Now that he’s done building out the Ioniq 5 range with the rapid 5 N flagship, Hyundai’s semi-retired ‘consultant’ Albert Biermann has set his sights on a smaller and more affordable-ish electric N hero.

An Ioniq 3 N, perhaps?

The company has already confirmed it won’t do another Kona N: not in petrol form, because all future N cars will be electric – but not in electric form either, because those future N EVs will be exclusively 800V, and the new Kona Electric uses a 400V architecture.

Never fear, though – something’s coming. Speaking with media in November, ‘executive technical advisor’ Biermann described a sub-5 N hero EV as a critical product to serve Hyundai’s newly rabid performance fans.

“That small N-car EV – that is something we have to do,” Biermann told the UK’s Auto Express. [↗] “Otherwise, we leave our customers in the dark. We have to come down with something smaller and more affordable.”

The trick, of course, will be cost. Speaking to N owners at last week’s Hyundai N Festival in Australia, Biermann reiterated earlier comments that a 400V system is not appropriate for a fulfilling track experience, because the vehicle will not run long enough and will take even longer to charger.

Giving fans a lesson in electrical engineering, Biermann said that 400V “doubles the current, causing four times the heat dissipation. This is bad for efficiency,” he said.

The advantage to 800V, Biermann claims, is that – in the Ioniq 5 N, at least – you can have a good track session, go charge for 20 minutes, and then get back out there.

Adding some important context, Biermann added that during testing, the 5 N completed a sub-8-minute lap of the 20.832km Nurburgring Nordschleife with its i30 N-inspired fake noise blaring in the cabin, charged for 20 minutes, and then did it again.

So, that effectively seals it: whatever compact Ioniq model is on the cards, Biermann’s plan for an N model means an 800V architecture is a sure thing.

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That leaves a few questions, of course. It’ll surely have to be more expensive than the 400V Kona Electric (which still has no Australian price at the time of publishing), but the big Ioniq 5 now starts from $65,000… so just where this smaller new Ioniq will fit in the line-up’s pricing is unclear.

Still, pricing is Hyundai’s problem. We’re just here to imagine how that new model might look!

Imagining the new entry model as an Ioniq 3, we tasked our mate Theottle with stitching together the styling themes from the Ioniq 5 and the new Kona – which Hyundai says was styled as an EV ‘first and foremost’.

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One Hyundai insider has told us our imagined Ioniq 3 looks ‘kind of freaky, very shark-like’. We’re taking it as a compliment.

And of course, we’ve given it more of a hatch look – because, even though it’ll likely be a small SUV (like the Kia EV3) rather than a conventional hatch, we just couldn’t resist hoping for the best.

What do you think of the look? Tell us in the comments below!

After a new Toyota, but not sure how long you’ll have to wait?

Issues such as semiconductor chip shortages and shipping problems have affected the ability of manufacturers like Toyota to keep cars flowing into Australia.

As such, the Japanese brand’s models are experiencing some delays.

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December 8: Wait times expected to drop dramatically, RAV4 a big winner

Toyota Australia says wait times on a host of new models should drop dramatically over the next five months.

The encouraging news includes popular models like the HiLux dual-cab ute, which currently has a wait time of just three months, and the always-in-demand RAV4 which should have its wait time halved by the middle of 2024.

Speaking to Wheels, Toyota’s vice president for sales and marketing Sean Hanley said that while the RAV4 currently has around a 12 month wait for both petrol and hybrid versions, that lead time should drop to six months by mid-2024.

Hanley also predicted wait times for the Fortuner should tumble to just three months by April next year.

Wait times for the Corolla Cross small SUV currently sit at four months.

The Toyota Kluger is another model where improved supply should see wait times tumble. Hanley said that while the Kluger hybrid currently has an 11 month wait, that should “drop dramatically” in early 2024.

Things aren’t so rosy for the just-launched LandCruiser 70 Series, though, which has at least a 12 month waiting period for both engine options. Order books are still closed for the LandCruiser V8, too, and won’t open until Toyota clears its long list of backorders which currently sits at 12 months. Once those order are met, Toyota says wait times on the V8 should be around nine months.

