This week on Chasing Cars: WRX STI cancelled, GWM goes outback and why you STILL can’t order a GR Yaris

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You’d have to think a cheeky smile appeared on the face of Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week as she announced her slightly controversial $3000 EV subsidy, at a time when fuel prices are approaching $2.20 per litre.

The $58,000 cap means there are only six EVs that are eligible right now, but who cares about that, says Ms Palaszczuk – come get your discount or go pour a day’s wage into your fuel tank again. It’s a convincing argument to be sure.

As we ready ourselves to tick over into the second quarter of the year, we’ve begun to see more cars being launched. Pricing details for the Lexus LX 4WD were finally released and we were finally able to review the new-generation Audi S3.

Back here at the Chasing Cars office, we published our outback expedition where we put our GWM Ute long-termer to the test in some of Australia’s harshest conditions against the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max.

Subaru cancels the WRX STI

There was barely a dry eye in the office this week when Subaru announced it had cancelled the upcoming new-generation WRX STI as it focuses its attention on electrified endeavours in the performance realm.

Subaru Australia has offered WRX buyers a Build-A-Bear opportunity of sorts to construct a pseudo-WRX STI out of STI-branded performance parts but these are unlikely to bring the same kind of next-level performance the red badge is associated with.

Information out of America from a Subaru spokesperson suggests the new-gen WRX STI was killed off as it would have lived only for a very short period due to the rapid influx of strict new regulations – likely of the environmental kind. 

Still, the new-gen regular WRX will launch in Australia before July and it looks like a cracker with its new 202kW/350Nm 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four and an entirely new chassis under the skin.

GWM ute goes outback

Can Chinese utes, like our GWM Ute Cannon-X long-termer, really cut the mustard in some of Australia’s harshest conditions?

It’s a question put to us frequently in the comment section on YouTube and is one we sought to answer when we took our GWM along with the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max deep into the outback. 

Deputy editor Nathan Ponchard was impressed with the general durability and performance of the top-spec GWM ute, especially considering it’s almost $30,000 cheaper than a Hilux Rouge.

There were some issues with aspects such as the front suspension damping and amateur lane-keep assistance system but overall it performed well over some seriously rough roads. 

While we were out kicking up red dust we filmed a separate review of the Toyota Hilux to discuss how this iconic dual-cab copes when the going gets tough.

Toyota GR Yaris orders remain on pause

Nine months after Toyota announced that no more orders of the GR Yaris hot hatch were being taken in Australia, the situation remains unchanged.

The pause was designed to help Toyota’s production arm catch up with the overwhelming demand, though parts shortages have made that difficult.

Progress is being made, however, with Toyota delivering an additional 400 units of the GR Yaris since the initial announcement in July 2022, making it a total of 2100 cars delivered to Australia since it launched. 

Toyota Australia has told Chasing Cars it is working to secure additional supply for the GR Yaris but the negotiations are ongoing. 

All the cars and SUVs we reviewed this week:

The BMW 128ti resurrects an iconic badge for the German brand that attempts to add a more playful nature to the F40 1 Series – a claim that we investigated in our review.

Until the new-generation BMW M2 arrives the M240i xDrive Coupe is the range-topping variant, so should you go for this AWD weapon or wait for the M division to work its magic?

The Toyota RAV4 Cruiser has come in for a facelift just like the rest of the range, so does Australia’s most popular SUV still justify its reputation?

The BMW iX has just arrived in Australia to become the flagship electric SUV from the Munich brand and as John Law found, it’s a very accomplished vehicle … if you can get over its grille…

Other car and SUV news we covered this week:

• Why is petrol so expensive and when will it get cheaper? It’s a good question, but a complicated one, that we sought to answer in our explainer.

• If you want a Tesla Model 3 sedan anytime soon it’s best to get in quickly as average wait times of between six and nine are being forecasted for buyers who order theirs right now.

• Toyota will wind back production in its Japanese factories from April to June to ease the burden on its constrained suppliers, which could spell bad news for the supply of popular models including the RAV4 midsize SUV.

• Ford Europe has unveiled its nine-strong EV line-up that will include an electrified version of the Puma, two Volkswagen-based SUVs and several electric vans – opening up more options that could come to Australia.

• Reports out of Japan are suggesting that Toyota is developing an eight-speed torque-converter automatic for the GR Yaris and GR Corolla that will arrive in 2024.

• BMW has cheekily teased the rear end of the highly anticipated M3 Touring as it undergoes the final stages of testing.

• Volkswagen confirmed that its fully-electric Passat lookalike would go on sale in a sedan and wagon variant in 2023. Armed with around 700km of range and gorgeous styling,  it’s one we’ll be keeping a close eye on.

• The BYD Seal is a raised and fully-electric sedan that has been locked in for Australia for 2023, and leaked images and details out of China have given us a fair idea of its size and power.

• Mercedes-Benz has shared images of its EQS SUV sliding through the sand dunes ahead of its full reveal in April. It will become the third dedicated electric vehicle from the brand.