Car news, 19 November ’24: Toyota announces Tundra full-size pickup price for Australia, Ford Australia announces Ranger Super Duty project, and more

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday 19 November 2024. Notably in car news today: Toyota Australia announces pricing for its full-size Tundra ute, while Ford Australia has teased a new heavy duty Ranger called the Super Duty that is due in 2026. 

Browse this issue:

• Toyota Tundra pricing confirmed for Australia  
• Ford Australia bring new Ranger Super Duty in 2026
• 2025 Mercedes-AMG G 63 priced for Australia 
• Porsche reportedly backtracks on ICE Macan, could still offer it in USA
• Powertrain details revealed for electric Mercedes-Benz CLA 
• Reviewed: 2025 Mazda CX-70

Toyota Australia confirms Tundra pricing for Australia

• Toyota has announced the price of its Tundra full-size pickup truck in Australian following an extensive local evaluation program.

• The Tundra will be available shortly at a starting entry price of $155,990 before on-road costs, or $49,040 more than the entry $106,950 Ford F-150 XLT SWB (before on-road costs) Only one grade, known as the Limited, will be available at launch for the Tundra.

• The model will be powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine with Toyota’s I-Force Max hybrid system, producing combined system outputs of 326kW/790Nm and paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

• Standard equipment for the Tundra includes a 14.0-inch centre touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, 12-speaker JBL sound system and five USB-C ports. 

• The Toyota Tundra will also feature a 4500kg braked towing capacity, synthetic leather upholstery, while the conversion undertaken by Walkinshaw is also fully covered and backed by Toyota’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. 

Ford Australia announces Ranger Super Duty is coming in 2026

• Ford Australia will bring a heavy duty version of its midsize Ranger ute to our market in 2026, calling it the Super Duty. 

• With a 4500kg towing capability, GVM of 4500kg and an 8000kg GCM, the Ranger Super Duty will specifically target fleets, farmers, miners, forestry workers and more. 

• The Super Duty will be manufactured in Thailand and has been developed by Ford’s 1500-strong IMG Product Development team here in Australia. 

• The Super Duty will sit as a smaller offering when compared to the F-150 lineup here in Australia, but will be given the same 4500kg tow limit as the F-150 sold in Australia. 

• Expect to hear more about the Super Duty as we edge our way closer to the vehicle’s launch.

New Mercedes-AMG G 63 priced and specced for Australia

• Mercedes-AMG Australia has announced pricing and specifications for its high-performance G wagon, otherwise known as the G 63. 

• Priced at $368,400 before on-road costs, the G 63 is now $4800 more expensive than the outgoing 2023 model.

• New for the G 63 this year is a 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG), MBUX infotainment system, offroad cockpit mode with transparent bonnet camera feature, and standard AMG ride control suspension.

• The venerable 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine remains, producing 430kW/850Nm. A mild-hybrid, 48-volt system and electric motor can add 15kW/200Nm for more sprightly acceleration from standstill. 0-100km/h is a claimed 4.3 seconds.

• Aussie buyers will be able to order the new AMG G 63 from Wednesday 27 November at AMG dealerships across the country. 

Porsche may still offer an ICE Macan… in the USA: report 

• Porsche’s Macan EV might be the future, but the German luxury brand could backtrack on just offering an electric version, according to reports by Carscoops. 

• Reports indicate that while the combustion Macan has been axed in the European Union and for regions including Australia, the petrol Macan is set to live on in the US market and will be sold alongside its electric twin.

• As demand for more expensive electric vehicles softens across the globe, Porsche could backtrack, which is not uncommon to see in the current market.

• However, models such as the 718 Cayman and Boxster range have seen their production end, with a pure-electric sports car model to feature as a direct replacement. 

• Porsche has confirmed it will refresh its combustion Panamera and Cayenne lineups in a bid to gain more sales as Taycan demand softens. A hybrid 911 will eventually go on sale, but the iconic model is unlikely to go full-electric for some time as Porsche protects the classic. 

Powertrain details revealed for first electric Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

• Mercedes-Benz has announced details for what will be the first-ever electric CLA-Class. 

• The next CLA is set to feature both hybrid and pure-electric powertrain setups. For the electric, the model will use a 800-volt architecture and have as much as 750km of range (WLTP). 

• Powering the CLA down the road will be the choice of either single-motor, rear-drive, or dual-motor all-wheel drive. 

• The rear drive cars will use a two-speed transmission and will produce 200kW of power, while the all-wheel drive variants will add a 80kW electric motor to the front axle. 

• Meanwhile, the hybrid version will utilise a 1.5-litre Miller cycle four-cylinder engine assisted by a 20kW electric motor installed within the vehicle’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Outputs for this hybrid system will be a maximum of 140kW. 

• The CLA will be built upon the Mercedes’ MMA platform that can accommodate combustion, hybrid and pure-electric powertrains. 

2025 Mazda CX-70 reviewed

• Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s video review of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 was published, including his thoughts on the fourth Large Product vehicle to be introduced by Mazda.
  
• Iain thought the CX-70 was arguably the most premium of the CX range, is quiet and luxurious inside and seemed easy to live with.
  
• However, Iain thought that one of the biggest issues with the CX-70 was not necessarily about the car, but the confusing naming structure for the Large Product portfolio of vehicles. Which one should you choose? CX-60, 70, 80 or 90?
  
• All in all, Iain concluded his review by recommending the CX-70 as what is possibly the sweet spot in the greater CX range. 

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 20 November at 4.30pm Sydney time.