Tag: EV

No comments

JEEP AVENGER EV ‘TOUGHS IT OUT’ IN THE CITY

  By ,

Buyer beware: while so-called ‘range anxiety’ can strike fear in the heart of the electric vehicle driver, there is another phrase that is doing just as much to dim EV appeal and that is ‘out of service’. More than once, I have been rebuffed by a public fast DC charging station with this uncontrollable (by me) message showing up on the information screen. For example, driving the new Jeep Avenger Summit, down to 40 per cent battery charge, had me facing disappointment and scrambling to find the closest compatible ‘fuel… Read more

No comments

LEAPMOTOR C10

  By ,

There was a real feeling of déjà vu during our first encounter with the Leapmotor C10 which took us back to our recent test of the Deepal S07. Both are very new fully-electric Chinese mid-sized SUVs that are imported by well-established automotive companies, Deepal by Inchcape and Leapmotor by Stellantis. During our week behind the wheel of the Leapmotor C10 we didn’t find a single person who had ever heard of the brand. Not surprising, because the company was only formed in 2015 with its first model, the S01 EV… Read more

No comments

GENESIS IN ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON LUXURY

  By , ,

The Genesis GV70 has been given a ‘wash and brush-up’ with refined safety, comfort and convenience features for 2025. The already spiffy mid-size SUV has come in for a maker’s spruce-up to help it keep up with a highly competitive bunch of rivals, including the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Lexus NX. Genesis has shuffled the model range, dealing three grades – Advanced, Signature and Signature Sport – with the choice of a 2.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, or 3.5 litre turbo V6 petrol, both mated with an… Read more

No comments

CHERY OMODA E5 EX

  By ,

E5 is the fully-electric version of the Chery Omoda that we drove 12 months ago. It doesn’t look radically different from the rear or in profile, but the front has been extensively redesigned to accommodate the missing radiator grille. Any air still required for cooling is drawn in through a smaller, blacked out ribbed opening below the front bumper. Looks aside, the E5 is considerably more powerful than the petrol-model, which it is sold alongside, with significantly more torque available almost instantly when the accelerator is pressed. So, it is… Read more

No comments

SUBARU SOLTERRA AWD TOURING

  By ,

Let’s be frank. Subaru’s first, fully-electric vehicle, the Solterra is basically a rebadged Toyota bZ4X. Named for the sun and earth, it’s the second collaborative effort by the two car makers after the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports coupe. Unlike the coupe, however, which is powered by Sooby’s boxer engine, you’ll struggle to find anything uniquely Subaru about the Solterra. The junior partner in the relationship, Subaru reportedly had input into the car’s safety and all-wheel drive systems. The mid-sized, five-seat SUV went on sale in mid-2022 in Japan, US, Canada,… Read more

No comments

OUTLANDER PLUGS INTO FAMILY LIFE

  By , ,

The plug-in hybrid models have not been left behind in Mitsubishi’s latest upgrades to its Outlander SUV range, adding even more appeal to the company’s popular EVs. Plug-in hybrids have been around for years and offer a choice of full-on electric drive for short trips, with the complement of internal combustion power to avoid range anxiety on longer journeys. With totally electric powered vehicles rapidly advancing, the plug-in hybrid, led by the Outlander, is intent on making a stand for its own segment. With greater battery capacity (20kWh) and a… Read more

No comments

BYD DOLPHIN PREMIUM

  By ,

Dolphin was the first production model to feature BYD’s new logo. It’s also the first and smallest of BYD’s electric vehicles to be offered here, in a range that now spans five models and will soon include a fully electric ute — the Shark. Launched in August, 2021, Dolphin went on sale in August, 2023 followed in quick succession by the rest of the range. BYD seems to have struck a chord with buyers as it is now one of the fastest growing brands in the Australian market. But, as… Read more

No comments

SUN RISES ON SUBARU ELECTRIC DREAMS

  By ,

With Latin roots – sol (sun), terra (earth) – Subaru’s first all-out electric vehicle has drifted Down Under like a mild weather front, bringing none of the ICE(Y) blasts of the fossil-fuelled internal combustion engine; just the electric motor hum, passenger cabin serenity and zero emissions. Built on an entirely new e-Subaru Global platform, the maker set out to combine the electric powertrain with a low centre of gravity and the company hallmark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to deliver a uniquely satisfying mid-size electric SUV. The new Subaru EV comes in… Read more

No comments

GENESIS GV60 ELECTRIC VEHICLE

  By ,

GV60 is the first dedicated electric vehicle from Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand Genesis. Launched here in early 2022 it’s the smallest of the three models in the Genesis SUV range behind the mid-sized GV70 and large GV80. Each of the three models get different powertrain choices. Our test vehicle, The GV60 is fully-electric, the GV80 comes with turbo-petrol or diesel, as does the GV70 but with an EV option added. Our test vehicle, the GV60, is electric only. Genesis GV60 sits on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and… Read more

No comments

BYD SEAL PREMIUM EXTENDED RANGE

  By , ,

There’s no mistaking the BYD Seal for its smaller sibling the Dolphin. The electric sedan is a good looking car by any standard, with movie-star looks for a surprisingly small outlay. And the more you learn about the Seal, the more interesting it becomes. We kept waiting for the catch, but it never arrived. BYD hasn’t sold buyers short like some of the Chinese brands, by leaving out essentials such as satnav and Android Auto. So, if you’ve had your eye on a Tesla Model 3, then you’ll want to… Read more