UPDATE October 7, 2022: Honda Prologue revealed for US-market

Honda has revealed the 2024 Prologue, its first all-electric SUV. The catch is, it’s for the US-market only (at least for now) and rides on a platform co-developed with GM.

The Prologue will be Honda’s second mainstream electric vehicle after the Honda E city car, though the brand will go on to roll out 30 BEVs before the end of the decade.

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On-sale in 2024, the Prologue will sit alongside Honda’s Alabama-built three-row Passport SUV that isn’t sold in Australia.

The Honda Prologue measures 4877 millimetres long, 1889mm wide and is considered a midsize SUV in America.

In Australia, the Prologue would compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9 that we see as large SUVs. Honda of America has not confirmed the Prologue’s seat count yet.

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Honda America expects new-gen CR-V customers to also be interested in the new electric SUV, and is offering shorter lease plans for those vehicles to encourage the transition to BEVs.

Speaking of sizing, the Honda rides on an identical 3094mm wheelbase to the Chevrolet Blazer EV. It will also use GM’s Ultium battery and high-voltage electric technology.

It debuts Honda’s ‘neo-rugged’ design language. At the front, that means a bluff fascia, though around the rear a sloping roofline is reminiscent of the Range Rover Evoque. Instead of the brand’s emblem, the Prologue wears spaced-out Honda lettering at the back.

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Inside there are few nods to the 11th-gen Honda Civic, with only the wheel matching. The infotainment appears to be all new, and includes an 11.3-inch touchscreen as well as a 11.0-inch tablet style digital driver’s display.

Physical climate control dials sit below the touchscreen and it appears Honda is leaning into its reinvigorated premium philosophy with two-tone white/grey upholstery and airy cabin.

Further details including power, torque range, and battery size will be revealed in the future.

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July 31, 2022: 2024 Honda Prologue previewed in new teaser video

The upcoming 2024 Honda Prologue electric SUV has been teased in a new video.

Developed in partnership with General Motors, the Prologue will launch in the United States in 2024, based on the American giant’s latest Ultium battery technology.

It is currently unknown if the Honda Prologue will arrive in Australia; however, it is expected to be heavily related to the Chevrolet Blazer EV, with a focus on the North American market.

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It will compete against the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4, with the battery technology allowing a potential driving range of up to 724 kilometres. This is, of course, dependent on the battery size and other elements, such as aerodynamics.

The designers for the Prologue, speaking in the video released by Honda, have used virtual reality technology, allowing for better collaboration between colleagues in Japan and the United States.

Technical specifications for the 2024 Honda Prologue have not been confirmed, with more details expected in the coming months.

For more information on the partnership between Honda and General Motors, check out our previous coverage below.

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The story to here

June 29, 2021: Honda reveals Prologue name as next EV model

Honda has revealed its next fully electric model will be an SUV dubbed Prologue – a handy synonym for the word ‘prelude’, an iconic but now retired badge in the Honda range.

Due to go on sale in 2023 in America, the Japanese manufacturer says its next EV is an important one, which will kick off a new series of volume BEV (battery EV) models for the brand.

The SUV will utilise General Motors’ Ultium Battery packs and sit on a bespoke EV platform jointly developed with GM as part of a strategic alliance between the two automakers, penned in April 2020.

Although still in its infancy, the clever Ultium battery technology has already been utilised in a number of recent GM products such as GMC’s Hummer EV and Cadillac’s Lyriq.

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Honda claims the Prologue will be a highly competitive product when it goes to market, offering the same level of practicality that’s become synonymous with the brand.

There are no further clues or details about the upcoming EV, although it’s thought the Prologue will most likely fit into the small to medium-size SUV market segment when it does go on sale.

That means it’ll be up against very stiff competition from the likes of Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen’s ID.4, Nissan’s Ariya, and Kia’s EV6.

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The Tokyo firm also said the Prologue signifies the brand’s desire to achieve its recently announced mission statement that by 2040, all Honda products in America will be fully electric.

“Our first volume Honda BEV will begin our transition to electrification and the name Honda Prologue signals the role it will play in leading to our zero-emission future,” Dave Gardner, executive vice president of American Honda, said.

“The Prologue will provide our customers with a battery-electric SUV with the excellent functionality and packaging they’ve come to expect from Honda.”

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Honda’s greener pastures aren’t just reserved to the US market, though – the carmaker recently said it will target carbon-neutrality for all of its products and corporate activities by 2050.

It’s unknown at this stage if the Prologue will be coming to Australia. Wheels has reached out to Honda Australia for more information, and we’ll update this story when it becomes available.

UPDATE, October 10: See our full Motorclassica gallery

Motorclassica, billed as the country’s premium concours event, came back with a vengeance this year after a two-year Covid-enforced layoff. See our full gallery at the link below.

The story to here

One of Australia’s most popular auto festivals kicks off today in Melbourne, with an incredible lineup confirmed for the next few days.

The event takes place from today and runs until Sunday, October 9 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.

The multi-million-dollar showcase covers all aspects of the motoring spectrum, from golden era vintage rarities to the latest and greatest hypercars – with the reimagined event returning after a two-year hiatus.

BMW will take centre stage in celebrating 50 years of its M high-performance division, with display items including the world’s first-ever BMW XM, M3 Touring and the fully electric i4 M50.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjZaCgBgPK9/

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The marque will have an example of a new model, which has yet to make its world premiere, with it being presented in a special “closed room” setting onsite – expected to be the new M2 that’s making its global debut next week.

