Tesla cuts prices in Australia: Model 3 Model Y electric cars hit new low

Prices of Tesla electric cars in Australia have hit a new low – with $3900 taken off every RRP – as part of the third price cut this year.

US electric-car specialist Tesla has dropped prices across its model range – the Tesla Model 3 sedan and Tesla Model Y SUV – to new lows, and customers in the queue may be in line for the reductions.

From today (1 July 2023), recommended retail prices – which exclude stamp duty, registration, order/delivery fees and Luxury Car Tax, where applicable – have been cut by $3900 across all Model 3 and Model Y variants.

Tesla continues not to include Luxury Car Tax (LCT) in its list prices for the models for the models it applies to, despite being industry practice to do so.

However once LCT is included, the saving is up to $6955 on a Model 3 Performance sedan compared to the same vehicle ordered yesterday – due to the cut in the RRP, and an increase in the LCT threshold for electric cars from 1 July 2023, from $84,916 to $89,332 (plus on-road costs).

The most affordable vehicle the company sells, the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 sedan, is now $57,400 plus on-road costs – the cheapest it has been since it went on sale in Australia four years ago.

Its previous low was $59,900 plus on-road costs, which it occupied between July 2021 to early March 2022.

Meanwhile the entry-level, rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y SUV is now eligible for government electric-car incentives in a number of states and territories.

The price of the Model Y RWD once the $400 order and $1400 delivery fees are included (but before stamp duty, registration and other on-road costs) is now $67,200.

This falls below the incentive thresholds in various states: $68,750 in New South Wales for a $3000 rebate and stamp-duty exemption, $68,000 in Queensland for a $6000 rebate, $68,750 in South Australia for a $3000 rebate, and $70,000 in Western Australia for a $3500 rebate.

However buyers in Victoria have missed the cut, as application for a $3000 government rebate for vehicles priced below $68,750 – again including order and delivery fees but excluding stamp duty, CTP insurance and registration – was scrapped at 6:00pm last night (30 June).

The US electric-car specialist has historically passed on price cuts to buyers who have placed an order for a Tesla at the higher price, and have yet to pay in full for the vehicle.

Drive has updated its data tables at the bottom of this story to include the latest price cuts for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y – excluding and including Luxury Car Tax, where applicable. We have taken care to ensure the figures listed are accurate, however please check the Tesla website before ordering to confirm the latest price.

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2023 Tesla Model 3 Australian pricing including Luxury Car Tax (where applicable) but excluding on-road costs and order fees

• Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive – $57,400 (down $3900)
• Model 3 Long Range AWD – $70,400 (down $3900)
• Model 3 Performance AWD – $83,400 (down $6955 compared to June 30 price as it now falls below the LCT threshold)

2023 Tesla Model Y Australian pricing including Luxury Car Tax (where applicable) but excluding on-road costs and order fees

• Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive – $65,400 (down $3900)
• Model Y Long Range AWD – $78,400 (down $3900)
• Model Y Performance AWD – $92,020 (down $6395 compared to June 30 price, including LCT)

