- 6 months ago
GWM are making moves in Australia to become a top 5 brand, with their new Tank 300 diesel and Cannon ute offering budget work horses for the masses.
Sean and James sit down to chat through the news, plus the latest victims of Australia's efficiency scheme and how manufacturers are fighting back against the 4x4 aftermarket.
Welcome to the CarExpert Podcast – now in video! Host Sean Lander is joined by resident CarExpert James Wong to chat the latest in automotive news and reviews.
Tank 300 Diesel price: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2025-gwm-tank-300-price-and-specs
Check out Jack's GWM Cannon review: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2025-gwm-cannon-review
Latest NVES victims: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/two-of-australias-cheapest-large-off-road-suvs-fall-victim-to-new-emissions-laws
Read Marton's MU-X X-Terrain review: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2025-isuzu-mu-x-review-2
We review every new car on the market, bust car myths, cover the latest car tech and answer your burning questions.
Whether you need new car advice, purchase validation or simply love learning more about new cars and technology, we are your car experts.
Subscribe to Car Expert: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7DvMhvy3H7ntEgn9n3xQcQ?sub_confirmation=1
You'll find us dropping new video content three times a week. If you'd like to ask a question about one of our videos, simply leave us a comment. If you'd like to give us any feedback on our content, feel free to email us, or alternatively, hit us up on social media.
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Sean and James sit down to chat through the news, plus the latest victims of Australia's efficiency scheme and how manufacturers are fighting back against the 4x4 aftermarket.
Welcome to the CarExpert Podcast – now in video! Host Sean Lander is joined by resident CarExpert James Wong to chat the latest in automotive news and reviews.
Tank 300 Diesel price: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2025-gwm-tank-300-price-and-specs
Check out Jack's GWM Cannon review: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2025-gwm-cannon-review
Latest NVES victims: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/two-of-australias-cheapest-large-off-road-suvs-fall-victim-to-new-emissions-laws
Read Marton's MU-X X-Terrain review: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2025-isuzu-mu-x-review-2
We review every new car on the market, bust car myths, cover the latest car tech and answer your burning questions.
Whether you need new car advice, purchase validation or simply love learning more about new cars and technology, we are your car experts.
Subscribe to Car Expert: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7DvMhvy3H7ntEgn9n3xQcQ?sub_confirmation=1
You'll find us dropping new video content three times a week. If you'd like to ask a question about one of our videos, simply leave us a comment. If you'd like to give us any feedback on our content, feel free to email us, or alternatively, hit us up on social media.
Finally, we want this channel to grow with your support and feedback. If there's anything you don't like or would like to see us change, we'd love to hear from you!
Follow us on social media to see what we're up to and to ask any questions!
CarExpert:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarExpertAus
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CarExpertAus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carexpert.com.au
Paul Maric:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulMaric
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/PaulMaric
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PaulMaric
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MotorTranscript
00:00Are manufacturers trying to take back a bit of that aftermarket industry?
00:03So many people just buy sports packages. They're not that great off-road.
00:06This sort of shows the lunacy of that whole NVE-S.
00:09This is what happens. There will be things that need to get ironed out.
00:12G'day and welcome to the Car Expert podcast. I'm your host, Sean, and I'm joined as always by James Wong.
00:16How you doing, James?
00:17Good, thank you. How are you?
00:18Very good, mate. We're going to do a short one this week because it's not a VFX week and we've all got a lot on,
00:23but you've just come back from a couple of launches. Tell us what you've been up to.
00:26Yeah, so most recently I was driving the new Ford Everest Tremor, which is an off-road focus variant
00:31that's billed as the most capable Everest ever. And the standard Everest was already very capable,
00:36so it was very interesting.
00:37Well, we will talk about that a bit later on, so don't give too much away just yet.
00:40What else? You've been on a few other launches and you've got some coming up as well?
00:43Yes, so I've done a couple of Audi launches. I've driven, I can't even remember at this point.
00:47It all sort of blows into one. It's been four weeks of just constant travel and writing and driving and things like that.
00:53So just keep tuned to the site because you'll see my name pop up next to something.
00:58All right. Well, while James gathers his thoughts for today's podcast, let me run you through what we're going to do.
