WHEELS NEWS
Wheels mag February 2023: Mediums well done, and plenty on the side
Our medium SUV mega test is the star of this issue, but for a little more wow factor, we’ve also driven the new 911 Dakar and Land Rover’s ridonkulous Defender 90 P525 V8!
BMW i4 electric sedan falls short of five-star ANCAP safety rating
BMW’s all-electric i4 sedan has received a four-star ANCAP safety rating under more-stringent criteria than the related 3 Series and two-door 4 Series
GWM streamlines Tank, Ora brands in Oz; hybrids to outsell ICE within 18 months
For Australia – and globally – GWM is pushing to streamline its disparate brands under ‘One GWM’ banner
2023 Haval Big Dog off the cards; Dargo under evaluation for Oz
While the Big Dog name may have resonated with Australians, the Dargo-named global version of Haval’s boxy SUV is more likely for local launch
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander revealed, unconfirmed for Australia
The longer and wider version of the Toyota Highlander – sold here as the Kluger – will offer up to eight seats and the brand’s new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol hybrid
2024 Polestar 3 pricing and features announced, Australian debut delayed
The upcoming Polestar 3 electric large SUV, initially planned for an early-2024 Australian launch, has suffered a production delay for all markets
2022 Audi E-Tron GT, RS E-Tron GT pricing and features
The E-Tron GT range is due to arrive on our shores later this year
2024 BMW X5 and X6 pricing and features: Facelift due this year
The updated 2024 BMW X5 and X6 twins have debuted with a slimmer front end, more power, new technology and larger screens
Audi ute: Oz boss calls it unlikely, but the Activesphere might be a clue…
The brand’s CEO has previously hinted at the possibility of an Audi ute, potentially twinned with the Volkswagen Amarok – now it seems unlikely to happen
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace Monochrome special editions arrive
In the face of the ongoing chip shortage, Volkswagen has introduced new variants to the Tiguan lineup with some features removed
2025 Hyundai Kona N Electric imagined
Now that we’ve seen the new-gen Kona small SUV in petrol, hybrid and electric form, there’s one question still unanswered: What about a hero N model?
2023 Cupra Leon pricing and features: Entry-level V pre-orders open
Local pricing and features revealed for Cupra’s debut hatchback, offered in warm and properly-hot forms
2024 Range Rover Velar pricing and features: Facelift for streamlined range
The six-year-old Range Rover Velar has received an update to keep it in line with the latest versions of its larger siblings – but it will come at a cost
Nissan Max-Out electric convertible concept revealed; Ambition 2030 vision
Nissan has revealed its Max-Out electric convertible in Tokyo this week, following its virtual debut in 2021, when it announced half of its line-up will be electrified by 2030
Mazda CX-90: Full model range prices coming soon, PHEV to arrive in 2024
Expect a top-shelf CX-90 to cost around $90,000 in Australia – representing complementary positioning and a clear premium message, with buyers already favouring flagship models in the large SUV category
2023 Fiat 500e electric car: $52,500 Australian pricing confirmed
Two years on from its global debut, the new electric 500 is heading Down Under – and, as some might have expected, it won’t be cheap.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE facelift unveiled
The updated GLE will launch in Australia mid-year with a revised look, more technology and a mild-hybrid system for the most-popular variants – but the plug-in hybrid remains off-limits
Toyota dealers to install EV chargers this year; PHEV under consideration
Toyota Australia’s dealership network will invest $20 million to build electric vehicle infrastructure in the coming years – and PHEVs could help to boost usage
2024 Toyota bZ4X due later this year, first of three EVs confirmed for Australia
Toyota will launch three all-electric vehicles in Australia in the next three years, including the soon-to-launch BZ4x medium SUV – but hybrid is still the main focus
Solar-powered EV maker Lightyear files for bankruptcy, future unclear
The ‘world’s first production-ready solar electric vehicle’ was said to add up to 11,000 kilometres of range per year – but it now has a gloomy future
Mazda 6 axed in the UK, safe for Australia
The rising popularity of SUVs has killed yet another passenger car in the United Kingdom, but the Mazda 6 will remain available in Australia
2023 Kia EV6: Everything we know about the Ioniq 5’s cousin
Kia’s first dedicated all-electric model will undercut its Korean cousin in pricing
2023 Mazda 2 facelift revealed, Australian launch confirmed
The almost nine-year-old Mazda 2 hatch and sedan has received a second facelift, with a local arrival due in mid-2023
Mercedes-AMG reveals C63 S and E63 S swansong with Final Edition variants
C63 (and E63 rumoured) to bid farewell to its much-loved V8 with stylised Final Editions
