The production version of the 2025 Mini Aceman SUV has been revealed at the Beijing Auto Show ahead of the new nameplate’s arrival in Australia by the end of this year.
Following the 2022 concept car, the showroom version of the Aceman shares its platform with the electric Mini and will be built in the same factory in Zhangjiagang, China – a joint venture with car maker Great Wall.
The five-door Aceman SUV will be electric-only, unlike its Cooper and Countryman stablemates which will be offered in both EV and internal-combustion guises.
Positioned between the latest generation Cooper and Countryman in size and price, two versions – the Aceman E and Aceman SE – have been announced, with Core, Classic and Favoured interior trim choices.
A yet-to-be-confirmed John Cooper Works version has also been spied previously but was not announced at the unveiling.
Mini Australia has confirmed it plans to have the Aceman in local showrooms by the end of 2024, with further details and pricing yet to be announced.
The local arm has confirmed the Aceman E will be powered by a 135kW/290Nm electric motor driving the front wheels for a 0-100km/h claim of 7.9 seconds. It uses a 42.5kWh battery and has an official WLTP range of 310km.
Mini says the 160kW/330Nm version powering the Aceman SE will see it accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds, with its 54.2kWh battery enabling a 406km WLTP figure.
Charging in the Aceman E is at speeds of up to 75kW, while the SE is capable of 95kW charging, meaning an 80 per cent charge for either Aceman powertrain in around 30 minutes.
With its own squared-off LED headlights – distinct from the Mini Cooper’s round lights and the Countryman’s trapezoidal units – the Aceman has squared-off wheel arches with matching matt black window sills and roof rails.
Riding on Aceman-specific 19-inch alloy wheels, it also has its own two-tone front and rear bumpers with a black or silver grille and silver front under body protection.
At the rear, there’s a silver diffuser-like lower element below the unique rear hatch which has a roof-mounted spoiler and trademark British Union Flag tail-light design.
Pitched at urban buyers, Aceman measures 4.07 metres in length, 1.75m wide and stands at 1.5m tall – around the same size as the 2024 Jeep Avenger – with a 300L boot expanding to 1005L with the rear seat folded.
Inside, the Aceman cabin features an OLED (Organic LED) circular central display running the latest Mini Operating System 9 as well as digital instruments with head-up display.
Various light patterns shine onto the dash through a projector – one of many functions including climate control accessed by Mini Voice Assistant – while there are ‘Mini Driving Sounds’ to choose from.
An augmented reality three-dimensional display provides parking guidance in conjunction with 12 ultrasonic sensors and four cameras.
Entry-level Aceman has black textured cloth seats, while Classic trim upwards sees black and blue fabric trim and a three-spoke colour-coded sports steering wheel in place of the standard two-spoke version.
Favoured time sees sports seats trimmed in perforated Vescin vegan leather with a petrol-black dash and contrasting passenger-side orange highlights.
Pricing is estimated to start at around $55,000 when the Mini Aceman goes on sale in late 2024 after the Mini Cooper and Countryman hit Australian showrooms in the second half of the year.
Another week’s worth of auctions at Grays that have caught our eye this week.
1975 FORD XB Manual Ute
First up is this striking Ford XB ute that will certainly turn enthusiast heads in this red colour.
2001 Ford Mustang Manual Convertible
Ever since its return to Australian shores the Mustang can be seen almost everywhere.
But this example from two decades ago would be somewhat unique in a sea of GT’s and EcoBoosts.
2003 BMW 3 30Ci E46 Automatic Coupe
In a colour not dissimilar to the M3‘s of the same era, this 330Ci will give all the appearances (and much of the value) of BMW’s icon, but without the larger outlay.
2008 Porsche Cayman 987 Coupe
The Cayman has always been a bit of a quiet achiever, sometimes arguably altered so that it didn’t outshine its flagship stablemate, the 911.
Up for grabs here is a tidy-looking Cayman that could promise most of the fun, if not the badge of Porsche’s king.
2015 Volkswagen Golf
On the more modest side of the scale is this red Volkswagen Golf R with a DSG.
The R variant of the Golf can often provide much fun, but you also get the regular benefits of your everyday Golf for when you need to do everyday things.
2021 BMW 2 SERIES 220i Gran Coupe
Finally is this BMW 2 Series, in its Gran Coupe arrangement.
Being a recent model means it offers most of the modern features you’d enjoy in a luxury vehicle, but without the depreciation associated with driving a new car off the lot.
Take a look at Grays’ entire listings here [↗]
Australia will get another electric vehicle brand to choose from next year when China’s Aion launches locally with its Aion V small SUV.
While three Chinese EV brands are already on sale in Australia (four, counting Lotus), the arrival of Aion will mark a milestone in the market proliferation as the first state-owned marque to hit local showrooms.
While Aion will be the first family of vehicles to arrive in Australia with the might of PRC state ownership, the range of models will be imported and distributed by Australian company AGA Group, trading as Aion Australia.
Parent Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor (or GAC) has been on the cards for Australia for introduction for some time, but it’s now known that it will spearhead the brand’s arrival with its freshly revealed Aion V, and more models are expected to follow.
And while reports over the last 12 months have speculated GAC was about to take the plunge, a company source has now told Wheels that “the time had to be right” before committing, and that time is 2025.
Exactly what the brand’s presence in Australia will look like is still being decided but the company is currently leaning toward a “hybrid agency” model which would take some of the agency process adopted by Honda and Mercedes locally for example, and package it with more traditional retail operations.
Either way, expect to see the Aion brand popping up around key capitals next year along with infrastructure including bricks, mortar and chargers.
The second-generation 2024 Aion V was revealed at Auto China 2024 in Beijing this week following the original Aion V which launched in China in 2020, and features “23 groundbreaking technologies” compared with its predecessor, says Aion.
These include range of up to 750km, claims GAC, while AI technology will feature in its cabin and operating system.
It’s not to be confused with the Aion V Plus, which has previously been speculated to be the pioneering model for Aion in Australia.
At the recent International Global Distributor Conference, GAC Group president Feng Xingya highlighted the company’s plans to expand its international presence through more operations and collaborations around the world.
“GAC Group deeply recognises that successful internationalisation relies on localised management,” he said.
As part of the company’s strategy to become a more global player, the Aion V will be the first model to adopt a new Aion badge identity and the dropping of Chinese characters.
GAC is on a rampage to enter more global markets including recent acquisitions of the Phillipines, Kuwait and Nigeria, and has recently announced it’ll enter the Mexican market. When Aion arrives next year, Australia will take the total number of countries to 40.
It’s time to act fast if you want to purchase a RAM 1500 TRX with a snarling supercharged V8.
Production of the current V8-powered RAM 1500 TRX ended in the United States last year and today the brand’s local importer has announced 130 Final Editions for Australia.
Due to hit Aussie showrooms soon, the 130 units are taken from a global run of 4000 vehicles and feature a number of cosmetic and interior changes. The full details of the Ram 1500 TRX Final Edition are below.
The TRX’s replacement was unveiled in the US yesterday as the RAM 1500 RHO and it replaces the current 6.2-litre supercharged V8 with a newer 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six.
The six-cylinder is lighter and more efficient but it ‘only’ makes 402kW/706Nm, which is a sizeable 121kW/176Nm less than the force-fed V8.
August ’23: Sad news for lovers of huge V8-powered utes – it looks like the 702hp RAM TRX is about to face extinction.
RAM has confirmed production of its enormous, supercharged dual-cab ute – which is converted to right-hand-drive for Australia and sold here for the princely sum of $224,950 – will end production in December this year. We’re quite sad about that.
To mark the occasion, RAM has revealed a special, limited edition version of the TRX, dubbed the 2024 RAM 1500 TRX 6.2L Supercharged V8 Final Edition.
