July: MG 4 driven in Australia at last

Even in pre-production, UK spec, the MG 4 hatch proves the long wait for a good, affordable electric car may well be over.

June 2023: MG 4 Australian pricing

MG has confirmed full Australian details for its MG 4 electric hatchback.

January 2023: MG 4 review – first international drive

It’s a long time since we’ve associated the octagonal MG badge with anything resembling a performance car, the brand’s mid-2000s Chinese buyout seeing its roadster past steamrollered by a bunch of affordable SUVs and – more recently – EVs.

A fine way to actually make money and give the venerable MG name a future, but not the way to keep its more traditional enthusiast audience alert.

But now the two worlds can gently collide. You’re looking at the MG 4, a pure EV rather than a petrol-powered car that’s had some batteries squeezed into it.

Designed with a more global audience in mind, there’s been a focus on European development to help it perform better in the corner of the world MG’s legend first began.

With the right price, it could be a big hit here in Australia too.

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JUMP AHEAD

• How much is it, and what do you get?
• How do rivals compare on value?
• Interior, comfort, space and storage
• What is it like to drive?
• How is it on fuel?
• How safe is it?
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How much is it, and what do you get?

We don’t have local pricing just yet, but our friends in the UK have some very enticing offers.

The MG 4 range comes with two trims and two battery options, with the lower of each combining for a tantalising £26,995 entry point – around $47,000.

In terms of performance, that gets you 125kW/250Nm from a single, rear-mounted motor hooked up to a 51kWh battery for a 350km combined range figure.

Equipment for this base SE trim is strong, with LED lights, 17in alloys and a 10in touchscreen incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all as standard.

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Roughly $5000 more gets you an SE Long Range, with the same equipment list allied to a larger 64kWh battery and slightly punchier 150kW motor, which means 450km of claimed range as well as the ability to charge slightly quicker, the maximum DC rate increasing from 117 to 135kW. Though neither figure is truly class leading.

Another $5000 again gets you a Trophy Long Range. Performance is unchanged, but kit improves, with a heated steering wheel and seats, native satnav, electrically adjustable seats, that bold twin spoiler and a 360-degree parking camera among the additions.

The 150kW single motor MG 4, a rival for the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV, is expected to launch first with a price from as low as AU$45,000 and driving range of 350 kilometres, climbing to 450km for the long range variant.

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How do rivals compare on value?

MG’s own ZS EV crossover could end up close on price, and will offer more practicality but slower charging. If the MG 4’s size suits you, it’s the newer, more vibrant option of the pair. Perhaps a tougher foe is the BYD Atto 3, which came highly recommended in our affordable EV comparison, it offers 480km of range, a large 440-litre boot and a boldly styled cabin for under $50,000.

An entry-level Nissan Leaf, Mini Cooper SE or Hyundai Kona EV almost sneaks under $50,000, too, but each will do so with a much smaller battery than even the base MG 4.

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Comparisons

Best Electric Cars Under $65k: Affordable EVs Rated

Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today

9 Dec 20226

Interior comfort, space and storage

This is a swish and forward-thinking interior and a big step on from other MGs.

The steering wheel is large and sits ahead of a surprisingly effective square digital instrument display, while most of the switchgear has been hoovered up into a standard 10in touchscreen that sits at a useful height in the centre of the dashboard.

There are pluses and minuses. The placement shouldn’t avert your eyes too much from the road, but trying to adjust the climate control temperature using unfeasibly small arrow icons just might.

Count this as one of several very prosaic functions best kept for voice control, and luckily telling the automated voice on board that you’re ‘a bit warm’ or ‘a bit cold’ is enough to adjust things.

Advertorial: Should you become an all-electric family? MG may have the answer

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Smartphone integration is standard across the range, though, and the luscious widescreen display is at its most convincing when it’s relaying your apps to you rather than its own software (even the fisheye reversing camera is a bit naff).

While sweeping lots of buttons into the screen might give an MG 4 driver déjà vu of all their toys being unceremoniously tidied away as a kid, it also provides abundant storage room between the front seats.

The octagon-shaped cup-holders are sweet too, though feeding the smartphone connectivity through a traditional USB socket – leaving the USB-C port for charging only – seems an odd move but one that’s probably easily fixed with a model year update.

