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Disappointingly, our tester was developing a few rattles and creaks too, despite only having 500km on the clock, which may not bode well for long-term durability. Instead, there’s a tyre repair kit. This is something to keep in mind if you frequently drive out of town and away from tyre repair shops.
Well-known automotive giant Magna Steyr was appointed as development partner, while the beam axles come from Carraro, experts in off-highway drivelines. Its really well isolated, and while it can be bumped around by big undulations, its actually re ned and quiet inside when driving on pockmarked asphalt. Far from it.
It’s also nice the small shift-by-wire gear selector is finished in leather, though our virtually brand-new tester was already developing some ripples. Lastly, there’s a space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor, which is handier than a puncture repair kit if you ever get caught out with a flat.
The car is $3800 more expensive because of these developments. Shame too, the GR Corolla only gets a tyre repair kit, so no spare wheel. Power output remains at 221kW fed to all four wheels. The infotainment system has been updated to include wireless Android Auto in addition to wireless Apple CarPlay. inch touchscreen as before.
It’s based on a dedicated electric platform called ‘e-TNGA’ and was developed in partnership with Subaru which has its own version of the same car called the Solterra. The bZ4X only comes with a tyre repair kit which isn’t surprising for an EV. It’s only really big enough for some charging cables.
This car has been co-developed with Toyota in a similar way the BRZ / GR86 came to be. The Solterra only comes with a tyre repair kit which isn’t surprising for an EV. It’s something to keep in mind however if you plan to venture far from tyre repair shops as you could be stuck waiting for a while for roadside assistance.
Some of the tactics employed by these OEMs are as follows: “Speed Bumps” from OEMs: Certain OEMs introduce “speed bumps” by requiring dealers to jump through extensive hoops, providing significantly more data than state statutes necessitate. This tactic can delay the reimbursement process and create additional administrative burdens.
This is to be expected in a ute that’s intended to be taken off-road and far away from any service station or tyre repair centre. You’ll also be twirling the steering wheel a fair bit which will get you to develop some nice biceps after a while. All this Australian development comes at a cost though.
Whereas the latest petrol Mini Cooper is a heavy update of the outgoing model, the electric version is all-new, built in China on a ground-up platform developed in partnership with GWM. Can it live up to the JCW badge without a petrol engine under the bonnet? There is also no under-bonnet storage space on offer.
It has a near-identical twin in the Subaru Solterra, as the two vehicles were co-developed by the Japanese car giants on a new, dedicated electric-car platform set to underpin further battery-powered vehicles from both brands. Those speed bumps are behind the Toyota BZ4X – and it is finally here. Has it been worth the wait?
The two SUVs, co-developed by Subaru and Toyota, enter a segment that is teeming with new options with more still to come, but still completely dominated by the Tesla Model Y. Under the boot floor, as is par for the course with EVs, there’s a tyre repair kit instead of a spare. Last year, Tesla sold 28,769 Model Ys in Australia.
There is still no puncture solution of any form even a tyre repair kit costs extra. The dual motors develop an estimated 331kW combined, according to Chinese specs or 378kW if you ask Australian regulators which translates to rapid performance for a family SUV. Tesla says the new Long Range is 0.2
Mazda’s Large Platform SUVs are as close to clean-sheet as possible, riding a new rear/all-wheel drive chassis architecture, featuring new inline six-cylinder engines and a new eight-speed automatic and mild-hybrid system developed in-house. The CX-60 still, however, transmits every bump into the cabin.
Tesla continues to omit Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM radio, a tyre repair kit, and a dedicated instrument display from its vehicles. As standard there is no tyre repair kit (it costs $125 extra) – let alone a spare wheel – nor a parcel shelf (a $650 extra), or a home charging cable ($550). Is the Tesla Model Y a safe car?
It’s better than nothing even if they don’t fold flat, and you still get a space saver spare wheel instead of a tedious tyre repair kit – unusual for a car this small. G15 Pure Its tyres are quite small on account of the 15-inch wheels, which means it can tend to fall into bumps a bit more than larger cars.
