However, the Haval H6 GT PHEV is something special.

With a stylish Sportback design it attracted comments everywhere we went. People associate this look with way more expensive cars.

Inside it’s also comfortable, spacious, and practical in its layout. Front seats are especially supportive.

In front of the driver is a 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster. This is complimented by a 12.3-inch central screen. There is also a HUD for the driver.

While these provide excellent clarity and an abundance of information, the user interface leave a lot to be improved. Too many controls are buried in the touch menu. Often what you are after is hard to find as well. It also takes a while to navigate the intrusive safety features and turn them off, only for them to revert back for the next time.

The big plus for the H6GT PHEV is that it’s equipped with an advanced 1.5L turbocharged hybrid engine. This combines with three powerful electric motors, two at the front and one at the rear. Integrated with the 4WD system, this provides sub 5.0 second 0-100 km/h times.

The other key factor is the claimed 180 km EV only range. We didn’t quite get there but close.

Priced at just $55,990 driveaway, the H6GT PHEV is stunning value.

This is a Motoring Minute’

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the H6 GT PHEV – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE H6 GT PHEV – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

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It’s a more compact design than the Genesis GV70 we drove last week. Designed from the platform up as an EV.

It’s style is a blend of coupe and SUV and looks great in the flesh. Lots of people commented about its looks and most really liked it.

Inside the pure EV design shows in a  simple and spacious feel. There is an abundance of storage space, and the dash layout is driver focused.

The GV60 Performance Lux All Wheel Drive model comes with a the 77.4 kilowatt hour battery with some 360 kilowatts  of power and a healthy 700 newton metres of torque.

This is good for a 0-100kmh time of around 4 seconds. That’s quick for any car.

It also has a real life range of between 400 – 450 kilometres.

Coming from Genesis, you expect the GV60 to be full of luxury, comfort and safety features and it doesn’t disappoint.

There is a lot to like, but in honestly not a fan of the digital external rear view mirrors. It takes a long time to get used to them.

Priced from around $114,000 plus the usual costs

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Brianna Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Genesis GV60 HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Genesis GV60 RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Genesis GV60 buyers could also look at

Large true 4WD wagons with PHEV capability are not common – in fact rare

Buyers could look at the Land Rover Defender PHEV, Range Rover Sport PHEV,

Other larger SUV styled choices could include: Mazda CX-90, Toyota Kluger Grand Hybrid, Volvo XC90 Recharge, Audi Q5 PHEV.

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This is the latest offering from the premium Italian sports car brand and it’s a beauty.

With elegant style and design, sports car performance and luxurious interior.

The Grecale comes in four variants with the Trofeo the performance version.

Inside the sports seats immediately cocoon you and set the expectation for the drive. The layout is functional, and driver focussed. I like the twin central screen and love the thick leather steering wheel.

The central clock has swapped from analogue to digital and is multi-functional. That’s clever and cool design.

Rear seat leg room is tight but boot space is practical.

The Grecale Trofeo comes from a 3.0L V6 Bi Turbo petrol engine that provides some 390kW of power and a handy 620Nm of torque. It also comes with an 8 Sp sports automatic transmission as permanent Q4 all wheel drive.

This combination is good for a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 285km/h which is redundant in Australia unfortunately.

Handling, as you would expect is excellent, ride is a little firm even on comfort mode. But this is a driver SUV and focussed on driver engagement.

The Maserati Grecale Trofeo is priced from $165,000 plus the usual costs.

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I’m Rob Fraser

TO LISTEN TO THE GRECALE TROFEO RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

Maserati Grecale Trofeo Motoring Minute Video Review

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The post We drive the Maserati Grecale Trofeo 2024 Review appeared first on Motoring Minute.

VW Tiguan R was first launched in April last year.

Like a lot of us the Tiguan has grown over the years since it was first launched in the 2008.

Tiguan R is powered by the familiar Golf ‘R’ 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine. This produces some 235kW of power and a handy 400Nm of torque from 2,000 through to 5,600 rpm.

