We publish a ton of car news stories during the work week (70-odd as a rule), and it can be hard to keep up with everything – which is the rationale behind this weekend’s list.
In short, here are some of the key articles from our news desk since Monday this week summarized, in case you missed them at the time.
The retro-inspired return of Renault
The reborn Renault 4 was previewed as a concept this week in Paris, as the brand continues to resurrect its past to define its electric future.
The Renault 4Ever Trophy has the requisite concept car design touches, but underneath it all it clearly shows us what to expect from the production model expected by 2025.
The iconic Renault 4 badge is back after a 30-year hiatus. Reflecting the times, the new version of this cheap and rugged old icon – eight million sold in 100 countries – will be a B-segment electric SUV.
FULL STORY: Renault 4 EV 2025 reboot previewed in Paris
BMW’s new entry EV detailed
BMW has detailed pricing and specifications for its new entry-level electric vehicle, based on the next-generation X1 small SUV.
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 will cost $82,900 before on-road costs when it hits Australia in the first quarter of 2023 – in either xLine and M Sport trim levels.
It will compete against rivals including the Tesla Model Y ($72,300 to $96,700), the Mercedes-Benz EQA ($78,500 to $96,900), and the Volvo XC40 Recharge ($72,990 to $79,490).
FULL STORY: BMW iX1 EV 2023 price and specifications
The grenadiers are going!
Production of the Ineos Grenadier 4×4 is finally underway after several delays, with the car rolling off the factory line and on its way to customers around the world from December.
The Australian market demonstrator will arrive here in time for Christmas, with customer cars starting to trickle in from January 2023.
A tough SUV designed to fill the Land Rover Defender-shaped void in the market – the original model, not the new – is being made at the old Daimler factory in Hambach, France.
FULL STORY: Production of the Ineos Grenadier is underway
Great Wall Motor is chasing Tesla
GWM’s dedicated electric car brand, Ora, has taken center stage at the Paris motor show by unveiling the Next Ora Cat (yes, that’s its name) four-door ‘coupe’.
The fast-growing company’s new flagship EV with four frameless doors is designed to take on the Tesla Model 3, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal.
The new GWM Next Ora Cat was previously introduced in China as Ora Lightning Cat.
FULL STORY: GWM’s Ora EV brand details new performance four-door ‘coupe’
Hyundai’s grand entrance
Remember the Hyundai Grandeur? It was the company’s flagship sedan in Australia between 1999 and 2011 across two generations.
Although it has been retired from local showrooms, the nameplate soldiers on at home in Korea, with an all-new version revealed overnight.
Once again the Grandeur will be called the Azera in the export market. Before we get into that, there’s no chance of this seventh-generation Grandeur/Azera coming to Australia – we checked.
FULL STORY: 2023 Hyundai Grandeur revealed
Toyota faces more court time
An Australian law firm has sensationally launched a class action against market-leading car company Toyota, claiming it uses the same type of diesel defeat device that sparked Volkswagen’s ‘dieselgate’ saga in vehicles such as the HiLux and LandCruiser.
Toyota Australia, apparently confused, said it rejected the allegations and would defend the class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria “vigorously”.
The proposed class action is completely unrelated to another headline-making class action centered on Toyota’s defective diesel particulate filter (DPF), the legal basis of which stemmed from a recent Federal Court decision that found against the automaker – which he has been courting ever since.
FULL STORY: Toyota Australia in court over diesel emissions defeats device claims
Cadillac turned back the clock
The 2024 Cadillac Celestiq will try to take the American luxury brand into the future and reclaim its past ‘Standard of the World’ glory.
The ultra-luxury electric flagship will enter production in December 2023, and will have a price tag “north” of US$300,000 (A$476,115).
For context, Cadillac’s most expensive model is currently the Escalade-V, which starts at US$149,695 (A$237,616). The Celestiq’s pricing places it between the V8 and W12 versions of the Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner in the US.
FULL STORY: Cadillac unveils ultra-luxury Celestiq production EV priced at Bentley
Chief Stellantis urges pivot to ICE ban
The European Union’s proposal to effectively ban the sale of new combustion engine vehicles from 2035 will have serious social consequences, claims Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares.
Speaking in Paris overnight, Mr Tavares said there needed to be more negotiations, suggesting provisions to give hybrids a longer lifespan and thus a more gradual transition to EVs.
“It is important,” he said during a press conference at the Paris Motor Show, when asked if a review of the proposed ban was necessary. “The dogmatic decision taken to ban the sale of thermal vehicles in 2035 has unmanageable social consequences.”
FULL STORY: Stellantis says petrol and diesel ban will have big consequences
The weird looking iPhone…
Foxtron has revealed an electric ute and hatchback as well as a production version of its electric SUV.
The company – a spinoff of Taiwan’s Foxconn, best known as a contract manufacturer for the iPhone and Xbox – plans to have the Model C crossover on Taiwan’s roads in the second half of 2023.
Foxconn confirmed at its annual Hon Hai Tech Day that it will manufacture vehicles in Taiwan, Thailand and the US, with production of the Model B crossover hatchback and Model V pickup starting in 2024.
FULL STORY: Foxtron unveils EV ute and SUV, sets high sales targets
Raptor prices are expected to increase
Ford Ranger Raptors built from March 2023 will cost $1300 more than the current version once they start arriving, with some current order holders likely to be affected.
Raptors classified as model year 2023.5 – the usual Ford designation – will therefore retail for $86,790 before on-road costs when they hit dealerships before mid-year.
Ford dealers have provisions until the end of February 2023, meaning some current order holders who have cars on track for a build later than this will be subject to a price increase – the equivalent of 1.5 per cent – unless they can haggle their dealers.
FULL STORY: Ford Ranger Raptor price increase, roller shutter option from March 2023
A new ASX? Maybe not…
Mitsubishi will launch a new compact SUV between April 2023 and March 2024, and the concept car revealed today gives us a hint of what to expect.
The Mitsubishi XFC Concept will make its debut at the Vietnam motor show next week – a seemingly unusual choice for a premiere.
However, it is important to remember that Mitsubishi is focusing on Southeast Asia, under the ‘follower-follower’ Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance global business model.
FULL STORY: Mitsubishi confirms 2024 small SUV, previewed by this new concept
Quiet even by Rolls-Royce standards
Rolls-Royce has finally revealed the Specter coupe, its first electric series production car, ahead of customer deliveries starting from the fourth quarter of 2023.
The ultra-luxurious spiritual successor to the Phantom Coupe has been in the works for some 122 years, according to Charles Stewart Rolls himself in 1900.
“The electric car is noiseless and clean. No smell or vibration. It should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged,” he said in the early 20th century.
FULL STORY: Rolls-Royce Specter ultra-luxury EV revealed