Comparisons

Best Electric Cars Under $65k: Affordable EVs Rated

Welcome to part one of three price-based EV buying guides, this one focused on the most affordable electric cars available in Australia today

9 Dec 20226

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The seats are comfy and the steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, while there’s reasonable (if not vast) room for rear passengers, who might struggle comfortably tucking their feet under the seats ahead. They also have to squabble over a single USB.

The boot behind them isn’t massive, either; MG quotes luggage capacity of 363 litres seats up, 1177 litres seats down, but a high floor makes it seem cosier. And there’s no frunk space.

Overall, this is a nice place to spend time – and an airy one, especially for those up front.

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What’s it like to drive?

The basics

Ah, the MG 4’s trump card. Yep: more so than its low entry price, this is a car that stands out for its sense of fun.

The electric car market isn’t completely devoid of thrills, but they tend to come at much higher prices and with much bulkier performance figures.

This car’s trick is to feel light on its feet and deft in its reactions; at 1685kg in Long Range form (or 1655kg for the entry car), it constitutes ‘light’ in the world of EVs, but it’s still stocky for such a small hatchback. MG has developed an ultra-slim battery pack to keep weight as low down as possible.

And here’s a rear-wheel-drive EV that actually feels it; more exuberant cornering will have the rear tyres squealing or even briefly relinquishing traction. It’s a budget electric car that’ll indulge weeny slides, but only on the driver’s command. Fun-to-drive MGs are back.

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If you’re worried its focus is skewed too much towards sharpness, then being able to toggle through five drive modes – including a configurable Custom setting – should ease your concerns, but in truth the car feels perfectly judged in Normal. And without the ability to alter its fixed-rate suspension, there are no great shifts in character between its modes anyway.

The brake pedal is too soft, though, whichever of the regen levels you have selected, and it does ruin the fun a little. As does an over-zealous lane-departure system that’s easily triggered on narrower lanes – and which can’t appear to be turned off.

Still, people are buying these things as everyday transport, so that’s probably more relevant than we care to admit. On which note, the MG 4 rides reasonably plushly on most road surfaces and will cruise well at motorway speeds if you can ignore some fairly audible roar from its tyres.

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It’s brisk, too.

MG hasn’t given the 4 neck-snapping acceleration off the line, saving its best work for 40km/h upwards. Perhaps its best trick is how much power is still in reserve at the fringes of the speed limit, where the car makes light work of last-minute overtakes or lunges down slip-roads.

The caveat is we’ve only driven the higher-powered Long Range version, but given both versions share a 250Nm torque figure, it’s unlikely this verdict will alter for the cheaper car. In fact, its 7.7sec 0-100km/h time is 0.2sec quicker owing to its skinnier weight.

The upshot is that everything we’ve experienced here bodes very well indeed for the high-performance MG 4 ‘Triumph Edition’ that’s promised with 330kW/600Nm thanks to a motor at each axle. Perhaps it’ll be a true return to form for the MG performance car.

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How is it for efficiency?

In European WLTP testing, the MG 4 offers 350km of range in its entry form, or 450km with the Long Range battery option.

With up to 135kW charging on offer you’ll be able to hike from 10-80 per cent of charge in around 35 minutes on a quicker DC socket.

A 7kW home wall box will get you from 10-100 per cent in 7.5 hours with the MG 4’s smaller battery, or nine hours for its larger option.

All MG 4s charge quicker than the brand’s previous EVs.

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How safe is it?

The MG 4 is yet to be tested by ANCAP, but the good news is it’s put in a five-star performance in the European NCAP test.

Given it sits towards the budget end of the market, that’s admirable.

You get a decent suite of safety systems as standard, too. MG Pilot is fitted to both SE and Trophy specs and includes active cruise control, pedestrian and bicycle detection, speed limit recognition and lane-keep assist. Just beware the latter’s keen nature.

Trophy spec adds blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alerts and a slightly intrusive bong whenever someone opens a door – you, the driver, included.

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VERDICT

MG appears to have come of age here.

Anyone still struggling to compute the brand morphing from a maker of cute Sixties sports cars into electrified family cars ought to find solace in how smartly the MG 4 handles.

Everyone else, meanwhile, can simply marvel at how much tech and safety is available for a relatively low price.

