Articles by Jake Williams

Subaru has updated its mid-size Levorg wagon in Japan with new features, new tech, slightly revised styling and newly available models. To be released in Japan in June 2019, the updated Levorg now includes the STI Sport Black Selection and Advantage Line specs, with the former based on the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and the latter on the smaller 1.6-litre turbo. The updates to the Levorg won’t land immediately in Australia however, with Subaru Australia spokesperson Dave Rowley telling CarsGuide that there are “no changes planned imminently for our Levorg line-up.”Based on the STI Sport that’s currently sold in Australia, the STI Sport Black Selection adds black mirror caps and new two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels for a sportier look.The inside now has new 'Ultrasuede'/leather Recaro front seats, with the same upholstery mix spreading to the rear seat. The lower centre console now has soft-touch materials, and new stitching has been added all over the cabin for a more upmarket look.The Levorg Advantage Line is based on the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and adds new black 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as black mirror caps, door handles and exterior badging. The interior of the Advantage Line adds black and blue Ultrasuede/leather seating, as well as blue interior stitching and a blue dashboard inlay.Subaru has also given the Levorg the brand’s latest 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the brand’s latest SmartLink multimedia software. The Levorg’s auto high beam now operates from as low as 30km/h, instead of the former 40km/h threshold.

Mazda has announced available wireless phone charging in both the UK and US for the new-generation Mazda3. Available as an accessory kit through Mazda dealerships, the wireless charger sits in the centre box of the new Mazda3 and allows passengers to charge multiple devices at once. Priced from US$275 (AUD $391) in the US and £122 (AUD $230) in the UK, the wireless phone charging system matches the Qi standard of other automotive wireless chargers. Despite being made available in both the UK and US, Mazda Australia has no current plans to add it to the its range - even as an accessory. Local spokesperson Amy O’Brien told CarsGuide that the company “won’t be offering a wireless phone charger for now.”The Mazda3's main competitors - Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30 - all offer wireless charging on higher grades.

BMW has confirmed its 3 Series GT won’t be replaced when the current version bites the dust in the next few years. Part of a brand-wide cost-cutting mission to save more than €12 billion in the brand's first quarter 2019 financial report, the 3 Series GT and other engine variants in the brand’s global range will be axed.BMW chairman Harold Krüger confirmed that "there won't be a successor" to the current 3 Series GT in the report.Launched in 2013, the 3 Series GT was meant to combine the styling of a sedan with the practicality of a wagon, and is longer and wider than both regular 3 Series variants for more interior space. Its wheelbase is 110mm longer than the last generation 3 on which it's based.BMW Australia currently offers two variants of the 3 Series GT range - the entry-point 320d ($73,100) and the 330i $(80,000) above it. Both are priced significantly above 3 Series sedan and wagon equivalents. Other cost-cutting measures from BMW include reducing half of the available drivetrains by 2021, as well as reducing complexity of vehicles and shortening the development time for new vehicles by up to a third to enhance speed to market.

Skoda has released the first teaser image of the mid-life update for the Superb large liftback and wagon, which is due in Australia in 2020. To be revealed at the Ice-Hockey World Championship in Slovakia (May 10-26), the updated Superb will introduce new styling, new drivetrains and added tech to Skoda’s flagship. Chief among the upgrades will reportedly be a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with an electric motor and battery pack to offer around 50km of electric-only range.Already featuring in the Volkswagen Passat GTE, Golf GTE and Audi A3 e-tron, the Superb's plug-in hybrid set-up will be the first of its kind from Skoda and will undoubtedly spread to other models such as the Kodiaq SUV. The Superb’s exterior will reportedly come under the surgeon’s knife with revised styling at the front, as well as new LED tail-lights possibly linked by a LED light bar in the middle. The brand’s new rear badging will also feature, with Skoda spanning the rear instead of the traditional, central roundel.Other changes will include an updated interior with the brand’s latest multimedia systems, upgraded interior finishes and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Details for Australia are yet to be confirmed, though the current engine line-up - a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol in either 162kW or 206kW with all-wheel drive - is expected to remain. The former 140kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel isn’t expected to return to the Superb.

Volkswagen has released teaser images of its new ID.3 electric car, which will be the first car from the brand’s new ID electric car brand. Due on sale in Australia within a few years, the ID.3 will be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September. According to Volkswagen, the ID.3 will be ‘well priced’ for an EV.Giving a closer look than before at details such as lighting shapes and window lines, the ID.3 clearly takes inspiration from the ID. Concept from 2017.The headlights feature an LED daytime running light ring and are linked by another light strip, and the taillights are shaped like the Tiguan, though full-LED.Taking a tall-hatchback stance, the ID.3 should offer a lot of interior space - especially headroom - and advanced tech.Design items changed from the concept include the mirrors, which were cameras, and are now conventional, while the suicide doors of the concept are also now conventional. The door handles have also been changed to a more conventional look. Under the skin, a rear-mounted 125kW electric motor powers the rear wheels and three battery configurations will be offered: 48kWh, around 70kWh and 111kWh that will offer the most range. 

