Tag: hybrid

No comments

PEUGEOT 508 GT SPORTSWAGON PLUG-IN HYBRID

  By ,

The Peugeot 508 has been on sale in Australia since July 2011. A mid-sized sedan or station wagon, it fitted into the space between the smaller 407 and larger 607, effectively replacing both cars. The current (second generation) 508 arrived here in August 2021, only available in the top-grade GT equipment level and featuring Peugeot’s first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. The previous petrol-only variants were dropped from the range at the end of 2022 leaving just the more-expensive PHEVs. STYLING As has been the case throughout two body styles are… Read more

No comments

ALFA ROMEO TONALE TI

  By ,

Right now, this is your cheapest ticket into the glamorous, alluring world of the Italian marque Alfa Romeo. The Tonale is a small SUV that is available at the moment only as a fuel-saving hybrid, which could be a real bonus depending on your perspective. Some drivers may hunger for something a bit spicier, say the larger more powerful 2.0-litre turbo from Stelvio. Named after a mountain pass in Northern Italy, Tonale sits on the same platform as the Jeep Compass and is a little brother to the mid-sized Stelvio,… Read more

No comments

MG HS +EV REVIEW

  By ,

The MG HS +EV is a mid-sized SUV from the Chinese manufacturer that is making such an impact on the Australian market. The name can be a little misleading because it’s not fully-electric but rather a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and so comes with a petrol engine together with a battery that can be charged in the same manner as an EV. Plug-in hybrids are an excellent concept but in practice, at least at this stage of their development, they don’t make a lot of sense. Firstly, they are typically at… Read more

No comments

TOYOTA YARIS CROSS GR SPORT

  By ,

As the name suggests, the Toyota Yaris Cross is a version of the popular Yaris hatchback bulked up to provide access to the, even more popular, compact SUV category. Launched here in late-2020 Yaris Cross is available in both two-wheel drive and electric all-wheel drive variants in three grades: GX, GXL and Urban all with the choice between petrol or hybrid drivetrains. A fourth variant, and our test vehicle, the GR Sport, was added in October 2022 but only as a 2WD hybrid. STYLING Yaris Cross shares the distinctive styling… Read more

No comments

HONDA SETS OUT ITS SUV STALL

  By , ,

Honda has shown its hand for the future with a deft shuffle of its SUVs, including the addition of a new model, the ZR-V, slotting in between the present HR-V and CR-V. While the newcomer is different, it does go somewhat to cramping the style of its older siblings. However, Honda assures us that the coming of the all-new CR-V in 2024, as a bigger, more spacious model than at present, will resolve the situation. “The Honda ZR-V is Honda Australia’s first, brand-new core model to be introduced in Australia… Read more

No comments

LATEST HONDA CR-V COMES WITH A HYBRID OPTION

  By ,

Honda Australia has released details of the latest (sixth-generation) version of its long-serving and popular CR-V mid-sized SUV. Due to go on also at the start of September the new CR-V will join the Civic, Accord, HR-V and ZR-V in offering the option of a hybrid powertrain, tagged e:HEV by Honda. The seven variants available from launch will be VTi X, VTi X7, VTi L, VTi L7, VTi L AWD, VTi LX AWD and e:HEV RS. New CR-V will come with a larger body as well as safety and technology… Read more

No comments

X-TRAIL PUTS EXTRA ‘E’ INTO HYBRID SUV

  By ,

Not to make too much of a point about it, but beating of chests by automobile manufacturers about their fight to save the planet appear to be getting louder. Take Nissan, for example, with its new X-Trail petrol / electric hybrid SUV. Badges announcing e-Power and e-4orse, the company’s commitment to electrification, are plastered prominently all-round the vehicle on top of the restrained EV initials (for electric vehicle) found on rego plates of similar cars. Under the skin e-POWER is a 100 per cent electric motor-driven system Nissan claims gives… Read more

No comments

NEW HYUNDAI KONA IS BIGGER, BOLDER AND BETTER

  By ,

The highly-anticipated second-generation version of the Hyundai Kona has now arrived in Australia with a larger and chunkier body adding extra cabin space, together with upgraded safety, security and convenience features. The addition of a hybrid variant gives MY2024 Kona the widest range of powertrains in its small SUV segment: 2.0-litre naturally naturally-aspirated or 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines, 1.6-litre petrol/ electric hybrid (HEV) and fully electric (EV) with standard or extended range. The petrol variants are available now with the hybrid and EVs to arrive later in the year. All… Read more

No comments

HYBRID HILUX PROMISED NEXT YEAR

  By ,

Toyota may not have kicked off the whole hybrid thing, but it has certainly made the technology its own here in Australia. The Japanese car maker now offers hybrid versions of just about all models, except that is for Australia’s best-selling car – the Hilux utility. That’s about to change with confirmation that HiLux will be offered for the first time with a 48-volt mild hybrid setup in the first half of 2024. But here’s the thing, it won’t be a petrol hybrid like the rest of them. This one… Read more

No comments

HONDA HR-V Vi X

  By ,

Unlike most of its competitors, that have up to five SUVs in their range, Honda currently has just two, the small HR-V and mid-sized CR-V. That’s about to change with a third variant, ZR-V, due for release in a few weeks and which will slot into the space between the other two. This week we’re reviewing the HR-V. When it arrived here in 1999 it was one of the first compact SUVs around and at once set the standard for what has since become one of the fastest growing segments… Read more