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2023 MG 4 EV specifications: Dual-motor, all-wheel drive

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UPDATE: ‘Coolwalk’ update coming soon, Volvo & Polestar to get high-definition Google Maps

At (very, very) long last, Google’s refreshed Android Auto interface – known internally as ‘Coolwalk’, probably because it’s coming to us at a walking pace – is finally on the way.

Given a proper unveiling at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the new-look Android Auto brings the phone-mirroring platform much closer to Apple’s popular Carplay system in appearance.

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As the video below demonstrates, the new-look interface splits the view into two tiles, split more-or-less into thirds. The main view shows maps in the larger tile, with media in the narrower tile. Flip into the media app, however, and it will take over the larger tile while the maps swap over to the narrower tile.

A launcher and status bar is also visible, showing the icons for four recent and most commonly used apps, along with the Google Assistant button, app drawer button – and basic details like signal, phone battery, and the time.

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Depending on the size and proportions of the car’s display, the tiles will cascade either left-right or top-bottom, while the launcher will either appear on the side (either left or right depending on your preferred settings), or along the bottom.

As notifications come in, they slide down from the top right to form a third panel to be tapped or dismissed as needed.

In some respects, this interface merely builds on the existing Android Auto, which – sometime over the past year or two – gained the ability to split into two panes on wider displays, although the appearance and animations are simpler than what’s shown here.

When will the new Android Auto be available?

Good question, squire. Great question. Google says it’s rolling out to “everyone”, “starting today”. Well, I can tell you I climbed into my car for the drive to work this morning and was not greeted by the new interface or a waiting update in the Google Play store – but I confess I’m not known for my patience.

Still, after more than a year of waiting for this update, it’s refreshing to know it now won’t be far away.

We hope.

Volvo & Polestar to gain high-definition Google Maps before it rolls out to others

Google has confirmed it will deliver new high-definition maps to Volvo and its offshoot slash Geely stablemate Polestar, both of whom were early partners for Google’s fully integrated Android Automotive operating system – now known as Google Built-In.

The new maps will provide a higher level of granular details not previously offered, right down to lane markings, road signs and traffic barriers – all coded into and recognised by the system so that the vehicle’s camera, sensors and cameras are less burdened with on-the-fly object recognition and identification.

The enhanced system is considered a step forward in more accurate safety systems and, ultimately, safer driving – particularly as we move slowly (much slower than many expected) towards the launch of vehicles capable of fully autonomous driving.

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“Building on our long history of mapping the world, Google’s new HD map is designed specifically for automakers and provides comprehensive lane-level and localization data that is crucial to powering the next generation of assisted and autonomous driving systems,” said Jørgen Behrens, VP and general manager of Geo Automotive, Google, in a statement.

“We’re excited to continue partnering with leading automakers like Volvo to improve the safety and comfort of drivers everywhere.”

The first upcoming models to get the new detailed mapping will be the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3 SUVs, due to launch in the coming year. As with existing models in each brand’s line-up, both already use Android Automotive Google Built-In.

October 2022: Google killing off ‘Driving Mode’ dash

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Google has confirmed it will ditch its still-new Driving Mode, designed as a standalone component of Google Assistant on Android phones that could be opened as its own app-like view for a big-button driver-friendly interface.

The reveal of Driving mode in 2019 and its eventual launch in late 2021 followed the final termination of Android Auto for phone displays – which occurred as a slow sunsetting process over some years.

Google hasn’t offered any official statement on the reasoning behind its decision to kill off Driving Mode, although it likely comes in response to data that shows – and we’re speculating here – that most users tended to access the other Driving Mode interface, built directly into Google Maps.

Note: Image atop story is from MobileSyrup.com

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The main difference between the two versions of Driving Mode is that the standalone form could be saved to your phone’s home screen with its own app-like icon, and it could also be invoked by simply saying “Hey Google, launch driving mode”.

The version integrated into Google Maps, which fires up automatically when the app is connected to a car, or when navigation is started, will continue to run.

This is probably rough news for owners of older vehicles not equipped with Android Auto – particularly as the original Android Auto for phone screens was already a capable and useful app – but at least the Maps-based version continues untouched.

Now, where is that CarPlay-like redesign for Android Auto on car displays..?

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The story to here

August 25: Android 8.0 rolls out, redesign nowhere to be seen

A version 8.0 update for Android Auto is rolling out this week, but hopeful users will see there’s still no sign of the system’s already revealed redesign.