Alex Inwood

August 1: Tough times still, but slowly improving

Times are surely but slowly improving for frustrated Toyota buyers, with average wait times falling by an average of five per cent at the end of July over the beginning of the year.

From a model-by-model perspective, the wait for a C-HR is now 94 days, marking a huge improvement from January at 379 days.

The Corolla now stands at 225 days, a slight lift over the beginning of the year (205 days).

Fortuner times, meanwhile, have blown out to 230 days, up from 82 in March and 147 in January.

If you’re looking for a new HiAce van, ait times are now at 175 days, down from 254 in January. HiLux, meanwhile, stands at 162, down from 228 in January.

Toyota’s big LandCruiser now sits at 150 days, well down from the 285-day wait in January.

The RAV4, meanwhile, is still out at almost a year at 334 days, which is the second-longest of all the models in the range. It fell to 218 in March before rising again and stood at 352 in January.

Tim Robson

May 2023: The latest on Toyota delays

Overall, according to Price My Car, the average wait time in August for a Toyota was 198 days – compared to 242 days in January 2023.

The quickest to get hold of is the Fortuner SUV at 82 days, followed by the HiLux with a 190-day average wait and Camry sedan/hatch with a 211-day delay.

The worst affected is the Yaris – which buyers have to wait, on average, 319 days for.

According to Toyota, supply in particular of the Camry and RAV4 hybrids is currently constrained, and wait times remain long for the LandCruiser models – with a stop sale continuing on the LandCruiser 70 Series ute.

Toyota average model wait times 2023

NOTE: This information is current as of September 8, 2023. This article will be reviewed and amended as new details come to light.

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A spokesperson for Toyota Australia previously told us: “Demand for new vehicles is at unprecedented levels. In Australia, to support the strong demand, Toyota has been continuing to work closely with our global production teams to secure as many vehicles for our market as possible, and minimise any impact.

“Wait times will vary depending on the model, variant and specification requirements of each customer. Due to the ever-evolving nature of this situation, Toyota dealers are best placed to continue to provide updates to our customers on delivery timeframes for individual orders.”

With all of the above in mind, it is important to consider this article a guide only.

The Rodin FZero New Zealand hypercar exclusively revealed by Wheels has taken to the track for the first in its bid to be one of the fastest cars in the world.

Rodin Cars’ billionaire founder, Aussie David Dicker, took the wheel of the track-only single-seater for the prototype’s debut test at the company’s Mount Lyford facility on New Zealand’s South Island.

The company confirmed the FZero will be powered by a 755kW/700Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre hybrid V10 that has been built in-house and has a targeted top speed of 360km/h.

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That would edge the FZero past the 354km/h top speed of its benchmark rival, the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

The powertrain features a “direct crankshaft drive” 130kW electric motor, dry-sump lubrication, and 10 direct injectors supplying 200 bar (2900psi) of fuel pressure.

It’s mated to an eight-speed titanium sequential paddleshift gearbox jointly developed by Rodin and engineering consultancy firm Ricardo.

A normally aspirated version of the V10 dubbed the RC-Ten is planned, and Rodin says it intends to offer the engine as a crate motor for “motorsport application”.

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With its dramatic bewinged rear end and enclosed front wheels, the FZero is uncannily reminiscent of the Batmobile driven by Michael Keaton in Tim Burton’s late 80s and early 90s Batman movies.

“While there’s a long road ahead of testing and development, running the FZero for the first time gives me immense pride in what everyone at Rodin Cars has achieved in bringing this programme to life,” said Dicker.

“The test went very well and we were able to work through our programme. We’re excited as the FZero project enters its next phase. It really is a car like no other.”

The carbonfibre-bodied FZero is 5.5 metres long and more than 2.2 metres wide. Rodin says the front, rear and floor wing produced four tonnes of downforce in simulations.

Rodin has previously talked about producing a road car version of the FZero.

The FZero follows the Rodin RZed open-wheeler racing car, which was powered by a 3.8L Cosworth V8 engine and had a top speed of 300km/h.