01:03We're going to be talking about more cars cut because of NVES.
01:06We're going to talk about the Everest Tremor in slight detail because the embargo is not until Wednesday.
01:11Today we're filming this and the day that it will be released is Monday.
01:14We're going to talk about the MUX X Terrain and four-wheel drive OEM-based vehicles rather than having to build it yourself.
01:21But we're going to start off by talking about the Tank 300 diesel.
01:25The work experience kit at Redbook slipped up and accidentally put the pricing online before it was announced.
01:30And it's less than 50 grand for the entry-level Tank 300 diesel.
01:34I mean, I'm sure to some people that's a lot of money, but realistically, for what you're getting with that car, that's a lot of value right there.
01:40Yeah, 100%. And I think, you know, the standard petrol-powered tanks were already very good value for money.
01:45But for a vehicle that big and that capable, I think one thing that was missing was a diesel option because while diesel is sort of winding down in other segments, I think in this off-road category, diesel is a very important thing to have.
01:58And I think, you know, based on what we've heard about this engine in the Canon Alpha and the new Canon Newt.
02:06I don't even remember the one.
02:07I think it's Canon Newt.
02:08It's just Canon Newt now.
02:09Yeah, it's a pretty good engine.
02:11It's got an in-house transmission.
02:12And I think it just gives buyers a different option that may have been hesitant beforehand because the turbo petrol models, including that mild hybrid one, they're punchy and everything, but they get quite thirsty.
02:20They don't have that effortless acceleration that, you know, diesel off-roaders have.
02:24And also, when you're going off-road, you want maybe better throttle response or at least more, you make those minute adjustments and being able to tailor it better.
02:33So, I'll be interested to drive it and see how it performs because I think that will be something that might change a lot of potential buyers' views on the car.
02:41Absolutely.
02:41I mean, obviously, things that come with diesel is the better low-end torque, better gear ratios when off-roading.
02:47You're going to have a clattery diesel now, which I guess is one thing that was kind of good about the early tanks or this first-generation tank was just a nice, quiet petrol.
02:58It is my understanding they've fixed the issue where when you brake really hard, the rear wheels lift the ground.
03:02So, hopefully, that's not something that we do see in the diesels.
03:05But it's only 4K more than the petrol, which is a really small amount of money.
03:10To get into, I can't even think what else you would compare this to.
03:15I mean, a Wrangler, maybe, which is probably 30 grand.
03:17Twice the price, almost, for an equivalent-spec Wrangler.
03:20I guess, you know, the tank sort of sits on its own in terms of its pricing and packaging.
03:24But you could sort of see it as like something of a Jimny competitor.
03:27If you want something a little bit larger, it's a cheap Wrangler alternative.
03:30It could even be, you know, a budget Defender sort of rival as well.
03:34A lot of sorts of people.
03:35But when you think about it, it's a more luxurious-oriented one with sort of the rugged capability and design, which is what the modern Defender is.
03:42It's less that rugged, old-school thing that the original was and some sort of, you know, step into a new world that combines, you know, Range Rover and Land Rover attributes with the Defender nameplate.
03:53And this kind of is like that, too.
03:54It's sort of designed to look a little bit like a G-Wagon as well.
03:57I actually think it looks like the Tanooki car from Mario Kart.
04:00Of course.
04:01I think we need to flash a photo of that up as well because it genuinely looks like that.
04:05But, you know, for what it is, it's not perfect, but it's really great value.
04:09And I think that's why you're starting to see a lot of them on the road as well.
04:11You get them in these cool colors.
04:12It looks really distinctively styled.
04:15And the interior is really nice.
04:16So, yeah, I'd be interested to drive that new diesel one.
04:19It's not the only diesel coming out of GWM because they've now got the new 2.4-litre Canon diesel.
04:24But that finally has three and a half tonne towing.
04:26My understanding is they're trying to push themselves into being a top five brand.
04:29They've amalgamated all the various models under the one GWM nameplate now.
04:34And they're pushing up hard to get, you know, ahead of Mitsubishi and Kia and Hyundai and the likes of that.
04:38I think with a car like this, we've got pricing that starts at just over $40,000 for this thing.
04:44I mean, they mean business.
04:46And I actually think that these other manufacturers, these sort of legacy manufacturers, should be a little worried about this car.
