Car news today: Cost of living hits new-car sales hard, Ford’s plug-in saviour and more — 6th March 2025
John Law
Contributor
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday March 6th 2025. Read about the struggling in the new-car market, Ford’s petrol-electric dual-cab saviour, a new hardcore WRX, Volvo’s sleek electric sedan, an EV for the Volks and new ranger extender EV for Oz.
Cost of living crisis strikes the new car market with flagging sales
February sales are in and it isn’t looking good. Compared to last year, deliveries have dropped nearly 10 percent and it’s being led by electric cars. Tesla had a shocker and helped pull EV sales down 37 percent.
Toyota stayed on top both for brand and car, taking top honours with the RAV4 hybrid. Ford took second with Ranger, then came HiLux.
We’ve finally seen if BYD’s able to walk the walk, too, after the start of Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute sales was delayed. In its first month the Shark 6 managed sixth overall, pipping the Isuzu D-Max. Watch this space.
Ford details its plug-in hybrid rival to the BYD Shark 6
After years of information drip-feed, Fordhas finally revealed full pricing and specifications for the plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger. There’s clearly an appetite for PHEV utes, but whether Ford can get in on the action is another question.
There’s a broad range on offer from XLT trim through to new Stormtrak halo grade. Pricing begins at $71,990, before on-road costs, for the cloth upholstered and halogen headlight-equipped XLT. Wildtrak is $79,990 and Stormtrak $86,990.
Some key differences between Ranger PHEV and the new Chinese rivals include a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity and up to 973kg payload (providing there’s no spare tyre fitted). EV driving range is 48km and outputs are 209kW and 690Nm.
Hardcore Subaru WRX tS Spec B is an STI-lite
Do you like wearing your hat backwards and going fast? Excuse the stereotype, but the Subaru WRX is back in more hardcore tS Spec B form that builds on the Club Spec limited edition from 2024.
Pricing is from $61,490, before on-road costs, and the WRX tS Spec B scores similar upgrades to the Club Spec, such as the huge rear wing, Recaro bucket seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes and stickier Bridgestone S007 tyres.
Distinguishing this model (and justifying the higher price) are no-cost-option STI performance mufflers and — for the first time in the current WRX — adaptive dampers combined with a six-speed manual transmission. No extra power, though.
Pre-orders for the WRX tS Spec B are open now.
Sleek 700km driving range sedan takes aim at BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron
Volvohas unveiled its new premium large electric car, the ES90, with targets on the back of the BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE. Volvo doesn’t say it’s a sedan, liftback or SUV though it certainly rides higher than the old S90 — it’s like an overgrown Polestar 2, really.
Apparently ‘software driven’ with the ability to ‘evolve over time’, the ES90 is a very different car for Volvo that’s based on the same SPA2 underpinnings of the EX90 and Polestar 3.
Electric stats are outstanding: 700km of driving range from a 106kWh battery pack, while 800V architecture means fast charging can add up to 300km range in 10 minutes.
The ES90 is big. Volvo hasn’t given exterior length yet — expect 5.0 metres or more — but the wheelbase is 3.1 metres for plenty of minimal yet luxurious cabin space. Expect Volvo’s new electric luxury car to launch in late 2025.
Volkswagen’s electric car for the people
The ID.3 did not have the revolutionary effect of the Beetle, but Volkswagen says the ID.1 will when it launches in 2027. This is the final piece in VW’s EV strategy.
Price is a key attribute, a target of €20,000 (A$34,000) with production in Europe for Europe. The chunky angular design is punchy and gives the ID.EVERY1 concept more presence than its diminutive 3880mm length normally would. The boot isn’t bad either, at 305L.
Stats are modest, with a 70kW front-mounted electric motor obliging just 130km/h top speeds. A 250kmdrivingrange seals the deal as a city car. The MEB front-wheel-drive platform will underpin a total of four VW models in the future including the ID.2 hatch and small SUVs that are more to Australia’s taste.
This has the MU-X shaking in its boots: 2025 Ford Everest Tremor review
Production Specialist Thomas Place takes a spin in the new Ford Everest Tremor— an off-road focused version of Ford’s popular 4×4 wagon that takes aim at the Toyota Prado Altitude.
Tom praised the relative value over the Sport V6, improved off-road capability and — of course — tough looks, thanks to a butch visual treatment.
A loss in payload, some missing features compared to Ranger Tremor and expensive option packages ate into its excellence. Ultimately, the Everest Tremor is a unique proposition in the market and a good alternative to the usual Prado.
