Articles by John Law

Jeep has announced severe price cuts for its Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L large SUVs, with discounts as steep as $28,000 for flagship Summit Reserve models.The price of entry has fallen by $12,500 for the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle five seater to $65,450, while the seven seater is $13,300 cheaper at $69,450, all before on-road costs.While it's typical for brands to offer discounts approaching the end of financial year to shift stock, it's rare to see such significant cuts.The Jeeps in question are 2023 plate vehicles though there are no specification differences between them and MY24 examples. The vehicle arrived in Australia in May 2022.The range is mostly powered by a 3.6-litre V6 developing 210kW and 344Nm.Saving for V6-powered Night Eagles are between $12,500-$13,300 (5/7 seat), the mid-spec Limited $11,000-$12,800, Overland $20,500-$21,300 and Summit Reserve seven-seat $28,000.Savings also apply to the five-seat Summit Reserve 4xe plug-in hybrid to the tune of $18,500.It uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and two electric motors powered by a 17.3kWh battery. The result is 280kW/637Nm and WLTP 52km EV-only driving range.When Jeep launched the fifth-gen Grand Cherokee range locally it planned to move upmarket. The vehicle is dearer than rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade (from $66,800) and Mazda CX-90 (from $74,400).Sales have slowed since the Grand Cherokee's introduction, with Jeep shifting just 254 examples down 43.8 per on last year.Jeep Australia did not specify an end date to the sale or communicate how many examples are in stock.It's the first major price cut for a combustion vehicle ahead of EOFY. Electric vehicle makers, including Tesla, BYD, Peugeot, Renault and Nissan, have all slashed prices lately.Jeep Grand Cherokee prices (before on-road costs, in stock MY23 models)Jeep Grand Cherokee L seven-seat prices (before on-road costs, in stock MY23 models)

Mazda has made a number of small tweaks to the BT-50 ute for model year 2024 including a new variant and off-road mode. There are almost no price changes beyond the high-spec BT-50 SP dual cab climbing $230 to $68,890 before on-road costs. All other variants from the $35,520 XS price leader to flagship Thunder ($74,095) remain unchanged. Until the end of this financial year, Mazda is running drive-away specials on the XT dual cab ($49,990) and SP dual cab ($64,670) for ABN holders. For 2024, Mazda has brought the practical dual cab chassis configuration to the leather upholstered GT 4x4 trim for $61,260 before on-road costs. It features LED headlights, dual-zone climate, 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, leather-appointed steering wheel and shifter, chrome mirror caps, heated seats with brown leather upholstery and remote start function using the key fob over the XTR trim. All 4x4 models now get a Rough Terrain Mode, which can be engaged using a button next to the shifter. To maintain traction in technical conditions, the system modulates throttle and brake inputs at low speed to intervene ‘before wheel spin can occur’. The XS and XT grades get auto relock functionality, previously reserved for XTR trims and above with advanced keyless entry. The Isuzu D-Max-related BT-50 continues a 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder in the base XS while all other models use a 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre '4JJ3-TCX' turbo diesel renowned for i9ts towing ability and reliability.A six-speed manual transmission is standard up to XTR with six-speed automatic optional. From GT up, all variants are auto.The small updates, drive-away prices and added off-road tech may push BT-50 sales closer to rivals such as the Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton. So far this year, Mazda’s luxury-focused ute has found 4811 homes, ahead of the Nissan Navara and GWM Ute Cannon but behind market leaders.The changes come after Mazda dropped the BT-50 in New Zealand and then South Africa. Mazda Australia says it remains committed to the ute locally. 2024 Mazda BT-50 4x4 dual cab pick-up pricingFor full pricing visit our Mazda BT-50 price and specs page.

We’ve become desensitised to ubiquitous ‘Made in China’ stickers on all manner of household products but there’s something about a whole car that incites extra scrutiny.

