Tag Archives: Australia

2022 Corvette C8 Starts From AU$144,990 In Australia, Sales Start In Q4

Australian enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the right-hand drive (RHD) C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ever since it was unveiled in mid-2019 and finally, pricing and availability details for the car have been announced.

Set to be sold by the newly-established General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV), the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette will be offered in five flavors, kicking off with the 2LT trim that’s priced from AU$144,990 (US$110,189) plus on-road costs.

Those who want something more will be able to buy the 3LT trim level from AU$160,500 (US$121,976) plus on-roads. The hardtop range will then be topped out by a special Carbon Edition, pricing details of which have not yet been announced. Importantly, all C8 Corvette models imported into Australia will come as standard with the must-have Z51 Performance pack that includes magnetically-controlled suspension, enlarged Brembo brakes, a new rear spoiler, electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, and a unique exhaust. Aussie cars also land standard with a front-axle lift system.

Details about the Corvette Carbon Edition are limited at this stage but it will reportedly receive hand-picked interior trims, distinctive wheels, a bespoke finish on the brake calipers, and an ‘owners pack’, details of which have yet to be confirmed.

Read Also: 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Spotted In Right-Hand Drive Guise

The 2022 Corvette will also be offered in Convertible guise with the same 2LT and 3LT trim levels, each priced at an extra AU$15,000 (US$11,399) over comparable coupe models.

Chevrolet will begin producing right-hand drive Corvettes for the Australian market in the final quarter with deliveries expected just before Christmas.

“The Corvette is one of the world’s most recognizable sports cars and over-delivers (on) performance expected of such a machine. It is the epitome of a true icon as it has heritage, performance and unparalleled desirability – generation after generation,” GMSV head Jo Stogiannis said in a statement.

This Mercedes-AMG C43 Is Rocking A License Plate Reportedly Worth $2 Million

This Mercedes-AMG C43 Estate recently spotted in Melbourne, Australia is the same as any other but it’s not the car you should be focusing on; it’s the license plate.

Simply consisting of the number ‘1’, this license plate is the most expensive in circulation in the Australian state of Victoria. It has a complex history and is thought to be worth at least AU$2.5 million ($1.9 million).

The plate was first produced in 1932 and for some time, the state’s Police Commissioner, Premier and Governor couldn’t agree on who should keep it. It was ultimately locked away in a vault at the Motor Registration Board before being sold at auction for AU$165,000 ($127,000) in 1984. There’s no doubt that paying such a sum for a license plate in 1984 was a risky move, but it has only continued to increase in value.

Read Also: 636 HP HSV GTSR W1 Maloo Ute To Sell For Over $500,000 In Australia

It was first registered to a Saab 9000 Turbo, and various people have owned it over the years. It has been spotted on a Ferrari, a Rolls-Royce, and an HSV SV5000 and was also registered to a Porsche 911 Turbo, a 911 Carrera, an E55 AMG, E63 AMG, and most recently, this C43 AMG.

There is a hot market for ‘heritage’ plates like this in Victoria. In fact, the number ‘26’ plate sold for AU$1.1 million ($847,000) at an auction last year, while plate number ‘101’ fetched AU$510,000 ($392,000) at a 2018 auction. There’s even an Instagram page dedicated to these heritage plates that you can see below.

2021 BMW 4-Series Convertible Will Be An AU$90k Affair Down Under

The new generation BMW 4-Series Convertible will launch in Australia early next year with three powertrain options and a recommended starting price of AU$89,900 (US$68,437) for the base model, which is equipped with the M Sport Package as standard.

The range will kick off with the 420i, which uses a 135 kW (184 PS / 181 HP) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder. Standard gear includes 19-inch wheels, front sports seats with heating, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, head-up display, smartphone integration, wireless charging pad and digital radio.

Starting at AU$107,900 (US$82,140), the 430i Convertible also packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine, but with 190 kW (258 PS / 255 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It sprints from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.2 seconds (420i: 8.2 seconds) and comes with features like Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Brakes, Comfort Access, Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus, including the Surround View with Top View and Side View.

Watch Also: Is The 2021 BMW M440i A Bit Too Soft For A Sports Coupe?

The range-topper is the M440i xDrive, which is powered by a 285 kW (387 PS / 382 HP) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) 3.0-liter straight-six TwinPower Turbo engine that enables it to hit the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark in 4.9 seconds. This variant features all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Pricing starts at AU$135,900 (US$103,455) and it is equipped with grippy tires, M Sport differential, Cerium Grey accents for the grille, side mirror caps and tailpipes, ambient lighting, Air Collar and a Harman Kardon premium audio.

The Visibility Package, which is available for the 420i and 430i versions of the new 4-Series Convertible, adds ambient lighting and BMW Laserlight and costs AU$4,300 (US$3,273) when configured with the standard metallic paintwork or AU$5,900 (US$4,491) with the optional BMW Individual paint finish. The Comfort Package brings the Air Collar, Comfort Access and heated steering wheel for the 420i and is priced at AU$2,600 (US$1,979), while for the 430i it costs AU$1,700 (US$1,294). Exclusive to the entry-level model, the Driver’s Assistant Package costs AU$3,770 (US$2,870) and consists of Parking Assistant Plus, Driving Assistant Professional and tire pressure monitoring.

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Euro-spec model pictured

2021 BMW 128ti Announced For Australia With Less Power From AU$56,900

BMW has released the official specs and pricing for the 128ti in Australia ahead of its official launch in the first quarter of 2021.

The front-wheel drive hot hatch packs the 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine that puts out 180 kW (245 PS / 241 HP) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque.

That’s 15 kW (20 PS / 20 HP) and 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) less than the Euro-spec, which translates in it being 1.2 seconds slower in the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint (6.3 vs 5.1 seconds), while top speed has also dropped from 250 to 243 km/h (155-151 mph). The engine still drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the limited-slip differential from the M135i xDrive comes as standard.

Watch Also: This 750 HP BMW 1-Series Will Scare You To Death

Available in six exterior colors, the 128ti rides on 18-inch M light alloy wheels and features an M Sport suspension and brakes, adaptive LED headlights, M rear spoiler and a few upgrades inside. Inside, standard equipment includes cloth/sensatec upholstery with red stitching, sporty seatbelts, velour floor mats with red accents, two-zone climate control, 9.2-inch head-up display and an infotainment system.

Customers can further spec it with the two large displays that have a diagonal of up to 10.25 inches, gesture control, electric tailgate, two Enhancement packages and the Convenience and Comfort packages. The latter add features such as the metallic paint, panoramic glass roof, heated front seats with lumbar support and heated steering wheel.

Pricing for the the 128ti starts from AU$56,900 (equal to US$41,951).

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Euro-spec variant pictured