Thanks for joining us this Tuesday, April 8th 2025. Notably in car news today: Volkswagen Amarok W580 series to go back into production, Mahindra 3XO eyes $30K price for Australian release, and Hyundai Tuscon prices dropped to sub $40,000 drive-away.
Browse this issue:
- Volkswagen Amarok W580 series to go back into production
- Mahindra 3XO confirmed for 2025 Australian market release
- Hyundai Tuscon prices slashed – now enters at sub-$40K
- Geely sells 600 EX5 electric SUVs in their first month
- 2025 Toyota Prado Kakadu off-road review
Volkswagen Amarok W580 series to go back into production
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On the back of selling over 2600 units of the previous-generation Amarok W580, Volkswagen Australia today revealed that the top-tier ute variant is heading back onto local dealership lots.
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This sees VW’s partnership with Walkinshaw Group continue, which began back in 2020. As before, Walkinshaw will handle bespoke modifications and accessories found on the newest W580.
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What can we expect from the 2025 W580? At today’s press conference, Group Owner Ryan Walkinshaw laid out the key design philosophy for the project. “What to expect? Well, everything you’d expect from a Walkinshaw product: next-level design, performance and handling.”
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The W Series of Amaroks is said to be signed off from a design point-of-view, with Walkinshaw also explaining the remainder of the year will be set aside for testing purposes prior to the variant’s release in 2026.
Mahindra 3XO confirmed for 2025 Australian market release
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Expressions of interest have now opened for Mahindra’s latest new model offering, the XUV 3XO compact SUV.
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While the XUV 3XO is offered with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol three-pot in either a 82kW/200Nm or a 96kW/230Nm overseas, it’s unclear as to which will be adopted locally, though Australia will likely fit the six-speed automatic option exclusively. There is also no announcement of a diesel engine for Australia, despite being offered overseas.
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There are two-10.25 screens for instrumentation and media, with further specs including their full ADAS including AEB, pedestrian detect, land keeping and adaptive cruise control.
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Pricing and release dates are yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected that the XUV 3XO will arrive around the $30K mark driveaway in order to challenge the likes of Chery Omoda 5, GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS.
Hyundai Tuscon now starts below $40,000 driveaway
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New pricing structures for the 2025 Hyundai Tuscon have just been released, offering savings of up to $4110 on in-stock models.
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This brings the drive-away price of the entry-level Tuscon 2.0L front-wheel drive down to $39,990 driveway, with a total savings of $3588.
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All models available, including sporty N-Line variants, are eligible for discounts. Top-of-the-line Premium N Line Hybrid all-wheel drive is now $63,990 driveaway saving $2610, however it’s the Elite N Line 1.6T all-wheel drive that sees the biggest reduction, retailing for $51,990 driveaway with a $4110 saving.
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These prices are only available until 30th of June 2025 and while stocks last. At the time of publication Hyundai Australia says that around 4000 ICE and just under 2000 hybrid examples will be available.
Geely sells 600 EX5 electric SUVs in their first month
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Order books are well and truly open for this newly established auto brand Geely, with 600 orders for its EX5 electric SUV being placed within the first sale month.
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Geely is even telling us that its first EX5 sale and delivery occurred within 24 hours from announcing the vehicle’s price at its recent brand launch event.
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Pricing starts at $40,990 for the EX5 Complete variant, with top-of-the-line Inspire variant topping out at $44,990. Geely has bonus packs on offer until April 30, 2025, which includes a year of free charging, financing sweeteners, a free 7.0kW home charger (not installed) and three years of complimentary servicing.
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Geely has promised five new electrified models in the next three years with its pipeline into establishing itself as a key Chinese player in an increasingly competitive local market.
2025 Toyota Prado Kakadu off-road review
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Chasing Cars resident off-roader, Evan Spence, headed out west in the 2025 Toyota Prado Kakadu to see if the flagship model had any place in the bush.
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While a lower spec, with more off-road credentials would have been the right pick for this mission, Spence wanted to see if you can match bells and whistles with bog holes and rocks.
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Speaking of off-road credentials, the Kakadu has a trick rear limited-slip differential, which offers insane levels of traction when combined with the Prado’s soft suspension and Multi Terrain Select traction control system.
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Where he could see improvement, and this will come as no surprise, the rear cargo area is a bit of a disaster. “For the price of these things, and end use of the product, Toyota really should have been nailed this first time around,” though Spence reckons the Australian aftermarket industry is already onto solving this.
Read the review: https://www.chasingcars.com.au/reviews/large-suvs/toyota-prado-kakadu-2025-review-full-off-road-test/
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday, 9th of April at 4.30pm Sydney time.