Unveiled in May after first appearing in previews as far back as last year, the Carplay-like look was supposed to start reaching phones by the middle of 2022.

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For now, Google has offered no comment on the delay, although missed timelines and poor communication with users is nothing new for the tech giant.

It’s possible the update will roll out as a server-side change at any moment, or we could see Google formally announce and launch the redesign in October when it unveils the new Pixel 7 series of phones.

Watch this space, and scroll down to see our earlier updates on the redesigned Android Auto.

May 2022: redesign revealed

May, 2022: Google’s Android Auto phone-mirroring platform has come in for its first major design change since 2019, when it dropped the ‘at a glance’ home screen the interface had previously centred on.

For this latest update, Android Auto – not to be confused with Android Automotive, the more integrated platform which underpins infotainment in models like the Polestar 2 – takes a cue from Apple by debuting a new split-screen design.

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As with Apple’s Carplay system, the new-look Android Auto will offer a display divided into three segments – shown in this article with blocks devoted to navigation, media and communication.

The interface is also scalable, with the blocks taking up different positions on screen depending on whether your vehicle’s main display is oriented in either a portrait or landscape orientation.

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On taller screens, the media and communications blocks will appear beneath the main maps module, whereas wider displays will see those smaller modules stacked along the left side.

It’s unclear if Australia’s right-hand-drive market will have the option to move the media and comms modules to the right, although the settings view in Android Auto does currently allow users to specify the difference, shifting the media player and app drawer icon from right to left.

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Google says the third module, described here so far as the media block, will switch to other functions depending on the situation. Sometimes it will simply display the time and date, other times it will show navigation details to supplement the map view.

In its communications form, users will also have the option to reply to messages by tapping a predicted response such as “OK” or “On my way” – as Android users will already be familiar with on their phones.

The new interface is scheduled to begin rolling out to phones in the next couple of months. Users will not need to upgrade the software in the vehicles – it all happens on the phone.

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RAM has officially entered the EV pick-up truck race by unveiling its RAM Revolution 1500 EV concept at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

It sees RAM become the latest major US-based ute manufacturer to offer a vision of the future in light commercial vehicles.

When the concept goes into production, it will go into battle against the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado RST and Rivian R1T – and Tesla’s Cybetruck when it finally becomes reality.

The Revolution is also running late after missing its expected debut in November, with the production version likely for a mid-2024 release. It will be the second electric RAM to launch after the RAM ProMaster van which is expected some time in 2023.

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Now we’ve seen the RAM 1500 electric in full – if only in pictures – it takes classic truck design and pushes the limits. With dramatically flared arches and intricate lighting details, including LED lit-up RAM logo and ‘tuning fork’ DRLs up front.

In profile the Revolution concept is one of the sleekest looking utes out there, with its contrast black roof shedding visual height and smooth, organic lines defining a new era of ‘truck’.

“The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is our clearest signal yet that we’re on the precipice of something extraordinary at Ram and points directly to where we’re going on our electrified journey,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO Stellantis.

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RAM Revolution EV: range, charging, platform

The Revolution is based on the brand’s forthcoming STLA (pronounced “Stella”) Frame platform, the top of the Stellantis battery-electric platform hierarchy. The other three are, predictably, known as small, medium and large.

According to Stellantis’s 2021 announcement of the STLA architecture, the Frame versions should have whopping 160kWh-200kWh batteries. There was no range promise at the release of RAM’s Revolution concept though, so details are unconfirmed.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares did, however, promise a minimum 500km range for all Frame-based vehicles.

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With 350kW DC ultra-rapid charging speeds confirmed in August 2022, the production RAM 1500 EV will out-charge the 150kW Ford F-150 Lightning. It can add 160km of range in 10 minutes.

Using those figures, we can ascertain that the RAM Revolution EV’s expected efficiency will be around 22-24kWh/100km, so to get 500km of range reliably a 90kWh-plus battery will be necessary

Other details include a four-wheel-steering system that allows the Revolution concept’s rear wheels up to 15 degrees of articulation for tighter turning.

RAM did not claim power outputs, only saying it would be “the most powerful RAM ever”, which we can take to mean it’ll have in excess of the 532kW/882Nm extracted from the RAM 1500 TRX.

