Thanks for joining us this Friday 1 November 2024. Notably in car news today: refreshed Honda Civic loses base petrol but gets new cheaper hybrid, and Hyundai reveals new Initium hydrogen prototype.
Browse this issue:
- Honda Civic loses base petrol but gets new cheaper hybrid
- Hyundai unveils ‘Initium’ hydrogen prototype; likely for Australia
- Toyota’s next EV will be a Suzuki built in India
- Jaguar no longer selling new cars in UK until 2026
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: open-top ute concept revealed
- Reviewed: Isuzu D-Max Blade 2025
Honda Civic loses base petrol but gets new cheaper hybrid
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A refreshed Honda Civic is on its way to Australia, coinciding with an updated lineup that will see the base petrol VTi LX discontinued, to be replaced by a second hybrid variant.
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Joining the hybrid flagship e-HEV LX will be a new e-HEV L grade, set to become the new entry-point into Civic ownership and feature the same hybrid powertrain as its more expensive sibling.
The Honda Civic will debut a new hybrid base model this year
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This means that apart from the Type R performance model, the Civic range will now be hybrid only.
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Pricing and specs have not been confirmed for the updated range which costs $47,200 for the VTi LX and $55,000 for the e:HEV LX, however the new e-HEV L is naturally expected to lower cost of entry to hybrid Civic ownership.
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As well as changes to the lineup, the mid-life facelift sees the Civic gain subtle revisions to its exterior styling, new colour options, and the latest generation of Honda Connect connected services system when it arrives “soon” in Australia.
Hyundai unveils ‘Initium’ hydrogen prototype; likely for Australia
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Hyundai has unveiled its ‘Initium’ fuel cell electric concept vehicle that previews a production version to serve as a replacement for the brand’s Nexo SUV.
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The rugged-looking prototype appears to be a mid-sized, two-row, five-seater, and is set to debut next year in production form in the first half of 2025.
The Hyundai Initium is firmly on the brand’s wishlist for Australia
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Hyundai is eager for the production version to make its way to local shores, with Scott Nargar, the brand’s senior manager of future mobility and government relations in Australia saying: “we’ll be working on getting that car to Australia as a replacement for the Nexo”, which is the brand’s current hydrogen SUV.
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While a production version is only months away, details on the Initium – which is said to have 150kW of power and a 650km driving range between refuels – are scarce.
Toyota’s next EV will be a Suzuki built in India
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Toyota’s next electric vehicle will be a Suzuki-designed SUV to be built by Suzuki in India.
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The two brands have today announced their latest joint-collaboration for the new EV which will go into production at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant from 2025.
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While it will be built by Suzuki, a joint press release confirming the announcement says: “the BEV unit and platform for this model are jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu”.
Suzuki’s EVX concept could preview the new jointly-developed EV
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It’s possible the EV will be a production version of the Suzuki EVX concept that was unveiled in 2023.
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While the brands have partnered on various models overseas before, this will be the first electric vehicle to be produced in collaboration between the two brands.
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Toyota’s first electric vehicle, the BZ4X midsize SUV, was launched in Australia earlier this year and is also the result of a collaboration with Subaru and its Solterra electric twin.
Jaguar no longer selling new cars in the UK until 2026
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Jaguar has discontinued its F-Pace SUV in the UK, meaning that the iconic British brand no longer has any new cars on sale in its home market.
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The brand released a statement to UK publication Autocar stating: “From November 2024, new Jaguar sales will come to an end ahead of our new brand reveal later this year and product launch in 2026.”
The Jaguar F-Pace is no more in its home UK market
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While discontinued for the UK, the F-Pace remains in production for overseas markets including Australia where the I-Pace and E-Pace are also still available.
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More recently, Jaguar ended production of its XE and XF sedans and F-Type sports coupe following poor sales around the world, as it prepares to relaunch with a raft of all-new models all based on a new JEA (Jaguar Electric Architecture) platform in the coming years.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado: open-top concept revealed
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Toyota has transformed its new LandCruiser Prado into an open-top ute concept called the ROX.
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The chunky and heavily modified concept has a soft-top roof and exposed cargo area and throws back to classic open-top Land Cruisers of old.
Toyota has unveiled its LandCruiser ROX concept
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Sadly, it’s not for mass production, but rather a one-off concept created by Toyota’s Calty design studio in the US for the SEMA (Speciality Equipment Market Association) auto show which takes place in Las Vegas next week.
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It’s not the only model Toyota will be showing off, however, with a two-door 4Runner TRD Surf Concept also revealed.
READ MORE: Toyota LandCruiser Prado open-top ute: the concept you’ve been dreaming of?
Isuzu D-Max Blade 2025 reviewed
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Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s launch review of the 2025 Isuzu D-Max Blade was published, taking a look at the off-road special edition vehicle which follows the trend set by the likes of the Nissan Navara Warrior and Toyota Hilux GR Sport.
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Built in collaboration with Walkinshaw, who carried out extensive local research and development for new D-Max Blade, the Isuzu aims to be the most capable version of this ute to date.
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Priced from $76,990 before on-road costs, it’s quite a bit more expensive than an X-Terrain but with modifications like beefier tyres, raised suspension, serious under body protection and an aggressive appearance package to match; this workhorse aims to be the complete package.
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But no more power or torque has been added to the D-Max this time around and perhaps some may be disappointed Isuzu didn’t go further, to find out if they’re right contributor Iain Curry travelled to South Australia for our first drive.
READ MORE: Isuzu D-Max Blade 2025 written review
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Monday 4 November at 4.30pm Sydney time.