Tag: hybrid

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HONDA HYBRID LOOKS DOWN THE ROAD

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 Median strip to Monaco and much more in between, Honda has it all pretty-well covered. The powerplant specialist is a cut above with its premium mowers, and under sweeping new regulations in Formula One, has looked to the future of the automobile through extended electrification and the use of sustainable fuels. As far as cars are concerned, Honda was at the front of the grid with its Insight, in 1999, among the first to bring electric power to the production automobile. However, Insight was soon out of sight as the… Read more

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KIA STONIC GT-LINE

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For those who have been living under a rock, the news is that electric vehicles in Australia are selling their socks off. According to industry analyst VFACTS in August EVs outsold petrol, diesel and hybrid new vehicles. Brands such as BYD, Tesla and Omoda Jaecoo helped drive electric vehicles to record market share, up 4.9 per cent on the same month last year. EVs accounted for almost one quarter of the overall new-vehicle market, at 24.9 per cent – a record level of market share for this powertrain. A comprehensive… Read more

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PRELUDE TO A HYBRID WAY OF LIFE

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The new Prelude is something of an enigma. The Honda that rolled out all-wheel steering in the late 1980s, and a decade later, the Insight, one of the first to bring electric power to the production automobile, has just come on to the market as if standing still, for after 25 years, innovation is sparing in the MY26 generation sports coupe. The Prelude e:HEV rolls on a Civic Hybrid platform with the same 135kW powertrain and rides on a Type R-based suspension and Brembo brakes. More Civic than savage, at… Read more

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SUBARU CROSSTREK 2.0S HYBRID

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Crosstrek is the smallest model in the Subaru SUV range. Previously branded as the XV it sits below the mid-sized Forester and larger Outback. In between are the Solterra and Trailseeker, both of which are EV only, as is the sportier Uncharted hatchback. Crosstrek competes against vehicles such as MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. Five Crosstrek variants are offered: 2.0L, 2.0R, 2.0S (petrol), plus Hybrid L and Hybrid S, with prices ranging from $34,990 to $45,090 plus on-road costs. Our test was in the top-spec Hybrid… Read more

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QASHQAI MAKES OWN WAY ON HYBRID DRIVE

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  The Qashqai compact Nissan SUV has turned its back on the past to embrace petrol/electric power with the company’s own unique innovative e-Power hybrid powertrain. Upgrades stretch across the whole range from the entry-level ST-L, where prices start at $45,640, plus on-road costs. The Ti comes in at $49,640 and Ti-L $53,640. A new N- Design Nissan’s Ti-L e-Power jumps to $52,365, while the new N-Design e-Power tops off the range at $54,140. On test was the mid-spec Ti-L e-Power. Nissan’s e-Power system, a series hybrid where a 1.5-litre… Read more

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TOYOTA KLUGER NOW ONLY HYBRID AND AWD

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Toyota Kluger is a semi-luxury seven-seat family SUV that has been on sale in Australia since 2003. Like most other model updates Kluger has grown in size progressively through its life and the latest (fourth) generation, launched here in mid-2021, and is no exception coming in at just under five metres in length. Note that the Kluger name is only used in Japan and Australia. It’s the Highlander in all other markets but that name had already been taken by Hyundai for some of its top-spec variants. Kluger was given… Read more

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TOYOTA RAV4 . . . ALL NEW? WELL, NOT REALLY

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The all-new Toyota RAV4 made its debut Downunder in April. As one of its best-selling models, the RAV has an important role to play in the continued success of the world’s number one automotive manufacturer. But as the RAV sits on the same platform as its predecessor, is the same size and is powered by the same basic hybrid setup — it’s not all new really. Certainly, it represents a generational change for the popular five-seat SUV, but we are yet to meet a new model that isn’t larger and… Read more

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SLEEK, CHIC CATWALK CAMRY

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The mid-size Toyota sedan could be relied upon to serve the average family well with uninspiring looks, perky yet economical, performance. Even so, it became Australia’s favourite mid-size sedan. Five generations later the new hybrid-only Camry has cast off its comfy cardigan character, morphing into a sleek chic catwalk star, but still with the bones of a versatile form of ‘mass’ transport. The new Camry range starts at $39,990, plus on-road costs, for the entry-level Ascent, packed with standard equipment and features including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, daytime running… Read more

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TIGGO 9 PLUG-IN PARTNER TAKES TO ‘SUPER HIGHWAY’

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Australians went from buying an electric vehicle – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric – once every 50 minutes four years ago to once every three minutes in April, according to Aussie Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. Needless to say, there’s a lot going on, with manufacturers, especially those from China, having a field day. Chery, one of the biggest, not satisfied with standard petro/electric hybrid performance has extended its super highway’ journey, adding to its rapidly expanding Tiggo range with a top-of-the-range CSH (for Chery Super Hybrid) ‘9’ model…. Read more

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CHERY TIGGO 4 HYBRID ‘GIVING MORE FOR LESS’

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Since being introduced to the local market, the petrol powered Tiggo 4 has proven to be a popular choice among new car buyers, picking up a string of awards along the way. Now the best-selling small SUV from Chinese auto giant Chery has taken on hybrid status. Similar to the petrol-powered models, the Tiggo 4 Hybrid is available in two value- packed variants, the entry-level Urban, starting at $29,990, and top-of-the-range Ultimate, at $34,990. Both are driveaway. The car is firmly rooted in budget territory with the likes of the… Read more