Tesla Model 3 price changes in Australia

Price change months (RRPs exclude on-road costs)	Tesla Model 3 RWD	Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD	Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD
May 2019 (orders open)	$66,000	Not available	$88,104
July 2019 (launch)	$66,000	$87,842 (incl. LCT)	$98,624
December 2019	$67,900 (no change)	$89,469 (incl. LCT)	$99,869 (up 6.4 per cent)
July 2020	$73,900 (up 8.8 per cent)	$91,613 (up 2.4 per cent)	$102,013 (up 2.1 per cent)
October 2020	$66,900 (down 9.5 per cent)	$83,425 (down 8.9 per cent)	$92,425 (down 9.4 per cent)
April 2021	$62,900 (down 6.0 per cent)	$78,458 (down 6.0 per cent)	$94,058 (up 1.8 per cent)
July 2021	$59,900 (down 4.8 per cent)	$73,400 (down 6.4 per cent)	$86,472 (down 9.7 per cent)
Early March 2022	$60,900 (up 1.7 per cent)	$73,200 (down 0.3 per cent, December 2021)	$86,472 (unchanged)
15 March 2022	$63,900 (up 4.9 per cent)	$76,200 (up 4.1 per cent)	$91,672 (up 6.0 per cent)
17 June 2022	$65,500 (up 2.5 per cent)	$80,102 (up 5.1 per cent)	$95,276 (up 3.9 per cent)
6 January 2023	$63,900 (down 2.4 per cent)	$76,900 (down 4.0 per cent)	$91,395 (down 4.1 per cent)
10 February 2023	$64,300 (up 0.6 per cent)	$76,900 (unchanged)	$91,395 (unchanged; or $93,900 excl. LCT)
17 February 2023	$64,300 (unchanged)	$77,300 (up 0.5 per cent)	$91,915 (up 0.5 per cent; $94,300 excl. LCT)
4 April 2023	$60,900 (down 5.3 per cent)	$73,900 (down 4.4 per cent)	$88,269 (down 4 per cent including LCT)
2 May 2023	$61,300 (up 0.7 per cent)	$74,300 (up 0.5 per cent)	$90,355 (up 2.3 per cent including LCT; $87,300 excl. LCT)
1 July 2023	$57,400	$70,400	$83,400 (down 8.7 per cent vs June 30 price including LCT; now below LCT threshold)

Tesla Model Y price changes in Australia

Price change months (RRPs exclude on-road costs)	Tesla Model Y RWD	Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD	Tesla Model Y Performance AWD
10 June 2022 (orders open)	$68,900	N/A	$93,900 (excl. LCT), $98,600 (incl. LCT)
17 June 2022 (one week after launch)	$72,300 (up 4.9 per cent)	N/A	$96,700 (excl. LCT), $101,612 (incl. LCT, up 3.0 per cent)
6 January 2023	$68,900 (down 4.7 per cent)	N/A	$94,900 (excl. LCT), $97,895 (incl. LCT, down 3.7 per cent)
10 February 2023	$69,300 (up 0.6 per cent)	N/A	$94,900 (excl. LCT), $97,895 (incl. LCT, unchanged)
17 February 2023	$69,300 (unchanged)	N/A	$95,300 (excl. LCT), $98,415 (incl. LCT, up 0.5 per cent)
4 April 2023	$68,900 (down 0.6 per cent)	$81,900 (new)	$94,900 (excl. LCT), $97,895 (incl. LCT, down 0.5 per cent)
2 May 2023	$69,300 (up 0.6 per cent)	$82,300 (up 0.5 pr cent)	$95,300 (excl. LCT), $98,415 (incl. LCT, up 0.5 per cent)
1 July 2023	$65,400 (down 5.6 per cent)	$78,400 (down 4.7 per cent)	$91,400 (excl. LCT), $92,020 (incl. LCT, down 6.5 per cent due in part to LCT changes)

Prices listed above include Luxury Car Tax (where applicable) because it is industry practice to include LCT, however Tesla excludes it from its base prices. The RRPs listed above also exclude Tesla’s $1375 delivery fee and $350 ordering fee ($150 prior to December 2021), and exclude on-roads costs such as stamp duty, registration, and compulsory third-party insurance. From 6 January 2023, Tesla’s delivery fee increased to $1400 and the ordering fee increased to $400. Sources: RJ Pound, Redbook and Tesla. Data compiled by Drive.com.au data centre, Joshua Dowling and Alex Misoyannis.

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Final V8-powered Dodge Challenger raises more than $1 million for charity

Dodge’s last-ever V8-powered muscle car helped raise $US700,000 ($AU1.06 million) for charity at auction – with the offer of tickets to a Keith Urban concert from Nicole Kidman helping to sweeten the deal.

The final build slot for the last-ever V8-powered Dodge Challenger has raised $US700,000 ($AU1.06 million) for a children’s charity at an auction in the US – after the muscle car was sold twice in an unexpected twist.

The Challenger SRT Demon 170 is the last of seven limited-edition Challenger coupes and Charger sedans models released to celebrate Dodge ending production of its V8 ‘Hemi’ engines, before the next-generation models sedan downsize to six-cylinder or electric propulsion.

