Car news, 14 Oct ’24: Kia lobs pricing for its EV5 electric midsize SUV, Tesla goes all in with new autonomous Robocab, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Monday 14 October 2024. Notably in car news today: Kia Australia confirms pricing for EV5, its first electric midsize SUV, and Tesla at long last debuts its robotaxi called the Robocab, but there is still no sign of the promised cheap EV.

Browse this issue:

• Kia EV5 pricing and spec announced 
• Tesla debuts its autonomous car called Robocab 
• Audi debuts Q6 E-tron in Sportback body style
• Ram 1500 Hemi V8 in runout six-pot replacement nears
• Reviewed: 2025 Cupra Ateca V

Kia EV5 pricing lobs for Australia, starts from $56,770 driveaway 

• Kia Australia has announced pricing and specification for its all-electric EV5 midsize SUV, with prices to start from $56,770 driveaway for the base Air.

• The Air long range has been priced at $63,990, while the dual-motor Earth will cost $68,990. The flagship GT-Line dual-motor has been confirmed to start at $75,990, all of which are driveaway prices. 

• The cheapest Air uses a 64.2kWh battery pack and a front-drive electric motor that produces 160kW/310Nm. It has a WLTP electric range of 400km, while its long-range sibling with a larger 88.1kWh battery has the most range of the lineup, rated at 555km (WLTP). 

• Dual-motor EV5s will produce significantly more power and torque, rated at 230kW/480Nm.  

• That puts the EV5 competitively priced around the same as the Tesla Model Y, which starts from $55,900 before on-road costs. Read more at our standalone story here. 

Tesla debuts its long awaited Cybercab… but there’s still no affordable EV

• Tesla has announced its long-awaited fully-autonomous Cybercab and Robovan models.

• With a very stripped back interior and no steering wheel in sight, the Robocab will reportedly sell for under USD$30,000 (AUD$44,600) when it goes on sale to the public in two years. 

• Regarding the Robocab’s quirky styling, Elon Musk said at the launch event that “we want to change the look of the road … the future should look like the future,” he said. 

• Automotive News has reported that Elon Musk wrongly predicted that there would be one million Tesla robotaxis on the road by 2020. The more realistic target now is “before 2027” according to Musk.

• Despite the news on the latest autonomous models, Tesla is still yet to announce a more affordable ‘Model 2’ that could be cheaper than the current Model 3. 

Audi debuts Q6 E-Tron in Sportback bodystyle

• Germany luxury automaker Audi has globally revealed the coupe SUV version of its electric Q6 E-Tron, the Sportback. 

• A popular choice with buyers globally and also available in the Q4 E-Tron and larger Q8 E-Tron, the Sportback variant is essentially a coupe-style version of the regular wagon body.

• The Q6 E-Tron Sportback will offer the choice of two battery packs: a 75.8kWh usable battery or a larger 94.0kWh usable battery. Maximum range for the model is a claimed 636km (WLTP).

• Three power outputs will be available, along with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. 225kW, 285kW or 360kW (SQ6) tunes will be available. Top speed for the S version is a sprightly 4.3 seconds. 

• The Q6 E-Tron Sportback is scheduled for a turn-of-the-year 2024/2025 launch in Europe, with an Australian launch expected to follow.  

Ram 1500 Hemi V8 in runout mode as six-cylinder replacement nears

• Hemi V8-powered RAM 1500 pickups are now in runout mode in Australia ahead of a switch to six-cylinder power.

• Free on-road costs are now available as part of the runout deal that sees the ute priced from $114,950 for the 1500 Big Horn, up to $156,950 for the 1500 Limited.

• The long-standing V8 can trace its roots back to the 1950s, currently existing in the form of a 5.7-litre power unit delivering 291kW/556Nm.

• “General Manager, RAM Trucks Australia Jeff Barber, said: “while we have exciting news ahead for what will power future Ram trucks, once these history-making Hemi V8s are gone, they’re gone”.

• It’s widely expected that new 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engines available in the US will find a home in a facelifted Ram 1500 in Australia, although neither the powertrain nor facelift has been officially locked in for Australia. 

Cupra Ateca V reviewed

• Chasing Cars journalist Olek Novak’s written review of the 2025 Cupra Ateca V was published, including his thoughts on the most affordable Ateca to launch in Australia.
  
• Novak found the base Ateca to be a quality all-round SUV experience, fun to drive, quite practical and solid value for money.
  
• Novak noted some points to improve, such as its last-generation design, old-school cabin, muted performance and that there will be no new-gen replacement.
  
• All in all, reviewer Novak said this of the Cupra Ateca V: “The Ateca is aging gracefully” and that it offers “an SUV experience that is decently practical, spacious and comfortable, for a reasonably seductive sub-$50K price on road”.

READ: Link to written review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Tuesday 15 October at 4.30pm Sydney time.