Alfa Romeo has unveiled swan song special editions for its Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models. Limited to 450 examples worldwide, the Giulia and Stelvio Super Sport (split 275 for sedan and 175 SUV) celebrate Alfa’s first victory at the Mille Miglia endurance race in 1928 at the hands of Giuseppe Campari and Giulio Ramponi in an Alfa 6C 1500 Super Sport.Six examples of the Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport ($174,200) and three Stelvio Super Sports ($183,200) are coming to Australia using the 375kW 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6. This could be the engine’s last mass-production outing with an electric Giulia due next year. The Giulia Sedan is a stand-out option among peers including the Audi RS5, BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 S – the same can be said of the BMW X3 M and AMG GLC 63 S rivalling Stelvio medium SUV. The ‘690T’ Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6’s 375kW and 600Nm outputs are unchanged for the Super Sport models though an Akrapovič exhaust system has been fitted to add more bark to the Quadrifoglio experience.Both models use an eight-speed automatic transmission and the Giulia drives its rear wheels while the Stelvio powers all four.Alfa Romeo says the Giulia Super Sport benefits from a re-tuned mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) with learning from the track-focused GTA model. The tweaks apparently increase stability without sacrificing agility, benefitting cornering speeds. There are none of the GTA or GTAm’s chassis changes here. The Super Sport variants use 19-inch (Giulia) and 21-inch (Stelvio) five-hole alloy wheels. The Stelvio does not score the different LSD so changes are limited to visual ones. The cars share a black-backed Quadrifoglio badge for the first time as a follow-up on last year’s gold-accented centenary insignia. Carbon-fibre aerodynamic parts, including a functional front splitter, feature on the Giulia. Both vehicles are available in Etna red metallic or Vulcano black – Alfa white paint is reserved for the Giulia. Inside, the gear shift surround gets a new carbon-fibre material with red finish to match the embossed headrests that carry the car’s individual number. As much as these Super Sport editions celebrate Alfa Romeo’s storied racing history, they also signal that Alfa is coming to the end of its combustion journey and the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s V6 aren’t going to live forever. Alfa has confirmed its 2025 Giulia replacement will be electric and based on Stellantis’ ‘STLA’ EV only architecture. The Stelvio is expected to follow suit. With only six Giulia and three Stelvio Super Sports, Australian buyers will want to get in quick.2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio pricing before on-road costs 

Kia’s most affordable electric car yet will launch on May 23rd but thanks to CarWale we get an early glimpse of the small SUV. Based on a front-drive version of Kia and Hyundai’s 'E-GMP' architecture, the South Korean EV3 will sit below the soon-to-launch EV5 and target affordable Chinese-made electric cars such as the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV. No further details have been confirmed but the futuristic-looking EV3 has been revealed with Kia’s familiar closed off front ‘mask’, futuristic alloy wheel designs and airy cabin architecture. Compared to the EV3 concept unveiled last year its body lines have become a little more conventional in production form but this is still a distinctive small SUV. From the rear three-quarter angle the pinched quarter window/piano black detail and tailgate shape have shades of BMW’s 2014 i3 hatch. Flush, almost imperceptible door handles from the EV9 appear to be on the flanks. LED lighting details blend into the body seams of the EV3 for a crisp look. Measuring 4.3 metres long, the EV3 is roughly Kia Seltos sized. The cabin has a familiar layout to Kia’s other E-GMP products and Hyundai’s Kona electric. The twin screens are incorporated into a single tablet while the software is very reminiscent of the EV9’s. There’s a new three-spoke steering wheel with a grey airbag cover that looks handsome. A tall centre storage cubby doubles as an armrest and it looks like there will be wireless charging and some physical shortcut buttons. CarWale suggests there will only be two trim levels: standard and GT-Line (pictured). Expect variance in battery pack to hit price points. Powertrain details are unconfirmed, though like the EV5 the EV3 will use a 400-volt version of the E-GMP architecture limiting charging speed and power compared to the EV6 and EV9. China-built EV5s coming to Australia will use a 150kW motor in front-drive configuration allied with a 64.2kWh LFP battery. A similar set-up for flagship EV3 variants could be possible, while Kia could also offer a lower trim level with 112kW motor at circa 45kWh battery rumoured overseas.That would equate to driving ranges between 350-km and 500km, about right for this style of vehicle. An all-wheel drive EV3 is unlikely. Pricing is a long way from being confirmed but don’t expect Kia to get stuck into the bloody price war at the lower end. Product planning boss Roland Rivero has previously told CarsGuide the brand doesn’t plan to dip below $40K. “If you’re developing your brand – and we’ve put a lot of work into that – and getting great product, if you can easily translate that to the customer that this is still great value, like the EV9, then do you really want to play in the puddle that is $30,000, or $25,000?"You just need to make those decisions if you want to play in that price point. If you can stay at $40K-$50K, $50K-$60K, and there’s still value, that’s what we’re looking at,” he said. Hyundai recently registered an ‘Ioniq 3’ trademark locally suggesting it could play in a similar area to Kia’s EV3 and EV5 models.Kia is expected to follow up the EV3 – which will sit below the EV5 and EV6 – with an EV4 sedan. More details to come at the EV3’s full reveal next Thursday, May 23rd. 