There’s no spare wheel though just a repair kit. I also piloted it (and passengered in it) on an off-road course set on tarmac, where the suspension was challenged by sharp turn manoeuvres, sharp repetitive bumps, and a steeply angled side-on climb that provoked some cross-up with wheels up in the air at opposing corners of the car.
Enhanced Comfort Whether youre on a long road trip or driving over potholes, self-leveling suspension absorbs bumps and keeps the ride smooth for everyone inside. Here are some common issues to watch for: Leaks: Air suspension systems can develop leaks over time, leading to uneven ride heights.
Buzz Cargo van siblings – were developed by the Nutzfahrzeug team (Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles). The steering wheel features haptic controls that are easier to bump than conventional buttons – especially the steering wheel heating button. Instead you only get a tyre repair kit. Buzz like on the inside?
The Solterra is its first electric car, and has been co-developed with Toyota. tonne kerb weight, it doesn’t smack or slap into sharp bumps like some rivals. Subaru is up and running in the hotly contested EV market. That’s why it looks very, very closely related to the bZ4X – under the skin, the pair are the same. Despite its 2.0-tonne
Meanwhile the Performance ($65,748 for MY24, $61,990 for MY25) has dual motors developing 390kW, and the 82.6kWh battery for 0100km/h in 3.8sec, and a 520km range. There is no spare wheel, only a puncture repair kit, but it is included in the purchase price, along with a home charging cable. second 0100km/h time. Can a BYD Seal tow?
Rather than making an electric architecture fit a compact combustion-engine platform, Mini has turned to Great Wall Motors (GWM) for a co-developed architecture. The rear seat is designed for two occupants, with a bump in the middle for some extra lateral support. The electric versions of the Cooper family are different, though.
New vehicles are more expensive than ever to design and develop, so for many car makers, working together with another manufacturer on their next new models is becoming increasingly attractive. As with most electric cars, there’s no spare tyre under the floor, rather a puncture repair kit. There’s no storage under the bonnet either.
Tesla continues to omit Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM radio, a tyre repair kit, and a dedicated instrument display from its vehicles. inch instrument display, 360-degree camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM radio and a tyre repair kit. Instead, the Mustang Mach-E is equipped with a tyre repair kit.
Australia-bound E-Transit Customs receive the more powerful of the two electric motors offered in regular versions of the van in Europe developing 160kW and 415Nm. The weight of the E-Transit Custom’s battery can be felt over bumps, and at times the wheels can react sharply to potholes and expansion joints in the road.
Military applications and aerospace technologies initially spurred the development of PPF and now it is a popular vehicular protection solution because of its self-healing properties and durability. Such obstacles can cause devastating damage and this damage can lead to costly repainting or repairs, which is an important problem.
Macan 4 Based on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) co-developed with Audi, the second-generation Macan features an 800V electrical architecture and is closely related to the new Audi Q6 e-tron – as well as the A6 e-tron family. The outgoing combustion-powered Macan range remains available while stocks last. Browse now.
Among them is a sports-themed version of the Ford Transit Custom developed with MS-RT, an off-shoot of M-Sport, the sole Ford team in the World Rally Championship (not to be confused with BMW’s M Sport range of products). In Europe, there is a market for vans with a – visually, at least – sporty vibe.
Mr Wienkötter said a substantial 25 per cent of the development budget was invested in drivetrain performance, and 29 per cent went into improving efficiency. Much of that investment and development was off the back of customer feedback, with driving range a key theme. Taycan standard features: 10.9-inch
You’ll find a temporary space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor, which is better than AWD Hybrid models with their repair kits, but rivals like the Kia Seltos offer full-size spares across the bulk of the range. litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine developing 126kW at 6600rpm, and 202Nm between 4400 and 4900rpm.
A light-sized five-door that’s equal parts hatch and SUV, this compact crossover is based on the same all-electric GWM co-developed Spotlight chassis architecture as the electric Cooper 3-Door. Around town, the ride is generally comfortable, but bigger, singular bumps can transmit impacts into the cabin.
