Last weekend’s Electric SUV Expo in Melbourne has revealed the aspirations of
some new Chinese arrivals expected in the fourth quarter. Xpeng is one Chinese
manufacturer with lofty goals for its luxury EV products, suggesting the
Australian new car landscape will look very different in the years ahead as quality
Chinese cars arrive. The Xpeng G6 mid-size SUV will be the brands first entry
here later this year targeting the successful Tesla model Y and priced below
$60,000. Initially in rear wheel drive and within a year joined by two other variants.
The Chinese luxury vehicle manufacturer stole the show at the Melbourne Expo
by displaying its futuristic X2 flying car – the drone like two-seater showcasing
the Xpeng brand and the future of mobility. The company will also launch the
large G9 SUV in 2025, which it suggests is the Range Rover of smart EV’s. I’m
David Berthon

Last weekend’s Electric SUV Expo in Melbourne has revealed the aspirations of some new Chinese arrivals expected in the fourth quarter. Xpeng is one Chinese manufacturer with lofty goals for its luxury EV products, suggesting the Australian new car landscape will look very different in the years ahead as quality Chinese cars arrive. The Xpeng G6 mid-size SUV will be the brands first entry here later this year targeting the successful Tesla model Y and priced below $60,000. Initially in rear wheel drive and within a year joined by two other variants. The Chinese luxury vehicle manufacturer stole the show at the Melbourne Expo by displaying its futuristic X2 flying car – the drone like two-seater showcasing the Xpeng brand and the future of mobility. The company will also launch the large G9 SUV in 2025, which it suggests is the Range Rover of smart EV’s. 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;

Melbourne's electric car expo reveals volume aspiritations of some new arrivals

Behind the wheel of Lexus’ new compact and very attractive LBX SUV today – I
drove the LBX Sports Luxury all-wheel drive at $56,990 combining a 1.5-litre
three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors with a combined
output of 100kW driving through a continuously variable transmission. The all-
wheel-drive combination knocks the weight up to 1415kgs. A classy small SUV
which Lexus Australia Chief John Pappas says, breaks new ground for Lexus and
is proof luxury is not dictated by vehicle size. It is however tight in the rear, best
viewed as a personalised compact luxury two-seater. It’s no fire breather in this
heavier all-wheel drive Sports Luxury variant however with parent company
Toyota’s enormous success with hybrid technology it offers a very satisfying and
practical hybrid performance with frugal economy – I managed a best of 4.6L/100
with 91 grade petrol in mainly city driving. Few gripes, I don’t like Lexus interior
door latches, their awkward at best and disappointingly there’s no aircon vents in
the rear. But the Lexus LBX really is a classy compact SUV, as I said earlier
perfect for the lady in the house with five-year/unlimited km warranty and battery
warranty up to 10 years with annual hybrid dealer checks. I’m David Berthon

Behind the wheel of Lexus’ new compact and very attractive LBX SUV today – I drove the LBX Sports Luxury all-wheel drive at $56,990 combining a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors with a combined output of 100kW driving through a continuously variable transmission. The all- wheel-drive combination knocks the weight up to 1415kgs. A classy small SUV which Lexus Australia Chief John Pappas says, breaks new ground for Lexus and is proof luxury is not dictated by vehicle size. It is however tight in the rear, best viewed as a personalised compact luxury two-seater. It’s no fire breather in this heavier all-wheel drive Sports Luxury variant however with parent company Toyota’s enormous success with hybrid technology it offers a very satisfying and practical hybrid performance with frugal economy – I managed a best of 4.6L/100 with 91 grade petrol in mainly city driving. Few gripes, I don’t like Lexus interior door latches, their awkward at best and disappointingly there’s no aircon vents in the rear. But the Lexus LBX really is a classy compact SUV, as I said earlier perfect for the lady in the house with five-year/unlimited km warranty and battery warranty up to 10 years with annual hybrid dealer checks. I’m David Berthon

Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD SUV – compact luxury SUV with hybrid technology.

Driving the small Lexus LBX SUV today, an attractive small hybrid luxury five
door SUV – three variants, the LBX Luxury front wheel drive at $47,550 and the
LBX Sports Luxury, both front and all-wheel-drive, priced at $52,990 and $56,990
respectively. The Lexus LBX a compact luxury cross-over SUV, a personalized
compact SUV that’s rather tight in the rear, but with emphasis on luxury and
finishes that Toyota’s luxury brand always does well and it stands out on the road
especially in the sonic copper colour as per the TV commercial. I drove the
Sports Luxury AWD with 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual
electric motors, a fuel sipping assembly with a combined output of 100kW driving
through a CVT transmission. The interior with pseudo leather and suede
accentuated trim looks classy, the dash with a well-designed and functional
touch screen. Nice front seat comfort with roomy, comfortable eight-way power
seats not so in the rear which is best for kids. The Lexus LBX best perhaps as a
classy compact luxury SUV for the lady in the house. No spare wheel just a tyre
repair kit but it’s got all the active and passive safety gear and a 360-degree
camera. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Driving the small Lexus LBX SUV today, an attractive small hybrid luxury five door SUV – three variants, the LBX Luxury front wheel drive at $47,550 and the LBX Sports Luxury, both front and all-wheel-drive, priced at $52,990 and $56,990 respectively. The Lexus LBX a compact luxury cross-over SUV, a personalized compact SUV that’s rather tight in the rear, but with emphasis on luxury and finishes that Toyota’s luxury brand always does well and it stands out on the road especially in the sonic copper colour as per the TV commercial. I drove the Sports Luxury AWD with 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors, a fuel sipping assembly with a combined output of 100kW driving through a CVT transmission. The interior with pseudo leather and suede accentuated trim looks classy, the dash with a well-designed and functional touch screen. Nice front seat comfort with roomy, comfortable eight-way power seats not so in the rear which is best for kids. The Lexus LBX best perhaps as a classy compact luxury SUV for the lady in the house. No spare wheel just a tyre repair kit but it’s got all the active and passive safety gear and a 360-degree camera. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD SUV – compact and classy SUV with great finishes.

Electric vehicle sales may be currently on the wane however hybrid vehicle sales are enjoying boom conditions with 129,895 national sales in the first nine months, an increase of 87 percent on the same time last year. Petrol electric hybrid vehicles are clearly far more popular than plug-in hybrids which achieved 15,546 sales in the same period. Toyota which accounts for around 20 per cent of the total new vehicle market has had enormous success with its petrol/electric hybrid models which now represent around half its sales. Its RAV4 hybrid our top selling hybrid vehicle with 40,754 deliveries in the first nine months. Apart from the RAV4, Toyota now has five top selling petrol electric hybrids in Corolla, Camry, Kluger, Corolla Cross and Yaris Cross suggesting it has chosen the right sales strategy going forward. I’m David Berthon

Electric vehicle sales may be currently on the wane however hybrid vehicle sales are enjoying boom conditions with 129,895 national sales in the first nine months, an increase of 87 percent on the same time last year. Petrol electric hybrid vehicles are clearly far more popular than plug-in hybrids which achieved 15,546 sales in the same period. Toyota which accounts for around 20 per cent of the total new vehicle market has had enormous success with its petrol/electric hybrid models which now represent around half its sales. Its RAV4 hybrid our top selling hybrid vehicle with 40,754 deliveries in the first nine months. Apart from the RAV4, Toyota now has five top selling petrol electric hybrids in Corolla, Camry, Kluger, Corolla Cross and Yaris Cross suggesting it has chosen the right sales strategy going forward. I’m David Berthon

Melbourne's electric car expo reveals volume aspiritations of some new arrivals

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