Car news today: Next-gen Hyundai Palisade breaks cover, Lexus LBX Morizo RR priced for Australia, and more – 12 December 2024

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday 12 December 2024. Notably in car news today: Hyundai has previewed its next Palisade on its South Korean website, and Lexus Australia announces pricing and specification for its performance-oriented LBX Morizo RR.

Browse this issue:

• Hyundai previews next-gen Palisade SUV
• Lexus LBX Morizo RR priced for Australia 
• Peugeot 3008 Hybrid launches locally
• Geely building electric commercial van called Farizon
• Reviewed: 2025 BMW M135

Hyundai next-gen Palisade SUV previewed

• Hyundai has previewed its next-generation Palisade SUV on its South Korean website and it certainly looks very different than before. 

• Five horizontally-stacked LED lights are the big signature up front, while at the rear the theme is continued with new tail light integration. 

• Inside, the cabin has been completely restyled with large screens set to feature, however exact screen sizes have not been confirmed just yet.  

• For the US market, reports indicate that a 2.5-litre petrol and 2.5-litre hybrid will replace the big 3.8-litre V6 from before. 

• Australian timing is unclear, but expect to hear more about the Palisade at the model’s official reveal. 

Lexus LBX Morizo RR priced for Australia 

• Lexus Australia has announced pricing and specification for its upcoming hot hatch, the LBX Morizo RR. 

• Priced to start from $76,490 before on-road costs, the LBX Morizo RR packs the same 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as found in the Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla, but with a unique tune of 206kW/390Nm. 

• Also set to feature will be full-time all-wheel drive, a rear limited-slip differential and a eight-speed automatic transmission, along with a variable exhaust system that opens at higher speeds for greater output from the turbo triple engine. 

• The LBX Morizo RR also features 10mm lower ride height than the other LBX models and rides on 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. 

• The hot LBX will launch in Australia in the first half of 2025. 

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid goes on sale in Australia 

• French automaker Peugeot has announced the launch of its new 3008 Hybrid midsize SUV, pricing the model at $52,990 before on-road costs. The high-spec variant is priced at $64,990 before on-road costs.

• Launching locally in two grades – Allure and GT Premium – the 3008 will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine with an additional electric motor for outputs of 100kW combined. Fuel economy is a claimed 4.9L/100km. 

• Standard equipment will include a 21-inch curved display and LED ambient lighting, while the GT Premium grade adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, hands-free power tailgate, massage function and electric adjustment for the front seats. Leather upholstery and panoramic sunroof are also included.

• The new Peugeot 3008 Hybrid is now available to test drive and purchase from local dealerships. 

Geely to take on Ford E-Transit Custom with new electric Farizon van

• Chinese automaker Geely has announced a new electric van to take on the likes of the electric Ford E-Transit in the UK market. It could come to Australia eventually. 

• Called the Farizon, the Geely supervan is capable of hauling payloads up to 1300kg and will have a maximum electric range of 360km, however a larger 106kWh battery pack is coming soon.

• This platform has been built specifically for electric vehicles, with the batteries lying under the load area. 

• In Australia, there are several electric commercial vans available including the Peugeot E-Partner, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, the LDV eDeliver 7 and eDeliver 9 and even the Mercedes-Benz EQV. 

2025 BMW M135 reviewed

• Chasing Cars production manager Tom Place’s video review of the 2025 BMW M135 was published, including his thoughts and impressions on the all-wheel drive BMW hot hatch.
  
• Tom liked the M135’s improvement in performance and nicely appointed interior more than anything, compared to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R.
  
• However, some clear downsides for the M135 included its high asking price and that the model could do with a bit more character with a performance pack.
  
• All in all, Tom thought the new M135 was a good steer and a worthwhile upgrade for the BMW 1 Series platform.

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 13 December at 4.30pm Sydney time.