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.
Ford can’t pony up any more sixth-gen Mustangs
Fancy a new sixth-generation Ford Mustang? Unless you’ve already ordered one, you’ll need to walk over to the used car lot.
Ford Australia has closed orders for the outgoing model ahead of the launch of the recently revealed seventh generation, due late in 2023.
“Due to overwhelming interest in the current Mustang, our order bank is now at capacity. Therefore, we regret to inform customers that we are no longer taking any new orders for the current Mustang,” reads an update on the Ford Australia website.
“Speak to your Dealer about the all-new Mustang, due in Australia from late 2023.”
FULL STORY: Ford Mustang: Orders for current model closed
Lotus details its electric performance “Hyper-SUV”
A revitalised Lotus will soon introduce something very different from its typical fare: a 5.1-metre long electric SUV.
The Lotus Eletre, at least in Europe and the UK, will be offered in three different variants with two different powertrains.
“The Eletre is intended to come into the Australian market,” said a spokesperson for Lotus’ Australian distributor.
“We are currently working on the basis of arrival some time in 2024.”
FULL STORY: Lotus Eletre EV detailed, here in 2024
Cupra Born to be delivered next year
Cupra has outlined what to expect from its first electric car in Australia.
The Cupra Born will touch down in March or April 2023 with the largest battery option and most powerful motors offered in Europe.
Cupra says it’ll be priced roughly in line with the Leon VZx hot hatch, suggesting you’ll pay around $65,000 drive-away for the Born depending on your home state.
FULL STORY: 2023 Cupra Born detailed for Australia
Crosstrek making the trek in 2023
Subaru Australia expects the new-generation Crosstrek – formerly known as the XV – to arrive locally during the early stages of 2023.
Further details like local pricing and specification are still to be announced, but the Crosstrek has move from being a “coming soon” proposition to “early 2023“.
Subaru’s local division wouldn’t divulge whether that meant first quarter (January-March) or first half (January-June), but industry customs point to the former.
We’d expect the new XV to lob around March or April, given some variants of the current model are already sold out for the remainder of 2022.
FULL STORY: 2023 Subaru Crosstrek: XV successor launches ‘early’ next year
Federal Budget features EV and charging infrastructure investments
The 2022-23 Federal Budget has been handed down, and includes commitments to charging infrastructure and electric vehicle incentives made during the election campaign.
There were few surprises in the Budget in this area, with the Albanese Labor Government reiterating its commitment to Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, plus the Driving the Nation Fund.
The latter will see $275.4 million invested over the next six years, bringing total investment for electric and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure to over $500 million.
FULL STORY: Federal Budget includes investments in EV infrastructure, incentives
Electric Lexus RZ here next year
Lexus Australia has confirmed the RZ electric vehicle – its take on the Toyota bZ4x – is coming Down Under, earmarked for a mid-2023 arrival.
“I am delighted to confirm the RZ as the next all-new offering in the Lexus Electrified portfolio in Australia,” said John Pappas, Lexus Australia chief executive.
“This is a luxury SUV for customers wanting the latest in Lexus zero-emission technology and innovative design.”
FULL STORY: Lexus RZ EV coming to Australia mid-2023
Jeep exits mid-sized SUV segment in most markets
Jeep is putting the right-hand drive version of its ageing Cherokee out to pasture, thereby exiting the mid-sized SUV segment in Australia.
“Production of the Jeep Cherokee for main markets outside of North America, including right hand drive models, is ending in a drive to focus marketing and sales resources into key volume models,” said a spokesperson for Jeep Australia.
“The Jeep Cherokee continues to be manufactured for Canada, the US and South Korea – where a version with a similar specification to North America is sold.”
Fewer than 40 examples are left in Australia.
FULL STORY: Jeep ending right-hand drive Cherokee production, Australian stock almost gone
Chinese people mover to tackle Kia Carnival with petrol, electric power
LDV will return to the people mover segment after a brief break with a more dramatically styled, feature-packed offering.
The LDV MIFA arrives in November, gunning for the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria. Pricing and more detailed specifications will be announced closer to launch.
It’s the petrol-powered counterpart to the electric MIFA 9, also due here before the end of the year.
FULL STORY: LDV MIFA people mover due in November
No Chery-picking until next year
Chery will announce pricing and warranty information before the end of this year as part of a ‘soft’ launch, but a formal relaunch for the brand is now set for February 2023.
The company says it’s still building its local team and is looking to establish a network of 40 dealerships, though it says over 60 dealers have expressed interest.
Chery’s first model will be the Omoda 5 small SUV, which has already been approved for sale by the Australian Government in turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder guise.
The Omoda 5 range will grow next year with a more powerful 1.6-litre turbo and a “new energy” variant. Chery has confirmed it will be either a plug-in hybrid or a battery-electric model, but that it won’t introduce both.
FULL STORY: Chinese brand Chery’s relaunch delayed to next year
Suzuki promises hybrids, including S-Cross
Suzuki Australia will introduce a hybrid version of its S-Cross in early 2024 as part of a broader plan to offer hybrids across most of its range – and potentially some other form of electrification.
“We plan to introduce that into the model range, the hybrid [S-Cross], and it will be available in the current guise as well and potentially in two-wheel drive as well,” said Suzuki Australia managing director Michael Pachota.
“It’s not a matter of ‘if’ anymore, it’s a matter of ‘when’. It was always on the cards, it was just a matter of what date we were going to roll it out.
“The plan was originally to do it in 2023 but at the moment based on supply chain issues on a global perspective it’s looking like it’s going to be early 2024 – unless things change, of course.”
FULL STORY: Suzuki S-Cross hybrid here in 2024, more hybrids coming
Volkswagen bringing back steering wheel buttons
It seems there’s never a bad time to acknowledge mistakes.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO and Volkswagen AG board member Thomas Schäfer has pledged to reverse a controversial design move in a LinkedIn post.
“We are sharpening our portfolio and our design, plus creating a new simplicity in operating our vehicles. For example, we are bringing back the push-button steering wheel!,” he said.
FULL STORY: Volkswagen brings back the push-button steering wheel
Tesla reportedly facing criminal investigation
Tesla is reportedly the subject of a criminal investigation in the United States as its driver assist technology – and the claims it has made about it – are put under a microscope.
Reuters reports word from three people familiar with the matter that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched the probe last year following more than a dozen crashes where Tesla’s Autopilot system was active.
Some of these crashes were fatal.
Prosecutors in Washington D.C. and San Francisco are reportedly examining whether Tesla misled consumers, investors, and regulators by making unsupported claims about the capability of its driver assist technology.
FULL STORY: Tesla under US criminal investigation for self-driving claims – report
