Car news, 1 August ’24: Audi debuts the A6 E-Tron, Isuzu announces ‘Tour Mate’ special edition variants, and more
Olek Novak
Journalist
Every important car news story breaking today, in one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday 1 August 2024. Notably in car news today: Audi has pulled the covers off its PPE-platformed A6 E-Tron electric Sportback and Avant, and Isuzu Ute Australia has announced ‘Tour Mate’ special editions for its D-Max ute.
Audi unveils its new A6 E-Tron Sportback and Avant
Audi has globally revealed its latest electric creation, the A6 E-Tron.
Set to be available to order globally from September 2024, the new A6 E-Tron electric model will have as much as 750km of range and will be available in both Sportback and Avant bodystyles. A6 and S6 models are set to be available from launch.
Audi’s newly unveiled A6 E-Tron Sportback
Standard features will include a panoramic display using an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch touchscreen, along with a panoramic glass roof, Bang & Olufsen sound system, all of which are based upon Audi’s latest PPEarchitecture, jointly developed with Porsche.
The model has been confirmed for Australia and will likely launch in the first half of 2025, according to an Audi Australia spokesperson.
Isuzu announces Tour Mate special edition D-Maxes
Isuzu Ute Australia has announced two new ‘Tour Mate’ special edition D-Max variants packing several commonly chosen accessories available on the D-Max as standard, for a discounted price.
Available to order as of today, the LS-U Tour Mate is priced at $69,990 driveaway, with the LS-U+ Tour Mate asking $72,990 driveaway.
The new Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ Tour Mate
Included as part of the package is a tow bar tongue and 50mm ball, 12-pin wiring harness, electric brake controller, extendable heated and power-fold towing mirrors, a canopy with dual lift-up side windows, weather shields, and special Tour Mate badging.
Isuzu says the Tour Mate package – which was last offered in 2019 – would normally add over $9000 to the price of each variant, with customers set to save more than $6000 compared to manually optioning the packaged features.
MG announces 10-year/250,000km warranty across its Australian range
MG Australia has announced it will introduce a new 10-year, 250,000km warranty across all models for our local market registered on or after 1 August 2024.
This will also include all hybrid and electric vehicles. Anti-perforation and paint warranty is seven years/unlimited kilometres.
Vehicles like the MG 4 will now be covered by a 10-year warranty
It’s an introduction that will see the current seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty replaced.
MG currently offers the ZS small SUV, HS midsize SUV, MG 3 hatchback, MG 4 electric five door, and MG 5 sedan on Australian shores, with the Cyberster electric sports car soon to launch locally.
You can boost the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT’s torque by 135Nm… using an app
Ford’s updated Mach-E electric SUV, which is set to launch in the United States in December and in Australia sometime in 2025, is set to offer a unique feature, at least in top-spec GT guise.
Ford will offer owners of the flagship GT the opportunity to upgrade their electric SUV’s performance via the Ford app, almost instantly adding an additional 135Nm of torque to the GT’s already potent 357kW/813Nm outputs.
The updated Ford Mustang GT will be able to unlock extra torque … through an app
The torque upgrade is set to cost USD$995 (AUD$1520) and could make the Ford electric model quicker than the current Tesla Model Y Performance.
Chasing Cars reached out to Ford Australia for clarification, with a spokesperson confirming that only the upcoming Mach-E GT will have said feature, with the current version to not gain a power boost via an application.
Stellantis reassures the market that Maserati is safe
Automotive conglomerate Stellantis, the owner of Maserati, has issued a statement saying the storied Italian brand is safe within its stable, just days after the group’s CEO hinted the marque could be off-loaded.
The statement reads: “Stellantis has no intention of selling the Trident brand, [and] there is no intention of aggregating Maserati with other Italian luxury groups”.
Despite rumours, Stellantis says that Maserati is safe
Only earlier this week, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares made headlines after saying that if a brand within the group’s portfolio is “not able to monetise the value that they represent, then decisions will come”, with a spotlight simultaneously being shone on Maserati due to poor financial performance and a drop in sales this year, as reported by Automotive News.
Despite Tavares being open about the “pressure” and “turmoil” automakers are under in the face of the transition toward electrification and intensifying global competition, the Stellantis statement reaffirmed commitment to all of its 14 brands – which also include the likes of AlfaRomeo, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep and Peugeot – as well as doubling down on previous statements that “each of them has a 10-year horizon to build a profitable and sustainable business”.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance reviewed
Chasing Cars contributing journalist Dylan Campbell’s review of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance was published, including DC’s thoughts on the model now it has downsized its engine.
DC noted many positives regarding the new AMG GLC 63, including its fascinating high-tech hybrid system, epic acceleration, many drive modes to choose from and, most importantly, a massive improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing twin-turbo V8.
However, some things that DC thought could be improved included small real-world EV range, noisy tyres and that the new plug-in hybrid is very expensive to service.
All in all, DC concluded his review by saying that there is a lot to love in the new GLC 63 S E-Performance, but stated that while the new-generation model is undoubtedly faster and more capable than the one it replaces, it might not have the personality of the old V8.
