Driving the new GWM Tank 500 seven-seat hybrid 4WD – I’m driving the entry Lux model at $66,490 drive-away which undercuts traditional rivals by a healthy margin – a vehicle loaded to the hilt with comfort, convenience and technology but lacking finesse in a number of areas. The GWM Tank 500 features a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, an electric motor and 1.76kWhour battery driving through a nine-speed automatic, selectable four-wheel drive, and a locking rear differential. Off road more than competent in a body that weights 2.6 tonne with a braked towing capacity of 3,000kg. Given its weight the hybrid assistance is minimal, and it takes some time to recharge the battery by coasting and braking. GWM quotes economy at 8.5L/100km – I couldn’t get anywhere near that figure despite a good mix of city and country driving. Chinese vehicles generally lack finesse in their active driving elements and the suspension feels unsettled with average ride quality, the weight of this body on ladder frame chassis making the suspension work hard when cruising while brake performance at times less than inspiring. A value buy yes but to me lacking the polish of the established opposition. Well supported with a seven-year/unlimited km with capped price servicing, battery warranty eight-years warranty. I’m David Berthon

Driving the new GWM Tank 500 seven-seat hybrid 4WD – I’m driving the entry Lux model at $66,490 drive-away which undercuts traditional rivals by a healthy margin – a vehicle loaded to the hilt with comfort, convenience and technology but lacking finesse in a number of areas. The GWM Tank 500 features a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, an electric motor and 1.76kWhour battery driving through a nine-speed automatic, selectable four-wheel drive, and a locking rear differential. Off road more than competent in a body that weights 2.6 tonne with a braked towing capacity of 3,000kg. Given its weight the hybrid assistance is minimal, and it takes some time to recharge the battery by coasting and braking. GWM quotes economy at 8.5L/100km – I couldn’t get anywhere near that figure despite a good mix of city and country driving. Chinese vehicles generally lack finesse in their active driving elements and the suspension feels unsettled with average ride quality, the weight of this body on ladder frame chassis making the suspension work hard when cruising while brake performance at times less than inspiring. A value buy yes but to me lacking the polish of the established opposition. Well supported with a seven-year/unlimited km with capped price servicing, battery warranty eight-years warranty. I’m 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.

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;

GWM Tank Hybrid 7 seat 4WD wagon - The burger with the works but lacking finesse

Toyota has announced its large Tundra pick-up has been approved for sale here
from November – the large U.S. sourced Toyota pick-up will be re-configured to
right-hand-drive in Melbourne by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, much the
same as the long standing RAM and Chevrolet Silverado pickups. The Tundra
arrives first in Limited grade with a top of the range Premium addition arriving in
the second quarter next year. No prices have been announced just yet but the
fully re-engineered Tundra has been six years in development – sitting on the
same platform that underpins the LandCruiser 300 series. Powered by a 3.5-litre
twin-turbo V6 with 326kW and 790Nm of torque linked to a 10-speed automatic
transmission – driving through a part-time system with dual-range transfer case.
It offers an impressive 4.5 tonne towing capacity. It arrives as sales of large pick-
ups have slowed considerably. I’m David Berthon

Toyota has announced its large Tundra pick-up has been approved for sale here from November – the large U.S. sourced Toyota pick-up will be re-configured to right-hand-drive in Melbourne by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, much the same as the long standing RAM and Chevrolet Silverado pickups. The Tundra arrives first in Limited grade with a top of the range Premium addition arriving in the second quarter next year. No prices have been announced just yet but the fully re-engineered Tundra has been six years in development – sitting on the same platform that underpins the LandCruiser 300 series. Powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 326kW and 790Nm of torque linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission – driving through a part-time system with dual-range transfer case. It offers an impressive 4.5 tonne towing capacity. It arrives as sales of large pick- ups have slowed considerably. I’m David Berthon

Toyota to sell large Tundra pick-up truck here from November

A new Toyota Camry that has just arrived – the Camry still our top-selling sedan
despite the fact that today SUV’s rule while passenger sedans have shrunk to just
15.4 per cent of the market – The latest Camry at last gives us some sharper
styling and a new interior, Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid technology, more
power, improved drive performance and according to Toyota, an 11 percent
reduction in fuel consumption to 4L/100km – the hybrid electric power train
produces a 10kW increase in output, combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a
more powerful electric motor generator driving the front wheels via an electronic
variable or CVT transmission. There’s four drive modes including an EV mode
where it can be driven over short distances on EV power at low speeds. Prices
have risen by up to $2573, the most affordable, the Camry Ascent hybrid,
$39,990, the mid-spec Ascent Sport Hybrid $42,990, the top spec SL Hybrid
$53,990. The entry model with rear camera with guidelines, front and rear parking
sensors, dual zone climate control and a swag of driver assist technology. As I
said earlier, serviceability and reliability have always been the Camry’s high
points. Warranty five years/unlimited kilometre. I look forward to driving the new
Camry soon. I’m David Berthon

A new Toyota Camry that has just arrived – the Camry still our top-selling sedan despite the fact that today SUV’s rule while passenger sedans have shrunk to just 15.4 per cent of the market – The latest Camry at last gives us some sharper styling and a new interior, Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid technology, more power, improved drive performance and according to Toyota, an 11 percent reduction in fuel consumption to 4L/100km – the hybrid electric power train produces a 10kW increase in output, combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a more powerful electric motor generator driving the front wheels via an electronic variable or CVT transmission. There’s four drive modes including an EV mode where it can be driven over short distances on EV power at low speeds. Prices have risen by up to $2573, the most affordable, the Camry Ascent hybrid, $39,990, the mid-spec Ascent Sport Hybrid $42,990, the top spec SL Hybrid $53,990. The entry model with rear camera with guidelines, front and rear parking sensors, dual zone climate control and a swag of driver assist technology. As I said earlier, serviceability and reliability have always been the Camry’s high points. Warranty five years/unlimited kilometre. I look forward to driving the new Camry soon. I’m David Berthon

New Toyota Camry sedan arrives with 5th generation hybrid powertrain

Leapmotor has announced the arrival of its mid-sized C10 electric SUV due in
November, the Chinese brands first global product and the first of a new breed of
sharply priced Chinese electric vehicles due in the next 12 months. While pricing
for the two Leapmotor C10 variants, Style and Design, has not yet been officially
announced its heavily rumoured both will sell for less than $50,000 before on
road costs – undercutting current mid-sized EV brands. Both C10 variants have a
claimed 420km range with claimed state of the art innovation and technology, and
high levels of equipment and safety elements. Warranty listed at 7 years
160,000km with battery warranty over 8 years. Buyers who take delivery before
March 31 next year will be offered one-years free charging through the Chargefox
network. No dealers have so far been named for Leapmotor. I’m David Berthon

Leapmotor has announced the arrival of its mid-sized C10 electric SUV due in November, the Chinese brands first global product and the first of a new breed of sharply priced Chinese electric vehicles due in the next 12 months. While pricing for the two Leapmotor C10 variants, Style and Design, has not yet been officially announced its heavily rumoured both will sell for less than $50,000 before on road costs – undercutting current mid-sized EV brands. Both C10 variants have a claimed 420km range with claimed state of the art innovation and technology, and high levels of equipment and safety elements. Warranty listed at 7 years 160,000km with battery warranty over 8 years. Buyers who take delivery before March 31 next year will be offered one-years free charging through the Chargefox network. No dealers have so far been named for Leapmotor. I’m David Berthon

GWM Tank Hybrid 7 seat 4WD wagon - The burger with the works but lacking finesse

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