We publish a ton of car news stories during the working week (70-odd as a rule), 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.
Bahn-storming load-lugger revealed in full
BMW has finally revealed the first M3 Touring after countless spied prototypes and a storied teaser campaign.
We already knew the high-performance wagon was coming to Australia, but vehicle arrival and customer deliveries are set for the first quarter of 2023. Local pricing and standard specification will be announced later this year.
The 2023 BMW M3 Competition Touring will make its global in-the-metal debut at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which will run from June 23 to 26.
FULL STORY: 2023 BMW M3 Touring revealed at last! First quarter arrival set
Regulate us, say car brands
Australia’s new vehicle lobby welcomed the federal Labor Government’s tougher emissions reduction target – now 43 per cent by 2030 – but wants it to go harder in enforcing CO2 cuts specific to the light vehicle sector.
As it has done previously, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has called in no uncertain terms for a binding, mandated federal emissions reduction scheme like Europe’s, with only the context changing.
Such a scheme would require each carmakers’ average per-vehicle emissions figure come under an agreed – and progressively-tightening – cap, backed up by fines for a failure to meet the target.
FULL STORY: Why the car lobby wants more CO2 regulation from new government
Australia’s biggest brand details shortages
Toyota dealers navigating ongoing chronic stock shortages are telling some customers to prepare for multi-year wait times on core models including the LandCruiser, RAV4 and Camry.
Printed-out guidelines of expected customer wait times are being offered by several east coast dealers, subject to change based on the Toyota build process. We saw some of these guidelines on car forums, while others we’ve seen ourselves.
One thing for sure is that nearly all Toyotas remain affected to greater or lesser degrees by global stock shortages pinned on COVID shutdowns in the supply chain and the worldwide semiconductor crunch.
FULL STORY: Toyota dealers warn of multi-year wait times on key models
Chery poised for return
Chery is gearing up to join counterparts GWM Haval, MG and LDV in Australia, with a focus on SUVs competing in popular segments.
The Omoda 5 SUV will lead the way when the brand returns, followed by the larger Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro crossovers, a company spokesperson has confirmed.
Unlike last time, when it operated through a third-party distributor, Chery will be a factory-backed brand in Australia.
FULL STORY: China’s Chery confirms range for Australian relaunch
Porsche demand strong despite economic downturn
Australian demand for Porsche cars remains strong despite a worsening economic condition and more interest rate rises on the horizon, the company says.
Furthermore, while the iconic German sportscar maker is still facing supply issues, it’s starting to see early signs of improvement, which should reduce extended wait times.
Speaking to CarExpert at the launch of the new 911 and Taycan GTS this week, Porsche Australia’s head of public affairs, Chris Jordan, confirmed the brand’s ongoing strong position in market.
FULL STORY: Porsche demand unaffected by worsening economy
One insane van, coming through
The electric Ford SuperVan revealed at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed may indeed be very super, but it probably won’t be much use during your next house move.
Based on the recently revealed E-Transit Custom, the Ford Pro Electric SuperVan — to give the car its full name — features four electric motors making a total of 1471kW (2000 metric horsepower).
It’s said to be capable of completing the 0-100km/h dash in under two seconds.
FULL STORY: Electric Ford SuperVan concept unveiled at Goodwood with 1471kW
Is it a hatch? A coupe? an SUV? All three?
Peugeot has revealed its funky 408 ‘coupe SUV’, a model that further muddies the distinction between typical liftbacks and crossovers.
It brings the fight to fellow Stellantis rivals the Citroen C5 X and C4, as well as the Renault Arkana.
Peugeot Australia has confirmed the 408 will launch in Australia, although it stopped short on when it will be arriving. For context, the Peugeot 408 will be sold in Europe and China from the “very beginning of 2023”.
FULL STORY: 2022 Peugeot 408 revealed, Australian launch confirmed
Impreza 22B STI lives once more!
Prodrive, the British motorsport firm behind some of Subaru’s greatest rally victories, has revealed its retro-modded P25 before it debuts at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 23.
The Prodrive P25 commemorates 25 years since the debut of the two-door Impreza World Rally Car (WRC) racer, which in turn inspired Subaru to produce the two-door Impreza 22B STI.
Priced from £460,000 ($A809,517) plus VAT in the UK, Prodrive will only build 25 of these Subaru 22B-inspired cars at its headquarters in Banbury, UK ahead of first deliveries later in 2022.
FULL STORY: Prodrive P25, reborn Rex revealed ahead of Goodwood debut
Toyota appeals as class action looms
The law firm running a class action against Toyota Australia is encouraging “as many owners of the affected vehicles as possible” to sign up.
The class action is seeking compensation from Toyota, representing a potential pool of about 260,000 HiLux, Prado and Fortuner owners who bought vehicles with potentially faulty diesel particulate filters (DPFs).
Commencing this week, Court-approved notices are being sent by email, text and post to people who acquired one or more of the affected models between October 2015 and April 2020 (an engineering fix was released after this), inviting them to register for compensation.
FULL STORY: Toyota DPF class action, what’s the latest?
Sweden’s Taycan rival packs 650kW
Polestar’s sexy grand tourer will step out in camouflage to take on the Goodwood Hillclimb, ahead of a production debut in 2024.
The Polestar 5 will pack a whopping 650kW of power and 900Nm of torque from its dual-motor electric powertrain, up 90kW on even the most powerful Porsche Taycan, the Taycan Turbo S. The Porsche does have an extra 150Nm on tap, however.
Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the Polestar 5 will feature an 800V architecture designed to allow for lightning quick charge times plugged into a DC ultra-rapid plug.
FULL STORY: Polestar 5 to pack more power than Porsche Taycan Turbo S
