Every important car news story breaking today, in one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Friday 13 December 2024. Notably in car news today: the Suzuki Swift small car has achieved a shock one-star result from safety authority ANCAP, and Toyota has unveiled its next electric car for Europe, the Suzuki e-Vitara-based Urban Cruiser.
New-gen Suzuki Swift awarded just one star in ANCAP safety rating
The new-generation Suzuki Swift small car has had a disappointing safety result from Australian safety authority ANCAP, scoring just a one-out-of-five-star rating.
The new model scored just 47 percent for adult occupant protection, 59 percent for child occupant protection, 76 percent for vulnerable road users and, lastly, 54 percent for safety assist – some scores much lower than the majority of vehicles on the road today.
The Suzuki Swift didn’t fare so well in recent ANCAP testing
ANCAP reported that, in particular, “protection of the chest – a critical body region – was therefore assessed as Poor and the score capped, resulting in 0 points awarded for this test”.
To compare, the current Toyota Yaris has a five-star rating, scoring much better with 86 percent adult occupant protection, 87 percent child occupant protection, 78 vulnerable road user protection and 87 for safety assist. It was tested by ANCAP in 2020.
Toyota reveals new Urban Cruiser model for Europe
Toyota Europe has pulled the covers off its latest model called the Urban Cruiser which is closely based on the brand-new Suzuki e-Vitara.
Powering the Urban Cruiser is a 49kWh battery pack and front-drive electric motor that produces 106kW/189Nm. An all-wheel-drive variant with a larger 61kWh battery will also be available that produces higher outputs of 135kW/300Nm.
The new Toyota Urban Cruiser
The Urban Cruiser has been developed upon a platform dedicated to electric powertrains, rather than one converted from a combustion platform.
Standard equipment includes the choice of 18- or 19-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen, 360-degree cameras, along with smartphone integration and satellite navigation.
Unfortunately, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser has not been confirmed for the Australian market.
Toyota’s new-gen LandCruiser Prado scores five star ANCAP rating
Vehicle safety authority ANCAP has today released results for the new 250 Series Toyota LandCruiser Prado, giving the rugged SUV an overall rating of five stars.
The new Toyota four-wheel drive scored well across the board, with a 85 percent adult occupant protection score, 89 percent for child occupant protection and 82 percent for safety assist. Meanwhile, the score for vulnerable road user protection is 84 percent.
To compare, the current Ford Everest scored 86 percent for adult occupant protection, an impressive 93 percent for child occupant protection, 74 percent for vulnerable road user protection and finally 86 percent for safety assist.
The new Prado has nine airbags as standard (up from seven airbags featured in the previous 150 Series generation), and also features a more comprehensive Toyota safety suite as standard.
Mercedes-AMG’s first electric SUV will have over 745kW of power
Mercedes-AMG is currently undergoing testing for its first bespoke AMG electric SUV and it’s set to be an electric rival to the upcoming electric Porsche Cayenne and the Lotus Eletre.
According to reports from Autocar, the new AMG SUV will produce more than 745kW and will be the first model built off the brand’s new AMG.EA platform.
The Mercedes-AMG SUV prototype test vehicle
The platform will use 800-volt architecture and will likely be available in either dual- or tri-motor configurations when it launches around 2026.
The model is also expected to be capable off-road with Autocar also reporting that the model is set to use variable ride height suspension.
An electric four-door GT car to rival the Porsche Taycan is also currently in development.
Mitsubishi Triton GSR long-term review
Chasing Cars production specialist Tom Place’s long-term written and video reviews of the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton GSR was published, including his thoughts in the introduction to a six-month long Chasing Cars vehicle evaluation.
Tom introduced his Triton GSR long term by addressing several parts of the ute, including how Chasing Cars specced the Triton for the six-month tenure.
Tom talked about the spec of the GSR, the rear canopy and the new 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine.
Stay tuned for more updates on the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton GSR long-termer as Tom continues his tenure with the vehicle.
