We publish a lot of car news during the work week (the rule is 70 odd) and it can be hard to keep up with everything – 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.
Tesla Model 3 beats Toyota Camry, Corolla in sales, sets a record
The price drop and ample supply led to the Tesla Model 3 electric sedan achieving huge deliveries in January, with 2927 of them already in the hands of customers.
As such, the Model 3 is the best-selling passenger vehicle on the market and third in overall monthly sales – behind only the Toyota HiLux and the Ford Ranger.
This is the highest finish ever for electric vehicles in the Australian market.
FULL STORY: Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling passenger car in Australia in January
Toyota chases Tesla with a series of electric cars
The Toyota bZ4x will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year and will be the first of at least the first three electric vehicle launches.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations said: “Starting with bZ4x, we will be launching at least three electric vehicles within three years, and many more. More is in the process of being implemented.
“Toyota is committed to bringing electric vehicles to Australia, in the thousands within a few short years, and eventually in the tens of thousands.”
In addition to these three models, Hanley said the company is “thoroughly examining” the production version of last year’s bZ Compact SUV concept.
Toyota is targeting ‘electrified’ vehicles to account for more than half of its sales by 2025, up from 31.5% in 2022 – although it hasn’t specified how many of them. This will be pure electric vehicle.
FULL STORY: Toyota Australia plans three electric vehicles by 2026
FULL STORY: Toyota wants more than half of its sales in Australia to be electrified by 2025
Mazda’s flagship SUV debuts here this year, PHEV next year
Mazda’s new CX-90 front three-row SUV will offer a choice of petrol and diesel engines when it arrives in Australia in the second half of 2023, shortly after the CX-60.
The Mazda CX-90 2024 for the Australian market will be offered with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol engine with a capacity of 254 kW and 500 Nm of torque, and a 6-cylinder engine. 3.3-litre turbocharger with 187 kW and 550 Nm – the latter unique to Australia.
They’re mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission designed specifically for vehicles on this platform, with drive sent to all four wheels via the standard i-Activ all-wheel drive system.
The plug-in hybrid version will debut in 2024 and uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motor to generate a maximum capacity of 240kW and 500Nm, an 8-speed gearbox and a 17.8-inch battery pack. kWh to enable all-electric driving.
FULL STORY: 2024 Mazda CX-90: Australia gets petrol and diesel engines
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid won’t arrive in Australia until 2024
Queuing for i30 N sees Hyundai suspend orders
Hyundai Australia has stopped taking orders for the i30 N hot hatch, as it has to deal with a backlog of more than 1600 undelivered vehicles (at last count).
But rumors of its demise appear to have been exaggerated, as the plan was to resell the pocket rocket after the bank placed an outstanding order more manageable.
“To avoid disappointing customers, HMCA will no longer take orders for the i30 N. [hatch]. As soon as our i30 N production allocation catches up with the order bank, HMCA will start taking orders again,” the company told us.
FULL STORY: Orders of Hyundai i30 N hatch are also temporarily paused
What are you waiting for? Honda’s hot hatch is out of time
The new Honda Civic Type R is more expensive than ever, but demand has never been higher.
Honda has confirmed the turbocharged hot hatch will sell out in the next 20 months, which means anyone ordering now won’t get the keys until the end of 2024 – unless Honda Australia can guarantee it produce more.
As is the case with the industry as a whole, Honda says it is “constantly looking for ways to shorten this waiting period”.
FULL STORY: Waiting time for Honda Civic Type R extends to the end of 2024
Volkswagen pricing Ranger-based models
The new Volkswagen Amarok has been priced in Australia.
With a starting price of $50,990 before hitting the road, the starting price has increased by $5100 for 2023 – although the new Amarok promises to be a much safer, higher-tech proposition than its predecessors. with its venerable predecessor.
Three engines will be offered: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel (in two tunings), a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 and a 2.3-liter turbocharged petrol engine.