Dodge offered the final build slot for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas, announcing it would donate 100 per cent of the hammer price to Kristi House – a non-profit organisation focused on eradicating child abuse and child sex trafficking.

Bidding for the final Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 reached $US400,000 ($AU605,000) and the auction was presumed over – before a shock twist saw the winning bidder donate the car back, pledging his bid to the children’s charity.

After the auction was restarted, a final winning bid of $US300,000 ($AU454,000) was placed – resulting in a total donation of $US700,000 ($AU1.06 million) to Kristi House.

While the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 normally retails for $US100,361 ($AU151,800), the drag car for the road’s entire allocation sold out shortly after it was revealed in March.

Dodge has previously said it plans to build 3300 Challenger SRT Demon 170s – 3000 for the US and 300 for Canada – though production of the limited-run model will come to an end on 31 December 2023, irrespective of how many have been produced.

MORE: Final Dodge Challenger V8 muscle car steps forward with more than 1000 horsepower

The unnamed buyer of the final Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 can select their own paint and options, while Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman – who helped auction the car – offered both winning bidders tickets to her husband (and fellow Australian) Keith Urban’s upcoming concerts.

As previously reported, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, capable of producing up to 764kW – or 1025 horsepower – and 1281Nm when running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel.

The muscle car’s ability to complete a 400 metre drag strip run in 8.91 seconds at 151mph (243km/h) will result in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) issuing a violation letter to drivers who take the vehicle to events run by the organisation – until owners fit it with a roll cage and parachute.

As reported in August 2022, flagship variants of Dodge’s next-generation Challenger and Charger are expected to be powered by a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine, though certain versions of the muscle cars will also adopt electric motors – as previewed by the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept.

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2024 Kia Niro price rises in Australia

The Kia Niro hybrid and electric small SUV has received price rises of up to $1290 across the range, but only one model gets new features.

Kia Australia has increased prices by up to $1290 across the 2024 Kia Niro hybrid and electric small SUV line-up for the new model year.

Applicable to Model Year 2024 examples, the price rises amount to $260 for the electric Niro EV GT-Line flagship, $550 for both Niro Hybrid variants (S and GT-Line), and $1290 for the Niro EV S.

Alongside the price rise the Kia Niro EV S gains the larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen from the GT-Line – replacing a smaller 8.0-inch screen – with embedded satellite navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (rather than the smaller screen’s wireless connectivity).

Kia Niro GT-Line touchscreen.

The larger screen brings support for Kia Connect – which includes a smartphone companion app with features such as remote locking/unlocking, vehicle location, electric/fuel driving range status, and cabin pre-heating/cooling – as well as an improved voice assistant.

The other three model grades do not gain any features. Kia Australia attributes the increases on these models to “battery and other general cost increases.”

Kia has reported 736 examples of the Niro as sold so far this year. The second-generation Kia Niro arrived in showrooms mid last year, about 12 months after the first generation model went on sale – five years behind Europe.

2024 Kia Niro Australian pricing

• Niro Hybrid S – $44,930 (up $550)
• Niro Hybrid GT-Line – $50,580 (up $550)
• Niro EV S – $66,590 (up $1290)
• Niro EV GT-Line – $72,360 (up $260)

All prices listed exclude on-road costs.

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Porsche 911 Le Mans Centenary Edition revealed not coming to Australia

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenary Edition pays tribute to the iconic endurance race, with all 72 examples set to be sold exclusively to French customers.

German car-maker Porsche has unveiled a limited-run 911 sports car, celebrating the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race’s 100th anniversary – but don’t expect it in Australian showrooms.

The 911 Carrera GTS ‘Le Mans Centenary Edition’ will be produced exclusively for Porsche customers in France, with its 72 examples reflecting the 72 continuous years the car-maker has competed in the iconic event.

Revealed a fortnight after the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrated its 100th anniversary – where Porsche was unable to score its 20th victory – the limited-edition variant is based on the 911 Carrera GTS variant, with a number of features harking back to the marque’s past successes in the event.

The sports car’s ‘Le Mans Silver’ paint is bespoke to the Centenary Edition, inspired by the first Porsche to compete in and win its class in the endurance race – the 356 SL – in 1951, which also wore the number ‘46’ on its doors.

