Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday March 14th 2024. Notably in car news today: Volkswagen brings more performance to its ID3 electric car, and Jeep announces Australian pricing for its first electric car, the Avenger.
The 2024 Volkswagen ID3 GTX offers up to 240kW of power
German automaker Volkswagen has officially revealed its hot GTX version of its ID3 electric car.
Exclusively rear-wheel drive, the ID3 GTX will have two powertrain options: 210kW/545Nm or 240kW/545Nm.
The GTX Performance has identical outputs to the Cupra Born VZ, which was unveiled recently.
Standard features will include a new 12.9-inch centre touchscreen and a new voice assistant utilising ChatGPT software.
The MEB-based ID3 is scheduled to launch in Australia “beyond 2024”, and is likely to bring with it this new GTX variant.
First electric Jeep, the Avenger, goes on sale in Australia
The electric Jeep Avenger starts from $53,990 before on-road costs
Jeep Australia has announced price and specifications for its new electric Avenger SUV.
Available with three variants, pricing starts from $53,990 before on-road costs for the entry Longitude variant and extends to $63,990 before on-road costs for the top-spec Summit grade.
Standard specifications on the base Longitude grade include 17-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 7.0-inch digital cluster and safety features including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
The flagship Summit adds 18-inch alloy wheels, leather accented seats, a powered driver’s seat and LED projector headlights.
The first Avengers will arrive in Australia from the fourth quarter of 2024.
First leaked images of Mini Aceman appear online
The 2024 Mini Aceman has leaked online in China
Early leaked images of the Mini Aceman have appeared online through China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
It’s the first time we have seen the Aceman in production guise and it’s a smaller package than the Countryman.
Built on the same electric platform as the Mini Electric hatch, the Aceman will debut new design LED headlights and various alloy wheel designs, and is 4075mm long and has a wheelbase of 2606mm.
Powertrains are expected to be similar, if not the same as the Mini hatch, with the entry-level model set to use a 135kW electric motor and 40.7kWh battery pack.
An Aceman S is likely to use the more powerful 160kW electric motor and a larger 54.2kWh battery pack.
Porsche to introduce large luxury SUV to rival BMW X7
Porsche is working on an SUV bigger than a Cayenne
According to Automotive News, the German sports car and SUV maker stated that the new SUV will be “the sportiest offering” in its segment and will launch in the second half of the decade.
Porsche expects that by 2030, around 80 percent of its new-car sales will be zero emission.
The brand plans to first introduce its Macan EV, and then follow with the highly anticipated electric versions of the 718 Cayman and Boxster, as well as the next Cayenne.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty 2024 reviewed
The new Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty
Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s review of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty was published, including his thoughts on its monstrous 6.6L diesel V8 and its updated interior.
Curry found the larger Silverado to excel with its feature-packed cabin and was impressed by its superb towing cameras and technology as standard.
In terms of downsides, Curry found the big American beast to have a clunky column shifter, poor warranty and a jittery low-speed ride.
Curry recommended the Silverado 2500 for its sheer ability to tow big, but concluded it would be obviously tricky navigating urban environments.