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If you’re anything like us, you were probably feeling a touch melancholy about the demise of the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe.

We’ve long considered it to be the pick of the C63 bunch (aside from the barnstorming wagon, obviously) so to learn that the new C63 wasn’t only going to ditch the V8 in favour of an electrified four-cylinder, but would also nuke the hulking, perfectly proportioned coupe body style was a bitter pill to swallow.

So imagine our delight when AMG whipped the hanky off the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 a few days ago. Looks tough, doesn’t it? Like a slightly bigger, wider C63 Coupe. And in even better news, there’s no hybrid powertrain to be seen. Under the bonnet is a twin-turbocharged straight-six churning out an entirely appropriate 330kW/560Nm.

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But hang on… aren’t high-output six-cylinder engines BMW’s schtick? The BMW M4 is a close match for AMG’s new charger.

They’re both two-door, four-seat coupes. They both have 3.0-litre inline six cylinder engines with similar levels of power. And they’ll both hit 0-100km/h in around four seconds.

So is the new AMG CLE 53 a BMW M4 beater? It’s an interesting match up, especially when you consider the ‘53’ badge isn’t the top of the AMG totem pole. That spot belongs to the ball tearing CLE 63, which while not officially confirmed, is pretty much a sure thing according to our sources inside AMG.

Can a humble ‘53’ badge topple a mighty M car? And if so, what does that mean for the hardcore 63 version? Let’s find out.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Price and dimensions
• Engine and performance
• Chassis tech

Price and dimensions

If you don’t feel that familiar with the Mercedes-Benz CLE just yet, that’s to be expected.

Mercedes only introduced the CLE nameplate earlier this year as a combined replacement for the C- and E-Class Coupes. Convertible versions of the CLE will also follow to fill the void of the C- and E-Class cabriolets.

Size wise the CLE is closer to an E-Class than the C, meaning it’s marginally larger than a BMW M4. The CLE 53 is 56mm longer, 27mm narrower and 35mm taller than the M4 and it rolls on a 2865mm wheelbase, which is 8mm longer than the BMW’s.

Weight wise, the two cars are strikingly similar. A ‘regular’ BMW M4 hits the scales at 1775kg and while AMG is yet to provide an exact kerb weight for the CLE 53, the regular car is between 1790kg-1870kg so it’s a fair bet it’ll be around 1800kg.

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The pair are also closely aligned for passenger count and boot space, with the CLE’s 420L boot only slightly down on the M4’s 440L.

Where things start to diverge is when it comes to price and philosophy. The CLE 53 isn’t due Down Under until late 2024 so an exact retail price is a long way off but it’s tipped to be close to $200,000. That’s well up on the BMW M4’s $166,500 and actually makes the M4 Competition a better price fit.

The M4 Comp xDrive is $183,600 and is also all-wheel drive and auto-only, which is also a better match for the all-wheel drive CLE 53.

But the AMG isn’t as hardcore or as focused as an M4 Comp, which is why we’ve chosen a ‘regular’ M4 for this spec battle as it feels a closer everyday performance rival. We’ll still reference the M4 Comp throughout the story, however.

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Engine and performance

The AMG CLE 53 is powered by a heavily revised version of Mercedes’ M256 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol.

Increased boost, new piston rings, an optimised combustion chamber and an improved electric turbo help to raise outputs to a meaty 330kW @ 5800rpm and 560Nm @ 2200-5800rpm. An overboost function is also available that lifts torque to 600Nm for up to 12 seconds.

AMG claims the new 3.0L has improved response and less turbo lag thanks to tweaks to its ‘twin charge’ design. There are two turbos — a convention unit spun by exhaust gas and another electric turbo driven by a compressor.

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AMG says the electric turbo now operates over a broader window and can provide instant response which allowed them to make the convention turbo even larger.

The engine is paired with AMG’s 9-speed TCT 9G automatic, which is perhaps our only point of concern given the same gearbox is surprisingly jerky in the C43. Here’s hoping things are smoother in the CLE 53.

