Car news, 23 Oct ’24: tough new Isuzu D-Max Blade unveiled, Mazda prices new CX-70 and CX-80 SUVs, and more

---

Thanks for joining us this Wednesday 23 October 2024. Notably in car news today: tough new Isuzu D-Max Blade revealed, Mazda confirms pricing for latest new SUVs. 

Browse this issue:

• Tough new Isuzu D-Max ‘Blade’ unveiled 
• Mazda confirms pricing and specs for latest SUVs
• Leapmotor C10 midsize electric SUV priced for Australia
• Mini reveals new John Cooper Works hot hatch and convertible
• Reviewed: Kia EV5 2025 reviewed

Tough new Isuzu D-Max ‘Blade’ unveiled

• Isuzu has unveiled its anticipated new top-of-the-range Blade edition of its D-Max ute. And Chasing Cars’ Iain Curry was there at the launch in South Australia to check it out.

• Curry’s footage reveals a blacked-out look including special wheel arches, a revised grille, sporty red accents and off-road tyres. Further details including pricing are currently under embargo but expect a first-hand look and full review on Chasing Cars’ website and YouTube channel soon.

@chasingcarsaustralia

Our first look at the range-topping Isuzu D-Max Blade! Stay tuned for more coverage and let us know what you think #isuzu #dmax #blade #ute #pickup #offroad #4×4

♬ original sound – Chasing Cars | Car Reviews

• Developed with local engineering firm Walkinshaw, the new Blade variant will go head to head against rivals like the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and Toyota Hilux GR Sport.

• It’s expected that there won’t be any changes to the powertrain for the new D-Max variant, however a fuller picture of the Blade story will be revealed in the coming days. 

Mazda confirms pricing for latest CX-70 and CX-80 SUVs

• Mazda has confirmed pricing for its latest SUVs to launch in Australia, the CX-70 and CX-80. 

• The CX-70 is a two-row SUV based on the larger three-row CX-90 already available in Australia, while the CX-80 is a three-row version of the two-row CX-60, also already available.

• Available in Australia in four variants, the CX-70 lineup will consist of a GT G50e ($75,970), GT D50e ($77,970), Azami G50e ($82,970) and Azami D50e ($84,970); available with Mazda’s now familiar 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol and diesel mild-hybrid powertrains.

• Meanwhile, the CX-80 lineup will feature a third 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain option and a total of ten variants ranging from an entry-level Pure priced at $54,950 and topping out with the Azami which will cost $87,200 with the more expensive PHEV powertrain.

• Uniquely, while the CX-60 and CX-80 are both narrower SUVs aimed at Japanese and European markets, and the wider CX-70 and CX-90 are aimed at North America, Australia will receive all four in a packed local SUV lineup.

Leapmotor C10 midsize electric SUV priced for Australia

• Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor has confirmed pricing for its first vehicle to launch in Australia, the C10 midsize electric SUV.

• Available by the end of the year in Australia, the C10 will be available with two variants: an entry-grade Style available for $45,888 before on-road costs, and a range-topping Design for $49,888 before on-road costs. 

• As well as confirming pricing, the brand has confirmed that it will offer a seven–year,. 160,000km warranty for the vehicle. 

• A smaller B10 electric vehicle will join the lineup next year. 

Mini reveals new John Cooper Works hot hatch and convertible

• Mini has unveiled its new hot new John Cooper Works hatchback and convertible in petrol-powered form ahead of an Australian launch around mid-2025.

• While the freshly revealed hot hatches feature new styling inside and out, there are no changes beneath the metal with the hatch and convertible featuring a familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making for 170kW/320Nm.

• However, replacing the eight-speed torque converter found in the previous variants will be a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

• Mini claims 0-100km/h sprints of 6.1 seconds for the hatchback and 6.4 seconds for the convertible with respective top-speeds of 250 and 245km/h.

Kia EV5 2025 reviewed

• Chasing Cars contributor Nathan Ponchard review of the 20245 Kia EV5 was published, taking a close look at the Korean carmaker’s all-important, attainably priced, midsize electric SUV range. 
  

• Ponchard said that the two shining highlights of the four-variant EV5 range are the sharp price points in range that make compelling value propositions, and the excellent packaging that provides the RAV4-sized EV with better-than-Tesla Model Y interior spaciousness. 

• However, he also criticised the EV5’s polarising exterior styling, the slow 400-volt charging rates, and the lack of dynamic talent of the front-bias drive format compared with stablemates in EV6 and EV9.  

• Overall, though, Ponchard says that the Chinese-built EV5 has the right stuff to appeal to pragmatic EV buyers with an eye on value and calls the electric newcomer an easy cross-shop against the likes of Tesla Model Y.   

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Thursday 24 October at 4.30pm Sydney time.