We publish a lot of car news during the work week and it can be difficult to keep everything up to date – that’s the reason behind this weekend’s list.
In short, here are some of the key articles from our news desk as of this Monday summarized, just in case you missed them at the time.
The next Triton looks even more terrifying
Mitsubishi has provided the first official look at the next-generation Triton ute, in the form of a sturdy concept car.
Revealed at the Bangkok auto show, the XRT Concept appears to be an engine and repainted version of a production-ready ute.
It will launch before the end of this month in concept form, with the first production models set to appear in Thailand around the ‘financial year 2023’ period (including March 23 to April 24). before launching to the worldwide market.
FULL STORY: New Mitsubishi Triton revealed in concept form
Kia EV9 welcomes younger brother
Kia has revealed the Concept EV5 electric SUV, previewing a smaller sibling of the recently revealed EV9.
Unveiled as part of Kia’s China Electric Vehicle Day, the initial production EV5 will hit the Chinese market later this year.
Kia says details on the global availability of the EV5 “will be released in the near future.”
FULL STORY: Kia previews new Sportage-sized electric SUV
Mazda pricing its new flagship SUV
The Mazda CX-90 2024, which will be available in domestic showrooms from August this year, is now open for pre-orders for the brand’s largest, most luxurious model.
Powered exclusively by a 48V electric inline-six at launch, the CX-90 will not only compete with the likes of the Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Pathfinder, but also entry-level versions of Audi. Q7 and Volvo XC90.
As with the smaller Mazda CX-60, which runs on the same rear-wheel drive platform, the CX-90 will be offered in Australia in three trim levels.
Inline six-cylinders (one petrol, one diesel) are the only options available at launch, though a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid is expected to be offered. about next year.
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-90 2024 Price and Specifications: New Top Details
Lexus pricing new electric luxury SUV
Lexus Australia has detailed the lineup and local pricing of the first electric vehicle built on a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform, the RZ, ahead of its arrival in May this year.
The Lexus RZ will be available in two trim levels initially, with prices starting at $123,000 before on-road sales for the RZ450e Luxury and expanding to $135,000 prior to on-road sales for the RZ450e Sports Luxury.
This price is in line with products like the Genesis Electrified GV70, Mercedes-Benz EQC and BMW iX, but slightly higher than products like the BMW iX3, Genesis GV60 and Tesla Model Y.
FULL STORY: Lexus RZ 2023: New electric car priced in Australia
State agencies in China publish vehicle quality data
More and more Chinese brands are entering the Australian market, and fortunately they have caught up since the days of the asbestos recall.
However, while the quality of Chinese cars has improved, there is still a gap between the best and worst automakers out there.
China Automotive Quality Network has released the 2022 Brand Quality Ranking of domestic auto manufacturers, as well as a separate ranking for electric vehicle brands.
FULL STORY: China car quality ranking: See where Tesla, MG rank
Goodbye CX-9, hello CX-80
Mazda Australia expects CX-9 supply to dry up by the end of the year as it welcomes a number of new products.
In addition to the refreshed CX-8 and the all-new CX-90, both of which will debut here this year, Mazda has confirmed it will launch the CX-80 – a three-row version of the CX-60. It will confirm the local time for the CX-80 later this year.
That leaves out the CX-9, but the news comes as a bit of a surprise as Mazda’s US branch has confirmed that it will be replacing the CX-9 with the new CX-90 and that the upcoming model is released. developed with a strong focus on the US market.
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-9 completed in Australia
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-80: Australia’s third premium SUV
Honda (and its touring cars) still hold out, but where are the EVs?
Honda says it may miss its 2023 sales target for the second year in a row, but it has no plans to leave the Australian market or move into an SUV-only lineup.
It is continuing to roll out hybrid models but has ruled out introducing any electric vehicles for at least the next five years.
Despite launching a new mid-size SUV this year – the ZR-V, complete with a hybrid option – the Japanese brand warned that it may not meet its 20,000-unit target, citing the supply problem.
FULL STORY: Honda says supply is why it may miss sales target
FULL STORY: Honda won’t just be for SUVs in Australia
FULL STORY: Honda Australia: ‘We’re not going anywhere’
FULL STORY: Honda Australia will not sell electric cars before 2028
Chevrolet Camaro is banished, but the name will return… one day
For now, the Chevrolet Camaro has raced, although the company promises “this is not the last chapter for the nameplate”.
