Large week in automobile information: August 22-26

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 every little thing – which is the rationale behind this weekend listing.

Briefly, listed below are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.

Plug-in Pony time!

Electrical SUVs are quickly rising in quantity in Australia, and Ford desires a bit of the motion. CarExpert understands the long-awaited Ford Mustang Mach-E electrical SUV will lastly make the journey Down Below, giving the Blue Oval model a rival to the Tesla Model Y amongst others.

It’ll be one of many beforehand introduced 5 electrified Fords due right here by 2024, following the Escape PHEV (launched this yr) and the electrical E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, due in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

It’s maybe no shock the Mustang Mach-E is coming right here, contemplating right-hand drive deliveries started within the UK and Eire final yr and Ford just lately confirmed it for an early 2023 launch in New Zealand.

FULL STORY: Ford Mustang Mach-E EV finally set for Australia

Toyota’s large hybrid pickup on the way in which

Toyota has began work on getting the hybrid-powered, Ram 1500-rivalling Tundra pickup truck to Australia to sit down above the top-selling HiLux.

The corporate confirmed an “intensive program is underway to re-engineer Tundra” for right-hand drive in partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive Group, which already re-engineers the Chevrolet Silverado for GMSV, and the Ram 1500 for Ateco Group.

Toyota says it can draw on “key elements” from its world elements catalogue within the re-engineering course of, together with the steering column and rack, pedals, and shift lever from the right-hand drive LandCruiser 300 with which the Tundra shares a model of its platform.

FULL STORY: Toyota Tundra Hybrid Australian launch in sight, development kicks off

California ZEV mandate charging forward

California has adopted by on a proposal to require all new automobiles, pickups and SUVs bought there past 2035 to be able to zero-emissions driving.

Transportation is liable for roughly 50 per cent of greenhouse fuel emissions (when accounting for gasoline manufacturing emissions) and 80 per cent of air pollution in California – the US’ most populous state, and one which many others comply with.

The sheer scale of the California automobile market will by default ramp-up output of ZEVs by automobile manufacturers. This is not going to stop Californians from proudly owning current petrol- or diesel-powered automobiles past this time, nor will it cease them shopping for or promoting them on the used-car market.

FULL STORY: California demands new cars be EV or PHEV from 2035

Particular licence required?

South Australia’s Premier has pledged to reform highway security legal guidelines so high-powered sports activities automobile drivers face stricter new licensing requirements.

The foundations suggest drivers of “high-powered tremendous sports activities automobiles” full particular coaching, just like that required for bike or heavy automobile licences. In addition they embrace banning the disabling of traction management in high-powered automobiles.

South Australia additionally desires to strengthen legal guidelines banning drivers accused of killing an individual from holding a licence till their case is resolved.

FULL STORY: South Australia pledges new licensing rules for powerful cars
MORE: Why a special licence for high-powered sports cars is a great idea

Corolla Cross ticks the bins

The anticipated Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV has been detailed for the Australian market, with the eight-variant vary to kick at $33,000 earlier than on-road prices when it arrives in October.

Three trim ranges and three drivetrains might be provided, together with the model’s new 2.0-litre hybrid system in each 2WD and AWD type. The vary will function the GX, GXL, and flagship Atmos.

Hybrid variations will begin at $35,500 earlier than on-roads for the GX 2WD Hybrid; $2000 lower than hybrid variations of the smaller Toyota C-HR, which is predicated on the identical platform because the Corolla and Corolla Cross.

FULL STORY: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross pricing, here in October from $33,000

Kia’s EV king will get nearer

Kia’s largest electrical automobile but, the three-row EV9, has been teased present process testing forward of its world premiere.

The camouflage will come off within the first quarter of 2023. Kia Australia has but to formally lock within the EV9 however has beforehand confirmed it’s placing its hand up for any electrical mannequin it will possibly get.

The massive crossover has been developed over a interval of 44 months, and was first revealed in concept form ultimately yr’s Los Angeles motor present. It’s at present in its ultimate testing section at Kia’s R&D centre in Namyang, South Korea.

FULL STORY: Kia EV9 teased ahead of early 2023 debut

One other low-cost Chinese language EV on the way in which

The GWM Ora Good Cat EV has landed on all fours in Australia, with the electrical hatchback spied exterior the corporate’s headquarters in Victoria.

These images obtained by CarExpert present a right-hand drive model of the small EV carrying Victoria registration plates, which is right here for native testing and analysis functions.

On the rear, the spied automobile wears GWM, Ora and Good Cat badges. Good Cat is that this automobile’s title in China, whereas within the UK it’s known as the Funky Cat.

FULL STORY: GWM Ora Good Cat EV hatch spied in Australia

Skoda’s new type

In a single day Skoda sketched out what its upcoming Imaginative and prescient 7S idea will appear to be, giving us our first actual glimpse of its new Trendy Stable design language.

The Imaginative and prescient 7S is a seven-seat electrical crossover that’s set to debut on August 30, European time, and sure previews a mannequin that may sit above the Enyaq in each value and dimension.

Up entrance the skinny vertical headlight stack is topped by a daytime operating mild strip that fades right into a black grille that has greater than passing resemblance to a smiling mouth.

FULL STORY: Skoda Vision 7S sketch previews new design language

Haval goes EV-only from 2030

Chinese language model GWM Haval desires 80 per cent of its world gross sales to be plug-in hybrid or pure-electric by 2025, and to cease providing internal-combustion drivetrains totally by 2030.

The Baoding-based model held a ‘new vitality technique convention’ in Beijing this week outlining its plans, which can have implications for its rapidly-growing Australian operation.

The corporate has been falling behind the likes of BYD within the so-called ‘new vitality’ market at dwelling, and is due to this fact altering tack.

FULL STORY: GWM Haval to stop making petrol or diesel cars by 2030

Replace time for Kia’s small SUV

The refreshed 2023 Kia Seltos vary will land in the course of the fourth quarter of 2022, sporting a spread of enhancements headlined by an up to date design, extra tech, in addition to a extra highly effective engine possibility.

Kia Australia confirmed new particulars for the Australian market at the moment, with the identical four-variant mannequin stroll as earlier than (S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line) in addition to an ordinary 2.0-litre MPI FWD petrol and optionally available 1.6-litre T-GDI AWD turbo petrol powertrains.

Nonetheless, the Seltos 1.6 T-GDI has been up to date for the 2023 mannequin yr, and is mated to an eight-speed torque converter computerized transmission as a substitute of the outgoing dual-clutch. Whereas not confirmed within the native media launch, the up to date model of the 1.6-litre turbo in Korea now makes 147kW and 265Nm –17kW greater than the pre-update mannequin.

FULL STORY: 2023 Kia Seltos initial details for Australia, here Q4