Car news, 10 Oct ’24: VW unveils Tayron SUV, and Tesla debuts new longer-range Model 3

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday 10 October 2024. Notably in car news today: Volkswagen unveils its latest SUV, the Tayron, and Tesla debuts its longest range Model 3 yet.

Browse this issue:

• New seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron on its way Down Under
• Longest range Tesla Model 3 yet debuts in the UK
• Lexus LX to gain performance hybrid and off-road focused Overtrail 
• Tesla set to finally reveal its long-promised ‘robotaxi’
• Reviewed: 2024 Suzuki Swift Hybrid

New seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron on its way downunder

• Volkswagen has pulled the covers off its replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, the new Tayron, set to arrive in Australia in late 2025. 

• To sit above the smaller Tiguan but below the larger Touraeg, the new nameplate’s design is in keeping with VW’s new-generation design language seen on the new-generation Tiguan sibling.

• The Tayron will be available with either five or seven seats, however the Australian lineup, pricing and specifications have not yet been announced.

• A number of engine choices will be available on the new Tayron in Europe, including a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder turbo with front-wheel drive, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo with all-wheel drive, two 2.0-litre diesel engine options, and two 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo plug-in hybrid electric options with electric range of “over 100km”, according to Volkswagen. 

Longest-range Tesla Model 3 yet debuts in the UK

• A longer-range Tesla Model 3 has made its debut in the UK, promising the further driving range of any version of the midsize electric sedan.

• The ‘Long Range RWD’ features a single rear-mounted motor and is said to have an official quoted range of 702km, if specified with 18-inch wheels; 19s are also optional but bring the range down to 640km.

• Sitting above the entry-grade Rear-Wheel Drive, but below the Long Range AWD and Performance grades, the Long Range RWD also promises a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) spring of 4.9 seconds, compared to 2.9 seconds for the Performance. 

• It’s not confirmed whether the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD will make its way to Australia.

Lexus LX to gain performance hybrid and off-road focused Overtrail 

• Lexus has announced additions to its LX large SUV lineup, which will include a new hybrid grade as well as an off-road focused Overtrail when the updated LX launches in 2025.

• In addition to the LX600 petrol and LX500d diesel, the new LX700h will feature a newly-designed parallel hybrid system, integrating an electric motor and generator with the vehicle’s 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol engine.

• Furthermore, an Overtrail grade will be offered with all LX powertrains, bringing with it additional enhancements including front and rear locking differentials, special 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres and a 30-litre auxiliary fuel tank.

• Further details and pricing on the updated LX model range will be announced closer to launch.

Tesla set to finally reveal its long-promised robotaxi

• Tesla will reveal its much-hyped and long-awaited robotaxi tomorrow at an event at the Warner Brothers Hollywood studio. 

• Debuting on a new small-car platform the vehicle promises fully autonomous driving for Tesla’s own ride-share service. 

• While Tesla has a number of EVs to its lineup, a fully autonomous vehicle has yet to eventuate despite promises of an autonomous Tesla from CEO Elon Musk since 2016.

• It is widely expected that the robotaxi will feature an expectedly minimalist interior design with two seats, and no steering wheel or pedals. 

Suzuki Swift Hybrid GLX 2024 reviewed

• Chasing Cars founder Tom Baker’s review of the 2024 Suzuki Swift Hybrid was published, taking a look at one of the most affordable hybrid options on the market to see if the cost savings truly stack up.
  

• Recently launched, the Swift Hybrid takes on the likes of the Volkswagen Polo, the Toyota Yaris, the Mazda 2 and the MG3 in the affordable city runabout segment and features 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid assistance outputs a modest 61kW and 112Nm. 

• Baker road tests the top-spec GLX as part of his review, a variant that clocks in at $29,490, noting that while vehicle prices have increased across the board, Suzuki has managed to fight off the dramatic increases we have seen from other manufacturers.

• Overall Baker found the Swift Hybrid to be a very good and affordable vehicle, however he noted that the value sweet spot may lie lower in the range than the GLX.

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 10 October at 4.30pm Sydney time.