The model is limited to 4000 units worldwide and brings a host of visual and equipment upgrades to help send the TRX off in style as it wanders into the enormous dinosaur park in the sky.
There’s also a Final Edition badge on the lid of the ginormous centre console which includes the limited edition ute’s build number
Three exclusive colours are offered – Delmonico Red, Harvest Sunrise and Edge Blue – and there’s also a Satin Titanium Finish for the standard bead-lock alloys. Inside, the digital instrument cluster gains a ‘Final Edition’ welcome message, there’s a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, contrast stitching and a host of other upgraded cabin materials like additional suede and matte carbon fibre inserts.
There’s also a Final Edition badge on the lid of the ginormous centre console which includes the limited edition ute’s build number.
One thing RAM hasn’t touched is the TRX’s 6.2-litre Hellcat V8, although with 523kW/882Nm already on tap, the big V8 wasn’t exactly crying out for more power.
Need some context? That’s 231kW/299Nm more than you get from a Ford Ranger Raptor, which is basically like having an entire Honda Civic Type R’s worth of additional grunt at your disposal.
It also helps the 3.0-tonne RAM TRX rocket from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 12.9sec @ 174km/h.
Aussie versions of the RAM TRX are already highly specified but it is likely a few examples of the Final Edition will make their way Down Under.
A spokesperson for Ateco, who imports the TRX into Australia, told us: “I’m told we will get Final Edition TRX but numbers and timings are still to be confirmed.”
No word on how much the Final Edition might cost, though you can expect a premium over the current ute’s $224,950.
That the RAM TRX is shuffling off this mortal coil is no great surprise, though there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
RAM’s CEO Tim Kuniskis says there is a successor planned: “This current chapter in RAM’s high-performance trucks is coming to a close, but it’s not the end of TRX’s story. We’ll have more news to come at a later date.”
Wedging a higher output version of RAM’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre ‘Hurricane’ straight six into the next TRX could be an option. Or RAM might go down the electric path and build a flared-guard, high-flying version of its REV electric ute.
Whatever the replacement, it’s unlikely to stir the soul of enthusiasts in quite the same way. Or sound so completely unhinged as the current supercharged V8.
So rather than commiserate about the model’s impeding extinction, why not revel in its heady excess by reading our TRX and Ranger Raptor comparison test here: Hero Trucks compared.
During my commute to work this week, I tuned in to a KICPOD podcast episode, co-hosted by Laura Henshaw, the CEO of the KIC health and wellbeing app.
In this episode, Laura shared her recent quest for a new car. She emphasised her preference for a compact vehicle and expressed giddiness about features like Apple CarPlay and ventilated seats, which she had experienced during a short hire loan of a Hyundai Tucson.
I found it amusing to consider that despite the industry’s constant pursuit of innovation, it’s simple features like Apple CarPlay that continue to generate genuine excitement among people.
Here at Wheels, we’re true auto enthusiasts. Our passion for cars is ingrained in our daily lives.
However, amidst our deep dive into technical aspects such as power ratings, torque figures, fuel efficiency and gear ratios, it’s crucial to remember that a significant portion of the Australian population – if not the majority – don’t really give a shit about the details.
The reason is simple: they don’t have to.
When it comes to purchasing a new car, not everyone is driven by a passion for automotive. This reality became apparent to me when a friend of mine chose her new Mazda CX-3 simply because she found it “cute.” This decision was made despite my efforts while providing her with a comprehensive 10-page slideshow comparing her various options down to servicing costs and resale values.
In the end, her car-shopping checklist boiled down to these needs:
| Essentials |
|---|
| Compact size for easy parking in tight spaces |
| A reverse camera |
| Compatibility with Apple CarPlay |
Meanwhile, I was going on and on about the age of the vehicle and what other options she could get for the same money. Suffice it to say, she didn’t care.
One aspect often overlooked by automotive enthusiasts – be they fans of petrol-powered vehicles or electric ones– is that the average person doesn’t often worry about the details and needs information delivered simply, and sometimes with a dictionary.
