Motor Torque with David Berthon

I spoke earlier how the Federal Government has announced it is providing $150
million in funding to subsidise loans for electric vehicle purchases. Designed for
workers earning less than $100,000 per year. Surprisingly, the Federal Chamber
of Automotive Industries came out in support of the move despite the fact that EV
sales the world over have slowed and at a time when an increasing numbers of
new and affordable Chinese electric brands and models are entering the
Australian market. I’m not against electric cars, far from it, they offer some
excellent benefits however Chris Bowen’s obsession with subsidizing their
purchase with taxpayer money really irks me – electric car owners don’t pay a
cent for road maintenance whereas petrol or diesel owners contribute 50.6 cents
a litre through fuel excise. Surely it’s time we had a fairer road user charge . I’m
David Berthon

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Fresh from hearing that budget deficits over the next four years are forecast to blow out by another 20 billion dollars comes news the Federal Government will help finance $150 million in low interest loans through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for workers earning less than $100,000 per year, as well as essential workers such as police officers and teachers, to help them buy an electric car. The media release suggesting the move could save buyers more than $8,000 on a $40,000 loan. According to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, the discounted loans help remove barriers to ownership helping more Australians drive cars that can save them thousands of dollars a year. EV owners pay no petrol excise to maintain our roads, currently 50.6 cents per litre, so why should they also get a subsidized loan – it’s ridiculous. I’m David Berthon.

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Behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4 MATIC Coupe – a rather
handsome two door Coupe on a long-wheelbase - powered by a 2.0-litre turbo
four-cylinder petrol engine assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system mated to a
nine-speed automatic driving all four wheels. Ownership rather exclusive with
just 499 sold last year – priced at $124,900 plus on-road costs. So how does it
drive - the petrol engine delivers 190kW of power, 400 Nm of torque, the hybrid
system contributing more power and torque under hard acceleration – the pairing
improving fuel efficiency and I managed 7.9L/100KM, not bad for a rather heavy
coupe on 95 grade petrol. Sharing its underpinnings with the latest C-Class and
E-Class sedan but with an AMG-inspired sports suspension that is 15mm lower
and with calibrated steering that varies in each of the four drive modes - along
with sharper gear shifts this is a sports coupe with real driving appeal. Ride
quality however can get a little hard, the real surprise, the amount of noise
intrusion into the cabin on a harsh surface, something I wouldn’t expect on a car
at this value. But overall, the new Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 coupe a very polished
performer. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe today – the German company
rationalizing its coupe and cabriolet line-up last year – the previous C and E-
Class coupe and cabriolet replaced by the CLE 200 and 300 coupe and cabriolet
– now both four-cylinder mild hybrids. I drove the CLE 300 4MATIC coupe at
$124,900 plus on-road costs – powered by a 2-0-litre turbo petrol engine mated to
a nine-speed automatic assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and unlike the
two-wheel drive CLE 200, drive goes to all four wheels. The CLE Coupe sits on a
stretched wheelbase - a most handsome and beautifully appointed luxury two
door Coupe – the body accentuated by a pronounced shark nose, bonnet power
domes, a front and rear apron and side sills. The interior a knockout, with large
centre screen, a configurable 12.3 instrument cluster, a head up instrument
display and very sculptured and supportive front seats in high grade leather – the
rear seat cramped with difficult access and for the most part the CLE 300 is best
described as a comfortable two-seater. Disappointments, a lack of buttons for
climate and audio controls and the slider controls on the steering wheel for
volume and cruise control frustrating to use. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV has been freshened for 2025 in a re-aligned model range
with a new N-Design grade flagship with hybrid power standard – the Qashqai e-Power
hybrid N-Design around $60,000 drive-away. Nissan have added new technology and
equipment, freshened the styling, at the same time cutting the previous rather high
servicing costs and providing a longer warranty – but hybrid pricing remains high
compared to petrol Qashqai models. However, the e-Power N-Design is packed with
premium features – leather seats with massage function, a panoramic glass roof, 20-inch
alloy wheels, a power tailgate and a most impressive digital dash and touchscreen,
thankfully with a mix of buttons The 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo in the petrol models
replaced by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works
differently to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine purely powers a generator
connected to a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels
– this hybrid system adds around 200 kilos over a conventional petrol Qashqai but it
offers over a 900km driving range. Despite the e-Power hybrids exalted price tag the
drive experience is very rewarding. Warranty including battery five-years unlimited km or
an impressive 10-years/300,000km if serviced by a Nissan dealer. I’m David Berthon

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