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.
Kia details its new electric flagship
Kia’s new electric flagship will offer up to 541km of range, downloadable features and, in some markets, Level 3 autonomous driving technology.
The Korean automaker has detailed the global EV9 range ahead of the three-row SUV’s local launch before the end of 2023. The SUV will make its in-person debut at this month’s Seoul Mobility Show.
FULL STORY: Kia EV9: Electric SUV’s range, outputs detailed
FULL STORY: Hotter Kia EV9 electric SUV coming in 2025
Lamborghini reveals its new electrified flagship
Lamborghini has officially revealed the hybrid V12 successor to its Aventador that marks a “new paradigm in terms of performance, sportiness and driving pleasure” for the brand.
Dubbed the Revuelto, which is the Spanish word for ‘scrambled’ or ‘mixed’, this V12 plug-in hybrid supercar is based on a new architecture with a new design language and maximised aerodynamics.
FULL STORY: Lamborghini Revuelto: Hybrid V12 flagship revealed
Mustang Mach-E finally coming to Australia
Ford is bringing its rival for the Tesla Model Y to Australia this year.
The Blue Oval has confirmed the Mustang Mach-E will touch down in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023, with three trim levels and two battery options.
As CarExpert reported last August, the electric SUV will join the Ford e-Transit in the brand’s electric car range, and forms part of a broader plan to bring five EVs to Australia by the end of 2024.
FULL STORY: Ford Mustang Mach-E: Tesla Model Y rival coming to Australia
FULL STORY: How to order a Ford Mustang Mach-E in Australia
Hyundai Australia will continue to offer one Sonata with the lot
Hyundai Australia has confirmed the facelifted Sonata mid-size sedan will remain a sporty N Line proposition locally, like the current model, once it arrives in the second half of 2023.
This latest development follows the updated Hyundai Sonata‘s physical unveiling at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea.
Hyundai has confirmed the facelifted Sonata N Line will be powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
FULL STORY: 2024 Hyundai Sonata to come in one flavour in Australia
Volkswagen Australia readying electric onslaught
There’s still some waiting to do, but Volkswagen has confirmed the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo electric cars will start rolling off the production line for Australia during 2024.
Exactly when in 2024 the cars will touch down hasn’t been finalised, but at this stage it’s likely the rollout will start around the middle of the year. The ID. Buzz models will arrive late in 2024 or early in 2025.
FULL STORY: Volkswagen electric hatch, SUV range confirmed for 2024
FULL STORY: Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Cargo electric Kombi confirmed for Australia
SsangYong details its latest electric SUV
KG Mobility, formerly known as SsangYong Motor, has fully unveiled its electric version of the Torres SUV at this year’s Seoul Mobility Show and confirmed it will use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from Chinese giant BYD.
The KG Mobility Torres EVX is available in two trim levels in South Korea, with both of them powered by a single electric motor producing 150kW of power and a 73.4kWh LFP battery. Claimed WLTP range is 500km.
It made its physical debut alongside a trio of concept cars, including an electric ute.
FULL STORY: SsangYong Torres EVX: Electric SUV battery, powertrain detailed
FULL STORY: SsangYong reveals electric ute concept, new SUVs
Toyota Camry may be dying in Japan, but it’ll live on in Australia
Toyota could be axing its mid-sized Camry in Japan, but it says there are “categorically” no plans to do the same here.
Nikkei Asia reports the company has told its Japanese dealerships it will cease production of the Camry for domestic customers at the end of the year.
“While we cannot comment on speculation regarding our parent company’s plans for its local market, there are categorically no plans to stop selling Camry in Australia,” said a spokesperson for Toyota Australia.
FULL STORY: Toyota Australia commits to Camry as sedan sales slump
Hyundai bringing a hybrid sedan Down Under
Hyundai Australia will finally have a rival for the Toyota Corolla Sedan Hybrid by year’s end.
Brand executives confirmed with media this week that the facelifted i30 Sedan would be the second hybrid model to launch in Australia during the second half of the year, joining the new-generation Kona Hybrid due in the fourth quarter.
The 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid blends the four-door coupe-like proportions of the i30 Sedan (known as the Avante and Elantra in other markets) with the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain in the related new-gen Kona as well as the Kia Niro HEV.
FULL STORY: Hyundai confirms i30 Sedan Hybrid for Australia
Peugeot 408 Australian timing locked in, e-208 looking more likely
Peugeot Australia has confirmed it will launch its mid-sized 408 ‘coupe SUV’ in the second half of 2023.
The 408 was first revealed last June and went on sale in Europe and China earlier this year.
The company has also indicated it’s now in the final evaluation stages of bringing the e-208 electric hatchback to Australia.
The roughly Toyota Yaris-sized electric hatch could launch later this year.
FULL STORY: Peugeot 408: Timing confirmed for funky crossover
FULL STORY: Peugeot e-208 electric car firming for Australian launch
Lexus closes NX450h+ orders as wait times blow out to 2025
High demand and strangled supply for the Lexus NX450h+ has led to the brand suspending new orders for the plug-in hybrid SUV and instead taking only expressions of interest.
The company says the move will allow its dealers to focus on delivering vehicles to customers who have already placed orders.
It also refers to this as a “temporary action” which doesn’t affect the other members of the NX range – the petrol NX250 and NX350 and hybrid NX350h – as the company says it expects “substantially better deliveries in coming months” for these variants.
FULL STORY: Lexus closes NX PHEV orders among record wait times
Three facelifted Skodas plus new EV for Australia
Skoda Australia has confirmed mid-life updated versions of the Scala, Octavia and Kamiq are coming Down Under in 2024, along with the electric Enyaq.
The facelifted Scala and Kamiq are set for a European launch this year, with Skoda previously confirming the Octavia update would follow in 2024.
The company has also confirmed 2024 will see “the commencement of production for this market” of the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe.
CarExpert understands the electric SUVs will start arriving locally in mid-2024.
FULL STORY: Glut of fresh product coming to Skoda showrooms in 2024
