Revolutionizing the EV Buying Experience: Volkswagen’s GameChanging Approach

By Jeff Gibbs

The 2023 BYD Dolphin, positioned as Australia’s most budget-friendly electric vehicle, marks a signifcant stride in the EV market. With an initial price starting at $38,890 plus on-road costs, this entry-level model competes with conventional hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, offering commendable features and decent driving dynamics.

Available in two variants – the base-level Dynamic and the more equipped Premium priced at $44,890 plus ORCs – the Dolphin series comes in four colors at no extra expense: Sand White, Urban Grey, Maldive Purple, and Coral Pink.

While setting its sights on the small hatchback niche, the Dolphin faces competition from similar-priced electric rivals like the MG4 and GWM Ora, as well as better-equipped petrolpowered hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 hybrids.

The Dolphin boasts a rich array of standard equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, and a 360-degree camera. However, its warranty coverage – notably four years/100,000km for suspension and lights, three years/60,000km for multimedia systems – presents curious exclusions.

In terms of safety, the Dolphin secures a fve-star ANCAP rating, encompassing an impressive suite of safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Yet, realworld usability reveals occasional glitches, notably in lane keep assistance and overspeed warnings.

Innovation-wise, the Dolphin allows unlocking and driving via smartphone, provides over-the-air software updates, and includes a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central infotainment screen, albeit lacking AM radio.

Powering the Dolphin Dynamic is a single electric motor generating 70kW of power and 180Nm of torque, delivering adequate performance for urban driving but exhibiting limitations at highway speeds. The Premium variant, with a larger battery, presents more robust performance fgures.

Range-wise, the Dolphin Dynamic claims a WLTP-certifed 340km, offering practical suburban range but somewhat challenging for extensive road trips. The Premium model, with a larger battery, extends this to a claimed 427km.

Charging-wise, the Dolphin supports AC charging at up to 7kW and public DC charging up to 60kW. The vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature enables powering household appliances from the charging port. On-road performance manifests zippy urban running, although highway speeds may reveal limitations. The Dolphin’s suspension excels in comfort, although it lacks dynamic poise in spirited driving, often compromising cornering stability.

Inside, the Dolphin exhibits a well-designed cabin, utilizing convincing faux leather and displaying genuine attention to detail. However, it faces minor drawbacks like limited storage spaces, chunky A-pillars causing blind spots, and a modest boot space.

In conclusion, the 2023 BYD Dolphin, especially the Dynamic model, presents an attractive proposition in the EV domain, excelling in urban usability and comfort while maintaining a competitive edge in the budget EV market segment

By Jeff Gibbs

Volkswagen is set to debut its inaugural electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia in 2024, introducing the ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs for pre-sale in the initial quarter and a full launch expected by June or July. While the pricing remains undisclosed for the Australian market, buyers will gain access to an online confgurator, offering options for vehicle specifcations, fnancing, servicing plans, and accessory selections.

Though Volkswagen doesn’t anticipate ground-breaking changes with these tools, it intends to set itself apart through an augmented reality experience. Using a smartphone, buyers can project a full-scale charge box onto a wall, enabling them to test various locations and detect any proximity issues indicated by a red glow.

In addition to these innovations, Volkswagen has hinted at benefts such as exclusive rates for home energy plans, incentives for solar installations, and perks linked to public chargers, in conjunction with prospective collaborations with established Australian brands.

Ralph Beckmann, Volkswagen Australia’s general manager for marketing and product, indicated that customers will have the opportunity to track their ordered vehicles throughout the shipping process, excluding the Tiguan Allspace, which won’t be part of this tracking system due to logistics.

Following the ID.4 and ID.5 launches, Volkswagen plans to roll out a series of EVs in Australia, with the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo expected in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by the ID.2 and ID.3 at a later date.

The ID.4 and ID.5 variants will be available in singlemotor rear-wheel drive Pro and dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX versions, each equipped with a 77kWh battery.

The Pro models generate 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque, offering a range of 550km (ID.4) or 556km (ID.5) as per WLTP standards. Meanwhile, the GTX models produce 250kW.

