Car news, 02 May ’24: Subaru announces special-edition Outback and Forester, ‘sold-out’ Nissan Z Nismo orders reopen, and more
Olek Novak
Journalist
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
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.
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 Serieshatch 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 driveawaypricing 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 utewas 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.