Thanks for joining us this Tuesday 20 August 2024. Notably in car news today: GMC is set to launch its Yukon large SUV in Australia next year, and Volkswagen could fast track its new all-electric Golf ahead of the Trinity project.
Browse this issue:
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Volkswagen could delay Trinity and bring forward electric Golf: report
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Updated RS3 announced will be the last five-cylinder of its kind
GMC Yukon SUV locked in for Australia
The 2025 GMC Yukon is coming to Australia!
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General Motors has locked in another brand for Australia – GMC – to live in Australia alongside Chevrolet and Cadillac. GMC will launch here in 2025.
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The US company, known for its pickups and SUVs, will offer the Yukon eight-seat SUV in high-spec Denali grade, though exact specifications have not yet been confirmed for our market.
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Powering the Yukon Denali is likely to be a naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces 313kW/623Nm and is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission.
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Standard specifications for overseas Denalis include a 16.8-inch touchscreen, leather upholstered electric and massage seats, a 22-speaker Bose sound system and large 24-inch alloy wheels.
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GMC has only confirmed the Yukon SUV at this early stage, however it’s possible that other models, such as the Sierra pickup or Hummer EV could come to Australia in time.
Volkswagen could delay flagship Trinity project: report
The Volkswagen ID GTI concept
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German automaker Volkswagen is likely to delay its flagship EV project, Trinity, and could instead bring forward its all-electric Golf model.
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According to reports from Automotive News, the Trinity project has been pushed back to 2032, rather than 2026.
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Instead, an all-electric Golf built on the SSP platform could launch earlier, around 2029 or earlier. It could very well be the first model to use this high-tech architecture.
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The Trinity project is set to also use SSP, following as a successor from the PPE platform that is currently being rolled out under the new Porsche Macan EV and the Audi Q6 E-Tron.
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The news comes as the Volkswagen Group rearranges its portfolio under guidance from CEO Oliver Blume.
Zeekr builds ultra-fast charging battery pack, could come to Oz
The 2024 Zeekr 007 sedans
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Zeekr, the Chinese-based automaker owned by Geely Holding, has developed new battery tech that could make its way to Australia.
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Debuting in the Zeekr 007 sedan, the new lithium-ion phosphate battery can be charged from 10-80 percent in ten and a half minutes using Zeekr’s own chargers.
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The battery has been marked with the 5.5C designation, which means the lithium-iron phosphate battery pack can be charged at the five and a half times the battery size to charging capacity, so this battery could theoretically charge at speeds of up to 440kW.
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Official figures haven’t been announced by Zeekr just yet, but we could see this technology in future Zeekr products.
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Zeekr’s first EV in Australia will be the X SUV, which will have up to 446km of WLTP range and capable of sprinting to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds in all-wheel-drive guise.
Audi confirms updated RS3 will be last five-cylinder
Audi has updated its RS3 for the last time!
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German luxury automaker Audi has announced that the latest update for the RS3 will be the last to feature the brand’s iconic turbocharged five-cylinder engine, a format that has been produced for the past 48 years.
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Power and torque for the five-cylinder is unchanged, with the engine producing 294kW/500Nm and paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
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On the exterior, Audi has added a new front splitter, new LED light signatures and revised side air intakes. Inside, new RS bucket seats feature, along with haptic steering wheel buttons and new RS buttons also now featuring on the wheel, too.
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It’s unconfirmed when the updated RS3 could reach Aussie shores, but we are sure it’ll be a fitting farewell for the turbo five-cylinder, one of its kind in 2024.
Volkswagen Touareg R reviewed
The 2024 Volkswagen Touareg R
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Chasing Cars founder Tom Baker’s review of the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg R was published, including his thoughts on Volkswagen’s most potent Touareg currently offered in Australia.
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Baker thought that the Touareg had several positives, including decent EV-only range for commuters, a refined V6 powertrain, and good fuel economy.
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However, Baker found there were also some points to improve on, such as the lack of a seven-seat option, the fact that many PHEVs can simply travel further and that it’s an expensive SUV to buy.
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All in all, Baker concluded his review by recommending the Touareg R as a convincing “do-it-all” SUV with the ability to be comfortable day to day, yet also fun on a country b-road.
READ: Link to written review
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday August 21 at 4.30pm Sydney time.
