Overdrive

This week on Overdrive, David Brown and Paul Murrell (SeniorDriver.au) dig into what’s changing inside cars and on our roads — from the future of in-car radio and voice control to over-the-air updates that add features after purchase. They also unpack NZ’s roadside drug testing rollout, sidewalk delivery robots, the rise of Chinese brands in the UK, a Louis Chevrolet history detour, and a major expose on why dodgy traffic data can distort real-world decisions.

A recent article in The Conversation on-line newsletter articles written by professional researchers titled “Yes, those big touchscreens in cars are dangerous and buttons are coming back” highlights a growing recognition that technology often moves faster than our ability to use it safely.

To add perspective, we’re replaying an interview recorded four years ago with Emeritus Professor Mike Regan, who had been working in this field well before it became a popular talking point. He discusses the importance of linking engineering with psychology through his work in human factors, and why transport systems must be designed around human limits.

Most striking is his reflection on predictions made nearly 30 years ago about increasing driver distraction, and whether those warnings have now come true. It’s a reminder that some of today’s “new” debates have been quietly building for decades.

In this episode of Overdrive, host David Brown speaks with Ken Dobinson — a 95-year-old former transport leader with a career spanning government, consultancy, and groundbreaking urban planning.

With a sharp mind and an unwavering commitment to public value, Ken unpacks why our cities still miss the mark in serving communities, and how infrastructure decisions must go beyond spreadsheets and silos to truly reflect how people live, move and connect.

In this episode of Overdrive, David Brown and Paul Murrell discuss the latest in headlight testing technology at Mercedes-Benz, the real-world usability of driver aids and infotainment systems, and the challenges of understanding electric vehicle range. Plus, a look at GWM’s new Tank 500 plug-in hybrid SUV and how China's automakers are reshaping the value equation in Australia’s large SUV market.

This Overdrive episode captures the tension between technological innovation and practical execution. Whether it’s headlights that bend around corners or plug-in SUVs that can tow 3 tonnes, the industry is evolving fast. But poor user interfaces, inconsistent standards, and unclear real-world data can still frustrate even the most experienced drivers.

News

XPeng P7 endurance run: A 3961km record sparks scepticism about real-world EV performance and battery stress.

Costco–Leapmotor partnership: Bulk-store marketing and discounts reflect new retail strategies in car sales.

Skoda colouring-in promotion: A quirky family campaign illustrates the odd directions of brand engagement.

Cherry’s Fortune 500 leap: Rising Chinese carmakers highlight global industry shifts and competitive pressure on Europe.

Sydney Metro one-year review:

Metro’s frequency and reliability are praised, but suburban design flaws limit its reach.

Vehicle-to-grid challenge: Experts warn that 300,000 bi-directional EVs could strain networks without urgent upgrades.

Feature

Classic car culture: Enthusiasm remains strong, but younger buyers favour ‘youngtimers’ tied to pop-culture icons.

Road Tests

Volvo EX90 review: A tech-laden SUV proves stressful with app-based access and charging woes.

Genesis G80 EV review: Luxurious and quiet but arguably over-blinged, with features of mixed practicality.

Toyota Prado update: The refreshed Prado boosts Toyota’s sales, balancing rugged looks with family-friendly refinement.

• Road user charges: NSW confirms plans to introduce a distance-based road user charge

• EV range claims: Independent testing shows significant gaps between advertised and real-world EV ranges

• Zeekr 7X launch: Chinese brand Zeekr announces its 7X SUV for Australia, promising fast charging and plush interiors

• Ercole Spada tribute: Celebrated designer Ercole Spada is remembered for shaping iconic cars

• Hitchhiking: Once common but now rare, hitchhiking is examined as both cultural curiosity and a possible model for future ride-sharing.

• Renault Dauphine EV: A quirky Canadian conversion of a Renault Dauphine in 2002

• Toyota Camry road test: The latest Camry hybrid proves refined, efficient, and more executive-like than its “dad car” reputation

Car sales: July Australian new car sales rose 2.9%, with Chinese brands climbing

Tesla case: A US jury held Tesla partly liable for a fatal crash

Idle Off program: Student-led action cut engine idling outside schools by up to 40%

Mercedes program: Manufaktur Exclusive lets buyers pay over $24,000 for paint

Foton Tunland ute: Chinese brand Foton launches a hybrid dual-cab ute

Ross Rowland: US rail enthusiast Ross Rowland remembered for steam preservation

Honda EV stance: Honda Australia promises 90% electrified sales by 2026

Sydenham Station history: Stuart Sharp highlights uneven planning and heritage tensions

Leapmotor C10 test: A plush Chinese EV SUV impresses with design but frustrates with software quirks and range on hills.

