Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Tuesday April 23rd 2024. Notably in car news today: sharper deals emerge across the market, with Tesla leading proceedings by cutting $3000 from the price of all Model 3 and most Model Y variants locally.
Tesla cuts Model 3 and Model Y prices by $3000, except one variant
Tesla has cut prices by $3000 for its Model 3 and Model Y in Australia
Tesla’s dramatic price cut campaign has today marched on with the US electric vehicle specialist slashing $3000 from the price of all variants bar one in Australia.
The EV maker changes its pricing regularly in response to changing market conditions, making it difficult to know when to buy – but the current prices are quite sharp.
The cut means the recently facelifted (and improved) Model 3 sedan now starts in base rear-wheel drive guise at $58,900 before on-road costs ($64,000 driveaway in NSW), while the Long Range AWD now costs $67,900 ($73,500 driveaway in NSW).
Meanwhile, the Model Yelectric midsize SUV is priced post-cut at $60,990 before on-road costs for the rear-wheel drive ($66K driveaway in NSW) and $69,900 for the Long Range AWD ($75,500 driveaway in NSW).
The only Tesla grade not to see its price cut in Australia is the top-shelf Model Y Performance which remains at $82,900 before on-road costs ($89K driveaway in NSW) – but notably, the sporty SUV received a huge $8500 cut earlier this month.
Sleek Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe priced from $104K in Australia
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has been priced for Australia
The new Mercedes-Benz CLEcoupe is coming to Australia in two flavours of petrol four-cylinder engine, with the model doing double-duty to replace the old C-Class coupeand E-Class coupe alike.
Both fitted with mild-hybrid tech, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol CLE200 rear-wheel drive will kick off the range at $103,900 before on-roads, while the 2.0-litre CLE300 with all-wheel drive costs a hefty $124,900 before on-roads.
The prices are vastly more expensive than the old C-Class coupe – it’s about a $24,000 uplift – but the costs represent a more modest $9-12K discount when compared to the similar outgoing E-Class coupe models.
As is the norm for Mercedes-Benz in Australia, the brand’s AMG package styling is standard, as are 19-inch wheels, twin 12-inch displays, and a sunroof. The CLE300’s $21,000 penalty affords more power (190kW vs 150kW) and AWD traction, while leather replaces Artico synthetic trim.
No word yet on true AMG versions of the CLE, though a model known as the CLE53 is expected to usher in a six-cylinder option for Australian buyers.
BYD Atto 3 electric SUV price slashed…but there’s a catch
Pricing has been slashed for the BYD Atto 3, but only for 2023 demo stock
The driveaway price of the BYD Atto 3small electric SUV has been slashed by $4321 in all Australian states except Western Australia – but only for 2023 demo stock.
The move sees 2023 demo stock of the Atto 3 Extended Range version, which delivers 366-375km of electric range in Chasing Cars testing, priced at $46,690 driveaway.
But fellow Chinese brand MGstill offers the cheapest electric SUV in the segment in the form of the ZS EV, priced from $39,990 driveaway – or $46,990 driveaway for the Atto 3-rivalling Long Range variant – and that is for new stock rather than a demo.
The Atto 3 placed second in the Chasing Cars best small SUV megatest in 2023.
Cupra Leon V Tribe Edition is a cheaper, better-specified base model
The Cupra V Tribe Edition is a better specified base variant
The Cupra Leonhot hatch now has a cheaper and better-equipped entry grade in the form of a special edition that’ll stick around for a while.
From now until the arrival of the forthcoming Leon facelift in early- to mid-2025, the Leon V Tribe Edition effectively replaces the core Leon V base specification.
Its $47,888 driveaway is a $1302 discount over the regular Leon V, while specification is upgraded to include blue nappa leather inside, a nine-speaker Beats stereo and additional copper, aluminium and black accents – about a $2500 value.
That new price puts the Leon V in closer competition with the Mazda 3 G25 Astina and Volkswagen Golf 110TSI R-Line, both of which have a similar driveaway price, yet the Leon packs additional muscle, thanks to a 2.0-litre turbo petrol making 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
Kia Tasman ute now wears Australian-designed camouflage
A camouflaged Kia Tasman has been teased with Australian art design
The forthcoming Kia Tasmandual-cab ute has entered late-stage testing still under protective camouflage – but its wrapped skin features a further Australian connection.
Kia’s distinctive multi-coloured but yellow-based wrap for the Tasman was designed by New Zealand artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop.
A Kia Australia source told Chasing Cars the camo’d Tasman had already left Australia in transit somewhere else – so global readers will need to keep their eyes peeled.
Last week, the Tasman’s interior was sighted in an extensively-reported leak posted online seemingly by workers interacting with the camouflaged test vehicles.
Chasing Cars editor Tom Baker recently got up close and personal with the forthcoming 2025 Toyota Camryin new-generation form.
Set to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2024 – even as it launches in the United States now – the next-gen Camry is going all hybrid from factory, reflecting Toyota Australia’s decision to pause orders of the non-hybrid last year.
More athletic styling, an interior that moves slightly more upmarket, more power and greater refinement are said to characterise the new Camry, which remains an important vehicle for Toyota and a popular model with fleet buyers especially.
The Camry we toured was a sporty US-market XSE grade in Heavy Metal grey with a red leather interior. A similar spec could again come to Australia in an SX grade.
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 23rd April at 4.30pm Sydney time.
