Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving the recently upgraded Honda Civic e:HEV-LX five door hatch at $55,900 drive-away not inexpensive but this is one very impressive small hybrid hatchback, highly equipped, frugal and with very engaging dynamics. A 2-0 litre petrol engine with two motor hybrid assistance driving through an electric CVT transmission. The hybrid power train most impressive, prioritising electric power and the m...

Driving the latest Honda Civic hatchback – a model that has evolved since the first generation arrived in 1972 – a small car that established a very strong reputation - the current series refreshed for 2025, the entry petrol engine retired, now in two hybrid variants plus the potent turbo Type R for performance buffs. The entry Civic Hybrid e:HEV- L $49,990 drive-away and the better-equipped Civic...

Talking further on Ford Motor Company President and CEO Jim Farley and his comments on a recent podcast on Ford’s transformation to improve quality, get its electric vehicle business profitable and compete with Chinese car makers. Ford lost a staggering US $5 billion on EV sales last year and US$3.6 billon in the first three quarters this year. Farley however is determined to give Americans an EV...

The car industry here has long had a shortage of skilled mechanics, but it seems it also a problem in the US. Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley raised the issue last week saying he had 5,000 open mechanic positions available despite eye watering salaries of US$120,000, nearly double the American workers medium salary. And he suggested it’s not just Ford adding “we’re in trouble in this country and...

In June Peugeot released the latest edition of its 5008 SUV – the seven-seat hybrid , a stretched version of the popular 3008 hybrid – now featuring a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine aided by 48V mild hybrid assistance from a 15.6kW electric motor and 0.9kWhour battery – self charging the electric mode can operated for short periods at low speeds and is seamless in operation – I like...

Driving a relative newcomer from Peugeot – the seven-seat 5008 GT premium hybrid SUV – a very stylish SUV from the French manufacturer – a stretched version of the latest 3008-model. The Peugeot 5008 utilises a relatively small 1.2- litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, aided by 48V mild hybrid assistance from a 15.6kW electric motor and a 0.9kWhour battery – the combination producing 107kW of...

In recent times we’ve seen an onslaught of new Chinese models and what seems like a continuing reduction in prices as the competition becomes more intense. By comparison the Korean brands, once cheap and cheerful have climbed up the pricing ladder – Hyundai has just launched a new generation 8-seat Palisade family SUV in one hybrid Calligraphy grade for $89,900 – a $14,000 leap in price over the p...

Another new Chinese car brand is about to hit the market – GAC Australia has confirmed its launching here with its Enzoom SUV – just one highly equipped model to start, the GAC Enzoom GL will compete with the likes of the MG ZS and GWM Haval Jolion in the small/medium SUV market – price around $30,000, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo four cylinder with 125kW and 270Nm of torque driving the front whee...

Behind the wheel of Hyundai’s small electric SUV – the Inster, this captivating light five-door SUV is quick to win you over – funky appealing looks, great colours, for both paint and trim, an incredibly spacious cabin for four adults and a great drive experience to boot. Three models, standard range 327km, extended range 360km while an extended Inster Cross version gaining some extra features. I...

Driving an interesting small SUV from Hyundai – the Hyundai Inster, an all- electric light five-door SUV – an interesting small package from the Korean manufacturer, a little funky inside and out, even futuristic. A city focused car, a model designed to give Hyundai a leg up in the battle with the sharply priced Chinese electric cars flooding the market. However, whilst it’s there most affordable...

Audi has returned the potent 2.0-litre turbo all-wheel drive edition of its A3 hatchback and sedan to its 2026 line-up. Not offered with the release of the 2025 A3 line-up earlier this year and previously known as the 40 TFSI, the A3 TFSI quattro 150kW S line will sell for $62,800 plus on-road costs. Available in Sportback or Sedan this all-wheel drive A3 matches a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine wi...

Subaru will shortly update their Solterra EV SUV and have heralded a $7,000 price cut on the more powerful model. The 2026 Solterrra now starts from $63,990 plus on road costs, down $6,000 while the top-spec AWD Touring model gets a $7,000 reduction to $69,990. The Solterra also gains a new dual motor all-wheel drive arrangement rated at 252kW, up from 160kW making it the most powerful production...

