The Australian Formula One Grand Prix circus kicks the year off in Melbourne this weekend and I am sure most Australian’s will be backing our own Daniel Ricciardo to take the chequered flag in front of a home crowd.

The Australian Formula One Grand Prix circus kicks the year off in Melbourne this weekend and I am sure most Australian&rsquo;s will be backing our own Daniel Ricciardo to take the chequered flag in front of a home crowd.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Daniel Ricciardo’s hard job to get on the podium in Melbourne

I spoke earlier of the Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV – the flagship of the three
model Grecale range at $206,000 drive-away. Distinguished over the two lower
grades by four drive modes instead of three, height adjustable adaptive air
suspension, an electronic diff lock and larger brakes. What is surprising by this
somewhat conservatively styled SUV is how it can be driven on a light throttle in
a very relaxed manner and the next minute offer a simply staggering performance
– long legged it cruises effortlessly yet tap its potent 3.0-litre turbo engine and its
becomes an absolute driver’s joy, a Maserati as you might imagine –a push its
limits and it hugs the road in a way that inspires confidence – the Trofeo has a
fourth drive mode called Corsa, a full race mode if you like, which sharpens
throttle and gear shift response, reduces the ride height and tweaks the stability
and traction control systems for more driver control. The performance elements
of this Maserati SUV are as good as it gets if not better while the interior and
touchscreen are a standout, just so classy with premium leather– yes, the
appearance is little subdued, and the gear selection is somewhat awkward, but I’d
have a yellow one in a heartbeat – I just need to find $206,000 which may prove a
problem. Warranty, three-years/unlimited km.

I spoke earlier of the Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV – the flagship of the three model Grecale range at $206,000 drive-away. Distinguished over the two lower grades by four drive modes instead of three, height adjustable adaptive air suspension, an electronic diff lock and larger brakes. What is surprising by this somewhat conservatively styled SUV is how it can be driven on a light throttle in a very relaxed manner and the next minute offer a simply staggering performance – long legged it cruises effortlessly yet tap its potent 3.0-litre turbo engine and its becomes an absolute driver’s joy, a Maserati as you might imagine –a push its limits and it hugs the road in a way that inspires confidence – the Trofeo has a fourth drive mode called Corsa, a full race mode if you like, which sharpens throttle and gear shift response, reduces the ride height and tweaks the stability and traction control systems for more driver control. The performance elements of this Maserati SUV are as good as it gets if not better while the interior and touchscreen are a standout, just so classy with premium leather– yes, the appearance is little subdued, and the gear selection is somewhat awkward, but I’d have a yellow one in a heartbeat – I just need to find $206,000 which may prove a problem. Warranty, three-years/unlimited km.

Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV - subdued styling but this is a wolf in sheep’s clothing

Driving Maserati’s top seller, the Grecale SUV, now representing 75 per cent of
the Italian sports manufacturers sales. In three models from $135,700 drive-away,
starting with the GT, the Modena, then the flagship Trofeo, Italian for Trophy,
which I’m driving today. The styling a little non-descript, perhaps lacking the flare
you expect from Maserati but it’s all about performance, this really is a real wolf
in sheep’s clothing. Powered by a 3.0-litre turbo V6, a detuned version of
Maserati’s MC20 supercar. Not surprisingly, 0 to 100km. takes just 3.8-seconds.
Lower Grecale grades offer three drive modes, Comfort, GT and Sport, the Trofeo
adds Corsa mode and also gains height adjustable adaptive air suspension, an
electronic diff lock and larger brakes. Step into the Grecale Trofeo and your met
with a beautifully executed and finished interior. As you’d expect for $206,000 it
breathes luxury in a very classy way with premium leather, carbon-fibre elements
and 14-way power seats – simply fabulous instrumentation and centre screen
with great functionality but the push button gear selection is awkward and fiddly.
Aside from this and a three-year warranty I came away from the Maserati Grecale
Trofeo with nothing but admiration for its performance – I’ll explain in my next
segment.

Driving Maserati’s top seller, the Grecale SUV, now representing 75 per cent of the Italian sports manufacturers sales. In three models from $135,700 drive-away, starting with the GT, the Modena, then the flagship Trofeo, Italian for Trophy, which I’m driving today. The styling a little non-descript, perhaps lacking the flare you expect from Maserati but it’s all about performance, this really is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. Powered by a 3.0-litre turbo V6, a detuned version of Maserati’s MC20 supercar. Not surprisingly, 0 to 100km. takes just 3.8-seconds. Lower Grecale grades offer three drive modes, Comfort, GT and Sport, the Trofeo adds Corsa mode and also gains height adjustable adaptive air suspension, an electronic diff lock and larger brakes. Step into the Grecale Trofeo and your met with a beautifully executed and finished interior. As you’d expect for $206,000 it breathes luxury in a very classy way with premium leather, carbon-fibre elements and 14-way power seats – simply fabulous instrumentation and centre screen with great functionality but the push button gear selection is awkward and fiddly. Aside from this and a three-year warranty I came away from the Maserati Grecale Trofeo with nothing but admiration for its performance – I’ll explain in my next segment.

Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV - flagship Italian class with performance to match.

A few months back I complained of the harsh ride quality on Mazda’s new CX-60
SUV. I wasn’t on my own with the criticism and after numerous media and
customer complaints Mazda adopted a production change from last October with
softer rear dampers with owners of vehicles built prior to this date offered the
upgrade at no charge through their dealer network. It is understood that some
replacement parts have already arrived, and some customer vehicles have
already received the upgrade with more replacement parts due in the middle of
next month. The CX-60 is yet to reach its full sales potential so the suspension
fixes can’t come soon enough. This is not the only CX60 running change - Mazda
are also addressing the mapping of the eight-speed automatic transmission to
improve the drive experience with smoother changes at low speeds. I’m David
Berthon

A few months back I complained of the harsh ride quality on Mazda’s new CX-60 SUV. I wasn’t on my own with the criticism and after numerous media and customer complaints Mazda adopted a production change from last October with softer rear dampers with owners of vehicles built prior to this date offered the upgrade at no charge through their dealer network. It is understood that some replacement parts have already arrived, and some customer vehicles have already received the upgrade with more replacement parts due in the middle of next month. The CX-60 is yet to reach its full sales potential so the suspension fixes can’t come soon enough. This is not the only CX60 running change - Mazda are also addressing the mapping of the eight-speed automatic transmission to improve the drive experience with smoother changes at low speeds. I’m David Berthon

Daniel Ricciardo’s hard job to get on the podium in Melbourne

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