Car news, 07 May ’24: Mercedes-Benz confirms price and spec for sole E-Class variant, Kia Australia teases EV3 electric small SUV, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday May 7th 2024. Notably in car news today: Mercedes-Benz has simplified its E-Class range for 2024 with just one E300 variant, and Kia Australia gives us a glimpse of the production EV3 electric SUV which will debut on May 23. 

Browse this issue:

• Mercedes-Benz shrinks new E-Class range with just one E300 variant 
• Kia Australia teases upcoming EV3 electric small SUV
• Electric Volkswagen ID3 gets major update before Australian launch
• Cadillac hoping to steal Tesla and Polestar sales locally

Mercedes-Benz Australia shrinks E-Class range, will offer sole E300 variant 

• Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing and specifications for its new E-Class range which will consist of just one variant, the E300. 

• Priced from $131,500 before on-road costs, the E300 will feature several luxury features as standard, such as the MBUX Hyperscreen setup, AI software integration and 17-speaker Burmester sound system. 

• The E-Class is a slightly bigger vehicle than its predecessor with a 20mm longer wheelbase to give rear passengers more knee and legroom. 

• Powering the E300 will be Mercedes-Benz’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Power and torque is rated at 190kW/400Nm. A nine-speed automatic transmission is paired with this engine. 

• The new Mercedes-Benz E300 is now on sale, with first customer deliveries to begin in Australia this week. 

Kia Australia teases upcoming EV3 electric SUV before official unveiling 

• Kia’s local arm has published three official teaser images for the upcoming EV3 electric small SUV, but has stopped short of actually confirming the model for Australia. 

• The model, which is set to join the EV6 and EV9 in Kia’s global electric lineup, is set to make its official debut on May 23 and will go on sale later in the year. 

• The EV3 will feature a very similar design language to the Kia EV9 electric large SUV and the EV5, which Kia calls the ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.

• Although pricing is yet to be confirmed, it’s very likely that the EV3 will be Kia’s most affordable electric vehicle yet, as demand for EVs begins to slow in several global markets, including the USA.

• Stay tuned on May 23rd for more pictures and details on this upcoming compact electric SUV.  

Volkswagen ID3 gets significant update, due in Australia “beyond 2024”

• Volkswagen has updated its MEB-based ID3 electric for 2024, including revisions to its infotainment and new Pro S grade. The model is expected in Australia “beyond 2024” according to Volkswagen Australia.

• All ID3s will now gain a larger 12.9 inch infotainment touchscreen, while the climate control buttons are now illuminated. The driver selector has also been changed to a dedicated column switch. 

• Volkswagen will also add AI functionality and ChatGPT into the ID3, along with the ability for the vehicle to search Wikipedia for answers to common, or not so common, questions. 

• The German automaker has also confirmed that the ID3 Pro S variant will be able to adjust its power outputs after purchase in some markets and has called it ‘power on demand’.

• The ID3 shares its platform underpinnings with the Cupra Born and upcoming Skoda Enyaq. 

Cadillac Australia expects to steal Tesla sales but ‘isn’t a rival’

• Cadillac has told Chasing Cars that it hopes to steal sales from Tesla and Polestar once the “EV only” brand launches locally later this year, despite not considering either electric marque a direct rival. 
  
• Cadillac Australia managing director Jess Bala said that she “fully expects – and hopes – that we have some Tesla customers coming across out of their vehicles [and] into Cadillacs for their next EV purchase.”
  
• However, the newcomer to Australia does not consider Tesla or Polestar direct rivals, instead specifically namechecking BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Lexus and Porsche as its key competition.
  
• While the Lyriq large crossover will debut Cadillac locally later this year, the importer says it will begin to reveal some of its expanded model portfolio “in the coming months”. It may likely include the recently unveiled electric Optiq midsize SUV and Vistiq three-row large SUVs, though Cadillac would not reveal what models are slated for the local market.    

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 8th May at 4.30pm Sydney time.