It drives all four wheels through the 4Motion system With Torque vectoring and a 7 Sp direct shift gearbox.

This combination is good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

But more than that, the Tiguan R is easy to live with everyday. It will happily potter around without fuss and yet deliver blistering performance when asked. That is the beauty of it.

Inside its comfortable with heated sports seating, wireless connectivity for smart phones, a 9.2 inch central screen and digital drivers instruments.

It also features the full suite of IQ Drive travel assist functionality and matrix LED auto headlights. This is in addition to a pile of ‘R’ specification features.

VW Tiguan ‘R is priced from $73,790 plus the usual costs

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details on the VW Tiguan R HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Tiguan R RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Tiguan R buyers could look at.

Buyers of sports SUVs have a limited choice, especially in affordable range. They could look at the:

Cupra Leon VZx, Audi RSQ3, Subaru WRX Sportswagon,

Slightly more expensive options can include the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Genesis GV70 3.5T, Maserati Grecale Trofeo.

Read more about other sports SUVs  – OzRoamer 2022 Sports SUV COTY Award

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Here is a smaller, stylish sports SUV that has sub 5 second 0-100kmh times and is priced from around $62,000 plus the usual costs.

I like the overall style and design of the T-Roc. It gets the balance between size and practicality about right. Inside there is plenty of room for the front occupants, not so much for those behind them though as you would expect.

Front seats are comfortable and supportive.

This is a driver’s car so let’s chat about that.

The T-Roc R comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine that delivers 221kW of power and a handy 400Nm of torque from a low 2000rpm. This allows for both relaxed around town cruising and spritely acceleration when asked.

There is a 7-speed direct shift gearbox and 4MOTION traction. Think of this as providing better traction as its definitely not an off-road SUV.

The thick rimmed steering wheel allows direct feel and the overall responsiveness to driver inputs is impressive.

Overall the VW T-Roc R is simply sun to drive

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the VW T-Roc R can be found HERE

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More  thoughts

Instead of the VW T ROC R buyers could look at:  

Smaller sports SUVs are popular.

Buyers could look at  Hyundai Kona N, Audi SQ2.  Cupra Leon VZx,

Looking slightly further buyers could look at : Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, Subaru WRX Sportswagon,  or even the  Renault Megane RS,

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Launched in late 2021 I was looking forward to a longer dive and I wasn’t disappointed.

Its as comfortable as any SUV and full of the little luxuries that Audi can throw in there. Its perfect for someone my size and will accommodate a small family.

The beating heart is a smooth 4.0L TFSI twin Turbo V8 petrol engine that has a crackling burble to the exhaust. I love it.

The new V8 produces 373 kW of power and 770 Nm of torque. They will run from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds. Top speed is governed at 250kmh.

To add to the sport credentials there is the famous Audi Quattro AWD system, a robust 8 speed Tiptronic transmission as well as dynamic all-wheel steering and adaptive sport air suspension as standard. There is a dynamic package for the pure enthusiasts.

Sometimes its hard to wrap my head around just how dynamic an almost 3000kg SUV can be. It almost defies physics.

The Audi SQ8 sits in the driveway nudging me to take it for a drive, it whispers, lets have some fun.  It encourages you to pack the boot and go for a drive to Noosa and back, simply for the sheer pleasure of the drive.

Audi SQ8 is priced from $168,800 plus the usual costs and that listeners is a bargain.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

TO LISTEN TO THE AUDI SQ8 RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

To read a more detailed report from the Australian launch GO HERE.

