Car news, 20 Sept ’24: new SAIC Maxus ute could be LDV’s next model, MG’s budget electric car drops to $30,990 driveaway, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Friday 20 September 2024. Notably in car news today: SAIC, the owner of MG Motor and LDV, has announced a dual-motor electric ute called the eTerron 9, and MG Australia has announced that its cheapest MG4 electric car will cost just $30,990 driveaway for a limited time.

Browse this issue:

• SAIC, owner of MG, shows off new Maxus electric ute 
• MG Australia offering MG4 electric car at just $30,990 driveaway
• Hyundai and Waymo considering building self-drive vehicles 
• Mercedes-AMG building 200 GT 63 Motorsport Collector Editions 
• Reviewed: 2024 Skoda Enyaq

SAIC’s new Maxus ute could be LDV’s next electric pickup 

• SAIC, owner of MG Motor and LDV, has announced its new Maxus-branded, all-electric ute. 

• Called the eTerron 9, this ute is a midsize option designed for Europe and uses dual motors; one 138kW motor on the front axle and a 216kW motor on the rear axle. 

• A giant 102kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery is set to feature and is claimed to be able to provide as much as 430km of electric range (WLTP). 

• But what about all-important towing capacity? The Maxus ute will be capable of pulling just as much load as a diesel Toyota Hilux – 3500kg.

• LDV is yet to confirm this model for Australia, but has previously hinted at bringing a dual motor electric ute to market as soon as it can. 

MG Australia offering MG4 electric car for just $30,990 driveaway  

• MG Australia has confirmed that it will bring the price of its base MG4 Excite 51 electric car to just $30,990 driveaway.
• The deal will only be for a limited time and will be effective as of Saturday 21 September. The deal will end on 31 October, 2024.

• This makes the MG4 the cheapest electric car in Australia and is an incredible $10,000 cheaper than what the Excite 51 is currently priced at in New South Wales.

• The next cheapest EV in Australia is the $35,990 driveaway GWM Ora, followed by the $39,200 BYD Dolphin.

• The MG4 Excite 51 introduces the MG4 lineup and uses a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 125kW/250Nm. Battery capacity is 50.8kWh usable.

Hyundai and Waymo could partner with self-drive Ioniq 5s 

• The strict tariffs on Chinese EVs entering the US market could also be having an effect on the region’s self-driving industry.

• American self-driving tech giant Waymo could be seeking an alternative solution to using Geely’s Zeekr vehicles for its robotaxi project and could instead go with Hyundai-supplied Ioniq 5s.

• According to Automotive News, Waymo has met with Hyundai on multiple occasions, however Zeekr has reportedly issued a statement, telling Reuters that there were no changes to the Waymo partnership. 

• The company currently operates Jaguar I-Pace-based vehicles around the San Francisco area and will be competing directly with Tesla.

• Meanwhile, Elon Musk has prioritised the EV maker’s own Robotaxi project ahead of a more affordable ‘Model 2’ electric car. 

Mercedes-AMG announces 200 limited examples of the F1-inspired GT 63 Pro

• Mercedes-AMG has confirmed it will build 200 F1-themed collector editions of its GT 63 Pro 4Matic sports coupe. 

• As part of the Singapore leg of the Formula One calendar, Mercedes-AMG is celebrating with a Petronas-inspired livery for its GT car. 

• Design elements including Petronas stripes, hand-painted star pattern and 21-inch AMG alloy wheels with Petronas flanges all feature as part of the special edition. 

• The GT 63 will also feature an exterior carbon-fibre bodywork package as standard, as well as Petronas trim details inside the cabin.

• The 200 GT 63s Pros will feature AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces 450kW of power and 850Nm of torque powering all four wheels through Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive system. It’s unclear as to whether Australia will receive any of these special edition cars. 

Skoda Enyaq reviewed

• Chasing Cars journalist Olek Novak’s review of the 2024 Skoda Enyaq was published, including his thoughts on Skoda’s very first EV to launch on Australian shores.
  
• Novak experienced several positives to Skoda’s new EV, including its powerful electric drivetrain, its easy and quiet drive, familiar Skoda-ness and the fact that the model is a real rival for the Tesla Model Y.
  
• Novak also noted some things to improve including its firm ride on its 21-inch wheels, reduced headroom in the coupe variant and some interior creakiness.
  
• All in all, Novak concluded his review by recommending the Enyaq, saying “it is pleasing to see Skoda’s first efforts in the EV space finally make its way Down Under” and that “the Model Y has new competition in the form of this pragmatic, traditionally-flavoured Skoda, and that’s a good thing”.

READ: Link to written review 

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Monday 23 September at 4.30pm Sydney time.