Vehicles come with enhanced DC charging capabilities and thermal management systems, ensuring battery pre-conditioning before a DC charging stop. Inside, updates include illuminated touch sliders, a larger 12.9inch touchscreen, and a new voice assistant with cloud-based information and natural voice commands. Additional features comprise an augmented reality head-up display, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon 480W sound system, and a standard digital instrument cluster across all models.

GENERAL MOTORS to make a Bold Entry into the Australian Market with Cadillac Lyriq: An Electric SUV on the Horizon

By Jeff Gibbs

GENERAL MOTORS, renowned for its signifcant presence globally, is all set for a fresh stint in the Australian market. The company is preparing for its debut in Australia with the muchanticipated Cadillac Lyriq, a fully imported and fully electric large SUV, marking the frst-time factory right-hand drive vehicles will be introduced in the country.

Cadillac, a prestigious US luxury brand that had previously not established a factory presence in Australia, is venturing into the “premium” market segment with its right-hand drive Lyriq scheduled for arrival by the end of 2024, albeit without confrmed specifcations.

GM’s withdrawal from Australia in 2017 seemed to stem from the challenge of manufacturing right-hand drive cars locally. However, this obstacle has seemingly been surmounted by the decision to produce these vehicles in the United States.

The company’s initial foray back into the Australian market will primarily be through two Experience Centres (stores), strategically positioned in Melbourne and Sydney (along with Auckland), supplemented by the “Direct to Customer Experience” online portal.

When pressed about potential pricing, GM and Cadillac executives at a brand media launch in Melbourne refrained from divulging specifcs. Nevertheless, considering the Lyriq’s US pricing range of $US50,000-$US62,000 and in comparison with competitors like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, the anticipated price of the Lyriq in Australia may hover around $A150,000.

Vice President of Global Cadillac, John Roth, hinted at a competitive edge by positioning the Lyriq against competitors like the Mercedes-Benz EQE, BMW iX, and Audi Q8 e-tron.

GM’s vision for the future entails a range of vehicles built on GM’s dedicated Ultium BEV architecture, encompassing various 2WD and AWD confgurations. The showcased Lyriq 600e 4 AWD variant unveiled at the Melbourne event showcased its immense torque capabilities. The company’s ambitious plan includes a lineup of diverse

BEV models, including sedans, coupes, SUVs, and pick-ups, contingent upon production as part of a broader global EV expansion program focusing on right-hand drive models from the US.

Jess Bala, Managing Director of GM Australia and New Zealand, emphasized Cadillac’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled sales and ownership experience for its customers, targeting tech-savvy early adopters in the premium market segment.

Assured of the Australian market’s readiness and the revival of GM’s brand reputation post its local withdrawal, Bala expressed confdence in Cadillac’s re-entry, citing the brand’s rich history and its prominence in pop culture as key recognition factors. The launch of the Lyriq in Australia and New Zealand signifes a personal milestone for Bala, who has been actively involved with the Lyriq’s development and is ecstatic about bringing it back home.

The Cadillac Lyriq, the automaker’s pioneering BEV built on the Ultium platform, represents Cadillac’s future, blending technology, craftsmanship, and performance seamlessly. Engineered from the ground up for global markets, the vehicle promises luxury and style while spearheading Cadillac’s EV journey into new territories. GM’s substantial investment in the Ultium battery platform paves the way for effcient development of righthand-drive variants, extending the brand’s reach into new markets globally.

Amidst their focus on introducing Cadillac into the Australian market, the GM representatives highlighted the extensive presence of GM’s various business units in Australia and New Zealand, laying a strong foundation for future developments in the GM business realm Down Under.

With Christmas knocking on our door, we have decided to do something di erent this year, instead of o ering discounts we thought let’s have a Christmas Competition and it will go something like this. For anyone who books between the 1st of December and the 20th of December for either a Maintenance, Full or Pre Sale Detail or Gi Voucher will go into the draw to win the following.

Your

Winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Wednesday the 20th of December and the items can be collected the very next day. To book please drop into our shop at 49 Dawson Street or call 0410 473 562.