Claim OwnershipMotor Torque with David Berthon
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A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.
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Driving the latest top end Range Rover P530 Autobiography 4WD – a simply stunning vehicle, the build quality on the test vehicle exceptional and one could argue at $349,000 it should be. However, keep in mind some upper luxury 4WD’s are twice this price yet the Range Rover Autobiography sets a benchmark. Once its won you over on fit, finish, comfort and materials its ability for a large 4WD on and off the road is simply astonishing. Powered by a BMW sourced 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 with an 8-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive and all wheel steering this 2585kg 4WD is breathtaking in the way in provides ride, handling, and comfort. Land Rover have now set a benchmark with the Range Rover that few have come close to. Given its bulk and weight its handling response on a winding road on 23-inch alloy wheels is very reassuring – a fully adaptive electronic suspension and all wheel steering makes it shrink around you, but we shouldn’t forget that Range Rover pioneered electronic air suspension back in 1992. I managed 14.4L/100km without driving for economy. This is one vehicle it is very easy to rave about, yes the price is eye watering but in upper luxury 4WD’s its simply the best.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, the Range Rover, more than 55 years on since its launch in June 1970, has more than earned its success and this upper luxury 4WD has set a benchmark that few have come close to. I’ve just driven the Range Rover P530 Autobiography 4WD at $349,000. And frankly, at that eyewatering price you’d expect it to be good, but it’s not just good its exceptional. Powered by a BMW sourced twin turbo 4.4-litre V8 with an 8- speed automatic, all-wheel drive and all wheel steering.2385kgs of upper luxury 4WD that is breathtaking in the way it provides ride and comfort. Few if any will venture off road, but I’ve driven these vehicles at Land Rover’s legendary off-road course in the U.K. in mud up to the door handles and they’re exceedingly capable. One criticism - some of the options fitted to my test vehicle should have been standard fare – charging another $1,000 for privacy glass and $360 for a luggage net seems petty when you’re paying a base price of $330,000. Everything about the interior of the Range Rover Autobiography however speaks luxury – top notch seats, materials, fit and finishers. Warranty, five years/unlimited km with complimentary servicing for five years/130,000kms. The best part the driving – details next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Australian New Car Assessment Program, better known as ANCAP has revealed new crash ratings for the popular Suzuki Swift and MG3 hatchbacks. Both fared badly in 1984 crash testing, the MG3 receiving a three-star rating, the Suzuki Swift just one star. The Swift result created an amount of controversy as European testing of the same model resulted in three stars. ANCAP had been informed of physical differences between locally supplied Swift models and those supplied to Europe. However, a second round of testing has now revealed the local Suzuki Swift is built to the same standard as its European counterpart. As to the MG3, now with improvements has gained a four-star rating with a word of caution – during a 50khm/hour head on crash test the right-side seat adjuster failed causing the seat to twist on impact revealing excessive force to the right leg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Spanish performance brand Cupra has taken the axe to its Formentor VZe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV, cutting more than $20,000 off 2024 model year stock. Now $47,990 drive-away, down from around $67,990. The move follows a 70 per cent drop in sales following the removal of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption in April, which cut around a third off the price of a plug-in hybrid when purchased through a novated lease. With a facelifted Formentor VZe hybrid due early next year Cupra Australia decided to slash remaining stock. The new model will increase the current models electric only range from 50 to 100km and feature a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and larger battery. What this large discount does to re- sale values long term however will be interesting to watch - the Formentor range Cupra’s biggest selling model.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Driving the Skoda Octavia wagon, the new entry Select model at $43,990 drive- away. This European sports wagon has real appeal, wagons still finding favour with certain buyers despite the shift to SUVs in recent years. I found the drivability of this updated medium sized wagon most rewarding – the 1.4-litre turbo 110kW engine drives the front wheels through a smooth eight-speed torque convertor automatic and its responsive and unstressed. Ride quality commendable but some road noise evident on course surfaces – a nice handling wagon and obviously with a lower centre of gravity to an SUV. Economy wise, I couldn’t match the makers claim of 6.2-litres/100km on premium 95 grade fuel, achieving 7.3L/100km. But as i said the perky nature of the engine and the smooth shifts from the eight-speed automatic makes driving the