Motor Torque with David Berthon

Audi has returned the potent 2.0-litre turbo all-wheel drive edition of its A3 hatchback and sedan to its 2026 line-up. Not offered with the release of the 2025 A3 line-up earlier this year and previously known as the 40 TFSI, the A3 TFSI quattro 150kW S line will sell for $62,800 plus on-road costs. Available in Sportback or Sedan this all-wheel drive A3 matches a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Power output has increased by 10kW – Audi quoting a 0-100km/hour time of 6.3 seconds. All A3 grades now gain traffic sign recognition, an updated emergency braking system with intersection detection, and an improved automated parking system. The Audi A3 remains our best selling premium small car, selling 1547 examples to the end of September, outselling the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series.

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Subaru will shortly update their Solterra EV SUV and have heralded a $7,000 price cut on the more powerful model. The 2026 Solterrra now starts from $63,990 plus on road costs, down $6,000 while the top-spec AWD Touring model gets a $7,000 reduction to $69,990. The Solterra also gains a new dual motor all-wheel drive arrangement rated at 252kW, up from 160kW making it the most powerful production Subaru to offered to date. The 2026 models gain new front styling, a restyled rear bumper, revised 18 and 20- inch alloy wheels and new rear badging. Inside, a larger 14-inch touchscreen, dual 15-watt smartphone chargers and acoustic glass plus a driver’s knee airbag. The top grade also gains ventilated front seats and vehicle to load functionality. All models get faster AC home charging up to 22kW, up from the current 11.

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Driving the GWM Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV – this newcomer takes to nine models from GWM, now our best-selling Chinese brand. Its had enormous success with its Haval Jolion and H6 SUV and rightly so but the H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV seems a misfit – a rugged looking medium SUV, that visually gives the impression of being a tough off-roader – however with the same excellent underpinnings of Haval H6 Ultra hybrid it’s a city slicker – sharply priced at $46,990 drive-away with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a 130kW electric motor – it’s loaded with safety, comfort and convenience features, the drive experience excellent with really good economy. Apart from rather annoying indicators there’s little to criticise but the big downside is the driver attention monitor that at the end of even a short drive nearly sends you crazy – its overdone and is simply a buyer turnoff. Momentarily look at the centrally located touchscreen and you’re meet by warning chimes that are just so annoying. How GWM could release a vehicle with this much intrusion to the driver beggar’s belief - at the end of just a short trip its tiring and counterproductive. It’s a shame and a total buyer turnoff to what is otherwise a nice SUV.

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Today, a new model from GWM – the Chinese brand now our seventh best seller and the best performing Chinese brand. With nine models on the market its Haval sub-brand has done well – the Haval Jolion and H6 SUVs both excellent its best performing models – its latest model, the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid however is somewhat of a quandy – frankly one gets the impression that the Chinese brands are more intent on quickly gaining market share than providing product that suits our market – the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid is one such SUV – A rugged looking medium SUV with the excellent H6 Ultra hybrids underpinnings – a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor –. Price: $46,990 drive- away well undercutting excellent medium hybrid SUVs like Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Haval H7 has been given rugged styling elements – bolt on wheel arch flares, black alloy wheels and grille while inside the macho look continues –. Equipment and safety features are high, but the downside, the incessant and intrusive driving attention monitor – so much so its counter productive and a buyer turnoff – the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV a really nice driver spoilt by a totally unnecessary warning message

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I spoke earlier of Hyundai’s micro wagon the electric Inster currently on the market. Now from Honda we hear that next year they are launching their first electric vehicle, called the Super-One – revealed at Thursday’s Tokyo Motor Show it’s a sporty micro hatchback even smaller than the Hyundai Inster – just 1.6 metres wide and 3.6 metres long , the aptly named Honda Super-One is promised by its maker to be fun and playful with a boost mode to maximise outputs, along with taught handling as well as fake engine and transmission sounds. Honda is also set to offer more petrol/electric hybrid grades on its popular CR-V and ZR-V mid-sized SUV’s – currently only the top spec flagship grades of both models offer hybrid power but it will now flow down to more affordable grades offering a total seven new hybrid variants for 2026.