The IM Motors L6 sedan is the first production electric car to use semi solid state batteries and its full, frankly astounding, statistics have been revealed at its China release. The massive 133kWh semi solid battery pack isn’t on sale now – it’ll arrive in October – provides a claimed 1000km of driving range in the CTLC protocol (equivalent to around 800km WLTP) and 400km of range added in 12 minutes of charging are very enticing. It’s not just big batteries, with SAIC-owned and Alibaba-backed IM Motors (a peer of MG) also touting its ‘Digital Lizard’ active chassis technology that got the sedan through the ‘Moose Test’ swerve and recover manoeuvre at 90.96km/h, faster than any other vehicle on record. The IM L6’s test results can’t be considered official, though.Popularised by Swedish outlet Teknikens Varld, the ISO standard stipulates the test must be completed with a full complement of passengers and luggage on board to be considered valid. The 1997 Citroen Xantia Activa’s 85km/h effort remains on top for now. IM’s active suspension tech is interesting though, said to offer ‘three axes’ of control including vertical (though there’s no literature to say it uses air springs). It appears to have active anti-roll bars, four-wheel steering and ESP functions integrated into a module said to aid response, stability and manoeuvrability – you can watch it in action hereSingle and twin motor variants of the IM Motors L6 will be offered in China with a range-topping L6 Max Super Performance variant features a 100kWh battery and twin ‘Hurricane’ motors for 579kW/800Nm, a 0-100km/h sprint in 2.74 seconds and Audi e-tron GT-beating top speed of 268km/h thanks to IM’s 21,000rpm motor speed.To give some context to the IM L6’s figures, here is how it stacks up against a BYD Seal sedan.At 4.9 metres long it’s bigger and pitched as a more luxurious option than the Seal - a BMW i5 M60 rival really – but this should help illustrate its figures. The L6 Max Lightyear will launch later with a 900V architecture and 133kWh semi solid state battery supplied by Qingtao (Kunshan) Energy Development Group.IM Motors is planning a European launch in 2025 with ambitions to compete with luxury brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.Australian plans are unclear but MG Australia, who would be the natural importer of the SAIC-owned IM brand, has shown an interest in the sedan and LS6 medium SUV previously as a Tesla Model Y rival. “The process is quite a complex process around why a specific variant is selected or not selected, so as we do with all our range, we will proactively work with our engineers locally and internationally as well as product, marketing, sales teams, dealer network and customer feedback to understand and cater our offering to their ongoing needs and wants", an MG spokesperson said.  Taking into account shipping, taxes and margins (rather than direct conversion), it’s possible the L6 line-up could be priced from around $70K for a long range single motor variant with the flagship 133kWh ‘Lightyear’ potentially under $100K if it does arrive.

The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech becomes the latest in a line of electric cars to have its price cut approaching the end of financial year to increase sales. The Megane E-Tech Techno EV60 is priced from $54,990 before on-road costs until June 30, a $10,000 discount from the launch price.It brings Renault's EV, which launched only a few months ago, below popular electric vehicles including the Tesla Model 3 RWD ($58,900) and Hyundai Kona Electric ($58,000).The small SUV that competes with the BYD Atto 3 and Peugeot e-2008 features a 60kWh lithium-ion battery and front-mounted 160kW/300Nm electric motor for a WLTP driving range of 454km and 0-100km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds. The battery accepts DC electricity at up to 130kW allowing the Megane E-tech to recuperate 10-80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes on a suitably powerful pylon.“We’ve been delighted with the response to the Megane E-Tech since its launch in early February,” said Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey.“This limited end-of-financial-year offer, at the key selling period of the year, will ensure we remain competitive”, said Sealey justifying the offer. As for level of equipment, the Techno EV60 is the sole variant and features 20-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery made from recycled fibres, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. So far Renault has shifted 97 Megane E-Tech examples in Australia. Comparatively, BYD has sold 2638 Atto 3s and Volvo already 115 EX30s in its first month on sale. The Megane E-Tech follows limited offers for the BYD Atto 3, Peugeot e-2008, Nissan Leaf and Polestar 2. There was also a wholesale Tesla price cut earlier this year fuelling the competitive electric car environment in Australia.

The Volkswagen GTX badge is a stopgap, as the German carmaker transitions to an all-electric future. For the moment, hot versions of the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.Buzz will retain GTX insignia, but over time GTI and R will transition to spicy electric VWs, according to British publication Autocar."GTX is the performance brand of the MEB , but we'll work our way back to GTI and R in the next products going forward," Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer told the outlet.The changes are expected to start with the production version of Volkswagen’s 2023 ID GTI concept, the sporty variant of the ID.2 small car sitting on the MEB Small platform. Some publications have called it a Golf GTI replacement, though proportionally it more closely resembles a Polo GTI.Schäfer admitted to Autocar that GTI badging has historically been reserved for front-wheel drive performance models, and positioning may need to be adjusted. GTX models so far have been AWD (ID.4, ID.5, ID.Buzz) or rear-wheel drive (ID.3).Meanwhile R models pack a bit more punch with all-wheel drive in Volkswagen land. The brand has previously mooted a Golf R electric follow up could emerge by 2029.Expect GTX badges to live on for now on Volkswagen MEB-based performance products though it’s unlikely that Volkswagen will broaden its GTX offering. With Schäfer’s comments that GTX is for MEB only, we can expect changes to Volkswagen’s performance-oriented naming from around 2026 when the first model based on the new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) – a successor to both MEB and PPE – is expected.

