The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric N Line has arrived in Australia in two variants.
Available as an option pack for the Kona Electric and Electric Premium – the Wheels Best Electric Small SUV 2024 – the N Line is limited to the extended range battery and 150kW/250Nm front-wheel-drive powertrain.
Costing between $4000 and $3000 extra, the Kona Electric N Line adds unique 19-inch alloy wheels, different bumpers and side effects, black side mirror caps, skid plates, body-coloured exterior cladding, a wing-type gloss black rear spoiler and N Line badging.
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It is also available in three new colours – cyber grey, soultronic orange and neoteric yellow – while denim blue, meta blue, ecotronic grey and mirage green from the standard Kona Electric are unavailable.
The standard Electric N Line also adds full-LED projector-type headlights, a full-width front light strip, and LED front/rear indicators above the entry-level variant.
Inside, the N Line features red details on the dashboard and steering wheel, part-Alcantara sports seats with red contrast stitching, an N Line badge on the front headrests, black headlining, and metal pedals.
The Kona Electric N Line is the first Hyundai electric vehicle to receive the N Line treatment in Australia, with the facelifted Ioniq 5 expected to follow when it arrives here imminently.
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A standard range version of the Kona Electric N Line is not available, while the non-Premium N Line variant falls to a lower 444-kilometre WLTP-rated driving range due to its 19-inch wheels – equivalent to the Electric Premium – compared to 505km for the standard variant with 17-inch wheels.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric line-up is priced between $54,000 and $71,000 before on-road costs.
Just like the Supervan 4.2, which recently toured Australia and set a new lap record around Mount Panorama in the process, the Supertruck is all-electric and has been built to tackle the iconic Pikes Peak hillclimb.
Naturally, that means it has a lot of power. And a lot of downforce. Developed in collaboration with EV engineering specialists STARD, Ford says the Supertruck develops 6000 pounds of downforce at 150mph.
Aussie translation: 2720kg at 240km/h.
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That’s significantly more than the bewinged Supervan 4.2 which generated 4400 pounds of downforce at the same speed.
Ford is yet to release official power figures for the Supertruck, or any details about its electric powertrain, but it’s a fair bet to guess it’ll be an evolution of the Supervan’s three e-motor set-up capable of 1050kW+.
It’s also possible the Supetruck will adapt the twin-motor set-up of the off-road focused F-150 Switchgear concept that debuted earlier this year with 433kW and 1050Nm.
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Current Pikes Peak record holder and Le Mans racing legend Romain Dumas is the man tasked with driving the Supertruck as Ford guns for outright honours at the iconic hillclimb on June 23.
Last year, Dumas covered the 20km course in 8:47.682 to set a new Open Class record.
We’ll have to wait to learn more about the Supertruck’s powertrain but with Pikes Peak now less than three weeks away, it won’t be long until we see it in action.
Due to a manufacturing defect, the High-Pressure Fuel pump may cause over-pressurisation in the fuel system. This could impair the fuel supply to the engine and result in warning light and a loss of motive power.
What are the hazards?
A loss of motive power whilst driving could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.
What should consumers do?
Owners of affected vehicles should contact their preferred Kia dealer immediately to schedule an appointment to have the software update carried out, and if required, replacement of the High-pressure Fuel Pump, free of charge.
Supplier details
KIA AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED
Who should owners/operators contact for more information?
Due to a calibration issue within the Vehicle Control Module (VCM), when driving at low speeds the vehicle may falsely detect reflective objects such as metal walls, barriers or similar objects on the side of the road as an approaching object. This may trigger an unintended brake activation.
What are the hazards?
Unintended brake activation could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
What should consumers do?
Remedial activity is currently under preparation. Once available Mazda Australia will contact all affected customers to advise them to present their vehicle to their preferred Mazda Dealer to update the Vehicle Control Module with a revised calibration at no charge.
Supplier details
MAZDA AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED
Who should owners/operators contact for more information?
Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective. A short circuit could cause a thermal overload and result in a vehicle fire over time.
What are the hazards?
A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders, and/or damage to property.
What should consumers do?
Owners of affected vehicles can contact their preferred Official Porsche Centre to have the work carried out free of charge, when parts become available.
