Kia K4 Hatch to debut more efficient engine in Australia
Speaking with CarExpert at the Australian media launch of the updated Sportage mid-size range, Kia Australia's general manager for product planning Roland Rivero wouldn't be drawn on the local prospects for the K4 Hybrid (HEV), which is yet to be revealed, but he did confirm a more efficient drivetrain is coming to the core K4 lineup.
'We've got [the] hatchback first – the K4 Hatch. That does adopt a new powertrain which you're familiar with from the Seltos… which helps us out from a CO2 perspective – that will be our first adjustment in light of NVES [the federal government's New vehicle Efficiency Standard],' Mr Rivero said.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. K4 2.0 MPI Credit: CarExpert
The powertrain in question is the Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated with what Hyundai and Kia call an 'IVT' or Intelligent Variable Transmission. Effectively, it's Hyundai/Kia-speak for a CVT.
As Mr Rivero mentioned, this drivetrain is already on sale locally in the Seltos small SUV, and also serves in the related Hyundai i30 Sedan and Kona crossover.
Due to its more efficient Atkinson cycle, the new engine makes slightly less grunt than the existing 2.0-litre 'MPI' engine (110kW/180Nm versus 112kW/192Nm) but is claimed to be more fuel-efficient, helped in part by the different transmission.
'The CO2 on that is better than even the 1.6 turbo – I think it's about a 30g/km improvement [over the 2.0L MPI]. Whether we spec it with [idle stop/start] is TBC,' Mr Rivero added. K4 Hatch Credit: CarExpert
The current 2.0L MPI engine with a six-speed automatic in the K4 Sedan quotes combined fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 167g/km, while the more powerful 1.6 T-GDI engine in the GT-Line with its eight-speed auto quotes 6.7L/100km and 158g/km.
For reference, the related Hyundai i30 Sedan with the Smartstream-branded Atkinson-cycle engine and CVT quotes a much thriftier 6.1L/100km and 139g/km of CO2 on the combined cycle.
Mr Rivero said the new drivetrain will be applied to both the upcoming K4 Hatch as well as the existing K4 Sedan during the fourth quarter of 2025, likely coinciding with model year 2026 (MY26) production.
As yet there's still no word on a K4 Hybrid or HEV variant, which has been all but confirmed for a future introduction. It will almost certainly draw upon the 1.6-litre hybrid system used in the i30 Sedan and Kona hybrids, which makes 104kW and 265Nm. K4 Sedan Credit: CarExpert
Since launching earlier this year, the Kia K4 has managed 1892 registrations to the end of May. By comparison, its top-selling predecessor, the Cerato, managed 6323 registrations during the January-May 2024 period. But last month, the new sedan-only K4 outsold the outgoing Cerato hatch and sedan with 577 sales versus just 68, which was nevertheless short of segment leaders including the Toyota Corolla (1576), Hyundai i30 (909) and Mazda 3 (735).
However, the K4 currently lacks an ANCAP safety rating, which is a requirement for many of the large fleet customers that account for a large proportion of small car sales across the industry, so the addition of a more popular hatchback body style and an independent safety rating should give the K4 a significant shot in the arm.
'It's taken a few months… but now [the K4] is starting to build momentum. Once it gets its ANCAP rating, it will open the door to fleets,' said Dean Norbiato, general manager for marketing at Kia Australia.
'Then we get the hatchback. We are a hatch-biased market, so when that comes at the back end of the year we're really confident in that product taking over a really important model in the Cerato, and that hatch in particular will definitely meet the demand and appetite of the Australian market as well.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert
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2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5: Higher prices, more equipment for new mid-size luxury SUV
Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from:
