UPDATE, January 2025: Golf 8.5 detailed for Australia

The refreshed ‘Mark 8.5’ Volkswagen Golf, unveiled in January 2024, is due in Australian showrooms this April.

January 2024: Golf 8.5 revealed

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf has debuted in Europe ahead of its Australian launch around 12 months from now.

A mid-life facelift to the current Mk8 Golf launched in 2019, the latest ‘8.5’ model becomes the last combustion-engined Golf, with the Mk9 model due around 2028 to be all-electric, based on the Volkswagen Group’s new unified Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the updated Golf hatch will enter production for our market in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December), with first arrivals likely at the start of 2025.

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Exterior design changes include a revised front end with sharper LED headlights, a new “high-performance” main beam for flagship versions fitted with matrix technology, new bumpers, a full-width light bar, and an illuminated Volkswagen badge.

There are also new alloy wheel designs and an updated internal signature for the 3D-effect LED tail-lights.

Inside, the Golf 8.5 receives an available 12.9-inch floating-look touchscreen – up from 10.0-inch in current models – running the brand’s latest infotainment system, which adds ChatGPT artificial intelligence within its built-in ‘IDA’ voice assistant.

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As with the latest Tiguan midsize SUV and ID.4 electric car, the larger screen has a revised menu structure and a permanent shortcut bar to access the climate controls.

The capacitive steering wheel found on Golf GTI and Golf R models has been replaced with the same version fitted to standard Golf variants, which sees a return to physical controls – in line with a shift away from touch-sensitive buttons across the Volkswagen line-up to address customer ‘frustration’.

While the touch-sensitive slider controls for volume and temperature adjustment remain below the infotainment system, it is now illuminated for easier use in dark environments.

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The Golf’s automatic parking system has been updated to also control acceleration and braking, while owners can “guide the vehicle in and out of parking spaces with their smartphone” in some markets. A 360-degree camera view is also now available.

Under the bonnet, the Golf GTI hot hatch receives a power boost with European outputs for the 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ turbo-petrol bumped from 180kW to 195kW. While the Golf GTI has been automatic-only in Australia since 2018, it now loses the availability of a manual transmission globally.

Like the 2023 ID.2all GTI electric concept car, the Mk8.5 Golf GTI swaps its red stripe on the front guard for more prominent ‘GTI’ badging fixed to the front doors.

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Volkswagen has confirmed the facelifted Golf R will debut in the second half of 2024, along with the not-for-Australia GTI Clubsport, which packs more power than the GTI but retains front-wheel drive – similar to the related Cupra Leon VZx.

In Australia, Volkswagen previously announced it hoped to introduce the GTE plug-in hybrid model with the facelift – however it has now backtracked on these plans, confirming electrified versions of the Golf and Tiguan won’t come here to instead focus on its ID-branded electric vehicle line-up.

The facelifted 2025 Volkswagen Golf will launch in Australia as a hatch only after Volkswagen’s local arm confirmed it’ll be axing the wagon body style – including the Golf R wagon.

The updated 2024 Toyota Yaris hatch and 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross light SUV have debuted in Japan, ahead of a potential Australian launch later this year.

Following similar updates applied to French-built Yaris models in Europe in 2023, the Japanese-built Yaris and Yaris Cross – where Australian models are sourced – receive a minor design tweak, a new infotainment system, and an updated active safety suite.

Wheels has contacted Toyota Australia to comment about local timing for the updated models.

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While the European Yaris is available with up to a 10.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, the Japanese Yaris and Yaris Cross retain an 8-inch touchscreen and switch to a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, replacing analogue dials and a 4.2-inch multi-function display.

The updated touchscreen runs Toyota’s latest infotainment system, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, ‘Hey, Toyota’ voice control, and new Connected Services features in other Toyota vehicles.

Design tweaks for the Yaris hatch include a revised grille pattern and a new “synthetic leather” and “tweed-like fabric” for the Japanese flagship variant, while the Yaris Cross also features a new upper-grille pattern – excluding the GR Sport – and a soft-touch centre console armrest. A new ‘massive grey’ exterior colour has also been added for both vehicles.

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The updated ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ suite now detects both vehicles and motorcycles at intersections, though it isn’t as advanced as the system fitted to the latest European models, which now include acceleration suppression, low-speed steering assist, deceleration assist, an emergency stop system, safe exit assist, and child presence detection.

There are no updates to powertrains for Japan-built models, unlike European models, which received a new hybrid powertrain – badged ‘Hybrid 130’ – with a new transaxle, a more powerful electric motor, and updated software.

In December, Toyota Australia confirmed the Yaris Cross has gone hybrid-only, with petrol-only variants deleted from the line-up due to strong demand for the electrified powertrain.

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“Production of Yaris Cross petrol variants for global markets ended this month (December 2023) in response to overwhelming demand for hybrid-electric variants,” said a Toyota Australia spokesperson.

“As a result, Toyota Australia stopped taking orders on petrol variants. We have sufficient stock of petrol variants in dealer hands and in transit to meet current orders.”

The Toyota Yaris hatch remains available in Australia with the option of petrol or hybrid.

January 23: Mazda 6 axed in Japan, but production to continue for Australia

The Mazda 6 will be discontinued in Japan but will continue to be available in Australia and other markets.

In a media release, Mazda Japan confirmed the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon will no longer be sold in the Japanese domestic market, with production scheduled to end in mid-April 2024.

“Successive Atenzas and Mazda6s have been loved by many customers for a long time, with a cumulative total of 226,437 units sold in Japan,” said Mazda’s head of domestic sales Kazuyoshi Todo.

“The CX series of wagons will take over this role, and we will continue to deliver a lively experience to our customers through driving pleasure that is in tune with the times.”

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However, Mazda Australia has confirmed production of the Mazda 6 will continue for export markets at the brand’s Hofu factory in Japan.

“We will continue to build Mazda6 in Japan for Australia and some other markets. This also remains unchanged for its local assembly in Vietnam,” said a brand spokesperson.

In addition to Australia, the Japanese-built Mazda 6 is also sold in New Zealand, some Southeast Asian countries, and the Middle East.

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It remains unclear how long the Mazda 6 will continue to be produced in Japan for export markets, with no successor planned to replace the 12-year-old third-generation model.

The decision to axe the Mazda 6 in Japan follows its Toyota Camry rival, which ended sales for Japan in 2023 but continues to be produced there for export markets, including Australia.

Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.

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January 18: Mazda 6 production reportedly ending, cloudy future for Australia

The future of the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon is uncertain, with an overseas report claiming that Japanese production will soon end.

Japanese newspaper Chungoku Shimbum [↗] – based in Hiroshima, where Mazda is headquartered – claims that the 12-year-old Mazda 6 medium car will end production at the brand’s Hofu Plant between March and May 2024.

The publication reports that production will continue at other factories outside of Japan, however, Creative Trend [↗] states Mazda 6 production also concluded in China at the end of 2023.

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The Australian-market Mazda 6 is sourced from the Hofu factory in Japan.

Mazda’s local arm has previously said it will only be able to sell the Mazda 6 “as long as it’s offered from Japan”, leaving a uncertain future for the 22-year-old nameplate.

A Mazda Australia spokesperson said the reports are “not what we (Mazda Corporation) have announced” and that future product plans for the Mazda 6 will be announced “at an appropriate later date”.

When asked about the future of the Mazda 6 in the brand’s local line-up, the spokesperson added that Mazda Australia cannot comment on speculation.

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Chungoku Shimbum reports the decision is due to increased SUV sales, with models such as the CX-30 and CX-5 between five and 10 times more popular than the Mazda 6.

The Mazda 6 was deleted from the brand’s North American range in 2021 – alongside the CX-3 – to focus on better-selling vehicles, including the CX-30, CX-5 and CX-50 SUVs.

The United Kingdom followed in January 2023, with no direct replacement planned.

“[The Mazda] 6 has been part of the portfolio now for a long time [and] as long as it’s offered from Japan, we’ll continue to offer it here,” said Mazda Australia’s marketing boss Alastair Doak at the media launch of the Mazda 6 20th Anniversary special in May 2023.

