British sports car manufacturer Lotus has abandoned plans to go fully electric by
2028. Now deciding to develop super hybrids or range extenders – blending high
performance with a fuel range of 1100 km or more. Lotus now owned by Chinese
company Geely says its step back from an all-electric future has been dictated by
slowing high-end EV sales. Despite switching to hybrids, the company says it will
not compromise on technology and instill its super hybrids with a 900-volt
electrical architecture, turbocharged engines, and a large battery pack. Lotus
sold 7543 vehicles in the first nine months of this year, its first electric car the
Eletre SUV, the first Lotus to be manufactured in China selling well, however the
company still managed to lose a hefty $770 million dollars in the first half. I’m
David Berthon

British sports car manufacturer Lotus has abandoned plans to go fully electric by 2028. Now deciding to develop super hybrids or range extenders – blending high performance with a fuel range of 1100 km or more. Lotus now owned by Chinese company Geely says its step back from an all-electric future has been dictated by slowing high-end EV sales. Despite switching to hybrids, the company says it will not compromise on technology and instill its super hybrids with a 900-volt electrical architecture, turbocharged engines, and a large battery pack. Lotus sold 7543 vehicles in the first nine months of this year, its first electric car the Eletre SUV, the first Lotus to be manufactured in China selling well, however the company still managed to lose a hefty $770 million dollars in the first half. 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;

Lotus abandons plans to go all electric by 2028

Driving the BMW iX3 M-Sport SUV today – the more affordable electric version of
its best-selling mid-size X3 range, introduced earlier this year at $89,100. Nicely
specified despite being nearly $16,000 more affordable to the top spec iX3 M-
Sport Pro. So how does it drive. Featuring a 80kWh battery powering a
210kW/400Nm single electric motor driving the rear wheels only via a single
speed transmission. A very rewarding EV with a slight hum in a very well
insulated and torsionally stiff body giving it a classy edge – I found I was using
energy consumption on average around 18kWhours per 100 kilometres not quite
achieving BMW’s stated range of 460kms but not far off. Charging time on my
11kW home charger ran to around 7/12 hours overnight but with the ability to take
a 150kW charge rate BMW suggesting a 10-80 percent charge could be as quick
as 34 minutes. A good level of safety technology but disappointingly lacking rear
cross traffic alert. But as a rear drive only surprisingly nimble and with BMW’s
wheel slip control system and adaptive suspension very controlled irrespective of
road surface. The BMW iX3 M Sport a generally well packaged and extremely
comfortable prestige electric SUV. I’m David Berthon

Driving the BMW iX3 M-Sport SUV today &ndash; the more affordable electric version of its best-selling mid-size X3 range, introduced earlier this year at $89,100. Nicely specified despite being nearly $16,000 more affordable to the top spec iX3 M- Sport Pro. So how does it drive. Featuring a 80kWh battery powering a 210kW/400Nm single electric motor driving the rear wheels only via a single speed transmission. A very rewarding EV with a slight hum in a very well insulated and torsionally stiff body giving it a classy edge &ndash; I found I was using energy consumption on average around 18kWhours per 100 kilometres not quite achieving BMW&rsquo;s stated range of 460kms but not far off. Charging time on my 11kW home charger ran to around 7/12 hours overnight but with the ability to take a 150kW charge rate BMW suggesting a 10-80 percent charge could be as quick as 34 minutes. A good level of safety technology but disappointingly lacking rear cross traffic alert. But as a rear drive only surprisingly nimble and with BMW&rsquo;s wheel slip control system and adaptive suspension very controlled irrespective of road surface. The BMW iX3 M Sport a generally well packaged and extremely comfortable prestige electric SUV. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

BMW’s iX3 M-Sport SUV – nicely packaged mid-size prestige EV SUV

Talking BMW today, the best-selling German luxury brand after displacing Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury import last year. BMW has had a good degree of success with its EV range, and I recently drove the iX3 M-Sport SUV, the electric version of its best-selling mid-size X3 SUV, introduced earlier this year at $89,100, joining the more expensive iX3 M-Sport Pro. The iX3 M-Sport not as well equipped as its Pro stablemate but on first impression nicely packaged retaining the same powertrain – utilising an 80kWh battery to power a 210kW/400Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels only through a single speed transmission – offering a driving range of up to 460kms. The iX3 M-Sport features some nice M- Sport touches like high-gloss roof rails, M leather steering wheel and illuminated door finishes with BMW M inscription, leather trim and a panoramic glass sunroof. Only real give-away to the dearer Pro model is smaller 19-inch alloy wheels and the lack of a head up instrument display. The interior packaging first class, great seats, plus a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and same size infotainment screen, the latter very intuitive. But, just a space saver spare wheel. Warranty, five-years/unlimited km. drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Talking BMW today, the best-selling German luxury brand after displacing Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury import last year. BMW has had a good degree of success with its EV range, and I recently drove the iX3 M-Sport SUV, the electric version of its best-selling mid-size X3 SUV, introduced earlier this year at $89,100, joining the more expensive iX3 M-Sport Pro. The iX3 M-Sport not as well equipped as its Pro stablemate but on first impression nicely packaged retaining the same powertrain &ndash; utilising an 80kWh battery to power a 210kW/400Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels only through a single speed transmission &ndash; offering a driving range of up to 460kms. The iX3 M-Sport features some nice M- Sport touches like high-gloss roof rails, M leather steering wheel and illuminated door finishes with BMW M inscription, leather trim and a panoramic glass sunroof. Only real give-away to the dearer Pro model is smaller 19-inch alloy wheels and the lack of a head up instrument display. The interior packaging first class, great seats, plus a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and same size infotainment screen, the latter very intuitive. But, just a space saver spare wheel. Warranty, five-years/unlimited km. drive details next. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

BMW’s iX3 M-Sport SUV – the more affordable EV version of its popular X3 SUV

I spoke earlier this morning on the massive discounts being offered by MG Motor
Australia on its electric MG4 hatchback for the month of December. The five-
model range carrying discounts of up to $10,910 - the entry Excite 51 model now
just $32,990 drive-away. With a 10-year warranty and a high level of equipment it’s
a very compelling offer. However, this race to the bottom with pricing gives little
thought to the customers who paid much higher prices earlier in the year. As a
long time car industry figure said to me this week early MG 4 customers will pay
heavily at trade in time. With EVs now being heavily discounted low resale values
are something that many early adopters of electric cars are now finding, and
many dealers will now not offer a trade-in price for example on older Tesla
models. I’m David Berthon

I spoke earlier this morning on the massive discounts being offered by MG Motor Australia on its electric MG4 hatchback for the month of December. The five- model range carrying discounts of up to $10,910 - the entry Excite 51 model now just $32,990 drive-away. With a 10-year warranty and a high level of equipment it&rsquo;s a very compelling offer. However, this race to the bottom with pricing gives little thought to the customers who paid much higher prices earlier in the year. As a long time car industry figure said to me this week early MG 4 customers will pay heavily at trade in time. With EVs now being heavily discounted low resale values are something that many early adopters of electric cars are now finding, and many dealers will now not offer a trade-in price for example on older Tesla models. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Lotus abandons plans to go all electric by 2028

In 1 playlist(s)

Motor Torque with David Berthon

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips