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.
Tesla teases its next electric car
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has teased the next vehicle from the brand at the company’s annual shareholder meeting.
He previewed a single shadowy teaser of the vehicle’s silhouette, featuring a familiar fastback profile but what appear to be sharper lines towards the rear.
A sharp crease runs down the side of the vehicle, and there’s an abrupt tail.
FULL STORY: Tesla teases its next electric car
Next-gen Tiguan over 12 months away
The next-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is launching in Australia in the second half of 2024, a company spokesperson has confirmed.
The company has yet to confirm when the new Tiguan will be revealed, other than to say the unveiling will take place sometime in 2023.
Volkswagen is still getting supply of the current Tiguan in 110TSI and R guise, though orders for all-wheel drive 132TSi, 147TDI and 162TSI models have been paused.
FULL STORY: New Volkswagen Tiguan not due until 2024
Aston Martin teases DB11 successor
Aston Martin has announced that “final preparations” are underway for a new-generation model in the “DB bloodline” which will debut on May 24.
Dubbed as a “stunning example of what’s to come”, it’s expected this model will be the successor to the DB11 potentially called the DB12. A camouflaged prototype has already been spied.
In the lead up to the reveal, Aston Martin has published three teaser images of the car that show parts of its exterior and interior design.
FULL STORY: Aston Martin teases new generation in ‘DB bloodline’
Next-gen Mustang already on Australian roads
The new seventh-generation Ford Mustang has been spied in Melbourne ahead of a launch in late 2023.
A reader sent in these shots of a GT pre-production prototype, which Ford Australia says is here for spec check and validation purposes.
We can see a new style of amber indicators at the rear.
FULL STORY: 2024 Ford Mustang spied in Australia
Tesla sued by owners for range-affecting software updates
Tesla is once again in the spotlight (and the courts) after its over-the-air software updates allegedly slashed the amount of range on offer for some Model S and X owners – necessitating expensive repairs in some cases.
A class action lawsuit filed last week in California alleges recent over-the-air software updates cut driving range in some cars by at least 20 per cent, according to Fortune.
Plaintiffs allege updates downloaded between March 2022 and March 2023 are to blame for the drops in driving range.
FULL STORY: Tesla sued by owners claiming software updates crippled batteries
Subaru Australia working to get Wilderness models
Subaru Australia is working hard on getting “trail-capable” versions of its Crosstrek, Forester and Outback SUVs to Australia, according to the brand’s local director.
Blair Read, managing director for Subaru’s local arm, said the more rugged Wilderness versions available in the US are “in the pipeline” for our market.
“We are working very closely with the factory on Wilderness,” Mr Read said. “Are we interested? Absolutely. Is it in the pipeline? Yes.”
FULL STORY: More rugged Subaru Crosstrek ‘in the pipeline’
Honda Australia details its ZR-V line-up
After confirming pricing for its new ZR-V earlier this month, Honda Australia has now released full specifications for its new mid-sized crossover.
It’s on sale now.
The ZR-V slots in between the HR-V and the CR-V.
FULL STORY: 2023 Honda ZR-V price and specs
New-gen Subaru Impreza here this year
The next-generation 2024 Subaru Impreza will follow its high-riding Crosstrek sibling into the Australian market during the fourth quarter of this year, the brand’s local boss has confirmed.
Managing director for Subaru Australia, Blair Read, told CarExpert the new-gen Impreza hatchback will lob Down Under sometime during the October-December period, though couldn’t go into further details about what the line-up might look like.
“It will definitely be launched in Australia during quarter four of this year,” Mr Read said.
FULL STORY: Australian launch timing confirmed for new Subaru Impreza
Hatch-only line-up for Abarth’s first electric car
The new Abarth 500e, the hot 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 (no cabriolet) in a single Turismo trim will be offered, though Abarth will launch the model with a limited run of the special edition Scorpionissima.
The company has yet to release pricing.
FULL STORY: Abarth’s new electric hot hatch detailed for Australia
2024 Toyota Tacoma gets new platform, available hybrid power
The new Toyota Tacoma is based on the TNGA-F body-on-frame architecture that already serves as the basis for the larger Tundra pickup, Sequoia SUV, and 300-Series LandCruiser.
While the fourth-generation Tacoma is designed primarily for the USA, Australia did play a small role in developing the new “mid-size” pickup truck.
ARB, the Australia-based off-roading specialist company, was tapped to develop key components for the new Trailhunter trim line that’s aimed at those who like to go overlanding. ARB’s parts also appear on the desert racing-focussed TRD Pro.
FULL STORY: 2024 Toyota Tacoma unveiled with Australian engineering
2024 Range Rover gets hotter SV, other upgrades
The flagship Range Rover loses its petrol P400 powertrain for 2024, but gains a new plug-in hybrid option, a more powerful SV flagship, and a new SV Bespoke customisation service.
Full pricing and specifications for the 2024 model year have yet to be released, however the rejigged range opens at $250,350 before on-road costs for the HSE D350.
It’s available to order now, ahead of first customer deliveries in November-December.
For 2024, the Range Rover line-up gets the latest generation of JLR’s Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 13.1-inch touchscreen and new sidebars to improve usability.
FULL STORY: 2024 Range Rover: New powertrains, more customisation coming
Genesis G70 update due here this year, gets new base model
The Genesis G70 has received a heart transplant, ditching its entry-level turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine for a more powerful turbo 2.5-litre.
The updated sedan and Shooting Brake range is on sale in Korea now, and is coming to Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Genesis Australia has yet to detail local pricing and specifications, and confirm whether the 2.5-litre is coming here. The related Kia Stinger received a turbo 2.5-litre in markets like Korea and the US in 2020, but it never came here.
The sedan and Shooting Brake’s new turbo 2.5-litre produces 227kW of power and 422Nm of torque, up 48kW and 69Nm on the outgoing turbo 2.0-litre.
FULL STORY: Genesis’ 3 Series rival gets more power, Australian timing confirmed
