Motor Torque with David Berthon

Most evident in the car industry is how quickly potential buyers see the
value in a new model. Chery’s Tiggo 4 SUV has quickly made a name for
itself on value alone, simply the best value in a small SUV at present – two
models, the Tiggo 4 Urban $23,990 drive-away and the better equipped
Ultimate at $26,990 drive-away – as I said earlier the equipment level on the
Ultimate makes for a very compelling package for a small family on a tight
budget. And its pricing is where other small SUV’s start with their entry
pricing and don’t feature the Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate models impressive
equipment list. Which includes dual-zone climate control air, a power
sunroof with shade, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, front and
rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. Only disappointment for me
is the lack of a rear power door and a full-size spare wheel. Power source a
1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder driving the front wheels via a
continuously variable transmission. With 108kW and 210 Nm of torque its
no fire breather but a nice driver, the performance best described as
adequate while fuel consumption can get a little heavy if driven hard. I
managed 7.9L/100 around town but it does take 91 octane fuel.

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With cost-of-living pressures affecting new car sales a sharply priced SUV like the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is sure to gain traction – this small Chinese SUV has been selling up a storm since its launch six months ago. Chery has thankfully already dropped the Pro from its name and revised styling including a full width LED tail-light and revised alloy wheels. Two models – the entry Chery Tiggo 4 Urban at $23,990 drive-away which now also gains front parking sensors and a six-speaker sound system in lieu of four. The better-equipped Tiggo 4 Ultimate at $26,990 drive-away further gains wireless phone charging and ambient interior lighting. Both exceptional value and quickly reflected in sales – having driven both the Tiggo 4 Ultimate is well worth the extra. Power source is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic. The Ultimate grade equipment impressive – LED headlights, twin 10.25-inch display screens, a 360-degree camera, rear parking sensors, wireless phone charging, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather trim, dual zone climate control air, a power sunroof and shade, heated front seats, five-star ANCAP safety and many active safety elements. The Chery Tiggo 4 Impressive value for $26,990 drive-away with seven years unlimited km warranty.

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Australia’s peak motoring body, the Australian Automobile Association has
called on the re-elected Albanese Government for more action on road
safety. The call comes as new figures show the nation’s road toll continues
to climb. AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said figures show road
deaths are up by 18.1 per cent in the five years since Australian
Governments set a target of halving national road deaths by 2030.
Following my story on the recommendations of the N.S.W Parliamentary
Committee inquiry into e-scooters and e-bikes I note the recent death of an
e-scooter rider on the South Coast – the 41-year-old rider crashed onto the
roadway and sadly was hit by a car. Over the last five years 30 people have
lost their lives in e-scooter accidents – many of the children’s deaths
attributed to their inexperience of riding e-scooters on busy roads. I’m
David Berthon

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I don’t always agree with Harold Scruby from the Pedestrian Council of
Australia, but I did agree with his article in the Telegraph on Tuesday titled
States e-madness must end before we’re e-limited. Rightly taking the
N.S.W. Government to task for proposing new rules and regulations for e-
scooters that other states have already found unworkable – allowing
anyone 16 and over to ride e-scooters on 50km/hour roads as well as
shared paths is a recipe for disaster – with no training, no license, no
registration and no insurance. Harold Scruby does himself an injustice
claiming the road toll in N.S.W is up 18 percent, its up 18 in number or 14
per cent while his argument that pedestrians don’t need education is one
eyed – he should witness the number of pedestrians in the City in
particular who walk onto pedestrian crossings texting or on the phone.

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Further on the Zeekr X SUV – a compact Chinese electric SUV released last
October and like many Chinese EVs already price reduced. Two models,
the rear wheel drive now $56,900 and the AWD $64,900 which I’m driving
with dual electric motors fed by a 66kWhour battery. The performance
exhilarating - 0 to 100km/hour in just 3.8 seconds – that performance is
very polished, and the Zeekr X feels premium in all it does – from my
perspective a cut above most similar priced SUV’s that I’ve driven. The
styling sharp, distinctive and different, a body with great interior room for a
compact SUV. Fit and finishes are quality. Range 400kms which around
town I found accurate but on the open road the brisk performance eats up
the battery much quicker – I averaged 16kW/h/100km consumption around
town but on a hard throttle it rose to 20kWh/100km fairly quickly. Charging
on my 11kW AC wall charger took 5 ½ hours from 20 to 80 percent of
charge. A supremely comfortable small SUV apart from some pitch on a
rough surface accentuated obviously by the additional battery weight but
more than acceptable. Active safety elements however too intrusive
particularly the driver distraction alert. Warranty underdone too at 5 years/
unlimited km. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the Zeekr X SUV – a small premium electrified SUV, a relatively
new Chinese brand released last October. Part of the Geely group that also
owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Zeekr a rather unusual Chinese brand
with its global design operations based in Gothenburg Sweden. As such
the European design influence on the Zeekr X is immediately apparent –
this is a compact SUV with a premium feel in fit and finishes - the
integration of the lights into the front of car individual and distinctive – Two
models RWD and AWD, I drove the latter at $64,900 plus on-road costs.
Step inside and you’re met with exceptional quality and an ambience that’s
warm, inviting and different. Seat comfort immediately noticeable, power
adjustment on both front seats – event the synthetic leather trim looks
quality and authentic. The AWD comes with dual electric motors fed by a
66kWh battery producing a lightning quick 0 to 100km in just 3.8 seconds
Highly equipped with wireless phone charging, power heated and cooled
front seats and a panoramic glass roof. Worst feature, a large central
touchscreen, and no operational buttons for aircon or radio. But certainly,
the most impressive Chinese electric SUV I’ve driven to date. Drive detail
next. I’m David Berthon

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The 9 th . Peking to Paris Motor challenge got under way last Saturday, the
event covering 14,500 kilometres over 37 days across twelve countries. 80
entries started at the Great Wall of China including five from Australia, with
this year’s challenge taking crews across China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan,
across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan continuing into the tough tracks of
Georgia and Turkey, followed with a sting in the tail across Bulgaria,
Romania, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland before finishing in France. A true
historic vehicle and human endurance challenge that follows in the tracks
of the original 1907 pioneers. The entry fee per vehicle to participate with a
crew of two 69,000 pounds. Entries include vehicles up to 1985 – the
oldest vehicle this year from Melbourne’s Alan Madan – a 14.5 litre 1917
American La France, formerly a fire truck. I’m David Berthon

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Toyota this week revealed its sixth generation RAV4 SUV due in the first
half of 2026. The hybrid only RAV 4 range will introduce Toyota’s first plug-
in PHEV powertrain offering a choice of 2WD or 4WD and targeting up to
100km of electric-only driving range. The current model with huge pent up
demand during the pandemic has been our top-seller in recent years, also
Toyota’s top seller, the company selling more than 500,000 since its arrival
in 1994. Underpinning the new plug-in hybrid system is a 2.5-litre petrol
engine combined with a new 22.7kWh high-capacity lithium-ion battery that
will provide an electric only driving range of up to 100km. Along with the
plug-in options, the RAV4 will also come with Toyota’s efficient series-
parallel hybrid system in AWD and 2WD configurations. both of which
produce 143kW combined with excellent fuel economy. I’m David Berthon

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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. I’m David Berthon

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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. The proof however is in the driving which I’ll detail in an
hour. I’m David Berthon

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