Car news, 12 July ’24: Next-gen MG HS confirmed for 2024 Australian launch, local spec details announced for the Porsche Macan EV, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Friday July 12th 2024. Notably in car news today: MG Australia has announced that its RAV4-fighting HS SUV’s new generation is due this year, and Porsche Australia confirms more details for its upcoming Macan EV.

Browse this issue:

• Next-gen MG HS confirmed for Australia
• Porsche Macan EV specifications detailed 
• MG debuts stunning sports coupe 
• Audi Q8 E-Tron could be facing the chopping block

MG Australia locks in next HS SUV for 2024 local launch

• MG Australia has announced that the next generation of its HS SUV, debuting this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, will be coming to Australia in 2024. 

• MG has also confirmed that the new HS is 14mm wider and 26mm longer than the outgoing generation, and it also has a 30mm longer wheelbase, which will allow more overall cabin space. 

• It’s understood that the MG HS’s 1.5- and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines will be retained for 2024, along with the possibility of even a plug-in hybrid variant, though this is yet to be locked in. 

• Although many of the vehicle’s specifications are yet to be determined, MG has revealed the HS will gain dual 12.3-inch screens, one for the media touchscreen and one for the driver’s instrument cluster.

• Interested Aussie customers can register their interest as of today on the MG Australia website.  

Australian specifications lob for Porsche Macan EV

• Porsche Australia has confirmed more specification info for its upcoming Macan EV which has already been priced from $133,700 before on-road costs for the base Macan 4. Pricing tops out at $180,100 before on-road costs for the top-spec Turbo. 

• The base Macan 4 will come as standard with features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, 14-way electric comfort seats, black leather interior, a 12.6-inch curved display, wireless smartphone charging, 10.9-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a 10-speaker sound system. 

• Stepping up to the Turbo, owners will gain additional features including 20- or no-cost 21-inch Turbo-style wheels, adaptive air suspension, torque vectoring plus, Turbo-specific air ducts, LED matrix headlights, four-zone climate control, panoramic roof and adaptive sports seats. 

• The new, all-electric, dual-motor Macan EV range will go on sale in Australia in the second half of 2024. 

MG debuts new hard-top 2+2 sports car with Cyberster looks 

• As part of its centenary celebrations at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, MG has announced a stunning new concept that looks to be a hard-top version of the upcoming Cyberster electric sports car. 

• Called the Cyber GTS Concept, the new model looks like it has taken much of its styling from a Cyberster, but with a unique flair and very British sports car look, taking some inspiration from Aston Martin, for instance. 

• It’s far too early for MG to confirm a production version of this Cyber GTS Concept, however it could inspire a future hard-top variant of the Cyberster, which is locked in for Australia.

• The concept was designed by Jozef Kaban, the man behind the exterior design of the original Bugatti Veyron.  

Is this the end of the line for the Audi Q8 E-Tron? report 

• Audi’s Q8 E-Tron electric SUV could be facing the chopping block, according to recent reports from Automotive News.

• Due to hampered production costs and structural challenges, the Q8 E-Tron’s production run in Brussels could be coming to an end.

• Audi has also stated that there has been a “sharp drop” in orders for the model and that ceasing operations for the plant could happen if no alternative is found.

• The Audi Q8 E-Tron was rebranded in 2024 from the name ‘E-Tron’. So far in 2024, Audi Australia has sold just 228 Q8 examples.

• We’ve reached out to Audi Australia regarding this news and will update this coverage accordingly. 

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Monday 15th July at 4.30pm Sydney time.