Driving the GWM Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV – this newcomer takes to nine models from GWM, now our best-selling Chinese brand. Its had enormous success with its Haval Jolion and H6 SUV and rightly so but the H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV seems a misfit – a rugged looking medium SUV, that visually gives the impression of being a tough off-roader – however with the same excellent underpinnings of Haval H6 Ultra...

Today, a new model from GWM – the Chinese brand now our seventh best seller and the best performing Chinese brand. With nine models on the market its Haval sub-brand has done well – the Haval Jolion and H6 SUVs both excellent its best performing models – its latest model, the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid however is somewhat of a quandy – frankly one gets the impression that the Chinese brands are more in...

I spoke earlier of Hyundai’s micro wagon the electric Inster currently on the market. Now from Honda we hear that next year they are launching their first electric vehicle, called the Super-One – revealed at Thursday’s Tokyo Motor Show it’s a sporty micro hatchback even smaller than the Hyundai Inster – just 1.6 metres wide and 3.6 metres long , the aptly named Honda Super-One is promised by its m...

I’ve been driving Hyundai’s small city slicker – the electric Inster, a funky small five door mini wagon – a really interesting design with a surprising amount of interior room. I had trouble getting my wife out of this small Hyundai – it’s just so comfortable, great seats and despite its small wheelbase offering a really nice ride. Two models, standard range of 327Kms and Extended Range at 360kms...

Further on the large seven-seat MG QS SUV – available in two models – I’m driving the MG QS Essence all-wheel-drive, $50,990 drive-away with electronic adaptive suspension, nine-speed automatic, six drive modes, powered by a 2.0- litre turbo pure petrol 153kW engine with excellent torque. Engine performance is average with noticeable lag from rest although the strong torque makes up for its initia...

Driving MG’s large 7-seat SUV today – the QS arrived in July in a segment where there’s some good choices like the Hyundai Sante Fe. Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-80. The Chinese built MG QS in two models both powered by a pure petrol 2.0- litre turbo 153kW engine with 360Nm of torque. The QS front drive Excite at $46,990 drive-away, the all-wheel drive Essence at $50,990 drive-away, both with nine-s...

The somewhat ageing but still impressive Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV will remain in production for several more years. The company confirming that the slower than expected uptake of electric models was behind the production extension. Speaking to U.K. publication Autocar, the managing director of Stellantis Premium brands Jules Tilestone said that with 80 per cent of the U.K market sti...

The once popular Renault Scenic nameplate is to return to Australia by year end – the fifth generation of a model that was popular here as a people mover will arrive as a medium-sized electric SUV. The Scenic the first of a new model onslaught from Renault Australia that will see up to six new and updated models arrive in the next 15 months. The front-wheel drive five- seat Scenic features a singl...

Nissan freshened its small Qashqai SUV range this year adding a new e-Power hybrid N-Design flagship at $58,990 drive-away – hybrid power now available on the two top spec Qashqai’s, petrol power on the lower grades. The 1.3-litre turbo petrol power on the four lower grades replaced on the hybrids by a variable compression 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works differen...

Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV was freshened earlier this year in a re-aligned model range with a new N-Design grade flagship with hybrid power standard – the Qashqai e-Power hybrid N-Design $58,990 drive-away. Nissan have added new technology and equipment, freshened the styling, at the same time cutting the previous rather high servicing costs and providing a longer warranty – but hybrid pricing rem...

In the last few years new car prices have scaled upwards perhaps most noticeable at the lower end of the market – if we go back to 2019 before the pandemic there were 52 model variants under the $20,000 barrier – today there is just one – the Kia Picanto hatch sport manual at $18,690. Manufacturers facing stringent new emission and safety regulations, higher costs and shifting exchange rates have...

The Chinese government is set to tighten controls on electric vehicles bound for export markets. In a mover similar to that applied to combustion- powered and hybrid vehicles the Chinese will introduce conditional export approval measures on EV’s from the start of next year. The idea being to improve the perception of its low-cost EV’s, the export controls designed to lift the quality of vehicles...

Driving Renault’s Megane E-Tech SUV – a small French SUV with a difference, setting it apart from the look alike new breed of Chinese electric cars. At $54,990 plus on-road costs more than competitive, cheaper than Volvo’s EX30 and in a way more charming. The styling impressive, hatch like with large 20-inch wheels tucked into the corners. Step inside and it breathes clever design, quality materia...