
Isuzu D-Max Interior Layout & Technology
Space? Plentiful. And that's for both front and rear-seat passengers (who also benefit from 20mm more shoulder room, higher hip points and more reclined seats in comparison to the predecessor). Storage isn't in short supply, either, with two gloveboxes and an extra compartment nestled into the top of the dash. And, you know, a mighty great cargo bed just a couple of feet behind you. Family getaways should be a breeze.

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Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
He predicted the Chinese electric vehicle boom a year ago. Now, STEPHEN JOHNSON reveals how BYD destroyed Tesla in Australia - and the up-and-coming brands that are even better
Back in the late '90s, a fledging Chinese battery maker bought Australian-made Holden Commodore wagons that had been crudely modified. In a very strange chapter of motoring history, BYD had only been around for two years when it bought some outdated VN Commodores in 1997 that had been sent to China and converted into slow EVs, with the catchy name of BJ6490.


The Guardian
15 hours ago
- The Guardian
Positives and negatives: is it better to learn to drive in an electric or a petrol vehicle?
Not long ago, the choice was between manual and automatic. One, demanding mastery of gear stick, accelerator and clutch – greater control at the risk of stalling – the other offering a simpler ride. These days the debate has moved on. The majority of new cars are automatic and an increasing share are electric. New data from the Electric Vehicle Council shows sales of electric vehicles continue to climb in Australia, with 12% of new sales between January and June being battery electric or plug-in hybrids – up from 9.6% in the same period last year. As a new generation approaches their Ls and Ps, a new dilemma arises – is it better to learn in an electric or a petrol vehicle? There are now 350,000 electric cars on Australian roads, says the Electric Vehicle Council's chief executive, Julie Delvecchio. Of those, about 43% are driven in outer suburban Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – often households with solar panels, off-street parking and longer commutes – and 18% in the regions, she says. 'Given that the future of driving is electric, it just makes sense that we'd be teaching our kids on the cars that they'll be actually using in the years ahead.' In most states, learners can drive any light car, so long as they are supervised by someone with a full Australian drivers licence. Once on their probationary licence – in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia – young drivers are banned from getting behind the wheel of anything classed as a high-powered vehicle. The restriction applies to any vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 130 kilowatts per tonne, which rules out some popular electric models like Tesla's Model Y, according to EV Central. When it comes to motorcycles, many states still require learners to start with a petrol vehicle, says Dr Chris Jones, president of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association. 'If you're going to learn how to ride a motorcycle and you want to get your open bike license – which means unrestricted power-to-weight – you do need to do that on a petrol bike with gears and a clutch. You can't do that on an EV motorcycle,' he says. Students can take their test in an electric car, according to state and territory transport departments. Although restrictions on the use of driver support systems vary, so it's worth checking the rules for your state or territory beforehand. For example, in NSW driver support features such as self-parking, speed assist and cruise control must be turned off during the driving test, while in Queensland they can still be used. Some jurisdictions require the car to have a centre-mounted park brake – electric or lever – to be accessible from the front passenger seat. Tarik Menzies from No Yelling Driving School, who manages a fleet of driving instructors across Queensland and Victoria, says occasionally parents will request their child learns in a petrol car. For some it's about manual transmission, he says, a feature rarely found in electric vehicles. 'They think their child learning manual is a useful skill – like doing maths without the calculator.' Learning in a manual is increasingly uncommon, however. Transport for NSW data shows in 2024 the number of manual driving tests (28,392) was a 10th of those testing for automatic (289,426). Others are not yet ready for the change in technology, Menzies says. Even though when it comes to automatic cars, there's very little difference between learning in an electric versus a petrol car. Kathryn Collier, who manages METEC Driver Training, says there's a couple of small differences for learners to be aware of. Electric cars often have better torque, and can be quicker off the mark, she says. 'Also be aware that your car may well be silent. So be extra vigilant in looking out for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists because they won't hear you.' The road safety organisation, which provides school driver programs for more than 80 schools in Melbourne and Victoria, has a range of vehicles for students to learn in, including a Nissan Leaf, to give young people the experience of driving an electric vehicle. Parents switching to a shiny new electric car might be tempted to hold on to their older model for their teenagers to learn in. But Collier recommends young drivers learn in 'the safest car you can afford', ideally one with a five-star Ancap rating. 'A lot of young people tend to get the hand-me-down vehicles from other members of the family,' she says. 'We would argue that the most vulnerable driver should really be in the safest car possible.' Jones says the learning process is a good opportunity to share tips about the 'non-driving bits' of driving an EV – how to use a public charger, charging etiquette and scheduling your home charging to make the most of cheap energy. 'In our experience learner drivers (and drivers generally) adapt pretty quickly when it comes to EVs', the Electric Vehicle Council's Julie Delvecchio says. 'Often, once they get in an EV … they never want to go back to petrol and diesel, because it's so smooth, so quiet and easy to drive.' Regardless of what car they learn in, Menzies says learning to drive is an empowering experience for most young people. 'We see the joy that it brings, as well as the disappointment when they fail.' 'In our culture, getting your licence is somewhat of a right of passage for the young person becoming a big person.' Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. 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The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Gamechanger: the family hybrid SUV challenging perceptions
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids are charging ahead in Australia, with new models arriving faster than most of us can keep up. But the Leapmotor C10 REEV Ultra Hybrid isn't just another compact SUV. With a driving range that can take you from Melbourne to Canberra on a single charge and tank, it's a hybrid built for the chaos of family life. Three car seats across the backseat? Done. Add a pram, a scooter and a football kit, and there will still be room for the dog. Leapmotor is fairly new to Australians – the brand only launched down under in 2024 – but it has been manufacturing and selling EV and hybrid vehicles in China since 2015. The C10 REEV Ultra Hybrid is one of its first models to be offered to the Australian market, and is designed to shift perceptions of what affordable electric driving can look like for families. That's a big ambition in a fast-growing category, so we put the flagship hybrid to the test. OK, first of all: 1,150km with no stops? (For the uninitiated, that range is per the NEDC – the New European Driving Cycle – a standardised test used to assess fuel economy and emissions.) The C10 REEV has two power sources: a 28.4kWh battery and a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Unlike other hybrid setups, you don't select between electric or fuel power. Instead, the combustion engine kicks in when the electric battery is running low, and charges it as you drive. This means the C10 REEV always drives like an EV (quietly and smoothly) but has a much bigger range than you'd expect. If you're driving a long way without stopping, you're going to need space to stretch out. And the C10 REEV delivers. Keyless entry triggers a quiet welcome, and the front seats automatically glide back for easy entry, providing more space to step into. When the doors close, they slide forward again, leaving more than enough room in the back for the family, pets, luggage and anything else coming along for the journey. The second thing you'll notice is the silence. From the moment the keycard swipes the driver's side mirror to unlock the car, the C10 REEV is on and ready to roll; you just wouldn't know it from listening. That doesn't change when you're driving, either. For day-to-day driving, tech integrations make the C10 REEV feel ahead of the curve for its category. The 14.6-inch touchscreen anchors the dash, with maps, music, messages and climate control all customisable via voice control. Creature comforts are well covered in the form of heated seats, a 12-speaker audio system, and an ambient lighting system, and the vehicle boasts smart safety features, such as lane keep assist and blind spot detection. Driving the C10 REEV on city streets, freeways and suburban roads, it's clear it nails the basics. It's rare to find a hybrid SUV that nails practicality and polish, space and smarts. But in a fast-moving category, the C10 REEV Ultra Hybrid earns its place – and maybe a spot in the driveway too. Discover more about the C10 REEV Ultra Hybrid.