Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday, January 16th of 2025. Notably in car news today: Kia has confirmed significantly higher pricing for its Cerato replacement the K4, and Ram’s CEO wants to build a midsize ute, and soon.
Kia’s new K4 Cerato replacement priced for Australia
Kia has announced price and specifications for its new K4, a replacement for the popular Cerato, which launches locally this month.
The K4 is a significantly newer vehicle than its predecessor, ushering in a new design similar to the all-electric EV9 large SUV, with huge touchscreens and a modern cabin layout in most variants.
The new upgrades come at a price however, with pricing kicking off at $30,590 list and tops out at $42,990, reflecting a price increase of between $3530 and $6130.
Kia’s naturally aspirated 112kW/198Nm 2.0L four-cylinder is offered along with a 142kW/264Nm 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder. Both are FWD.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis has hinted at his intention to introduce a midsize pickup truck to the stable to join the full-size lineup also currently offered in Australia.
Speaking at the Detroit Auto Show last week, Kuniskis told Road and Track that it was still important to keep low-cost options available in the line, particularly given that the previous DS generation1500 known as the ‘Classic’ had now been discontinued.
“I need a midsize truck for sure.” he said, adding “We’re a truck brand and we don’t have a compact [and] we don’t have a midsize. Kinda disingenuous to call me a truck brand, isn’t it?”.
Kuniskis said such a model was unlikely to happen in the next six months but it was needed.
Such a model making it to Australia is another story but with Ram’s growing presence in our market it’s certainly a possibility, though it would likely need to be built natively in right-hand-drive to be cost competitive.
Acura RSX the latest coupe to become an EV SUV
Honda’s US-based premium brand Acura has confirmed it will launch an electric performance SUV known as the ‘RSX’ later the year, while teasing the Acura Performance EV Concept on which it will be based.
The Acura RSX nameplate is most commonly known as the upper-spec version of the Honda Integra sold in America.
Unlike previous Acura/Honda EVs built in partnership with General Motors, this latest US-market EV is based on a ground-up Honda-dedicated chassis.
It is too early to forecast whether such a model might ever make it Down Under.
Leapmotor C10 ‘REEV’ plug-in hybrid confirmed for Aus
Leapmotor C10 REEV, short for Range Extender Electric Vehicle, will go on sale alongside the battery electric version here in Australia before long.
Using a 28.4kWh battery feeding power directly to the same 160kW/320Nm motor as the BEV, the C10 REEV also incorporates a 1.5T petrol generator to extend the range further.
Total range is said to be in excess of 950km, well beyond that of the maximum 420km offered by the all-electric version confirmed for Australia.
It comes after Leapmotor International CEO Tianshu Xin recently told Autocar a greater variety of EVs was required to suit buyers. One such example may be Australia with its wide open spaces and developing charging network.
2025 BYD Shark 6 Premium off-road review
Chasing Cars staffer, Evan Spence, got behind the wheel of the all-new BYD Shark 6, and wasted zero time getting it muddy off-road.
Evan wanted to straight away test the BYD Shark 6 off-road, to see if it could keep up on his local 4×4 test track.
He left impressed with the off-road ability traction wise as well as interior comfort of the BYD Shark 6. He also thought the tub area offered loads of practical features for off-roaders and tradies alike.
Where he felt the Shark 6 could be improved, was with additional ground clearance and suspension travel when four-wheel driving. The all-independent suspension liked lifting a wheel when the going got rough as you’ll see in his article.
