Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday 30th of May 2024. Notably in car news today: BMW has updated and enhanced its 3 Series range and Volkswagen has bolstered the value of its Golf GTI hot hatch.
The BMW 3 Series range, including the M3, has been updated, with pricing to be announced in July before deliveries arrive in Q4 of this year.
All models score redesigned headlights and other exterior touches, along with BMW Operating System 8.5 and other interior tweaks.
The M3 Competition sedan/Touring have had power outputs boosted by 15kW to 390kW/650Nm, shortening the 0-100km/h time to 3.5 and 3.6 seconds respectively.
The base 353kW/550Nm manual-equipped M3 remains part of the 3 Series lineup, along with the 330i and 340i xDrive grades in the regular lineup.
Volkswagen Golf GTI now priced from $59,990 driveaway
Volkswagen Australia has announced the Golf GTI will now come with a national driveaway price of $59,990 driveaway, representing what it says is a $7990 price reduction over a full loaded model previously
This is due to the fact that Luxury and Sound and Style packages, costing $4000 and $2600 respectively, have now been made standard. Previously this would have cost roughly $67,980 driveway.
The eight-generation Golf GTI arrived with a big price hike in 2021, however sales doubled in 2023 vs 2022 backed by greater supply, with the latest move designed to further the momentum
It’s the latest Volkswagen to score a price cut after the facelifted Touareg was introduced with a range-wide price cut and the outgoing Tiguan Allspace received a similar discount.
BMW 5 Series range adds 540d xDrive in Australia
BMW has added another new grade to the 5 Series lineup in the 540d xDrive, which is due to arrive in Q4 this year after the i5 M60 xDrive Touring arrives in Q3
The 540d xDrive is the first diesel in the new-generation 5 Series lineup and the second combustion offering alongside the petrol 520i.
Powered by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and a 48v mild hybrid system, the 540d xDrive produces 223kW/670Nm and sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.
The M Sport package will come fitted as standard, bringing 20-inch alloy wheels and other exterior touches, leather merino upholstery and a 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system will also feature.
Citroen C5 X Plug-in Hybrid priced for Australia
Citroen Australia has announced the C5 X will start from $73,990 before on-roads in Australia, with a WLTP-tested electric range of 60km
Reflecting a $16,320 upcharge over the petrol model, the PHEV will be available to order exclusively from the factory and first deliveries will arrive in Q4 this year
The C5 X PHEV represents Citroen’s first electrified vehicle locally and produces a combined 165kW/360Nm from a 133kW 1.6L turbo-petrol engine and an 81kW motor
The 12.4kWh battery is capable of AC charging from 0 to 100 percent in three hours and 41 minutes on a 7.4kW charger, or just under six hours on a normal household plug.
Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI 2024 reviewed
Chasing Cars production specialist Tom Place’s review of the facelifted 2024 Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI was published, with the large SUV now better equipped and featuring a lower price than before.
Priced from $86,790 before on-road costs, the Touareg has a luxurious interior and drive experience, while representing much better value than the before, sitting circa-$5,000 above a Ford Everest Platinum and circa–$13,000 below a Toyota Prado Kakadu
The standard steel sprung suspension is a bit firm at times however and the lack of a full-size spare may trouble its touring capability
For those who want to travel up to 1400km on a single tank and do so in comfort, the 2024 Touareg 170TDI is a good choice
