We publish a ton of automobile information tales in the course of the working week (70-odd as a rule), and it may be powerful to maintain up with all the things – which is the rationale behind this weekend checklist.
In quick, listed here are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.
Mazda tweaks its most cost-effective mannequin
The Mazda 2 is near a decade outdated however there’s no signal of a substitute, with the Japanese model as an alternative giving the sunshine automobile one other facelift.
It will go on sale in Australia in June 2023, with deliveries starting in July.
Pricing will probably be introduced nearer to launch, however Mazda says the local 2 range will proceed to comprise Pure, Pure SP, Evolve and GT variants. Currently, the GT is the one trim to nonetheless supply the selection of a sedan.
FULL STORY: 2023 Mazda 2 facelift revealed, Australian deliveries begin in July
Genesis convertible flagship confirmed
The Genesis model is reportedly set to get its first convertible.
Automotive News stories the Korean luxurious model will introduce a manufacturing model of the Genesis X Convertible idea, revealed at last year’s Los Angeles motor show.
American Genesis seller Peter Lanzavecchia, additionally chairman of the Genesis National Dealer Advisory Council, mentioned Genesis chief inventive officer Luc Donckerwolke confirmed the mannequin at an annual seller assembly.
FULL STORY: Genesis X Convertible concept entering production – report
Audi’s pickup idea… of types
The fourth member of Audi’s forward-looking ‘Sphere’ sequence of idea automobiles is an off-road-capable electrical crossover reliant on augmented actuality controls.
The five-metre lengthy (4.98m to be particular) Activesphere has the silhouette of a luxurious four-door coupe however the top and wheels of an off-roader. Perhaps that is the way forward for conventional smooth luxurious automobiles?
Additionally the rear hatch space can flip into an open cargo mattress – Audi calls it the “lively again” – on the contact of a button, making it a probably fascinating addition to Audi’s Allroad vary.
FULL STORY: Audi Activesphere concept is a coupe-pickup with AR tech
Kia’s reply to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid nears
No, that’s not a typo. Kia Australia is lastly bringing the Sportage Hybrid (or HEV) to Australia, and it’s prone to arrive early subsequent yr.
Speaking with CarExpert, Kia’s native boss for product planning, Roland Rivero, confirmed manufacturing of native fashions will start in South Korea in the course of the fourth quarter of 2023 forward of a gross sales launch early in 2024.
That timeline aligns with Kia’s typical sample of introducing new fashions on the Australian Open tennis grand slam, of which the Korean model is the official accomplice and recently extended its contract until 2028.
FULL STORY: Kia Sportage Hybrid finally confirmed for Australia, coming 2024
Porsche recreates an icon
Legendary model Porsche was born as we all know it in 1948, when the 356 No. 1 Roadster earned its common working allow.
The firm has now given itself one thing of a birthday current with the Porsche Vision 357, a design examine and homage that brings the 356’s “monolithic kind into the current day”.
It additionally offers some clues as to what we would count on from future Porsche sports activities automobiles, although the Vision 357 is strictly an idea “liberated from the rules that apply for implementation as a sequence mannequin”.
FULL STORY: Porsche Vision 357 design concept reinterprets an icon
Polestar 2 replace has Tesla Model 3 in thoughts
Single-motor variants of the Polestar 2 electrical liftback are set to modify from front-wheel drive (FWD) to rear-wheel drive RWD) as a part of a newly introduced replace.
Polestar in the present day detailed quite a lot of modifications for its Tesla Model 3 rival, together with new electrical motor setups and batteries bringing extra energy and vary, tweaked exterior styling, and extra customary options. While not confirmed, we additionally count on some value will increase.
Australian clients will be capable of order a 2024 Polestar 2 in the second quarter of 2023 by way of the Polestar Australia web site. First deliveries are anticipated in the third quarter of this yr.
FULL STORY: Polestar 2 moves to RWD, in Australia from Q3
Used automobile value normality to renew?
Australian wholesale new car costs have fallen 12 per cent from their peak in May 2022, as normality returns to the broader provide chain and demand for pre-loved automobiles cools.
The This fall Used Vehicle Price Report discovered used automobile costs have now decreased for seven successive months, and in January 2023 that they had their first year-on-year decline since May of 2020.
Moreover, used automobile costs are anticipated to proceed returning to earth throughout 2023 as new automobile provide improves, and demand weakens on the again of upper borrowing prices and inflation.
