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

Driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV today – a interesting EV from the Blue Oval, I’m driving the mid-spec Mustang Mach-E Premium, sitting between the entry Select and the potent GT, the Mach-e Premium first arrived last year at $91,665, was dropped to $86,990 in late 2023 and again on May 31 to $79,990, around $88,700 drive-away. Still a rather hefty price considering most electric opposition is well south of this figure – as such just 388 Ford Mustang Mach-E’s have been sold July year-to date. Having said that from my perspective the Mach- E Premium has some very rewarding features – a single motor rear wheel drive with 216kW/430Nm of torque, the Premium gaining a larger 91kWh nickel cobalt manganese battery providing an impressive 600Km range. The overall design of this electric Ford SUV appeals, roomy in both rows in a coupe style SUV body with good luggage space, an impressive dash, an impressive instrument cluster and a huge and an innovative 15.5-inch portrait style touchscreen that sets it apart from many similar touchscreens. Disappointingly, the premium price is the only factor stopping the Ford Mach-E from gaining a larger market share. Ford still losing 2 billion dollars a quarter in their electric car division. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon.

Driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV today – a interesting EV from the Blue Oval, I’m driving the mid-spec Mustang Mach-E Premium, sitting between the entry Select and the potent GT, the Mach-e Premium first arrived last year at $91,665, was dropped to $86,990 in late 2023 and again on May 31 to $79,990, around $88,700 drive-away. Still a rather hefty price considering most electric opposition is well south of this figure – as such just 388 Ford Mustang Mach-E’s have been sold July year-to date. Having said that from my perspective the Mach- E Premium has some very rewarding features – a single motor rear wheel drive with 216kW/430Nm of torque, the Premium gaining a larger 91kWh nickel cobalt manganese battery providing an impressive 600Km range. The overall design of this electric Ford SUV appeals, roomy in both rows in a coupe style SUV body with good luggage space, an impressive dash, an impressive instrument cluster and a huge and an innovative 15.5-inch portrait style touchscreen that sets it apart from many similar touchscreens. Disappointingly, the premium price is the only factor stopping the Ford Mach-E from gaining a larger market share. Ford still losing 2 billion dollars a quarter in their electric car division. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon.

Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV - An impressive first EV from the blue oval apart from price

Driving Ford’s Mustang Mach-E electric SUV – by using the iconic Mustang name Ford wanted to position their first electric offering, and apart from the prominent badge on the nose there is no other likeness. The Ford Mustang Mach-E arrived here mid last year, but has been price reduced twice, and despite the reductions it’s been slow to move since just 388 sold July year to date – I tested the mid- spec rear drive Premium Mach-E at $79,990 around $88,700 on road – rather expensive, the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Polestar 2 and Kia EV6 all undercutting it on price. Having said that I found it an impressive EV in a coupe style body with interesting push button door latches, highly spec’d with a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, a fabulous 15.5-inch touchscreen and top- notch artificial leather power seats. The driving experience hard to fault although the ride can at times be a little harsh due to the large 91 kWh battery – all up- weight topping 2098 kilos. But still offering a 0 to 100 km time of 6.2 seconds – The Ford Mustang Mach-E premium not a sporty SUV, certainly competent, best described as a very comfortable, quiet cruiser with relaxed steering but by no means a Mustang. I’m David Berthon.

Driving Ford’s Mustang Mach-E electric SUV – by using the iconic Mustang name Ford wanted to position their first electric offering, and apart from the prominent badge on the nose there is no other likeness. The Ford Mustang Mach-E arrived here mid last year, but has been price reduced twice, and despite the reductions it’s been slow to move since just 388 sold July year to date – I tested the mid- spec rear drive Premium Mach-E at $79,990 around $88,700 on road – rather expensive, the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Polestar 2 and Kia EV6 all undercutting it on price. Having said that I found it an impressive EV in a coupe style body with interesting push button door latches, highly spec’d with a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, a fabulous 15.5-inch touchscreen and top- notch artificial leather power seats. The driving experience hard to fault although the ride can at times be a little harsh due to the large 91 kWh battery – all up- weight topping 2098 kilos. But still offering a 0 to 100 km time of 6.2 seconds – The Ford Mustang Mach-E premium not a sporty SUV, certainly competent, best described as a very comfortable, quiet cruiser with relaxed steering but by no means a Mustang. I’m David Berthon.

Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV - This coupe style SUV has much to offer except the price

We can be mighty thankful that the City of Sydney did not adopt e-scooters like some suburban councils. This week Melbourne became the latest city to ban hire scooters with the two operators Lime and Neuron ordered to remove the 1500 e- scooters within 30 days, Melbourne councilors saying they posed unacceptable safety risks – too many people riding on footpaths, not parking them correctly, leaving them scattered around the city like rubbish and creating tripping hazards The two-year trial announced in February 2022 was cut short this week despite the fact both companies had six months left on their contracts. Royal Melbourne Hospital reported that in 2022 alone 250 e-scooter riders presented in its emergency department with major injuries. Lets hope Clover Moore now sees the light and gets rid of the useless e-bikes that litter Sydney streets. I’m David Berthon

We can be mighty thankful that the City of Sydney did not adopt e-scooters like some suburban councils. This week Melbourne became the latest city to ban hire scooters with the two operators Lime and Neuron ordered to remove the 1500 e- scooters within 30 days, Melbourne councilors saying they posed unacceptable safety risks – too many people riding on footpaths, not parking them correctly, leaving them scattered around the city like rubbish and creating tripping hazards The two-year trial announced in February 2022 was cut short this week despite the fact both companies had six months left on their contracts. Royal Melbourne Hospital reported that in 2022 alone 250 e-scooter riders presented in its emergency department with major injuries. Lets hope Clover Moore now sees the light and gets rid of the useless e-bikes that litter Sydney streets. I’m David Berthon

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

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