Articles by Dom Tripolone

The Deepal E07 Performance AWD is priced from $73,900.The major difference from the RWD version is the addition of the second electric motor delivering all-wheel drive grip.Power jumps to 440kW and 645Nm. This drops the 0-100km/h time to about four seconds.It uses the same circa-90kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery as the RWD, but range drops to 510km.It has a max DC charge rate of 240kW, which Deepal said can replenish the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes. AC charging maxes out at 7.0kW.It matches the RWD with a long list of standard equipment.This includes a 15.4-inch multimedia screen that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is a wireless device charger and USB-A and -C ports front and back.A monster head-up display — which projects information on the windscreen in front of the driver — replaces the driver display, with no instruments in front of the driver.This is joined by power-adjustable front seats that are wrapped in supple Nappa leather. The front seats are heated, ventilated and have a massage function.There is self-levelling air suspension and big 21-inch alloy wheels.Deepal has ticked all the driver aid boxes with autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist, rear cross traffic alert with auto braking function, blind-spot detection, speed sign recognition and over speed alert, door open warning, rear passenger alert, safe distance alert and adaptive cruise control.

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The Deepal E07 RWD is the cheapest ticket into the range, with prices starting at $64,900, plus on-road costs.Power comes from a single rear-mounted electric motor that makes 242kW and 365Nm. It can hit 100km/h from a standstill in 6.7 seconds.At its core is a big circa-90kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a driving range of 550km.It has a max DC charge rate of 240kW, which Deepal said can replenish the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes. AC charging maxes out at 7.0kW.Deepal has emptied the parts bin into the E07 RWD, with an extensive list of standard equipment.Inside there is a 15.4-inch multimedia screen that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is a wireless device charger and USB-A and -C ports front and back.A monster head-up display — which projects information on the windscreen in front of the driver — replaces the driver display, with no instruments in front of the driver.This is joined by power-adjustable front seats wrapped in supple Nappa leather. The front seats are heated, ventilated and have a massage function.There is self-levelling air suspension and big 21-inch alloy wheels.Cargo space is decent with 524L, or 1654L with the rear seats folded.The rear tray has a payload of 300kg.

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Motor shows are officially back in Australia, and it's all because of electric cars.The Sydney International EV motor show is returning this October to the ICC Sydney, proving the EV show wasn’t just a flash in the pan.The organiser of the show, Ray Evans, said they are expecting about 40,000 visitors to come through the gates over three days.“The exceptional response has proven that Australians are hungry for EV knowledge and options," said Evans."This year we're delivering exactly what the market wants - hands-on experiences with over 100 vehicles, test drives, daily sessions and a New Model Stage.”The show will give potential customers a chance to get up close and personal with some of the newest names in the EV game.Brands such as Farizon, Lotus, Polestar, Smart, Volvo, XPeng and Zeekr will have current and coming models on display.Volvo Australia boss Stephen Connor said the company is committed to a fully electric future."This year we have already introduced three new all-electric models to Australia, and to date our all-electric lineup equates to 40 per cent of our total volume," said Connor.Volvo will have the new ES90 electric sedan on display at the show. Attendees can also check out the $1.2m Rolls-Royce Spectre EV.Some experts have predicted Australian EV sales to balloon to between 15 and 19 per cent next year, according to the show organisers. Currently EV sales only make up about 7.7 per cent of new car sales through the first eight months of this year.The show runs from October 31 to November 2nd and tickets start from $35.00 and are available now from Ticketmaster.

Hyundai has showcased its next big thing in electric cars at the 2026 Munich motor show.Dubbed the Concept Three, the show car previews the future Ioniq 3 small EV.The boldly styled concept brings some futuristic design with a heavy dose of Veloster, and could go on sale by 2026.It will be one of 21 global electric models for Hyundai due to enter production by 2030. Hyundai also plans to have an electrified version of every model on sale in Europe by 2027.The brand’s commitment to a new small electric car puts it in the fast lane to catch up to its sibling brand, Kia, which has so far been leading the roll out of electric cars.President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe Xavier Martinet said: “Concept Three represents the next step in Hyundai Motor’s electrification journey.”The Concept Three has a similar footprint to the Hyundai i30 hatchback measuring 4287mm long, 1940mm wide, 1428mm tall with a wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear axles — of 2722mm.That last figure reveals that despite its compact exterior dimensions it will have large car space inside.The radical-looking concept has the Ioniq range’s signature pixel headlights and adds some wild aerodynamic elements.Inside the Concept Three highlights the company’s commitment to increasing the use of sustainable materials. It said the concept uses ocean waste textiles and lightweight aluminium foam.It is understood the Ioniq 3 will be based on the same platform as the current Kia EV3 SUV.This means it is likely to use a similar set-up with a 58.3kWh unit and long-range 81.4kWh pack on offer. Power should come from a single electric motor that makes 150kW and 283Nm and drives the front wheels.It will use 400V charging architecture, which means DC fast charging is capped at about 135kW compared to 350kW in the more advanced — and expensive — 800V set-up used by the larger Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9.

New Chinese utes have arrived and they are more than $20,000 cheaper than top-end HiLux and Ranger models.The Foton Tunland range kicks off at $39,990 (before on-road costs) for the Tunland V7 two-wheel drive variant and tops out at $49,990 for the full-fruit Tunland V9 S four-wheel drive.That entry point is similar to the petrol-powered Toyota HiLux Workmate two-wheel drive, but it is about $10,000 cheaper than the most affordable two-wheel drive HiLux and Ranger with turbo-diesel grunt.Foton has now opened the order books for the Tunland line-up before deliveries commence later this month. They will initially be available in a select number of dealers in capital cities and major regional towns before the network expands later this year.Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance that makes 120kW and 450kW, and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.Those numbers are down on the competition but all Tunlands can tow 3500kg and have a payload of between 995kg and 1089kg, depending on the variant.All variants have 240mm of ground clearance and 28 and 26 degree approach and departure angles, respectively. Wading depth is 700mm.The V7 is pitched more towards tradies with a payload of more than 1000kg and rear leaf suspension, so think more HiLux Workmate or SR spec.The V9 is more lifestyle-focused, in a similar vein to a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, with a more luxurious cabin and advanced multi-link rear suspension. Foton General Manager Glen Cooper said the Tunland has been tested and tuned for Australian conditions.“The all-new Tunland offers something truly unique – the space and toughness of a larger workhorse, paired with the comfort and driveability of a modern SUV, all without a premium price tag,” said Cooper.Foton is backing the Tunland with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

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