Thanks for joining us this Tuesday June 18th 2024. Notably in car news today: GWM’s Haval Jolion small SUV has dropped by $4000 for its update, and Nissan Australia will offer a cheaper Pathfinder locally, starting from $59,670 before on-road costs.
Browse this issue:
- Haval Jolion now starts from just $26,990 driveway
- Nissan Australia reintroduces entry-level Pathfinder
- Ford F-150 Lightning Supertruck to take on Pikes Peak
- Facelifted Audi E-Tron GT debuts
- Reviewed: 2025 Haval H9
2024 Haval Jolion update drops by $4K, now from $26,990 driveaway
The GWM Haval Jolion has new looks and a lower entry price
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GWM Haval has announced its updated Jolion small SUV for Australia, which will start from a very competitive $26,990 driveaway for the base Premium variant, or $4000 less than before. Range pricing tops out at $38,990 driveaway for the Ultra Hybrid flagship.
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The Jolion range has also been simplified for 2024, with Premium and Lux variants only available in ICE guise. Hybrid choices add an Ultra flagship grade. The Jolion S has been removed from the local lineup.
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Updates include a new grille, revised front and rear bumpers, new GWM badging on the rear tailgate and a four-way adjustable steering wheel inside. For the hybrid, front and rear designs set these versions apart from petrol variants, along with revised multi-link rear suspension.
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Standard equipment will include 17-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen, 3.5-inch instrument cluster, four-speaker sound system, manual seat adjustment, halogen headlights, manual air conditioning and reversing camera.
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Available engines will be either a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with 105kW/210Nm, or a petrol-hybrid engine with 140kW/375Nm.
Nissan Australia reintroduces Pathfinder ST-L as more affordable entry grade
Nissan will bring in a cheaper Pathfinder for 2024
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Nissan Australia has lobbed a more-affordable Pathfinder at its dealership network, the ST-L grade priced at $59,670 before on-road costs for the front-drive and $64,170 before on-road costs for the all-wheel-drive variant.
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The ST-L now joins the Ti and Ti-L on Australian shores and is powered by a 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine that produces 202kW/340Nm and is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
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Standard equipment for the ST-L grade includes a 9.0-inch media touchscreen, 10.8-inch head-up display, 7.0-inch instrument cluster, eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and foglights, front and rear parking sensors,
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In terms of safety, nine airbags and a full suite of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility safety systems, including forward collision warning, driver attention alert and blind spot warning, are standard.
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The 2024 Pathfinder range has also seen a price change across the board and now tops out at $82,490 before on-road costs for the all-wheel-drive Ti-L.
Ford F-150 Lightning Supertruck to take on Pikes Peak
The Ford F-150 Lightning Supertruck makes more than 1040kW of power
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Ford has announced its latest and wildest electric vehicle creation, the Ford F-150 Lightning Supertruck.
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Built specifically to take on the renowned Pikes Peak Hill Climb, the Lightning Supertruck produces as much as 2700kg of downforce at 240km/h.
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Ford claims its new electric hillclimb beast produces more than 1040kW of power thanks to three electric motors and ultra-high performance Li-polymer NMC battery cells.
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Ford has been climbing Pikes Peak since the early 1900s when the Model T climbed to the summit in 28 minutes and three seconds back in 1916.
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Ford aims to beat its own 2023 Pikes Peak record of 8 minutes 47 seconds which was achieved thanks to the Supervan 4.2 electric hill climb rocket.
Audi reveals it updated Audi E-Tron GT electric car, mirrors Porsche Taycan
Audi has followed Porsche, updating its J1-platform E-Tron GT for 2024
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Audi has announced its facelifted E-Tron GT electric sports car, mirroring in a lot of ways what has already been announced for the very-related Porsche Taycan.
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Usable battery size has increased from 84kWh to 97kWh, while peak charging rates have increased from 270kW to 320kW. Electric range is claimed to be as high as 609km (WLTP).
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In terms of performance, the flagship Audi RS E-Tron will be capable of sprinting to 100km/h in a rapid 2.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 250km/h.
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The three-tier lineup will begin with the S E-Tron GT and steps up to the RS E-Tron GT and, finally, the RS E-Tron GT Performance, the latter of which has 670kW of power.
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Other changes include a slightly revised exterior design, upgraded virtual cockpit, redesigned seats, steering wheel and entry sills, along with new-look 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels. Local timing, spec and pricing is yet to be announced.
Haval H9 2025 reviewed
This is the 2025 GWM Haval H9 on display in China
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Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s review of the 2025 Haval H9 was published, including his thoughts on the next generation of H9 during a recent trip to China.
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In terms of positives, Curry liked the H9’s boxy design, lavish interior materials and its large and fast-operating central touchscreen.
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Some of the downsides Curry experienced include the absence of powertrain electrification and the fact that the H9 is yet to be confirmed for Australia.
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However, Curry summarised that despite cloning the Land Rover Defender design, the model would be an impressive large SUV offering in the Australian landscape.
READ: Link to written review
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 19th June at 4.30pm Sydney time.