“We have a loyal group of customers who still want to drive sedans, or wagons for that matter, and we’ll continue to offer it in our portfolio.”

“As a business strategy, it’s our goal to offer choice to Australian consumers, so the default position is if it’s manufactured by Mazda Corporation, there has to be a really good reason for us not to take it,” added Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi.

Mazda says around 25 per cent of new Mazda 6 buyers upgrade from an older model – while 40 per cent of buyers have owned another Mazda.

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals 1528 examples of the Mazda 6 were sold in Australia in 2023, making it one of the slowest-selling vehicles in the Mazda line-up, behind only the now-discontinued MX-30 (580), the CX-90 SUV that arrived in mid-2023 (603), and the MX-5 sports car (653).

In the medium car segment, the Mazda 6 was outsold by the electric Tesla Model 3 (17,347), the Toyota Camry (10,581), the BMW 3 Series (3147), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2625), the electric Polestar 2 (2463), and the Lexus ES (1727).

If Ford’s new infotainment system reminds you of the ‘Yo dawg’ meme, you probably aren’t alone. The big brains at Ford heard you like screens, so they’ve put screens behind screens so you can… well, the line writes itself.

Ford’s new-generation infotainment system leaves Blackberry QNX behind to embrace Android Automotive, and has debuted today in the new Lincoln Nautilus.

The ‘Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience’ is overflowing with Google features, including Maps and Assistant, along with Amazon Alexa and Amazon Prime Video – the latter features forming part of an ongoing partnership with the online retail giant.

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Most of this will be displayed on the massive curved 48-inch display – technically two screens butted together – and users will be able to control many of the features through voice command, although the smaller touch screen will remain the most direct path to the system’s full capability.

The rest of the massive display is effectively a dashboard of oversized phone widgets, with the demonstration showing a huge weather panel, an extra large version of the usual tyre pressure monitoring screen, and a huge clock.

In a sense, Ford has taken all the features you’d find on a ‘regular’ driver display – 12.3 inches seems to be the norm these days – enlarged each element, and plastered it across a canvas nearly four times wider.

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This isn’t especially unusual: Mercedes-Benz has recently made a similar land grab on its dashboard real estate – particularly in its flagship EQS sedan, with an even larger 55.5-inch system.

Screens are the new mark of progress and luxury.

It’s unclear just how big a role market demand is playing in the increasing size of and reliance on touchscreen systems, although a study in 2022 found physical buttons to be safer than screen and voice controls. (A ‘no shit’ moment for many in our Facebook comments.)

Are you for safety or aren’t you?

There’s a contradiction playing out in automotive at the moment, as brands claim a fierce commitment to safety, while loading cabins with increasingly distracting displays that wreak havoc on the most basic aspects of human attentiveness.

Some governments are moving to discourage interaction with phone screens and built-in displays, with Victoria making it illegal from 2023 to touch any screen unless the vehicle is parked.

Responsibility shift: Blaming the user

Focusing on driver responsibility leaves brands free to go wild on tech.

It’s clear that while government rightfully penalises road users for using their car’s features irresponsibly, there has been limited action in shaping policies around the capabilities of the screens themselves – beyond making it illegal to play video in view of the driver while the car is in motion.

What do you think of in-car infotainment systems and their capabilities?

Highway Patrol officers in New South Wales and the ACT will be handing out double demerit points for those caught breaking certain road rules over the Australia Day long weekend.

The double demerits period begins at 00:01 on Thursday 25 January and finishes at 11:59 on Sunday 28 January.

Any motorist caught speeding, drink driving, using their phone while driving, not wearing a seat belt, or not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will incur double the number of demerit points.

Twice the points are allocated against your license, but fines remain the same. It means if you get caught exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h you will incur two demerit points and a $137 fine, while using a phone while driving will see you slapped with 10 demerits.

Double demerits only apply in NSW and the ACT over the Australia Day long weekend, with WA choosing to exempt this period. Other states and territories do not enforce double demerits over public holidays, though Queensland does use them for repeat offenders.

The next double demerits period will be for the Easter public holiday, between 28 March and 1 April 2024.

