Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving the Porsche turbo Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe SUV today – the most
powerful combustion engine Porsche available from $297,200. The best plug-in
hybrid I’ve driven but given the price maybe understandable – enormously
capable the turbo Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe ticks all the performance
boxes – powered by a combination of a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 and a 130kW
electric motor - producing 544kW of power, a staggering 950 Nm of torque driving
all four wheels though an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic with four drive modes – in
Sport Plus mode its performance aggressive but with so much electronic
sophistication just so accomplished – with a top speed potential of 295 km/hour –
a plug-in hybrid with nearly 80kms of electric range and with charging on the over
run and through regenerative braking the best I’ve encountered in a plug-in
hybrid – as an example, on a short 30 km drive I managed to recover 11km of
electric range. The Porsche E-hybrid Coupe delivers highly competent handling
and braking yet a very comfortable ride in a cabin that oozes class and comfort. A
simply fabulous driver. An upper luxury Coupe style SUV that’s hard to fault apart
from some options that simply should be standard fare and a short three-
year/unlimited kilometre warranty. I’m David Berthon

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One for the enthusiast driver today – the Porsche Cayenne turbo E-Hybrid Coupe
SUV – a German express from $297,200. The Cayenne SUV comes in wagon form
or in the sloped roof Coupe with a total of seven models, the turbo E-Hybrid
Coupe, the most powerful combustion engine Porsche available. The figures
staggering – 544kW of power and 950Nm of torque from its plug-in hybrid
powertrain – a combination of a twin turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine paired with
an electric motor and despite tipping the scales at nearly 2600 kilos powering to
100km/hour in just 3.5-seconds. This German coupe style SUV feels absolutely
bullet proof, with a 25.9kWh battery we are talking about a very sophisticated
Porsche. With all wheel drive, eight speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox, an
adaptive electronic suspension, four available drive modes plus a very
sophisticated traction management system this is a technically impressive upper
luxury SUV – and the coupe style gives it a sporty profile to match the
performance capability. If I had a criticism, option prices on the test car tallied
$42,000, some simply over the top like the Porsche crest on the headrests $950
for branding, barely what you should consider an option. This aside, the
performance capability very impressive, details next segment. I’m David Berthon

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Suzuki has released pricing and details of its latest small Swift range with prices
starting from $24,490 drive-away. The three-model Swift range is powered by a
1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance and is available
in either five-speed manual or CVT automatic. The engine’s electric motor
/generator is claimed to contribute outputs of 2.3kW and 60Nm assisting low
speed acceleration powered by a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The Japanese small
car manufacturer claiming manual fuel consumption of 3.8L/100km on the
combined city/country cycle and 4.0L/100km for the automatic. The Japanese-
built Suzuki Swift is one of our most enduring small hatchbacks, the second best
selling light hatch behind the recently superseded Chinese-built MG3. However,
the recent launch of the latest MG3 saw price increases of $7,000 and the mild
hybrid Suzuki Swift now undercuts the MG3 Excite by $500. I’m David Berthon

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From Monday July 1 cameras currently used to detect mobile phone use will also
be able to detect seatbelt non-compliance. Importantly, there is no grace period
and if your caught without a seat belt the fine is $387 and three demerit points
and with double demerits applicable during declared periods. It not only applies
to not wearing a seat belt but also wearing one incorrectly like having the sash
belt under the arm. Passengers aged 16 and over can be fined individually while
drivers are responsible for children under 16 for not wearing a belt or not wearing
one correctly. Seat belts have been around for more than 50 years, their use
recognised as a huge life saver by safety authorities however despite this in the
five years to 2023 150 people in N.S.W died in motor vehicle accidents while not
wearing a seatbelt. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the facelifted the 2.2-litre turbo diesel Kia Sorrento GT-line all-wheel-drive
SUV today – the best-selling variant – at $72,690 drive-away able to travel nearly
1000km on a full tank and I averaged 7.1 L/100 with mainly around town driving.
The Sorento a seven-seater but like most large SUV’s best as a five-seater with
above average luggage space. Access to the third row in seven seaters always
difficult and the Sorento is no exception. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel has average
power and torque and drives through an 8-speed dual clutch automatic with
manual shift paddles – importantly. it doesn’t sound like a trusty diesel but is
smooth, quiet and refined. The Sorrento GT-line’s high point is suspension tune –
Kia Australia always does its homework with local ride and handling tune and it’s
just so polished whether fully laden with luggage or just with a driver. The
steering now also further refined, the drive experience overall simply first class.
Towing somewhat limited however at a max 2000 kilos braked. It has all the latest
driving assist modes and safety elements apart from the curtain airbags not
extending to the third-row seats. It gets a full-size spare wheel while servicing
costs over three years $1308, over five years $2427. I’m David Berthon