Skoda Octavia Select a real pleasure and you tend to tap its performance rather than drive for economy. In fact, I found much to like with it overall, the Czech brand has done a nice job with this model over a long period, improving it along the way and it comes with an excellent warranty – seven years/unlimited km. If you like a wagon over an SUV you’ll like the all-round versatility of this Skoda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With SUVs now commanding 60 percent of the market station wagons have fallen from favour. One that still finds favour with buyers is the Skoda Octavia. The Skoda Octavia recently received an update, both liftback and wagon now available in three grades, a new entry Select grade plus Sportline and sporty RS. I tested the Octavia Select wagon at $43,990 drive-away, a nicely styled European wagon with a sports flair powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic. The whole package freshened on the outside with new LED headlights and taillights, inside, gaining a bigger 13-inch touchscreen with upgraded software, a 10-inch digital instrument display and the latest active safety elements. The package roomy and comfortable in a well sized body on fabric seats with synthetic leather accents. The second-row well served by air vents and a pair of USB ports while the cargo bay gains welcome tie down points, hooks and cargo nets. You even get an umbrella in the driver’s door. Wagon buyers have very few options these days, the Skoda Octavia a fine choice offering a lot of features for the money, but it’s in the driving where it really excels. Excellent Warranty at 7 years/unlimited kms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
News out of China suggests discussions have taken place re a possible ban on pop-out retractable door handles over safety concerns. The concern over door handles that are flush with the body until activated by a pop-out mechanism or by a lever that, when one side of the handle is pressed, allows the other end to pop out. I experienced the latter on the Leapmotor C10 SUV , while several Range Rovers I’ve driven have fully powered pop-out door handles. Other car makers with these handles include Zeekr, Deepal and Xpeng as well as Tesla. The main concern, their suitability in extreme conditions, reports suggesting they can malfunction with water ingress, can freeze in cold weather or fail outright leaving the car’s occupants trapped. Also, buttons on the inside replacing mechanical levers can be difficult to access in an emergency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The continued onslaught of new Chinese models each pushing the boundary of new technology at a lower price has really made the established car makers sit up and take notice. BMW is the latest car maker to announce a massive investment in new technology with a $17.8 billion dollar investment in new and updated high tech electric models. The radically styled high tech electric models are said to offer an extended driving range of up to 800km. First all-new model is the 2026 IX3 SUV sitting on a dedicated electric car platform unlike the current model which is a petrol car converted to run on batteries. The new iX3 to be built at a new factory in Hungary will spearhead a new family of BMW models with longer ranges, super brain computers, super fast charging, all new styling with narrower kidney grilles and more interior room.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I spoke earlier of MG’s hero model – the Cyberster Sports Roadster – a striking two door electric all-wheel drive launched last year to celebrate 100 years of the brand. The Chinese have done a great job with MG since 2007 and the local company now has 12 models in the market. The MG Cyberster features dual electric motors fed by a 77kWhour battery and a range of 443km - with 375kW and a thumping 725Nm of torque it powers to 100km/hour in 3.2 seconds. It’s no lightweight at just under 2 tonnes, the underfloor battery meaning you sit a little higher to a traditional sports car. Three drive modes, Comfort, Sport and Super Sport plus a launch mode which is a little gimmicky. Its not tuned suspension wise to hard-nosed levels with enough suspension travel and damping to make it a comfortable day to day driver and not an over-the-top sportscar. Price $120,000 drive-away with a 10-year/250,000km warranty, and the same for the battery. The quality is the best I’ve witnessed in a Chinese car as you’d expect given the sticker price. The MG Cyberster a beautifully styled and executed sports roadster with its power scissor doors giving it an air of sophistication and setting it apart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Driving the electric MG Cyberster sports roadster - launched last year to commemorate 100 years of the MG Brand. The former British brand has been in the hands of the Shanghai Automotive industry Corporation since 2007 – the MG Cyberster, a hero model, as they say, marking a ground-breaking evolution for the MG Brand fusing technology of the future with the legacy of the past. And that is does, beautifully styled in London by the company’s European design director it’s a striking two door roadster highlighted by power scissor doors that create enormous interest. An all-wheel-drive powered by dual electric motors fed by a 77kWh lithium-ion battery – 375kW of power, a thumping 725Nm of torque and a 0 to 100km acceleration time of