Additional exterior highlights include a 1923-2023 Le Mans badge on the engine cover, gold wheels and rear-quarter window air vents, which are teamed with red seatbelts inside to honour the Porsche 911 GT1-98 race-winner from 1998.

The 911’s interior is upholstered in ‘Graphite Blue’ suede – complemented by an embossed Le Mans ‘Circuit de la Sarthe’ track layout on the centre console lid – with unique side sill plates and a numbered plaque on the passenger’s side of the dashboard.

The 911 Le Mans Centenary Edition is mechanically identical to the rear-wheel-drive Carrera GTS, with its 3.0-litre, twin-turbo flat-six engine producing up to 353kW and 570Nm – mated to a seven-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

According to Porsche France, the 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenary Edition is priced from €237,819 (approximately $390,000) plus on-road costs – or about €79,000 ($AU129,500) more than the ‘standard’ Carrera GTS.

Australia has previously received a limited-edition, current-generation Porsche 911 for the local market, with the GT3 Touring 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition arriving in late-2021.

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How do you jump start a car?

What’s the best way to start a car with a flat battery? And can an electric car be used to jump start another car? We answer all your questions.

Jump starting a car is as brilliantly simple as it is potentially catastrophic. Exceptionally handy in certain situations, do things incorrectly, and it could end very badly for individuals and vehicles alike.

So how do you jump start a car? And how do you avoid disaster attempting it?

The principle behind using one car with a charged battery to jump start another car with a flat or discharged battery is clever and easy to understand.

A standard vehicle’s 12-volt rechargeable lead-acid battery has a simple job: to provide enough cranking power – rated as cold cranking amps or CCA – to crank or turnover an engine to start it.

The battery does this by powering the starter motor, which turns the engine’s crankshaft by first turning the flywheel.

This process requires a decent amount of power from the battery, hence the need for an alternator.

Connected to both the battery and the engine, when the engine is running and the alternator is working correctly, the alternator not only helps to power a car’s electrical system, it also sends charge back to the battery to ensure there’s enough charge for the battery to once again be able to power the starter motor and start the car.

This is why leaving your lights on or having the radio on with the engine off drains the battery, while doing the same with the engine on means the majority of power is coming from the alternator.

When a battery is low on charge, there may be enough power to run a car’s interior lights, headlights, and even the audio system, but not enough to crank over the engine.

As a battery loses charge, a vehicle’s start-up sound can audibly begin to labour. From taking longer to start the car, to requiring several attempts to crank over, the textbook tell-tale sign of a properly flat battery is the always shoulder-slumping ‘click click’ emanating from the starter motor solenoid located in the engine bay. Or worse still, no click at all.

You may also notice a battery warning light illuminated on the dash. This, however, is more likely related to an alternator issue rather than merely a flat battery, with most owner’s manuals suggesting the warning light indicates a fault or problem with the charging system and to visit to your nearest dealership or vehicle specialist.

The good news is a flat battery can often be jumped into action. Of course, expectations need to be measured, as an altogether ‘dead’ battery may be too far gone to be revived. In this case, a new battery is the best course of action.

So how do you jump start a car?

First things first: safety is imperative.

Be careful, diligent, and take your time. Improper procedure or incorrectly connected jumper leads could cause damage to fuses or a car’s electronics, and more seriously, risks electric shocks and possible fires.

To jump start a car with a discharged or flat battery, all you need is a car with a charged battery, and a set of jumper leads.

Before you attempt to jump start a car, check and double check:

• the specific location of the charged and discharged batteries you intend to connect – they’re generally located in the engine bay, but some vehicles may have them positioned in the boot or even hidden in the cabin #UteLife
• the condition of both batteries, keeping an eye out for any obvious damage, leaking fluid, swelling, or corrosion
• both cars are close enough for the jumper leads to comfortably reach each battery, but definitely not so close they’re in contact at any point
• both cars are in ‘Park’ or neutral for a manual car, handbrakes are on, and both cars are completely off – meaning the ignition switch in both cars is also in ‘OFF’
• both cars’ headlights and audio systems are off, so as to avoid unnecessary drain on batteries

It’s also worth checking to see if the charged battery doing the jumping is the same voltage as the flat battery being jumped.

