Car News Today: March 3rd, 2025
Welcome to your daily dose of automotive news. Today’s headlines include Kia’s expanding electric vehicle lineup, a potentially game-changing ute from a new Chinese brand, Volkswagen’s competitive pricing for its new EV, and the BYD Shark’s top safety rating in ANCAP tests.
Kia’s Electric Car Offensive Continues
Kia has unveiled its plans for the future, with the cut-price EV2 hatchback, aimed for European markets, though an Australian launch is still unlikely due to its Slovakian production. The company’s PV5 electric van, with various configurations including cargo van and people mover is also on the cards for a global release, and Kia is hoping to revolutionize the commercial vehicle sector. The UK pricing is aggressive, positioning the van at parity with the diesel Ford Transit.
New Chinese Brand’s Quirky ‘Ute’ Confirmed
Deepal, a new Chinese brand, is introducing the E07, a vehicle that fuses SUV comfort with a ute’s practicality. The E07 features a tray-like boot and a sliding glass roof. The EV boasts impressive performance, with a twin-motor setup delivering up to 440kW and 645Nm. Its 90kWh battery pack offers a driving range of 520km (WLTP combined). Also expected this year is the S05, a smaller, more conventional SUV sibling to the S07 coupe-like SUV, with single and twin motor options to choose from. Pricing is predicted to start from under $50,000.
Volkswagen’s Tesla Model Y Rival Priced
Volkswagen has launched its Tesla Model Y rival, and the pricing is good news. The 210kW rear-drive ID.4 Pro starts at $59,990 before on-road costs, which is $600 less than a Tiguan 162TSI R-Line. Standard equipment is abundant, including adaptive Matrix LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen, and a glass roof. A flagship GTX variant with 250kW is available in the ID.5 coupe-like body style. Sales will begin in mid-2025, with more variants arriving in July.
Full Safety Marks for BYD Shark 6 Plug-in Hybrid
The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute has been awarded a five-star safety rating from ANCAP. Both child and adult occupant protection received praise from the independent safety testing body, along with its safety assist features. However, the Shark was marked down for its compatibility with other vehicles.
MU-X Gets a Facelift: 2025 Isuzu MU-X Review
A facelifted, revised Isuzu MU-X range has been released, including a new X-Terrain flagship off-roader. The X-Terrain has tougher looks, while the rest of the range has improved on-road manners and driver-assist features. Off-road capability remains intact. The engine is less impressive, and some top trims are missing equipment, and the price is up.
The next edition of Car News Today is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4th, at 4:30 PM Sydney time.