From the celebration of Ferrari’s 75th anniversary, through to the 60th birthday of Shelby American, other milestones to be featured include 110 years of Bertone, as well as special features on all things Lotus, Porsche and Muscle Car.

The parade of 75 Ferraris will depart from Icon Park on Royal Parade in Carlton at 9.30am on Saturday, with the lead cars expected to arrive via the Rathdowne Street entrance from 9.45am.

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“It’s incredibly exciting to finally arrive at show week for Motorclassica 2022, we are very proud of the fine cross-section of cars and motorcycles we have been able to assemble for the event,” said Jon Treherne, Motorclassica Event Director.

“While the machinery will forever be the stars of the show, we have worked hard to craft many exciting side shows and activities that will add to the experience of visitors.

“Attractions such as the Trak Racer Interactive Zone will be joined by a great selection of specialist retail outlets, while the Motorclassica stage will once again be a highlight.

“We have been blown away by the response in the lead-up to the event, and we can’t wait to see everyone from Friday.”

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Within the massive Concours gathering, special focus will be given to classes such as the Golden Age of Motoring up to 1918, Vintage and Post War through to 1945, Post War up until 1960, New Age Classics – British and European (1961 – ’80), Modern Classics (1981 – ’92), Supercars (1992 and on), American plus Australian Classics from the period covering 1950 through ‘80, as well as two divisions of Classics from the Track.

New for 2022 is the Icons of Speed feature, which covers the modern hypercar era, with numerous hero cars set to star.

Representing the breed will be a 2023 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, a 2021 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Black Series “Project 1” Edition, plus a McLaren P1, amongst others.

Two other major attractions courtesy of Euro Motorsports will be the Praga R1 T EVO race car, as presented in an exposed carbon finish, plus a modified Mercedes AMG GTR EMS1000, which produces over 1,000hp.

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At the other end of the scale, the showcase of vehicles over a century old continues the tradition of first-class showpieces at Motorclassica.

Examples include a 1902 Thomas Model 17 Detachable Rear Entry Tourer, a 1904 Napier L48 Samson, a 1909 Schacht Model K Buggy, a 1909 Sizaire et Naudin two-seater roadster, and others.

On the Saturday evening, Motorclassica will host the Shannons Rare Number Plate Auction from 7pm where 20 collectible number plates and a selection of sought-after memorabilia and motoring merchandise will go under the hammer.

One of the most desirable plates from the night will be the Victorian three digit ‘388’ with its ABB combination. While other 3-digit plates include ‘363’, ‘428’, ‘774’ and ‘929’. Other ‘notable’ plate combinations headed to auction include the numerically pleasing six-digit 100.222 and 100.333.

A Renault Alpine Star Boot once belonging to and personally signed by Aussie F1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo will be up for grabs. Ricciardo is well known for his trademark “shoey” podium celebrations, which began following his German Grand Prix win back in 2016.

For further details and to secure tickets for Motorclassica 2022, visit motorclassica.com.au

UPDATE: 2023 Subaru BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition sold out

The limited-edition 2023 Subaru BRZ 10th Anniversary has sold out in Australia.

Priced from $43,090 plus on-roads, it comes just over a week after order books opened, with the model limited to 150 examples.

An automatic version is available for $46,890 before on-road costs.

First deliveries are expected to commence in February, with buyers receiving a special numbered badge.

The story to here

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September 28: Order books open for limited-edition BRZ

Subaru Australia has officially opened the order books for the limited-run Subaru BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition, priced from $43,090 before on-road costs.

Just 150 examples will be produced for the Australian market, with first deliveries anticipated from February 2023 and each receiving a special numbered badge.

“For the BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition, the engineers have taken the same absolute attention to detail they did on creating the BRZ’s complete package and added exclusive commemorative touches to the interior and exterior,” said Subaru Australia’s Managing Director, Blair Read.

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“This is sure to attract the attention of BRZ enthusiasts and car collectors alike. “We’re also very pleased to continue accommodating all sports car buyers, by offering this special edition BRZ in manual and automatic transmission.”

Pricing for the anniversary model costs $43,090 for the manual and $46,890 for the auto.

July 26: 2023 Subaru BRZ 10th Anniversary Special Edition revealed, confirmed for Australia

Subaru is marking 10 years since the original BRZ sports car launched with a new anniversary special – and it’s confirmed for Australia.

The 2023 Subaru BRZ 10th Anniversary limited edition was unveiled in Japan alongside the identically-named Toyota GR86, which is confirmed for Australia, with both including unique highlights.

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A spokesperson for Subaru Australia confirmed to Wheels the company will launch the model to “celebrate a decade since the original BRZ went on sale”.

The special-edition variant is likely to arrive in limited numbers, with an exact quantity currently unknown.

Subaru will release more details on the BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition for Australia “in due course”.

In Japan, the limited-run BRZ is limited to 200 units, with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission on offer.

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While Toyota has opted for an orange exterior paint colour similar to the original 86’s Velocity Orange launch hue, the main difference for the Subaru is the traditional WR Blue shade.

There are also blacked-out rear badges on the special Subaru, as well as black mirror caps, AC dials and centre console buttons, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the special edition BRZ sports ultrasuede and leather upholstery with blue accents and stitching, and 10th Anniversary badging on the door cards.

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A touchscreen infotainment system is optional, with the press images showing a plastic cover – as seen in the domestic market Cup trim, which also includes steel wheels and a roll cage.

