Car news, 02 May ’24: Subaru announces special-edition Outback and Forester, ‘sold-out’ Nissan Z Nismo orders reopen, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday May 2nd 2024. Notably in car news today: Subaru has announced special editions for its Outback and Forester range, and orders have reopened for the Nissan Z Nismo high-performance coupe.

Browse this issue:

• Subaru announces special-edition Outback and Forester
• Nissan Z Nismo orders reopen in Australia 
• BMW 1 and 2 Series gain entry-level Sport grades
• Stronger supply and new comfort option for i30N hot hatch
• Reviewed: 2024 Isuzu D-Max ute

Subaru announces special-edition Outback and Forester

• Subaru has announced the introduction of two special-edition variants joining its Outback and Forester ranges. 

• Available in limited volume from mid-May, the Outback AWD Premium and Forester 2.5i Luxury AWD will bring additional features on top of the entry-grade Outback AWD and Forester 2.5i AWD respectively.

• The Outback AWD Premium is priced at $47,190 before on-road costs and gains black Nappa leather-accented seat trim, heated front and rear outboard seating, satellite navigation and a power tailgate over the Outback AWD. 

• Meanwhile, the Forester 2.5i Luxury AWD is priced at $39,690 before on-road costs and gains additional features over the 2.5i AWD including black leather-accented seat trim, as well as upgraded dash panel accents, centre console trim and door panel trim in line with the Forester 2.5i-S.

Nissan Z Nismo orders reopen in Australia 

• The most-powerful Nissan Z that you can buy, the Nismo, is once again available for order in Australia, with the local importer having announced that it has secured additional vehicles to meet strong demand.

• Initially, only 100 units were allocated for Australia when the special edition went on sale last year as the first Z vehicle to be made available for order exclusively online, with all examples initially offered selling within 53 minutes of order books opening. 

• The brand has now confirmed that the most-performance focused model of the range is once again available to order, this time through Nissan Australia dealerships, with deliveries to begin almost immediately. 

• The Nissan Z Nismo is powered by the coupe’s familiar 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, however with a power bump of 11kW and 45Nm bringing total outputs to 309kW/520Nm. 

• Available exclusively with a specially tuned nine-speed automatic, the Nismo – at $94,000 before on-road costs – also brings with it a suite of additional Nismo enhancements including wider and lighter wheels, bigger brakes and special tuning to the suspension and launch control. 

BMW 1 and 2 Series gain entry-level Sport grades

• BMW has announced an expansion of its ‘Sport Collection’ with new Sport variants for its entry-level 1 Series hatch and 2 Series Gran Coupe, with the new 1 Series grade becoming the most-affordable BMW you can buy in Australia. 

• The new variants both receive driveaway pricing at $54,900 for the 118i Sport hatch and $64,900 driveaway for the 220i Gran Coupe Sport. Comparatively, the existing – and previously entry-grade – 118i hatch and 220i Gran Coupe are priced at $54,800 list and $65,200 list respectively, both before on-road costs. 

• Both Sport variants both gain additional features including metallic paint, an M high-gloss Shadowline styling package, heated front seats, and panoramic glass sunroof, with the  2 Series Gran Coupe Sport also gaining Sensatec leather-like upholstery.

• The new 1 Series and 2 Series Sport variants follow the launch of the 330i Sport and X3 xDrive30i Sport last year, with no changes to their respective 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder powertrains. 

Stronger supply and new comfort option for i30N hot hatch

• Hyundai has signalled stronger supply for its i30N hot hatch as well as confirming the availability of a new Comfort Package option.

• After experiencing significant supply constraints last year that resulted in an order pause for several months, Hyundai says it now has a “good volume of stock available nationwide, as well as a healthy production pipeline”.

• Some 387 units are currently available on-ground in Australia, with 352 further units on their way or in production for the Czech-built performance hatch, which was recently discontinued for the European market but will soldier on in other markets such as Australia.

• Hyundai has also confirmed a new Comfort Package available as a no-cost option on DCT-equipped variants of the i30N Premium with Sunroof, which retail for $53,700 before on-road costs – 

• The package replaces the Alcantra/Leather N Light seats with Suede/leather N Sports seats, adds power adjustment and a cushion extension for the driver and front passenger, and memory settings for the driver.

Isuzu D-Max 2024 reviewed

• Chasing Cars production specialist Tom Place’s review of the facelifted 2024 Isuzu D-Max ute was published following the vehicle’s local launch drive in Queensland.
  

• Place praised the meaningful incremental upgrades that the facelift has brought, highlighting its impressive off-road traction control, smooth towing character, and improved safety tech and infotainment.

• While noting key improvements to the ute, Place also highlighted areas in need of improvement – including the fact there is no reversing AEB and that the D-Max still uses drum brakes at the rear, as well as the fact there is no new hybrid or V6 in sight. 

• Place found that overall the new facelift wasn’t a reinvention but rather an update designed to keep the D-Max as up to date as possible against intensifying competition, whilst maintaining what’s likeable about the vehicle for its loyal fanbase.

READ: Isuzu D-Max 2024 full written review

WATCH: Isuzu D-Max 2024 full video review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 3rd May at 4.30pm Sydney time.