just 3.2 seconds. For the money its highly specified – the interior a standout in terms of design and execution – beautifully finished and detailed with paint quality a high point – the quality the best I’ve witnessed in a Chinese car. The cabin snug, I’d have liked another 20mm of legroom, the three- screen instrument cluster giving you the impression you’re sitting in a fighter jet. Warranty impressive; 10 years/250,000kms including the battery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last month’s official new car sales figures released this week reflect the second-best August on record with 103,922 vehicles registered. Of these, 23,225 or nearly a quarter were Chinese-made – BYD, GWM, MG and Chery making it into the top ten sales list. Petrol vehicles still dominated with 38,515 sales followed by diesel with 30,459 while hybrids continue their march posting 17,381. Battery electric vehicles accounted for 10,231, or around 9.8 percent of the market while plug-in hybrids tallied 3,906. SUVs continue to gain market share, now representing 60 per cent of sales while passenger cars continue to lose ground, down 25 percent compared to the same time last year. What is clear, consumers have a growing number of choices in the automotive market, more than 400 models, around 100 of which are EVs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Whilst we’ve been captivated this year by the success of our Oscar Piastri in Formula One racing, we shouldn’t overlook the incredible international success this year by a young speedway rider from country N.S.W. 28-year old Brady Kurtz from Cowra has a chance next Saturday night in Denmark to take out the World Speedway Championship in his rookie year. Last Saturday night in Poland Kurtz took his fourth consecutive win of the season. His win in Poland has set him up for a showdown with Poland’s defending five-time world champion Bartosz Zmarlik – the young Aussie trailing Zmarlik by just three points. Veteran Speedway Journalist Dennis Newlyn tells me Kurtz’s success is much like Piastri’s in that he has much the same cool head and demeaner. You can catch the Denmark race on Fox Sport next Sunday morning from 2.30am.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve seen many new Chinese EV’s and plug-in hybrid SUV’s arrive but few are set up to suit our driving environment, I’ve just driven the Leapmotor C10 - REEV – standing for range extender electric vehicle – as distinct from the pure electric C10 EV model, the C10 REEV gains a 1.5-litre petrol engine which acts only as a generator to charge the battery – 170 km of electric driving on a full charge, anD impressive total range of 1150km. There’s much to like on the Leapmotor C10 REEV plug-in hybrid – roomy, well built, very highly specified with great seats already heavily discounted by up to $6,500 to $43,490 drive-away. But it has a number of annoyances that make driving a total disappointment – especially incessant warning chimes and speed limit warnings, poorly calibrated at that, overzealous lane keep assist, also no key, a key card which you need to tap on the driver’s side rear view mirror and place on the phone charger for starting, the steering and suspension has little or no feel, and the total lack of buttons for the touchscreen makes it a nightmare to navigate simple tasks quickly and safely. A difficult SUV to live with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Driving the Leapmotor C10 range extender petrol/electric hybrid SUV. The second Leapmotor C10 to grace our shores – the first, the C10 EV – then this C10 REEV, or range extender EV, is a plug-in hybrid, also with an electric motor driving the rear wheels, but adds a 1.5-litre petrol engine which acts purely as a generator to charge up the battery. Leapmotor claim 170km of electric driving on a full battery charge and with a 50-litre fuel tank, producing a total range of 1150km. The styling rounded, very accommodating inside, I drove the top-spec C10 REEV Design with faux leather seats that are extremely comfortable, heated and ventilated plus a , heated steering wheel, but no spare wheel and a dreaded puncture repair kit. And no Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The door handles are awkward, there’s no key – you get a key card to tap on the driver’s side mirror to open the car, then place it on the wireless charger pad to start the car. Price – currently discounted by $4,000 to $45,990 drive-away plus if you’re a Cosco member a further $2,500 discount. There’s much to like with the Leapmoter C10 REEV hybrid SUV but equally there’s much to dislikeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just weeks after its launch Suzuki has struck a special drive-away deal on its all new compact Fronx Hybrid SUV. Reflecting the ever-increasing competition from new and cut-price Chinese and Indian models. Suzuki’s Fronx SUV is now on offer for $29,990 drive-away, getting it under the price sensitive $30,000 barrier. Deliveries of the new city coupe-style SUV begin on Monday – the small Suzuki features a 1.5-litre petrol engine and six- speed automatic assisted by a 12-volt mild hybrid system under acceleration. One specification grade, well equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a driver’s head-up display as standard. Well equipped with a number of active safety elements as well plus a 360-degree surround view camera. The Suzuki Fronx joins an ever-growing and