This week in automotive information: February 11-17
We publish a ton of automotive information tales throughout the working week, and it may be robust to maintain up with all the pieces – which is the rationale behind this weekend checklist.
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.
Toyota HiLux may lose gross sales crown in 2023
One of the best-selling automobile within the nation might be dethroned in 2023, as Toyota Australia admits the competitors is fiercer than ever earlier than.
The Japanese model’s mainstay HiLux ute – which accounted for an enormous 64,391 gross sales in 2022 – has been the best-selling automobile nameplate in Australia for seven years straight, however it’s prone to shedding that place in 2023, Toyota admits.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice chairman of gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations, intimated the model is up towards it in 2023 in relation to what he calls, “tremendous rivals” within the ute house.
“HiLux is dealing with a giant problem this 12 months. We definitely respect our rivals, it’s a difficult market, and we don’t take our place as a right,” he mentioned.
FULL STORY: Toyota admits HiLux may lose gross sales crown in 2023
Toyota’s all-wheel drive scorching hatch priced
Toyota has launched official pricing and specs for the extremely anticipated GR Corolla, forward of its arrival in March.
Costs begin from $62,300 earlier than on-road prices for the GR Corolla GTS and $77,800 earlier than on-road prices for the Morizo Version excluding on-road prices.
Toyota Australia has confirmed it has secured 700 models of the GTS throughout the first 12 months of manufacturing and solely 25 examples of the Morizo Version.
The stripped-out flagship will be part of the GTS “within the coming months”.
FULL STORY: 2023 Toyota Corolla GR value and specs
Ram reveals its first electrical pickup
Ram is utilizing the largest present of the 12 months – no less than within the US – to tease its first electrical pickup truck.
The Ram 1500 REV, as it is going to be referred to as, is being previewed in a Tremendous Bowl business forward of a fourth-quarter 2024 introduction within the US, and the corporate has additionally launched a bevy of photographs – if little in the way in which of technical data.
The corporate notes “range-lengthening know-how” will come later.
FULL STORY: 2024 Ram 1500 REV electrical pickup previewed
Citroen’s up to date C5 Aircross coming this 12 months
Peugeot Citroen Australia has confirmed the facelifted 2023 C5 Aircross Sport will probably be arriving in native showrooms “later in H1, 2023“, together with some preliminary particulars.
Whereas pricing hasn’t been confirmed but, clients can register their curiosity at Citroen’s website, with the brand new Sport specification bringing bringing an upgraded drivetrain, extra options, and far improved know-how.
For 2023 there’s a 133kW/250Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol underneath the bonnet, driving the entrance wheels through a brand new eight-speed computerized transmission. The earlier C5 Aircross Shine ran a 121kW tune and a six-speed auto.
FULL STORY: 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross preliminary particulars confirmed
Toyota strengthening concentrate on EVs
Koji Sato is getting into the highest job at Toyota, and one in all his first acts will probably be to strengthen the Japanese large’s concentrate on electrical automobiles.
Lexus will lead the transformation, with the posh model already confirmed to be going EV-only by 2035.
“To ship enticing BEVs to extra clients, we should streamline the construction of the automotive, and―with a BEV-first mindset―we should drastically change the way in which we do enterprise, from manufacturing to gross sales and repair,” mentioned Sato-san, who takes the reins on April 1, 2023.
FULL STORY: Toyota adopting “BEV-first” mindset underneath new CEO
Victoria cracking down on telephones, smartwatches, tablets within the automotive
The state of Victoria is cracking down on distracted drivers, introducing new guidelines from March 31, 2023 surrounding system use because it rolls out cell phone and seat belt cameras.
Unlawful use of a cell phone or different system attracts a $555 advantageous and 4 demerit factors. If the matter is heard at courtroom, the advantageous might be as a lot as $1849.
Learner and probationary drivers will lose their allow or licence in the event that they accumulate greater than 4 demerit factors in a 12 months; full licence holders’ restrict is 11 demerit factors over a three-year interval.
FULL STORY: Victoria cracking down on telephones, smartwatches, tablets within the automotive
Mini Electrical goes topless in Europe
Mini has revealed its first-ever electrical convertible, but it surely’s solely a restricted version.
The 2023 Mini Cooper SE Convertible will probably be obtainable in Europe from April this 12 months and be restricted to 999 models.
Each instance of this limited-edition convertible will probably be produced alongside the internal-combustion Mini Convertible within the Netherlands.
It’s unclear if Mini plans to supply these electrical convertibles in any market apart from Europe. We’ve reached out to Mini Australia and can replace this story as soon as we hear again.
FULL STORY: Mini Electrical goes topless in Europe
How the Toyota GR Corolla and GR Yaris may get much more common
Toyota’s hardcore GR division may quickly provide an computerized transmission alternative for purchasers out there for a GR Yaris or GR Corolla.
Toyota GR Corolla chief engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto instructed CarExpert the model is engaged on an computerized transmission possibility for consumers proper now.
