Car news, 30 July ’24: the next-gen MG ZS has been spotted on Aussie roads, Mitsubishi will join Honda and Nissan to build EVs, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday 30 July 2024. Notably in car news today: the next-generation MG ZS has been spotted on Aussie roads, Mitsubishi will join Honda and Nissan to build EVs, and more.

Browse this issue:

• New-gen MG ZS spotted on Aussie roads
• Mitsubishi to join Honda and Nissan to build EVs: report
• Audi gears up for A6 E-tron unveiling
• Lamborghini to unveil Huracan successor next month
• Reviewed: 2024 Mini Cooper SE

New-gen MG ZS spotted on Aussie roads

• The next-generation MG ZS small SUV has been spotted in camouflage on Australian roads by a keen-eyed Chasing Cars reader.

• A new look is evident behind the camouflage, featuring design cues that appear to be in line with the new MG 3 small car outside, as well as a large central touchscreen that features prominently in the vehicle’s new interior.

• It is also understood that the second-generation of the small SUV – which is expected to be officially unveiled globally in the coming months – will feature hybrid power for the first time, following on from the new MG 3 hatch which is the first vehicle from the brand to feature the option of hybridisation.

• The current MG ZS, which has been on sale in Australia since 2017 and is priced from $23,990 for its Excite base model, is Australia’s highest-selling small SUV, with 11,809 new deliveries year-to-date, ahead of the next best-selling Hyundai Kona small SUV on 8948 units.

• It is expected MG’s next-generation SUV will also have a higher price tag to correspond with its new look, increase in sophistication, and the addition of a hybrid powertrain option.

Mitsubishi Motors set to join Honda and Nissan to build EVs: report

• Mitsubishi could be joining the Honda-Nissan Alliance, according to a Japanese report by Nikkei Asia.

• The move will mean that Mitsubishi will be able to utilise and share Nissan and Honda electric technologies, and possibly even save money by jointly developing products such as plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and BEV systems for future vehicles.

• Nissan currently owns 34 percent of Mitsubishi Motors and currently offers its E-Power hybrid system in models including the Qashqai small SUV and the X-Trail midsize SUV.

• Although unconfirmed, Nissan’s electric technologies could one day merge with Mitsubishi’s tech to build a new line-up of electrified vehicles.

• Mitsubishi is yet to confirm an electric vehicle for the Australian market, however last month it teased several new concept models. 

Audi gears up for A6 E-tron unveiling

• Audi has shared a teaser image of its A6 E-tron large sedan and wagon before they are fully unveiled globally tomorrow evening.

• The shadowy image doesn’t reveal much – just the silhouette of the two body styles and pixelated headlights, as well as full-width rear lights on the back of the wagon, complete with illuminated Audi four-ring logo, which is a first for the brand.

• While details have not yet been confirmed, the new A6 E-tron is expected to ride on Volkswagen Group’s PPE platform like the Q6 E-tron and Porsche Macan E.

• The A6 E-tron will sit alongside Audi’s all-new, recently revealed, petrol-powered A5 midsize sedan and wagon, which is set to replace both the current-generation A4 sedan and wagon as well as the current A5 coupe, cabriolet and five-door Sportback with a single model line.

• Simultaneously, the new models mark the debut of Audi’s new naming conventions, which feature odd-numbered designations for petrol and diesel vehicles, and even numerals for EVs.

Lamborghini to unveil Huracan successor next month

• Lamborghini’s successor to its Huracan supercar will be unveiled to the world on August 16 in California.

• The brand is calling the as yet unnamed vehicle an ‘HPEV’, or ‘high performance electrified vehicle’, and says it will mark the completion of the hybridisation process of Lamborghini’s range, which also now includes the range-topping Revuelto and the Urus SE SUV.

• Unlike the V10-powered Huracan, which has been on sale for a decade, the new model is set to feature an all-new,Lamborghini-exclusive twin-turbo V8 petrol-electric hybrid, which is said to have a peak engine speed of 10,000rpm and produce over 650kW of power, according to LinkedIn posts by Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

• Production for the Huracan is expected to wind-up this December, with the replacement model set to take the mantle as the brand’s entry-level sports coupe.

2024 Mini Cooper SE reviewed

• Chasing Cars journalist Zak Adkins’ first Australian drive and review of the 2024 Mini Cooper SE was published, including his thoughts on the new-generation electric Mini three-door hatch and how it drives in the real world.
  
  
• Adkins found the new electric Cooper to have a funky and surprisingly spacious cabin, punchy hot-hatch performance, and a fun-to-drive personality with go-kart-like handling characteristics.
  
  
• Some things Adkins found could be improved included the iconic model having a firm ride around town, a chunky, oversized steering wheel, and a strange regenerative braking effect.
  
  
• Adkins concluded his review by stating that the Mini Cooper SE now has much better electric range than before, a sophisticated interior, and offers a rewarding driving experience.  
  
  

READ: Link to Mini Cooper SE full written review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 31 July at 4.30pm Sydney time.