Car news, 16 Oct ’24: Tesla’s updated Model Y will have seven-seat option, new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe locked in for Australia, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Wednesday 16 October 2024. Notably in car news today: Tesla has confirmed its updated 2025 Model Y will be offered with seven seats for the first time, and BMW Australia announces pricing and spec for its new 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Browse this issue:

• Tesla Model Y to gain seven seats in Europe
• New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe priced for Australia 
• Electric BYD Sealion 7 debuts in Paris 
• New Chinese brand Skywell coming to Australia 
• Reviewed: 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition

Tesla Model Y to gain seven seats… at least in the UK

• Global electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has confirmed it will introduce a seven-seat version of its popular Model Y midsize SUV in the United Kingdom by early 2025. 

• Previously a reserved feature for the Model X SUV, a seven seat configuration for the Y with a third row offering two additional seats will be offered for the first time.

• The Model Y is also set to gain a suite of upgrades to follow what we’ve seen in the Model 3, so expect to see a new 8.0-inch rear touchscreen, more premium interior materials and slight adjustments to its exterior design.   

• It’s unclear if or when the Model Y will gain this larger seating arrangement for Australia, but the move to upgrade is almost certainly to be offered here. 

• The Tesla Model Y was the top-selling EV in Australia in 2023, having sold 28,769 examples locally over the 12 month period. 

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe to arrive Q1, 2025, priced from $58,800 

• BMW Australia has confirmed pricing and the arrival date for its new 2 Series Gran Coupe. 

• Starting from $58,800 before on-road costs for the 218, the Gran Coupe will also be available in M235 xDrive guise, priced from $85,500 before on-road costs.

• Powered by a turbo three-cylinder engine in base 218 guise (115kW/230Nm) or a more sprightly turbo four-cylinder in M235 guise (233kW/400Nm), the 2 Series Gran Coupe will use a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

• Standard kit for the 218 includes 18-inch M light alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive M suspension, a 10.25-inch cockpit screen and 10.7-inch touchscreen, head-up display, Veganza synthetic leather upholstery and wireless charging.

• The top-spec M235 xDrive will add larger 19-inch M light alloy wheels, electric massage and lumbar support for the front seats, driving assistant professional, Harman Kardon sound system, M rear spoiler, M Sport brakes finished in Dark Blue and a panoramic glass roof. 

• The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2025. 

BYD Sealion 7 electric SUV debuts, confirmed for 2025 Australia release  

• BYD Automotive has debuted its next model, the electric Sealion 7 SUV, at the 2024 Paris Motor Show to rival the Tesla Model Y.

• Positioned as a more upright, SUV version of the current BYD Seal, the Sealion 7 will be the first to be built in BYD’s new Hungary plant. 

• The model will utilise an 82.5kWh battery pack and the option of either rear- or all-wheel drive. 

• Standard features include BYD’s 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Dynaudio sound system, leather seat upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. 

• BYD Australia has already confirmed that the Sealion 7 will be the next model it focuses on for Aussie shores. It’s unclear whether or not Australian-delivered Sealion 7s will be Chinese or Hungarian built examples. 

Heard of Chinese automaker Skywell? It’s coming soon to Australia 

• You may not have heard of emerging Chinese automaker Skywell, but it’ll be launched in Australia soon.

• At the recent Paris Motor Show, the brand announced a new electric hatchback, simply called Q, with more than 482km of range. 

• The new model will join the BE11 electric SUV in the brand’s range. The BE11 will have a maximum battery capacity of 86kWh and an electric range of 490km (WLTP). 

• EV Automotive, the local Australian distributor of electric products built by Skywell, will launch the BE11, to be locally known as the EVA 5 SUV, on our shores soon. 

• Skywell is a relatively new brand having launched in Nanjing, China, in 2017. It’s owned by the Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus company, with its main competitors being BYD, Chery and SAIC Motor. 

Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition reviewed 

• Chasing Cars Production Manager Tom Place’s review of the 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition was published, including his thoughts on the end of its production and how well the stalwart sportscar drives.
  
• Place found the price enticing, the cabin very driver focused and the overall driving experience of the mid-engine 718 a match for keen punters’ lofty expectations.
  
• However, Place notes that the cabin tech is showing its age and that the taut corner-carving format can become fatiguing for longer-haul touring.
  
• In short, Place celebrates that this internal combustion icon remains on sale today (if now out of production) and laments that this 718 recipe will be put to pasture soon enough, in 2025.

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Thursday 17 October at 4.30pm Sydney time.