04:51Oh, 100%.
04:52What this car was missing or what this ute was missing was that 3.5-tonne capability.
04:56And maybe the interior was starting to get a little bit old.
04:59Now, with this new engine and the various design upgrades that they've done inside, you know, it definitely distinguishes itself from some of the other cheaper Chinese utes like the LDV T60 and things like that.
05:10You know, from what Jack Quick reviewed at the launch, it's a very marked improvement over the old one.
05:16And given how well-priced it still is, you know, if people just want a basic ute that can tow 3.5-tonnes, you know, this is still substantially cheaper than even a Triton.
05:27So, you know, there's a proper value player in that end of the segment now.
05:31It still looks quite good, like the design's quite handsome and the appointments look really good.
05:36So, I can see that making some good ground on the sales charts for the remainder of 2025.
05:42I mean, if you're a young apprentice, like that is a hell of a car to get.
05:46There's a lot of bang, you know, you can get your tunes through the Apple CarPlay.
05:49It's got a banging stereo, but it can also tow the box trailer of the worksite.
05:53So, it's actually a pretty good thing.
05:54And then, like GWM, like I said, they're coming thick and fast because we've got the Alpha Fev coming, which is, I think, $68,000.
06:02Something like that.
06:02Something like that.
06:03Yeah.
06:04And I have a pretty good feeling they're going to undercut the Ranger, which I don't think, I'd be very surprised if Ford can bring it in around that price bracket, you know.
06:12Yeah, well, the GWM is only in basically one or two trim levels at that high 60, low 70 drive-away point.
06:18So, that's obviously a more premium proposition and the Canon Alpha is quite large.
06:24So, it's almost between like a Ranger and an F-150 in terms of size.
06:28But, you know, I think Ford has its work cut out for them because the BYD Shark is obviously so sharply priced.
06:34The Canon Alpha is likely going to be cheaper and the Alpha actually has a three and a half ton towing capacity, unlike the BYD Shark.
06:41So, I guess in terms of direct rivals, that's probably what they're looking at.
06:45Ford has confirmed that there will be four trim levels coming.
06:48So, I think XLT through to WildTrack and StormTrack, like a special edition model that they're bringing.
06:53So, you know, if they can get within that ballpark, I imagine a lot of rusted-on Ranger buyers that are looking to step into electrification.
07:00If it's not that much of a step to get into the Ford rather than getting the GWM, not to say that the GWM is a bad product,
07:06but, you know, people who are really associated with like the Ford built tough, you know, sort of mantra and that kind of thing will likely go for that product.
07:15So, it'll be really interesting to see.
07:16We're expecting pricing soon.
07:17So, let's hope that we're pleasantly surprised and perhaps that will help Ford in the long run with looming emissions regulations,
07:24which have affected them in other areas, as we'll get into later.
07:27Absolutely.
07:27Well, look, would you buy a GWM?
07:29Have you bought a GWM?
07:30Would you buy one over it?
07:32Would you buy a Canon over a Toyota Hilux or a Ford Ranger?
07:35Leave a comment.
07:36Let us know.
07:37Yes, let's talk about NVES or New Vehicle Efficiency Scheme, I think it is.
07:43Something like that.
07:43Something like that.
07:43I always forget what it is.
07:45Look, we said we would update you if there were more cars that were on the chopping block,
07:48and there are three new entrants to that list.
07:52Isuzu MUX base model and the 4x2 variants of the Everest Ambiente and Sport.
07:58Now, I don't know what the sales mix are.
08:00I don't imagine Ford are moving, and Isuzu for that matter, are moving too many of those lower models.
08:05So, I think Aussies like to buy the highest spec ones.
08:08Yeah, so we understand that the 4x2 versions of the Everest are not a huge amount of sales,
08:13but in saying that, they did sell like 26,000 of them last year.
08:16It was the top-selling large SUV.
08:18So, even if it's 5% or 10%, there's still a few thousand people that no longer have a product to go to
08:24if they're due to replace it.
08:26So, basically, what's happened here for both Isuzu and Ford is that the 4x2 models are still classified
08:32as the Type 1 light passenger vehicle, as opposed to the 4x4 models, which are Type 2 heavy-duty.
