We publish a ton of car news stories during the working week, and it can be tough to keep up with everything – which is the rationale behind this weekend list.
In short, here are some key articles from our news desk since Monday of this week summarised, just in case you missed them at the time.
Everything you need to know about the 2024 Hyundai Kona
Initial Australian details for the new-generation 2024 Hyundai Kona have been released, with an expansive range of powertrains confirmed for the local market including a hybrid and two EV options.
The Kona Electric will again offer Standard Range and Extended Range battery options in Australia, with a new-to-Australia Kona Hybrid to join the range around the same time (Q4 2023), with updated versions of the existing 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre turbo petrol models kicking off proceedings from mid-year.
FULL STORY: 2024 Hyundai Kona: Sprawling small SUV range detailed for Australia
C-HR to be hybrid only
The second-generation Toyota C-HR will arrive in Australia in the first half of 2024, and will be offered exclusively with hybrid power.
Toyota Australia has also confirmed it currently has no plans to introduce the plug-in hybrid to the local market, leaving yet another PHEV out of reach for Aussies. The company has never offered PHEV versions of the Prius and RAV4 locally.
The next C-HR has thus far been previewed only in concept guise – last year’s C-HR Prologue – and has been confirmed as a hybrid- and PHEV-only offering globally.
FULL STORY: C-HR to be first hybrid-only Toyota in Australia since the Prius
Fiat’s cute little EV priced for Australia
Pricing and specification for the 2023 Fiat 500e electric city car has been confirmed by Stellantis Australia ahead of its confirmed launch in mid-2023.
The Fiat 500e La Prima is priced from $52,500 before on-road costs and will compete against other electric vehicles (EVs) like the Mini Electric, GWM Ora, MG 4, and Nissan Leaf.
La Prima translates directly from Italian to English as ‘The First’, and serves as a launch edition of the electric city car.
It’s powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 87kW of power and 220Nm of torque. It’s mated with a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
FULL STORY: 2023 Fiat 500e price and specs: EV hatch here mid-year
What comes between H and C? At Honda, it’s Z
The Honda ZR-V has officially been confirmed as the brand’s new entrant in the mid-size SUV segment, due mid-2023 to take on the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5.
After a long drip-feed of information with few official details, we know Honda’s all-new SUV nameplate will arrive later this year with four trim levels, including a top-spec e:HEV hybrid version sporting the same drivetrain as the related Civic e:HEV.
The bulk of the range will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with a CVT automatic, while the e:HEV uses a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine teamed with a two-motor hybrid system.
FULL STORY: Honda confirms new ZR-V SUV to take on Toyota RAV4
X1 gets more exxy for 2023
BMW Australia has jacked up prices of its all-new X1 SUV by up to $6500 not even six months after launch.
That means the range now opens at $60,400 for the entry-level X1 sDrive18i (up $6500), while the xDrive20i xLine and M Sport versions see increases of $4500 to $70,400 and $73,400 respectively – all prices are before on-road costs.
A spokesperson from BMW’s local division told CarExpert: “BMW constantly reviews its pricing structure throughout the year, taking into consideration a number of different factors”.
“However, we always aim to ensure our products remain appropriately positioned and represent a competitive pricing proposition in the market for our customers.”
FULL STORY: BMW ups X1 prices by up to $6500
Lamborghini’s wild electrified V12 powertrain revealed
Lamborghini has offered a peek under the skin of its next V12 supercar flagship.
The brand’s first series production High Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV), as it’s calling the new plug-in hybrid supercar, will feature a new 6.5-litre V12 at its heart.
It’s hooked up to the rear axle only, and pumps out 607kW of power at a staggering 9250rpm. Peak torque is 725Nm at 6750rpm.
Redline is 9500rpm, or 500rpm beyond what the 4.0-litre six in the Porsche 911 GT3, GT3 RS, and 718 Cayman GT4 RS can manage.
FULL STORY: LB744: Lamborghini PHEV will have V12, three e-motors, wild outputs
Nissan shares more on its e-Power plans
Nissan has revealed a new modular approach to developing both electric and electrified powertrains it says will cut costs.
Its 3-in-1 prototype, with a modular electric motor, inverter and reducer, is planned for use in EVs, while the 5-in-1 prototype is set for use in hybrid e-Power vehicles.
The latter additionally features a modular generator and increaser, while Nissan has also left the door open for other X-in-1 variants.
It’s also said it’s considering adding its e-Power system to large SUVs and commercial vehicles.
FULL STORY: How Nissan plans to cut development costs for electric, e-Power vehicles
FULL STORY: Nissan is working on hybrid large SUVs, commercial vehicles
Peugeot’s dashing plug-in hybrid wagon here this year
Peugeot Australia is now taking expressions of interest for the 508 GT Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid ahead of its arrival in the second quarter of 2023.
Notably, Peugeot has supplied images of the current 508 and not the recently revealed facelift. The company has yet to confirm local launch timing for the update.
FULL STORY: Timing confirmed for Peugeot’s sleek plug-in hybrid wagon
GWM’s newest Haval SUV is its largest yet
Haval has revealed a single official image of its so-called P04 body-on-frame three-row SUV that’s reportedly based on the King Kong Cannon dual-cab ute.
The P04 reportedly measures in at 5.2 metres long, almost 2.0 metres wide, and 1.8 metres tall. For context this is around 20cm longer than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, though the other dimensions are line-ball.
A spokesperson for GWM Australia confirmed the P04 is for the Chinese domestic market only at this stage so isn’t in the company’s plans for the local market.
FULL STORY: Haval P04: GWM’s Toyota LandCruiser rival revealed
Subaru’s stylish act of S-Edition
Subaru Australia has revealed a special-edition version of its outgoing Impreza hatchback to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the model.
It’s called the S-Edition – thank goodness for that hyphen – and is priced from $36,290 before on-road costs, $3500 more than the 2.0i-S on which it’s based.
It also marks the “last hurrah” of the current-generation ahead of the launch of the next-generation model, which is locked in for Australia at a yet-to-be confirmed date.
The special edition will arrive in showrooms from May, with customer deliveries also beginning that month.
FULL STORY: Subaru sending off current Impreza with special edition
Puma ST auto’s claws not as sharp as the manual
There’s now a Ford Puma ST variant for buyers who cannot or don’t want to shift their own gears.
Unveiled overnight in Europe, the new Ford Puma ST Powershift pairs a 1.0-litre turbo with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
It complements the existing Puma ST, not sold here, which has a 1.5-litre turbo and comes exclusively with a six-speed manual.
“The Puma ST is a fantastic vehicle, but we no news to share about an Australian introduction,” said a spokesperson for Ford Australia.
FULL STORY: Ford Puma ST Powershift has less power but more convenience
