Car news, 14 May ’24: Subaru to partner with Toyota for more electric vehicles, Porsche gets closer to bringing first hybrid 911 to market, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday May 14th 2024. Notably in car news today: Subaru will continue to partner with Toyota on new EVs, and Porsche readies its first-ever hybrid 911 sports car.

Browse this issue:

• Subaru to partner with Toyota on more electric SUVs
• Porsche completes development of hybrid 911
• Kia EV6 facelift unveiled 
• Polestar heavily discounts its 2 electric liftback for a limited time
• Reviewed: 2024 GWM Tank 700 Hi4-T

Subaru to partner with Toyota on more electric SUVs

• Subaru will expand its electric vehicle lineup with the help of Toyota, partnering with the auto-giant to develop an additional three new EV SUVs to launch by 2026. 

• Subaru CEO Atsushi Osaki confirmed the plans at a press conference on Monday citing market realities of cooling EV demand as well as significant development costs.

• According to Automotive News, Osaki stated: “At the moment, it is quite difficult to predict how things will go from here with EVs. There is a huge risk for us to go it alone in this field. We have held talks with Toyota and have agreed that it is better to reduce risks through joint development.”

• As well as the three all-new EV SUVs, Subaru stated that a further four new electric SUVs would subsequently join the brand’s lineup by 2028. 

• Toyota has a 20 percent stake in Subaru, with the two brands already co-producing the Solterra and BZ4X electric SUV twins; Subaru has also previously confirmed plans for its Forester to use Toyota hybrid technology, with recent reports that the Crosstrek will also be a beneficiary of the tech.

Porsche finalises ‘new’ 911 hybrid development, to be unveiled 28 May

• Porsche has announced its first-ever electrified 911 is moving closer to production.

• The 911 hybrid is set to feature a front-axle-mounted electric motor, while a turbocharged flat-six engine will power the rear wheels as is convention.

• Development of this new petrol-electric drivetrain has been shared between Porsche and Rimac, an EV maker with which Porsche owns 45 percent. Exact powertrain outputs are still secretive at this early stage. 

• A mild-hybrid 48-volt will also be available in the 911 lineup, which should continue in its updated form until around 2027. 

• The debut of the Porsche 911 hybrid will take place on 28 May, before the sports car arrives globally by the end of 2024. 

Kia EV6 facelift unveiled

• Kia has unveiled a facelifted EV6 electric SUV which brings a number of midlife updates to the vehicle including updated styling, features, and a bigger battery.

• Visually, the facelifted vehicle can be identified by a revised front fascia with a new light design similar in line with new-generation Kias such as the EV5 midsize SUV, new wheel designs, and a revised rear bumper design, as well as subtle tweaks to the interior including a ‘more sophisticated panoramic curved display’ and new steering wheel. 

• The updated vehicle also includes a bigger 84kWh gross battery (increased from 77.4kWh), with Korean specifications quoting a 494km driving range for the long range 2WD model with 19-inch wheels – although it’s not clear what test cycle the quoted range is based on.

• Kia also says that ride comfort is improved thanks to tuning tweaks to the EV6’s shock absorbers, with the EV6 B-pillars also increased in thickness to strengthen body rigidity.

• It’s understood the updated EV6 – which is currently priced from $72,590 before on-road costs for the pre-facelift entry-level Air RWD in Australia – will make its way down under by the end of the year.

Polestar announces up to $15,000 discount for Polestar 2

• Polestar Australia has announced it will introduce some limited-time drastic discounting to its current Polestar 2 range locally. 

• The brand has slashed as much as $15,000 off its Polestar 2 range, with the biggest discount for the long-range dual-motor in Pure guise. Buyers will receive a $10,000 discount, plus an additional $5000 if the base Pure spec is purchased. 

• The most affordable Polestar 2 now starts at $63,404 in single-motor, rear-drive Pure spec after discounts. This gets the model much closer to the Tesla Model 3 on price, which starts from $58,900 before on-road costs. 

• This Polestar Australia limited offer ends on 9 June, 2024. 

Reviewed: 2024 GWM Tank 700 Hi4-T

• Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s review of the 2024 GWM Tank 700 Hi4-T was published, outlining his first impressions of the large plug-in hybrid SUV that promises highly capable off-roading.
  

• Curry noted a number of positives including the vehicle’s intoxicatingly tough styling, luxurious cabin, impressive materials and build quality, rapid performance and limo-like rear-seat. 

• Negatives noted by Curry included an expected circa-$100K asking price, wobbly handling and body control, 2500kg towing rating and significant 3100kg weight.

• Curry also drew attention to the point of difference the luxurious plug-in hybrid offers to competitors such as the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and the Nissan Patrol.

READ: GWM Tank 700 Hi4-T 2024 written review

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