In Japan, Toyota and Subaru will accept orders for the GR86 and BRZ 10th Anniversary Edition until September 30, with a first come, first served basis for the limited-run BRZ.

Subaru Australia reopened order books for the 2023 Subaru BRZ in May, after the initial allocation of 500 units sold out ahead of its local arrival in the back end of 2021.

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However, pricing has increased for model-year 2023, with a $1300 hike applied to the entry-level BRZ – now priced from $40,290 before on-road costs – while the flagship BRZ S is up $1400, at $41,590 plus on-roads.

The second-generation Subaru BRZ is powered by a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated ‘boxer’ flat-four engine producing 174kW of power and 250Nm of torque.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, which is $3800 more than the manual ‘box.

Throughout the recent years of the pandemic, and even now as those days of lockdown recede into the rear-view, an uptake in working from home has seen vehicles used less and less, with an increasing rate of battery related breakdowns.

Global supply shortages and ballooning used car prices have forced households to hold onto their cars longer, too, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics stating that the current average age of vehicles in Australia is 10.6 years – the highest observed in recent times with older batteries in disuse suffering accelerated rates of depletion.

New electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids come with their own unique requirements and quirks that owners should be aware of. For EVs, it is regarded as best practice to set a charge limit of 80 to 90 per cent to best mitigate degradation of the lithium-ion battery.

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Plug-in hybird (PHEV) owners may not realise that the car’s 12V battery also runs essential accessories like the climate control, and will often limit itself to 80 per cent capacity under regenerative brake-charging. It’s worth checking your owner’s manual to see if you can charge your PHEV 12V battery independently to get it to 100 per cent.

Optimal maintenance of your car’s battery can drastically extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long-term. Read on for five tips on how you can take a proactive approach to maintaining the health of your car’s battery.

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1. Regular battery charging

Battery failure is the most common cause of breakdowns, so regular charging can help ensure your vehicle’s battery is kept in its most reliable operating condition and can even prolong its battery life, reducing emissions and waste, and saving you money.

In order to maximise battery health, it could be worth getting into a monthly routine of charging your car with a trickle-charger. This ensures regular top-ups and can be applied to both combustion and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

2. Try to avoid, or plan for, periods of disuse

Even if you car has not been driven for a period of time, subtle ancillary systems such as the alarm, internal clock and vehicle computer can slowly sap away battery capacity in the background.

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Most conventional combustion cars must be running for some time before the energy lost on startup begins to be regained, so even if the car has taken a few infrequent short trips, the battery could be depleting without you knowing.

Households that own a secondary recreational, classic or vintage vehicle that isn’t used every day, and only brought out on the weekend when the weather is nice, will also require upkeep. You can permanently leave them on a trickle charger, or you can look into a variety of easily-installed battery isolators that you can disconnect, preventing battery discharge, when the car is being not being used.

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3. The EV ‘ABC’

Electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries should not be charged to their full 100 per cent, as repeated full cycles slowly deplete health and capacity over time.

A charge limit of 80 to 90 per cent is recommended, as this stops the battery from completing too many full cycles. With the limit in effect, you can safely ‘Always Be Charging’ without concern of degrading the overall battery life. Optimum conditions for a lithium-ion battery is maintaining charge between 20 and 80 per cent, with a full 100 per cent charged only recommended for long journeys.

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4. Clean your battery

Dirt and grime that collects on battery terminals can cause a leakage across the battery case, and in worst cases cause a short circuit. Corrosion on terminals can also build up over time, and can hinder the flow of electricity from the battery.

Check your battery regularly, and remove surface grime with a dry sponge or cloth.

A heavy build up of corrosion can often be rectified by your mechanic at your next scheduled service.

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5. Service your car regularly

A battery health check should be part and parcel of your car’s regular scheduled servicing. You can ask them to check the health of your car’s battery at your next service, and there are numerous other mobile options such as RACV, or your local state equivalent.

? More reading on EV battery news

Not finished learning about electric car battery tech? Here are some more stories for you.

⚡ More EV stories to help you choose the best car for your needs

? MORE advice stories to help you with buying and owning a car

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have encountered the scourge of semiconductor shortages affecting new-car production.

Instead of telling people to wait patiently for three, six, or 12 months (though you still can) Volkswagen has another solution for its three-row SUV.

The 2023 Tiguan Allspace Adventure is a fat-trimmed variant that was announced shortly after the facelifted Allspace’s launch in June.

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Adventure trim pairs the Allspace R-Line’s popular 162kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 17-inch ‘Dublin’ alloy wheels, sports suspension, manually-adjustable front seats, wireless smartphone mirroring and a teaspoon of outdoorsy marketing.

There is a small catch: the Adventure loses the Allspace’s third row of seating, but 1500 examples in six colours (including the Golf GTI’s King’s Red duco) will land before the end of the 2022.

That means you can walk into a dealer and get a turbo-petrol Tiguan Allspace Adventure right now. So, should you skip the wait?

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?
• Warranty and running costs
• VERDICT

How much is it, and what do you get?

2023 VW Tiguan Allspace Adventure: The basics

For the privilege of driving this lightly-deconted SUV off the forecourt immediately, the 2023 VW Allspace Adventure carries a $54,990 driveaway price.

Compared to an equivalently-powered Tiguan 162TSI Elegance or R-Line, that’s around a $6700 saving on-the-road. Under the skin, the Mexican-built Allspace Adventure starts as a Life variant with some tweaks and extras, tailored to Aussie tastes.