Note: Until the repair is carried out, Porsche urges owners to temporarily limit the high-voltage battery to 80% maximum charge.
Supplier details
PORSCHE CARS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
Who should owners/operators contact for more information?
Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective. A short circuit could cause a thermal overload and result in a vehicle fire over time. The potential defect can be determined with an initial check.
What are the hazards?
A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders, and/or damage to property.
What should consumers do?
Owners of affected vehicles can contact their preferred Official Porsche Centre to arrange an initial check of the battery modules. If the check result shows no defects, the vehicle requires no further action. If the check result shows a possible defect, Porsche will arrange the repair of their vehicle, free of charge.
Owners can find their nearest Porsche dealer at https://www.porsche.com/australia/dealersearch/ [↗️]
Until the check is completed, we urgently ask owners to temporarily charge the high-voltage battery to a maximum of 80%. This minimises the potential risk described above and also protects the battery. Additionally, owners should contact their Official Porsche Centre, as it may be possible for the check be carried out via over-the-air services, without the need for a workshop visit.
Supplier details
PORSCHE CARS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
Who should owners/operators contact for more information?
Maxxis and WhichCar are teaming up to offer the ultimate driving experience with the chance to WIN a new set of Maxxis tyres worth up to $2000 plus a $1000 Fastrack Experiences driving voucher for one lucky punter!
The Maxxis HP5 & VS5 provide a range of car tyres covering all popular vehicle fitments, ensuring that you have performance when it’s wanted and safety when it’s needed.
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UPDATE: FULL DETAILS FOR AUSSIE-BOUND SUV CONFIRMED
The Jeep Wagoneer S has officially launched in America, revealing an all-new electric SUV with 600hp and more than 45-inches of interior screens.
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Jeep calls the Wagoneer S its first “global battery-electric vehicle” and it’s due to hit Aussie showrooms in the second half of 2026. Deliveries will kick off first in the United States and Canada later this year, before global exports begin.
Built on Stellantis’s fresh ‘STLA Large’ architecture, the Wagoneer S packs 600hp (447kW) and “more than” 800Nm, which Jeep says is enough to propel it from 0-98km/h in 3.4 seconds.
Kerb weight is rated at 2570kg while the Wagoneer S’s braked towing capacity is 1542kg.
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Twin-electric motors are fed by a 100kWh battery pack, while range is rated at 300 miles (480km) on the US cycle. Despite only using a 400-volt architecture, Jeep says the Wagoneer S can achieve a 20-80 per cent recharge in 23 minutes on a DC fast charger.
A focus on aerodynamics helps the Wagoneer S to eke out as much distance as possible between charges, with Jeep claiming its new SUV is its most aerodynamically efficient vehicle yet. Notable aero touches include an enclosed (and illuminated) seven-slot front grille, a curved bonnet and windscreen, the cantilevered rear spoiler and an ‘integrated system of underbody shields’. The door handles are also flush which helps to achieve a Cd rating of 0.29.
The twin-motor powertrain allows for four-wheel drive and there’s a host of drive modes: Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow and Sand.
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Inside you’ll find loads of touchscreens that allow for “45-inches of usable screen space”, heated/ventilated seats and a 19-speaker, 1160w McIntosh sound system.
We’ll need to wait a while for official Aussie specifications on the Wagoneer S. Once we have them, we’ll update this story accordingly.
February 2: Official at last
The drip-feed reveal of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S continues, but this time we have some official images and new info from Jeep itself.
After several leaked images were published to social media, these official shots give us our closest look yet at the electric Wagoneer’s sleek exterior and also provide the first glimpse of its screen heavy cabin.
Inside there are four screens on the dash: one digital instrument cluster, a large centre screen that displays old-school gauges, another screen lower on the centre stack for the climate control, and a final screen in front of the passenger that looks like it can play movies/video clips.
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Jeep didn’t reveal much information with the images, so it’s unclear if the four screens will be fitted as standard or will be bundled into an option pack when it arrives in Australia some time in 2025.
Some information Jeep did confirm is that the Wagoneer S will include a standard dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a 19-speaker McIntosh sound system.
Ambient lighting, stitched leather surfaces and five drive modes also feature, with the images showing settings for Sand, Snow, Eco, Auto and Sport modes beneath a rotary-style shift knob.