Recognising this, car manufacturers have smartly adapted by targeting younger consumers through lifestyle-oriented campaigns. For this demographic, it’s all about aligning their favourite cars with influencers to convey a specific image.
Like what MG did with their ‘Drive Your Style’ MG3 campaign. They even launched a partnership with MAFS star Tahnee Cook for the MG4 Electric.
Instagram feeds are cleverly filled with ambassadors flaunting their new cars. Lexus use racing royalty such as Corey Brown to get the attention of their core market and similarly Suzuki eagerly loans their cars out to TikTok-ers for sponsored posts.
The general disinterest in cars is palpable among many in the younger generation, who often view driving as more of a chore than their parents, for whom it represented a fun and liberating experience. This shift in perspective is coupled with a heightened environmental consciousness, leading many to opt for public transport rather than cars.
To put it into relative perspective, imagine someone presenting an exclusive Birkin handbag to you worth $65,000 as one of only ten in the world.
I, for one, wouldn’t even be able to feign interest. So it shouldn’t be surprising that something larger, made of metal, and of equivalent value is a mere means of getting from point A to point B for many buyers, like so many with their affordable handbags.
So in these situations, it’s best to focus on what new car buyers actually care about.
While automotive enthusiasts like us at Wheels immerse ourselves in the technical and performance aspects of cars, it’s crucial to recognise that many car buyers have different priorities. Features like compact size, user-friendly technology, and aesthetic appeal often trump intricate mechanical details for the average consumer.
This shift in consumer preferences is increasingly evident, especially among younger buyers, who tend to view cars more as practical tools than objects of passion. And these days when I see passion, it’s more about style and status rather than functionality.
Car manufacturers have adapted to this trend, focusing on lifestyle and image in their marketing to appeal to this broader audience.
So maybe it’s time we stopped judging those who don’t understand cars, because if you’re not careful they might start quizzing you on their Birkin bags.
November: 2025 Genesis GV70 pricing revealed
The 2025 Genesis GV70 is now on sale in Australia, gaining new safety, comfort and convenience features, along with subtle styling changes.
April: 2025 Genesis GV70 revealed
The updated 2025 Genesis GV70 has been revealed today, marking its first styling and equipment update since launching in late 2021.
Set for an Australian debut in the second half of 2024, the refreshed GV70 medium SUV gets subtly updated styling with a new “double-layered” chrome banding in the G-Matrix Crest Grille and larger intakes in the lower bumper.
There’s also new MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology in the otherwise unchanged slender “Two-Line” headlights – all bringing the midsize SUV in line visually with its recently refreshed big brother, the GV80.
New-look 19-inch wheels feature at the corners, while the Sport package gets 21-inch alloys and a “dark chrome” finish to the rear diffuser and muffler tips. All models also get a new camera module at the rear to deliver a digital centre mirror experience.
The biggest upgrade comes inside, with the addition of an expansive new single-piece 27-inch OLED display in the dash, again taken from the larger GV80.
Buyers should note, however, that like the updated GV80, this new display is unlikely to bring access to wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
When will the updated Genesis GV70 come to Australia?
The refreshed 2025 Genesis GV70 will go on sale in Australia in the second half of 2024, with local pricing and details to be confirmed closer to its launch.
The GV70 is seeing good sales growth in 2024, with 214 examples registered year-to-date (end of March), compared to 138 for the same period in 2023.
It’s still well behind legacy rivals, however, with Lexus moving 1478 Lexus NX SUVs year-to-date, followed by the BMW X3 (773), Audi Q5 (574) and the Mercedes GLC (589 wagon, 267 Coupe). The Tesla Model Y remains dominant, however, with 6835 sold over the same period.
Snapshot
- Jozef Kaban appointed as MGu2019s new head of design
- Kaban is best known for designing the Bugatti Veyron
- He has previously worked at the VW Group, BMW and Rolls-Royce
The man who designed the iconic Bugatti Veyron has joined fast-growing brand MG as its new chief of design.
