We publish a lot of car news during the work week (normally 70 news) and it’s hard to keep up with everything – that’s the underlying reason behind this weekend’s list.
In a nutshell, here are some of the key articles from our news desk as of this Monday summarized, in case you missed them at the time.
Renault’s retro-inspired comeback
The reborn Renault 4 was previewed in concept form this week in Paris, as the brand continues to reboot its long past to define its electric future.
The Renault 4Ever Trophy has the necessary design touches for the concept car, but underneath it all it’s clear what to expect from the production model in 2025.
The famous Renault 4 badge returns after a 30-year hiatus. Reflecting the times, this new version of the affordable and durable icon – sales eight million in 100 countries – will be a B-segment electric SUV.
FULL STORY: 2025 Renault 4 EV restart previewed in Paris
Details of BMW’s new imported EV
BMW has released pricing and detailed specifications for its new entry-level electric vehicle, based on the next-generation X1 compact SUV.
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 will cost $82,900 before shipping when it arrives in Australia in the first quarter of 2023 – in both xLine and M Sport trim levels.
It will compete with rivals including the Tesla Model Y ($72,300 to $96,700), the Mercedes-Benz EQA ($78,500 to $96,900) and the Volvo XC40 Recharge ($72,990 to $79,490).
FULL STORY: Price and specifications BMW iX1 EV 2023
Grenadier will go!
Production of the Ineos Grenadier 4×4 is finally underway after several delays, with the cars rolling off the factory line and arriving to customers globally from December.
Protesters in the Australian market will arrive in time for Christmas, with customer cars due to start showing up here from January 2023.
The luxury SUV designed to fill the gap in the Land Rover Defender’s form in the market – an original model, not a new one – is being manufactured at a former Daimler plant in Hambach, France.
FULL STORY: Ineos Grenadier is in production
Great Wall Motor chases Tesla
GWM’s dedicated electric vehicle brand, Ora, took center stage at the Paris motor show with the reveal of the Next Ora Cat four-door “coupe” (yes, that’s what it’s called).
The company’s new fast-growing flagship electric vehicle with a frameless four-door is designed to match the Tesla Model 3, along with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal.
The new GWM Next Ora Cat was previously launched in its home country of China as the Ora Lightning Cat.
FULL STORY: GWM’s Ora EV brand details new performance four-door ‘coupe’
Hyundai’s grand entrance
Remember the Hyundai Grandeur? It was the company’s flagship sedan in Australia from 1999 to 2011 across two generations.
While it has since been retired to local galleries, the nameplates of soldiers back home in Korea, with a brand new version were revealed overnight.
Once again the Grandeur will be called Azera in export markets. Before we get into it, it’s unlikely this seventh-generation Grandeur/Azera will come to Australia – we checked.
FULL STORY: 2023 Hyundai Grandeur revealed
Toyota faces more court time
An Australian law firm has sensationally launched a class-action lawsuit against market leader Toyota, alleging it used the same type of diesel-defeating device that caused the question. story about Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ on vehicles like HiLux and LandCruiser.
Toyota Australia, apparently perplexed, said it dismissed the claims and would defend the class action in Victoria’s Supreme Court “sternly”.
The class action lawsuit brought has nothing to do with another controversial class action lawsuit centered on Toyota’s faulty diesel particulate filters (DPFs), the legal basis of which stems from the recent decision Federal Court case against the automaker – which it appealed. .
FULL STORY: Toyota Australia to appear in court over claims of equipment to defeat diesel emissions
Cadillac turns back the clock
The Cadillac Celestiq 2024 will attempt to bring the American luxury car brand into the future and regain its past ‘Standard of the World’ glory.
The ultra-luxury electric flagship will go into production in December 2023 and will be priced at US$300,000 (AU$476,115).
For context, Cadillac’s most expensive model currently is the Escalade-V, which starts at $149,695 ($237,616). The price of the Celestiq puts it between the V8 and W12 versions of the Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner in the US.
FULL STORY: Cadillac reveals super-luxury Celestiq production EV version with Bentley price
Stellantis head calls for banning ICE
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stated that the European Union’s proposal to ban the sale of new combustion engine vehicles from 2035 would have serious social consequences.
Speaking in Paris overnight, Mr Tavares said more negotiations were needed, proposing terms to give hybrids a longer shelf life and hence a more gradual transition to electric vehicles.
“It’s essential,” he said at a press conference at the Paris Motor Show, when asked if there was a need to amend the controversial ban. “The dogmatic decision made to ban the sale of thermal cars by 2035 has had uncontrollable social consequences.”
FULL STORY: Stellantis says petrol and diesel ban will have big consequences
The iPhone looks weird…
Foxtron has unveiled an e-car and hatchback as well as a production version of its electric SUV.
The company – a byproduct of Taiwan’s Foxconn, known as a contract manufacturer for the iPhone and Xbox – plans to have Model C crossovers on the roads of Taiwan in the second half of the year. 2023.
Foxconn confirmed at its annual Hon Hai Technology Day that it will manufacture vehicles in Taiwan, Thailand and the US, with production of the Model B crossover hatchback and Model V pickup to begin in 2024.
FULL STORY: Foxtron unveils EVs and SUVs, sets sky-high sales targets
Price of Raptor increased
Ford Ranger Raptors built from March 2023 will be $1300 more expensive than the current version when they start shipping, with some existing preorders likely to be affected.
The Raptors are classified as a 2023.5 model – Ford’s usual parlance – so will retail for $86,790 before shipping costs when starting to arrive at dealers before mid-year.
Ford dealerships are allocated until the end of February 2023, meaning that some existing order holders whose vehicles are being built later than this will incur a price increase – or 1.5% – unless they can bid their agency.
FULL STORY: Ford Ranger Raptor price increase, rolling door option from March 2023
New ASX? Maybe not…
Mitsubishi will launch a new compact SUV between April 2023 and March 2024, and the concept car revealed today tells us what to expect.
The Mitsubishi XFC Concept will debut at the Vietnam auto show next week – ostensibly an unusual choice to host the launch.
However, it is important to note that Mitsubishi is focused on Southeast Asia, following the ‘follow the lead’ global business model of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance.
FULL STORY: Mitsubishi confirms 2024 small SUV, previewed by this new concept
Silent even by Rolls-Royce standards
Rolls-Royce has finally unveiled the Specter coupe, its first electric production vehicle, ahead of customer deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The ultra-luxurious spiritual successor to the Phantom Coupe has been running for 122 years, in the words of Charles Stewart Rolls himself in 1900.
“The electric car is completely noiseless and clean. No smell or vibration. They will become very useful when stationary charging stations can be arranged,” he said at the dawn of the 20th century.
FULL STORY: Rolls-Royce Specter super luxury car revealed
