Tag: hybrid

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WINNING WAYS WITH SORENTO ENHANCEMENT

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Some sports utility vehicles are just big, others are bold. The 2024 Sorento PE, for Product Enhancement, taking a lead from the EV9 World Car of the Year, veers to the latter, cementing its place in Kia’s modern pantheon. The MY24 stays true to the outgoing model relying on the existing range of four powertrains. The 3.5-litre petrol front-wheel drive and 2.2-litre diesel all-wheel drive variants are available across four trim levels – S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line – with the last, home for the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The… Read more

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POWER SURGE PUTS SPORTAGE IN SPOTLIGHT

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With hybrid buyers lighting up the EV market, great things are expected of the recent addition to the Sportage SUV range. Driven by the surge in hybrid sales, the Toyota RAV4 has overtaken the Ranger and HiLux to become the best-selling vehicle in Australia. So, it’s not before time that Kia has introduced a hybrid variant to its popular Sportage medium SUV range, which the company confidently anticipates, at 300 units per month, will contribute 20 per cent to total Sportage sales. “The Sportage range was already an excellent medium… Read more

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KLUGER NOW COMES WITH A HYBRID DRIVETRAIN

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Toyota Kluger is a semi-luxury family SUV that will celebrate 21 years on the Australian market later this year. 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… Read more

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HONDA ACCORD FAR FROM JOURNEY’S END

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Few vehicles can match the Honda Accord for longevity. On the road in Australia since 1977, the award-winning sedan, now in its eleventh generation, shows no sign of going away anytime soon. Surprisingly, despite it being one of the maker’s most important nameplates, the latest Accord, a petrol-electric hybrid, stands alone in its bid to keep the opposition at bay. In doing so the Accord e:HEV RS – touted as the best Honda Accord ever – claims ‘to deliver an unbeatable combination of style, efficiency, performance and connectivity’. But does… Read more

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HONDA CR-V E:HEV RS

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The Honda CR-V e:HEV isn’t the Japanese company’s first petrol-electric hybrid. It’s the latest in a long line of hybrids that started with the cutting-edge, two-seat Insight way back in 2001. But the CR-V e:HEV (it’s a mouthful) has a big role to play as Honda fights to find a place in the new order of things that started with the move to SUVs, then the swing to electric vehicles and finally the arrival of the Chinese — in full force. You might say it’s time to shape up or… Read more

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CANNON FIRES FIRST SHOT IN HEAVY ARTILLERY EV CAMPAIGN

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The GWM Cannon has become the first full electric utility in Australia, the Alpha Ultra Hybrid muscling in between the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Mac and the full-sized pick-ups from Chevrolet, Ford, Ram and Toyota. The Cannon dual cab flagship also strengthens GWM’s New Energy Vehicle strategy, becoming the brand’s sixth NEV offering following the Jolion Hybrid, Tank 300 and 500 hybrids and Ora EV. Coming in three variants with a 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine, or 2-litre turbo petrol motor, the latter linked with a hybrid powertrain, all… Read more

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SWIFT MOVE TO ELECTRIC POWER AFTER 41 YEARS

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Swift might not be the most appropriate word, but after 41 years in Australia, the titular Suzuki vehicle that has consistently been near the top of the compact car segment, has gone hybrid. Core of the 2024 Swift is a petrol / electric power system and stop / start motor created especially for improved fuel efficiency in the built environment. Core of the works is an integrated starter generator that swings into action to give the vehicle extra shove when the accelerator is pressed. The ISG takes power from a… Read more

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LATEST HYUNDAI SANTA FE NOW ON SALE

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Hyundai’s fifth-generation mid-sized Santa Fe is now on sale. Hyundai describes the all-new model as being designed around the ‘Open for More’ concept that is characterised by spacious second- and third-row seating, and a roomy, and practical cargo area all made possible by an extended wheelbase, efficient packaging, and an enlarged tailgate opening. It also comes with a Panoramic Curved Display incorporating 12.3-inch digital cluster and infotainment displays, the convenience of Bluelink Connected Car Services and Over-The-Air (OTA) remote software update capability, and a comprehensive SmartSense safety suite. At launch… Read more

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HYBRID POWER POINTS TO ZERO EMISSIONS

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With a dim start to electrification of the automobile Down Under, due considerably to the snail-pace roll-out of charging infrastructure to keep up, many car manufacturers have doubled down on petrol / electric hybrid models. Latest switch-on is Hyundai with its new Kona SUV range consisting initially of internal combustion engine vehicles and totally electric powered variants. The small sports utility hybrid vehicle makes use of a 1.6 litre petrol engine and 6 speed dual clutch transmission with a 1.32 kwh battery pack and electric motor, designed to deliver a… Read more

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NEXT GENERATION HONDA ACCORD ON SALE NOW

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Honda Accord has come a long way since it first arrived in Australia in 1977 as, believe it or not, a 1.6-litre three-door hatchback. As well as growing in size over the years Accord has also grown in quality and is now bordering on luxury status but without the luxury price tag of its German rivals. Previous models came with the option of a station wagon body but the SUV invasion quickly put paid to that. Honda has now released details of the latest, 11th generation, Accord. It’s longer and… Read more