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Cupra has begun sharing equipment details of its Australian model range – starting with the Ateca small SUV, available in one fully-loaded variant with 221kW turbo-petrol power. The inbound Spanish performance division of the Volkswagen Group, Cupra , has released more details on one of the three new models it will launch this July, the 2022 Cupra Ateca mid-size performance SUV. New for Australia – but on sale in Europe since 2018, with a facelift in 2020 – the Ateca will launch locally with one fully-loaded ‘VZx’ variant, powered by a 221kW turbo four-cylinder engine, and equipped as standard with nearly all features offered by Cupra overseas. Prices will be confirmed closer to launch, however it’s believed it could slide in below $60,000 before on-road costs – undercutting its similarly-sized but more potent twins under the skin, the 228kW Cupra Formentor (estimated below $65,000) and 235kW Volkswagen Tiguan R ($68,990, following a cut in price and equipmen...

The production version of the zero-emission bus will launch later this year, and is already on the “wishlist” for Volkswagen Australia. The cabin of the upcoming electric 2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz has broken cover early, courtesy of the VW ID Talk forum . The vehicle – which draws aesthetic inspiration from the classic Kombi van – is due to launch later this year, and is already on the local “wishlist” for Volkswagen Australia . While the German manufacturer has teased the exterior in camouflage for multiple months , this is the first time we’ve had a clear view behind the glass. The newest images reveal many of the the same styling cues featured in existing ID models, however a high roof, stow-away rear seats, and flat floor allow for significant storage space. A digital instrument cluster and large infotainment screen – likely the same 12-inch unit fitted to the Volkswagen ID.4 – can also be made out behind a shrouding piece of cloth. The concept ver...

Renault’s electric performance car brand Alpine has named its new SUV and sports car, ahead of their launches – alongside a pint-sized hot hatch – by 2026. Above: 2025 Alpine GT X-Over teaser. French brand Alpine – the revitalised electric performance offshoot of mainstream brand Renault, and the successor to Renault Sport – has outlined new details of its future, confirming names for two of its three new models. As reported last year , Alpine (pronounced al-peen) will be reinvented under new Renault CEO Luca de Meo as an electric performance brand, offering three new models: a Ford Fiesta ST -sized hot hatch, Porsche Macan -sized mid-size coupe SUV, and a two-door sports car co-developed with the UK’s Lotus . Alpine has now confirmed its new SUV could wear the GT X-Over name – with X-Over likely translating to crossover (an alternate term to describe an SUV), suggesting this badge may be provisional and won’t reach showrooms – and will launch in 2024 or 2025. ...

Affiliated car brands Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi will work closer than ever before on their next-generation vehicles – but key models will maintain unique designs and be differentiated by more than badges, the company says. The Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Alliance insists jointly-developed future vehicles will not simply be clones of one another – and key models will maintain a unique visual identity – even though the conglomerate plans to to cut costs by sharing more models than ever before. Announced in 2020, the new ‘Leader-Follower Scheme’ will see one brand lead the development of a particular vehicle, and the other brands adapt it to suit their needs. Today, 60 per cent of the brand’s vehicles are twins under the skin and share engines. Now the car giant says 80 per cent of future models will share ‘platforms’ and key components by 2026. Such close ties have sparked fears each brands could become homogenised – differentiated only by mild styling changes – ...

Mercedes-AMG has commenced testing of the next-generation GT coupe, now paired with its legendary SL roadster. The next-generation 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT has been spied testing for the first time, ahead of an expected launch sometime next year. As reported, the AMG GT two-door will return for another generation – though only in coupe form, with the current car’s Roadster body style to be discontinued by Mercedes-AMG to make way for a sportier, performance-oriented Mercedes-AMG SL convertible . Underpinning the new GT coupe is set to be the same aluminium spaceframe as the new SL – which in the SL offers 40 to 50 per cent improved rigidity compared to the outgoing GT Roadster – and likely its range of engines, led by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in standard and plug-in hybrid forms. The SL similarities will continue into the new GT’s styling, which the first set of images from Drive’s spy photography partners show will blend the clean styling of the new Mercedes-AM...