08:39So, the Type 1 is subject to an emissions average of around 140 grams per kilometre of CO2,
08:45and then the heavy-duty ones are 210 grams.
08:48So, even though the 4x2 Everests and MUXs are more efficient than their 4x4 counterparts,
08:55and especially in the case of the Everest being compared to the V6,
08:58even though they would meet the Type 2 cap, they don't meet the Type 1 cap.
09:02So, I guess they're just getting that out of the way.
09:04We'll have some news on that shortly in terms of, you know, how long you'll have to buy an Everest.
09:09I can't actually say what it is today, but there will be some news on the site around, you know,
09:13if you're still looking to get one of these, because if you don't want to go off-road,
09:15but you want this car and you want a tow and that kind of thing, so you've still got that capability,
09:19you will still be able to get it for a period of time.
09:21So, stay tuned for news on the site on that.
09:24Yeah, look, I think, and this is an Everest Sport.
09:26This is a 4x4 if you're watching on YouTube, but it looks exactly the same if you buy the 4x2 version.
09:31Just minus the 4x4 mode controller inside, but that's pretty much the only difference.
09:36I mean, I think this sort of shows the lunacy of that whole NVE-ES
09:40and the way that they've brought it in, the fact that this car is fundamentally the same
09:43as the one that has drive to the front wheels, but it doesn't meet an efficiency standard.
09:47Like, you can't just slap one efficiency standard across all models.
09:52That just seems absolutely crazy.
09:53Yeah, I think what the government should have done is made, you know,
09:56all ladder frame heavy-duty vehicles under one umbrella,
10:00because obviously this is very different to something like a Ford.
10:03A Kia Picanto, for instance.
10:04Yeah, well, that's one part, but you need to think of equivalents,
10:07like a Kluger hybrid or like a Kia Sorento, obviously very different in terms of their capability.
10:12And so, you know, this is a more efficient version of an Everest that now Australians can no longer buy
10:17if they're not needing to use 4x4 capabilities.
10:20So there's a few things there, and this is what happens with new legislation,
10:25especially when it's a completely new concept.
10:26There will be things that need to get ironed out.
10:28So it's a shame for people who might be considering a 4x2 Everest or MUX,
10:33but I guess at the same time, like we do and the brands,
10:38they all say we need emissions regulations in Australia.
10:40So this is at least a step in the right direction.
10:42And unfortunately, this is collateral damage for some brands that, you know,
10:46they have to make adjustments to their lineups to stay with the times.
10:49And unfortunately, it's not the only hit that buyers will take,
10:52because Ford Australia have gone on record saying that if they are slugged with it,
10:56they're going to be passing those fees on to the consumer.
10:58So it's one of those things that just seems very nonsensical that you take away
11:02a cheap entry-level option that can help Aussie buyers get into a new, safer car.
11:08It just seems crazy to me.
11:09But let's move on before we upset the government too much
11:11and talk about the Everest Tremor,
11:13because they brought out a Ute version of this last year,
11:17and I know they have an F-150 Tremor in the States that you can buy.
11:20Now, the Ute is really cool.
11:21The only downside was it was only a four-cylinder,
11:24and that's something they've rectified with the Everest, isn't it?
11:26Yes, and on top of that,
11:27the Ranger Tremor was only a limited edition in Australia,
11:29whereas the Everest is a permanent model in the lineup,
11:32so you will be able to get this for as long as it remains in production.
11:35So, yes, it's a V6 Everest.
11:38It's pretty much based on the sport, is my understanding,
11:41with some unique appointments.
11:43Some of the upgrades include the General Grabber AT3 tyres.
11:47It's got Bilstein shocks and revised springs.
11:50You can get it with these, so this is an ARB-sourced rough road package bumper,
11:56so you can change it, and it helps with bash plates and approach and departure angles
12:01and all that kind of thing.
12:02So, I recently drove this in the Victorian high country.
12:06Drive impressions are in Bargers Hill Thursday,
12:07so I can't tell you too much,
12:09but this is billed as the most capable Everest ever,
12:13and I guess this sort of new trend of automakers doing the out-of-the-box capability stuff
12:18that allows people to walk into a dealer and walk out with, you know,
12:21a factory-prepared product that has enhanced capability over the standard ones.