From here, the process of jump starting a car is simple and safe as long as each step is followed to the letter.

Step One

Attach one of the red clamps at the end of the red positive jumper lead to the positive-marked or ‘+’ terminal of the flat battery.

Step Two

Attach the other red clamp at the other end of the red positive jumper lead to the positive-marked or ‘+’ terminal of the charged battery.

Step Three

Attach one of the black clamps at the end of the black negative jumper lead to the negative-marked or ‘-’ terminal of the charged battery.

Step Four

Attach the other black clamp at the other end of the black negative jumper lead to a safe ground or ‘earth’ on the car with the flat battery. Often a clean and unpainted piece of metal on the engine block or body of the car can be found a good distance away from the battery itself for just this occasion.

Be absolutely sure not to attach the black negative jumper lead to the negative terminal of the flat battery, as this could risk the release and sparking of highly flammable volatile gases such as oxyhydrogen, which could in turn trigger a possible explosion, not to mention potential exposure to sulfuric acid and other harmful materials.

Further, never allow the red positive clamps and black negative clamps to touch, as this too will cause sparking.

Step Five

After ensuring all clamps are correctly connected and all jumper leads are clear of any moving parts in the engine bay, start the car with the charged battery.

Step Six

After a few minutes allowing the car with the charged battery to idle, start the car with the flat battery. If it doesn’t start first time, switch it off, and try again after several more minutes idling the car with the charged battery.

Step Seven

Once the car with the flat battery has been started, leave it to idle with the headlights turned on to help avoid any unwanted voltage spike.

Step Eight

From here, simply disconnect the jumper leads in the reverse order to how you connected them.

This means disconnecting the black clamp at the end of the black negative jumper lead from the safe ground or ‘earth’ on the car that had the flat battery, then disconnecting the other black clamp at the other end of the black negative jumper lead from the negative-marked or ‘-’ terminal of the charged battery.

Next, with the black negative jumper lead disconnected at both ends, disconnect the red clamp at the end of the red positive jumper lead from the positive-marked or ‘+’ terminal of the charged battery, then finally, disconnect the other red clamp at the other end of the red positive jumper lead from the positive-marked or ‘+’ terminal of the car that had the flat battery.

Once you’ve successfully jump started the car, be sure to take it for a decent 15-30-minute drive before turning it off again, to give the alternator a chance to begin charging the previously flat battery.

Alternatively, if you have access to a quality battery charger such as from CTEK or NOCO, putting the car on charge overnight or even for several hours can be enough to refresh and recharge an otherwise undamaged battery.

Sadly, if jump starting hasn’t worked at all, or the battery refuses to maintain or hold charge, as mentioned, the battery will most likely require replacing.

Which jumper cables are the right jumper cables?

More often than not, when you go to start your car, you expect it to start. So being prepared for a flat battery is not always front of mind.

That said, having a good set of jumper leads in your car could prove helpful for not only you, but also others caught out by the flat-battery bandit.

Now, although prices vary considerably, from around $25-$200, jumper leads worth having will have insulation around the clamps, clamps that securely grip and maintain a good clasp on terminals, and be rated for a total amperage load of at least 400-450 amps, with higher ratings – 750-1000 amps – providing a wider range of flexibility for jumping different vehicles.

With safety always paramount, you should only use jumper leads with in-built surge protection or ‘spike guard’ technology, designed to protect people as well as electronic vehicle systems, and some will offer additional features including reverse polarity prevention and possible temperature and overload warnings.

Lengths generally range from 2.5-6.0 metres, and some are specific for 12-volt applications only, while others support both 12- and 24-volt applications.

And be sure to look after them. Avoid moisture and direct sun, and keep them neatly wound in a carry case or securely stored to aid longevity and ease of use.

Will jumping someone else’s car damage my car or my battery?

Provided the correct procedure is followed, being the jumper rather than the jumpee shouldn’t cause any negative effects to your car or your battery, however, electric vehicles may be a different story.

Should you jump start an EV if it has a flat battery?

Despite the number of lithium-ion batteries on board your average electric vehicle, EVs still require a 12-volt battery as you’d find in any internal combustion engine car powered by petrol or diesel, again, to help power vehicle accessories.