After being rumoured and teased, the 2025 Kia EV6 facelift has finally been unveiled in South Korea. A discreet nip and tuck of the front end with new lighting features is mated to an updated cabin design and larger 84kWh battery providing a few extra kilometres of driving range for the refreshed EV6.Australian details have yet to be confirmed but we do know the refreshed Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 rival will hit local shores in the fourth quarter (October to December inclusive) of this year. Led by the Air and GT-Line variants, Kia will introduce the flagship GT locally a few months after the more attainable trims. Changes outside include a new front mask featuring full-width LED lighting that attempts to link the EV6 to the latest EV9 and EV5 design language. It gives the impression of a longer bonnet, while the bumper and valance have been tidied up for a sleeker appearance. The coupe-like EV6 remains a distinct offering next to the rest of Kia’s EV range. At the rear not much has changed for the 2025 EV6, which retains its textural chrome ring on the tailgate that links into the LED tail and brake lights. There are new futuristic alloy wheel designs in both 19- and 20-inch sizes. Further changes lurk inside with the multimedia touchscreen and digital driver’s display now integrated into a single curved display module. There’s an updated operating system straight from the EV9 that features wireless smartphone mirroring. A newly-designed two-spoke steering wheel now features low-gloss switchgear and attractive airbag cover. There’s also a fingerprint reader that will allow registered drivers to start the EV6 without a key. That feature is not confirmed for Australia. Overseas images show greater interior customisation than what’s previously been offered in Australia with a two-tone black and brown leather and light option. An upgraded 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack – the same as the Ioniq 5 – replaces the previous 77.4kWh unit. It increases driving range from 475km to 494km for rear-drive models with 19-inch wheels while the 10-80 per cent ultra-rapid charge time remains at 18 minutes. There are no changes to the EV6’s outputs with the rear-drive model producing 168kW/350Nm and the twin-motor AWD up at 239kW/605Nm. Kia has not detailed changes to the flagship GT model yet. In South Korea, Kia claims to have tweaked the settings of the EV6’s frequency-selective dampers. It’s unclear whether the same changes will be made to Australian cars given Kia’s local ride and handling program. Other improvements include improving insulation for the electric motors and adding strengthening material to the body. Australia pricing will be revealed closer to the EV6’s launch. The current line-up runs from Air ($72,590) to GT ($99,590, both before on-road costs).

Mazda announced its financial results this week as the brand came to the end of its fiscal year and, as far as profits go, the outlook is excellent. The Hiroshima-based brand’s record operating profit finished at ¥250.5 billion (A$2.45 billion) in the 12-month reporting period, up a whopping 76 per cent from the year prior. Much of this is down to the brand’s new premium models, including the CX-60 and CX-90, with higher prices and margins driving up Mazda’s bottom line despite the vehicles not troubling existing CX-3, CX-5 and CX-30 as best sellers in many markets.According to Mazda’s figures as reported by AutoNews, the new Large Platform models contributed ¥125.2 billion (A$1.2 billion) to the coffers – that’s 48.5 per cent. Much of this growth can be attributed to the United States, where Mazda’s gamble on new large SUVs with combustion engines and plug-in hybrid rather than battery electric tech looks to be paying off. Sales in April were at 31,125 in the US which, although 3.8 per cent down on last April, keeps Mazda ahead 8.7 per cent year-to-date. With 3694 CX-90s finding homes in the United States, the three-row SUV accounted for a solid 11.9 per cent chunk of sales. Behind stalwarts such as the CX-5 (11,149) and CX-30 (7640) but impressive for a large luxury vehicle. The story is different in Australia, even though Mazda’s local arm has put its hand up for the full quartet of Large Platform products – including CX-70 and CX-80 – the proof has not arrived in sales form yet. In April, Australians took delivery of 65 CX-90s and 230 CX-60s. We are a smaller market for Mazda with 7301 total sales for the month but the proportion of Mazda’s expensive new SUVs is far less favourable, accounting for 4.0 per cent of total sales. Mazda buyers continue to vote for the CX-5 (1629) and CX-3 (1416) with their wallets in Australia.Adding to Mazda’s global profits is a favourable exchange rate with the US, the yen having lost 14 per cent of its value against the US dollar. Despite relatively small demand in its home market (Mazda sales in Japan were down 31 per cent in March) and with no electric vehicles for sale in Australia, Mazda’s gamble on the premium platform looks to be paying off in revenue at head office.