Toyota Australia is celebrating having sold 100,000 hybrid models in Australia, almost 20 years since the original Prius went on sale locally in 2001. The milestone was reached at end of April 2019 - just before the arrival of the brand’s next hybrid model: the next-generation RAV4. Due in Australia this month, the RAV4 will be offered in 11 different models, with six hybrid versions set to be offered when it goes on sale. King of the hybrid models in Australia is the Camry, with more than 55,000 sold to date. The Prius is in second place, with 20,500 sales, followed by the Corolla (10,600), Prius C (9400) and Prius V (4600).So far in 2019, the petrol-electric Corolla hybrid is accounting for 31.4 per cent of Corolla hatch sales (2957 units), and has edged ahead of the Camry hybrid’s total sales (2298).Toyota expects hybrid sales to top 10 per cent of its overall sales this year, up from 5.3 per cent in 2018 and 3.9 per cent in 2017. The company will add two new hybrid models before the end of 2019 - the new Corolla sedan and an updated version of the C-HR small SUV - and likely two more by the end of 2020, which will include the just-revealed Kluger along with the next-generation Yaris, which is expected to replace the slow-selling Prius C. 

New cars in Australia are better value than ever before thanks to standard equipment inclusions, yet towards the bottom end of the market, cars available to us are also better priced than anywhere else in the world. Moving further up the pricing chain reveals how expensive Australian cars can get thanks to the Luxury Car Tax (LCT), yet below $60,000, Australian cars are seriously good value when compared with many global markets. We're using the Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf hatchback as an example, which is currently available for $24,990 drive away as a Trendline 110TSI six-speed manual. Is the Australian-delivered car is better equipped and priced than in any other market globally?Well, not only is the Australian Golf Trendline more spec-rich than in most markets - 16-inch alloy wheels, AEB with forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, rear AEB, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a leather steering wheel with audio controls and cruise control are all standard - but every new Australian-spec Volkswagen comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty as well. All of our regular Golfs are equipped with the 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is the most powerful regular engine offered in the Golf worldwide. Most similar in pricing to Australian Golfs is Canada, which offers the same 110TSI engine in Comfortline spec with a six-speed manual for $22,500 CAD ($23,875 AUD), though it features smaller alloy wheels and a smaller 6.5-inch multimedia screen. In addition to that, VW Canada offers an inferior four-year/80,000km warranty.North American buyers can also optionally choose an eight-speed torque converter auto that we wish was offered locally in favour of the seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) unit.Even more annoying is that Volkswagen Canada offers a much wider range of colours for its Golfs, including ‘Peacock Green’, which is only offered locally on the Amarok. Across the ditch in New Zealand, pricing starts at NZ$29,990 ($28,389 AUD) for the Comfortline. The NZ spec is similar to Australian Trendline, though it features the lower output 92kW/200Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and only a three-year warranty. It does, however, feature lane assist as standard, and metallic paint - ‘Oryx White’ aside - is free-of-charge. South African Golfs are not only more expensive than Australian models - they’re priced from R320,800 ($31,802 AUD) - but aren’t anywhere near as well equipped. The wheels are smaller, as is the multimedia system (6.5-inch), cruise control is an option, as are auto lights/wipers, a reversing camera and smartphone mirroring tech. AEB isn’t available at all, and the engine used is an 81kW 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. South African-spec Golfs are made in South Africa. Much like the greater Volkswagen range, Chinese-spec Golfs offer a wider range than their global cousins. An 85kW/155Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is standard, though both the 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI are available on higher models. Priced from 121,900 yuan ($26,000 AUD), the Chinese Golf gets kit like a 6.5-inch screen, AEB, 16-inch alloy wheels and cornering front fog-lamps - so for equipment, it’s not bad. Shame about that old-school non-turbo engine, though.Like Canada, the American-spec Golf is made in Mexico. Featuring broadly the same spec as its northern neighbour, the American 1.4TSI S is priced from US$22,740 ($32,496 AUD) and is equipped with blind-spot monitoring, AEB and rear cross traffic alert, though a manual handbrake and no rear air vents are also part of the deal. American Volkswagens have the longest global warranty at six years/72,000 miles (115,872km).Moving to Europe, things get expensive. Both Germany and France offer the 63kW 1.0TSI with a five-speed manual transmission as the entry level drivetrain for the Golf. Both countries offer a two-year warranty, as well as 15-inch steel wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, no reversing camera, no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a urethane steering wheel and optional cruise control. The entry Golf is priced from €19,520 ($33,434 AUD) in Germany, and €20,650 ($33,144 AUD) in France. Yet while that's expensive, the most expensive in the world is the British Golf, which is priced from £20,945 ($39,478 AUD) for an 85kW 1.0TSI six-speed manual in S spec. The UK Golf S offers 15-inch steel wheels, an 8.0-inch multimedia system, AEB and electric windows/mirrors. Yet, it’s not equipped with a leather steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, auto lights/wipers, front and rear parking sensors or a reversing camera, and optioning them pushes the price to nearly $42,000 AUD. Volkswagen UK offers a three-year/60,000 mile (97,000km) warranty. The same is true for multiple models on sale locally. Despite being made locally, the Skoda Octavia is up to $20,000 cheaper in Australia than some European countries, as is the BMW 1 Series. The Japanese-made Mazda3 is also better equipped and cheaper to buy here than in many markets as well, including Japan, and the Subaru XV in base 1.6L form is around AUD$47,000 in the UK. 