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In January Kia upgraded its seven-passenger Sorento SUV with enhanced styling
inside and out, and with more comfort and convenience equipment and safety, In
addition to petrol and diesel models a petrol/electric hybrid has now been added,
each power source available in front or all-wheel drive. I drove the 2.2-litre turbo
diesel eight-speed automatic Sorento GT-line all-wheel drive at $72,690 driveaway
– the most popular model and with nearly a 1000km range this is a big SUV for a
big country. The petrol versions simply too thirsty. The new chiseled styling is in
the mould of Kia’s all electric EV9 and new EV5 and along with new 20-inch alloy
wheels the Sorento GT-line has real visual appeal. The interior has always
appealed especially with the new curved dual 12.3-inch display screens featuring
large menu icons and with Kia’s latest infotainment system now able to offer
wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Disappointingly, the interior of the GT-
line is only available in a dark grey/charcoal interior which limits its appeal. Seat
comfort on the other hand with a power drivers and passenger seat first class,
the trim plush Nappa leather. Kia quality overall impressive while the support of a
7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty very re-assuring. I’m David Berthon

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Sydney City Council proudly tells us that bike share schemes have a key role to
play in our future transportation, healthier lifestyle choice and the
decarbonization of Sydney – around 4700 trips are taken daily on share bikes in
the City of Sydney area, saving around 1326 tonnes of carbon emissions each
year. Really – in short, they’ve turned the inner city into an untidy environment –
spread across pathways in large groups, making pedestrian movement
dangerous. Pitt Street is a case in point, bikes scattered usually on their side I
suspect from unhappy pedestrians, many without helmets. Council tell us they
don’t manage bike sharing and you should report bikes damaged and parked in a
dangerous place directly with operators. It’s a cop out, it seems nobody is
monitoring bike parking and the Council needs to do more to police their use. I’m
David Berthon

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I use the new Westconnex M8 tunnel on a regular basis, with a new 90km/hour
limit a great piece of road infrastructure, expensive yes but a real time saver.
Surprising news this week – a new speed camera installed in May in the M8
tunnel at Newtown heading southbound has generated more than $1.3 million
dollars in fines in its first month of operation from 1622 infringements. It appears
most of the drivers caught speeding were using business-registered vehicles –
camera detected fines issued to companies can be five times the amount paid by
an individual, the company required to nominate the driver responsible within a
specified time – if they nominate the driver the fine reduces to the applicable
individual amount. With the tunnel speed indicated at 200 metre intervals its
staggering that so many drivers throw caution to the wind. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Mitsubishi’s evergreen small SUV today – the long-standing ASX, not the
latest and best described as an oldie but a goodie, very well priced but best
specified and best value in the second tier ES grade backed up by an industry
leading 10-year/200,000km warranty as long as its serviced by a Mitsubishi
dealer. But how does it drive – the ASX ES grade at just under $30,000 drive-away
powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder driving the front wheels through a CVT
automatic. Step into the cabin and it feels a little dated, very comfortable and
practical with great seats but there’s no smart key or wireless phone charger, but
thankfully, it has dials for the climate control air-con, radio tuning and volume as
distinct to the frustrating and distractive menus on a touch screen. The drive
experience also shows its age – the engine no fire breather and the CVT lets off
an unusual sound under load, the noise vibration and harshness levels such that
it feels a little unrefined when pushed hard. No problems with economy however,
8.0L/100 on 91 grade petrol while it exhibits good steering feel and a pleasant
ride. But the overriding feature of the Mitsubishi ASX is the value story and its
impressive. I’m David Berthon

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Talking about Mitsubishi’s small ASX SUV today – the ASX has been around for a
long time – first surfacing in 2010 but updated visually three times since. Sharply
priced it remains our fourth best-selling small SUV, strongly recognised for its
value story and a 10-year warranty. A roomy small SUV in seven front wheel
drive grades from $24,490 plus on-road costs for the entry manual GS – I drove
the next grade up, the ES automatic, the best seller and frankly the one to own at
$27,990. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder driving through a CVT or continuously variable
automatic. This year the ES gained lane departure warning for the first time, but it
lacks rear cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking. Features
include a rear-view camera, climate control aircon, rear parking sensors, rain
sensing wipers and air-con ducts to the rear seats. The Mitsubishi ASX ES
competes in a super competitive small SUV segment – not the latest design but
this trusty small SUV with great interior room has been kept competitive with
small tweaks along the way. For a small family in today’s cost-conscious world, it
has one outstanding feature – an industry leading 10-year/200,000 km warranty if
you keep it serviced by a Mitsubishi dealer. Drive details next segment. I’m David
Berthon

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