Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving Hyundai’s latest Sante Fe Hybrid – behind the wheel noticeably larger to
its predecessor, now squarer edged, a very roomy seven-seater with exceptional
cargo space but if anything it looks a little tail heavy due to an enlarged tailgate.
This latest Hyundai Sante Fe initially available as a 1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid six
speed automatic in a base model, mid-spec Elite and top-grade Calligraphy - and
depending on model, front or all-wheel drive. A 2.5-litre pure petrol 8-speed
automatic arrives late this year. I tested the Elite all-wheel drive, now $2,000
dearer at $65,000 plus on-road costs. The hybrid power trains 172kW of power,
367Nm of torque more than adequate – providing excellent fuel economy – I
managed 7.7L./100km around town and on 91 grade petrol. Economy aided by
three levels of regenerative braking and in its highest level you hardly need to
touch the brakes. Biggest annoyance the speed limit warning and driver attention
monitor – both features need more development and refinement and are just plain
annoying and of no real driver benefit. They can be switched off but every time
you start the car they renew. Like a lot of the new Chinese SUV’s these warning
chimes are distractive, and a turn off to most drivers. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the latest fifth generation Hyundai Sante Fe hybrid seven-seat SUV – a
totally different SUV to its predecessor – firstly in appearance and on first
impression its very much in the mould of a Land Rover, somewhat square edged
with a stronger presence and more interior room. This last aspect with an
enlarged tailgate gives it a rather tail happy appearance which drew some
negativity. As a family mover it offers generous interior room with ten airbags
over three seat rows and increased cargo space. Available initially as a 1.6-litre
turbo-petrol hybrid six-speed automatic, three grades, Base, Elite and Calligraphy
and depending on model, front or all-wheel-drive. I drove the well specified Elite
all-wheel drive now $2,000 dearer at $65,000 plus on-road costs. The hybrid
power train impressive, offering three levels of regenerative braking, and there’s
a number of drive modes available including terrain modes like snow, mud and
sand. The dash most impressive with a combined information display and
instrument cluster that’s first class. The cabin ambience most impressive.
There’s a big lift in technology, Hyundai adding over the air software capability to
keep you up with driver assist systems remotely without the need to visit a
dealer. Warranty five year/unlimited km. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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The seventh edition of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’ Elegance at the end of this month will see possibly the most diverse and exotic range of collector cars in the history of the event. To be staged again on historic Cockatoo Island over the three days from Friday Feb 28 to Sunday March 2 this classic event just gets better year on year. The range of entries this year span from 1905 to 2021 - many extremely rare including a 1930 Bugatti Type 46, 1936 Delahaye Type 135CS and a 1973 Porsche 917. Now internationally recognised as the Southern Hemisphere’s leading concours event it has also drawn a truly international judging jury of seven from all corners of the globe including ex Formula One driver Thierry Boutsen from Belgium. As the Australian judge I very much look forward to this annual event. I’m David Berthon

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It seems the possibility of the Federal Government introducing a road user charge is very much on the cards as revenues decline from the fuel excise, the tax on the sale of petrol and diesel fuel to fund road maintenance, as more and more drivers switch to zero and low emission cars. The current fuel excise of 50.8 cents per litre of petrol and diesel fuel would be replaced by a road user charge that will bill all drivers per kilometre travelled. Fuel excise revenue has been falling for some years with Treasury predicting it will account for 3.9 per cent of the total tax take in the 2024/25 financial year, down from 7.4 per cent in 1999- 2000. At last week’s Business Council of Australia dinner in Canberra, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers reportedly suggested an EV road user charge was very much on the agenda. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the updated small Honda HR-V SUV which now comes in three models,
the entry pure petrol plus two hybrids – I tested the top spec HR-V hybrid E-HEV
L at $42,990 drive-away which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with two electric
motors producing combined outputs of 96kW and 253 Nm of torque – smooth,
quiet and refined, the hybrid system generally prioritising electric power, the
petrol engine kicking in to act as a generator to charge the battery, the electric
motor in turn drawing on that charge to power the front wheels. The drive is very
linear and polished, as I said quiet, and the only time the petrol engine is
noticeable is under a heavy throttle where the continuously variable transmission
lets the petrol engine surge a little and make its presence felt. On 91 grade petrol I
managed 4.9L/100km making the HR-V a very frugal driver with an impressive
range. The drive experience with great seats, nimble steering and a nicely
balanced ride/handling combination gives this compact Honda HR-V hybrid SUV
a very polished feel. It’s not the most affordable compact SUV in its class but
overall, a very nice allrounder with servicing capped for each of the first five
years at a sharp $199. I’m David Berthon.