Chevrolet has not confirmed when the Camaro name will return or if it will still be used exclusively on two-door vehicles.
A report late last year claimed GM was considering turning the Camaro into a sub-brand with a pair of all-electric three- and five-door coupes, the latter of which could be joined by an EV-based sports car. same architecture. like the Corvette EV.
Production of the sixth-generation Camaro at the company’s Lansing, Michigan plant will end in January 2024.
FULL STORY: Chevrolet Camaro is banished, but the name will return… one day
Cupra teases its future product plans
The Cupra Leon and Formentor will have electric successors, while the Spanish sports brand is aiming even higher.
It is looking to enter the US market and to do so it believes it needs a larger SUV – and Australia will match that.
Company CEO Wayne Griffiths confirmed that, if such a car were to be produced, it would be a global offering, produced in both left and right-hand drive, with a “provocative” design. “.
Mr. Griffiths also said auto expert maybe “at some point in the future there will be an opportunity to own a nice sports car from Cupra”.
However, Ateca is being slashed. It is set to be replaced indirectly by the upcoming larger Terramar.
FULL STORY: Cupra considers larger SUV for US launch
FULL STORY: Sports brand Cupra considers a… sports car
FULL STORY: Cupra is ready to power Leon, Formentor
FULL STORY: The second generation Cupra Ateca is unlikely
Mazda v ACCC ‘unconscionable conduct’ verdict upheld by Federal Court
The entire Federal Court has dismissed appeals by both Mazda and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding the ruling made in November 2021.
The ACCC appealed the ruling, arguing that Mazda had in fact engaged in unscrupulous conduct in its dealings with nine consumers.
In contrast, Mazda appealed the Court’s ruling, arguing that it had not made 49 false statements to consumers about their consumer rights.
FULL STORY: Mazda v ACCC ‘unconscionable conduct’ verdict upheld by Federal Court
Ford reveals attractive special edition Ranger
The Wildtrak X nameplate is back on the Ford Ranger, but the newly designated special edition is radically different from the rest of the lineup.
Although it uses the familiar 2.0-liter bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, it has a full-time four-wheel drive system with 4A mode that can be used on the road like the V6 versions.
Ford has credited the Ranger Wildtrak X as the first variant to meet Euro 6 emissions for Light Trucks, which means it requires AdBlue.
Another highlight of the Ranger Wildtrak X is the suspension setup that has been “specifically tuned” for touring and payload.
Can GMC Yukon come here?
Having hinted at the introduction of an electric Cadillac in Australia last week, General Motors appears to be busy laying the groundwork for a full-size SUV powered by an internal combustion engine.
The trademark registration on the Australian IP database points to a potential introduction for GMC Yukon. The profile was published on March 17, 2023 and is currently pending indexing.
The Yukon and Yukon XL are the GMC brand’s counterweight to the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, respectively, and all of these SUVs – plus the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV – are underpinned by GM’s body-on-frame T1 platform.
FULL STORY: GMSV: Trademark filing points for local launch for full-size SUV
Last call for Mini Clubman
Mini has revealed the final version of the Clubman before launching an improved lineup next year.
Mini Clubman Final Edition is equipped with a range of exclusive finishes both inside and out. Only 1969 examples of the model will be produced.
“Mini will not offer a Mini Clubman Final version for the Australian and New Zealand markets. However, we will continue to offer Clubman Cooper S and JCW variants until the model officially ends in February 2024,” said Mini Australia Product and Planning Manager James Orlov. said.
FULL STORY: Mini bid farewell to Clubman with special cars of 1969
Ford reveals very different Explorer for Europe
The Ford Explorer has been reborn with a smaller body, electric-only powertrain and a distinct European accent.
The new Euro Explorer is the first of two confirmed cars from the Blue Oval based on the all-electric Volkswagen MEB architecture. The other is a “coupe” version, rumored to be called the Explorer Sport.
Production of the Explorer EV will take place in Cologne, Germany, formerly the home of the Fiesta. It’s unclear if Explorer Europe will be sold outside of the region.
FULL STORY: Ford’s first Volkswagen-based electric car is called Explorer
