We publish a ton of automotive information tales in the course of the working week (70-odd as a rule), and it may be powerful to maintain up with every part – which is the rationale behind this weekend listing.
Briefly, listed below are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.
Tesla Mannequin 3 beats Toyota Camry, Corolla in gross sales, units file
Value cuts and ample provide drove the Tesla Mannequin 3 electrical sedan to an enormous supply lead to January, with 2927 of them moving into buyer arms.
As such, the Mannequin 3 was the top-selling passenger automobile available in the market and number-three in month-to-month gross sales total – behind solely the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes.
It’s the highest-ever end for an EV within the Australian market.
FULL STORY: Tesla Mannequin 3 was Australia’s top-selling passenger automotive in January
Toyota going after Tesla with array of EVs
The Toyota bZ4x is about to launch in Australia within the fourth quarter of this 12 months, and would be the first of no less than three preliminary electrical automobile launches.
“Beginning with the bZ4x, we’ll launch no less than three EVs within the house of three years, with extra within the pipeline,” stated Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s vp of gross sales, advertising and franchise operations.
“Toyota is dedicated to bringing electrical automobiles to Australia, of their 1000’s inside a couple of quick years, and in the end, within the tens of 1000’s.”
Along with these three, Mr Hanley says the corporate is “analyzing carefully” a manufacturing model of final 12 months’s bZ Compact SUV idea.
Toyota is aiming for ‘electrified’ automobiles to account for greater than half of its gross sales by 2025, up from 31.5 per cent in 2022 – although it hasn’t specified how a lot of this will probably be of pure electrical automobiles.
FULL STORY: Toyota Australia plans three EVs by 2026
FULL STORY: Toyota desires greater than half its Australian gross sales to be electrified from 2025
Mazda’s flagship SUV crusing right here this 12 months, PHEV subsequent 12 months
Mazda’s new flagship CX-90 three-row SUV will supply a alternative of petrol and diesel engines when it arrives in Australia within the second half of 2023, shortly after the CX-60.
The Australian-market 2024 Mazda CX-90 will probably be supplied with a turbocharged 3.3-litre inline-six petrol with 254kW of energy and 500Nm of torque, and a 3.3-litre turbo-diesel inline-six with 187kW and 550Nm – the latter distinctive to Australia.
They’re mated with a brand new eight-speed computerized transmission particularly designed for automobiles on this platform, with drive despatched to all 4 wheels through a typical i-Activ all-wheel drive system.
The plug-in hybrid will observe in 2024, and makes use of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electrical motor to provide 240kW and 500Nm at peak, an eight-speed transmission, and a 17.8kWh battery pack to allow pure-electric driving.
FULL STORY: 2024 Mazda CX-90: Australia getting petrol and diesel sixes
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid received’t hit Australia till 2024
Queue for i30 N sees Hyundai pause orders
Hyundai Australia has stopped taking orders for the i30 N scorching hatch, as it really works to clear a backlog of greater than 1600 undelivered automobiles (ultimately rely).
However rumours of its demise look like exaggerated, because the plan is to place the pocket rocket again on sale as soon as the excellent order financial institution is extra manageable.
“To keep away from buyer disappointment, HMCA will now not be accepting orders for i30 N [hatch]. As quickly as our i30 N manufacturing allocation catches up with the order financial institution, HMCA will begin taking orders as soon as once more,” the corporate informed us.
FULL STORY: Hyundai i30 N hatch orders at the moment are paused too
What R you ready for? Honda’s scorching hatch wait instances blow out
The brand new Honda Civic Sort R is costlier than ever, however demand has by no means been larger.
Honda has confirmed the turbocharged scorching hatch is offered out for the subsequent 20 months, which suggests anybody who orders one now received’t get the keys till late in 2024 – until Honda Australia can safe extra manufacturing.
As is the case throughout the business, Honda says it’s “repeatedly in search of to shorten these wait instances”.
FULL STORY: Honda Civic Sort R wait instances stretch to late 2024
Volkswagen costs its Ranger-based vary
The brand new Volkswagen Amarok has been priced for Australia.
With a beginning worth of $50,990 earlier than on-roads, the beginning worth has risen by $5100 for 2023 – though the brand new Amarok guarantees to be a a lot safer, higher-tech proposition than its venerable predecessor.
