Car news today: GWM drops price on already cheap ute, Renault confirms high-performance 5 Turbo 3E set for production, and more – 17 December 2024

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday December 17th 2024. Notably in car news today: GWM offers $2000 off Cannon utes, and Renault confirms high-performance 5 Turbo 3E for production. 

Browse this issue:

• GWM drops price on Cannon Ute models before 2025 update 
• Renault high-performance 5 Turbo 3E set for production – with big power claim
• Nissan to display at 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon – including EV converted R32 Skyline 
• Maserati GT2 Stradale confirmed for Australia
• Review: Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 

GWM drops price on Cannon Ute models before 2025 update 

• Australia’s cheapest dual-cab 4×4 ute is now rushing to be even cheaper – but for a limited time. GWM has taken $2000 off the asking price across the Cannon Ute range, this applies for private buyers.   

• ABN holders are also eligible for this bonus offer as well as a further discount of $1500 on top.  

• Prices now start for the Cannon Premium from $34,490 for private buyers, and $32,990 for ABN holders. Top-of-the-line Cannon-XSR is $46,990 private and $45,990 for ABN holders.  

• According to the small print, this offer is available until December 31st, on utes that are in-stock, and lasts while stock does. GWM Cannon Utes are still backed by a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, five-year capped-price servicing and five-year roadside assistance. 

Renault high-performance 5 Turbo 3E set for production – with big power claim

• The 2026 Renault 5 Turbo 3E has been confirmed, with Renault saying it will go into production after a recent reveal in France. 
• Powering the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be dual in-wheel electric motors, said to deliver 373kW. Driving enthusiasts rejoice, as the power will be sent to the rear wheels.  

• While untested in the real world independently, French manufacturer Renault says this spicy combination, even without all-wheel-drive, should see it move from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds. 
• Pricing is not yet announced at the time of publishing, nor do we know how many units will be produced. The rumour mill however is suggesting prices will sit around the $AU200,000 mark. 

Nissan to display at 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon – including EV converted R32 Skyline 

• Nissan and Nissan Motorsport have announced that they are preparing for a big year at the Tokyo Auto Salon tuner show. They’ve put together a showcase of vehicles, designed to promote their emerging technologies and vehicle evolutions. 
• There will be two specific zones at the Nissan booth. The sports car section for racing enthusiasts and a custom car section for weird and whacky creations.  

• Vehicles on display include: 2025 Fairlady Z, GT-R Nismo Special Edition, Aryia Nismo, R32 GT-R EV Conversion, Motul Autech Z #23 race car and the X-Trail unwind concept.  
• Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 runs from January 10th to 12th, and is held at the Japan Convention Centre (Makuhari Messe.)  

Maserati GT2 Stradale confirmed for Australia 

• Maserati’s most expensive coupe is coming to Australia, with recent confirmation we’ll be seeing the GT2 Stradale as soon as the end of this month. 
• Numbers will be limited to special customer orders only, so if you want one you’ll have to ask for it. “For now it is unclear how many Maserati GT2 Stradale models will be allocated to us,” said Grant Barling, Maserati Australia and New Zealand general manager.

• Prices start from an eye-watering $699,000 – and we know you’re thinking it, that doesn’t even include on-road costs. Meaning this vehicle is nearly $210,000 more expensive than the Maserati MC20 Coupe. 
•  The GT2 Stradale is a track-ready edition of the MC20, that features a twin-turbo V6 with claimed figures of 471kW and 720Nm, yet weighs 59kg less than the regular MC20. 

• MC20. 

Ford Ranger long-term review  

• Chasing Cars journalist Zak Adkins has spent the last three months driving a 2024 V6 Ford Ranger Wildtrak. He put the popular ute through its paces, on a variety of terrain. 
• This written article was published today, highlighting how the first month in the driver’s seat went for Zak. 

• He also breaks down the pricing of the V6 Wildtrak, to give a better understanding of what you’d be paying for a similar vehicle. 
• Overall, Adkins felt the Ranger could have just kept going and going on a recent drive from NSW to QLD, where he averaged 9.0L/100km of fuel usage.  

Read: Link to written review

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 18th December at 4.30pm Sydney time.