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I’ve been driving Hyundai’s small city slicker – the electric Inster, a funky small five door mini wagon – a really interesting design with a surprising amount of interior room. I had trouble getting my wife out of this small Hyundai – it’s just so comfortable, great seats and despite its small wheelbase offering a really nice ride. Two models, standard range of 327Kms and Extended Range at 360kms – I drove the former with single electric motor and 42kWhour battery pack – a fun car to drive offering a very assured feel – the price the only negative $40,000 plus on-road costs. But a surprisingly nice driver given its size – quiet, solid and well thought out, with rapid charging ability – the Hyundai Inster was also honoured with the title 2025 World Electric Vehicle earlier this year. A fabulous small car with amazing interior room – just a pity its priced so high.

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Further on the large seven-seat MG QS SUV – available in two models – I’m driving the MG QS Essence all-wheel-drive, $50,990 drive-away with electronic adaptive suspension, nine-speed automatic, six drive modes, powered by a 2.0- litre turbo pure petrol 153kW engine with excellent torque. Engine performance is average with noticeable lag from rest although the strong torque makes up for its initial hesitancy. However, the nine-speed automatic can become lazy on a light throttle. The high point, the adaptive suspension, well-tuned and damped with a superb ride, polished in cornering however the steering is over assisted, and lacks feel but grows on you with time. The MG QS needs a diet of 95 RON premium petrol, economy is quoted at 8.8L/100km, the best I could muster was 9.7. But importantly as a value package the MG QS offers much – for a large family three accommodating rows for seven passengers, many comfort and convenience features, quality perforated leather trim and a nice interface of central touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. However, some aspects of the touchscreen menu can be frustrating. MG provide a 10-year/unlimited km warranty, conditional on regular servicing through their dealer network, but its expensive - $3,618 over the first five years.

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Driving MG’s large 7-seat SUV today – the QS arrived in July in a segment where there’s some good choices like the Hyundai Sante Fe. Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-80. The Chinese built MG QS in two models both powered by a pure petrol 2.0- litre turbo 153kW engine with 360Nm of torque. The QS front drive Excite at $46,990 drive-away, the all-wheel drive Essence at $50,990 drive-away, both with nine-speed automatic. I drove the latter which gains fully adaptive suspension, larger 21-inch alloys, quality Michelin tyres, leather trim, six drive modes, a power tailgate and sunroof, a 10-year conditional warranty and a huge amount of comfort and convenience features. MG want to be a major player here and the QS takes to 12 its model count. On first impression this large family SUV offers much, surprisingly good build quality and a very comfortable interior with 7 large seats across three rows. The touch screen can be frustrating although you do get a row of touch buttons under for various functions and on face value the MG QS offers a lot for the money.

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The somewhat ageing but still impressive Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV will remain in production for several more years. The company confirming that the slower than expected uptake of electric models was behind the production extension. Speaking to U.K. publication Autocar, the managing director of Stellantis Premium brands Jules Tilestone said that with 80 per cent of the U.K market still internal combustion engines, people are looking for fun-to-drive performance cars and the Giulia and Stelvio still offer that in spades. Alfa Romeo has pushed back replacements for its performance duo originally due for 2026. A new generation Stelvio SUV originally planned as an electric-only model, designed to compete with the all-electric Porsche Macan has been paused. In Australia, the performance Veloce models of both the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV are still highly regarded by those seeking a higher driving experience.

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The once popular Renault Scenic nameplate is to return to Australia by year end – the fifth generation of a model that was popular here as a people mover will arrive as a medium-sized electric SUV. The Scenic the first of a new model onslaught from Renault Australia that will see up to six new and updated models arrive in the next 15 months. The front-wheel drive five- seat Scenic features a single electric motor with two battery size options – long range versions with an 87kWh battery have a range of 625km while the standard ranges 60kWhour battery is good for 430Km. The Scenic E-Tech arrives in a medium battery electric SUV segment that now has a huge range of sharply priced choices so pricing will be critical to its success. Renault remains our largest French car import however sales are currently 16.6 percent behind last year.

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