This week on Chasing Cars: Tucson arrives, MX-30 Electric priced and EV Tax war has a surprise twist

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This week on Chasing Cars was all about the future cars and legislation heading our way here in Australia.

Sure there were some real highlights like the new Hyundai Tucson and the MX-30 Electric but our eyes have been looking to the future with both caution and excitement.

This was largely thanks to the continued back and forth on the EV Tax which was far more positive than last week, but also thanks to Skoda unveiling its new Fabia and Ferrari the stunning new 812 Competizione.

But jump down a few tax brackets and you’ll find some excitement there as well, with Volkswagen confirming an R version of the Tiguan and T-Roc for our shores – and maybe even a wagon version of the Golf R. Yes Please.

EV Tax: rebates and contrasting ideas

Victoria has been taking an absolute hammering from experts, capitalists and environmentalists alike on its decision to push forwards and introduce a 2.5 cent per kilometre tax on electric vehicles from July.

The move is widely seen as a premature measure that will hinder the take up of EVs in Australia but that was eased somewhat when Victoria jumped in and announced it would be introducing a $3,000 rebate on EVs under $69,000.

NSW offered its take, with Transport Minister Andrew Constance coming out swinging and said an EV tax would make Australia the “laughing stock of the world”.

Mr Constance also tossed up ideas like waiving stamp duty on EVs, subsidising car parks with EV chargers and allowing EVs to use bus lanes that could be introduced in the upcoming June budget plan.

Hyundai Tucson unveiled:

It’s a car you might even buy, and it looks to be a cracker. Hyundai put its futuristic Tucson on sale in Australia this week with prices starting from $34,500 before on-road costs. 

Hyundai has spruced up the interior with tech features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which project onto the huge 10.25-inch touchscreen display – with an additional 10.25-inch display in the instrument cluster if that strikes your fancy.

Currently the entry-level 2.0L models are here but the puncher 1.6L turbo models will arrive in the third quarter of this year. Sadly no series-parallel or plug-in hybrids are planned for our shores.

Mazda MX-30 Electric:

Mazda announced its first electric car aptly named the MX-30 Electric will join the mild-hybrid version in Australia this August, with a price of $65,490 before on-road costs.

Available only in a single grade,  the MX-30 is quirky small SUV with freestyle doors at the rear and a punchy electric motor at the front making 107kW of power and 271Nm of torque. 

Plugged into a small 35.5kWh battery, the MX-30 won’t be setting any outright range records with a 200km maximum according to WLTP but it should be enough to get around town. It also has a charging speed of 50kW which will see the battery recharged to 80 per cent in about 36 minutes.

Other car and SUV news that mattered this week: 

• Skoda showed off the fourth generation Fabia this week. It sits on a more sophisticated platform shared with the Scala, and should be far more spacious and safe as a result. Expect it here early 2022.

• Ferrari announced the 812 Competizione which is a special edition of the 812 Supercar that is available in coupe and targa-top form with both fitting a 6.5L V12 that sings to 9,500rpm.

• Volkswagen confirmed a slew of new R models are coming to Australia in 2022, including the Tiguan R which uses the same 2.0L turbo engine as the Golf R making 235kW/420Nm.

• The T-Roc R small SUV will follow using the same engine but making slightly less power at 220kW/400Nm which will be sent through Volkswagen’s iconic 7-speed DSG and AWD drivetrain combination.

• We also got the inside scoop that the Golf R wagon is “almost certain” to come to Australia alongside the Mk8 hatch version which packs a trick all-wheel-drive system that will be more rear-biased this generation.

• Volkswagen also announced the very swish Arteon will be returning to Australia in 2022 in both Shooting Brake and liftback body styles. While we won’t get the R model it will still come with a sprightly 2.0L turbocharged unit (206kW/350Nm) shared with the 206TSI Passat.

• Ford announced it was moving its relationship with ARB 4×4 Accessories to the next level and offering parts such as bullbars, lights and more from the showroom floor that has been signed off by Ford engineers. 

• In some numbers news, the FCAI revealed Aussies purchased a lot more cars than expected in April, with the Ford Ranger finally dethroning the Toyota HiLux as our best-selling car.

• The Giulietta has been here for around 12 years so to see it off Alfa Romeo announced the Edizione Finale swansong to see it off. Mainly sporting cosmetic upgrades and a special exhaust, it should still be a hoot to drive.

• Subaru Australia is being so inundated with requests for information on the second-generation BRZ that it has set up a mailing list. The coupe is expected to arrive here later this year.