($2500): golden seat belts, 21-whisk alloy wheels
• Electrochromic panoramic roof ($2700)
• 21-whisk sport alloy wheels ($2500)
• Physique-painted cladding ($1400)
• Rear privacy glass ($700)

Possibility pricing is marginally better for the AWD model as that automobile is rarely any longer priced below the luxurious automobile tax (LCT) threshold.

Six colours will be available at launch: magnesium (white, no impress), home (gloomy, $1750), electron (gray, $1750), storm (gray, $1750), snow (white, $2300), and gold ($2300).

Normal capabilities encompass:

• LED headlights
• 20-whisk wheels with 255/50 R20 tyres
• Electronic damper preserve watch over
• Keyless entry and starting up
• Microtech upholstery in charcoal or zinc
• Energy-adjustable front seats with memory
• Eight-speaker stereo
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Twin-zone climate preserve watch over
• Glass roof
• Energy tailgate
• AEB (forwards, reversing)
• Front and rear ugly traffic alert
• Lane preserve support
• 360-diploma camera

Because these specs resulted from an commerce leak, it is that you just potentially can consider there will be some alterations before final announcements are made in February 2024.

Luxury American automaker Cadillac has confirmed its subsequent electric automobile, the three-row Vistiq SUV.

Positioned between the Lyriq SUV and the Escalade IQ SUV, the Vistiq is acknowledged so as to accommodate seven folks.

Although unconfirmed, it’s likely that the Vistiq SUV will creep on Classic Motors’ Ultium battery platform, an structure that additionally underpins the Lyriq SUV and even the Hummer EV.

Cadillac is but to substantiate battery size or range, nonetheless the larger electric Escalade IQ model reportedly has as much as 450 miles of range (720km).

That range indication isn’t primarily unreachable, because the Ultium batteries might per chance also additionally be as much as 200kWh usable in size.

For a three-row SUV fancy the Vistiq, an even bigger battery than another applications is virtually a given.

Further news on pricing, specification and likely availability for Australia is but to be announced.

Cadillac is all methods mosey for Australia

Remaining month, Cadillac confirmed its plans to re-enter the Australian market in 2024 and is determined to commence the Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV as its first model on local shores.

Cadillac has committed to loads of EVs globally, along with the gargantuan luxurious Celestiq limousine and the Optiq, a smaller electric SUV.

For our local market, the Cadillac Escalade IQ has been trademarked, but is unconfirmed at this early stage.

Cadillac is aiming to compete with other lengthy-standing luxurious automakers equivalent to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Genesis.

It’ll be the major time since 1969 that Cadillacs web been sold on Australian shores.

Alfa Romeo has launched that its first sport metropolis automobile will debut in April 2024, with the contemporary mannequin being known as the Milano.

Build to be in the market with both combustion and pure electrical variants, the Milano is a tribute to the metropolis where the trace started, formulation reduction in 1910.

The trace’s contemporary mannequin will rejoin Europe’s B segment of autos, or small SUV as we name it, which is the ideal segment by volume in the diagram.

Alfa Romeo plans to be an totally-electrical trace by the year 2027. Its first exclusively-electrical automobile is decided to near after the Milano in 2025.

Alfa Romeo because it stands nowadays

The contemporary Milano could be the first mannequin in Alfa Romeo’s history to utilize pure-electrical energy.

The Italian automaker for the time being sells three fashions in Australia: the Giulia sedan, the Stelvio midsize SUV and the Tonale small SUV.

The Tonale is for the time being essentially the most attention-grabbing mannequin in the market with an electrified trip-in hybrid powertrain.

Pricing starts from $68,450 sooner than on-boulevard charges for the Giulia, $76,450 sooner than on-boulevard charges for the Stelvio and, lastly, $50,900 sooner than on-boulevard charges for the Tonale.

The Tonale trip-in hybrid mannequin makes utilize of a 132kW 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with a 90kW electrical motor to assemble an total system output of 208kW.