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Inside the RAM Revolution EV

In typical concept car fashion, the RAM Revolution’s cabin is pretty out there, with bespoke seats and full glass roof that probably won’t make production without some tweaks.

But there are some features such as the airy, sparse centre console with generous 28-inches of infotainment touchscreen, huge head-up display with augmented reality navigation, ultra-compact wing mirrors and intricate ambient lighting that will.

RAM has built in cabin flexibility with sliding rails that allow the seats to be moved around. With such a spacious cabin thanks to the electric underpinnings, and no need for a V8, RAM has even managed to stuff a third row of ‘jump seats’ into the equation that can be fitted as-needed.

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With the electric pass-through open, objects up to 5.5-metres in length (18ft) can be stored in the Revolution concept. There’s even a ‘frunk’ under the bonnet where you’d normally find a Hemi V8.

Materials are, unsurprisingly, sustainably sourced with recycled rubber used in the floor mates, and plastic container for other fabrics.

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Australian plans

RAM currently sells locally right-hand drive converted 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks in Australia via Ateco as an alternative to the typical one-tonne ute.

There are no plans yet to introduce the 1500 EV to Australia, but as the electric ute market begins to heat up following the launch of LDV’s eT60 Down Under and consideration of F-150 Lightning, it’s worth watching this space.

After more than 100 days as Volkswagen Group CEO, Oliver Blume has outlined a 10-point plan to ensure profitability as it tries to bounce back from the infamous diesel emissions cheating scandal and quickly transitions to electric mobility.

“The direction is right. We will begin implementation in 2023,” Blume told investors.

“Our ambition is to retain a leading market role in the world of e-mobility with first-class products and services – with convincing design, technology and user experience.

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“We continue to work on a balanced global presence – in Europe and China and with a strong third pillar in North America.”

Blume replaced Herbert Diess in September 2022, who oversaw the shift into electric vehicles, launch of the Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) electric platform, and introduction of much-criticised new infotainment software and controls.

The master plan focuses on the group’s car brands, such as Volkswagen, Skoda, Cupra, Audi, Porsche and Bentley as follows.

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Planning round

Aims to improve capital use and cash flow.

Financial robustness is top priority, so the group will lower the break-even point (where the total costs and revenue are equal) even further.

Products

Refining product strategy, while developing clear design languages between each brand.

Volkswagen will also examine “how it can take icons such as the Golf or Tiguan into the electric future”, while the group will be “repositioning the design and quality divisions” with the help of Audi and Porsche.

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China

The Volkswagen Group wants to double deliveries of electric cars in 2023.

It will also strengthen its technical development in China and develop autonomous driving technologies in partnership with Horizon Robotics.

North America

With production of the Volkswagen ID.4 medium electric SUV now up and running at its Chattanooga factory in Tennessee, the German automaker will consider expanding capacity and localising its supply chain in North America.

This allows it to “diversify our business further in light of geopolitical developments” and offer the rugged all-electric Scout pickup truck and SUV.

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Cariad

Volkswagen Group subsidiary Cariad will move forward with its development of in-car software technologies, safety assistance systems and autonomous driving, while looking at areas for third-party alliances.

Software will continue improving in “current volume models” with electric driving ranges of up to 700 kilometres and up to 200kW DC fast charging capability. The former has already been confirmed in the Volkswagen ID.7 sedan and wagon preview.

In 2024, it will roll out “high-performance software for our premium brands” with the long-term goal for a unified software platform for the group as per the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) expected to debut in 2026.

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SSP

The German giant has agreed on the timeline for vehicle projects “in the coming years” based on the new software roadmap.

It has defined “technology profiles” for SSP, which will roll out to all brands by 2030.

Each car brand has also been allocated “power ranges” responsibilities to avoid overlap.

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Battery, charging and energy

The Volkswagen Group has decided three of the six planned battery production factories in its roadmap.

A final decision on a plant in Eastern Europe will follow and will soon investigate sites in Canada. It has already signed a memorandum of understanding on raw material security with the latter government in late 2022.

The German giant has also launched its joint venture with green energy company Enel in Italy to achieve its goal of installing 45,000 fast charging points globally by 2025.

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Mobility solutions

It has signed off a plan to introduce a mobility app in 2024 and will apply to all group brands, which will cover services such as car financing, leasing, rental and subscription models.

The mobility platform is being built with rental car company Europcar.

