Tag: hybrid

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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

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GEELY STARRAY EM-I INSPIRE: A FEW STAINS IN THE WASH-UP

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With a name like a washing-up liquid, the Starray has bubbled up in the mid-size SUV segment as an effervescent plug-in hybrid. Relatively new to Australia, the Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely has been in the business for almost half a century and owns brands like Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr and Lotus, so it should know a thing or two about ‘moving metal’. The Starray EM-I is only the second Geely to be launched Down Under and comes in two variants – the Complete and Inspire – which at $37,490, plus on-road… Read more

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MG HS SUPER HYBRID

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It’s over three years since we first drove what was then called the MG HS +EV, or plug-in hybrid as they have come to be known. And haven’t things changed in this time? Not only has the car grown in size, so has the battery and projected, electric-only driving range. Now in its second generation, the HS has emerged from its cocoon, spread its wings and become a fully-fledged “Super Hybrid” — it’s a much more enticing proposition. STYLING There are two grades from which to choose, Excite and Essence…. Read more

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SUZUKI VITARA TURBO HYBRID ALLGRIP

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With the imminent arrival of Suzuki’s first fully electric vehicle the e Vitara, it’s easy to see why the company didn’t invest much in the hybrid version. Forgive us for saying so, but it’s a shortsighted approach because the company is likely to sell many more hybrids than it will EVs, just look at the experience of other brands. Really, the hybrid deserved better, because apart from the welcome transition to hybrid power — the changes have been minimal to say the least. STYLING If you think the latest Vitara… Read more

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LEXUS LBX – MORE THAN A LITTLE LUXURY

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Yaris by Lexus: an automotive oxymoron? Nothing could be further from the truth. The new Lexus LBX luxury compact is built on the Toyota Yaris Cross platform (GA-B). The LBX is the smallest model in the Lexus range and the brand’s first B-segment SUV. Enter the progeny of the Yaris Cross. Imbued with the Lexus philosophy of Kaizen (continuous improvement) across all its brands. Now it is bringing this to the small SUV segment with the LBX. Lexus sees the need for the LBX to meet the demand for signature… Read more

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LEXUS LETS LOOSE WITH HYBRID SUVS

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At the turn of the last century, Toyota, with the full electric auto era fast approaching, made a commitment to go with hybrid petrol/electric vehicles, rather than full electric product. The result was the Prius. The second modern hybrid vehicle to be sold in Australia, following on from the original Honda Insight released six months previously. While the Insight fell by the wayside, the ubiquitous Prius went on to conquer the world. Since then, the hybrid technology has been taken up by mainstream Toyotas such as the Camry, Corolla RAV4… Read more

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CHERY TIGGO 4 HYBRID ULTIMATE

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It’s cheap and it’s a hybrid, that’s what it is. In fact, Chery reckons the Tiggo 4 is Australia’s cheapest hybrid SUV as well as Chery’s best-selling SUV. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine together with the help of an electric motor, that combine to offer budget-friendly fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km. The Tiggo feels cheap . . . but let’s find out. STYLING Tiggo 4 Hybrid is available in two grades: Urban and top-of-the-range Ultimate. Urban is priced from $29,990 driveaway, the Ultimate from $34,990 – both prices… Read more

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TOYOTA YARIS CROSS IS CUTE, COMPACT AND CAPABLE

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As the name suggests, the Toyota Yaris Cross is a crossover version of the popular Yaris small hatchback bulked up to provide access to the booming compact SUV market segment Launched here in late-2020 Yaris Cross is available in four grades: GX, GXL, Urban and GR Sport. The first three models each come with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive. GR Sport is 2WD only. Originally available with the choice of petrol or hybrid powertrains, effective from the 2024 upgrade, all Yaris Cross variants are now exclusively hybrid. Prices… Read more

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OMODA 9 – IT’S A LOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY.

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  Another week, another Super Hybrid to drive — this time the Omoda 9 plug-in hybrid. Omoda, which is now a separate brand, is part of the Chinese Chery group which includes Jaecoo. In fact, Omoda and Jaecoo share the same dealerships. Some dealers also offer Chery-branded vehicles. The Omoda name represents sporty crossovers while Jaecoo is associated with more rugged SUVs. The Omoda 9 is also sold as the Exeed Yaoguang (or RX for export markets). It’s all a bit confusing. STYLING The five-seat SUV is offered in one… Read more