Articles by Tom White

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed its future EV plans.Speaking to CarsGuide at the launch of the ID.4 and ID.5 mid-size SUVs, Volkswagen’s Director of Passenger Cars, Piergiorgio Minto, and the product manager of the ID range, Arjun Nidigallu, explained why the brand wont rush to emulate its rivals like Kia, Hyundai, or MG into rapidly expanding its electric car portfolio.When asked about the potential of the also-long-awaited Golf-sized ID.3 hatchback to join the range, Minto said: “Medium SUV has to be the focus. “I believe that we need to stick with the ID.4 and ID.5, put them into the market, and see how the customer reacts.”“We’re continuing monitoring the possibilities, but medium SUV is the big one.”The brand has previously significantly delayed its range of ID electric vehicles, with the ID.4 itself having been pushed back more than four years, originally launching in Europe in 2020.The brand has previously confirmed the ID.3, delayed its launch prediction and has since gone cold on the idea of introducing the hatch to our market, despite it receiving a similar slew of upgrades to the ID.4, which it says is now much more appropriate for an Australian audience, thanks primarily to improved pricing and driving range, and a more powerful electric motor.Additionally, the ID.7 - effectively an electric sedan and wagon equivalent to the Passat - has been deemed out of consideration in previous comments by the brand, at least for the time being.Despite this seemingly measured approach to new electric models, VW claims it is all-in on electric vehicles, showing predictions that the market for EVs will continue to climb past the current plateau and be adopted by more mainstream buyers. To that end, the brand stressed a no for now on a car like ID.3 is not a no forever, as it continues to monitor the Australian market’s taste for electric vehicles.Nidigallu added the brand had also left the standard-range 52kWh version of the ID.4 available in Europe on the cutting room floor for the time being, but just because it had opted to go for long-range only as it is more suited to Australian conditions, didn’t mean it wasn’t open to bringing in an even more affordable version of the mid-sizer to our market in the future.“One of our big advantages is we have a lot of access to product,” he said, adding that Australia’s new vehicle efficiency laws (NVES), which put pressure on manufacturers to reduce their fleet C02 average have added additional negotiating for VW Australia, with its factory to provide more electric vehicles or variants if need be to meet the targets.Volkswagen, however, is already well positioned to survive the tough new emissions laws as its range of vehicles already comply with or exceed European regulations (Euro 6d) which have been in place for years, and which the new Australian laws emulate.Meanwhile, the pricing of the new ID.4 is a very deliberate and strategic move for VW as it attempts to establish itself in the electric mid-size SUV space against some now very well-entrenched competitors.Starting at $59,990 plus on-road costs, the single ID.4 Pro trim level available at launch is only $1090 more expensive than the incoming and deeply updated Tesla Model Y ($58,900 for a base RWD version) while offering at least similar specifications. It also measures up competitively with Kia’s EV5 (from $56,770), BYD’s Sealion 7 (from $54,990), and XPeng’s G6 (from $54,800).However, in this mid-size electric bracket it remains undercut by other newcomers, like Geely’s EX5 (from $40,990) and the Leapmotor C10 (from $43,888).In Q3 of 2025, Volkswagen will expand the range of its electric offering to include a dual-motor GTX version of the ID.4 and, conversely, a Pro rear-wheel-drive version of the ID.5. Prices are yet to be revealed, but expect them to mirror the prices of the current ID.5 GTX (from $72,990) and ID.4 Pro.Despite its buyers usually opting for the most upmarket trims, this time around VW is predicting the lion’s share of volume will be directed to the ID.5 Pro rather than the more performance-oriented GTX, in part thanks to its 544km (WLTP) driving range, which the brand said “breaks the psychological barrier” of range anxiety and makes it appeal more to existing buyers who might have usually opted for the most popular Tiguan 162TSI R-Line (from $60,590).Whether this strategy can pay off in such a competitive market remains to be seen.

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After an extended pre-launch period, KGM SsangYong has detailed its electric car-based ute as it launches in its South Korean home market.Part of an expansion of the Musso name as a sub-brand, which will also feature a replacement for the full-size ladder frame dual-cab currently sold in Australia, the Musso EV is instead based on the same monocoque platform as the Torres mid-size SUV, with which it also shares significant styling cues.The Musso EV features a single battery option, consisting of an 80.6kWh LFP unit granting it a claimed/combined 400km driving range between charges for the base front-wheel drive version.The base FWD has a 152kW/340Nm motor, while the dual-motor, all-wheel drive version produces 304kW/636Nm using a permanent AWD system KGM says has been developed based on know-how from its combustion 4x4 range.Additionally, the Musso EV can be optionally equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension system which maintains the correct ride height regardless of load, however its maximum towing capacity according to Korean regulations is just 1800kg. Its payload is also a mere 500kg, putting it more in the lifestyle camp than positioning it as a heavy-duty load-lugger like Australia’s most popular dual-cab options. Interestingly, though, it also features a step cut-out like the current Ranger for easy access to the tray.When it comes to off-road ability, the Musso EV has an approach angle of 19.2 degrees, a departure angle of 23 degrees and a ground clearance of 187mm.It is capable of charging at a peak rate of 200kW meaning a 10-80 per cent charge in 24 minutes. It also features vehicle-to-load, allowing it to support the use of power tools and camping equipment.Inside, the Musso EV also has a much more modern design than the current combustion ute, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens for the multimedia system and digital instrument cluster. It features the brand’s latest ‘Athena 2.0’ operating system which is also capable of supporting phone app connectivity. It is also available in an array of trim choices in its home market, either a black leather, tan leather or a white two-tone finish.The brand has even launched the Musso EV with an array of factory modifications, including a roll bar, rolling tonneau cover and a roof carrier. Other factory options include a ‘clear sight’ ground view camera, sunroof, 360-degree parking camera suite, genuine leather seats, front and rear skid plates, as well as a premium Alpine audio system.The Musso EV is priced from the equivalent of A$52,000 for the base 2WD which would make it an interesting offer in Australia, although it is unclear how much extra may be added to the price-tag once the ute is converted to right-hand drive and had local compliance and import fees added.KGM SsangYong has confirmed the Musso EV for a local launch although timing or pricing is yet to be locked in.Thus far SsangYong's new Korean owner has been on a new-model blitz to try and turn around the perpetually embattled brand. The Torres has launched to replace the outgoing Korando as the company's mid-size SUV offering and the Actyon will soon arrive as a slightly larger, more Mitsubishi Outlander-sized alternative.KGM SsangYong is also yet to offer any electric vehicle Down Under, although the Torres EVX has been on its radar for some time.