Car news, 22 May ’24: Four-cylinder PHEV Mercedes-AMG GLC63 SUV priced beyond $200K, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Wolfsburg Edition revealed, and more
Olek Novak
Contributor
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Wednesday May 22nd 2024. Notably in car news today: new Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S Performance with 2.0L turbo PHEV power soars north of $200K on road, Volkswagen debuts a new Wolfsburg Edition of the Tiguan Allspace, and more.
Mercedes-AMG GLC63 2024 pricing: over $200K AUD on road despite having half the cylinders. Still, the new four-cylinder SUV has more power than the old V8. But is the V8 maybe coming back? #mercedes#amg#cars
Order books have opened for Mercedes-AMG’s latest performance car, the four-cylinder plug-in Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance, priced from over $200K driveaway.
The performance SUV will retail for $192,900 before on-road costs in wagon form and $199,500 before on-road costs for the coupe variant.
That’s a four to five percent increase on the previous model equipped with a non-hybrid V8, however outputs have increased from 375kW/700Nm to 500kW/1020Nm in new turbo 2.0L PHEV form, promising a 0-100km/h sprint of 3.5 seconds compared to 3.8 seconds for the outgoing versions.
Equipped with a nine-speed auto, all-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and four-wheel steering, all Australian-spec GLC63’s will also come standard with AMG’s Night Package II, which includes blacked-out exterior features, as well as 21-inch forged alloy wheels, and nappa leather AMG performance front seats as standard.
Volkswagen has revealed a Tiguan ‘Wolfsburg Edition’
Volkswagen has unveiled a special blacked-out ‘Wolfsburg Edition’ of its seven-seat Tiguan Allspace, bringing back a badge that has previously featured on the Tiguan and Touraeg.
Based on range-topping 162TSI R-Line, the Wolfsburg Edition adds additional specification including a black style package, 20-inch black alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, metallic paint, tyre pressure monitoring system, Sound & Vision package, and ‘Wolfsburg Edition’ tailgate badging.
The Tiguan Allspace Wolfsburg Edition is priced at $63,990 before on-road costs, asking an additional $900 for Oryx white pearl paint and $2100 for a panoramic sunroof.
Honda has unveiled a mid-life facelift for the 11th-generation Civic
Honda has revealed a facelifted11th generation Civic small car in the US, previewing potential changes that are eventually expected to follow for Australia.
The Civic has undergone subtle exterior tweaks including revisions to its front facia and grille, updated taillights and new exterior colour options, as well as enhanced tech features including integration of Google apps into the infotainment system on top-spec models.
The US lineup will also gain a 2.0-litre hybrid-electric powertrain which is already available in Australia on the top-spec e:HEV LX, however US specs note a more substantial 149kW/314Nm – an increase of 14kW over Australian specifications.
Unlike US Civics – which are built in America – Australian Civics are built in Japan, so it’s not yet known what changes will apply to local models, nor when we can expect them.
While Honda America boasts that the Civic is one of the ‘top three best-selling passenger cars in America over the past 51 years’, Australian Civic sales have declined notably in recent years following the brand’s shift to a fixed-price agency sales model nationwide, shifting 385 new vehicles year to date in 2024 and failing to feature in the top 100 most delivered new vehicles of 2023.
New BMW ‘Skytop’ concept leaked ahead of reveal
Leaked vision has showcased a new BMW roadster concept before its planned reveal
Leaked promotional footage published to the Youcar YouTube channel appears to reveal a new targa-style BMW convertible concept ahead of a planned unveiling later this week, potentially previewing future designs from the brand.
Dubbed the ‘Concept Skytop’, it features a traditional BMW kidney grille, slimline front and rear lights and turbine-style wheels within a luxuriously styled two-seat roadster body that appears to share 8 Series-sized proportions.
Intended for reveal at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy – a showcase of classic and vintage cars – it’s not known whether the design is simply a concept or a potential of future designs or models.
Further details are expected when the vehicle is officially revealed on May 24.
Mitsubishi eK X 2024 Review
Chasing Cars editor Tom Baker’s review of the 2024 Mitsubishi eK X was published, including his detailed take on the Japanese kei car following a first-drive on Australian roads.
While there are no confirmed plans to sell the eK X in Australia at this stage, Mitsubishi is broadly considering whether an affordable city vehicle such as this would make sense to sell in Australia in the future.
While Baker had on one level expected the car to feel tiny, lacking in confidence on the road, and cheap, he was pleasantly surprised by a car that was fun and nippy to drive, felt larger and more stable than its diminutive proportions would suggest, and delivered on Mitsubishi’s range claims.
Two key considerations Baker noted were safety and pricing – namely, whether Mitsubishi would be willing to forgo a five-star ANCAP safety rating to enable the eK X to be sold locally without much reconfiguration, and the need for compelling price to ensure a strong value proposition.
Chasing Cars Editor Tom Baker’s long-term introduction review of the Volkswagen T-Roc R was published
Chasing Cars editor Tom Baker’s long-term introduction review of the 2024 Volkswagen T-Roc R was published, including his thoughts on the most affordable Volkswagen R model in the Australian lineup.
In the Month One wrap, Baker introduces his blue Volkswagen small SUV, noting several positive points, including its strong overall performance, sharp handling and liveable ride quality.
What Baker hasn’t been as fond of has been the lethargic transmission in D mode, a cramped driving experience and the fact that the T-Roc R is ultimately less powerful than the Volkswagen Golf R.
As for the grand plans, Baker expects to do plenty of real-world livability tests, and in his exact words, “we’ll throw everything we can at the T-Roc R”. Stay tuned for future updates both on YouTube, our social media accounts and on the Chasing Cars website.