The NSW and ACT’s second rouble of double demerits for 2024 follows 2023’s 7.3 per cent increase of lives lost to 1266 and a devastating start to the year, with 17 people killed on our roads since 1 January [↗].

Recently, I wrote about how many Australians buy utes without really needing them.

This led to a lot of fire in our Facebook comments, with some defending their ute ownership and others criticising those who have one which they don’t fully utilise.

Australians really love their utes. In 2023, we bought over 200,000 new ones, and the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux have fought for sales dominance for years.

But here’s the thing: Some even bigger 6-meter-long, 2.6-meter-wide monster trucks like the “Eat everything else for breakfast” Ram 2500 have started gaining traction in Australia. And more of these pickup trucks like the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 are on the way. The segment is growing, with almost 1000 of these cars joining our roads every month – and it’s a bit worrying.

So, here I go again. I’m taking a stand against these behemoths in our metro cities.

Let me explain why.

My first point of contention is the sheer size of these big American pickups. In their modern form, they really are trucks, disguised in our country as cars. Manoeuvring one of these behemoths through a crowded city centre is no easy challenge.

Consider trying to do a three-point turn, fitting in any underground carpark or even finding a parking spot in an urban dense area in one of these ‘Yank tanks’. And when you’ve found that parking spot, you’d better make sure there’s one across empty for your tray overhang.

Their oversized dimensions make them unwieldy in metro environments, and fuel efficiency is often a sore point. Pickup trucks tend to have a thirst for fuel worse than any unleashed cubicle worker at the office Christmas party.

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In an era when environmental awareness is paramount, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: emissions.

Pickup trucks are known for their significant carbon footprint, an increasingly concerning topic. In a world where we’re working to reduce our environmental impact, do we truly need vehicles that appear determined to undermine these efforts?

Another massive concern I have about cars of these size is the lack of safety. Not necessarily for occupants (although rear passengers have been found to be less safe) but rather for those outside the vehicle.

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A 2.5-tonne vehicle is going to do immense damage to pedestrians and smaller vehicles, in the case of a collision.

How are you supposed to maintain a 1.5-metre distance from a cyclist in a standard highway lane in Melbourne (~3.5 metres) when you’re driving a 2.6m wide vehicle? The math ain’t mathing.

(Shana, I’m not certain the average yanktank buyer is concerned about cyclists… – Stevo)

There’s no denying pickup trucks have their merits, especially in rural settings when towing of 4500kg is required for those carting horses, boats or caravans.

Many people have a genuine, regular need for massive towing power – they’re not the people I’m concerned about, although it’d be nice if their truck were used only for these purposes and not the grocery run as well.

It’s the inner-city where I feel these should be banned.

Before we pass judgment, it’s essential to consider the alternatives. There is a wide range of SUVs and crossovers that can handle nearly any task a pickup truck can, all while offering enhanced style and practicality.

I’m usually the last person to endorse a standard 4×4 ute, but doing so just proves how much I feel we don’t need pick-ups on our roads.

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Still, as Wheels editor Andy Enright told a reader in the 2023 yearbook’s inbox, these trucks might have a “self limiting” run in Australia.

I’m encouraged by that thinking.

It’s high time we reconsider our fondness for pickup trucks in our localities.

So, the next time you’re tempted by that colossal ute, pause for a moment and explore the wealth of vehicles that better suit our urban and suburban lifestyles.

But if you do reeeeallly need a pick-up truck to tow your boat, then all I ask is you please keep your distance from the rest of us in our Toyota Corollas.

It’s another sad ending in the Holden tale: Yearning for a well-earned retirement, Tony and Mark Galea have confirmed they’ll be closing their beloved museum in April after being unable to find a buyer.

The museum was originally opened in 1984 by Bill Hamel, Holden’s own general manager at the time. Starting in the Melbourne suburb of Bayswater, the museum later had homes in Bendigo and Wangaratta before eventually settling in Echuca, 225 kilometres from Melbourne, in 1993.

The museum’s owners, Tony and Mark Galea, announced the closure last week on facebook.

“It’s with sadness and regret that we announce the impending closure of the National Holden Motor Museum on 14th April 2024,” the post reads.

