Car news, 20 June ’24: quad-motor BMW M car set to “beat everything”, JLR to put Freelander name on new electric vehicles, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday June 20th 2024. Notably in car news today: BMW M boss Frank van Meel has confirmed the long-rumoured quad-motor M car is in development to “beat everything”, and Jaguar Land Rover will revive the Freelander name with new electric vehicles produced in partnership with Chinese automaker Chery.

Browse this issue:

• BMW developing a quad-motor M sports car 
• Jaguar Land Rover revives Freelander name for EVs
• Audi RS Q6 E-Tron coming with over 450kW
• Facelifted Peugeot Partner van arriving this month 
• Reviewed: 2024 Nissan Patrol Warrior 

More powerful BMW M sports car in development, will “beat everything” 

• BMW M’s chief executive officer, Frank van Meel, has told Motortrend that the brand won’t be holding back with its next M sports car, potentially featuring a quad-motor powertrain. 

• “It will beat everything you have ever seen,” he told Motortrend, though by what barometer was not revealed. Van Meel added that the vehicle would be “neutral, linear, and predictable”. 

• BMW officials have already hinted as far back as 2022 that this much-anticipated electric M car could produce a megawatt of power (the equivalent of 1341hp) via a quad-motor format, with one motor driving each wheel. 

• The electric motors are being developed in-house by BMW and will be cooled by either oil or water to maintain peak outputs over extended periods of time. 

• Van Meel has also confirmed that BMW is also considering a twin-motor rear-wheel-drive option, as more of a throwback to past and current BMW performance drivers’ models such as the M3 and M4. 

Jaguar Land Rover to build EVs under Freelander name with Chery 

• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is set to reintroduce the Freelander name for its joint sub-brand venture with Chinese automaker Chery. 

• According to Autocar, this range of new electric vehicles will be independent from Chery and JLR’s existing portfolio, and will initially only be sold in China, though exports to global markets could happen with time. 

• Interestingly, Chery currently builds the Range Rover Evoque, the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Jaguar E-Pace for its local Chinese market. 

• It’s not unusual to see joint ventures between established brands and Chinese automakers, with Volkswagen set to partner with Xpeng’s platforms from 2026. Audi will use technology from SAIC’s IM Motors for a range of luxury Chinese electric vehicles. 

Audi to build hot RS version of the Q6 E-Tron with over 450kW 

• Audi will build a high-performance RS version of its Q6 E-Tron, according to the latest reports by Autocar. 

• Sources have confirmed that the latest electric SUV from Audi will produce as much as 450kW of power and will sit above the already-confirmed SQ6 E-Tron.  

• The Audi Q6 E-Tron uses the same Volkswagen Group Premium Platform Electric architecture as the Porsche Macan EV. In RS guise, spec will very likely mirror the Macan Turbo. 

• Expect a rapid 0-100km/h time of around 3.3 seconds for the RS Q6 E-Tron, along with a 260km/h top speed and more aggressive RS styling inside and out.

• The RS Q6 E-Tron is set to use the same 100kWh battery pack as found in the standard Q6 E-Tron, with an estimated electric range of around 620km (WLTP). 

Facelifted Peugeot Partner van arrives this month, over $9000 more expensive 

• Peugeot Australia has confirmed the facelifted petrol Partner van will arrive in Australia this month, priced from $39,990 before on-road costs. 

• Available in two variants, Pro and Premium, pricing will top out at $45,990 for the long-wheelbase Premium version. Price of entry into a Partner van is now $9949 more expensive than before. 

• Power comes courtesy of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 96kW/230Nm. All Partners will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

• Standard equipment for the Peugeot van includes a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-inch media touchscreen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB sockets, an 896kg payload (998kg for long wheelbase), front parking sensors and a digital rear view mirror. 

Nissan Patrol Warrior reviewed

• Chasing Cars contributor Dylan Campbell’s review of the updated 2024 Nissan Patrol Warrior was published, including his thoughts on the revised infotainment installed and extra features to better rival the Land Cruiser 300 Series.
  
• Campbell praised the infotainment for adding some much needed modernity to the Patrol’s cabin, along with noting the charm and sound of the 5.6-litre V8 engine and its “go anywhere” off-road ability.
  
• Things reviewer Campbell didn’t love so much was the lack of auto-dimming for the new touchscreen at night and the thirsty nature of the Patrol’s naturally-aspirated V8.
  
• Campbell concluded his review that while the updated infotainment doesn’t change the game entirely, it’s a worthwhile upgrade for the additional $3000.

READ: Link to written review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 21st June at 4.30pm Sydney time.