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Outside, the Wagoneer S is almost identical to what we saw in the leaked images but we can now see there is a second spoiler along the bottom edge of the rear glass to complement the prominent spoiler that extends from the roof life.
No other details have been confirmed about the powertrain, although it has been previously confirmed the Wagoneer S will ride on Jeep’s all-new STLA-Large platform and produce around 450kW.
Keep reading our story below for more details.
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Jan 23: Whoops! Images of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S have leaked online.
Just days after Jeep shared the first shadowy teaser image of the Aussie-bound 2024 Wagoneer S, pictures of the full production vehicle have leaked online. And it was Jeep’s own social media team that shared the shots.
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Published in a short video to Facebook, which has since been removed, the fresh images show the front, side and rear of Jeep’s upcoming electric SUV.
This particular car is finished in two-tone silver and black paintwork and features a full-width light bar and a uniquely designed roof spoiler.
Keep reading our story below for more details.
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Jan 21: Jeep has given us our first look at the Aussie-bound 2024 Wagoneer S and also confirmed some pretty potent performance figures.
Snapshot
Three electric Jeep models confirmed for Australia
Images and performance figures of the Wagoneer S revealed
Wagoneer S is smaller than other US-only Wagoneer models
Set to arrive Down Under in 2025, the Wagoneer S will feature an illuminated version of Jeep’s iconic seven-slot front grille and also produce up to 450kW.
That level of grunt will help propel the brand’s new electric SUV from 0-98km/h (60mhp) in just 3.5 seconds.
Need some context? A Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk hits three figures in a similar time, albeit in far more dramatic fashion thanks to its screaming supercharged V8.
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The Wagoneer S is expected to be one of the first new models built on Jeep’s fresh STLA-Large platform, and is actually smaller than the petrol-powered Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs that Jeep already sells in America.
Instead, Jeep refers to the Wagoneer S as a ‘mid-size model’ meaning it’ll line-up against the likes of the BMW X5 and fresh Range Rover Sport, as well as other mainstream models with premium aspirations like the Volkswagen Touareg and Mazda CX-60 and CX-90. The bigger Kia EV9 is another competitor playing in the electric family SUV segment.
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Styling wise the production Wagoneer S is impressively similar to the concept version which was shown in 2022 (pictured throughout). An EV-range of around 400 miles, or 640km, will be offered according to Jeep, however the brand is yet to confirm any details around battery size or recharging speeds.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer S will begin production in America later this year, with Europe and other markets tipped to commence deliveries in 2025.
The Mach-E, which has already had its pricing slashed once this year, is now between $7000-$8000 less expensive than before.
Pricing now kicks off at $64,990 for the Mach-E Select (-$8000), while the mid-spec Premium is $79,990 (-$7000). The flagship Mach-E GT has also had its price dropped by $7000 and has a new MSRP of $97,990
The E-Transit electric van, meanwhile, has come in for an even bigger price drop. Its fresh list price of $89,990 is a $15,000 saving.
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“These MLP price reductions offer even greater value to our customers and it makes these great vehicles an option for more people,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand.
Sales of the Ford Mustang Mach-E have been slow so far in 2024. Ford sold 42 Mach-E models in April this year and has an annual total of 223 units in total for the calendar year.
That’s about on par with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (37 for April/133 for the year) but well below the Hyundai Ioniq 5 which has sold 133/357 respectively and the fresh Toyota bZ4X (74/385).
The Tesla Model Y dominates the segment with sales of 1166 units in April and 2095 for the calendar year.
The diesel is not dead yet – far from it. Australians bought 379,512 diesels in 2023, with the best-selling vehicle – the Ford Ranger – predominantly diesel powered.
Sales of diesel-powered SUVs and light commercial vehicles increased in the first quarter of 2024, too, with total diesel volume up 13.8 per cent over that period.
Here’s what car makers hope will keep diesel-power front and centre of Australia’s sale charts in 2024 and into 2025.
The next-generation BMW X3 SUV will be unveiled mid-2024 before making its showroom start in 2025.
We know it will be bigger, more aerodynamic and with further safety tech, and while we don’t know powertrain specifics, plug-in hybrid and electric versions are still likely to be joined by a diesel engine.
