Car news, 12 September ’24: GWM PHEVs under consideration for Australia, Kia EV3 to arrive locally by April 2025, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday 12 September 2024. Notably in car news today: GWM Australia is strongly considering bringing plug-in hybrids and more electric cars to our local market as NVES looms, and Kia Australia has confirmed that its upcoming small electric SUV, the EV3, will launch down under by April 2025. 

Browse this issue:

• GWM PHEVs under strong consideration for Australia
• Kia EV3 to launch in Australia by April 2025 
• Jeep Avenger scores three stars with Euro NCAP
• Aston Martin Vanquish revealed with 614kW of power  
• Reviewed: 2024 Chery Omoda E5

GWM plug-in hybrids under strong consideration for Australia

• GWM Australia is closely looking at bringing more electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to our local shores, including the Tank 500 PHEV, Cannon Alpha PHEV, and the electric Ora Sport. 

• GWM’s head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver, told Australian media that “we’ve got a number of options available to us to try and mitigate that [referring to the impact of the incoming NVES in 2025]”.

• But it’s all likely to come down to cost, with MacIver adding that “pricing is absolutely important. A premium on a plug-in hybrid can range anywhere from $6000 to $15,000”.

• “There are PHEV battery-pack options available to us that could give us up to 160, even 180km of pure electric range… but with that comes cost. We’ve got to get the calculations right as to where we think we can pitch these variables,” he added. 

• GWM is “very very keen” to look at new hybrids, but MacIver said that “we don’t want to overwhelm the market [and] overwhelm the dealers by going too much, too quickly”. 

Kia EV3 electric SUV will land in Australia by April 2025

• Kia Australia has confirmed launch timings and more specifications for its upcoming EV3 electric small SUV.

• Built upon the existing E-GMP platform, the EV3 will be on Australian shores by April next year and will be powered by an 81.4kWh battery pack to provide up to 600km of electric range (WLTP). 

• The new SUV from Kia will also feature upgraded i-Pedal 3.0, a smart regenerative braking system, 400-volt electrical architecture, and an onboard electrical efficiency coach to optimise driving range.

• The EV3 will launch initially with front-wheel drive, however Kia has also confirmed an all-wheel-drive variant, along with a high-performance GT flagship that could have around 250kW of power.  

Jeep Avenger scores just three stars with Euro NCAP

• Jeep’s newest SUV, the Avenger, has scored just three stars after testing with Euro NCAP.

• The Jeep electric model scored 79 percent for adult occupant protection, 70 percent for child occupant protection, but just 59 percent for vulnerable road users and 53 percent for safety assist. 

• Euro NCAP detailed that the Avenger performed worst at AEB responsiveness and side impact for young children. 

• Dr Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general for Euro NCAP, said: “These test results demonstrate a clear lack of ambition for a manufacturer that has shown much innovation in its car design and for a brand that is directly targeting the family segment”.  

• The Avenger scored less than rivals such as the Subaru Crosstrek (five stars), Toyota C-HR (five stars) and the Smart #3 (five stars). 

Aston Martin reveals new V12-powered Vanquish sports car 

• Aston Martin has announced its new two-door Vanquish sports car which will retain V12 engine power for a little while longer.

• Using a pair of turbochargers, the Vanquish will produce a staggering 614kW and 1000Nm and send that all to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic and an electronic rear differential. Top speed for the Vanquish is a significant 345km/h.

• Standard Vanquish specs also include Bilstein DTX dampers, larger diameter anti-roll bars, 21-inch forged alloy wheels, Pirelli P Zero tyres, dual 10.25-inch screens, bespoke infotainment software and wireless Apple CarPlay integration.

• First deliveries will take place from Q4 2024, with under 1000 units to be produced each year.  

Chery Omoda E5 reviewed

• Chasing Cars contributor Nathan Ponchard’s written review of the 2024 Chery Omoda E5 was published, including his thoughts on Chery’s first electric car to launch on Australian shores.
  
• Within the review, Ponch praised the model’s high level of standard equipment, strong performance and good looks as the big positive takeaways from his experience with Chery’s EV.
  
• In terms of areas to improve, Ponch noted the Omoda E5’s convoluted touchscreen menus, poorly calibrated regenerative braking, and noticeable torque steer under hard acceleration to be the not-so-good points about this electric SUV.
  
• Ponch concluded his review by noting that the E5 is “the best variant yet in the seven-strong range”, yet “the devil is always in the details. And it’s these details, so clearly lacking in finesse and sophisticated calibration, that ultimately undermine the Chery Omoda E5’s undoubted abilities elsewhere”.
  

READ: Link to written review 

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Thursday 12 September at 4.30pm Sydney time.