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.
Some scary stuff about car theft
Buying a new car is an exciting process, but most people don’t know that almost all new cars on the road today can be stolen in under five minutes. We test the tools out.
Think your new car is safe just because you have the key with you? Think again! New cars are becoming the victims of thefts without the thief even needing to break into your home.
What’s the background here? Let me paint you the picture…
FULL STORY: How thieves are stealing new cars in under a minute
Seltos update around the corner
The facelifted 2023 Kia Seltos has been revealed, with freshened styling and an interior more in line with that of the new Sportage. Kia Australia has already confirmed the update is due here in the second half of 2022.
Changes up front include a revised grille and bumper, as well as new LED daytime running light signatures. The updates are more significant down back, where there are restyled, more vertically-oriented tail lights connected by a full-width light bar.
Inside, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster joins the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and they’re situated in one assembly like in the larger Sportage for a ‘curved dash’ look.
FULL STORY: 2023 Kia Seltos facelift revealed, here this year
MG momentum maintained
MG has released more information on its Nissan Leaf and Cupra Born rival ahead of launch, while also confirming its export market name and revealing its interior.
The electric hatchback will be sold as the MG4 Electric in Europe, where it’ll go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2022. This name may also be used in Australia, with an expected launch in the first half of 2023.
The hatch will offer two different batteries and electric motors, with up to 450km of range and 150kW of power.
FULL STORY: 2023 MG4 Electric detailed ahead of expected local launch
Federal EV assistance confirmed
The Albanese Labor Government intends to fulfil election promises to introduce tariff and tax exemptions for EVs under the Luxury Car Tax threshold.
The Australian Government intends to introduce new incentives for electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, fulfilling a promise made before the election.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen confirmed in a speech to the National Press Club this week the Government will introduce legislation when Parliament resumes in late July that aims to make EVs more affordable.
FULL STORY: Australian Government to introduce electric vehicle incentives
New data laws now in play
Car companies are now obliged to sell crucial vehicle service and repair information to Australia’s independent repairers, with an exisiting bill coming into effect today.
The law, billed as the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, compels vehicle manufacturers to provide all service and repair information to independent repairers at a fair market price.
Car brands previously, evidently and technically, had the option of providing proprietary repair information to their franchise dealers only, rather than the wider repair network – though many have been voluntarily selling technical data elsewhere regardless.
FULL STORY: Independent workshops welcome new data-sharing laws
The beast beckons
Ram is filling an F-150 Raptor-sized hole in the Australian market with a blown V8 super truck it’s calling the apex predator of the pickup world.
The 1500 TRX will sit atop Ram Trucks Australia’s line-up, priced from $199,950 before on-road costs – around $50,000 more than the next most expensive Ram 1500.
Under the bonnet sits a supercharged V8 producing 523kW of power and 882Nm of torque and mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a constantly-variable all-wheel drive system.
FULL STORY: 2022 Ram 1500 TRX priced from $199,950
Sleek Ioniq sedan revealed
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan has finally been revealed in full after a long-running teaser campaign. Is it the Korean marque’s Tesla Model 3 alternative?
This second model in the new Hyundai Ioniq family, after the far more angular Ioniq 5 crossover-hatch, places aerodynamic efficiency at its very heart, thereby maximising range.
Inspired by the 2020 Hyundai Prophecy EV Concept, the Ioniq 6 also takes a leaf from Mercedes-Benz – particularly the similarly radical EQE and EQS electric sedans.
FULL STORY: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6, aero-friendly EV revealed
Well look who’s back
We’ve seen the MG ZS and Haval Jolion storm up the sales charts thanks to pricing that undercuts name-brands, contemporary design, and reassuring warranties.
The MG is currently Australia’s single top-selling small SUV with 18 per cent segment share – a remarkable effort. And while the Haval hasn’t done quite that well, it still owns 5 per cent segment share and has outgunned the better-known Honda HR-V this year.
The next cab off the rank will be the Chery Omoda 5, a sharp-looking crossover that will hit Australia in 2022, and looks set to ramp up in earnest in 2023 once the highly ambitious company gets itself established here.
FULL STORY: Is this the next big-selling affordable Chinese small SUV?
Pull over for a powernap
Drowsy driving is a killer on our roads, and it’s something that has affected a huge number of Australians. According to research commissioned by dashcam manufacturer Nextbase, one in six Aussies (16 per cent) has fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Men are more likely to try and drive through the drowsiness, with 22 per cent of male respondents admitting to falling asleep while behind the wheel.
A separate study conducted by Monash University estimated an Australian dies every day after falling asleep while driving. It also estimates drowsy driving contributes to 20 per cent of Australian car accidents annually.
FULL STORY: Study reveals alarming stats on Australians falling asleep at wheel
Mahindra branching out
The Mahindra Scorpio-N, an off-road-capable mid-sized body-on-frame SUV from India developed with export markets in mind, has been formally confirmed for Australia as expected.
However, ongoing supply chain snags mean it’s not getting here until 2023, though Australia is billed as a “priority market” for the Mahindra Group as it pushes harder beyond its home market.
It was partly designed by Mahindra subsidiary Pininfarina in Italy, and engineered to some degree at Mahindra’s technical centre in Michigan, USA. Much of the design and development also took place at company centres in Chennai and Mumbai as well, and it’s made in Pune.
FULL STORY: Mahindra Scorpio-N diesel SUV in Australia from 2023
