Car news, 30 August ’24: Volkswagen reveals pricing for ID. Buzz, Audi Australia discounts electric Q4 E-Tron before launch, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Friday 30 August 2024. Notably in car news today: Volkswagen lobs pricing and specs for its electric ID Buzz. range, and Audi Australia has slashed as much as $3000 off the price of its upcoming Q4 E-Tron before the car even lands on our local shores.

Browse this issue:

• Pricing has been released for Volkswagen ID. Buzz
• Audi slashes Q4 E-Tron price before launch
• Nissan Navara gains new Aussie-built accessories 
• Latest Chinese ute, the JAC T9, scores five stars with ANCAP
• Alpina announces pricing and spec for luxurious XB7 SUV

Volkswagen reveals pricing for ID. Buzz

• Volkswagen Australia has released pricing and range details for its ID. Buzz electric van, which will start from $87,990 for the three-variant lineup.

• The most basic electric van variant will be the Pro SWB BEV560 RWD – or short wheelbase rear-driver version – for a tenner under $88K before on-roads.

• The Pro LWB BEV560 RWD essentially reboots the same package, albeit in long-wheelbase form, starting from $91,290 list. 

• Topping the lineup will be the performance-oriented GTX LWB BEV 4Motion AWD, the dual-motor option topping the electric people mover tree from $109,990 before on-roads.. 

• The commercial-spec ID. Buzz Cargo has also been priced, starting from $79,990 list. 

Audi Australia slashes price of Q4 E-Tron before it launches

• Audi Australia has reduced the price of entry for the Q4 E-Tron electric SUV before the model even launches on local shores.

• Audi has cut $3310 from the entry level 45 variant and is now priced at $84,990, with the Sportback 45 now down $1800 to $86,500.

• The 55 E-Tron quattro is now priced at $105,990, or $2510 less than before. The flagship 55 Sportback quattro is now $107,990 – all of which are priced before on-road costs. 

• It’s not uncommon to see pricing slashed before the vehicle even arrives, with the Ford Mustang Mach-E a notable example of this. 

• The Audi Q4 E-Tron will arrive in Australia from December 2024 with an electric range claim of up to 540km. 

Nissan Navara range aided by Australian-made accessories 

• Nissan Australia has added a new array of Aussie-build accessories for its Navara ute range.

• The Japanese automaker will now feature locally-produced accessories from a brand called HSP which is based in Victoria.

• The main HSP product Nissan is pushing is a new electric roller tonneau for the D23 Navara’s rear tray which can be operated via the keyfob, or handy buttons located on the side of the tray. 

• The HSP accessories are priced as follows: electric roll top cover ($3806 fitted), electric roll top cover with sports bar ($4009 fitted) and central locking ($459 fitted). 

• Here at Chasing Cars, we have already sampled HSP’s electric tonneau on the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior. Stay tuned for a future video about this vehicle and to see the roller tonneau working!

Latest ute to Australia, the JAC T9, scores five star ANCAP rating 

• ANCAP has announced that the Chinese manufactured JAC T9 ute is the latest to score a five-star safety rating. 

• The new dual-cab ute scored 85 percent for adult occupant protection and 87 percent for child occupant protection. The T9’s safety assist systems were scored at 89 percent. 

• To compare, the Ford Ranger scored 84 percent for adult occupant protection and 83 percent for safety assist.

• The JAC T9 features dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags, as well as AEB, lane support and lane departure warning.

• The T9 is priced from $42,662 before on-road costs and is set to compete against the GWM Ute Cannon X and the LDV T60 Max. 

Alpina announces price and spec for luxury XB7 Manufaktur SUV

• Alpina, a luxury offshoot brand from BMW, has announced its luxurious X7-based XB7 Manufaktur model, an SUV priced at a significant $327,500 before on-road costs.

• Powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, the XB7 produces 457kW/800Nm and can sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds.

• Standard specifications for the model include 23-inch forged wheels, high-performance braking system, Merino leather upholstery, two-axle Alpina sport air suspension, 40mm ride height change, Harman Kardon sound system, glass sunroof and a stainless steel exhaust system. 

• The Alpina XB7 Manufaktur comes with a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and can be serviced at any BMW dealership. 

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Monday 2 September at 4.30pm Sydney time.