Jozef Kaban, 51, has been appointed as the Vice President of MG’s global design centre marking the latest step in a career that has included stints at Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, BMW and Rolls-Royce.
Kaban is a graduate of London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Art and most recently had returned to Volkswagen as its chief designer in 2020. That role resulted in some great designs, like the retro-futuristic ID. Buzz, but was ultimately was short-lived after Kaban was sidelined in early-2023 by VW CEO Thomas Shafer.
Kaban was reassigned into the newly created role of Creative Art Director in Potsdam to help develop “forward-looking mobility solutions” for VW.
A Slovak national, Kaban’s design career started in 1999 at the Volkswagen Group and included stints at Audi, Bugatti and Skoda. Notably, Kaban worked on the exterior design of the original Bugatti Veyron.
Kaban then left for the BMW Group and quickly shifted to be the head of design for Rolls-Royce, however that position only lasted six months.
“Jozed Kaban will significantly increase our design expertise and increase the level of internationalisation to acceleration SAIC Motors’ global market entry,” said MG’s parent company SAIC in an official statement.
We’ll have to wait a few years to see what Kaban can achieve at MG, however the brand will likely stay in the headlines this year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Haval’s mid-size SUV family is set for a comprehensive update with both H6 and Jolion models in line for significant facelifts, while the incoming Jolion Hybrid will get a design all of its own.
Until now, the popular Jolion petrol and hybrid variants have worn the same exterior look regardless of their powertrain, but the new versions will be easily distinguishable from the outside, thanks to their own unique styling.
Examples of Haval’s Jolion Pro, Chitu or Red Rabbit (as it’s dubbed in other markets) have recently been spied on Australian roads, and it’s now known that the interlopers will be the new look of the Jolion Hybrid.
Given the timing of the mysterious vehicle’s presence on local roads, the official arrival of the new Jolion Hybrid is just a couple of months away, according to Haval sources.
Picking up from the current Jolion’s design, the Jolion Hybrid wears a handsome exterior with an enlarged grille, aggressive front end styling with sharpened headlights and brake-cooling vents, while the rear end features an integrated full-width light bar, fattened arches and spoiler.
As to when the more conventionally powered Jolion petrol will show up is not yet known, although it’s not expected to be simultaneously with the hybrid.
H6 fans will also have to wait a little longer for a similar treatment, with the updated model likely to arrive in Australia between six and 12 months.
While not yet officially confirmed for launch, Haval sources say it’s highly likely the updated H6 – which is already out in the open in overseas markets and sold with the Xiaolong Max moniker – will be offered for an Australian audience given the investment to develop.
While not a ground-up redesign, the updated H6 introduces a significantly different front bumper, grille, new headlights and tail lights, while the interior gets a refresh with a larger central touchscreen and redesigned steering wheel.
Styling updates are all that are being discussed about either model at this stage and details regarding powertrains will have to wait.
While a switch up is possible, more likely is the continuation of 1.5-litre petrol power across the board for Jolion, while H6 will continue to share a version of the Jolion’s hybrid powertrain alongside its 2.0-litre petrol for all other variants.
Customer deliveries for some 2024 Kia Sorento variants have been temporarily halted in Australia.
Kia Australia has notified dealers that it has suspended deliveries for 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6 versions of the facelifted Sorento – launched in Australia in late December – after detection of a “potential technical issue”.
A Kia Australia spokesperson told WhichCar that the brand has halted deliveries while it works to verify the potential technical fault.
“There is a temporary halt on deliveries to customers while Kia Australia verifies a potential technical issue affecting some petrol variants,” the spokesperson said.
A bulletin seen by WhichCar states Kia Australia will advise its dealers “shortly” on when customer deliveries for petrol V6 models can resume.
Kia Australia was unable to confirm what the potential technical issue is.
