Motor 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.

VOR 2 TAGEN

Renault Megane E-Tech – charming French SUV with a difference

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 materials and individuality. With a lightweight 60kWh battery feeding a single electric motor driving the front wheels it offers a driving range of 454Km which I found accurate. Relatively light for an electric car with a slim lightweight battery under the floor I found the energy consumption excellent at 14.1 kWh/100km. Electric cars tend to ride harder` due to battery weight – not so for the Megane E-Tech, extremely comfortable helped by great seats although disappointing only with manual adjustment. Welcome five-star safety plus four available drive modes that noticeably change the complexion of the drive, while steering feel is a high point. As I said earlier, it feels more premium in all it does apart from some tyre roar on courser road surfaces. I came away very impressed with this electric Renault Megane – appealingly different and a classy small French SUV. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Min.
VOR 2 TAGEN

Renault Megane E-Tech – stylish small French SUV with premium feel

At last, a French car this week – I was really looking forward to driving the Renault Megane E-Tech SUV. Visually, this electric Megane has a great silhouette more like a hatchback with large 20-inch alloys tucked right into the corners, the styling impressive and giving it a more premium feel although the resultant high tail tends to limit rear visibility. With a 60kWh battery pack feeding a single electric motor with 160kW and 320Nm of torque driving through the front wheels it offers a driving range of 454Km. Step in and your immediately impressed with a quality and functional interior with great finishes. A wide 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and interconnected 9-inch multimedia touchscreen thankfully combine with switchgear to make it all very user friendly, something the Chinese newcomers could well learn from. There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual zone climate control, wireless phone charging, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. At $54,990 plus on-road costs the Megane E-Tech is well priced, with combination cloth and leather seats that offer great comfort but lack power adjustment while the interior is a standout in design. Warranty underdone at five-years/100,000km, battery warranty 8- years/160,000km. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Min.
VOR 2 TAGEN

Most affordable electric SUV due here next month

The Chinese Leapmotor B10 will claim the title of the most affordable electric SUV when it goes on sale next month priced from $38,990 drive- away. The small B10 SUV follows the larger Leapmotor C10 launched late last year and will arrive in two models – the B10 Style will offer a 361km range under WLTP standards and feature a 56.2kWhour battery pack while the B10 Design LR with larger 67.1kWhour battery and a 434km range will sell for $41,990 drive-away. Standard features on the entry B10 Style include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a fixed glass roof, wireless phone charger, and a 360-degree camera with built-in dash cam. Leapmotor is part backed by the Stellantis Group. One hopes the Leapmotor B10 is better tailored to our market and doesn’t have the larger C10’s annoying driver assist warning features. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Min.
VOR 2 TAGEN

Bentley the latest car company to back pedal on plans to go electric

According to a report published in Autocar, Bentley is the latest company to back pedal on plans to go fully electric – the luxury brand said to be planning pure petrol successors to its Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga SUV. The move reverses the decision it announced in 2022 that it would move to pure electric production by the end of the decade. Porsche and Audi have already announced similar plans with the three companies under the Volkswagen Group sharing platforms, drivetrains and other componentry. It appears the decision by Bentley reflects a dip in demand from key markets including North America and the Middle East where there is a lack of support for an all-electric strategy. Other luxury manufacturers delaying an all-electric strategy include Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes-Benz no word yet on whether Jaguar will do likewise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Min.
5. OKT.

Lexus GX550 4WD - a dressed up Toyota Prado not suited around town

Driving the Lexus GX550 4WD seven-seat wagon – it comes in three grades the entry Luxury, the mid-spec Overtrail and the flagship sports luxury. I drove the entry GX550 Luxury at $130,554 drive-away which shares its underpinnings with the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, but instead of the 2.8- litre diesel engine the GX550 is powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine linked to a 10-speed automatic. A 21/2 tonne permanent all-wheel- drive the Lexus GX550 is a serious 4WD and Lexus has given this big 4WD the performance it deserves with 260kW of power and a healthy 650Nm of torque – the 10-speed gearbox silky smooth with the added ability to select different drive modes via a dial on the centre console. But despite its mechanical sophistication it still feels a large heavy 4WD around town and with the need for 95 grade premium fuel its far from fuel efficient. I managed 15.7L/100km around town. Despite its luxury pretensions however the Lexus GX550 still feels like a truck around town and obviously its best performance is off the beaten track. For this reason, whilst its highly equipped, there’s a number of luxury seven seat SUVs better suited to around town motoring for the same money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Min.
5. OKT.

Lexus GX550 4WD – luxury qualities can’t hide its 4WD underpinnings

Driving the Lexus GX550 4WD – the GX550, a dressed-up luxury take on the popular Toyota Prado 4WD. Importantly, the Lexus GX550 is a full on 4WD not an SUV – it comes in three seven-seat grades- I tested the entry GX550 Luxury at $130,554 drive-away. It shares the Prado’s proven 4WD underpinnings but instead of the Prado’s 2.8-litre diesel the GX550 is powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine paired with a 10-speed automatic - a full time 4WD with locking centre differential, so a serious off- roader despite its luxury pretensions. And that’s where I have trouble getting my head around it – its loaded with safety gear including nine airbags and a full list of active safety elements, and a number of elements to give it a luxury touch as you’d expect for $130,000. But it still feels and drives like a truck – heavy and cumbersome and best only in the rough – as an around town luxury cruiser it doesn’t work for me – too good to bash off road so why wouldn’t you just buy the more workmanlike Prado and save money. And if you want a luxury 7-seater there are far better car like luxury SUVs that better suit around town motoring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Min.
5. OKT.

Mitsubishi’s new generation small ASX SUV around the corner

For many years the Mitsubishi ASX SUV was the firm favourite at the most affordable end of the market - a new generation model is due in showrooms shortly albeit at much higher prices. Three models, the LS, Aspire and top level Exceed the new ASX range features a new 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder engine paired to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. Prices start at $37,740 for the LS, $42,690 for the Aspire and top out at $46,490 for the Exceed. Mitsubishi claim fuel efficiency improvements of around 16 per cent compared to the outgoing 2.0-litre engine with a 19 per cent improvement in emissions. Once our biggest selling small SUV the Mitsubishi ASX has been outgunned this year by Hyundai’s Kona and by three Chinese SUV’s the MG ZS, the Haval Jolion and the Chery Tiggo 4. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Min.
5. OKT.

Hyundai’s new hybrid family Palisade SUV due shortly with large price lift

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade SUV arrives this month in one all-wheel drive high grade Calligraphy variant priced at $89,000 plus on-road costs – some $25,000 dearer that the most affordable version of the old model. To be available with all-wheel drive hybrid power and a choice of seven or eight seats the new Palisade will offer new technology, a larger body, a redesigned interior and higher equipment levels. Gone are the petrol V6 and turbo diesel four-cylinder engines, replaced with a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder aided by two electric motors and a 1.65kWhour battery pack. Output is rated at 245kW and 460Nm of torque driving all four-wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai claim fuel economy at 6.8L/100kms, down from 7.3L/100km for the diesel and 10.7L/100km for the petrol V6. Deliveries to dealers are expected over the next two weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Min.

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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.