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.
Tesla teases its next electric car
Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased the brand’s next car at the company’s annual shareholder meeting.
He previewed a single shadow trailer of the car’s silhouette, which features familiar fastback styling but what appears to be sharper lines towards the rear.
A sharp crease runs down the side of the car and there’s an abrupt rear end.
FULL STORY: Tesla teases its next electric car
Next generation Tiguan more than 12 months away
The next-generation Volkswagen Tiguan will launch in Australia in the second half of 2024, a company spokesman has confirmed.
The company has yet to confirm when the new Tiguan will be revealed, other than saying the launch will take place sometime in 2023.
Volkswagen is still getting the current Tiguan supply in 110TSI and R forms, although orders for the all-wheel drive 132TSi, 147TDI and 162TSI models have been paused.
FULL STORY: New Volkswagen Tiguan not coming until 2024
Aston Martin teases DB11 successor
Aston Martin has announced that “final preparations” are underway for a next-generation model with the “DB bloodline” that will debut on May 24.
Dubbed a “great example of what is to come”, it was expected that the model would be a successor to DB11 likely to be called DB12. A camouflaged prototype has been discovered.
Ahead of the reveal, Aston Martin has released three teaser images of the car showing parts of its exterior and interior design.
FULL STORY: Aston Martin teases new generation in ‘DB bloodline’
The next generation Mustang is on the Australian roads
The new seventh-generation Ford Mustang has been spotted in Melbourne ahead of its debut in late 2023.
A reader submitted these photos of a pre-production GT prototype, which Ford Australia says is here to check specs and confirm purpose.
We can see a new amber indicator style at the back.
FULL STORY: Ford Mustang 2024 spotted in Australia
Tesla sued by owner for software update affecting range
Tesla is once again in the spotlight (and in court) after over-the-air software updates allegedly slashed availability to some Model S and X owners — in a… In some cases, costly repairs are required.
A class-action lawsuit filed last week in California alleges recent over-the-air software updates cut some cars’ driving range by at least 20%, according to Fortune.
The plaintiffs allege updates downloaded between March 2022 and March 2023 were responsible for the reduced driving range.
FULL STORY: Tesla sued by owner who claims software update cripples battery
Subaru Australia working to get Wilderness models
The brand’s local director says Subaru Australia is working to bring “trail-capable” versions of the Crosstrek, Forester and Outback SUVs to Australia.
Blair Read, Subaru’s local branch operations manager, said that the more rugged Wilderness versions available in the US are “getting ready” for our market.
“We are working very closely with the factory on Wilderness,” said Mr. Read. “Are we interested? Absolute. Is it in the pipeline? Correct.”
FULL STORY: More rugged Subaru Crosstrek ‘in the pipeline’
Honda Australia details the ZR-V product line
After confirming pricing for the new ZR-V earlier this month, Honda Australia has now released full specs for its new mid-size crossover.
It is on sale right now.
The ZR-V slot is in between the HR-V and the CR-V.
FULL STORY: Honda ZR-V 2023 price and specifications
The new generation Subaru Impreza is here this year
The next-generation Subaru Impreza 2024 will follow its premium Crosstrek sibling into the Australian market in the fourth quarter of this year, the brand’s local boss has confirmed.
Subaru Australia CEO, Blair Read, says auto expert the new-generation Impreza hatchback will land sometime between October and December, although it’s impossible to go into detail on what the lineup might look like.
“It will definitely be launched in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year,” Mr. Read said.
FULL STORY: Australian launch date confirmed for new Subaru Impreza
Abarth’s first EV-only lineup
The new Abarth 500e, an attractive version of the electric Fiat 500e, will be offered in a single variant when it arrives in Australia later this year.
Only the hatchback body style (without the cabriolet) in a single Turismo version will be offered, although Abarth will launch the model in a limited number of the Scorpionissima special edition.
The company has yet to announce pricing.
FULL STORY: Details of Abarth’s new electric hot hatch for Australia
Toyota Tacoma 2024 has a new platform, available with hybrid power
The new Toyota Tacoma is based on the TNGA-F body-on-frame architecture that has already underpinned the larger Tundra pickup truck, Sequoia SUV, and LandCruiser 300-Series.
While the fourth-generation Tacoma was designed primarily for the United States, Australia played a small role in the development of the new “midsize” pickup.
ARB, the Australian-based off-road company, has been tapped to develop key components for the new Trailhunter range of vehicles aimed at road enthusiasts. Parts of the ARB also appear on the TRD Pro focusing on desert racing.
FULL STORY: Toyota Tacoma 2024 launched with Australian engineering
Range Rover 2024 SV is hotter, other upgrades
The flagship Range Rover no longer has the P400 petrol powertrain for 2024, but has a new plug-in hybrid option, a more powerful flagship SV and a new SV Bespoke custom service.
Full pricing and specs for the 2024 model have yet to be announced, however, the re-tuning range will open at $250,350 before the circulating costs for the HSE D350.
It’s available to order now, before shipping to its first customers in November-December.
In 2024, the Range Rover lineup is equipped with JLR’s latest generation Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 13.1-inch touchscreen and new sidebars for improved usability.
FULL STORY: Range Rover 2024: New powertrain, more customization coming soon
Genesis G70 update coming this year, new base model
The Genesis G70 has had a heart transplant, ditching the entry-level turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in favor of a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.
The updated sedan and Shooting Brake are currently on sale in South Korea and will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Genesis Australia has yet to detail local pricing and specs, and has confirmed whether the 2.5-litre engine will arrive. The related Kia Stinger received the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in markets like South Korea and the US in 2020, but it never arrived here.
The sedan and Shooting Brake’s new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 227 kW of power and 422 Nm of torque, up 48 kW and 69 Nm on the outgoing 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
FULL STORY: Genesis’ 3 Series Rival Gets More Power, Confirms Australia’s Time
