Car news, 19 August ’24: Ford teases a four-door Mustang coupe, Cadillac building new Sydney experience centre, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Monday 19 August 2024. Notably in car news today: Ford USA is planning a future four-door Mustang coupe, and Cadillac is in the process of building its first Australian experience centre in Sydney.

Browse this issue:

• Four-door Ford Mustang renders shown to dealers: report 
• Cadillac experience centre in Sydney in the works 
• Polestar 3 begins production in USA to avoid tariffs
• Lamborghini Temerario replaces Huracan
• …
• Reviewed: 2024 Nissan Navara Pro-4X video review

Ford Mustang four-door could be coming: report

• Ford has reportedly shown renders of a four-door Mustang coupe to US dealers in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to information supplied by Automotive News.

• Revealed by several sources to be called the ‘Mach 4’, the four-door coupe concept was shown in design renders during a presentation. Imagine the design format to mirror that of the likes of Porsche Panamera, for instance.

• Ford also plans to build three new models on its upcoming low-cost EV platform, including a crossover or SUV, and a small pickup. 

• A skunkworks department has been formed to build the more cost-conscious EV platform, a response to the costly current Ford Mustang Mach-E considered to be priced uncompetitively against rivals such as the best-selling Tesla Model Y midsize electric SUV. 

• The news comes as a greater focus begins for more affordable electric vehicles from many brands across the globe, including Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. 

Cadillac to open 841-square-metre Sydney experience centre

• Cadillac will open its first experience centre in Australia in the suburb of Rosebery, south of the Sydney CBD.

• The centre will include three service bays and multiple parking spaces for the brand’s relaunch in Australia and will be an experience and sales hub for interested buyers to learn more about the brand – a badge that hasn’t sold vehicles in Australia since 1969.

• Cadillac will launch in Australia later this year, with its first model to be the all-electric Lyriq SUV. This Lyriq is being manufactured in right-hand drive in Tennessee, USA, rather than via remanufacturing conversion in Australia. 

• Other models, such as the Optiq and Escalade SUV, are yet to be officially confirmed for our local market. 

• Cadillac aims to compete in the premium space against rivals such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, among others. 

Polestar begins production of 3 SUV in South Carolina to avoid tariffs

• Chinese-owned Polestar has begun production of its 3 SUV outside of China.

• The electric SUV will also be built in South Carolina which will aid the company in being able to import to markets such as the USA and Europe without being hit with significant tariffs. 

• The plant where the 3 SUV will be built is owned by Volvo and is the same facility producing the upcoming Volvo EX90 electric SUV. 

• According to Automotive News, Polestar is also planning to build the 4 SUV at a pretty interesting place: a Renault plant in Busan, South Korea.

• It’s not unusual for manufacturers to build their vehicles in multiple markets for international sale, however since the introduction of strict tariffs for vehicles imported from China to some markets, some Chinese automakers, namely BYD and MG, are looking to build some of their vehicles intended for export in other regions.   

Lamborghini Huracan successor, the Temerario, is revealed 

• Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has pulled the covers off its highly-anticipated Huracan replacement and it’s called the Temerario.

• The existing naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine is now gone, having been replaced with a plug-in hybrid system using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine that can rev as high as 10,000rpm. 

• Power output for the Temerario is a sizable 676kW when combining combustion and its three electric motors, with the Temerario also able to be topped up with AC power for its 3.8kWh battery pack. 

• Although the Temerario is all-wheel drive, it can be put into a dedicated drift mode for some sideways fun.

• Pricing is yet to be announced, however reports indicate that the new supercar will be significantly more expensive than the outgoing Huracan. 

Nissan Navara Pro-4X reviewed

• Chasing Cars journalist Zak Adkins’ video review of the 2024 Nissan Navara Pro-4X was published, including his thoughts and impressions on the $59,990 driveaway ute .
  
• Adkins found the Pro-4X ticked all the lifestyle boxes with decent ride quality, plenty of practicality and a willing 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine.
  
• Some things that Adkins thought could be improved included a dated interior, slow steering rack and the need for new infotainment.
  
• All in all, Adkins concluded his review by recommending the Navara as one of the ute underdogs in the current market, one that punches above its weight even after nearly ten years of production.
  

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Tuesday 20 August at 4.30pm Sydney time.