“Being a tourist town and open every day has taken its toll on our personal lives, and wanting to keep the museum in Echuca we decided to offer it for sale.  Unfortunately, no serious buyers came forward.”

The items owned by the Galeas will be auctioned on May 18, while most of the vehicles – on loan to the museum – will be returned to their owners.

“I am missing out on a lot of family time, I am a grandfather now,” Tony Galea said. “It’s just the two of us, we do everything here. It has just taken its toll on us.”

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Wheels hopes this news will see a serious buyer come forward to save the museum.

The impending closure follows the end of the Gosford Classic Car Museum in 2019, after a dispute with the tax office over how the museum was operated.

Old racing cars typically die an inglorious death.

They’ll be pirated for parts, left to rot among good intentions in a shed, and being eventually only valued as scrap, take their final chequered flag in the maw of a metal shredder.

Prior to the baby-boomer boom in historic racing, not even iconic race cars were immune. Peter Brock, speaking to this writer about his HDT Torana A9Xs for a February 1996 Wheels feature (“Once Were Warriors”), admitted: “So far as I’m concerned, a race car is a utensil. When its use-by date is up, it’s up.”

After more than a quarter of a century, the chances of survival for a little-known Ford Falcon EL XR6 production-class racer – the car in which I and two fellow journos took class victory in the 1997 GT Production Three-Hour enduro at Bathurst – should be close to zero.

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However, that car, in substantially one piece and still in its distinctive Ford Motorsport livery, has been discovered languishing in a Melbourne scrapyard.

Newcastle (NSW) motor sport enthusiast David Perkins, a longtime friend of three-time GTP class champion and period XR6 campaigner Chris Sexton, as well as Team Manager for Super3 Series Supercar driver Ryan Gilroy, has bought the car and is already progressing with plans to restore it.

“You’re far from being the only one who has fond memories of that car,” Perkins tells me. “Remember, it ran in official Ford Motorsport colours and because of what it was, generated a lot of media coverage through the season.”

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In 1997, reigning GTP class C champion Chris Sexton was approached by Ford Australia to run a second XR6 alongside his own Yellow Taxis-sponsored car.

The white Ford Motorsport “media” car was to be driven by a different motoring journo at each of the eight GTP championship rounds, with the three least-suicidal drivers being selected for the pinnacle Three-Hour Bathurst Showroom Showdown in October.

Wheels subscribers can use the archive to read the story of this Bathurst debutante’s dream coming true, at this feature.

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We’re looking forward to covering more of the exhumed XR6’s story and its restoration in a forthcoming feature.

What’s already known is that AFL football identity Sam Newman was subsequently loaned the car to gain licence signatures for a Ford-supported XR8 campaign in 1998. The XR6’s mangled rear corner and shattered rear window are just as Newman left them…

Chris Sexton suspects Newman’s tail-first thumping into a Calder Park mudbank has done the car at least one favour.

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“The mud has completely plugged the exhaust pipe, which is normally where moisture can get in and ruin the engine.”

Chris Sexton’s Yellow Taxis Racing XR6 is still in running condition at his home in the NSW northern rivers. David Perkins’ goal is to ultimately reunite the two cars, and their drivers, at Mount Panorama.

I can verify that at least one of these drivers still has all his original Ford Motorsport race gear from Bathurst 1997. Although, fitting into them may be something else again.

January 2023: Genesis X Convertible wins Chicago Athenaeum Museum’s Good Design Award

Although it was technically unveiled way back in November 2022, the convertible piece of Genesis’s X concept trilogy has been awarded the 2023 Good Design Award in Transportation.

The prize is awarded each year by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum: Museum of Architecture and Design, and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

“Founded in 1950, the prize honours the highest level of design excellence across more than 30 categories,” today’s news notes.

None of the X concepts have been confirmed for a production schedule, but fans of retro-futuristic design will be hoping for an announcement soon.

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November 2022: Genesis X Convertible completes concept trilogy

Hyundai’s luxury spinoff has completed what nobody expected to become a series, unveiling the third model in its ‘X’ concept range: the X Convertible.

