We publish a ton of car news stories during the working week, and it can be tough to keep up with everything – which is the rationale behind this weekend list.
In short, here are some key articles from our news desk since Monday of this week summarised, just in case you missed them at the time.
Ford prices electric Mustang Mach-E for Australia
The Ford Mustang Mach-E will be more expensive than its big rival from Tesla, the Model Y, when it hits Australia later this year.
Pricing for the range opens at $79,990 before on-road costs for the base model Select, and extends to $108,990 before on-road costs for the flagship GT.
There are two battery options available within the range, with a 71kWh pack in the base Select and a 91kWh pack in the Premium and GT grades.
Range differs between models, with the base Select offering 470km, and the Premium with its larger battery offering up to 600km of range – both based on the WLTP cycle. The GT offers a claimed range of 490km.
MORE: 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E price and specs
Chery details its first electric vehicle for Australia
The Chery Omoda 5 EV was quietly revealed at the Shanghai motor show, and now the company’s local arm has confirmed some key specifications.
It’s still set to launch in the first half of 2024, and serve as the relaunched Chinese brand’s rival to models like the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3.
The electric version of the Omoda 5 uses a 61kWh battery, with a claimed 450km of range under the WLTP cycle.
MORE: Chery Omoda 5 EV detailed ahead of Australian launch
Mercedes-Benz bids adieu to the CLS
Mercedes-Benz arguably invented the modern four-door coupe segment but as sedans – including its own – have gotten ever sleeker, its CLS has been squeezed out.
The shapely CLS is now being discontinued locally after three generations as Mercedes-Benz welcomes the electric EQE it’s selling alongside the more traditional E-Class.
“Orders have ceased and production for the current CLS will end August this year in preparation for the new E-Class,” said a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia.
MORE: Mercedes-Benz CLS axed in Australia, production ends soon
Electric Genesis GV60 gets more tech
Genesis has given the GV60 electric SUV some specification tweaks ahead of its arrival on Australian shores in May 2023.
Pricing is up $4000 across the GV60 range, with it now starting at $107,700 before on-roads for the AWD, and extending to $114,700 before on-roads for the Performance AWD.
A major highlight of this update to the Genesis GV60 is the debut of Genesis Connected Services (GCS), which allows owners to access safety, security and convenience features either in-car or on a smartphone.
MORE: 2023 Genesis GV60 price and spec: More tech, more money
Volvo’s upcoming small EV leaked in patent images
Patent images of Volvo’s upcoming EX30 have been published online, giving us our best look yet of the entry-level electric SUV.
The EX30 is due in Australia before the end of 2023.
The patent images, shared by Coche Spias, depict a vehicle with a clear familial resemblance with the upcoming EX90 flagship, with similar headlight and tail light designs.
MORE: Volvo EX30: Electric SUV leaked in patent images
MG releases pricing and specifications for its upcoming electric MG 4
MG has released pricing for the entire MG 4 line-up, with the electric hatchback range opening at just under $45,000 before on-roads.
The company had previously confirmed pricing only for the top Essence spec with the 64kWh battery as pre-sales opened. This variant is priced at $47,990 before on-roads and offers 435km of range on the WLTP cycle.
It has now confirmed pricing for the base Excite, which uses the same battery (but with 450km of range) and costs $44,990 before on-roads.
MORE: 2023 MG 4 price and specs: Electric hatch priced from $44,990
How the instant asset write-off scheme has been slashed
The Albanese Government’s change to the instant asset write-off scheme will slam the door shut on new commercial vehicles being claimed by businesses.
Announced as part of the 2023-24 Budget, both the total cost claimable and the number of businesses eligible for the Instant Asset Write-Off are being reduced, effective from July 1.
The scheme currently allows for a piece of new equipment up to the value of $150,000 to be instantly claimed, but this is being reduced to $20,000.
MORE: How the instant asset write-off scheme has been slashed
Bentley launches special edition to send off W12 engine
The sun will soon set on the W12 engine, but Bentley isn’t letting the unique 12-cylinder engine configuration go away without a party, or a special edition.
The new Speed Edition 12 spec will be available on the Bentley Continental GT coupe, Continental GTC convertible, Flying Spur sedan, and Bentayga crossover.
Production of the Speed Edition 12 will be limited to 120 cars for each of the company’s four model lines.
MORE: Bentley launches special edition to send off W12 engine
Tesla breaks ground on Texas lithium refinery
Tesla has taken its first step towards refining enough lithium to power one million electric cars per year in Texas.
CEO Elon Musk this week broke ground on a lithium refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas, ahead of its planned completion in 2024, and production ramp-up in 2025.
Mr Musk was flanked by Texas governor Greg Abbott at the groundbreaking ceremony, and arrived in a heavily accessorised Cybertruck ute.
MORE: Tesla breaks ground on Texas lithium refinery
Peugeot Australia says 408 will only offer a PHEV powertrain
Peugeot Australia has announced the funky 408 coupe SUV will only be available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain when it arrives in Australia in late 2023.
The company has now opened expressions of interest for the 408.
The PHEV powertrain consists of a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engineproducing 132kW, with an 81kW electric motor and a 12.4kWh battery pack. Total system output is 165kW of power.
Peugeot claims a WLTP electric-only range of up to 67km and says it can be charged using AC power at a maximum rate of 3.7kW, with the option to boost this to 7.4kW.
MORE: Peugeot’s new coupe SUV will only offer plug-in hybrid power
Sports car, ute among 10 Toyota EVs due by 2026
Toyota has shed more light on the 10 electric vehicles (EVs) it has previously confirmed it will launch by 2026, by which time it aims to be selling 1.5 million pure-electric vehicles globally.
CEO Koji Sato previewed Toyota’s EV rollout in a briefing announcing the company’s financial results for the 2023 fiscal year.
The company released a teaser image of a five-door fastback wearing a Lexus badge, featuring a steeply raked bonnet and roofline, and particularly angular details at the rear.
MORE: Sports car, ute among 10 Toyota EVs due by 2026
Subaru plans to add three new electric SUVs by 2026
Subaru is a little later than most legacy carmakers to the electric vehicle (EV) game, but is now putting the pedal to the metal.
The Japanese carmaker announced as part of its latest financial results presentation that it plans to roll out three more electric crossovers by the end of 2026, in addition to the current Solterra.
These three upcoming Subaru EVs will be built in Japan at Subaru plants and use batteries sourced through its alliance with Toyota. It’s worth noting the Solterra is essentially a rebadged Toyota bZ4X, with the two companies having co-developed the electric twins.
MORE: Subaru plans range of new electric SUVs by end of 2026
Nissan teases hardcore Patrol V8 follow-up to Navara Warrior
Nissan and Premcar have teased their next collaboration, the Patrol Warrior, that’s due here late in 2023.
Australian firm Premcar currently produces the Navara Pro-4X Warrior, a modified and more off-road-oriented version of Nissan’s ute.
Like the fettled Navara, Premcar’s Patrol doesn’t have any more power under the bonnet. However, Premcar says it has made enhancements to the big SUV’s suspension, while also giving it new wheels and tyres.
MORE: Nissan teases hardcore Patrol V8 follow-up to Navara Warrior
Tesla removes Model S and X from local line-up
The Tesla Model S and Model X won’t be returning to Australia after all.
In emails to customers shared on the Tesla Model 3 & Y Australia and Tesla Owners Australia groups on Facebook, Tesla has confirmed its updated flagship models won’t be launched locally.
That’s despite the vehicles having not only been sold here in pre-update guise, but also being confirmed and priced in updated guise back in 2021.
MORE: Tesla Model S and Model X dead in Australia
Toyota confirms mild-hybrid powertrain for HiLux and Fortuner
Toyota in South Africa has confirmed the related HiLux ute and Fortuner SUV will both receive a mild-hybrid powertrain in 2024.
As reported by South African publication CarMag, Toyota South Africa senior vice president of sales and marketing Leon Theron said during an event the mild-hybrid HiLux and Fortuner are both on the cards for a launch in that market next year.
No other information was announced about the mild-hybrid HiLux and Fortuner at this event in South Africa.
MORE: Mild-hybrid power coming for Toyota HiLux, Fortuner
Lexus GX to join Australian line-up in 2024
Lexus has teased the third generation of its body-on-frame GX SUV, which has always been a more upscale version of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado.
The company’s local arm had no comment on the GX’s chances for a local launch.
However, CarExpert understands the GX will join the local line-up before mid-2024, giving Lexus a vehicle to slot in between the unibody RX crossover and full-sized LX body-on-frame SUV.
MORE: Replacement for Prado-based Lexus GX likely for Australia
