IONIQ 5, EV TO THE NTH DEGREE

EV power is the great equaliser, according to Tim Rodgers – big battery, big power, big tyres, zero to 100km/h in less than four seconds – and ultra-fast examples are relatively easy to do. As Hyundai Australia product development manager, he should know. Rodgers spent a year and a half on three continents helping to hone the suspension and systems of the new high performance Ioniq 5 N all-electric vehicle. The absence of ICE limitations and the scope for new technologies was daunting initially. However, it made the development of… Read more

bZ4X CHANCE TO MAKE A NAME FOR ITSELF

What’s in a name? Plenty if you happen to be one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers pumping out product by the boat load. Take Toyota, for example. Nothing goes better to describe the Land Cruiser as a prestigious go-anywhere off roader; then there’s the Prius, relating to its being the first mass produced petrol / hybrid car. Now comes Toyota’s first wholly electric SUV, the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) bZ4X. The what? Surely that’s an internal maker’s code Where’s the snappy showroom moniker? Was the marketing department on leave?… Read more

IN ESSENCE, THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

It’s all down to striking design and leading-edge aerodynamics, says the Chinese manufacturer of the latest MG4 electric vehicle.that uses the innovative new Modular Scalable Platform that will underpin a new generation of MG EVs. Featuring rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight distribution and thin battery technology, the MG4 was designed in London and is put together in state-of-the-art plants in several countries. The result is a hatchback that reflects the sporting tradition of the original post-war MGs and points the way for affordable versatile zero emission electric vehicles of the future…. Read more

EV3 WILL BE KIA’S SMALLEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Kia has released teaser images of its upcoming EV3, the brand’s new compact EV SUV. Around the same size as the Seltos SUV, the EV3 will be the 4th and smallest member of Kia’s EV range. Although complete images have yet to be released the EV3 is expected to be very similar to the EV3 Concept shown here at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Expected to sell from around $50k EV3 will take on existing compact SUVs such as the Kia Kona EV, BYD Atto3, GWM Ora and MG… Read more

MINI ACEMAN SET TO CHALLENGE CHINESE EVs

MINI Australia has announced details of its all-new Aceman fully-electric subcompact crossover SUV set to go on sale here in the fourth quarter of 2024. Aceman is MINI’s smallest SUV and its second EV after the recently-released Countryman SE. Built by Spotlight Automotive at its Jiangsu plant in China, Aceman is a joint venture between BMW and Great Wall Motor. The vehicle architecture of the new crossover model is based on a purely electric drive concept. At 4.07 metres long,1.75 metres wide and 1.5 metres high, Aceman will be positioned… Read more

CURTAIN UP ON QUICK-CHANGE ARTIST

  History has taken its time. But now the South Korean luxury car arm of Hyundai / Kia has put its foot on the accelerator, upgrading the GV60 electric sports utility vehicle just months after its debut Down Under. For the first time Genesis Connected Services gives access to a new level of safety and security conveniently through a smartphone, or embedded vehicle self-help, while on-air software gives owners wireless remote system updates. To add to this, Face Connect and Fingerprint Start lets users into the GV60 using facial recognition,… Read more

ABARTH 500E TURISMO FULLY ELECTRIC HATCH

The Abarth 500e Turismo looks the goods, flashy but at the same time restrained. It is described as the most responsive and exciting Abarth 500 ever, but we’ve heard that somewhere before. The real question and the one of most interest to buyers, is what does this electrified pocket rocket bring to the table over the cheaper, donor Fiat 500e? There’s Abarth badges, bigger wheels and sports body kit, and a bit more poke of course . . . but it’s not all gelato and espresso. Abarth 500e is offered… Read more

RENAULT 5 BACK WITH A BATTERY

It’s almost 40 years but the funky Renault 5 is back, reinvented to bring some sparkle to the world of compact electric vehicles. Due to go on sale in Europe later this year, Renault Australia is hoping to get its hands on the car for our market — but there’s no date yet. The original Renault 5 achieved more than 5.5 million sales across five continents, from 1972 to 1985. The Renault 5 E-Tech electric remains faithful to the 2021 […] Read more