Thanks for joining us this Thursday January 30th 2025. Notably in car news today: Volkswagen Golf Mark 8.5 due in Australia April 2025, BMW updates iX electric with 700km range and output boost.
Volkswagen Golf 8.5 brings ‘new Style’ and more heat but no hybrids
Volkswagen Australia has released preliminary details of the MY25 Golf 8.5 line-up, which adds a new Style mid-grade variant, more power for GTI and R hot hatches, but no hybrid option in sight.
Arriving in April, the MY25 Golf brings much needed improvements to the in-cabin user interface and flashier interior tech. However, hybrid, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options already offered in markets such as the UK will not (yet) be offered in this eighth generation.
Volkswagen Golf 8.5 coming in April 2025.
The Style variant arrives to sit above the entry Life grade, bringing 18-inch wheels, high-spec media, LED Plus headlights, microfleece trim and other niceties such as rear privacy glass and ambient lighting. All regular variants carry over the 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with eight-speed auto.
As previewed in Euro spec, the 8.5 GTI arrives with a power hike from 180kW to 195kW. Meanwhile, the updated all-paw R gets lifts of 10kW and 20Nm to 245kW and 420Nm peaks. Check out our standalone new story for more details.
BMW unveils a major update to the electric iX, now with 700km range
BMW, whose line-up arguably offers the most diverse powertrain selection on sale, has revamped its flagship electric iX crossover with a headline 700 kilometres of claimed peak range.
Revised battery tech is now offered in 94.8kWh through 109.1kWh capacity depending on the variant, extending peak range to just over 700km in xDrive 60 guise.
Huge range claims from BWM, with the iX.
Outputs are also up across the iX range, with the M performance positioned M70 leveraging a whopping 485kW and 1100Nm, some 30kW on its predecessor.
Subtle restyling inside and out are included in the facelift of this five-year-old model, while the latest iDrive 8.5 software underpins the media architecture. It’s expected the updated iX will arrive in Australia late this year after a Q2 European debut.
Audi and Porsche considering move to US manufacturing to avoid tariffs
Reuters has cited German newspaper Handelsblatt in a report speculating that the Volkswagen Group is considering producing Audi and Porsche models in Volkswagen’s US manufacturing facilities in order to avoid potential tariffs under the Trump administration.
Unlike rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz, who manufacture select models in the US, Audi and Porsche are purely imports to the North American market. ‘Local’ manufacturing of these VW Group brands, using VW’s US facilities, is a way to circumvent tariff regulations as they currently stand.
Could tariffs cause vehicle manufacturers to change countries of manufacturing origin?
Volkswagen currently builds vehicles in Tennessee and has a new plant in South Carolina slated for Scout brand output. US outlet Road and Track has speculated that production of Slovakian-sourced Cayenne and Mexican-made Q5 – under fire from the US government’s proposed 25 percent tariff – could be built stateside to alleviate the impact of import protectionism.
While US president Trump has specifically stated intention of levying 25 percent tariffs for Mexican and Canadian sourced vehicles, it’s been strongly suggested that imports from Europe could be affected by similar economic strategies.
BMW M3 CS Touring revealed at world premier hosted at Bathurst
For the first time in automotive history, BMW has launched a vehicle on Australian soil.
The BMW M3 CS Touring was unveiled at Australia’s most iconic track, Mount Panorama in Bathurst.
For the first time, BWM has revealed a vehicle on Australian soil.
Powering the M3 CS Touring, is an in-line six-cylinder motor that produces 405kW which BMW claim will propel the M3 CS Touring from 0-100km/hr in 3.5 seconds.
There are just 55 examples available of the 2025 BMW M3 CS Touring for sale in Australia, with pricing starting from $253,900.
2025 Volkswagen Golf 8.5 review
Chasing Cars Editor, Jez Spinks, recently spent time behind the wheel of the soon to be released 2025 Volkswagen Golf 8.5.
Jez found the improved infotainment system to be a win for motorists, and gave kudos for the overall ergonomics of the 2025 Golf.
Volkswagen Golf 8.5 retains the charm of previous models.
He also feels the overall comfort and practicality of the Golf stays true to previous models, too.
There are some improvements that could be made however, such as reducing tyre noise from the 18-inch tyres, some driver-assistance technology needs revision also.