Meanwhile, it is reviewing the business model for mobility-as-a-service schemes after stepping out of backing autonomous driving rideshare startup Argo AI. For private self-driving mobility, Audi and Porsche will continue developments.

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Sustainability

The Volkswagen Group is currently redesigning its sustainability strategy with “ambitious” environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Each brand and division will have its own ESG goals with individual responsibilities.

Capital market

It will develop “virtual equity stories for our brands and value drivers in the Group” to visualise the strengths and enhance long-term value.

The first results will be presented to investors in the second quarter of 2024.

Google-owned car navigation app Waze is testing out a feature which predicts whether roads have a high accident risk for drivers.

Geektime reports its latest beta version shows red lines and a pop-up on road sections where there have been historically frequently reported accidents based on crowdsourced data.

It’s designed to make drivers more alert, but users can opt out of the warnings.

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Notably, it’s the first new feature rolled out by Waze since its team was merged into the Google Maps group.

According to the ABC, 1165 people died on our roads in 2022, with the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Queensland leading the fatality rate by population.

Police authorities say the ‘Fatal Five’ are key contributors to the road toll, which includes; speeding, drink- or drug-driving, driving whilst distracted, no seatbelts fastened, and driving while tired.

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Waze is a community-based navigation app that allows drivers to report accidents, stopped vehicles and mobile speed cameras to notify other users. A GPS speedometer function is also built-in.

It’s available on Apple iOS and Android smartphones, and on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in-car projection systems.

Waze will also soon be available for newer overseas Renaults using the Android Automotive infotainment operating system.

BMW has today unveiled the next stage in its electrification and digitisation journey, revealing the i Vision Dee concept at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

According to BMW, the i Vision Dee forms the final piece in its Neue Klasse, which is “a holistic approach to the next generation of cars”. The three pillars are circularity, electrification and digitisation, with Dee standing for the third: digitisation.

The name of the concept – Dee (that you may have seen teased on Instagram) – stands for ‘Digital Emotional Experience’ and is being developed as a helpful companion using voice and AI technology to ease interaction with the vehicle.

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There are some pretty notable features on display, including a head-up display that can take up the whole windscreen, a slider to adjust the level of digital assistance, winking kidney grilles to give a human feel, and colour-changing ‘E Ink’ paint with 32 hues available.

BMW’s head of design, Adrian Van Hooydonk, continues to push boundaries – for good or bad – with i Vision Dee, its somewhat traditional three-box sedan shape carrying iconic kidney grilles, circular headlights and Hofmeister kink.

Except, the proportions, surfacing and shape are wild, looking nothing like any BMW gone before. It is expected the underpinnings and technology shown off by the i Vision Dee will emerge in 2025.

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With BMW’s track record of releasing production versions very close to concept – the XM and iX come to mind – perhaps what we see here is the next revolution in the 3 Series dynasty.

BMW has already indicated that the first of its Neue Klasse vehicles will be a mid-sized 3 Series and Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, again confirmed that will arrive in 2025 – alongside a sporty SUV.

“Launching in 2025, the Neue Klasse will start with a dynamic sedan and a sporty activity vehicle. More models will follow in quick succession”

“You might say: just another showcar, but this is not what Dee is. The future is right outside and we are totally ready for it. Everything you saw, felt, is much closer to reality than you might imagine”, Zipse said.

“BMW i Vision Dee is another step on the road to the Neue Klasse. With this vision, we are looking far into the future and underlining the tremendous importance of digitalisation for our upcoming product generations.”

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Inside the i Vision Dee

A head-up display is not new, but the i Vision Dee’s takes things to Metaverse levels. There is a ‘shy slider’ with different vision settings, from analogue with minimal information such as speed or navigation, all the way up to virtual reality.

Level 2 adds more layers including a built-in social media platform, the third level is a development from what’s in the iX with augmented reality navigation and social media notifications.

The fourth level has you driving through a wholly different reality with little to do with the outside world. It can also keep you in contact with family and friends via a virtual universe.

Seen here, the graphics on screen are like a video game. BMW hasn’t said exactly what this could be used for, but presumably with advanced self-driving technology it will allow occupants to relax on journeys.

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The shy slider also gives fully-dimmable side windows, allowing passengers to shelter from the outside world and display their avatar.

