Thanks for joining us this Tuesday April 23rd 2024. Notably in car news today: sharper deals emerge across the market, with Tesla leading proceedings by cutting $3000 from the price of all Model 3 and most Model Y variants locally.
Browse this issue:
- Tesla cuts Model 3 and Model Y prices by $3000, except one variant
- Sleek Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe priced from $104K in Australia
- BYD Atto 3 electric SUV price slashed…but there’s a catch
- Cupra Leon V Tribe Edition is a cheaper, better-specified base model
- Kia Tasman ute now wears Australian-designed camouflage
- Our first look at the new Toyota Camry hybrid
Tesla cuts Model 3 and Model Y prices by $3000, except one variant
Tesla has cut prices by $3000 for its Model 3 and Model Y in Australia
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Tesla’s dramatic price cut campaign has today marched on with the US electric vehicle specialist slashing $3000 from the price of all variants bar one in Australia.
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The EV maker changes its pricing regularly in response to changing market conditions, making it difficult to know when to buy – but the current prices are quite sharp.
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The cut means the recently facelifted (and improved) Model 3 sedan now starts in base rear-wheel drive guise at $58,900 before on-road costs ($64,000 driveaway in NSW), while the Long Range AWD now costs $67,900 ($73,500 driveaway in NSW).
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Meanwhile, the Model Y electric midsize SUV is priced post-cut at $60,990 before on-road costs for the rear-wheel drive ($66K driveaway in NSW) and $69,900 for the Long Range AWD ($75,500 driveaway in NSW).
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The only Tesla grade not to see its price cut in Australia is the top-shelf Model Y Performance which remains at $82,900 before on-road costs ($89K driveaway in NSW) – but notably, the sporty SUV received a huge $8500 cut earlier this month.
Sleek Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe priced from $104K in Australia
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has been priced for Australia
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The new Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe is coming to Australia in two flavours of petrol four-cylinder engine, with the model doing double-duty to replace the old C-Class coupe and E-Class coupe alike.
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Both fitted with mild-hybrid tech, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol CLE200 rear-wheel drive will kick off the range at $103,900 before on-roads, while the 2.0-litre CLE300 with all-wheel drive costs a hefty $124,900 before on-roads.
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The prices are vastly more expensive than the old C-Class coupe – it’s about a $24,000 uplift – but the costs represent a more modest $9-12K discount when compared to the similar outgoing E-Class coupe models.
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As is the norm for Mercedes-Benz in Australia, the brand’s AMG package styling is standard, as are 19-inch wheels, twin 12-inch displays, and a sunroof. The CLE300’s $21,000 penalty affords more power (190kW vs 150kW) and AWD traction, while leather replaces Artico synthetic trim.
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No word yet on true AMG versions of the CLE, though a model known as the CLE53 is expected to usher in a six-cylinder option for Australian buyers.
BYD Atto 3 electric SUV price slashed…but there’s a catch
Pricing has been slashed for the BYD Atto 3, but only for 2023 demo stock
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The driveaway price of the BYD Atto 3 small electric SUV has been slashed by $4321 in all Australian states except Western Australia – but only for 2023 demo stock.
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BYD’s Australian distributor EV Direct announced the deal Wednesday, which runs through May 2024 or until stocks last.
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The move sees 2023 demo stock of the Atto 3 Extended Range version, which delivers 366-375km of electric range in Chasing Cars testing, priced at $46,690 driveaway.
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But fellow Chinese brand MG still offers the cheapest electric SUV in the segment in the form of the ZS EV, priced from $39,990 driveaway – or $46,990 driveaway for the Atto 3-rivalling Long Range variant – and that is for new stock rather than a demo.
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The Atto 3 placed second in the Chasing Cars best small SUV megatest in 2023.
WATCH: Best Small SUV: Ultimate Comparison of 18 Crossovers Under $50K!
Cupra Leon V Tribe Edition is a cheaper, better-specified base model
The Cupra V Tribe Edition is a better specified base variant
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The Cupra Leon hot hatch now has a cheaper and better-equipped entry grade in the form of a special edition that’ll stick around for a while.
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From now until the arrival of the forthcoming Leon facelift in early- to mid-2025, the Leon V Tribe Edition effectively replaces the core Leon V base specification.
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Its $47,888 driveaway is a $1302 discount over the regular Leon V, while specification is upgraded to include blue nappa leather inside, a nine-speaker Beats stereo and additional copper, aluminium and black accents – about a $2500 value.
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That new price puts the Leon V in closer competition with the Mazda 3 G25 Astina and Volkswagen Golf 110TSI R-Line, both of which have a similar driveaway price, yet the Leon packs additional muscle, thanks to a 2.0-litre turbo petrol making 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
WATCH: Shock Result! Which Cupra Leon Model Is Best? (2024 Range Review)
Kia Tasman ute now wears Australian-designed camouflage
A camouflaged Kia Tasman has been teased with Australian art design
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The forthcoming Kia Tasman dual-cab ute has entered late-stage testing still under protective camouflage – but its wrapped skin features a further Australian connection.
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Kia’s distinctive multi-coloured but yellow-based wrap for the Tasman was designed by New Zealand artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop.
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A Kia Australia source told Chasing Cars the camo’d Tasman had already left Australia in transit somewhere else – so global readers will need to keep their eyes peeled.
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Last week, the Tasman’s interior was sighted in an extensively-reported leak posted online seemingly by workers interacting with the camouflaged test vehicles.
READ: Explosive new Kia Tasman details! 3500kg towing, body styles, engines, Australian tuning and more
WATCH: Kia Tasman: Key Specs Confirmed & Everything You Need To Know!
Our first look at the new Toyota Camry hybrid
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Chasing Cars editor Tom Baker recently got up close and personal with the forthcoming 2025 Toyota Camry in new-generation form.
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Set to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2024 – even as it launches in the United States now – the next-gen Camry is going all hybrid from factory, reflecting Toyota Australia’s decision to pause orders of the non-hybrid last year.
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More athletic styling, an interior that moves slightly more upmarket, more power and greater refinement are said to characterise the new Camry, which remains an important vehicle for Toyota and a popular model with fleet buyers especially.
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The Camry we toured was a sporty US-market XSE grade in Heavy Metal grey with a red leather interior. A similar spec could again come to Australia in an SX grade.
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 23rd April at 4.30pm Sydney time.
