AUDI Q5 DRIVES UP TO THE AUTO HOLY GRAIL

Could it be that auto giant Audi has grasped the Holy Grail of the industry with its most popular vehicle, the Q5? The most desirable, yet elusive, automotive properties claimed by the Q5 plug-in petrol / electric hybrid – outstanding performance coupled with miserly fuel consumption – stand as the chalice of Arthurian legend. The new Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line showcases the manufacturer’s expertise in electrification and highly efficient internal combustion engine technology with a claimed sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a sizzling 5.3 seconds,… Read more

JEEP’S FIRST GRAND CHEROKEE PHEV IS ON ITS WAY

In line with its “Zero Emission Freedom” policy, Jeep has released details of its first-ever electrified Grand Cherokee. Priced from $129,950 (plus on-roads), the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe Plug-In Hybrid will arrive here in August to supplement the recently released fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee five and seven-seat variants. Reserve 4xe combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with two electric motors and a 400-volt 17.3-kWh EV battery pack paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. There are two available 4×4 systems – Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Trac II. Both 4×4 systems… Read more

PEUGEOT 308 PLUG-IN HYBRID

Peugeot’s GT Sport Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) hatchback has become the fourth model to join the French carmaker’s 308 compact range. It joins the GT hatch, GT Premium hatch and GT Premium wagon petrol variants. First sold here in 2008 the 308 has never seriously challenged comparable models from Japan or South Korea for sales, but those loyal to the French brand have always loved it for its style, comfort and handling. The new 308 PHEV is Peugeot’s third plug-in petrol-electric hybrid, joining the 3008 GT Sport SUV and 508 Fastback… Read more

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS EXCEED PHEV

Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross PHEV is a member of what we like to think of as the 100km club. It’s a fairly exclusive club because it costs a lot to get into and the benefits are at best fleeting. Based on the same powertrain as the Outlander PHEV, with both petrol and electric motors, claimed fuel consumption for the Eclipse Cross PHEV is a tiny 1.9L/100km. That’s an impressive figure, but the reality is to achieve this figure the vehicle needs to be recharged each and every 100km – otherwise the… Read more

PEUGEOT ADDS A PLUG-IN HYBRID TO ITS 308 RANGE

Peugeot Australia has released details of a new Plug-In Hybrid variant of its 308 small-medium hatchback. The 308 GT Sport hatchback PHEV joins the 308 GT hatch and GT Premium hatch and wagon models that were launched here in November 2022. It is the third electrified Peugeot model to arrive here alongside the 3008 GT Sport PHEV and 508 Fastback GT PHEV. Plug-In Hybrid versions of the 2008 small SUV and 508 Sportwagon will arrive later this year along with an all-electric e-Partner small van. Priced from $64,990 plus on-road… Read more