These include the deletion of the third row for an extra 60 litres of boot space, more underbody protection (made from hard plastic), a larger accessory battery, rear luggage net, and the swapping from easy-clean leather-appointed electric front seats to cloth-upholstered manual pews. Three-stage seat-heating remains standard on Adventure.

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The 2023 Tiguan Allspace Adventure retains the Elegance’s high-resolution 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity that worked faultlessly on test. Two USB-C fast-charging points and a wireless charging pad feature to keep devices juiced up.

The Allspace Adventure’s eight-speaker sound system is adequate, though not as warm in tone or powerful as the R-Line and Elegance’s optional 16-speaker Harman-Kardon setup.

Finally, the 10.25-inch digital driver’s display is standard. This is still one of the best in the business with the Allspace Adventure able to display a full map and detailed navigation directions. There’s no head-up display, but the digital cluster means you’re unlikely to miss a turn.

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How do rivals compare on value?

If small wheels, comfortable suspension, all-wheel-drive security and outdoorsy marketing remind you of a certain Subaru, you wouldn’t be far wrong. In fact, the Outback wagon was in VW Australia’s mind when locking in the Allspace Adventure’s spec.

A range-topping Outback Touring ($50,990 before on-road costs) is similar in price to the Adventure, while getting leather upholstery and seat cooling. That said (until the XT turbo arrives), the Outback’s thrashy 138kW 2.5-litre atmo boxer engine and CVT combo can’t compete with the Allspace Adventure’s excellent powertrain.

The Tiguan Allspace may be classified as a large SUV, but at 4.73-metres long it’s on the cusp of midsize. We see it as a cross-shop against the Skoda Kodiaq 132TSI Sportline, Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed, Kia Sorento Sport and Hyundai Santa Fe Elite.

With fairly compact dimensions, the Allspace is also a real alternative to the short wheelbase Tiguan – especially if you’re craving the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol’s torque hit without the 12-month wait.

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Interior comfort, space and storage

The normal Allspace is an especially well-packaged vehicle, and the Adventure is no different. Ditching the third row gives the Tiguan Allspace Adventure more boot space – 760 litres of the stuff.

With the second row folded, cargo space climbs to 1920 litres, beating the larger Touareg (1800L). The load space is flat, too, making it perfect for mountain bikes and camping gear.

In Adventure trim, VW throws in a standard boot net to stop the groceries and smaller cargo from sliding around. A space-saver spare wheel is located beneath the two-position boot floor. The Adventure’s tailgate is manually operated, but the action is light enough.

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The Tiguan Allspace has vast amounts of storage in the cabin. There’s a cubby up on the dash (where the Harman Kardon subwoofer goes), two more hidey-holes in the roof, door bins big enough for a one-litre camping bottle, covered cubby under the adjustable centre armrest, two cup holders and sliding trays under each front seat.

The Adventure’s hidey-holes are lined with felt to stop any odds-and-ends rattling. That’s great attention-to-detail.

The front seats may ‘only’ be manually adjustable, but the infinite backrest positions and lever-movable lumbar support means you can really dial in a comfy position. The only issue comes if you share the car regularly, where electric memory seats can be invaluable.

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While the cloth upholstery doesn’t feel ultra-high-quality, the seats themselves are supportive and exceedingly comfortable on long drives. Three-stage heating is very welcome on cold mornings, too. The plastics all have quality graining and are soft in high-traffic areas.

For child seats, the 2023 Tiguan Allspace has Isofix ports for outboard positions, and top tether points for all three rear positions. There is a fold-down armrest with two cupholders and enough bench width for three adults.

It’s a shame to lose the third row, but in a regular Allspace that really is a kids-only zone. In the second row, I had plenty of headroom and toe room at 188cm tall. The sliding rear bench adds flexibility for owners to prioritise luggage or occupant space.

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What is it like to drive?

With the Adventure’s off-road pitch, it’s slightly odd VW didn’t choose the 147TDI turbo-diesel.

But, Australians love the Tiguan’s 162TSI turbo-petrol – it makes up over 50 per cent of sales to the diesel’s 10 per cent – so it isn’t all that surprising.

This still isn’t a car you’d regularly tow a caravan with (though the Tiguan Allspace Adventure’s braked capacity is decent at 2500kg) or go hardcore off-roading in (186mm of ground clearance isn’t heaps), so the Adventure isn’t really up for more than light-duty dirt.

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That’s exactly what we were treated to on the Adventure’s launch.

A typical Australian farm road that jumped between intensely pot-holed bitumen and gravel at random – often mid-corner – was the perfect test. It’s the sort of surface that would have the R-Line’s 255/40 20-inch Pirellis bursting and buckling.

Instead, the Adventure’s beefy 215/65 R17 Hankook S1 Evo rubber took the battering with glee. It’s amazing, the difference that can be made with the right wheels and tyres.

The 17-inch alloys have another benefit – this is the only Tiguan Allspace that can be fitted with snow chains straight from a VW dealership.

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Back on smoother and more predictable roads, the Allspace Adventure doesn’t turn into a soggy mess. Its unique combination of the small wheels and non-adaptive sports suspension gives excellent body control and cornering support.

The Adventure’s progressive electrically-assisted steering rack is lifted from the R-Line. There’s not much feel, but the ratio is quick and natural. While firm at high speed, the Allspace Adventure’s steering becomes light and breezy around town.

Those big balloon tyres also improve the urban ride, too. The Adventure isolates all passengers from concrete expansion joints and braking bumps around Sydney better than the occasionally-abrupt R-Line, even with that variant’s adaptive dampers in Comfort mode.

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As for the engine, it’s a known quantity. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder in the Allspace Adventure develops 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque. The torque peak is available between 1600-4200rpm, and that broad spread makes the Allspace Adventure very tractable.

It isn’t slow either, with the seven-speed ‘wet’ clutch DSG and well-calibrated AWD system seeing it claim 100km/h in 6.8 seconds. That’s quicker than a 2007 Mk5 Golf GTI (7.2 seconds).

Dialling the drive mode selector to Sport brings some more bark from the powertrain and improves throttle response. And when you want to relax instead of go quickly, the Allspace Adventure suppresses tyre and engine noise excellently. There are various terrain modes including snow and mud. For gravel, I left the Adventure in Auto off-road mode.

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It may be special to get out of semiconductor shortages, but the team at Volkswagen Australia has done a great job balancing wants and needs.

The Allspace Adventure is one of the most satisfying cars in its class to punt down a country road.

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How is it on fuel?

Although the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is much more efficient than the 3.5-litre V6 you’d find in a Toyota Kluger, a vehicle of the Allspace’s size still likes a drink.

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The combined fuel consumption figure for the Tiguan Allspace Adventure is 8.6L/100km. Over 300km of open-road driving, we saw 8.1L/100km.

That’s totally acceptable for the amount of performance on offer. Around town, this is likely to climb – the official urban figure is 10.7L/100km. The Allspace Adventure requires premium 95 RON unleaded petrol.

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How safe is it?

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace scored a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2016.

The Allspace Adventure is fitted with front and rear AEB, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning, lane-trace assist and semi-autonomous ‘Travel Assist’ program.

As all Adventures are MY22, they also keep blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert that will be dropped for MY23 to keep supply flowing. (Another reason to consider this unique variant.)

Recently, safety evaluation has centred on electronic aids, but the Tiguan Allspace really excels when it comes to passive safety with excellent road-holding, adept ABS and ESC tuning – particularly on dirt.

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Warranty and running costs

Volkswagen backs the Tiguan range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

European cars are typically more expensive than Japanese counterparts to service. VW’s five-year service pack for the Tiguan Allspace Adventure 162TSI costs $2953, a $1023 discount from scheduled maintenance.

Maintenance is due every 12 months/15,000km – and servicing a Tiguan Allspace for five years is dearer than a Honda CR-V ($625) and Toyota Kluger ($1250), but compares favourably to the Subaru Outback ($2458).

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VERDICT

It would be easy to write the Adventure off as a bit of a cash-grab for VW, but it isn’t one. The Adventure isn’t dirt cheap, but nor is it missing must-have features: wireless phone mirroring, a powerful turbo engine, surprise-and-delight storage solutions are all present.

VW has taken genuine steps to make this Tiguan Allspace more gravel-friendly, too. If you’re a country-buyer – or anyone for that matter – who regularly encounters dirt tracks, pockmarked roads or just values excellent ride, then the Adventure’s 17-inch alloys with big tyres are brilliant.

If you’re considering a Tiguan with the 162kW engine, then the Adventure makes a very strong case for itself if you can live without leather upholstery and electric seats.

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2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Adventure specifications

UPDATE, July 2023: B-Class axed in Australia before facelift arrives

The facelifted 2023 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is now off-limits for Australia, with the nameplate discontinued locally. For more details, read the linked story below.

Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.

October 2022: Mercedes-Benz B-Class facelift debuts

The updated 2023 Mercedes-Benz B-Class has been revealed, ahead of its Australian launch in the third quarter of next year.

Mirroring the related 2023 A-Class, the practical five-seat B-Class MPV gains a reshaped ‘star pattern’ grille, redesigned headlight internals, modified tail-lights, and new alloy wheel designs.

There is also 48-volt mild-hybrid technology as standard, with an integrated starter-generator – which replaces a traditional starter motor and alternator – providing 10kW more power in ‘EQ Boost’ mode.

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In Australia, the line-up will likely remain limited to the sole B180 variant, offered in standard or AMG-Line styles.

A plug-in hybrid B250e is offered overseas, with the same updates as the A250e for 2023, including a more powerful electric motor and 11kW AC charge rate, up from 7.4kW.

Inside, the new-style steering wheel from the C-, E- and S-Class has filtered down to the B-Class, finished in Nappa leather as standard.

The centre console has been simplified, with Mercedes-Benz removing the touchpad for its infotainment system, and repositioning the volume and drive mode controls.

However, an updated version of the current MBUX system remains, unlike the C-Class and S-Class, which feature a portrait-orientated unit positioned closer to the driver.

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Mercedes-Benz has revised the software, allowing for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a revised 360-degree camera, “newly-designed” display styles, machine learning, and the ability to speak to the voice assistant without saying ‘Hey, Mercedes’ first in some instances.

A fingerprint sensor on the centre console will identify and authenticate the driver, while the brand has fitted an additional USB-C port.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will arrive in Australia in the third quarter of next year (July to September inclusive).

Local pricing and full details will be announced closer to launch.

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The current 2022 Mercedes-Benz B-Class starts from $51,789 before on-road costs, with a minor price rise likely for the updated model.

While it has achieved only 234 sales year-to-date, the B-Class faces no five-seat MPV competitors, with the similarly-shaped BMW 2 Series Active Tourer discontinued in Australia two years ago.