The new droptop show car follows the earlier debut of the original X coupe concept in March 2021, followed by the X Speedium four-door coupe concept unveiled earlier this year.

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JUMP AHEAD

• X convertible concept revealed
• X concept revealed ⌝
• X Speedium concept revealed

In its open form, the Genesis X Convertible concept builts on the original X concept’s sleek and wide two-door design.

At the front end, the concept takes more inspiration from the later Speedium four-door coupe, with a huge LED lighting signature designed to hint at the Genesis brand’s shield-like ‘grille’ design.

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Speaking on the styling freedoms explored with these big electric grand tourer concepts, Genesis design boss Luc Donckerwolke said:

““Genesis started life by producing sedans mainly targeting business users. While creating a new, differentiated design DNA, we gradually increased the emotional appeal by applying this DNA to the SUV typology.

“Now, electric powertrains have given us the perfect scenario in which to enjoy nature, and propelled the brand to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance.”

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The X convertible also features a folding hard-top roof, giving it a genuine coupe look when raised, while offering ‘transparent moon roofs’ above the front occupants.

Which of these three concepts do you prefer? Tell us in the comments below.

For now, Genesis has offered no word on whether it will introduce the X concepts into production, but with Polestar’s O2 concept now confirmed for market, we can only hope Genesis will make the right call.

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The story to here

August 23: Genesis X Speedium Coupe concept interior revealed at Pebble Beach

The interior of the Genesis X Speedium Coupe concept has debuted at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – the finale of the Monterey Car Week.

Genesis says the interior was developed over the past five months by its design group, following the unveiling of its external body in April (see below).

It utilises the cabin of the previously-revealed two-door Genesis X concept as its basis, but with a new colour scheme and second-row seats.

“The X Speedium Coupe was conceived as an internal design exercise that we later decided to reveal publicly. It was nothing more than a hard model built on our Athletic Elegance design identity,” said Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer at Genesis.

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“Given the positive reception it received at the event, we chose to complete the concept and present it to discerning attendees at the Pebble Beach Concours.”

According to the brand, the concept’s interior is inspired by classic Korean architecture, with minimalist design elements and an asymmetric, driver-orientated dashboard.

The front seating is finished in pinegrove green – a similar finish to the exterior – while the dashboard, centre console and rear seats are monterey gold, in a nod to the Northern California region that hosts the Monterey Car Week.

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In addition, Genesis has collaborated with South Korean sound designer Guk-il Yu – who also worked on the Hyundai Grandeur Heritage Series concept – with speakers “strategically positioned” throughout the cabin to “optimise acoustic performance”.

The cockpit features a curved OLED instrument cluster screen with a unique motor output indicator, while the central display includes the start button, and multimedia and climate controls.

Two types of sustainable leather were sourced for the concept: plant-derived vegetable-tanned leather and ‘breathable grain leather’, which is said to require less water and chemicals to manufacture.

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June 6: Sleek concept bound for Goodwood debut

Genesis has confirmed the X Speedium Coupe concept will make its ‘real world’ debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.

The event will mark its first public event since it was unveiled in April, following the earlier reveal of the slightly more sporting X concept.

The X Speedium Coupe concept is set apart from its predecessor with a new grille-free front end, along with a stretched wheelbase and squarer roofline – potentially hinting at plans for a big four-door coupe to sit alongside the next-generation G90 limo.

At Goodwood, the X Speedium will be presented alongside an actual production model: the new Genesis Electrified GV70, recently driven in Australia. Catch our first-drive review at the link below.

April 22: Genesis trademarks Speedium name

Following the global debut of the sleek Genesis X Speedium Coupe concept, public government documents in Australia reveal that a trademark has been requested for the Speedium name.

This news does not necessarily represent confirmation that the Speedium will enter production, as pre-emptive trademarking is often carried out to ensure a compelling name is not snapped up by a rival.

Still, the X Speedium show car is Genesis’s second swing at this concept, having already revealed the initial X concept in April last year. Interestingly, that earlier concept looked even more production-ready than this latest iteration.

