Overdrive

News including which states gets the most speeding fines (it's more revenue than you might think), the new Commodore, solar challenge results, Google works with VW, Renault Alpine makes a comeback and well, Trump.

We review the SAIC LDV T60 dual-cab ute after attending the launch in Bathurst - a lot of ute for not a lot of money.

We chat about what it might be like to converse with your car, with Toyota's Yui AI in-car assistant.

And we take a humorous look about what one airline fan built in his men's shed, buying a street and how an airline created a first-world-problem around what drink it serves.

Originally broadcast 11th November 2017.

For past programs and extended versions of segments like the road tests, feature interviews and quirky news, visit drivenmedia.com.au

The AITPM newsletter recently covered a story about how much more attention is being given to landscaping and noise reduction on major road projects.

An Australian association of acoustical consultants, recently expanded their territory by including New Zealand.

We spoke to two consultants Alex Campbell – Infrastructure sector leader technical director SLR Consulting, and Mark Russel – Lead engineering on the West Connex project and also from SLR Consulting

Mark notes there are differences in state requirements for sound barriers.

There are some significant differences in criteria. For example in NSW criteria used as a different descriptor to what's Victoria and some parts of Queensland users. They also have different methods of optimizing barriers and optimizing heights of barriers. New South Wales has a very robust and technical approach to the assessment of road noise. Is a little bit simpler in other states. [30.4]

Transparent barriers have been suggested in some locations

The downside with transparent barriers they that are generally are a Perspex material, is the graffiti and actual maintenance of the barrier. So they tend to get scratched or the transparency reduces over time and that doesn't appear as nice as other barriers do. So sometimes in some projects they use in combination with a solid barrier below and the Perspex on top to allow the over shut it shadow or was to reduce any overshadowing issues.

News including NRMA's electric car charging stations, passenger safety, FIAT/Chrysler RHD future, GM follows Ford towards SUVs, Toyota hydrogen concepts and electric motorcycles go the distance.

We road test the Subaru WRX - is it still the hero car of the youth?

And we take a reflective look on the life & times of Holden in Australia.

Originally broadcast 28th October 2017.

For past programs and extended versions of segments like the road tests, feature interviews and quirky news, visit drivenmedia.com.au

News including Ford's new business plan, Boeing's self-driving planes, Tesla's woes and the Mercedes X class.

We attend the launch of the Hyundai Kona small SUV.

We discuss how a dedicated revhead should watch the Bathurst 1000.

And in our quirky news segment we discuss Jamie Oliver's custom Land Rover portable kitchen, and how it compares to the first kitchen on wheels - the VW Kombi.

Originally broadcast 14th October 2017.

For past programs and extended versions of segments like the road tests, feature interviews and quirky news, visit drivenmedia.com.au

This is a story of devotion and commitment.

About our good friend and motoring journalist Brent Davidson. Brent recently did a post on Facebook which said “the first plate of spiced chicken wings has been served, the first tapas platter is out, the first beer has been cracked. Bathurst weekend has officially started. The race started on Sunday at 11:00am but the post was a dated Saturday 1:12 p.m.

News including the end of the Aussie car with Toyota & Holden's factory closures, Saudi women now able to drive, JD Power vehicle survey results, Lotus joins Volvo and more trouble for VW.

A history piece on how transport shaped Sydney from the very beginning.

We road test the Ford Transit Custom Van "now with 6-speed auto".

And we take a light hearted look at Jaguar's E-type electric conversion - success or sacrilege?

Originally broadcast 7th October 2017.

For past programs and extended versions of segments like the road tests, feature interviews and quirky news, visit drivenmedia.com.au

Distinguished planner Bob Meyer reflects on the causes and effects of plans and the lack of them

Royal CommissioWhen Governor Phillip started European settlement in Sydney, he thought about more than just a penal colony; he saw an opportunity to build a great city.

Later Governor Macquarie also had a grand vision for a thriving city.

But for all the ideals, few aspects of a grand plan were ever implemented.

By the turn of the 20th century, Sydney had large slum areas and health was a big issue especially after we had an outbreak of the bubonic plague. But Town Planning was an emerging profession.

The NSW Government held a Royal Commission for “The Improvement of the City of Sydney and its Suburbs”

Bob Meyer is the head of planning for Cox Architecture and is an avid historian of planning and its effect on our lives. He has reviewed the report of the Royal Commission and all the other major planning documents from then to the present day.

In this first interview with David Brown, they discuss the transport impacts on the early colony, the life and times of Sydney that lead to and carried out the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

News including Uber blocked in London and how self driving car technology is being stalled by Trump.

We ponder what the cars made by Dyson (better known for vacuum cleaners) will be like.

We road test the Toyota 86 GT. The back seats are mostly useless but it's so fun to drive who cares?

And in our quirky news segment we find out the car park equivalent of a crop circle, London's "Day of Moaning" and what people leave behind at airports.

Originally broadcast 30th September 2017.

For past programs and extended versions of segments like the road tests, feature interviews and quirky news, visit drivenmedia.com.au

If you own a classic car, so you keep it at home in cotton wool and just look at it or do you drive it around which can wear it out or even run the risk of having an accident.

If it is a sports car might you even race it with added stain and increased danger.

Ron Goodman owns a classic Porsches a 356, and he has just won his class in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. He was the only Aussie in the event and some of the cars he was racing against were worth tens of millions of dollars.

Ron tells us all about it.

Kia are about to bring their brand new car, the Stinger into Australia.

It is a biggish car with rear wheel drive and the top of the range has a twin turbo V6 engine. They say they designed the car with a desire to reflect the elegant 1970s Grand touring vehicles.

But it is also coming onto the Australian market at the time the traditional rear wheel drive family cars, the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon are ceasing production.

I caught up with Damien Meredith the Kia Chief Operating Officer to understand just what Kia expects from this vehicle.