Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving the Suzuki Swift today, a small five-door hatch in its fourth generation,
now in mild hybrid form and little different visually. I drove the top spec Swift GLX
combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 2.3kW integrated starter
generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery driving through a continuously
variable automatic with manual shift paddles. Super light at just 957Kg just so
nimble and easy to drive – the three cylinders a little noisy, it has a hum about it,
the steering light and the ride comforting for such a small car. The interior a big
improvement with a larger touchscreen, nice seats, a little tight in the rear but
understandable for a small hatch, quality from the Japan’s small car company
hard to criticize. The big question is how the hybrid element is employed – it
doesn’t drive in pure electric mode but adds a touch more power to the three-
cylinder engine when required. A pleasant small car, but at times a little course
and not as sweet as the previous 1.0-litre turbo Swift I remember. Good economy,
5.3L/100km but now requiring dearer 95 grade petrol. A nice well equipped small
hatch but to me now starting to show its age a little in certain areas. I’m David
Berthon

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Driving the relatively new Suzuki Swift Hybrid five-door hatchback – available in
three models, I drove the top-line GLX. The latest Suzuki Swift now in its fourth
generation comes only in hybrid form – combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder
engine with what’s described as a mild hybrid system – a 2.3kW integrated starter
generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The GLX grade at $29,490 drive-away
sharply priced and highly equipped, with CVT transmission and manual shift
paddles, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air, and wireless phone
charging. The latest Swift looks little different to its predecessor. Despite the
hybrid tag there is no EV-only motoring, this is predominately a petrol car with
minimal electric motor torque – as such the drive feels little different to a pure
petrol model - the three-cylinder engine has a distinct hum to it while with an all-
up weight of just 957kg the Swift GLX automatic is a particularly nimble small car
around town. I managed 5.3L/100km and whilst that’s impressive it does need a
diet of dearer 95-octane petrol. A pleasant small hatchback in many ways, well
priced, highly equipped with safety and driving technology but some elements of
this latest Suzuki Swift hybrid left me thinking it was becoming a little dated. I’m
David Berthon

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Fatalities on country roads are overrepresented so top marks to the NSW
Government and Roads Minister John Graham for announcing a trial of new glow
in the dark line markings for some of our traditional black spots. The
photoluminescent road markings will be initially tested for six months on the
hairpin turn on Bulli Pass due to a spike in near-miss accidents between 9pm and
4am. The N.S.W. Government said around 125 near accidents had been reported
along Bulli Pass in the 12 months to June 30 and the glow in the dark line
markings located part way down the pass will increase awareness of the sharp
bend. Around a third of fatal crashes in N.S.W. happen at night and the Roads
Minister suggests if the trial is successful, it will be used on other black spot
areas. Surely an excellent initiative. I’m David Berthon

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After creating a media storm a few weeks back by announcing a bold new
direction Jaguar this week defined its bold new design language during Miami Art
week.. Understandably, the traditionalists went into overload at the reveal of what
it called its Type 00 design language. The five-metre-long coupe in vivid pink said
to be a pure expression of Jaguar’s new creative philosophy, explained in just
two words: exuberant modernism. According to Jaguars chief creative officer
Gerry McGovern “ the Type 00 is the result of brave, unconstrained creative
thinking and unwavering determination – the foundation stone for a new family of
Jaguars that will look unlike anything you’ve seen before.” It’s certainly that, an
exceptionally brave move ending 89 years of tradition and one can understand
why the company expects to only retain around 10-15 percent of its existign
customer base. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the facelifted 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, the fourth generation 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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Top marks to the NRMA this week for drawing the Governments attention to the
spike in drug related driving deaths. 79 people died in drug-related crashes in
2023, up from 55 the year before. The NRMA found that one in ten NSW drivers
who undertook a roadside drug test delivered a positive result and urged the
Government to urgently lift random drug testing levels. This is no different to
what I reported a few weeks back on figures out of Queensland. There a recent
drug testing blitz found that of 2265 roadside drug tests a staggering 18.4 percent
came back positive. Quite clearly, drug driving is out of control and the
Government needs to ramp up enforcement and boost education campaigns. In
just ten years the number of drug driving offences in N.S.W. has risen by a
staggering 836 percent. I’m David Berthon

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British sports car manufacturer Lotus has abandoned plans to go fully electric by
2028. Now deciding to develop super hybrids or range extenders – blending high
performance with a fuel range of 1100 km or more. Lotus now owned by Chinese
company Geely says its step back from an all-electric future has been dictated by
slowing high-end EV sales. Despite switching to hybrids, the company says it will
not compromise on technology and instill its super hybrids with a 900-volt
electrical architecture, turbocharged engines, and a large battery pack. Lotus
sold 7543 vehicles in the first nine months of this year, its first electric car the
Eletre SUV, the first Lotus to be manufactured in China selling well, however the
company still managed to lose a hefty $770 million dollars in the first half. I’m
David Berthon

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Driving Mazda’s light SUV, the CX-3 – a model that’s been with us for close to 10
years but it remains the segments best seller against a number of newer models –
updated last year in a new five model range with the introduction of the sportier
G20 Touring SP model at $34,450n plus on-road costs, a 2.0-litre naturally
aspirated four-cylinder in six-speed automatic with manual shift paddles driving
the front wheels. Comprehensively equipped the G20 Touring SP is a more
polished CX-3 distinguished with black elements like larger 18-wheels, a black
grille and roof, and combination black suede and leather seat trim. The driving
experience aided by manual shift paddles that let you tap the power and torque
better relative to road speed – in automatic the engine can surge a little under a
hard throttle at lower speeds. The CX-3 may have been with us a while however
Mazda has kept it updated in the right areas with more active safety elements and
it doesn’t feel old or outdated in any way – still a good-looking bobtailed wedge
design with the only limitation rather tight boot space. Built in Thailand and with a
five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. The CX-3 G20 Touring SP well worth the
extra money adding some very appealing styling and driving elements. I’m David
Berthon

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Mazda’s small CX-3 SUV has been with us a long time, in fact nearly 10 years,
yet it represents a 1/3 rd of the light SUV sales against a number of newer models.
It’s a model that’s always appealed, a five-door bob tailed SUV that’s aged well.
I’m driving the higher spec 2.0-litre six speed auto G20 Touring SP, a sportier
model added last year at $34,450 plus on-road costs. The G20 Touring SP has
some nice touches, well worth the extra, elements that give it more class
including larger gloss black 18-inch alloy wheels, a black grille and roof,
combination black suede and leather seat trim, a 10-way power adjustable
driver’s seat, heated front seats and manual gear shift paddles. And importantly,
the CX-3 was freshened with a number of active safety elements including a rear-
view camera, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, tyre pressure
monitoring, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. And it gains a
handy head-up display on a flip up screen on top of the instrument binnacle. As I
found when I first drove the Mazda CX-3 nearly 10 years ago the bob tail nature of
the body limits luggage capacity, apart from that there’s little to criticise. I’m
David Berthon

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