Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving the Mazda 3 hatchback today, the G25 Astina with 2.5-litre naturally
aspirated four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed
automatic. As the top spec model in the 8-model hatch and sedan range not
inexpensive at $43,190. For that money its very highly equipped with safety
comfort and convenience features, the leather clad interior classy and giving it a
very much upmarket feel behind the wheel. The larger 2.5-litre engine giving it
extra punch while its suspension and steering err on the sporty side giving it the
feel of a hot hatch. Recent additions have enhanced its appeal like the addition of
Mazda connected services which link with the MyMazda app which give the
driveR remote access to such things as vehicle health and status reports and
stolen vehicle tracking assistance. The interior is a knockout on this high-grade
model. Beautifully executed with great fit and finishes, nice leather trim and
excellent ergonomics that makes driving a pleasure. Economy, I couldn’t match
the quoted 6.6L/100 and managed 8.7L/100 but on the plus side it does only
require 91 octane regular unleaded. Whilst somewhat expensive the top spec
Mazda 3 G25 Astina punches very much above its weight and feels in a class
above. I’m David Berthon

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The Mazda 3 remains a popular hatch and sedan range despite the fact that SUV’s today dominate the car market and now represent 60 per cent of total sales. The Mazda 3 remains our No 2 selling small car behind the Toyota Corolla, managing to increase sales last year by 16 per cent in a tough market. Recently upgraded the Mazda 3 comes in a range of 8 hatchback and sedan variants – I drove the top spec G25 Astina hatchback at $43,190, a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with six speed automatic. The hatchback body a distinct wedge shape with Mazda’s signature grille – best as a two-seater with the rear seat cramped at best for adults and here the sedan would be the better option. What immediately impresses with this top spec Mazda 3 is the interior – a standout in materials and quality leather in a design that’s well laid out with large instrument binnacle and centre screen and central rotary dial, everything is just so intuitive and easy to use. A great 360-degree camera and a head-up instrument display with everything in your line of sight. As the top line model, the G25 Astina is the Mazda 3 burger with the works – Warranty five-years, unlimited kms. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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Despite a new record for new car sales last year, up a marginal 0.3 per cent on 2023, the car industry believes 2025 will be a much harder market. Sales in 2024 were somewhat buoyed as car makers cleared backorders due to production constraints in 2022 and 2023. The market this year is expected to be far more subdued. The drop in demand is expected as a number of new Chinese brands enter our market, already one of the most competitive in the world. Many new Chinese brands are already heavily discounting with a large carryover of excess stock as sales of electric model’s stall. Electric car sales last year grew by just 4.7 percent, Tesla remaining the top seller with 38,347 sales, down 17 percent on 2023 despite price cuts of up to $9,500. I’m David Berthon

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Not surprisingly, the release of V-Facts car industry sales figures for 2024 early this week showed Toyota to once again dominate the new vehicle market, recording 241,296 sales, its 22 consecutive year of market leadership. Almost 1 in 5 cars sold last year was a Toyota with hybrid electric vehicles making up close to half the company’s annual tally. The mid-size Toyota RAV 4 was the top selling SUV for the fifth consecutive year with 58,718 sales, close to double the number sold in 2023, also becoming the country’s best selling hybrid vehicle. Clearly, whilst the overall car market achieved its best ever result last year on the back of strong sales in the first half, the market was far more subdued in the second half and faces a tough start this year off the back of several economic challenges. I’m David Berthon

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Over the Xmas break I drove the top line Genesis GV80 AWD SUV with 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 linked to an 8-speed automatic and limited slip rear differential. Now at around $135,000 drive-away it jumps off the mark with strong performance despite a rather hefty weight, feels absolutely bulletproof, super quiet and despite its dimensions shrinks around you when pushed hard thanks to its road preview electronic adaptive suspension. This sophisticated suspension was refined last year to delete pitch on rough surfaces with a less figidity ride. Safety wise, 10 airbags in total but disappointingly, the head airbags don’t extend to the third-row seats. The luxury equipment extensive, a recent mid-life update saw the price climb however a previous $10,500 option pack including heated and ventilated rear seats, power rear door shades, 3 zone climate control, and a Nappa leather appointed interior is now standard. Quality and fit and finish as good if not better than the dearer top-class German SUV’s. Genesis owner support impressive - a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, five-years complimentary servicing including valet pick-up and return, 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance and 10-year map updates. The wagon version tested here was joined earlier this year by a more sporty looking Coupe. I’m David Berthon