12:25Not to say that the standard Everest isn't capable already,
12:28but I guess the key takeaways here is that this still retains
12:32a three-and-a-half-ton brake towing capacity that the other Everests have,
12:36and, you know, with a 29-mil lift in suspension or ride height
12:40because the suspension hasn't officially had a big lift.
12:42It's more the tyres that do that work,
12:44but the track has also been widened by 30 mil,
12:46so it should offer not only better off-road capability
12:48but better road holding when you're, you know, on the freeway
12:51and things like that because it's just got a better footprint.
12:53So, more to come on that soon, but, yeah, pretty cool car.
12:56I mean, closest thing we get to an Everest Raptor.
12:58Ford aren't the only ones playing this game
12:59because Isuzu have done it with the MUX X Terrain,
13:02and we're getting our hands on one of those in the next couple of weeks,
13:04so stay tuned to the YouTube channel for a video on that.
13:08I think this is really cool because if you wanted to go off-roading,
13:12like if you had, like, just a feigning interest in off-roading,
13:14you just want to maybe go for a drive down a slightly rough track,
13:18you still had to go and get, like, a vehicle
13:20and build it to be able to do that.
13:22But now manufacturers are offering this that maintains a warranty
13:26that means that any Joe Blow can go in
13:28and they can take their car into a place
13:30that they may not have been able to do before.
13:31I mean, are manufacturers trying to take back
13:34a bit of that aftermarket industry?
13:35Because, I mean, that aftermarket industry is worth billions.
13:38Yeah, 100%.
13:39You know, there's major, there's so many different ways
13:42that manufacturers are trying to make more money
13:44and keep people or customers within their, you know, within their network.
13:49You know, Ford with the Tremor is one example.
13:51The MU-X X-Terrain is another based off the success of the D-Max U.
13:55And there's probably a lot of people that have D-Max X-Terrain
13:58that they're, you know, maybe wanting to trade in for a MU-X
14:02because they've got more kids now
14:03or they want something that's a bit more comfortable
14:04without stuff in the tray.
14:06And we've seen other manufacturers like Toyota do it
14:08with the Prado Altitude, Lexus has the GX Overtrial,
14:11and there's a number of other manufacturers
14:13that are doing this sort of in-house job.
14:15And some of them are all entirely in-house.
14:18Others are in collaboration with local partners
14:20given how important for products like this,
14:23how important the Australian market is.
14:24There's a lot of local investment.
14:25So while they're potentially taking it away
14:28from, you know, third-party distributors
14:29of aftermarket accessories,
14:31they're partnering with those suppliers firsthand.
14:34And, you know, there's investment there.
14:35There's investment in local jobs for engineers to be doing the testing
14:38and the engineering of these new models
14:40and their relevant accessories and parts.
14:43And I think it's a much simpler way for the customer
14:46to not have to then go from the dealer
14:47to a third-party supplier or whatever
14:49and then having to spend all this extra money
14:51when they can just do it all in-house
14:52and it's all under the same warranty.
14:54You go to the same place if you need it repaired
14:56or you need replacement parts.
14:57It really simplifies it for the consumer.
14:59And I mean, look, there's always going to be the people
15:01that are built, not bought.
15:02And I'm all for that.
15:03And I love seeing the things that people do
15:05with their four-wheel drives and they build them up.
15:06It's just some really cool stuff.
15:07But I think if you can walk in
15:09and only spend a couple of grand more
15:10and get one of these sort of things over the regular one,
15:13that's really cool.
15:14I think this is a strange thing
15:16because it's taken so long for them
15:18to start doing this in Australia
15:19because in the States, they've had it for years.
15:21You know, Ford have the Raptor range.
15:22I've had it for a long time.
15:23Toyota do the TRD Pro.
15:25Like they've got the ZR series in the Chevys.
15:29Aussies have always liked, you know, modifying their vehicles.
15:32Why do you think it's taken them so long
15:33to actually start doing that stuff down here?
15:35I guess it took a while for maybe Australian customers
15:38to get to the sort of scale that you have
15:40in places like America.
15:41Whereas, you know, they already have such a big buyer base
15:44over there that sort of justifies the investment
15:46in releasing a range of things like that
15:48because there's a lot of engineering and investment
15:50that goes into creating these kinds of vehicles.