In March, a 2024 Sorento V6 customer told an owners forum that Kia Australia had provided a full refund after their vehicle entered ‘limp home mode’ at 110km/h due to an “engine system failure”, three weeks after their car was delivered on December 27.
“I managed to pull across three lanes of freeway traffic into an emergency shoulder,” said the owner.
“We signed today finally for a full refund ten weeks after the car went off the road. The part [Kia dealer] ordered apparently did not fix the issue and it’s still undiagnosed,” the owner added in a more recent update.
The company has not yet announced a recall on vehicles already delivered, claiming there has been no impact on customer deliveries for other Sorento variants, or petrol versions of the Kia Carnival people mover which use the same 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 as the Sorento.
The facelifted 2024 Kia Sorento is offered with a 200kW/332Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6, a 148kW/440Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel, or a 169kW/350Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid.
Diesel accounts for around 80 to 85 per cent of Sorento sales in Australia, while around one per cent are hybrids and petrol V6 examples make up the remaining amount.
A new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Sorento will arrive in Australia between July and September 2024.
Mazda has unveiled a new electric SUV concept at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show.
The Mazda Arata concept – meaning “fresh” or “new” in Japanese – previews a production vehicle set to launch in China by the end of 2025 and provides insight into how the next-generation CX-5 midsize SUV could look.
“The concept model Mazda Arata… is scheduled to be mass-produced as the second new electrified vehicle by the end of 2025 and introduced in the Chinese market,” said Mazda.
“In China, where electrification is rapidly advancing, Mazda will expand its line-up of electrified products so that more customers can choose them.”
Following the 2025 Mazda EZ-6 electric or plug-in hybrid sedan revealed this week – which replaces the Mazda 6 in China – the new electric SUV will be co-developed with Mazda’s Chinese joint-venture partner Changan.
The SUV derivative – codenamed J90K and likely badged ‘EZ-60’ – should be based on the midsize Changan Deepal S7, which has similar dimensions to the Tesla Model Y.
Like the EZ-6, the EZ-60 is likely to be underpinned by Changan’s ‘EPA’ vehicle platform instead of Mazda’s dedicated ‘SkyActiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture’.
Mazda president and CEO Masahiro Moro said the Japanese brand will continue to work with Changan to “turn Mazda’s China business around” and sell “unique products that meet the needs of Chinese customers who prefer advanced vehicles”.
Like other foreign manufacturers – including Toyota and Nissan – Mazda faces strong competition from domestic brands who have shifted to offering ‘new energy vehicles’, the Chinese market term for electric and hybrid cars.
While the Mazda Arata concept directly previews the ‘EZ-60’ electric SUV due in 2025, it is also a look at the brand’s evolved Kodo design language that should feature in the successor to the top-selling CX-5, which is expected to debut in the next 12 to 18 months.
It wears slimmer daytime running lights, a lower main headlight beam, a closed-off grille, ‘cross-wing’ tail-lights similar to the CX-60 and CX-90, an illuminated rear M-A-Z-D-A badge, and a more-aggressive spoiler with a vertical brake light.
There are also air tunnels “at the tips of the front end hood, on both sides of the front bumper, and on the inside of the d-pillars” to improve aerodynamics.
As detailed here, third-generation Mazda CX-5 could become the ‘CX-40’ to slot between the CX-30 and CX-50.
Local executives have confirmed the new model will retain the CX-5’s “size, packaging and value”, meaning it’ll have a similar footprint to today’s model, which competes with other midsize SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage.
Under the skin, the new CX-5 would logically adopt the front- or all-wheel-drive Small Platform architecture from the latest Mazda 3 hatch/sedan, CX-30 and CX-50.
This would improve ride comfort, noise, vibration and harshness suppression, but it could see Mazda ditch the current CX-5’s multi-link independent rear suspension for a simpler torsion beam setup (including on AWD models as on the CX-30 and CX-50).
For more information on the successor to the current Mazda CX-5, click on the featured article below.
