We publish a lot of car news during the workweek (the rule is 70) and it can be difficult to keep everything up to date – that’s the underlying reason behind this weekend’s list.
In short, this is some The main articles from our newsstand as of this Monday have been summarized, in case you missed them at the time.
Kia go bang!
New car sales in Australia fell 6.4 per cent in May, to 94,383 units – which car brands are blaming on continued supply shortages.
Still, it hasn’t been a bad May for all car companies: Kia posted a stunning result, coming in second overall for best-ever performance. . Market leader Toyota, Kia’s bigger brother Hyundai, along with MG, Subaru and Suzuki all posted strong growth.
There are no unexpected revelations when it comes to the most popular models: the Toyota HiLux comes out on top, ahead of the massively supply-constrained Toyota RAV4 (which has had a waiting list for more than 12 months) and the Ford Ranger, still going strong. until the end .
FULL STORY: Car sales figures for May 2022
The newest longest defender
The extended length Land Rover Defender 130 has been revealed, with up to 8 seats.
The 130’s extra length is all over the overhang, as the eight-seat Defender has an identical 3022mm wheelbase to the Defender 110.
Land Rover says there is comfortable seating for three adults in the third row of 130. 110s offer third row seats, but only two seats and they are best suited for children.
FULL STORY: 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 priced from 124,150 USD
500e electric coming soon
Stellantis Australia can finally confirm that they will bring Fiat 500e The city tram is here, with ridership expected to begin in the first half of 2023.
Small, classic electric vehicles (EVs) are always on local companies’ wish lists, but production is largely reserved for Europe.
This Australian news follows Fiat’s recent announcement that it plans to phase out all non-electric vehicles (hybrid and EV) in the UK from 1 July.
FULL STORY: Fiat 500e EV set for Australia in 2023
Mercedes-AMG One is finally ready
The tortured development of the AMG One has come to an end.
Mercedes-AMG has launched its Formula 1 road car in production guise and it’s as wild as you’d hope.
Originally slated for a 2019 launch, the One was thwarted by the challenge of making the F1-derived powertrain work on the road and meet ever-tightening emissions standards.
FULL STORY: Mercedes-AMG One revealed in production form
New imported BMW lobs EV
BMW Australia’s growing range of electric vehicles will expand further in the first quarter of 2023 with the newly revealed iX1 compact SUV, a target to replace the defunct i3 hatch.
The new, 4.5-meter-long IX1 will fall within the range below the iX3 SUV, as well as the i4 GT and the radical iX flagship range.
“In its third model generation, the BMW X1 also offers a gateway to BMW’s i-style electric mobility for a wide range of target audiences,” the company said. added it was the first compact model “based on a flexible vehicle architecture to feature an electric powertrain”.
FULL STORY: EV-level BMW iX1 expected in early 2023
Gen-two GLC revealed
Mercedes-Benz has revealed its important second-generation GLC mid-size SUV, with a range of electrified powertrains and styling taken from the new C-Class.
The first new Mercedes-Benz GLCs arriving in Australia are expected in the first half of 2023. Details of the domestic range, including pricing and engine lineup, will be revealed closer to that date. launch.
With the new C-Class not being offered as a wagon or All-Terrain crossover in Australia, the GLC will be required to fill this gap, and build on the car’s success before the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
FULL STORY: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC revealed
Lexus has a brand new RX SUV
Lexus has unveiled the fifth-generation RX large SUV – built on the company’s latest GA-K platform, with a completely redesigned exterior and interior, and a wide range of new engine options including There are many different types of hybrids.
The company’s newest competitor to the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE has been confirmed to come to Australia, but the company will keep us waiting until the end of 2022 to reveal the local powertrain, specs and specs. technique, price and arrival time.
This new RX follows the reveal of the new-generation NX smaller mid-size SUV, the larger LX body-on-frame SUV (based on the Toyota LandCruiser) and the RZ all-electric SUV.
FULL STORY: Lexus RX 2023 revealed
Two-seater Corolla GR!
Could the Toyota GR Corolla be any more favorite? Of course it is possible. Enter a new two-seat variant, called the Morizo Edition overseas.
The lighter, two-seat GR Corolla, torquier will arrive in Australia in 2023.
Toyota Australia plans to open orders for both the regular four- and two-seat GR Corolla models in the fourth quarter of 2022, with details to be revealed closer to that.
FULL STORY: Toyota GR Corolla two-seater ‘Morizo Edition’ for Australia in 2023
Hyundai and Kia have launched a connection app
Hyundai Australia buyers will soon be able to remotely check the temperature, lock or unlock and view the location of their vehicle using a smartphone app.
The Bluelink app will launch on the 2023 Palisade for Australia, and will “gradually” roll out across the Hyundai range from there.
At Kia, the function will debut on the new Niro hybrid and EV.
It will be standard on both the hybrid and electric GT-Line variants in the new version Niro and Kia say every model in its wider range will have an option when they’re upgraded or replaced with a new model.
Hyundai Bluelink here and Kia Connect here
Abandon luxury tax, car industry says
There has been a larger jump to the Luxury Car Tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles than for other vehicles in the 2022-23 financial year, but the 21-year-old levy remains a target of criticism. .
From July 1, the threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles will increase by 6.6% to $84,916, while for all other vehicles, only 3.9% to $71,849.
The Federal Chamber of the Automotive Industry (FCAI), the industry’s apex body, is again calling for the repeal of the Luxury Car Tax and its replacement with a road use fee.
FULL STORY: Raising tax threshold on luxury cars, FCAI imposes ‘poor tax’