price sensitive small SUV segment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the success stories in the new vehicle market this year has beenthe BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid 4 x 4 ute – released at the beginning of theyear this Chinese ute has dented the sales of three of our biggest sellingvehicles year to date – the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max,helping to push BYD into the top ten sellers list – BYD sales haveincreased by 146 percent July year to date with the Shark 6 ute its bestseller, now representing 41 per cent of total sales. Despite this and giventhe highly competitive nature of the 4x4. ute market BYD has justdiscounted it by $3,000 – the single Premium variant now on offer for$59,400 drive-away. Two new optional colours have also been added –Outback Orange and Mist Grey for another $700. I’m David BerthonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve seen a swag of new Chinese models in recent months and the competitive nature of the new vehicle market just gets more intense – and with continual price cuts and incentives one wonders where it will end up but the Chinese brands are intent on gaining significant market share in a short time. I’ve just driven GWM’s first plug-in hybrid – the Haval H6 GT Ultra PHEV SUV with an impressive electric only range of 180kms, combining a 1.5-liltre turbo-petrol engine with front and rear electric motors and a high voltage 35.4kWhour battery. This plug-in hybrid is $9,000 dearer to the pure petrol model, $53,990 drive-away plus a free wall charger for a limited period. Highly equipped and with numerous drive modes. This coupe-styled SUV is well built with more than acceptable quality but as a driver I did not enjoy it as much as the Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid of a few weeks back. Part of the problem is that the Chinese want you to think you driving a computer on wheels – everything is activated by a touchscreen and its simply frustrating. Warranty 7-7years/unlimited km with battery warranty at 8-years. The Haval H6 GT Ultra PHEV offers much but for me there are better options.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plug-in hybrids are gaining traction - I’ve been driving the new GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra plug-in hybrid or PHEV, this fast back style SUV has been around in pure petrol form for several years and it has a nice profile. The plug-in hybrid version utilises a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with front and rear electric motors, a performance model with 342kW and 762Nm of torque, more powerful to the petrol model and gaining bigger brakes in the process but $9,000 dearer at $53,990 drive-away. It features 180kms of electric only range from a high voltage 35.4kWhour battery. Overall, a comfortable five-seater, nicely finished and very highly equipped apart from the lack of a space saver spare wheel, replaced with the dreaded tyre repair kit. But retaining nice seats in combination suede and leather, power heated and ventilated in the front, a power tailgate, heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera, a few more drive modes to the petrol model and a swag of driver assist systems. The Haval H6 GT Ultra, a performance skewed plug-in hybrid features the usual touchscreen, not user friendly, and at times a frustrating to use interface. Warranty 7-years/unlimited kilometre, battery warranty 8-years with capped price servicing most reasonable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s obvious the continuing onslaught of sharply priced new Chinese models has the established brands concerned. I was interested in the comments of Mazda’s boss who suggested customers should consider more than the purchase price of a new car and that resale and quality should also weigh heavily in the decision making. Its obvious the established Japanese brand with a loyal following over a long period is finding it difficult to compete with the new price driven Chinese models arriving nearly on a weekly basis. The Mazda boss is right in suggesting that there is more to a car purchase than price and price alone. However, the tide is turning with Chinese cars, the quality is improving with each new model along with the warranty. Mazda pricing on the other hand has moved upwards in recent years making it harder for its traditional client base to remain loyal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Australian Automobile Association in a communique this week said a sharp increase in pedestrian deaths in the 12 months to 31 July pushed Australia’s road deaths to their highest level for any corresponding period in 15 years. Why should we be surprised by these figures – Since 2021, when Australian Governments adopted a National Road Safety Strategy target of halving road deaths by 2023, total road fatalities have increased by 22 percent. Over the same period, fatalities among pedestrians have increased by a staggering 48.6 per cent. And little wonder, pedestrian behaviour has never been worse, in particular, reading messages and texting while crossing the road or on a pedestrian crossing is out of control. If it’s good enough to book drivers with a handheld device, it should be the same for pedestrians on marked crossings. Harold Scruby, where are you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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