A second-generation BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was unveiled in late 2021, but remains off-limits for Australia.

Even mainstream offerings, such as the Toyota Prius V, Kia Rondo and Citroën C4 Picasso, have disappeared from the local market over the past decade.

The Renault 4 is a fully electric revival of the iconic 1960s Renault 4L (pronounced Quattrelle), and will debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show on October 17.

Shadowy teaser images of the car’s silhouette and front end were released ahead of the reveal, hinting at a small crossover or SUV body with a generous ride height and rugged utilitarian body accessories.

The reborn Renault 4 is expected to undergo series production by 2025, joining Renault’s future portfolio as a complement to the funky Renault 5 hatchback.

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Further details remain scant for the time being.

Produced from the early 1960s through to the 1990s, the Renault 4L was a front-drive five-door hatchback (though Renault preferred ‘short wagon’) as a rival for Citroen’s immensely successful 2CV – which brought affordable personal motoring to the low-income population of France.

The 4L was gifted generous ground clearance to suit farmers and rural workers who, at the time, used motor vehicles as workhorses, equally as much as personal transport. More than eight million Renault 4Ls were sold over its lifetime.

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The reborn Renault 4 is expected to be one of 10 fully electric Renault Group models to be brought to market by 2025. These include the Megane E-Tech (due locally from 2023), Renault 5 (scheduled to commence production in 2024), hydrogen-electric next-gen Scenic compact SUV, plus a mid-size SUV, two Alpine-branded sports cars, a small ‘hot hatch’ and a large SUV.

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The Renault 4, 5 and Alpine’s small cars will be built on an electric-only version of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-B platform, currently underpinning the Nissan Juke, Renault Clio and Arkana, called the CMF-BEV.

Stay tuned for more Renault 4 news as more is revealed in Paris.

Who is responsible in the event of an autonomous car having a crash – the driver or vehicle itself – was at the forefront of a leading industry event held in Melbourne this week.

A panel of experts at the Autonomous Vehicle Technology Conference (APAC21) discussed the major safety issue facing the industry and lawmakers alike, with attendees keen to hear the answer.

Speaking during the event’s trials, policy and regulation panel, James Hurnall, Director of Policy at crash test authority ANCAP, said the issue was being looked at closely by the industry and others.

“I know this is an important question that’s been looked at what we call ‘highly automated vehicles’ – vehicles operating at level three or above,” he said.

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“What is important is whether the vehicle is in control at that point in time [in a crash]. There’s a concept called automated ADC, an entity that will be responsible for the vehicle when it’s operating in an automated mode. That’s my understanding.

“I understand the car companies are looking at how to do that [how to differentiate between car and driver] as well and uh, then it becomes very important also with whether it’s an OEM product or an aftermarket product, because that then becomes really difficult with how to handle it.”

Samantha Cockfield, Head of Road Safety at the TAC, added that for her organisation the issue was less consequential as the TAC ensures the vehicle rather than the individual already.

“For the TAC we actually ensure a vehicle not an individual. So the issue of you know, who’s in charge, doesn’t matter quite as much. But I think at any point where the driver still has control, you’ve really got to say that the driver still has to actually be the end point for it,” she said.

“But, I mean, we really are looking at the timing and particularly, as an insurance scheme, to be working with manufacturers rather than individual drivers in relation to fault.”

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At the conference, representatives of Ford Australia’s ADAS division (Advanced Driver Assistance System) asked about what would be done in scenarios where people overestimated the capabilities of lower level AV systems and whether it would lead to an increase in road accidents, referring to recent examples in the US where drivers were found trying to trick the car into believing a human being was still in control when they weren’t.

Responding to the concerns, Cockfield said: “I think, you know, as long as I’ve been human safety, which is around 30 years, where I’ve talked about vehicle technologies coming in, that people will just assume that the car can do more than it can. It happened with ABS when that was introduced too.”

“We’re certainly going to need some education enforcement,” said Harnall. “As we do with the introduction of any technology. Let’s not let that blind us to all those benefits that we can potentially get because of a couple of bad cases. What we are looking at in our rating system is what information is provided to the driver, how they remain engaged with the vehicle.

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“So it’s how the vehicle, how the manufacturer promotes and names the system, how the information’s provided to the driver or the vehicle owner, and then how the vehicle owner continues to be engaged in system. At the moment we’re assessing drive monitoring systems, which basically is assessing how well the vehicle ensures the driver is still engaged.

“I picked up a new car three weeks’ ago and as I was driving home, I was playing with the touchscreen and the next thing I know it says to me, ‘you’re not paying attention, do you want to pull over if you’re tired?’ So that technology is there and to help the people that are making a genuine mistake. There are people who are going to go out of the way to defeat the system, same as we have now in that people are going out of their way to speed or to drive with alcohol in their system.”

Over the last few years, the National Transport Commission (NTC) which is tasked with leading a range of transport reforms on behalf of jurisdictions across Australia, has been working on a complete end-to-end overhaul of regulation on this topic – which involves untangling more than 700 existing laws.

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Although there is no exact end date in sight for this work to be wrapped up, the NTC says it is well on track and in July this year published a discussion paper on the sub-issue of the powers of law enforcement to interact with and respond to the road safety risks of automated vehicles. Earlier this year, transport ministers across the country made an agreement to start drafting new legislation by the end of this year, with a view of a national law being put into effect by 2026.

It’s worth noting other countries are at different stages of developing regulations for automated vehicles, but no jurisdiction has a complete system of regulation as yet.

It’s expected, based on research being carried out by the NTC in recent years, that the new national law will establish that the automated driving system entity (ADSE) is legally in control of a vehicle when automated functions are operating – but that the fallback-ready user should remain sufficiently vigilant to respond to requests and failures, and regain control when required.

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Currently there are five levels of autonomous driving. Under level one, the car just accelerates or brakes for you but you remain completely in control, such as with cruise control. In level two, it’s much the same but slightly advanced, such as automated reverse parking and again you’re in charge and needs to react to the environment.

By level three things get interesting, which is where much of this debate starts to become relevant. The vehicle does everything for you but only under certain conditions such as a certain speed, weather or time of day and a driver must be capable of taking over straight away when requested. Level four is similar, but the human does nothing while the car is travelling and only needs to take responsibility at other times.

Full automation comes at level five, which means the car does everything the person does zilch.

Other issues raised at the conference surrounded addressing the ongoing safety of ADS throughout a vehicle’s lifetime and who is responsible for that, and how it impacts car insurance claims.

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Again, the NTC is developing reform to enable people injured or killed in a crash involving an automated vehicle to access an equivalent level of care, treatment, benefits and compensation to that experienced by those involving a vehicle crash controlled by a human driver.

Transport ministers agreed in August 2019 on a national approach to insurance for automated vehicles that requires existing motor accident injury insurance schemes to provide cover for automated vehicle crash injuries. Ministers were asked to join a working group considering the policy issues and will report back on progress.

UPDATE: 2023 Ford Mustang Supercars racer debuts at Bathurst 1000

The 2023 Ford Mustang GT Supercars race car – the first in the world – has been unveiled at this weekend’s Bathurst 1000.

Uncovered today at Mount Panorama, the ‘Gen3’ Supercar will debut for the 2023 season, with a closer resemblance to the seventh-generation Mustang revealed in Detroit last month.

As detailed below, the prototype will be steered by Australian motorsport legend and three-time winner of the iconic race, Dick Johnson.

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It was built and homologated by Dick Johnson Racing, in conjunction with Ford Performance.

The current Mustang racer is based on a chassis designed for the Falcon, leading to a contorted body, so the shift to a production-like shape will be welcome news for many Ford fans.

“It is fantastic to be able to show, for the very first time globally, the seventh-generation Mustang in racing form,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports.

Ford Australia president and CEO Andrew Birkic said it was a “special moment” to unveil the car in front of fans and drivers at Bathurst.

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“It’s very fitting that Dick will take the car for its first laps this afternoon. He’s a legend of the sport, and an incredible ambassador for Ford,” added Birkic.

As announced in May, Walkinshaw Andretti United – traditionally associated with Holden – will race the Ford Mustang in 2023, joining the current Dick Johnson, Tickford, Grove and Blanchard racing teams.

For the first time ever, now-defunct Holden won’t appear in the next Supercars season, with the current ZB Commodore-themed ‘Gen2’ racers to be replaced by Chevrolet Camaro-based ‘Gen3’ cars.

The story to here

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October 4: Dick Johnson to pilot race car at Bathurst 1000

Dick Johnson, a legend of Australian motorsport and a three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, will be the first driver in the world to pilot Ford’s new Mustang racing car.

The new Gen3 Mustang GT Supercar’s Bathurst 1000 debut was confirmed a couple of weeks ago – marking its first appearance anywhere in the world – but today is the first confirmation of Johnson’s selection to drive the new hero car.

It’s a fitting choice, not least because DJR is Ford’s homologation team, but also because Johnson was the first driver of the current Gen2 Mustang Supercar at the Adelaide 500 in 2019.

The car will make its debut in pit lane at 12:30pm AEDT on Thursday, with Johnson then hitting the track later in the day.

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“My team and I have been racing Fords for more than forty years, we are very proud representatives of and ambassadors for the Blue Oval,” Johnson said.

“We have been working extremely hard on making this car the best it can possibly be over the last couple of years, and to be the first person in the world to drive it after all of that work is fantastic. Any chance to drive around Mount Panorama is incredible, but to do it in Ford’s latest race car is an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up.

“I can’t wait to drive the Mustang and see the fans across the top of the Mountain, it’s going to be very special indeed.”

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This isn’t our first insight into the Gen3 Mustang Supercar, of course. Because, while its recent unveiling was our first look at its styling, Wheels Media brought you all the technical details – and some hot photos of the Gen2 car alongside the Camaro racer – in January.

Head on over to our story here for all the details, and catch up on all the S650 2023 Ford Mustang news at the links below.

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UPDATE: 2023 Jaguar XF detailed; E-Pace, I-Pace and F-Type pricing up

Our original story, below, first published in July, has been updated to reflect changes across the Jaguar line-up in Australia.

Jaguar and Land Rover have announced pricing and features for several model-year 2023 and 2023.5 vehicles.

Pricing for the 2023 Range Rover Velar, 2023.5 Land Rover Discovery and 2023.5 Land Rover Defender has increased in Australia.

Likewise, the 2023 Jaguar E-Pace, 2023 Jaguar F-Pace, 2023 Jaguar I-Pace, 2023 Jaguar XF and 2023 Jaguar F-Type have received pricing adjustments.

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However, despite the changes, several features have been dropped from each model’s line-up, with some previously-standard equipment pushed to the options list.

