This week in information: December 19-23

We publish a ton of automobile information tales in the course of the working week, and it may be robust to maintain up with the whole lot – which is the rationale behind this weekend listing.

In brief, listed here are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.

This one stings

Kia has confirmed the Stinger is ending manufacturing shortly, in a Korean press launch. The corporate introduced a Stinger Tribute Version restricted to 1000 items, designed to ship off the image-changing efficiency GT in fashion.

“The Tribute Version pays homage to Kia’s high-performance imaginative and prescient, and celebrates the Stinger sedan’s important contribution to the model since its introduction in 2017, as manufacturing of the groundbreaking mannequin involves an finish,” the corporate mentioned.

It didn’t verify an finish of manufacturing date, however given that is the end-of-the-line model, it’s fairly clear that the Stinger will shuffle off the manufacturing facility agenda in the course of the course of 2023. Stories from October predicted as a lot.

MORE: Kia Stinger manufacturing to finish

ANCAP’s star performers

Security authority ANCAP is wrapping up for the calendar yr and has listed its prime performing autos of 2022.

When weighted scores throughout the 4 testing areas, the Tesla Mannequin Y got here out on prime with a rating of 92.6 per cent.

The Lexus NX acquired the second-highest total weighted rating for 2022 at 89.2 per cent, whereas the petrol-powered LDV MIFA and its electrical MIFA 9 counterpart additionally reached the rostrum with a weighted rating of 87.4 per cent.

MORE: Tesla Mannequin Y tops ANCAP’s most secure automobiles of 2022 listing

New Q5 across the nook

The subsequent-generation Audi Q5 SUV has been spied as soon as once more forward of its anticipated reveal throughout 2023, as a 2024 mannequin.

Our spy photographers have been capable of seize this camouflaged Q5 prototype parked proper subsequent to a current-generation mannequin, which permits us to see nearly all of the outside physique adjustments.

The subsequent-generation Q5 is clearly decrease and wider than the present mannequin. It additionally seems to have an extended wheelbase which can translate to extra inside house.

MORE: 2024 Audi Q5 spied in and out

LDV lobs funky new van

China’s LDV is continuous to roll out new autos in its home market at tempo, the newest being a mid-sized passenger van with some funky design touches and two-tone colors.

The Maxus V70 – the corporate known as LDV in Australia makes use of the Maxus branding elsewhere – appears to be like relatively like a Ford Transit Customized from the aspect, however has an fascinating entrance grille, and makes use of enjoyable two-tone colors a bit like a Volkswagen Multivan.

We additionally perceive that LDV Australia’s importer is conscious of the V70 and is wanting on the car, although it has not itself commented on any plans a technique or one other.

MORE: LDV reveals funky Maxus V70 van

New Nismo nears

Nissan’s hotter Z appears to have been spied testing forward of an anticipated reveal subsequent yr.

The 2023 Nissan Z Nismo, as seen in a sequence of photographs shared on Fb and Twitter, contains a raft of seen adjustments.

There are new wheels, wrapped in Dunlop tyres, behind which sit what look like greater brakes, whereas there are additionally new bumpers.

MORE: 2023 Nissan Z Nismo spied?

Tank rolls in below $60k

GWM continues its speedy growth into the Australian market, with the GWM Tank sub-brand about to reach – the place it should promote alongside the GWM Ute and numerous GWM Haval SUVs.

Its first mannequin is the GWM Tank 300 Hybrid, a boxy ladder-frame 4×4 sharing a few of its underpinnings with the GWM Ute, however utilizing petrol-electric energy.

Costs kick off at $55,990 drive-away and prime out at $60,990 drive-away, making it GWM’s costliest car in Australia to this point.

MORE: GWM Tank 300 Hybrid 4×4 priced from $55,990 drive-away

Kona grows up, and out

The subsequent-generation, bigger Hyundai Kona crossover has been revealed, forward of an preliminary Australian rollout commencing from mid-2023.

Additional particulars shall be revealed within the coming months, each for worldwide variations and Australia-bound fashions, however CarExpert understands that the model will stagger the rollout of the Kona vary as with the unique.

Petrol, hybrid and EV variations are all on the playing cards for Australia. Ought to the Hybrid (HEV) come right here, it’s a giant win for Hyundai Australia given the first-generation Kona Hybrid by no means made it to native showrooms resulting from its European manufacturing.

MORE: 2023 Hyundai Kona revealed, right here mid-year with hybrid, EV choices

Used automobile prices coming again to Earth

The common price of used automobiles in Australia has now been falling for six months, providing some reduction to consumers priced out of the recent market, based on a brand new report.

Compiled by Moody’s Analytics, the newest Used Automobile Value Index reveals transaction prices decreased an extra 2 per cent from October to November.

The information reveals costs for used autos at the moment are decrease on common than they have been at the beginning of the yr. In Could 2022, used car costs have been 18.4 per cent better than Could 2021. Issues aren’t precisely ‘regular’ but although. Common used car costs are nonetheless 55 per cent better than they have been in January 2020, simply earlier than COVID wrought havoc.

MORE: Australia’s used automobile costs have been falling for six straight months

Low-cost EV captured in camo

The BYD Dolphin – set to be considered one of Australia’s most cost-effective electrical autos – has been spied testing in New South Wales.

In these photographs shared on the Fb group Car Spotters Australia, the electrical hatch is sporting camouflage on its entrance finish, making it laborious to establish any visible adjustments.

We don’t count on any main exterior adjustments up entrance, although the presence of camouflage right here and never wherever else on the car is noteworthy.

MORE: 2023 BYD Dolphin EV hatch spied testing in Australia

Brace yourselves… the Teslas are coming

A ship carrying “properly over” 4000 new Teslas is reportedly set to dock in NSW earlier than Christmas, which might be the most important Tesla cargo ever to come back to Australia.

The information comes from established Tesla delivery tracker VedaPrime, which claims 12 ships have arrived carrying Teslas in the course of the fourth quarter of this yr.

A thirteenth was scheduled to reach however now received’t dock till the primary quarter of 2023.

MORE: Document Tesla EV cargo reaches Australia