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.
Spy photos
This week has been a busy week for spy photographers, both professional and amateur. The spy vehicle includes:
Ford F-150 is priced in Australia
Orders for the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado rival Ford F-150 pickup trucks are now open ahead of first deliveries in the third quarter of this year.
The F-150 range starts at $106,950 before on-road costs for the XLT SWB in Australia and expands to $140,945 before on the road for the Lariat LWB.
The first batch of cars to be reproduced from left to right hand drive is currently on a boat bound for Australia from Dearborn, Michigan.
FULL STORY: Ford F-150 is on sale now and it’s cheaper than we expected
FULL STORY: Ford F-150 2023 price and specifications
Mini miss manual
Mini Australia has confirmed that it will not be returning the manual transmission option to current-generation models.
This latest development follows the company’s removal of the manual option due to a shortage of semiconductors and conductors last May, and the local division said it would initially resume operations in early 2023.
FULL STORY: Small manual glitches: Will they ever make it back to Australia?
Orders for most current Volkswagen Tiguans may not reopen
Supply of Volkswagen Tiguan has been interrupted and auto expert understand that the German brand is choosing to increase sales before there are substitutes available.
Volkswagen has confirmed that it has paused orders for the all-wheel drive 132TSI, 147TDI and 162TSI models, but auto expert understand that these are not likely to be reopened.
With the launch of a new-generation five-seater Tiguan coming soon – as seen in increasingly revealing spy shots, hinting at a reveal this year – auto expert understand that orders may remain on hold until new models become available.
FULL STORY: Orders for most current Volkswagen Tiguans may not reopen
All good things…
Anyone buying a new Cupra will have to pay for servicing from the end of March.
Following the launch of Down Under with three years of free maintenance across its entire range, the Volkswagen Group’s Spain subsidiary will charge customers $990 for a three-year maintenance plan from 31 March. 3 year 2023.
That price applies to the upcoming Ateca, Formentor, Leon and Born EVs.
FULL STORY: Cupra ends free service agreement in Australia
BMW reveals updated hi-po SUV duo
After revealing updates to the X5 and X6, BMW introduced their flagship M Competition variants.
The new 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 of the BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition 2024 features 48V mild hybrid technology, while the hi-po SUVs receive many of the same exterior and interior upgrades as the models. Stable cars are less expensive.
Customer deliveries of the updated performance SUVs are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with the X5 M Competition priced at $241,900 before to-to-go and the X6 M Competition priced at $247,900 before. circulate.
FULL STORY: 2024 BMW X5 and X6 M Competitive price and specs: V8 mild hybrid here this year
How Bentley is seeing off the iconic W12
Bentley will end production of its iconic W12 engine in April 2024, transferring this engine to the exclusive Batur.
Just 18 examples of the Batur will be handcrafted by the brand’s Mulliner division, powered by an upgraded version of the twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 engine that produces 552kW at 5500rpm and torque. 1000Nm of torque between 1750 and 5000 rpm.
It received reworked intake, exhaust and cooling systems to release additional power and torque, along with heavily revised engine tuning. The transmission has also been recalibrated to handle more grunt.
FULL STORY: Bentley plans to send its legendary W12 in style
Mazda CX-8 2023 increases in price in the range of updates and reforms
Mazda has priced in its updated CX-8 series, which is scheduled to hit showrooms in March.
The updates largely reflect those applied to the relevant CX-5, including a new Touring Active trim level, available only in the three-row crossover with the four-cylinder diesel engine. 2.2 liter twin turbocharger.
However, this came at the expense of last year’s petrol and diesel-powered Touring SP and GT variants, all of which were replaced by the GT SP version.
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-8 2023 increases in price in the range of updates and reforms
Mercedes-Benz invites you to take a selfie, watch TikTok on the new E-Class
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the tech-filled interior of the new E-Class, with new features like a selfie camera, TikTok capabilities and immersive audio technology.
The first deliveries of the new generation E-Class will begin in Europe in the northern summer, with the model expected to arrive locally near 2024.
The dashboard of the new E-Class can be equipped with an MBUX Super Monitor which, like the EQE and EQS MBUX Super Monitor, has screens that cover the dashboard from column to column.
FULL STORY: 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Lets You Play TikTok and Angry Birds
Synthesis of ANCAP
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Lexus RX have both received 5-star ratings from the safety agency ANCAP.
The first model scored a record high of 97% in the adult passenger protection category, matching the Tesla Model Y SUV in this category.
FULL STORY: Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV receives 5-star safety rating ANCAP
FULL STORY: Lexus RX receives 5-star ANCAP safety rating