FULL STORY: Used cars continue to get cheaper, new research finds
Bent-eight burbles on
The world goes electrical, however the old style V8 isn’t lifeless simply but. Just ask General Motors.
The group’s sixth-generation small-block V8 engine will probably be constructed in Flint, Michigan, utilizing elements made in Michigan, Ohio, and New York on the again of an US$854 million (A$1.2b) funding introduced this week.
When it comes into service, the engine will function in “full-size truck and SUV” fashions. What function it’ll play in the sports activities automobile house is much less clear, given the Corvette E-Ray demonstrates a transparent intention to impress GM icons.
FULL STORY: General Motors invests $1.2b in keeping the V8 alive
Akio exits as Toyota CEO
Akio Toyoda, grandson of the automobile maker’s founder, and probably the most vibrant automotive bosses in Japan’s current historical past is stepping apart as CEO of Toyota.
He will probably be changed as president and CEO on April 1, 2023 by Koji Sato, who’s at present the pinnacle of each Lexus and Gazoo Racing. Sato will stay in cost of the posh and sports activities manufacturers after turning into the corporate’s boss.
Sato has been with Toyota since he graduated Waseda University in 1992 with a mechanical engineering diploma.
FULL STORY: Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda steps down, replaced by Lexus and GR boss
Badass BMW M3 CS emerges
BMW has revealed the extra hardcore – lighter, stiffer and extra highly effective – M3 CS flagship sedan forward of its world premiere this weekend on the 24 Hours of Daytona.
As we’ve come to count on the M3 CS will get an upgraded inline-six, retuned chassis, and in depth use of carbon-fibre to make it badder than its siblings. It shares a lot in widespread with the BMW M4 CSL revealed final May, solely it gives a extra sensible inside and all-wheel drive as an alternative of rear-wheel drive.
It’ll be in Australia in restricted numbers from the second half of 2023, costing $249,900 earlier than on-road prices.
FULL STORY: 2024 BMW M3 CS revealed
Ferrari pitches its tackle EV noise enhancer
Electric automobiles are recognized for being quiet and Ferraris aren’t. The Prancing Horse model’s upcoming EVs might, nevertheless, supply a particular soundtrack audible to each occupants and passers-by.
In a submitting with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) discovered by CarBuzz, Ferrari has patented a system that can “permit the motive force and the passengers to take pleasure in, contained in the passenger compartment, a top quality sound which… may be very nice for them”.
Ferrari filed the patent in the US on January 5, 2023, round six months after submitting a patent in Italy.
FULL STORY: Ferrari patents “engine noise” for EVs
Hyundai’s DCT recalled over potential energy loss
Hyundai Australia has issued a recall for 8466 automobiles throughout a number of mannequin traces, over a difficulty with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) the place drivers could expertise a sudden lack of energy.
“Software logic for ‘fail-safe’ driving circumstances was not set as much as accurately reply when sure transmission oil pump faults are detected in the twin clutch transmission,” the corporate says in its recall discover.
“Loss of motive energy whereas driving at excessive velocity might enhance the chance of a crash. This might probably end result in harm or dying to car occupants and different highway customers.”
FULL STORY: Hyundai Australia recalls thousands of vehicles over DCT fault
Volvo skeptical about driverless automobile timelines
Fully self-driving automobiles received’t manifest for a very long time but even because the know-how facet of issues matures, says present Volvo international chief Jim Rowan.
He additionally referred to as the present system of classifying self-driving automobiles into 5 ranges ‘nonsense’, and mentioned unsubstantiated claims round driverless car improvement not inflate share worth as they did just a few years in the past.
The Scotland-born CEO of Volvo Cars (and former head of Dyson) was in Melbourne final week as a part of a go to to far-flung areas of his enterprise, and gave a while to native media.
FULL STORY: Volvo boss says autonomous cars a ‘long way off’, and people know it
Australia an enormous deal for Chery, once more
Chinese firm Chery is because of return right here in the approaching months, initially with the Omoda 5 small SUV earlier than a extra broad-scale product rollout intensifies in the approaching 12 months.
And – no stress or something – your complete organisation is pinning its hopes on the corporate’s native success and future product planning.
The car-maker has a historical past of enjoying in growing markets, historically providing low-cost fashions that had been primary in phrases of options, engineering high quality and likewise buying and selling security inclusions for a less expensive price ticket.
FULL STORY: Chery says Australia a focal point, with priority supply – here’s why
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