Car news, 21 Mar ’24: MG4 and MG ZS EV become cheapest driveaway electric cars in Australia, JAC Motors launches new T9 ute, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday March 21st 2024. Notably in car news today: The MG4 and MG ZS become the cheapest driveaway electric cars in Australia, and Chinese carmaker JAC Motors releases its budget-focused T9 pickup in Australia.

Browse this issue:

• MG4 and MG ZS EV become cheapest driveaway EVs at $39,990
• JAC T9 ute to launch in Australia from April
• Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance F1 Edition announced 
• FCAI supports USA review of pace towards a zero emission future
• Infiniti QX80, the luxury Nissan Patrol, is fully revealed 

• Reviewed: 2024 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS

MG’s MG4 and ZS EV become cheapest driveaway electric vehicles in Australia

• MG has announced aggressive driveaway pricing for its EV models in Australia, with the MG4 Excite and base MG ZS EV Excite now $39,990 driveaway.

• This makes the two models the cheapest electric vehicles in Australia in terms of driveaway price.

• Both MG models have beaten the electric BYD Dolphin model that is currently $41,190 driveaway in New South Wales, or $1200 more expensive than the MG4 Excite.

• MG has also announced national driveaway deals for the rest of the MG4 range, including the XPower, along with the rest of the ZS EV range. 

• Pricing will come into effect as of 22nd March, 2024.

JAC T9 ute priced for Australia

• Chinese automaker JAC Motors has debuted its first product for Australia: the T9 ute.

• Set to rival cheaper utes in the Australian market, such as the GWM Cannon Ute and LDV T60, the T9 has been priced at $42,662 before on-road costs for the base Oasis variant, and $45,630 before on-road costs for the top-spec Haven.

• Powering the T9 ute will be a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 125kW/410Nm. Dual-range 4×4 and eight-speed auto equipped, the T9 brings a claimed 7.6L/100km combined.

• A 3500kg towing capacity and a 10.4-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are some of the standard features.

• The JAC Motors T9 ute will go on sale in Australia from April 2024, and will come with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.  

Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance gets Formula One Edition for Australia

• Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced it will bring a limited number of C63 S E Performance F1 Edition variants down under that adds largely aesthetic enhancement. 

• Priced at $14,900 more than the $187,900 before-on-road regular price, standard add-ons for the F1 Edition sedan include Alpine Grey paint, matte black 20-inch alloy wheels with red trim, and AMG Night Package including dark chrome for the front wings, outside mirror housings, window surrounds and twin tailpipe trim pieces. 

• An AMG Aerodynamics package is also standard. Inside, Nappa leather upholstery with red seat belts and red contrast stitching throughout also features. 

• Mercedes-Benz states that the F1 Edition has been heavily inspired by the popular motorsport. 

• The Australian Grand Prix will take place in Melbourne this coming weekend, March 23-24, 2024. 

Motoring body FCAI supports USA’s relaxation of EV standards 

• The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has urged the Australian Government to learn from the United State’s recent decision to amend its EV strategy because “the impact on consumers and manufacturers was too severe”. 

• The FCAI’s chief executive, Tony Weber, said that “we should take the time to ensure that car companies have sufficient time to increase the supply of zero- and low-emission vehicles into the local market”.

• “Australian consumers should have time to embrace the shift, and ensure they have access to the types of vehicles they want and need at prices they can afford,” Weber added. 

• The FCAI also cited the United States’ work in providing large financial incentives for manufacturing of vehicles and subsidies of up to USD$7500 for Americans to buy EVs.

• The Australian Government aims to introduce a scheme in roughly nine months time. 

Nissan Patrol’s luxury sibling, the Infiniti QX80, fully revealed 

• Infiniti has revealed in full its latest generation of QX80, which is closely related to the forthcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol.

• Debuting with a new 336kW/699Nm twin-turbo V6 engine that replaces the existing 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated V8, the QX80 will be offered in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on the variant. 

• Air suspension and dual 14.3-inch displays feature, along with a Google operating system and a new 9.0-inch centre screen to control climate, drive mode selection and front seating controls.

• Pricing starts at USD$82,450 (AUD$124,490) for the rear-wheel-drive Pure, and as much as $110,595 (AUD$166,960)  for the top-spec Autograph. 

• The Infiniti QX80 is expected to go on sale in North America around June/July 2024, with the related Y63 Patrol likely to be announced before the end of the year. 

Porsche Cayman GT4 RS reviewed

• Chasing Cars deputy editor Curt Dupriez’s and contributor Iain Curry’s co-review of the 2024 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS was published after testing on road and through a closed-road targa rally event.
  
• Both found a weapons-grade race car for the road dripping with charisma that’s vastly more attainable than its mighty 911 GT3 RS brethren.
  
• However, the 4.0 N/A boxer-six-powered beast proved uncomfortable and tough to live with, while its $335K price tag is still expensive for a fun machine.
  
• Brilliant powertrain, awesome chassis, huge fun: this could be the purest driver’s car from a marque who’s made some of the best in history.
  

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 22nd March at 4.30pm Sydney time.