Author: James Wong
The brand new Suzuki Swift Hybrid is hogging the limelight immediately, but the present Swift Sport stays on sale. While it’s unclear whether the performance hatch can be renewed for one more generation, the newest Swift and the previous-gen Swift Sport will proceed to be produced concurrently on the time being. You’ll be able to still get into one for under $30,000 plus on-road costs… just. But if you happen to don’t want to alter gears yourself, you’re taking a look at the automotive on test – the 2024 Suzuki Swift Sport auto, priced from $31,990 before on-roads. It’s still…
The brand new-generation Hyundai Kona has hit recent sales highs within the small SUV segment, posting record months in May and June charged by strong sales of the brand new hybrid versions. Setting an all-time monthly sales record in May (1842 units) and following up with a detailed second in June (1804 units), around 1 / 4 of all Kona sales in Australia are the hybrid versions, while the all-electric Kona is accounting for 10 per cent of sales year-to-date (YTD). June’s result was on the upper side for the Kona Hybrid too, with 532 of the 1804 registered units…
Suzuki Australia has confirmed not one, not two, but three latest SUV models will likely be launching within the early stages of 2025 – all of which can offer a hybrid option. Speaking with CarExpert on the launch of the brand new Swift Hybrid, managing director for automobiles at Suzuki Australia Michael Pachota said the Vitara Hybrid and S-Cross Hybrid are due in the primary quarter of 2025, while the all-new Fronx crossover will likewise arrive in “early 2025” with a hybrid option. It’s understood – at the very least within the case of the Vitara and S-Cross – the…
A motorist in Belgium with a particularly rare medical condition that makes his body produce its own alcohol has had a drink-driving charge against him dismissed this week. As reported by ABC News, the 40-year-old Belgian man suffers from auto brewery syndrome (ABS), which causes carbohydrates in his stomach to be fermented and increase ethanol levels in his blood, leading to signs of intoxication. The gentleman, who has been left unnamed in keeping with local judicial customs, was pulled over in April 2022 and registered a breathalyser reading of 0.91 milligrams of alcohol per litre, after which 0.71mg/l in a…
The Kia Sportage has had its best month of sales ever in Australia, with 2114 units registered during March 2024. With sales up 148.4 per cent in comparison with March 2023 and up 53.2 per cent up year-to-date, the Sportage ranked eleventh overall in VFACTS sales standings and was by far Kia’s top performer. Kia Australia’s product planning boss, Roland Rivero, credited the launch of the brand new Sportage Hybrid not less than partly for the record result – with 349 units of the electrified SUV registered. Sportage GT-Line HEV Questioned about ongoing supply, Mr Rivero told CarExpert there’s definitely…
Toyota is standing firm on the expansion of hydrogen technologies in Australia, because it looks to make the Mirai the “latest Prius” as the following trailblazer for the brand and hopes to sell FCEVs through its dealer network within the near future. “[The] Prius, after we brought it out, was the beginning of the hybrid journey. So the ‘latest Prius’ on the earth that I’m enthusiastic about, or that Toyota is enthusiastic about, might be the Mirai,” Sean Hanley, vp for sales and marketing at Toyota Australia told CarExpert. When asked if hydrogen is a key a part of Toyota…
This week, the panel talks the most recent VFACTS sales figures and the way Australia is heading in the right direction for an all-time record. Mitsubishi wins a case within the High Court and the query is raised, should we’ve got access to more monitoring technology for our cars. Wish to win $400 of FREE fuel? Email us podcast@carexpert.com.au with you name, phone number and tell us in 25 words or less, “Where would you go together with free fuel this summer?” Where to seek out the CarExpert Podcast You will discover the CarExpert Podcast in your favourite podcast platform. If unsure,…
Kia Australia has released preliminary pricing and line-up details for its all-new and all-electric EV9 flagship SUV. As expected, the 2024 Kia EV9 shall be the costliest vehicle the Korean brand has ever sold within the Australian market, with prices ranging from $97,000 to $121,000 before on-road costs. That aligns the brand new EV9 pretty much with the Volvo XC90 – though that vehicle is mild-hybrid (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) only – which ranges from $100,990 to $128,990 before on-road costs for its also three-strong trim line-up. Currently, the costliest vehicle Kia available in Australia is the high-performance EV6…
Abarth Australia has detailed an updated 695 Competizione, with first vehicles arriving in November. Once more available in a single trim level with each five-speed manual and five-speed Dualogic automated manual ($2000) transmissions, the 2024 Abarth 695 range in Australia is now $1500 dearer. Key changes for the brand new model 12 months include a brand new vertically stacked Record Monza exhaust system, as debuted overseas some months ago, in addition to a brand new Racing Orange exterior color option. It’ll be joined in local showrooms next 12 months by the 500e, which features similar styling but uses a brand…
Toyota is sick of being labelled as slow or latent in the event and production of pure electric vehicles. The market leader for hybrids, let alone Australia’s recent automotive market overall, hasn’t really made as large a stride in plug-in vehicle tech as quite a few rival brands, with its bZ4x electric SUV delayed for nearly two years Down Under. But, while the Japanese auto giant doesn’t yet have a rival to something just like the top-selling Tesla Model Y, the brand has quickly pulled out several concept vehicles that are supposed to be a press release of its intentions…
