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.
Alfa’s bet on the small SUV segment
Alfa Romeo has priced its new entry-level model, the small Tonale crossover, ahead of a local launch in February 2023.
The range opens at $49,900 before on-road costs for the front-wheel drive mild-hybrid Ti.
It will expand later in 2023 with the introduction of an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid variant.
FULL STORY: 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale price and specs
FULL STORY: Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV set for Australia in late 2023
Maserati’s grand tourer revealed with available electric power
The all-new Maserati GranTurismo doesn’t exactly look much different to its 15-year old predecessor model, but beneath that stylish sheetmetal it’s an entirely different animal.
The drivetrains are new to the model, and none are a Ferrari V8 as before. There are two versions of the MC20 supercar’s ‘Nettuno’ V6, and an insane all-electric drivetrain in a model called GranTurismo Folgore.
The Folgore sports three 300kW radial motors for maximum system output of 560kW (battery discharge capacity), or 610kW on overboost. The motors use silicon carbide inverters derived from Formula E.
Peak torque is listed as a staggering 1350Nm, and its AWD system has torque vectoring.
FULL STORY: 2023 Maserati GranTurismo revealed: Italian coupe in detail
EV6 supply to improve in 2023
The Kia EV6 is likely to be in greater supply from the new year, with the brand’s local division indicating it’s expecting “over 100 per month” in 2023 – or at least 1200 units for next year.
Following confirmation that local allocation for this year had increased to 700 units – up from the 500 vehicles initially forecast when the EV6 launched in February – a Kia Australia spokesperson told CarExpert the local arm is “anticipating supply to ramp up next year”.
Should Kia Australia be able to offer “over 100” EV6 units per month, it almost triples the original allocation figure of 500 vehicles, and could double 2022’s calendar year run of 700 vehicles.
FULL STORY: Kia EV6 supply to double in 2023
Tesla’s vision: no sensors, no radar, (temporarily) missing features
Tesla has already removed radar from its vehicles and now it’s stripping its cars of ultrasonic sensors in a move that will see vehicles temporarily lose various functions.
It’s calling it the next step in Tesla Vision as it wholly embraces cameras to perform tasks typically split across cameras, sensors, radar, and even LiDAR in other vehicles.
Tesla will cease production of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with ultrasonic sensors globally over the next few months starting in October, before removing them from Model S and Model X vehicles in 2023.
The move means “for a short period of time during this transition”, Tesla Vision vehicles produced without sensors “will be delivered with some features temporarily limited or inactive”.
FULL STORY: Teslas temporarily losing functions with removal of sensors
Australia’s favourite small car getting improvements
Toyota has detailed some updates for its Japanese-market Corolla, shortly before the facelifted Australian version arrives later in 2022, including a bump in power and new infotainment.
The MY23 Corolla in its home market gets a freshened 1.8-litre hybrid engine with an updated electric motor. Toyota Australia has confirmed local Corolla hybrids will get an 8kW boost bringing peak power to 98kW.
Updated Japan-market 2.0-litre petrol models get claimed efficiency improvements, and a tiny torque bump from 200Nm to 202Nm (power remains 125kW).
FULL STORY: 2023 Toyota Corolla: Japan updates detailed, Australia’s come soon
Renault 4 to return to the fore
Renault continues to tap its past to promote its future, teasing a concept version of the revived Renault 4 ahead of its Paris motor show debut on October 17.
The company published two shadowed images overnight, of the front and side-profile, showing an over-the-top show car silhouette with a distinctly high-riding SUV stance.
Renault calls the concept “a modern twist to an iconic model that left its mark on the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.”
We already knew about the French company’s plan to bring back the famous Renault 4 as an electric car for the modern age, with a reported launch of 2025 in mind. The company calls it a “reinterpretation”.
FULL STORY: Reborn Renault 4 EV teased
Ford Mustang Supercar revealed
Ford Australia has opened the garage (or should that be stable?) doors, offering the public a first glimpse at its new racing Mustang.
The 2023 Mustang GT Supercar has been publicly unveiled at Bathurst, ahead of its first laps this afternoon. The new GT will be piloted by Dick Johnson on its first laps of The Mountain, before it joins the grid in 2023 alongside the Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL STORY: 2023 Ford Mustang Supercar makes debut at Bathurst
R.I.P. ripper R.S.
One of Australia’s most iconic hot hatches will shuffle off into the sunset in 2023, its maker has confirmed, but electrified replacements will eventually fill the performance void.
The Renault Megane R.S. will be available in limited numbers into next year, but won’t see 2024 as Renault globally moves away from its petrol-fired performance cars.
There are a small number of Megane R.S. models around at the moment, and a batch is expected to arrive in the early stages of 2023. It’s unlikely there’ll be a farewell special edition.
FULL STORY: Renault Megane R.S. hitting retirement, sporty EVs on horizon
Hyundai’s streamliner making bee line for Australia
Preliminary Australian-market details for the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric vehicle (EV) have been revealed during the global launch drive in South Korea, with two high-spec variants likely to be the initial offerings.
According to information supplied by Hyundai’s local division, the Ioniq 6 will be arriving in Australia during “early 2023” – indicating first quarter (January to March inclusive) – with a line-up likely mirroring the related Ioniq 5 range.
That means single-motor and dual-motor drivetrain options, both highly specified, and a standard long-range battery.
FULL STORY: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6: Initial details for Australia
A-Class updates revealed ahead of 2023 local launch
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz A-Class range has been revealed, ahead of an Australian introduction during the second quarter of 2023 (April to June inclusive).
Once again available in hatchback and sedan bodies, as well as AMG derivatives, the A-Class has received subtle exterior and interior design revisions, as well as the latest generation of the brand’s MBUX connected infotainment system.
There’s also a completely electrified petrol engine family, and a range bump for the A250e plug-in hybrid which also receives an incrementally more powerful electric motor.
FULL STORY: 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class revealed, here Q2 2023
A September to remember as VFACTS shows EV sales surge
Australia’s new car sales according to the VFACTS industry database grew 12.3 per cent in September to 93,555 vehicles, with EVs setting a new record market share.
It’s the second month in succession of solid growth, with the market also growing 17.3 per cent in August. This suggests stock levels and supply are on the improve.
Year-to-date car sales now sit at 811,130 with three months left to run, down 0.6 per cent over the 2021 cumulative tally.
The top-three selling vehicles for September were the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and quite remarkably the newly launched Tesla Model Y.
MORE: VFACTS September 2022: Sales rebound, EV share hits new high
MORE: Tesla Model Y tops SUV sales charts, number three overall
