Thanks for joining us this Tuesday, May 06th 2025. Notably in car news today: Audi’s A5 and S5 officially priced in Oz, Jeep Compass launching in Europe with three powertrains.
Browse this issue:
- Audi pricing revealed for highly anticipated A5/S5 mid-size sedans
- Electric power headlines the launch of all-new Jeep Compass
- Honda Civic Type R sports a bold new colour
- The unlikely performance four-door inspired by a Nürburgring joyride
Audi pricing revealed for highly anticipated mid-size sedan/wagon model
-
Audi Australia has released pricing for its upcoming mid-size sedan formally known as the A4. The A5 (a name once associated with two-door and five-door coupes), does not have an official launch date, but is expected to arrive “in the first half of 2025”.
-
The Audi A5 will be available only as a sedan, while buyers who stump up for the performance S5 nameplate will get a choice of either a four-door sedan or ‘Avant’ wagon. Prices start at $79,900 for the base A5, $114,900 for the S5 sedan, and $117,900 for the S5 Avant Wagon (all prices before on-roads).
-
Audi has also announced two launch edition variants “exclusively for S5 purists”: the S5 and S5 Avant edition one, priced at $99,900 (list) and $102,900 (list) respectively. Both will feature a 270kW three-litre V6 engine.
-
Audi is yet to comment on the prospect of a new-generation RS5 sedan or wagon, which is highly anticipated by enthusiasts. While it has been suggested Audi RennSport might go the plug-in four-cylinder route, a safer bet is that the hi-po sedan and wagon version will retain the existing 2.9-litre turbo V6.
READ: Audi A5 2025 launch review
Electric power headlines the launch of all-new Jeep Compass
-
Jeep has officially revealed its third-generation Compass during a press event held in Italy. Jeep claims that the new Compass will be manufactured in the Italian-based Stellantis ‘Melfi’ plant, which specialises in electrification.
-
The new Compass will be available with three distinct powertrains: A 108kW petrol mild-hybrid, 145kW plug-in hybrid, and three variations of full-electric, starting with a 160kW front-drive-only base model, and scaling to a 280kW all-wheel drive.
-
Jeep’s focus is undeniably on its BEV range. Jeep states a rapid 20-80-percent DC charge time of 30 minutes, with a peak of 160kW. AC peak charging is claimed to be 22kW. Claimed range varies from 500km (base FWD) to 650km (range-topper AWD).
-
The third-generation Jeep Compass is available to order now in European markets, with an expected delivery date of Q4 2025. Two “Compass First Edition” variants are available to order: a mild hybrid and base model electric. Jeep has not made an official statement regarding the Compass coming to Australia.
Honda Civic Type R sports a bold new colour
-
Honda’s iconic Civic Type R hot-hatch-come-sports-sedan will be offered in blue paintwork for the first time in four years. Buyers will now have the choice between Championship White, Sonic Grey, Racing Blue, and Crystal Black.
-
Honda’s latest splash of paint follows after its abrupt announcement to axe Rally Red from future production. Regardless of paint colour, the Civic Type R starts at $74,100 drive-away, with pre-orders for Racing Blue to start next week.
-
Paint offerings from Honda are unusual in Australia. The Civic Type R is already offered in blue in other right-hand markets, including the UK and Japan. It is not quite understood why Racing Blue has just arrived in Oz. In a similarly strange bout, Australia looks to be the only market axing Rally Red from the Civic Type R spread.
-
The Honda Civic Type R was first conceived in 1997. It has since been a prominent part of hot-hatchback culture, with six generations. The latest generation FL5 Civic Type R produces 235kW/420Nm, sprints from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.4 seconds, and still features Honda’s iconic VTEC within its two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
READ: Honda Civic Type R 2023 review
The unlikely performance four-door inspired by a Nürburgring joyride
-
Genesis has announced a one-off ‘Track Day Special’ version of its G70 executive sedan. Its maker claims it will officially pull the sheet off the G70 Concept during the Canada portion of its worldwide Genesis distributor spring tour.
-
The G70 Track Day Special is inspired by the ‘Genesis G70 Track Taxi’ – a modified G70 sporting bright orange paint. The Track Taxi lets members of the public ride shotgun “at the side of an experienced driver” who will drive them around the Nürburgring.
-
The Genesis G70 Track Day Special features matte black paint, orange custom decals inspired by the Track Taxi, and 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. It additionally features hood air vents and a large rear wing.
-
The Genesis G70 sedan first came to Australia in 2019, with a shooting brake body style launching in 2023. Pricing starts at $80,265 (MSRP) for the 179kW four-cylinder shooting brake, and tops out at $87,114 for the flagship 274kW six-cylinder sedan.
READ: Genesis G70 3.3 Sport review
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 07th May at 4.30pm Sydney time.