Car news, 7 Mar ’24: Hyundai promise a new generation of petrol i30 N cars, Mercedes-AMG’s GLC43 fast SUV pricing revealed, and more

Thanks for joining us this Thursday March 7th 2024. Notably in car news today: Hyundai pledges next-generation petrol-powered i30 N modes, and Mercedes-AMG GLC43 fast SUV pricing and specifications revealed.

Browse this issue:

• Next-gen Hyundai i30 N will return to Australia
• Mercedes-AMG GLC43 SUV priced for Australia
• ANCAP to crackdown on touchscreens in cars

Hyundai pledges next-generation ICE i30 N cars for “Lucky Australia”  

• Hyundai’s executive technical adviser Albert Biermann has revealed the Korean marque is developing next-generation internal combustion i30 hatches and sedans for both Australia and Korea markets.
  
• “We will continue to develop combustion cars and we can’t let you down,” Biermann told Chasing Cars. “You are the lucky guys in Australia,” referring to Europe’s decision to call time on ICE-powered N models.

• Biermann also revealed that while he “cannot guarantee” any future product, he is “quite confident [buyers] will enjoy combustion cars in Australia for quite some time”.
  
• While the facelifted version of the current-generation i30 N Sedan has just been launched locally, Biermann suggests that there’s a “nice [new] powertrain” in the works for the planning coming generation, most likely surfacing in 2026.

Mercedes-AMG GLC43 SUV pricing and specs confirmed

• Mercedes-Benz has released local pricing and specifications for the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 wagon and Coupe midsize SUVs, at $136,400 and $146,900 respectively. 
  
• The lineup ditched the old V6 power for a 2.0-litre electric-turbo petrol four outputting 310kW and 500Nm, paired with 10kW of mild-hybrid boost.

• Both versions feature nine-speed automatic transmissions, permanent rear-bias (31:69) all-wheel drive, rear axle steering and adaptive damped suspension.
  
• Standard features of the new GLC43 range include 20-inch wheels, digital light headlights, full leather trim, augmented reality sat-nav, Burmester 3D sound and AMG styling inside and out.
  

ANCAP to crack down on over-used touch screens from 2026

• European safety authority Euro NCAP has declared it will penalise car makers who it says overuse touchscreen controls for basic vehicle functions, from 2026. ANCAP has confirmed the rules will be adopted in Australia as well.
  
• Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP told Hagerty “the overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes”.

• ANCAP has said it is still determining which functions are deemed crucial enough that the more intuitive physical buttons will be deemed necessary. The precise protocols will be released in the coming months.
  
• Vehicle functions such as indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers, horn and SOS emergency call functions have been outlined as a priority but functions such as climate control and multimedia functions (including tuning the radio) have also been flagged.

• Five out of the 100 possible points will focus on this area, but failing will not make a vehicle ineligible for a five-star rating.

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 8th March at 4.30pm Sydney time.