This week on Chasing Cars: Australia’s first hydrogen car, Kia’s 3.5-second EV6 and Corvette gets a price tag

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Every day at Chasing Cars we take pride in keeping our finger firmly on the pulse of the car industry and I’m no doctor but it needs to go see one because the tempo has been flat out this week.

Featuring everything from Corvettes and Silverados with absurdly oversized V8s to Kia’s full breakdown on the simply alarming EV6 GT, the hoons of the world have had plenty to grin about.

Those of you who are more responsible can take delight that it’s also been a great week for the sensible cars as well; with Australia receiving its first hydrogen-powered car in the Hyundai Nexo and the arrival of the zippy Mazda MX-30 with ‘those doors’.

But what about the uber-cool stuff? The cars that no one can buy but everyone wants? Well, we’ve got that as well with the Genesis X Concept and Lexus who quietly unveiled an SUV that can hit 0-100km/h in three seconds flat.

Kia EV6 2022 coming to Australia

Kia has given us fun cars before like the Picanto, and quick cars like the Stinger but what about a brutally fast car? No, we didn’t see that one coming either… 

The Korean automaker officially gave us the heads up this week that the 2022 EV6 midsize SUV would be coming to Australia along with an extensive breakdown of the grades on offer, though our local lineup has yet to be confirmed.

What they presented was an impressive package, with the EV6 capable of up to 510km of range (WLTP) and a full-fat EV6 GT that can go from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds.

Hyundai Nexo 2021, Australia’s first hydrogen car, goes ‘on sale’

The Hyundai Nexo is more than just another midsize SUV but Australia’s first-ever hydrogen-powered car that you can own.

While it still has the brutal performance of an electric car it has none of the super-slow charging issues matched with over 666km of WLP-tested range.

It’s not all great though. First of all, you can’t even technically buy one but rather loan it from Hyundai and secondly, there is only one hydrogen refuelling station in the country, and it’s in Canberra. 

Chevrolet Corvette 2021 priced from $144,990 in Australia

It’s taken until the eighth generation for Australia to get the Chevrolet Corvette but it looks to be a cracker.

Local distributor GMSV announced this week that the mid-engine V8 monster would start from $144,990 (before on-roads) in Australia, with a choice of three grades at launch.

While we won’t be pitting the Corvette against the budget-friendly Mazda MX-5 anytime soon the American supercar represents good value for money, especially when you consider it comes standard with the Performance Pack which adds goodies such as a dual-model exhaust, magnetic ride control and bigger Brembo brakes.

Other car and SUV news that happened this week:

• The Genesis X Concept wowed us this week, show us its ‘Athletic Elegance’ design ethos works fantastically even on an electric full-size GT coupe. More of this please.

• Lexus also presented an impressive concept with the LF-Z Electrified that showcases a large SUV sitting on a bespoke EV platform capable of over 600km of range (WLTP) and can hit 0-100km/h in three seconds flat.

• Mazda announced the Australian-exclusive BT-50 Thunder dual-cab ute which adds chunky fender flares, a huge bullbar and tough-looking 18-inch wheels from $65,990 driveaway.

• Unveiled alongside the Corvette was the Silverado LT Trail Boss which adds a slightly cheaper model to the range with an off road focus thanks to a lift kit and tough Rancho shocks.

• Mazda announced the MX-30 would go on sale from $33,990 (before on-roads) in mild-hybrid form that offers a more fun alternative to its CX-30 sibling, the electric version will come later this year. 

• Mercedes-AMG confirmed this week what we had feared: the incoming C63 will ditch the turbocharged V8 powertrain for a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid making a huge 480kW of power – so not all bad then.

• While we can’t buy one, the Mini Electric Pacesetter gets us excited about electric hot-hatches. Tasked as the official safety car of Formula E the Mini has been given a wider stance and a huge wing to show it means business.

• Porsche has extended a helping hand to the weeping petrol-loving car enthusiast and announced it is developing an eFuel that it hopes will become fully sustainable for use in road and race cars.

• Renault welcomed its Captur small SUV back to Australia this week which sits on a new platform that is filled with tech and clever packaging, giving it up to 536-litres of boot space – which is bigger than many midsize SUVs.

• The Jaguar F-Pace has received a subtle facelift that tidies up some loose ends on the handsome SUV and drops the price of entry by almost $5,000.

• Jaguar Land Rover also announced a shift from a three to five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty that pulls ahead of its rivals who are resisting the push to longer warranties. 

• An April fools joke gone wrong? Seems so. Volkswagen had a bit of a doozy this week when it leaked out three days prior to the start of the month that it would change its name to Voltswagen. It prompted chuckles from some and head shaking from others but we all know how it feels when a good joke lands badly. 

• Haval announced the H6 would soon go on sale in Australia with a price starting from $30,990 driveaway and equipped standard with a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen and LED headlights and taillights.

• Suzuki commemorated its 100th anniversary as a global company with a special edition of the Swift which adds a wing, two-tone paint and a standard automatic for $24,990 driveaway.