BMW currently sells the outgoing X3 locally in both diesel and hybrid form, and the company hasn’t set an ‘end of internal combustion’ deadline for its global production just yet.
Ford Australia is bringing the passenger version of the Transit to Australia for the first time, priced from $65,990 when it arrives in Q4 2024.
With eight seats – with the second and third row able to be folded flat or removed completely – the Tourneo adds a layer of civility to the already competent Transit as well as mod-cons pitched at families.
It shares the Transit’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder – also found in the Ford Ranger – with an eight-speed auto, but will miss out on the hybrid and electric versions offered elsewhere for the time being.
The updated version of the world’s best-selling van is scheduled for November 2024 with a pared back range and higher starting price.
The manual versions have been dropped – so the $59,990 plus on-roads front-wheel driver starter gets an eight-speed auto in place of the old six-speeder – while the rest of the range is rear-drive.
The 125kW/390Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder is unchanged across the line-up – let’s ignore the EV flagship for now – with payloads, GVM and towing increases on most versions.
The GWM Cannon ute will get a hybrid – but the diesel will offer greater pulling power, payload and towing capability for a lower asking price.
The $51,990 driveway entry-level Cannon Alpha Lux uses a 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel and nine-speed automatic with an 821kg payload against the 255kW/648Nm ‘Ultra’ petrol-hybrid model’s 760kg.
Both diesel and petrol-hybrid come with claims of 800mm water wading, 3500kg braked tow rating, 6555 GCM and 800mm water wading capability.
Yet on paper, the diesel is nearly a litre better on fuel – 9.8L/100km for the hybrid against the diesel’s 8.9L/100km.
It’s also offered in either the base Lux or Ultra spec, the Ultra diesel costing $57,990 driveaway, while the hybrid is only sold in Ultra trim at $64,990.
Even as an entry-level diesel, the Lux also offers a suite of standard tech including a 12.3-inch centre display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera and adaptive cruise control, as well as seven airbags.
The unashamedly back-to-basic ruggedness of the Grenadier – a contemporary interpretation of the Range Rover Defender – will arrive in Australian showrooms in Q3 2024 as a dual cab-chassis utility.
It uses the same long wheelbase as the Quartermaster pick-up already on sale – matching its 5440mm overall length – to accommodate a rear tray above its torsion-beam, coil-spring rear end.
There’s still five seats and the same choice of diesel and petrol BMW 3.0-litre engines with an eight-speed auto as the Wagon and Pickup, as well as a proper four-wheel drive set-up.
It’ll be priced at $102,000 without a tray and before on-road costs – making it $7000 less than the cheapest pick-up and $8000 below a five-seat Wagon.
Many Australians know about the Tasman thanks to the clever marketing campaign – assembling countless sporting heroes in a classic pub setting, debating what the new ute should be called.
With its Tasman name in place, can the Kia ute bring capability – and more importantly to pass the real-world pub test in 2025?
In its quest to conquer the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux – as well as emerging Chinese rivals – the Tasman will offer larger dimensions, but remain smaller than a Ford F-150.
Engine details are yet to be shared, but Kia’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder fitted in the Carnival people mover (among others) is a strong candidate.
Mazda Australia has confirmed it will bring the five-seat CX-70 SUV to Australia by the end of 2024.
The CX-70 went on sale in the US in early 2024 and is essentially a five-seat version of the three-row CX-90 flagship,. It even uses the same body meaning it has identical external measurements, with negligible differences in the cabin.
A 3.3-litre six-cylinder diesel and petrol engine have been confirmed for Australia – both with 48V ‘mild hybrid’ tech – an eight-speed auto and rear-bias all-wheel drive.
In the US, it’s oddly priced nearly identically to a similarly equipped CX-90, with local pricing yet to be announced.
Mazda Australia will offer a plug-in hybrid version of the seven-seat CX-80, but there’s also same 3.3-litre diesel and petrol engines both with mild hybrid tech found under the bonnet of the CX-70.
Think of the CX-80 as a three-row CX-70. Hang on, what’s the three-row CX-90 then?
Mazda Australia’s has admitted there is some ‘overlap’ between all four of its large ‘CX-‘ prefixed SUVs – CX-60, 70, 80 and 90 – with Australia one of the only places to offer all four.