Some EVs will take just as kindly to being jump started as an ICE vehicle, however, caution is king and consulting the owner’s manual or checking with the vehicle manufacturer or dealer is often a good first step.

In short, technically, if it’s only the 12-volt battery that’s flat, you most definitely could. If it’s the car’s main batteries, then no.

Jump starting the 12-volt battery in an EV with low or no charge will not recharge its main batteries, and the vehicle will need to be recharged the same way it normally would be from a home outlet, a wall charger, or a public charging point. Some EVs do allow vehicle-to-vehicle charging, however, check all technical specifications and manufacturer recommendations before going down this path.

According to Tesla, “The procedure for jump starting differs depending on whether the low voltage battery is lead-acid or lithium-ion,” so you’d need to check, and Volvo says in relation to its Pure Electric models, “If the 12V battery is discharged for any reason, jump-starting can still be used.”

Similarly, Nissan says, “a gasoline engine vehicle can be used to jump start [the] LEAF’s 12-volt battery.”

Can you jump start a car with an EV?

This really comes down to the specifics of the EV in question, although Tesla says the Model 3 “cannot be used to jump start another vehicle” for example, and that doing so “can result in damage”.

Volvo states that, “The car’s charging points are only intended for jump starting the car itself,” with the Scandinavian safety supremo adding, “The charging points are not intended for jump starting another car. Using the charging points for jump starting another car may cause a fuse to blow, which means the charging points will stop working.”

And Nissan tells LEAF owners that the vehicle “cannot be used as a booster vehicle because it cannot supply enough power to start a gasoline engine”, while also pointing out that one should “not attempt to perform a jump start on the 12-volt battery at the same time that the Li-ion battery is being charged” as this “may damage the vehicle or charging equipment and could cause an injury”.

What if I don’t have another car to jump start mine?

All is not necessarily lost, but it could depend on the car you’re driving…

One option worth considering may be tracking down, borrowing, or already having a jump pack.

A variety of jump packs are available from auto parts retailers, priced from around $100-$1000 and above, with smaller lithium jump starter units priced from around $180 and beyond.

Super powerful and convenient, they allow you to jump start your battery without the need for another car, a set of jumper leads, or a helpful bystander providing assistance.

Additionally, if you drive a manual car, you may be able to ‘kick start’ or ‘bump start’ the vehicle despite having a flat battery.

Effectively, kick starting a car is using the momentum of an already moving car – one slowly rolling down a slight hill or being pushed along by a friend or obliging stranger – to turn the flywheel and the crankshaft to force a car into starting while bypassing the starter motor.

Achieved by simply depressing the clutch pedal, selecting second gear, ensuring the ignition is ‘ON’, and then abruptly ‘popping’ or releasing the clutch once the car has momentum, kick starting can be a handy Get Out of Jail Free card in the right – or wrong – circumstances.

And no, before you ask, an EV should not be kick started. As Nissan explicitly says, “Do not attempt to start the system by pushing the vehicle”. “Attempting to do so may cause traction motor damage.” Not good.

Remember too, as tempting as it may be to think of first, a flat or dead battery may not be the only cause for a car to not start.

Look for any illuminated warning lights on the dash, check under the bonnet for any other obvious issues, and consider other possible reasons why the car may not start such as the alternator, a fuse, an alarm fault, a lack of spark, or even a fuel-related issue. In the end, no matter what you try, there’s always the potential requirement for a tow truck.

Take care, be safe, and ensure you’re fully aware of all steps required before attempting to jump start a vehicle, and indeed if the vehicle can and should be jump started. Good luck.

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2023 Renault Koleos Iconic Edition announced with price

A new limited-edition Renault Koleos family SUV is in showrooms now with more features than the model it is based on, at a lower price.

The limited-build 2023 Renault Koleos Iconic Edition has been announced for Australia, with the first examples in showrooms now.

The Iconic Edition – limited to 400 examples – adds a selection of unique styling elements and trim changes compared to the Intens variant on which it is based.