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Driving Honda’s recently upgraded small HR-V SUV – for 2025 now available in
three models – an entry petrol and two hybrid variants. I drove the top spec HR-V
hybrid E-HEV L now $4,100 more affordable at $42,990 drive-away. This third
generation Honda HR-V has now been refreshed with a minor facelift and a few
interior updates but basically, it’s all about being more affordable although it still
sits at the higher end of small SUV pricing. This HR-V Hybrid is technically
innovative in the old Honda tradition, nicely built, refreshingly different and
stylish to look at including a painted grille with a very practical and nicely
appointed interior for four adults rather than five. Combining a 1.5-litre petrol
engine with two compact electric motors it delivers a nice balance of power and
torque and the hybrid system is technically impressive. This is a small SUV with a
quality feel with little to grumble about, the lack of a wireless phone charger and
only a tyre repair kit, but it does come with a full suite of active safety elements,
wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and heated front seats with fabric and
leatherette trim. Warranty five years/unlimited km with 8-year battery warranty.
Drive details next segment. I’m David Berthon

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Chinese EV manufacturer Nio has achieved 136,748 battery swaps in its home
country over the Chinese New Year between January 22 and February 3 – the Nio
Group offered owners of its new Onvo EV unlimited access to its 3106 battery
swap stations on China’s highway system. On February 3 alone it swapped 8,000
batteries over a 24-hour period, said to take less than 3 minutes a car and the
company last week performed its 65th million battery swap. The Chinese EV
maker intends to launch its Onvo L60 EV here late in the year, but it is not known
whether it will roll out battery swap stations. Since launching in Europe in 2021
with a limited electric car line-up it has produced 59 battery swapping stations.
The Nio Onvo L60 features 900 Volt electrical architecture and offer class leading
ultra-fast charging. I’m David Berthon

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Nissan Australia has joined the likes of Mitsubishi and MG by offering a 10-year
new car warranty, however the warranty extends to 300,000 kilometres, exceeding
the 200,000km and 250,000km offerings of Mitsubishi and MG respectively. The
new Nissan warranty like Mitsubishi’s is conditional on servicing with the brand
and is applicable for all new purchases from January 1 this year. However, in
another industry first, Nissan will also backdate the warranty for all new
purchases from January 1, 2021, on the proviso that all scheduled servicing has
been carried out by its dealer network since that time. Despite its parent in Japan
declaring it is in emergency mode following slow sales and a huge loss last year
that saw it announce 9000 job cuts worldwide and lower production levels Nissan
Australia says it is fully committed to the Australian market. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio QV SUV, the Stelvio performance
flagship at $162,700. The styling striking with sculptured V-shaped Alfa grille has
real appeal, so too the interior, a combination of leather, Alcantara and carbon
fibre, beautifully executed together with great instrumentation. And it has the
best- looking automotive badge in the car business. But it’s the underpinnings of
the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio that are standout. A Ferrari-developed 2.9-
litre twin turbo V6 driving all four-wheels through an 8-speed automatic with shift
paddles. The drivetrain a high point – with four drive settings, Dynamic, Normal,
Adaptive and Race, changing steering weight, gear shift speed, suspension
firmness, stability control and exhaust volume – in Race mode all hell breaks
loose with an aggressive performance that as the name implies, is best for a
racetrack. Weighing 1830kilos it literally jumps to 100km/hour in just 3.8 seconds.
A stunning performance SUV and so it should be with such an exalted price tag.
But to me this is a collector model – an Italian masterpiece – but it’s not perfect –
I’d like a spare wheel while the ride quality on very low-profile tyres can be
tiresome, and servicing is quite expensive, $3,210 over three years but oh what a
drive. Warranty: five-years/unlimited km. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio QV SUV, the performance flagship at
$162,700. This is a performance SUV that’s not for the faint hearted. Alfa Romeo
enlisting help from Ferrari to ensure the Stelvio SUV was at the top of its game
and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine is in reality a Ferrari
engine, that influence also extending to suspension tune and overall dynamics. In
fact, this SUV is so good I’d buy one in preference to a Ferrari sports model and
save my back in the process. Updated last year the Stelvio Quadrifoglio gained
some small styling updates inside and out and a new mechanical self-locking
differential. Styling wise with its V shaped grille its individual and has real
presence. Just 125 Stelvio’s sold last year so it offers real exclusivity. There’s an
aura about Alfa Romeo, I remember when I first starting testing cars in 1981. In
the foyer of Alfa’s head office in Banksmeadow was a photo of Henry Ford with
the caption “Every time I see an Alfa Romeo pass, I tip my hat.” Henry Ford fully
aware of the brands sports image from its numerous race victories especially in
the 1930’s. Drive details of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio in my next segment. I’m David
Berthon

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