BMW has long been the master of straight six engines and the M4’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo unit is no exception. It offers 23kW more than the AMG’s engine with 353kW on tap at 6250rpm. The BMW is down slightly on torque, with its 550Nm @ 2650-61030Nm being 10Nm less than the AMG.

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Where the M4 differs is its gearbox. BMW now only offers the ‘regular’ M4 with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, meaning it’s the clear pick for drivers looking for an extra layer of tactility and chassis purity.

The M4 Competition xDrive blows the CLE 53 out of the water for engine performance. Its 3.0L six produces 375kW and 650Nm which helps to cut its 0-100km/h time to 3.5 seconds.

A regular M4 and CLE 53 will be much closer in a drag race, with both cars claiming 4.2 seconds to 100km/h providing you can shift quickly enough in the manual BMW.

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Chassis tech

If high-tech chassis hardware gets you all hot and heavy, then the AMG has the M4 licked.

Adaptable dampers, active engine mounts, four-wheel steering and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system are all available. A ‘Drift Mode’ function is also included as part of the AMG Dynamic Plus pack, meaning the CLE 53 should be able to match the M4 when it comes to lurid slides and throttle adjustability.

As standard, the CLE 53 rolls on 19-inch alloys and has a broader footprint than its donor car thanks to track widths that have grown by 58mm and 75mm front and rear.

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By comparison, the M4 is a simpler set-up. Six-cylinder engine up front, manual gearbox in the middle and rear-wheel drive is classic recipe and one that delivers tactile thrills on the road and track.

This generation of M4 has also largely traded the F82’s spiky nature for a chassis that majors on engagement and predictability. As for the manual gearbox itself? It’s good but not quite up there with the greats for shift feel or accuracy.

The M4 Competition is an altogether sharper and more engaging performance car, though. We’d wager it’s easily the pick for sheer driving thrills over the CLE 53, although the balance could swing back in the AMG’s favour once the inevitable ‘63’ arrives.

For now, though, which way would you jump? CLE 53 or BMW M4?

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The Toyota RAV4 hybrid has been a popular choice for Australian drivers since it launched in 2019, thanks to its fuel efficiency, reliability, affordability, and spacious interior.

However, due to high demand and supply chain disruptions, wait times for the RAV4 hybrid continue to blow out to over 12 months.

If you’re looking for a new electrified, fuel-sipping SUV but don’t want to wait a year or more, plenty of alternatives are available with quicker delivery.

Here are a few of our top picks – including several plug-in hybrid and all-electric options.

Wait times for the RAV4 hybrid continue to blow out to over 12 months

JUMP AHEAD

Hybrid mid-size SUVs

• The WhichCar pick: Honda CR-V
• The WhichCar pick: Nissan X-Trail
• Cupra Formentor VZe
• GWM Haval H6
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Lexus NX
• MG HS Plus EV
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• Subaru Forester Hybrid

Something different?

• Honda ZR-V
• Hyundai Kona
• Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
• Mazda CX-5
• Nissan Qashqai
• Skoda Karoq
• Toyota Corolla Cross
• Toyota Kluger
• Toyota RAV4 petrol
• Volkswagen Tiguan

Ready to go all-electric?

• BYD Atto 3
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Tesla Model Y

Hybrid mid-size SUVs

The WhichCar pick: Honda CR-V

The new, sixth-generation CR-V has landed in Australia with a hybrid option.

That petrol-electric powertrain is currently restricted to a range-topping E:HEV RS variant, however, at $59,900 drive-away – similar to a RAV4 Cruiser once on-road costs are added.

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The WhichCar pick: Nissan X-Trail

We’re fans of the current Nissan X-Trail, and the innovative E-Power hybrid system elevates it to an even higher level.

In a comparison between the RAV4 and X-Trail, linked below, the Nissan emerged victorious due to its value proposition, more refined interior, rear seating arrangement, quieter and more refined driving experience, and the added punch from the electric motors.

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Cupra Formentor VZe

Cupra, the Volkswagen Group’s sporty Spanish brand, offers its Formentor compact/midsize SUV with a plug-in hybrid variant.

This option combines a petrol engine, electric motor, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to provide an electric driving range of up to 55km.