“It’s attainable. We’re testing an computerized transmission within the GR Yaris within the Japanese rally staff,” Sakamoto-san mentioned.
“Now we have joined the rally collection with a GR Yaris with computerized transmission, and with every rally if we discover some points, we enhance it. Such sort of exercise is the central concept of the GR firm – at all times from motorsports growth.”
FULL STORY: How the Toyota GR Corolla and GR Yaris may get much more common
Peugeot’s first electrical automobile for Australia confirmed
Peugeot’s first electrical automobile in Australia will probably be a model of its small Associate van.
The 2023 Peugeot e-Associate will arrive within the first half of this 12 months, with full specs and native pricing to be revealed nearer to launch.
The model has dedicated to providing electrical automobiles throughout its passenger automotive, SUV and light-weight business automobile ranges.
The e-Associate will probably be provided completely in long-wheelbase guise, not like the combustion-powered mannequin which may also be had with a shorter wheelbase.
FULL STORY: Peugeot Australia’s first EV right here within the first half of 2023
EU Parliament approves 2035 ban on diesel and petrol new automotive gross sales
On Tuesday, the European Parliament permitted the CO2 emissions reductions targets that can see the sale of latest petrol and diesel automobiles banned in 2035.
The ‘Match for 55’ bundle, initially proposed on 14 July 2021, goals to contribute to the European Union’s total local weather targets for 2030 and 2050 by directing the automotive {industry} in the direction of low- and zero-emission applied sciences, and making it extra possible for shoppers to adapt mentioned applied sciences.
Banning the sale of CO2-emitting automobiles in 2035 will help the purpose of a carbon-neutral transport sector by 2050, contemplating the typical lifespan of a brand new automobile is 15 years.
The ban, which was permitted with 340 votes in favour, 279 towards and 21 abstentions, will help the EU’s formidable emissions discount targets to cut back CO2 emissions from new automobiles and vans by 100 per cent in comparison with 2021.
FULL STORY: EU Parliament approves 2035 ban on diesel and petrol new automotive gross sales
Toyota HiLux hybrid plans taking form
Toyota is the undisputed chief for hybrid know-how within the Australian market, but it surely has but to supply any electrification on its top-selling HiLux ute. That’s set to alter.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s vice chairman of gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations, hinted the HiLux vary will develop additional this 12 months.
“After all, we’re not standing nonetheless with our HiLux line-up,” Mr Hanley mentioned. “Final 12 months we launched the [updated] HiLux Rogue, and it has been very warmly acquired. Within the third quarter of this 12 months, we’ll launch HiLux GR Sport.”
“Past that, we could have extra motion on HiLux within the second half of the 12 months.”
FULL STORY: Toyota HiLux hybrid plans taking form
2024 Volkswagen Touareg: Up to date flagship SUV to be extra luxe than ever
The Volkswagen Touareg will obtain its mid-life facelift throughout the European summer season, forward of an Australian launch throughout the first quarter of 2024.
In keeping with the model, headline adjustments for this nip-and-tuck embody chassis and know-how updates, extra premium cabin appointments, in addition to a European-first illuminated rear VW brand.
For Australia, the facelifted vary may even see the introduction of the Touareg R eHybrid PHEV, which was beforehand earmarked for a late-2022 or early-2023 launch Down Underneath. The native arm has opted to attend for the upgraded mannequin slightly than importing a handful of pre-facelift fashions.
Different particulars – like all powertrain adjustments or shuffles to the Australian line-up – will probably be confirmed on the facelifted Touareg’s reveal within the coming months.
FULL STORY: 2024 Volkswagen Touareg: Up to date flagship SUV to be extra luxe than ever
Subaru Solterra’s Australian launch delayed once more
Subaru has confirmed its first electrical automobile is now set for a launch later this 12 months.
The Subaru Solterra had been set for a “mid-2023” launch, however has now been confirmed for a launch within the second half of the 12 months.
“Subaru Australia seems to be ahead to launching the Subaru Solterra within the second half of 2023. With world, industry-wide provide constraints and robust demand for Subaru automobiles, at instances there could also be a slight adjustment to the arrival instances of latest merchandise, as skilled with the Solterra,” mentioned a spokesperson for Subaru Australia.
FULL STORY: Subaru Australia delays its first electrical automobile once more
Toyota needs fanatic GR Corolla consumers, received’t blacklist speculators
Toyota Australia has taken the unprecedented step of screening potential consumers of the brand new GR Corolla scorching hatch to make sure the automobiles – which can be found in low volumes on account of provide constraints – discover reliable fanatic homeowners.
The Japanese model has instituted the transfer to attempt to circumvent the onslaught of price-gouging profiteers which have discovered consumers keen to pay over the chances for his or her new automobiles throughout the COVID interval.
Toyota Australia gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations supervisor, Sean Hanley, mentioned the model is asking sellers to be extra lively in guaranteeing the precise purchaser will get the automotive they deserve.
FULL STORY: Toyota needs fanatic GR Corolla consumers, received’t blacklist speculators