It is offered with nationwide drive-away pricing: $48,990 drive-away with front-wheel drive, or $51,990 drive-away with all-wheel drive

These prices make it about $1000 to $3000 cheaper than equivalent Renault Koleos Intens models, depending on where the vehicle is registered – as drive-away prices of regular Koleos variants vary based on differing stamp duty and registration charges in each state and territory.

Compared to the Intens, the Iconic Edition adds a unique 19-inch ‘Initiale Paris’ alloy wheel design, side steps, floor mats, an Iconic Edition badge on the tailgate, and French flag badges on the pillars behind the front windows.

Metallic paint is standard – including the option of an exclusive Amethyst Black colour – with a choice of black or Sand Grey nappa leather sear upholstery.

The Sand Grey seat trim option was available on the regular Koleos Intens until it was removed for a Model Year 2023 update late last year, and black became the only choice.

Standard features carried over from the Intens include an 8.7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and in-built satellite navigation, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, a 7.0-inch instrument display, hands-free power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof.

It is powered by the same 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine as the regular model, with outputs of 126kW and 226Nm sent to the front or all four wheels through a continuously-variable automatic transmission.

The 2023 Renault Koleos Iconic Edition is in showrooms now.

2023 Renault Koleos Australian pricing

• Koleos Life FWD – $37,500 plus on-road costs ($41,300 to $42,000 drive-away)
• Koleos Zen FWD – $42,500 plus on-road costs ($46,400 to $47,600 drive-away)
• Koleos Zen AWD – $45,000 plus on-road costs ($49,000 to $50,400 drive-away)
• Koleos Intens FWD – $46,000 plus on-road costs ($50,000 to $51,500 drive-away)
• Koleos Intens AWD – $48,500 plus on-road costs ($52,600 to $54,350 drive-away)
• Koleos Iconic Edition FWD – $48,990 drive-away (new)
• Koleos Iconic Edition AWD – $51,490 drive-away (new)

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No track warranty for GR Corolla but Toyota will assess claims on case-by-case basis

Toyota Australia says it will not offer a track warranty the GR Corolla Morizo Edition – a two-seater, lightweight hot-hatch engineered for circuit work – even though the niche model is designed to appeal to amateur motorsport enthusiasts.

Australian buyers of the Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition – a two-seater, light-weight hot-hatch designed for track days – will need to take it easy in amateur motorsport events, after the company announced it will not offer blanket warranty coverage for cars used on racing circuits.

Toyota’s decision is at odds with rival Hyundai – which does provide warranty coverage to “weekend warriors” who take speed off the street in models such as the i20 N and i30 N hot hatches, in the safety of a race-track environment.

The call by Toyota Australia to not offer blanket warranty coverage on the hardcore version of the Toyota GR Corolla – and the GR Yaris, GR86 and GR Supra siblings – follows two high profile cases in the US in which GR86 coupe owners were initially denied warranty claims for blown engines.

However, Toyota Australia says warranty claims on the GR Corolla – and GR Yaris, GR86 and GR Supra – following any track use will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“There’s no specific track warranty for this car, but Toyota will honour the standard warranty that is provided with this car,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told Drive at the recent GR Corolla Morizo Edition launch.

“As you can imagine, Toyota’s always going to look after its customers. So there is the warranty, and then as far as the intended use of the car, that would be decided on a case-by-case [basis].”

Toyota’s stance on warranty for vehicles used on a race track is less generous than Hyundai’s policy.

Since the first Hyundai i30 N arrived in Australia, the hot hatch has been expressly backed by the manufacturer even in the case of occassional track use. Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty applies to N models which have been driven in non-timed circuit events, even if they’ve had track-oriented tyres fitted.

Toyota’s reluctance to offer a similar warranty for its GR products comes as the US representatives of the brand face multiple instances of GR86 engine failures from track outings.

A spokesperson for the company’s US division told The Drive it would “handle any claims on a case-by-case basis, but taking your car to a track or taking it off-road doesn’t necessarily limit or exclude warranty coverage.”

Toyota Australia says it will “take into account the details behind any and all individual warranty claims made on the GR Corolla Morizo Edition and – on the basis of whether the claim can be considered reasonable for a track-focussed car such as this – respond appropriately.”

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