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GWM Haval H6

Petrol-electric option popular for GWM’s Haval H6.

The hybrid version of the affordable Chinese-built GWM Haval H6 combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 130kW electric motor, providing a total system output of 179kW and 530Nm.

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Hyundai Tucson

The facelifted Hyundai Tucson due here in mid-2024 will finally see a hybrid option join the range.

The hybrid version of the Tucson shares the same 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine from the larger Santa Fe, combined with an electric motor for a 171kW/350Nm total system output. The Tucson Hybrid claims a WLTP-rated combined fuel economy figure of 5.9L/100km for the front-wheel-drive model, and 6.6L/100km for the all-wheel-drive.

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Kia Sportage

Due to arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2024, the petrol-electric Sportage mid-size SUV is expected to offer at least two variants and be priced similarly to the RAV4.

The Sportage’s hybrid powertrain mimics that of the Sorento hybrid, with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine linked to an electric motor, supplemented by a small 1.49kWh battery that can only be recharged by the petrol engine – not a plug.

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Lexus NX

The more-premium Lexus NX is based on the same platform as the Toyota RAV4, sharing its hybrid powertrain in NX350h form.

It is offered with front- or all-wheel drive, starting from $69,050 before on-road costs.

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MG HS Plus EV

The plug-in hybrid MG HS Plus EV – priced from $49,690 drive-away – offers a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor on the front axle, and a 16.6kWh lithium-ion battery.

Combined outputs are 189kW of power and 370Nm of torque.

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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV amps up the range, performance and cost, making it a great option.

Predictably, the downside is you’ll need to pay for the privilege. The plug-in powertrain is available in nearly every trim level but compared with a petrol-powered Outlander, the PHEV is at least $16,450 more expensive.

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Subaru Forester Hybrid

The next Forester is expected to borrow segment-leading hybrid tech from Toyota, but this one is harder to recommend.

In its current form, the electrified Forester features an electric motor matched to a 2.0-litre engine and a small battery that delivers negligible real-world fuel savings and a performance hit over the standard 2.5-litre model.

While it acts more like a mild-hybrid vehicle, the electric motor can power the vehicle at low speeds, and it offers regenerative braking. The lithium-ion battery means there’s no spare wheel.

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Something different?

Maybe a smaller or larger hybrid, maybe an extra efficient petrol model…

Honda ZR-V

Identifiable by its blue-badge highlights, the ZR-V E:HEV LX hybrid – similar in size to a Mazda CX-5 – combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with an electric motor for a 135kW/320Nm total system output and costs $54,900 drive-away.

It’s worth noting the ZR-V does not currently have an ANCAP safety score, with only a four-star Euro NCAP rating to its name.

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Hyundai Kona

With a claimed 3.9L/100km fuel consumption – one of the lowest for a non plug-in car – the Kona hybrid small SUV has a theoretical driving range of almost 1000 kilometres.

It incurs a $4000 premium over the FWD petrol variant, with the sportier N Line package also available in hybrid.

It’s worth noting the new Kona does not currently have an ANCAP safety score, with only a four-star Euro NCAP rating to its name.

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Hyundai Santa Fe

A hybrid powertrain was added to the current-gen Santa Fe mix in late 2022, ahead of an all-new model due in Australia in mid-2024.

The current Santa Fe hybrid, available in two grades with six or seven seats, is priced from $63,000 before on-road costs.

Together, the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and electric motor deliver a combined 169kW and 350Nm, consuming 6.0L/100km on the combined cycle.

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Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 remains popular for mid-size SUV buyers, though the Japanese brand has yet to offer a fuel-sipping electrified variant.

It has three petrol choices, including a thirsty but punchy 2.5-litre turbo.

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Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai small SUV range has grown with the addition of the new hybrid Ti E-Power flagship, swapping combustion-engined propulsion for electric motor drive with a petrol engine as a generator.

Like the X-Trail E-Power above, the hybrid system exclusively uses the 140kW/330Nm electric motor for propulsion. It is priced from $51,590 before on-road costs.

