Articles by Stephen Ottley

Are you ready for an all-electric off-roader from Audi?

Mercedes' electric vehicle rollout has taken its next step, with the all-new EQV breaking cover overnight.

RM Sotheby’s auction in California last week had it all - an iconic car, a cashed-up crowd, Nazi historical connections and a controversial conclusion.

It costs $13m and has a face only a mother could love - meet the Bugatti Centodici.

Half of all new cars sold in Australia will be electric by 2035.That's the finding of a new government report released this week that studied the growth of electric vehicles around the world and tries to predict their success in the local market.The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics produced the report, titled 'Electric Vehicle Uptake: Modelling a Global Phenomenon' this week and it's an ironic result for the Coalition Government. During the election Bill Shorten's announcement that Labor would set a goal of 50 per cent EV sales by 2035 was met with heavy criticism from Scott Morrison and his team, that claimed such a move would "end the weekend", deny utes for tradies and even compared such a policy to communist-era Soviet Union policy.The report studies 22 new vehicle markets around the world to predict the future of the Australian market, as well as studying the evolving technology to gauge its impact on sales.Importantly, the report found that the increase in EV sales isn't necessarily tied to government incentives, instead the cost of EVs is the biggest factor in restricting growth at this stage. According to the report the cost of batteries will level out by 2025, which will help reduce the cost of EVs compared to traditional internal combustion cars.The report states: "On this basis, Australian EV share of new sales is predicted to reach eight per cent by 2025 and 27 per cent by 2030. Globally, EV share of new sales is predicted to reach 18 per cent by 2025 and 36 per cent by 2030."The report predicts that Australia would reach 50 per cent by 2035 and eventually as high as 60 per cent by 2040, which would put us on pace with other major markets around the world.However, the report also examined the financial impact of this EV increase as well as the corresponding decrease in petrol and diesel powered cars. As government relies on fuel excise and carbon taxes for road funding and maintenance that money will need to be found elsewhere, the report states.At the same time, tax exemptions for EVs also eats into the government's funding for roads and infrastructure while the increased burden on the electricity network will need to be addressed. It makes the integration of electric cars an important factor for government policy makers.The report said: "In all of these ways, the uptake estimates presented here, as a result of electric vehicle uptake modelling for the 22 countries, will be of interest to policy makers charged with maintaining and funding the transport and energy systems, and those charged with ensuring sustainable transport systems and reduced emissions."The Coalition announced prior to the election that it would release a strategy document for electric vehicles sometime in early 2020.Meanwhile, car makers are continuing to launch EVs in increasing numbers. This month the Tesla Model 3 went on sale joining similar battery-powered models from Hyundai, Jaguar and Nissan with Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen all set to follow suit in the next 18 months.

Tesla isn't afraid to make bold claims.

This dimly-lit teaser image shows the future of Audi Sport's RS range is bright.The German performance brand has released this image showcasing its upcoming models - or at least the silhouettes of those new offerings. But our knowledge of what's coming and what we've already spied under-going testing allows us to reveal what this six-vehicle line-up will be.Expect to see the new RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback unveiled at September's Frankfurt Motor Show. These two closely-related models will be packing the same powertrain, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 already found in the Porsche Panamera, Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus.Reports indicate for the Audi duo the bent-eight will be tuned to pump out a hefty 485kW of power and 800Nm of torque. Paired to the four-ring brand's trademark quattro all-wheel drive system the family-friendly wagon and Sportback should have no trouble helping you get the kids to footy practice on time.Another rapid load-lugger is also on the way, an update of the RS4 Avant (the silhouette second from right). It will get a similar nip and tuck as the rest of the A4 range so don't expect too much in the way of technical updates, with the 2.6-litre twin-turbo V6 staying put with its healthy 331kW/600Nm outputs.The other three new RS additions are all SUVs - the RSQ3 and RSQ3 Sportback siblings as well as the bigger RSQ8. Unsurprisingly, Audi Sport is expanding its range of SUVs amid a push by all three German luxury brands into the high-riding space as customers demand more high-performance high-riders.The RSQ8 is expected to be on sale in Europe by the end of 2019, which points to a mid-to-late 2020 arrival in Australia.What sits under its bonnet remains unconfirmed but the most likely option is the same petrol-electric set-up as the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid - a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with a powerful electric motor. The internal combustion engine alone produces 404kW and 550Nm but with help from the electric motor's 100kW and up to 400Nm it has a total system output of a whopping 850Nm.While the hybrid system adds weight and complexity that should be enough grunt to help the RSQ8 hold its own against the BMW X6M and Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupe.The smaller RSQ3 and RSQ3 Sportback are also expected to have the covers taken off publically at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Motivation for these new hot-rod SUV is expected to be the latest iteration of Audi's 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine good for approximately 300kW.While it's too early for Audi Australia to comment on these future models, given the popularity of both SUVs and performance cars it's safe to assume all six of these will be coming to an Audi showroom near you as soon as possible.

 

There’s good news for Australian fans of the Ram 1500.