Three engines will probably be supplied: a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (in two states of tune), a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, and a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The two.3-litre petrol engine is exclusive to the Amarok relative to the Ford Ranger with which it shares its platform.
FULL STORY: 2023 Volkswagen Amarok worth and specs
Lexus Australia confirms electrical RZ, plug-in hybrid RX
The primary Lexus electrical automobile constructed on a devoted EV platform will contact down in Australia this Might.
Lexus Australia hasn’t but confirmed pricing for the RZ SUV, which is constructed on a model of the platform debuted below the Toyota bZ4X, nor what provide will appear like at launch.
“I believe the RZ goes to do very effectively,” Lexus Australia chief govt John Pappas informed CarExpert.
“No matter volumes we will get, I believe will do effectively on that automotive. I can’t agency up what that’s going to appear like but.”
The plug-in hybrid RX450h+ has additionally been confirmed for Australia, however when it would arrive is unclear.
“We will probably be getting the PHEV RX in Australia. For us in the intervening time it’s nearly timing,” stated Mr Pappas.
He stated manufacturing of the PHEV is being prioritised for markets with strict carbon rules, the place sturdy PHEV and EV gross sales can drag down a producer’s common emissions and doubtlessly assist them dodge steep fines.
FULL STORY: Lexus RZ EV arriving in Might 2023
FULL STORY: Lexus RX450h+ plug-in hybrid coming to Australia
Jeep costs barely much less grand Grand
The 2-row model of the brand new WL Jeep Grand Cherokee lastly arrives in showrooms this month after a delay, priced from $77,950 earlier than on-road prices.
Three variants will probably be supplied at first: Night time Eagle, Restricted and Overland, all powered by a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine.
These complement the longer, three-row Grand Cherokee L vary launched final 12 months, accessible in Night time Eagle, Restricted and Summit Reserve trims and priced from $82,750 earlier than on-roads.
In associated information, the Grand Cherokee L in Summit Reserve trim has had its most braked towing capability upgraded to 2813kg, the identical as the remainder of the L vary.
The model has confirmed the replace is because of a change in the way it calculates the seven-seat SUV’s towing capability, quite than as a result of any bodily modifications to the automobile.
FULL STORY: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee worth and specs: Two-row mannequin arrives
FULL STORY: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L towing capability up to date
G63 AMG nonetheless MIA
Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed orders for its AMG G63 are nonetheless closed for the foreseeable future.
This comes as the corporate detailed the on-sale date and pricing for its limited-edition G63 Version 55 that commemorates the fifty fifth anniversary of the Mercedes-AMG model.
Orders for the Mercedes-AMG G63 Version 55 will probably be handled as separate to the common G63, in keeping with the Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson.
Current order holders for the common G63 will probably be handled on a case-by-case foundation, added the spokesperson, they usually could also be requested by their vendor in the event that they need to get the G63 Version 55 as an alternative.
FULL STORY: Mercedes-AMG G63 orders nonetheless closed
Subsequent-generation Mazda CX-5, CX-9 doubtful
It’s not clear if the Mazda CX-5 will obtain a 3rd era as the corporate rolls out two separate new mid-sized SUVs.
“I’m undecided whether or not we’re going to introduce a CX-5 or not, so I can’t offer you any particulars,” stated the CX-5’s present program supervisor, Mitsuru Wakiie, by way of an interpreter when requested a couple of next-generation mannequin.
The CX-5 solely just lately obtained a facelift, suggesting it’ll stay on sale for a couple of years but.
The CX-9 might not be round for as lengthy, although Mazda Australia says it would preserve promoting the big crossover so long as it continues to be made.
“We count on for 2023 we could have each automobiles promoting side-by-side, after which sooner or later whether or not that’s in that portfolio will probably be depending on whether or not it continues to be produced,” stated Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi.
FULL STORY: Mazda “undecided” about next-generation CX-5
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-9 future unclear, as new CX-90 launches
Up to date Vary Rover Velar priced for Australia
2023 has solely simply began however Vary Rover has detailed the up to date 2024 mannequin 12 months model of its glossy Velar SUV.
There’s a tweaked exterior design, extra paint color choices, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and a bigger high-voltage battery within the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
The 2024 Vary Rover Velar is on sale now, forward of buyer deliveries anticipated to start within the third quarter of this 12 months.
FULL STORY: 2024 Vary Rover Velar pricing, updates detailed