See below for a breakdown of the updated pricing and specifications for the affected Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

Jaguar E-Pace

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Wireless phone charging is standard across the 2023 Jaguar E-Pace range, while the mid-spec R-Dynamic SE gains an 11-speaker Meridian audio system.

However, analogue gauges and a 5-inch semi-digital display shared with the entry-level R-Dynamic S replace the previously-standard 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster for the SE, HSE and 300 Sport.

Jaguar F-Pace

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Jaguar has bolstered the F-Pace range with a new 400 Sport grade, first detailed in April.

Powered exclusively by the marque’s 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, the F-Pace 400 Sport picks up black trimmings inside and out.

The limited, supercharged V8-powered F-Pace SV Bespoke Edition 1988 also joins the 2023 Jaguar F-Pace line-up, with just 20 units to be offered for Australia. It is priced from $189,531 before on-road costs

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Other changes for the 2023 Jaguar F-Pace include; standard wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa and ‘what3words’ support.

The entry-level R-Dynamic S gains DuoLeather trim, replacing grained leather, while heated front seats and a 13-speaker Meridian audio system are now standard on the mid-spec SE.

However, Jaguar has removed the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster from the R-Dynamic SE and HSE, which is replaced with a 7-inch semi-digital unit.

The brand’s Clear Exit Monitor is no longer standard across the F-Pace range, while the suede headlining previously standard on the HSE is now a $2141 option.

Pricing has increased between $1741 and $4754 for the carryover F-Pace variants.

Jaguar I-Pace

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The 2023 Jaguar I-Pace has received a price hike, following a model-year update in February.

That change saw the addition of a Premium Black Pack option, a standard wireless phone charger, and a new colour – along with price rises between $4118 and $4748.

However, many items were relegated to the options list for model-year 2023, including the head-up display, sunglasses holder, passenger seat memory and headlight washers.

This equates to a circa-$10,000 rise across the Jaguar I-Pace range in the past 12 months when combined with the latest increases between $4277 and $4667 for October.

Jaguar XF

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The 2023 Jaguar XF has received a 300 Sport variant, in line with the smaller XE and E-Pace.

It replaces the P300 R-Dynamic HSE as the sole variant in the local XF range, priced from $115,360 before on-road costs – up $8984 from the outgoing model.

New additions include; adaptive suspension, a wireless phone charger, heated front seats with 16-way power adjustment, and satin chrome paddle shifters.

However, Jaguar has removed some equipment, with items such as the 12-inch digital instrument cluster moved to the options list.

Other features, including safe exit warning and the wearable activity key, have been removed altogether.

As with the smaller Jaguar XE, the XF is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 221kW and 400Nm.

It is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels.

Jaguar F-Type

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The 2023 Jaguar F-Type remains solely available with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8.

As detailed last year, Jaguar dropped the four- and six-cylinder variants from the F-Type range, with three variants offered: the F-Type P450 R-Dynamic coupe and convertible, and the halo F-Type R coupe.

Pricing has increased between $4981 and $8108 for October.

Land Rover Discovery

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The only change to standard equipment for the 2023.5 Land Rover Discovery upper-large SUV is the removal of the water-resistant, wearable activity key.

Pricing for the revised Discovery has increased between $2745 and $3980, following similar adjustments for MY23 in late 2021.

Land Rover Defender

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Land Rover has detailed pricing and specifications for the 2023.5 Defender, headlined by the addition of the extended-length Defender 130 (click here for more details).

In comparison to the Defender 90 and 110, the Defender 130 – solely available in SE trim – exclusively includes the following equipment as standard; adaptive air suspension, panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, air quality sensor, cabin air purification plus, a body-coloured spare wheel cover, 60:40 folding second-row seats and carpet floor mats.

It will arrive in January.

Carpet floor mats were last fitted as standard across the Defender range, but are now a $337 option on the 90 and 110.

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A 12.3-inch full-digital instrument cluster – previously a no-cost option on the S and SE – is standard across the range for 2023.5, while a 10-inch infotainment system replaces a larger 11.4-inch screen on base, S and SE versions of the Defender 90 and 110.

In addition, a centre console and armrest are now optional on the base variant at $360, while the previously standard wireless phone charger must be ticked as a no-cost option if fitted with a centre console.

Range-wide, the clear exit monitor and water-resistant, wearable activity key have been removed.

In summary, Defender 90 pricing has increased by between $3470 and $5820, while Defender 110 is up between $3560 and $5970.

Range Rover Velar

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The 2023 Range Rover Velar line-up has expanded with P400e plug-in hybrid and diesel D300 Edition grades – and a higher cost range-wide.

Priced from $138,800 before on-road costs, the plug-in hybrid Velar is exclusively available in flagship R-Dynamic HSE guise.

Meanwhile, a new D300 Edition diesel variant has replaced the existing D200 R-Dynamic SE, with a host of additions over its R-Dynamic SE base.

An electric tailgate and perforated leather steering wheel are standard across the Range Rover Velar range for 2023, however, specification has also been removed.

These deleted features are a 12-inch full-digital instrument cluster for the R-Dynamic SE (replaced by a 7-inch semi-digital unit) and front passenger seat memory for the flagship HSE.

In addition, four-zone climate control is no longer available to option.

Pricing for the updated Range Rover Velar has increased between $2217 and $4028 for carryover variants.

Availability

The updated Jaguar E-Pace, Jaguar F-Pace, Jaguar XF, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Velar are available to order now.

Land Rover will launch the next-generation 2023 Range Rover and 2023 Range Rover Sport in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2022.