In this episode of Overdrive, David Brown and Brian Smith dive into the quirks, jargon, and big personalities of the motoring and transport world.

We start with a NSW Government report on Sydenham Station’s upgrades—dense with transport-speak but easily translated into plain English. From there, it’s off to Sydney’s first-ever Light Commercial Vehicle Show, where vans, utes, and even cargo bikes are vying for the last-mile delivery crown.

ANCAP’s latest safety results are in: Volkswagen’s Terramar aces the tests with five stars, but Peugeot’s hybrid 3008/5008 twins don’t quite make the grade. Nissan’s long-awaited Ariya EV gets its Australian specs and pricing, while Suzuki launches its first new nameplate in more than a decade—the compact hybrid Fronx, aimed at first-time buyers and downsizers.

A Facebook post sparks a chat about the SUV-ification of prestige sports car brands—think Aston Martin DBXs in the wild—and the team has a laugh over car jargon quirks, from “dampeners” to “VIN numbers.”

We wrap up with a full road test of Toyota’s colossal Tundra pickup. Equal parts luxury cruiser and towing workhorse, it’s a vehicle that raises the question: how big is too big for Australian roads?

Topics covered:

Sydenham Station report: translating jargon into plain English

Sydney Light Commercial Vehicle Show: vans, utes, and cargo bikes

ANCAP safety ratings: Volkswagen’s Terramar shines, Peugeot’s hybrids fall short

Nissan Ariya EV: Australian specs and pricing

Suzuki Fronx launch: a bold, compact hybrid SUV for new buyers

SUV-ification of sports car brands

Car terminology quirks and humour

Toyota Tundra road test: comfort, towing, and market fit

Tags: #Cars #Transport #Culture #OverdriveRadio #EV #SUV #Utes #RoadTest #ToyotaTundra #SuzukiFronx #NissanAriya #ANCAP

Welcome to Overdrive, the show that dives into the quirks, questions, and cultural shifts shaping how we move. Host David Brown is joined by Brian Smith, transport planner and original Overdrive contributor, for a jam-packed episode that blends industry news, thoughtful critique, and cheeky observations.

🎙️ This Week on Overdrive:

📊 1. J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Quality Study – More Tech, More Trouble

While overall vehicle quality has ticked up slightly, touchscreen systems remain the most complained-about feature in new cars. David and Brian discuss why the removal of physical buttons frustrates drivers and how infotainment failures are now a core part of early car returns.

🔌 2. Plug-in Hybrids: The Worst of Both Worlds?

Despite their eco-friendly label, plug-in hybrids are proving problematic. Many owners don't plug them in, defeating their purpose and contributing to mechanical complexity without the payoff. We ask: are PHEVs just a stopgap that never lived up to their promise?

🛴 3. World’s Fastest Scooter – Innovation or PR Stunt?

A British startup wants to break the 160km/h mark with a high-speed e-scooter. But is this headline-grabbing move advancing micromobility—or undermining it? We explore why promoting e-scooters with speed risks repeating the mistakes of muscle car marketing.

⚡ 4. EV Ambitions Stalling? Inside the Industry’s Electric Pause

Volvo, GM, and others are hitting the brakes on US EV rollouts. We unpack the influence of changing subsidies, global tariffs, and consumer hesitancy—especially at the luxury end—and ask whether retro-styled EVs like the VW ID. Buzz are moving the market forward or clinging to outdated dreams.

🚚 5. Commercial Fleets & Carbon: Australia’s Net Zero Blind Spot

With commercial vehicles making up nearly half of new car sales and one-fifth of emissions, Australia’s electrification of its fleet is lagging badly. We examine five key reasons—from infrastructure gaps to outdated procurement mindsets—and highlight smart fixes like shared depot charging.

📬 6. Feedback from France: A Hot Hatch Lives!

A French listener shares his love for the Hyundai i20N—proof that the spirit of manual, high-revving hatches still has global fans. We celebrate a rare survivor in an increasingly homogenised auto market.

🎨 7. Austin-Healey Car Show: Colour, Character & Noise

David attends a vintage Healey event marking Donald Healey’s birthday. From two-tone colour schemes to the visceral sound of tuned exhausts, we reflect on an era when you really had to drive the car—and feel every bump and brake fade along the way.

🛻 8. Triton Road Test & The Ute Culture Problem

We take the Mitsubishi Triton GSR off-road and discuss how it stacks up against flashier competitors like the Raptor. Beyond the specs, we confront how oversized, aggressive utes are shaping driving behaviour, image, and even pedestrian safety—especially when piloted by P-platers with something to prove.

💡 Themes woven throughout:

Are EVs being sold with outdated emotional appeals?

How nostalgia can cloud smart design

Fleet electrification as climate policy in practice

Why engineering videos still miss the human story

The social impact of high-performance design choices

📡 More from Overdrive:

Want longer versions or to watch our reviews? Find us via:

🌐 Podcast / Website

📺 YouTube / 📸 Instagram / 👍 Facebook

Just search: Cars. Transport. Culture.

Overdrive is syndicated nationally on the Community Radio Network and was first broadcast on 26 July 2025.

Hosted by David Brown. Special thanks to Brian Smith, Mitsubishi Australia, Bruce Potter and Mark Wesley.

Let me know if you'd like the 140-character caption version or a version formatted for YouTube, Instagram, or newsletter as well.

Overdrive – Cars, Transport & Culture

Originally broadcast: 14 June 2025

Host: David Brown | Guest: Paul Murrell (SeniorDriverAus.com)

In this episode of Overdrive, we explore the intersection of technology, culture, and controversy in the transport world. From electric vehicle supply chains to self-driving cars and tragic consequences of urban mobility experiments, we cover it all. The show blends analysis, interviews, and a dose of humour to make sense of the evolving car and transport landscape.

Key Segments and Topics Covered:

1. News Headlines and Industry Trends

We begin with a look at China’s suspension of key rare earth exports, which has forced companies like Ford to pause production in the U.S. The discussion examines Australia’s opportunity and challenges in filling the gap, particularly around local skills shortages in metallurgy and refining.

2. Commercial Driver Health Reforms

Paul and David unpack a new discussion paper from the National Transport Commission, aimed at improving health screening for commercial drivers. The goal is to detect high-risk conditions—like sleep apnea—before they cause accidents, using evidence-based protocols and fleet-monitoring technology.

3. Artificial Intelligence in Road Safety

Two firms are pushing AI into different lanes of vehicle safety. Nauto supports human drivers with real-time warnings based on driver behaviour, while Imagry is developing fully autonomous, map-free driving. We contrast the philosophical and practical implications of both approaches.

4. Vehicle Ruggedness and Robotic Testing

Ford’s Ranger undergoes brutal durability testing at Victoria’s You Yangs proving ground using robotic test drivers—highlighting the importance of consistency and safety in off-road evaluation. The discussion also references how electric powertrains could enhance off-road capability.

5. E-scooter Fatality and Policy Response in Perth

A tragic incident involving a pedestrian killed by a drunk e-scooter rider has led to an indefinite suspension of Perth’s e-scooter hire program. Paul and David discuss the broader implications of poor regulation, excessive speeds, and rising injury statistics across Australia.

6. The Rapid Rise of Waymo in San Francisco

Self-driving car company Waymo now accounts for 27% of San Francisco’s rideshare market. We explore why consistency, comfort, and reduced crash rates are contributing to faster-than-expected adoption of autonomous vehicles, despite their higher cost compared to traditional rideshare options.

7. Car Myths Debunked

From battery longevity and fuel economy to aerodynamics and fire risk in EVs, the team breaks down popular car myths. Key points include:

Car batteries can last well beyond five years with proper maintenance.

Smaller engines aren’t always more fuel-efficient in real-world driving.

EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than petrol vehicles, but fires are harder to extinguish.

8. Spotlight: Giotto Bizzarrini

We dive into the remarkable story of Giotto Bizzarrini, a brilliant but overlooked automotive engineer who worked with Ferrari, Lamborghini, and others before creating his own exotic car marque. The discussion includes a recent revival of his 5300 GT Strada and the challenges of branding in the automotive world.

9. Road Test: 2025 Mitsubishi Triton GLS

We test the latest Mitsubishi Triton dual cab ute and assess its appeal to both tradies and families. Topics include:

Toughness and payload capability

Security and lockable tray cover

Interior simplicity vs. tech complexity

Safety features and lane assist quirks

Parking challenges due to size

We also touch on the marketing impact of using Russell Coight in ads, and how humour wears thin over time.

Credits and Further Info:

This episode was produced with thanks to Paul Murrell, Mitsubishi Australia, Bruce Potter, Mark Wesley, and mechanical engineer Fred Brain.

Get more from Overdrive:

For videos, longer interviews, and road test visuals, search Cars Transport Culture on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or your preferred podcast app.

Overdrive is syndicated nationally via the Community Radio Network.