A key difference for the CX-80 is its Europe focus – where the CX-90 targets American buyers – meaning it has a narrower 1890mm-wide body than the CX-90, which spans 1994mm.
The new generation Navara has been teased by the Japanese car maker and will be twinned with the latest Mitsubishi Triton launched earlier in 2024.
How much Triton will be in the new Navara remains to be seen – powertrains may differ, as Ford and Volkswagen have done with the Ranger and Amarok twins, which offer different engines on the same core platform.
What may help that is the new Navara’s US berth – where Triton isn’t sold – giving it the sales opportunity to offer more powertrains for a potential alternative to the Mitsubishi’s 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-pot.
An iconic badge within another, the LandCruiser Prado comes with diesel power – with hybrids likely for Australia too – when the new generation lands in June 2024.
Wrapped in a Minecraft-esque blocky exterior package, the first all-new Prado in 14 years carries over the 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder and six-speed that also sees service in Toyota’s HiLux and Fortuner here, with a six-speed automatic and of course four-wheel drive.
The T7 Volkswagen Multivan switches from van-based underpinnings – the first time it has done so in its seven-decade history – to a more dynamic passenger car-focussed base.
The Volkswagen MQB platform the seven-seat T7 Multivan uses promises car-like handling – literally – in a more refined package slightly smaller than its predecessor.
It’s planned for Australia around September 2024, powered by a carryover 110kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with front-wheel drive.
The iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI is set to benefit from sharper drive-away pricing and the inclusion of previously optional equipment as standard for a limited time.
Snapshot
Volkswagen Golf GTI price dropped to $59,990 drive-away
Previously optional equipment now included as standard
VW says the fresh pricing represents a $7,990 saving
The sharper pricing is available until June 30
Now priced at $59,990 drive-away, the GTI also includes the previously optional Luxury and Sound & Style packages (priced at $4000 and $2600 respectively) as standard, which Volkswagen says represents a $7,990 saving.
Before the price adjustment, a comparably specced GTI would cost $62,690 before on-roads or $67,980 drive-away based on a Sydney postcode.
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The Luxury package adds a panoramic sunroof, Vienna leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and an electric driver’s seat with memory function.
The Sound & Style pack, meanwhile, brings 19-inch alloys, a head-up display and a premium Harman/Kardon sound system.
The new deal is available until June 30 and includes every colour expect for Kings Red Premium metallic, which carries an additional $300 charge.
Volkswagen says improved supply is a driver behind the price drop as it looks to meet high demand for its renowned hot hatch.
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“Increased production availability of the Golf GTI allows us to finally meet the demand for our quintessential hot hatchback, and we want to accelerate its appeal with a special, fully loaded $59,990 drive-away offer,” said VW Passenger Vehicles head of product Michelle Rowney.
“The Golf GTI doubled its sales last year compared with 2022, emphasising how this Volkswagen is still going from strength to strength.”
Volkswagen moved 693 units of the Golf GTI in 2023, up from 370 the year before. Constrained supply has limited sales so far in 2024, with only 57 units sold to April, however an additional 400-500 units are on track to arrive later this year.
Compared to key rivals, the freshly priced GTI is still slightly more than an automatic Hyundai i30 N ($54,315 drive-away) but substantially less than the manual-only Toyota Corolla GR GTS ($64,190 drive-away) and the Honda Civic Type R ($73,600 drive-away).
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While its value proposition has been tweaked, the GTI’s mechanicals remain unchanged and combine a 180kW/370Nm 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ four-cylinder turbo with a 7-speed dual-clutch auto. As ever, the GTI is front-wheel drive and Aussie cars are armed with a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) which oversees the stability control, adaptive dampers, and the limited-slip differential to optimise driving dynamics.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
The 2025 BMW 5 Series line-up will expand in Australia with the addition of a new diesel variant.
Set to arrive between October and December, the diesel version of the new ‘G60’ 5 Series will be offered in 540d xDrive all-wheel-drive sedan form to replace the rear-wheel-drive ‘G30’ 530d last offered in 2023.
The previous BMW 530d sedan and wagon were used by some police fleets across Australia for highway patrol duties – in addition to BMW X3, BMW X5 SUVs and cars from Kia, Volkswagen, Skoda or Chrysler – following the end of Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon production.
