Thanks for joining us this Thursday June 27th 2024. Notably in car news today: Hyundai has globally revealed its next electric vehicle, the Inster, at the Busan Auto Show in Korea, and we take a look at what could be in store for BYD’s local arm in the next 12-24 months.
Browse this issue:
- Hyundai’s next electric car, the Inster, has been revealed
- What’s next in the pipeline for BYD Australia?
- ACT to transition to vehicle rego based on vehicle emissions
- Audi pushes the limit with new 470kW RSQ8 Performance SUV
- Genesis unveils X Gran Racer VGT Concept
- Reviewed: 2024 Ford Tourneo
Hyundai’s smallest EV, the Inster, revealed, due in Australia early 2025
This is the 2025 Hyundai Inster electric car
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Hyundai has revealed its next electric car, the compact Inster, which is set to take on the likes of affordable EVs from BYD and MG.
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The Inster will use either a 42kWh or 49kWh battery pack, with claimed WLTP electric ranges of between 300km and 355km respectively.
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Likely to be Hyundai’s most affordable EV, the Insta is smaller in size when compared to Hyundai’s ICE-powered Venue SUV. It will compete locally with electric vehicles such as the BYD Dolphin and MG4.
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The low- and high-range variants will be available globally, with a third rugged-focused model called the Inster Cross to join the family in the future
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Australian pricing and specification is yet to be determined. We expect the Inster to launch in Australia early in 2025.
What’s next for BYD? Could its Dynasty cars come to Australia?
The new BYD Sealion
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BYD’s local arm has previously confirmed that it wants to introduce two new models every year, but what exactly will they be?
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For 2024, BYD has already launched its Sealion 6 SUV and is set to launch its Shark ute by year’s end.
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In 2025, it’s very likely BYD will launch a five-door, seven-seat hybrid or electric SUV which could be the Tang, a model part of the Dynasty series.
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A hybrid people mover, leaked today in China by Car News China as the Tang Max, could also be on BYD Australia’s radar to take on the likes of the Kia Carnival and LDV Mifa 9.
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BYD’s top-selling model globally in 2023 was surprisingly not the Atto 3 SUV, or the Dolphin hatch. Instead, it was the Qin Plus, a compact sedan, which could also be on the cards for our market.
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It’s likely that BYD Australia will be looking closely at SUVs it already produces for other markets, as Australia’s SUV marketplace is significant. So far in 2024, the SUV landscape is currently the highest-volume segment in Australia, with 286,100 registrations so far this year.
ACT to transition to car registration based on emissions from July 1
The ACT will transition to emission-based registrations from July 1
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The ACT government will transition its vehicle registration fees from being based on vehicle weight to the quantity of emissions a vehicle emits from July 1st.
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ACT drivers can access and find their vehicle’s emissions through the Government’s Green Vehicle Guide and can also calculate their registration through the link here.
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According to The Riotact, the Tesla Model Y, the most popular electric vehicle in Australia, will go from costing $622 to $355 from July 1st.
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The ACT Government has stated that owners will pay $298 less to register a Hyundai Kona EV, $50 less for a Toyota Camry Hybrid and the same as before for a Toyota Yaris or a Ford Ranger.
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This registration move is in stark contrast to New South Wales, which bases registration on vehicle weight, Queensland on engine cylinder count and Victoria on the area from which the vehicle is based (metro, outer metro, rural).
Audi’s RSQ8 Performance is the brand’s most potent SUV
The Audi RSQ8 is even hotter than before!
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Audi has debuted an even more potent version of its RSQ8 SUV called the Performance, and yet it’s not electric.
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With 470kW of power, the RSQ8 is just 10hp (7kW) less powerful than its related cousin, the Lamborghini Urus. It’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with 850Nm of torque, the same engine also found in high-spec Porsche Cayennes.
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The RSQ8 Performance will also feature a self-locking centre differential that can distribute 85 percent of torque to the rear axle, standard adaptive air suspension, Matrix LED headlights, a lighter exhaust system with gloss black tailpipes and a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster.
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Chasing Cars has reached out to Audi Australia to find out local timings for the RSQ8. We will update this article when we receive word.
Genesis unveils X Gran Racer VGT Concept
Genesis has pulled the covers off a new Magma concept
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Genesis has unveiled its latest concept vehicle under its high-performance ‘Magma‘ sub-brand, called the X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo.
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A derivative of the previously revealed X Gran Berlinetta Concept, the X Gran Racer is coloured in Magma’s signature orange paint and features clear design inspiration from Genesis’ X Trilogy concept series. Details include a ‘two-line crest grille lamp design’, as well as the addition of features like a carbon-fibre rear-wing with vertical rear lights integrated into it.
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Powering the two-seater hybrid concept is a V6 with electric supercharger, delivering a claimed combined 1148kW and 1425Nm, a jump on that of the X Gran Berlinetta Concept (787kW/1336Nm).
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Interior highlights include a design which exposes structural elements, control switches integrated into a structural divider below the instrument panel, a fully integrated roll cage, and racing yoke instead of a steering wheel.
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Potentially previewing future design cues for the brand, the latest concept will appear in the Gran Turismo racing game series and joins a fast-expanding number of ‘Magma’ designs revealed by the brand.
Ford Tourneo reviewed
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Chasing Cars digital production specialist Tom Place’s review of the 2024 Ford Tourneo was published, including his first impressions of the Blue Oval’s diesel-powered and electric people mover during his recent trip to Germany.
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Place found the Tourneo’s best points included the model’s flexible seating design, high level of standard specification and its ability to tow up to 2500kg.
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Things that Place believed could be improved included the underpowered and loud diesel engine, lack of shade cover for its glass roof and the fact that Australia will only get the diesel version…for now.
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But does the Tourneo have enough to unseat the Kia Carnival? Well, reviewer Place concluded his review by saying that the Tourneo could be competitively priced when it arrives in Australia, and when it does land, you may be able to get your hands on one sooner than a Kia Carnival.
READ: Link to written review
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 28th June at 4.30pm Sydney time.
