Articles by David Morley

David Morley

Contributing Journalist

Morley’s attentions turned to cars and motoring fairly early on in his life. The realisation that the most complex motor vehicle was easier to both understand and control than the simplest human-being, set his career in motion. Growing up in the country gave the young Morley a form of motoring freedom unmatched these days, as well as many trees to dodge. With a background in newspapers, the move to motoring journalism was no less logical than Clive Palmer’s move into politics, and at times, at least as funny.

The baby hot hatches before Toyota Yaris GR

By David Morley · 28 Nov 2020

It seems that even though we’re a few decades behind Europe (and a few ahead of North America), the forthcoming Toyota GR Yaris – with its turbocharged three-cylinder engine, promise of big performance and super-compact footprint – proves that the baby hot hatch is, indeed, a thing.

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Used options for wannabe Yaris Cross buyers

By David Morley · 15 Nov 2020

The recent launch of Toyota’s Yaris Cross is further proof of the rise and rise of the crossover vehicle. Even the tiniest ones.

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Toyota’s Corolla Cross concept isn’t that new

By David Morley · 07 Nov 2020

With a huge buzz surrounding the forthcoming Corolla Cross small SUV (due in late 2022), you could be forgiven for thinking that Toyota had invented a new niche within the brand’s model hierarchy.

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ZD30 Patrol: Your guide to the Nissan Patrol ZD30 engine

By David Morley · 05 Nov 2020

It’s often said that you have to challenge perceptions and traditions in order to achieve progress. So when Nissan moved, in 2000, to fit its successful Patrol franchise with an engine other than an inline six, Patrol enthusiasts everywhere were all ears.

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Sydney to Melbourne drive: best route and where to stop

By David Morley · 02 Nov 2020

One of the less examined consequences of the COVID pandemic could be an increasing reliance on personal transport. Public transport (including flying) has the dreaded unknown of exactly who sat in that seat before you.

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Next Mazda rotary sports car to go hydrogen?

By David Morley · 27 Oct 2020

Mazda would dearly love to make another rotary-engined sports car. Tappet-heads the world over would love Mazda to do precisely that. And, based on reports coming out of Japan, the rotary concept is definitely not dead and buried. But if it happens, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that the end result would probably be in the form of a hydrogen-electric hybrid

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Nissan Patrol GQ Y60 Used Review: 1988-1997

By David Morley · 27 Oct 2020

Nissan's GQ Patrol was around in Australia from the late 1980s to the end of the '90s. Tough, no-nonsense, and highly capable off-road it's getting rarer, but remains a firm favourite in the second-hand market.

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Nissan RB30 engine: Your guide to the petrol six-cylinder motor

By David Morley · 27 Oct 2020

Nissan’s RB30, 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine has gone down in history as one of the best straight sixes of all time. Part of the RB family of inline engines (built in Japan from 1985 to 1991) that ranged from two to three litres, the RB30 in various guises has powered Australian cars ranging from all-wheel-drive supercars to butch off-roaders and every kind of taxi, police car and family w

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RD28 engine: Your guide to the Nissan Patrol motor

By David Morley · 22 Oct 2020

It seems very odd, but Nissan’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel six-cylinder as seen in Australian-delivered Patrols, actually began its development journey as a petrol engine. What’s strange about that is that petrol and diesel engines usually have vastly different design parameters to account for their differing characteristics.

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Nissan Patrol Y62 used review: 2013-2019

By David Morley · 21 Oct 2020

Toyota's LandCruiser 200-Series tends to steal the limelight as a second-hand, seven-seat, off-road SUV buy. But Nissan's V8-engined Y62 Patrol has a lot to offer.

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