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Skoda Karoq

The non-hybrid Karoq offers generous standard equipment, lively driving dynamics, plenty of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ features, and a decent 6.6L/100km fuel efficiency.

That’s greener than the lightly electrified Subaru Forester ‘hybrid’, although certain features are bundled into expensive option packs.

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Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross sits between the smaller Yaris Cross and larger RAV4 and runs alongside the C-HR in the small SUV segment.

It is available with a 146kW 2.0-litre hybrid with front- or all-wheel drive, sipping as little as 4.3L/100km.

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Toyota Kluger

With seven seats, the bigger Toyota Kluger Hybrid – which shares its powertrain with the RAV4 – is a great choice for families who need more space and versatility.

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Toyota RAV4 petrol

Still keen on a RAV4, despite all this? While hybrid dominates the line-up, Toyota still offers two conventional petrol engines in the RAV4.

Those include a non-turbo 127kW/203Nm 2.0-litre that’s standard in the GX, GXL and Cruiser with front-wheel-drive, and a non-turbo 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre with all-wheel-drive in the off-road-styled Edge.

However, while the wait time for a petrol RAV4 won’t be as long as the in-demand hybrid, supply is still limited due to production constraints.

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Like the CX-5 and related Karoq, the Tiguan doesn’t have an electrified powertrain in Australia.

However, if you can’t wait, the brand claims it has a “strong supply” for the base 110TSI Life and other AWD variants in stock. A larger, seven-seat Tiguan Allspace is also offered for added practicality.

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Ready to go all-electric?

Maybe it’s time to take the leap!

BYD Atto 3

The small-to-medium-sized BYD Atto 3 Standard Range is priced from $48,011 and brings a 50kWh battery and a WLTP-rated 345km range.

The Atto 3 Extended is $51,011 – both prices before on-roads – and has a bigger 60kWh battery and longer 420km range.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai has introduced a new base Ioniq 5 that starts at $64,500 before on-road costs aiming directly at Tesla’s best-selling Model Y.

While the Tesla offers 71km more WLTP range (384km v 455km), the larger Hyundai hits back with a greater amount of cabin space.

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Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y continues to be a top-selling choice for Australians making the electric switch, with an efficient design, high-tech features, and a practical medium SUV body.

It is priced from $65,400 before on-road costs with a 455-kilometre WLTP-rated driving range.

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Euro NCAP has slammed the increasing weight of new vehicles as a ‘safety concern’, particularly SUVs and electric models, following its final crash tests of 2023.

Among those SUVs tested included the BYD Seal U, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, Honda ZR-V, XPeng 9 and Hyundai Kona – which was lucky to achieve its four-star result – as well as the Kia EV9.

“Of the 11 new cars rated, only three weigh less than two tonnes,” said the preamble to the Euro NCAP media statement.

“In the context of COP28, it would appear encouraging that the majority of these are EVs, but this release highlights a concerning trend in consumer demand for heavier, more powerful, and taller cars that not only put other drivers at risk but also have an adverse effect on the environment,” it said.

Euro NCAP secretary general Dr Van Ratingen pointed to both buying preferences and the rapid shift to electrification as adding unnecessary mass to new models, with SUVs outselling conventional hatchbacks in Europe for the first time in the six months to July 2023.

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In Australia, SUVs made up more than half of all new vehicles sold in the 11 months to the end of November 2023 to be the most prolific new vehicle type on our roads by far.

“This is a trend that helps neither safety nor the environment: big, heavy cars are generally less energy efficient than small, light ones, and there is a safety concern when those two types of vehicles collide or, worse, when vulnerable road users are involved,”

Van Ratingen also dismissed previous suggestions that NCAP, and other safety bodies globally, were responsible for increasing vehicle weight through mandating the latest safety technology.

“The increase in vehicle weight we see nowadays is certainly not safety-related – it is down to consumer preference for larger vehicles and to electrification,” van Ratingen said.

That includes the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), which renewed its ties with Euro NCAP last month and uses ratings from European crash tests for some vehicles sold in Australia.

“For years, Euro NCAP was accused of pushing up the weight of cars. It was thought that additional safety features meant extra mass. That was never really the case.”