It is unclear if police forces will consider the new 540d, nor if a 540d Touring wagon will become available.
“We are confident the new 540d xDrive, with its vast range of abilities, will appeal to a wide audience,” said a BMW Australia spokesperson.
The 2025 BMW 540d xDrive will join the petrol-powered 520i entry model and the forthcoming M5 performance model with a plug-in hybrid V8 in the new 5 Series line-up – along with the all-electric i5 line-up.
i5 models available in Australia include the eDrive40 and M60 xDrive sedans, and the M60 xDrive Touring wagon.
The 540d features a 223kW and 670Nm 3.0-litre mild-hybrid inline-six turbo-diesel – up 28kW and 50Nm over the previous 530d – and is matched to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. It has a claimed 5.2-second 0-100km/h sprint time.
The 48-volt mild-hybrid system can deliver up to 13kW and 200Nm of boost to the engine, and also serves as the starter motor.
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BMW Australia has confirmed the 540d will be fitted with the M Sport styling package with standard equipment including 20-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, an illuminated grille, matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam, leather upholstery and a 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system.
Full details for the 2025 BMW 540d – including pricing and features – will be confirmed in July ahead of its arrival in local showrooms between October and December.
The 2025 BMW 3 Series and 2025 BMW M3 have been unveiled with styling revisions and new technology.
Following a mid-life update – known as a Life Cycle Impulse for BMW vehicles – for the 3 Seriessedan and wagon in 2022, and the addition of a new curved infotainment system for the M3, both vehicles have now received further updates.
Exterior design revisions for the 3 Series are limited to redesigned 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels for the M Sport package and two new metallic paint finishes: Arctic race blue and fire red.
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Inside, the 3 Series receives an updated three-spoke steering wheel design with a flat bottom and a 12 o’clock marker for the M Sport package – which is standard in Australia – and a refined surface for the optional leather instrument panel.
The M340i will be fitted as standard with a new ‘Crafted Clarity’ glass application for the gear selector, iDrive controller and engine start/stop button with Swarovski crystals, as seen in other BMW models like the iX and 7 Series.
In addition, a new-look central air vent with updated adjustment controls and ambient lighting around the border of the vent has been added, while all variants are now fitted with new infotainment hardware to support BMW Operating System 8.5.
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New additions to the updated system include more-prominent touch air-conditioning controls, a new-look home screen, an improved menu structure, and support for a built-in eSIM card with a 5G mobile connection.
Intelligent speed limit assist – which will become mandatory for all new vehicles sold in the European Union from July 2024 – has been made standard in the 3 Series.
Under the skin, BMW has fitted stiffer mounts that connect the rear dampers to the body, and reduced the amount of force required to turn the steering wheel in the comfort drive mode.
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Plug-in hybrid models – which are no longer available in Australia – gain a new fifth-generation 19.5kWh high-voltage battery with a higher energy density, allowing for an all-electric driving range of up to 101 kilometres.
There’s also a higher 11kW limit for AC home charging, the highest for a plug-in hybrid BMW.
Like the 3 Series, it also receives a new three-spoke steering wheel design, BMW Operating System 8.5, and a revised central air vent.
M3 Competition all-wheel-drive models now have 390kW – up 15kW – while its peak torque of 650Nm is now available between 2750 and 5730rpm.
This power boost has allowed BMW M to slash five-tenths from the 0-200km/h of all M3 Competitions at 11.8 seconds for the sedan and 12.4 seconds for the Touring, while 0-100km/h times are unchanged at 3.5 seconds (sedan) or 3.6 seconds (Touring).
Production of the 2025 BMW 3 Series and 2025 BMW M3 will commence for Europe in July, ahead of a local arrival between October and December 2024.
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BMW Australia said local details – including pricing and features – will be confirmed in July.
The 3 Series sedan is sourced from BMW’s factory in Mexico for the Australian market, while the 3 Series Touring and all M3s are made in Germany.
VFACTS new-car sales data reveals 938 examples of the BMW 3 Series have been sold in Australia to the end of April – up 27 per cent over the same time in 2023 – compared to 622 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes, 141 Audi A4s and 123 Volvo S60/V60s.
