This week on Chasing Cars: top-spec G-Class gets $30k price hike, GV70 detailed and Kona N teased

---

Depending on which end of the tax bracket you sit on or what your favourite automotive flavour is, this may have been a good or bad week for you.

On the good end, we had rising star Genesis announcing more details of the Australian-specification GV70 midsize SUV while established rival Lexus also announced the LX 570 S large SUV which puts a slightly updated spin on a proven model.

Mercedes-Benz was a bit of a mixed bag this week, with the arrival of a cheaper new G400d variant of the G-Wagon matched with the AMG G63 version getting a $30,000 price bump. Ouch!

It wasn’t all bad however, bargain hunters should sniff out the new Volkswagen T-Cross CityLife and especially the Skoda Fabia Run-Out Edition.

Genesis GV70 detailed

Genesis detailed the Australian-specification of the GV70 midsize SUV which could be its most important car yet when it launches into our hotly-contested market where it will take on established rivals such as the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. 

Thankfully, it comes loaded with a huge range of standard features including 12-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic roof and a 14.5-inch centre touchscreen.

We at Chasing Cars are particularly keen to see the GV70 when it comes out later this year, after being impressed with the GV80 large SUV that currently sits in our long term fleet.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class reshuffle

For some people, there is no vehicle quite like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Loaded with capable off-road technology, luxury and imposing looks it certainly stands out in the over-saturated SUV market.

To help make this very expensive SUV slightly more accessible, Mercedes-Benz announced a cheaper G400d variant which costs around $50,000 less than the AMG version with a price of  $233,900 (before on-roads).

At the same time, Mercedes-AMG also jacked up the price of the top-spec G63 by over $30,000 to $289,900 (before on-roads), in a move that was blamed on a global shortage of models.

Hyundai Kona N sneak peek

Hyundai is continuing to expand its N Performance vehicles beyond the i30 N with the arrival of the i20 N hot-hatch and soon the Kona N small SUV.

In a sneak peek of the hotted-up SUV, the Korean-brand showed off a sharper and more aggressive appearance than that of the recent model facelift, packing rear rally lights and fatter tyres to show it means business.

The Kona N will use the i30 N’s 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder making 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque and is expected to be matched exclusively to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Other car and SUV news that happened this week:

• Lexus outlined the brand’s new SUV flagship in the LX 570 S which earns its new ‘S’ letter with a styling package that features a new grille and side skirts which provides a classy but still capable appearance.

• Volkswagen announced the limited edition T-Cross CityLife edition which slots into the middle of what was a two-grade range. Starting from $30,390 (before on-roads) it brings bamboo themed styling and more safety features.

• Hot on the heels of the e-tron large SUV and e-tron GT sports sedan launch, Audi has given us a sneak peek of the Q4 e-tron that will also use an electric powertrain and sits in the crucial midsize SUV segment.

• Skoda announced the Fabia Run-Out Edition to see off the range before a new one is announced. The special edition packs many of the features found in the more expensive variants with a price that starts at $21,990 driveaway.

• Jeep unveiled the Wrangler Unlimited Willys limited edition which commemorates 80 years of the brand in Australia. A total of 130 units will arrive in Australia in April at a price of $61,941 before on-road costs.

• Ford released a 12-seater bus version of the Transit van which is available in a normal or high roof model with the latter packing additional overhead storage for passengers. Prices start at $63,690 before on roads.