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Talking Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis today, the flagship GV80 SUV which
now also comes in a rather sporting looking coupe version. However, I’ve just
driven the recently updated 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol GV80 seven-seat all-wheel-
drive SUV, at around $135,000 drive-away with an 8-speed torque automatic. The
GV80 oozes quality and refinement, the body feels bullet proof, superbly
insulated, and exquisitely detailed. Joining the upper echelon of motoring
Genesis knew they had to build something rather special, loaded with luxury
features and standout quality. I covered some long distances over the holiday
break and cruising at the open road limit achieved 8.3 L/100km – impressive for
such a large SUV. The GV80 has what Genesis call a road preview electronic
control suspension – using a forward camera to scour the road surface ahead for
undulations and potholes, it then adjusts the damping force accordingly. Genesis
may not yet match the badge cachet or sales of Mercedes and BMW’s large SUV’s
but in terms of quality, refinement and fit and finish this South Korean brand is up
there with the very best - just so impressive in all it does and offering a cost
saving over the German competition in the process. Only real disappointment –
the lack of a spare wheel. I’m David Berthon

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Mazda’s small CX-3 SUV remains our most popular light SUV, the long-standing
model continues to grow year on year. Mazda have just refreshed the range for
2025, dropping the entry Sport model, the reshuffle seeing the most affordable
CX-3 rise by $3,420. The CX-3 Pure grade now opening the 2025 range at $30,370
plus on-road costs, a rise of $920. The CX-3 has been around in much the same
guise now for around 10 years, it’s an oldie but a goodie, a model I’ve always
highly regarded and despite its age sales last year lifted by 17 percent, and it
remains Mazda’s second-best seller. The new entry Pure grade gains some new
features – adaptive cruise control, larger 18-inch alloy wheels replacing 16’s and
new higher speed active Autonomous emergency braking. I’m David Berthon

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As a long-standing car enthusiast, I was interested in a recent U.S. survey by the
auction house Hagerty. For some time now it has been thought the love of the
automobile evident with older generations would die off moving forward.
However, the survey found the Gen-Z generation, those born between 1997 and
2012, had a significantly greater interest in owning a classic car of example than
Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. The ‘Future of Driving Survey
quizzed Americans about the role that cars play in their life, their behaviours tied
to cars and driving, the role of new cars and a lot more. Contrary to what was
previously thought, driving is alive and well, 77 percent of Gen-Z respondents
saying they either loved or liked driving, indicating a promising future for the car.
Motoring it seems is alive and well. I’m David Berthon

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Heading off on a long drive over the holiday period. Here’s a few simple tips to
manage fatigue one of the three big killers on our roads. The end of the working
day is certainly not the time to head off on that long drive. Statistics show you’re
four times more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash between the hours of 10pm
and dawn so don’t head off after a hard week at work – the highest number of
fatal crashes occur in the afternoon peak period on a Friday. Head off early
morning after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast when your energy levels are
high. Carry plenty of water. – as well as being well hydrated it also means more
toilet stops along the way. Good posture also lessens fatigue. As a guide, sit
upright - stretch out your left arm so that your palm touches the top of the wheel.
Adjust the seat length accordingly and bring the back of the seat up to give you
good lumbar support. Driving long distances is also hard on the eyes – glare is a
major contributor to fatigue so pull the sun visor down to the horizon and cut out
as much sky as possible. All simple stuff I know but it could well save your life.
I’m David Berthon

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I talk about this at this time each year but it’s just so important - holiday time
and you may be about to take long road trip with the family. Time to give a little
thought to fatigue as it’s one of the three major killers on our roads – fatigue
related accidents now account for more deaths than those attributed to drink
driving. We now generally work longer hours. As such, fatigue is far more
prevalent so it’s no coincidence that the highest number of fatal crashes occur in
the afternoon peak period on a Friday. The end of the working day is not the time
to head off on that long drive into the country. Statistics show you’re four times
more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash between the hours of 10pm and dawn –
leave the next morning after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast when your
energy levels are high. Carry plenty of water. Share the driving – one hour on -
one hour off and take 15-minute break every two hours. Long distance driving
with the family is all about teamwork - never let your front seat passenger nod off.
Keep the rear seat solely for the sleepers, A talkative front passenger is another
set of eyes. I’m David Berthon

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