Another interesting tick the Q8 e-tron gets is the inclusion of a ‘collapsible’ space saver spare wheel, where most other EVs only get tyre repair kits. The developments to aerodynamics and battery have given it a decent amount more usable range, but haven’t really addressed this vehicle’s high energy consumption.
Thankfully under the car there’s a full-sized spare wheel which is key given this kind of vehicle is frequently taken off-road and away from towns with tyre repair shops. litre develops the full 350Nm of torque from 1800 to 2600rpm. If you fold the second and third rows boot space grows to 2138L. What’s under the bonnet?
The suspension is on the firmer side of the scale, and it doesn’t deliver a magic carpet ride, but it’s comfortable enough for potholed city streets, it settles quickly over speed bumps – without pitching forward and back like a boat cresting a wave – and body roll is well controlled.
As with most electric cars, there is a tyre repair kit under the floor rather than a spare wheel at least in this Chinese-market model. Our time behind the wheel of the S05 was brief and limited to a tarmac skidpan with little to no bumps and only in the range-extender model, which is yet to be confirmed. seconds respectively.
It is one of many elements of Peugeot DNA throughout this car – the Avenger is based on a Peugeot-developed platform, as part of the Stellantis group – and most of the interior switchgear comes from the French brand’s cars. As with most electric cars, there is only a tyre repair kit, rather than a spare wheel. Can a Jeep Avenger tow?
The Atmos adds a few extra though, including a 360-degree camera with a see-through moving view, and parking support brake to help avoid low-speed parking bumps, with object, vehicle, and pedestrian detection. When Toyota set out to design and develop the Corolla Cross, it clearly did its homework on what buyers want and need.
What we’re testing here rides on an all-new, electric-car-focused platform that has been co-developed by Mini and Chinese car giant GWM. The extruded bumps at the 10 and two position mean you might have to adjust your hands at the wheel, but I reckon the chunky design suits the sporting intent. Specifically because of how meaty it is.
A downside of that is, of course, that you have to make do with a tyre repair kit instead. Nevertheless, while BMW has always been known for producing driver-oriented rear-drive cars, its long history of sporty chassis development has definitely rubbed off on even the entry-level 1 Series. inch digital instrument cluster 10.7-inch
Sure it’s a small temporary space saver spare wheel, which isn’t as good as a proper full-size spare wheel, but it’s much better than a pesky tyre repair kit or nothing at all. Even in its softest setting the suspension still tends to err on the firmer side which will see you grimace over speed bumps and pot holes.
The Subaru Solterra mid-size family SUV was developed in partnership with the Toyota BZ4X, and is pitched at the category dominated by the Tesla Model Y – as well as the likes of the Kia EV6 and coming EV5, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. As with most electric cars, there’s no spare tyre under the floor, rather a puncture repair kit.
While it didn’t really annoy me, I wonder whether noises could develop as the car racks up more kilometres on the odometer. There is no hint of body lean as this big SUV rounds corners, and it’s unperturbed by mid-corner bumps. The steering is quick and accurate, and the car tracks exactly where you point the wheels.
Mazdas newly developed eight-speed automatic, developed specifically to work with the new six-cylinder engines in the CX-80 (and its new-generation range-mates), is often problematic. It is smooth and quiet and, from inside the cabin, you can barely tell its a diesel at all. Key details 2025 Mazda CX-80 D50e Touring Engine 3.3-litre
It’s expensive to test, develop and implement in new cars. Incidentally, ANCAP safety testing had just been bumped into a tougher echelon for that year. Cars are becoming more expensive to insure and repair Windscreens ain’t windscreens, and bumpers ain’t bumpers any more. So, these cars aren’t as simple to repair.
In the boot there’s a tyre repair kit in case you run into trouble. The Macan holds its line resolutely through bends and doesn’t get thrown off balance by mid-corner bumps or creases in the tarmac. That is down 60L on the related Macan 4 because the Turbo fits in a subwoofer thanks to the standard-fit Bose sound system.
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