There is no floating touchscreen inside the i Vision Dee, instead it appears the dashboard works as a touch surface to interact with. It’s ultra minimal inside.

The steering wheel is quartic with two broad spokes – presumably for interacting with the car – and another two narrower spokes.

Finally, despite being so out there, there is still some classic BMW in the cabin. The floating centre console with a single button appears to be a development of that found in the new 2 Series Active Tourer and X1 small SUV.

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Outside the i Vision Dee

The promised interactivity with BMW’s virtual assistant Dee continues outside. You can speak to the i Vision Dee, its kidney grilles and headlights can wink and gesture back in conjunction with external speakers.

BMW describes the treatment as a “phygital (fusion of physical and digital) icon on a uniform surface, allowing the vehicle to produce different facial expressions.”

If you’re reading this and thinking, wow, Dee sounds a little bit like KITT from the television series Knight Rider (1982-86), well, BMW wheeled out the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that spoke to Dee on stage at CES.

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On top of the wild design, the i Vision Dee takes the iX Flow shade-changing concept to the next level, with active ‘E Ink’ paint finish giving 32 possible colours at any time.

It almost goes without saying, but i Vision Dee is an electric concept. Expect driving range of the production car it spawns to be over 400 kilometres, though BMW was making no claims beyond retaining the brand’s hallmark dynamics.

It’s certainly a whole new future for BMW, a car company best remembered for powerful six-, eight-, 10- and 12-cylinder engines, not to mention ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ tagline.

What do you think of BMW’s new direction? Is this the future of mobility you want to see? Let us know in the comments.

Kia has become the most popular Korean brand in Australia for the first time after registering more sales than Hyundai in 2022.

The affiliate brands have been locked in a close battle since 2021 after years of Hyundai comfortably leading the showroom pecking order, but Kia Australia finally passed Hyundai Australia last year – by 78,330 units to 73,345.

Kia confirmed its ascendency after registering 5630 units in December compared with 4434 sales for Hyundai, according to official industry figures released today.

Kia’s sales increased year-on-year by 15 per cent, while Hyundai sales were less than one per cent above its 2021 total.

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It completes a remarkable run for Kia, which just eight years ago trailed its majority shareholder in this market by more than 70,000 units.

Kia outsold Hyundai locally in an individual month for the first time in March 2020, coinciding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kia SUVs outsold most of Hyundai’s corresponding models. The Stonic baby SUV beat the Venue by 8557 to 6440 units; the Sportage mid-size SUV (pictured above) – up 136 per cent year on year – trumped the Tucson by 18,792 to 17,870 sales and the Sorento 7-seater SUV’s 7889 registrations defeated the Santa Fe (4595).

Hyundai’s Kona (11,538 units) was the exception in the in-house battle against the Kia Seltos (8504), and Kia has no equivalent model to the Palisade (4000 sales).

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Hyundai also won the small-car war with the i30 (21,166 sales) well ahead of the Kia Cerato (12,354).

The Kia Carnival (pictured above) continues to be unrivalled in the people-mover segment, with 8054 sales accounting for nearly three-quarters of the market share. Hyundai’s Staria was second-most popular with 1721 sales.

Kia remains outside of the commercial-vehicle realm with no alternative to the Hyundai Staria Load van (3291 sales), while Hyundai doesn’t offer a relative to either the Picanto micro car (5196 sales) or Stinger sedan (2242 sales).

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car outsold its Kia EV6 twin – 756 v 564 sales – though these models have been significantly affected by limited supply.

Kia Australia’s 2022 result, however, is still well short of the 100,000-plus figures Hyundai Australia posted between 2014 and 2016.

Hyundai v Kia in Australia 2006-2002

The first batch of Hyundai‘s Ioniq 5 electric SUV for 2023 will go on sale in Australia on January 19 at 1pm AEDT, the brand has revealed today.

All the vehicles have now landed in the country, with customer deliveries expected to be within two to four weeks.

In total there will be 250 cars available – 44 of the Dynamiq 2WD variant, 143 of the Techniq AWD and 63 of the new top-of-the-line Epiq AWD.

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This is the largest batch of Ioniq 5s to arrive since the vehicle’s initial launch in 2021.

Unlike in previous allocations, this cohort will go on sale across the whole of the country, rather than in individual states and territories and is also the first time the car will go on sale in the NT.

According to Hyundai, it has expanded the number of dealerships offering the model to 25.

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The last lot of Ioniq 5s quickly sold out when they were made available in the most recent slot in November, though there were seven previous occasions where the car was released in stages – beginning in October 2021 through to November 2022.

In total, 756 were sold in 2022, with the largest amount – 140 – coming in September. That compares to 1096 of the brand’s smaller Kona EV and 580 of the now discontinued Ioniq Electric sedan.

The Ioniq 5 range is now headlined by a new flagship grade, the Epiq, which gains digital side mirrors, a heat pump, and battery conditioning – all features previously unavailable in Australia.

Debuting ahead of the Ioniq 6 electric sedan, the digital side mirrors utilise a pair of OLED displays in the cabin, with improved “driver vision in all conditions” and reduced aerodynamic drag.

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2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Australian pricing

The end of 2022 saw carmakers begin to claw back ground following the two heavily supply affected years that came before.

The Australian new-car market was up three per cent last year with 1,081,429 deliveries, and Toyota once again sat on top with 21.4 per cent of that sales pie topped by the HiLux ute and RAV4 SUV.

Toyota’s share was a little shy of the 22 per cent the brand was able to command in 2020, but an improvement on 2021.

Following years of unprecedented demand, though, according to Toyota’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, the market is beginning to shift.

“We’ve come back to what [Toyota] calls pre COVID-19 inquiry levels”, Hanley told WhichCar.

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“Now when I say that, people instantly think ‘oh my god what does that mean, is that bad?’ Well, no, [Toyota] was very healthy pre-COVID, but this unprecedented demand over the last 12 months is shifting.

“It’s already starting to come off, so I would say that officially, we’re now operating in a pre-COVID inquiry environment.

“We’ve got what I call ‘COVID-era demand’ – that is unprecedented – in our order bank, but the actual new car inquiry right now, at the end of December at least (that could change again of course) is what I would call pre-COVID inquiry level. That’s still very healthy for Toyota… but it’s not as high as it was six months ago”, Hanley added.

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Will Toyota sales continue to improve in 2023?

Though the industry is generally predicting an improved 2023, Sean Hanley was pragmatic about Toyota’s sales figures over the next 12 months.

“It’s really hard to predict [what 2023 will hold], it’s still a very volatile supply situation. It’s an evolving supply situation. In other parts of the world, where COVID is still well and truly around, it could have an impact on labour.

“Semiconductor chips are still presenting a problem; getting enough precious metals to make enough hybrid batteries and batteries for full battery-electric vehicles is still presenting challenges.”

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Toyota’s 2022 sales figure of 231,050 cars delivered marks the brand’s best result in 14 years. When asked if Toyota would replicate that number in 2023, Hanley said:

“At the moment I’m very confident we’ll be able to do 200,000, but it’ll be largely dependent on supply”, and was not willing to say the Japanese carmaker would better this year’s result.

Volvo Australia has passed 10,000 sales for the first time in a year after achieving almost 20 per cent year-on-year growth.

The Swedish luxury brand has continued its aggressive growth locally after another 980 sales in December contributed to a total of 10,715 units in 2022.

The result placed Volvo fourth in the luxury-brand pecking order, behind Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.

Volvo outsold the likes of Lexus (7089 units), Porsche (5608), and Jaguar (700).

The XC40, XC60 and XC90 SUVs continue to dominate Volvo’s showroom, led by the compact XC40, which last year accounted for almost half of the brand’s sales – up 38 per cent to 5119 units.

Combined, the XC40, XC60 and XC90 accounted for 92 per cent of the company’s sales in 2022 locally.

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The electric-only C40 (above), a coupe relative of the XC40 released at the end of 2022, registered 491 sales across November and December.

The brand’s only passenger vehicles, the S60 sedan and V60 Cross Country wagon, registered 222 and 160 units last year respectively. The S60 was the second biggest growth model for Volvo, up 32 per cent year on year.

Volvo sales in Australia have grown nearly 130 per cent in the past five years, having registered 4681 sales in 2017.

It sold 9028 units here in 2021 after the persistent COVID-19 pandemic scuppered its stated ambition of reaching five figures that year.

Volvo Australia is targeting 20,000 sales by 2026 – the year it says it will become an all-electric brand, four years ahead of the Swedish carmaker’s global timeframe.

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Volvo Australia sales: 2012-2022