BMW has teased the upcoming 8 Series Gran Coupe ahead of its reveal later in 2019. Following in the same footsteps as the former 6 Series Gran Coupe - which it will directly replace - the 8 Series Gran Coupe is being touted as a “four-door sports car of consummate elegance,” according to BMW.Just a single teaser image has been revealed so far, which shows the car’s slinky roofline and obvious four-door coupe bodystyle.Possibly debuting the brand’s M8 performance variant at the same time, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is expected to use the 8 Series coupe’s drivetrains: the 390kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 M850i, and the 235kW/680Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six used in the 840d. Both engines are paired to BMW’s 'xDrive' all-wheel drive system matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite a bespoke back seat, the interior of the 8 Series Gran Coupe is expected to be identical to the coupe with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and 10.25-inch central multimedia screen as standard equipment. The 8 Series Gran Coupe will compete with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS and will be priced north of $180,000.  

Volkswagen Australia has announced end of financial year deals, which apply until June 30 2019. Focusing mostly on the Golf and Amarok, buyers can save up to thousands of dollars on some Volkswagen models. Starting at the entry level Polo Trendline, pricing kicks off from $18,990 drive-away for the 70TSI five-speed manual, with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) at $21,490. The higher-spec 85TSI Comfortline DSG is $23,990 drive-away. The Mk7.5 Golf is on special from $24,990 drive-away for the entry-level Trendline 110TSI manual - the same price the 110TSI former base model was listed for. The Trendline DSG is $26,990, the Comfortline DSG is $29,990, the Highline DSG is $36,990, and the GTI DSG is $48,990 - the prices listed are drive-away for all of those models. The Golf wagon also comes with drive-away pricing - the Trendline 110TSI is at $31,490, while the Golf Alltrack hits at $37,490. The larger Passat wagon 132TSI has a $40,490 drive-away price.The Amarok V6 is priced from $49,990 drive-away for the Core, while the Sportline is $52,990 and the Highline $57,990. All Amaroks sold before June 30th also come with three years/45,000km of free servicing, saving buyers a further $1835. The free servicing deal also applies to the Tiguan mid-sized SUV. The brand’s vans are also on sale - the Caddy van at $30,990 drive-away, the Caddy people mover at $36,490 drive-away, the Transporter from $40,990, the Caravelle $51,990 and the Multivan $52,990. All vans sold also come with the three/45,000km free servicing agreement. With just under two months until the end of the financial year and new cars sales in a slump, you can expect plenty of manufacturers to launch end of financial year deals imminently. Stay tuned for more deals soon. 

Hyundai Australia has dropped the i40 mid-size sedan and wagon following persistent low sales and ahead of the arrival of the new-generation Sonata in the second half of the year. On sale since October 2011, the i40 was developed in Europe and was sold alongside the i45 of the time, which was renamed Sonata in its next generation. The i40 and Sonata duo was seen as Hyundai’s take on the Honda Accord and Accord Euro situation throughout the 2000s - the i40 was the slightly smaller European take on the mid-size idea, while the Sonata was bigger and better priced.Unlike the Accord situation - in Australia at least - the i40 offered a both sedan and wagon body-styles, and the wagon was the better seller between the two locally. Throughout its life in Australia, the i40 offered two drivetrains - a 121kW/203Nm 2.0-litre petrol, and a 104kW/340Nm 1.7-litre turbo-diesel. The petrol was available with a six-speed auto, and the diesel a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. The wagon was available with both units, but perhaps because of the petrol Sonata, the sedan was diesel-only in its later years.Mid-size car sales shrunk in recent years thanks to SUVs, so much so that in 2012 there were 87,674 examples sold - in 2018, that declined to 46,231. The story for the i40 is the same - in 2012 it sold 2392 units, and last year only 633 were delivered. Flying the mid-size flag for Hyundai Australia will be the new-generation Sonata, which is due to land locally in the third quarter of 2019 with a four-cylinder petrol engine. A turbocharged unit in a rumoured Sonata N-Line may launch in 2020 as well.