Car news, 10 May ’24: BYD Shark ute unveiled, Volkswagen to keep developing hybrids, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Friday May 10th, 2024. Notably in car news today: BYD has revealed more official images of the Shark ute, and Volkswagen has re-confirmed its investment back into hybrids and PHEVs.

Browse this issue:

• BYD unveils Shark ute ahead of full reveal
• Volkswagen reconfirms investment in hybrids, PHEVs
• Cupra Formentor VZe Tribe Edition priced for Australia
• Volkswagen to ditch GTX nameplate for performance EVs
• …
• Volkswagen Amarok 2024 accessories range reviewed

BYD unveils Shark ute ahead of reveal

• Chinese auto manufacturer BYD has released more official images of its Shark ute, giving us our best look ahead of its official reveal on May 14th.
  
• Three images were shown of the Shark travelling through remote areas, with the post on Instagram teasing a larger release showing an extended road trip.
  
• The Shark is expected to debut in dual-motor PHEV form with around 100km of pure electric driving range, and a total range of up to 1200km once the combustion engine kicks in.
  
• BYD’s ute has already been spied undisguised multiple times so the appearance is not a surprise, with a large tray and butch looks dominating the design.
  

Volkswagen reconfirms investment in hybrids, PHEVs

• Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has confirmed the brand will continue to offer a flexible choice of drivetrain options as demand for EVs wanes in some key global markets

• “Hybrids were a thing of the past. Last year, if you asked the same question, it would have been: ‘Forget hybrids, it’s expensive technology, it’s not worth it.’ Within the last six months, all of a sudden everyone wants hybrids,” he told Autocar.
  
• Notably, Volkswagen has been hesitant to offer hybrids or PHEVs in Australia in the past due, in part, to a lack of local emissions standards. However, that is set to change in the near future with the introduction of NVES.
  
• However, the brand’s first PHEV in the Touareg R will soon join the market and the new-generation Tiguan, due in 2025, is also available with a PHEV option globally.
  

Cupra Formentor VZe Tribe Edition priced for Australia

• Cupra Australia has confirmed the price of a new Formentor plug-in hybrid grade known as the VZe Tribe Edition.
  
• Sporting a similar styling pack to the top-spec VZx, the VZe Tribe Edition costs $67,990 plus on-road costs, with driveaway pricing dependent on the state or territory of purchase.
  
• As a PHEV under the luxury car tax threshold, the new grade is eligible for a fringe benefits tax exemption through a novated lease scheme, making it cheaper to purchase under this agreement than a base-model V, according to Cupra.
  
• The Formentor PHEV has a combined output of 180kW/400Nm sent to the front wheels and is capable of travelling around 50km in EV mode on a single charge.

Volkswagen to ditch GTX nameplate for performance EVs

• Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has confirmed to British publication Autocar that the brand will phase out the use of the GTX branding on its performance EV models in exchange for its historical GTI and R badges.
  
• “GTX is the performance brand of the MEB [platform], but we’ll work our way back to GTI and R in the next products going forward,” he said.
  
• First used on the ID4 and ID5 SUV models, the branding will soon be seen in Australia including on the retro-styled ID Buzz GTX in the near future
  
• It comes after reports that Mercedes-Benz would also seek to drop its EV-specific ‘EQ’ branding as the drivetrains became more prevalent in the range
  

Volkswagen Amarok 2024 accessories range reviewed

• Chasing Cars production specialist Thomas Place’s review of the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok accessories range was published, covering key items such as lift kits, rooftop tents, canopies and other off-road, camping and lifestyle-focussed items.
  
• Place was particularly impressed by the 40mm lift kit option developed by Old Man Emu and Volkswagen, which is offered in standard and heavy-duty setups.
  
• However, he was less impressed by the lack of a bullbar in the range and the pricing of some of the items which can be found much cheaper elsewhere.
  
• With a five-year warranty covering all the accessories and the ability to package in the cost with vehicle finance, the genuine accessory range is convincing for many buyers.

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Monday 13th May at 4.30pm Sydney time.