15:52And then obviously tooling at the factory to allow for that.
15:54Also, it costs quite a lot of money.
15:56So I guess for Australia being a much smaller market
15:58than somewhere like North America,
16:00it probably just took time for, you know,
16:02manufacturers to understand how many people
16:05are actually going into making these modifications
16:07to their cars, how much they're actually spending.
16:09So whether it's worth trying to package everything
16:11and make it cheaper and make it more attractive.
16:13And then also building up the support network
16:15within their own dealer networks to make sure
16:17that if a customer comes in and buys those things
16:19that they're supported from the factory
16:20as well as their dealership
16:21to make sure that, you know,
16:22people aren't just left with a car off the road
16:24because it's very easy for things like this.
16:26You know, you might break something,
16:27you might knock something off and you need parts.
16:29You know, you can't have your car off the road
16:30for six months because a lot of people use these.
16:32You know, you think of a ute buyer
16:33that needs their car every day.
16:35So there are so many factors that would play into that,
16:37but it's a very lucrative industry.
16:39And I think we're starting to see not just Australia,
16:41but across the world, a lot of manufacturers
16:43and customers are getting on that bandwagon.
16:45So I'm sure this will be continuing for quite some time.
16:48And look, for, you know, Ford and Isuzu,
16:51it opens up a whole world of customers
16:52because all those people that bought a 911 Dakar
16:54can now cross shop with an Everest or an MUX.
16:57No, look, I think it's really cool.
16:59What do you guys think?
17:00Leave a comment, let us know.
17:01Would you build it or buy it?
17:03What is your preference?
17:04That almost brings us to the end for this week.
17:07I do want to know though,
17:08before we do move on from this,
17:09what car would you like to see
17:11get this sort of treatment to it?
17:12And please don't say Volkswagen Golf.
17:14That's a really good question.
17:16I'm just trying to think.
17:17There are so many like bigger SUVs
17:19that could benefit from that.
17:21You know, like some of the luxury stuff
17:23like BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLA,
17:26like they're almost itching to get something like that
17:29because they're all quite capable out of the box.
17:30Volkswagen Touring,
17:31I know you told me not to talk about Volkswagen.
17:33No, it's a Golf.
17:33Yeah, but that class of like large premium SUV,
17:36because so many people just buy sports packages,
17:39they're not that great off-road.
17:40And sometimes people just need to go up
17:42a light trail to get there.
17:43And as we found out playing around
17:45with that Porsche Classic first gen Cayenne,
17:48you can unlock quite a lot of capability
17:49with a few, you know, decent accessories.
17:52So, you know, other markets actually get off-road options.
17:56And we used to get that in Australia
17:57for things like Mercedes and stuff like that,
18:00which because I think they were bought
18:01in such low numbers,
18:02they're not really available anymore.
18:03But there's so much capability in those cars
18:05that people probably wouldn't even realise they have.
18:07And, you know, while I think there's a great customer base
18:11and there's obviously a place for things
18:12like your land cruises and things like that,
18:13you know, if I personally was spending that much money
18:15on a big family SUV
18:17that I would occasionally take out bush,
18:19it might be cool to have something
18:20like an all-terrain capable
18:23two-reg X5 GLE sort of thing.
18:26Or, you know, like that Cayenne.
18:28I think that sort of Safari look is really, really cool.
18:30And, you know, people do stuff like that
18:33in the Middle East and Europe all the time
18:34in terms of building those sorts of things.
18:36So I guess that would be cool to see
18:37because I love that,
18:39it was a completely stupid project,
18:40but that Audi Q8 e-tron Dakar special or whatever,
18:43where they put the big all-terrains
18:45and a higher air suspension lift
18:47and the, what do you call it,
18:49the tray on the roof,
18:50the crate tray or whatever you call that accessory.
18:53It looks really, really cool.
18:54And I love that look and that spec.
18:56And maybe for something like the off-road wagons,
18:57like an Outback getting a proper,
18:59because they have the wilderness version
19:01available in the US,
19:02which we don't get that kind of stuff
19:03on more affordable things
19:04would be really cool to see as well.
