Thanks for joining us this Monday, April 14th 2025. Notably in car news today: Australian Electric Vehicle Council outraged at claims from LNP, Volkswagen prices third-generation Tiguan.
Browse this issue:
- Electric Vehicle Council slams Coalition for “Toothless” vehicle efficiency standards
- ‘All new’ Volkswagen Tiguan pricing and specifications revealed
- Mitsubishi rumoured to partner with smartphone manufacturer to produce an EV
- MG teases large, boxy SUV with LandCruiser Prado body lines
Electric Vehicle Council slams Coalition for “Toothless” vehicle efficiency standards
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The Electric Vehicle Council has criticised promises from the federal Coalition, which it claims will significantly weaken the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) Act. The NVES is a regulatory body which sets limits on CO2 emissions from new vehicles. Manufacturers are fined for exceeding these limits.
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The opposition party is looking to abolish the fines vehicle manufacturers receive for exceeding CO2 emission limits on new cars. Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio claims that the NVES won’t work without a credit and penalty system.
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Delvecchio claims that removing penalties from the NVES will “prevent Australians from saving money at the bowser” adding that fuel efficient and EV vehicles would “slash costs” for Australian’s by “up to $3,000 every year”.
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The NVES Act went into effect on January 1st 2025 and will be enforceable in June (if Labour maintains federal government power), with Delvecchio claiming that it is set to “save Australians $114 billion in fuel and maintenance savings”. She furthered that “scrapping fines (will make Australia) a dumping ground for the world’s unwanted, fuel-guzzling, inefficient cars.
‘All new’ Volkswagen Tiguan pricing and specifications revealed
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Volkswagen’s third-generation Tiguan is set to release imminently in Australia, and features a wealth of interior technology upgrades, support for new adaptive dampers, and higher-output engines.
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The base model 110TSI Life is priced at $44,990 before on-road costs – a $1000 rise over the previous generation according to VW Australia. Standard equipment now includes 19-inch alloy wheels, a larger 12.9-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power tailgate, and surround-view camera.
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Topping the 2025 Tiguan range is the flagship 195TSI R-Line for $70,490 – a third generation Tiguan R has not yet been announced. The 195TSI R-Line produces 195kW/400Nm, and claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.
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Despite being offered in global markets, Australia will once againmiss out on a hybrid variant of the Tiguan, at least for now. Key rivals including the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson both offer at least one hybrid variant.
Mitsubishi rumoured to partner with smartphone manufacturer to produce an EV
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Taiwanese manufacturer of the iPhone, Foxconn, will release a dedicated EV to the Australian market. The crossover liftback is developed under the Foxconn automotive sub-brand ‘Foxtron’, and could be sporting Mitsubishi badges.
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Foxtron chief strategy officer Jun Seki divulged the company’s plans to work with an “unnamed” Japanese manufacturer, which was reported to be Mitsubishi by a number of Japanese publications. The ‘Model B’ is rumoured to come to Australia in the first half of 2026.
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If global speculation about the Foxtron-Mitsubishi partnership is true, it couldn’t come at a better time for the Japanese automaker. Mitsubishi is yet to bring an EV to Australia, and pressure is mounting with new NVES regulations.
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The Foxtron ‘Model B’ made its first global appearance in 2022 at the Taiwan Hon Hai Tech Day. It features Pininfarina styling, a 60kWh battery, claimed 500km range and a choice of either one or two electric motors.
MG teases large, boxy SUV with LandCruiser Prado body lines
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MG will unveil a new full-electric SUV dubbed the “Cyber X” at this year’s Shanghai motor show, opening to the media on April 23. MG has described the Cyber X as a “groundbreaking innovation”, which is likely to use E3 electric architecture.
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The E3 modular EV platform, developed by MG parent company SAIC Motors, features semi-solid-state batteries, which promises to deliver longer range, higher battery density, and faster charging compared to previous platforms.
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Whilst it is unconfirmed if the Cyber X will be electric, MG’s electric Cyberster performance sportscar is the only other model to don the ‘Cyber’ prefix. A large focus on futuristic LED brightwork and lack of cooling system ventilation brings credibility to this speculation.
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The MG Cyber X is one of eight cars to be rolled out in MG’s two-year product offensive, which has a heavy electric influence. Whilst this rollout is targeted at the Chinese market, it’s likely Australia may see some of these future models.
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Tuesday 15th April at 4.30pm Sydney time.