Realistically, if the X Speedium does enter production, it could be more likely to arrive as a large four-door coupe rather than a two-model, and the latest concept’s stretched roofline could be a hint towards such a plan.

For an idea of how treacherous the world of trademarking can be for global brands, see our story below about Ford’s efforts to bring its US-market Edge to Australia, where Toyota already owns Edge as a variant badge. (And all for nought, now, given the Endura has exited Australia.)

April 14: Genesis X Speedium Concept revealed

Genesis has unveiled its latest concept, the X Speedium Coupe, which it says incorporates the brand’s DNA (Audacious, Progressive, Distinctly Korean), while looking ahead to the next wave of EVs.

The Genesis X Speedium Coupe was born out of a “freestyle” design exercise based on the Genesis X Concept, led by 2022 World Car Person of the Year – Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke.

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The name Speedium was inspired by the passion for motorsports felt by Genesis designers at the Inje Speedium Racetrack and encapsulates a belief that the emotional value of driving will remain strong well into the electric future.

Genesis went with a reductive, or “less is more,” approach to the concept, which features restrained elegance, clean lines, and subtle curves.

If you’re hoping to see the X Speedium Coupe go into production, you will be disappointed.

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“This car is an open-door moment in Genesis’s journey towards our future EV design,” said Donckerwolke.

“This isn’t a show car – it’s a look into our design processes as we explore ideas for the next wave of EVs.”

The front of the vehicle features a variation of Genesis’s signature two line lamps, which have evolved into a full-width element that encompasses the shape of the crest resembling the Genesis crest grille.

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It was designed to carry the brand signature of the wing-face in lieu of an actual grille by integrating the daytime running lamps with the low beam and high beam together. According to Genesis, the new EV face symbolises Genesis’s transformation towards becoming an all-electric car brand by 2030.

Looking at it from above reveals an hourglass silhouette formed from the curvaceous wheel arches that give the X Speedium Coupe a muscular presence.

Viewed from the side, the parabolic line extending from the front to the rear of the car maintains forms a classic, “anti-wedge” design, which culminates in an understated, but streamlined, look.

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The elliptical tail balances out the look, while the V-shaped brake lights interrupt the circular shape by producing the striking contrast, which is a Genesis hallmark.

“We are giving each design element space to breathe,” said Donckerwolke.

“It’s not about making the design elements compete with each other, but about orchestrating the elements so that they complement and respect one another.”

The concept’s metallic emerald green shade is referred to as “Inje green.”

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Why did they choose that colour? It encompasses the mountainous landscape in the country’s east where the Inge Speedium racetrack that inspired its name is located.

Good news V8 fans: Ford’s global boss says his company will keep building eight-cylinder engines for as long as it possibly can.

At a time when most brands are moving away from big-old-school engines — Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, AMG and Nissan are all culling their V8s — you could forgive Ford for also caving to ever tightening emissions regulations.

But Ford’s V8-loving global CEO, Jim Farley, is having none it, stating he wants Ford to continue with the V8 for a long time yet.

“Mustang is going to celebrate its 60th anniversary coming up here,” he said. “A lot of our competitors have left. They’ve come and gone. We never did that. We’ve always been there with Mustang.

“Sixty years, and it’s changed over time. We have EcoBoost, we have the Dark Horse now, and we’re going to continue to invest. And if we’re the only one on the planet making a V8 affordable sports car for everyone in the world, so be it.”

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Farley was speaking at the launch event for Ford Performance’s racing season in Charlotte, North Carolina, so connecting the brand’s racing success — which is mostly propelled by V8 engines — to its future road cars makes sense, yet we love the sentiment. The news Ford will continue to invest in combustion engines is encouraging, too.

Farley also added that the Mach-E, which controversially carries the Mustang name, also plays a role in allowing Ford to invest in future V8s.

“Mach-E lets us sell ICE vehicles for a long time to come,” said Farley.

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Australia is doing its bit to help with the V8’s longevity, too. In 2023, we bought 1337 V8 Mustangs compared with just 138 examples powered by the 2.3-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder.

Only time will tell how long Ford will actually keep building V8s, of course, but for now join us in applauding Farley’s stance.