19:05Well, the one that I saw over the weekend was,
19:08and I'll flash an image up here for those watching.
19:13Behind I have the,
19:14I think it's the XTR, XT something.
19:17XRT, yes.
19:18XRT Santa Fe.
19:19Well, they've now done an Ioniq 5
19:21with big off-road tires, black bumpers.
19:24It's made to just go belting around off-road.
19:26And I really look forward to seeing
19:28what EV manufacturers do with this
19:29because I have been off-road in a Mercedes EQS
19:32that had a lift and tires put on it.
19:34And it was surprisingly impressive.
19:37So I look forward to seeing what's to come.
19:39But in the meantime,
19:40I'd probably still buy the Everest Tremor.
19:41Yeah, fair enough.
19:42My money was on it.
19:44But anyway, look,
19:45what are you up to over the next couple of weeks, mate?
19:47So I've got some events coming up.
19:49I'm doing an Audi media night at the Grand Prix.
19:52They've got a debut,
19:53local debuts of a couple of their new cars,
19:54including I think the A5 and S5
19:56and the updated e-tron GT.
19:59I think that's right.
20:00I'll also be driving the new Volvo EX90
20:02in Australia soon.
20:03So I'll basically be getting the baton
20:05from Paul to drive it here.
20:07Oh, this is the one that's like a cyclops.
20:09It's got the thing on it.
20:10Yeah, it's got the LiDAR on the roof.
20:12What else am I driving soon?
20:13I've got the Kia EV3 local launch.
20:16So I drove that in Korea.
20:17So I'm really excited to see what they've done
20:18because obviously Kia does so much local
20:20ride and handling, testing and tuning.
20:22So it'll be interesting to see
20:24whether there's a significant difference
20:25in how the Korean car drove
20:27versus the one that comes here.
20:28And I guess the other one
20:29is the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5,
20:32which have finally launched here.
20:33I think we talked about that
20:34on the first episode of the podcast
20:35two years ago.
20:36Yes, well, they actually just released pricing
20:38and a lot of people have been asking us
20:39about pricing.
20:40So the ID.4 Pro will start from $59,990,
20:43which is actually pretty sharp
20:44and it's got over 500Ks of range
20:46and it's pretty much fully decked out
20:47with features, bar connected services.
20:51So it'll be interesting to finally drive those
20:53on local soil
20:54because it's been quite a story to follow
20:56over the last five years
20:58that it's been available in Europe
20:59and there's been a number of running changes
21:01to address customer concerns abroad.
21:04So hopefully we're getting
21:05the latest, most refined version of that product.
21:08And if it's good,
21:09I think it deserves to sell well
21:10because there'll be a big subsection
21:12of the local customer base
21:14that perhaps is not quite willing
21:16to go to a Chinese challenger brand
21:18or some of the other options
21:20that are currently on the market
21:21if they're already in sort of
21:22in like the European space.
21:24So I'm really keen to drive that.
21:25We're going to Canberra for that one
21:27and it'll be cool to see
21:28how that car stacks up.
21:30And if one ever arrives in Australia,
21:32would you buy a Volkswagen ID?
21:34I don't know whether I'd be willing
21:35to put my money on it
21:36because it's taking longer
21:37to get here than Tesla cars.
21:37Oh, I think they're here now.
21:38I think they're here now.
21:40So they've arrived before
21:41the new updated Model Y.
21:43It has got a five-year head start.
21:45But yeah, so the cars will be landing
21:46in the next month or so
21:48and the pricing's announced.
21:49So you can probably go
21:50put an order down at the dealer.
21:51All right, fair enough.
21:52Well, next time we talk to you,
21:54hopefully Oscar Piastri
21:55is a winner of the Australian Grand Prix.
21:57We'll find out.
21:59But yes, we will be back
22:01in a couple of weeks
22:01after the Grand Prix.
22:02The next couple of weeks
22:03are absolutely wild here.
22:04So keep an eye out
22:05on Car Expert's socials,
22:06website and YouTube channel.
22:07There's a lot of cool stuff coming.
22:09But in the meantime,
22:10if you haven't already,
22:10subscribe to the YouTube channel
22:11and follow along
22:12on your favourite audio streaming platform.
22:14But until next time,
22:15take it easy.
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