The 2.3-litre petrol engine is unique to the Amarok compared to the Ford Ranger with which it shares the platform.
FULL STORY: Price and specifications Volkswagen Amarok 2023
Lexus Australia confirms electric RZ, RX plug-in hybrid
The first Lexus electric vehicle built on a dedicated EV platform will land in Australia this May.
Lexus Australia has yet to confirm pricing for the RZ SUV, built on a version of the platform already launched under the Toyota bZ4X name, nor what the supply will be at launch.
Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas said: “I think RZ will do very well. auto expert.
“No matter how much we can get, I think that car will do well. I can’t determine what it will look like yet.”
A plug-in hybrid version of the RX450h+ has also been confirmed for the Australian market, but it’s still unclear when it will arrive.
“We will get the PHEV RX in Australia. For us at this point, it’s just a matter of time,” said Pappas.
He said PHEV production is being prioritized for markets with strict carbon regulations, where strong sales of PHEVs and EVs can reduce manufacturers’ average emissions and potentially help they avoid heavy fines.
FULL STORY: Lexus RZ EV coming in May 2023
FULL STORY: Lexus RX450h+ plug-in hybrid coming soon in Australia
Jeep price is a bit lower than Grand Grand
The two-row version of the new WL Jeep Grand Cherokee is finally in showrooms this month after a lengthy delay, with prices starting at $77,950 excluding tolls.
Three variants will be offered at first: Night Eagle, Limited and Overland, all powered by the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 petrol engine.
These complement the longer three-row Grand Cherokee L line launched last year, available in Night Eagle, Limited, and Summit Reserve versions and priced from $82,750 before hitting the road.
In related news, the Grand Cherokee L in the Summit Reserve version has upgraded maximum brake traction to 2813kg, like the rest of the L-series.
The brand has confirmed the update is due to a change in how the seven-seat SUV’s drag is calculated, and not due to any physical changes to the vehicle.
FULL STORY: Jeep Grand Cherokee 2023 price and specifications: A two-row model appears
FULL STORY: The towing capacity of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L 2023 is updated
G63 AMG is still MIA
Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed orders for their AMG G63 remain closed for the foreseeable future.
This comes as the company details the sale date and price for the limited edition G63 Edition 55 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Mercedes-AMG brand.
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia said orders for the Mercedes-AMG G63 Edition 55 will be considered separate from the regular G63.
Existing orders for the regular G63 will be handled on a case-by-case basis, the spokesperson added, and they may be asked by the dealer if they want to get the G63 Edition 55 instead.
FULL STORY: Mercedes-AMG G63 orders are still closed
Next-generation Mazda CX-5, CX-9 in doubt
It’s unclear whether the Mazda CX-5 will receive a third generation as the company launches two separate new mid-size SUVs.
“I’m not sure if we’re going to introduce the CX-5, so I can’t give you any details,” said current CX-5 program manager Mitsuru Wakiie. know through an interpreter when asked about next plans. – model generation.
The CX-5 only received an upgrade recently, suggesting it will remain on sale for a few more years.
The CX-9 may not be around much longer, although Mazda Australia says it will continue to sell the large crossover for as long as it continues to be produced.
Mazda Australia CEO Vinesh Bhindi said: “We expect by 2023 we will have both models on sale side-by-side and then in the future whether that model will be in the top category. that investment will depend on whether they continue to be produced.”
FULL STORY: Mazda “not sure” about next-generation CX-5
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-9 future unknown, new CX-90 launched
Updated Range Rover Velar priced for Australia
2023 has only just begun but Range Rover has detailed an updated version of its 2024 model for its sleek Velar SUV.
There’s a tweaked exterior design, more paint options, a larger infotainment touchscreen, and a larger high-voltage battery in the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
The Range Rover Velar 2024 is currently on sale with customer deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.
FULL STORY: Price Range Rover Velar 2024, detailed update