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance will land in Australia in January priced from $187,900 before on-road costs.

This latest high-performance C-Class model from Mercedes-AMG is one of its most controversial, as it features a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine – which starts up silently – instead of the thumping V8 engine used in previous C63 generations.

Compared to the previous W205 C63 S sedan, which was last offered in 2021 with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, the new W206 C63 S E-Performance is $19,724 more expensive, but comes with the electrified four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive.

The combustion powertrain is an upgraded version of the M139 unit found in the A45 S and C43, which itself can produce 350kW/545Nm, making it the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine.

The ‘P3’ hybrid system includes a 6.1kWh battery and an electronic drive unit similar to the GT 63 S E-Performance 4-Door, which combines an e-motor with its own two-speed gearbox and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential mounted above the rear axle.

In total, the C63 S E-Performance produces 500kW and 1020Nm, a 125kW and 320Nm improvement over its predecessor. It also surpasses its BMW M3 Competition, Audi RS4 and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio rivals.

Mini match-up: W206 C63 S E-Performance vs W205 C63 S, BMW M3 Competition, Audi RS4 Avant and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

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While the added weight from the electric components makes it the heaviest C63 yet, it is also the quickest model ever, rocketing from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds – a 0.6s improvement over the rear-wheel-drive W205 V8 sedan. However, it is only 0.1s quicker than the M3 Competition with ‘just’ 375kW and 650Nm.

The all-wheel-drive system necessary for the hybrid means there’s also a Drift Mode function and four-wheel steering is now standard, which can move the rear wheels by up to 2.5 degrees.

A Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson confirmed the 63 units of the C63 S E-Performance Formula 1 Edition, detailed in October 2022, are still bound for Australia in the first half of 2024. Pricing and exact timing will be confirmed closer to launch.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance is now available to order, with first deliveries due to commence in January.

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2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class pricing

All prices exclude on-road costs.

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2024 Mercedes-Benz C63 S E-Performance options

Carbon Aero Package – $9900

Performance Ergonomic Package – $6900

Interior Carbon Package – $2600

Chinese car maker BYD has announced plans to buy 200 million yuan of its own shares in an attempt to halt its tumbling stock price.

The buyback, which was proposed by BYD’s chairman and president Wang Chuanfu and translates to around $43 million Australian dollars, will be used to sure up investor confidence and stabilise BYD’s valuation.

Despite soaring sales that could soon see BYD overtake Tesla as the world’s best-selling EV brand, BYD’s stock price is down 22 percent year-to-date.

Bloomberg reports BYD shares fell 17 percent in November alone.

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The weak performance reflects a broader trend on China’s A-share market so far in 2022, with the Shanghai Composite Index down around five perfect year-to-date.

BYD has also dropped prices of its models to compete with fresh rivals like Huawei in China’s growing EV market.

Early signs are that BYDs buyback plan is already working, with the company’s shares climbing by 2.6 percent on Wednesday.

BYD sales also continue to grow, with the brand a clear market leader in China. BYD sold 301,000 vehicles in China last month, with that number including 170,150 full electric models. Tesla sold 82,432 EVs in China over the same period.

BYD is also enjoying skyrocketing growth in Australia and has delivered 10,975 cars to the end of November. It still has a way to catch Tesla Down Under, however, which has notched up 43,924 sales year-to-date.

Nine new cars were awarded five-star safety ratings with Euro NCAP today, with relevant scores transferring to the local ANCAP system.

Winners in the latest round of tests included the Volkswagen ID.7, the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV, BYD TANG, Kia EV9, XPENG G9, VinFast VF8, smart #3 and BYD SEAL-U.

Of those, the BMW, Mercedes and Kia are already on sale in Australia and have today had their scores recognised by ANCAP – local partner to Euro NCAP. The BYD Seal U is expected to arrive next year, while the others – including the VW ID.7 – are not expected to be offered here.

These days, five-star ratings are barely news, given most brands plan for it and will generally make the grade. Less impressive scores do happen, however, and never without some controversy.

