Every important car news story breaking today, in one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Monday 26 August 2024. Notably in car news today: Toyota’s Akio Toyoda wants to build the crazy, luxury-focused Century SUV, and Ford Australia updates pricing for its seventh-gen Mustang before it arrives on local shores.
The Toyota Century GRMN SUV is going into production!
Japanese automakerToyota is cooking up something crazy at head office: a Century GRMN SUV which has been confirmed by Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda to be going into production.
With a restyled exterior, large 22-inch alloy wheels and plenty of carbon fibre, the Century GRMN uses a 3.5-litre V6 engine with plug-in hybrid technology.
Although exact outputs aren’t confirmed just yet, the model could well compete against other fast luxury SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus and the Aston Martin DBX707.
Even though it’s unlikely to come to Australia, this luxury SUV wouldn’t seem out of place in the Chinese or Japanese markets with its Rolls-Royce-esque exterior design and styling.
Ford Australia updates pricing for 2025 next-gen Mustang
The 2025 Ford Mustang with the bronze appearance package
Ford Australia has announced updated pricing for its anticipated seventh-generation Ford Mustang coupe, with the sports car set to start from $66,990 before on-road costs for the 2.3-litre Ecoboost automatic.
Pricing tops out at $87,667 before on-road costs for the GT V8 convertible automatic variant.
Since first Australian pricing was announced and reported on by Chasing Cars 10 months ago, the Mustang’s price of entry has increased by $2000 before the model even has time to hit Aussie shores.
If you were wanting a Dark Horse variant, you’re simply too late: all 1000 examples have already been snapped up by keen Aussie buyers.
Production for Australian-delivered Mustangs is set to begin late in 2024, before deliveries take place early in 2025.
Genesis drops G70 sedan and GV80 SUV from both Europe and UK markets
This means these specific Genesis models remain available only in Asia, the USA and Australia.
In our local market, Genesis has sold just 24 G70 examples in 2024, against the considerable 1714 units shifted for the BMW 3 Series and the 1277 units delivered for the Mercedes-Benz C-Classin segment.
For the GV80, 51 units of the coupe, and 144 units of the wagon have been registered so far in 2024, again behind vehicles such as the BMW X5 (1872 year-to-date) and the Range Rover Sport(1097 units year-to-date).
Despite the low market shares in these segments, there has been no indication of any changes to the local Genesis lineup going forward.
The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 is an opulent two seater sports car
The 2024 Mercedes-Maybach SL680 is a luxurious two-door roadster
Luxury brand Mercedes-Maybach’s first-ever two-seat model, the SL680 that’s based on the Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster, has been revealed.
Separating it from the AMG SL, the Maybach model adds unique front and rear bumpers, 21-inch Maybach alloy wheels, chrome interior trim and a traditional-style stand-up hood ornament.
To make the roadster as comfortable as possible, Maybach has added a quieter exhaust system, extensive sound deadening, retuned the engine mounts and recalibrated the suspension to be even softer riding.
As for powertrain, the Mercedes-Maybach will use a 430kW 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
It’s estimated that the Maybach version of the two-door roadster could cost as much as USD$250,000, or the equivalent of AUD$368,350.
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Tuesday 27 August at 4.30pm Sydney time.
