Car news today: Skoda Enyaq electric pricing, Isuzu readying its Hilux GR Sport-rivaling Blade performance ute, and more – 16 September 2024
Curt Dupriez
Acting editor
Every important car news story breaking today, in one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Monday September 16th 2024. Notably in car news today: Australian pricing for Skoda’s first electric, the Enyaq, is revealed, and Isuzu is putting the finishing touches on its harder-core Blade variant of the D-Max ute.
Skoda Australia has released pricing and specifications for its long-awaited fully electric Enyaq SUV, which started from $69,990 for the entry rear-drive Sportline variant. Its range claim is 561 kilometres.
The two-variant range will be topped by a performance-focused, all-wheel-driven RS trim that kicks off at $83,990, with Skoda Australia quoting a range of 530kms.
Skoda has priced its first electric car in Australia! Let’s check out the Skoda Enyaq range and how much you’ll need to pay #skoda#enyaq#suv#coupe#electric#ev#cars
The Enyaq enters the Aussie market in newly face-lifted form as the model has been sold in overseas markets for a while. Thus, the Sportline gets a 60kW boost (to 210kW) and the RS sees a 30kW rise (now 250kW) for its local debut.
Production for Australian Enyaq’s has begun in the Czech Republic, with customer deliveries expected to commence in December. Stay tuned for our full review this Thursday, 19th September.
Isuzu’s hard-core D-MAX Blade being readied for Australia
Isuzu is currently working with Victorian-based Walkinshaw to produce an off-road enhanced variant of the D-Max rumoured to be called the Blade.
While details are slim, it’s expected that this special-edition ute will go head-to-head with the likes of Toyota Hilux GR Sport and Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and make a local competitor to the likes of the Ranger Wildtrak (rather than the hi-po Raptor).
A hard-core D-Max Blade variant is being readied for Australia (X-Terrain variant pictured)
Walkinshaw is no stranger to enhanced utes, having previously collaborated with the likes of the Amarok W580 and the Triton Xtreme with Volkswagen and Mitsubishi respectively.
It’s likely that the Blade will retain its evergreen 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four, while featuring an array of modified rolling stock, suspension, styling and other off-road focused addenda.
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro small SUV priced for Australia
Chery Australia has added a fourth model to its local lineup with the addition of the sharply priced, compact-sized Tiggo 4 Pro SUV.
The two-variant range kicks off at just $23,990 driveaway for the entry Urban version, which features a 108kW/210Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine.
Chery has priced its fourth model in Australia, the Tiggo 4 Pro small SUV
A pricier Ultimate guise enters at $26,990 driveaway, which features the same front-driven, automatic-equipped powertrain, if with faux-leather trim (rather than Urban-grade cloth) and a higher specification fitout.
Both versions fit dual 10.25-inch digital screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seven airbags and a broad suite of driver assistance and safety systems.
Nissan to lob a ‘Navara plus’-sized ute for China
A product filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology may preview what to expect from a new-generation NissanNavara, according to an overseas report.
Overseas automotive outlet CarScoops reports that the filing has unveiled what looks to be a new-generation of the Nissan ute dubbed the Yuanye Z9 based on the publication’s own translation.
Could this be the next Navara? (Image source: CarScoops)
Images published as part of the report showcase a design which features a similarly boxy look to the new BYD Shark, and a footprint which at 5520mm long is notably larger than the current Navara and MitsubishiTriton pickups.
However, it is not clear if the Yuanye Z9 will indeed be a global replacement for the current Navara which dates back to 2014, or if this is a China only proposition.
The report says that the ute will feature the option of a 2.0-litre petrol or 3.0-litre diesel under the bonnet, however Nissan has also previously stated that the next generation Navara, expected to debut in 2026, will also feature plug-in hybrid power too.
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 2024 reviewed
Chasing Cars contributor Nathan Ponchard’s review of the 2024 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro was published, taking a look at what the Chinese brand proclaims to be the “best-value SUV on sale in Australia today”.
Ponchard praised several positive aspects about the small SUV, including what he deemed to be an eye-opening value equation, as well as the Tiggo 4 Pro’s respectable styling, solid packaging, decent performance, and what Ponchard described as “perversely amusing” handling.
However, Ponchard did note a few areas of improvement including notable body roll in corners, lack of steering feel, mediocre tyre grip, numb chassis feedback and unproven ADAS systems.
A more definitive garage review awaits when the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro goes on sale in October, however for now, Ponchard found that this latest small Chinese SUV argues a solid case for buying an affordable new vehicle over a second-hand one.