In this case, the Hyundai Kona’s four-star result was described by Euro NCAP as being “lucky to avoid three stars”.

“This result is due to its substandard test performance, especially in driver assistance and crash avoidance,” it said.

The organisation’s statement pulls no punches, continuing: “Hyundai has made the car larger and its interior bigger to compete within its class, but the company should not assume that its customers are content with a level of safety which lags behind its competitors.”

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In contrast, the statement was almost apologetic for the ZR-V’s result, for some reason praising it as “the only car in this release that offers a pure Hybrid powertrain” and noting that its hefty 1.6-tonne weight makes it the lightest vehicle in the group.

“Its performance in both crash and active safety tests was just below the five-star performance thresholds, resulting in a four-star rating for the ZR-V,” it adds.

Locally, ANCAP added the below comments as an ‘editor’s note’ on today’s release announcing the five-star winners:

“Despite both models being on sale locally for some time, to date, both Hyundai and Honda have been unable to provide the necessary technical evidence to confirm the safety specification and performance of Australian and New Zealand supplied vehicles in time for this release.

“ANCAP will look to publish locally-applicable ratings for the Hyundai Kona and Honda ZR-V vehicles specified for and supplied in Australia and New Zealand once clarification on vehicle specification and appropriate technical evidence has been received and assessed.”

The previous Kona was a five-star car, under older ANCAP test requirements.

Our Australian first-drive review of the Kona Electric was initially set to be published on December 1, alongside our Kona Hybrid review, but the Electric’s embargo was shifted to a ‘TBC’ date in December while the company finalises local pricing. Our existing new-gen Kona reviews can be found at the link below.

How has this come about?

Ordinarily, when ANCAP uses Euro NCAP crash tests to apply scores for the Australian market, it requires detailed, legally-binding confirmation from the manufacturer that its local models – which differ in being right-hand-drive and not always equipped with the same active safety systems – are a match for the vehicles tested in Europe.

A Hyundai Australia spokesperson has confirmed with Wheels that the business is working to get the necessary data to ANCAP as quickly as it can, acknowledging that the delay has not been ideal.

JANUARY 19: Kona Electric driven in Australia

Hyundai’s new electric Kona is here, finally, and it presents as a more thought-provoking option than any would’ve thought when we first drove it way back in November.

December: Euro NCAP scoring announced

The new Hyundai Kona has come close to receiving a lowly three-star crash rating after placing last out of 11 vehicles tested by Euro NCAP.

Hyundai’s second-generation small SUV was joined by the new Honda ZR-V midsized SUV and VinFast VF8 as the only models to miss out on a five-star rating.

Independent crash-test body Euro NCAP said that while the ZR-V fell just below the thresholds required for a maximum score, the Kona’s performance was a “real disappointment”.

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“[The Kona] scrapes by with four stars, [but] in reality [is] lucky to avoid three stars,” said Euro NCAP in its accompanying release.

“This result is due to its substandard test performance, especially in driver assistance and crash avoidance.

“Hyundai has made the car larger and its interior bigger to compete within its class, but the company should not assume that its customers are content with a level of safety which lags behind its competitors.”

While Euro NCAP said the Kona’s passive-safety protection struggled in some areas in the frontal offset test, the Kona missed out on the maximum five stars only owing to the assessment of its active-safety systems.

NCAP gave the Hyundai a low 60 percent scoring for Safety Assist, mainly noting the lack of AEB (autonomous emergency braking) for when approaching a car crossing a junction and a “marginal” result for its car-head-on AEB performance.

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Euro NCAP commended the Kona for its protection in the Side Barrier and Side Pole Impact, and the Hyundai’s 80 per cent score for Adult Occupant Protection was fractionally higher than the 79 per cent given to the ZR-V (pictured above).

It also scored 83 per cent for Child Occupant protection.

The Venue baby SUV is the only other current Hyundai to miss out on a five-star crash rating, also scoring four stars.

The BMW 5 Series, BYD Seal U, BYD Tang, Kia EV9, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, VW ID.7 and Smart 3 all scored five stars in NCAP’s final testing of 2023.