Audi SQ8 Quick thoughts

• Its big, stylish, powerful and defies physics with dynamic handling and supple ride.
• SQ8 has a muscular stance, low wide and squat.
• Unlike the Audi RSQ8 that can be a bit brutal in delivery, the SQ8 is all about finesse and linear acceleration.
• Even though the RSQ8 is faster I prefer the SQ8 to live with everyday.
• Low torque delivery allows smooth and relaxed cruising.
• On the freeway its relatively economical considering its size and potential performance
• Anything sub 5.0 seconds 0-100km/h, especially for a big SUV, is fast.
• The balance between everyday driving and ride and sports handling is excellent.
• On tight twisty roads, it’s hard to believe you are driving a near 3.0T SUV. It feels much, much smaller, and nimble.
• It sounds like marketing babble, but the SQ8 almost becomes an extension of your thoughts.
• Point and it goes. Hit the brakes it stops, plant the right foot and it takes off. As it should be.
• Of course, the interior is typically Audi, comfortable, functional, and stylish.
• I did miss the massage seats though, part of an option pack this car didn’t have.
• One excellent option is that you can choose a full-size spare and the boot floor is raised about 100mm. That’s clever and practical.
• The HD Matrix headlights are BRILLIANT (pun intended)
• It’s the little things like interior ambient lighting, power assisted door closing, gesture controlled auto rear tailgate opening and more that bring practical and functional luxury to your everyday living

Audi SQ8 Final thoughts

The word that comes to mind is AWESOME!

Stylish design combined with superb performance.

All the while the Audi interior cocoons the occupants in absolute comfort.

The SQ8 is built on the same platform as the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus. Are they worth the extra money?

For me the answer is NO!

Some buyers are willing to pay 2-3 times as much for the badge or to go a second faster from 0-100km/h

Id rather have the Audi SQ8 and save the $200,000 or more and have just as much fun.

Also look at

The large AWD SUV segment is full of vehicles some good some trading on a badge.

Buyers could look at the Maserati Levante, Range Rover Sport, Jaguar F-PACE, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, 

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

Audi SQ8 Price as Tested Options

Options

• 22″ Audi Sport alloy wheels in 5-V-spoke star design, Anthracite black $1,000
• Audi exclusive titanium black exterior styling package $1,850
• Audi exclusive individual paint $7,600
• Dynamic package – includes active roll stabilisation and quattro sport differential $10,900
• Inlays in carbon vector $1,950
• Manual steering column adjustment* -$650
• Manual luggage compartment cover* -$429
• As tested $ 191,021 MLP*

Audi SQ8 Key Highlights

Exterior

• 22″ alloy wheels in 5-twin spoke V design, contrasting grey,
• Red brake callipers,
• Adaptive air suspension sport,
• Dynamic steering package – all-wheel steering,
• Audi HD Matrix LED headlights,
• Metallic paint,
• Power-assisted door closure,
• Electric tailgate including gesture control,
• S body styling with exterior mirrors in aluminium look,
• Exterior mirrors with electric fold, heating and memory function

Interior

• Ambient interior lighting package; colour,
• S sport front seats with integrated front headrests,
• Valcona leather seat upholstery with diamond patterned stitching and embossed S logo,
• Seat ventilation and heating for front seats,
• Electric front seats including electric lumbar support and memory function for both front seats,
• Sport leather steering wheel in 3-spoke design with multifunction plus, shift paddles and heating function,
• Inlays in matt brushed aluminium,
• Privacy glass; rear and rear side windows,
• 4-zone climate control air conditioning

Infotainment and connectivity technology

• MMI navigation plus with 10.1″ haptic touch screen for infotainment and 8.6″ touch / haptic screen for vehicle functions,
• Audi virtual cockpit plus with 12.3″ high resolution screen,
• Audi connect plus; Navigation & Infotainment, Security & Assistance,
• Audi smartphone interface – wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
• DAB+ Digital radio,
• Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System including 17 loudspeakers and 16-channel amplifier (730 watt),

Safety

• Front and rear parking sensors with 360-degree cameras,
• Adaptive drive assist with Stop&Go,
• Audi active lane assist and side assist with exit warning,
• Rear cross-traffic assist & Intersection crossing assist,
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) including pedestrian and cyclist detection,
• Hill descent control and
• Audi drive select

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The post Audi SQ8 Quattro SUV 2023 Review appeared first on Motoring Minute.